Chlorpyrifos induces male infertility in pigs through ROS and PI3K-AKT pathway

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been shown to have male reproductive toxicity in mice and rat. However, the association of CPF and male reproduction in pigs remains unknown. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the damage of CPF on male reproduction in pigs and its potential molecular mechanisms. First, ST cells and porcine sperms were treated with CPF and then cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility of sperm, and oxidative stress levels were examined, respectively. Meanwhile, RNA sequencing was performed on ST cells before and after the treatment of CPF. The results of experiments in vitro showed that CPF had broad-spectrum toxic effects on ST cells and porcine sperms. The RNA-sequencing data and WB results indicated that CPF may regulate cell survival through the PI3K-AKT pathway. In conclusion, this study may lay the foundation for improving male fertility in pigs and provide theoretical information for human infertility.