Molecular markers for the assessment of postnatal male germ cell development in the mouse

Hum Reprod. 2005 Jan;20(1):108-16. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh565. Epub 2004 Nov 11.

Abstract

Background: A proliferation marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a Sertoli cell specific transcription factor, GATA-1 and the male germ cell specific, RNA binding motif (RBM), were used to identify different cellular populations during postnatal development of the mouse testis.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) were used.

Results: PCNA was expressed in pre-Sertoli and germ cells on the day of birth. Both pre-meiotic germ cells and spermatocytes expressed RBM throughout postnatal development. RBM-positive cell counts and QRT-PCR of RBM showed that average level of RBM per cell is highest in juvenile males between 14 and 21 days. From 42 days onward, there was a dramatic decrease in RBM expression in individual pre-meiotic and meiotic germ cells.

Conclusions: These markers were used to correlate cell proliferative capability, gene expression profile and anatomic location within the developing mouse testis. The majority of germ cells start active proliferation once they have migrated to the basement membrane or immediately before. RBM is more highly expressed during the first wave of spermatogenesis versus subsequent waves, suggesting that there may be a change in the activity of RBM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / genetics
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / cytology
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / growth & development*
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor
  • Gata1 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Rbmy protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors