Tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide induced oxidative stress and male reproductive activity in mice:: Role of transcription factor NF-κB and testicular antioxidant enzymes

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed as a major factor affecting male reproductive capacity. The present study has evaluated the possible role of oxidative stress during testicular pathogenesis in male mice exposed to tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). TBHP was administered by daily intraperitoneal injection for 2 weeks. Treatment greatly increased lipid peroxidation in the testis and led to a significant decrease in sperm concentration and motility and a reduction in litter size relative to controls. An increase in testicular mRNA abundance of redox-regulated p50 and p65 subunits of NF-kappa B was observed after TBHP treatment. Evaluation of NF-kappa B regulated antioxidant enzymes in the testis revealed an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and corresponding mRNA abundance. These results suggest a potential role of NF-kappa B in oxidative stress mediated changes in the physiology of male reproductive system. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.