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Hadziselimovic F. Advocating hormonal treatment to prevent adult in-fertility in patients diagnosed with congenital un-descended testes. Int Braz J Urol 2024; 50:20-27. [PMID: 38166219 PMCID: PMC10947647 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2024.9902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2007 the Nordic group came to the following unanimous conclusions: In general, hormonal treatment is not recommended, considering the poor immediate results and the possible long-term adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Thus, surgery is to be preferred. However, defective mini puberty inducing insufficient gonadotropin secretion is one of the most common causes of nonobstructive azoospermia in men suffering from congenital isolated unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism. The extent of alteration in the unilateral undescended testis correlate with the contralateral descended testis, indicating that unilateral cryptorchidism is a bilateral disease. Idiopathic central hypogonadism explains the phenomenon of defective mini puberty in otherwise healthy cryptorchid boys. We therefore recommend hormonal treatment for cryptorchid boys with defective mini puberty. Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment following surgery to correct cryptorchidism restores mini puberty via endocrinological and transcriptional effects and prevents adult infertility in most cases. Several genes are important for central hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in mammals, including many that are transcribed in both the brain and testis. At the molecular level, there is no convincing evidence that heat shock is responsible for the observed pathological testicular changes. Thus, impaired transformation of gonocytes is not the result of temperature stress but rather a hormonal imbalance. Cryptorchidism should therefore be considered a serious andrological problem that cannot be successfully treated by early orchidopexy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- University of BaselCryptorchidism Research InstituteLiestalSwitzerlandUniversity of Basel, Director of Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
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Hadziselimovic F, Verkauskas G, Stadler MB. Epigenetics, cryptorchidism, and infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2023; 33:24. [PMID: 37730534 PMCID: PMC10512650 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-023-00199-7] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptorchid boys with defective mini-puberty and impaired differentiation of Ad spermatogonia (high infertility risk) have altered expression of several genes encoding histone methyltransferases compared to patients with intact differentiation of gonocytes into Ad spermatogonia (low infertility risk). RESULTS High infertility risk cryptorchid boys display hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which, together with the diminished expression of histone deacetylases and increased expression of HDAC8 decrotonylase, indicates altered histone marks and, thus, a perturbed histone code. Curative GnRHa treatment induces normalization of histone methyltransferase, chromatin remodeling, and histone deacetylase gene expression. As a result, histone changes induce differentiation of Ad spermatogonia from their precursors and, thus, fertility. In this short report, we describe key functions of histone lysine methyltransferases, chromatin remodeling proteins, and long-noncoding RNAs, and discuss their potential roles in processes leading to infertility. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that epigenetic mechanisms are critical to better understanding the root causes underlying male infertility related to cryptorchidism and its possible transgenerational transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Children’s Day Care Center, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- Children’s Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael B. Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
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Bogaert G, Vanhoyland M, Hadziselimovic F. Low-dose every-second-day LHRH treatment following bilateral orchidopexy in children with bilateral cryptorchidism may improve their fertility outcome. J Pediatr Urol 2023; 19:128.e1-128.e7. [PMID: 36336621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND Currently the standard treatment for bilateral cryptorchidism is bilateral surgical orchidopexy. Whether a hormonal treatment should be routinely administered postoperatively to increase fertility is debatable. Low-dose postoperative luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) can increase spermatogonial numbers, but the effect of native LHRH (Kryptocur®) on adult fertility is unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine if low-dose every-second-day postoperative LHRH administration in children with bilateral cryptorchidism improves fertility in adulthood and if Nistal testicular histological grading could guide the decision to administer LHRH. STUDY DESIGN METHODS All patients, actually at least 16yr of age, that underwent a bilateral orchidolysis and orchidopexy for bilateral cryptorchidism (surgery between 1997 and 2018) were contacted and offered a clinical exam, hormone levels, sperm analysis, and a scrotal ultrasound. At the original surgery, testicular biopsy was performed (if 60% of the tubuli contain >1 spermatogonia, this is normal = Nistal-1, if 30-60% filled = Nistal-2, if <30% = Nistal-3 and if Sertoli only = Nistal-4) and if in at least one testis impaired. A low dose native LHRH treatment was offered to the patients, as this treatment is known to increase the number of spermatogonia in a short term. Kryptocur® (LHRH, Gonadorelin, Hoechst®) was prescribed and dosed at 200 μg (one spray in one nostril) every other day for 6-8 months. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Forty-two men were eligible for this study. 20/42 accepted the invitation for a clinical and hormonal evaluation. 16/20 men accepted the invitation for an additional sperm analysis. Fourteen of 20 men received low-dose LHRH postoperatively in a nonrandomized manner. Three men had Nistal grade 1, eight grade 2, seven grade 3, and two had grade 4. Inhibin B levels were higher in men with Nistal 1 and 2 compared with Nistal 3 and 4 P ≤ 0.037). Severe oligospermia/azoospermia (<1 × 106/ejaculate) was observed in 33% of the treated group vs 67% of the untreated group (P ≤ 0.036.) DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose every-second-day postoperative LHRH treatment improves fertility outcome in bilateral cryptorchidism. Histological analysis of prepubertal testes according to Nistal grading cannot be used as a predictive diagnostic test for LHRH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Bogaert
- UZ Leuven KULeuven Dept of Urology, Herestraat, 49, B - 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Michael Vanhoyland
- UZ Leuven KULeuven Dept of Neurosurgery, Herestraat, 49, B - 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Children's Day Care Center Liestal, CH - 4410, Liestal, Switzerland.
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Hadziselimovic F, Verkauskas G, Stadler M. A novel role for CFTR interaction with LH and FGF in azoospermia and epididymal maldevelopment caused by cryptorchidism. Basic Clin Androl 2022; 32:10. [PMID: 35725394 PMCID: PMC9210799 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00160-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism occurs frequently in children with cystic fibrosis. Among boys with cryptorchidism and abrogated mini-puberty, the development of the epididymis and the vas deferens is frequently impaired. This finding suggests that a common cause underlies the abnormal development of Ad spermatogonia and the epididymis. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter protein that acts as a chloride channel. The CFTR gene has been associated with spermatogenesis and male fertility. In boys with cryptorchidism, prepubertal hypogonadotropic hypogonadism induces suboptimal expression of the ankyrin-like protein gene, ASZ1, the P-element induced wimpy testis-like gene, PIWIL, and CFTR. The abrogated expression of these gene leads to transposon reactivation, and ultimately, infertility. Curative gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment stimulates the expression of CFTR and PIWIL3, which play important roles in the development of Ad spermatogonia and fertility. Furthermore, GnRHa stimulates the expression of the epididymal androgen-sensitive genes, CRISP1, WFDC8, SPINK13, and PAX2, which thereby promotes epididymal development. This review focuses on molecular evidence that favors a role for CFTR in cryptorchidism-induced infertility. Based on information available in the literature, we interpreted our RNA-Seq expression data obtained from samples before and after randomized GnRHa treatment in boys with bilateral cryptorchidism. We propose that, in boys with cryptorchidism, CFTR expression is controlled by luteinizing hormone and testosterone. Moreover, CFTR regulates the activities of genes that are important for fertility and Wolffian duct differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Children's Day Care Center Liestal, 4410, Liestal, Schweiz, Switzerland.
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Dong LH, Hildorf S, Clasen-Linde E, Kvist K, Cortes D, Thorup J, Andersen CY. Postnatal germ cell development in cryptorchid boys. Asian J Androl 2021; 22:258-264. [PMID: 31274480 PMCID: PMC7275797 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_48_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is associated with infertility in adulthood. Early orchiopexy is suggested to reduce the risk. Information is lacking on the potential link between infant germ cell maturation and the risk of future infertility. The objective of the study was to evaluate age-related germ cell development in cryptorchidism. Immunostaining for markers of germ cell development (octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 [OCT3/4], placental alkaline phosphatase [PLAP], KIT proto-oncogene [C-KIT], podoplanin [D2-40], Lin-28 homolog A [LIN28], and G antigen 7 [GAGE-7]) was performed in testicular biopsies from 40 cryptorchid boys aged 4-35 months. Germ cell numbers and distributions were evaluated in cross sections of seminiferous tubules, with and without immunostaining. OCT3/4, D2-40, and LIN28 were generally expressed in the early stages of germ cell development, as shown by positive expression in germ cells in the central region of seminiferous tubules. In contrast, PLAP and GAGE-7 were expressed in both central and peripheral parts of the tubules in the early stages of development and expressed mainly in a peripheral position with advancing age. Germ cell maturation was delayed in this study population as compared with that observed in our previous study on germ cell markers in a healthy population. The number of GAGE-7-positive germ cells per tubular cross section obtained by immunostaining was significantly higher than that obtained by standard hematoxylin and eosin staining. Double immunostaining revealed heterogeneity in germ cell development in cryptorchid testes. These results shed light on the pathophysiology of germ cell development in boys with cryptorchidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Dong
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Erik Clasen-Linde
- Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Kolja Kvist
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Copenhagen 2650, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Thorup
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.,Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
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Wang YM, Khederzadeh S, Li SR, Otecko NO, Irwin DM, Thakur M, Ren XD, Wang MS, Wu DD, Zhang YP. Integrating Genomic and Transcriptomic Data to Reveal Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Piao Chicken Rumpless Trait. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2021; 19:787-799. [PMID: 33631431 PMCID: PMC9170765 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Piao chicken, a rare Chinese native poultry breed, lacks primary tail structures, such as pygostyle, caudal vertebra, uropygial gland, and tail feathers. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying tail absence in this breed remain unclear. In this study, we comprehensively employed comparative transcriptomic and genomic analyses to unravel potential genetic underpinnings of rumplessness in Piao chicken. Our results reveal many biological factors involved in tail development and several genomic regions under strong positive selection in this breed. These regions contain candidate genes associated with rumplessness, including Irx4, Il18, Hspb2, and Cryab. Retrieval of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and gene functions implies that rumplessness might be consciously or unconsciously selected along with the high-yield traits in Piao chicken. We hypothesize that strong selection pressures on regulatory elements might lead to changes in gene activity in mesenchymal stem cells of the tail bud. The ectopic activity could eventually result in tail truncation by impeding differentiation and proliferation of the stem cells. Our study provides fundamental insights into early initiation and genetic basis of the rumpless phenotype in Piao chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Center for Neurobiology and Brain Restoration, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia
| | - Saber Khederzadeh
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Shi-Rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Newton Otieno Otecko
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - David M Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mukesh Thakur
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Xiao-Die Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Ming-Shan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Dong-Dong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
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Yang T, Liu H, Yang Y, Hu P, Song X, Peng Y, Yang F. Identification of key genes associated with spermatogenesis arrest in fox hybrids using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Theriogenology 2020; 147:92-101. [PMID: 32126384 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.029] [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: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The silver fox and the blue fox represent different genera, but produce viable offspring. Although these hybrids show obvious heterosis, they are completely sterile due to spermatogenic arrest at the early stages of spermatogenesis, especially mitosis and meiosis I; the hybrids produce few spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, and no secondary spermatocytes. Although the mechanisms of spermatogenic arrest have been well investigated, transcriptomic differences between hybrid and the pure-species testes have not clarified. In the present study, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to generate testicular transcriptomic profiles for silver foxes, blue foxes, and reciprocal hybrids during the pre-breeding period and the breeding season. In total, 1,344,022 transcripts (≥200 bp) were generated; 1,057,724 genes were obtained; and 33,423 genes were shown to have fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads (FPKM) > 0.3. To identify the hub genes associated with spermatogenesis arrest, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used. Nine modules were explored. Genes in only a single module were consistently downregulated in the hybrids as compared to the pure species; these genes were significantly associated with fox hybrid male infertility. Six of the genes in this module (CATSPERD, DMRTC2, RNF17, NME5, SPEF2, SPINK2) also play key roles in mitosis and meiosis during spermatogenesis. Therefore, these six genes might be associated with fox hybrid male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong'ao Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China
| | - Huamiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China
| | - Yahan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China
| | - Pengfei Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China
| | - Xingchao Song
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China
| | - Yinghua Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China.
| | - Fuhe Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130112, PR China.
