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Expression pattern of germ cell markers in cryptorchid stallion testes
Muhammad Shakeel1,2, Younju Choi1, Minjung Yoon1,3,4
1Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals = Zuchthygiene
|April 13, 2024
Summary
Cryptorchidism impairs stallion fertility by affecting germ cell development. Heat stress from cryptorchid testes reduces spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation and differentiation, impacting sperm production.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Veterinary Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cryptorchidism, the retention of testes outside the scrotum, causes heat stress.
- This condition negatively impacts spermatogenesis and stallion fertility.
- Specific germ cell populations affected by cryptorchidism require further identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cryptorchidism on specific germ cell types in stallions.
- To compare the expression of molecular markers PGP9.5 and VASA in normal versus cryptorchid stallion testes.
- To assess heat stress effects on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in cryptorchid stallion testes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to analyze PGP9.5 and VASA mRNA levels.
- Employed immunofluorescence assays to examine protein localization of PGP9.5 and VASA.
- Compared seminiferous tubule (ST) cross-sectional area between cryptorchid stallion testes (CST) and normal stallion testes (NST).
Main Results:
- PGP9.5 and VASA mRNA expression was significantly higher in NST compared to CST.
- ST cross-sectional area and germ cell marker localization were significantly greater in NST.
- VASA staining indicated spermatogonia, primary, and secondary spermatocytes in NST, but only spermatogonia in CST.
Conclusions:
- Long-term heat stress from cryptorchidism directly impairs germ cell proliferation and differentiation in stallions.
- This disruption leads to compromised spermatogenesis and reduced fertility.
- PGP9.5 and VASA serve as valuable markers for assessing germ cell status in cryptorchid stallions.
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