Background:Spermatogenesis is an intricate developmental process during which undifferentiated spermatogonia,containing spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs),undergo self-renewal and differentiation to generate eventually m...Background:Spermatogenesis is an intricate developmental process during which undifferentiated spermatogonia,containing spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs),undergo self-renewal and differentiation to generate eventually mature spermatozoa.Spermatogenesis occurs in seminiferous tubules within the testis,and the seminiferous tubules harbor Sertoli and germ cells.Sertoli cells are an essential somatic cell type within the microenvironment that support and steer male germ cell development,whereas spermatogonia are the primitive male germ cells at the onset of spermatogenesis.While the developmental progression of Sertoli cells and spermatogonia has been well established in mice,much less is known in other mammalian species including pigs.Results:To acquire knowledge of Sertoli cell and spermatogonial development in pigs,here we collected as many as nine ages of Duroc porcine testes from the neonate to sexual maturity,i.e.,testes from 7-,30-,50-,70-,90-,110-,130-,150-and 210-day-old boars,and performed histological and immunohistochemical analyses on testis sections.We first examined the development of spermatogenic cells and seminiferous tubules in porcine testes.Then,by immunofluorescence staining for marker proteins(AMH,SOX9,DBA,UCHL1,VASA,KIT,Ki67 and/or PCNA),we delved into the proliferative activity and development of Sertoli cells and of spermatogonial subtypes(pro-,undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia).Besides,by immunostaining forβ-catenin and ZO-1,we studied the establishment of the blood-testis barrier in porcine testes.Conclusions:In this longitudinal study,we have systematically investigated the elaborate Sertoli cell and spermatogonial developmental patterns in pigs from the neonate to sexual maturity that have so far remained largely unknown.The findings not only extend the knowledge about spermatogenesis and testicular development in pigs,but also lay the theoretical groundwork for porcine breeding and rearing.展开更多
The regulation of spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis is of great significance for maintaining spermatogenesis.The single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)analysis of the testis was performed to identify genes upr...The regulation of spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis is of great significance for maintaining spermatogenesis.The single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)analysis of the testis was performed to identify genes upregulated in spermatogonia.Using scRNAseq analysis,we identified the spermatogonia upregulated gene origin recognition complex subunit 6(Orc6),which is involved in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation;its protein expression in the human and mouse testis was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence.To explore the potential function of Orc6 in spermatogonia,the C18-4 cell line was transfected with control or Orc6 siRNA.Subsequently,5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine(EdU)and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assays,flow cytometry,and western blot were used to evaluate its effects on proliferation and apoptosis.It was revealed that ORC6 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of C18-4 cells.Bulk RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis indicated that Orc6 was involved in the activation of wingless/integrated(Wnt)/β-catenin signaling.Western blot revealed that the expression ofβ-catenin protein and its phosphorylation(Ser675)were significantly decreased when silencing the expression of ORC6.Our findings indicated that Orc6 was upregulated in spermatogonia,whereby it regulated proliferation and apoptosis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.展开更多
Black rockfish(Sebastes schlegelii)is one of the most important marine economic viviparous fishes.Recently,germplasm degradation and genetic diversity reduction have occurred due to overfishing and long-term artificia...Black rockfish(Sebastes schlegelii)is one of the most important marine economic viviparous fishes.Recently,germplasm degradation and genetic diversity reduction have occurred due to overfishing and long-term artificial breeding.Germ cell transplantation combined with cryopreservation may be an alternative way to protect genetic resources.However,in viviparous fish that undertake fertilization and embryo development in vivo,transplantation is more difficult than in oviparous fish,including selection of transplantation stage,isolation of germ stem cells,and preparation of sterile recipients.This seriously restricts the development of viviparous transplantation.Therefore,in this study,we aimed to explore a transplantation method suitable for these species.Donor cells were isolated from cryopreserved whole testes of 300–400g male Sebastes