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AuthorAl-Asmakh, Maha
AuthorStukenborg, Jan-Bernd
AuthorReda, Ahmed
AuthorAnuar, Farhana
AuthorStrand, Mona-Lisa
AuthorHedin, Lars
AuthorPettersson, Sven
AuthorSoder, Olle
Available date2016-02-22T09:04:54Z
Publication Date2014-08
Publication NamePLoS ONE
ResourceScopus
CitationAl-Asmakh, M., Stukenborg, J.-B., Reda, A., Anuar, F., Strand, M.-L., Hedin, L., Pettersson, S., S?der, O. "The gut microbiota and developmental programming of the testis in mice", (2014) PLoS ONE, 9 (8), art. no. e103809.
ISSN1932-6203
URIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103809
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/4172
AbstractNutrients and environmental chemicals, including endocrine disruptors, have been incriminated in the current increase in male reproductive dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The gastrointestinal tract represents the largest surface area exposed to our environment and thereby plays a key role in connection with exposure of internal organs to exogenous factors. In this context the gut microbiome (all bacteria and their metabolites) have been shown to be important contributors to body physiology including metabolism, cognitive functions and immunity. Pivotal to male reproduction is a proper development of the testis, including the formation of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) that encapsulates and protects germ cells from stress induced environmental cues, e.g. pathogenic organisms and xenobiotics. Here we used specific pathogen free (SPF) mice and germ-free (GF) mice to explore whether gut microbiota and/or their metabolites can influence testis development and regulation of BTB. Lumen formation in the seminiferous tubules, which coincides with the development of the BTB was delayed in the testes of GF mice at 16 days postpartum. In addition, perfusion experiments (Evans blue) demonstrated increased BTB permeability in these same mice. Reduced expressions of occludin, ZO-2 and E-cadherin in GF testis suggested that the microbiota modulated BTB permeability by regulation of cell-cell adhesion. Interestingly, exposure of GF mice to Clostridium Tyrobutyricum (CBUT), which secrete high levels of butyrate, restored the integrity of the BTB and normalized the levels of cell adhesion proteins. Moreover, the GF mice exhibited lower serum levels of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) than the SPF group. In addition, the intratesticular content of testosterone was lower in GF compared to SPF or CBUT animals. Thus, the gut microbiome can modulate the permeability of the BTB and might play a role in the regulation of endocrine functions of the testis.
Languageen
PublisherPublic Library of Science
SubjectBlood-Testis Barrier
Cell Adhesion
Fertility
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Inbred Strains
Microbiota
Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
TitleThe gut microbiota and developmental programming of the testis in mice
TypeArticle
Issue Number8
Volume Number9
dc.accessType Open Access


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