Natural Astaxanthin Improves Testosterone Synthesis and Sperm Mitochondrial Function in Aging Roosters.
Shan GaoBang-Xin ZhaoCheng LongNuo HengYong GuoXi-Hui ShengXiang-Guo WangKai XingLong-Fei XiaoHe-Min NiShu-Geng WuXiao-Long QiPublished in: Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (2022)
Spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and apoptosis are dependent on the regulation of glandular hormones and mitochondria. Natural astaxanthin (ASTA) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The present study evaluates the effects of ASTA on testosterone synthesis and mitochondrial function in aging roosters. Jinghong No. 1 layer breeder roosters ( n = 96, 53-week old) were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks. The levels of plasma reproductive hormones and the mRNA and protein levels of molecules related to testosterone synthesis were significantly improved ( p < 0.05) in the testes of the ASTA group roosters. In addition, antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging abilities in roosters of the ASTA groups were higher than those of the control group ( p < 0.05). Mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes activities and mitochondrial membrane potential in sperm increased linearly with dietary ASTA supplementation ( p < 0.05). The levels of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis factors decreased in roosters of the ASTA groups ( p < 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that dietary ASTA may improve testosterone levels and reduce sperm apoptosis, which may be related to the upregulation of the testosterone synthesis pathway and the enhancement of mitochondrial function in aging roosters.
Keyphrases
- oxidative stress
- anti inflammatory
- replacement therapy
- cell death
- reactive oxygen species
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- cell cycle arrest
- cell proliferation
- poor prognosis
- clinical trial
- small molecule
- weight loss
- binding protein
- escherichia coli
- pseudomonas aeruginosa
- biofilm formation
- protein protein
- preterm birth
- gestational age
- human health
- solar cells