schlegelii in May,labeled by PKH26,and intra-peritoneally transplanted into allogeneic larvae at 5–10 days post-birth.Subsequently,the development of donor-derived cells in recipients were continuously detected by fluorescence labeling,histology,microsatellite markers,and fecundity tests.The results showed that donors were rich in spermatogonia(75%)and recipients maintained a high survival rate after transplantation,with a rate of>20%at sexual maturity.Further,donor-derived cells successfully migrated(100%),colonized,and incorporated into the developing recipient gonad(93.33%).Finally,transplanted recipients could normally develop and differentiate into male and female individuals,with donor-derived gametes found in 65.38%of mature recipients.In the present study,we first establish a simple and suitable transplantation method for Sebastes schlegelii using immature males and specific larvae,which will serve as a promising tool in the protection of germplasm resources for this transplantation-restricted marine viviparous species.展开更多
While hallmarks of rodent spermatogonia stem cell biomarkers' heterogeneity have recently been identified, their stage and subset distributions remain unclear. Furthermore, it is currently difficult to accurately ...While hallmarks of rodent spermatogonia stem cell biomarkers' heterogeneity have recently been identified, their stage and subset distributions remain unclear. Furthermore, it is currently difficult to accurately identify subset-specific SSC marker distributions due to the poor nuclear morphological characteristics associated with fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde. In the present study, testicular cross-sections and whole-mount samples were Bouin fixed to optimize nuclear resolution and visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). The results identified an expression pattern of PLZFhighc-KITpos in A1 spermatogonia, while A2–A4-differentiating spermatogonia were PLZFlowc-KITpos. Additionally, this procedure was used to examine asymmetrically expressing GFRA1 and PLZF clones, asymmetric Apr and false clones were distinguished based on the presence or absence of TEX14, a molecular maker of intercellular bridges, despite having identical nuclear morphology and intercellular distances that were <25 μm. In conclusion, this optimized Bouin fixation procedure facilitates the accurate identification of spermatogonium subsets based on their molecular profiles and is capable of distinguishing asymmetric and false clones. Therefore, the findings presented herein will facilitate further morphological and functional analysis studies and provide further insight into spermatogonium subtypes.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32002178 and 31772605)the Undergraduate Training Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship(X202110712185).
文摘Background:Spermatogenesis is an intricate developmental process during which undifferentiated spermatogonia,containing spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs),undergo self-renewal and differentiation to generate eventually mature spermatozoa.Spermatogenesis occurs in seminiferous tubules within the testis,and the seminiferous tubules harbor Sertoli and germ cells.Sertoli cells are an essential somatic cell type within the microenvironment that support and steer male germ cell development,whereas spermatogonia are the primitive male germ cells at the onset of spermatogenesis.While the developmental progression of Sertoli cells and spermatogonia has been well established in mice,much less is known in other mammalian species including pigs.Results:To acquire knowledge of Sertoli cell and spermatogonial development in pigs,here we collected as many as nine ages of Duroc porcine testes from the neonate to sexual maturity,i.e.,testes from 7-,30-,50-,70-,90-,110-,130-,150-and 210-day-old boars,and performed histological and immunohistochemical analyses on testis sections.We first examined the development of spermatogenic cells and seminiferous tubules in porcine testes.Then,by immunofluorescence staining for marker proteins(AMH,SOX9,DBA,UCHL1,VASA,KIT,Ki67 and/or PCNA),we delved into the proliferative activity and development of Sertoli cells and of spermatogonial subtypes(pro-,undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia).Besides,by immunostaining forβ-catenin and ZO-1,we studied the establishment of the blood-testis barrier in porcine testes.Conclusions:In this longitudinal study,we have systematically investigated the elaborate Sertoli cell and spermatogonial developmental patterns in pigs from the neonate to sexual maturity that have so far remained largely unknown.The findings not only extend the knowledge about spermatogenesis and testicular development in pigs,but also lay the theoretical groundwork for porcine breeding and rearing.
基金This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFC2702700)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82171597)Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Hospital Development Center(No.SHDC2020CR3077B).
