Germ Cell-Specific Retinoic Acid Receptor α Functions in Germ Cell Organization, Meiotic Integrity, and Spermatogonia.

ABSTRACT: Retinoic acid receptor α (RARA), a retinoic acid-dependent transcription factor, is expressed in both somatic and germ cells of the testis. Rara-null male mice with global Rara mutations displayed severely degenerated testis and infertility phenotypes. To elucidate the specific responsibility of germ cell RARA in spermatogenesis, Rara was deleted in germ cells, generating germ cell-specific Rara conditional knockout (cKO) mice. These Rara cKO animals exhibited phenotypes of quantitatively reduced epididymal sperm counts and disorganized germ cell layers in the seminiferous tubules, which worsened with aging. Abnormal tubules lacked lumen, contained vacuoles, and showed massive germ cell sloughing, all characteristics similar to those observed in Rara-null tubules. Spermatocyte chromosomal

SUBMITTER: Peer NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6112597 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature