Male infertility affects 5-10% of the population. A major factor associated with male infertility is Y chromosome deletions, yet our understanding of the requirement for specific genes on the Y chromosome and of their roles in sperm production/function is still poor. Y chromosome genes may provide essential spermatogenic functions or just potentiate the spermatogenic process. Our long-term goal is to define the function of Y chromosome encoded genes in mice in a context of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) as a way to model human Y- linked infertility cases. We have established that only two Y chromosome genes, testis determinant gene Sry and spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y are required for production of male gametes capable of participating in assisted fertilization. In Preliminary Data we show that males with a Y complement limited to Sry and Eif2s3y have spermatogenesis arrest and do not produce mature sperm. The precursor haploid germ cells (spermatids) are rare and often abnormal. Nevertheless, with round spermatid injection (ROSI) we succeeded in producing viable, healthy, and fertile progeny. This offers a promise to men with extensive Y gene loss and resulting azoospermia. Here, our specific goal is to define whether ART can be achieved even without this minimum Y gene contribution. We will test the hypothesis that the Y chromosome complement can be eliminated entirely while retaining production of functional male gametes.
In Aim 1 we wil test if transgenic activation of Sox9, a downstream effector of Sry, will effectively replace Sry function and whether Sry-to-Sox9 replacement affects spermatogenesis and fertility, testing directly for the as yet unknown function of these genes in mature gonads. We will also establish if Eif2s3x, an X encoded homologue of Eif2s3y, can replace Eif2s3y function in spermatogonial proliferation. We will generate and characterize mice transgenic for Eif2s3x, and assess whether overexpression of Eif2s3x can rescue spermatogonial proliferation arrest in XOSry mice.
In Aim 2, we will produce males without any Y genes but with overexpression of Eif2s3x and with transgenic activation of Sox9, as well as males with one Y gene retained and the other replaced. We will investigate how the presence of these genes affects spermatogenesis progression. We will also test if spermatogenesis in these males enables development of germ cells functional in ART, and whether such produced offspring are normal.
In Aim 3, we will attempt to rescue spermatogonial arrest in testes of mature males with in vivo Eif2s3y gene transfer using novel 'active transgenesis' approach and ultrasound mediated gene delivery. Our studies will advance the understanding of (1) the roles that key players of sex determination (Sry and Sox9) play in mature gonads; (2) the roles of sex chromosome genes (Eif2s3y and Eif2s3x) in the initiation of spermatogenesis; and (3) the compatibility of extensive Y gene loss with successful ART. Our results should translate to enhance treatment of human infertility associated with Y chromosome deletions.

Public Health Relevance

The project will test, in a mouse model, whether males lacking the entire Y chromosome can generate functional gametes and father healthy offspring with assisted reproduction, in spite of their obvious infertility in normal fertilization. This wil be of importance for infertile men with extensive Y chromosome deletions, which are a target group of human ART. The project will also advance the understanding of the roles of Y chromosome encoded genes in spermatogenesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
4R01HD072380-05
Application #
9084596
Study Section
Cellular, Molecular and Integrative Reproduction Study Section (CMIR)
Program Officer
Taymans, Susan
Project Start
2012-08-25
Project End
2017-05-31
Budget Start
2016-06-01
Budget End
2017-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Hawaii
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
965088057
City
Honolulu
State
HI
Country
United States
Zip Code
96822
Ortega, Egle A; Salvador, Quinci; Fernandez, Mayumi et al. (2018) Alterations of sex determination pathway in the genital ridges of males with limited Y chromosome genes. Biol Reprod :
Ruthig, Victor A; Nielsen, Torbjoern; Riel, Jonathan M et al. (2017) Testicular abnormalities in mice with Y chromosome deficiencies. Biol Reprod 96:694-706
Ruthig, Victor A; Labrash, Steven; Lozanoff, Scott et al. (2016) Macroscopic demonstration of the male urogenital system with evidence of a direct inguinal hernia utilizing room temperature plastination. Anatomy 10:211-220
Yamauchi, Yasuhiro; Riel, Jonathan M; Ruthig, Victor A et al. (2016) Two genes substitute for the mouse Y chromosome for spermatogenesis and reproduction. Science 351:514-6
Ortega, Egle A; Ruthig, Victor A; Ward, Monika A (2015) Sry-Independent Overexpression of Sox9 Supports Spermatogenesis and Fertility in the Mouse. Biol Reprod 93:141
Comish, P B; Liang, L Y; Yamauchi, Y et al. (2015) Increasing testicular temperature by exposure to elevated ambient temperatures restores spermatogenesis in adult Utp14b (jsd) mutant (jsd) mice. Andrology 3:376-84
Yamauchi, Yasuhiro; Riel, Jonathan M; Ruthig, Victor et al. (2015) Mouse Y-Encoded Transcription Factor Zfy2 Is Essential for Sperm Formation and Function in Assisted Fertilization. PLoS Genet 11:e1005476
Sato, Brittany L; Ward, Monika A; Astern, Joshua M et al. (2015) Validation of murine and human placental explant cultures for use in sex steroid and phase II conjugation toxicology studies. Toxicol In Vitro 29:103-12
Vernet, Nadège; Mahadevaiah, Shantha K; Yamauchi, Yasuhiro et al. (2014) Mouse Y-linked Zfy1 and Zfy2 are expressed during the male-specific interphase between meiosis I and meiosis II and promote the 2nd meiotic division. PLoS Genet 10:e1004444
Yamauchi, Yasuhiro; Riel, Jonathan M; Stoytcheva, Zoia et al. (2014) Two Y genes can replace the entire Y chromosome for assisted reproduction in the mouse. Science 343:69-72

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