مشخصات پژوهش

Objective: Spermatogenesis is a tightly regulated process that involves an orchestrated transcriptional and translational event across the seminiferous epithelium. While individual regulators of this process have been studied, the network-level dynamics underlying the transition from SSCs to round spermatids (RSs) remain poorly understood. The dynamic molecular transitions between spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and round spermatids (RSs) have not been fully characterized, particularly at the network level. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we evaluated the gene expression dynamics from SSCs to RSs. We analyzed publicly available microarray datasets (GEO) comprising four biological replicates for RSs and three biological replicates for SSCs. Differentially expressed genes were identified and mapped onto protein–protein interaction networks, followed by prioritization of central regulators. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to characterize biological pathways. To have an additional demonstration, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for SOX9, N-Myc, VASA, SOX2, and DAZL was conducted to examine spatial and developmental protein expression across the seminiferous tubules. Results: A set of 3,598 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was identified between spermatogonial stem cells and round spermatids. This analysis highlighted central genes, including Actb, Kras, Pten, Jun, Cdc42, and Gart, that act as central nodes in spermatogenic networks. These genes were associated with pathways governing cell cycle regulation, chromatin organization, and signal transduction, consistent with their established roles in germline development. Protein-level localization confirmed stage-specific expression patterns within the seminiferous tubules. SOX9 localized to Sertoli cells, N-Myc and VASA were activated in differentiating germ cells, DAZL was restricted to early progenitors, and SOX2 appeared only in late-stage subsets. Conclusion: By integrating transcriptom