Shelby L Havel, Robert J Hubbard, Michael D Griswold
{"title":"Testicular stage- and cell-specific expression of F-actin binding proteins.","authors":"Shelby L Havel, Robert J Hubbard, Michael D Griswold","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sertoli cells are essential to successful, continuous sperm production and are responsible for many processes throughout spermatogenesis including germ cell movement and compartmentalization of the seminiferous tubule interior. These functions are able to be performed by the Sertoli cells due to the F-actin cytoskeleton present within the seminiferous tubules that facilitates cell movement and adhesion. While some molecular players that regulate the testicular F-actin cytoskeleton are known, the expression of other actin-related genes in the mammalian testis remains unknown. In this study, we have revisited previously published next generation sequencing data and combined this with immunohistochemical analysis to identify the cell- and stage-specific expression of multiple Alpha-actinin (α-actinin) and myosin genes, and protein products. This work provides the first characterization of α-actinin and myosin localization within murine testes throughout spermatogenesis. We have identified α-actinin 3 (ACTN3), α-actinin 4 (ACTN4), myosin VIIa (MYO7A), and myosin 10 (MYO10) as potential functional candidates regulating cytoskeleton dynamics throughout spermatogenesis based on the high mRNA expression observed of these genes within Sertoli cells, as well as the specific protein localization observed within Sertoli cells. We additionally found expression MYO7A within early spermatogonia and meiotic germ cells, suggesting a potential role of these proteins during mitotic and meiotic division. Overall, this study provides insight to the expression of many F-actin related genes during the mammalian testicular maturation and contributes to our understanding of dynamic Sertoli cell gene expression in mammalian testes.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143953616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yinan Zhou, Yang Yang, Huan Ye, Lulu Mi, Weihua Hu, Dongdong Xu
{"title":"Morphological characterization of spermatogenesis and spermatogonial stem cells in Larimichthys crocea, a seasonal breeding teleost†.","authors":"Yinan Zhou, Yang Yang, Huan Ye, Lulu Mi, Weihua Hu, Dongdong Xu","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Seasonal spermatogenesis in fish is a complex and highly regulated process in which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) undergo a series of cellular changes to differentiate into mature sperm. In this study, we systematically described testicular development and identified thirteen different germ cell types throughout the reproductive cycle in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea), a commercially important marine cultured fish in East Asia. Using a set of specific antibodies (VASA, PCNA, DMC1, NANOS2 and GSDF), we developed a high-throughput immunohistochemistry method to identify different types of spermatogenic cells, with a particular focus on distinguishing spermatogonial subtypes. VASA was strongly expressed in all four types of spermatogonia (As, Apr, Adiff and B) and decreased progressively during spermatogenesis. DMC1 exhibited distinct expression patterns in different spermatocytes subtypes, and GSDF was highly expressed in somatic cells surrounding type A spermatogonia. Particularly, NANOS2 was highly specific to As and Apr spermatogonia, supporting their role as SSC candidates. By morphological observation and co-staining of VASA and PCNA, we found that As spermatogonia exhibited dynamic development characteristics during the annual reproductive cycle. These findings provide a valuable tool for reproductive studies and potential applications in surrogate reproduction through SSCs transplantation in teleost fish.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143963871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Placental transcriptomic profiling in a mouse model of fetal growth restriction reveals disturbed inflammation and immunity regulation†.","authors":"Shiyun Huang, Xin He, Xiaotao Bian, Jiamei Tong, Zhengpeng Li, Yi Chen","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To date, few studies have specifically explored the placental transcriptome of an animal model of fetal growth restriction (FGR) with nitric oxide (NO) deficiency. The aim of this study was to use NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to establish a mouse model of FGR with NO deficiency, and explore the histological changes and the transcriptomic complexity of the placenta. We established a FGR mouse model via L-NAME administration (n = 6 per group). We assessed the biometric phenotypes of the fetuses and the placentas, and analyzed placental and cellular morphology to confirm the pathological changes that occur in FGR placentas. Finally, we applied RNA-seq to analyze