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JCI Insight Jun 2024Spermatogenesis requires precise posttranslational control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but the mechanism remains largely unknown. The protein disulfide isomerase...
Spermatogenesis requires precise posttranslational control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but the mechanism remains largely unknown. The protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family is a group of thiol oxidoreductases responsible for catalyzing the disulfide bond formation of nascent proteins. In this study, we generated 14 strains of KO mice lacking the PDI family enzymes and found that only PDI deficiency caused spermatogenesis defects. Both inducible whole-body PDI-KO (UBC-Cre/Pdifl/fl) mice and premeiotic PDI-KO (Stra8-Cre/Pdifl/fl) mice experienced a significant decrease in germ cells, testicular atrophy, oligospermia, and complete male infertility. Stra8-Cre/Pdifl/fl spermatocytes had significantly upregulated ER stress-related proteins (GRP78 and XBP1) and apoptosis-related proteins (Cleaved caspase-3 and BAX), together with cell apoptosis. PDI deletion led to delayed DNA double-strand break repair and improper crossover at the pachytene spermatocytes. Quantitative mass spectrometry indicated that PDI deficiency downregulated vital proteins in spermatogenesis such as HSPA4L, SHCBP1L, and DDX4, consistent with the proteins' physical association with PDI in normal testes tissue. Furthermore, PDI served as a thiol oxidase for disulfide bond formation of SHCBP1L. Thus, PDI plays an essential role in protein quality control for spermatogenesis in mice.
Topics: Animals; Male; Spermatogenesis; Protein Disulfide-Isomerases; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Testis; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; Infertility, Male; Apoptosis; Spermatocytes; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Oligospermia
PubMed: 38912589
DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177743 -
Experimental Cell Research Jun 2024Mouse HORMAD1 is a phospho-protein involved in multiple functions during meiotic prophase I. To obtain insight into the significance of its phosphorylation, we generated...
Mouse HORMAD1 is a phospho-protein involved in multiple functions during meiotic prophase I. To obtain insight into the significance of its phosphorylation, we generated phospho-specific antibodies against two serine residues, Ser307 and Ser378, representing each of two serine clusters in mouse HORMAD1. The Ser307 phosphorylation is detectable from early leptotene substage in both wild-type and Spo11 spermatocytes, indicating that Ser307 is a primary and SPO11-independent phosphorylation site. In contrast, the Ser378 phosphorylation is negligible at earlier substages in wild-type and Spo11 spermatocytes. After mid-zygotene substage, the Ser378 phosphorylation is abundant on unsynapsed chromosome axes in wild-type spermatocytes and is detected only in a part of unsynapsed chromosome axes in Spo11 spermatocytes. We also generated a non-phosphorylated Ser307-specific antibody and found that Ser307 is phosphorylated on sex chromosome axes but is almost entirely unphosphorylated on desynapsed chromosome axes in diplotene spermatocytes. These results demonstrated a substage-specific phosphorylation status of mouse HORMAD1, which might be associated with multiple substage-specific functions.
PubMed: 38897409
DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114133 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024CRISPR-Cas9 technology has facilitated development of strategies that can potentially provide more humane and effective methods to control invasive vertebrate species,...
CRISPR-Cas9 technology has facilitated development of strategies that can potentially provide more humane and effective methods to control invasive vertebrate species, such as mice. One promising strategy is X chromosome shredding which aims to bias offspring towards males, resulting in a gradual and unsustainable decline of females. This method has been explored in insects with encouraging results. Here, we investigated this strategy in Mus musculus by targeting repeat DNA sequences on the X chromosome with the aim of inducing sufficient DNA damage to specifically eliminate X chromosome-bearing sperm during gametogenesis. We tested three different guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting different repeats on the X chromosome, together with three male germline-specific promoters for inducing Cas9 expression at different stages of spermatogenesis. A modest bias towards mature Y-bearing sperm was detected in some transgenic males, although this did not translate into significant male-biasing of offspring. Instead, cleavage of the X chromosome during meiosis typically resulted in a spermatogenic block, manifest as small testes volume, empty tubules, low sperm concentration, and sub/infertility. Our study highlights the importance of controlling the timing of CRISPR-Cas9 activity during mammalian spermatogenesis and the sensitivity of spermatocytes to X chromosome disruption.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Spermatogenesis; X Chromosome; Female; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems; Spermatozoa; Mice, Transgenic; Meiosis
PubMed: 38866815
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63706-4 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Phenanthrene (Phe), a typical low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) of three benzene rings, is one of the most abundant PAHs detected in daily...
