# Normal spermatogenesis and fertility in Spmip8 deficiency male mice

## TL;DR

Mice lacking the Spmip8 gene show normal fertility and sperm characteristics, suggesting other genes may compensate for its absence.

## Contribution

This study reveals that Spmip8 is not essential for male fertility in mice, and its role may be compensated by other Spmip family members.

## Key findings

- Spmip8−/− male mice have normal fertility, sperm count, motility, and testis volume.
- The absence of Spmip8 does not disrupt spermatogenesis or sperm morphology.
- Other Spmip family members are upregulated in Spmip8 knockout mice, suggesting functional compensation.

## Abstract

Spmip8, also known as Tepp, is a protein-coding gene which highly conserved in the mammals. Although SPMIP8 has been reported to be highly expressed in the testis, the function of SPMIP8 in spermatogenesis and male fertility remain unknown. In this study, we used CRISPR/cas9-mediated genome editing system to generate Spmip8-deficient mice. The phenotype of Spmip8 knockout (KO) male mice was performed by fertility tests, histology, and immunofluorescence. SPMIP8 is localization to the flagella of elongating spermatids in testis. Spmip8 KO male mice exhibited normal fertility. No significant differences were found in sperm count, motility, morphology and kinematic parameters between WT and Spmip8 KO mice. Furthermore, no detectable defects in spermatogenesis were found in KO mice. The transcription level of several Spmip genes (Spmip1, Spmip2, Spmip3, Spmip7 and Spmip11) was elevated in the testes of Spmip8 knockout mice, suggesting that Spmip8 gene in male fertility could be compensated by other Spmip family members. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that Spmip8 is not an essential gene for male fertility in mice. Our study helps researchers avoid duplication and repetitive work and explore genes that are integral to spermatogenesis and male fertility.

•Spmip8 is a highly conserved gene in testes.•Spmip8−/− males showed normal testis volume, fertility, sperm count, and motility.•Spmip8in male fertility could be compensated by other Spmip family members.

Spmip8 is a highly conserved gene in testes.

Spmip8−/− males showed normal testis volume, fertility, sperm count, and motility.

Spmip8in male fertility could be compensated by other Spmip family members.