Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.
Cell Biochem Funct. 2024 Sep;42(7):e70003. doi: 10.1002/cbf.70003.
Spermatogenesis and sperm maturation that occur in the testis and epididymis respectively are crucial for fertility. Factors secreted by the testicular and epididymal epithelial cells govern the processes of gametogenesis and maturation. Proteins encoded by the sperm-associated antigen 11a (Spag11a) gene are implicated as having a possible role in sperm maturation. However, studies that demonstrate their definite role in fertility and sperm function using knockout models have not yet reported. In this study, Spag11a knockout mice were generated, genotyped and the reproductive parameters (fecundity, sperm count, capacitation, and acrosome reaction) and sperm proteome were determined. Litter size and sperm count were decreased in the Spag11a knockout mice when compared to the wild-type controls. Spermatozoa from the knockout mice were able to undergo capacitation. However, acrosome reaction did not occur in sperm obtained from knockout mice. Structural abnormalities in the head and tail structures were evident in the spermatozoa of knockout mice. Perturbations in the expression of sperm proteins that are involved in gametogenesis were evident. The subfertility observed in Spag11a knockout mice could be a manifestation of lower sperm count, impaired acrosome reactions, and disturbances in the sperm proteome. The results of this study lend further support to the role of Spag11a gene in male gamete function.
精子发生和精子成熟分别发生在睾丸和附睾中，对生育能力至关重要。睾丸和附睾上皮细胞分泌的因子调控着配子发生和成熟的过程。精子相关抗原 11a（Spag11a）基因编码的蛋白被认为在精子成熟中可能具有作用。然而，使用基因敲除模型来证明它们在生育力和精子功能中的明确作用的研究尚未报道。在本研究中，生成了 Spag11a 基因敲除小鼠，对其进行了基因分型，并确定了生殖参数（生育力、精子计数、获能和顶体反应）和精子蛋白质组。与野生型对照相比，Spag11a 基因敲除小鼠的窝仔数和精子计数减少。敲除小鼠的精子能够经历获能。然而，顶体反应不会发生在敲除小鼠获得的精子中。在敲除小鼠的精子中明显存在头部和尾部结构的结构异常。参与配子发生的精子蛋白的表达受到干扰。Spag11a 基因敲除小鼠的亚生育能力可能是精子计数降低、顶体反应受损和精子蛋白质组紊乱的表现。本研究的结果进一步支持了 Spag11a 基因在男性配子功能中的作用。
