Endocrine and Paracrine Control of Spermatogenesis

The proposed project will investigate fish spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Specifically, it will look at the underlying endocrine and paracrine mechanisms that control the different phases of spermatogenesis, with focus on the spermatogonial phase, including the spermatogonial stem cells. This would include studying the in vitro effect of androgens on the zebrafish testis using RNA sequencing, histological, and morphometrical analysis. This would also include identifying specific molecules that can be used as markers for specific spermatogonial stem cells. For example, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) a synthetic thymidine analog nucleoside would be used for experiements. BrdU is frequently used to detect proliferating cells because it is incorporated into newly synthesized DNA. Furthermore, these experiments would include EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine), a novel alternative for BrdU that also measures DNA synthesis. EdU is also a nucleoside analog of thymidine and is incorporated into DNA during active DNA synthesis. These molecules, along with antibodies, will be used to investigate the spermatogonial phase.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stephanie Willerth

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho"

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

University of Victoria

Program: