Project description:Analysis of LBNF1 rat testes from controls, containing both somatic and all germ cell types and from irradiated rats in which all cells germ cells except type A spermatgogonia are eliminated. Results provide insight into distinguishing germ and somatic cell genes and identification of somatic cell genes that are upregulated after irradiation.
Project description:In order to establish a rat embryonic stem cell transcriptome, mRNA from rESC cell line DAc8, the first male germline competent rat ESC line to be described and the first to be used to generate a knockout rat model was characterized using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis.
Project description:Spermatogenesis requires the presence of functional somatic Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Sertoli cells provide support and factors necessary for the successful progression of germ cells into spermatozoa. Sertoli cells are regulated to a large degree by the glycoprotein hormone FSH, which is required for the testis to acquire full size and spermatogenic capacity. Signaling events initiated by the binding of FSH to its receptor lead to an alteration of Sertoli cell gene expression. To characterize the changes in gene expression in FSH-treated Sertoli cells, we used the mRNA from these cells to screen Affymetrix U34A rat GeneChip oligonucleotide microarrays. Sertoli cells from 20-d-old rats were cultured in the presence of 25 ng/ml ovine FSH. At 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after the addition of FSH, total RNA was purified and used to prepare biotinylated target, which was hybridized to the U34A rat microarray containing approximately 9000 rat genes. Analysis identified 100-300 transcripts at each time point that were up-regulated or down-regulated by 2-fold or greater. Genes previously reported to be FSH or cAMP regulated in rat Sertoli cells were identified, in addition to numerous genes not reported to be expressed or FSH regulated in Sertoli cells. The expression patterns of five of these genes, encoding nerve growth factor inducible gene B, PRL-1, PC3 nerve growth factor-inducible antiproliferative putative secreted protein, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and an expressed sequence tag, in FSH- and N,O'-dibutyryl cAMP-treated rat Sertoli cells were confirmed and characterized by Northern blot analysis. Thus, we have begun to define the transcriptome induced and repressed by FSH in rat Sertoli cells, and we have generated datasets of genes available for further analysis in regard to spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell signaling.
Project description:Few studies have assessed the patterns of parasite populations of rodents over a longitudinal gradient in Chile. In this work, the gastrointestinal helminthic fauna of invasive rodents in Chile was examined to assess the association between their presence/absence and abundance with latitude, host sex, and host body condition, and to assess the coexistence and correlation of the abundance between parasite species. Rodents were obtained from 20 localities between 33 and 43°S. Helminths were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract and identified morphologically. Overall, 13 helminth taxa were obtained. The most frequently identified parasite species was Heterakis spumosa, and the most abundant was Syphacia muris, while Physaloptera sp. was the most widely distributed. No locality presented with a coexistence that was different from that expected by chance, while the abundance of five helminthic species correlated with the abundance of another in at least one locality, most likely due to co-infection rather than interaction. Host sex was associated with parasite presence or abundance, and female sex-biased parasitism was notably observed in all cases. Body condition and latitude presented either a positive or negative association with the presence or abundance of parasites depending on the species. It is notable that the likely native Physaloptera sp. is widely distributed among invasive rodents. Further, gravid females were found, suggesting spillback of this species to the native fauna. The low frequency and abundance of highly zoonotic hymenolepid species suggest that rodents are of low concern regarding gastrointestinal zoonotic helminths.
Project description:Analysis of hormone effects on irradiated LBNF1 rat testes, which contain only somatic cells except for a few type A spermatgogonia. Rats were treated for 2 weeks with either sham treatment (group X), hormonal ablation (GnRH antagonist and the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide, group XAF), testosterone supplementation (GnRH antagonist and testosterone, group XAT), and FSH supplementation ((GnRH antagonist, androgen receptor antagonist, and FSH, group XAFF). Results provide insight into identifying genes in the somatic testis cells regulated by testosterone, LH, or FSH.