title: Cellular evidence for nano-scale exosome secretion and interactions with spermatozoa in the epididymis of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis.
abstract: The epididymis is the location of sperm maturation and sperm storage. Recent studies have shown that nano-scale exosomes play a vital role during these complicated processes. Our aim was to analyze the secretory properties of epididymal exosomes and their ultrastructural interaction with maturing spermatozoa in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. The exosome marker CD63 was primarily localized to the apices of principal cells throughout the epididymal epithelium. Identification of nano-scale exosomes and their secretory processes were further investigated via transmission electron microscopy. The epithelium secreted epididymal exosomes (50~300 nm in diameter) through apocrine secretion and the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway. Spermatozoa absorbed epididymal exosomes through endocytosis or membrane fusion pathways. This study shows, for the first time, that nano-scale exosomes use two secretion and two absorption pathways in the reptile, which may be contribute to long-term sperm storage.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoya
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Yufei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Tengfei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Quanfu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Lisi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Waqas
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Nisar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Qiusheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D060149:Tetraspanin 30 / Q000378:metabolism; D014426:Turtles / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D060149:Tetraspanin 30
keywords: Chinese soft-shelled turtle; Pathology Section; epididymis; interaction; nano-scale exosomes; spermatozoa