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A GREB1-steroid receptor feedforward mechanism governs differential GREB1 action in endometrial function and endometriosis
The endometrium is activated by the pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone to facilitate embryo implantation, and errors in endometrial responsiveness can lead to reduced fertility or endometriosis. Here they show that GREB1 interacts with hormone receptors in the endometrium, leading to normal or pathological consequences depending on the hormones involved.
- Sangappa B. Chadchan
- , Pooja Popli
- & Ramakrishna Kommagani
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Multigenerational paternal obesity enhances the susceptibility to male subfertility in offspring via Wt1 N6-methyladenosine modification
The mechanisms through which multigenerational paternal obesity affects spermatogenesis in offspring remain poorly understood. Here, the authors show that it affects Wt1 m6A modifications, decreasing the fertility of offspring.
- Yong-Wei Xiong
- , Hua-Long Zhu
- & Hua Wang
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Article
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A common allele increases endometrial Wnt4 expression, with antagonistic implications for pregnancy, reproductive cancers, and endometriosis
Authors show that a common SNP upregulates endometrial Wnt4 expression and proimplantation genes in mouse proestrus and estrus. They suggest that this increases uterine permissiveness to embryo invasion, while decreasing resistance to invasion in reproductive cancers and endometriosis.
- Mihaela Pavličev
- , Caitlin E. McDonough-Goldstein
- & Louis Muglia
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The impact of reproductive factors on the metabolic profile of females from menarche to menopause
Here, the authors explore the relation between age at menarche, parity and age at natural menopause with 249 metabolic traits in over 65,000 UK Biobank to explore whether reproductive factors are likely to impact females’ metabolic profile later in life.
- Gemma L. Clayton
- , Maria Carolina Borges
- & Deborah A. Lawlor
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Molecular quantitative trait loci in reproductive tissues impact male fertility in cattle
Investigating the genetics of male fertility requires comprehensive genotype and phenotype data. Here, the authors characterize the transcriptional complexity of bovine male reproductive tissues to identify loci associated with male fertility.
- Xena Marie Mapel
- , Naveen Kumar Kadri
- & Hubert Pausch
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SEMA6A drives GnRH neuron-dependent puberty onset by tuning median eminence vascular permeability
Pubertal timing in mammals depends on the function of GnRH neurons that innervate the median eminence (ME) of the hypothalamus. Here, the authors show that Semaphorin 6A regulates GnRH innervation and puberty onset by tuning vascular permeability at the ME.
- Antonella Lettieri
- , Roberto Oleari
- & Anna Cariboni
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Deciphering a critical role of uterine epithelial SHP2 in parturition initiation at single cell resolution
The mechanism of parturition initiation remains elusive. Here, authors show that epithelium is an underestimated site for parturition initiation via epithelial PGF2a regulated by SHP2-COX1/COX2.
- Meng Liu
- , Mengjun Ji
- & Wenbo Deng
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Metabolic regulation of proteome stability via N-terminal acetylation controls male germline stem cell differentiation and reproduction
How cellular metabolism is connected to differentiation remains poorly understood. Here the authors report a regulatory cascade in which circulating citrate regulates sperm production by controlling protein stability via a specific protein post-translational modification.
- Charlotte M. François
- , Thomas Pihl
- & Bruno Hudry
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FSH and ApoE4 contribute to Alzheimer’s disease-like pathogenesis via C/EBPβ/δ-secretase in female mice
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has been shown to Alzheimer’s disease like pathology in rodent models. Here the authors show using cellular and animal models that ApoE4 and FSH collectively act to trigger AD-like pathogenesis, by activating C/EBPβ/δ-secretase signalling.
- Jing Xiong
- , Seong Su Kang
- & Keqiang Ye
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Control of intracellular pH and bicarbonate by CO2 diffusion into human sperm
Bicarbonate (HCO3−) is critical in sperm for stimulation of cAMP synthesis during fertilization, though there is dispute over how HCO3− is transported into sperm. Here the authors use limit-of-detection LC/MS to characterize sperm protein expression and show that HCO3− is produced from CO2 diffusion into sperm rather than active transport.
