101
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Salamone DF, Canel NG, Rodríguez MB. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in domestic and wild mammals. Reproduction 2017; 154:F111-F124. [PMID: 29196493 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become a useful technique for clinical applications in the horse-breeding industry. However, both ICSI blastocyst and offspring production continues to be limited for most farm and wild species. This article reviews technical differences of ICSI performance among species, possible biological and methodological reasons for the variable efficiency and potential strategies to improve the outcomes. One of the major applications of ICSI in animal production is the reproduction of high-value specimens. Unfortunately, some domestic species like the bovine show low rates of pronuclei formation after sperm injection, which led to the development of various artificial activation protocols and sperm pre-treatments that are discussed in this article. The impact of ICSI technique on equine breeding programs is considered in detail, since in contrast to other species, its use for elite horse reproduction has increased in recent years. ICSI has also been used to produce genetically modified animals; however, despite numerous attempts in several domestic species, only transgenic pigs have been consistently produced. Finally, the ICSI is a promising tool for genetic rescue of endangered and wild species. In conclusion, while ICSI has become a consistent ART for some species, it needs further development for others. The low results obtained for some domestic species, the high training needed and the equipment required have limited this technique to the production of elite specimens or for research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Salamone
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia G Canel
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
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102
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Satouh Y, Nozawa K, Yamagata K, Fujimoto T, Ikawa M. Viable offspring after imaging of Ca2+ oscillations and visualization of the cortical reaction in mouse eggs. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:563-575. [PMID: 28339615 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
– During mammalian fertilization, egg Ca 2+ oscillations are known to play pivotal roles in triggering downstream events such as resumption of the cell cycle and the establishment of blocks to polyspermy. However, viable offspring have not been obtained after monitoring Ca 2+ oscillations, and their spatiotemporal links to subsequent events are still to be examined. Therefore, the development of imaging methods to avoid phototoxic damage while labeling these events is required. Here, we examined the usefulness of genetically encoded Ca 2+ indicators for optical imaging (GECOs), in combination with spinning-disk confocal imaging. The Ca 2+ imaging of fertilized mouse eggs with GEM-, G-, or R-GECO recorded successful oscillations (8.19 ± 0.31, 7.56 ± 0.23, or 7.53 ± 0.27 spikes in the first 2 h, respectively), similar to those obtained with chemical indicators. Then, in vitro viability tests revealed that imaging with G- or R-GECO did not interfere with the rate of development to the blastocyst stage (61.8 or 70.0%, respectively, vs 75.0% in control). Furthermore, two-cell transfer to recipient female mice after imaging with G- or R-GECO resulted in a similar birthrate (53.3 or 52.0%, respectively) to that of controls (48.7%). Next, we assessed the quality of the cortical reaction (CR) in artificially activated or fertilized eggs using fluorescently labeled Lens culinaris agglutinin fluorescein isothiocyanate. Multicolor imaging demonstrated that the first few Ca 2+ spikes are sufficient for the completion of the CR and subsequent hardening of the zona pellucida in mouse eggs. These methods provide a framework for studying Ca 2+ dynamics in mammalian fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhkoh Satouh
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamagata
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Takao Fujimoto
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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103
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Ferrer-Buitrago M, Bonte D, De Sutter P, Leybaert L, Heindryckx B. Single Ca 2+ transients vs oscillatory Ca 2+ signaling for assisted oocyte activation: limitations and benefits. Reproduction 2017; 155:R105-R119. [PMID: 29122969 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Oocyte activation is a calcium (Ca2+)-dependent process that has been investigated in depth, in particular, regarding its impact on assisted reproduction technology (ART). Following a standard model of signal transduction, Ca2+ drives the meiotic progression upon fertilization in all species studied to date. However, Ca2+ changes during oocyte activation are species specific, and they can be classified in two modalities based on the pattern defined by the Ca2+ signature: a single Ca2+ transient (e.g. amphibians) or repetitive Ca2+ transients called Ca2+ oscillations (e.g. mammals). Interestingly, assisted oocyte activation (AOA) methods have highlighted the ability of mammalian oocytes to respond to single Ca2+ transients with normal embryonic development. In this regard, there is evidence supporting that cellular events during the process of oocyte activation are initiated by different number of Ca2+ oscillations. Moreover, it was proposed that oocyte activation and subsequent embryonic development are dependent on the total summation of the Ca2+ peaks, rather than to a specific frequency pattern of Ca2+ oscillations. The present review aims to demonstrate the complexity of mammalian oocyte activation by describing the series of Ca2+-linked physiological events involved in mediating the egg-to-embryo transition. Furthermore, mechanisms of AOA and the limitations and benefits associated with the application of different activation agents are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Ferrer-Buitrago
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST)Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Davina Bonte
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST)Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Petra De Sutter
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST)Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Leybaert
- Physiology GroupDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST)Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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104
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Kashir J, Nomikos M, Lai FA. Phospholipase C zeta and calcium oscillations at fertilisation: The evidence, applications, and further questions. Adv Biol Regul 2017; 67:148-162. [PMID: 29108881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Oocyte activation is a fundamental event at mammalian fertilisation, initiated by a series of characteristic calcium (Ca2+) oscillations in mammals. This characteristic pattern of Ca2+ release is induced in a species-specific manner by a sperm-specific enzyme termed phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Reduction or absence of functional PLCζ within sperm underlies male factor infertility in humans, due to mutational inactivation or abrogation of PLCζ protein expression. Underlying such clinical implications, a significant body of evidence has now been accumulated that has characterised the unique biochemical and biophysical properties of this enzyme, further aiding the unique clinical opportunities presented. Herein, we present and discuss evidence accrued over the past decade and a half that serves to support the identity of PLCζ as the mammalian sperm factor. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential novel avenues that have yet to be examined regarding PLCζ mechanism of action in both the oocyte, and the sperm. Finally, we discuss the advances that have been made regarding the clinical therapeutic and diagnostic applications of PLCζ in potentially treating male infertility as a result of oocyte activation deficiency (OAD), and also possibly more general cases of male subfertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Kashir
- College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Alfaisal University, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Department of Comparative Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Michail Nomikos
- College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - F Anthony Lai
- College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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105
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The role and mechanism of action of sperm PLC-zeta in mammalian fertilisation. Biochem J 2017; 474:3659-3673. [PMID: 29061915 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
At mammalian fertilisation, the fundamental stimulus that triggers oocyte (egg) activation and initiation of early embryonic development is an acute rise of the intracellular-free calcium (Ca2+) concentration inside the egg cytoplasm. This essential Ca2+ increase comprises a characteristic series of repetitive Ca2+ oscillations, starting soon after sperm-egg fusion. Over the last 15 years, accumulating scientific and clinical evidence supports the notion that the physiological stimulus that precedes the cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations is a novel, testis-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isoform, known as PLC-zeta (PLCζ). Sperm PLCζ catalyses the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate triggering cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations through the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate signalling pathway. PLCζ is the smallest known mammalian PLC isoform with the most elementary domain organisation. However, relative to somatic PLCs, the PLCζ isoform possesses a unique potency in stimulating Ca2+ oscillations in eggs that is attributed to its novel biochemical characteristics. In this review, we discuss the latest developments that have begun to unravel the vital role of PLCζ at mammalian fertilisation and decipher its unique mechanism of action within the fertilising egg. We also postulate the significant potential diagnostic and therapeutic capacity of PLCζ in alleviating certain types of male infertility.
