The Neonatal and Adult Human Testis Defined at the Single-Cell Level.

Spermatogenesis has been intensely studied in rodents but remains poorly understood in humans. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze human testes. Clustering analysis of neonatal testes reveals several cell subsets, including cell populations with characteristics of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).

An Orchestrated Intron Retention Program in Meiosis Controls Timely Usage of Transcripts during Germ Cell Differentiation.

Global transcriptome reprogramming during spermatogenesis ensures timely expression of factors in each phase of male germ cell differentiation. Spermatocytes and spermatids require particularly extensive reprogramming of gene expression to switch from mitosis to meiosis and to support gamete morphogenesis. Here, we uncovered an extensive alternative splicing program during this transmeiotic differentiation.

Promoter analysis of the gene encoding GDNF in murine Sertoli cells.

GDNF is a Sertoli-cell-derived factor that controls the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of the spermatogonial stem cells. Although research in recent years has concentrated on the impact of GDNF on target germ cells rather little attention has been paid to the molecular control of GDNF expression in Sertoli cells. Here, we aimed to characterize the promoter region of the mouse gdnf gene active in Sertoli cells.