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Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 10291

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Interests: cell cycle; spermatogenesis; kinesin; testis; motor protein; cytoskeleton

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sperm provides the zygote with genetic material from the father and is essential for reproduction. Throughout biological evolution, spermatogenesis has been a precise and conserved process which occurs in the male testis but is regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The blood–testis barrier, as the histological barrier of the testis, prevents the stimulation of spermatogenesis and ensures the process runs smoothly. A variety of signaling molecules are involved in various stages of and at different points in spermatogenesis, and studying its related functions may provide us with a new therapeutic direction for male reproductive diseases. However, at present, more and more environmental factors impair this process, impeding spermatogenesis and as a result decreasing male fertility rates.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to summarize and expand on the molecular mechanisms that ensure successful spermatogenesis and to explore the key processes in male reproduction, providing an effective platform on which new insights into male reproductive diseases to be described.

We welcome submissions of original research articles and comprehensive reviews.

The specific topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The role of hormone regulation in spermatogenesis;
  • How somatic cells maintain spermatogenesis in the testis;
  • The maintenance mechanism ensuring the integrity of the blood–testis barrier and its role in spermatogenesis;
  • The multiple signaling pathways that synergistically regulate spermatogenesis;
  • New discoveries of molecules involved in spermatogenesis and fertility;
  • How cell fate is involved in spermatogenesis (e.g. cell self-renewal and repair, apoptosis, proliferation, autophagy, etc.);
  • Molecular mechanisms that disrupt spermatogenesis via environmental toxicology and stimulation.

Prof. Dr. Wanxi Yang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • male reproduction
  • hormone regulation
  • blood–testis barrier
  • male reproductive diseases
  • male infertility