- Elena Grahn
- , Svenja V. Kaufmann
- & U.Benjamin Kaupp
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SYPL1 defines a vesicular pathway essential for sperm cytoplasmic droplet formation and male fertility
The cytoplasmic droplet is an elusive structure of mammalian sperm. Here, the authors uncover a key gene that defines a vesicular pathway essential for cytoplasmic droplet formation and male fertility.
- Jiali Liu
- , Louis Hermo
- & Chen Chen
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Article
| Open Access
TRIM28 modulates nuclear receptor signaling to regulate uterine function
This paper identifies Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28) as a novel modulator of steroid hormone signaling. TRIM28 deficiency disrupts uterine cell functions and composition leading to fertility defects
- Rong Li
- , Tianyuan Wang
- & Francesco J. DeMayo
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Article
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The role of mechano-regulated YAP/TAZ in erectile dysfunction
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) are used to treat erectile dysfunction, however, not all patients respond to PDE5i treatment. Here the authors report that YAP/TAZ activity contributes to erectile dysfunction and targeting YAP/TAZ improves erectile function in a PDE5i non-respondent rat model.
- Mintao Ji
- , Dongsheng Chen
- & Lei Chang
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Durable contraception in the female domestic cat using viral-vectored delivery of a feline anti-Müllerian hormone transgene
This study demonstrates the safety and long-term efficacy of a single-dose, injectable contraceptive in female domestic cats. Treated females remained contracepted for over two years, and did not ovulate or produce kittens when paired with males.
- Lindsey M. Vansandt
- , Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn
- & David Pépin
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CFP1 governs uterine epigenetic landscapes to intervene in progesterone responses for uterine physiology and suppression of endometriosis
Progesterone (P4) signalling is involved in physiological control of the endometrium and contributes to the pathogenesis of endometrial diseases such as endometriosis. Here the authors report that CFP1, a regulator of histone methylation, controls endometrial responses to P4 and lack of endometrial CFP1 leads to failure of embryo implantation and exacerbated experimental endometriosis in mice.
- Seung Chel Yang
- , Mira Park
- & Haengseok Song
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Article
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Development of allosteric and selective CDK2 inhibitors for contraception with negative cooperativity to cyclin binding
Despite the therapeutic interest in targeting CDK2, developing a selective CDK2 inhibitor has been challenging. Here, the authors describe a potent and selective CDK2 inhibitor that binds an allosteric pocket, preventing activating protein partners from binding and showing potential as a contraceptive.
- Erik B. Faber
- , Luxin Sun
- & Gunda I. Georg
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Dax1 modulates ERα-dependent hypothalamic estrogen sensing in female mice
Estrogen controls female fertility in part via restraining or promoting kisspeptin (Kiss1)-neuron activity in the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus and the AVPV hypothalamic nucleus, respectively. Here the authors report that estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) interacts with the genome and the nuclear receptor co-repressor NR0B1 (DAX1) to manifest region-specific actions on Kiss1 expression.
- Jose M. Ramos-Pittol
- , Isabel Fernandes-Freitas
- & Bryn M. Owen
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Male reproductive traits are differentially affected by dietary macronutrient balance but unrelated to adiposity
We know that nutrition and obesity can impact male fertility, but specific dietary guidelines for men trying to conceive don’t exist. Here the authors show that diet composition is likely more important than body fat in influencing reproductive traits and each macronutrient has different impacts.
- A. J. Crean
- , S. Afrin
- & T. Pini
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A small secreted protein NICOL regulates lumicrine-mediated sperm maturation and male fertility
Mammalian sperm need to be matured in the epididymis to achieve potential for fertility. Here the authors identify NICOL as a secreted protein that acts on the epididymis to trigger its functional differentiation and induce sperm maturation.
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- , Kentaro Shimada
- & Masahito Ikawa
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ARRDC5 expression is conserved in mammalian testes and required for normal sperm morphogenesis
Male organisms produce huge numbers of sperm each day, with defects in the process resulting infertility. Here they show that arrestin domain-containing 5 (ARRDC5) is a testis-specific molecule required for mammalian spermatogenesis.
