Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Effects of melatonin on the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling genes in hypoxic Leydig cells

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mona Ghasemi 1
Adel Saberivand 1
Mohammadreza Gholami 2
Vahideh Asadollahi Asadollahi 3
Masoud Alasvand 4
Maryam Saberivand 5
Sahar Rashidi 1

1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

4 Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

5 Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2024.2026202.4231
Abstract
Leydig cells play a crucial role in male reproductive physiology, and their dysfunction is often associated with male infertility. Hypoxia negatively affects the structure and function of Leydig cells. This study aimed to investigate the impact of melatonin on the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (Jnk), P38, and extra-cellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in TM3 mouse Leydig cells under hypoxia induced by cobalt (II) chloride (CoCl2). The TM3 cell line was utilized as a subject of research, and 100 μM CoCl2 was employed to induce hypoxia. Following the addition of 10.00 ng mL-1 melatonin, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were conducted to assess the gene expression and protein level of Jnk, p38, and Erk1/2, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure testosterone secretion. The results showed that melatonin significantly increased testosterone production in the CoCl2 + melatonin group compared to the CoCl2-treated group. Furthermore, melatonin elevated both the protein level and mRNA expression of Erk1/2, Jnk, and p38 genes in the CoCl2 + melatonin group compared to the CoCl2 group. In conclusion, melatonin activated the Jnk, p38, and Erk1/2 MAPK signaling pathways and enhanced testosterone production in the presence of CoCl2 in TM3 cells.

Keywords

Hypoxia
Leydig cells
Melatonin
Mitogen-activated protein kinase
Signal transduction

Subjects

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 15, Issue 12
December 2024
Pages 673-680

  • Receive Date 08 April 2024
  • Revise Date 12 May 2024
  • Accept Date 29 June 2024

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