Phenanthrene (Phe), a typical low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) of three benzene rings, is one of the most abundant PAHs detected in daily diets. Pregnant women and infants are at great risk of Phe exposure. In the present study, Phe was administered to pregnant mice at a dose of 0, 60, or 600 μg/kg body weight six times, and the F1 male mice showed significant reproductive disorders: the testicular weight and testis somatic index were significantly reduced; the levels of serum testosterone, GnRH and SHBG were increased, while the FSH levels were reduced; histological analysis showed that the amount of Sertoli cells and primary spermatocytes in seminiferous tubules was increased, while the amount of secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were decreased in Phe groups. The protein levels of PCNA and androgen receptor were reduced. Differently expressed genes in the testis screened by RNA sequence were enriched in antioxidant capacity, reproduction et al.. Further biochemical tests confirmed that the antioxidant capacity in the F1 testis was significantly inhibited by treatment with Phe during pregnancy. Those results suggested that gestational Phe exposure disordered hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) hormones on the one hand, and on the other hand reduced testicular antioxidant capacity and further arrested cell cycle in F1 adult male mice, which co-caused the inhibition of spermatogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Male; Spermatogenesis; Female; Mice; Phenanthrenes; Pregnancy; Testis; Testosterone; Administration, Oral; Receptors, Androgen; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 38850701
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116566 -
International Journal of Endocrinology 2024The mechanism of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis impairment in men with type 2 diabetes remains unclear. We aimed to explore the local changes of steroidogenesis and...
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis impairment in men with type 2 diabetes remains unclear. We aimed to explore the local changes of steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in the testis of db/db mice. . We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis in the testis of db/db and C57BL/6J mice. The differentially expressed genes were then confirmed by real-time PCR. The histopathological characteristics of testis in db/db mice and C57BL/6J control were also performed.
RESULTS
The 20-week-old db/db mice had significantly higher blood glucose and body weight (both < 0.001). The serum testosterone levels (4.4 ± 0.8 vs. 9.8 ± 0.7 ng/ml, =0.001) and weight of the testis (0.16 ± 0.01 vs. 0.24 ± 0.01 g, < 0.001) were significantly lower in db/db mice than that in C57BL/6J controls. db/db mice had a lower cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules and thickness of the cell layer (both < 0.05). The numbers of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells decreased in db/db mice (both < 0.01). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that compared with the control group, the percentage of spermatogonia was significantly higher in the db/db mouse ( < 0.001), while the proportions of spermatocytes, round and elongating spermatids, and sperms were all lower in the db/db mouse ( all < 0.001). The most differentially expressed genes were found in round spermatids ( = 86), which were not found in spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and sperm. Igfbp5 was the most significantly decreased gene in Leydig cells of the db/db mouse, while the expression of Cd74, H2-Aa, and H2-Eb1 was elevated. Ccl7 and Ptgds were the most significantly increased and decreased genes in Sertoli cells of the db/db mouse.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates spermiogenesis and steroidogenesis defects in db/db mice. The mechanism of steroidogenesis impairment in the testis of db/db mice deserves further investigation.
PubMed: 38817616
DOI: 10.1155/2024/8797972 -
Nature Communications May 2024As daughter centrioles assemble during G2, they recruit conserved Ana3/RTTN followed by its partner Rcd4/PPP1R35. Together, this contributes to the subsequent...
As daughter centrioles assemble during G2, they recruit conserved Ana3/RTTN followed by its partner Rcd4/PPP1R35. Together, this contributes to the subsequent recruitment of Ana1/CEP295, required for the centriole's conversion to a centrosome. Here, we show that Rcd4/PPP1R35 is also required to maintain 9-fold centriole symmetry in the Drosophila male germline; its absence causes microtubule triplets to disperse into a reduced number of doublet or singlet microtubules. rcd4-null mutant spermatocytes display skinny centrioles that elongate normally and localize centriolar components correctly. Mutant spermatocytes also have centrioles of normal girth that splay at their proximal ends when induced to elongate by Ana1 overexpression. Skinny and splayed spermatid centrioles can still recruit a proximal centriole-like (PCL) structure marking a capability to initiate features of centriole duplication in developing sperm. Thus, stable 9-fold symmetry of microtubule triplets is not essential for centriole growth, correct longitudinal association of centriole components, and aspects of centriole duplication.
Topics: Centrioles; Animals; Male; Drosophila Proteins; Spermatocytes; Microtubules; Drosophila melanogaster; Spermatids; Cell Cycle Proteins; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Mutation; Drosophila
PubMed: 38796459
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48831-y -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024We identified Wdr17 as a highly expressed gene in pachytene spermatocytes by transcriptomic analysis of mouse testis. Germ cell-deficient infertile mouse models had...
We identified Wdr17 as a highly expressed gene in pachytene spermatocytes by transcriptomic analysis of mouse testis. Germ cell-deficient infertile mouse models had significantly reduced Wdr17 expression. We performed gene interference and overexpression in the mouse spermatocyte cell line GC-2spd(ts) and investigated how Wdr17 affects spermatocyte growth and development. Our results showed that Wdr17 suppression significantly decreased cell growth rate and increased cell apoptosis in GC-2spd(ts) cells. Wdr17 suppression also arrested the cell cycle at the G1 phase. On the contrary, Wdr17 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis in GC-2spd(ts) cells. More cells were enriched at the S stage with a concomitant reduction of cells at the G1 stage. Wdr17 promotes mouse spermatocyte proliferation by advancing cell cycle progression and inhibiting cell apoptosis, indicating its potential role in regulating spermatogenesis in the mouse.
PubMed: 38791636
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101418 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024Aberrant expression of the heat shock proteins and factors was revealed to be closely associated with male reproduction. Heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) is a transcription...
Aberrant expression of the heat shock proteins and factors was revealed to be closely associated with male reproduction. Heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) is a transcription factor that is involved in the regulation of diverse developmental pathways. However, the role and the corresponding molecular mechanism of in male cattle-yak sterility are still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain the sequence and the biological information of the cattle-yak gene and to investigate the spatiotemporal expression profiles of the locus during the development of cattle-yak testes. Additionally, the differential expression was analyzed between the cattle-yak and the yak, and the methylation of corresponding promoter regions was compared. Our results showed an additional 54 bp fragment and a missense mutation (lysine to glutamic acid) were presented in the cattle-yak gene, which correlated with enriched expression in testicular tissue. In addition, the expression of the gene showed dynamic changes during the growth of the testes, reaching a peak in adulthood. The IHC indicated that HSF2 protein was primarily located in spermatocytes (PS), spermatogonia (SP), and Sertoli cells (SC) in cattle-yak testes, compared with the corresponding cells of cattle and the yak. Furthermore, bisulfite-sequencing PCR (BSP) revealed that the methylated CpG sites in the promoter region of the cattle-yak HSF2 were more numerous than in the yak counterpart, which suggests hypermethylation of this region in the cattle-yak. Taken together, the low expression abundance and hypermethylation of may underpin the obstruction of spermatogenesis, which leads to male cattle-yak infertility. Our study provided a basic guideline for the gene in male reproduction and a new insight into the mechanisms of male cattle-yak sterility.
PubMed: 38791628
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101410 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Redox balance plays an important role in testicular homeostasis. While lots of antioxidant molecules have been identified as widely expressed, the understanding of the...
Redox balance plays an important role in testicular homeostasis. While lots of antioxidant molecules have been identified as widely expressed, the understanding of the critical mechanisms for redox management in male germ cells is inadequate. This study identified LanCL2 as a major male germ cell-specific antioxidant gene that is important for testicular homeostasis. Highly expressed in the brain and testis, LanCL2 expression correlates with testicular maturation and brain development. LanCL2 is enriched in spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis. By examining LanCL2 knockout mice, we found that LanCL2 deletion did not affect postnatal brain development but injured the sperm parameters of adult mice. With histopathological analysis, we noticed that LanCL2 KO caused a pre-maturation and accelerated the self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells in the early stage of spermatogenesis. In contrast, at the adult stage, LanCL2 KO damaged the acrosomal maturation in spermiogenesis, resulting in spermatogenic defects with a reduced number and motility of spermatozoa. Furthermore, we show that this disruption of testicular homeostasis in the LanCL2 KO testis was due to dysbalanced testicular redox homeostasis. This study demonstrates the critical role of LanCL2 in testicular homeostasis and redox balance.
PubMed: 38790639
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050534 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies May 2024This study investigated the effect of curcumin nanomicelle (CUR-n) on the structure of testis tissue, the process of spermatogenesis, LH, FSH, testosterone, and...
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the effect of curcumin nanomicelle (CUR-n) on the structure of testis tissue, the process of spermatogenesis, LH, FSH, testosterone, and oxidative stress in a model of multiple sclerosis.
METHODS
Twenty-four male mice C57BL/6 were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 6 (1: group receiving 2% CPZ diet, 2: group receiving the diet of 2% CPZ + CUR-n with a dose of 50 mg/kg, 3: group receiving the diet of 2% CPZ + CUR-n with a dose of 100 mg/kg). The concentration of hormones (testosterone, LH and FSH), was measured by the special hormone assay ELISA kits. Measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was done by spectrophotometry and calorimetric methods, respectively. Stereological analysis was done in order to explore the number of spermatogenesis cells, testis and sperm properties.
RESULTS
The results indicated that CUR-n (100 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the concentration of LH, FSH, testosterone, and TAC but reduced MDA levels. It also notably increased the quantity of spermatogonia, spermatocyte, round spermatids, long spermatids and LCs, augmented testis weight and volume, and germinal epithelium volume, improved sperm count, morphology, viability, and motility. In addition, a considerable decrease in the amount of wrinkling and disruption of the germinal epithelium was observed after intervention with CUR-n (100 mg/kg). Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of germ cells compared to the group receiving CPZ was detected.
CONCLUSION
This study proposes that CUR-n could be a therapeutic agent for decreasing the adverse effects of MS on testis.
Topics: Male; Animals; Curcumin; Mice; Testis; Disease Models, Animal; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Multiple Sclerosis; Spermatogenesis; Testosterone; Oxidative Stress; Micelles
PubMed: 38778296
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04423-3