急性热应激对小鼠睾丸piRNA表达及精子发生的影响OA

[Objective]Heat stress severely impairs the reproductive health of male animals.As a key non-coding RNA regulating spermatogenesis,the response mechanism of piRNA under heat stress remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute heat stress on the piRNA expression profile and piRNA-biogenesis-related genes in mouse testes,in order to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying heat-stress-induced decline in male reproductive function.[Method]A mouse testicular acute heat-stress model was established by local hot-water immersion.On day 8 after treatment,testicular weight,testicular coefficient,sperm motility and density were measured.The expression levels of spermatogenesis-related genes and piRNA-biogenesis-related genes in testicular tissues were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR,and changes in piRNA expression were analyzed.[Result]Heat stress significantly reduced testicular weight and testicular coefficient(P<0.05),and led to decreased sperm motility and density(P<0.05).Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that heat stress markedly down-regulated the expression of spermatogenesis-related genes(such as Prm1,Ddx4,and FxR1;P<0.05)and piRNA-biogenesis-related genes(such as Tdrd1,Piwil1,and Mael;P<0.05).The testicular piRNA expression profile was altered after heat stress,with down-regulation of piR-012621,piR-020607,piR-034639,among others(P<0.05),and up-regulation of piR-038322 and piR-022877(P<0.05).[Conclusion]Acute heat stress down regulated the expression of key spermatogenesis-related genes and piRNA-biogenesis-related genes in the testes,altered the testicular piRNA expression profile,thereby interfering with spermatogenic cell development and function and leading to impaired spermatogenesis.The results suggested that piRNA played an important regulatory role in heat-stress-induced male reproductive damage,providing new theoretical insights for further clarifying its molecular mechanisms.