Epididymal RNase T2 contributes to astheno-teratozoospermia and intergenerational metabolic disorder through epididymosome-sperm interaction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The epididymis is crucial for post-testicular sperm development which is termed sperm maturation. During this process, fertilizing ability is acquired through the epididymis-sperm communication via exchange of protein and small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs). More importantly, epididymal-derived exosomes secreted by the epididymal epithelial cells transfer sncRNAs into maturing sperm. These sncRNAs could mediate intergenerational inheritance which further influences the health of their offspring. Recently, the linkage and mechanism involved in regulating sperm function and sncRNAs during epididymal sperm maturation are increasingly gaining more and more attention.

Methods

An epididymal-specific ribonuclease T2 (RNase T2) knock-in (KI) mouse model was constructed to inv

SUBMITTER: Ma Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10664275 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature