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Mitchell T, Lin J, Hicks S, James J, Rangan P, Forni P. Loss of function of male-specific lethal 3 (Msl3) does not affect spermatogenesis in rodents. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:453-466. [PMID: 37847071 PMCID: PMC11021377 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male-specific lethal 3 (Msl3) is a member of the chromatin-associated male-specific lethal MSL complex, which is responsible for the transcriptional upregulation of genes on the X chromosome in males of Drosophila. Although the dosage complex operates differently in mammals, the Msl3 gene is conserved from flies to humans. Msl3 is required for meiotic entry during Drosophila oogenesis. Recent reports indicate that also in primates, Msl3 is expressed in undifferentiated germline cells before meiotic entry. However, if Msl3 plays a role in the meiotic entry of mammals has yet to be explored. RESULTS To understand, if Msl3a plays a role in the meiotic entry of mammals, we used mouse spermatogenesis as a study model. Analyses of single-cell RNA-seq data revealed that, in mice, Msl3 is mostly expressed in meiotic cells. To test the role of Msl3 in meiosis, we used a male germline-specific Stra8-iCre driver and a newly generated Msl3flox conditional knock-out mouse line. Msl3 conditional loss-of-function in spermatogonia did not cause spermatogenesis defects or changes in the expression of genes related to meiosis. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that, in mice, Msl3 exhibits delayed expression compared to Drosophila and primates, and loss-of-function mutations disrupting the chromodomain of Msl3 alone do not impede meiotic entry in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.A. Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - J.M. Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - S.M. Hicks
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - J.R. James
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - P. Rangan
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - P.E. Forni
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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Robinson M, Zhou K, Kung SHY, Karaoğlanoğlu F, Golin A, Safa A, Cai C, Witherspoon L, Hach F, Flannigan R. A novel sorting method for the enrichment of early human spermatocytes from clinical biopsies. F&S SCIENCE 2024; 5:130-140. [PMID: 38369016 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if early spermatocytes can be enriched from a human testis biopsy using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). DESIGN Potential surface markers for early spermatocytes were identified using bioinformatics analysis of single-cell RNA-sequenced human testis tissue. Testicular sperm extraction samples from three participants with normal spermatogenesis were digested into single-cell suspensions and cryopreserved. Two to four million cells were obtained from each and sorted by FACS as separate biologic replicates using antibodies for the identified surface markers. A portion from each biopsy remained unsorted to serve as controls. The sorted cells were then characterized for enrichment of early spermatocytes. SETTING A laboratory study. PATIENTS Three men with a diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia (age range, 30-40 years). INTERVENTION None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sorted cells were characterized for RNA expression of markers encompassing the stages of spermatogenesis. Sorting markers were validated by their reactivity on human testis formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. RESULTS Serine protease 50 (TSP50) and SWI5-dependent homologous recombination repair protein 1 were identified as potential surface proteins specific for early spermatocytes. After FACS sorting, the TSP50-sorted populations accounted for 1.6%-8.9% of total populations and exhibited the greatest average-fold increases in RNA expression for the premeiotic marker stimulated by retinoic acid (STRA8), by 23-fold. Immunohistochemistry showed the staining pattern for TSP50 to be strong in premeiotic undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1-/doublesex and Mab-3 related transcription factor 1-/STRA8+ spermatogonia as well as SYCP3+/protamine 2- spermatocytes. CONCLUSION This work shows that TSP50 can be used to enrich early STRA8-expressing spermatocytes from human testicular biopsies, providing a means for targeted single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and in vitro functional interrogation of germ cells during the onset of meiosis. This could enable investigation into details of the regulatory pathways underlying this critical stage of spermatogenesis, previously difficult to enrich from whole tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Robinson
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kevin Zhou
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sonia H Y Kung
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fatih Karaoğlanoğlu
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Computing Science, Department of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrew Golin
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Armita Safa
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Charley Cai
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Witherspoon
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urology, the Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraz Hach
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
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3
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Kirsanov O, Johnson TA, Niedenberger BA, Malachowski TN, Hale BJ, Chen Q, Lackford B, Wang J, Singh A, Schindler K, Hermann BP, Hu G, Geyer CB. Retinoic acid is dispensable for meiotic initiation but required for spermiogenesis in the mammalian testis. Development 2023; 150:dev201638. [PMID: 37350382 PMCID: PMC10357014 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) is the proposed mammalian 'meiosis inducing substance'. However, evidence for this role comes from studies in the fetal ovary, where germ cell differentiation and meiotic initiation are temporally inseparable. In the postnatal testis, these events are separated by more than 1 week. Exploiting this difference, we discovered that, although RA is required for spermatogonial differentiation, it is dispensable for the subsequent initiation, progression and completion of meiosis. Indeed, in the absence of RA, the meiotic transcriptome program in both differentiating spermatogonia and spermatocytes entering meiosis was largely unaffected. Instead, transcripts encoding factors required during spermiogenesis were aberrant during preleptonema, and the subsequent spermatid morphogenesis program was disrupted such that no sperm were produced. Taken together, these data reveal a RA-independent model for male meiotic initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Kirsanov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Taylor A. Johnson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Bryan A. Niedenberger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Taylor N. Malachowski
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Hale
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Qing Chen
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Brad Lackford
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Anukriti Singh
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Karen Schindler
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Brian P. Hermann
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Guang Hu
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Christopher B. Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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4
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Johnson TA, Niedenberger BA, Kirsanov O, Harrington EV, Malachowski T, Geyer CB. Differential responsiveness of spermatogonia to retinoic acid dictates precocious differentiation but not meiotic entry during steady-state spermatogenesis†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:822-836. [PMID: 36708226 PMCID: PMC10183363 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The foundation of mammalian spermatogenesis is provided by undifferentiated spermatogonia, which comprise of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and transit-amplifying progenitors that differentiate in response to retinoic acid (RA) and are committed to enter meiosis. Our laboratory recently reported that the foundational populations of SSCs, undifferentiated progenitors, and differentiating spermatogonia are formed in the neonatal testis in part based on their differential responsiveness to RA. Here, we expand on those findings to define the extent to which RA responsiveness during steady-state spermatogenesis in the adult testis regulates the spermatogonial fate. Our results reveal that both progenitor and differentiating spermatogonia throughout the testis are capable of responding to exogenous RA, but their resulting fates were quite distinct-undifferentiated progenitors precociously differentiated and proceeded into meiosis on a normal timeline, while differentiating spermatogonia were unable to hasten their entry into meiosis. This reveals that the spermatogonia responding to RA must still complete the 8.6 day differentiation program prior to their entry into meiosis. Addition of exogenous RA enriched testes with preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes one and two seminiferous cycles later, respectively, supporting recent clinical studies reporting increased sperm production and enhanced fertility in subfertile men on long-term RA analog treatment. Collectively, our results reveal that a well-buffered system exists within mammalian testes to regulate spermatogonial RA exposure, that exposed undifferentiated progenitors can precociously differentiate, but must complete a normal-length differentiation program prior to entering meiosis, and that daily RA treatments increased the numbers of advanced germ cells by directing undifferentiated progenitors to continuously differentiate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor A Johnson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
| | - Bryan A Niedenberger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
| | - Oleksandr Kirsanov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
| | - Ellen V Harrington
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
| | - Taylor Malachowski
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, NCUSA
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5
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Wei Y, Geng W, Zhang T, He H, Zhai J. N-acetylcysteine rescues meiotic arrest during spermatogenesis in mice exposed to BDE-209. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:50952-50968. [PMID: 36807852 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25874-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Deca-bromodiphenyl ethers (BDE-209) has been widely used in electronic devices and textiles as additives to flame retardants. Growing evidence showed that BDE-209 exposure leads to poorer sperm quality and male reproductive dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanisms of BDE-209 exposure caused a decline in sperm quality remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on meiotic arrest in spermatocytes and decreased sperm quality in BDE-209-exposed mice. In the study, mice were treated with NAC (150 mg/kg BW) 2 h before administrated with BDE-209 (80 mg/kg BW) for 2 weeks. For the in vitro studies, spermatocyte cell line GC-2spd cells were pretreated with NAC (5 mM) 2 h before treated with BDE-209 (50 μM) for 24 h. We found that pretreatment with NAC attenuated the oxidative stress status induced by BDE-209 in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, pretreatment with NAC rescued the testicular histology impairment and decreased the testicular organ coefficient in BDE-209-exposed mice. In addition, NAC supplement partially promoted meiotic prophase and improved sperm quality in BDE-209-exposed mice. Furthermore, NAC pretreatment effectively improved DNA damage repair by recovering DMC1, RAD51, and MLH1. In conclusion, BDE-209 caused spermatogenesis dysfunction related to the meiotic arrest medicated by oxidative stress, decreasing sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wenfeng Geng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
- Department of Health Supervision, Administrative Committee of Hefei Xinzhan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Wenzhong Rd 999, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Taifa Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Huan He
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jinxia Zhai
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Rd 81, Hefei, 230032, China.
