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Liu S, Sharma U. Sperm RNA Payload: Implications for Intergenerational Epigenetic Inheritance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5889. [PMID: 36982962 PMCID: PMC10052761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is mounting evidence that ancestral life experiences and environment can influence phenotypes in descendants. The parental environment regulates offspring phenotypes potentially via modulating epigenetic marks in the gametes. Here, we review examples of across-generational inheritance of paternal environmental effects and the current understanding of the role of small RNAs in such inheritance. We discuss recent advances in revealing the small RNA payload of sperm and how environmental conditions modulate sperm small RNAs. Further, we discuss the potential mechanism of inheritance of paternal environmental effects by focusing on sperm small RNA-mediated regulation of early embryonic gene expression and its role in influencing offspring phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Upasna Sharma
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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2
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Goss DM, Vasilescu SA, Sacks G, Gardner DK, Warkiani ME. Microfluidics facilitating the use of small extracellular vesicles in innovative approaches to male infertility. Nat Rev Urol 2023; 20:66-95. [PMID: 36348030 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00660-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sperm are transcriptionally and translationally quiescent and, therefore, rely on the seminal plasma microenvironment for function, survival and fertilization of the oocyte in the oviduct. The male reproductive system influences sperm function via the binding and fusion of secreted epididymal (epididymosomes) and prostatic (prostasomes) small extracellular vesicles (S-EVs) that facilitate the transfer of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids to sperm. Seminal plasma S-EVs have important roles in sperm maturation, immune and oxidative stress protection, capacitation, fertilization and endometrial implantation and receptivity. Supplementing asthenozoospermic samples with normospermic-derived S-EVs can improve sperm motility and S-EV microRNAs can be used to predict non-obstructive azoospermia. Thus, S-EV influence on sperm physiology might have both therapeutic and diagnostic potential; however, the isolation of pure populations of S-EVs from bodily fluids with current conventional methods presents a substantial hurdle. Many conventional techniques lack accuracy, effectiveness, and practicality; yet microfluidic technology has the potential to simplify and improve S-EV isolation and detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale M Goss
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- IVF Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven A Vasilescu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- NeoGenix Biosciences pty ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gavin Sacks
- IVF Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Majid E Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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3
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Yu M, Zhang X, Yan J, Guo J, Zhang F, Zhu K, Liu S, Sun Y, Shen W, Wang J. Transcriptional Specificity Analysis of Testis and Epididymis Tissues in Donkey. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122339. [PMID: 36553607 PMCID: PMC9777602 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122339] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Donkeys, with high economic value for meat, skin and milk production, are important livestock. However, the current insights into reproduction of donkeys are far from enough. To obtain a deeper understanding, the differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of transcriptomic data of testicular and epididymis tissues in donkeys were performed. In the result, there were 4313 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two tissues, including 2047 enriched in testicular tissue and 2266 in epididymis tissue. WGCNA identified 1081 hub genes associated with testis development and 6110 genes with epididymal development. Next, the tissue-specific genes were identified with the above two methods, and the gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the epididymal-specific genes were associated with gonad development. On the other hand, the testis-specific genes were involved in the formation of sperm flagella, meiosis period, ciliary assembly, ciliary movement, etc. In addition, we found that eca-Mir-711 and eca-Mir-143 likely participated in regulating the development of epididymal tissue. Meanwhile, eca-Mir-429, eca-Mir-761, eca-Mir-200a, eca-Mir-191 and eca-Mir-200b potentially played an important role in regulating the development of testicular tissue. In short, these results will contribute to functional studies of the male reproductive trait in donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubin Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Jiamao Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Jiaozhou Agricultural and Rural Bureau, Jiaozhou 266300, China
| | - Fali Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Kexin Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Shuqin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yujiang Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (J.W.)
| | - Junjie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (J.W.)
