Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers dynamic roadmap and cell-cell communication during buffalo spermatogenesis. Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers dynamic roadmap and cell-cell communication during buffalo spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis carries the task of precise intergenerational transmission of genetic information from the paternal genome and involves complex developmental processes regulated by the testicular microenvironment. Studies performed mainly in mouse models have established the theoretical basis for spermatogenesis, yet the wide inter-species differences preclude direct translation of the findings, and farm animal studies are progressing slowly. More than 32,000 cells from prepubertal (3-month-old) and pubertal (24-month-old) buffalo testes were analyzed using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and dynamic gene expression roadmaps of germ cell and somatic cell development were generated. In addition to identifying the dynamic processes of sequential cell fate transitions, the global cell-cell communication essential to maintain regular spermatogenesis in the buffalo testicular microenvironment was uncovered. The findings provide the theoretical basis for establishing buffalo germline stem cells in vitro or culturing organoids and facilitating the expansion of superior livestock breeding. Overall design: Single-cell transcriptome examination of 3- and 24-month-old buffalo testes.

精子发生（Spermatogenesis）肩负着将父本基因组的遗传信息精准传递给子代的核心使命，其涉及受睾丸微环境调控的复杂发育过程。既往主要基于小鼠模型开展的研究为精子发生奠定了理论基础，但物种间存在的广泛差异使得相关研究结果难以直接跨物种转化，且农场动物相关研究进展相对缓慢。
本研究通过单细胞RNA测序（single-cell RNA sequencing, scRNA-seq），对青春期前（3月龄）和青春期（24月龄）水牛睾丸中的32000余个细胞进行了分析，并构建了生殖细胞与体细胞发育的动态基因表达调控图谱。
本研究不仅阐明了细胞命运依次转换的动态过程，还揭示了维持水牛睾丸微环境中正常精子发生所必需的全局细胞间通信网络。
本研究结果为体外构建水牛生殖系干细胞、培育类器官以及助力优良畜禽育种扩繁提供了理论依据。
整体实验设计：对3月龄与24月龄水牛睾丸开展单细胞转录组检测分析。