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Heat and Oxidative Stress in the Germ Line

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Studies on Men's Health and Fertility

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is highly dependent on scrotal temperature. In the ­testis, germ cells but not somatic cells are vulnerable to heat stress. In response to heat stress, germ cells undergo apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest; these behaviors are different in each testicular component. Heat induces oxidative stress in the testicles in a variety of ways, mainly by lipid peroxidation of the cellular membrane and mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), and heat-induced oxidative stress is involved in all of these cellular behaviors. Heat-shock factor 1 (HSF1) protects the cells by regulating the expression of heat-shock proteins (HSPs), promoting cell survival. Paradoxically, HSF1 promotes apoptosis of germ cells by heat stress, indicating that injured germ cells actively undergo apoptosis to maintain the quality of gametes. The pattern of heat stress (degree, duration, and interval of the elevated temperature) in humans (e.g., cryptorchidism, varicocele, and environmental heat exposure) is completely different compared to in vitro and in vivo animal experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Koji Shiraishi MD, PhD

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  1. Koji Shiraishi MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Koji Shiraishi MD, PhD .

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  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Faculty of Science and IT, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive 1, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

  3. , Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, C/FERNANDO MACIAS 8, 1ºC, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez

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Shiraishi, K. (2012). Heat and Oxidative Stress in the Germ Line. In: Agarwal, A., Aitken, R., Alvarez, J. (eds) Studies on Men's Health and Fertility. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-776-7_8

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