Project description:Male fertility and testis function changes with age and so it was sought to determine if these changes are accompanied by changes in gene expression. A full genome microarray was used to determine if distinct pathways of genes were altered in expression in germ cells (pachytene spermatocytes or round spermatids) with age. PACH: Testes from young (4 months) and aged (18 months) Brown Norway rats were subjected to a density gradient cell separation to isolate pachytene spermatocytes. RNA was isolated from these cells for hybridization on affymetrix miroarrays. ROU: Testes from young (4 months) and aged (18 months) Brown Norway rats were subjected to a density gradient cell separation to isolate round spermatids. RNA was isolated from these cells for hybridization on affymetrix miroarrays.
Project description:To further understand the effects of chronic cyclophosphamide treatment on spermatogenesis, we used whole genome microarrays to identify differentially expressed genes in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids from treated and control male rats. Pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids from rats treated chronically with cyclophosphamide were isolated and profiled for changes in gene expression.
Project description:To investigate the gene expression changes observed with aging in round spermatids from Brown Norway rats. We then performed gene expression analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of round spermatids at two time points.
Project description:Microarray analysis of purified pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Each stage was examined in wild type and RNF8 knockout mice in two biological replicates. We performed microarray analysis using Affymetrix Gene 1.0 ST Arrays with purified pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids were enriched from 3 to 4 males from the WT or Rnf8-KO via BSA gravity sedimentation according to the previous publication [PMID 8231890] and >95% (PS, RS) enrichments were verified after DAPI staining under a fluorescent microscope. For microarray analysis, total RNAs from purified pachytene spermatocytes or round spermatids were examined.
Project description:Although numerous miRNAs have been identified in the testis, their roles in regulating the highly specific events that occur in the different germ cell types throughout spermatogenesis remain largely unknown. Furthermore, whether male germ cell miRNA expression is altered in response to or as a consequence of exposure to a toxic agent is unknown. Here we examine miRNA expression profiles in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids obtained from control rats and from rats treated with a chronic low dose of cyclophosphamide, a male germ cell toxicant. We observed that pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids display vastly different miRNA expression profiles, reflecting their different developmental stages and possibly influencing the cellular response to toxic insult. Chronic low dose cyclophosphamide treatment altered the miRNA profiles in both pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Target prediction analyses revealed that miRNAs altered by cyclophosphamide treatment may be involved in the response to cellular stress and damage. However, many are also involved in processes that are crucial for proper germ cell development. This study suggests that pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids display distinct miRNA profiles that can be altered by cyclophosphamide treatment. The observed changes may be part of a response and repair mechanism to cyclophosphamide-induced damage or a dysregulation that disrupts normal germ cell development.
Project description:To further understand the effects of chronic cyclophosphamide treatment on spermatogenesis, we used whole genome microarrays to identify differentially expressed genes in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids from treated and control male rats.
Project description:Microarray analysis of purified pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Each stage was examined in wild type and RNF8 knockout mice in two biological replicates.