Glucocorticoid exposure modifies the miRNA profile of sperm in the guinea pig: Implications for intergenerational transmission. Issue 4 (17th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Casciaro, Christopher; Hamada, Hirotaka; Kostaki, Alisa; Matthews, Stephen G.
• Is Part Of: FASEB journal. Volume 37:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-03-17
• Subjects: epididymis -- epigenomics -- glucocorticoids (dexamethasone) -- miRNA -- spermatozoa; Biology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201784R
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6638

Abstract

Abstract: Approximately 1%–3% of the adult population are treated with synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) for a variety of conditions. Studies have demonstrated that adversities experienced by males prior to conception may lead to abnormal neuroendocrine function and behaviors in offspring and that epigenetic factors including microRNA (miRNA) within sperm may be responsible for driving these effects. However, it remains unclear where in the epididymis sperm miRNA changes are occurring. Here, we hypothesized that sGC exposure will alter the miRNA profile of sperm in the epididymis in a region‐specific manner. Adult male guinea pigs were exposed to regular drinking water (Ctrl) or water with the sGC dexamethasone (Dex; 3mg/kg) ( n = 6/group) every other day for 48 days. Sperms were collected from epididymal seminal fluid in the caput and cauda regions of the epididymis and total RNA was extracted. miRNAs were assessed by miRNA 4.0 microarray; data were processed by TAC 4.0.1 and R. miRNA analysis revealed one miRNA in the caput that was significantly decreased by Dex in sperm. In the cauda, 31 miRNAs were reduced in sperm following Dex‐exposure. The findings of this study demonstrate that Dex‐exposure influences miRNA profile of sperm in the cauda but not the caput of the epididymis. This suggests that glucocorticoids target the epididymis to modify sperm miRNA and do not modify the miRNA content during spermiation in the testes. Abstract : Adult male guinea pigs were exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid, Dexamethasone, in their drinking water every other day for 48 days. Sperm were isolated from caput and cauda sections of the epididymis. Total RNA was isolated from sperm and miRNA microarray analysis revealed 1 reduced miRNA in the caput, and 31 miRNAs reduced in the cauda.