A Follow-Up Study on Testicular Cellular and Transcriptomic Responses to Mild Scrotal Heat Stress in Wugu-Hu and Hu Rams

Shikun Chen; Qingjie Pan; Henry Annandale; Peter Charles Irons; Huansheng Dong

doi:10.3390/ani16091317

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A Follow-Up Study on Testicular Cellular and Transcriptomic Responses to Mild Scrotal Heat Stress in Wugu-Hu and Hu Rams

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A Follow-Up Study on Testicular Cellular and Transcriptomic Responses to Mild Scrotal Heat Stress in Wugu-Hu and Hu Rams

Shikun Chen, Qingjie Pan, Henry Annandale, Peter Charles Irons and Huansheng Dong

Animals (Basel), Vol.16(9), 1317

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16091317

PMID: 42121737

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Abstract

scrotal heat stress

testicular cells

transcriptomic analysis

ram

This study aimed to describe the endocrine, cellular, and transcriptomic changes associated with mild heat stress responses in Wugu-Hu and Hu rams. Testicular samples from rams exposed to 3 days of scrotal insulation, resulting in an approximate 3 °C increase in scrotal temperature, and corresponding controls were analyzed for endocrine activity, seminiferous tubule morphology, germ cell composition, and transcriptomic profiles. There were no significant changes in testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, or luteinizing hormone after 3 days of mild heat exposure in either breed. Wugu-Hu rams showed greater disorganization of seminiferous tubules. Apoptotic events occurred mainly from spermatocytes to spermatids and were accompanied by a greater decline in spermatids in Wugu-Hu rams. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between Wugu-Hu and Hu rams identified 854 differentially expressed genes, mainly enriched in immune response function. We conclude that scrotal heat stress does not disrupt endocrine balance at the level applied in this study, but it induces breed-dependent morphological and testicular cellular responses. The differences in the immune response of Hu and Wugu-Hu rams may contribute to their distinct levels of spermatocytes and spermatids' response to elevated temperatures.

Details

Title: A Follow-Up Study on Testicular Cellular and Transcriptomic Responses to Mild Scrotal Heat Stress in Wugu-Hu and Hu Rams
Authors/Creators: Shikun Chen - Qingdao Agricultural University
Qingjie Pan - Qingdao Agricultural University
Henry Annandale - Murdoch University, School of Veterinary Medicine
Peter Charles Irons - Murdoch University, School of Veterinary Medicine
Huansheng Dong - Qingdao Agricultural University
Publication Details: Animals (Basel), Vol.16(9), 1317
Publisher: MDPI; BASEL
Number of pages: 18
Grant note: 2023TSGC0540 / SHANDONG PROVINCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISES INNOVATION CA-PABILITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT 1619003 / RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TEAM FOR THE PROTECTION AND UTILIZATION OF ANIMAL GERMPLASM RESOURCES RESEARCH PROJECT
Identifiers: 991005882550907891
Murdoch Affiliation: College of Environmental and Life Sciences; School of Veterinary Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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