Objectives: This study investigated whether testicular TD induces alternations of mitochondrial OXPHOS in testicular tissues.

Materials and methods: BALB/c male mice were divided into a Sham group and a testicular TD group. At the end of the procedure, the mice were euthanized, and their bilateral testicles were removed. Mitochondria morphology was evaluated through transmission electron microscopy. The cellular respiratory functions of germ cells were evaluated using a Seahorse analyzer assay. The proteome profiles in testicular tissues were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The differences in the expression levels of each component in the OXPHOS were revealed using Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA).

Results: Inner mitochondrial membrane disruption was found in ipsilateral twisted testicular mitochondria in the TD group but not in contralateral untwisted testes. The cellular respiratory function in germ cells were significantly decreased after testicular TD in ipsilateral twisted testes but not in contralateral untwisted testes. LC-MS/MS analysis of ipsilateral twisted testicular tissue revealed that mitochondrial proteins were differentially expressed after testicular TD. Testicular TD induced downregulation of OXPHOS and revealed alternations of specific proteins in the OXPHOS complexes.

Discussion and conclusion: Testicular TD produced mitochondria injury and dysregulation of mitochondrial OXPHOS in ipsilateral twisted testes. Different protein expressions were identified in the mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes with testicular TD; new therapeutic targets may be identified to restore the OXPHOS function of germ cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.