The effect of particulate matter (PM2.5) on the expression levels of GATA-4, GATA-6, and Aquaporin-9 genes in testes of rats

 Particulate matter (PM) is one of the major components of air pollutants and is composed of a mixture of liquid droplets or solid particles which are suspended in the air with a diameter of 2.5µm (PM2.5) or less. In this study, the co-exposure effect of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants was assessed on the expression of aquaporin-9, GATA-4, and GATA-6 in testicles of male rats at the gene and protein levels.

In this study, three experimental groups were assigned; the first group was exposed to gaseous pollutants along with PM2.5 and was called the TM group; the second group included rats exposed to only gaseous pollutants and was called the TJ group. The control group received clean air without any pollutants or PMs and was called the TC group. The exposure time was five hours per day which started from 9:00 A.M to 14:00 P.M for four days per week. The process of time exposure lasted six months. The levels of SO2, NO2, O3, and PM2.5 were routinely measured. The UV fluorescence method was utilized for the measurement of SO2, NO2, and O3, while the beta- attenuation technique was employed for the analysis of PM2.5.

  The results demonstrated that the concentration of PM2.5 in the exposed groups was significantly higher than the level recommended by the WHO, after six months, whereas the levels of SO2, NO2, and O3 were significantly lower than the recommended levels. The order of increment in the levels of metals in PM2.5 was Al> Ca>Mn>Cu> Cd> Na > Fe > Cr> Ni> Mn > Pb.

According to our findings, it is concluded that exposure to PM2.5 could cause male infertility problems and must be considered a health concern for males.