The rice field eel, Monopterus albus , is an economically valuable aquaculture fish. However, the shortage of rice field eel fry, which mainly rely on fishing in the wild, is the main bottleneck in the development of the eel industry. Establishing surrogate reproduction technology for the rice field eel is expected to resolve the constraints of the fry shortage. In this study, specific fluorescent labeling of rice field eel primordial germ cells (PGCs) was accomplished by injecting GFP- nanos3 ’ UTR mRNA. Rice field eel PGCs used for transplantation were then isolated using flow cytometry. Through knocking down common carp dead end ( dnd ), the key gene involved in the development of PGC, we obtained germ cell-deficient carp recipients for inter-order transplantation of rice field eel PGCs. Immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-PCR results showed that PGCs were completely deleted in carps with dnd gene knocked down. The isolated eel PGCs were transplanted into carp juveniles that lacked endogenous germ cells. Immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-nested PCR results showed that eel germ cells were found in the gonads of 12-month post-transplantation carps, indicating that some eel germ cells colonized and survived in carp gonads. This study has established a germ cell transplantation technology between the Synbranchiformes and Cypriniformes, paving the way for resolving the constraints of the fry shortage in rice field eel aquaculture. • Primordial germ cells of rice field eel were specifically fluorescently labelled and sorted. • Germ cell-deficient common carp recipients for inter-order transplantation were generated. • Rice field eel germ cells were integrated and colonized in the gonads of common carp.

Ferroptosis-driven cryoinjury in porcine testicular tissue: Mechanisms, antioxidant-based cryoprotection, and translational strategies for fertility preservation.

Spermidine alleviates heat stress-induced deterioration of porcine oocytes.

Clinical stage IIA/B embryonal carcinoma predominant nonseminomatous germ cell tumor: Minimizing treatment burden.

CSF hCG in the crossroads of neurotoxicity and disease: Lessons from germ cell tumor.

Malignant ovarian tumours during pregnancy are rare, and the proportion is also too small. Mixed Germ Cell Tumours (MGCTs) are rare yet very aggressive ovarian cancers that generally afflict women of young age and consist of at least two different germ cell tumour components. Their presence during pregnancy poses distinct clinical and ethical dilemmas, and intervention must be undertaken early enough to maximise survival of the mother, considering the viability of the foetus. In this case, a 28-year-old primigravida with 16+4 weeks of gestation presented with acute pain in the right lower abdomen. Ultrasound was found to have a viable intrauterine pregnancy and a complex right adnexal mass with haemoperitoneum, which was indicative of a ruptured ovarian cyst. Emergency exploratory laparotomy showed a ruptured right ovarian mass, which was actively bleeding, and right salpingooophorectomy was done. Histopathological analysis revealed a malignant mixed germ cell tumour composed of yolk sac tumour and immature teratoma. Postoperatively, tumour markers were significantly high. The multidisciplinary tumour board discussed the case and advised termination of pregnancy and subsequent systemic chemotherapy due to the aggressive tumour behaviour and an urgent need for treatment. The patient was subjected to Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) after counselling; later, she was treated with Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy. The patient responded well to treatment, experiencing a drop in tumour markers and showing no signs of residual disease. The case highlights the role of early detection and timely surgical intervention of ovarian malignancy identified in pregnancy. It also highlights the importance of multidisciplinary decisionmaking and the need to balance maternal prognosis and fetal considerations. Aggressive MGCTs need emergent management, and, in some cases, a pregnancy may have to be terminated to administer immediate chemotherapy

Decoding testicular germ cell tumors: integrating risk, biology, and biomarkers into future care.

