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Fath-Bayati L, Naserpour L, Khoshandam M, Jannatifar R, Fazaeli H. Recent advances in developing 3D culture systems of spermatogonial stem cell preservation and differentiation: A narrative review. Int J Reprod Biomed 2023; 21:681-696. [PMID: 37969562 PMCID: PMC10643686 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v21i9.14397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility has received vast attention in recent years and has no clear etiology in almost 40% of cases. Several methods have been suggested for preserving sperm and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in both in vivo and in vitro conditions. The efficacy of these methods is related to their abilities, including providing an optimal environment for sperm preservation and long-term SSC culture for in vivo and in vitro differentiation of these cells. In this review article, a full MEDLINE/PubMed search was performed using the following search terms: "Spermatogonial Progenitor Cells, Stem Cells, Fertility Preservations, Sperm Freezing, Cell Differentiations, Tissue Scaffold, 3-Dimensional Cell Culture", which retrieved results from 1973-2022. Related articles were added to the bibliography of selected articles. Exclusion criteria included non-English language, abstract only, and unrelated articles. The production of functioning male germ cells is suggested by introducing modern bioengineered systems as a new hope for the maintenance of male fertility. Till now, few in vitro spermatogenesis investigations have provided appreciable amounts of mature gametes. Each method had benefits and disadvantages, but the 3-dimensional culture method had the greatest impact on the differentiation and preservation of SSCs. One of the critical elements of research is the preservation of sperm and the differentiation of SSCs. Several methods have been employed in this area. Various scaffolds providing an environment similar to an extracellular matrix and conditions for germ cell development and survival have been employed in recent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Fath-Bayati
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Leila Naserpour
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Khoshandam
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
- National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahil Jannatifar
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
| | - Hoda Fazaeli
- Department of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
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Wu F, Wei H, Chen X, Du Z, Huang Y, Shi H, Yang Y, Du A, Ma G. Fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein 6 does not control worm fatty acid content in Caenorhabditis elegans but might play a role in Haemonchus contortus parasitism. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:230. [PMID: 37430357 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05836-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nematodes have lost the ability to synthesise necessary lipids de novo and have complementally evolved the capacity to acquire fatty acids and their derivatives from a diet or host animal. Nematode-specific fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein (FAR) family is one approach that facilitates lipid acquisition, representing an Achilles heel and potential target against roundworms of socioeconomic significance. However, little is known about their detailed functional roles in either free-living or parasitic nematodes. METHODS A genome-wide identification and curation were performed to screen the FAR family members of Haemonchus contortus. Their transcription patterns in worms were also analysed to identify the targets. Ligand binding assay and molecular docking were conducted to verify the fatty acid binding activities of FAR proteins of interest. RNA interference (RNAi) and heterologous expression (rescuing) experiments were designed to explore the potential roles of the selected FAR protein in nematodes. Localisation of the protein was shown in sections of paraffin-embedded worms after an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. RESULTS Here, an orthologue of far-6 in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (Ce-far-6) was functionally characterised in a parasitic nematode, H. contortus (Hc-far-6). It is demonstrated that knockdown of Ce-far-6 gene did not affect worm fat content, reproduction, or lifespan, but decreased worm body length at an early life stage of C. elegans. In particular, the Ce-far-6 mutant associated phenotype was completely rescued by Hc-far-6, suggesting a conserved functional role. Surprisingly, there were distinct tissue expression patterns of FAR-6 in the free-living C. elegans and parasitic H. contortus. High transcriptional level of Hc-far-6 and dominant expression of FAR-6 in the intestine of the parasitic stage of H. contortus link this gene/protein to nematode parasitism. CONCLUSIONS These findings substantially enhance our understanding of far genes and the associated lipid biology of this important parasitic nematode at a molecular level, and the approaches established are readily applicable to the studies of far genes in a broad range of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Haidian Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xueqiu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhendong Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yan Huang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hengzhi Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Aifang Du
