Transcriptomic and proteomic features of sperm DNA damage mouse model induced by benzo(a)pyrene

Abstract

Abstract BaP, also known as benzo(a)pyrene, is a prevalent organic contaminant that is primarily generated through the burning of fossil fuels. BaP has received widespread attention due to its high carcinogenicity and teratogenicity. The presence of BaP oxidative metabolites inside the human body has been indicated to be correlated with the occurrence of DNA damage in sperm and reduced sperm motility and concentration. The study replicated a mouse model of sperm DNA damage induced by BaP, and the transcriptome and proteome features of the model were examined. Male mice in both groups were subjected to BaP at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/d or an equivalent quantity of saline solution for a duration of 60 days. Subsequently, the assessment of the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in sperm was carried out using a sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). To identify the expression patterns of mRNA and proteins in the testis, we used RNA-seq and data-independent acquisition (DIA). The BaP group had a significant elevation in sperm DFI. When comparing the control group to the BaP group, it was observed that the BaP group had differential expression of 240 genes (referred to as DEGs) and 616 proteins (referred to as DEPs). These included Aldh1a1, Cyb5r3, Fads1, Oxsm, Rcn3, and Prss45. Pathways in cancer, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, metabolic pathways, and the MAPK signaling pathway were the primary areas where these genes showed enrichment. Following a period of 60 days of intragastric delivery, our findings demonstrated that the male mouse model experienced sperm DNA damage due to the ingestion of BaP at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/d. The potential for BaP to cause harm to the reproductive system may be associated with its metabolic pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.