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Priego Espinosa D, Espinal-Enríquez J, Aldana A, Aldana M, Martínez-Mekler G, Carneiro J, Darszon A. Reviewing mathematical models of sperm signaling networks. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23766. [PMID: 39175359 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Dave Garbers' work significantly contributed to our understanding of sperm's regulated motility, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. These key sperm functions involve complex multistep signaling pathways engaging numerous finely orchestrated elements. Despite significant progress, many parameters and interactions among these elements remain elusive. Mathematical modeling emerges as a potent tool to study sperm physiology, providing a framework to integrate experimental results and capture functional dynamics considering biochemical, biophysical, and cellular elements. Depending on research objectives, different modeling strategies, broadly categorized into continuous and discrete approaches, reveal valuable insights into cell function. These models allow the exploration of hypotheses regarding molecules, conditions, and pathways, whenever they become challenging to evaluate experimentally. This review presents an overview of current theoretical and experimental efforts to understand sperm motility regulation, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling strategies and highlight key findings and unresolved questions. Notable discoveries include the importance of specific ion channels, the role of intracellular molecular heterogeneity in capacitation and the acrosome reaction, and the impact of pH changes on acrosomal exocytosis. Ultimately, this review underscores the crucial importance of mathematical frameworks in advancing our understanding of sperm physiology and guiding future experimental investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesús Espinal-Enríquez
- Computational Genomics Division, National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrés Aldana
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maximino Aldana
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, México
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Gustavo Martínez-Mekler
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, México
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Jorge Carneiro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
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2
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Ma J, Xie Q, Zhang Y, Xiao Q, Liu X, Qiao C, Tian Y. Advances in microfluidic technology for sperm screening and in vitro fertilization. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:3717-3735. [PMID: 38189916 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
About 18% of reproductive-age adults worldwide are affected by infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are widely used assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) aimed at improving clinical outcomes. Efficient and noninvasive selection and isolation of highly motile sperm with intact DNA are essential for the success of IVF and ICSI and can potentially impact the therapeutic efficacy and the health of the offspring. Compared to traditional methods, microfluidic technology offers significant advantages such as low sample consumption, high efficiency, minimal damage, high integration, similar microenvironment, and high automation, providing a new platform for ARTs. Here, we review the current situation of microfluidic technology in the field of sperm motility screening and evaluation and IVF research. First, we focus on the working principle, structural design, and screening results of sperm selection microfluidic platforms. We then highlight how the multiple steps of the IVF process can be facilitated and integrated into a microfluidic chip, including oocyte capture, sperm collection and isolation, sperm sorting, fertilization, and embryo culture. Ultimately, we summarize how microfluidics can complement and optimize current sperm sorting and IVF protocols, and challenges and possible solutions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtong Ma
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Qianlin Xie
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Yusongjia Zhang
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Qirui Xiao
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110003, China.
| | - Chong Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, 110022, China.
| | - Ye Tian
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China.
- Foshan Graduate School of Innovation, Northeastern University, Foshan, 528300, China.
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3
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Lu P, Simas TAM, Delpapa E, ZhuGe R. Bitter taste receptors in the reproductive system: Function and therapeutic implications. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31179. [PMID: 38219077 PMCID: PMC10922893 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Type 2 taste receptors (TAS2Rs), traditionally known for their role in bitter taste perception, are present in diverse reproductive tissues of both sexes. This review explores our current understanding of TAS2R functions with a particular focus on reproductive health. In males, TAS2Rs are believed to play potential roles in processes such as sperm chemotaxis and male fertility. Genetic insights from mouse models and human polymorphism studies provide some evidence for their contribution to male infertility. In female reproduction, it is speculated that TAS2Rs influence the ovarian milieu, shaping the functions of granulosa and cumulus cells and their interactions with oocytes. In the uterus, TAS2Rs contribute to uterine relaxation and hold potential as therapeutic targets for preventing preterm birth. In the placenta, they are proposed to function as vigilant sentinels, responding to infection and potentially modulating mechanisms of fetal protection. In the cervix and vagina, their analogous functions to those in other extraoral tissues suggest a potential role in infection defense. In addition, TAS2Rs exhibit altered expression patterns that profoundly affect cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis in reproductive cancers. Notably, TAS2R agonists show promise in inducing apoptosis and overcoming chemoresistance in these malignancies. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including a lack of genetic and functional studies. The application of techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated endonuclease 9 gene editing could provide deeper insights into TAS2Rs in reproduction, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies for reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological System, UMass Chan Medical School, 363 Plantation St., Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Tiffany A. Moore Simas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health, Memorial Campus 119 Belmont St., Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ellen Delpapa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health, Memorial Campus 119 Belmont St., Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ronghua ZhuGe
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological System, UMass Chan Medical School, 363 Plantation St., Worcester, MA, USA
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4
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Tang ZS, Li JJ, Zhu WJ, Ai BQ. Collective self-optimization of binary mixed heterogeneous populations. Phys Rev E 2024; 109:024405. [PMID: 38491669 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.109.024405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
To maximize the survival chances of society members, collective self-organization must balance individual interests with promoting the collective welfare. Although situations where group members have equal optimal values are clear, how varying optimal values impacts group dynamics remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a self-optimization study of a binary system incorporating communication-enabled active particles with distinct optimal values. We demonstrate that similar particles will spontaneously aggregate and separate from each other to maximize their individual benefits during the process of self-optimization. Our research shows that both types of particles can produce the optimal field values at low density. However, only one type of particle can achieve the optimal field values at medium density. At high densities, neither type of particle is effective in reaching the optimal field values. Interestingly, we observed that during the self-optimization process, the mixture demixed spontaneously under certain circumstances of mixed particles. Particles with higher optimal values developed into larger clusters, while particles with lower optimal values migrated outside of these clusters, resulting in the separation of the mixture. To achieve this separation, suitable noise intensity, particle density, and the significant difference in optimal values were necessary. Our results provide a more profound comprehension of the self-optimization of synthetic or biological agents' communication and provide valuable insight into separating binary species and mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Sha Tang
- Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wei-Jing Zhu
- School of Photoelectric Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665, China
| | - Bao-Quan Ai
- Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Quantum Matter, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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5
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Stehnach MR, Henshaw RJ, Floge SA, Guasto JS. Multiplexed microfluidic screening of bacterial chemotaxis. eLife 2023; 12:e85348. [PMID: 37486823 PMCID: PMC10365836 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganism sensing of and responding to ambient chemical gradients regulates a myriad of microbial processes that are fundamental to ecosystem function and human health and disease. The development of efficient, high-throughput screening tools for microbial chemotaxis is essential to disentangling the roles of diverse chemical compounds and concentrations that control cell nutrient uptake, chemorepulsion from toxins, and microbial pathogenesis. Here, we present a novel microfluidic multiplexed chemotaxis device (MCD) which uses serial dilution to simultaneously perform six parallel bacterial chemotaxis assays that span five orders of magnitude in chemostimulant concentration on a single chip. We first validated the dilution and gradient generation performance of the MCD, and then compared the measured chemotactic response of an established bacterial chemotaxis system (Vibrio alginolyticus) to a standard microfluidic assay. Next, the MCD's versatility was assessed by quantifying the chemotactic responses of different bacteria (Psuedoalteromonas haloplanktis, Escherichia coli) to different chemoattractants and chemorepellents. The MCD vastly accelerates the chemotactic screening process, which is critical to deciphering the complex sea of chemical stimuli underlying microbial responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Stehnach
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States
| | - Richard J Henshaw
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States
| | - Sheri A Floge
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Guasto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, United States
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6
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Huang J, Chen H, Li N, Zhao Y. Emerging microfluidic technologies for sperm sorting. ENGINEERED REGENERATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.engreg.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
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7
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Fang Y, Wu R, Lee JM, Chan LHM, Chan KYJ. Microfluidic in-vitro fertilization technologies: Transforming the future of human reproduction. Trends Analyt Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.116959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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8
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Yu SX, Wu Y, Luo H, Liu Y, Chen YC, Wang YJ, Liu W, Tang J, Shi H, Gao H, Jing G, Liu YJ. Escaping Behavior of Sperms on the Biomimetic Oviductal Surface. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2366-2374. [PMID: 36655581 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Before fertilization, sperms adhere to oviductal epithelium cells, and only a restrictive number of winner sperms can escape to reach the egg. To study the sperm escape behavior from the oviductal surface, we developed a microfluidic chip to fabricate an adhesive surface and to create a gradient of progesterone (P4) for mimicking the oviduct microenvironment in vivo. We identified three sperm motion patterns in such a microenvironment─anchored spin, run-and-spin, and escaped mode. By using kinetic analysis, we verified the hypothesis that the responsive rotation energy anchored with the adhered sperm head determines whether the sperm is trapped or detaching, which is defined as the hammer flying strategy of successful escape after accumulating energy in the process of rotating. Intriguingly, this hammer-throw escaping is able to be triggered by the P4 biochemical stimulation. Our results revealed the tangled process of sperm escape before fertilization in the ingenious microfluidic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Xi Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Hao Luo
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China
| | - Yu-Chen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Ya-Jun Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Jianan Tang
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- NHC Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Hai Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Guangyin Jing
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Photon Technology in Western China Energy, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai200032, China
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9
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β-Defensin 19/119 mediates sperm chemotaxis and is associated with idiopathic infertility. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100825. [PMID: 36513070 PMCID: PMC9797948 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sperm chemotaxis is required for guiding sperm toward the egg. However, the molecular identity of physiological chemoattractant and its involvement in infertility remain elusive. Here, we identify DEFB19/119 (mouse/human orthologs) as a physiological sperm chemoattractant. The epithelia of the female reproductive tract and the cumulus-oocyte complex secrete DEFB19/119 that elicits calcium mobilization via the CatSper channel and induces sperm chemotaxis in capacitated sperm. Manipulating the level of DEFB19 in mice determines the number of sperm arriving at the fertilization site. Importantly, we identify exon mutations in the DEFB119 gene in idiopathic infertile women with low level of DEFB119 in the follicular fluid. The level of DEFB119 correlates with the chemotactic potency of follicular fluid and predicts the infertile outcome with positive correlation. This study reveals the pivotal role of DEFB19/119 in sperm chemotaxis and demonstrates its potential application in the diagnosis of idiopathic infertility.
