LSM14A, an LSM family protein, is dispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice

The LSM (Like-Smith) family comprises RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that are key regulators of RNA metabolism. LSM14A, a member of this family (designated Lsm14a in mice), participates in RNA processing within cytoplasmic processing bodies (P-bodies). The mouse Lsm14a gene is localized to chromosome 7qB1, spans 48.67 kilobases (kb), and encodes a 462-amino-acid protein that exhibits 94.53 % amino acid identity with human LSM14A. However, the expression profile of LSM14A in male reproductive organs and its functional relevance to male fertility remain uncharacterized. In this study, we report that LSM14A is expressed in the mouse testis and localizes to the cytoplasm of germ cells, from spermatogonia to elongating spermatids. To investigate LSM14A function, we generated germ cell-specific Lsm14a conditional knockout (cKO) mice. Lsm14a cKO male mice displayed normal growth, development, and fertility. Histological examination of Lsm14a cKO testes revealed preserved spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubule structure. Lsm14a cKO sperm exhibited normal morphology, acrosome integrity, and motility. The loss of Lsm14a in the testes did not significantly affect P-body formation, suggesting that genetic compensation by other LSM family members may have been activated upon Lsm14a knockout, thereby compensating for its loss of function. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LSM14A is dispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.