Nutrient restriction synergizes with retinoic acid to induce mammalian meiotic initiation in vitro

Abstract The molecular machinery and chromosome structures carrying out meiosis are frequently conserved from yeast to mammals. However, signals initiating appear divergent: while nutrient restriction induces in the system, retinoic acid (RA) its target Stra8 have been shown be necessary but not sufficient induce meiotic initiation mammalian germ cells. Here, we use primary culture of mouse undifferentiated spermatogonia without support gonadal somatic cells show that combination with RA is - Spo11 -dependent gene programs recapitulate transcriptomic cytologic features vivo meiosis. We demonstrate neither nor alone exerts these effects. Moreover, identify a distinctive network 11 restriction-upregulated transcription factor genes, which associated early whose expression does require RA. Our study proposes model, by upregulating key genes for program provides an vitro platform induction could facilitate research haploid gamete production.