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Li T, Zhang H, Wang X, Yin D, Chen N, Kang L, Zhao X, Ma Y. Cloning, Molecular Characterization and Expression Patterns of DMRTC2 Implicated in Germ Cell Development of Male Tibetan Sheep. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072448. [PMID: 32244802 PMCID: PMC7177445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The double sex and mab-3-related transcription factors like family C2 (DMRTC2) gene is indispensable for mammalian testicular function and spermatogenesis. Despite its importance, what expression and roles of DMRTC2 possesses and how it regulates the testicular development and spermatogenesis in sheep, especially in Tibetan sheep, remains largely unknown. In this study, DMRTC2 cDNA from testes of Tibetan sheep was firstly cloned by the RT-PCR method, and its molecular characterization was identified. Subsequently, the expression and localization patterns of DMRTC2 were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The cloning and sequence analysis showed that the Tibetan sheep DMRTC2 cDNA fragment contained 1113 bp open reading frame (ORF) capable of encoding 370 amino acids, and displayed high identities with some other mammals, which shared an identical DM domain sequence of 47 amino acids ranged from residues 38 to 84. qPCR and Western blot results showed that DMRTC2 was expressed in testes throughout the development stages while not in epididymides (caput, corpus, and cauda), with higher mRNA and protein abundance in Tibetan sheep testes of one- and three-year-old (post-puberty) compared with that of three-month-old (pre-puberty). Immunofluorescence results revealed that immune staining for DMRTC2 protein was observed in spermatids and spermatogonia from post-puberty Tibetan sheep testes, and gonocytes from pre-puberty Tibetan sheep testes. Together, these results demonstrated, for the first time, in sheep, that DMRTC2, as a highly conserved gene in mammals, is essential for sheep spermatogenesis by regulating the proliferation or differentiation of gonocytes and development of spermatids in ram testes at different stages of maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
- Sheep Breeding Biotechnology Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province, Minqin 733300, China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Xia Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
| | - De′en Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Nana Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Lingyun Kang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
| | - Youji Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (T.L.); (H.Z.); (X.W.); (D.Y.); (N.C.); (L.K.)
- Sheep Breeding Biotechnology Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province, Minqin 733300, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-931-763-1225
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Tan K, Song HW, Wilkinson MF. Single-cell RNAseq analysis of testicular germ and somatic cell development during the perinatal period. Development 2020; 147:dev.183251. [PMID: 31964773 DOI: 10.1242/dev.183251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pro-spermatogonia (SG) serve as the gateway to spermatogenesis. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (RNAseq), we studied the development of ProSG, their SG descendants and testicular somatic cells during the perinatal period in mice. We identified both gene and protein markers for three temporally distinct ProSG cell subsets, including a migratory cell population with a transcriptome distinct from the previously defined T1- and T2-ProSG stages. This intermediate (I)-ProSG subset translocates from the center of seminiferous tubules to the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) 'niche' in its periphery soon after birth. We identified three undifferentiated SG subsets at postnatal day 7, each of which expresses distinct genes, including transcription factor and signaling genes. Two of these subsets have the characteristics of newly emergent SSCs. We also molecularly defined the development of Sertoli, Leydig and peritubular myoid cells during the perinatal period, allowing us to identify candidate signaling pathways acting between somatic and germ cells in a stage-specific manner during the perinatal period. Our study provides a rich resource for those investigating testicular germ and somatic cell developmental during the perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hye-Won Song
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA .,Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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10
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Lucaccioni L, Trevisani V, Boncompagni A, Marrozzini L, Berardi A, Iughetti L. Minipuberty: Looking Back to Understand Moving Forward. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:612235. [PMID: 33537266 PMCID: PMC7848193 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.612235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activation occurs three times in life: the first is during fetal life, and has a crucial role in sex determination, the second time is during the first postnatal months of life, and the third is with the onset of puberty. These windows of activation recall the three windows of the "Developmental Origin of Health and Disease" (DOHaD) paradigm and may play a substantial role in several aspects of human development, such as growth, behavior, and neurodevelopment. From the second trimester of pregnancy there is a peak in gonadotropin levels, followed by a decrease toward term and complete suppression at birth. This is due to the negative feedback of placental estrogens. Studies have shown that in this prenatal HPG axis activation, gonadotropin levels display a sex-related pattern which plays a crucial role in sex differentiation of internal and external genitalia. Soon after birth, there is a new increase in LH, FSH, and sex hormone concentrations, both in males and females, due to HPG re-activation. This postnatal activation is known as "minipuberty." The HPG axis activity in infancy demonstrates a pulsatile pattern with hormone levels similar to those of true puberty. We review the studies on the changes of these hormones in infancy and their influence on several aspects of future development, from linear growth to fertility and neurobehavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lucaccioni
