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Weigel Muñoz M, Cohen DJ, Da Ros VG, González SN, Rebagliati Cid A, Sulzyk V, Cuasnicu PS. Physiological and pathological aspects of epididymal sperm maturation. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 100:101321. [PMID: 39340983 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 09/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
In mammals, sperm that leave the testes are nonfunctional and require a complex post-testicular maturation process to acquire their ability to recognize and fertilize the egg. The crucial maturation changes that provide sperm their fertilizing capability occur while passing through the epididymis. Due to the widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies to address male infertility, there has been a significant decrease in research focusing on the mechanisms underlying the maturation process over the past decades. Considering that up to 40% of male infertility is idiopathic and could be reflecting sperm maturation defects, the study of post-testicular sperm maturation will clearly contribute to a better understanding of the causes of male infertility and to the development of both new approaches to maturing sperm in vitro and safer male contraceptive methods. Based on this, the present review focuses on the physiopathology of the epididymis as well as on current approaches under investigation to improve research in sperm maturation and as potential therapeutic options for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Weigel Muñoz
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Débora J Cohen
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Vanina G Da Ros
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Soledad N González
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Abril Rebagliati Cid
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Valeria Sulzyk
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Patricia S Cuasnicu
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME). Fundación IBYME. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Zhu P, Bi X, Su D, Li X, Chen B, Li J, Zhao L, Wang Y, Xu S, Wu X. Thiolutin, a selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced impairment of sperm and fertility in mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2024; 46:172-182. [PMID: 38174705 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2023.2298894] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in male infertility. Our study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of Thiolutin (THL), an inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, on oligoasthenospermia (OA) and to elucidate its mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen from 50 OA and 20 healthy males were analyzed to assess the sperm quality and levels of inflammatory markers. Their correlation was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The BALB/c mice were intraperitoneal injected by cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg/day for five days to induce OA, followed by a two-week treatment with THL or L-carnitine. Reproductive organ size and H&E staining were determined to observe the organ and seminiferous tubule morphology. ELISA and western blotting were utilized to measure sex hormone levels, inflammatory markers, and NLRP3 inflammasome levels. Furthermore, male and female mice were co-housed to observe pregnancy success rates. RESULTS OA patients exhibited a decrease in sperm density and motility compared to healthy individuals, along with elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18 and NLRP3 inflammasome. In vivo, THL ameliorated OA-induced atrophy of reproductive organs, hormonal imbalance, and improved sperm density, motility, spermatogenesis and pregnancy success rates with negligible adverse effects on weight or liver-kidney function. THL also demonstrated to be able to inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and associated proteins in OA mice. DISCUSSION THL can improve sperm quality and hormonal balance in OA mice through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, THL holds promising potential as a therapeutic agent for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xingyu Bi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Dan Su
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bingbing Chen
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Juhua Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lijiang Zhao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yaoqing Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Suming Xu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xueqing Wu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
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Zeng F, Wang M, Li J, Li C, Pan X, Meng L, Li L, Wei H, Zhang S. Involvement of Porcine β-Defensin 129 in Sperm Capacitation and Rescue of Poor Sperm in Genital Tract Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169441. [PMID: 36012708 PMCID: PMC9409293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, β-defensins have been reported to play pivotal roles in sperm protection and fertilization. However, the function and mechanism of porcine β-defensin 129 (pBD129) in the sperm remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that pBD129 is a glycosylated protein and broadly exists in accessory sex glands and coats the sperm surface. We inhibited the pBD129 protein on the sperm surface with an anti-pBD129 antibody and found that sperm motility was not significantly affected; however, sperm acrosome integrity and tyrosine phosphorylation levels increased significantly with time (p < 0.05) during capacitation. These changes were accompanied by an increase in sperm Ca2+ influx, resulting in a significantly reduced in vitro fertilization cleavage rate (p < 0.05). Further investigation revealed that treatment with recombinant pBD129 markedly restored the sperm motility in semen contaminated with Escherichia coli. The results suggest that pBD129 is not only associated with poor sperm motility after genital tract infection but can also protect the spermatozoa from premature capacitation, which may be beneficial for semen preservation.
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Abstract
The male reproductive system consists of testes, a series of ducts connecting the testes to the external urethral orifice, accessory sex glands, and the penis. Spermatogonial stem cells differentiate and mature in testes and epididymides, and spermatozoa are ejaculated with exocrine fluids secreted by accessory sex glands. Many studies have clarified the detailed structure and function of the male reproductive system, and have shown that various biologic controls, including genomics, epigenetics, and the neuroendocrine-immune system regulate proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of germ cells. In other words (1) genetic deletion or abnormalities, (2) aberration of DNA methylation and histone modifications, as well as small RNA dysfunction, and (3) neuroendocrine-immune disorders are involved in functional failure of the male reproductive system. In this article, we review these three factors for germ cell microcircumstance, especially focused on the immunoendocrine environment. In particular, the relation between factors protecting germ cells with strong auto-immunogenicity and opposite factors compromising this protection are discussed. Reductions in sperm count, concentration, and semen quality are serious problems in developed countries, although the causes are complex and remain unclear. The accumulation of basic knowledge regarding the structure, function, and regulation of the male reproductive system under various experimental conditions will be important to resolve these problems.
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Ferreira LGA, Nishino FA, Fernandes SG, Ribeiro CM, Hinton BT, Avellar MCW. Epididymal embryonic development harbors TLR4/NFKB signaling pathway as a morphogenetic player. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 149:103456. [PMID: 34915277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Wolffian duct (WD) is an embryonic tissue that undergoes androgen-induced morphological changes to become the epididymis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)- and nuclear factor kB (NFKB)-induced effectors are expressed in the adult epididymis and represent important players in epididymal innate immune responses. TLR4/NFKB signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved and plays a critical morphogenetic role in several species; however, its function during WD morphogenesis is unknown. We hypothesized that TLR4/NFKB pathway plays a role during WD development. Here we examined TLR4 expression and regulation of TLR4-target genes during rat WD morphogenesis between embryonic days (e) 17.5-20.5. The functionality of TLR4/NFKB signaling was examined using WD organotypic cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli (TLR4 agonist) and PDTC (NFKB inhibitor). TLR4 was detected at mRNA level in e17.5 (uncoiled duct) and e20.5 (coiled duct) WDs, and spatio-temporal changes in TLR4 immunoreactivity were observed between these two time points. Expression level analysis of a subset of TLR4-regulated genes showed that TLR4/NFKB pathway was activated after exposure of cultured WD to LPS (4 h), an event that was abrogated by PDTC. Long-term exposure of cultured WDs to LPS (96 h) resulted in dysregulations of morphogenetic events and LAMA1 immunodistribution changes, suggesting the extracellular matrix at the intersection between WD morphogenesis and balance of innate immune components. Our results unveil the epididymal morphogenesis as an event equipped with TLR4/NFKB signaling components that may serve developmental functions, and eventually transition to host defense function when the fetus is exposed to an infectious or noninfectious threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G A Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Nishino
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Samuel G Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Camilla M Ribeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil; Centro Universitário do Planalto de Araxá (UNIARAXÁ), Araxá, MG, 38180-084, Brazil
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Maria Christina W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil.
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Chen H, Alves MBR, Belleannée C. Contribution of epididymal epithelial cell functions to sperm epigenetic changes and the health of progeny. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 28:51-66. [PMID: 34618012 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatozoa acquire their motility and fertilizing abilities during their maturation through the epididymis. This process is controlled by epididymal epithelial cells that possess features adapted to sense and respond to their surrounding environment and to communicate with spermatozoa. During the past decade, new intercellular communication processes have been discovered, including the secretion and transport of molecules from the epithelium to spermatozoa via extracellular vesicles (EVs), as well as sensing of the intraluminal milieu by cellular extensions. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review addresses recent findings regarding epididymal epithelial cell features and interactions between spermatozoa and the epididymal epithelium as well as epigenetic modifications undergone by spermatozoa during transit through the epididymal microenvironment. SEARCH METHODS A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed with the keyword 'epididymis'. Results were filtered on original research articles published from 2009 to 2021 and written in the English language. One hundred fifteen original articles presenting recent advancements on the epididymis contribution to sperm maturation were selected. Some additional papers cited in the primary reference were also included. A special focus was given to higher mammalian species, particularly rodents, bovines and humans, that are the most studied in this field. OUTCOMES This review provides novel insights into the contribution of epididymal epithelium and EVs to post-testicular sperm maturation. First, new immune cell populations have been described in the epididymis, where they are proposed to play a role in protecting the environment surrounding sperm against infections or autoimmune responses. Second, novel epididymal cell extensions, including dendrites, axopodia and primary cilia, have been identified as sensors of the environment surrounding sperm. Third, new functions have been outlined for epididymal EVs, which modify the sperm epigenetic profile and participate in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of paternal traits. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Although the majority of these findings result from studies in rodents, this fundamental research will ultimately improve our knowledge of human reproductive physiopathologies. Recent discoveries linking sperm epigenetic modifications with paternal environmental exposure and progeny outcome further stress the importance of advancing fundamental research on the epididymis. From this, new therapeutic options for infertile couples and better counseling strategies may arise to increase positive health outcomes in children conceived either naturally or with ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Clémence Belleannée
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
