Reproductive tract extracellular vesicles are sufficient to transmit intergenerational stress and program neurodevelopment.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a unique mode of intercellular communication capable of incredible specificity in transmitting signals involved in cellular function, including germ cell maturation. Spermatogenesis occurs in the testes, behind a protective barrier to ensure safeguarding of germline DNA from environmental insults. Following DNA compaction, further sperm maturation occurs in the epididymis. Here, we report reproductive tract EVs transmit information regarding stress in the paternal environment to sperm, potentially altering fetal development. Using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, we found that sperm incubated with EVs collected from stress-treated epididymal epithelial cells produced offspring with altered neurodevelopment and adult stress reactivity. Proteomic and transcr

SUBMITTER: Chan JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7083921 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature