EFFECT OF TROPAEOLUM TUBEROSUM "MASHUA" (TROPAEOLACEAE) ON GENE EXPRESSION RELATED TO SPERMATOGENESIS IN MOUSE

Introduction: Tropaeolum tuberosum, known as "mashua" is an Andean tuber that has both economic and nutritional value for low-income populations. It is believed that it affects male fertility because Andean men associate it with impotence and decreased fertilizing capacity. Studies done on rats fed mashua showed that there was a 45% decrease in the testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratio. The effect of this plant on reproduction is related to its content of isothiocyanates, compounds that bind covalently to proteins, which may be directly or indirectly involved in the spermatogenic process. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of "mashua" on spermatogenesis and reproductive physiology of mice. Methodology: tThe in vivo morphofunctional parameters of mouse sperm (spermatogram) were evaluated and the expression of: Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, protein that regulates acute steroidogenesis, Cyclin cyclin and Pprotamine, related to spermatogenesis, was quantified. Results: The results indicated that Aat 7, 14 and 21 days of dosing, the sperm count is affected, as well as their progressive motility (PM);, on the other hand, a delay in their maturation was observed. Regarding gene expression, no significant differences were found between the expression of the two genes studied (cCytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, cCyclin), Conclusion: Tthe effect of "mashua " does not occur at the level of the expression of the genes involved in spermatogenesis, but at the level of its functions as a protein.