Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers dynamic roadmap and cell-cell communication during buffalo spermatogenesis

Liangfeng Huang; Junjun Zhang; Pengfei Zhang; Xingchen Huang; Weihan Yang; Runfeng Liu; Qinqiang Sun; Yangqing Lu; Ming Zhang; Qiang Fu

iScience (Jan 2023)

Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers dynamic roadmap and cell-cell communication during buffalo spermatogenesis

Liangfeng Huang,
Junjun Zhang,
Pengfei Zhang,
Xingchen Huang,
Weihan Yang,
Runfeng Liu,
Qinqiang Sun,
Yangqing Lu,
Ming Zhang,
Qiang Fu

Affiliations

Liangfeng Huang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Junjun Zhang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Pengfei Zhang: Institute of Medical and Health, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
Xingchen Huang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Weihan Yang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Runfeng Liu: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Qinqiang Sun: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Yangqing Lu: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Corresponding author
Ming Zhang: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Corresponding author
Qiang Fu: State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 26, no. 1
p. 105733

Abstract

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Summary: Spermatogenesis carries the task of precise intergenerational transmission of genetic information from the paternal genome and involves complex developmental processes regulated by the testicular microenvironment. Studies performed mainly in mouse models have established the theoretical basis for spermatogenesis, yet the wide interspecies differences preclude direct translation of the findings, and farm animal studies are progressing slowly. More than 32,000 cells from prepubertal (3-month-old) and pubertal (24-month-old) buffalo testes were analyzed by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and dynamic gene expression roadmaps of germ and somatic cell development were generated. In addition to identifying the dynamic processes of sequential cell fate transitions, the global cell-cell communication essential to maintain regular spermatogenesis in the buffalo testicular microenvironment was uncovered. The findings provide the theoretical basis for establishing buffalo germline stem cells in vitro or culturing organoids and facilitating the expansion of superior livestock breeding.

Published in iScience

ISSN: 2589-0042 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Science
Website: http://www.cell.com/iscience/home

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