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Viola Trevisani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Boncompagni
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lucia Marrozzini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Berardi
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Hadziselimovic F, Verkauskas G, Vincel B, Stadler MB. Testicular expression of long non-coding RNAs is affected by curative GnRHa treatment of cryptorchidism. Basic Clin Androl 2019; 29:18. [PMID: 31890219 PMCID: PMC6933710 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-019-0097-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptorchidism is a frequent endocrinopathy in boys that has been associated with an increased risk of developing testicular cancer and infertility. The condition is curable by combined surgery and hormonal treatment during early pre-pubertal stages using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). However, whether the treatment also alters the expression of testicular long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is unknown. To gain insight into the effect of GnRHa on testicular lncRNA levels, we re-analyzed an expression dataset generated from testicular biopsies obtained during orchidopexy for bilateral cryptorchidism. Results We identified EGFR-AS1, Linc-ROR, LINC00221, LINC00261, LINC00282, LINC00293, LINC00303, LINC00898, LINC00994, LINC01121, LINC01553, and MTOR-AS1 as potentially relevant for the stimulation of cell proliferation mediated by GnRHa based on their direct or indirect association with rapidly dividing cells in normal and pathological tissues. Surgery alone failed to alter the expression of these transcripts. Conclusion Given that lncRNAs can cooperate with chromatin-modifying enzymes to promote epigenetic regulation of genes, GnRHa treatment may act as a surrogate for mini-puberty by triggering the differentiation of Ad spermatogonia via lncRNA-mediated epigenetic effects. Our work provides additional molecular evidence that infertility and azoospermia in cryptorchidism, resulting from defective mini-puberty cannot be cured with successful orchidopexy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Children's Day Care Center, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- 2Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Beata Vincel
- 3Children's Surgery Centre, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael B Stadler
- 4Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,5Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Gegenschatz-Schmid K, Verkauskas G, Stadler MB, Hadziselimovic F. Genes located in Y-chromosomal regions important for male fertility show altered transcript levels in cryptorchidism and respond to curative hormone treatment. Basic Clin Androl 2019; 29:8. [PMID: 31171972 PMCID: PMC6545630 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-019-0089-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Undescended (cryptorchid) testes in patients with defective mini-puberty and low testosterone levels contain gonocytes that fail to differentiate normally, which impairs the development of Ad spermatogonia and ultimately leads to adult infertility. Treatment with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist GnRHa increases luteinizing hormone and testosterone and rescues fertility in the majority of pathological cryptorchid testes. Several Y-chromosomal genes in the male-specific Y region (MSY) are essential for spermatogenesis, testis development and function, and are associated with azoospermia, infertility and cryptorchidism. In this study, we analyzed the expression of MSY genes in testes with Ad spermatogonia (low infertility risk patients) as compared to testes lacking Ad spermatogonia (high infertility risk) before and after curative GnRHa treatment, and in correlation to their location on the Y-chromosome. Results Twenty genes that are up- or down-regulated in the Ad- group are in the X-degenerate or the ampliconic region, respectively. GnRHa treatment increases mRNA levels of 14 genes in the ampliconic region and decreases mRNA levels of 10 genes in the X-degenerate region. Conclusion Our findings implicate Y-chromosomal genes, including USP9Y, UTY, TXLNGY, RBMY1B, RBMY1E, RBMY1J and TSPY4, some of which are known to be important for spermatogenesis, in the curative hormonal treatment of cryptorchidism-induced infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- 2Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius of University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael B Stadler
- 3Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.,4Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
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13
