Composition of brain and testicles is almost identical, research claims

The testicles and the human brain are almost identical in protein composition. Moreover, they have similar principles of work, as found by Portuguese scientists from the University of Aveiro.

In the past, a number of studies have shown links between brain disease and sexual dysfunction in men, as well as between intelligence and sperm quality.

The authors of the new study compared proteins in 33 tissue types, including those of the heart, intestines, cervix, ovaries and placenta, and found that the testicles and brain share more than 13,000 proteins in common. Also, the brain and testes have the most common genes that regulate the expression of these proteins.

According to a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Biology, of the 14,315 proteins that make up the brain proteome and 15687 proteins that make up the testicle proteome, 13,442 are found in both types of tissues. According to scientists, the brain and testes contain the highest amount of total proteins in comparison with other tissues of the human body.

According to experts, despite different tasks, the brain and testicles have a lot in common in how they work.

Both organs consume a lot of energy, so special cells are needed to form and support both neurons and gonocytes (germ cells). In addition, both neurons and testicular cells have a common function - to secrete certain substances (neurotransmitters in the first case and male sex hormones in the second).

In addition, due to the high activity of cells, both the brain and the testicles are susceptible to oxidative stress.

It can lead to damage to cells and tissues, so the brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier and the testes - by the blood-testicular barrier.

Also, sperm have receptors for glutamate, glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and other neurotransmitters to which neurons are also susceptible.

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