Rashad Dina E M, Ibrahim Sally, El-Sokary Mohamed M M, Mahmoud Karima Gh M, Abou El-Roos Mahmoud E A, Sosa Gamal A M, Kandiel Mohamed M M
Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.
Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination Department, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Biol Reprod. 2024 Mar 13;110(3):501-508. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioad177.
Studying testicular genes' expression may give key insights into precise regulation of its functions that influence epididymal sperm quality. The current study aimed to investigate the abundance of candidate genes involved in the regulation of testicular functions specially those regulate sperm function (PLA2G4D, SPP1, and CLUAP1), testicular steroidogenic function (ESR1 and AR), materials transport (AQP12B and LCN15), and defense mechanisms (DEFB110, GPX5, SOCS3, and IL6). Therefore, blood samples and testes with epididymis were collected from mature middle-aged (5-10 years) dromedary camels (n = 45) directly prior and after their slaughtering, respectively, during breeding season. Sera were evaluated for testosterone level and testicular biometry was measured with caliper. The epididymal tail semen was evaluated manually. Samples were distinguished based on testosterone level, testicular biometry, as well as epididymal semen features into high and low fertile groups. Total RNA was isolated from testicular tissues and gene expression was done using Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Results revealed that testosterone levels were significantly (P < 0.005) higher in camels with good semen quality than those of low quality. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) increase in testicular weight, length, width, thickness, and volume in high fertile than low fertile camels. PLA2G4D, SPP1, CLUAP1, ESR1, AR, AQP12B, LCN15, DEFB110, GPX5, and SOCS3 genes were upregulated (P < 0.001), and IL6 gene was downregulated (P < 0.01) in the testes of high fertile camels compared to the low fertile one. Thus, it could be concluded that examined genes might be valuable monitors of testicular functional status and fertility in dromedary camels.
研究睾丸基因的表达可能有助于深入了解其功能的精确调控，而这些功能会影响附睾精子质量。本研究旨在调查参与睾丸功能调节的候选基因的丰度，特别是那些调节精子功能的基因（PLA2G4D、SPP1和CLUAP1）、睾丸类固醇生成功能的基因（ESR1和AR）、物质运输的基因（AQP12B和LCN15）以及防御机制的基因（DEFB110、GPX5、SOCS3和IL6）。因此，在繁殖季节，分别于屠宰前和屠宰后直接从45头成熟中年（5 - 10岁）单峰骆驼采集血液样本和带有附睾的睾丸。检测血清中的睾酮水平，并用卡尺测量睾丸生物指标。人工评估附睾尾部精液。根据睾酮水平、睾丸生物指标以及附睾精液特征将样本分为高生育力组和低生育力组。从睾丸组织中分离总RNA，并使用定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）进行基因表达分析。结果显示，精液质量好的骆驼的睾酮水平显著（P < 0.005）高于质量低的骆驼。高生育力骆驼的睾丸重量、长度、宽度、厚度和体积比低生育力骆驼显著（P < 0.0001）增加。与低生育力骆驼相比，高生育力骆驼睾丸中PLA2G4D、SPP1、CLUAP1、ESR1、AR、AQP12B、LCN15、DEFB110、GPX5和SOCS3基因上调（P < 0.001），而IL6基因下调（P < 0.01）。因此，可以得出结论，所检测的基因可能是单峰骆驼睾丸功能状态和生育力的有价值监测指标。
