“…Importantly, mSSCs derived from the LOVA group were capable for spermatogenesis that generate fertile offspring after being transplanted into the testes of recipient mice, indicating that LOVA ensures normal mSSC functions while faithfully promoting mSSC self-renewal. Further mechanism analysis suggested effects of LOVA on SSCs through multiple layers, including promotion of self-renewal and cell cycle as well as inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis, which might partially substitute and fulfill the role of GDNF in mSSC proliferation ( Gao et al., 2014 ; Kubota et al., 2004 ; Masaki et al., 2018 ; Meng et al., 2000 ; Sharma and Braun, 2018 ; Tadokoro et al., 2002 ; Wang et al., 2019 ), as statins inhibit HMGCR, the rate-limiting enzyme of the L-mevalonate pathway, thereby preventing the formation of downstream metabolites ( Assmus et al., 2003 ; Zeiser, 2018 ; Zeiser et al., 2009 ). Hence, we tested and found that the addition of downstream metabolites such as GPP, FPP, and squalene were capable of abolishing LOVA-mediated apoptosis prevention to mSSCs, suggesting that inhibitory effects of LOVA are dependent on HMGCR.…”