PGAM1 knockdown is associated with busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis and spermatogenic cell apoptosis

Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) is reported to be involved in spermatogenic dysfunction. However, the association between PGAM1 and busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis and spermatogenic cell apoptosis remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between PGAM1 expression and busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis, and the effect of PGAM1 expression on spermatogenic cell apoptosis. PGAM1 expression was detected in mouse models of busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis by western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Then, spermatogenic cell apoptosis in mouse models of busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis was assessed by TUNEL assay. The effect and potential mechanism of PGAM1 downregulation on spermatogenic cells were further investigated. The results indicated that PGAM1 expression was significantly downregulated in the mouse models of busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis, compared with those with normal spermatogenesis (P<0.05). Furthermore, the TUNEL assay revealed that the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was accelerated in the mouse model of busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis. In addition, PGAM1 knockdown promoted the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vitro, which was associated with the P53/Caspase 3/Caspase 6/Caspase 9 signaling pathway. In conclusion, these data indicate that PGAM1 knockdown is associated with busulfan-induced hypospermatogenesis and contributes to spermatogenic cell apoptosis by regulating the P53/Caspase 3/Caspase 6/Caspase 9 signaling pathway.