Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pengxiang Tian, Zhiming Zhao, Yanli Fan, Na Cui, Baojun Shi, Guimin Hao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of stress on male reproductive function by observing changes in the testes of rats exposed to stress. It found that chronic stress can lead to pathological changes in the testes, decreased expression of key marker genes related to spermatogenesis, and alterations in the population of spermatogenic cells, which may contribute to male reproductive dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Weihao Sun, Xinhui Zhang, Lei Wang, Guanyu Ren, Shuguang Piao, Chenghua Yang, Zhiyong Liu
Summary: The study investigated the histological changes and molecular mechanisms in cryptorchidism patients aged 20 to 40 years. Results showed a significant atrophy and decline in spermatogenic cells in the testes of patients with longer disease duration, with downregulation of genes related to sperm development and differentiation, providing insights into the decline in fertility in adult cryptorchidism.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Conghui Peng, Kang Wang, Wei Wang, Fangfang Kuang, Yahui Gao, Ronggen Jiang, Xiuwu Sun, Xu Dong, Baohong Chen, Hui Lin
Summary: A cruise conducted in Xisha Islands, South China Sea, revealed that the low concentration of phytoplankton may hinder the growth of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS) larvae. Bacillariophyta was the dominant group in the phytoplankton communities, with 29 dominant species identified, including 4 species preferred by CoTS larvae. These findings provide important insights into the environmental conditions and phytoplankton community structure during CoTS outbreaks in the study area.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Benjamin Mos, Naomi Mesic, Symon A. Dworjanyn
Summary: The variable food supply in future ocean conditions affects the growth and development of Acanthaster sp. starfish larvae, indicating that the success of this species depends on phytoplankton abundance. Phytoplankton abundance is decreasing and becoming more variable due to ocean climate changes. The survival, development, and growth of larval crown-of-thorns starfish are influenced by low, high, and variable phytoplankton food supply, as well as by warming and acidification.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Shen-He Liu, Xiao-Ya Ma, Ting-Ting Yue, Zi-Chen Wang, Kun-Long Qi, Ji-Chao Li, Feng Lin, Hossam E. Rushdi, Yu-Yang Gao, Tong Fu, Ming Li, Teng-Yun Gao, Li-Guo Yang, Xue-Lei Han, Ting-Xian Deng
Summary: This study investigated the expression profiles of m6A in bovine testes at different developmental stages, revealing its crucial role in spermatogenesis. Key genes associated with spermatogenesis were identified, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying bovine spermatogenesis and laying the foundation for further studies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam K. Hillberg, Meaghan K. Smith, Blake S. Lausen, Saowaros Suwansa-ard, Ryan Johnston, Shahida A. Mitu, Leah E. Macdonald, Min Zhao, Cherie A. Motti, Tianfang Wang, Abigail Elizur, Keisuke Nakashima, Noriyuki Satoh, Scott F. Cummins
Summary: This study confirms the toxicity of spine secretions from crown-of-thorns starfish, and identifies various secretory proteins as potential toxins. The study also suggests that these secretory proteins, along with other unknown proteins, may be stored and released from the spines to exert their toxic effects.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fan Dong, Ping Ping, Yi Ma, Xiang-Feng Chen
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive review of the application of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in the human testis. ScRNA-seq has revealed dynamic transcriptional changes in germ cells and somatic cells during testicular development from embryos to adults. It has also identified abnormalities in metabolic signaling and hedgehog signaling in aged somatic cells and Leydig cells, respectively. Furthermore, scRNA-seq has uncovered profound changes in testes of infertile males and made additional discoveries through the re-analysis of public scRNA-seq data, such as the potential vulnerability of testicular SARS-CoV-2 infection and evolutionary conservatism and divergence among species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justine Saulnier, Frederic Chalmel, Marion Delessard, Laura Moutard, Tony Pereira, Francois Fraissinet, Ludovic Dumont, Aurelie Rives-Feraille, Christine Rondanino, Nathalie Rives
Summary: In vitro spermatogenesis is a promising approach to restore the fertility of childhood cancer survivors, but faces challenges in the rat model due to germ cell maturation arrest. The study revealed deregulation of several genes in vitro matured rat prepubertal testicular tissues, potentially attributed to defective BTB function, altered steroidogenic pathway, and inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ya-Dan Zhao, Cai-Xia Yang, Zhi-Qiang Du
Summary: This study compared the process of spermiogenesis between humans and pigs through integrative analysis and identified specific genes and molecular pathways for each type of sperm. The findings provide important resources and insights for further investigation on sperm maturation and male reproductive ability.
REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hua Yang, Jianyu Ma, Zhen Wan, Qi Wang, Zhibo Wang, Jie Zhao, Feng Wang, Yanli Zhang
Summary: The study presents the first comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic analysis of sheep spermatogenesis, identifying multiple cell types and revealing changes in transcription levels throughout the process. The functional enrichment analysis highlighted key pathways enriched in testicular germ and somatic cell types, providing new insights into sheep spermatogenesis and development of spermatogenic cells.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nina Yasuda, Jun Inoue, Michael R. Hall, Manoj R. Nair, Mehdi Adjeroud, Miguel D. Fortes, Mutsumi Nishida, Nat Tuivavalagi, Rachel Ravago-Gotanco, Zac H. Forsman, Taha Soliman, Ryo Koyanagi, Kanako Hisata, Cherie A. Motti, Noriyuki Satoh
Summary: This study sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of 243 crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) individuals from 11 reef regions in the Pacific Ocean. The results indicate two major clades, an East-Central Pacific (ECP) clade and a Pan-Pacific (PP) clade, with separate lineages within each. These findings provide insights into the evolutionary history and population structure of COTS in the Pacific Ocean, which can aid future research and management efforts.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Taotao Li, Ruirui Luo, Xia Wang, Huihui Wang, Xingxu Zhao, Yunxia Guo, Haitao Jiang, Youji Ma
Summary: The study revealed the temporal expression patterns of circRNAs in testes of Tibetan sheep at different maturation stages, constructed a core circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network related to testicular function, and validated the interactions between circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. These findings provide new insights into the diverse functions of circRNAs in cell development and maturation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hanbo Jia, Wei Wang, Zhaowen Zhou, Zhiyi Chen, Zijun Lan, Hao Bo, Liqing Fan
Summary: Spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production, is regulated by various key cells and any abnormalities can lead to male infertility-related diseases. Single-cell RNA sequencing technology is being increasingly used in male reproduction for its unique insights. This technology covers different stages and diseases related to male infertility, providing valuable research results and application directions. Challenges and prospects of combining this technology with other techniques are also discussed.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ke Hu, Yuanyuan Gao, Yifan Xu, Chaofan He, Kaixian Wang, Leina Li, Yaping Liao, Xiaohua Liu, Meng Liang
Summary: This study reveals the elevated expression of lncRNA-Gm2044 in nonobstructive azoospermia and its partial impairment on spermatogenesis in a transgenic mouse model. Transcriptome sequencing analysis uncovers the potential signaling pathways involved in the repression of spermatogenesis. The findings suggest that lncRNA-Gm2044 is a novel molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Review
Andrology
Prabhakara P. Reddi
Summary: Precise spatiotemporal expression of differentiation markers during spermatogenesis ensures its completion, but the underlying transcriptional mechanisms are not well understood. Research using the Acrv1 gene revealed that the gene's proximal promoter contains necessary cis-regulatory sequences, an insulator prevents somatic cell expression, RNA II polymerase is paused in spermatocytes, and TDP-43 maintains the paused state. However, the transcription factor responsible for round spermatid-specific transcription remains elusive.