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Guangxu Ma
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Griswold M, Hogarth C. Synchronizing Spermatogenesis in the Mouse. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1159-1165. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The formation of spermatozoa starts with a germ-line stem cell creating a pool of progenitor cells or undifferentiated spermatogonia. There is a requirement for these progenitor cells to be stimulated by retinoic acid to enter differentiation and ultimately form spermatocytes, undergo meiosis, form spermatids, and ultimately spermatozoa. After the stimulation by retinoic acid, which occurs at sites in the seminiferous tubules, it takes about 35 days to complete this complex process. As a result, the adult testis contains germ cells in all possible states of differentiation, and the isolation of individual cell types or study of functional aspects of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium is very difficult. We describe the use of WIN 18,446, an inhibitor of retinoic acid synthesis followed by injection of retinoic acid as a mechanism for the synchronization of spermatogenesis to one to three stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. The result is that only one to four germ cell types are prevalent during the first wave of spermatogenesis. In the adult only a predictable few stages of the cycle are present throughout the entire testis enriching the targeted cells or stages of the cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences , Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
| | - Cathryn Hogarth
- Cathryn Hogarth , Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, LaTrobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia
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Yuan D, Li S, Shang Z, Wan M, Lin Y, Zhang Y, Feng Y, Xu L, Xiao L. Genus-level evolutionary relationships of FAR proteins reflect the diversity of lifestyles of free-living and parasitic nematodes. BMC Biol 2021; 19:178. [PMID: 34461887 PMCID: PMC8407040 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nematodes are a widespread and diverse group comprising free-living and parasitic species, some of which have major detrimental effects on crops, animals, and human health. Genomic comparisons of nematodes may help reveal the genetic bases for the evolution of parasitic lifestyles. Fatty acid and retinol-binding proteins (FARs) are thought to be unique to nematodes and play essential roles in their development, reproduction, infection, and possibly parasitism through promoting the uptake, transport, and distribution of lipid and retinol. However, the evolution of FAR family proteins across the phylum Nematoda remains elusive. Results We report here the evolutionary relationship of the FAR gene family across nematodes. No FAR was found in Trichocephalida species and Romanomermis culicivorax from Clade I, and FAR could be found in species from Clades III, IV, and V. FAR proteins are conserved in Clade III species and separated into three clusters. Tandem duplications and high divergence events lead to variable richness and low homology of FARs in Steinernema of Clade IVa, Strongyloides of Clade IVb, and intestinal parasitic nematodes from Clades Vc and Ve. Moreover, different richness and sequence variations of FARs in pine wood, root-knot, stem, and cyst nematodes might be determined by reproduction mode or parasitism. However, murine lungworm Angiostrongylus and bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus from Clade Vd have only 3–4 orthologs of FAR. RNA-seq data showed that far genes, especially far-1 and far-2, were highly expressed in most nematodes. Angiostrongylus cantonensis FAR-1 and FAR-3 have low sequence homology and distinct ligand-binding properties, leading to differences in the cavity volume of proteins. These data indicate that FAR proteins diverged early and experienced low selective pressure to form genus-level diversity. The far genes are present in endophyte or root-colonized bacteria of Streptomyces, Kitasatospora sp., Bacillus subtilis, and Lysobacter, suggesting that bacterial far genes might be derived from plant-parasitic nematodes by horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions Data from these comparative analyses have provided insights into genus-level diversity of FAR proteins in the phylum Nematoda. FAR diversification provides a glimpse into the complicated evolution history across free-living and parasitic nematodes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01111-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjuan Yuan
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Song Li
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ziyu Shang
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Muchun Wan
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yu Lin
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yanhua Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, China.
