Study on the region-specific expression of epididymis mRNA in the rams

Abstract

The epididymis is divided into three regions including the caput, corpus and cauda. Gene expression profiles in different regions indicate the different functions of epididymis which are crucial for sperm maturation. In this study, three one-year-old rams was used as the experimental animal. Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to sequence mRNA in the caput, corpus and cauda of the epididymis. Based on the spatiotemporal-specific expression pattern in the epididymis, the mRNA expression profiles of the three parts of the epididymis were analysed. Region-specifically expressed genes were analysed by GO and KEGG analyses to screen the key genes involved in sheep sperm maturation. We obtained 129, 54 and 99 specifically expressed genes in the caput, corpus and cauda, respectively. And twenty specific expressed genes related to sperm maturation were used to construct functional networks. The heatmap showed that 6 genes of LCN protein family were highly expressed in the head of epididymis of sheep. We infer that sperm maturation is gradual in the epididymis and that there are significant differences in epididymal gene expression patterns between different species. This provides a data resource for analysing the regulatory mechanism of epididymis genes related to sperm maturation in rams.

Integrative Analysis of Small RNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Identifies Signatures Associated With Chronic Epididymitis

“…Regarding the overall miRNA profile and transcriptome, our UMAP and PCA plot demonstrated that caput samples cluster together, regardless of the inflammatory or physiological condition, while corpus and cauda samples were grouped into separate clusters ( Figures 1A, B , 4B ). This result was consistent with previous studies for mRNA profile and miRNA across epididymis, indicating that tissue heterogeneity was the main source of sample differences in the epididymis and should be considered thoroughly before analysis ( 7 , 24 , 25 ). We have compared the transcriptome and miRNA profile between CE and the controls after elimination of tissue specificity and produced totally different DEGs and DEMs.…”

RNA‐Seq reveals the functional specificity of epididymal caput, corpus, and cauda genes of cattleyak

“…In the process of epididymal maturation, sperms interact with proteins in microenvironment to acquire motility and fertility potential (Holt et al, 2016). It has always been widely acknowledged that variations in sperm maturation in the different segments are mostly driven by interactions with regulatory proteins, signaling molecules, transporters, and receptors that help in the establishment of distinct microenvironment (Wu et al, 2021). Sperm maturation is an androgen‐dependent process, and its alteration affects motility (Robaire et al, 2006).…”

Morphology of the epididymal duct of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

“…These extrude extracellular “blebs” containing small membrane‐enveloped extracellular vesicles that are released as epididymis‐specific exosomes, so‐called epididymosomes (Coccucci & Meldolesi, 2015; Cornwall, 2009; James et al, 2020; Nixon et al, 2019; Sullivan & Saez, 2013). The functional significance of the epididymosomes is not fully understood (Cornwall, 2009; Hermo & Jacks, 2002; Hughes & Berger, 2015; Sullivan, 2015) and they are currently under intensive investigation (Nixon et al, 2019; Rodriguez‐Martinez et al, 2021; Tamessar et al, 2021; Wu et al, 2021).…”

“…They hypothesized a local dilation of the duct lumen at that site and the present study was conducted in part to confirm this assumption. Available information on the porcine epididymal duct is either limited to selected sites (Briz et al, 1993; Wrobel & Fallenbacher, 1974b) or focused on specific aspects, such as prenatal development, ultrastructure, blood supply, genomics or proteomics (Branscheid et al, 1988; Briz et al, 1993; Calvo et al, 2000; Dacheux et al, 2005, 2012; Domeniconi et al, 2016; Elfgen et al, 2018; Guyonnet et al, 2009; Stoffel & Friess, 1994; Stoffel et al, 1990; Syntin et al, 1996; Wu et al, 2021; Wystub et al, 1988a, 1988b). A concise description of the morphology of the complete duct, however, is lacking.…”