Revelation of β-galactosidase variation in senile sperms and organs via a silicon xanthene near-infrared probe

β-galactosidase has become the most widely used bio-marker in cellular senescence, however, it is unknown whether there are same changes in β-galactosidase activity during sperm senescence. Understanding the changes in such indicator during sperm senescence is important for sperm sorting and in vitro fertilization. Herein, we developed a NIR probe Si-βGal-P by using silicon xanthene as fluorophore. Si-βGal-P showed a good affinity to β-galactosidase together with high specificity and strong anti-interference ability. And Si-βGal-P was proved to be able to assess β-galactosidase in three different replicate senescence models. Besides, Si-βGal-P could easily pass blood-brain barrier and successfully imaged the up-regulated β-galactosidase activity in 34-week-old mouse brain. In addition, Si-βGal-P was successfully applied to hydrogen peroxide-induced premature sperm and visualized the up-regulated β-galactosidase activity for the first time, providing sperm senescence with a valid labeling tool.