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A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
Published on: February 6, 2018
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Mouse t-complex protein 11 is important for progressive motility in sperm†
Julio M Castaneda1,2, Haruhiko Miyata1, Denise R Archambeault2
1Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Biology of Reproduction
|December 15, 2019
Summary
The t-complex protein 11 (Tcp11) is crucial for sperm motility. Tcp11-null mice show reduced fertility, indicating Tcp11
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Genetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- The t-complex region on mouse chromosome 17 is vital for male fertility.
- t-complex protein 11 (Tcp11) is a testis-specific gene implicated in sperm function.
- Previous studies suggested TCP11 localizes to the sperm surface and is involved in capacitation via the Protein Kinase A (PKA) pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the precise localization and function of TCP11 during spermatogenesis and fertilization.
- To determine the role of TCP11 in male fertility and sperm motility.
- To clarify the relationship between TCP11, sperm capacitation, and PKA activity.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence microscopy to determine TCP11 subcellular localization in spermatids and sperm.
- Fertility assessments in Tcp11-null and wild-type male mice.
- Analysis of sperm motility and capacitation markers (tyrosine phosphorylation, PKA activity) in Tcp11-null sperm.
Main Results:
- TCP11 is localized to the cytoplasm of elongating spermatids and is absent in mature sperm.
- Tcp11-null male mice exhibit significantly reduced fertility with decreased progressive sperm motility.
- Tcp11-null sperm retain the ability to undergo tyrosine phosphorylation but show reduced PKA activity.
Conclusions:
- TCP11 plays a critical role in the cytoplasm of elongating spermatids for the development of proper sperm motility.
- The absence of TCP11 impairs male fertility by affecting sperm motility, despite capacitation markers remaining partially intact.
- TCP11's function is essential for conferring mature sperm motility, likely through mechanisms influencing PKA activity.
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