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6
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Wang Y, Zhang L, Kong R, Hu C, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Zuo Q, Li B, Zhang YN. Jun-mediated lncRNA-IMS promotes the meiosis of chicken spermatogonial stem cells via gga-miR-31-5p/stra8. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:275-286. [PMID: 36966461 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis, a key step in spermatogenesis, is affected by many factors. Current studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are potential factors regulating meiosis, and their regulatory mechanisms have received much attention. However, little research has been done on its regulatory mechanism in the spermatogenesis of roosters. Here, we found that lncRNA involved in meiosis and spermatogenesis (lncRNA-IMS) was involved in the regulation of Stra8 by gga-miR-31-5p and hindered the inhibition of Stra8 by gga-miR-31-5p. The acquisition and loss of function experiments demonstrated that lncRNA-IMS was involved in meiosis and spermatogenesis. In addition, we predicted and determined the core promoter region of lncRNA-IMS. Prediction of transcription factors, deletion/overexpression of binding sites, knockdown/overexpression of Jun, and dual-luciferase reporter analysis confirmed that Jun positively activated transcription of lncRNA-IMS. Our findings further enrich the TF-lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during male meiosis and provide new ideas for studying the molecular mechanism of meiosis and spermatogenesis in chicken spermatogonial stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Wang
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Animal Science College, Jiangsu Agri-animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruihong Kong
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Cai Hu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongyi Zhao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Bichun Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ni Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou Province, People's Republic of China
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7
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Chromatin Remodeling via Retinoic Acid Action during Murine Spermatogonial Development. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030690. [PMID: 36983846 PMCID: PMC10058303 DOI: 10.3390/life13030690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial differentiation is a process that commits germ cells to the complex process of spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial differentiation is mediated by the action of retinoic acid, which triggers major morphological and transcriptional changes. While these transcriptional changes have been well explored, there has been little effort devoted to epigenetic regulation surrounding spermatogonial development. This study aimed to uncover the timing and dynamics of chromatin organization during spermatogonial development within the context of these transcriptional changes. Using germ cell synchrony and the assay for transposase accessible chromatin and next generation sequencing (ATAC-seq) to isolate subpopulations of developing spermatogonia and identify accessible regions within their genome, we found that 50% of accessible regions in undifferentiated spermatogonia were condensed following retinoic acid action within 18 h. Surprisingly, genes with known functional relevance during spermatogonial development were accessible at all times, indicating that chromatin state does not impact transcription at these sites. While there was an overall decrease in gene accessibility during spermatogonial development, we found that transcriptionally active regions were not predictive of chromatin state.
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8
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Zhang X, Lin Q, Liao W, Zhang W, Li T, Li J, Zhang Z, Huang X, Zhang H. Identification of New Candidate Genes Related to Semen Traits in Duroc Pigs through Weighted Single-Step GWAS. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030365. [PMID: 36766254 PMCID: PMC9913471 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Semen traits play a key role in the pig industry because boar semen is widely used in purebred and crossbred pigs. The production of high-quality semen is crucial to ensuring a good result in artificial insemination. With the wide application of artificial insemination in the pig industry, more and more attention has been paid to the improvement of semen traits by genetic selection. The purpose of this study was to identify the genetic regions and candidate genes associated with semen traits of Duroc boars. We used weighted single-step GWAS to identify candidate genes associated with sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, sperm abnormality rate and total sperm count in Duroc pigs. In Duroc pigs, the three most important windows for sperm motility-sperm progressive motility, sperm abnormality rate, and total sperm count-explained 12.45%, 9.77%, 15.80%, and 12.15% of the genetic variance, respectively. Some genes that are reported to be associated with spermatogenesis, testicular function and male fertility in mammals have been detected previously. The candidate genes CATSPER1, STRA8, ZSWIM7, TEKT3, UBB, PTBP2, EIF2B2, MLH3, and CCDC70 were associated with semen traits in Duroc pigs. We found a common candidate gene, STRA8, in sperm motility and sperm progressive motility, and common candidate genes ZSWIM7, TEKT3 and UBB in sperm motility and sperm abnormality rate, which confirms the hypothesis of gene pleiotropy. Gene network enrichment analysis showed that STRA8, UBB and CATSPER1 were enriched in the common biological process and participated in male meiosis and spermatogenesis. The SNPs of candidate genes can be given more weight in genome selection to improve the ability of genome prediction. This study provides further insight into the understanding the genetic structure of semen traits in Duroc boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoke Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qing Lin
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Weili Liao
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Tingting Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Guangdong Guyue Technology Co., Ltd. Guangzhou 510980, China
- Correspondence: (X.H.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (X.H.); (H.Z.)