Introduction: Ovarian tumours constitute 3% of all malignancies in women and 30% of all cancers affecting the Female Genital Tract (FGT). Cervical and endometrial cancers have a higher incidence than ovarian cancer. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 (Global Cancer Observatory’s estimates for the year 2022), there were 722,138 ovarian cancer cases worldwide, including 45,333 new cases reported in India. India has the second highest incidence of ovarian cancer globally (6.6%), with the highest rates noted in Pune and Delhi. Immunohistochemical (IHC) markers play a crucial role in subtyping, grading, and assisting in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian tumours. Aim: The present study aimed to analyse the histopathological and immunohistochemical expression of ovarian tumours and evaluate the role of IHC in differentiating primary ovarian neoplasms from metastatic tumours. Materials and Methods: The present ambispective two-year cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2024 on 188 cases at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)-stained sections along with IHC-stained slides of ovarian neoplasms were prepared and examined. IHC was performed in 58 cases using common primary markers such as Cytokeratin 7 (CK7), Cytokeratin 20 (CK20), Paired Box Gene 8 (PAX8), and Wilms’ Tumour Gene 1 (WT1) to identify primary ovarian tumours. Secondary markers such as Caudal-Type Homeobox 2 (CDX2), Special Adenine-Thymine-rich SequenceBinding Protein 2 (SATB2), Oestrogen/Progesterone Receptors (ER/PR), and Calretinin were used to differentiate tumours of FGT, Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT), breast, and metastatic origin. Additional markers like Inhibin and Octamer-Binding Transcription Factors (OCT) were used for morphological subtyping of sex cord-stromal and germ cell tumours. Results: Out of the 188 cases, surface epithelial tumours were the most common (149 cases), including 82 benign serous cystadenomas, 24 malignant Serous Carcinomas (SCs), and 22 mucinous cystadenomas. Most metastatic tumours (21 cases) presented with omental nodules and abdominal pain and were predominantly of SC type. IHC was performed on 58 cases using CK7/CK20 followed by WT1 and Napsin A, which helped differentiate ovarian tumours from other genitourinary tract tumours. Of these, 37 cases were confirmed as primary ovarian tumours. These included 24 cases of SC, 4 adult granulosa cell tumours, and one case each of Mucinous Carcinoma (MC), neuroendocrine carcinoma (small cell carcinoma), Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour, seromucinous cystadenoma, borderline serous tumour, and mature cystic teratoma. Conclusion: The most common neoplasms observed were surface epithelial tumours, with benign serous cystadenoma being the predominant type, most frequently affecting women of reproductive age. IHC played a significant role in tumour differentiation, grading, and prognostication.

The effect of hibernation on reproduction performance of Alligator sinensis, Chinese Alligator is not limited to maintenance of matural follicle, but also involves the fundamental resource of germ cells.

I got my PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Kegang Shang in 2003. And I did my postdoc research in Azim Surani's lab. Then I set up my own lab in Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center at Peking University in 2010. My research has focused on developing single-cell omics sequencing technologies and employing these powerful tools to dissect the gene regulation networks in human germline cell development under both physiological and pathological conditions. My lab systematically developed a serial of single-cell omics sequencing technologies, including the first single-cell DNA methylome sequencing technology in 2013, which was considered to pioneer the single-cell epigenome field. In recent years, my lab has focused on developing single-cell omics long-read sequencing technologies based on single-molecule sequencing platforms, which can reveal critical features of the repetitive elements. The repetitive elements are considered as 'dark matter', which account for over half of our genome and play important roles for both normal development and numerous diseases. The research in my lab revealed critical features of the epigenetic reprogramming of human germline cells, deepening our understanding of these cells, which are fundamental to the transgenerational immortality of the human species.

Tumors of the pineal region represent a rare and heterogeneous group of pediatric intracranial neoplasms, accounting for 3-8% of childhood brain tumors. Their deep midline location and proximity to critical neurovascular structures make surgical management particularly challenging. Over the past two decades, refinements in microsurgical and endoscopic techniques have markedly changed the surgical landscape. This systematic review aims to provide an updated overview of surgical strategies, outcomes, and complications in pediatric pineal region tumors. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed and Embase were searched for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025 reporting surgical outcomes in patients aged ≤ 18years with pineal region tumors. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twenty-two studies including 624 pediatric patients were analyzed qualitatively. Patient age ranged from 4months to 18years (mean 10years), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1. Germ cell tumors were the most common histology, followed by pineoblastomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. The main surgical approaches included supracerebellar infratentorial (SCITA), occipital transtentorial (OTA), occipital interhemispheric transtentorial (OITA), and transcallosal routes, as well as endoscopic or endoscope-assisted techniques. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 40-100% of cases. Transient postoperative morbidity ranged between 15-25%, with Parinaud's syndrome and ataxia being most frequent. Permanent deficits occurred in < 10% of patients, and overall mortality varied by histology and ranged from 0 to 20%. Both microsurgical and endoscopic approaches achieve high rates of GTR with excellent functional outcomes. Minimally invasive techniques increasingly complement traditional microsurgical routes, aiming to reduce morbidity and improve CSF management. Future multicentric prospective studies are essential to establish evidence-based guidelines for pediatric pineal tumor surgery.

Mycotoxin contamination poses a major challenge to public health and has garnered increasing attention across the world in recent decades. Zearalenone (ZEA), as one of the most prevalent contaminants, induces reproductive toxicity and then poses potential threats to animal health. Autophagy/beclin-1 regulator 1 (AMBRA1) is a protein critical for autophagy induction, and can enhance mitophagy by co-localizing with LC3. However, the potential health risk caused by ZEA in male germ cells of animals is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of ZEA-induced swine testicular (ST) cell injury and to clarify the role of AMBRA1 in this process. We established ST cell models to explore the effects of AMBRA1 on ferroptosisinduced by ZEA. Multiple experimental approaches were applied to assess cell viability, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, iron accumulation, and mitophagy. Mechanistic insights were further validated using AMBRA1 overexpression, RNA-seq, molecular docking, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR analyses. In this study, ZEA induced mitochondrial structural damage and impaired mitochondrial function, leading to excessive ROS generation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. We also found that ZEA disrupted the iron homeostasis and thus led to the accumulation of ferrous iron, which further induce ferroptosis. In addition, ZEA reduced autophagy activity and autophagic flux, ultimately suppressing mitophagy. Of note, AMBRA1 overexpression effectively relieved ZEA-induced ferroptosis through restoration of mitophagy in ST cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that ZEA targeted the AMBRA1, leading to down-regulation of AMBRA1 expression, which in turn inhibited mitophagy and thus resulted in ferroptosis in ST cells. Given the potential role of AMBRA1 in ST cells, our results uncover a previously unrecognized mechanism in which AMBRA1-mediated mitophagy functions as a crucial defense target against ferroptosis in testicular cells. Importantly, our results propose a unique insight which AMBRA1 as a promising therapeutic target for counteracting mycotoxin-induced testicular injury in animals.

Malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively rare tumors with limited therapeutic options. This study examined the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status and genomic characteristics in 14 patients with GCT who underwent next-generation sequencing. HRD was evaluated using the genomic instability score (GIS), which incorporates three components: loss of heterozygosity (LOH), telomeric allelic imbalance (TAI), and large-scale transition (LST). Our findings showed that 57.1% (8/14) of participants were HRD positive. Female patients presented a significantly higher prevalence of HRD positivity (87.5%, 7/8) compared with male patients (16.7%, 1/6). HRD positivity in female cases had a mean GIS of 56 (range 48-76), including one patient harboring a germline BRCA2 p.S2670L (c.8009C>T) likely pathogenic mutation. LST demonstrated the strongest correlation with the integrated GIS (R2 = 0.945), followed by LOH (R2 = 0.872). Distinct mutation patterns were observed based on gender. GCTs in male cases predominantly exhibited mutations in TP53 (50% in yolk sac tumors; 50% in teratomas). GCTs in male cases also demonstrated TP53 mutations in one mediastinal yolk sac tumor and one mediastinal teratoma. Male cases showed recurrent alterations in KRAS, PRKDC, and CDKN1B, alongside frequent chromosome 12p amplifications in two cases. One particularly complex mediastinal teratoma in a male patient, featuring rhabdomyosarcomatous transformation, displayed bidirectional intergenic (TWSG1, MANEA-DT)-ROS1fusions, a HRAS-intergenic (RNH1) fusion, and MET focal amplification. These findings suggest a promising therapeutic opportunity with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for female patients with HRD-positive GCTs. Additionally, the complex composition of gene variants found in male patients with GCTs, including ROS1 fusions and MET focal amplification, points toward potential targeted therapeutic strategies. This study underscores the presence of sex-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities in GCTs, which warrant further exploration in larger cohorts. © 2026 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Conformité Européenne [CE]-certified microRNA-371a-3p (miR371a) assay in patients undergoing inguinal exploration for small testicular masses of unknown histology in a real-world setting. Between March 2023 and March 2024, 60 patients underwent inguinal exploration for testicular masses of unknown histology. For miR371a analysis, peripheral venous blood was obtained and sent to the Department of Molecular Pathology within 30 min. The extracted miRNA was reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) with miRNA-specific stem-loop primers, followed by a pre-amplification step. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the miR371a is quantified. The median crossing points of the triplicates was calculated and converted into a relative quantification value. The evaluation of the miR371a assay showed a true-positive result in 25 patients with seminoma. Eight patients with seminoma had false-negative results. In the non-seminoma group, six of seven (86%) patients had a true positive result. The false-negative finding derived from a non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) with predominant teratoma. The test was true-negative in 16 patients with sarcoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Leydig cell tumour, and Sertoli cell tumour. False-positive results were obtained in four patients. The results yield a sensitivity of 77.5%, a specificity of 80% and a positive predictive value of 88.6% and negative predictive value of 64% for the miR371a test in our cohort. In the seminoma cohort, the sensitivity of the serum tumour markers was 12%. In the NSGCT cohort, the sensitivity was 66%. In the absence of suitable markers, the miR371a assay shows promising results in the preoperative diagnosis of suspected localised small testicular tumour. Standardisation of pre-analytical handling and prospective multicentre validation are essential to define its optimal role in preoperative decision-making.

Sperm display remarkable diversity in size and morphology, especially in insects. Sperm length varies by several hundred-fold within Drosophila alone. In the model species Drosophila melanogaster, sperm are approximately 1.7 times longer than those of its close relatives D. simulans and D. mauritiana. However, the developmental mechanisms underlying such rapid divergence in sperm traits remain poorly understood. Somatic hub and cyst cells are essential for the maintenance of germline stem cells in Drosophila spermatogenesis, yet their contribution to cell growth later in spermatogenesis remains unclear. Here, we used primordial germ cell (PGC) xenotransplantation to determine whether sperm length regulation is cell-autonomous or influenced by the somatic environment of the testes. When D. simulans PGCs were transplanted into agametic D. melanogaster embryos, the resulting sperm were indistinguishable in length from those of D. simulans donor males and remained significantly shorter than the sperm of D. melanogaster males. Our results suggest that the dramatic diversification in sperm length shaped by post-copulatory sexual selection in the Drosophila lineage has been largely driven by cell-autonomous modifications in the germ line.

The piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are essential for controlling transposable elements (TEs) activity in germ cells, yet their expression dynamics and functions during human oogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we simultaneously profile small and long RNAs in individual human oocytes across four developmental stages. piRNAs, especially PIWIL3-associated short piRNAs, are the predominant small non-coding RNAs during human oogenesis. A marked increase in short-piRNAs coincide with a global reduction of TE expression, particularly LINE-1 and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). In contrast, PIWIL1- and PIWIL2-associated long piRNAs correlate with the downregulation of certain specific ERV subfamilies. Genomic analyses reveal that highly productive piRNA clusters have evolved asymmetric antisense insertion bias toward LINE-1 and ERVs, enabling TE families-specific regulation. Together, our study provides a valuable single-cell dataset of small and long RNA co-expression landscapes in developing human oocytes and reveals coordinated yet distinct roles of different PIWI/piRNA classes in TE repression during human oogenesis, with short-piRNAs acting as the primary and broad-spectrum suppressors, and long-piRNAs providing coordinated ERV-specific repression.

