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Zhang X, Xue J, Jiang S, Zheng H, Wang C. Forkhead-associated phosphopeptide binding domain 1 (FHAD1) deficiency impaired murine sperm motility. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17142. [PMID: 38563001 PMCID: PMC10984166 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic knockout-based studies conducted in mice provide a powerful means of assessing the significance of a gene for fertility. Forkhead-associated phosphopeptide binding domain 1 (FHAD1) contains a conserved FHA domain, that is present in many proteins with phospho-threonine reader activity. How FHAD1 functions in male fertility, however, remains uncertain. Methods Fhad1-/- mice were generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout, after which qPCR was used to evaluate changes in gene expression, with subsequent analyses of spermatogenesis and fertility. The testis phenotypes were also examined using immunofluorescence and histological staining, while sperm concentrations and motility were quantified via computer-aided sperm analysis. Cellular apoptosis was assessed using a TUNEL staining assay. Results The Fhad1-/-mice did not exhibit any abnormal changes in fertility or testicular morphology compared to wild-type littermates. Histological analyses confirmed that the testicular morphology of both Fhad1-/-and Fhad1+/+ mice was normal, with both exhibiting intact seminiferous tubules. Relative to Fhad1+/+ mice, however, Fhad1-/-did exhibit reductions in the total and progressive motility of epididymal sperm. Analyses of meiotic division in Fhad1-/-mice also revealed higher levels of apoptotic death during the first wave of spermatogenesis. Discussion The findings suggest that FHAD1 is involved in both meiosis and the modulation of sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Health and Infertility Clinic, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiangyang Xue
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- The Central Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Ningbo Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Embryogenic Diseases, Women and Children’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Haoyu Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- College of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Castille J, Thépot D, Fouchécourt S, Dalbies-Tran R, Passet B, Daniel-Carlier N, Vilotte JL, Monget P. The paralogs' enigma of germ-cell specific genes dispensable for fertility: the case of 19 oogenesin genes†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:408-414. [PMID: 37561421 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene knockout experiments have shown that many genes are dispensable for a given biological function. In this review, we make an assessment of male and female germ cell-specific genes dispensable for the function of reproduction in mice, the inactivation of which does not affect fertility. In particular, we describe the deletion of a 1 Mb block containing nineteen paralogous genes of the oogenesin/Pramel family specifically expressed in female and/or male germ cells, which has no consequences in both sexes. We discuss this notion of dispensability and the experiments that need to be carried out to definitively conclude that a gene is dispensable for a function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Castille
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | | | - Bruno Passet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Jean-Luc Vilotte
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Philippe Monget
- PRC INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
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Xiong X, Huang X, Zhu Y, Hai Z, Fei X, Pan B, Yang Q, Xiong Y, Fu W, Lan D, Zhang X, Li J. Testis-specific knockout of Kdm2a reveals nonessential roles in male fertility but partially compromises spermatogenesis. Theriogenology 2023; 209:9-20. [PMID: 37354760 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Lysine-specific histone demethylase 2 (Kdm2a) is a regulatory factor of histone modifications that participates in gametogenesis and embryonic development. The mis-regulation of Kdm2a can lead to aberrant gene expression, thereby contributing to abnormal cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. However, due to the potential confounding effects that are secondary to the loss of Kdm2a function from the soma in existing whole-animal mutants, the in vivo function of Kdm2a in spermatogenesis for male fertility remains unknown. Herein, we focus on exploring the spatiotemporal expression profile and biological functions of Kdm2a in the spermatogenesis and fertility of male mice. A testis-specific knockout Kdm2a model (Kdm2a cKO) was established by using the Stra8-Cre/loxP recombinase system to explore the roles of Kdm2a in male fertility. Our results showed that Kdm2a was ubiquitously expressed and dynamically distributed in multiple tissues and cell types in the testis of mice. Surprisingly, Kdm2a-deficient adult males were completely fertile and comparable with their control (Kdm2aflox/flox) counterparts. Despite the significantly reduced total number of sperm and density of seminiferous tubules in Kdm2a cKO testis accompanied by the degeneration of spermatogenesis, the fertilization ability and embryonic developmental competence of the Kdm2a cKO were comparable with those of their control littermates, suggesting that Kdm2a disruption did not markedly affect male fertility, at least during younger ages. Furthermore, Kdm2a homozygous mutants exhibited a lower total number and motility of sperm than the control group and showed notably affected serum 17β-estradiol concentration. Interestingly, the transcriptome sequencing revealed that the loss of Kdm2a remarkably upregulated the expression level of Kdm2b. This effect, in turn, may induce compensative effects in the case of Kdm2a deficiency to maintain normal male reproduction. Together, our results reveal that Kdm2a shows spatiotemporal expression during testicular development and that its loss is insufficient to compromise the production of spermatozoa completely. The homologous Kdm2b gene might compensate for the loss of Kdm2a. Our work provides a novel Kdm2a cKO mouse allowing for the efficient deletion of Kdm2a in a testis-specific manner, and further investigated the biological function of Kdm2a and the compensatory effects of Kdm2b. Our study will advance our understanding of underlying mechanisms in spermatogenesis and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianrong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Xiangyue Huang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Yanjin Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Zhuo Hai