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9
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Kirsanov O, Johnson T, Malachowski T, Niedenberger BA, Gilbert EA, Bhowmick D, Ozdinler PH, Gray DA, Fisher-Wellman K, Hermann BP, Geyer CB. Modeling mammalian spermatogonial differentiation and meiotic initiation in vitro. Development 2022; 149:282465. [PMID: 36250451 PMCID: PMC9845750 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In mammalian testes, premeiotic spermatogonia respond to retinoic acid by completing an essential lengthy differentiation program before initiating meiosis. The molecular and cellular changes directing these developmental processes remain largely undefined. This wide gap in knowledge is due to two unresolved technical challenges: (1) lack of robust and reliable in vitro models to study differentiation and meiotic initiation; and (2) lack of methods to isolate large and pure populations of male germ cells at each stage of differentiation and at meiotic initiation. Here, we report a facile in vitro differentiation and meiotic initiation system that can be readily manipulated, including the use of chemical agents that cannot be safely administered to live animals. In addition, we present a transgenic mouse model enabling fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based isolation of millions of spermatogonia at specific developmental stages as well as meiotic spermatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Kirsanov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Taylor Johnson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Taylor Malachowski
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Bryan A. Niedenberger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Emma A. Gilbert
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Debajit Bhowmick
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - P. Hande Ozdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60611, USA
| | - Douglas A. Gray
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1H 8M5, Canada,Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Kelsey Fisher-Wellman
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Brian P. Hermann
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Christopher B. Geyer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA,East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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10
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Griswold MD. Cellular and molecular basis for the action of retinoic acid in spermatogenesis. J Mol Endocrinol 2022; 69:T51-T57. [PMID: 35670629 DOI: 10.1530/jme-22-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly organized and regulated process that requires the constant production of millions of gametes over the reproductive lifetime of the mammalian male. This is possible because of an active stem cell pool and an ordered entry into the germ cell developmental sequence. The ordered entry is a result of the synthesis and action of retinoic acid allowing for the onset of spermatogonial differentiation and an irreversible commitment to spermatogenesis. The periodic appearance and actions of retinoic acid along the seminiferous tubules is a result of the interactions between germ cells and Sertoli cells that result in the generation and maintenance of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and is the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Griswold M, Hogarth C. Synchronizing Spermatogenesis in the Mouse. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1159-1165. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The formation of spermatozoa starts with a germ-line stem cell creating a pool of progenitor cells or undifferentiated spermatogonia. There is a requirement for these progenitor cells to be stimulated by retinoic acid to enter differentiation and ultimately form spermatocytes, undergo meiosis, form spermatids, and ultimately spermatozoa. After the stimulation by retinoic acid, which occurs at sites in the seminiferous tubules, it takes about 35 days to complete this complex process. As a result, the adult testis contains germ cells in all possible states of differentiation, and the isolation of individual cell types or study of functional aspects of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium is very difficult. We describe the use of WIN 18,446, an inhibitor of retinoic acid synthesis followed by injection of retinoic acid as a mechanism for the synchronization of spermatogenesis to one to three stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. The result is that only one to four germ cell types are prevalent during the first wave of spermatogenesis. In the adult only a predictable few stages of the cycle are present throughout the entire testis enriching the targeted cells or stages of the cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences , Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
| | - Cathryn Hogarth
- Cathryn Hogarth , Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, LaTrobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Wang JM, Li ZF, Yang WX, Tan FQ. Follicle-stimulating hormone signaling in Sertoli cells: a licence to the early stages of spermatogenesis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:97. [PMID: 35780146 PMCID: PMC9250200 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00971-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone signaling is essential for the initiation and early stages of spermatogenesis. Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor is exclusively expressed in Sertoli cells. As the only type of somatic cell in the seminiferous tubule, Sertoli cells regulate spermatogenesis not only by controlling their own number and function but also through paracrine actions to nourish germ cells surrounded by Sertoli cells. After follicle-stimulating hormone binds to its receptor and activates the follicle-stimulating hormone signaling pathway, follicle-stimulating hormone signaling will establish a normal Sertoli cell number and promote their differentiation. Spermatogonia pool maintenance, spermatogonia differentiation and their entry into meiosis are also positively regulated by follicle-stimulating hormone signaling. In addition, follicle-stimulating hormone signaling regulates germ cell survival and limits their apoptosis. Our review summarizes the aforementioned functions of follicle-stimulating hormone signaling in Sertoli cells. We also describe the clinical potential of follicle-stimulating hormone treatment in male patients with infertility. Furthermore, our review may be helpful for developing better therapies for treating patients with dysfunctional follicle-stimulating hormone signaling in Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ming Wang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhen-Fang Li