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Schiebinger G, Shu J, Tabaka M, Cleary B, Subramanian V, Solomon A, Gould J, Liu S, Lin S, Berube P, Lee L, Chen J, Brumbaugh J, Rigollet P, Hochedlinger K, Jaenisch R, Regev A, Lander ES. Optimal-Transport Analysis of Single-Cell Gene Expression Identifies Developmental Trajectories in Reprogramming. Cell 2019; 176:928-943.e22. [PMID: 30712874 PMCID: PMC6402800 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular programs that guide differentiation during development is a major challenge. Here, we introduce Waddington-OT, an approach for studying developmental time courses to infer ancestor-descendant fates and model the regulatory programs that underlie them. We apply the method to reconstruct the landscape of reprogramming from 315,000 single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) profiles, collected at half-day intervals across 18 days. The results reveal a wider range of developmental programs than previously characterized. Cells gradually adopt either a terminal stromal state or a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition state. The latter gives rise to populations related to pluripotent, extra-embryonic, and neural cells, with each harboring multiple finer subpopulations. The analysis predicts transcription factors and paracrine signals that affect fates and experiments validate that the TF Obox6 and the cytokine GDF9 enhance reprogramming efficiency. Our approach sheds light on the process and outcome of reprogramming and provides a framework applicable to diverse temporal processes in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Schiebinger
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; MIT Center for Statistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jian Shu
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Marcin Tabaka
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian Cleary
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Computational and Systems Biology Program, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Vidya Subramanian
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Aryeh Solomon
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Joshua Gould
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Siyan Liu
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA
| | - Stacie Lin
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peter Berube
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lia Lee
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jenny Chen
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Justin Brumbaugh
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philippe Rigollet
- MIT Center for Statistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Konrad Hochedlinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Computational and Systems Biology Program, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
| | - Eric S Lander
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02125, USA.
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Hadziselimovic F. Is Hormonal Treatment of Congenital Undescended Testes Justified? A Debate. Sex Dev 2019; 13:3-10. [PMID: 30721907 DOI: 10.1159/000496418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal germ cell development in cryptorchidism is not a result of a congenital dysgenesis but is preceded by a hormone imbalance and perturbation in germ cell-specific gene expression during abrogated mini-puberty. Adequate treatment with low doses of GnRHa enables 86% of men to achieve a normal sperm count and, most importantly, prevent development of azoospermia. GnRHa treatment induces a significant transcriptional response, including protein coding genes involved in pituitary development, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and testosterone synthesis. Furthermore, hormonal treatment to achieve epididymo-testicular descent as a first choice of treatment of cryptorchidism has a long tradition in Europe. It eliminates the necessity of subsequent surgery. Moreover, in the cases of non-responders it facilitates orchidopexy and contributes considerably to a reduced incidence of unilateral and the more serious bilateral complete post-surgical testicular atrophy.
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PRDM Histone Methyltransferase mRNA Levels Increase in Response to Curative Hormone Treatment for Cryptorchidism-Dependent Male Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9080391. [PMID: 30071651 PMCID: PMC6116052 DOI: 10.3390/genes9080391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a correlation between cryptorchidism and an increased risk of testicular cancer and infertility. During orchidopexy, testicular biopsies are performed to confirm the presence of type A dark (Ad) spermatogonia, which are a marker for low infertility risk (LIR). The Ad spermatogonia are absent in high infertility risk (HIR) patients, who are treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) to significantly lower the risk of infertility. Despite its prevalence, little is known about the molecular events involved in cryptorchidism. Previously, we compared the transcriptomes of LIR versus HIR patients treated with and without hormones. Here, we interpreted data regarding members of the positive regulatory domain-containing (PRDM) family; some of which encoded histone methyltransferases that are important for reproduction. We found there were lower levels of PRDM1, PRDM6, PRDM9, PRDM13, and PRDM14 mRNA in the testes of HIR patients compared with LIR patients, and that PRDM7, PRDM9, PRDM12, and PRDM16 were significantly induced after GnRHa treatment. Furthermore, we observed PRDM9 protein staining in the cytoplasm of germ cells in the testes from LIR and HIR patients, indicating that the mRNA and protein levels corresponded. This result indicated that the curative hormonal therapy for cryptorchidism involved conserved chromatin modification enzymes.