- Mariana I. Giassetti
- , Deqiang Miao
- & Jon M. Oatley
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On-demand male contraception via acute inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase
Half of all pregnancies are unintended; thus, existing family planning options are inadequate. This proof-of-concept study validates an on-demand contraception strategy for men, showing high effectiveness in quickly and temporarily reducing male fertility in mice.
- Melanie Balbach
- , Thomas Rossetti
- & Lonny R. Levin
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Analysis of transcriptional changes in the immune system associated with pubertal development in a longitudinal cohort of children with asthma
Puberty is an important developmental period marked by hormonal, metabolic and immunological changes. Here the authors report gene expression changes in immune cells associated with age and puberty, and that may be relevant for sex differences in susceptibility to asthma, in a longitudinal cohort of 251 children with asthma.
- Justyna A. Resztak
- , Jane Choe
- & Francesca Luca
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Diverse monogenic subforms of human spermatogenic failure
The GEMINI consortium sequenced 1,000 cases of idiopathic male infertility and identified a plausible Mendelian cause in 20% of cases. The infertility genes can be grouped by expression pattern, facilitating their interpretation and follow-up.
- Liina Nagirnaja
- , Alexandra M. Lopes
- & Donald F. Conrad
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SOX17-positive rete testis epithelium is required for Sertoli valve formation and normal spermiogenesis in the male mouse
A valve-like structure called this Sertoli valve (SV) supports spermatogenesis by modulating the directional fluid flow in mouse testis. The SV formation is supported by its neighboring SOX17 + rete testis (RT). This study highlights the essential roles of RT and SV in spermatogenesis.
- Aya Uchida
- , Kenya Imaimatsu
- & Yoshiakira Kanai
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Microencapsulation and nanowarming enables vitrification cryopreservation of mouse preantral follicles
Vitrification of preantral follicles is a promising strategy for female fertility preservation, but requires high concentrations of toxic cryoprotectants. Here, the authors accomplish follicle vitrification with low cryoprotectants by taking advantage of microencapsulation and nanowarming.
- Conghui Tian
- , Lingxiao Shen
- & Gang Zhao
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Article
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Definition of the estrogen negative feedback pathway controlling the GnRH pulse generator in female mice
Estrogen secreted by the ovary controls how the brain drives pulsatile reproductive hormone secretion. The authors show that in mice, estrogen receptor alpha within a specific population of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons is the principal pathway through which estrogen brings about this classic negative feedback pathway common to all mammals.
- H. James McQuillan
- , Jenny Clarkson
- & Allan E. Herbison
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BNC1 deficiency-triggered ferroptosis through the NF2-YAP pathway induces primary ovarian insufficiency
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome of ovarian dysfunction that results in infertility. Here they show that BCN1 mutation results in premature ovarian follicle activation and atresia through dysregulation of ferroptosis.
- Feixia Wang
- , Yifeng Liu
- & Dan Zhang
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Article
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Exportin 4 depletion leads to nuclear accumulation of a subset of circular RNAs
This study identifies the evolutionarily conserved Exportin 4 as an essential regulator in the nuclear export of circRNAs. Defective circRNA export results in R-loop formation and DNA damage in cells, as well as testis and neurological defects in mice.
- Liang Chen
- , Yucong Wang
- & Ge Shan
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A Cryptochrome adopts distinct moon- and sunlight states and functions as sun- versus moonlight interpreter in monthly oscillator entrainment
Reproduction in numerous marine organisms is timed to specific moon phases, but the mechanisms for sensing moon phases are incompletely understood. Here the authors report that an ancient, light-sensitive protein L-Cryptochrome in a marine bristle worm can discriminate between sun- and moonlight, enabling the animals to properly decode moon phases.
- Birgit Poehn
- , Shruthi Krishnan
- & Kristin Tessmar-Raible
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Dicer ablation in Kiss1 neurons impairs puberty and fertility preferentially in female mice
Kiss1 neurons are essential for puberty and fertility. Here, the authors show that canonical microRNA biosynthesis in Kiss1 neurons plays an essential role in the control of puberty and fertility, especially in females, likely via repression of repressors on the Kiss1 gene.
