Abstract:

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PTD-FNK protein on physiological function of male mice. [Method] A total of 16 8-week-old healthy male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group （n=8） and PTD-FNK protein group （n=8）. The PTD-FNK protein group was intraperitoneally injected with 300 μg/（kg·BW） PTD-FNK protein once a day for consecutive 7 days, and the control group was intraperitoneally injected with normal saline. During the experimental period, the body weight, body temperature, blood glucose, feed intake and water intake of the mice were recorded every day, and the total feed intake, total water intake and weight gain were calculated. The body length （from nose to anus） of the mice was measured at the first and last day of the experiment, respectively, and the Lee′s index before and after the experiment was calculated, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed immediately, the heart, kidney, liver, spleen and testis were weighed, and the corresponding organ indexes were calculated. The epididymis of the mice was isolated, sperm suspension was prepared, and the sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity were determined. The mRNA relative expression levels of cell apoptosis related genes Bax and Caspase-3, oxidative stress related genes SOD and GPX1, and endocrine related genes STAR and 17β-HSD were assessed by using qPCR. [Result] The total feed intake and total water intake of the PTD-FNK protein group were extremely significantly （P<0.001） and significantly （P<0.05） decreased compared with those of the control group, respectively, while no significant （P>0.05） differences in Lee′s index, body temperature, body weight and blood glucose were observed between the control group and the PTD-FNK protein group. The liver index of the PTD-FNK protein group was significantly （P<0.05） decreased in comparison to that of the control group, while no significant （P>0.05） differences in the other organ indexes were found. The PTD-FNK protein group had extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher sperm viability than the control group, while there was no significant （P>0.05） difference in sperm plasma membrane integrity between the control group and the PTD-FNK protein group. Extremely significantly （P<0.01） higher mRNA relative expression levels of Bax and SOD genes in testicle tissues were observed in the PTD-FNK protein group, while no significant （P>0.05） differences in the mRNA relative expression levels of Caspase-3, GPX1, 17β-HSD and STAR genes were found between the control group and the PTD-FNK protein group. [Conclusion] PTD-FNK protein inhibited the feed intake, water intake as well as the growth and development liver of male mice, and improved the sperm quality.

Key words: male mice, PTD-FNK protein, physiological function