ALKBH4 Depletion in Mice Leads to Spermatogenic Defects
Figure 2
Maintained DNA synthesis and increased apoptosis in testes of Alkbh4Δ/Δ mice.
A Left panel, epifluorescence microscopy of BrdU-labelled testicular sections in 6 weeks old mice treated with tamoxifen for 2 weeks, indicating comparable density of S-phase cells in control and Alkbh4Δ/Δ mice. DNA was visualized by DAPI staining. Scale bars, 50 µm. Right panel, quantification of the increased BrdU positive cells/stage VIII tubulus in sections (n = 10 tubuli/animal, 2 animals/genotype) in testes of Alkbh4Δ/Δ compared to Alkbh4L/L mice. All data expressed as means ± SEM. B Left panel, epifluorescence microscopy of TUNEL-stained testicular sections in 6 weeks old mice treated with tamoxifen for 2 weeks. TUNEL identifies increased proportion of apoptotic germ cells in Alkbh4Δ/Δ mice compared to control (Alkbh4L/L). DNA was counterstained with DAPI. Scale bars, 50 µm. Right panel, quantification of the increased number of tubuli with TUNEL positive cells/tubulus in sections (n = 50 tubuli/animal, 3 animals/genotype) in testes of Alkbh4Δ/Δ compared to Alkbh4L/L mice. All data expressed as means ± SEM.