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PMID:
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Mar 10 ;915:170128. Epub 2024 Jan 17. PMID: 38242464
Abstract Title:
Embryonic exposure to aluminum chloride blocks the onset of spermatogenesis through disturbing the dynamics of testicular tight junctions via upregulating Slc25a5 in offspring.
Abstract:
Studies have revealed neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive toxicity in mice exposed to aluminum. However, relatively few studies have been conducted to clarify the mechanism underlying the impact of embryonic exposure to aluminum on the development of the male reproductive system in offspring. Pregnant mice were administered aluminum chloride (AlCl) by gavage from day 12.5 of gestation until birth. Our findings demonstrated that embryonic exposure to AlCldisrupted testicular development and spermatogenesis by impairing testicular architecture, reducing sperm count, and upregulating the expression of tight junction (TJ) protein between Sertoli cells (SCs). Further in vitro studies revealed that treatment with AlClstabilized TJ proteins Occludin and ZO-1 expression by inhibiting ERK signaling pathway activation, thereby upregulating Slc25a5 expression which induced ATP production leading to disruption of cytoskeletal protein homeostasis. Therefore, the study provided a new mechanistic insight into how AlClexposure interfered with testicular development and spermatogenesis while suggesting that Slc25a5 might be a target affected by AlClinfluencing cell metabolism.
#Embryonic #exposure #aluminum #chloride #blocks #onset #spermatogenesis #disturbing #dynamics #testicular #tight #junctions