文摘The regulation of spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis is of great significance for maintaining spermatogenesis.The single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)analysis of the testis was performed to identify genes upregulated in spermatogonia.Using scRNAseq analysis,we identified the spermatogonia upregulated gene origin recognition complex subunit 6(Orc6),which is involved in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation;its protein expression in the human and mouse testis was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence.To explore the potential function of Orc6 in spermatogonia,the C18-4 cell line was transfected with control or Orc6 siRNA.Subsequently,5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine(EdU)and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assays,flow cytometry,and western blot were used to evaluate its effects on proliferation and apoptosis.It was revealed that ORC6 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of C18-4 cells.Bulk RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis indicated that Orc6 was involved in the activation of wingless/integrated(Wnt)/β-catenin signaling.Western blot revealed that the expression ofβ-catenin protein and its phosphorylation(Ser675)were significantly decreased when silencing the expression of ORC6.Our findings indicated that Orc6 was upregulated in spermatogonia,whereby it regulated proliferation and apoptosis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
基金This work was supported by the Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation(ZR2020KC038)Research and Development Program of Shandong Province(2021LZGC029)+1 种基金National Key Research and Development Program(2018YFD0901205,2018YFD0901204)China Agriculture Research System(CARS-47).
文摘Black rockfish(Sebastes schlegelii)is one of the most important marine economic viviparous fishes.Recently,germplasm degradation and genetic diversity reduction have occurred due to overfishing and long-term artificial breeding.Germ cell transplantation combined with cryopreservation may be an alternative way to protect genetic resources.However,in viviparous fish that undertake fertilization and embryo development in vivo,transplantation is more difficult than in oviparous fish,including selection of transplantation stage,isolation of germ stem cells,and preparation of sterile recipients.This seriously restricts the development of viviparous transplantation.Therefore,in this study,we aimed to explore a transplantation method suitable for these species.Donor cells were isolated from cryopreserved whole testes of 300–400g male Sebastes schlegelii in May,labeled by PKH26,and intra-peritoneally transplanted into allogeneic larvae at 5–10 days post-birth.Subsequently,the development of donor-derived cells in recipients were continuously detected by fluorescence labeling,histology,microsatellite markers,and fecundity tests.The results showed that donors were rich in spermatogonia(75%)and recipients maintained a high survival rate after transplantation,with a rate of>20%at sexual maturity.Further,donor-derived cells successfully migrated(100%),colonized,and incorporated into the developing recipient gonad(93.33%).Finally,transplanted recipients could normally develop and differentiate into male and female individuals,with donor-derived gametes found in 65.38%of mature recipients.In the present study,we first establish a simple and suitable transplantation method for Sebastes schlegelii using immature males and specific larvae,which will serve as a promising tool in the protection of germplasm resources for this transplantation-restricted marine viviparous species.
基金the grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Project No. 2016YFC1000200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 31472054).
文摘While hallmarks of rodent spermatogonia stem cell biomarkers' heterogeneity have recently been identified, their stage and subset distributions remain unclear. Furthermore, it is currently difficult to accurately identify subset-specific SSC marker distributions due to the poor nuclear morphological characteristics associated with fixation in 4% paraformaldehyde. In the present study, testicular cross-sections and whole-mount samples were Bouin fixed to optimize nuclear resolution and visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). The results identified an expression pattern of PLZFhighc-KITpos in A1 spermatogonia, while A2–A4-differentiating spermatogonia were PLZFlowc-KITpos. Additionally, this procedure was used to examine asymmetrically expressing GFRA1 and PLZF clones, asymmetric Apr and false clones were distinguished based on the presence or absence of TEX14, a molecular maker of intercellular bridges, despite having identical nuclear morphology and intercellular distances that were <25 μm. In conclusion, this optimized Bouin fixation procedure facilitates the accurate identification of spermatogonium subsets based on their molecular profiles and is capable of distinguishing asymmetric and false clones. Therefore, the findings presented herein will facilitate further morphological and functional analysis studies and provide further insight into spermatogonium subtypes.
