Analyses of widely targeted metabolic profiling reveal enhanced energy metabolism in well-developed testicular tissue of Hu sheep.

Energy supply is crucial for testicular development. Nevertheless, the specific alterations in the energy metabolic pathways that affect testicular development have not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to investigate the variations in metabolites and alterations in energy metabolic pathways in the testes of Hu sheep with different developmental status at 6 months of age.

Localization and expression of phospholipase A and polyunsaturated fatty acid profile in the testis tissues of Hu sheep.

The fatty acid content and the localization and expression of phospholipase A (PLA) in the testis of Hu sheep were investigated. A total of 18 six-month-old Hu sheep were divided into small group (S, with left testis weight < 50 g), medium group (M, with left testis weight among 90-110 g), and large group (L, with left testis weight >160 g), which had six individuals each. The expression of PLA in testicular tissues of different sizes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and Western blot.

Antioxidant properties and transcriptome of cauda epididymis with different levels of fertility in Hu lambs.

Oxidative stress damages the structure of sperm and affects its fertility. Further maturation and storage of spermatozoa occur in the epididymis. Thus, a balanced environment between free-radical production and the antioxidant-enzyme system is important.

Variants of ADPGK gene and its effect on the male reproductive organ parameters and sperm count in Hu sheep.

ADP-dependent glucokinase (ADPGK) plays an important role instead of hexokinase in regulating energy metabolism the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas Pathway. And energy provided glycolysis promotes testis development and spermatogenesis. In this study, 466 Hu sheep were screened for mutations in the ADPGK gene to examine the association of the ADPGK gene polymorphisms with the testis traits and spermatogenesis.

Dietary supplementation of grape seed tannin extract stimulated testis development, changed fatty acid profiles and increased testis antioxidant capacity in pre-puberty hu lambs.

Grape seed tannin extract (GPE) from wine grape pomace has many effective anti-oxidative effects and is used as a promising natural feed additive in the animal feed industry. This study investigated the effect of GPE as a source of tannin on the antioxidant capacity and testis development in Hu lambs. Twenty-seven 3-month-old ram lambs were randomly assigned to three groups.