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4
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Roca J, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Padilla L, Lucas X, Barranco I. Extracellular vesicles in seminal fluid and effects on male reproduction. An overview in farm animals and pets. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106853. [PMID: 34556398 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer nanovesicles released by most functional cells to body fluids, containing bioactive molecules, mainly proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids having actions at target cells. The EVs have essential functions in cell-to-cell communication by regulating different biological processes in target cells. Fluids from the male reproductive tract, including seminal plasma, contain many extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which have been evaluated to a lesser extent than those of other body fluids, particularly in farm animals and pets. Results from the few studies that have been conducted indicated epithelial cells of the testis, epididymis, ampulla of ductus deferens and many accessory sex glands release sEVs mainly via apocrine mechanisms. The sEVs are morphologically heterogeneous and bind to functional cells of the male reproductive tract, spermatozoa, and cells of the functional tissues of the female reproductive tract after mating or insemination. The sEVs encapsulate proteins and miRNAs that modulate sperm functions and male fertility. The sEVs, therefore, could be important as reproductive biomarkers in breeding sires. Many of the current findings regarding sEV functions, however, need experimental confirmation. Further studies are particularly needed to characterize both membranes and contents of sEVs, as well as the interaction between sEVs and target cells (spermatozoa and functional cells of the internal female reproductive tract). A priority for conducting these studies is development of methods that can be standardized and that are scalable, cost-effective and time-saving for isolation of different subtypes of EVs present in the entire population of sEVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Roca
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez
- Department of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences (BKV), BKH/Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-58185 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lorena Padilla
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Xiomara Lucas
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Barranco
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
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Lee GS, Conine CC. The Transmission of Intergenerational Epigenetic Information by Sperm microRNAs. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:12. [PMID: 35466187 PMCID: PMC9036291 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next, modulating the phenotype of offspring non-genetically in organisms ranging from plants to mammals. For intergenerational non-genetic inheritance to occur, epigenetic information must accumulate in germ cells. The three main carriers of epigenetic information-histone post-translational modifications, DNA modifications, and RNAs-all exhibit dynamic patterns of regulation during germ cell development. For example, histone modifications and DNA methylation are extensively reprogrammed and often eliminated during germ cell maturation and after fertilization during embryogenesis. Consequently, much attention has been given to RNAs, specifically small regulatory RNAs, as carriers of inherited epigenetic information. In this review, we discuss examples in which microRNAs have been implicated as key players in transmitting paternal epigenetic information intergenerationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace S. Lee
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Colin C. Conine
- Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics—Penn Epigenetics Institute, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Center for Reproduction and Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Xing K, Chen Y, Wang L, Lv X, Li Z, Qi X, Wang X, Xiao L, Ni H, Guo Y, Sheng X. Epididymal mRNA and miRNA transcriptome analyses reveal important genes and miRNAs related to sperm motility in roosters. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101558. [PMID: 34844112 PMCID: PMC8633681 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is a crucial trait in chicken production, and the epididymis is an essential organ in the reproductive system. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying sperm motility in the epididymis are unclear. In this study, 8 cDNA libraries and eight miRNA libraries were constructed from roosters (4 chickens per group) with diverse sperm motility. After a comparative analysis of epididymal transcriptomes, we detected 84 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the edgeR package. Integrated interpretation of DEGs indicated that MMP9, SLN, WT1, PLIN1, and LRRIQ1 are the most promising candidate genes affecting sperm motility in the epididymis of roosters. MiR-146a, mir-135b, and mir-205 could play important regulatory roles in sperm maturation, capacitation, and motility. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of the mRNA and miRNAs transcriptomes in silico identified a promising gene-miRNA pair miR-135b-HPS5, which may be a vital regulator of sperm motility in the epididymis. Our findings provide novel integrated information of miRNAs and genes that shed light on the regulatory mechanisms of fertility in roosters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Xing
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, Beijing 100107, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, Beijing 100107, China
| | - Xueze Lv
- Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, Beijing 100107, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Beijing Institute of Feed Control, Beijing 100107, China
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiangguo Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Longfei Xiao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Hemin Ni
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xihui Sheng
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China.
