TBHP-induced oxidative stress alters microRNAs expression in mouse testis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress is one of the main reasons of male infertility. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple intracellular processes. Alterations in miRNAs expression may occur in different conditions and diseases. In this study, the effect of oxidative stress induced by tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) on the expression of candidate miRNAs in mouse testis was investigated. After determining median lethal dose (LD50), TBHP was intraperitoneally (ip) injected at the dilution of 1:10 LD50 into the adult male mice for 2weeks, and then testis tissues were removed in order to assay the ROS level. Total RNA was extracted and the expression of five miRNAs was quantified by reverse transcription-real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The flow cytometry analysis showed a significant increase in ROS level in testis. The expression of three out of five selected miRNAs, including miR-34a, miR-181b and miR-122a, showed some degrees of changes following exposure to oxidative stress. These miRNAs are involved in antioxidant responses, inflammation pathway and spermatogenesis arrest. In conclusion, TBHP alters the miRNA expression profile of testis which might play a potential role in oxidative and antioxidative responses and spermatogenesis.