- Juan Roa
- , Miguel Ruiz-Cruz
- & Manuel Tena-Sempere
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TRIM28-dependent SUMOylation protects the adult ovary from activation of the testicular pathway
Gonadal fate in mammals is determined during embryogenesis and is actively maintained in adulthood. This study shows that E3-SUMO ligase activity of TRIM28 is required for ovarian identity maintenance and testicular-specific gene repression in mouse adult ovary; in its absence, ovarian granulosa cells transdifferentiate to Sertoli cells.
- Moïra Rossitto
- , Stephanie Déjardin
- & Francis Poulat
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Article
| Open Access
Single-cell transcriptome atlas of the human corpus cavernosum
The corpus cavernosum is the most important structure for penile erection, and its dysfunction causes physiological and psychological problems. Here the authors perform single-cell RNA-sequencing on corpus cavernosum samples from males with normal erection and erectile dysfunction patients, providing insights into this pathology.
- LiangYu Zhao
- , Sha Han
- & Zheng Li
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| Open Access
Somatic cell fate maintenance in mouse fetal testes via autocrine/paracrine action of AMH and activin B
Fate determination and maintenance of foetal testes in most animals occurs cell autonomously. Here the authors show in mouse XY embryos that Sertoli cell derived AMH and activin B together maintain Sertoli cell identity, and lack of both AMH and activin B leads to transdifferentiation into female granulosa cells.
- Karina F. Rodriguez
- , Paula R. Brown
- & Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
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3D structure and in situ arrangements of CatSper channel in the sperm flagellum
Sperm motility and male fertility requires function of the CatSper calcium channels. Here, using cryo-electron tomography, authors visualize the native in-cell 3D structure and higher-order organization of the CatSper as long zigzag rows along the sperm tail.
- Yanhe Zhao
- , Huafeng Wang
- & Jean-Ju Chung
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| Open Access
DNA methylation in newborns conceived by assisted reproductive technology
Timing of assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedures coincides with extensive epigenetic remodeling early after conception. Here the authors identify 176 DNA methylation differences in cord blood of newborns conceived with ART. including genes related to growth, neurodevelopment, and cancer.
- Siri E. Håberg
- , Christian M. Page
- & Robert Lyle
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| Open Access
Functional antagonism between ΔNp63α and GCM1 regulates human trophoblast stemness and differentiation
Trophoblast stem cells can be derived from human blastocysts and first-trimester, but not term, cytotrophoblasts. Here the authors show that induction efficiency of cytotrophoblast is determined by antagonism between GCM1 and ΔNp63α and manipulating this antagonism facilitates derivation of TS cells from term placenta.
- Liang-Jie Wang
- , Chie-Pein Chen
- & Hungwen Chen
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CEP128 is involved in spermatogenesis in humans and mice
CEP128 is a centrosomal protein important for the organization of centriolar microtubules. Here, the authors show that a CEP128 variant observed in human male siblings causes reduced sperm counts and morphologically abnormal sperm when modeled in mice, suggesting a role for CEP128 in male fertility.
- Xueguang Zhang
- , Lingbo Wang
- & Ying Shen
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| Open Access
A microphysiological model of human trophoblast invasion during implantation
Normal and abnormal pregnancy is challenging to study and involves complex interactions between maternal and fetal cells. Here the authors present an implantation-on-a-chip device capable of modeling trophoblast invasion, a process critical to the establishment of pregnancy.
- Ju Young Park
- , Sneha Mani
- & Dan Dongeun Huh
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Article
| Open Access
Kastor and Polluks polypeptides encoded by a single gene locus cooperatively regulate VDAC and spermatogenesis
A number of testes-specific lncRNAs have been annotated but their roles remain largely unexplored. Here the authors identify two small peptides encoded by the lncRNA Gm9999, Kastor and Polluks, both of which are required for male fertility in mice.
- Shintaro Mise
- , Akinobu Matsumoto
- & Keiichi I. Nakayama
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| Open Access
Menin directs regionalized decidual transformation through epigenetically setting PTX3 to balance FGF and BMP signaling
The decidualization of endometrial stroma is critical for pregnancy maintenance. Here the authors reveal that Menin ensures the expression of PTX3 through H3K4me3 modification, to balance the BMP and FGF signal in the decidua for normal pregnancy.
