Roles of Epigenome in Mammalian Spermatogenesis

Overview

Journal Reprod Med Biol

Specialty Biology

Date 2018 Apr 28

PMID 29699150

Citations 5

Authors

Ning Song

Daisuke Endo

Takehiko Koji

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a successive process consisting of spermatogonial proliferation, spermatocytic meiosis, and spermiogenesis, representing the maturation of haploid spermatids. During the process, 25-75 % of the expected sperm yield is thought to be lost through apoptosis. In addition, spermatogenesis is considered to be a process undergoing successive heterochromatinization, finally reaching a complete condensed form in the sperm head. Thus, cell proliferation, differentiation and death may be strictly regulated by epigenetic factors in this process. This review describes the current understanding of the role of epigenome in spermatogenesis, especially focusing on the following aspects; DNA methylation, modification of histones, and small RNA function. These epigenetic factors affect each other and play a central role in events essential for spermatogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis, through the regulation of gene expression, transposon activities, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, histone remodeling and genome imprinting. Finally, a brief discussion of future avenues of study is highlighted.

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