the placental transcriptome from the L-NAME-induced mouse model of FGR. We established a mouse model of FGR using L-NAME with biometric and pathological changes. Transcriptomic analysis identified eight differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the FGR-affected and normal placentas, including six upregulated genes (solute carrier family 6 (neurotransmitter transporter), member 14 (Slc6a14), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (Mmp9), RAS guanyl releasing protein 1 (Rasgrp1), ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B member 1B (Abcb1b), solute carrier family 16 (monocarboxylic acid transporters), member 12 (Slc16a12), and transmembrane protein 255A (Tmem255a)) and two downregulated genes (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type N polypeptide 2 (Ptprn2) and meiosis 1 associated protein (M1ap)). These DEGs are highly involved in angiogenesis, the immune system, and inflammatory signaling pathways, underscoring the multifaceted nature of FGR pathology. This study contributes to the understanding of FGR pathophysiology, emphasizing the importance of the immune-related molecular markers and offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143969518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Suppression of oocyte glycine transporter activity in mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes before resumption of meiosis†.","authors":"Allison K Tscherner, Jay M Baltz","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glycine is a key regulator of cell volume in early preimplantation mouse embryos and supports embryo viability. Its accumulation is initiated when the GLYT1 glycine transporter (SLC6A9) is activated in oocytes at about the same time the oocyte is released from meiotic arrest at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. The mechanism by which GLYT1 is maintained in an inactive state before ovulation is triggered is unknown. Here, we have shown that GLYT1 activity can remain suppressed in isolated cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) under defined culture conditions that include keeping COCs physically separated and using the physiological mediator of GV arrest, Natriuretic Peptide Precursor C (NPPC). When GV arrest is instead maintained in oocytes within COCs by inhibiting phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) or cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), GLYT1 similarly remains inactive. However, GLYT1 becomes activated in isolated GV oocytes similarly maintained in GV arrest, indicating that cumulus cells are required for suppressing GLYT1 activity. This implied that meiotic arrest was necessary but not sufficient for preventing GLYT1 activation and that an inhibitory factor likely arising from the cumulus was also required. Finally, we found that pyrrophenone, a selective inhibitor of arachidonic acid production by cytoplasmic phospholipase A alpha (cPLAα), caused GLYT1 to become activated in oocytes within COCs despite maintenance of meiotic arrest of the oocyte. Since arachidonic acid levels decrease in oocytes after release from GV arrest, we propose that arachidonic acid may be a candidate for the inhibitory factor in COCs that regulates GLYT1 activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143810365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New insight in human sperm pro-survival and pro-apoptotic pathways: potential new therapeutical targets in male infertility.","authors":"Saveria Aquila, Adele Vivacqua, Giuseppina Peluso, Roberto Castiglione, Rosario D'Agata","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the past two decades, others and our group have explored the different signalling cascade in human spermatozoa and observed that their deregulation might lead to sperm dysfunctions, contributing to infertility. Studies of patients with infertility have reported variations in sperm features, such as asthenozoospermia, either alone or in combination with other pathologies, more specifically in patients with genital tract infections, sperm metabolic diseases, varicocele, and anatomic/molecular sperm anomalies. Infertility is idiopathic and multifactorial in most patients. Although several studies have elucidated many of the components and mechanisms involved in the human sperm signalling pathways, their role in defective spermatozoa or systemic pathologies remains nebulous. In this review, we focused on transducing signals, the underlying regulatory mechanisms in human spermatozoa and explored the known pro-survival and pro-apoptotic pathways as well as the factors involved.