Meleagris gallopavo breed:Converter Raw sequence reads

Avian sperm storage is extremely limited once semen is collected for artificial insemination but can occur for prolonged periods of time in the reproductive tract of the hen within specialized structure called sperm storage tubules, located in the uterovaginal junction portion of the oviduct. In addition, the sperm storage tubules appear to play a role in selecting only optimal sperm for storage and clearing suboptimal sperm from the reproductive tract. Despite the key role that sperm storage tubules play in determining the hen fertility, the mechanisms regulating sperm entrance, maintenance, and exit from sperm storage tubules remain largely unknown. This study used a global gene expression approach to compare gene expression profiles at five different timepoints throughout the sperm storage period to gain a deeper understanding of how sperm storage tubules function and regulate sperm dynamics. New findings related to innate and acquired immune responses, sperm mobility suppression, lipid synthesis and transfer, steroid hormone regulation, ion balance homeostasis in sperm storage tubules were obtained through this study. This study provides direction for further research aims, with the ultimate goal of exploiting the sperm storage mechanisms exhibited in sperm storage tubules to improve the capacity for semen storage prior to artificial insemination.

禽类精液采集用于人工授精后，其精子存活时长极为有限，但在母鸡生殖道内，位于输卵管子宫阴道连接部的特化结构——精子储存小管（sperm storage tubules）中，精子可实现长时间存活。此外，精子储存小管似乎仅会筛选优质精子进行储存，并将劣质精子清除出生殖道。尽管精子储存小管对母鸡繁育能力发挥着关键作用，但调控精子进入、留存以及从精子储存小管排出的分子机制仍鲜为人知。本研究采用全局基因表达分析方法，比对了精子储存周期内五个不同时间点的基因表达谱，以期更深入解析精子储存小管的功能及精子动态调控机制。本研究通过该实验获得了多项全新发现，涉及精子储存小管内的固有免疫与获得性免疫应答、精子活力抑制、脂质合成与转运、类固醇激素调控以及离子平衡稳态。本研究为后续研究指明了方向，其最终目标是利用精子储存小管所展现的精子储存机制，提升人工授精前的精液储存能力。