Elucidation of maturation in Sertoli cell and establishment of evaluation for bovine spermatogenesis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06414
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: Kitahara Go 宮崎大学, 農学部, 准教授 (90523415)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 村瀬 哲磨 岐阜大学, 応用生物科学部, 教授 (30303514) ; 大澤 健司 宮崎大学, 農学部, 教授 (90302059)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 雄ウシ / 精巣 / セルトリ細胞 / アンドロジェン受容体 / LH受容体遺伝子 / テストステロン / 抗ミューラー管ホルモン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Semen cannot be collected from bulls before puberty, and it is necessary to evaluate spermatogenesis with materials other than semen. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether Sertoli cell maturation and spermatogenesis could be evaluated from the dynamics of receptors or genes expression in testicular tissue, and peripheral blood sex hormones, and the results were validated in a model bull with poor testicular development.
The results revealed that the dynamics of androgen receptor expression in Sertoli cells, LH receptor gene expression in testicular tissue, and T levels in peripheral blood may be useful as the indicators in bull before puberty. It was also verified that T levels in peripheral blood can be evaluated for abnormalities in the models.

Free Research Field

獣医繁殖学分野

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題は、春機発動前の雄ウシにおけるセルトリ細胞の成熟メカニズムを明らかにすることで、関与する遺伝子群及び性ホルモンを指標とした精子形成の評価の樹立に寄与できる。精液を採取できない時期（春機発動前）や精巣組織を採取しなくても、精子形成を客観的に評価できるようになり、
また、雄ウシの造成にあたり将来性を考慮した新たな選抜基準も提案でき、雄ウシの繁殖障害の診断や治療の発展に繋がる。そのことで、国内外での雄ウシの造成や供用を効率化し、畜産振興に寄与できる。