Molecular identification of genes involved in testicular steroid synthesis and characterization of the response to gonadotropic stimulation in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)
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ABSTRACT: In male teleosts, testicular steroids are essential hormones for the regulation of spermatogenesis and their production is regulated by pituitary gonadotropins. In the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), an economically important flatfish with semi-cystic and asynchronous spermatogenesis, the endocrine mechanisms involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, particularly regarding the production and regulation of testicular steroids, are not well understood.This study aimed at describing the transcriptomic changes taking place in the Senegalese sole testis in response to hCG stimulation in vivo. Gene expression analysis by microarray identified 90 differentially expressed genes in the testis in response to hCG administration, including genes potentially involved in steroidogenesis, progression of spermatogenesis and germ cell maturation and cytoskeletal organization. Our results provide evidence for the first time that key genes involved in the regulation of steroid production and spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole testis are under gonadotropic control. Testes samples from saline- and hCG-injected male Senegalese sole (8 fish per group) were pooled separatedly. Pooled testicular RNAs from each group were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC. Each hybridization was performed in duplicate.
Project description:In male teleosts, testicular steroids are essential hormones for the regulation of spermatogenesis and their production is regulated by pituitary gonadotropins. In the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), an economically important flatfish with semi-cystic and asynchronous spermatogenesis, the endocrine mechanisms involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, particularly regarding the production and regulation of testicular steroids, are not well understood.This study aimed at describing the transcriptomic changes taking place in the Senegalese sole testis in response to hCG stimulation in vivo. Gene expression analysis by microarray identified 90 differentially expressed genes in the testis in response to hCG administration, including genes potentially involved in steroidogenesis, progression of spermatogenesis and germ cell maturation and cytoskeletal organization. Our results provide evidence for the first time that key genes involved in the regulation of steroid production and spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole testis are under gonadotropic control.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole. This study represents spermatogenesis in Solea senegalensis: mid versus late spermatogenesis. Total RNA from testes at different stages in spermatogenesis (early, mid, late and functional maturation) from F0 wild Senegalese sole (3-4 animals at each stage) was extracted using the RNeasy extraction kit (Qiagen) and treated with DNAse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total RNA was performed using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. RNA samples from each stage were pooled and amplified, labelled and hybridized to a custom-made oligonucleotide microarray containing 5,087 Senegalese sole Unigene sequences. In brief, pooled testicular RNAs from each stage were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole. This study represents spermatogenesis in Solea senegalensis: functional mature versus late spermatogenesis. Total RNA from testes at different stages in spermatogenesis (early, mid, late and functional maturation) from F0 wild Senegalese sole (3-4 animals at each stage) was extracted using the RNeasy extraction kit (Qiagen) and treated with DNAse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total RNA was performed using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. RNA samples from each stage were pooled and amplified, labelled and hybridized to a custom-made oligonucleotide microarray containing 5,087 Senegalese sole Unigene sequences. In brief, pooled testicular RNAs from each stage were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole. This study represents spermatogenesis in Solea senegalensis: early versus late spermatogenesis. Total RNA from testes at different stages in spermatogenesis (early, mid, late and functional maturation) from F0 wild Senegalese sole (3-4 animals at each stage) was extracted using the RNeasy extraction kit (Qiagen) and treated with DNAse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total RNA was performed using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. RNA samples from each stage were pooled and amplified, labelled and hybridized to a custom-made oligonucleotide microarray containing 5,087 Senegalese sole Unigene sequences. In brief, pooled testicular RNAs from each stage were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC. Each hybridization was performed at least in duplicate.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole.
Project description:We recently demonstrated that Fsh modifies in vitro the testicular transcriptome of rainbow trout at early stages of spermatogenesis. Some of the regulated genes were found related to pathways highly relevant for the testicular functions i.e. spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Unlike in mammals, in fish both gonadotropins are able to efficiently stimulate the steroidogenesis, likely through a direct interaction with their cognate receptors present on the Leydig cells. In this context, we wondered whether the effects of Fsh on the tubular compartment were mediated through the production of steroids. To address this issue we performed in vitro incubations of testis explants in the presence of Fsh alone or in combination with an inhibitor of the steroidogenesis, the trilostane. Trilostane significantly reduced or suppressed the response to Fsh of many genes showing that important aspects of the Fsh action on fish testis is indirect and requires the production of steroids. Interestingly, most of the genes regulated in response to Fsh through the steroid mediation were similarly regulated by Lh and many were also found regulated by androgen treatment. On the other hand, for many other genes the response to Fsh was not affected in the presence of trilostane. A majority of those genes were also preferentially regulated by Fsh, as compared to Lh, suggesting that specific regulatory effects of Fsh were independent of steroid production. Finally antagonistic effects between Fsh and steroids were found, in particular for genes encoding clue factors of steroidogenesis or for genes of the Igf system that tended to be inhibited by androgens.
Project description:This study explores the role of porcine spermatogonia germ cells and testicular fibroblast in testis development and spermatogenesis through xenotransplantation. Previous research demonstrated the importance of Sertoli cells in maintaining testicular structure and function during testis development. However, the contribution of spermatogonia to these processes remains unclear. H&E staining revealed that FO tissues, no testicular structures were formed; instead, heterogeneous tissues with simple tubular formations were observed. Conversely, in GF tissues, structures resembling testicular tissue developed, displaying various stages of testis development including elongated spermatid. Immunofluorescence staining showed seminiferous tubules expressing PGP 9.5, VASA, and ACR2, confirming the presence of spermatogenesis. Interestingly, FO tissues were dominantly expressed ESR1, indicating bipotent gonadal property. RNA-seq analysis further revealed that GF tissue showed spermatogenesis-linked GOBPs with gene expression of mature Sertoli cells, including NR5A1, AR, and DMRT1. However, FO tissues displayed early tissue formation processes with expression of BMP4, WNT5A, ESR1, TGFBR3 and ACVR, generally inhibited in normal testis. These findings highlight the critical role of germ cells in formation of testicular structures through xenotransplantation and suggest the potential for spermatogenesis within these structures. However, further research is needed to verify the integrity and fertilizing capacity of the sperm, as these aspects have not been confirmed in this study.
Project description:We recently demonstrated that Fsh modifies in vitro the testicular transcriptome of rainbow trout at early stages of spermatogenesis. Some of the regulated genes were found related to pathways highly relevant for the testicular functions i.e. spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Unlike in mammals, in fish both gonadotropins are able to efficiently stimulate the steroidogenesis, likely through a direct interaction with their cognate receptors present on the Leydig cells. In this context, we wondered whether the effects of Fsh on the tubular compartment were mediated through the production of steroids. To address this issue we performed in vitro incubations of testis explants in the presence of Fsh alone or in combination with an inhibitor of the steroidogenesis, the trilostane. Trilostane significantly reduced or suppressed the response to Fsh of many genes showing that important aspects of the Fsh action on fish testis is indirect and requires the production of steroids. Interestingly, most of the genes regulated in response to Fsh through the steroid mediation were similarly regulated by Lh and many were also found regulated by androgen treatment. On the other hand, for many other genes the response to Fsh was not affected in the presence of trilostane. A majority of those genes were also preferentially regulated by Fsh, as compared to Lh, suggesting that specific regulatory effects of Fsh were independent of steroid production. Finally antagonistic effects between Fsh and steroids were found, in particular for genes encoding clue factors of steroidogenesis or for genes of the Igf system that tended to be inhibited by androgens. Testes were collected from all-male population rainbow trout at early stages of spermatogenesis.Testes were chopped in small pieces, in sterile conditions and then pooled and mixed. Testis fragments were randomly distributed (60-80 mg per well) on Nunc polycarbonate membrane inserts in 24-well plates filled with 300 µL of modified L15 culture medium supplemented with 2% Ultroser SF. Incubation were performed in six replicates for 96 hours, at 12°C, in the absence or presence of purified trout Fsh alone (500 ng/mL) or in combination with 10 µg/mL trilostane, an inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. A pre-incubation with trilostane was done for 1 hour before adding Fsh.