Dietary alpha-tocopherol affects differential gene expression in rat testes

Rota, C., Barella, L., Minihane, A.M., Stocklin, E. and Rimbach, G. (2004) Dietary alpha-tocopherol affects differential gene expression in rat testes. IUBMB Life, 56 (5). pp. 277-280. ISSN 1521-6543 doi: 10.1080/15216540410001724133

Abstract/Summary

Gene-chip technology was employed to study the effect of dietary vitamin E (VE) on gene expression in rat testes. Male albino rats were fed with either a diet deficient in VE or a standard diet containing VE. Differential gene expression was monitored at five individual time-points over a period of 14 months with all animals individually pro. led. Low VE intake resulted in the consistent upregulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase and GATA binding protein 4, both involved in testosterone synthesis. Cyclin D3, important in cell cycle progression and Wilms tumor 1, related to cancer development, were also up-regulated in the vitamin E deficient animals. This study demonstrates that low dietary VE intake has long-term effects on gene expression in the testes. Our data provides insights into the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of vitamin E on the male reproductive organ.