Wenxian Zeng, Professor

Department of Animal Sciences

College of Animal Sciences & Technology

Northwest A & F University

22 Xi-nong Road
Yangling, Shaaxi 712100, China
Telephone: 029-87091932
Fax: 029-87091932
email: zengwenxian@gmail.com, zengwnxian@hotmail.com

Education:

B.S.  Sichuan Agricultural University, Animal Science 1984
M.S.  Sichuan Agricultural University, Animal Breeding 1987
Ph.D.  Hiroshima University, Japan, Animal Reproduction 2001
Post Doctoral Research  Hiroshima University, Tulane University and University of Pennsylvania 2001-2004

Description of Research:

The research in my laboratory focuses on the molecular regulation of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) renewal and differentiation. SSC is at the foundation of spermatogenesis which provides sperm production throughout the lifetime of a male. Similar to other adult stem cells, SSC is a tissue-specific stem cell population which has the potential for self-renewal and production of differentiated daughter cells. SSC is unique in its capability to contribute genes to next generation making it a perfect target for genetic manipulations. Currently the mechanisms that regulate SSC renewal and differentiation in mammalian are poorly understood. We are trying to identify SSC molecular markers, and the regulation mechanisms of SSC renewal.

My laboratory also studies preservation of male fertility. Artificial insemination (AI) in swine has attained widely acceptability throughout the world. However, boar sperm are extremely sensitive to cold shock and cryopreservation. The low survival and poor fertilizing capability limit the frozen boar semen from being widely applied in the industry. Our group has successfully developed a new technique for preservation of boar semen. In addition, preservation and transplantation of SSC and testis tissue is another project in our laboratory for conservation of valuable immature males especially for endangered species and superexcellent farm animals.        

Teaching:

• Cell Biology
• Research topics of Modern Animal Biotechnology   
  
  

Publications: (selected publications from peer-reviewed journals)
   

1. Rathi R*, Zeng W*, Megee S, Conley A, Meyers S, Dobrinski I. Maturation of testicular tissue from infant monkeys after xenografting into mice. Endocrinology.  2008; 149(10):5288-96. (co-first author)
2. Zeng W, Megee SO, Snedaker AK, Rathi R, Chen F, Honaramooz A, Dobrinski I. Preservation and transplantation of porcine testis tissue.  Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 2009;21：489-497
3. Tolkunova E, Malashichevaa A, Chikhirjina ЕV, Kostyleva EI, Zeng W, Luo J, Dobrinski I, Hierholzer А, Kemler R, Tomilin А. E-Cadherin as a Novel Surface Marker of Spermatogonial Stem cells. Cell and Tissue Biology. 2009; 3:103-9. 
4. Honaramooz A, Megee S, Zeng W,  Destrempes M, Overton S, Luo J, Galantino-Homer H, Modelski M, Chen F, Blash S, Melican D, Gavin W, Ayres S, Yang F, Wang J, Echelard Y, Dobrinski I.  Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated transduction of male germline stem cells results in transgene transmission after germ cell transplantation. The FASEB Journal (The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal). 2008; 22(2):374-82.
5. Zeng W, Rathi R, Pan H, Dobrinski I. Comparison of global gene expression between porcine testis tissue xenografts and porcine testis in situ. Molecular Reproduction and Development. 2007; 74(6): 674-9.
6. Zeng W, Avelar GF, Rathi R, Franca LR, Dobrinski I. The length of the spermatogenic cycle is conserved in porcine and ovine testis xenografts. Journal of Andrology. 2006; 27(4):527-33.
7. Galantino-Homer HL, Zeng W, Megee SO, Dallmeyer M, Voelkl D. Dobrinski I. Effects of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and cholesterol on porcine sperm viability and capacitation status following cold shock or incubation. Molecular Reproduction and Development. 2006; 73(5):638-50.
8. Rathi R, Honaramooz A, Zeng W, Schlatt S, Dobrinski I. Germ cell fate and seminiferous tubule development in bovine testis xenografts. Reproduction. 2005;130(6):923-9.
9. Zeng W, Terada T. Effects of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin on cryosurvival of boar spermatozoa. Journal of Andrology 2001;22(1):111-118.
10. Zeng W, Terada T. Protection of boar spermatozoa from cold shock damage by 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Theriogenology 2001;55(2):615-27.
11. Zeng W, Shimada M, Terada T. Survival of boar spermatozoa frozen in diluents of varying osmolality. Theriogenology 2001;56(3):447-58.）
12. Zeng W, Terada T. Freezability of boar spermatozoa is improved by exposure to 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 2000;12(3-4):223-8.
13. Zeng W, Terada T. Effects of exposure to bovine follicular fluid before freezing on cryoresistance of boar spermatozoa. Animal Science Journal. 2001;72:291-8.
14. Shimada M, Zeng W, Terada T. Inhibition of PI-3 kinase or MEK leads to suppression of p34 ^cdc2 kinase activity and meiotic progression beyond the MI stage in porcine oocyte surrounded with cumulus cells. Biology of Reproduction. 2001;65:442-8.