Total RNAs from testicular tissues were extracted using an RNeasy Plus Micro Kit (74034, Qiagen, Duesseldorf, Germany) following the manufacturer’s protocol. cDNA was reverse transcribed using a PrimeScript RT reagent Kit (Vazyme, Nanjing, China) and then processed through a SYBR Green-based StepOne-Plus real-time PCR system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) with 18S rRNA as a normalization control. Primers targeting Espn and 18S rRNA have been previously listed (26 (link)).