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. .,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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Khanehzad M, Abbaszadeh R, Holakuyee M, Modarressi MH, Nourashrafeddin SM. FSH regulates RA signaling to commit spermatogonia into differentiation pathway and meiosis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:4. [PMID: 33407539 PMCID: PMC7789255 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-020-00686-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenesis is a complex process that is controlled by interactions between germ cells and somatic cells. The commitment of undifferentiated spermatogonia to differentiating spermatogonia and normal spermatogenesis requires the action of gonadotropins. Additionally, numerous studies revealed the role of retinoic acid signaling in induction of germ cell differentiation and meiosis entry. MAIN TEXT Recent studies have shown that expression of several RA signaling molecules including Rdh10, Aldh1a2, Crabp1/2 are influenced by changes in gonadotropin levels. Components of signaling pathways that are regulated by FSH signaling such as GDNF, Sohlh1/2, c-Kit, DMRT, BMP4 and NRGs along with transcription factors that are important for proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia are also affected by retinoic acid signaling. CONCLUSION According to all studies that demonstrate the interface between FSH and RA signaling, we suggest that RA may trigger spermatogonia differentiation and initiation of meiosis through regulation by FSH signaling in testis. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the correlation between FSH and RA signaling in spermatogenesis is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Khanehzad
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Abbaszadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Seyed Mehdi Nourashrafeddin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Suzuki S, Diaz VD, Hermann BP. What has single-cell RNA-seq taught us about mammalian spermatogenesis? Biol Reprod 2020; 101:617-634. [PMID: 31077285 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex developmental program that transforms mitotic testicular germ cells (spermatogonia) into mature male gametes (sperm) for production of offspring. For decades, it has been known that this several-weeks-long process involves a series of highly ordered and morphologically recognizable cellular changes as spermatogonia proliferate, spermatocytes undertake meiosis, and spermatids develop condensed nuclei, acrosomes, and flagella. Yet, much of the underlying molecular logic driving these processes has remained opaque because conventional characterization strategies often aggregated groups of cells to meet technical requirements or due to limited capability for cell selection. Recently, a cornucopia of single-cell transcriptome studies has begun to lift the veil on the full compendium of gene expression phenotypes and changes underlying spermatogenic development. These datasets have revealed the previously obscured molecular heterogeneity among and between varied spermatogenic cell types and are reinvigorating investigation of testicular biology. This review describes the extent of available single-cell RNA-seq profiles of spermatogenic and testicular somatic cells, how those data were produced and evaluated, their present value for advancing knowledge of spermatogenesis, and their potential future utility at both the benchtop and bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Victoria D Diaz
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Brian P Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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Yousefi Taemeh S, Mahdavi Shahri N, Lari R, Bahrami AR, Dehghani H. Meiotic initiation in chicken germ cells is regulated by Cyp26b1 and mesonephros. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2019; 332:269-278. [PMID: 31580014 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Our knowledge of mechanisms involved in the meiosis of chicken germ cells is very limited. In mammalian fetal ovaries, the onset of meiosis is dependent on retinoic acid and subsequent upregulation of the Stra8 gene. To clarify the mechanism of meiotic initiation in chicken germ cells, we investigated the role of Cyp26b1, a retinoic acid-degrading enzyme. The Cyp26b1-inhibitor, ketoconazole was used to treat the ex vivo-cultured stage 36 gonads/mesonephroi. Then, the progression of meiosis was studied by histological and immunohistochemical analysis and the level of the transcript for Stra8 was evaluated by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in individual ketoconazole-treated gonads after 6 days in culture. The results revealed that meiosis was induced in both testes and right ovary upon inhibition of Cyp26b1 in the ex vivo-cultured gonads, despite downregulation of Stra8 messenger RNA in the treated gonads. Also, meiosis was observed only when mesonephros was cultured alongside the left ovary. These findings demonstrate that in chicken, Stra8 is not the only factor for the entrance into meiosis, and Cyp26b1 and mesonephros play critical regulatory roles for the sex-specific timing of meiotic initiation in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Yousefi Taemeh
- Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Naser Mahdavi Shahri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Roya Lari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bahrami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hesam Dehghani
- Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.,Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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8
