Choline supplementation alleviates fluoride-induced testicular toxicity by restoring the NGF and MEK expression in mice

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2016 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TAAP.2016.09.018· OSTI ID:22690842

Zhang, Jianhai ^[1]; Zhang, Yufang ^[1]; Liang, Chen ^[1]; Wang, Nasui ^[2]; Zheng, Heping ^[3]; Wang, Jundong ^[1]

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1. Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801 (China)
2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 (United States)
3. Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 (United States)

Fluoride is known to cause male reproductive toxicity, and the elucidation of its underlying mechanisms is an ongoing research focus in reproductive toxicology and epidemiology. Choline, an essential nutrient, has been extensively studied for its benefits in nervous system yet was rarely discussed for its prospective effect in male reproductive system. This study aims to explore the potential protective role of choline against NaF-induced male reproductive toxicity via MAPK pathway. The male mice were administrated by 150 mg/L NaF in drinking water, 5.75 g/kg choline in diet, and their combination respectively from maternal gestation to postnatal 15 weeks. The results showed that fluoride exposure reduced body weight growth, lowered sperm count and survival percentages, altered testicular histology, down-regulated the mRNA expressions of NGF, Ras, Raf, and MEK genes in testes, as well as significantly decreased the expressions of both NGF and phosphor-MEK proteins in testes. Examination of data from choline-treated mice revealed that choline supplementation ameliorated these fluoride-induced changes. Taken together, our findings suggest that choline supplementation alleviates fluoride-induced testicular toxicity by restoring the NGF and phosphor-MEK expression. The suitable dosage and supplementation periods of choline await further exploration. - Highlights: • Fluoride exposure altered the growth and development, sperm count and sperm survival percentages, testicular histology • Fluoride exposure decreased NGF, Ras, and Mek mRNA and NGF and p-MEK protein expressions in testis of mice. • Choline supplementation diminishes fluoride-induced testicular toxicity.

• OSTI ID: 22690842
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Vol. 310; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
CHOLINE
DIET
DRINKING WATER
EPIDEMIOLOGY
GENES
HISTOLOGY
MESSENGER-RNA
MICE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORS
PROTEINS
SODIUM FLUORIDES
SPERMATOZOA
TESTES
TOXICITY