Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis
Male germ cells employ specific metabolic pathways throughout their developmental stages. In a previous study, we discovered heightened expression of pyruvate kinase M (PKM), a pivotal glycolytic enzyme, in spermatogonia and spermatids. To gain deeper insights into PKM's roles in spermatogenesi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Asian Journal of Andrology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2024;volume=26;issue=2;spage=212;epage=219;aulast= |
| _version_ | 1827309514776379392 |
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| author | Gao-Qing Qian Xiao-Chen Wang Xi Zhang Bin Shen Qiang Liu |
| author_facet | Gao-Qing Qian Xiao-Chen Wang Xi Zhang Bin Shen Qiang Liu |
| author_sort | Gao-Qing Qian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Male germ cells employ specific metabolic pathways throughout their developmental stages. In a previous study, we discovered heightened expression of pyruvate kinase M (PKM), a pivotal glycolytic enzyme, in spermatogonia and spermatids. To gain deeper insights into PKM's roles in spermatogenesis, sperm function, and male fertility, we engineered a conditional-knockout mouse model (Pkm-vKO mice) to selectively disrupt the Pkm gene within germ cells. Despite maintaining regular testicular histology and sperm morphology, the male Pkm-vKO mice were infertility, characterized by significant impairments in sperm motility and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. In addition, Pkm-null spermatozoa exhibited similar deficits in protein tyrosine phosphorylation linked to capacitation, as well as compromised performance in in vitro fertilization experiments. To conclude, PKM's presence is not obligatory for the entirety of spermatogenesis in male germ cells; however, it emerges as a critical factor influencing sperm motility and overall male fertility. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:00:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0f72bda401d941c3800859a70b984b9a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1008-682X 1745-7262 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:43:44Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Asian Journal of Andrology |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f72bda401d941c3800859a70b984b9a2024-03-25T10:02:47ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsAsian Journal of Andrology1008-682X1745-72622024-01-0126221221910.4103/aja202350Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesisGao-Qing QianXiao-Chen WangXi ZhangBin ShenQiang LiuMale germ cells employ specific metabolic pathways throughout their developmental stages. In a previous study, we discovered heightened expression of pyruvate kinase M (PKM), a pivotal glycolytic enzyme, in spermatogonia and spermatids. To gain deeper insights into PKM's roles in spermatogenesis, sperm function, and male fertility, we engineered a conditional-knockout mouse model (Pkm-vKO mice) to selectively disrupt the Pkm gene within germ cells. Despite maintaining regular testicular histology and sperm morphology, the male Pkm-vKO mice were infertility, characterized by significant impairments in sperm motility and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. In addition, Pkm-null spermatozoa exhibited similar deficits in protein tyrosine phosphorylation linked to capacitation, as well as compromised performance in in vitro fertilization experiments. To conclude, PKM's presence is not obligatory for the entirety of spermatogenesis in male germ cells; however, it emerges as a critical factor influencing sperm motility and overall male fertility.http://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2024;volume=26;issue=2;spage=212;epage=219;aulast=glycolysis; male fertility; pyruvate kinase m; sperm motility; spermatogenesis |
| spellingShingle | Gao-Qing Qian Xiao-Chen Wang Xi Zhang Bin Shen Qiang Liu Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis Asian Journal of Andrology glycolysis; male fertility; pyruvate kinase m; sperm motility; spermatogenesis |
| title | Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis |
| title_full | Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis |
| title_fullStr | Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis |
| title_short | Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis |
| title_sort | pyruvate kinase m in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis |
| topic | glycolysis; male fertility; pyruvate kinase m; sperm motility; spermatogenesis |
| url | http://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2024;volume=26;issue=2;spage=212;epage=219;aulast= |
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