Project

Impact of heat stress on male fertility: Elucidating testicular pathophysiology and the role of microRNA from sperm and extracellular vesicles on fertility and embryo development.

Code
01P12821
Duration
01 July 2022 → 30 June 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Cell signalling
    • Urology
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Veterinary embryology
    • Veterinary genetics
    • Veterinary reproduction and obstetrics
Keywords
Heat-stress Sperm Infertility
 
Project description

In humans, testicular temperature must be ~3 ºC below body core temperature for production of high-quality, fertile sperm. Increased testicular temperature can be caused by several known pathologies (e.g. varicocele) or behaviours (e.g. hot baths; sitting for several hours). Consequently, leading to low sperm quality and infertility. Furthermore, due to global climate change and intense heat episodes, heat stress is nearly universally a major issue in mammals. Therefore, there is a need to elucidate pathophysiological pathways involved in heat stress impairing testicular function and spermatogenesis in men. The model of choice for this study is the bovine, which include a heat resistant (Bos indicus) and a heat sensitive (Bos taurus) breed. Our hypothesis is that testicular cells respond differently to heat stress and heat resistant animals will present better cell defense mechanisms with lower expression of apoptotic markers. Furthermore, microRNA profile from sperm cells will differ, based on the stage of the cycle when the stress took place. Lastly, paternal heat stress will impact embryo quality, development and gene expression. The data obtained through this proposal will be fundamental to answer important questions regarding how paternal heat stress impacts fertility in men. Furthermore, it will allow the identification of potential heat resistance markers. The results obtained, will support development of treatments for infertility and improving sperm quality.