High-fat diet (HFD) affects the physiology of reproduction in males, and many studies have investigated its detrimental effects. In this study, we investigated the cellular response induced by an HFD in the rat testis, focusing on the mitochondrial compartment. After five weeks of HFD, an increase in the levels of malondialdehyde and of reduced form of glutathione in the rat testis indicated an increase in lipid peroxidation. The results showed an increase in autophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage in the testis of HFD rats. We found a decrease in the protein expression of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase and SOD2. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decrease in the immunofluorescent signal of SOD2, mainly in the spermatogonia and spermatocytes of HFD rats. HFD-induced mitochondrial damage caused a reduction in mitochondria, as evidenced by a decrease in the protein expression of TOM20, a mitochondrial outer membrane receptor. Consistently, HFD enhanced the levels of the PINK1 protein, a mitophagy marker, suggesting the removal of damaged mitochondria under these conditions. Induction of mtDNA damage and repair was stronger in the HFD rat testis. Finally, we found a decrease in the mtDNA copy number and expression of the POLG enzyme, which is involved in mtDNA replication. In conclusion, our results showed that autophagy and apoptosis are activated in the testis of HFD rats as a survival strategy to cope with oxidative stress. Furthermore, HFD-induced oxidative stress affects the mitochondria, inducing mtDNA damage and mtDNA copy number reduction. Mitophagy and mtDNA repair mechanisms might represent a mitochondrial adaptive response.

Debora Latino

Gabriella Chieffi Baccari

Maria Maddalena Di Fiore

Federica Cioffi

Massimo Venditti

Antonia Giacco

Alessandra Santillo

General and Comparative Endocrinology

一般和比较内分泌学发表的文章涉及在亚分子、分子、细胞和有机体分析水平上脊椎动物和无脊椎动物内分泌系统的许多复杂性。

The journal "General and Comparative Endocrinology" publishes articles that explore the complexities of the endocrine systems of vertebrates and invertebrates at the submolecular, molecular, cellular, and organismal levels.

《General and Comparative Endocrinology》期刊发表的文章涉及脊椎动物和无脊椎动物内分泌系统在亚分子、分子、细胞和有机体分析水平上的复杂性。

Autophagy and mitochondrial damage in the testis of high-fat diet fed rats

Autophagy and apoptosis are activated in the testis of HFD rats as a survival strategy to cope with oxidative stress, and HFD-induced oxidative stress affects the mitochondria, inducing mtDNA damage and mtDNA copy number reduction.

Category	Quartile
医学	3
医学, 内分泌学与代谢	4

Autophagy and mitochondrial damage in the testis of high-fat diet fed rats

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