• PMID: 18342849
• Gene Name: SOX8
• Condition: Critical regulator of adult Sertoli cell function and is required for both its cytoarchitectural and paracrine interactions with germ cells
• Association: Associated
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Critical regulator of adult Sertoli cell function and is required for both its cytoarchitectural and paracrine interactions with germ cells

Sox8 is a critical regulator of adult Sertoli cell function and male fertility

O'Bryan MK, Takada S, Kennedy CL, Scott G, Harada S, Ray MK, Dai Q, Wilhelm D, de Kretser DM, Eddy EM, Koopman P, Mishina Y.

Sox8 encodes a high-mobility group transcription factor that is widely expressed during development. Sox8, -9 and -10 form group E of the Sox gene family which has been implicated in several human developmental disorders. In contrast to other SoxE genes, the role of Sox8 is unclear and Sox8 mouse mutants reportedly showed only idiopathic weight loss and reduced bone density. The careful analysis of our Sox8 null mice, however, revealed a progressive male infertility phenotype. Sox8 null males only sporadically produced litters of reduced size at young ages. We have shown that SOX8 protein is a product of adult Sertoli cells and its elimination results in an age-dependent deregulation of spermatogenesis, characterized by sloughing of spermatocytes and round spermatids, spermiation failure and a progressive disorganization of the spermatogenic cycle, which resulted in the inappropriate placement and juxtaposition of germ cell types within the epithelium. Those sperm that did enter the epididymides displayed abnormal motility. These data show that SOX8 is a critical regulator of adult Sertoli cell function and is required for both its cytoarchitectural and paracrine interactions with germ cells. FAU - O'Bryan, Moira K AU - O'Bryan MK AD - Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. moira.obryan@med.monash.edu.au FAU - Takada, Shuji AU - Takada S FAU - Kennedy, Claire L AU - Kennedy CL FAU - Scott, Greg AU - Scott G FAU - Harada, Shun-ichi AU - Harada S FAU - Ray, Manas K AU - Ray MK FAU - Dai, Qunsheng AU - Dai Q FAU - Wilhelm, Dagmar AU - Wilhelm D FAU - de Kretser, David M AU - de Kretser DM FAU - Eddy, E Mitch AU - Eddy EM FAU - Koopman, Peter AU - Koopman P