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143794525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cervical artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen in sheep; the secret is in the cervix of Norwegian ewe breeds.","authors":"Laura Abril-Parreño, Sean Fair","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In sheep, cervical artificial insemination (AI) of frozen-thawed semen is not practiced worldwide due to the unacceptably low pregnancy rates achieved (typically <30%). The exception to this is in Norway where farmers perform shot-in-the-dark vaginal AI with frozen-thawed semen and achieve pregnancy rates over 60%. Research in Ireland has shown that this is due to the breed of the ewe used in Norway and specifically the ability of sperm to traverse the cervix in some ewe breeds (such as those in Norway) but not others. This review summarises the published studies performed over the last two decades which have focused on characterising the biological differences in the cervix of ewe breeds of divergent fertility. It discusses how this unique ewe breed effect can be used to develop our understanding of how frozen-thawed semen can cross the ovine cervix but also provides new in vivo opportunities through the addition of specific biomolecules that will protect sperm, thus improving the success of cervical AI using frozen-thawed semen in sheep.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143794520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haidee Tinning, Elton J R Vasconcelos, Dapeng Wang, Niamh Forde
{"title":"A bovine 3D endometrium-on-a-chip reveals the role of conceptus-derived factors CAPG and PDI in conceptus-endometrial communication.","authors":"Haidee Tinning, Elton J R Vasconcelos, Dapeng Wang, Niamh Forde","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early embryo loss affects all mammalian species, including humans and agriculturally important food-producing mammals such as cattle. The developing conceptus (embryo and extra-embryonic membranes) secretes factors which modify the endometrium and can be critical for early pregnancy processes such maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) and enhancing uterine receptivity to implantation. For example, a competent bovine conceptus secretes IFNT to initiate MRP. The bovine conceptus also secretes other proteins at the time of MRP, including CAPG and PDI, which are highly conserved among placental mammals. We have previously shown that these proteins act upon the endometrium to modulate receptivity, embryo development, and implantation in species with different implantation strategies (humans and cattle). We hypothesise that developing a novel 3D bovine endometrium on a chip system will enhance our understanding of the role of conceptus-derived factors in altering the endometrium and/or ULF secretion. Here we have developed a 3D bovine endometrium on a chip system, comprising both stromal and epithelial cell culture combined with culture medium flow better mimics the in vivo endometrium and exposure to conceptus-derived factors than conventional 2D endometrial cell culture. We have demonstrated that the conceptus-derived proteins CAPG and PDI modulate the endometrial transcriptome and secretory response to promote pathways associated with early pregnancy and alter ULF composition. This work highlights the critical need for more robust and in vivo-like culture systems to study endometrial-conceptus interactions in vitro to further investigate the role of conceptus derived factors for pregnancy success.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143794517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fanny Morin, Camilla H K Hughes, Vickie Roussel, Nicholas Gevry, Bruce D Murphy
{"title":"Double knockout of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; NR5A1) and liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1; NR5A2) in the mouse ovary results in infertility due to disruption of follicle development and ovulation.","authors":"Fanny Morin, Camilla H K Hughes, Vickie Roussel, Nicholas Gevry, Bruce D Murphy","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1; Nr5a2) and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1) are two closely related orphan nuclear receptors that bind to the same genomic motif. Conditional depletion of either of these receptors in the ovary results in infertility, but through different mechanisms, with SF-1 being critical early in ovarian development and LRH-1 regulating ovulation. We conditionally depleted both LRH-1 and SF-1 from the ovary, using two different models of conditional depletion, generating two lines of double conditional knockout (dko) mice. In one, we used the Amhr2Cre (Amhr2-dko) mouse, where depletion is initiated in the prenatal ovary before the stage of germ cell nest breakdown. In the other, we employed Cyp19a1Cre (Cyp19a1-dko)-mediated depletion, which is initiated following formation of the follicular antrum. Both models were completely anovulatory and infertile, and no ovulation occurred following administration of exogenous gonadotropins. The Amhr2-dko mouse had dramatically reduced follicular populations at every stage of development, as well as disrupted extracellular matrix, characterized by dysregulation of collagen and laminin expression in reproductively mature mice, reduced expression of steroidogenic genes, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and inhibited granulosa cell proliferation. The latter resulted in a phenotype of reduced ovarian size in this model. The Cyp19al dko mouse displayed dysregulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) response and ovulatory mechanisms and increased activation of the activin/inhibin signaling axis, suggesting impaired gonadotropin responsiveness. In summary, both dko models demonstrated a phenotype of complete infertility, confirming the critical importance of both LRH-1 and SF-1 in ovarian function.