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Updated: Aug 17, 2025
Cell-Specific Paired Interrogation of the Mouse Ovarian Epigenome and Transcriptome
Published on: February 24, 2023
A single-cell transcriptomic landscape of mouse testicular aging
Wei Zhang1, Siyu Xia1, Wei Xiao2
1Department of Nephrology, and Shenzhen key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, China; Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, China.
Advanced paternal age is linked to male subfertility. This study reveals aging-associated molecular changes in mouse testes, including inflammation and disrupted spermatogonia stem cells, offering insights into fertility decline.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Aging research
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- Advanced paternal age is a growing trend, associated with risks like reduced fertility and poor child health.
- Systematic profiling of molecular and cellular changes in aging testicular tissue is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To dissect aging-associated molecular characteristics in mouse testes.
- To construct single-cell transcriptomic atlases of young and old mouse testes.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing and analysis of testes from young (2-month-old) and old (24-month-old) mice.
- Immunofluorescence and immunochemistry to characterize aging phenotypes and validate sequencing results.
Main Results:
- First single-cell transcriptomic atlases of aged mouse testes constructed.
- Identified increased senescence-associated secretory phenotype and inflammation.
- Revealed disrupted balance of spermatogonia stem cells and an increased subtype of aging-specific macrophages.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide a comprehensive understanding of cell-type-specific molecular mechanisms in testicular aging.
- Highlights potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for age-associated male subfertility.