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Sun J, Zhao Y, He J, Zhou Q, El-Ashram S, Yuan S, Chi S, Qin J, Huang Z, Ye M, Huang S, Li Z. Small RNA expression patterns in seminal plasma exosomes isolated from semen containing spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets versus regular exosomes in boar semen. Theriogenology 2021; 176:233-243. [PMID: 34673403 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple physiological pathways are controlled by exosomes. Exosomes may be found in seminal plasma where they carry functional molecules to the sperm, such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Sperm cytoplasmic droplets (CDs) are remnants of cytoplasm, and their migration is a morphological characteristic of epididymal maturation. However, miRNA expression patterns in seminal plasma exosomes found in semen containing spermatozoa with CDs versus regular exosomes in boar semen have not been examined. In this study, seminal plasma exosomes were isolated from semen containing spermatozoa with CDs and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. A total of 348 known and 206 new miRNAs were identified. Sixteen miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed. Of these, 13 miRNAs (ssc-miR-101, ssc-miR-148a-5p, ssc-miR-184, ssc-miR-202-3p, ssc-miR-221-5p, ssc-miR-2483, ssc-miR-29a-3p, ssc-miR-29c, ssc-miR-31, ssc-miR-362, ssc-miR-500-5p, ssc-miR-542-3p, and ssc-miR-769-5p) were significantly upregulated, whereas three miRNAs (ssc-miR-1249, ssc-miR-155-5p, and ssc-miR-296-5p) were significantly downregulated. GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that these targeted genes were enriched for functions such as metabolic process, reproductive process, proteasome, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, seminal plasma exosomes are predicted to play a key role in the regulation of sperm CDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshuai Sun
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhao
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China.
| | - Jian He
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Qingbin Zhou
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China; Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33516, Egypt
| | - Sheng Yuan
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Shihong Chi
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Jiali Qin
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Zongyang Huang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Manqing Ye
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Shujian Huang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China
| | - Zhili Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, 18 Jiangwan Street, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong province, China.
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8
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Abstract
More than a century ago, August Weissman defined a distinction between the germline (responsible for propagating heritable information from generation to generation) and the perishable soma. A central motivation for this distinction was to argue against the inheritance of acquired characters, as the germline was partly defined by its protection from external conditions. However, recent decades have seen an explosion of studies documenting the intergenerational and transgenerational effects of environmental conditions, forcing a re-evaluation of how external signals are sensed by, or communicated to, the germline epigenome. Here, motivated by the centrality of small RNAs in paradigms of epigenetic inheritance, we review across species the myriad examples of intercellular RNA trafficking from nurse cells or somatic tissues to developing gametes.
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Wang C, Hussain Solangi T, Wang H, Yang L, Shahzad K, Zhao W, Lang X. High-throughput sequencing reveals differential expression of miRNAs in yak and cattleyak epididymis. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 57:125-140. [PMID: 34057751 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cattleyaks (CY) are interspecific hybrids between cattle (Bos taurus) and yak (Bos gruniens, YK) exhibiting the same prominent adaptability and higher performances than YK. MiRNAs have played an important role in the acquisition and maintenance of male fertility in reproduction, where deletion of Dicer in mice germ cells results in infertility. According to a body of evidence, the function of miRNA in the male reproductive system extends from the testis into the epididymis and, as such, regulates gene expression and contributes to regional gene expression variations. Using RNA sequencing on biological replicates, we described differentially expressed miRNAs profiles for tissue from epididymis of YK and CY. In the present study, High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that 55 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified in the epididymis of YK and CY. Among these, 43 DE miRNAs were upregulated while the remaining 12 DE miRNAs were downregulated between epididymis of YK and CY. Our results showed that the top most important DE miRNAs, bta-miR-449c, bta-miR-539, bta-miR-136, bta-miR-504, bta-miR-31 and bta-miR-222 were found to be involved in the reproductive system of CY. In addition, some targeted genes, Clusterins (CLU), Retinoic Acid Receptor a (RARa) and Hydroxy acyl glutathione Hydrolase (HAGH) and HSPH1 targeted by bta-miR-2411-3p and bta-miR-1298 were involved in the sperm motility, sperm morphology and post-testicular sperm maturation. Furthermore, GO and KEGG analyses were performed to classify the functions of target genes for DE miRNAs. In addition, RT-qPCR validation of the DE miRNAs and its targeted genes revealed that putative miRNAs are involved in the male CY infertility by altering the gene expression. Present findings may not only increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulated by the miRNAs in epididymis, but also provide a valuable information to understand the male infertility mechanism of CY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailian Wang
