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Published on: February 6, 2018
Turning a spermatogenic wave into a tsunami: synchronizing murine spermatogenesis using WIN 18,446
Cathryn A Hogarth1, Ryan Evanoff, Debra Mitchell
1School of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
Biology of Reproduction
|January 4, 2013
Summary
Bis-[dichloroacetyl]-diamines (BDADs) block vitamin A metabolism to inhibit sperm production. WIN 18,446 treatment in mice resulted in pulsatile sperm release, offering a new method to study spermatogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Bis-[dichloroacetyl]-diamines (BDADs) are known to inhibit spermatogenesis by interfering with vitamin A metabolism.
- Retinoic acid (RA) plays a critical role in regulating spermatogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of the BDAD compound WIN 18,446 on mammalian sperm production by manipulating endogenous retinoic acid (RA) levels.
- To explore a novel technique for enriching specific germ cell populations in the testis.
Main Methods:
- Adult and neonatal male mice were treated with WIN 18,446 to block spermatogonial differentiation.
- Retinoic acid (RA) was administered to neonatal mice post-WIN 18,446 treatment to observe its effect on spermatogenesis.
- Changes in the seminiferous epithelium cycle and sperm production patterns were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Transient WIN 18,446 treatment in adult mice blocked spermatogonial differentiation and altered the seminiferous epithelium cycle.
- WIN 18,446 treatment in neonatal mice, followed by RA injection, induced synchronous spermatogenesis in adulthood.
- This resulted in a pulsatile rather than continuous release of sperm.
Conclusions:
- WIN 18,446 effectively manipulates endogenous RA production to control spermatogenesis.
- The study presents a novel method for enriching specific germ cell populations, valuable for future research on mammalian sperm production.
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