101
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Abstract
The ability to predict the fertility of bulls before semen is released into the field has been a long-term objective of the animal breeding industry. However, the recent shift in the dairy industry towards the intensive use of young genomically selected bulls has increased its urgency. Such bulls, which are often in the highest demand, are frequently only used intensively for one season and consequently there is limited time to track their field fertility. A more pressing issue is that they produce fewer sperm per ejaculate than mature bulls and therefore there is a need to reduce the sperm number per straw to the minimum required without a concomitant reduction in fertility. However, as individual bulls vary in the minimum number of sperm required to achieve their maximum fertility, this cannot be currently achieved without extensive field-testing. Although an in vitro semen quality test, or combination of tests, which can accurately and consistently determine a bull's fertility and the optimum sperm number required represent the 'holy grail' in terms of semen assessment, this has not been achieved to date. Understanding the underlying causes of variation in bull fertility is a key prerequisite to achieving this goal. In this review, we consider the reliability of sire conception rate estimates and then consider where along the pregnancy establishment axis the variation in reproductive loss between bulls occurs. We discuss the aetiology of these deficiencies in sperm function and propose avenues for future investigation.
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102
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Vijayalakshmy K, Kumar P, Virmani M, Pawaria S, Lalaji NS, Sharma P, Rajendran R, Yadav PS, Kumar D. A novel combination of silane-coated silica colloid with hybrid RNA extraction protocol and RNA enrichment for downstream applications of spermatozoal RNA. Andrologia 2018; 50:e13030. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- K. Vijayalakshmy
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences; Hisar India
| | - P. Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
| | - M. Virmani
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences; Hisar India
| | - S. Pawaria
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
| | - N. S. Lalaji
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
| | - P. Sharma
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
| | - R. Rajendran
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
| | - P. S. Yadav
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
| | - D. Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division; ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Buffaloes; Hisar India
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103
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Southern HM, Berger MA, Young PG, Snook RR. Sperm morphology and the evolution of intracellular sperm-egg interactions. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:5047-5058. [PMID: 29876080 PMCID: PMC5980432 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm morphology is incredibly diverse, even among closely related species, yet the coevolution between males and females of fertilization recognition systems is necessary for successful karyogamy (male and female pronuclear fusion). In most species, the entire sperm enters the egg during fertilization so sperm morphological diversity may impact the intracellular sperm-egg interactions necessary for karyogamy. We quantified morphological variation of sperm inside eggs prior to and following karyogamy in several species of Drosophila to understand whether evolution of sperm morphology could influence intracellular sperm-egg interactions (ISEIs). We measured seven parameters that describe ISEIs among species to determine whether these parameters varied both within a species across development and across species at the same developmental stage. We used heterospecific crosses to test the relative role of male origin, female origin, and interaction between the male and female in determining ISEIs. We found that sperm shape changed within a species as development proceeded and, at particular development stages, species varied in some ISEIs. Parental origin had an effect on some ISEIs, with a general trend for a stronger female effect. Overall, our findings identify conserved and variable ISEIs among species and demonstrate the potential to contribute understanding to gamete evolution and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. Southern
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | - Philippe G. Young
- College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Rhonda R. Snook
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
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104
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Selvaraju S, Parthipan S, Somashekar L, Binsila BK, Kolte AP, Arangasamy A, Ravindra JP, Krawetz SA. Current status of sperm functional genomics and its diagnostic potential of fertility in bovine (Bos taurus). Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1444816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sellappan Selvaraju
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sivashanmugam Parthipan
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Lakshminarayana Somashekar
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - B. Krishnan Binsila
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Atul P. Kolte
- Omics Laboratory, Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arunachalam Arangasamy
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Janivara Parameshwaraiah Ravindra
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Stephen A. Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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105
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Bianchi E, Stermer A, Boekelheide K, Sigman M, Hall SJ, Reyes G, Dere E, Hwang K. High-quality human and rat spermatozoal RNA isolation for functional genomic studies. Andrology 2018; 6:374-383. [PMID: 29470852 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sperm RNA is a sensitive monitoring endpoint for male reproductive toxicants, and a potential biomarker to assess male infertility and sperm quality. However, isolation of sperm RNA is a challenging procedure due to the heterogeneous population of cells present in the ejaculate, the low yield of RNA per spermatozoon, and the absence of 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA subunits. The unique biology of spermatozoa has created some uncertainty in the field about RNA isolation methods, indicating the need for rigorous quality control checks to ensure reproducibility of data generated from sperm RNA. Therefore, we developed a reliable and effective protocol for RNA isolation from rat and human spermatozoa that delivers highly purified and intact RNA, verified using RNA-specific electrophoretic chips and molecular biology approaches such as RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The sperm RNA isolation technique was optimized using rat spermatozoa and then adapted to human spermatozoa. Three steps in the sperm isolation procedure, epididymal fluid collection, sperm purification, and spermatozoon RNA extraction, were evaluated and assessed. The sperm RNA extraction methodology consists of collection of rat epididymal fluid with repeated needle punctures of the epididymis, somatic cell elimination using detergent-based somatic cell lysis buffer (SCLB) and the use of RNA isolation Kit. Rat sperm heads are more resistant to disruption than human spermatozoa, necessitating the addition of mechanical lysis with microbeads and heat in the rat protocol, whereas the human sperm protocol only required lysis buffer. In conclusion, this methodology results in reliable and consistent isolation of high-quality sperm RNA. Using this technique will aid in translation of data collected from animal models, and reproducibility of clinical assessment of male factor fertility using RNA molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bianchi
- Division of Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - A Stermer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - K Boekelheide
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - M Sigman
- Division of Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - S J Hall
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - G Reyes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - E Dere
- Division of Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - K Hwang
- Division of Urology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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106
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Amann RP, Saacke RG, Barbato GF, Waberski D. Measuring Male-to-Male Differences in Fertility or Effects of Semen Treatments. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2018; 6:255-286. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-030117-014829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rupert P. Amann
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Richard G. Saacke
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Guy F. Barbato
- Biology Program, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey 08205, USA
| | - Dagmar Waberski
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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107
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Abstract
Idiopathic infertility, an etiology not identified as part of standard clinical assessment, represents approximately 20% of all infertility cases. Current male infertility diagnosis focuses on the concentration, motility, and morphology of spermatozoa. This is of limited value when predicting birth success and of limited utility when selecting the optimum treatment. At fertilization, spermatozoa provide their genomic contribution, as well as a set of RNAs and proteins that have distinct roles in development. The potential of spermatozoal RNAs to be used as a prognostic of live birth has been shown [Jodar et al. (2015) Science Translational Medicine 7(295):295re6]. This relied on a set of 648 sperm RNA elements derived from 285 genes that are perhaps indicative of future health status. To address this tenet, the present study correlated the levels of each transcript among all samples to assess linkage between transcript absence, birth success, and possible disease association. Correlations between transcript levels of the 285 genes were analyzed amongst themselves, and within the context of the entire transcript population for these samples. The transcripts ACE, GIGYF2, and ODF2 had many negative correlations and form the majority of correlations, suggesting an important function for these transcripts. Eleven of the 285 queried genes had disease-associated variants within a sperm RNA element. Three genes, GPX4, NDRG1, and RPS24 had SREs were absent in at least one individual from the test cohort. GPX4 and RPS24 are associated with developmental defects and/or neonatal lethality. This leaves the intriguing possibility that, while sperm RNAs delivered to the oocyte inform the success of live birth, they may also be predictors of human health. ABBREVIATIONS GO: Gene Ontology; ART: assisted reproductive technology; IVF: in vitro fertilization; ICSI: intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection; RNA-seq: RNA-sequencing; TIC: timed intercourse; IUI: intrauterine insemination; SRE: sperm RNA elements; HPA: Human Protein Atlas; SMDS: sedaghatian-type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia; DBA: Diamond-Blackfan anemia; RPKM: reads per kilobase per million; TPM: transcripts per million; IPA: Ingenuity Pathway Analysis; OMIM: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayanne B Burl
- a Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics , Wayne State University School of Medicine
| | | | - Edward Sendler
- a Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics , Wayne State University School of Medicine
| | - Molly Estill
- a Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics , Wayne State University School of Medicine.,c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , MI , USA
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- a Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics , Wayne State University School of Medicine.,c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , MI , USA
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108
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Sperm-borne miR-449b influences cleavage, epigenetic reprogramming and apoptosis of SCNT embryos in bovine. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13403. [PMID: 29042680 PMCID: PMC5645405 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13899-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates the absence of paternally derived miRNAs, piwiRNAs, and proteins may be one important factor contributing to developmental failure in somatic cell cloned embryos. In the present study, we found microRNA-449b (miR-449b) was highly expressed in sperm. Target gene predictions and experimental verification indicate that several embryonic development-related genes, including CDK6, c-MYC, HDAC1 and BCL-2, are targets of miR-449b. We therefore investigated the role of miR-449b using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo model. Bovine fetal fibroblasts, expressing miR-449b through a doxycycline (dox) induced expression system were used as nuclear donor cells for SCNT. The results showed that miR-449b expression in SCNT embryos significantly enhanced the cleavage rate at 48 h after activation and the levels of H3K9 acetylation at the 2-cell to 8-cell stages, meanwhile, significantly decreased the apoptosis index of blastocysts. In addition, we verified miR-449b could regulate the expression levels of CDK6, c-MYC, HDAC1 and BCL-2. In conclusion, the present study shows that miR-449b expression improves the first cleavage division, epigenetic reprogramming and apoptotic status of bovine preimplantation cloned embryos.
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109
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Menon T, Bhattrai J, Nair S. Effective Generation of Gynogenic Haploid Zebrafish Embryos Using Low Dosage of UV Rays. MATTERS SELECT 2017; 2017:201705000003. [PMID: 38725636 PMCID: PMC7615942 DOI: 10.19185/matters.201705000003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The phenomenon of phenotype manifestation when the single allele in a haploid is affected is desirable for uncovering recessive mutations expeditiously in a diploid organism. However, experimentally generated haploids manifest extensive lethality and a cluster of non-specific developmental defects known as the haploid syndrome. This precludes the use of experimentally generated haploids for genetic screens due to an insufficient number of embryos for screening and the possibility of phenotypes due to the affected gene being masked by the haploid syndrome. We show here that gynogenic haploid zebrafish can be generated by irradiation of spermatozoa with a lower UV dosage than is currently used. This strategy results in reduced haploid lethality, incidence and severity of haploid syndrome. When viewed in the context of zebrafish as a genetically tractable model organism for forward and reverse genetic strategies, these results place zebrafish in a unique niche as a vertebrate in which haploid genetic screens for developmental phenotypes could be successfully attempted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triveni Menon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
| | - Janakraj Bhattrai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
| | - Sreelaja Nair
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
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110
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Messerlian C, Bellinger D, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Romano ME, Ford JB, Williams PL, Calafat AM, Hauser R, Braun JM. Paternal and maternal preconception urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and child behavior. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 158:720-728. [PMID: 28738300 PMCID: PMC5599166 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal phthalate exposure has been associated with behavioral problems and lower performance on measures of cognitive ability in children. However, the potential effect of phthalate exposure during the sensitive preconception period is unknown. OBJECTIVES To estimate the association of maternal and paternal preconception urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with child behavior and evaluate potential modification by child sex. METHODS We used data from 166 children (111 singletons, 26 pairs of twins, and 1 set of triplets) born to 134 mothers and 100 fathers participating in a prospective preconception cohort study of subfertile couples from the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center. We estimated mean maternal and paternal preconception exposures by averaging individual phthalate metabolite concentrations in multiple urine samples collected before pregnancy. We assessed children's behavior at 2-9 years of age by parent report using the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2). We estimated the covariate-adjusted association between individual phthalate metabolite concentrations and the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (∑ DEHP) and behavior scores, and evaluated differences in associations by child sex using linear regression with Generalized Estimating Equations. Models were further adjusted for prenatal phthalate concentrations in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS Each loge-unit increase in maternal and paternal preconception concentrations of ∑DEHP was associated with a 2.0 (95% CI: - 3.2, - 0.7) and 1.8 (95% CI: - 3.1, - 0.4) point decrease in BASC-2 internalizing behavior scores among all children, respectively. We observed sex-specific associations for some phthalate biomarkers: among boys, maternal monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP) was positively associated with externalizing behaviors, and paternal MiBP and mono-n-butyl phthalate were positively associated with internalizing behaviors. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, paternal and maternal preconception concentrations of some phthalate biomarkers were associated with specific aspects of child behavior, even after adjustment for prenatal concentrations. While additional research is warranted to confirm these results, our findings suggest that the preconception period of exposure may be a critical window for offspring neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Messerlian
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David Bellinger
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jennifer B Ford
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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111
