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BNC1 is required for maintaining mouse spermatogenesis
Author(s) -
Zhang Xiaohong,
Chou Weichin,
HaigLadewig Lisa,
Zeng Wenxian,
Cao Wenlei,
Gerton George,
Dobrinski Ina,
Tseng Hung
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/dvg.22014
Subject(s) - spermatogenesis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , andrology , medicine , endocrinology
Basonuclin (BNC1) is a zinc finger protein expressed primarily in gametogenic cells and proliferative keratinocytes. Our previous work suggested that BNC1 is present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids, but absent in the Sertoli cells. BNC1′s role in spermatogenesis is unknown. Here, we show that BNC1 is required for the maintenance of spermatogenesis. Bnc1 ‐null male mice were sub‐fertile, losing germ cells progressively with age. The Bnc1 ‐null seminiferous epithelia began to degenerate before 8 weeks of age and eventually became Sertoli cell‐only. Sperm count and motility also declined with age. Furthermore, Bnc1 heterozygotes, although fertile, showed a significant drop in sperm count and in testis weight by 24 weeks of age, suggesting a dosage effect of Bnc1 on testis development. In conclusion, our data demonstrate for the first time BNC1′s essential role in maintaining mouse spermatogenesis. genesis 50:517–524, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.