The Effect of Lead Acetate and Quercetin on the Tight and Gap Junctions in the Mouse Testis.

Dolati, Parisa; Khodabandeh, Zahra; Zamiri, Mohammad Javad; Jamhiri, Iman; Mehrabani, Davood

Environmental pollutant effects on fertility sometime are irretrievable. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lead acetate and quercetin on tight (claudin 11 and occludin) and gap junctional (connexin 43) proteins and the integrity of the blood–testis barrier status. Experimental groups, including the lead acetate (Pb), quercetin (QE), lead acetate with quercetin (Pb QE), and control mice, were treated at least one spermatogenic cycle. Gene expression of claudin 11 and occludin decreased in Pb QE, Pb, and QE compared with the control group. Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in the control and Pb groups was lower than in Pb QE and QE. The immunohistochemical data were generally in line with these findings. In conclusion, the results showed that Pb exposure led to disorders in cellular interactions that affect testicular function; however, simultaneous treatment with quercetin did not alleviate these effects.

POLLUTANTS; TIGHT junctions; QUERCETIN; CONNEXIN 43; ACETATES; SPERMATOGENESIS

Biological Trace Element Research, 2020, Vol 198, Issue 2, p535

0163-4984

Academic Journal

10.1007/s12011-020-02079-x