Round spermatid injection (ROSI) into mammalian oocytes can result in the development of viable embryos and offspring. One current limitation to this technique is the identification of suitable round spermatids. In the current paper, round spermatids were selected from testicular cells with phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and ROSI was performed in two strains of mice. The rates of fertilization, embryonic development and offspring achieved were the same in all strains. Significantly, round spermatids selected by PCM and FACS were effectively used to rescue the infertile Pten-null mouse. The current results indicate that FACS selection of round spermatids can not only provide high-purity and viable round spermatids for use in ROSI, but also has no harmful effects on the developmental capacity of subsequently fertilized embryos. It was concluded that round spermatids selected by FACS are useful for mouse strain rederivation and rescue of infertile males; ROSI should be considered as a powerful addition to the armamentarium of assisted reproduction techniques applicable in the mouse.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0967199413000592 | DOI Listing |
Reprod Biol Endocrinol
January 2025
Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Background: Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (HnRNPM) is a key splicing factor involved in various biological processes, including the epithelial‒mesenchymal transition and cancer development. Alternative splicing is widely involved in the process of spermatogenesis. However, the function of hnRNPM as a splicing factor during spermatogenesis remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interaction between meiosis-expressed gene 1 (MEIG1) and Parkin co-regulated gene (PACRG) is a critical determinant of spermiogenesis, the process by which round spermatids mature into functional spermatozoa. Disruption of the MEIG1-PACRG complex can impair sperm development, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for addressing male infertility or for the development of non-hormonal contraceptive methods. This study used virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to identify small molecule inhibitors targeting the MEIG1-PACRG interface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNatl Sci Rev
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
The overactivation of transposable elements (TEs) is a significant threat to male reproduction, particularly during the delicate process of spermatogenesis. Here, we report that zinc finger protein ZCCHC8-a key component of the nuclear exosome targeting (NEXT) complex that is involved in ribonucleic acid (RNA) surveillance-is required for TE silencing during spermatogenesis. Loss of ZCCHC8 results in delayed meiotic progression and reduced production of round spermatids (RS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biol Chem
December 2024
Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany; Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany. Electronic address:
Imbalances in testicular iron levels are linked to compromised sperm production and male infertility. Iron regulatory proteins (IRP) 1 and 2 play crucial roles in cellular iron regulation. We investigated the role of IRP1 on spermatogenesis using Irp1-deficient mice (Irp1).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
December 2024
Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
Despite 96 million years of evolution separating humans and rodents, 11 closely related reproductive tract-specific genes in humans-, , , , , , , , , , and -and the 13 reproductive tract-specific orthologous genes in mice, form highly conserved syntenic gene clusters indicative of conserved, combined critical functions. Further, despite significant progress toward a nonhormonal male contraceptive targeting the protein encoded by one of these genes, epididymal peptidase inhibitor (EPPIN), and associations found between mutations in and an increased risk of male infertility, neither EPPIN nor any closely related whey acidic protein four-disulfide core (WFDC) gene have been explored functionally. To clarify the involvement of WFDC genes in male fertility, we strategically used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mice lacking 13, 10, 5, or 4 genes within the cluster and demonstrated that males with deletions of 13, 10, or 4 genes (Wfdc6a, Eppin, Wfdc8, and Wfdc6a) were sterile due to an arrest in spermatogenesis, preventing formation beyond round spermatids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!