Journal article
β-carotene rescues busulfan disrupted spermatogenesis through elevation in testicular antioxidant capability
Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol.12, Art. 593953
2021
Abstract
β-carotene, precursor of vitamin A, is an excellent antioxidant with many beneficial properties. It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant and a very effective quencher of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to reduce the oxidative stress. In contrast to vitamin A, β-carotene is not toxic even consumed in higher amount when it is delivered from natural plant products. Recently, we found that β-carotene acts as a potential antioxidant in the oocyte to improve its quality. Even though many studies have been reported that β-carotene has the beneficial contribution to the ovarian development and steroidogenesis, it is unknown the effects of β-carotene on the spermatogenesis. This investigation aimed to explore the hypothesis that β-carotene could improve spermatogenesis and the underlying mechanism. And we found that β-carotene rescued busulfan disrupted spermatogenesis in mouse with the increase in the sperm concentration and motility. β-carotene improved the expression of genes/proteins important for spermatogenesis, such as VASA, DAZL, SYCP3, PGK2. Moreover, β-carotene elevated the testicular antioxidant capability by the elevation of the antioxidant glutathione and antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX1, catalase levels. In conclusion, β-carotene may be applied for the infertile couples by the improvement of spermatogenesis, since, worldly many couples are infertile due to the idiopathic failed gametogenesis (spermatogenesis).
Details
- Title
- β-carotene rescues busulfan disrupted spermatogenesis through elevation in testicular antioxidant capability
- Authors/Creators
- D. Ma (Author/Creator)P. Han (Author/Creator)M. Song (Author/Creator)H. Zhang (Author/Creator)W. Shen (Author/Creator)G. Huang (Author/Creator)M. Zhao (Author/Creator)Q. Sun (Author/Creator)Y. Zhao (Author/Creator)L. Min (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol.12, Art. 593953
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A.
- Identifiers
- 991005542861507891
- Copyright
- © 2021 Ma et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.171 Photoproductivity
- 3.171.1011 Carotenoids
- Web Of Science research areas
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- ESI research areas
- Pharmacology & Toxicology