Dissecting the development of bovine testicular tissue using spatial transcriptomics

Mammalian spermatogenesis is critical for the transmission of male genetic information, and single-cell sequencing technology can reveal its complex process. However, at present, there is no research on the dynamic transcription of bovine germ cell population. In this study, we used Stereo-seq to construct a spatial transcription map of bovine testicular tissue at two ages. Four germ cell groups and five somatic cell groups were determined, and functional enrichment characterized their different biological functions and the differences between calves and adult bovines. At the same time, we also defined the subpopulations of cells and marker genes, then, clarified the communications between germ cells. These data laid the foundation for the study of spermatogenesis in large mammals and elucidated the process of transcriptional changes for the mechanism of male germ cells. Overall design: In this study, the testicular tissues of calves and adult cattle were used for analysis. The researchers studied the development of germ cells in the testes of calves and adult cattle by spatial transcriptome sequencing technology.