Knockdown of type 2 orexin receptor in adult mouse testis potentiates testosterone production and germ cell proliferation
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Abstract
Orexins (OXs) are neuropeptides which regulate various physiological processes. OXs exist in two different forms, mainly orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) and their effects are mediated via OX1R and OX2R. Presence of OXB and OX2R in mouse testis is also reported. However, the role of OXB/OX2R in the male gonad remains unexplored. Herein we investigated the role of OXB/OX2R system in testicular physiology under in vivo and ex vivo conditions. Adult mice were given a single dose of bilateral intratesticular injection of siRNA targeting OX2R and were sacrificed 96 h post-injection. OX2R-knockdown potentiated serum and intratesticular testosterone levels with up-regulation in the expressions of major steroidogenic proteins. Germ cell proliferation also increased in siRNA-treated mice. Results of the ex vivo experiment also supported the findings of the in vivo study. In conclusion, OX2R may regulate testosterone production and thereby control the fine-tuning between steroidogenesis and germ cell dynamics. � 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Description
Keywords
Knockdown, OX2R, OXB, Spermatogenesis, Testis, Testosterone