- Mengying Liu
- , Wenbo Deng
- & Shuangbo Kong
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Article
| Open Access
Spatiotemporal dynamics of clonal selection and diversification in normal endometrial epithelium
Through regeneration, the endometrium accumulates somatic mutations that can lead to diseases like endometriosis and cancer. Here, the authors use genomics to analyse normal endometrial glands from different patient cohorts, detect rhizome structures with common clonal ancestors and infer clonal expansion dynamics.
- Manako Yamaguchi
- , Hirofumi Nakaoka
- & Takayuki Enomoto
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Article
| Open Access
Enhanced germline stem cell longevity in Drosophila diapause
Drosophila enter adult reproductive diapause in low temperatures and short day, halting ovarian development yet preserving fertility. Here the authors show that ovarian arrest in diapause is distinct from other stress responses and that despite DNA damage and decreased division, germline stem cells recover.
- Sreesankar Easwaran
- , Matthew Van Ligten
- & Denise J. Montell
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Article
| Open Access
Transcriptional changes in the mammary gland during lactation revealed by single cell sequencing of cells from human milk
Human mammary tissue remodelling that takes place during pregnancy and lactation remains poorly understood. Here the authors characterize cells in human milk, identifying epithelial cells resembling luminal progenitors and immune cells, contributing insights into this process.
- Alecia-Jane Twigger
- , Lisa K. Engelbrecht
- & Walid T. Khaled
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Article
| Open Access
Dynamic transcriptome and chromatin architecture in granulosa cells during chicken folliculogenesis
The domestic chicken Gallus gallus domesticus is a classic model for the study of folliculogenesis. Here the authors integrate multi-omics analyses characterizing the dynamic transcriptome and chromatin architecture in granulosa cells during chicken folliculogenesis.
- Diyan Li
- , Chunyou Ning
- & Mingzhou Li
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Article
| Open Access
An intergenerational androgenic mechanism of female intrasexual competition in the cooperatively breeding meerkat
‘In some mammals, matriarchal status can be conferred with androgens. Here, the authors identify effects of androgens that implicate androgen-mediated aggression in female sexual selection in meerkats and intergenerational transmission of masculinised phenotypes in the evolution of meerkat cooperative breeding.’
- Christine M. Drea
- , Charli S. Davies
- & Tim H. Clutton-Brock
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| Open Access
Maintenance of quiescent oocytes by noradrenergic signals
Kim et al. show noradrenergic signaling for stress responses such as flight and fight, also serves as a conserved signal for maintaining oocyte quiescence under unfavorable conditions in worms, flies, and fish.
- Jeongho Kim
- , Moonjung Hyun
- & Young-Jai You
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| Open Access
A blueprint of the topology and mechanics of the human ovary for next-generation bioengineering and diagnosis
Although the first dissection of the human ovary dates back to the 17th century, its characterization is still limited. Here, the authors have unraveled a unique biophysical and topological phenotype of reproductive-age tissue, bridging biophysics and female fertility and providing a blueprint for the artificial ovary.
- Emna Ouni
- , Alexis Peaucelle
- & Christiani A. Amorim
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| Open Access
Human MLH1/3 variants causing aneuploidy, pregnancy loss, and premature reproductive aging
Proper meiotic chromosome segregation requires mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MLH3, of which variants occur in the human population. Here, the authors use computational predictions and yeast assays to select human MLH1/3 variants for modelling in mice, observing reproductive defects from abnormal levels of crossing over.
- Priti Singh
- , Robert Fragoza
- & John C. Schimenti
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Article
| Open Access
The missing linker between SUN5 and PMFBP1 in sperm head-tail coupling apparatus
The sperm head-to-tail coupling apparatus ensures sperm head-tail integrity, but mechanistic insights remain limited. Here the authors demonstrate that CENTLEIN links and controls the interaction between SUN5 and PMFBP1, indicating that its impairments might be associated with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome.
- Ying Zhang
- , Chao Liu
- & Li Yuan
Mapping cell-to-tissue graphs across human placenta histology whole slide images using deep learning with HAPPY