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Teletin M, Vernet N, Yu J, Klopfenstein M, Jones JW, Féret B, Kane MA, Ghyselinck NB, Mark M. Two functionally redundant sources of retinoic acid secure spermatogonia differentiation in the seminiferous epithelium. Development 2019; 146:dev.170225. [PMID: 30487180 PMCID: PMC6340151 DOI: 10.1242/dev.170225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is instrumental to spermatogenesis. It is synthesized by two retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDH) present in both Sertoli cells (SCs) and germ cells (GCs). In order to determine the relative contributions of each source of ATRA, we have generated mice lacking all RALDH activities in the seminiferous epithelium (SE). We show that both the SC- and GC-derived sources of ATRA cooperate to initiate and propagate spermatogenetic waves at puberty. In adults, they exert redundant functions and, against all expectations, the GC-derived source does not perform any specific roles despite contributing to two-thirds of the total amount of ATRA present in the testis. The production from SCs is sufficient to maintain the periodic expression of genes in SCs, as well and the cycle and wave of the SE, which account for the steady production of spermatozoa. The production from SCs is also specifically required for spermiation. Importantly, our study shows that spermatogonia differentiation depends upon the ATRA synthesized by RALDH inside the SE, whereas initiation of meiosis and expression of STRA8 by spermatocytes can occur without ATRA. Summary: All-trans retinoic acid made by Sertoli cells is instrumental to spermatogenesis and is specifically required for spermatid release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Teletin
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France.,Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), France
| | - Nadège Vernet
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Jianshi Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Muriel Klopfenstein
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Jace W Jones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Betty Féret
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Maureen A Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Norbert B Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Manuel Mark
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France .,Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), France
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9
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Griswold MD. 50 years of spermatogenesis: Sertoli cells and their interactions with germ cells. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:87-100. [PMID: 29462262 PMCID: PMC7328471 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex morphology of the Sertoli cells and their interactions with germ cells has been a focus of investigators since they were first described by Enrico Sertoli. In the past 50 years, information on Sertoli cells has transcended morphology alone to become increasingly more focused on molecular questions. The goal of investigators has been to understand the role of the Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis and to apply that information to problems relating to male fertility. Sertoli cells are unique in that they are a nondividing cell population that is active for the reproductive lifetime of the animal and cyclically change morphology and gene expression. The numerous and distinctive junctional complexes and membrane specializations made by Sertoli cells provide a scaffold and environment for germ cell development. The increased focus of investigators on the molecular components and putative functions of testicular cells has resulted primarily from procedures that isolate specific cell types from the testicular milieu. Products of Sertoli cells that influence germ cell development and vice versa have been characterized from cultured cells and from the application of transgenic technologies. Germ cell transplantation has shown that the Sertoli cells respond to cues from germ cells with regard to developmental timing and has furthered a focus on spermatogenic stem cells and the stem cell niche. Very basic and universal features of spermatogenesis such as the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and the spermatogenic wave are initiated by Sertoli cells and maintained by Sertoli-germ cell cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Griswold
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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10
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Beyond stem cells: Commitment of progenitor cells to meiosis. Stem Cell Res 2018; 27:169-171. [PMID: 29415862 PMCID: PMC5860671 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The first step in established spermatogenesis is the production of progenitor cells by the stem cell population. The progenitor cells (undifferentiated A spermatogonia) expand in number via the formation of syncytial chains by mitosis. The mechanism by which these progenitor cells commit to meiosis and spermatogenesis is tightly controlled and results in complex morphological organization all of which is designed to efficiently achieve large numbers of spermatozoa. The major extrinsic factor that triggers the commitment to meiosis and establishes the structural complexity is retinoic acid (RA). Retinoic acid is produced from retinol via two oxidation steps in low abundance near its site of action. The action of RA on undifferentiated A spermatogonia results in the timed progression of these progenitor cells into the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. We have utilized a drug WIN 18,446 that inhibits the second oxidation step in RA biosynthesis to block the progression of undifferentiated A spermatogonia in the mouse testis. As a result of this block the undifferentiated progenitor cells accumulate but do not differentiate into A1 spermatogonia. When the block is released and a bolus of RA is simultaneously administered the accumulated spermatogonia progress through the differentiation pathway in complete synchrony and maintain that synchrony with regard to stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium for several months. This procedure allowed us to accumulate sufficient material to measure retinoic acid levels across the cycle and will allow us to isolate and analyze large number of progenitor cells proceeding synchronously down the pathway to meiosis. We have been able to show that the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium is established and maintained by pulses of RA that appear at stages VIII and IX of the cycle.
