Normal fertility in male mice lacking ADAM32 with testis-specific expression

Reprod Biol. 2020 Dec;20(4):589-594. doi: 10.1016/j.repbio.2020.09.001. Epub 2020 Sep 21.

Abstract

The a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family proteins comprise a group of membrane-anchored proteins. ADAM32 is expressed specifically in testis and is closely related phylogenetically to ADAM2 and ADAM3, which are known to be critical for fertilization in mice. To assess the biological role of ADAM32, we analyzed Adam32-mutant mice. We found that male mice lacking ADAM32 have normal fertility, testicular integrity, and sperm characteristics. ADAM32 was found to exist at lower levels than ADAM2 and ADAM3 in wild-type testis and sperm, respectively. The present study demonstrates that ADAM32 is dispensable for fertility and appears to be functionally unrelated to ADAM2 and ADAM3 in mice.

Keywords: A disintegrin and metalloprotease; ADAM32; Fertilization; Sperm; Testis.

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / analysis
  • ADAM Proteins / deficiency*
  • ADAM Proteins / genetics
  • ADAM Proteins / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Epididymis / anatomy & histology
  • Female
  • Fertilins / analysis
  • Fertility / physiology*
  • Gene Expression / physiology*
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Sperm Motility / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / chemistry
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Testis / anatomy & histology
  • Testis / chemistry
  • Testis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • ADAM Proteins
  • Adam2 protein, mouse
  • Adam3 protein, mouse
  • Adam32 protein, mouse
  • Fertilins