Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41307852›Full record

ArticleJournal of assisted reproduction and genetics2026

Effect of autophagy-related (Atg) protein 5 on mouse epididymal sperm maturation.

Xuedi Zhang, Haitao Mai, Yeding Song, Ning Ding, Wenbin Feng, Zhenggang Zhao, Sujin Zhou, Allan Zijian Zhao, Yunping Mu, Fanghong Li

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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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.

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xuedi ZhangSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-2350-7536
Haitao MaiSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Yeding SongSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Ning DingInstitute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
Wenbin FengSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Zhenggang ZhaoSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Sujin ZhouSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Allan Zijian ZhaoThe First People's Hospital of Shunde, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China.
Yunping MuSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. muyunping2018@gdut.edu.cn.
Fanghong LiSchool of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. fli@gdut.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82100064Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou 2023B03J1291the major national Science and Technology Projects of China 2023ZD0506900
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSperm mature as they transit through the epididymis, during which they gain progressive motility and the capability to fertilize oocytes. Autophagy plays a significant role in the regulation of testicular spermiogenesis. Autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) is recognized as a crucial regulator of autophagy progression. However, the role of Atg5 in regulating epididymal sperm maturation has yet to be elucidated.

methodsTo investigate the function of Atg5 in regulating epididymal sperm maturation, Atg5 conditional knockout mice were generated using Cre/LoxP technology, and sperm quality and fertility were assessed. Comprehensive quantitative analyses and bioinformatics evaluations of the proteome in segments 4-5 of the caput epididymis and sperm from the cauda epididymis were conducted.

resultsAtg5 deletion reduced autophagy in the caput epididymis but did not significantly affect sperm motility. Quantitative proteomics via data-independent acquisition (DIA) and subsequent bioinformatics analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of several sperm proteins. Among these, the upregulated proteins were strongly associated with Atg5-independent surrogate autophagy, while the downregulated proteins were linked to sperm maturation. Additionally, qRT-PCR assays demonstrated that seven genes closely related to autophagy and sperm quality were differentially expressed in the 4-5 segments of the caput epididymis.

conclusionsAtg5 affects protein expression and abundance in both the caput epididymis (segments 4-5) and cauda epididymal sperm, without statistically significant effects on sperm motility or male fertility. However, the potential impact of autophagy inhibition on sperm maturation may arise under challenging survival conditions by influencing the expression of sperm proteins.

Indexed as

Autophagy-Related Protein 5EpididymisSpermatogenesisSpermatozoaSperm MaturationAnimalsAutophagyFemaleFertilityMaleMiceMice, KnockoutSperm MotilityAtg5 protein, mouseAutophagy-Related Protein 5Atg5AutophagyMale fertilitySperm maturation

Identifiers

PMID41307852
PMCPMC12831724

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