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10
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Electrophysiology and Fluorescence Spectroscopy Approaches for Evaluating Gamete and Embryo Functionality in Animals and Humans. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12111685. [DOI: 10.3390/biom12111685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review has examined two of the techniques most used by our research group for evaluating gamete and embryo functionality in animal species, ranging from marine invertebrates to humans. Electrophysiology has given access to fundamental information on some mechanisms underpinning the biology of reproduction. This technique demonstrates the involvement of ion channels in multiple physiological mechanisms, the achievement of homeostasis conditions, and the triggering of profound metabolic modifications, often functioning as amplification signals of cellular communication. Fluorescence spectrometry using fluorescent probes to mark specific cell structures allows detailed information to be obtained on the functional characteristics of the cell populations examined. The simple and rapid execution of this methodology allowed us to establish a panel helpful in elucidating functional features in living cells in a simultaneous and multi-parameter way in order to acquire overall drafting of gamete and embryo functionality.
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11
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Teveroni E, Di Nicuolo F, Vergani E, Bruno C, Maulucci G, Bianchetti G, Astorri AL, Grande G, Gervasoni J, Santucci L, De Spirito M, Urbani A, Pontecorvi A, Mancini F, Milardi D. Short-Chain Fatty Acids Modulate Sperm Migration through Olfactory Receptor 51E2 Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112726. [PMID: 36361515 PMCID: PMC9658011 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-orthotopic expression of olfactory receptors (ORs) includes the male reproductive system, and in particular spermatozoa; their active ligands could be essential to sperm chemotaxis and chemical sperm-oocyte communication. OR51E2 expression has been previously reported on sperm cells' surface. It has been demonstrated in different cellular models that olfactory receptor 51E2 (OR51E2) binds volatile short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as specific ligands. In the present research, we make use of Western blot, confocal microscopy colocalization analysis, and the calcium-release assay to demonstrate the activation of sperm cells through OR51E2 upon SCFAs stimulus. Moreover, we perform a novel modified swim-up assay to study the involvement of OR51E2/SCFAs in sperm migration. Taking advantage of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA system), we determine the kinematics parameters of sperm cells migrating towards SCFAs-enriched medium, revealing that these ligands are able to promote a more linear sperm-cell orientation. Finally, we obtain SCFAs by mass spectrometry in cervico-vaginal mucus and show for the first time that a direct incubation between cervical mucus and sperm cells could promote their activation. This study can shed light on the possible function of chemosensory receptors in successful reproduction activity, laying the foundation for the development of new strategies for the treatment of infertile individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Teveroni
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, ISI, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Nicuolo
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, ISI, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Vergani
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Bruno
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maulucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Biophysics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Bianchetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Biophysics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Astorri
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, ISI, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Jacopo Gervasoni
- Department of Laboratory and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Santucci
- Metabolomics Research Core Facility, Gemelli Science and Technology Park (GSteP), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Biophysics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department of Laboratory and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, ISI, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: or
| | - Francesca Mancini
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, ISI, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Milardi
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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12
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Muljadi M, Fu YC, Cheng CM. Understanding the Cell's Response to Chemical Signals: Utilisation of Microfluidic Technology in Studies of Cellular and Dictyostelium discoideum Chemotaxis. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1737. [PMID: 36296089 PMCID: PMC9611482 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cellular chemotaxis has been the subject of a variety of studies due to its relevance in physiological processes, disease pathogenesis, and systems biology, among others. The migration of cells towards a chemical source remains a closely studied topic, with the Boyden chamber being one of the earlier techniques that has successfully studied cell chemotaxis. Despite its success, diffusion chambers such as these presented a number of problems, such as the quantification of many aspects of cell behaviour, the reproducibility of procedures, and measurement accuracy. The advent of microfluidic technology prompted more advanced studies of cell chemotaxis, usually involving the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum (D. discoideum) as a model organism because of its tendency to aggregate towards chemotactic agents and its similarities to higher eukaryotes. Microfluidic technology has made it possible for studies to look at chemotactic properties that would have been difficult to observe using classic diffusion chambers. Its flexibility and its ability to generate consistent concentration gradients remain some of its defining aspects, which will surely lead to an even better understanding of cell migratory behaviour and therefore many of its related biological processes. This paper first dives into a brief introduction of D. discoideum as a social organism and classical chemotaxis studies. It then moves to discuss early microfluidic devices, before diving into more recent and advanced microfluidic devices and their use with D. discoideum. The paper then closes with brief opinions about research progress in the field and where it will possibly lead in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Muljadi
- International Intercollegiate Ph.D. Program, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Fu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Min Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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13
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Examination of Intracellular GPCR-Mediated Signaling with High Temporal Resolution. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158516. [PMID: 35955656 PMCID: PMC9369311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play important roles in physiology and neuronal signaling. More than a thousand genes, excluding the olfactory receptors, have been identified that encode these integral membrane proteins. Their pharmacological and functional properties make them fascinating targets for drug development, since various disease states can be treated and overcome by pharmacologically addressing these receptors and/or their downstream interacting partners. The activation of the GPCRs typically causes transient changes in the intracellular second messenger concentrations as well as in membrane conductance. In contrast to ion channel-mediated electrical signaling which results in spontaneous cellular responses, the GPCR-mediated metabotropic signals operate at a different time scale. Here we have studied the kinetics of two common GPCR-induced signaling pathways: (a) Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and (b) cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. The latter was monitored via the activation of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels causing Ca2+ influx into the cell. Genetically modified and stably transfected cell lines were established and used in stopped-flow experiments to uncover the individual steps of the reaction cascades. Using two homologous biogenic amine receptors, either coupling to Go/q or Gs proteins, allowed us to determine the time between receptor activation and signal output. With ~350 ms, the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores was much faster than cAMP-mediated Ca2+ entry through CNG channels (~6 s). The measurements with caged compounds suggest that this difference is due to turnover numbers of the GPCR downstream effectors rather than the different reaction cascades, per se.
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14
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Yang Y, Chen F, Qiao K, Zhang H, Chen HY, Wang KJ. Two Male-Specific Antimicrobial Peptides SCY2 and Scyreprocin as Crucial Molecules Participated in the Sperm Acrosome Reaction of Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3373. [PMID: 35328805 PMCID: PMC8952799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) identified in the reproductive system of animals have been widely studied for their antimicrobial activity, but only a few studies have focused on their physiological roles. Our previous studies have revealed the in vitro antimicrobial activity of two male gonadal AMPs, SCY2 and scyreprocin, from mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Their physiological functions, however, remain a mystery. In this study, the two AMPs were found co-localized on the sperm apical cap. Meanwhile, progesterone was confirmed to induce acrosome reaction (AR) of mud crab sperm in vitro, which intrigued us to explore the roles of the AMPs and progesterone in AR. Results showed that the specific antibody blockade of scyreprocin inhibited the progesterone-induced AR without affecting intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, while the blockade of SCY2 hindered the influx of Ca2+. We further showed that SCY2 could directly bind to Ca2+. Moreover, progesterone failed to induce AR when either scyreprocin or SCY2 function was deprived. Taken together, scyreprocin and SCY2 played a dual role in reproductive immunity and sperm AR. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the direct involvement of AMPs in sperm AR, which would expand the current understanding of the roles of AMPs in reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.Y.); (F.C.); (K.Q.); (H.Z.); (H.-Y.C.)
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.Y.); (F.C.); (K.Q.); (H.Z.); (H.-Y.C.)
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Kun Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.Y.); (F.C.); (K.Q.); (H.Z.); (H.-Y.C.)
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.Y.); (F.C.); (K.Q.); (H.Z.); (H.-Y.C.)
| | - Hui-Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.Y.); (F.C.); (K.Q.); (H.Z.); (H.-Y.C.)
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.Y.); (F.C.); (K.Q.); (H.Z.); (H.-Y.C.)
