Fig. 5: Spermatogenesis defects in Piwil1−/− Piwil2−/−, and Piwil4−/− golden hamsters. | Nature Communications

Fig. 5: Spermatogenesis defects in Piwil1−/− Piwil2−/−, and Piwil4−/− golden hamsters.

From: The non-redundant functions of PIWI family proteins in gametogenesis in golden hamsters

Fig. 5: Spermatogenesis defects in Piwil1−/− Piwil2−/−, and Piwil4−/− golden hamsters.

a Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining of adult testes. Spermatocytes with condensed nuclei observed in Piwil2−/− testes are indicated by the red asterisk. Z/P, zygotene or pachytene; P/D, pachytene or diplotene; ES, elongating sperm; ST, Sertoli cell. Scale bar, 200 µm (top), 25 µm (middle and bottom). b PAS staining of postnatal testes at 14 d.p.p., 21 d.p.p., and 40 d.p.p. Spermatocytes with abnormal nuclei observed in Piwil1−/− testes are indicated by the red asterisk. RS, round sperm. Scale bar, 20 µm. c Flow cytometric analysis of adult testicular cells. DNA was stained with Hoechst33342. Based on the Hoechst Blue fluorescence (i.e., DNA contents), the testicular cells can be classified as haploid cells (Round sperms and elongating sperms, RS/ES), diploid cells, and tetraploid cells (Leptotene or zygotene spermatocytes, L/Z; pachytene or diplotene spermatocytes, P/D). d A schematic diagram showing the effect of disruption of Piwi1, Piwil2, Piwil3, and Piwil4 on male germ cell development in golden hamsters and mice.

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