Motile cilia of the male reproductive system require miR-34/miR-449 for development and function to generate luminal turbulence
Abstract
Motile cilia are found lining the respiratory and reproductive systems, as well as the brain and spinal column, and the coordinated beat moves fluids over the luminal surfaces. Disruptions of ciliary structure or beat patterns have been shown to be involved in numerous diseases called ciliopathies. For many years, it has been proposed that the ciliary beat in the male reproductive system propels sperm from testis into the epididymis via tiny efferent ductules. Here, we show that motile cilia lining the efferent ductules do not directly propel sperm, but rather serve as agitators, generating vigorous fluidic turbulence, to maintain suspension of sperm within the intraluminal fluid, thus ensuring an equilibrium in fluid reabsorption by the nonciliated cells.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- February 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1817018116
- Bibcode:
- 2019PNAS..116.3584Y