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PloS one2014; 9(10); e108825; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108825

UTF1, a putative marker for spermatogonial stem cells in stallions.

Abstract: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) continuously undergo self-renewal and differentiation to sustain spermatogenesis throughout adulthood in males. In stallions, SSCs may be used for the production of progeny from geldings after cryopreservation and therapy for infertile and subfertile stallions. Undifferentiated cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) is a putative marker for undifferentiated spermatogonia in humans and rats. The main purposes of this study are to determine the following: 1) changes in the expression pattern of UTF1 at various reproductive stages of stallions, 2) subpopulations of spermatogonia that express UTF1. Testicular samples were collected and categorized based on the age of the horses as follows: pre-pubertal (<1 yr), pubertal (1-1.5 yr), post-pubertal (2-3 yr), and adult (4-8 yr). Western blot analysis was utilized to determine the cross-activity of the UTF1 antibody to horse testes tissues. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to investigate the UTF1 expression pattern in germ cells at different reproductive stages. Whole mount staining was applied to determine the subpopulation of UTF1-positive spermatogonia. Immunohistological analysis showed that most germ cells in the pre-pubertal and pubertal stages were immunolabeled with UTF1, whereas only a few germ cells in the basal compartment of the seminiferous tubule cross-sections of post-pubertal and adult tissues were UTF1-positive. No staining was observed in the Sertoli or Leydig cells at any reproductive stages. Whole mount staining showed that A(s), A(pr), and chains of 4, 8, 16 A(al) spermatogonia were immunolabeled with UTF1 in the post-pubertal stallion tubule. Isolated single germ cells were also immunolabeled with UTF1. In conclusion, UTF1 is expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia, and its antibody can be used as a putative marker for SSCs in stallions.
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Publication Date: 2014-10-01 PubMed ID: 25272017PubMed Central: PMC4182753DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108825Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the exploration of Undifferentiated cell transcription factor 1 (UTF1) as a possible indicator for identifying spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in stallions. The scientists have conducted a series of tests at different reproductive stages of the stallions to determine the changes in the expression pattern of UTF1 and the subpopulations of spermatogonia that express UTF1.

Objectives of the Study

  • The research primarily aimed to explore the changing expression pattern of UTF1 during various reproductive stages of stallions.
  • Another important objective was to identify the subpopulations of spermatogonia which express UTF1. Spermatogonia are the immature sperm cells necessary for reproduction.

Methodology

  • Testicular samples from horses were collected and divided into four categories based on the horse’s age: pre-pubertal, pubertal, post-pubertal, and adult.
  • These samples underwent Western Blot Analysis to evaluate the cross-reaction of the UTF1 antibody with horse testes tissues. This technique helps in identifying and quantifying proteins.
  • Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression pattern of UTF1 in germ cells at different reproductive stages. This process involves the use of antibodies to detect the presence of specific proteins.
  • Whole mount staining was executed to determine the subpopulation of UTF1-positive spermatogonia. This method involves staining an entire structure for microscopic examination.

Results

  • The immunohistochemical analysis exhibited that UTF1 was abundant in most germ cells during the pre-pubertal and pubertal stages. However, in the post-pubertal and adult stages, only a few germ cells in the basal compartment of the seminiferous tubules were UTF1-positive.
  • UTF1 was not present in the Sertoli or Leydig cells at any reproductive stages. Sertoli and Leydig cells are essential for sperm production and hormonal regulation.
  • Single germ cells and chains of A(s), A(pr), and 4, 8, 16 A(al) spermatogonia in the post-pubertal stage stallion tubule were indicated to be UTF1-positive through whole mount staining.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that UTF1 is expressed in undifferentiated spermatogonia in stallions. Thus, the antibody to this protein could potentially serve as a marker for identifying SSCs in stallions.
  • This research may contribute significantly to the field of equine reproduction, especially in the cryopreservation of SSCs and treatment of infertile and subfertile stallions.

Cite This Article

APA
Jung H, Roser JF, Yoon M. (2014). UTF1, a putative marker for spermatogonial stem cells in stallions. PLoS One, 9(10), e108825. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108825

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: e108825
PII: e108825

Researcher Affiliations

Jung, Heejun
  • Department of Animal and Biotechnology Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.
Roser, Janet F
  • Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America.
Yoon, Minjung
  • Department of Animal and Biotechnology Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea; Department of Horse, Companion and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology
  • Spermatogonia / cytology
  • Spermatogonia / metabolism
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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