Regulated Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Sustains Adult Spermatogenesis in Mice.

TitleRegulated Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Sustains Adult Spermatogenesis in Mice.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsKerr GE, Young JC, Horvay K, Abud HE, Loveland KL
JournalBiol Reprod
Date Published2013 Nov 20
ISSN1529-7268
Abstract

The importance of Wnt signaling for postnatal testis function has been previously studied in several mouse models, with chronic pathway disruption addressing its function in Sertoli cells and in post-meiotic germ cells. While chronic beta-catenin deletion in Sertoli cells does not profoundly affect testis development, new data indicate that Wnt signaling is required at multiple stages of spermatogenesis. We used two mouse models which allow acute disruption of Wnt signaling to explore the importance of regulated Wnt pathway activity for normal germ cell development in adult male mice. Short term induction of mutations in Adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) and beta-catenin (Ctnnbl), that increase and decrease Wnt signaling levels respectively, were generated in AhCre Apc(fl/fl) and AhCre Ctnnb1(fl/fl) mice. Each exhibited a distinct phenotype of disrupted spermatogenesis that was evident within 24 h and persisted for up to 4 days. Outcomes included germ cell apoptosis and rapid loss and altered blood testis barrier protein distribution and morphology. The functional significance of nuclear localized beta-catenin protein in spermatocytes and round spermatids, indicative of active Wnt signaling, was highlighted by the profound loss of post-mitotic germ cells in both models. Developmentally-regulated Wnt signaling mediators identified through transcriptional profiling of wild type and AhCre Ctnnb1(fl/fl) mouse testes, identified Wnt receptors (e.g. Fzd4) and ligands (e.g. Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt5b, Wnt7a and Wnt8b). This demonstration that Wnt signaling control is essential for adult spermatogenesis supports the growing understanding that its disruption may underpin certain cases of male infertility.

DOI10.1095/biolreprod.112.105809
Alternate JournalBiol. Reprod.
PubMed ID24258210