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Rosati L, Chianese T, Simoniello P, Motta CM, Scudiero R. The Italian Wall Lizard Podarcis siculus as a Biological Model for Research in Male Reproductive Toxicology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315220. [PMID: 36499547 PMCID: PMC9737876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315220] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a genetically driven differentiation process that occurs in the testis and leads to the formation of spermatozoa. This process is extensively studied in several experimental models, particularly in vertebrates that share the morphological structure and functionality of the mammalian testis. Although reptiles are not generally considered biological models, the lizard Podarcis siculus has represented a suitable organism for the study of spermatogenesis over the years. In this lizard, the process of spermatogenesis is regulated by the interaction between systemic factors such as gonadotropins and local factors, i.e., molecules produced by the somatic and germinal cells of the testis. Many exogenous substances are able to alter the production of these regulative factors, thus altering the course of spermatogenesis, and P. siculus has proven to be an excellent model for studying the effects of various endogenous or exogenous substances on mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis. This review summarizes the available data on the effects of different substances on the control of spermatogenesis, highlighting the induced morphological and molecular alterations. Overall, the data show that sex hormone levels as well as the final stages of spermatogenesis are most affected by an imbalance of endogenous compounds or contamination by environmental pollutants. This is helpful for the male individual, since the damage, not affecting the spermatogonial stem cells, can be considered transient and not irreversible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Rosati
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Chianese
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Palma Simoniello
- Department of Sciences and Technology, University Parthenope, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Maria Motta
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosaria Scudiero
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Shu Y, Zhang H, Cai Q, Tang D, Wang G, Liu T, Lv B, Wu H. Integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profile analyses reveal the potential roles of sex-biased miRNA-mRNA pairs in gonad tissues of the Chinese concave-eared torrent frog (Odorrana tormota). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2019; 332:69-80. [PMID: 30964604 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Chinese concave-eared torrent frog (Odorrana tormota) is typically sexually dimorphic. Females are significantly less common than males in the wild. Until now, the molecular mechanisms of reproduction and sex differentiation of frogs remain unclear. Here, we integrated mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles to reveal the molecular mechanisms of reproduction and sex differentiation in O. tormota. We identified 234 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 18,551 differentially expressed transcripts. Of these, 12,053 mRNAs and 64 miRNAs were upregulated in testes, and 6,498 mRNAs and 170 miRNAs were upregulated in ovaries. Integrated analysis of the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles predicted 75,602 potential miRNA-mRNA interaction sites, with 42,065 negative miRNA-mRNA interactions. We found 36 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to reproduction and sex differentiation, of which 15 DEGs formed 92 negative miRNA-mRNA interactions with 34 known DEMs. Thus, miRNAs may play other important roles in O. tormota. Furthermore, Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses showed reproductive-related processes, such as the gonadotropinreleasing hormone signaling pathway and ovarian steroidogenesis. Based on functional annotation and the literature, the retinoic acid signaling pathway, the SOX9-AMH pathway, and the process of spermatogenesis may be involved in the molecular mechanisms of reproduction and sex differentiation in O. tormota, and may be regulated by miRNAs. The miRNA-mRNA pairs described may provide further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms associated with reproduction and sex differentiation, and the molecular mechanism of reproduction in O. tormota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Shu
- Key Laboratory for the Conservation and Utilization of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Wuhu, China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for the Conservation and Utilization of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Wuhu, China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Qijia Cai
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Key Laboratory for the Conservation and Utilization of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Wuhu, China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Conservation and Utilization of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Wuhu, China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Key Laboratory for the Conservation and Utilization of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Wuhu, China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Bihua Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hailong Wu
- Key Laboratory for the Conservation and Utilization of Important Biological Resources of Anhui Province, Wuhu, China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
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Role of estrogen receptors, P450 aromatase, PCNA and p53 in high-fat-induced impairment of spermatogenesis in rats. C R Biol 2018; 341:371-379. [PMID: 30150094 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and overweight are frequently associated with male subfertility. To address new findings on the players involved in the obesity-induced impairment of spermatogenesis, we used a high-fat diet-induced overweight-rat model. Following four weeks of high-fat diet, the organization of seminiferous epithelium was affected, and tubules lumen showed immature/degenerated cells, typical signs of hormonal imbalance and testicular damage. Real-time PCR analysis allowed us to detect increased levels of ERα and decreased levels of aromatase CYP19 transcripts in testis, suggesting an increase in circulating estrogens derived from the accumulating adipose tissue rather than the induction of testicular estrogen synthesis. Moreover, in situ hybridization analysis showed an increased susceptibility towards estrogens in testis from high-fat fed rats, being ERs expressed not only in spermatogonia, as in control testis, but also in spermatids. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed an increase in the amount of p53 and PCNA, together with a change in their immunodetection, being the proteins localised on germ cells at different stages of maturation. Differences in p53 and PCNA expression may give evidence and be part of a cellular response to stress conditions and damage caused by the excessive intake of saturated fatty acids.
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