Expressions of transcription factors Ets1 and Ets2 in mouse testis tissue

To investigate the regulation of Ets family transcription factors Ets1 and Ets2 on the development of mouse testis and elucidate the effects of Ets1 and Ets2 on self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells. Mouse testis tissues were collected from specific developmental stages including the postnatal days 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50 and 70; busulfan peritoneal injection was performed and mouse testis tissues were collected on the 0th, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 18th days after injection respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Ets1 and Ets2 in samples were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of Ets1 was significantly higher during the period of postnatal 1~30 day than that at postnatal day 35 (P<;0.05 or 0.01), while its expression decreased evidently and maintained at a stable level afterwards. Ets2 expressed significantly higher during the period of postnatal 1~25 day than that at postnatal day 35 (P<;0.05 or 0.01), while it decreased significantly and maintained at a stable level afterwards similarly. After busulfan treatment, the expression of Ets1 declined and reached the lowest level at day 5, then increased gradually and reached the level of day 0 after busulfan treatment and maintained steadily around day 9. Notably, the expressions of Ets1 at day 5 and day 8 were significantly higher than that of day 0 after busulfan treatment (P<;0.05 or 0.01). No obvious changes was observed for the expression of Ets2 during 1~9 day after busulfan treatment, while it decreased dramatically at day 10, which was significantly lower than that of day 0 and day 18 (P<;0.05 or 0.01). The expression of Ets2 gradually increased after day 10 and reached its normal level around day 18. Taken together, Ets1 and Ets2 may affect the early development of mouse testis, adult spermatogenesis, as well as the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia.