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Smith HF, Laitman JT. Turtles creep through the pages of The Anatomical Record. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:1189-1192. [PMID: 36913169 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Heather F Smith
- Department of Anatomy, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA.,School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Laitman
- Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
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2
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Transcriptomic and metabolomic insights into the variety of sperm storage in oviduct of egg layers. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101087. [PMID: 33887680 PMCID: PMC8082553 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In birds, the sperm storage tubules (SST) are dispersed in uterovaginal junction (UVJ) and highly correlated with differential capacity of sperm storage (SS) in and among species with unspecified mechanisms. Here, the SS duration of 252 egg layer breeders was evaluated in 5 rounds with 3 phenotypic traits to screen high- and low-SS individuals, respectively, followed with transcriptome of UVJ tissues and metabolome of serum (high-SS vs. low-SS) to decipher the candidate genes and biochemical markers correlated with differential SS capacity. Histological characterization suggested slightly higher density of SST in UVJ (high-SS vs. low-SS). Transcriptome analyses identified 596 differentially expressed genes (336 upregulated vs. 260 downregulated), which were mainly enriched in gene ontology terms of homeostasis, steroid and lipid metabolism and hormone activity, and 12 significant pathways (P < 0.05) represented by calcium, steroid, and lipid metabolism. Immunohistochemical staining of GNAQ, ST6GAL1, ADFP, and PCNA showed similar distribution in UVJ tissues between 2 groups. Several candidates (HSD11B2, DIO2, AQP3, GNAQ, NANS, ST6GAL1) combined with 4 (11β-prostaglandin F2α, prostaglandin B1, 7α-hydroxytestosterone, and N-acetylneuraminic acid) of 40 differential metabolites enriched in serum metabolome were considered as regulators and biomarkers of SS duration in egg layer breeders. The integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses of chicken breeder hens will provide novel insights for exploration and improvement of differential SS capacity in birds.
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Chen H, Liu T, Holt WV, Yang P, Zhang L, Zhang L, Han X, Bian X, Chen Q. Advances in understanding mechanisms of long-term sperm storage-the soft-shelled turtle model. Histol Histopathol 2019; 35:1-23. [PMID: 31290136 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Long-term sperm storage is a special reproductive strategy, which can extend the time window between mating and fertilization in some animal species. Spermatozoa of the soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, can be stored in the epididymis and oviduct for at least six months and one year, respectively. How spermatozoa can be stored in vivo for such a prolonged period is yet to be explained. We analyze the mechanisms that contribute to long-term sperm storage in P. sinensis, and compare them with other species from three different perspectives: the spermatozoon itself, the storage microenvironment and the interaction between the spermatozoon and microenvironment. Characteristics of soft-shelled turtle spermatozoa itself, such as the huge cytoplasmic droplet with its content of several large lipid droplets (LDs) and onion-like mitochondira, facilitate long-term sperm storage. The microenvironment of reproductive tract, involving in the secretions, structural barriers, exosomes, androgen receptors, Toll-like receptors and survival factor Bcl-2, are important for the maintenance of spermatozoa long-term storage. Sperm heads are always embedded among the oviductal cilia and even intercalate into the apical hollowness of the ciliated cells, indicating that the ciliated cells support the stored spermatozoa. RNA seq is firstly used to detect the molecular mechanism of sperm storage, which shows that autophagy, apoptosis and immune take part in the long-term sperm storage in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tengfei Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - William V Holt
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ping Yang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Linli Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiangkun Han
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xunguang Bian
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Liu T, Yang P, Chen H, Huang Y, Liu Y, Waqas Y, Ahmed N, Chu X, Chen Q. Global analysis of differential gene expression related to long-term sperm storage in oviduct of Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33296. [PMID: 27628424 PMCID: PMC5024102 DOI: 10.1038/srep33296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Important evolutionary and ecological consequences arise from the ability of female turtles to store viable spermatozoa for an extended period. Although previous morphological studies have observed the localization of spermatozoa in Pelodiscus sinensis oviduct, no systematic study on the identification of genes that are involved in long-term sperm storage has been performed. In this study, the oviduct of P. sinensis at different phases (reproductive and hibernation seasons) was prepared for RNA-Seq and gene expression profiling. In total, 2,662 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 1,224 up- and 1,438 down-regulated genes were identified from two cDNA libraries. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that many genes were predominantly involved in the immune response, apoptosis pathway and regulation of autophagy. RT-qPCR, ELISA, western blot and IHC analyses showed that the expression profiles of mRNA and protein in selected DEGs were in consistent with results from RNA-Seq analysis. Remarkably, TUNEL analysis revealed the reduced number of apoptotic cells during sperm storage. IHC and TEM analyses found that autophagy occurred in the oviduct epithelial cells, where the spermatozoa were closely attached. The outcomes of this study provide fundamental insights into the complex sperm storage regulatory process and facilitate elucidating the mechanism of sperm storage in P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yasir Waqas
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Nisar Ahmed
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Xiaoya Chu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
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Hu L, Li Q, Yang P, Gandahi JA, Arain TS, Le Y, Zhang Q, Liu T, Y Waqas M, Ahmad N, Liu Y, Chen Q. Expression of TLR2/4 on Epididymal Spermatozoa of the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis During the Hibernation Season. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 299:1578-1584. [PMID: 27532861 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are known to be stored in the epididymis of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis for long periods during hibernation, but the mechanism that underlies the sperm storage is poorly understood. This study was carried out to confirm the presence of TLR2/4 (Toll-like receptor 2/4) in epididymal spermatozoa during the hibernation season and to analyze whether TLRs play a role in sperm storage. The structure and ultrastructure of a spermatozoon during the hibernation stage were investigated using light- and transmission electron-microscopy. RT-PCR was used to analyze mRNA expression, while protein expression was determined via Western blot. TLR2/4 mRNA and proteins were detected in spermatozoa. Immunofluorescence staining was used to confirm TLR2/4 localization in the spermatozoon, and TLR2/4 were localized in the midpiece and the posterior segment of the head of the spermatozoon, which corresponded to the cytoplasmic droplets (CDs) of the turtle spermatozoon. As TLRs play critical roles in detecting and responding to invading pathogens, this study provided molecular evidence that TLR2/4 might contribute to sperm storage in the epididymides. Anat Rec, 299:1578-1584, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisi Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanfu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jameel A Gandahi
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Tamseel S Arain
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan
| | - Yuan Le
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengfei Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Y Waqas
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nisar Ahmad
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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Androgen-related sperm storage in oviduct of Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle in vivo during annual cycle. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20456. [PMID: 26847578 PMCID: PMC4742787 DOI: 10.1038/srep20456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term sperm storage in the female genital tract is essential for the appropriate timing of reproductive events in animals with asynchronous copulation and ovulation. However, the mechanism underlying the prolonged storage of spermatozoa is largely unexplored in turtles. In the present study, the role of androgen in sperm storage was investigated in the oviduct of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. Morphological analysis revealed that spermatozoa were observed in the vagina, uterus and isthmus of the oviduct throughout the hibernation season. The increase of circulating testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels were consistent with the arrangement of spermatozoa that had their head embedded among the cilia of the oviduct mucosal epithelium. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that androgen receptor was distributed throughout the cytoplasm of gland cells and among the cilia of ciliated cells. Furthermore, marked variations in protein and mRNA levels of androgen receptor were validated through Western blot and qPCR analyses. The localization and the variation of androgen receptor demonstrated the crucial roles of androgens in sperm storage in the oviduct of P. sinensis. These results provide fundamental insights into the interaction of androgen and sperm storage and facilitate the elucidation of the mechanism of sperm storage in turtles.
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