Neuroplastin Expression in Male Mice Is Essential for Fertility, Mating, and Adult Testosterone Levels

oleh: Juanjuan Chen, Xiao Lin, Soumee Bhattacharya, Caroline Wiesehöfer, Gunther Wennemuth, Karin Müller, Dirk Montag

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-12-01

Deskripsi

Male reproduction depends on hormonally driven behaviors and numerous genes for testis development and spermatogenesis. Neuroplastin-deficient (<i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i>) male mice cannot sire offspring. By immunohistochemistry, we characterized neuroplastin expression in the testis. Breeding, mating behavior, hormonal regulation, testicular development, and spermatogenesis were analyzed in cell-type specific neuroplastin mutant mice. Leydig, Sertoli, peritubular myoid, and germ cells express Np, but spermatogenesis and sperm number are not affected in <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> males. Neuroplastin lack from CNS neurons or restricted to spermatogonia or Sertoli cells permitted reproduction. Normal luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood levels in <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> males support undisturbed hormonal regulation in the brain. However, <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> males lack mounting behavior accompanied by low testosterone blood levels. Testosterone rise from juvenile to adult blood levels is absent in <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> males. LH-receptor stimulation raising intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> in Leydig cells triggers testosterone production. Reduced Plasma Membrane Ca<sup>2+</sup> ATPase 1 (PMCA1) in <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> Leydig cells suggests that <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> Leydig cells produce sufficient testosterone for testis and sperm development, but a lack of PMCA-Np complexes prevents the increase from reaching adult blood levels. Behavioral immaturity with low testosterone blood levels underlies infertility of <i>Nptn<sup>−/−</sup></i> males, revealing that Np is essential for reproduction.