title: Gene expression in mouse spermatogenesis during ontogenesis.
abstract: In this study, we evaluated the expression of genes probably involved in spermatogenesis in the mouse. We examined cytosolic chaperonin theta subunit (CCTtheta), Ngg1 interacting factor 3 like 1 binding protein 1 (NIF3L1 BP1) and apolipoprotein H (ApoH) expression during mouse onto-geny using RT-PCR. Testicular tissue was obtained from mice 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20 and 40 (adult) days after birth. For each mouse, one testis was used for histological examination, whereas RNA was extracted from the controlateral testis for expression analysis. RT-PCR analysis showed that CCTtheta gene expression was low until day 10, but increased drastically afterwards. At this age, spermatocytes started to be present in the mouse testis. Therefore, CCT protein could be involved in chromatin packaging and remodeling during spermiogenesis, as also suggested by other studies. NIF3L1 BP1 expression increased steadily during ontogenesis reaching maximum levels in the adult mouse when all germ cell stages are present. This finding suggests that NIF3L1 BP1 is a gene not expressed by a specific germ cell type. ApoH expression was very low or absent during prepuberal stages, whereas it was detectable in the adult testis when spermatogenesis was completed. This suggests that ApoH may be involved in clearing apoptotic bodies during spermatogenesis since apoptotic events increase during spermatogenesis. This study contributes to understanding the role played by genes important for spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine and Master in Andrological and Human Reproduction Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Franca Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Pezzino
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Litrico
authors.forename: Maria Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Garofalo
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicotra
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libra
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castrogiovanni
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Imbesi
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Averna
authors.forename: Santo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanfilippo
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Agata
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Aldo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calogero
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Travali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056404:Chaperonin Containing TCP-1; D018833:Chaperonins / Q000235:genetics; D056970:Co-Repressor Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I
chemical_list: D056970:Co-Repressor Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; C486006:Nif3l1 protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C533315:Tcp1 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D053482:beta 2-Glycoprotein I; D056404:Chaperonin Containing TCP-1; D018833:Chaperonins