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11
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Agrimson KS, Oatley MJ, Mitchell D, Oatley JM, Griswold MD, Hogarth CA. Retinoic acid deficiency leads to an increase in spermatogonial stem number in the neonatal mouse testis, but excess retinoic acid results in no change. Dev Biol 2017; 432:229-236. [PMID: 29037932 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The onset of spermatogenesis occurs in response to retinoic acid (RA), the active metabolite of vitamin A. However, whether RA plays any role during establishment of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool is unknown. Because designation of the SSC population and the onset of RA signaling in the testis that induces differentiation have similar timing, this study asked whether RA influenced SSC establishment. Whole mount immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analysis using the Id4-eGfp transgenic reporter mouse line revealed an enrichment for ID4-EGFP+ cells within the testis following inhibition of RA synthesis by WIN 18,446 treatment. Transplantation analyses confirmed a significant increase in the number of SSCs in testes from RA-deficient animals. Conversely, no difference in the ID4-EGFP+ population or change in SSC number were detected following exposure to an excess of RA. Collectively, reduced RA altered the number of SSCs present in the neonatal testis but precocious RA exposure in the neonatal testis did not, suggesting that RA deficiency causes a greater proportion of progenitor undifferentiated spermatogonia to retain their SSC state past the age when the pool is thought to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie S Agrimson
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Debra Mitchell
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Cathryn A Hogarth
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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12
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Teletin M, Vernet N, Ghyselinck NB, Mark M. Roles of Retinoic Acid in Germ Cell Differentiation. Curr Top Dev Biol 2017; 125:191-225. [PMID: 28527572 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The modalities of gametogenesis differ markedly between sexes. Female are born with a definitive reserve of oocytes whose size is crucial to ensure fertility. Male fertility, in contrast, relies on a tightly regulated balance between germ cell self-renewal and differentiation, which operates throughout life, according to recurring spatial and temporal patterns. Genetic and pharmacological studies conducted in the mouse and discussed in this review have revealed that all-trans retinoic acid and its nuclear receptors are major players of gametogenesis and are instrumental to fertility in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Teletin
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France; Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Strasbourg, France; Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Nadège Vernet
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France; Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Strasbourg, France
| | - Norbert B Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France; Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Strasbourg, France
| | - Manuel Mark
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Paris, France; Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Strasbourg, France; Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), Strasbourg, France.
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13
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Adolfi MC, Herpin A, Regensburger M, Sacquegno J, Waxman JS, Schartl M. Retinoic acid and meiosis induction in adult versus embryonic gonads of medaka. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34281. [PMID: 27677591 PMCID: PMC5039705 DOI: 10.1038/srep34281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, one of the first recognizable sex differences in embryos is the onset of meiosis, known to be regulated by retinoic acid (RA) in mammals. We investigated in medaka a possible meiotic function of RA during the embryonic sex determination (SD) period and in mature gonads. We found RA mediated transcriptional activation in germ cells of both sexes much earlier than the SD stage, however, no such activity during the critical stages of SD. In adults, expression of the RA metabolizing enzymes indicates sexually dimorphic RA levels. In testis, RA acts directly in Sertoli, Leydig and pre-meiotic germ cells. In ovaries, RA transcriptional activity is highest in meiotic oocytes. Our results show that RA plays an important role in meiosis induction and gametogenesis in adult medaka but contrary to common expectations, not for initiating the first meiosis in female germ cells at the SD stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus C Adolfi
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Amaury Herpin
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.,INRA, UR1037, Fish Physiology and Genomics, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - Martina Regensburger
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jacopo Sacquegno
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- The Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Developmental Biology Divisions, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Manfred Schartl
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, Am Hubland, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, Josef Schneider Straße 6, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany and Texas Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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14
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Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis requires a stem cell pool, a period of amplification of cell numbers, the completion of reduction division to haploid cells (meiosis), and the morphological transformation of the haploid cells into spermatozoa (spermiogenesis). The net result of these processes is the production of massive numbers of spermatozoa over the reproductive lifetime of the animal. One study that utilized homogenization-resistant spermatids as the standard determined that human daily sperm production (dsp) was at 45 million per day per testis (60). For each human that means ∼1,000 sperm are produced per second. A key to this level of gamete production is the organization and architecture of the mammalian testes that results in continuous sperm production. The seemingly complex repetitious relationship of cells termed the "cycle of the seminiferous epithelium" is driven by the continuous commitment of undifferentiated spermatogonia to meiosis and the period of time required to form spermatozoa. This commitment termed the A to A1 transition requires the action of retinoic acid (RA) on the undifferentiated spermatogonia or prospermatogonia. In stages VII to IX of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, Sertoli cells and germ cells are influenced by pulses of RA. These pulses of RA move along the seminiferous tubules coincident with the spermatogenic wave, presumably undergoing constant synthesis and degradation. The RA pulse then serves as a trigger to commit undifferentiated progenitor cells to the rigidly timed pathway into meiosis and spermatid differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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15
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Agrimson KS, Hogarth CA. Germ Cell Commitment to Oogenic Versus Spermatogenic Pathway: The Role of Retinoic Acid. Results Probl Cell Differ 2016; 58:135-166. [PMID: 27300178 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31973-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The core of the decision to commit to either oogenesis or spermatogenesis lies in the timing of meiotic entry. Primordial germ cells within the fetal ovary become committed to the female pathway prior to birth and enter meiosis during embryonic development. In the fetal testis, however, the germ cells are protected from this signal before birth and instead receive this trigger postnatally. There is a growing body of evidence to indicate that RA is the meiosis-inducing factor in both sexes, with the gender-specific timing of meiotic entry controlled via degradation of this molecule only within the fetal testis. This chapter will review our current understanding of how RA controls germ cell fate in both the embryonic ovary and postnatal testis, highlighting the key studies that have led to the hypothesis that RA can drive the commitment to meiosis in both sexes and discussing the current debate over whether RA truly is the meiosis-inducing factor in the fetal ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie S Agrimson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- The Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Cathryn A Hogarth
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA.
