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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 79/4/738    most recent biolreprod.108.069708v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Viñas, J. Articles by Piferrer, F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Viñas, J. Articles by Piferrer, F. Agricola Articles by Viñas, J. Articles by Piferrer, F.

Stage-Specific Gene Expression During Fish Spermatogenesis as Determined by Laser-Capture Microdissection and Quantitative-PCR in Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Gonads¹

Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain

ABSTRACT

The role of genes implicated in the regulation of spermatogenesis and their patterns of expression is still poorly understood. In this study, we took advantage of the cystic arrangement of the teleost testis to set up a laser capture microdissection procedure to isolate cells from cysts containing spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, or spermatozoa. We then used quantitative PCR to determine the stage-specific expression patterns of the germ cell marker vasa; gonadal aromatase (cyp19a); estrogen receptors (ers) alpha, beta1, and beta2 (era, erb1, and erb2, respectively); 11beta-hydroxylase (cyp11b1); androgen receptor beta (arb); insulinlike growth factor 1 (igf1); and sox17. vasa had the highest mRNA levels, followed by genes involved in androgen metabolism (cyp11b1 and arb). Most genes associated with estrogen metabolism (cyp19a, era, and erb1) had a lower expression, whereas igf1 and sox17 exhibited the lowest mRNA levels. Comparison of changes in mRNA levels revealed five patterns of gene expression, in general with progressively lower expression seen as spermatogenesis advanced. igf1 and sox17 were exclusively expressed in spermatogonia-containing cysts, suggesting effects during the proliferative stage. Genes involved in androgen synthesis (cyp11b1) and action (arb) peaked during the early stages of spermatogenesis and then sharply decreased. In contrast, genes associated with estrogen action, particularly erb2 and era, showed a more gradual decrease. Together, these results demonstrate the usefulness of fish models and suggest that whereas androgens are required at high levels and may exert their major actions at the initial stages of spermatogenesis, estrogens are also essential, albeit required at lower levels, and with a more generalized influence.

11β-hydroxylase, androgen receptor, aromatase, estradiol receptor, estrogen receptors, gene expression patterns, Igf1, laser capture microdissection, sea bass, Sox17, spermatogenesis, steroid hormones, testis, vasa

¹This work was supported by a Genome Spain-Genome Canada grant ("Pleurogene") to F.P. J.V. was supported by a postdoctoral contract from the Pleurogene project and an I3P postdoctoral grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

Correspondence: ²Francesc Piferrer, Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Passeig Marítim, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. FAX: 34 932309555; e-mail: piferrer{at}icm.csic.es