Insight into the physiological architecture of seminiferous tubule Ca2+ signaling

• Applicant: Dr. David Fleck
• Subject Area: Reproductive Medicine, Urology ; Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 412888997

• Final Report Year: 2025

Final Report Abstract

This research project focuses on the role of calcium ions (Ca2+) in testicular seminiferous tubules, where male germ cells develop and mature. The main goal is to examine both spontaneous and hormone-dependent Ca2+ signals in the supporting Sertoli cells as well as in male germ cells at different developmental stages. To achieve this, state-of-the-art imaging methods on thin tissue slices and in living animals are combined with genetic mouse tools. Because Ca2+ is a universal signaling molecule, the project seeks to determine how these signals govern processes such as cell differentiation, intercellular communication, and hormonal regulation. In the long run, the insights gained here may enhance our understanding of the causes of male infertility and pave the way for improved diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.

Publications

• A genetic toolbox for functional in vivo and structural in situ analysis of the mouse testis. Conference talk SSR Jahrestagung, San Jose, Kalifornien, USA, Juni 2019
  David Fleck
  
• A genetic toolbox for in vivo functional and in situ structural analysis of the mouse testis. SSR. San Jose, California, USA.
  Fleck D., Uesaka N., Fischoeder J., Kenzler L., Mundt N., Spehr J. & Spehr M.
  
• A novel toolkit for cell specific functional in vivo and structural in situ analysis of the mouse testis. 12th NYRA Meeting. Giessen, Germany
  Fleck D., Uesaka N., Fischoeder J., Kenzler L., Moosmann R., Mundt N., Spehr J. & Spehr M.
  
• Analyzing the structural and functional architecture of mouse testicular tissue. ASA 46th Annual Conference. Virtual Conference
  Schröer J., Kenzler L., Fischoeder J., Mundt N., Spehr J., Spehr M. & Fleck D.
  
• ATP activation of peritubular cells drives testicular sperm transport. eLife, 10.
  Fleck, David; Kenzler, Lina; Mundt, Nadine; Strauch, Martin; Uesaka, Naofumi; Moosmann, Robert; Bruentgens, Felicitas; Missel, Annika; Mayerhofer, Artur; Merhof, Dorit; Spehr, Jennifer & Spehr, Marc
  
• Deep learning pipeline for in vivo calcium analysis during spermatogenesis. 22nd European Testis Workshop (ETW2023). June 18–22, 2023. Palace de Caux, Switzerland
  Fleck D.