- The Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA.
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16
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Kent T, Arnold SL, Fasnacht R, Rowsey R, Mitchell D, Hogarth CA, Isoherranen N, Griswold MD. ALDH Enzyme Expression Is Independent of the Spermatogenic Cycle, and Their Inhibition Causes Misregulation of Murine Spermatogenic Processes. Biol Reprod 2015; 94:12. [PMID: 26632609 PMCID: PMC4809557 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.131458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Perturbations in the vitamin A metabolism pathway could be a significant cause of male infertility, as well as a target toward the development of a male contraceptive, necessitating the need for a better understanding of how testicular retinoic acid (RA) concentrations are regulated. Quantitative analyses have recently demonstrated that RA is present in a pulsatile manner along testis tubules. However, it is unclear if the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes, which are responsible for RA synthesis, contribute to the regulation of these RA concentration gradients. Previous studies have alluded to fluctuations in ALDH enzymes across the spermatogenic cycle, but these inferences have been based primarily on qualitative transcript localization experiments. Here, we show via various quantitative methods that the three well-known ALDH enzymes (ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, and ALDH1A3), and an ALDH enzyme previously unreported in the murine testis (ALDH8A1), are not expressed in a stage-specific manner in the adult testis, but do fluctuate throughout juvenile development in perfect agreement with the first appearance of each advancing germ cell type. We also show, via treatments with a known ALDH inhibitor, that lowered testicular RA levels result in an increase in blood-testis barrier permeability, meiotic recombination, and meiotic defects. Taken together, these data further our understanding of the complex regulatory actions of RA on various spermatogenic events and, in contrast with previous studies, also suggest that the ALDH enzymes are not responsible for regulating the recently measured RA pulse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Kent
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Samuel L Arnold
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rachael Fasnacht
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Ross Rowsey
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Debra Mitchell
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Cathryn A Hogarth
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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17
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Nourashrafeddin S. Potential roles of gonadotropins to control pulsatile retinoic acid signaling during spermatogenesis. Med Hypotheses 2015; 85:303-4. [PMID: 26141633 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that takes place in the seminiferous tubules of testis. This process initiates at puberty with differentiation of spermatogonia and their meiotic entry. The initiation of spermatogenesis depends on gonadotropins secreted by the pituitary gland; i.e., follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In the absence of FSH and LH only premeiotic germ cells are present in the testis. The prepubertal development phase in juvenile testis is characterized by a protracted hypogonadotropic state, which only consists of Sertoli and undifferentiated germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium. All germ cells in the juvenile testis are undifferentiated spermatogonia, which are proliferating in a relatively gonadotropin-independent manner. It has been revealed that vitamin A deficient (VAD) animals are also infertile, and only premeiotic germ cells (undifferentiated spermatogonia) are present in their seminiferous tubules. The developmental block in VAD animal can be removed by administration of retinol and germ cell differentiation reinitiates in a synchronous manner. Recent studies have revealed that the biologically active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), regulates germ cell differentiation and lead to the generation of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and normal spermatogenic wave. Recent study has shown that synchronous spermatogenesis at neonatal mouse, but not after initiation of meiosis, can be induced by treating vitamin A sufficient males with RA. The treatment of neonatal males at different ages with exogenous RA has revealed that although RA is sufficient to induce differentiation of spermatogonial at 4 dpp and earlier, it fails to alter asynchrony and it does not irreversibly cause a spermatogonial differentiation. These observations led us to suggest that gonadotropins trigger differentiation of spermatogonia and spermatogenesis through regulation of RA signaling in the seminiferous epithelium of the adult testis.
