Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) and deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) expression in the testes of donkeys.
Abstract: Putative markers for each specific germ cell stage can be a useful tool to study the fate and functions of these cells. Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) is a putative marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia in humans, rats and horses. The deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) protein is also expressed by differentiated spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in several species. However, whether the expression patterns of these molecular markers are identical and applicable to donkeys remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of UTF1 and DAZL in donkey testicular tissue, using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Testicular samples were collected from routine field castration of donkeys in Korea. The reproductive stages (pre- or post-puberty) of the testes were determined from the morphological characteristics of cross-sections of the seminiferous tubules. For IHC, the UTF1 and DAZL primary antibodies were diluted at 1:100 and 1:200, respectively. The immunolabelling revealed that UTF1 was expressed in approximately 50% of spermatogonia in the pre-pubertal stage, whereas its expression was limited to an early subset of spermatogonia in the post-pubertal stage. DAZL was expressed in some, but not all, spermatogonia in the pre-pubertal spermatogonia, and interestingly, its expression was also observed in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in the post-pubertal stage. Co-immunolabelling of the germ cells with both UTF1 and DAZL revealed three types of protein expression patterns at both reproductive stages, namely UTF1 only, DAZL only and both UTF1 and DAZL. These protein molecules were not expressed in Sertoli and Leydig cells. In conclusion, a co-immunolabelling system with UTF1 and DAZL antibodies may be used to identify undifferentiated (UTF1 only), differentiating (UTF1 and DAZL), and differentiated spermatogonia (DAZL only) in donkey testes.
© 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2017-01-20 PubMed ID: 28109031DOI: 10.1111/rda.12889Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study investigated the patterns of expression of two markers – Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) and Deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) in the testes of donkeys, to understand their respective roles in undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia.
Objective of the Study
- The goal of the research was to analyse the expression patterns of two biomarkers, UTF1 and DAZL, in the testes of donkeys. These biomarkers are considered indicators for distinct stages of germ cells, key to examining the fate and functioning of these cells.
Methods Used
- The study used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to investigate expression patterns. This technique involves using antibodies to detect specific antigens in a sample of tissue.
- The researchers gathered testicular samples from routine field castrations of donkeys in Korea. These samples were used to determine the pre- or post-pubescent stages of the testes, based on the morphological characteristics of seminiferous tubule cross-sections.
Findings of the Research
- The study revealed that UTF1 was expressed in around 50% of spermatogonia during the pre-puberty stage, whereas its expression was confined to an earlier subset of spermatogonia in the post-puberty stage.
- DAZL was expressed in some of the spermatogonia in the pre-puberty stage, and its expression was also noted in both spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes during post-puberty.
- Co-immunolabeling of the germ cells with both UTF1 and DAZL unearthed three unique protein expression patterns – UTF1 only, DAZL only, and both UTF1 and DAZL, relevant during both reproductive stages.
- However, these protein markers were not expressed in Sertoli and Leydig cells, two other types of testicular cells.
Conclusion of the Study
- In conclusion, a combined immunolabeling system featuring UTF1 and DAZL antibodies could be used in identifying undifferentiated (with only UTF1), transitioning (with both UTF1 and DAZL), and mature spermatogonia (with only DAZL) in donkey’s testes. This is an important contribution to further studies about spermatogonia function and development.
Cite This Article
APA
Lee YS, Jung HJ, Yoon MJ.
(2017).
Undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) and deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) expression in the testes of donkeys.
Reprod Domest Anim, 52(2), 264-269.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12889 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Horse, Companion, and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.
- Department of Horse, Companion, and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomarkers / metabolism
- Equidae / physiology
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Male
- Nuclear Proteins / genetics
- Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
- Spermatogonia / metabolism
- Testis / physiology
- Trans-Activators / genetics
- Trans-Activators / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Raina K, Dey C, Thool M, Sudhagar S, Thummer RP. An Insight into the Role of UTF1 in Development, Stem Cells, and Cancer. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021 Aug;17(4):1280-1293.
- Choi Y, Jung Y, Kim S, Kim J, Jung H, Yoon M. Stage-Dependent Expression of Protein Gene Product 9.5 in Donkey Testes. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 20;10(11).
- Yuan Z, Luo J, Wang L, Li F, Li W, Yue X. Expression of DAZL Gene in Selected Tissues and Association of Its Polymorphisms with Testicular Size in Hu Sheep. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 23;10(4).
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