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
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.