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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Karuthadurai T, Das DN, Kumaresan A, Sinha MK, Kamaraj E, Nag P, Ebenezer Samuel King JP, Datta TK, Manimaran A, Jeyakumar S, Ramesha K. Sperm Transcripts Associated With Odorant Binding and Olfactory Transduction Pathways Are Altered in Breeding Bulls Producing Poor-Quality Semen. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:799386. [PMID: 35274020 PMCID: PMC8902071 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.799386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa carries a reservoir of mRNAs regulating sperm functions and fertilizing potential. Although it is well recognized that a considerable proportion of high genetic merit breeding bulls produce poor-quality semen, the transcriptomic alterations in spermatozoa from such bulls are not understood. In the present study, comparative high-throughput transcriptomic profiling of spermatozoa from good and poor-quality semen-producing bulls was carried out to identify the transcripts associated with semen quality. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified 11,632 transcripts in Holstein Friesian bull spermatozoa; after total hit normalization, a total of 544 transcripts were detected, of which 185 transcripts were common to both good and poor-quality semen, while 181 sperm transcripts were unique to good quality semen, and 178 transcripts were unique to poor-quality semen. Among the co-expressed transcripts, 31 were upregulated, while 108 were downregulated, and 46 were neutrally expressed in poor-quality semen. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the dysregulated transcripts were predominantly involved in molecular function, such as olfactory receptor activity and odor binding, and in biological process, such as detection of chemical stimulus involved in sensory perception, sensory perception of smell, signal transduction, and signal synaptic transmission. Since a majority of the dysregulated transcripts were involved in the olfactory pathway (85% of enriched dysregulated genes were involved in this pathway), the expression of selected five transcripts associated with this pathway (OR2T11, OR10S1, ORIL3, OR5M11, and PRRX1) were validated using real-time qPCR, and it was found that their transcriptional abundance followed the same trend as observed in NGS; the sperm transcriptional abundance of OR2T11 and OR10S1 differed significantly (p < 0.05) between good and poor-quality semen. It is concluded that poor-quality semen showed altered expression of transcripts associated with olfactory receptors and pathways indicating the relationship between olfactory pathway and semen quality in bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumalaisamy Karuthadurai
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Dayal Nitai Das
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
- *Correspondence: Arumugam Kumaresan ;
| | - Manish Kumar Sinha
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Elango Kamaraj
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - John Peter Ebenezer Samuel King
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Ayyasamy Manimaran
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sakthivel Jeyakumar
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kerekoppa Ramesha
- Dairy Production Section, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
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16
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Tiwary E, Hu M, Prasain JK. Sperm-Guiding Unconventional Prostaglandins in C. elegans: Synthesis and Signaling. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11120853. [PMID: 34940611 PMCID: PMC8705762 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11120853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandins comprise a family of lipid signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and are involved in a wide array of biological processes, including fertilization. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (a.k.a. cyclooxygenase or Cox) initiates prostaglandin synthesis from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid. Oocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have been shown to secrete sperm-guidance cues prostaglandins, independent of Cox enzymes. Both prostaglandin synthesis and signal transduction in C. elegans are environmentally modulated pathways that regulate sperm guidance to the fertilization site. Environmental factors such as food triggers insulin and TGF-β secretion and their levels regulate tissue-specific prostaglandin synthesis in C. elegans. This novel PG pathway is abundant in mouse and human ovarian follicular fluid, where their functions, mechanism of synthesis and pathways remain to be established. Given the importance of prostaglandins in reproductive processes, a better understanding of how diets and other environmental factors influence their synthesis and function may lead to new strategies towards improving fertility in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Tiwary
- Department of Medicines, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Muhan Hu
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Jeevan K. Prasain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(205)-996-2612
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17
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Zampetaki AV, Liebchen B, Ivlev AV, Löwen H. Collective self-optimization of communicating active particles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2111142118. [PMID: 34853169 PMCID: PMC8670500 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111142118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The quest for how to collectively self-organize in order to maximize the survival chances of the members of a social group requires finding an optimal compromise between maximizing the well-being of an individual and that of the group. Here we develop a minimal model describing active individuals which consume or produce, and respond to a shared resource-such as the oxygen concentration for aerotactic bacteria or the temperature field for penguins-while urging for an optimal resource value. Notably, this model can be approximated by an attraction-repulsion model, but, in general, it features many-body interactions. While the former prevents some individuals from closely approaching the optimal value of the shared "resource field," the collective many-body interactions induce aperiodic patterns, allowing the group to collectively self-optimize. Arguably, the proposed optimal field-based collective interactions represent a generic concept at the interface of active matter physics, collective behavior, and microbiological chemotaxis. This concept might serve as a useful ingredient to optimize ensembles of synthetic active agents or to help unveil aspects of the communication rules which certain social groups use to maximize their survival chances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V Zampetaki
- Center for Astrochemical Studies, Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, 85741 Garching, Germany
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II, Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Benno Liebchen
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Alexei V Ivlev
- Center for Astrochemical Studies, Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, 85741 Garching, Germany
| | - Hartmut Löwen
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II, Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abstract
Fertilization, a crucial event for species preservation, in sea urchins, as in many other organisms, requires sperm motility regulation. In Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sea urchins, speract, a sperm chemoattractant component released to seawater from the outer egg layer, attracts sperm after binding to its receptor in the sperm flagellum. Previous experiments performed in demembranated sperm indicated that motility regulation in these cells involved protein phosphorylation mainly due to the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). However, little information is known about the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in this process. In this work, using intact S. purpuratus sea urchin sperm, we show that: (i) the levels of both phosphorylated PKA (PKA substrates) and PKC (PKC substrates) substrates change between immotile, motile and speract-stimulated sperm, and (ii) the non-competitive PKA (H89) and PKC (chelerythrine) inhibitors diminish the circular velocity of sperm and alter the phosphorylation levels of PKA substrates and PKC substrates, while the competitive inhibitors Rp-cAMP and bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) do not. Altogether, our results show that both PKA and PKC participate in sperm motility regulation through a crosstalk in the signalling pathway. These results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms that govern motility in sea urchin sperm.
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Molecular mechanisms of sperm motility are conserved in an early-branching metazoan. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2109993118. [PMID: 34810263 PMCID: PMC8640785 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109993118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Reef-building corals are the keystone species of the world’s most biodiverse yet threatened marine ecosystems. Coral reproduction, critical for reef resilience, requires that coral sperm swim through the water column to reach the egg. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate coral sperm motility. We found here that coral sperm motility is pH dependent and that activation of motility requires signaling via the pH-sensing enzyme soluble adenylyl cyclase. This study reveals the deep conservation of a sperm activation pathway from humans to corals, presenting the first comprehensive examination of the molecular mechanisms regulating sperm motility in an early-diverging animal. These results are critical for understanding the resilience of this sensitive life stage to a changing marine environment. Efficient and targeted sperm motility is essential for animal reproductive success. Sperm from mammals and echinoderms utilize a highly conserved signaling mechanism in which sperm motility is stimulated by pH-dependent activation of the cAMP-producing enzyme soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC). However, the presence of this pathway in early-branching metazoans has remained unexplored. Here, we found that elevating cytoplasmic pH induced a rapid burst of cAMP signaling and triggered the onset of motility in sperm from the reef-building coral Montipora capitata in a sAC-dependent manner. Expression of sAC in the mitochondrial-rich midpiece and flagellum of coral sperm support a dual role for this molecular pH sensor in regulating mitochondrial respiration and flagellar beating and thus motility. In addition, we found that additional members of the homologous signaling pathway described in echinoderms, both upstream and downstream of sAC, are expressed in coral sperm. These include the Na+/H+ exchanger SLC9C1, protein kinase A, and the CatSper Ca2+ channel conserved even in mammalian sperm. Indeed, the onset of motility corresponded with increased protein kinase A activity. Our discovery of this pathway in an early-branching metazoan species highlights the ancient origin of the pH-sAC-cAMP signaling node in sperm physiology and suggests that it may be present in many other marine invertebrate taxa for which sperm motility mechanisms remain unexplored. These results emphasize the need to better understand the role of pH-dependent signaling in the reproductive success of marine animals, particularly as climate change stressors continue to alter the physiology of corals and other marine invertebrates.
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Abstract
Sperm selection in the female reproductive tract (FRT) is sophisticated. Only about 1,000 sperm out of millions in an ejaculate reach the fallopian tube and thus have a chance of fertilizing an oocyte. In assisted reproduction techniques, sperm are usually selected using their density or motility, characteristics that do not reflect their fertilization competence and, therefore, might result in failure to fertilize the oocyte. Although sperm processing in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) bypasses many of the selection processes in the FRT, selection by the cumulus mass and the zona pellucida remain intact. By contrast, the direct injection of a sperm into an oocyte in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) bypasses all natural selection barriers and, therefore, increases the risk of transferring paternal defects such as fragmented DNA and genomic abnormalities in sperm to the resulting child. Research into surrogate markers of fertilization potential and into simulating the natural sperm selection processes has progressed. However, methods of sperm isolation - such as hyaluronic acid-based selection and microfluidic isolation based on sperm tactic responses - use only one or two parameters and are not comparable with the multistep sperm selection processes naturally occurring within the FRT. Fertilization-competent sperm require a panel of molecules, including zona pellucida-binding proteins and ion channel proteins, that enable them to progress through the FRT to achieve fertilization. The optimal artificial sperm selection method will, therefore, probably need to use a multiparameter tool that incorporates the molecular signature of sperm with high fertilization potential, and their responses to external cues, within a microfluidic system that can replicate the physiological processes of the FRT in vitro.
