Exogenous and Endogenous Retinoic Acid Modulates Meiosis-associated Genes Expression in Canine Testis, an in vitro Model

Pharmacological approaches to the control of spermatogenesis in dogs are required for the long-term solution to the population explosion amongst dogs. The objectives were 1) to investigate the regulation of meiosis-associated and male germ cell-related genes (STRA8, SYCP3, DMC1, DMRT1 and DAZL) following exogenous administration of retinoic acid (RA) and after modulation of endogenous RA by a CYP26B1 inhibitor in an in-vitro canine testis model; and 2) to compare the effect of increased endogenous RA by inhibition of the enzyme CYP26B1 to the consequences of direct administration of exogenous RA. [...]