Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) is a functional ferritin targeted to mitochondria that is highly expressed in thetestis. To investigate the role of FtMt in the testis we set up a series of controlled matings between FtMt gene-deletion mice(FtMt/) with FtMtþ/þ mice. We found that the number of newborns per litter and the fertility rate were strongly reducedfor the FtMt/ males, but not for the females, indicating that FtMt has an important role for male fertility. Themorphology of the testis and of the spermatozoa of FtMt/ mice was normal and we did not detect alterations in spermparameters or in oxidative stress indices. In contrast, we observed that the cauda epididymides of FtMt/ mice weresignificantly lighter and contained a lower number of spermatozoa compared with the controls. Also, the ATP content ofFtMt/ spermatozoa was found to be lower than that of FtMtþ/þ spermatozoa. These data show that FtMt contributes tosperm epididymis maturation and to male fertility.

Mitochondrial ferritin deficiency reduces male fertility in mice

REGONI, Maria;
2017-01-01

Abstract

Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) is a functional ferritin targeted to mitochondria that is highly expressed in thetestis. To investigate the role of FtMt in the testis we set up a series of controlled matings between FtMt gene-deletion mice(FtMt/) with FtMtþ/þ mice. We found that the number of newborns per litter and the fertility rate were strongly reducedfor the FtMt/ males, but not for the females, indicating that FtMt has an important role for male fertility. Themorphology of the testis and of the spermatozoa of FtMt/ mice was normal and we did not detect alterations in spermparameters or in oxidative stress indices. In contrast, we observed that the cauda epididymides of FtMt/ mice weresignificantly lighter and contained a lower number of spermatozoa compared with the controls. Also, the ATP content ofFtMt/ spermatozoa was found to be lower than that of FtMtþ/þ spermatozoa. These data show that FtMt contributes tosperm epididymis maturation and to male fertility.
2017
ATP, spermatogenesis, sperm motility
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11768/138138
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 7
  • Scopus 13
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 13
social impact