Abstract:

The AMPK/SIRT1 pathway plays an important role in the regulation of testicular lactate transport, and the regulatory function of adiponectin on animal reproduction has been gradually proved in recent years. However, how the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway mediates adiponectin to regulate lactate transport in yak sertoli cells is still unclear. Three yak testis samples of different ages (newborn, juvenile, adult and aged) were collected. Western blot, tissue immunofluorescence staining and cell immunofluorescence staining were used to explore the molecular mechanism of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway mediating adiponectin to promote lactate transport in sertoli cells of yak. Results showed that AMPK, P-AMPK and SIRT1 proteins were expressed in the testis tissue of yaks at different ages, and the relative protein expression levels in the juvenile and aged were significantly higher than those in the newborn and adults (P < 0.01). The distribution of AMPK and SIRT1 proteins was similar in the testis of yaks at different ages, mainly distributed in sertoli cells, leydig cells and spermatogenic cells at all levels. Sertoli cells were treated with various concentrations of adiponectin (0, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 ng ·mL^-1). When the concentration of adiponectin was 10 ng ·mL^-1, The protein expression of APNR1, AMPK, P-AMPK and SIRT1 was significantly activated (P < 0.01), while the protein expression of MCT1 was the highest, and the lactate release was the highest. The protein expression of AMPK was significantly inhibited by Compound C (P < 0.01), an AMPK protein inhibitor. But the protein expression levels of AMPK, P-AMPK and MCT1 were significantly increased when adiponectin and Compound C were treated together (P < 0.01). The results indicate that APN plays a role in the development of the yak testis binding with APNR1. This study provides some theoretical basis for promoting yak production and reproduction.

Key words: yak, sertoli cell, adiponectin, lactate