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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa
Published on: December 30, 2014
[Differential analysis of proteomic profiles between cryptorchid and normal mouse testes]
En-Zhong Li1, De-Xue Li, Shi-Qing Zhang
1Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing 100850, China.
Abstract:
To screen factors related to spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation, and to investigate the mechanism of infertility caused by cryptorchidism, ten-day-old Kunming (KM) mice were used and experimental cryptorchidism was conducted. On the 35th day after cryptorchid operation, the left testes were fixed in Bouin's fluid and used for histological analysis. The testes of 45-day-old mice were subjected to the same histological analysis, and it was found that they contained germ cells at every stage of development, from SSCs to sperm, indicating that the animals were fully sexually mature at this age. While in experimental cryptorchid mice, the spermatogenesis was arrested at the stage of spermatocytes, and only spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were present in cryptorchid testes. The proportion of spermatogonia to other types of germ cells was much higher than that in sexually mature mice. On the other hand, the right testes were used for proteomic analysis. The total protein in testes was extracted on the 35th day after cryptorchid operation. The differentially expressed proteins in cryptorchid mice and sexually mature mice were screened and compared by the proteomic techniques. Through the separation of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), 20 differential protein spots were found, and 9 of them were digested and identified by the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrum. In cryptorchid mice, 6 out of 9 proteins were down-regulated, and 3 were up-regulated. Among these proteins, 4 proteins were identified, and they were Stathmin, phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein1 (PEBP1), HES-related basic helix-loop-helix protein (HERP), and one unnamed protein (we temporarily named it Px). More Stathmin, PEBP1 and Px were expressed in sexually mature mice than in experimental cryptorchid mice. But HERP1 was the other way round. In the present study, we have screened 4 proteins related to cryptorchidism. It is helpful to study the mechanism of SSC proliferation and infertility caused by cryptorchidism.
Insights
Cryptorchidism, or undescended testes, disrupts sperm development by arresting spermatogenesis. Proteomic analysis identified four key proteins (Stathmin, PEBP1, HERP1, Px) that may explain infertility and guide future research.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology and proteomics.
- Investigating male infertility mechanisms.
Context:
- Cryptorchidism is a condition where testes fail to descend, leading to male infertility.
- Understanding the molecular basis of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation is crucial for reproductive health.
Purpose:
- To identify factors influencing spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility associated with cryptorchidism.
Summary:
- Experimental cryptorchidism in mice arrested spermatogenesis at the spermatocyte stage, increasing the proportion of spermatogonia.
- Proteomic analysis revealed differential expression of four proteins: Stathmin, phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 (PEBP1), HES-related basic helix-loop-helix protein (HERP1), and an unnamed protein (Px).
- Stathmin, PEBP1, and Px were downregulated in cryptorchid testes, while HERP1 was upregulated, suggesting their roles in SSC proliferation and cryptorchidism-induced infertility.
Impact:
- Identifies specific proteins involved in the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism-related infertility.
- Provides potential molecular targets for understanding and potentially treating infertility associated with undescended testes.
