Single-cell RNA sequencing of adult rat testes after Leydig cell elimination and restoration

Xiaoju Guan, Minpeng Ji, Xin Wen, Fu Huang, Xingyi Zhao, Dan Chen, Jingjing Shao, Jiexia Wang, Jiajia Xie, Jing Tian, Han Lin, Ping Duan, Barry R. Zirkin, Zhijian Su, Haolin Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is an efficient, complex, and highly organized proliferation and differentiation process that relies on multiple factors including testosterone produced by the Leydig cells. Although the critical role played by testosterone in spermatogenesis is well recognized, the mechanism by which it works is still not completely understood, partially due to the inability to specifically and precisely monitor testosterone-dependent changes within developing germ cells. Here we present single-cell RNA sequencing data from10,983 adult rat testicular cells after the rats were treated with ethanedimethanesulfonate, which temporarily eliminates Leydig cells. The elimination and recovery of Leydig cells represented a complete testosterone depletion and restoration cycle. The dataset, which includes all developing germ cells from spermatogonia to spermatozoa, should prove useful for characterizing developing germ cells, their regulatory networks, and novel cell-specific markers. The dataset should be particularly useful for exploring the effects of the androgen environment on the regulation of spermatogenesis. As this is the first single-cell RNA-Seq dataset for rat testes, it can also serve as a reference for future studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number106
JournalScientific Data
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems
  • Education
  • Library and Information Sciences
  • Statistics and Probability
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Single-cell RNA sequencing of adult rat testes after Leydig cell elimination and restoration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this