Sphingolipid Dysregulation in Impaired Spermatogenesis: Azoospermic Mouse Model
- 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
- 2Department of Bioinformatics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background:: Azoospermia is a severe form of male fertility characterized by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Sphingolipids regulate essential cellular processes, including differentiation and apoptosis, with ceramide and sphingosine functioning as key bioactive signaling molecules. This study investigated sphingosine levels and ceramide subtype profiles in the testicular tissue of mice across distinct spermatogenic states, including immature, normal mature, and azoospermic conditions.
Materials and Methods:: In this experimental study, 24 NMRI mice were randomly allocated into three equal groups (n=8): i. Immature (2 weeks old), ii. Normal mature (8 weeks old), and iii. Azoospermic (8 weeks old), the latter induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of busulfan (40 mg/kg). Following histopathological evaluation, sphingosine and ceramide concentrations in testicular tissue were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by appropriate posthoc tests for group comparisons.
Results:: Significant differences in sphingosine and ceramide concentrations were observed among the experimental groups. Sphingosine levels were highest in normal mature mice, followed by azoospermic and immature groups (P<0.001). A similar overall pattern was observed for most ceramide subtypes (Cer14, Cer18, and Cer20), which were significantly elevated in normal mature mice compared with the other groups. In contrast, Cer16 showed a distinct pattern, with reduced levels in azoospermic mice compared with immature animals (P<0.001).
Conclusion:: Alterations in specific sphingolipid metabolites are associated with spermatogenic status and may contribute to the pathophysiology of male infertility. Disruption of sphingosine and ceramide homeostasis may impair reproductive function, supporting their potential utility as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in azoospermia.
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BibTeX
@article{parvini2026sphingolipid,
title = {{Sphingolipid Dysregulation in Impaired Spermatogenesis: Azoospermic Mouse Model}},
author = {Mojdeh Parvini and Fatemeh Ghasemian and Siamak Salimy},
journal = {International Journal of Fertility \& Sterility},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.22074/ijfs.2026.2068875.1931},
url = {https://doi.org/10.22074/ijfs.2026.2068875.1931},
note = {CC BY-NC 3.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Sphingolipid Dysregulation in Impaired Spermatogenesis: Azoospermic Mouse Model
AU - Mojdeh Parvini
AU - Fatemeh Ghasemian
AU - Siamak Salimy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/03
JO - International Journal of Fertility & Sterility
DO - 10.22074/ijfs.2026.2068875.1931
UR - https://doi.org/10.22074/ijfs.2026.2068875.1931
AB - Background:: Azoospermia is a severe form of male fertility characterized by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Sphingolipids regulate essential cellular processes, including differentiation and apoptosis, with ceramide and sphingosine functioning as key bioactive signaling molecules. This study investigated sphingosine levels and ceramide subtype profiles in the testicular tissue of mice across distinct spermatogenic states, including immature, normal mature, and azoospermic conditions. Materials and Methods:: In this experimental study, 24 NMRI mice were randomly allocated into three equal groups (n=8): i. Immature (2 weeks old), ii. Normal mature (8 weeks old), and iii. Azoospermic (8 weeks old), the latter induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of busulfan (40 mg/kg). Following histopathological evaluation, sphingosine and ceramide concentrations in testicular tissue were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by appropriate posthoc tests for group comparisons. Results:: Significant differences in sphingosine and ceramide concentrations were observed among the experimental groups. Sphingosine levels were highest in normal mature mice, followed by azoospermic and immature groups (P<0.001). A similar overall pattern was observed for most ceramide subtypes (Cer14, Cer18, and Cer20), which were significantly elevated in normal mature mice compared with the other groups. In contrast, Cer16 showed a distinct pattern, with reduced levels in azoospermic mice compared with immature animals (P<0.001). Conclusion:: Alterations in specific sphingolipid metabolites are associated with spermatogenic status and may contribute to the pathophysiology of male infertility. Disruption of sphingosine and ceramide homeostasis may impair reproductive function, supporting their potential utility as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in azoospermia.
SN - 2008-076X
SN - 2008-0778
ER -