Single-cell analysis identifies critical regulators of spermatogonial development and differentiation in cattle-yak bulls

• DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24442
• Publication Date: 2024-04-19T01:47:08Z
• Authors: Yi-Wen Zhang; Shi-Xin Wu; Guo-Wen Wang; Rui-Dong Wan; Qi-En Yang
• Keywords: Egg cell; YAK

Spermatogenesis is a continuous process in which functional sperm are produced through series of mitotic and meiotic divisions morphological changes germ cells. The aberrant development fate transitions spermatogenic cells cause hybrid sterility mammals. Cattle-yak, animal between taurine cattle (Bos taurus) yak grunniens), exhibits male-specific due to failure. In the present study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis identify differences testicular cell composition developmental trajectory cattle-yak. molecular signatures spermatogonial subtypes were dramatically different these 2 animals, expression genes associated with stem maintenance, differentiation entry was altered cattle-yak, indicating impairment undifferentiated decisions. Cell communication revealed that signaling within subpopulations weakened, progenitor spermatogonia unable or delayed receiving sending signals for transformation next stage Simultaneously, niche also abnormal. Collectively, obtained profiles transcriptome somatic populations at level identified critical regulators meiosis sterile findings this study shed light on genetic mechanisms lead speciation bovid species.