2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
The role of relaxin-like factor (RLF)/insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) as germ cell anti-apoptotic and maturation factor on boar sperm production
| Project/Area Number |
15K07691
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Animal production science
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| Research Institution | Shizuoka University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Research Collaborator |
SASADA Hiroshi
SHIBATA Masatoshi
TERADA Kei
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| Project Period (FY) |
2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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| Keywords | リラキシン / RLF / INSL3 / Passive immunization / Active immunization / Sperm production / Germ cell apoptosis |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
This study was to produce model pigs neutralized endogenous RLF by immunization with RLF/INSL3 antibody and to investigate the mechanism of its action as germ cell anti-apoptotic and maturation factor. First, RLF inactivation resulted in a 4-fould increase in the frequency of apoptotic germ cells. Second, inactivation led to upregulation of the pro-apoptotic BAX and downregulation of the anti-apoptotic BCL2, and in turn activated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway with induction of CASP3. Third, neutralization affected the development of epididymal muscle layer. Finally, inactivation had no effect on semen volume; however, it caused a significant reduction in sperm motility, concentration and quality compared with control. These results revealed that the RLF/INSL3 inactivation (neutralization) increases germ cell apoptosis and decreases in semen quality and sperm output, suggesting that RLF/INSL3 acts as an germ cell anti-apoptotic and maturation factor of sperm production.
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| Free Research Field |
動物生殖生理学
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