Uncovering a Genetic Key to Self-Renewal of Male Reproductive Cells

The spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are responsible for producing sperm. Sperm are constantly replenished in the adult male body. Understanding the workings of stem cells responsible for this replenishment is expected to shed light on why male fertility diminishes with age, and possibly lead to new treatments for infertility.

"So-called Myc genes play an important role in stem cells' ability to self-renew," explains Kyoto University's Takashi Shinohara, who is interested specifically in SSCs. Shinohara adds that SSCs are unique, because they are "the only stem cells that transmit genetic information to offspring."

In a new report in Genes & Development, the Shinohara lab demonstrates how the Myc gene regulates the self-renewal of mouse SSCs, via a process of glycolysis control. Glycolysis is a key part of cells' energy-making mechanism.

‘The Myc genes play an important role in stem cells' ability to self-renew. These findings could have important implications for infertility research in the future.’

The scientists injected two types of SSCs into mouse testes: normal cells in some, and Myc gene-suppressed in others. Two months later, they found that the total number of abnormal SSCs was far fewer than normal ones. Gene analysis showed that the capacity for self-renewal had been compromised, with possibly important implications for sperm production in these mice.

"We found changes in the expression of genes that would slow the cell cycle," says Shinohara.

In other words, suppressed SSCs could self-renew, but at a slower than normal rate. Further study showed that this diminished rate was accompanied by impaired glycolysis, suggesting that the cells were not generating sufficient energy.

"A difference in glycolysis could explain natural differences in SSC self-renewal between mice," elaborates Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara, first-author of the paper. "DBA/2 and B6 are two mouse types in which SSCs are know to self-renew at different rates."

Further experiments confirmed that glycolysis was more active in the cells of DBA/2 mice. Moreover, isolating cells from B6 mice and treating them with certain chemicals that enhanced glycolysis could increase the proliferation rate to levels comparable with DBA/2.

"These findings could have important implications for infertility research in the future," says Shinohara. "Stimulating the metabolism of SSCs could improve their proliferation. However, more careful study of the molecular pathways is necessary."

Source: Eurekalert

Male Fertility Lowered by BPA

Results of a new study that was presented at The Endocrine Society''s 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston reveal that daily exposure to bisphenol A causes lowered fertility in male mice.

Study Says Environmental Exposure to Organochlorines may Affect Male Fertility

A recent study reveals that men exposed to organochlorine chemicals in the environment are at an increased risk of sperm abnormalities.

Nonhuman Primates Not Immune to Fading Female Fertility

A study of mortality and fertility patterns among seven species of wild apes and monkeys and their relatives shows that menopause sets humans apart from other primates, compared with similar data from hunter-gatherer humans.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Find out more about the degenerative disease- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Christianson Syndrome

Christianson syndrome is a condition that occurs due to mutations (abnormal changes) in the gene SLC9A6 that is present on X chromosome. It primarily affects the nervous system.