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Xixi Fei
- Key Laboratory for Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Bangting Pan
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Qinhui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Yan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Wei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Daoliang Lan
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Xiaojian Zhang
- Center for Assisted Reproduction, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, PR China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China; Key Laboratory for Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
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Xu H, Ding H, Zheng H. Murine fertility and spermatogenesis are independent of the testis-specific Spdye4a gene. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114148. [PMID: 36272447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114148] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While many testis-enriched genes have been identified as important regulators of the spermatogenic process, the specific roles played by several of these genes and their functional importance has yet to be fully clarified. METHODS We employed a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to introduce a 5 bp in-frame deletion within the Spdye4a gene (Exon 2) of C57BL/6 mice (Spdye4a-/-). Fertility and sperm counts were evaluated. Testes tissues and cell suspensions were analyzed via histological and immunofluorescence staining. mRNA and protein levels of candidate genes were assessed through qPCR and Western blotting. In vitro fertilization was used to assess the ability of sperm cells to bind to egg cells. RESULTS Spdye4a-/- mice did not exhibit any reduction in fertility, and exhibited comparable sperm counts, morphology and motility to those of wildtype littermates. Functionally, Spdye4a-/- sperm exhibited normal sperm-egg binding activity in vitro. Furthermore, the testes of Spdye4a-/- mice exhibited a full range of germ cells from spermatogonia to mature spermatozoa. No differences in the progression of meiotic prophase I were observed when comparing Spdye4a-/- and wildtype mice, indicating that the loss of Spdye4a had no adverse effect on spermatogenesis. DISCUSSION Spdye4a is dispensable in the context of mice fertility and spermatogenesis. This study will prevent other laboratories from expending repeated efforts to generate similar knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongge Xu
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223300, China
| | - Hongyan Ding
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223300, China
| | - Haoyu Zheng
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223300, China.
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Bendarska-Czerwińska A, Zmarzły N, Morawiec E, Panfil A, Bryś K, Czarniecka J, Ostenda A, Dziobek K, Sagan D, Boroń D, Michalski P, Pallazo-Michalska V, Grabarek BO. Endocrine disorders and fertility and pregnancy: An update. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:970439. [PMID: 36733805 PMCID: PMC9887196 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.970439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that more and more couples suffer from fertility and pregnancy maintenance disorders. It is associated with impaired androgen secretion, which is influenced by many factors, ranging from genetic to environmental. It is also important to remember that fertility disorders can also result from abnormal anatomy of the reproductive male and female organ (congenital uterine anomalies - septate, unicornuate, bicornuate uterus; acquired defects of the uterus structure - fibroids, polyps, hypertrophy), disturbed hormonal cycle and obstruction of the fallopian tubes resulting from the presence of adhesions due to inflammation, endometriosis, and surgery, abnormal rhythm of menstrual bleeding, the abnormal concentration of hormones. There are many relationships between the endocrine organs, leading to a chain reaction when one of them fails to function properly. Conditions in which the immune system is involved, including infections and autoimmune diseases, also affect fertility. The form of treatment depends on infertility duration and the patient's age. It includes ovulation stimulation with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, metformin use, and weight loss interventions. Since so many different factors affect fertility, it is important to correctly diagnose what is causing the problem and to modify the treatment regimen if necessary. This review describes disturbances in the hormone secretion of individual endocrine organs in the context of fertility and the maintenance of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska
- Department of Molecular, Biology Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- American Medical Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska, ; Nikola Zmarzły, ; Beniamin Oskar Grabarek,
| | - Nikola Zmarzły
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska, ; Nikola Zmarzły, ; Beniamin Oskar Grabarek,
| | - Emilia Morawiec
- Department of Molecular, Biology Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Agata Panfil
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Kamil Bryś
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Justyna Czarniecka
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | | | | | - Dorota Sagan
- Medical Center Dormed Medical SPA, Busko-Zdroj, Poland
| | - Dariusz Boroń
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, TOMMED Specjalisci od Zdrowia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | | | - Beniamin Oskar Grabarek
- Department of Molecular, Biology Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, TOMMED Specjalisci od Zdrowia, Katowice, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska, ; Nikola Zmarzły, ; Beniamin Oskar Grabarek,
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