Effect of hypothyroidism on c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression in testes of rats

Objective This study aims to define the effects of hypothyroidism on c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression in rat testes to provide a theoretical basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Methods According to body weight (200 -240 g), 20 Wistar male rats were divided into control group and hypothyroidism group (1 ml/100 g, 0.1% propylthiouracil by intragastric administration) by digital table. There were 10 male rats in each group and body weight was observed every 3 days. After 60 days, all rats were killed. The levels of thyroid hormones [total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)] were measured by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression levels of c-fos and c-jun in testes were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Results Compared with control groups [(298.20 ± 12.15), (344.00 ± 13.73) g], the weights of hypothyroidism groups in 30 days [(239.00 ± 15.02) g] and in 60 days [(232.67 ± 17.86) g] were significant decreased (t = 7.704, 11.380, all P < 0.05). The levels of TT3 [(373.32 ± 101.31) ng/L] and TT4 [(4.00 ± 0.89) × 103 ng/L] in serum of hypothyroidism group were found to be significantly decreased, whereas the level of TSH [(5.77 ± 0.89) ×103 U/L] was increased in comparison with those of the control groups [(1 000.01 ± 273.53) ng/L, (44.33 ± 7.84) × 103 ng/L, (1.87 ± 0.70) × 103 U/L,t = 5.262, 12.520, 8.413, all P < 0.05]. Compared with control group (1.00 ± 0.08, 1.01 ± 0.04), the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression (0.67 ± 0.03, 0.75 ± 0.02) of hypothyroidism group was significant decreased (t = 12.382, 13.784, all P < 0.05). Conclusion Hypothyroidism may reduce mRNA expression levels of testicular c-fos and c-jun, and then damage the reproductive system in male rats. Key words: Hypothyroidism; Testis; c-fos; c-jun; Gene expression