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18
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Hogarth CA, Evans E, Onken J, Kent T, Mitchell D, Petkovich M, Griswold MD. CYP26 Enzymes Are Necessary Within the Postnatal Seminiferous Epithelium for Normal Murine Spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:19. [PMID: 26040672 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.129718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The active metabolite of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), is known to be essential for spermatogenesis. Changes to RA levels within the seminiferous epithelium can alter the development of male germ cells, including blocking their differentiation completely. Excess RA has been shown to cause germ cell death in both neonatal and adult animals, yet the cells capable of degrading RA within the testis have yet to be investigated. One previous study alluded to a requirement for one of the RA degrading enzymes, CYP26B1, in Sertoli cells but no data exist to determine whether germ cells possess the ability to degrade RA. To bridge this gap, the roles of CYP26A1 and CYP26B1 within the seminiferous epithelium were investigated by creating single and dual conditional knockouts of these enzymes in either Sertoli or germ cells. Analysis of these knockout models revealed that deletion of both Cyp26a1 and Cyp26b1 in either cell type resulted in increased vacuolization within the seminiferous tubules, delayed spermatid release, and an increase in the number of STRA8-positive spermatogonia, but spermatozoa were still produced and the animals were found to be fertile. However, elimination of CYP26B1 activity within both germ and Sertoli cells resulted in severe male subfertility, with a loss of advanced germ cells from the seminiferous epithelium. These data indicate that CYP26 activity within either Sertoli or germ cells is essential for the normal progression of spermatogenesis and that its loss can result in reduced male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn A Hogarth
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Elizabeth Evans
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Jennifer Onken
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Travis Kent
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Debra Mitchell
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Martin Petkovich
- Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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19
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Minkina A, Matson CK, Lindeman RE, Ghyselinck NB, Bardwell VJ, Zarkower D. DMRT1 protects male gonadal cells from retinoid-dependent sexual transdifferentiation. Dev Cell 2014; 29:511-520. [PMID: 24856513 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sex determination initiates in the fetal gonad with specification of bipotential precursor cells into male Sertoli cells or female granulosa cells. This choice was long presumed to be irreversible, but genetic analysis in the mouse recently revealed that sexual fates must be maintained throughout life. Somatic cells in the testis or ovary, even in adults, can be induced to transdifferentiate to their opposite-sex equivalents by loss of a single transcription factor, DMRT1 in the testis or FOXL2 in the ovary. Here, we investigate what mechanism DMRT1 prevents from triggering transdifferentiation. We find that DMRT1 blocks testicular retinoic acid (RA) signaling from activating genes normally involved in female sex determination and ovarian development and show that inappropriate activation of these genes can drive sexual transdifferentiation. By preventing activation of potential feminizing genes, DMRT1 allows Sertoli cells to participate in RA signaling, which is essential for reproduction, without being sexually reprogrammed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Minkina
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Clinton K Matson
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Robin E Lindeman
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Norbert B Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS (UMR7104), INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Vivian J Bardwell
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA; University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Developmental Biology Center and Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA; University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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20
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Busada JT, Kaye EP, Renegar RH, Geyer CB. Retinoic acid induces multiple hallmarks of the prospermatogonia-to-spermatogonia transition in the neonatal mouse. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:64. [PMID: 24478393 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.114645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, most neonatal male germ cells (prospermatogonia) are quiescent and located in the center of the testis cords. In response to an unknown signal, prospermatogonia transition into spermatogonia, reenter the cell cycle, divide, and move to the periphery of the testis cords. In mice, these events occur by 3-4 days postpartum (dpp), which temporally coincides with the onset of retinoic acid (RA) signaling in the neonatal testis. RA has a pivotal role in initiating germ cell entry into meiosis in both sexes, yet little is known about the mechanisms and about cellular changes downstream of RA signaling. We examined the role of RA in mediating the prospermatogonia-to-spermatogonia transition in vivo and found 24 h of precocious RA exposure-induced germ cell changes mimicking those that occur during the endogenous transition at 3-4 dpp. These changes included: 1) spermatogonia proliferation; 2) maturation of cellular organelles; and 3), expression of markers characteristic of differentiating spermatogonia. We found that germ cell exposure to RA did not lead to cellular loss from apoptosis but rather resulted in a delay of ∼2 days in their entry into meiosis. Taken together, our results indicate that exogenous RA induces multiple hallmarks of the transition of prospermatogonia to spermatogonia prior to their entry into meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan T Busada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
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21
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Checking the Pulse of Vitamin A Metabolism and Signaling during Mammalian Spermatogenesis. J Dev Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/jdb2010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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