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Xu J, He L, Zhang Y, Hu Z, Su Y, Fang Y, Peng M, Fan Z, Liu C, Zhao K, Zhang H. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Male Reproduction: Relationship, Explanations, and Clinical Remedies. Front Physiol 2021; 12:651408. [PMID: 33935803 PMCID: PMC8079781 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.651408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been an ongoing pandemic and worldwide public health emergency, having drawn a lot of attention around the world. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is characterized by infecting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-expressing cells, including testis-specific cells, namely, Leydig, Sertoli, and spermatogenic cells, which are closely related to male reproduction. This leads to aberrant hyperactivation of the immune system generating damage to the infected organs. An impairment in testicular function through uncontrolled immune responses alerts more attention to male infertility. Meanwhile, the recent clinical data indicate that the infection of the human testis with SARS-CoV-2 may impair male germ cell development, leading to germ cell loss and higher immune cell infiltration. In this review, we investigated the evidence of male reproductive dysfunction associated with the infection with SARS-CoV-2 and its possible immunological explanations and clinical remedies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liting He
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiyong Hu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yufang Su
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiwei Fang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meilin Peng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zunpan Fan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Andrade AD, Almeida PGC, Mariani NAP, Freitas GA, Kushima H, Filadelpho AL, Spadella MA, Avellar MCW, Silva EJR. Lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis modifies the transcriptional profile of Wfdc genes in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:144-158. [PMID: 33034631 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Whey-acidic protein four-disulfide core domain (WFDC) genes display putative roles in innate immunity and fertility. In mice, a locus on chromosome 2 contains 5 and 11 Wfdc genes in its centromeric and telomeric subloci, respectively. Although Wfdc genes are highly expressed in the epididymis, their contributions to epididymal function remain elusive. Here, we investigated whether Wfdc genes are regulated in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epididymitis, an inflammatory condition that impairs male fertility. We induced epididymitis in mice via (i) interstitial LPS injection into epididymal initial segment and (ii) intravasal LPS injection into the vas deferens towards cauda epididymis. Interstitial and intravasal LPS induced a differential upregulation of inflammatory mediators (interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, interferon gamma, and interleukin 10) in the initial segment and cauda epididymis within 72 h post-treatment. These changes were accompanied by a time-dependent endotoxin clearance from the epididymis. In the initial segment, interstitial LPS upregulated all centromeric (Slpi, Wfdc5, Wfdc12, Wfdc15a, and Wfdc15b) and five telomeric (Wfdc2, Wfdc3, Wfdc6b, Wfdc10, and Wfdc13) Wfdc transcripts at 24 and 72 h. In the cauda epididymis, intravasal LPS upregulated Wfdc5 and Wfdc2 transcripts at 24 h, followed by a downregulation of Wfdc15b and three telomeric (Wfdc6a, Wfdc11, and Wfdc16) gene transcripts at 72 h. Pharmacological inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation prevented LPS-induced upregulation of centromeric and telomeric Wfdc genes depending on the epididymal region. We show that LPS-induced inflammation differentially regulated the Wfdc locus in the proximal and distal epididymis, indicating region-specific roles for the Wfdc family in innate immune responses during epididymitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre D Andrade
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila G C Almeida
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Noemia A P Mariani
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Geanne A Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hélio Kushima
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - André L Filadelpho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Christina W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Erick J R Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Distinct expression and localization patterns of HSP70 in developmental reproductive organs of rams. Gene 2020; 760:145029. [PMID: 32758578 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has been widely reported to play a vital role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis, mainly through cellular protection and immune regulation. The expression and function of HSP70 can vary depending upon species and age. To explore the expression signatures and regulatory functions of HSP70 in the reproductive organs of male sheep, we evaluated the expression and distribution patterns of HSP70 in the testes and epididymides (caput, corpus, and cauda) of Tibetan sheep at three developmental stages (i.e., 3 months, 1 year and 3 years after birth) by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence. HSP70 was found to be expressed in testes, caput, corpus, and cauda epididymides throughout the developmental stages but is mainly expressed postpuberty (1 year and 3 years old). Immunofluorescence results revealed that in the testes, a positive reaction for HSP70 protein was mainly seen in round spermatids and luminal sperms from the groups aged 1 year and 3 years. In caput epididymides, the positive signals for HSP70 protein was notably observed in sperm and principal cells of the epididymal epithelium from the groups aged 1 year and 3 years, and positive signals in the epididymal interstitium were found in all three age groups. In corpus and cauda epididymides, HSP70 protein was present in the epididymal epithelium and interstitium, and the positive signals gradually increased with age. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Tibetan sheep HSP70 may play a crucial role in further development and maturation of postmeiotic germ cells and participate in regulation of intraepididymal homeostasis maintenance in Tibetan sheep.
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