Presentation Information
[C02-03]Segmented wavetrain patterns observed in seminiferous tubules.
*Kei Sugihara1, Ayuki Sekisaka2, Toshiyuki Ogawa2, Takashi Miura1 (1. Kyushu Univ. (Japan), 2. Meiji Univ. (Japan))
Keywords:
seminiferous tubules,cellular association pattern,wavetrain,defects,reaction–diffusion
Mammalian sperms are produced within the seminiferous tubules, a tubular structure in the testis. These tubules form a U shape, connecting to the outlet at both ends. They show characteristic spatiotemporal patterns of differentiation called cellular association patterns. In the mice, the patterns can be understood as one-dimensional wavetrain patterns. The waves always progress inwardly near both ends, resulting in one or more "sites of reversal," where the wave direction reverses. We previously reported a three-species reaction-diffusion model for the interspecific difference of the pattern (Kawamura et al., 2021). The segmented pattern was numerically observed in our previous study, but its detailed nature and biological relevance to the sites of reversals remain largely unknown.
In this study, we first modified our previous model to reflect better the actual spatiotemporal dynamics in the mouse. Next, to understand the mathematical nature of the pattern, we surveyed the statistical characteristics of this pattern by large-scale numerical simulations. Numerically, their occurrence depends on the domain length, with longer regions showing higher segmented pattern frequency. Then, we also tested several hypotheses for the direction specification at both ends. Among those tested, this specification could be explained by the preferential growth of the tubules near the outlet. These segmented patterns can be mathematically understood as defects, as discussed by Sandstede and Scheel (2004). Our results suggest that mathematical modeling helps understand the spermatogenic waves in seminiferous tubules.
In this study, we first modified our previous model to reflect better the actual spatiotemporal dynamics in the mouse. Next, to understand the mathematical nature of the pattern, we surveyed the statistical characteristics of this pattern by large-scale numerical simulations. Numerically, their occurrence depends on the domain length, with longer regions showing higher segmented pattern frequency. Then, we also tested several hypotheses for the direction specification at both ends. Among those tested, this specification could be explained by the preferential growth of the tubules near the outlet. These segmented patterns can be mathematically understood as defects, as discussed by Sandstede and Scheel (2004). Our results suggest that mathematical modeling helps understand the spermatogenic waves in seminiferous tubules.