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143784555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Zinc eluted from glassware is a risk factor for embryo development in human and animal assisted reproduction†.","authors":"Tatsuma Yao, Hisato Kobayashi, Tatsuki Hirai, Yuta Tokuoka, Mikiko Tokoro, Yuta Asayama, Yuka Suzuki, Yu Hatano, Hiroki Ikeda, Satoshi Sugimura, Takuya Yamamoto, Takahiro G Yamada, Yoshihiko Hosoi, Akira Funahashi, Noritaka Fukunaga, Yoshimasa Asada, Kazuki Kurimoto, Kazuo Yamagata","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In assisted reproduction, many factors in the culture environment, including light, temperature, pH, and culture media, can reduce preimplantation embryo viability. Laboratory glassware is also a known risk factor for in vitro embryos; however, the underlying mechanisms that disrupt embryonic development remain unclear. We identified Zn eluted from glassware as an embryotoxic substance. In mouse embryos, Zn induced delayed development, abnormalities in chromosome segregation, cytokinesis, zygotic gene activation (e.g. Zscan4a and murine endogenous retrovirus with leucine, also known as MERVL), and aberrantly upregulated developmental gene expression (e.g. Hoxa1, Hoxb9, T, and Fgf8) that could be mediated through metal regulatory transcription factors (e.g. Mtf1). Subsequently, Zn exposure led to significantly reduced blastocyst formation. Post-implantation, Zn-exposed embryos were associated with normal birth rates, however, the birth weight increased by an average of 18% compared with embryos cultured without Zn. Furthermore, Zn exposure affected the development of bovine and human embryos, with species-based variation in the strength and timing of these effects. To mitigate these embryotoxic effects, we identified a method to prevent glass toxicity using chelating agents. This research not only highlights the importance of risk control in embryo culture but also facilitates the development of safe and effective methods for assisted reproduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143762866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Iris Barka, Emilie Dujardin, Aurélie Dewaele, Marjolaine André, Anne Frambourg, Dominique Thépot, Luc Jouneau, Chrystelle Le Danvic, Geneviève Jolivet, Maëlle Pannetier, Béatrice Mandon-Pépin, Eric Pailhoux
{"title":"DMRT1 haploinsufficiency leads to secondary infertility in XY male rabbits.","authors":"Iris Barka, Emilie Dujardin, Aurélie Dewaele, Marjolaine André, Anne Frambourg, Dominique Thépot, Luc Jouneau, Chrystelle Le Danvic, Geneviève Jolivet, Maëlle Pannetier, Béatrice Mandon-Pépin, Eric Pailhoux","doi":"10.1093/biolre/ioaf064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioaf064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>DMRT1 is a key factor in testis development, where it is involved in sex determination and fertility. Mutations in DMRT1 have been described in humans, with patients presenting 46, XY Disorders of Sex Development (46, XY DSD) or infertility. In a previous study, we demonstrated that DMRT1 is a testis-determining factor in rabbits, with DMRT1-/- rabbits exhibiting a male to female XY sex reversal. In this study, we show that DMRT1 haploinsufficiency induces secondary infertility, with XY rabbits presenting oligospermia or even azoospermia at two years of age. We observed that sperm concentration decreases and sperm anomalies increase in DMRT1+/- rabbits at adulthood. Furthermore, spermatogenesis is impacted as early as 4 months (the earliest stage where spermatozoa are detected), with dysregulation of genes involved in spermatid maturation and oocyte/spermatozoa fusion, as well as overexpression of genes involved in the mitosis/meiosis transition of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Finally, DMRT1 haploinsufficiency impacts the earliest stages of germ cell differentiation, with persistent proliferation and pluripotency in the postnatal period. In conclusion, our findings underscore DMRT1 as a crucial factor at various stages of testicular development, and reinforce its role in the multiple phenotypes observed in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":8965,"journal":{"name":"Biology of Reproduction","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143762851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}