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Effect of vasectomy on gene expression in the epididymis of cynomolgus monkey
Karine Doiron1, Christine Légaré, Fabrice Saez
1Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la Reproduction and Département d'Obstétrique-Gynécologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada G1V 4G2.
Abstract:
Vasectomy has been shown to affect the pattern of mRNA expression of P34H, a human sperm protein added to the acrosomal cap during epididymal transit. It has been reported that vasectomy alters the histology of the reproductive tract in various species as a result of the increased pressure in the epididymis. The aim of this study was to evaluate if other epididymis-specific mRNAs, which are expressed in different patterns along the duct, are altered by vasectomy as well. We analyzed the expression of P31m (a monkey homologue of human P34H) and three different HE-like (HE-l) mRNAs along the epididymis in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Sexually mature cynomolgus monkeys were vasectomized unilaterally; then the epididymides were surgically removed at different time points. The ipsilateral normal epididymis was used as a control. Histomorphometric measurements showed that the height of the epididymal epithelial cells started to be affected only at 14 wk postsurgery. However, Northern blot and in situ hybridization analysis showed that the expression pattern of P31m, HE1, and HE5-like mRNA along the epididymis was not affected by vasectomy. Only the HE2-like mRNA predominantly expressed in the normal corpus epididymidis was significantly lowered 14 wk after vasectomy. Thus, ductal obstruction differentially alters mRNA expression along the epididymis of the cynomolgus monkey.
Insights
Vasectomy alters epididymal mRNA expression in monkeys. While most sperm protein gene expression remains unchanged, HE2-like mRNA levels significantly decrease 14 weeks post-surgery, indicating differential effects of ductal obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
- Primate Research
Background:
- Vasectomy is known to alter sperm protein mRNA expression (e.g., P34H) and reproductive tract histology due to increased epididymal pressure.
- Epididymis-specific mRNAs are expressed in distinct patterns along the duct.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if vasectomy affects epididymis-specific mRNAs (P31m, HE-like) with varied expression patterns along the duct.
- To analyze the impact of ductal obstruction on mRNA expression in the cynomolgus monkey epididymis.
Main Methods:
- Unilateral vasectomy in adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).
- Surgical removal of epididymides at various time points post-vasectomy.
- Histomorphometric analysis of epithelial cell height.
- Northern blot and in situ hybridization to analyze mRNA expression patterns of P31m, HE1, HE2, and HE5-like mRNAs.
Main Results:
- Epididymal epithelial cell height was affected only at 14 weeks post-surgery.
- Expression patterns of P31m, HE1, and HE5-like mRNAs along the epididymis were not altered by vasectomy.
- HE2-like mRNA, normally abundant in the corpus epididymidis, was significantly reduced 14 weeks after vasectomy.
Conclusions:
- Ductal obstruction via vasectomy differentially impacts mRNA expression along the cynomolgus monkey epididymis.
- The observed reduction in HE2-like mRNA suggests a specific vulnerability of certain epididymal genes to pressure changes caused by vasectomy.