Development and morphogenesis of the Wolffian/epididymal duct, more twists and turns

Joseph, Avenel; Yao, Hisayuki; Hinton, Barry T.

doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.10.012

Cited by 85 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 71 publications

(78 reference statements)

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“…Both Hoxa10 and Hoxa11 show high expression in the uterus, with slight differences in their anterior expression boundaries. Development of the male reproductive tract from the Wolffian duct closely parallels the process in the female (Joseph et al, 2009). At E17 Hoxa10 is strongly expressed in the vas deferens, with an anterior boundary reaching to the future junction with the caudal epididymis (Podlasek et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Recombineering-based dissection of flanking and paralogous Hox gene functions in mouse reproductive tracts

et al. 2013

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SUMMARYHox genes are key regulators of development. In mammals, the study of these genes is greatly confounded by their large number, overlapping functions and interspersed shared enhancers. Here, we describe the use of a novel recombineering strategy to introduce simultaneous frameshift mutations into the flanking Hoxa9, Hoxa10 and Hoxa11 genes, as well as their paralogs on the HoxD cluster. The resulting Hoxa9,10,11 mutant mice displayed dramatic synergistic homeotic transformations of the reproductive tracts, with the uterus anteriorized towards oviduct and the vas deferens anteriorized towards epididymis. The Hoxa9,10,11 mutant mice also provided a genetic setting that allowed the discovery of Hoxd9,10,11 redundant reproductive tract patterning function. Both shared and distinct Hox functions were defined. Hoxd9,10,11 play a crucial role in the regulation of uterine immune function. Non-coding nonpolyadenylated RNAs were among the key Hox targets, with dramatic downregulation in mutants. We observed Hox cross-regulation of transcription and splicing. In addition, we observed a surprising anti-dogmatic apparent posteriorization of the uterine epithelium. In caudal regions of the uterus, the normal simple columnar epithelium flanking the lumen was replaced by a pseudostratified transitional epithelium, normally found near the more posterior cervix. These results identify novel molecular functions of Hox genes in the development of the male and female reproductive tracts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Recombineering-based dissection of flanking and paralogous Hox gene functions in mouse reproductive tracts

et al. 2013

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“…The intermediate mesoderm gives rise to two distinct organ systems within the urogenital tract: the metanephric kidneys, and the gonads and their associated duct structures (Saxen, 1987;Joseph et al, 2009). The intermediate mesoderm is specified, in part, by bone morphogenetic proteins (Dressler, 2009;Preger-Ben Noon et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The nephric duct contributes to formation of the epididymis and seminal vesicle (Dyche, 1979;Joseph et al, 2009). Mesonephric cells contribute to testicular androgen-producing Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells Merchant-Larios et al, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alk3 controls nephron number and androgen production via lineage-specific effects in intermediate mesoderm

et al. 2011

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SUMMARYThe mammalian kidney and male reproductive system are both derived from the intermediate mesoderm. The spatial and temporal expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2 and BMP4 and their cognate receptor, activin like kinase 3 (ALK3), suggests a functional role for BMP-ALK3 signaling during formation of intermediate mesoderm-derivative organs. Here, we define cell autonomous functions for Alk3 in the kidney and male gonad in mice with CRE-mediated Alk3 inactivation targeted to intermediate mesoderm progenitors (Alk3 IMP null ). Alk3-deficient mice exhibit simple renal hypoplasia characterized by decreases in both kidney size and nephron number but normal tissue architecture. These defects are preceded by a decreased contribution of Alk3-deleted cells to the metanephric blastema and reduced expression of Osr1 and SIX2, which mark nephron progenitor cells. Mutant mice are also characterized by defects in intermediate mesoderm-derived genital tissues with fewer mesonephric tubules and testicular Leydig cells, epithelial vacuolization in the postnatal corpus epididymis, and decreased serum testosterone levels and reduced fertility. Analysis of ALK3-dependent signaling effectors revealed lineage-specific reduction of phospho-p38 MAPK in metanephric mesenchyme and phospho-SMAD1/5/8 in the testis. Together, these results demonstrate a requirement for Alk3 in distinct progenitor cell populations derived from the intermediate mesoderm.

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“…Dev. 58: [353][354][355][356][357][358][359] 2012) T he mammalian epididymis plays an important role in preparing male germ cells for fertilization [1]. On the basis of histological and ultrastructural differences, the epididymis can be grossly divided into three regions including the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Changes in Morphology and Immunoreactivity of PDGF-A and its Receptor PDGFR-α in the Epididymis of Wild Ground Squirrels (<i>Citellus dauricus</i> Brandt)

Zhang

Sheng

Zhang

et al. 2012

Journal of Reproduction and Development

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Abstract. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) system is expressed and can exert its biological role in the male reproductive system including the maintenance of morphological structure and function of the epididymis. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the PDGF system and seasonal changes in morphology of the wild ground squirrel epididymis during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the epididymal morphology and histology. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect the immunoreactivities of PDGF-A and B and PDGFR-α. Significant seasonal changes in epididymal morphology were observed in the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The proportions of the three compartments (interstitial tissue, epithelium and lumen of the duct) revealed distinct variances. Strong immunostaining of PDGF-A was present in the myoid cell and on the sperm in the breeding season, whereas there was a faint signal in the myoid cell in the nonbreeding season. PDGFR-α was expressed in all cell types of the epithelium throughout the whole seasonal cycle, and immunostaining of PDGFR-α in the breeding season was significantly stronger compared with that of the nonbreeding season. PDGF-B was not detected in the epididymis of wild ground squirrels. These results suggested that seasonal morphological changes in epididymis were correlated with immunoreactivities of PDGF-A and its receptor PDGFR-α and that PDGF-A and PDGFR-α might function as paracrine, autocrine or apocrine factors in wild ground squirrels. Key words: Epididymis, Immunoreactivity, PDGF-A, PDGFR-Α, Wild ground squirrel (J. Reprod. Dev. 58: [353][354][355][356][357][358][359] 2012) T he mammalian epididymis plays an important role in preparing male germ cells for fertilization [1]. On the basis of histological and ultrastructural differences, the epididymis can be grossly divided into three regions including the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis. Each region of the epididymis has a different function: the caput and corpus carry out early and late sperm maturational events, respectively, while the cauda region primarily serves as a storage site for functionally mature spermatozoa [2]. As a main male accessory reproductive organ, the epididymis is highly responsive to androgen. Castration could induce a remarkable decrease in weight and function of the epididymis [3]. Besides, recent studies on the ERKO [4,5] and anti-estrogen [6,7] effects on male reproduction showed that estrogen also plays an important role in maintaining the function of the epididymis.It is now widely reported that a group of polypeptide growth factors play vital roles in mediating the androgen/estrogen-regulated process [8][9][10][11][12]. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of them. PDGFs are members of the PDGF/vascular endothelial growth factor (PDGF/VEGF) family, which comprises a series of 30-to 34-kd homodimers and heterodimers formed by a combination of 4 polypeptides, PDGF-A, B, C and D,...

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Development and morphogenesis of the Wolffian/epididymal duct, more twists and turns

Cited by 85 publications

References 71 publications

Recombineering-based dissection of flanking and paralogous Hox gene functions in mouse reproductive tracts

Recombineering-based dissection of flanking and paralogous Hox gene functions in mouse reproductive tracts

Alk3 controls nephron number and androgen production via lineage-specific effects in intermediate mesoderm

Seasonal Changes in Morphology and Immunoreactivity of PDGF-A and its Receptor PDGFR-α in the Epididymis of Wild Ground Squirrels (<i>Citellus dauricus</i> Brandt)

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