World J Mens Health.  2014 Dec;32(3):176-183. 10.5534/wjmh.2014.32.3.176.

Effects of Exendin-4 on Male Reproductive Parameters of D-Galactose Induced Aging Mouse Model

• Ahangarpour A
• Oroojan AA
• Heidari H

• KMID: 2320782
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.2014.32.3.176

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of exendin-4 on reproductive alteration in a D-galactose-induced aging mouse model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this experimental study, 72 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice (20~25 g) were randomly divided into six groups: control, exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg), exendin-4 (10 nmol/kg), D-galactose (500 mg/kg), D-galactose+exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg), and D-galactose+exendin-4 (10 nmol/kg). The aging model animals were gavaged with D-galactose for six weeks, and exendin-4 was injected intraperitoneally in the last 10 days. At the end of treatment serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were evaluated and the cauda epididymis and testis were removed to analyze the sperm count and testis morphology.
RESULTS
The testis weight and volume decreased in the D-galactose group (p<0.01 and p<0.05) respectively. Exendin-4 (1, 10 nmol/kg) increased these parameters in the normal and aging mouse models. Serum LH and FSH levels increased and the sperm count decreased in the D-galactose group (p<0.05). Further, exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg) decreased LH and FSH levels and increased the serum testosterone level and sperm count in both normal and aging animals.
CONCLUSIONS
D-galactose can induce aging alternations in the male reproductive system such as decreased sperm count and increased serum LH and FSH levels through reactive oxygen species over production and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity. Further, co-administration of exendin-4 reduced reproductive complications of D-galactose in an aging mouse model.

Keyword

Aging; Galactose; Exenatide; Testosterone; Spermatozoa

MeSH Terms

Academies and Institutes
Aging*
Animals
Epididymis
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Galactose*
Humans
Luteinizing Hormone
Male
Mice*
Reactive Oxygen Species
Sperm Count
Spermatozoa
Testis
Testosterone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Galactose
Luteinizing Hormone
Reactive Oxygen Species
Testosterone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Effect of exendin-4 on serum LH and FSH levels of normal and aging mouse models. Values are presented as mean±standard error; n=12. LH: luteinizing hormone, FSH: folliclestimulating hormone. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 compared with the D-galactose group, #p<0.05, ##p<0.01 compared with the control group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Effect of exendin-4 on serum testosterone levels of normal and aging mouse models. Values are presented as mean±standard error; n=12. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 compared with the D-galactose group, #p<0.05, ##p<0.01 compared with the control group.

• 

  Fig. 3 Effect of exendin-4 on the sperm count of normal and aging mouse models. Values are presented as mean±standard error; n=12. *p<0.05 compared with the D-galactose group, #p<0.05 compared with the control group.

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