Small non-coding RNA profiles in sperms from depressive-like mice induced by chronic unpredictable mild stimulations

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Neuroscience
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, heritable illness.
• Psychological stress is increasingly linked to male infertility.
• Sperm small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) may mediate inheritance of acquired traits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of psychological stress on male reproductive function.
• To analyze alterations in sperm sncRNAs following stress exposure.
• To assess the reproductive and behavioral outcomes in offspring of stressed males.

Main Methods:

• Induction of depressive-like behavior in male mice using chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS).
• Assessment of sperm quality parameters.
• Small RNA sequencing of sperm to analyze sncRNA profiles (piRNAs, rsRNAs, tsRNAs).
• Evaluation of offspring survival rates and depression susceptibility.

Main Results:

• CUMS treatment for 4 weeks induced depressive behavior and significantly impaired sperm quality in male mice.
• Small RNA sequencing revealed significant alterations in sperm sncRNA composition and distribution.
• Offspring from stressed males exhibited reduced survival rates and increased susceptibility to depression.

Conclusions:

• Psychological stress negatively affects male reproductive health and sperm epigenetics.
• Stress-induced changes in sperm sncRNAs may be transmitted to offspring, influencing their health and behavior.
• This study provides insights into the intergenerational effects of psychological stress via germ cells.