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21
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Calcium signal transmission by axonemal microtubules as an optimized information pathway in cilia and flagella. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2021; 53:633-641. [PMID: 34537954 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-021-09920-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Calcium plays a key role in signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. Besides controlling local functions of cells calcium ions are responsible for the generation of global signals such as waves and spikes. Pulsatile increases of calcium concentrations are generally considered to have a much higher fidelity of information transfer than simple tonic changes, since they are much less prone to noisy fluctuations. In that respect, it was clearly revealed that Ca2+ has very crucial involvement in many signaling pathways in cilia and flagella. We earlier established a model in which axonemal microtubules exhibit the features of nonlinear polyelectrolitic electric transmissions lines for efficient transport of cations, primarily Ca2+. These microtubules guide accumulated "ionic clods" which serve as the pulsatile signals aimed to regulate pertaining motor proteins, dyneins and kinesis. We here consider such Ca2+ signals in axoneme in the context of Shannon's and Fisher's information theories. It appears that the fast drift of these "ionic clouds" represents the optimized calcium signaling for control of "flagellary beats" as well as intraflagellary transport of proteins essential for the construction, elongation and maintenance of eukaryotic cilia and flagella themselves.
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22
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Sperm Accumulation Induced by the Female Reproductive Fluid: Putative Evidence of Chemoattraction Using a New Tool. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092472. [PMID: 34572122 PMCID: PMC8467055 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable evidence that female reproductive fluid (FRF) interacts intimately with sperm, affecting several sperm traits, including sperm motility and longevity, and ultimately fertilization success. One of the first documented interactions between FRF and sperm is the ability of FRF to attract and guide sperm towards the eggs. However, most of the evidence of FRF’s chemoattraction proprieties comes from a limited number of taxa, specifically mammals and invertebrate broadcasting spawners. In other species, small FRF volumes and/or short sperm longevity often impose methodological difficulties resulting in this gap in chemoattraction studies in non-model species. One of the outcomes of sperm chemotaxis is sperm accumulation towards high chemoattractant concentrations, which can be easily quantified by measuring sperm concentration. Here, we tested sperm accumulation towards FRF in the zebrafish, Danio rerio, using an ad hoc developed, 3D printed, device (‘sperm selection chamber’). This easy-to-use tool allows to select and collect the sperm that swim towards a chemical gradient, and accumulate in a chemoattractant-filled well thus providing putative evidence for chemoattraction. We found that sperm accumulate in FRF in zebrafish. We also found that none of the sperm quality traits we measured (sperm swimming velocity and trajectory, sperm motility, and longevity) were correlated with this response. Together with the 3D printable project, we provide a detailed protocol for using the selection chamber. The chamber is optimized for the zebrafish, but it can be easily adapted for other species. Our device lays the foundation for a standardized way to measure sperm accumulation and in general chemoattraction, stimulating future research aimed at understanding the role and the mechanisms of sperm chemoattraction by FRF.
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Mata-Martínez E, Sánchez-Cárdenas C, Chávez JC, Guerrero A, Treviño CL, Corkidi G, Montoya F, Hernandez-Herrera P, Buffone MG, Balestrini PA, Darszon A. Role of calcium oscillations in sperm physiology. Biosystems 2021; 209:104524. [PMID: 34453988 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular Ca2+ is a key regulator of cell signaling and sperm are not the exception. Cells often use cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) oscillations as a means to decodify external and internal information. [Ca2+]i oscillations faster than those usually found in other cells and correlated with flagellar beat were the first to be described in sperm in 1993 by Susan Suarez, in the boar. More than 20 years passed before similar [Ca2+]i oscillations were documented in human sperm, simultaneously examining their flagellar beat in three dimensions by Corkidi et al. 2017. On the other hand, 10 years after the discovery of the fast boar [Ca2+]i oscillations, slower ones triggered by compounds from the egg external envelope were found to regulate cell motility and chemotaxis in sperm from marine organisms. Today it is known that sperm display fast and slow spontaneous and agonist triggered [Ca2+]i oscillations. In mammalian sperm these Ca2+ transients may act like a multifaceted tool that regulates fundamental functions such as motility and acrosome reaction. This review covers the main sperm species and experimental conditions where [Ca2+]i oscillations have been described and discusses what is known about the transporters involved, their regulation and the physiological purpose of these oscillations. There is a lot to be learned regarding the origin, regulation and physiological relevance of these Ca2+ oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Mata-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Fusión de Membranas y Exocitosis Acrosomal, Instituto de Histología y Embriología Dr. Mario H. Burgos (IHEM) Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.
| | - Claudia Sánchez-Cárdenas
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Julio C Chávez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Adán Guerrero
- Laboratorio Nacional de Microscopía Avanzada, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Claudia L Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Gabriel Corkidi
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Laboratorio de Imágenes y Visión por Computadora, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Fernando Montoya
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Laboratorio de Imágenes y Visión por Computadora, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Paul Hernandez-Herrera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Laboratorio de Imágenes y Visión por Computadora, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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Zaferani M, Javi F, Mokhtare A, Li P, Abbaspourrad A. Rolling controls sperm navigation in response to the dynamic rheological properties of the environment. eLife 2021; 10:68693. [PMID: 34346314 PMCID: PMC8387022 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm rolling around their longitudinal axes is a long-observed component of motility, but its function in the fertilization process, and more specifically in sperm migration within the female reproductive tract, remains elusive. While investigating bovine sperm motion under simple shear flow and in a quiescent microfluidic reservoir and developing theoretical and computational models, we found that rolling regulates sperm navigation in response to the rheological properties of the sperm environment. In other words, rolling enables a sperm to swim progressively even if the flagellum beats asymmetrically. Therefore, a rolling sperm swims stably along the nearby walls (wall-dependent navigation) and efficiently upstream under an external fluid flow (rheotaxis). By contrast, an increase in ambient viscosity and viscoelasticity suppresses rolling, consequently, non-rolling sperm are less susceptible to nearby walls and external fluid flow and swim in two-dimensional diffusive circular paths (surface exploration). This surface exploration mode of swimming is caused by the intrinsic asymmetry in flagellar beating such that the curvature of a sperm's circular path is proportional to the level of asymmetry. We found that the suppression of rolling is reversible and occurs in sperm with lower asymmetry in their beating pattern at higher ambient viscosity and viscoelasticity. Consequently, the rolling component of motility may function as a regulatory tool allowing sperm to navigate according to the rheological properties of the functional region within the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meisam Zaferani
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Farhad Javi
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Amir Mokhtare
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Peilong Li
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Alireza Abbaspourrad
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
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25
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Dai C, Zhang Z, Shan G, Chu LT, Huang Z, Moskovtsev S, Librach C, Jarvi K, Sun Y. Advances in sperm analysis: techniques, discoveries and applications. Nat Rev Urol 2021; 18:447-467. [PMID: 34075227 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-021-00472-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects one in six couples worldwide, and fertility continues to deteriorate globally, partly owing to a decline in semen quality. Sperm analysis has a central role in diagnosing and treating male factor infertility. Many emerging techniques, such as digital holography, super-resolution microscopy and next-generation sequencing, have been developed that enable improved analysis of sperm motility, morphology and genetics to help overcome limitations in accuracy and consistency, and improve sperm selection for infertility treatment. These techniques have also improved our understanding of fundamental sperm physiology by enabling discoveries in sperm behaviour and molecular structures. Further progress in sperm analysis and integrating these techniques into laboratories and clinics requires multidisciplinary collaboration, which will increase discovery and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsheng Dai
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhuoran Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Guanqiao Shan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lap-Tak Chu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zongjie Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Keith Jarvi
- Division of Urology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Kholodnyy V, Dzyuba B, Gadêlha H, Cosson J, Boryshpolets S. Egg-sperm interaction in sturgeon: role of ovarian fluid. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2021; 47:653-669. [PMID: 32803545 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-020-00852-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization of freshwater fish occurs in the environment which negatively affects a lifespan of gametes mostly due to the osmotic shock; therefore, male gametes should reach the female gamete, as soon as possible. The existence of mechanisms controlling the encounter of gametes would be highly expedient in this case. By analogy with other species for which guidance was demonstrated, it is likely that this control may be performed by ovarian fluid or substances released by eggs. The aim was to study the effect of ovarian fluid and egg-released substances on spermatozoa behavior in sterlet. It was found that the presence of a particular concentration of ovarian fluid (30% solution in water) had an inhibiting effect on spermatozoa motility initiation. Lower concentrations of the ovarian fluid improved the longevity of spermatozoa and did not affect their trajectories. Test of chemotactic response (using a microcapillary injection of fluids into the suspension of motile spermatozoa) showed no effect of ovarian fluid on spermatozoa behavior, while at the same time, the attracting effect of the egg-conditioned medium was evident (i.e., due to some substances released from the eggs during their contact with freshwater). The results of the fertilization test showed that the presence of ovarian fluid prevented the eggs from losing the fertilizing ability due to the contact with water, as well as promoted the spermatozoa to fertilize the eggs during a longer period of time. Thus, the combined physicochemical action of "female factors" affects sterlet gametes during fertilization and may be involved in the guidance and selection mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaliy Kholodnyy
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| | - Borys Dzyuba
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Hermes Gadêlha
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Jacky Cosson
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Sergii Boryshpolets
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic
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Torrezan-Nitao E, Brown SG, Mata-Martínez E, Treviño CL, Barratt C, Publicover S. [Ca2+]i oscillations in human sperm are triggered in the flagellum by membrane potential-sensitive activity of CatSper. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:293-304. [PMID: 33305795 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How are progesterone (P4)-induced repetitive intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) signals (oscillations) in human sperm generated? SUMMARY ANSWER P4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations are generated in the flagellum by membrane potential (Vm)-sensitive Ca2+-influx through CatSper channels. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A subset of human sperm display [Ca2+]i oscillations that regulate flagellar beating and acrosome reaction. Although pharmacological manipulations indicate involvement of stored Ca2+ in these oscillations, influx of extracellular Ca2+ is also required. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a laboratory study that used >20 sperm donors and involved more than 100 separate experiments and analysis of more than 1000 individual cells over a period of 2 years. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval from Birmingham University and Tayside ethics committees. [Ca2+]i responses and Vm of individual cells were examined by fluorescence imaging and whole-cell current clamp. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE P4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations originated in the flagellum, spreading to the neck and head (latency of 1-2 s). K+-ionophore valinomycin (1 µM) was used to investigate the role of membrane potential (Vm). Direct assessment by whole-cell current-clamp confirmed that Vm in valinomycin-exposed cells was determined primarily by K+ equilibrium potential (EK) and was rapidly 'reset' upon manipulation of [K+]o. Pre-treatment of sperm with valinomycin ([K+]o = 5.4 mM) had no effect on the P4-induced [Ca2+] transient (P = 0.95; eight experiments), but application of valinomycin to P4-pretreated sperm suppressed activity in 82% of oscillating cells (n = 257; P = 5 × 10-55 compared to control) and significantly reduced both the amplitude and frequency of persisting oscillations (P = 0.0001). Upon valinomycin washout, oscillations re-started in most cells. When valinomycin was applied in saline with elevated [K+], the inhibitory effect of valinomycin was reduced and was dependent on EK (P = 10-25). Amplitude and frequency of [Ca2+]i oscillations that persisted in the presence of valinomycin showed similar sensitivity to EK (P < 0.01). The CatSper inhibitor RU1968 (4.8 and 11 µM) caused immediate and reversible arrest of activity in 36% and 96% of oscillating cells, respectively (P < 10-10). Quinidine (300 µM) which blocks the sperm K+ current (IKsper) completely, inhibited [Ca2+]i oscillations. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This was an in-vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating these results to in-vivo regulation of sperm. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS [Ca2+]i oscillations in human sperm are functionally important and their absence is associated with failed fertilisation at IVF. The data reported here provide new understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the regulation and generation (or failure) of these oscillations. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) E.T.-N. was in receipt of a postgraduate scholarship from the CAPES Foundation (Ministry of Education, Brazil). E.M-M received travel funds from the Programa de Apoyo a los Estudios de Posgrado (Maestria y Doctorado en Ciencias Bioquimicas-Universidad Autonoma de Mexico). SGB and CLRB are recipients of a Chief Scientist Office (NHS Scotland) grant TCS/17/28. The authors have no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean G Brown
- School of Applied Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD11HG, UK
| | - Esperanza Mata-Martínez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Claudia L Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, México
| | - Christopher Barratt
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
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28
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Ali MA, Wang Y, Qin Z, Yuan X, Zhang Y, Zeng C. Odorant and Taste Receptors in Sperm Chemotaxis and Cryopreservation: Roles and Implications in Sperm Capacitation, Motility and Fertility. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040488. [PMID: 33801624 PMCID: PMC8065900 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm chemotaxis, which guide sperm toward oocyte, is tightly associated with sperm capacitation, motility, and fertility. However, the molecular mechanism of sperm chemotaxis is not known. Reproductive odorant and taste receptors, belong to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) super-family, cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration which is pre-requisite for sperm capacitation and acrosomal reaction, and result in sperm hyperpolarization and increase motility through activation of Ca2+-dependent Cl¯ channels. Recently, odorant receptors (ORs) in olfactory transduction pathway were thought to be associated with post-thaw sperm motility, freeze tolerance or freezability and cryo-capacitation-like change during cryopreservation. Investigation of the roles of odorant and taste receptors (TRs) is important for our understanding of the freeze tolerance or freezability mechanism and improve the motility and fertility of post-thaw sperm. Here, we reviewed the roles, mode of action, impact of odorant and taste receptors on sperm chemotaxis and post-thaw sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Ahsan Ali
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Theriogenology, Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan;
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Yihan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ziyue Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xiang Yuan
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Changjun Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-28-86291010
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Möller N, Liebchen B, Palberg T. Shaping the gradients driving phoretic micro-swimmers: influence of swimming speed, budget of carbonic acid and environment. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2021; 44:41. [PMID: 33759011 PMCID: PMC7987694 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-021-00026-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
pH gradient-driven modular micro-swimmers are investigated as a model for a large variety of quasi-two-dimensional chemi-phoretic self-propelled entities. Using three-channel micro-photometry, we obtain a precise large field mapping of pH at a spatial resolution of a few microns and a pH resolution of [Formula: see text] units for swimmers of different velocities propelling on two differently charged substrates. We model our results in terms of solutions of the three-dimensional advection-diffusion equation for a 1:1 electrolyte, i.e. carbonic acid, which is produced by ion exchange and consumed by equilibration with dissolved [Formula: see text]. We demonstrate the dependence of gradient shape and steepness on swimmer speed, diffusivity of chemicals, as well as the fuel budget. Moreover, we experimentally observe a subtle, but significant feedback of the swimmer's immediate environment in terms of a substrate charge-mediated solvent convection. We discuss our findings in view of different recent results from other micro-fluidic or active matter investigations. We anticipate that they are relevant for quantitative modelling and targeted applications of diffusio-phoretic flows in general and artificial micro-swimmers in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadir Möller
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Staudinger Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Max Planck Graduade Center, Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Staudinger Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Benno Liebchen
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstr. 8, 64289, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thomas Palberg
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Staudinger Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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30
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Fort C, Collingridge P, Brownlee C, Wheeler G. Ca 2+ elevations disrupt interactions between intraflagellar transport and the flagella membrane in Chlamydomonas. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs.253492. [PMID: 33495279 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.253492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The movement of ciliary membrane proteins is directed by transient interactions with intraflagellar transport (IFT) trains. The green alga Chlamydomonas has adapted this process for gliding motility, using retrograde IFT motors to move adhesive glycoproteins in the flagella membrane. Ca2+ signalling contributes directly to the gliding process, although uncertainty remains over the mechanism through which it acts. Here, we show that flagella Ca2+ elevations initiate the movement of paused retrograde IFT trains, which accumulate at the distal end of adherent flagella, but do not influence other IFT processes. On highly adherent surfaces, flagella exhibit high-frequency Ca2+ elevations that prevent the accumulation of paused retrograde IFT trains. Flagella Ca2+ elevations disrupt the IFT-dependent movement of microspheres along the flagella membrane, suggesting that Ca2+ acts by directly disrupting an interaction between retrograde IFT trains and flagella membrane glycoproteins. By regulating the extent to which glycoproteins on the flagella surface interact with IFT motor proteins on the axoneme, this signalling mechanism allows precise control of traction force and gliding motility in adherent flagella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile Fort
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Peter Collingridge
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Colin Brownlee
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK.,School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Glen Wheeler
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
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31
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Hu M, Tiwary E, Prasain JK, Miller M, Serra R. Mechanisms of TGFß in prostaglandin synthesis and sperm guidance in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:932-942. [PMID: 33410237 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transparent epidermis of Caenorhabditis elegans makes it an attractive model to study sperm motility and migration within an intact reproductive tract. C elegans synthesize specific F-series prostaglandins (PGFs) that are important for guiding sperm toward the spermatheca. These PGFs are synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) precursors, such as arachidonic acid (AA), via a novel pathway, independent of the classical cyclooxygenases (Cox) responsible for most PG synthesis. While the enzyme(s) responsible for PG synthesis has yet to be identified, the DAF-7 TGFß pathway has been implicated in modulating PG levels and sperm guidance. RESULTS We find that the reduced PGF levels in daf-1 type I receptor mutants are responsible for the sperm guidance defect. The lower level of PGs in daf-1 mutants is due in part to the inaccessibility of AA. Finally, lipid analysis and assessment of sperm guidance in daf-1;daf-3 double mutants suggest DAF-3 suppresses PG production and sperm accumulation at the spermatheca. Our data suggest that DAF-3 functions in the nervous system, and possibly the germline, to affect sperm guidance. CONCLUSION The C elegans TGFß pathway regulates many pathways to modulate PG metabolism and sperm guidance. These pathways likely function in the nervous system and possibly the germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhan Hu
- Department of Cell Development and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ekta Tiwary
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeevan K Prasain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Rosa Serra
- Department of Cell Development and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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32
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Rahban R, Nef S. CatSper: The complex main gate of calcium entry in mammalian spermatozoa. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110951. [PMID: 32712386 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Calcium ions (Ca2+) are involved in nearly every aspect of cellular life. They are one of the most abundant elements in mammals and play a vital role in physiological and biochemical processes acting mainly as intracellular messengers. In spermatozoa, several key functions are regulated by cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration such as sperm capacitation, chemotaxis, hyperactive motility, and acrosome reaction. The sperm-specific ion channel CatSper is the principal calcium channel in sperm mediating the calcium influx into the sperm flagellum and acting as an essential modulator of downstream mechanisms involved in fertilization. This review aims to provide insights into the structure, localization, and function of the mammalian CatSper channel, primarily human and mice. The activation of CatSper by progesterone and prostaglandins, as well as the ligand-independent regulation of the channel by a change in the membrane voltage and intracellular pH are going to be addressed. Finally, major questions, challenges, and perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rahban
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Serge Nef
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206, Geneva, Switzerland.
