Collective cell dynamics and luminal fluid flow in the epididymis: A mechanobiological perspective

Min, Veronica Lee Xi; Hinton, Barry T.; Hirashima, Tsuyoshi

doi:10.1111/andr.13490

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 140 publications

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“…Tibetan sheep have reproductive physiological characteristics such as long developmental cycles, late sexual maturity, and low fecundity [ 2 ], which seriously restrict the expansion of their populations, but the underlying biological mechanisms are poorly understood. The testes and epididymides, as the core components of the male mammalian reproductive system, are the sites of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, respectively, thus determining the male reproductive capability [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. However, molecular biology and functional genetic studies on the reproductive system of male Tibetan sheep are still scarce.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Molecular Characteristics and Role of PDGFB in Testis and Epididymis Development of Tibetan Sheep

Chen,

Pu,

Tian

et al. 2024

Veterinary Sciences

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Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB), as an important cellular growth factor, is widely involved in the regulation of cellular events such as cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Although important, the expression characteristics and biological functions in the mammalian reproductive system remain poorly understood. In this study, the PDGFB gene of Tibetan sheep was cloned by RT-PCR, and its molecular characteristics were analyzed. Subsequently, the expression of the PDGFB gene in the testes and epididymides (caput, corpus, and cauda) of Tibetan sheep at different developmental stages (3 months, 1 year, and 3 years) was examined by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. A bioinformatic analysis of the cloned sequences revealed that the CDS region of the Tibetan sheep PDGFB gene is 726 bp in length and encodes 241 amino acids with high homology to other mammals, particularly goats and antelopes. With the increase in age, PDGFB expression showed an overall trend of first decreasing and then increasing in the testis and epididymis tissues of Tibetan sheep, and the PDGFB mRNA expression at 3 months of age was extremely significantly higher than that at 1 and 3 years of age (p < 0.05). The PDGFB protein is mainly distributed in testicular red blood cells and Leydig cells in Tibetan sheep at all stages of development, as well as red blood cells in the blood vessel, principal cells, and the pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelial cells of each epididymal duct epithelium. In addition, PDGFB protein expression was also detected in the spermatocytes of the 3-month-old group, spermatids of the 1-year-old group, spermatozoa and interstitial cells of the 3-year-old group, and loose connective tissue in the epididymal duct space in each developmental period. The above results suggest that the PDGFB gene, as an evolutionarily conserved gene, may play multiple roles in the development and functional maintenance of testicular cells (such as red blood cells, Leydig cells, and germ cells) and epididymal cells (such as red blood cells, principal cells, and ciliated epithelial cells) during testicular and epididymal development, which lays a foundation for the further exploration of the mechanisms by which the PDGFB gene influences spermatogenesis in Tibetan sheep.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Molecular Characteristics and Role of PDGFB in Testis and Epididymis Development of Tibetan Sheep

Chen,

Pu,

Tian

et al. 2024

Veterinary Sciences

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Shear stress effects on epididymal epithelial cell via primary cilia mechanosensory signaling

Fakhari,

Campolina‐Silva,

Asayesh

et al. 2024

Journal Cellular Physiology

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Shear stress, resulting from fluid flow, is a fundamental mechanical stimulus affecting various cellular functions. The epididymis, essential for sperm maturation, offers a compelling model to study the effects of shear stress on cellular behavior. This organ undergoes extensive proliferation and differentiation until puberty, achieving full functionality as spermatozoa commence their post‐testicular maturation. Although the mechanical tension exerted by testicular fluid is hypothesized to drive epithelial proliferation and differentiation, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Here we assessed whether the responsiveness of the epididymal cells to shear stress depends on functional primary cilia by combining microfluidic strategies on immortalized epididymal cells, calcium signaling assays, and high‐throughput gene expression analysis. We identified 97 genes overexpressed in response to shear stress, including early growth response (Egr) 2/3, cellular communication network factor (Ccn) 1/2, and Fos proto‐oncogene (Fos). While shear stress triggered a rapid increase of intracellular Ca2+, this response was abrogated following the impairment of primary ciliogenesis through pharmacological and siRNA approaches. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into how mechanical forces influence the development of the male reproductive system, a requisite to sperm maturation.

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In vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of mouse testis and epididymis with optical coherence tomography

Umezu,

Musina,

Larina

2023

Biology of Reproduction

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The implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is crucial for studying the physiological dynamics. Sperm transport is a highly dynamic process regulated by tubular contractions and luminal flows within the male reproductive tract. However, due to the lack of imaging techniques to capture these dynamics in vivo, there is little information on the physiological and biomechanical regulation of sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. Here, we present a functional in vivo imaging approach using optical coherence tomography, enabling live, label-free, depth-resolved, three-dimensional, high-resolution visualization of the mouse testis and epididymis. With this approach, we spatiotemporally captured tubular contractility in mouse testis and epididymis, as well as microstructures of these reproductive organs. Our findings demonstrated that the contraction frequency varies significantly depending on the epididymal regions, suggesting the spatial regulation of epididymal contractility. Furthermore, we implemented quantitative measurements of the contraction wave and luminal transport through the epididymal duct, revealing the physiological dynamics within the male reproductive tract. The results show that the contraction wave propagates along the epididymal duct and the wave propagation velocity was estimated in vivo. In conclusion, this is the first study to develop in vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of the male reproductive tract, which allows for quantitative analysis of the dynamics associated with sperm transport. This study sets a platform for various studies investigating normal and abnormal male reproductive physiology as well as the pharmacological and environmental effects on reproductive functions in mouse models, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive understanding of male reproductive disorders.

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Collective cell dynamics and luminal fluid flow in the epididymis: A mechanobiological perspective

Cited by 5 publications

References 140 publications

Exploring the Molecular Characteristics and Role of PDGFB in Testis and Epididymis Development of Tibetan Sheep

Exploring the Molecular Characteristics and Role of PDGFB in Testis and Epididymis Development of Tibetan Sheep

Shear stress effects on epididymal epithelial cell via primary cilia mechanosensory signaling

In vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of mouse testis and epididymis with optical coherence tomography

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