Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40777410›Full record

ArticlebioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2025

Glycogen metabolism in mouse embryonic Sertoli cells sustains the germ line through the lactate shuttle.

Martín A Estermann, Joseph Sheheen, Sara A Grimm, Boris Tezak, Yu-Ying Chen, Tsuyoshi Morita, Humphrey H C Yao, Blanche Capel

Abstract readPreprint
In one paragraph

Article in bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Martín A EstermannReproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8623-2720
Joseph SheheenDepartment of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA.ORCID 0009-0009-9653-2549
Sara A GrimmIntegrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-3050-1909
Boris TezakDepartment of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-2621-4272
Yu-Ying ChenReproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-3580-9961
Tsuyoshi MoritaOral and Maxillofacial Anatomy, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.
Humphrey H C YaoReproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-2944-8469
Blanche CapelDepartment of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6587-0969

Funding

DND1 Mediates Epigenetic Reprogramming During Cell Cycle Arrest In Male Germ CellsR01HD103064 · NICHD · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI CAPEL, BLANCHE · 2021 to 2025
$2.0M
Defining Mechanisms of Ovarian RescueR01HD090050 · NICHD · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI CAPEL, BLANCHE · 2017 to 2021
$1.6M
Intravital point-scanning confocal microscopeS10RR027867 · NCRR · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI CHILKOTI, ASHUTOSH · 2010 to 2010
$500k
NCRR NIH HHS S10 RR027867NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD090050NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD103064
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Metabolites are key regulators of cell fate decisions, epigenetic remodeling, and lineage commitment. While genetic pathways governing testis differentiation are well studied, the role of metabolism remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated a transient, male-specific accumulation of glycogen in supporting (Sertoli) cells of embryonic testis in mice. Although glycogen metabolism was dispensable for Sertoli cell differentiation, its disruption led to reduced lactate production and impaired PGCs ability to colonize the newly forming testis cords. Inhibiting lactate transport further revealed a critical metabolic coupling between Sertoli and germ cells during early testis development. Surprisingly, external lactate or glucose supplementation failed to rescue the germ cell phenotype. These findings suggest that glycogen accumulation supports a critical developmental window in which both Sertoli and germ cells are metabolically constrained and unable to rely on external carbon sources. This highlights a sensitive period during testicular development where nutrient scarcity could have long-term consequences for fertility.

Indexed as

FertilityLactate ShuttleMetabolic couplingMetabolismSex DeterminationSperm

Identifiers

PMID40777410
PMCPMC12330536

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.