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Oxidative stress is major factor that can lead to spermatozoal defects and induce infertility. However, the specific antioxidant mechanisms in male germ cells have not yet been fully elucidated. In a new study this month, Huang, Yang, Pang and colleagues identify LanCL1, a protein abundantly expressed in the testis and brain, as a major antioxidant component, reduction of which is related to male sub/infertility. LanCL1-deficient mice display spermatozoal oxidative damage and subfertility, highlighting the role of LanCL1 in testicular homeostasis.
In this article, the authors identify LanCL1 as a major male germ cell-specific antioxidant gene. Using different mouse models, they show that LanCL1 deficiency results in spermatozoal oxidative damage and impaired male fertility, while LanCL1 transgene expression protects mice against high-fat-diet-induced oxidative damage and subfertility.