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33
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Wang Z, Beneke T, Gluenz E, Wheeler RJ. The single flagellum of Leishmania has a fixed polarisation of its asymmetric beat. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/20/jcs246637. [PMID: 33093230 PMCID: PMC7595685 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.246637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella undertake different beat types as necessary for different functions; for example, the Leishmania parasite flagellum undergoes a symmetric tip-to-base beat for forward swimming and an asymmetric base-to-tip beat to rotate the cell. In multi-ciliated tissues or organisms, the asymmetric beats are coordinated, leading to movement of the cell, organism or surrounding fluid. This coordination involves a polarisation of power stroke direction. Here, we asked whether the asymmetric beat of the single Leishmania flagellum also has a fixed polarisation. We developed high frame rate dual-colour fluorescence microscopy to visualise flagellar-associated structures in live swimming cells. This showed that the asymmetric Leishmania beat is polarised, with power strokes only occurring in one direction relative to the asymmetric flagellar machinery. Polarisation of bending was retained in deletion mutants whose flagella cannot beat but have a static bend. Furthermore, deletion mutants for proteins required for asymmetric extra-axonemal and rootlet-like flagellum-associated structures also retained normal polarisation. Leishmania beat polarisation therefore likely arises from either the nine-fold rotational symmetry of the axoneme structure or is due to differences between the outer doublet decorations. Highlighted Article: By using high speed, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy of swimming Leishmania cells, we showed that the asymmetric flagellar beat always wafts in the same direction and investigate which structures are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Wang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eva Gluenz
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard John Wheeler
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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34
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Abdel-Ghani MA, El-Sherry T, Mahmoud G, Nagano M. Implications of ram sperm rheotaxis analysed by microfluidics for fertility. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:1541-1547. [PMID: 32780908 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Rheotaxis of sperm using a microfluidic device was explored in human, mice and bull. However, the rheotaxis of ram sperm and its role in fertility are unknown. Herein, we described the sperm rheotaxis in ram using microfluidic devices and focused on rheotaxis as potential markers of in vivo fertility. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) with controlled flow velocity was used to explore the kinematic parameters of sperm, total motility and positive rheotaxis (PR). The percentage of PR was defined as the number of PR sperm cells over the number of motile sperm cells. Then, according to the percentage of PR sperm, rams were classified into two groups; sperm with ≥40% PR and <40% PR, although the two ram groups showed similar total motility and kinematic values of sperm evaluated by CASA (p > .05). Two groups of rams mated one hundred thirty ewes naturally (10 ewes/ram). In the results, the pregnancy rate was higher in ≥40% PR (94.4%) than in <40% PR (42.5%, p < .05) after natural mating. Besides, the pregnancy loss was higher in <40% PR (33.3%) than in >40% PR group (8.1%, p < .05). In conclusion, the PR examination in semen can contribute to evaluate the reproductive performance of ram that will provide valuable insights into the semen evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Abdel-Ghani
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assuit University, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Timor El-Sherry
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assuit University, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Gamal Mahmoud
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Masashi Nagano
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan
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35
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Carlisle JA, Swanson WJ. Molecular mechanisms and evolution of fertilization proteins. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2020; 336:652-665. [PMID: 33015976 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction involves a cascade of molecular interactions between the sperm and the egg culminating in cell-cell fusion. Vital steps mediating fertilization include chemoattraction of the sperm to the egg, induction of the sperm acrosome reaction, dissolution of the egg coat, and sperm-egg plasma membrane binding and fusion. Despite decades of research, only a handful of interacting gamete recognition proteins (GRPs) have been identified across taxa mediating each of these steps, most notably in abalone, sea urchins, and mammals. This review outlines and compares notable GRP pairs mediating sperm-egg recognition in these three significant model systems and discusses the molecular basis of species-specific fertilization driven by GRP function. In addition, we explore the evolutionary theory behind the rapid diversification of GRPs between species. In particular, we focus on how the coevolution between interacting sperm and egg proteins may contribute to the formation of boundaries to hybridization. Finally, we discuss how pairing structural information with evolutionary insights can improve our understanding of mechanisms of fertilization and their origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolie A Carlisle
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington, USA
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36
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Guasto JS, Estrada JB, Menolascina F, Burton LJ, Patel M, Franck C, Hosoi AE, Zimmer RK, Stocker R. Flagellar kinematics reveals the role of environment in shaping sperm motility. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200525. [PMID: 32900303 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Swimming spermatozoa from diverse organisms often have very similar morphologies, yet different motilities as a result of differences in the flagellar waveforms used for propulsion. The origin of these differences has remained largely unknown. Using high-speed video microscopy and mathematical analysis of flagellar shape dynamics, we quantitatively compare sperm flagellar waveforms from marine invertebrates to humans by means of a novel phylokinematic tree. This new approach revealed that genetically dissimilar sperm can exhibit strikingly similar flagellar waveforms and identifies two dominant flagellar waveforms among the deuterostomes studied here, corresponding to internal and external fertilizers. The phylokinematic tree shows marked discordance from the phylogenetic tree, indicating that physical properties of the fluid environment, more than genetic relatedness, act as an important selective pressure in shaping the evolution of sperm motility. More broadly, this work provides a physical axis to complement morphological and genetic studies to understand evolutionary relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Guasto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Jonathan B Estrada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Filippo Menolascina
- School of Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK.,Synthsy - Centre for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lisa J Burton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mohak Patel
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Christian Franck
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - A E Hosoi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Richard K Zimmer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roman Stocker
- Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Institute of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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37
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Balbach M, Hamzeh H, Jikeli JF, Brenker C, Schiffer C, Hansen JN, Neugebauer P, Trötschel C, Jovine L, Han L, Florman HM, Kaupp UB, Strünker T, Wachten D. Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Action of Zona-pellucida Glycoproteins on Mouse Sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:572735. [PMID: 32984353 PMCID: PMC7487327 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.572735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian oocytes are enveloped by the zona pellucida (ZP), an extracellular matrix of glycoproteins. In sperm, stimulation with ZP proteins evokes a rapid Ca2+ influx via the sperm-specific, pH-sensitive Ca2+ channel CatSper. However, the physiological role and molecular mechanisms underlying ZP-dependent activation of CatSper are unknown. Here, we delineate the sequence of ZP-signaling events in mouse sperm. We show that ZP proteins evoke a rapid intracellular pHi increase that rests predominantly on Na+/H+ exchange by NHA1 and requires cAMP synthesis by the soluble adenylyl cyclase sAC as well as a sufficiently negative membrane potential set by the spem-specific K+ channel Slo3. The alkaline-activated CatSper channel translates the ZP-induced pHi increase into a Ca2+ response. Our findings reveal the molecular components underlying ZP action on mouse sperm, opening up new avenues for understanding the basic principles of sperm function and, thereby, mammalian fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Balbach
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hussein Hamzeh
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan F Jikeli
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Department of Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Brenker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Schiffer
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan N Hansen
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Department of Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pia Neugebauer
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Department of Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Harvey M Florman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - U Benjamin Kaupp
- Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Bonn, Germany.,Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Timo Strünker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Department of Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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38
