Expression of testis specific expressed gene 1 in ethanol-induced mouse testis injury model and significance

Objective To explore the cellular localization and transcript levels of testis specific expressed gene 1 (TSEG-1) in ethanol-induced mouse testis injury model.Methods Twelve male Kunming mice were divided into normal saline solution group (n =6) and ethanol injection group (n =6).The morphological changes of testes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.The transcriptional and protein levels of TSEG-1 were detected by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR),Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting.Results Intraperitoneal injection of 3 g ethanol (15％,V/V)/kg body weight for 14 days induced mouse testis injury.As compared with normal saline solution group,85.6％ serminous tubules disappeared,the number of Ⅰ-Ⅳ-stage spermatogenic cells was reduced,and 78.2％ spermatocytes and spermatids had nuclei shrinkage in ethanol injection group.Extensive TSEG-1 mRNA levels were observed in control testes,mainly localizing in spermatocytes and early spermatids.The transcripts of TSEG-1 (7.500 ± 0.657,n =6) were up-regulated to 8 folds in ethanol injection group as compared with those in normal saline solution control group (0.985 ±0.231,n =6),with the difference being significant (t =22.915,P ＜ 0.01).Especially,the protein expression of TSEG-1 (1.360 ±0.202,n =6) was up-regulated to 4 folds in ethanol injection group as compared with that in normal saline solution control group (0.330 ±0.112,n =6),with the difference being significant,t =10.69,P ＜ 0.01.Conclusion Ethanol-induced testis injury model was successfully constructed by intraperitoneal injection of ethanol.The novel gene TSEG-1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced testis injury model,which laid the basis for further study on its function in testis diseases. Key words: Ethanol;  Testis injury;  Testis specific expressed gene 1