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Analysis of age-associated changes in mitochondrial free radical generation by rat testis

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Abstract

Throughout spermatogenesis, mitochondria undergo a morphological and functional differentiation. Mitochondria are involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), considered one of the mediators of ageing. Particularly, lipid peroxidation is regarded as a major phenomenon by which ROS can impair cellular function. In the present study, we examined the production of superoxide anion, superoxide dismutase activity and the effect of Fe2+/ascorbate induced-lipid peroxidation on the respiratory chain activities of testis mitochondria throughout the process of spermatogenesis and ageing. Mitochondria from rat testes generated superoxide anion, mainly using NADH as substrate, which increased according to age. The activity of SOD is age-dependent and greatly stimulated during the first wave of spermatogenesis, but decreases in adulthood and old age. TBARS concentration was also markedly increased by ageing. The activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes is differentially affected by oxidative stress induced by iron/ascorbate, succinate-dehydrogenase activity being less vulnerable than that of NADH-dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase. The data suggest that ageing is accompanied by reduced activity of SOD, leading to excessive oxidative stress and enhanced lipid peroxidation that compromises the functionality of the electron transport chain. The data support the concept that mitochondrial function is an important determinant in ageing.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by grant FP-0038-445 from Fondo Fomento de la Investigación del IMSS. México. A. Tolosa received a scholarship from CONACyT, México.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Apdo. Postal 73-032, Mexico, CP 06720, DF, Mexico

    Martha E. Vázquez-Memije, Ruth Capin & Adela Tolosa

  2. Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, Juan Badiano No 1 Tlalpan, Mexico, CP 14080, DF, Mexico

    Mohammed El-Hafidi

Authors
  1. Martha E. Vázquez-Memije
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  2. Ruth Capin
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  3. Adela Tolosa
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  4. Mohammed El-Hafidi
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Correspondence to Martha E. Vázquez-Memije.

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Vázquez-Memije, M.E., Capin, R., Tolosa, A. et al. Analysis of age-associated changes in mitochondrial free radical generation by rat testis. Mol Cell Biochem 307, 23–30 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9580-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9580-9

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