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Makeyeva Y, Nicol C, Ledger WL, Ryugo DK. Immunocytochemical Localization of Olfactory-signaling Molecules in Human and Rat Spermatozoa. J Histochem Cytochem 2020; 68:491-513. [PMID: 32603211 DOI: 10.1369/0022155420939833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of olfactory receptors (ORs) in non-olfactory tissues has been widely reported over the last 20 years. Olfactory marker protein (OMP) is highly expressed in mature olfactory sensory neurons (mOSNs) of the olfactory epithelium. It is involved in the olfactory signal transduction pathway, which is mediated by well-conserved components, including ORs, olfactory G protein (Golf), and adenylyl cyclase 3 (AC3). OMP is widely expressed in non-olfactory tissues with an apparent preference for motile cells. We hypothesized that OMP is expressed in compartment-specific locations and co-localize with an OR, Golf, and AC3 in rat epididymal and human-ejaculated spermatozoa. We used immunocytochemistry to examine the expression patterns of OMP and OR6B2 (human OR, served as positive olfactory control) in experimentally induced modes of activation and determine whether there are any observable differences in proteins expression during the post-ejaculatory stages of spermatozoal functional maturation. We found that OMP was expressed in compartment-specific locations in human and rat spermatozoa. OMP was co-expressed with Golf and AC3 in rat spermatozoa and with OR6B2 in all three modes of activation (control, activated, and hyperactivated), and the mode of activation changed the co-expression pattern in acrosomal-reacted human spermatozoa. These observations suggest that OMP expression is a reliable indicator of OR-mediated chemoreception, may be used to identify ectopically expressed ORs, and could participate in second messenger signaling cascades that mediate fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Makeyeva
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Westfield Research Laboratories, School of Women's and Children's Health, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher Nicol
- UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia, and Andrology Laboratory, NSW Health Pathology, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - William L Ledger
- Fertility & Research Centre, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David K Ryugo
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head, Neck & Skull Base Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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39
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Kumar M, Walkama DM, Guasto JS, Ardekani AM. Flow-induced buckling dynamics of sperm flagella. Phys Rev E 2020; 100:063107. [PMID: 31962458 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.100.063107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The swimming sperm of many external fertilizing marine organisms face complex fluid flows during their search for egg cells. Aided by chemotaxis, relatively weak flows are known to enhance sperm-egg fertilization rates through hydrodynamic guidance. However, strong flows have the potential to mechanically inhibit flagellar motility through elastohydrodynamic interactions-a phenomenon that remains poorly understood. Here we explore the effects of flow on the buckling dynamics of sperm flagella in an extensional flow through detailed numerical simulations, which are informed by microfluidic experiments and high-speed imaging. Compressional fluid forces lead to rich buckling dynamics of the sperm flagellum beyond a critical dimensionless sperm number, Sp, which represents the ratio of viscous force to elastic force. For nonmotile sperm, the maximum buckling curvature and the number of buckling locations, or buckling mode, increase with increasing sperm number. In contrast, motile sperm exhibit a local flagellar curvature due to the propagation of bending waves along the flagellum. In compressional flow, this preexisting curvature acts as a precursor for buckling, which enhances local curvature without creating new buckling modes and leads to asymmetric beating. However, in extensional flow, flagellar beating remains symmetric with a smaller head yawing amplitude due to tensile forces. The flagellar beating frequency also influences the maximum curvature of motile sperm by facilitating sperm reorientation relative to the compressional axis of the flow near stagnation points. These combined simulations and experiments directly illustrate the microscopic elastohydrodynamic mechanisms responsible for inhibiting flagellar motility in flow and have possible implications for our understanding of external fertilization in dynamic marine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Derek M Walkama
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, 574 Boston Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Guasto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Arezoo M Ardekani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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40
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Duan YG, Wehry UP, Buhren BA, Schrumpf H, Oláh P, Bünemann E, Yu CF, Chen SJ, Müller A, Hirchenhain J, Lierop A, Novak N, Cai ZM, Krüssel JS, Schuppe HC, Haidl G, Gerber PA, Allam JP, Homey B. CCL20-CCR6 axis directs sperm-oocyte interaction and its dysregulation correlates/associates with male infertility‡. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:630-642. [PMID: 32412043 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of sperm with the oocyte is pivotal during the process of mammalian fertilization. The limited numbers of sperm that reach the fallopian tube as well as anatomic restrictions indicate that human sperm-oocyte encounter is not a matter of chance but a directed process. Chemotaxis is the proposed mechanism for re-orientating sperm toward the source of a chemoattractant and hence to the oocyte. Chemokines represent a superfamily of small (8-11 kDa), cytokine-like proteins that have been shown to mediate chemotaxis and tissue-specific homing of leukocytes through binding to specific chemokine receptors such as CCRs. Here we show that CCR6 is abundantly expressed on human sperms and in human testes. Furthermore, radioligand-binding experiments showed that CCL20 bound human sperm in a specific manner. Conversely, granulosa cells of the oocyte-surrounding cumulus complex as well as human oocytes represent an abundant source of the CCR6-specific ligand CCL20. In human ovaries, CCL20 shows a cycle-dependent expression pattern with peak expression in the preovulatory phase and CCL20 protein induces chemotactic responses of human sperm. Neutralization of CCL20 in ovarian follicular fluid significantly impairs sperm migratory responses. Conversely, analyses in infertile men with inflammatory conditions of the reproductive organs demonstrate a significant increase of CCL20/CCR6 expression in testis and ejaculate. Taken together, findings of the present study suggest that CCR6-CCL20 interaction may represent an important factor in directing sperm-oocyte interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital
| | - U P Wehry
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - B A Buhren
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H Schrumpf
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - P Oláh
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - E Bünemann
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - C-F Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - S-J Chen
- Depatment of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100006 Beijing, PR China
| | - A Müller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J Hirchenhain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - A Lierop
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - N Novak
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Andrology Unit, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Zhi-Ming Cai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital
| | - J S Krüssel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H-C Schuppe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - G Haidl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Andrology Unit, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - P A Gerber
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J-P Allam
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Andrology Unit, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - B Homey
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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41
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Darszon A, Nishigaki T, López-González I, Visconti PE, Treviño CL. Differences and Similarities: The Richness of Comparative Sperm Physiology. Physiology (Bethesda) 2020; 35:196-208. [PMID: 32293232 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00033.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Species preservation depends on the success of fertilization. Sperm are uniquely equipped to fulfill this task, and, although several mechanisms are conserved among species, striking functional differences have evolved to contend with particular sperm-egg environmental characteristics. This review highlights similarities and differences in sperm strategies, with examples within internal and external fertilizers, pointing out unresolved issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos, México
| | - Takuya Nishigaki
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos, México
| | - Ignacio López-González
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos, México
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
| | - Claudia L Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca Morelos, México
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42
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Bioinspired reorientation strategies for application in micro/nanorobotic control. JOURNAL OF MICRO-BIO ROBOTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12213-020-00130-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEngineers have recently been inspired by swimming methodologies of microorganisms in creating micro-/nanorobots for biomedical applications. Future medicine may be revolutionized by the application of these small machines in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases. Studies over the past decade have often concentrated on propulsion generation. However, there are many other challenges to address before the practical use of robots at the micro-/nanoscale. The control and reorientation ability of such robots remain as some of these challenges. This paper reviews the strategies of swimming microorganisms for reorientation, including tumbling, reverse and flick, direction control of helical-path swimmers, by speed modulation, using complex flagella, and the help of mastigonemes. Then, inspired by direction change in microorganisms, methods for orientation control for microrobots and possible directions for future studies are discussed. Further, the effects of solid boundaries on the swimming trajectories of microorganisms and microrobots are examined. In addition to propulsion systems for artificial microswimmers, swimming microorganisms are promising sources of control methodologies at the micro-/nanoscale.
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43
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Berendsen JTW, Kruit SA, Atak N, Willink E, Segerink LI. Flow-Free Microfluidic Device for Quantifying Chemotaxis in Spermatozoa. Anal Chem 2020; 92:3302-3306. [PMID: 31994387 PMCID: PMC7031847 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Current male fertility diagnosis tests focus on assessing the quality of semen samples by studying the concentration, total volume, and motility of spermatozoa. However, other characteristics such as the chemotactic ability of a spermatozoon might influence the chance of fertilization. Here we describe a simple, easy to fabricate and handle, flow-free microfluidic chip to test the chemotactic response of spermatozoa made out of a hybrid hydrogel (8% gelatin/1% agarose). A chemotaxis experiment with 1 μM progesterone was performed that significantly demonstrated that boar spermatozoa are attracted by a progesterone gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna T W Berendsen
- BIOS-Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine , University of Twente , 7500 AE Enschede , The Netherlands
| | - Stella A Kruit
- BIOS-Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine , University of Twente , 7500 AE Enschede , The Netherlands
| | - Nihan Atak
- BIOS-Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine , University of Twente , 7500 AE Enschede , The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Willink
- BIOS-Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine , University of Twente , 7500 AE Enschede , The Netherlands
| | - Loes I Segerink
- BIOS-Lab on a Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine , University of Twente , 7500 AE Enschede , The Netherlands
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44
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Lissabet JFB, Herrera Belén L, Lee-Estevez M, Risopatrón J, Valdebenito I, Figueroa E, Farías JG. The CatSper channel is present and plays a key role in sperm motility of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 241:110634. [PMID: 31841710 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.110634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Among all the Ca2+ channels, CatSper channels have been one of the most studied in sperm of different species due to their demonstrated role in the fertilization process. In fish sperm, the calcium channel plays a key role in sperm activation. However, the functionality of the CatSper channels has not been studied in any of the fish species. For the first time, we studied the relationship of the CatSper channel with sperm motility in a fish, using Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) as the model. The results of our study showed that the CatSper channel in Salmo salar has chemical-physical characteristics similar to those reported for mammalian CatSper channels. In this work, it was shown that Salmo salar CatSper 3 protein has a molecular weight of approximately 55-kDa similar to Homo sapiens CatSper 3. In silico analyses suggest that this channel forms a heterotetramer sensitive to the specific inhibitor HC-056456, with a binding site in the center of the pore of the CatSper channel, hindering or preventing the influx of Ca2+ ions. The in vitro assay of the sperm motility inhibition of Salmo salar with the inhibitor HC-056456 showed that sperm treated with this inhibitor significantly reduced the total and progressive motility (p < .0001), demonstrating the importance of this ionic channel for this cell. The complementation of the in silico and in vitro analyses of the present work demonstrates that the CatSper channel plays a key role in the regulation of sperm motility in Atlantic salmon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Félix Beltrán Lissabet
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145 Box 54D, Temuco, Chile; Center of Biotechnology of Reproduction (CEBIOR), Bioresources Research Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Montevideo 0870, Temuco, Chile
| | - Lisandra Herrera Belén
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145 Box 54D, Temuco, Chile
| | - Manuel Lee-Estevez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145 Box 54D, Temuco, Chile; Center of Biotechnology of Reproduction (CEBIOR), Bioresources Research Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Montevideo 0870, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jennie Risopatrón
- Center of Biotechnology of Reproduction (CEBIOR), Bioresources Research Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Montevideo 0870, Temuco, Chile
| | - Iván Valdebenito
- School of Aquaculture, Catholic University of Temuco, Av. Rudecindo Ortega, 02950 Temuco, Chile
| | - Elías Figueroa
- School of Aquaculture, Catholic University of Temuco, Av. Rudecindo Ortega, 02950 Temuco, Chile; Laboratorio de Biotecnología, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge G Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Francisco Salazar 01145 Box 54D, Temuco, Chile; Center of Biotechnology of Reproduction (CEBIOR), Bioresources Research Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Montevideo 0870, Temuco, Chile.
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45
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Levin RJ. The Clitoris—An Appraisal of its Reproductive Function During the Fertile Years: Why Was It, and Still Is, Overlooked in Accounts of Female Sexual Arousal. Clin Anat 2019; 33:136-145. [DOI: 10.1002/ca.23498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy J. Levin
- Independent Research Investigator Sheffield United Kingdom
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46
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Vollmer T, Ljungberg B, Jankowski V, Jankowski J, Glorieux G, Stegmayr BG. An in-vitro assay using human spermatozoa to detect toxicity of biologically active substances. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14525. [PMID: 31601841 PMCID: PMC6787250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50929-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the key toxic players within an in-vivo toxic syndrome is crucial to develop targeted therapies. Here, we established a novel method that characterizes the effect of single substances by means of an ex-vivo incubation set-up. We found that primary human spermatozoa elicit a distinct motile response on a (uremic) toxic milieu. Specifically, this approach describes the influence of a bulk toxic environment (uremia) as well as single substances (uremic toxins) by real-time analyzing motile cellular behavior. We established the human spermatozoa-based toxicity testing (HSTT) for detecting single substance-induced toxicity to be used as a screening tool to identify in-vivo toxins. Further, we propose an application of the HSTT as a method of clinical use to evaluate toxin-removing interventions (hemodialysis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Vollmer
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden. .,Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT) & Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Börje Ljungberg
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology and Andrology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Vera Jankowski
- Institute for Cardiovascular Research, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim Jankowski
- Institute for Cardiovascular Research, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,School for Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Griet Glorieux
- Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernd G Stegmayr
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
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47
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Abstract
The trajectory of sperm in the presence of background flow is of utmost importance for the success of fertilization, as sperm encounter background flow of different magnitude and direction on their way to the egg. Here, we have studied the effect of an unbounded simple shear flow as well as a Poiseuille flow on the sperm trajectory. In the presence of a simple shear flow, the sperm moves on an elliptical trajectory in the reference frame advecting with the local background flow. The length of the major-axis of this elliptical trajectory decreases with the shear rate. The flexibility of the flagellum and consequently the length of the major axis of the elliptical trajectories increases with the sperm number. The sperm number is a dimensionless number representing the ratio of viscous force to elastic force. The sperm moves downstream or upstream depending on the strength of background Poiseuille flow. In contrast to the simple shear flow, the sperm also moves toward the centerline in a Poiseuille flow. Far away from the centerline, the cross-stream migration velocity of the sperm increases as the transverse distance of the sperm from the centerline decreases. Close to the centerline, on the other hand, the cross-stream migration velocity decreases as the sperm further approaches the center. The cross-stream migration velocity of the sperm also increases with the sperm number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA.
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48
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Salek MM, Carrara F, Fernandez V, Guasto JS, Stocker R. Bacterial chemotaxis in a microfluidic T-maze reveals strong phenotypic heterogeneity in chemotactic sensitivity. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1877. [PMID: 31015402 PMCID: PMC6478840 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09521-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many microorganisms have evolved chemotactic strategies to exploit the microscale heterogeneity that frequently characterizes microbial habitats. Chemotaxis has been primarily studied as an average characteristic of a population, with little regard for variability among individuals. Here, we adopt a classic tool from animal ecology - the T-maze - and implement it at the microscale by using microfluidics to expose bacteria to a sequence of decisions, each consisting of migration up or down a chemical gradient. Single-cell observations of clonal Escherichia coli in the maze, coupled with a mathematical model, reveal that strong heterogeneity in the chemotactic sensitivity coefficient exists even within clonal populations of bacteria. A comparison of different potential sources of heterogeneity reveals that heterogeneity in the T-maze originates primarily from the chemotactic sensitivity coefficient, arising from a distribution of pathway gains. This heterogeneity may have a functional role, for example in the context of migratory bet-hedging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mehdi Salek
- Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Institute for Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Carrara
- Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Institute for Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vicente Fernandez
- Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Institute for Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey S Guasto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Roman Stocker
- Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Institute for Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Coherent directed movement toward food modeled in Trichoplax, a ciliated animal lacking a nervous system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8901-8908. [PMID: 30979806 PMCID: PMC6500112 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815655116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichoplax adhaerens is a small, ciliated marine animal that glides on surfaces grazing upon algae, which it digests externally. It has no muscles or nervous system and only six cell types, all but two of which are embedded in its epithelium. The epithelial cells are joined by apical adherens junctions; neither tight junctions nor gap junctions are present. Monociliated epithelial cells on the lower surface propel gliding. The cilia beat regularly, but asynchronously, and transiently contact the substrate with each stroke. The animal moves in random directions in the absence of food. We show here that it exhibits chemotaxis, moving preferentially toward algae embedded in a disk of agar. We present a mathematical model to explain how coherent, directional movements could arise from the collective actions of a set of ciliated epithelial cells, each independently sensing and responding to a chemoattractant gradient. The model incorporates realistic values for viscoelastic properties of cells and produces coordinated movements and changes in body shape that resemble the actual movements of the animal. The model demonstrates that an animal can move coherently in search of food without any need for chemical signaling between cells and introduces a different approach to modeling behavior in primitive multicellular organisms.
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Jepson A, Arlt J, Statham J, Spilman M, Burton K, Wood T, Poon WCK, Martinez VA. High-throughput characterisation of bull semen motility using differential dynamic microscopy. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0202720. [PMID: 30969959 PMCID: PMC6457493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a high-throughput technique for characterising the motility of spermatozoa using differential dynamic microscopy. A movie with large field of view (∼10mm2) records thousands of cells (e.g. ≈ 5000 cells even at a low cell density of 20 × 106 cells/ml) at once and yields averaged measurements of the mean ([Formula: see text]) and standard deviation (σ) of the swimming speed, head oscillation amplitude (A0) and frequency (f0), and the fraction of motile spermatozoa (α). Interestingly, we found that the measurement of α is facilitated because the swimming spermatozoa enhance the motion of the non-swimming population. We demonstrate the ease and rapidity of our method by performing on-farm characterisation of bull spermatozoa motility, and validate the technique by comparing laboratory measurements with tracking. Our results confirm the long-standing theoretical prediction that [Formula: see text] for swimming spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alys Jepson
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AJ); (VAM)
| | - Jochen Arlt
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Statham
- RAFT Solutions Ltd., Mill Farm, Studley Road, Ripon, HG4 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Spilman
- RAFT Solutions Ltd., Mill Farm, Studley Road, Ripon, HG4 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Burton
- RAFT Solutions Ltd., Mill Farm, Studley Road, Ripon, HG4 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Tiffany Wood
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - Wilson C. K. Poon
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent A. Martinez
- SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (AJ); (VAM)
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