- Key laboratory for sheep, goat and cattle germplasm and straw feed in Gansu Province, Institute of Animal & Pasture Science and Green Agricultural, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tajmal Hussain Solangi
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Liuyueling Yang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Khuram Shahzad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wangsheng Zhao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Xia Lang
- Key laboratory for sheep, goat and cattle germplasm and straw feed in Gansu Province, Institute of Animal & Pasture Science and Green Agricultural, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, China
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Zarski LM, Giessler KS, Jacob SI, Weber PSD, McCauley AG, Lee Y, Soboll Hussey G. Identification of Host Factors Associated with the Development of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy by Transcriptomic Analysis of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Horses. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030356. [PMID: 33668216 PMCID: PMC7995974 DOI: 10.3390/v13030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus-1 is the cause of respiratory disease, abortion, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses worldwide. EHM affects as many as 14% of infected horses and a cell-associated viremia is thought to be central for EHM pathogenesis. While EHM is infrequent in younger horses, up to 70% of aged horses develop EHM. The aging immune system likely contributes to EHM pathogenesis; however, little is known about the host factors associated with clinical EHM. Here, we used the “old mare model” to induce EHM following EHV-1 infection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of horses prior to infection and during viremia were collected and RNA sequencing with differential gene expression was used to compare the transcriptome of horses that did (EHM group) and did not (non-EHM group) develop clinical EHM. Interestingly, horses exhibiting EHM did not show respiratory disease, while non-EHM horses showed significant respiratory disease starting on day 2 post infection. Multiple immune pathways differed in EHM horses in response to EHV-1. These included an upregulation of IL-6 gene expression, a dysregulation of T-cell activation through AP-1 and responses skewed towards a T-helper 2 phenotype. Further, a dysregulation of coagulation and an upregulation of elements in the progesterone response were observed in EHM horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lila M. Zarski
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (L.M.Z.); (K.S.G.); (S.I.J.); (A.G.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Kim S. Giessler
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (L.M.Z.); (K.S.G.); (S.I.J.); (A.G.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Sarah I. Jacob
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (L.M.Z.); (K.S.G.); (S.I.J.); (A.G.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Patty Sue D. Weber
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Allison G. McCauley
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (L.M.Z.); (K.S.G.); (S.I.J.); (A.G.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yao Lee
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (L.M.Z.); (K.S.G.); (S.I.J.); (A.G.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (L.M.Z.); (K.S.G.); (S.I.J.); (A.G.M.); (Y.L.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Abstract
Within the reproductive tract, distinct cell types must have precisely controlled communication for complex processes such as gamete production, fertilisation and implantation. Intercellular communication in many physiological processes involves extracellular vesicles (EVs). In reproductive systems, EVs have been implicated in many aspects, from gamete maturation to embryo development. Sperm develop within the testis and then exit into the epididymis in an immature form, lacking motility and fertilising capabilities. Due to their small size, compact nature of the nucleus and the lack of specific organelles, sperm are unable to perform de novo protein synthesis, and thus rely on extrinsic signals delivered from the external milieu to gain full function. Mounting evidence points to EVs as being a major provider of these signals, not just within the male reproductive tract but also within the female as the sperm make their way through a seemingly hostile environment to the oocyte. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge on EVs as mediators of sperm maturation and function and highlight their potential roles in male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Foot
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - Sharad Kumar
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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