Expression of sperm cation channel CatSper in smoking mice model

YAO Li-juan; ZHENG Sheng-xia; WU Shuang-zheng; SUN Xiao-ke; ZHOU Gui-xiang; ZHOU Ming

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2014.03.007

Abstract：Objective To provide reliable experimental data for molecular mechanism research on male reproductive impairment by establishing the mice model of smoking to detect the expression of specific cation channel CatSper mRNA and protein in sperm, and analyze its relation with sperm motility. Methods Mice model of smoking was established, sperm samples were separated by Percoll discontinuous density gradients and sperm motility was detected, mice sperm CatSper mRNA was determined by RT-PCR, the distribution of CatSper protein was observed by immunocytochemical technique , CatSper protein level was detected by western blotting. Results In normal control group, mild smoking group, moderate smoking group, and severe smoking group, the proportion of sperm motility (a + b) grade were (87.6 ± 16.2)%vs. (72.9 ± 13.0)%vs. (68.1 ± 16.0)%vs. (44.6 ± 15.0)%(P<0.05), the relative contents of CatSper mRNA were 0.915 ± 0.202 vs. 0.712 ± 0.121 vs. 0.522 ± 0.126 vs. 0.258 ± 0.177 (P<0.05), the relative contents of CatSper protein were 0.882 ± 0.208 vs. 0.693 ± 0.202 vs. 0.471 ± 0.251 vs. 0.263 ± 0.198 (P < 0.05). CatSper protein expression was depressed by smoking in testis testified by immunocytochemical technique, and the results indicated significant negative correlation between CatSper mRNA/protein and the proportion of sperm motility (a+ b) grade. Conclusions The expression of cation channel CatSper was significant inhibited by smoking with a positive correlation with sperm motility , which suggest that the lower expression of CatSper may be involved in the molecular mechanism of male reproductions impairment by smoking.