ArticleReproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2021
Hindlimb unloading-induced reproductive suppression via Downregulation of hypothalamic Kiss-1 expression in adult male rats.
Article in Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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10 citing papers in PubMed, 17 citations in OpenAlex.
- Immune Cell Dysregulation in Hindlimb Unloading Mouse Model: Implications for Space Applications.Journal of biomedical physics & engineering · 2026Article
- A systematic review of microgravity on reproductive systems: Implications for space biology and human health.iScience · 2026Review
- Effect of Hong Huang Tang on memory enhancement and mitigation of microgravity-induced oxidative stress in C. elegans.Biogerontology · 2025Article
- Disuse-induced muscle-type specific alterations and adiponectin pathway response in male mice.Physiological reports · 2025Article
- Oxidative Damage Under Microgravity Conditions: Response Mechanisms, Monitoring Methods and Countermeasures on Somatic and Germ Cells.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Review
- Microgravity impairs endocrine signaling and reproductive health of women. A narrative review.Frontiers in physiology · 2025Review
- Adaptation to full weight-bearing following disuse in rats: The impact of biological sex on musculoskeletal recovery.Physiological reports · 2024Article
- Influence of gonadectomy on muscle health in micro- and partial-gravity environments in rats.Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 2023Article
- FreshFrontiers in pharmacology · 2023Article
- Hindlimb unloading induces time-dependent disruption of testicular histology in mice.Scientific reports · 2022Article
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Abstract
backgroundSpaceflights-induced microgravity can alter various physiological processes in human's body including the functional status of the reproductive system. Rodent model of tail-suspension hindlimb unloading is extensively used to stimulate the organs responses to the microgravity condition. This study explores the potential effects of hindlimb unloading on testicular functions and spermatogenesis in adult male rats and the underlying mechanism/s.
methodsTwenty Sprague-Dawley rats were allotted into two groups: normally loaded group (control; all arms were in touch with the grid floor) and hindlimb unloaded group (HU; only the forearms were in contact with the grid floor).
resultsFollowing 30 days of exposure, the HU group saw a decline in body weight, testicular and epidydimal weights, and all semen parameters. The circulating concentrations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone significantly decreased, while levels of kisspeptin, corticosterone, inhibin, prolactin and estradiol (E2) increased in the HU group. Intratesticular levels of 5α-reductase enzyme and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were suppressed, while the levels of aromatase and kisspeptin were significantly elevated in the HU group. Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) mRNA expression levels were downregulated while its receptors (Kiss1R) were upregulated in the HU group. On the contrary, the mRNA expression levels of testicular Kiss1 were upregulated while Kiss1R were downregulated. The pituitary mRNA expression levels of FSHβ and LHβ decreased in the HU group. The levels of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were elevated while malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations declined in the testes of HU group. The testes of the HU rats showed positive immunostaining of caspase-3, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and Bcl2.
conclusionsAltogether, these results revealed an inhibitory effect of hindlimb unloading on kisspeptin signaling in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis with impaired spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
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