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common type of tumour diagnosed in young men, and reliable non-invasive biomarkers are crucial for clinical management. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) from the miR-371-373 cluster have recently been identified as novel and more sensitive serum biomarkers than the conventional protein-based markers. However, few studies have looked at the expression of the miR-371-373 cluster in tumour tissue. To investigate the expression of miR-371a-3p and miR-373-3p in testicular tumour tissue and compare it with matched serum levels. We used single-molecule in situ hybridisation (smISH) on tumour tissue from 33 patients-30 with TGCT and three with the precursor lesion, germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS)-of whom 20 had paired pre-orchiectomy serum samples. We validated the smISH using RT-qPCR on tumour tissue from 12 patients. Both miR-371a-3p and miR-373-3p were positive in all tumour tissue samples except for teratoma. Also, patients with TGCT that were negative in serum for either miR-371a-3p (n = 4) or miR-373-3p (n = 6) showed positive expression in their tumour tissue. The expression levels varied across tumours, with miR-373-3p generally showing higher expression than miR-371a-3p. All samples with GCNIS were positive, both when adjacent to tumour tissue (n = 6) and without an invasive component (n = 3). Although our study only included 33 cases, we covered all TGCT components. In situ expression patterns indicate that miR-373-3p has a diagnostic value independent of miR-371a-3p. All non-teratomatous TGCT and GCNIS tissue showed expression of miR-371a-3p and miR-373-3p, and the lack of detection in serum consequently seems to be related to technical sensitivity.

HORMAD1 expression is usually restricted to germ-line cells but is also aberrantly expressed in 60% of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), where it is bi-modally expressed and associated with genomic instability. Here, we show that out-of-context HORMAD1 expression in mitotic cells perturbs mitotic arrest and generates aneuploidy. These phenotypes are caused by out-of-context HORMAD1 expression driving a weakening of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and/or in kinetochore-microtubule error correction. These mitotic effects of HORMAD1 are MAD2L1-independent, but instead caused by a HORMAD1/Aurora B interaction and defective Aurora B/INCENP signalling. Consistent with this mechanism, aberrant HORMAD1 expression causes sensitivity to MPS1, Aurora B or BUB1 inhibitors currently being investigated as cancer treatments. Our data suggests how out-of-context expression of a meiotic gene imparts genomic instability upon tumour cells and also identifies several associated dependencies as mechanism-based therapeutic targets for a large, biomarker-defined, subset of cancers.

Glycogen and lactate metabolism in mouse fetal Sertoli cells sustain the germ line.

Pineal region tumors pose a significant surgical challenge due to their deep location and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Endoscopic techniques, particularly the transchoroid approach, have expanded the possibilities for minimally invasive access to the posterior third ventricle. In select cases, this route may not only allow simultaneous biopsy and third ventriculostomy but also meaningful tumour resection while limiting morbidity. We report the case of an 11-year-old male presenting with headache, drowsiness, vomiting and diplopia. Imaging demonstrated a heterogeneous pineal mass with features suggestive of teratoma. Serum markers revealed markedly elevated β-HCG with normal AFP. The radiological picture coupled with the tumour markers was consistent with a mixed malignant germ cell tumour. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and endoscopic extraforaminal transchoroid (EFTC) approach were planned through a single burr hole with the aim of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, providing a tissue sample and debulking if possible and appropriate. The identification of mature teratomatous components on smear and a favorable dissection plane enabled and justified gross total resection through the single burr hole. Histopathology confirmed mature and immature teratomatous tissue with a 5-10% germinomatous component. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient completed chemotherapy followed by proton beam radiotherapy, remaining recurrence-free at the latest follow-up of over two years. This case represents the first reported gross total resection (GTR) of a pineal tumour achieved via an endoscopic EFTC approach and highlights its potential as a safe and effective minimally invasive route for lesions in the posterior third ventricle, enabling complete resection in select patients.