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. 2021 Feb 10;7(7):eabd7605. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abd7605

Fig. 3. Sperm sRNA contributes to paternal transmission of depression-like symptoms.

Fig. 3

(A) Schematic timeline and behavioral paradigm in IVF offspring born to zygotes injected with sperm sRNA (sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl/Mock-Ctl). (B and C) Behavioral performances in FST and SPT (Mock-Ctl, n = 18; sRNA-Ctl or sRNA-Dep, n = 33 to 34) under baseline conditions or after exposure to CVS. (D) Plasma corticosterone levels of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl under baseline conditions (n = 5). (E) CRH mRNA expression in the PVN of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl exposed to CVS (n = 6). (F) Activation of CRH neurons in the PVN of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl under baseline conditions (n = 4). (G) Depression-related gene expression in the hippocampus, mPFC, and LHb of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl exposed to CVS (n = 6). (H and J) Immunoblot (top) and quantification (bottom) analyses of glutamate and synaptic proteins in the hippocampus and mPFC of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl exposed to CVS (n = 4). (I and K) Neuronal activation in the hippocampus and mPFC of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl under baseline conditions (n = 4). (L and M) Frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs in the hippocampal and mPFC pyramidal neurons of sRNA-Dep versus sRNA-Ctl under baseline conditions (n = 9 neurons from five mice per group).