Changes of cyt c and caspase-3 expressions in mouse testis induced by low dose irradiation

Objective: To investigate the effect of low dose irradiation on the expression changes of Cyt c and caspase-3 in mouse testis, and interpret the effects on apoptosis in mouse testis induced by irradiation. Methods: The mice were divided into different doses (0, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100 and 0.200 Gy) groups and different time course (0, 6, 12 and 24 h) groups. The expressions of Cyt c and caspase-3 mRNA and proteins in mouse testis tissues irradiated with different doses X-rays were observed by real time PCR and Western blotting. Results: The real time PCR results indicated that the expressions of Cyt c and caspase-3 mRNA were increased with the dose increasing 12 h after irradiation with different doses of X-rays, and the expression of Cyt c mRNA reached the peak after irradiated with 0.100 Gy, but the expression of caspase-3 mRNA expression reached the peak after irradiated with 0.075 Gy; the expression levels of Cyt c and caspase-3 protein were the highest when irradiated with 0.075 Gy X-rays.The expressions of Cyt c and caspase-3 mRNA after irradiation with 0.075 Gy X-rays were increased with the time prolongation, and reached the peak after 24 h, but the Cyt c and caspase-3 proteins expressed the most 12 h after irradiation with 0.075 Gy X-rays. Conclusion: The mRNA and protein expressions of Cyt c and caspase-3 in mouse testis spermatogenic cells can be increased by low dose irradiation with dose-and time-effect regularity. (authors)