Effects of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) knockdown on porcine testis morphology and spermatogenesis

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFB) superfamily that plays an essential role in mammalian ovary development, oocyte maturation and litter size. However, little is known regarding the expression pattern and biological function of BMP15 in male gonads. In this study we established, for the first time, a transgenic pig model with BMP15 constitutively knocked down by short hairpin (sh) RNA. The transgenic boars were fertile, but sperm viability was decreased. Further analysis of the TGFB/SMAD pathway and markers of reproductive capacity, namely androgen receptor and protamine 2, failed to identify any differentially expressed genes. These results indicate that, in the pig, the biological function of BMP15 in the development of male gonads is not as crucial as in ovary development. However, the role of BMP15 in sperm viability requires further investigation. This study provides new insights into the role of BMP15 in male pig reproduction.

Transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes between uterus and ovary in Xiangxi cattle

“…GPCRs has been reported a family of receptors characterized by the presence of different signaling pathway activation and known for formation of cross-talking aggregates (Szymańska et al, 2018). Moreover, bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) has been reported as a member of superfamily known as the transforming growth factor-β (TGFB) superfamily that significantly take part in mammalian's ovary development, maturation of oocyte and litter size (Tang et al, 2020).…”