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ATP activation of peritubular cells drives testicular sperm transport
- Source :
- eLife, Vol 10 (2021), eLife, eLife 10, e62885 (2021). doi:10.7554/eLife.62885
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- eLife Sciences Publications Ltd, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Spermatogenesis, the complex process of male germ cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation, is the basis of male fertility. In the seminiferous tubules of the testes, spermatozoa are constantly generated from spermatogonial stem cells through a stereotyped sequence of mitotic and meiotic divisions. The basic physiological principles, however, that control both maturation and luminal transport of the still immotile spermatozoa within the seminiferous tubules remain poorly, if at all, defined. Here, we show that coordinated contractions of smooth muscle-like testicular peritubular cells provide the propulsive force for luminal sperm transport toward the rete testis. Using a mouse model for in vivo imaging, we describe and quantify spontaneous tubular contractions and show a causal relationship between peritubular Ca2+ waves and peristaltic transport. Moreover, we identify P2 receptor-dependent purinergic signaling pathways as physiological triggers of tubular contractions both in vitro and in vivo. When challenged with extracellular ATP, transport of luminal content inside the seminiferous tubules displays stage-dependent directionality. We thus suggest that paracrine purinergic signaling coordinates peristaltic recurrent contractions of the mouse seminiferous tubules to propel immotile spermatozoa to the rete testis.<br />eLife digest As sperm develop in the testis, the immature cells must make their way through a maze of small tubes known as seminiferous tubules. However, at this stage, the cells do not yet move the long tails that normally allow them to ‘swim’; it is therefore unclear how they are able to move through the tubules. Now, Fleck, Kenzler et al. have showed that, in mice, muscle-like cells within the walls of seminiferous tubules can create waves of contractions that push sperm along. Further experiments were then conducted on cells grown in the laboratory. This revealed that a signaling molecule called ATP orchestrates the moving process by activating a cascade of molecular events that result in contractions. Fleck, Kenzler et al. then harnessed an advanced microscopy technique to demonstrate that this mechanism occurs in living mice. Together, these results provide a better understanding of how sperm mature, which could potentially be relevant for both male infertility and birth control.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Male
P2 receptors
Mouse
Male germ cell proliferation
Male infertility
Mice
0302 clinical medicine
Adenosine Triphosphate
Rete testis
Testis
germ cell development
Biology (General)
Chemistry
General Neuroscience
General Medicine
Seminiferous Tubules
Purinergic signalling
Epididymis
Cell biology
On cells
medicine.anatomical_structure
Medicine
Research Article
Human
purinergic signaling
endocrine system
QH301-705.5
Science
Immature cells
Biology
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
03 medical and health sciences
Paracrine signalling
medicine
Animals
Humans
Process (anatomy)
Mitosis
General Immunology and Microbiology
urogenital system
Cell Biology
medicine.disease
Sperm
spermatogenesis
Sperm Transport
030104 developmental biology
male reproduction
ddc:600
Spermatogenesis
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Volume :
- 10
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- eLife
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....8c1c61fd3ae5cd5b510ab4740f6f07aa