title: Molecular basis of spermatogenesis and sperm quality.
abstract: Spermatozoan quality can be evaluated in different ways, here we focus on the analysis of DNA, RNA and epigenetic status of germ cells. These characterizations also can be the bases for explaining sperm quality at other levels, so we will see how some of these molecules could affect other sperm quality markers. Moreover, we consider the possibility of using some of these molecules as predictors of sperm quality in terms of the ability to produce healthy offspring. The relevant effect of different types of RNA molecules in germ line specification and spermatogenesis and the importance of germ cell DNA integrity and a proper epigenetic pattern will be also discussed. Although most studies at this level have been performed in mammals, some information is available for fish; these recent discoveries in fish models are included. We provide a general overview on how these molecules could have a deep influence in the final sperm quality.
authors.affiliation: Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) Promontorio de San Martín s/n, Santander, Spain; INDEGSAL, University of León, León, Spain. Electronic address: robles.vanesa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.affiliation: INDEGSAL, University of León, León, Spain; Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: Paz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herráez
authors.affiliation: INRA, Fish Physiology and Genomics, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Labbé
authors.affiliation: CCMAR-Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cabrita
authors.affiliation: University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pšenička
authors.affiliation: INDEGSAL, University of León, León, Spain; Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Valcarce
authors.affiliation: CCMAR-Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marta F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Riesco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA; Epigenetics; Germ cells; Non-coding RNAs; Sperm quality; mRNAs