a Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center , Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Mashhad , Iran.
b Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine , Gonabad University of Medical Sciences , Gonabad , Iran.
Int J Radiat Biol. 2019 Jun;95(6):691-696. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1552372. Epub 2019 Apr 23.
CatSper protein channels are responsible for the entry of Ca2+ into sperm cells. These proteins play an important role in motility and male fertility. So it is important to find out whether or not environmental factors, such as gamma radiation, have an effect on the expression of Catsper genes. In this study, we investigated the effects of gamma radiation on the expression of CatSper1 and CatSper2 genes. Twenty-one male NMRI mice were divided into three groups: a control group without gamma radiation, and two experimental groups; Group 1 treated with 1 Gy of gamma radiation, and Group 2 treated with a higher dose of 2 Gy gamma radiation. Testes were removed from all groups of animals 35 days following irradiation and the testicular tissue, processed and embedded in paraffin blocks for sectioning and histological examination. Sperm samples were also taken from the epididymis for microscopic. Sperm parameters such as sperm count, morphology, motility, and viability rates were analyzed. Expression of CatSper genes was evaluated using Real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software and ANOVA test. Our results showed that after treatment with gamma radiation, testes morphology was changed. Epididymal sperm count, motility, and morphology rates were significantly affected in both experimental groups compared to the control group. The relative expressions of CatSper 1 and 2 genes were significantly reduced in the irradiated mice (1 Gy and 2 Gy) than non-irradiated ones. Gamma radiations not only change testes histology and sperm parameters, but also decrease the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes in male mice.
CatSper 蛋白通道负责 Ca2+ 进入精子细胞。这些蛋白质在运动和男性生育能力中起着重要作用。因此，了解环境因素（如伽马辐射）是否会影响 Catsper 基因的表达是很重要的。在这项研究中，我们研究了伽马辐射对 CatSper1 和 CatSper2 基因表达的影响。
将 21 只雄性 NMRI 小鼠分为三组：无伽马辐射的对照组，以及 1Gy 伽马辐射处理的实验组 1 和 2Gy 伽马辐射处理的实验组 2。辐射后 35 天，从所有动物组中取出睾丸，并将睾丸组织加工并嵌入石蜡块中进行切片和组织学检查。还从附睾中取出精子样本进行显微镜检查。分析精子参数，如精子计数、形态、活力和存活率。使用 Real-time PCR 评估 CatSper 基因的表达。使用 SPSS 软件和 ANOVA 检验分析数据。
我们的结果表明，伽马辐射处理后，睾丸形态发生改变。与对照组相比，两个实验组的附睾精子计数、活力和形态率均受到显著影响。与未辐照的小鼠相比，受辐照的小鼠（1Gy 和 2Gy）的 CatSper 1 和 2 基因的相对表达显著降低。
伽马辐射不仅改变睾丸组织学和精子参数，还降低雄性小鼠中 CatSper 1 和 2 基因的表达。