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16
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Hadziselimovic F. Commentary on the Article "Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome at Prepuberty: Marked Loss of Spermatogonial Cells at Early Childhood and Presence of Gonocytes up to Puberty" by Aliberti et al. Sex Dev 2018; 12:161-162. [PMID: 29895016 DOI: 10.1159/000490212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Institute for Cryptorchidism Research, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, Liestal, Switzerland
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17
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Gegenschatz-Schmid K, Verkauskas G, Demougin P, Bilius V, Dasevicius D, Stadler MB, Hadziselimovic F. Curative GnRHa treatment has an unexpected repressive effect on Sertoli cell specific genes. Basic Clin Androl 2018; 28:2. [PMID: 29456864 PMCID: PMC5806254 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-018-0067-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone stimulate Sertoli cells to support germ cell function and differentiation. During mini-puberty, when gonadotropin (GnRH) stimulates increases in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels, gonocytes are transformed into Ad spermatogonia. In cryptorchidism, impaired gonadotropin secretion during mini-puberty results in insufficient LH and testosterone secretion, impaired gonocyte transition to Ad spermatogonia, and perturbed Sertoli cell proliferation. Treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa/Buserelin) induced gonocytes to differentiate into Ad spermatogonia and rescued fertility. The present study evaluated the impact of low LH secretion on Sertoli cell function by comparing differential gene expression data between testes with low LH that lacked Ad spermatogonia (Ad-) and testes that completed mini-puberty (Ad+). Furthermore, we analyzed changes in the transcription of selected Sertoli cell specific genes in response to GnRHa treatment. Results Ad- testes showed reduced expression of nine out of 40 selected Sertoli cell specific genes compared to Ad+ testes. GnRHa treatment repressed most of the Sertoli cell specific genes, including the inhibins, but it increased the expression of genes that regulate apoptosis (FASLG) and proliferation (GDNF). Conclusions Impaired-minipuberty with decreased LH and testosterone levels affected Ad and Sertoli cell development through positive and negative regulation of morphoregulatory and apoptotic genes. GnRHa treatment had a repressive effect on most Sertoli cell specific genes, which suggested that Sertoli cells underwent a cellular rearrangement. We propose that gonadotropin-dependent increases in FASLG and GDNF expression drove Sertoli cell proliferation and germ cell self-renewal and supported the transition of gonocytes to Ad spermatogonia, independent of inhibins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- 2Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Philippe Demougin
- 3Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vytautas Bilius
- 2Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Darius Dasevicius
- 4Institute for Pathology, National Centre of Pathology, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, 08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael B Stadler
- 5Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,6Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
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18
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Hadziselimovic F. On the descent of the epididymo-testicular unit, cryptorchidism, and prevention of infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2017; 27:21. [PMID: 29163975 PMCID: PMC5686796 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-017-0065-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review provides in-depth coverage of progress made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cryptorchidism, a frequent pathology first described in about 1786 by John Hunter. The first part focuses on the physiology, embryology, and histology of epididymo-testicular descent. In the last 20 years epididymo-testicular descent has become the victim of schematic drawings with an unjustified rejection of valid histological data. This part also includes discussion on the roles of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, fibroblast growth factors, Müllerian inhibiting substance, androgens, inhibin B, and insulin-like 3 in epididymo-testicular descent. The second part addresses the etiology and histology of cryptorchidism as well as the importance of mini-puberty for normal fertility development. A critical view is presented on current clinical guidelines that recommend early orchidopexy alone as the best possible treatment. Finally, by combining classical physiological information and the output of cutting-edge genomics data into a complete picture the importance of hormonal treatment in preventing cryptorchidism-induced infertility is underscored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, Liestal, Switzerland
- Pediatrics at the University of Basel and Director of Cryptorchidism Research Institfigute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum, Bahnhofplatz 11, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
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