@misc{10481/95440,
year = {2018},
month = {10},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/95440},
abstract = {Testes of seasonally breeding species experience a severe functional regression before the
non-breeding period, which implies a substantial mass reduction due to massive germ-cell
depletion. Two alternative mechanisms of seasonal germ-cell depletion have been
described in mammals, apoptosis and desquamation (sloughing), but their prevalence has
not been determined yet due to reduced number of species studied. We performed a morphological,
hormonal, and molecular study of the mechanism of seasonal testicular regression
in males of the Egyptian long eared-hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus). Our results show
that live, non-apoptotic, germ cells are massively depleted by desquamation during the testis
regression process. This is concomitant with both decreased levels of serum testosterone
and irregular distribution of the cell-adhesion molecules in the seminiferous epithelium.
The inactive testes maintain some meiotic activity as meiosis onset is not halted and spermatocytes
die by apoptosis at the pachytene stage. Our data support the notion that apoptosis
is not the major testis regression effector in mammals. Instead, desquamation appears
to be a common mechanism in this class.},
organization = {Agencia de Innovación y Desarrollo de la "Junta de
Andalucía" through Group PAI BIO-109},
organization = {Spanish "Secretaría de Estado de Investigación,
Desarrollo e Innovación" through the grant CGL-2015-67108-P, which includes FEDER funds},
publisher = {Plos One},
title = {Germ cell desquamation-based testis regression in a seasonal breeder, the Egyptian long-eared hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0204851},
author = {Mohamed Mahmoud Massoud, Diaa Fawzi and Lao Pérez, Miguel and Hurtado, Alicia and Abdo, Walied and Palomino Morales, Rogelio Jesús and Carmona López, Francisco David and Burgos Poyatos, Miguel and Jiménez Medina, Rafael and Barrionuevo Jiménez, Francisco Javier},
}