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 8689 KiB  
Article
Impact of Ultraviolet C Radiation on Male Fertility in Rats: Suppression of Autophagy, Stimulation of Gonadotropin-Inhibiting Hormone, and Alteration of miRNAs
by Ahmed Mohamed Alahwany, Ahmed Hamed Arisha, Adel Abdelkhalek, Tarek Khamis, Taku Miyasho and Doaa Kirat
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010316 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3088
Abstract
While ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation has beneficial applications, it can also pose risks to living organisms. Nevertheless, a detailed assessment of UVC radiation’s effects on mammalian male reproductive physiology, including the underlying mechanisms and potential protective strategies, has not yet been accomplished. This [...] Read more.
While ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation has beneficial applications, it can also pose risks to living organisms. Nevertheless, a detailed assessment of UVC radiation’s effects on mammalian male reproductive physiology, including the underlying mechanisms and potential protective strategies, has not yet been accomplished. This study aimed to examine the critical roles of oxidative stress, autophagy, reproductive hormonal axis, and microRNAs in UVC-induced reproductive challenges in male rats. Semen, biochemical, molecular, and in silico analyses revealed significant dysregulation of testicular steroidogenesis, impaired spermatogenesis, deteriorated sperm quality, and altered reproductive hormonal profiles, which ultimately lead to a decline in fertility in male rats exposed to UVC radiation. Our data indicated that the suppression of autophagy, stimulation of gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone (GnIH), and alteration of microRNAs serve as key mediators of UVC-induced stress effects in mammalian reproduction, potentially contributing to male infertility. Targeting these pathways, particularly through pretreatment with hesperidin (HES), offers a promising strategy to counteract UVC-induced male infertility. In conclusion, the present findings emphasize the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms behind UVC-induced male infertility and offer valuable insights into the protective mechanisms and prospective role of HES in safeguarding male reproductive health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility)
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23 pages, 5912 KiB  
Article
Functional Study of PTSMAD4 in the Spermatogenesis of the Swimming Crab Portunus trituberculatus
by Yu Zhang, Qiu-Meng Xiang, Chang-Kao Mu, Chun-Lin Wang and Cong-Cong Hou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 13126; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252313126 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 828
Abstract
Portunus trituberculatus holds significant economic value. The spermatogenesis is regulated by numerous signaling pathways. Among them, the TGF-β signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of testes and spermatogenesis. Smad4 is a Co-Smad protein that forms a complex with R-Smad to [...] Read more.
Portunus trituberculatus holds significant economic value. The spermatogenesis is regulated by numerous signaling pathways. Among them, the TGF-β signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of testes and spermatogenesis. Smad4 is a Co-Smad protein that forms a complex with R-Smad to regulate the expression of target genes. The sperm structure in crustaceans differs greatly from that in mammals, with mature sperm lacking tails. Our previous studies have reported the function of R-Smad in the spermatogenesis of P. trituberculatus. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of PTSMAD4; immunofluorescence technology revealed that PTSMAD4 is expressed throughout all stages of spermatogenesis. We knocked down the expression of PTSMAD4 in P. trituberculatus using RNAi technology, and the immunofluorescence results show abnormal co-localization and weakened signals of PTSMAD4 and PTSMAD2. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing results enriched functional genes and pathways related to spermatogenesis. This study indicates that PTSMAD4 may participate in the spermatogenesis process through its involvement in signal transduction. This research not only lays the foundation for further study of the function of the TGF-β signaling pathway in spermatogenesis but also provides a theoretical basis for further investigation of the spermatogenesis mechanism in crustaceans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility)
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16 pages, 3869 KiB  
Article
Sperm-Borne Mitochondrial Activity Influenced by Season and Age of Holstein Bulls
by Khurshaid Anwar, Georg Thaller and Mohammed Saeed-Zidane
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 13064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252313064 - 5 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1145
Abstract
Sperm mitochondria are vital organelles for energy production and pre- and post-fertilization sperm functions. The potential influence of the age of the bull and season on the sperm-borne mitochondrial copy number and the transcription activity has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the expression [...] Read more.
Sperm mitochondria are vital organelles for energy production and pre- and post-fertilization sperm functions. The potential influence of the age of the bull and season on the sperm-borne mitochondrial copy number and the transcription activity has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the expression patterns of all protein-coding mitochondrial genes were identified throughout the year along with mitochondrial copy numbers in young and old bulls’ spermatozoa. For that, high-quality semen samples (n = 32) with more than 80% quality for the morphological parameters, from young (n = 4, aged 18–24 months old) and old (n = 4, aged 40–54 months old) Holstein bulls, were collected during the four seasons (n = 4 samples each animal/season). The DNA and RNA were isolated from sperm cells and subjected to the DNA copy number and expression analyses using qPCR. Furthermore, an in silico analysis using gene ontology online tools for the abundantly expressed genes was utilized. The data were statistically analyzed using Prism10 software. There was a significant reduction in the mitochondria copy number of young bulls’ spermatozoa compared to their old counterparts during the summer (29 ± 3 vs. 51 ± 6, p < 0.001) and winter (27 ± 3 vs. 43 ± 7, p < 0.01) seasons. However, sperm-borne mitochondrial protein-coding genes were transcriptionally higher in young bulls throughout the year. Within the same group of bulls, unlike the old bulls, there was a significant (p < 0.05) induction in the transcription activity accompanied by a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the mitochondrial copy numbers in the summer (29 ± 3) and winter (27 ± 3) compared to the spring (42 ± 9) and autumn (36 ± 5) seasons in young bulls. Additionally, the pathway enrichment of the top six expressed genes differed between age groups and seasons. In conclusion, under the same quality of semen, the early stages of age are associated with mitochondrial biogenesis and transcription activity dysregulation in a season-dependent manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility)
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29 pages, 19432 KiB  
Article
ERK/CREB and p38 MAPK/MMP14 Signaling Pathway Influences Spermatogenesis through Regulating the Expression of Junctional Proteins in Eriocheir sinensis Testis
by Hong-Yu Qi, Zhan Zhao, Bang-Hong Wei, Zhen-Fang Li, Fu-Qing Tan and Wan-Xi Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7361; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137361 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1553
Abstract
The hemolymph–testis barrier (HTB) is a reproduction barrier in Crustacea, guaranteeing the safe and smooth process of spermatogenesis, which is similar to the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in mammals. The MAPK signaling pathway plays an essential role in spermatogenesis and maintenance of the BTB. [...] Read more.
The hemolymph–testis barrier (HTB) is a reproduction barrier in Crustacea, guaranteeing the safe and smooth process of spermatogenesis, which is similar to the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in mammals. The MAPK signaling pathway plays an essential role in spermatogenesis and maintenance of the BTB. However, only a few studies have focused on the influence of MAPK on crustacean reproduction. In the present study, we knocked down and inhibited MAPK in Eriocheir sinensis. Increased defects in spermatogenesis were observed, concurrently with a damaged HTB. Further research revealed that es-MMP14 functions downstream of ERK and p38 MAPK and degrades junctional proteins (Pinin and ZO-1); es-CREB functions in the ERK cascade as a transcription factor of ZO-1. In addition, when es-MMP14 and es-CREB were deleted, the defects in HTB and spermatogenesis aligned with abnormalities in the MAPK. However, JNK impacts the integrity of the HTB by changing the distribution of intercellular junctions. In summary, the MAPK signaling pathway maintains HTB integrity and spermatogenesis through es-MMP14 and es-CREB, which provides insights into the evolution of gene function during barrier evolution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility)
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Review

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22 pages, 5926 KiB  
Review
Structure and Composition of Spermatozoa Fibrous Sheath in Diverse Groups of Metazoa
by Ekaterina A. Guseva, Vitaly S. Buev, Sabina E. Mirzaeva, Philipp I. Pletnev, Olga A. Dontsova and Petr V. Sergiev
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7663; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147663 - 12 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2568
Abstract
The proper functioning and assembly of the sperm flagella structures contribute significantly to spermatozoa motility and overall male fertility. However, the fine mechanisms of assembly steps are poorly studied due to the high diversity of cell types, low solubility of the corresponding protein [...] Read more.
The proper functioning and assembly of the sperm flagella structures contribute significantly to spermatozoa motility and overall male fertility. However, the fine mechanisms of assembly steps are poorly studied due to the high diversity of cell types, low solubility of the corresponding protein structures, and high tissue and cell specificity. One of the open questions for investigation is the attachment of longitudinal columns to the doublets 3 and 8 of axonemal microtubules through the outer dense fibers. A number of mutations affecting the assembly of flagella in model organisms are known. Additionally, evolutionary genomics data and comparative analysis of flagella morphology are available for a set of non-model species. This review is devoted to the analysis of diverse ultrastructures of sperm flagellum of Metazoa combined with an overview of the evolutionary distribution and function of the mammalian fibrous sheath proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Spermatogenesis and Male Infertility)
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