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106
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The potential roles of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) during the maturation and aging of oocytes produced by a marine protostome worm. ZYGOTE 2017; 25:686-696. [PMID: 29032774 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199417000533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Previous investigations have indicated that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) regulates the maturation and aging of oocytes produced by deuterostome animals. In order to assess the roles of this kinase in a protostome, oocytes of the marine nemertean worm Cerebratulus were stimulated to mature and subsequently aged before being probed with phospho-specific antibodies against active forms of JNK and maturation-promoting factor (MPF). Based on blots of maturing oocytes, a 40-kD putative JNK is normally activated during germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), which begins at 30 min post-stimulation with seawater, whereas treating immature oocytes with JNK inhibitors downregulates both the 40-kD JNK signal and GVBD, collectively suggesting a 40-kD JNK may facilitate oocyte maturation. Along with this JNK activity, mature oocytes also exhibit high levels of MPF at 2 h post-stimulation. However, by ~6-8 h post-GVBD, mature oocytes lose the 40-kD JNK signal, and at ~20-30 h of aging, an ~48-kD phospho-JNK band arises as oocytes deactivate MPF and begin to lyse during a necroptotic-like mode of death. Accordingly, JNK inhibitors reduce the aging-related 48-kD JNK phosphorylation while maintaining MPF activity and retarding oocyte degradation. Such findings suggest that a 48-kD JNK may help deactivate MPF and trigger death. Possible mechanisms by which JNK activation either together with, or independently of, protein neosynthesis might stimulate oocyte degradation are discussed.
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107
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Anderson GA, Gelens L, Baker JC, Ferrell JE. Desynchronizing Embryonic Cell Division Waves Reveals the Robustness of Xenopus laevis Development. Cell Rep 2017; 21:37-46. [PMID: 28978482 PMCID: PMC5679461 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The early Xenopus laevis embryo is replete with dynamic spatial waves. One such wave, the cell division wave, emerges from the collective cell division timing of first tens and later hundreds of cells throughout the embryo. Here, we show that cell division waves do not propagate between neighboring cells and do not rely on cell-to-cell coupling to maintain their division timing. Instead, intrinsic variation in division period autonomously and gradually builds these striking patterns of cell division. Disrupting this pattern of division by placing embryos in a temperature gradient resulted in highly asynchronous entry to the midblastula transition and misexpression of the mesodermal marker Xbra. Remarkably, this gene expression defect is corrected during involution, resulting in delayed yet normal Xbra expression and viable embryos. This implies the existence of a previously unknown mechanism for normalizing mesodermal gene expression during involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham A Anderson
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5174, USA
| | - Lendert Gelens
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5174, USA; Laboratory of Dynamics in Biological Systems, KU Leuven, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Applied Physics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Julie C Baker
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5120, USA
| | - James E Ferrell
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5174, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5307, USA.
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108
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Shi W, Han Y, Guo C, Zhao X, Liu S, Su W, Wang Y, Zha S, Chai X, Liu G. Ocean acidification hampers sperm-egg collisions, gamete fusion, and generation of Ca 2+ oscillations of a broadcast spawning bivalve, Tegillarca granosa. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 130:106-112. [PMID: 28750793 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the effect of ocean acidification on fertilization success of marine organisms is increasingly well documented, the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. The fertilization success of broadcast spawning invertebrates depends on successful sperm-egg collisions, gamete fusion, and standard generation of Ca2+ oscillations. Therefore, the realistic effects of future ocean pCO2 levels on these specific aspects of fertilization of Tegillarca granosa were investigated in the present study through sperm velocity trials, fertilization kinetics model analysis, and intracellular Ca2+ assays, respectively. Results obtained indicated that ocean acidification significantly reduced the fertilization success of T. granosa, which could be accountable by (i) decreased sperm velocity hence reducing the probability for sperm-egg collisions; (ii) lowered probability of gamete fusion for each gamete collision event; and (iii) disrupted intracellular Ca2+ oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yu Han
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Cheng Guo
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xinguo Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Saixi Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Wenhao Su
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yichen Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Shanjie Zha
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xueliang Chai
- Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, PR China
| | - Guangxu Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
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109
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Xu YR, Yang WX. Calcium influx and sperm-evoked calcium responses during oocyte maturation and egg activation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:89375-89390. [PMID: 29179526 PMCID: PMC5687696 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Under the guidance and regulation of hormone signaling, large majority of mammalian oocytes go through twice cell cycle arrest-resumption prior to the fertilized egg splits: oocyte maturation and egg activation. Cytosolic free calcium elevations and endoplasmic reticulum calcium store alternations are actively involved in triggering the complex machineries and events during oogenesis. Among these, calcium influx had been implicated in the replenishment of endoplasmic reticulum store during oocyte maturation and calcium oscillation during egg activation. This process also drove successful fertilization and early embryo development. Store-operated Ca2+ entry, acts as the principal force of calcium influx, is composed of STIM1 and Orai1 on the plasma membrane. Besides, transient receptor potential channels also participate in the process of calcium inwards. In this review, we summarize the recent researches on the spatial-temporal distribution of store-operated calcium entry components and transient receptor potential channels. Questions about how these channels play function for calcium influx and what impacts these channels have on oocytes are discussed. At the time of sperm-egg fusion, sperm-specific factor(s) diffuse and enable eggs to mount intracellular calcium oscillations. In this review, we also focus on the basic knowledge and the modes of action of the potential sperm factor phospholipase C zeta, as well as the downstream receptor, type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. From the achievement in the previous several decades, it is easy to find that there are too many doubtful points in the field that need researchers take into consideration and take action in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ru Xu
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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110
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Fertilization 2: Polyspermic Fertilization. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1001:105-123. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3975-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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111
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Hara M, Petrova B, Orr-Weaver TL. Control of PNG kinase, a key regulator of mRNA translation, is coupled to meiosis completion at egg activation. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28555567 PMCID: PMC5449181 DOI: 10.7554/elife.22219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The oocyte-to-embryo transition involves extensive changes in mRNA translation, regulated in Drosophila by the PNG kinase complex whose activity we show here to be under precise developmental control. Despite presence of the catalytic PNG subunit and the PLU and GNU activating subunits in the mature oocyte, GNU is phosphorylated at Cyclin B/CDK1sites and unable to bind PNG and PLU. In vitro phosphorylation of GNU by CyclinB/CDK1 blocks activation of PNG. Meiotic completion promotes GNU dephosphorylation and PNG kinase activation to regulate translation. The critical regulatory effect of phosphorylation is shown by replacement in the oocyte with a phosphorylation-resistant form of GNU, which promotes PNG-GNU complex formation, elevation of Cyclin B, and meiotic defects consistent with premature PNG activation. After PNG activation GNU is destabilized, thus inactivating PNG. This short-lived burst in kinase activity links development with maternal mRNA translation and ensures irreversibility of the oocyte-to-embryo transition. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22219.001 New egg cells form via a specialized kind of cell division called called meiosis, and will pause at key stages in this process before continuing their development. One of these pauses occurs before the egg cell is fertilized. At fertilization, the egg cell becomes “activated”, development resumes, and it starts forming into an embryo. Molecules deposited in the egg cell when it originally formed are used to control these earliest stages of embryonic development. These molecules include messenger RNA molecules (mRNAs for short), which can be “translated” to build proteins. In fruit flies, an enzyme called PNG kinase regulates the translation of hundreds of mRNA molecules during the period after the pause, when the maturing egg cell is activated and the embryo begins to develop. It is not well understood what activates and inactivates the kinase to limit its activity to this period of time. However, it was known that a protein called GNU was needed to bind to the PNG kinase to make it active. CyclinB/CDK1 is another kinase, and in contrast to PNG it is highly active when the egg cell is paused. When the egg cell is activated for embryonic development, the levels of this second kinase drop sharply and meiosis is completed. Like all kinases, CyclinB/CDK1 attaches phosphate groups onto other molecules, and Hara et al. now show that CyclinB/CDK1 can modify the GNU protein in this way. The added phosphate groups prevent GNU from binding to the PNG kinase, meaning that the high levels of CyclinB/CDK1 during the pause stop GNU from activating the PNG kinase. However, when the egg cell is activated, the level of CyclinB/CDK1 declines so that there are not enough of these molecules to add phosphates onto GNU. This leaves GNU free to activate the PNG kinase, allowing this kinase to control the translation of mRNA molecules. Furthermore, the activity of PNG kinase leads to the destruction of GNU, and this feedback loop limits this kinase’s activity to the narrow window of time in which it is needed. The fruit fly is the second example of an animal in which the activity of a kinase essential for embryonic development has been linked to the completion of meiosis (the other being the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans). The use of this strategy in two such different animals suggests that it may also be common to many other animals, including humans. Further investigation is now needed to determine if this is indeed the case. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22219.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Hara
- Whitehead Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Boryana Petrova
- Whitehead Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Terry L Orr-Weaver
- Whitehead Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
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112
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Golpour A, Pšenička M, Niksirat H. Subcellular distribution of calcium during spermatogenesis of zebrafish,Danio rerio. J Morphol 2017; 278:1149-1159. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amin Golpour
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology; Zátiší 728/II Vodňany 389 25 Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pšenička
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology; Zátiší 728/II Vodňany 389 25 Czech Republic
| | - Hamid Niksirat
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology; Zátiší 728/II Vodňany 389 25 Czech Republic
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113
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The beneficial effect of repaglinide on in vitro maturation and development ability of immature mouse oocytes. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2017; 53:626-631. [PMID: 28432599 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-017-0152-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Repaglinide is a hypoglycemic drug, causing depolarization of the cell membrane, opening the voltage-gated calcium channels, and then increasing intracellular calcium in the pancreatic B cells by inhibition of the K-ATP-sensitive channels. Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is influenced by different factors such as calcium signaling. In this study, we examined the effects of repaglinide on in vitro maturation and fertilization ability of mouse oocyte. Immature oocytes were isolated from female Naval Medical Research Institute mice which are 6-8 wk old mechanically and then cultured in 30 μl droplets of T6 medium with different concentrations of repaglinide. The control group did not receive repaglinide (R0). Treatment groups received different concentrations (5, 10, and 100 nM and 1 and 10 μM) of repaglinide (R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, respectively). Oocyte in vitro maturation rate was assessed after 24 h. In vitro fertilization was performed using metaphase II oocytes obtained from R0 and R4 treatments. Embryo cleavage rate was calculated at 48 h post-IVF. Chi-square test was used for evaluating difference between control and treatment groups (p < 0.05). Oocyte maturation rate after 24 h in treatment groups R2, R3, R4, and R5 was significantly higher than that in the control (p < 0.05). Supplementation of medium with 1 μM of repaglinide (R4) during IVM significantly improved outcome of embryo cleavage rate than control at 48 h post-IVF (p < 0.05). In conclusion, repaglinide can be considered as an effective agent for in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo cleavage.
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114
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Male infertility-linked point mutation reveals a vital binding role for the C2 domain of sperm PLCζ. Biochem J 2017; 474:1003-1016. [PMID: 28270562 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20161057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sperm-specific phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) is widely considered to be the physiological stimulus that evokes intracellular calcium (Ca2+) oscillations that are essential for the initiation of egg activation during mammalian fertilisation. A recent genetic study reported a male infertility case that was directly associated with a point mutation in the PLCζ C2 domain, where an isoleucine residue had been substituted with a phenylalanine (I489F). Here, we have analysed the effect of this mutation on the in vivo Ca2+ oscillation-inducing activity and the in vitro biochemical properties of human PLCζ. Microinjection of cRNA or recombinant protein corresponding to PLCζI489F mutant at physiological concentrations completely failed to cause Ca2+ oscillations and trigger development. However, this infertile phenotype could be effectively rescued by microinjection of relatively high (non-physiological) amounts of recombinant mutant PLCζI489F protein, leading to Ca2+ oscillations and egg activation. Our in vitro biochemical analysis suggested that the PLCζI489F mutant displayed similar enzymatic properties, but dramatically reduced binding to PI(3)P and PI(5)P-containing liposomes compared with wild-type PLCζ. Our findings highlight the importance of PLCζ at fertilisation and the vital role of the C2 domain in PLCζ function, possibly due to its novel binding characteristics.
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115
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Yamaguchi T, Ito M, Kuroda K, Takeda S, Tanaka A. The establishment of appropriate methods for egg-activation by human PLCZ1 RNA injection into human oocyte. Cell Calcium 2017; 65:22-30. [PMID: 28320563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipase C-zeta (PLCZ1), a strong candidate of egg-activating sperm factor, can induce Ca2+ oscillations and cause egg activation. For the application of PLCZ1 to clinical use, we examined the pattern of Ca2+ responses and developmental rate by comparing PLCZ1 RNA injection methods with the other current methods, such as cytosolic aspiration, electrical stimulation and ionomycin treatment in human oocytes. We found that the pattern of Ca2+ oscillations after PLCZ1 RNA injection exhibited similar characteristics to that after ICSI treatment. We also determined the optimal concentration of human PLCZ1 RNA to activate the human oocytes. Our findings suggest that human PLCZ1 RNA is a better therapeutic agent to rescue human oocytes from failed activation, leading to normal and efficient development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yamaguchi
- Saint Mother Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Institute for ART, Fukuoka 807-0825, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ito
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Keiji Kuroda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Satoru Takeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Saint Mother Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Institute for ART, Fukuoka 807-0825, Japan
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Ohnishi Y, Okamoto T. Nuclear migration during karyogamy in rice zygotes is mediated by continuous convergence of actin meshwork toward the egg nucleus. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2017; 130:339-348. [PMID: 27995374 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-016-0892-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization is comprised of two sequential fusion processes; plasmogamy and karyogamy. Karyogamy completes with migration and fusion of the male and female nuclei in the fused cell. In animals, microtubules organized by the centrosome control female/male pronuclei migration. In contrast, the nuclear migration in fused gametes of angiosperms is controlled by actin filaments, but the mechanism that regulates actin filament-dependent nuclear migration is not clear. In this study, we prepared fused rice (Oryza sativa L.) gametes/zygotes using in vitro fertilization and observed the spatial and temporal movements of actin filaments and sperm nuclei. Our results show that actin filaments in egg cells form a meshwork structure surrounding the nuclei. Quantitative analysis of the actin meshwork dynamics suggests that actin meshwork converges toward the egg nucleus. In egg cells fused with sperm cells, actin filaments appeared to interact with a portion of the sperm nuclear membrane. The velocity of the actin filaments was positively correlated with the velocity of the sperm nucleus during karyogamy. These results suggest that sperm nuclear membrane and actin filaments physically interact with each other during karyogamy, and that the sperm nucleus migrates toward the egg nucleus through the convergence of the actin meshwork. Interestingly, actin filament velocity increased promptly after gamete fusion and was further elevated during nuclear fusion. In addition to the migration of gamete nuclei, convergence of actin meshwork may also be critical during early zygotic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukinosuke Ohnishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-osawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
| | - Takashi Okamoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-osawa 1-1, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
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Bernhardt ML, Padilla-Banks E, Stein P, Zhang Y, Williams CJ. Store-operated Ca 2+ entry is not required for fertilization-induced Ca 2+ signaling in mouse eggs. Cell Calcium 2017; 65:63-72. [PMID: 28222911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Repetitive oscillations in cytoplasmic Ca2+ due to periodic Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) drive mammalian embryo development following fertilization. Influx of extracellular Ca2+ to support the refilling of ER stores is required for sustained Ca2+ oscillations, but the mechanisms underlying this Ca2+ influx are controversial. Although store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is an appealing candidate mechanism, several groups have arrived at contradictory conclusions regarding the importance of SOCE in oocytes and eggs. To definitively address this question, Ca2+ influx was assessed in oocytes and eggs lacking the major components of SOCE, the ER Ca2+ sensor STIM proteins, and the plasma membrane Ca2+ channel ORAI1. We generated oocyte-specific conditional knockout (cKO) mice for Stim1 and Stim2, and also generated Stim1/2 double cKO mice. Females lacking one or both STIM proteins were fertile and their ovulated eggs displayed normal patterns of Ca2+ oscillations following fertilization. In addition, no impairment was observed in ER Ca2+ stores or Ca2+ influx following store depletion. Similar studies were performed on eggs from mice globally lacking ORAI1; no abnormalities were observed. Furthermore, spontaneous Ca2+ influx was normal in oocytes from Stim1/2 cKO and ORAI1-null mice. Finally, we tested if TRPM7-like channels could support spontaneous Ca2+ influx, and found that it was largely prevented by NS8593, a TRPM7-specific inhibitor. Fertilization-induced Ca2+ oscillations were also impaired by NS8593. Combined, these data robustly show that SOCE is not required to support appropriate Ca2+ signaling in mouse oocytes and eggs, and that TRPM7-like channels may contribute to Ca2+ influx that was previously attributed to SOCE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda L Bernhardt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Elizabeth Padilla-Banks
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Paula Stein
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Yingpei Zhang
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Carmen J Williams
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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Martin JH, Bromfield EG, Aitken RJ, Nixon B. Biochemical alterations in the oocyte in support of early embryonic development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:469-485. [PMID: 27604868 PMCID: PMC11107538 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Notwithstanding the enormous reproductive potential encapsulated within a mature mammalian oocyte, these cells present only a limited window for fertilization before defaulting to an apoptotic cascade known as post-ovulatory oocyte aging. The only cell with the capacity to rescue this potential is the fertilizing spermatozoon. Indeed, the union of these cells sets in train a remarkable series of events that endows the oocyte with the capacity to divide and differentiate into the trillions of cells that comprise a new individual. Traditional paradigms hold that, beyond the initial stimulation of fluctuating calcium (Ca2+) required for oocyte activation, the fertilizing spermatozoon plays limited additional roles in the early embryo. While this model has now been drawn into question in view of the recent discovery that spermatozoa deliver developmentally important classes of small noncoding RNAs and other epigenetic modulators to oocytes during fertilization, it is nevertheless apparent that the primary responsibility for oocyte activation rests with a modest store of maternally derived proteins and mRNA accumulated during oogenesis. It is, therefore, not surprising that widespread post-translational modifications, in particular phosphorylation, hold a central role in endowing these proteins with sufficient functional diversity to initiate embryonic development. Indeed, proteins targeted for such modifications have been linked to oocyte activation, recruitment of maternal mRNAs, DNA repair and resumption of the cell cycle. This review, therefore, seeks to explore the intimate relationship between Ca2+ release and the suite of molecular modifications that sweep through the oocyte to ensure the successful union of the parental germlines and ensure embryogenic fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta H Martin
- Discipline of Biological Sciences and Priority Research Center for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Discipline of Biological Sciences and Priority Research Center for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Discipline of Biological Sciences and Priority Research Center for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Discipline of Biological Sciences and Priority Research Center for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
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Wozniak KL, Mayfield BL, Duray AM, Tembo M, Beleny DO, Napolitano MA, Sauer ML, Wisner BW, Carlson AE. Extracellular Ca2+ Is Required for Fertilization in the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170405. [PMID: 28114360 PMCID: PMC5256882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The necessity of extracellular Ca2+ for fertilization and early embryonic development in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, is controversial. Ca2+ entry into X. laevis sperm is reportedly required for the acrosome reaction, yet fertilization and embryonic development have been documented to occur in high concentrations of the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA. Here we sought to resolve this controversy. Methodology/principal finding Using the appearance of cleavage furrows as an indicator of embryonic development, we found that X. laevis eggs inseminated in a solution lacking added divalent cations developed normally. By contrast, eggs inseminated in millimolar concentrations of BAPTA or EGTA failed to develop. Transferring embryos to varying solutions after sperm addition, we found that extracellular Ca2+ is specifically required for events occurring within the first 30 minutes after sperm addition, but not after. We found that the fluorescently stained sperm were not able to penetrate the envelope of eggs inseminated in high BAPTA, whereas several had penetrated the vitelline envelope of eggs inseminated without a Ca2+ chelator, or with BAPTA and saturating CaCl2. Together these results indicate that fertilization does not occur in high concentrations of Ca2+ chelators. Finally, we found that the jelly coat includes >5 mM of readily diffusible Ca2+. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, these data are consistent with requirement of extracellular Ca2+ for fertilization. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that the jelly coat surrounding the egg acts as a reserve of readily available Ca2+ ions to foster fertilization in changing extracellular milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L. Wozniak
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Brianna L. Mayfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alexis M. Duray
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maiwase Tembo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David O. Beleny
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Marc A. Napolitano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Monica L. Sauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Bennett W. Wisner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anne E. Carlson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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120
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Fertility: Store-Operated Ca 2+ Entry in Germ Cells: Role in Egg Activation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 993:577-593. [PMID: 28900934 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-57732-6_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
At the time of fertilization, the sperm activates the egg and induces embryonic development by triggering an elevation in the egg's intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. In mammals the initial Ca2+ rise is followed by a series of repetitive Ca2+ transients (known as oscillations) that last for several hours. Although the source of Ca2+ during the signaling process is primarily the egg's smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the oscillations stop in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ indicating that a Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane is essential to sustain them. Depletion of the intracellular stores using specific inhibitors generates a Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane of eggs of various species, and a continuous influx of Ca2+ has been linked to the sperm-induced Ca2+ oscillations in the mouse; these data indicate that store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) operates in eggs and may be the mechanism that maintains the long-lasting Ca2+ signal at fertilization. Recent findings suggest that the signaling proteins STIM1 and Orai1 are present in eggs; they are responsible for mediating SOCE, and their functions are essential for proper Ca2+ signaling at fertilization to support normal embryo development.
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Kashir J, Buntwal L, Nomikos M, Calver BL, Stamatiadis P, Ashley P, Vassilakopoulou V, Sanders D, Knaggs P, Livaniou E, Bunkheila A, Swann K, Lai FA. Antigen unmasking enhances visualization efficacy of the oocyte activation factor, phospholipase C zeta, in mammalian sperm. Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 23:54-67. [PMID: 27932551 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to improve clinical visualization of phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) as a diagnostic marker of sperm oocyte activation capacity and male fertility? SUMMARY ANSWER Poor PLCζ visualization efficacy using current protocols may be due to steric or conformational occlusion of native PLCζ, hindering antibody access, and is significantly enhanced using antigen unmasking/retrieval (AUM) protocols. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Mammalian oocyte activation is mediated via a series of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) oscillations induced by sperm-specific PLCζ. PLCζ represents not only a potential clinical therapeutic in cases of oocyte activation deficiency but also a diagnostic marker of sperm fertility. However, there are significant concerns surrounding PLCζ antibody specificity and detection protocols. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE DURATION Two PLCζ polyclonal antibodies, with confirmed PLCζ specificity, were employed in mouse, porcine and human sperm. Experiments evaluated PLCζ visualization efficacy, and whether AUM improved this. Antibodies against two sperm-specific proteins [post-acrosomal WW-binding protein (PAWP) and acrosin] were used as controls. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Aldehyde- and methanol-fixed sperm were subject to immunofluorescence analysis following HCl exposure (pH = 0.1-0.5), acid Tyrode's solution exposure (pH = 2.5) or heating in 10 mM sodium citrate solution (pH = 6.0). Fluorescence intensity of at least 300 cells was recorded for each treatment, with three independent repeats. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Despite high specificity for native PLCζ following immunoblotting using epitope-specific polyclonal PLCζ antibodies in mouse, porcine and human sperm, immunofluorescent visualization efficacy was poor. In contrast, sperm markers PAWP and acrosin exhibited relatively impressive results. All methods of AUM on aldehyde-fixed sperm enhanced visualization efficacy for PLCζ compared to visualization efficacy before AUM (P < 0.05 for all AUM interventions), but exerted no significant change upon PAWP or acrosin immunofluorescence following AUM. All methods of AUM enhanced PLCζ visualization efficacy in mouse and human methanol-fixed sperm compared to without AUM (P < 0.05 for all AUM interventions), while no significant change was observed in methanol-fixed porcine sperm before and after. In the absence of aldehyde-induced cross-linkages, such results suggest that poor PLCζ visualization efficacy may be due to steric or conformational occlusion of native PLCζ, hindering antibody access. Importantly, examination of sperm from individual donors revealed that AUM differentially affects observable PLCζ fluorescence, and the proportion of sperm exhibiting detectable PLCζ fluorescence in sperm from different males. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Direct correlation of fertility outcomes with the level of PLCζ in the sperm samples studied was not available. Such analyses would be required in future to determine whether the improved methodology for PLCζ visualization we propose would indeed reflect fertility status. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We propose that AUM alters conformational interactions to enhance PLCζ epitope availability and visualization efficacy, supporting prospective application of AUM to reduce misinterpretation in clinical diagnosis of PLCζ-linked male infertility. Our current results suggest that it is perhaps prudent that previous studies investigating links between PLCζ and fertility parameters are re-examined in the context of AUM, and may pave the way for future work to answer significant questions such as how PLCζ appears to be kept in an inactive form in the sperm. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS J.K. is supported by a Health Fellowship award from the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR). M.N. is supported by a Marie Curie Intra-European Research Fellowship award. This work was also partly funded by a research grant from Cook Medical Technologies LLC. There are no competing financial interests to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Kashir
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Schools of Bioscience & Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK .,Alfaisal University, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Department of Comparative Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Luke Buntwal
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Schools of Bioscience & Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michail Nomikos
- Qatar University, College of Medicine, PO BOX 2713, Doha, Qatar.,School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Brian L Calver
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Schools of Bioscience & Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Panagiotis Stamatiadis
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Schools of Bioscience & Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter Ashley
- Wales Fertility Institute, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - David Sanders
- Wales Fertility Institute, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Paul Knaggs
- Wales Fertility Institute, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Evangelia Livaniou
- National Center for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Adnan Bunkheila
- Wales Fertility Institute, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Karl Swann
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Schools of Bioscience & Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - F Anthony Lai
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Schools of Bioscience & Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Golpour A, Pšenička M, Niksirat H. Ultrastructural Localization of Intracellular Calcium During Spermatogenesis of Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus). MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2016; 22:1155-1161. [PMID: 27866505 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927616011958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Calcium regulates many intracellular events such as growth and differentiation during different stages of gamete development. The aim of this study was to localize and quantify the intracellular distribution of calcium during different developmental stages of spermatogenesis in sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, using a combined oxalate-pyroantimonate technique. The distribution of calcium was described in spermatogonium, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoon stages. In the spermatogonium and spermatocyte, calcium deposits were mainly localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The spermatid had calcium in the nucleus, developing acrosomal vesicle, and cytoplasm. Intracellular calcium transformed from scattered deposits in spermatogonia and spermatocyte stages into an unbound form in spermatid and the spermatozoon. The proportion of area covered by calcium increased significantly (p<0.05) from early to late stages of spermatogenesis. The largest proportion of area covered by calcium was observed in the nucleus of the spermatozoon. In conclusion, although most of the intracellular calcium is deposited in limited areas of the spermatogonium and spermatocyte, it is present an unbound form in the larger area of spermatids and spermatozoa which probably reflects changes in its physiological function and homeostasis during the process of male gamete production in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Golpour
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters,South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses,Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology,Zátiší 728/II,389 25 Vodňany,Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pšenička
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters,South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses,Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology,Zátiší 728/II,389 25 Vodňany,Czech Republic
| | - Hamid Niksirat
- University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters,South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses,Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology,Zátiší 728/II,389 25 Vodňany,Czech Republic
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124
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Kitta R, Kuwamoto M, Yamahama Y, Mase K, Sawada H. Nitric oxide synthase during early embryonic development in silkworm Bombyx mori: Gene expression, enzyme activity, and tissue distribution. Dev Growth Differ 2016; 58:750-756. [PMID: 27896806 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the mechanism for embryonic diapause or the breakdown of diapause in Bombyx mori, we biochemically analyzed nitric oxide synthase (NOS) during the embryogenesis of B. mori. The gene expression and enzyme activity of B. mori NOS (BmNOS) were examined in diapause, non-diapause, and HCl-treated diapause eggs. In the case of HCl-treated diapause eggs, the gene expression and enzyme activity of BmNOS were induced by HCl treatment. However, in the case of diapause and non-diapause eggs during embryogenesis, changes in the BmNOS activity and gene expressions did not coincide except 48-60 h after oviposition in diapause eggs. The results imply that changes in BmNOS activity during the embryogenesis of diapause and non-diapause eggs are regulated not only at the level of transcription but also post-transcription. The distribution and localization of BmNOS were also investigated with an immunohistochemical technique using antibodies against the universal NOS; the localization of BmNOS was observed mainly in the cytoplasm of yolk cells in diapause eggs and HCl-treated diapause eggs. These data suggest that BmNOS has an important role in the early embryonic development of the B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kitta
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8550, Japan
| | - Marina Kuwamoto
- Department of Chemistry, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8550, Japan
| | - Yumi Yamahama
- Department of Biology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Keisuke Mase
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sawada
- Department of Biosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8550, Japan
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125
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Abstract
Localized mRNA translation is a widespread mechanism for targeting protein synthesis, important for cell fate, motility and pathogenesis. In Drosophila, the spatiotemporal control of gurken/TGF-α mRNA translation is required for establishing the embryonic body axes. A number of recent studies have highlighted key aspects of the mechanism of gurken mRNA translational control at the dorsoanterior corner of the mid-stage oocyte. Orb/CPEB and Wispy/GLD-2 are required for polyadenylation of gurken mRNA, but unlocalized gurken mRNA in the oocyte is not fully polyadenylated. 1 At the dorsoanterior corner, Orb and gurken mRNA have been shown to be enriched at the edge of Processing bodies, where translation occurs. 2 Over-expression of Orb in the adjacent nurse cells, where gurken mRNA is transcribed, is sufficient to cause mis-expression of Gurken protein. 3 In orb mutant egg chambers, reducing the activity of CK2, a Serine/Threonine protein kinase, enhances the ventralized phenotype, consistent with perturbation of gurken translation. 4 Here we show that sites phosphorylated by CK2 overlap with active Orb and with Gurken protein expression. Together with our new findings we consolidate the literature into a working model for gurken mRNA translational control and review the role of kinases, cell cycle factors and polyadenylation machinery highlighting a multitude of conserved factors and mechanisms in the Drosophila egg chamber.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy T Weil
- a Department of Zoology , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK
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Abstract
Compared with the animal kingdom, fertilization is particularly complex in flowering plants (angiosperms). Sperm cells of angiosperms have lost their motility and require transportation as a passive cargo by the pollen tube cell to the egg apparatus (egg cell and accessory synergid cells). Sperm cell release from the pollen tube occurs after intensive communication between the pollen tube cell and the receptive synergid, culminating in the lysis of both interaction partners. Following release of the two sperm cells, they interact and fuse with two dimorphic female gametes (the egg and the central cell) forming the major seed components embryo and endosperm, respectively. This process is known as double fertilization. Here, we review the current understanding of the processes of sperm cell reception, gamete interaction, their pre-fertilization activation and fusion, as well as the mechanisms plants use to prevent the fusion of egg cells with multiple sperm cells. The role of Ca(2+) is highlighted in these various processes and comparisons are drawn between fertilization mechanisms in flowering plants and other eukaryotes, including mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dresselhaus
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Sprunck
- Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, Biochemie-Zentrum Regensburg, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gary M Wessel
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
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127
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Abstract
Egg activation is a universal process that includes a series of events to allow the fertilized egg to complete meiosis and initiate embryonic development. One aspect of egg activation, conserved across all organisms examined, is a change in the intracellular concentration of calcium (Ca(2+)) often termed a 'Ca(2+) wave'. While the speed and number of oscillations of the Ca(2+) wave varies between species, the change in intracellular Ca(2+) is key in bringing about essential events for embryonic development. These changes include resumption of the cell cycle, mRNA regulation, cortical granule exocytosis, and rearrangement of the cytoskeleton. In the mature Drosophila egg, activation occurs in the female oviduct prior to fertilization, initiating a series of Ca(2+)-dependent events. Here we present a protocol for imaging the Ca(2+) wave in Drosophila. This approach provides a manipulable model system to interrogate the mechanism of the Ca(2+) wave and the downstream changes associated with it.
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128
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Torrezan-Nitao E, Boni R, Marques-Santos LF. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) desensitization increases sea urchin spermatozoa fertilization rate. Cell Biol Int 2016; 40:1071-83. [PMID: 27449751 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) is a protein complex whose opening promotes an abrupt increase in mitochondrial inner membrane permeability. Calcium signaling pathways are described in gametes and are involved in the fertilization process. Although mitochondria may act as Ca(2+) store and have a fast calcium-releasing mechanism through MPTP, its contribution to fertilization remains unclear. The work aimed to investigate the MPTP phenomenon in sea urchin spermatozoa and its role on the fertilization. Several pharmacological tools were used to evaluate the MPTP's physiology. Our results demonstrated that MPTP occurs in male gametes in a Ca(2+) - and voltage-dependent manner and it is sensitive to cyclosporine A. Additionally, our data show that MPTP opening does not alter ROS generation in sperm cells. Inhibition of MPTP in spermatozoa strongly improved the fertilization rate, which may involve mechanisms that increase the spermatozoa lifespan. The present work is the first report of the presence of a voltage- and Ca(2+) -dependent MPTP in gametes of invertebrates and indicates MPTP opening as another evolutionary feature shared by sea urchins and mammals. Studies about MPTP in sea urchin male gametes may contribute to the elucidation of several mechanisms involved in sperm infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elis Torrezan-Nitao
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 58051-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Raianna Boni
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 58051-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Marques-Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 58051-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
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129
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Bury L, Coelho PA, Glover DM. From Meiosis to Mitosis: The Astonishing Flexibility of Cell Division Mechanisms in Early Mammalian Development. Curr Top Dev Biol 2016; 120:125-71. [PMID: 27475851 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The execution of female meiosis and the establishment of the zygote is arguably the most critical stage of mammalian development. The egg can be arrested in the prophase of meiosis I for decades, and when it is activated, the spindle is assembled de novo. This spindle must function with the highest of fidelity and yet its assembly is unusually achieved in the absence of conventional centrosomes and with minimal influence of chromatin. Moreover, its dramatic asymmetric positioning is achieved through remarkable properties of the actin cytoskeleton to ensure elimination of the polar bodies. The second meiotic arrest marks a uniquely prolonged metaphase eventually interrupted by egg activation at fertilization to complete meiosis and mark a period of preparation of the male and female pronuclear genomes not only for their entry into the mitotic cleavage divisions but also for the imminent prospect of their zygotic expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bury
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - P A Coelho
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - D M Glover
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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130
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Tosti E, Ménézo Y. Gamete activation: basic knowledge and clinical applications. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 22:420-39. [PMID: 27278231 PMCID: PMC4917743 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The first clues to the process of gamete activation date back to nearly 60 years ago. The mutual activation of gametes is a crucial event during fertilization. In the testis and ovaries, spermatozoa and oocytes are in a state of meiotic and metabolic quiescence and require reciprocal signals in order to undergo functional changes that lead to competence for fertilization. First, the oocyte activates sperm by triggering motility, chemoattraction, binding and the acrosome reaction, culminating with the fusion of the two plasma membranes. At the end of this cascade of events, collectively known as sperm capacitation, sperm-induced oocyte activation occurs, generating electrical, morphological and metabolic modifications in the oocyte. Objective and rationale The aim of this review is to provide the current state of knowledge regarding the entire process of gamete activation in selected specific animal models that have contributed to our understanding of fertilization in mammals, including humans. Here we describe in detail the reciprocal induction of the two activation processes, the molecules involved and the mechanisms of cell interaction and signal transduction that ultimately result in successful embryo development and creation of a new individual. Search methods We carried out a literature survey with no restrictions on publication date (from the early 1950s to March 2016) using PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Web of Knowledge by utilizing common keywords applied in the field of fertilization and embryo development. We also screened the complete list of references published in the most recent research articles and relevant reviews published in English (both animal and human studies) on the topics investigated. Outcomes Literature on the principal animal models demonstrates that gamete activation is a pre-requisite for successful fertilization, and is a process common to all species studied to date. We provide a detailed description of the dramatic changes in gamete morphology and behavior, the regulatory molecules triggering gamete activation and the intracellular ions and second messengers involved in active metabolic pathways in different species. Recent scientific advances suggest that artificial gamete activation may represent a novel technique to improve human IVF outcomes, but this approach requires caution. Wider implications Although controversial, manipulation of gamete activation represents a promising tool for ameliorating the fertilization rate in assisted reproductive technologies. A better knowledge of mechanisms that transform the quiescent oocyte into a pluripotent cell may also provide new insights for the clinical use of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Tosti
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy
| | - Yves Ménézo
- London Fertility Associates, 104 Harley Street, London WIG7JD, UK
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131
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Darbandi S, Darbandi M, Khorshid HRK, Sadeghi MR, Al-Hasani S, Agarwal A, Shirazi A, Heidari M, Akhondi MM. Experimental strategies towards increasing intracellular mitochondrial activity in oocytes: A systematic review. Mitochondrion 2016; 30:8-17. [PMID: 27234976 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The mitochondrial complement is critical in sustaining the earliest stages of life. To improve the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), current methods of interest were evaluated for increasing the activity and copy number of mitochondria in the oocyte cell. METHODS This covered the researches from 1966 to September 2015. RESULTS The results provided ten methods that can be studied individually or simultaneously. CONCLUSION Though the use of these techniques generated great concern about heteroplasmy observation in humans, it seems that with study on these suggested methods there is real hope for effective treatments of old oocyte or oocytes containing mitochondrial problems in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Darbandi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahsa Darbandi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Safaa Al-Hasani
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany.
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Abolfazl Shirazi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahnaz Heidari
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. M.@avicenna.ar.ir
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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132
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Courjaret R, Hodeify R, Hubrack S, Ibrahim A, Dib M, Daas S, Machaca K. The Ca2+-activated Cl- channel Ano1 controls microvilli length and membrane surface area in the oocyte. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:2548-58. [PMID: 27173493 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.188367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs) play important physiological functions in epithelia and other tissues. In frog oocytes the CaCC Ano1 regulates resting membrane potential and the block to polyspermy. Here, we show that Ano1 expression increases the oocyte surface, revealing a novel function for Ano1 in regulating cell morphology. Confocal imaging shows that Ano1 increases microvilli length, which requires ERM-protein-dependent linkage to the cytoskeleton. A dominant-negative form of the ERM protein moesin precludes the Ano1-dependent increase in membrane area. Furthermore, both full-length and the truncated dominant-negative forms of moesin co-localize with Ano1 to the microvilli, and the two proteins co-immunoprecipitate. The Ano1-moesin interaction limits Ano1 lateral membrane mobility and contributes to microvilli scaffolding, therefore stabilizing larger membrane structures. Collectively, these results reveal a newly identified role for Ano1 in shaping the plasma membrane during oogenesis, with broad implications for the regulation of microvilli in epithelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Courjaret
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Rawad Hodeify
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Satanay Hubrack
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Awab Ibrahim
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Maya Dib
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Sahar Daas
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Khaled Machaca
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Education City - Qatar Foundation, Luqta Street, PO Box 24144, Doha 24144, Qatar
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133
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Abstract
The union of haploid gametes at fertilization initiates the formation of the diploid zygote in sexually reproducing animals. This founding event of embryogenesis includes several fascinating cellular and nuclear processes, such as sperm-egg cellular interactions, sperm chromatin remodelling, centrosome formation or pronuclear migration. In comparison with other aspects of development, the exploration of animal fertilization at the functional level has remained so far relatively limited, even in classical model organisms. Here, we have reviewed our current knowledge of fertilization in Drosophila melanogaster, with a special emphasis on the genes involved in the complex transformation of the fertilizing sperm nucleus into a replicated set of paternal chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR5558, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Raphaëlle Dubruille
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR5558, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Béatrice Horard
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR5558, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
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134
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Ferrer-Vaquer A, Barragan M, Freour T, Vernaeve V, Vassena R. PLCζ sequence, protein levels, and distribution in human sperm do not correlate with semen characteristics and fertilization rates after ICSI. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:747-56. [PMID: 27138933 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0718-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sperm-borne PLCζ protein induces Ca(2+) oscillations in the oocyte and is believed to play a major role during oocyte activation. However, its implication in fertilization failure following ICSI is still debated. We analyzed PLCζ gene sequence, protein expression level, and localization in both patients with previous failed fertilization by ICSI and sperm donors with proven fertility in order to assess the association of PLCζ with both sperm characteristics and ability to fertilize. METHODS Semen from 15 patients and 13 sperm donors with proven fertility was included in the study. Analysis of the PLCζ gene sequence, protein expression through Western blot, and protein localization by immunofluorescence were performed. RESULTS Two patients with total fertilization failure presented mutations in heterozygosis in the PLCζ gene. Comparison with donor sample sequences displayed comparable SNP allele frequency. Distribution pattern of PLCζ did not vary significantly between donor and patient samples. Levels of PLCζ protein in sperm cells showed an interindividual variability both in patient and donor samples. Several SNPs previously reported in infertile patients were also present in fertile men. CONCLUSION Failed fertilization occurs even when levels and distribution of PLCζ protein are within normal range. PLCζ seems to be a necessary but not sufficient factor in determining the molecular pathway involved in oocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Freour
- Clínica EUGIN, Travessera de les Corts 322, 08029, Barcelona, Spain.,Service de médecine et biologie de la reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France.,INSERM UMR 1064, Nantes, France
| | - Valérie Vernaeve
- Clínica EUGIN, Travessera de les Corts 322, 08029, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rita Vassena
- Clínica EUGIN, Travessera de les Corts 322, 08029, Barcelona, Spain.
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135
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Takayama J, Onami S. The Sperm TRP-3 Channel Mediates the Onset of a Ca 2+ Wave in the Fertilized C. elegans Oocyte. Cell Rep 2016; 15:625-637. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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136
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Machaty Z. Signal transduction in mammalian oocytes during fertilization. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 363:169-183. [PMID: 26453398 PMCID: PMC4700098 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2291-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian embryo development begins when the fertilizing sperm triggers a series of elevations in the oocyte's intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration. The elevations are the result of repeated release and re-uptake of Ca(2+) stored in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Ca(2+) release is primarily mediated by the phosphoinositide signaling system of the oocyte. The system is stimulated when the sperm causes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG); IP3 then binds its receptor on the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum that induces Ca(2+) release. The manner in which the sperm generates IP3, the Ca(2+) mobilizing second messenger, has been the subject of extensive research for a long time. The sperm factor hypothesis has eventually gained general acceptance, according to which it is a molecule from the sperm that diffuses into the ooplasm and stimulates the phosphoinositide cascade. Much evidence now indicates that the sperm-derived factor is phospholipase C-zeta (PLCζ) that cleaves PIP2 and generates IP3, eventually leading to oocyte activation. A recent addition to the candidate sperm factor list is the post-acrosomal sheath WW domain-binding protein (PAWP), whose role at fertilization is currently under debate. Ca(2+) influx across the plasma membrane is also important as, in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), the oscillations run down prematurely. In pig oocytes, the influx that sustains the oscillations seems to be regulated by the filling status of the stores, whereas in the mouse other mechanisms might be involved. This work summarizes the current understanding of Ca(2+) signaling in mammalian oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltan Machaty
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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137
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Golpour A, Pšenička M, Niksirat H. Subcellular localization of calcium deposits during zebrafish (Danio rerio) oogenesis. Micron 2016; 80:6-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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138
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Kang KS, Park TS, Rengaraj D, Lee HC, Lee HJ, Choi HJ, Mizushima S, Ono T, Han JY. Fertilisation of cryopreserved sperm and unfertilised quail ovum by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:1974-1981. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an important technique in animal biotechnology for animal cloning and conservation of genetic resources, but has been a challenge for avian species. In the present study, we investigated the ability of cryopreserved quail spermatozoa to achieve fertilisation and embryo development. Female quail were killed 70–120 min after previous oviposition to collect unfertilised oocytes from the oviduct. Fresh or cryopreserved–thawed spermatozoa were injected into the cytoplasm of unfertilised oocytes, and the manipulated oocytes were incubated in quail surrogate eggshells. Injection of fresh spermatozoa supplemented with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) resulted in a significantly increased rate of embryo development compared with injection of fresh spermatozoa alone (90% vs 13%, respectively). Although >80% of embryos stopped cell division and development before Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) Stage 3, approximately 15% of embryos from the fresh sperm injection developed to past HH Stage 4, and one embryo survived up to HH Stage 39 (11 days of incubation). In the case of cryopreserved spermatozoa, the embryo development rate was 30% after ICSI, and this increased significantly to 74% with IP3 supplementation. In conclusion, cryopreserved spermatozoa combined with ICSI followed by surrogate eggshell culture can develop quail embryos.
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139
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Abstract
The most fundamental unresolved issue of fertilization is to define how the sperm activates the egg to begin embryo development. Egg activation at fertilization in all species thus far examined is caused by some form of transient increase in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration. What has not been clear, however, is precisely how the sperm triggers the large changes in Ca2+ observed within the egg cytoplasm. Here, we review the studies indicating that the fertilizing sperm stimulates a cytosolic Ca2+ increase in the egg specifically by delivering a soluble factor that diffuses into the cytosolic space of the egg upon gamete membrane fusion. Evidence is primarily considered in species of eggs where the sperm has been shown to elicit a cytosolic Ca2+ increase by initiating Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. We suggest that our best understanding of these signaling events is in mammals, where the sperm triggers a prolonged series of intracellular Ca2+ oscillations. The strongest empirical studies to date suggest that mammalian sperm-triggered Ca2+ oscillations are caused by the introduction of a sperm-specific protein, called phospholipase C-zeta (PLCζ) that generates inositol trisphosphate within the egg. We will discuss the role and mechanism of action of PLCζ in detail at a molecular and cellular level. We will also consider some of the evidence that a soluble sperm protein might be involved in egg activation in nonmammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Swann
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - F. Anthony Lai
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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140
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Goswami G, Singh S, Devi MG. Successful fertilization and embryo development after spermatid injection: A hope for nonobstructive azoospermic patients. J Hum Reprod Sci 2015; 8:175-7. [PMID: 26538862 PMCID: PMC4601178 DOI: 10.4103/0974-1208.165147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatids are the earliest male germ cells with haploid set of chromosomes. Spermatid injection was introduced in human assisted reproduction for the treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Spermatozoa can be recovered in half of patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. The use of spermatids for intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI) has been proposed for cases in which no spermatozoa can be retrieved. However, there are low pregnancy rates following ICSI using round spermatids from men with no elongated spermatids or spermatozoa in their testes. The in vitro culture of immature germ cells has been proposed as a means to improve this poor outcome. Oocyte activation rarely occurs when injected with a spermatid. Therefore, spermatid injection requires use of calcium ionophores for oocyte activation which is otherwise carried out by PLC zeta from mature sperms. This is the only option available for the nonobstructive azoospermic patients to have their own biological child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geeta Goswami
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ridge IVF Private Limited, Delhi, India
| | - Sarabjeet Singh
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ridge IVF Private Limited, Delhi, India
| | - M Gouri Devi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ridge IVF Private Limited, Delhi, India
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141
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Novel Ca2+ increases in the maturing oocytes of starfish during the germinal vesicle breakdown. Cell Calcium 2015; 58:500-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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142
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Twists and turns—How we stepped into and had fun in the “boring” lipid field. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2015; 58:1073-83. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4949-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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143
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Bernhardt ML, Zhang Y, Erxleben CF, Padilla-Banks E, McDonough CE, Miao YL, Armstrong DL, Williams CJ. CaV3.2 T-type channels mediate Ca²⁺ entry during oocyte maturation and following fertilization. J Cell Sci 2015; 128:4442-52. [PMID: 26483387 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.180026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Initiation of mouse embryonic development depends upon a series of fertilization-induced rises in intracellular Ca(2+). Complete egg activation requires influx of extracellular Ca(2+); however, the channels that mediate this influx remain unknown. Here, we tested whether the α1 subunit of the T-type channel CaV3.2, encoded by Cacna1h, mediates Ca(2+) entry into oocytes. We show that mouse eggs express a robust voltage-activated Ca(2+) current that is completely absent in Cacna1h(-/-) eggs. Cacna1h(-/-) females have reduced litter sizes, and careful analysis of Ca(2+) oscillation patterns in Cacna1h(-/-) eggs following in vitro fertilization (IVF) revealed reductions in first transient length and oscillation persistence. Total and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) stores were also reduced in Cacna1h(-/-) eggs. Pharmacological inhibition of CaV3.2 in wild-type CF-1 strain eggs using mibefradil or pimozide reduced Ca(2+) store accumulation during oocyte maturation and reduced Ca(2+) oscillation persistence, frequency and number following IVF. Overall, these data show that CaV3.2 T-type channels have prev8iously unrecognized roles in supporting the meiotic-maturation-associated increase in ER Ca(2+) stores and mediating Ca(2+) influx required for the activation of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda L Bernhardt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Yingpei Zhang
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Christian F Erxleben
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Elizabeth Padilla-Banks
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Caitlin E McDonough
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Yi-Liang Miao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - David L Armstrong
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Carmen J Williams
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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144
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Assisted yes, but where do we draw the line? Reprod Biomed Online 2015; 31:476-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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145
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Nomikos M, Sanders JR, Parthimos D, Buntwal L, Calver BL, Stamatiadis P, Smith A, Clue M, Sideratou Z, Swann K, Lai FA. Essential Role of the EF-hand Domain in Targeting Sperm Phospholipase Cζ to Membrane Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate (PIP2). J Biol Chem 2015; 290:29519-30. [PMID: 26429913 PMCID: PMC4705952 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.658443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm-specific phospholipase C-ζ (PLCζ) is widely considered to be the physiological stimulus that triggers intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and egg activation during mammalian fertilization. Although PLCζ is structurally similar to PLCδ1, it lacks a pleckstrin homology domain, and it remains unclear how PLCζ targets its phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) membrane substrate. Recently, the PLCδ1 EF-hand domain was shown to bind to anionic phospholipids through a number of cationic residues, suggesting a potential mechanism for how PLCs might interact with their target membranes. Those critical cationic EF-hand residues in PLCδ1 are notably conserved in PLCζ. We investigated the potential role of these conserved cationic residues in PLCζ by generating a series of mutants that sequentially neutralized three positively charged residues (Lys-49, Lys-53, and Arg-57) within the mouse PLCζ EF-hand domain. Microinjection of the PLCζ EF-hand mutants into mouse eggs enabled their Ca2+ oscillation inducing activities to be compared with wild-type PLCζ. Furthermore, the mutant proteins were purified, and the in vitro PIP2 hydrolysis and binding properties were monitored. Our analysis suggests that PLCζ binds significantly to PIP2, but not to phosphatidic acid or phosphatidylserine, and that sequential reduction of the net positive charge within the first EF-hand domain of PLCζ significantly alters in vivo Ca2+ oscillation inducing activity and in vitro interaction with PIP2 without affecting its Ca2+ sensitivity. Our findings are consistent with theoretical predictions provided by a mathematical model that links oocyte Ca2+ frequency and the binding ability of different PLCζ mutants to PIP2. Moreover, a PLCζ mutant with mutations in the cationic residues within the first EF-hand domain and the XY linker region dramatically reduces the binding of PLCζ to PIP2, leading to complete abolishment of its Ca2+ oscillation inducing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Nomikos
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Jessica R Sanders
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Dimitris Parthimos
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Luke Buntwal
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Brian L Calver
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Panagiotis Stamatiadis
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Adrian Smith
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Matthew Clue
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - Zili Sideratou
- the National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos," 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Karl Swann
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
| | - F Anthony Lai
- From the Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, United Kingdom and
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146
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Abstract
Vertebrate reproduction requires a myriad of precisely orchestrated events-in particular, the maternal production of oocytes, the paternal production of sperm, successful fertilization, and initiation of early embryonic cell divisions. These processes are governed by a host of signaling pathways. Protein kinase and phosphatase signaling pathways involving Mos, CDK1, RSK, and PP2A regulate meiosis during maturation of the oocyte. Steroid signals-specifically testosterone-regulate spermatogenesis, as does signaling by G-protein-coupled hormone receptors. Finally, calcium signaling is essential for both sperm motility and fertilization. Altogether, this signaling symphony ensures the production of viable offspring, offering a chance of genetic immortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Kornbluth
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710
| | - Rafael Fissore
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
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147
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Guo H, Garcia-Vedrenne AE, Isserlin R, Lugowski A, Morada A, Sun A, Miao Y, Kuzmanov U, Wan C, Ma H, Foltz K, Emili A. Phosphoproteomic network analysis in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
reveals new candidates in egg activation. Proteomics 2015; 15:4080-95. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201500159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Guo
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | | | - Ruth Isserlin
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - Andrew Lugowski
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - Anthony Morada
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Marine Science Institute; Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Alex Sun
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Marine Science Institute; Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Yishen Miao
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Marine Science Institute; Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Uros Kuzmanov
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - Cuihong Wan
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - Hongyue Ma
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization; College of Pharmacy; Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Nanjing P. R. China
| | - Kathy Foltz
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Marine Science Institute; Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Andrew Emili
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
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148
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Yeste M, Jones C, Amdani SN, Patel S, Coward K. Oocyte activation deficiency: a role for an oocyte contribution? Hum Reprod Update 2015; 22:23-47. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmv040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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149
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Morini M, Peñaranda DS, Vílchez MC, Gallego V, Nourizadeh-Lillabadi R, Asturiano JF, Weltzien FA, Pérez L. Transcript levels of the soluble sperm factor protein phospholipase C zeta 1 (PLCζ1) increase through induced spermatogenesis in European eel. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 187:168-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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150
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Amdani SN, Yeste M, Jones C, Coward K. Sperm Factors and Oocyte Activation: Current Controversies and Considerations1. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:50. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.130609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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