Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Dynamic Transcriptional Landscape of Testicular Maturation in Dezhou Donkeys.

Zhaofei Wang, Jie Yu, Guiqin Liu, Halima Jafari, Cong Li, Ge Yang, Chuzhao Lei, Ruihua Dang

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 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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5 · Who and what money

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8 authors.

Zhaofei WangKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China.ORCID 0000-0003-0235-7030

Jie YuNational Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co., Ltd., No. 78, E-Jiao Street, Dong'e Country, Liaocheng 252201, China.

Guiqin LiuCollege of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, China.ORCID 0000-0002-6230-9885

Halima JafariKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China.

Cong LiKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China.

Ge YangKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China.

Chuzhao LeiKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China.

Ruihua DangKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Testicular development and spermatogenesis are critical for male reproduction, but their molecular mechanisms in Dezhou donkeys remain understudied. This study used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze testicular tissues from Dezhou donkeys at juvenile (2 months), pre-pubertal (12 months), and mature (24 months) stages. A total of 24,606 high-quality cells were profiled, constructing a comprehensive single-cell transcriptional atlas. Unsupervised clustering identified nine major cell types: three germ cell subtypes (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids) and six somatic cell subtypes (Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, peritubular muscle cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, T cells). Key marker genes (AMH, TNP1, UTF1, ZMYND10) were validated by immunofluorescence. Pseudotemporal trajectory analysis revealed sequential germ cell differentiation (spermatogonia → spermatocytes → spermatids) and Sertoli cell maturation (immature → mature), while Leydig cells and peritubular muscle cells shared common progenitors. CellChat analysis identified critical ligand-receptor pairs in BMP, IGF, WNT, and FSH pathways, which regulate testicular development. This study provides the comprehensive single-cell transcriptional map of Dezhou donkey testicular development, elucidating key molecular mechanisms of germ and somatic cell maturation. The findings offer valuable insights into donkey reproductive biology, supporting breeding improvement and male infertility research.

Indexed as

CellchatdonkeyscRNA-seqspermatogenesistesticle

Identifiers

PMID42278056

DOI10.3390/ani16111621

PMCPMC13255784

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