Per1/Per2 Disruption Reduces Testosterone Synthesis and Impairs Fertility in Elderly Male Mice.

ABSTRACT: Circadian rhythm disorders caused by genetic or environmental factors lead to decreased male fertility but the mechanisms are poorly understood. The current study reports that the mechanism of Per1/Per2 Double knockout (DKO) reduced the reproductive capacity of elderly male mice. The sperm motility and spermatogenic capacity of male DKO mice were weak. Hormone-targeted metabolomics showed reduced plasma levels of free testosterone in DKO male mice compared with WT male mice. Transcriptomic analysis of testicular tissue showed the down-regulation of testosterone synthesis-related enzymes (Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Hsd17b3, Hsd3b1, and Star) in the steroid hormone synthesis pathway. Spermatogenesis genes, Tubd1 and Pafah1b were down-regulated, influencing tubulin dynamics and le

SUBMITTER: Liu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9266724 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature