Large-scale analysis of human and mouse RNA-seq datasets to identify undiscovered male reproductive tract-specific genes (human)

The development of a safe and effective, reversible, non-hormonal contraceptive method for men has been an ongoing effort for the past few decades, yet none have reached clinical trials. To advance progress, further identification of novel reproductive tract-specific, potentially druggable protein targets is imperative. In this study, we expand on previous single tissue, single species studies by integrating analysis of a vast number of publicly available human and mouse RNA-seq datasets whose initial published purpose was not focused on identifying male reproductive tract-specific targets. We also incorporate analysis of additional newly acquired human and mouse testis and epididymis samples to increase the number of targets identified. Enclosed in this accession is the RNA-seq data for the 12 new human testis and epididymis segment samples we processed for analysis. Overall design: The de novo isolated human testes and epididymides included in this study were obtained from three donors through a local organ transplant program in Quebec, Canada called Transplant Quebec. All procedures were approved by the local ethics committee and written consent was obtained from each respective donor's family. The donors were of 40, 52, and 65 years of age with no preexisting medical condition that could affect reproductive function. Donor testes and epididymides were removed under artificial circulation to preserve other organs that were assigned for transplantation. Each testis and epididymis were dissected in the laboratory of Dr. Robert Sullivan at Université Laval. Each epididymis was dissected into three segments corresponding to the caput, corpus and cauda regions and minced into small tissue pieces. Testes and epididymides tissue fragments were immediately snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, stored at -80°C, and shipped frozen to the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Garcia at Baylor College of Medicine for further processing.