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Fu-Qing Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
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13
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Function of Retinoic Acid in Development of Male and Female Gametes. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14061293. [PMID: 35334951 PMCID: PMC8951023 DOI: 10.3390/nu14061293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, is necessary for many developmental processes in mammals. Much of the field of reproduction has looked toward retinoic acid as a key transcriptional regulator and catalyst of differentiation events. This review focuses on the effects of retinoic acid on male and female gamete formation and regulation. Within spermatogenesis, it has been well established that retinoic acid is necessary for the proper formation of the blood–testis barrier, spermatogonial differentiation, spermiation, and assisting in meiotic completion. While many of the roles of retinoic acid in male spermatogenesis are known, investigations into female oogenesis have provided differing results.
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Gewiss RL, Law NC, Helsel AR, Shelden EA, Griswold MD. Two distinct Sertoli cell states are regulated via germ cell crosstalk. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:1591-1602. [PMID: 34494084 PMCID: PMC8689118 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells are a critical component of the testis environment for their role in maintaining seminiferous tubule structure, establishing the blood-testis barrier, and nourishing maturing germ cells in a specialized niche. This study sought to uncover how Sertoli cells are regulated in the testis environment via germ cell crosstalk in the mouse. We found two major clusters of Sertoli cells as defined by their transcriptomes in Stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous epithelium and a cluster for all other stages. Additionally, we examined transcriptomes of germ cell-deficient testes and found that these existed in a state independent of either of the germ cell-sufficient clusters. Together, we highlight two main transcriptional states of Sertoli cells in an unperturbed testis environment, and a germ cell-deficient environment does not allow normal Sertoli cell transcriptome cycling and results in a state unique from either of those seen in Sertoli cells from a germ cell-sufficient environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Gewiss
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Nathan C Law
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Aileen R Helsel
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Eric A Shelden
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Abstract
Male meiosis is a complex process whereby spermatocytes undergo cell division to form haploid cells. This review focuses on the role of retinoic acid (RA) in meiosis, as well as several processes regulated by RA before cell entry into meiosis that are critical for proper meiotic entry and completion. Here, we discuss RA metabolism in the testis as well as the roles of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) and MEIOSIN, which are responsive to RA and are critical for meiosis. We assert that transcriptional regulation in the spermatogonia is critical for successful meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Gewiss
- School of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - M Christine Schleif
- School of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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16
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Gewiss RL, Shelden EA, Griswold MD. STRA8 induces transcriptional changes in germ cells during spermatogonial development. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:128-140. [PMID: 33400349 PMCID: PMC7920925 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial development is a key process during spermatogenesis to prepare germ cells to enter meiosis. While the initial point of spermatogonial differentiation is well‐characterized, the development of spermatogonia from the onset of differentiation to the point of meiotic entry has not been well defined. Further, STRA8 is highly induced at the onset of spermatogonial development but its function in spermatogonia has not been defined. To better understand how STRA8 impacts spermatogonia, we performed RNA‐sequencing in both wild‐type and STRA8 knockout mice at multiple timepoints during retinoic acid (RA)‐stimulated spermatogonial development. As expected, in spermatogonia from wild‐type mice we found that steady‐state levels of many transcripts that define undifferentiated progenitor cells were decreased while transcripts that define the differentiating spermatogonia were increased as a result of the actions of RA. However, the spermatogonia from STRA8 knockout mice displayed a muted RA response such that there were more transcripts typical of undifferentiated cells and fewer transcripts typical of differentiating cells following RA action. While spermatogonia from STRA8 knockout mice can ultimately form spermatocytes that fail to complete meiosis, it appears that the defect likely begins as a result of altered messenger RNA levels during spermatogonial differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Gewiss
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Eric A Shelden
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.,Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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