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Messerlian C, Braun JM, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Williams PL, Ford JB, Mustieles V, Calafat AM, Souter I, Toth T, Hauser R. Paternal and maternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and birth weight of singletons conceived by subfertile couples. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 107:55-64. [PMID: 28666241 PMCID: PMC5563279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal phthalate exposure has been inconsistently associated with fetal growth and infant birth weight. However, the effect of exposure during the paternal and maternal preconception period remains understudied. OBJECTIVES To investigate associations of paternal and maternal preconception and maternal prenatal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations with birth weight. METHODS The study comprised 364 singletons born to 364 mothers and 195 fathers (195 couples) from the EARTH Study, a prospective cohort of couples from Boston, MA. Births were categorized by mode of conception: in-vitro fertilization based (IVF) (n=208) or non-IVF based (n=156, intrauterine insemination or non-medically assisted/natural conception). We measured urinary concentrations of eleven phthalate metabolites in maternal (n=1425) and paternal (n=489) preconception and maternal prenatal (n=781) samples. Birth weight was abstracted from delivery records. Covariate-adjusted associations between loge-phthalate metabolite concentrations and birth weight were evaluated separately by mode of conception using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS Each loge-unit increase in paternal urinary concentration of the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (ΣDEHP) metabolites was associated with a 90 gram (95% CI: -165, -15) decrease in birth weight among IVF singletons, but not among non-IVF singletons (18g; 95% CI: -76, 113). Additional adjustment for maternal prenatal ΣDEHP concentrations modestly strengthened findings among IVF singletons. While few associations were found with maternal preconception phthalate metabolites, we observed an inverse relationship between several maternal prenatal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and birth weight among IVF singletons in covariate-adjusted models. However, with further adjustment for specific paternal phthalate metabolite concentrations, these associations were attenuated and no longer significant. CONCLUSIONS Paternal preconception urinary concentration of ΣDEHP metabolites was associated with a decrease in birth weight among IVF-conceived singletons. These results, if replicated, highlight the importance of preconception health, especially among subfertile couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Messerlian
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Ford
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Irene Souter
- Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Toth
- Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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112
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Gapp K, Bohacek J. Epigenetic germline inheritance in mammals: looking to the past to understand the future. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12407. [PMID: 28782190 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Life experiences can induce epigenetic changes in mammalian germ cells, which can influence the developmental trajectory of the offspring and impact health and disease across generations. While this concept of epigenetic germline inheritance has long been met with skepticism, evidence in support of this route of information transfer is now overwhelming, and some key mechanisms underlying germline transmission of acquired information are emerging. This review focuses specifically on sperm RNAs as causal vectors of inheritance. We examine how they might become altered in the germline, and how different classes of sperm RNAs might interact with other epimodifications in germ cells or in the zygote. We integrate the latest findings with earlier pioneering work in this field, point out major questions and challenges, and suggest how new experiments could address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gapp
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - J Bohacek
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology of ETH Zurich, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Switzerland
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113
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Abstract
Transcriptional activity is repressed due to the packaging of sperm chromatins during spermiogenesis. The detection of numerous transcripts in sperm, however, raises the question whether transcriptional events exist in sperm,
which has been the central focus of the recent studies. To summarize the transcriptional activity during spermiogenesis and in sperm, we reviewed the documents on transcript differences during spermiogenesis, in sperm with
differential motility, before and after capacitation and cryopreservation. This will lay a theoretical foundation for studying the mechanism(s) of gene expression in sperm, and would be invaluable in making better use of animal
sires and developing reproductive control technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Ren
- The Key Laboratory for Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Utilization of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- The Key Laboratory for Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Utilization of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhenling Wang
- Beijing Agricultural Vocation College, Beijing 102442, China
| | - Dong Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Farm Animal Genetic Resources and Utilization of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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114
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Soren S, Vir Singh S, Singh P. Seasonal variation of mitochondria activity related and heat shock protein genes in spermatozoa of Karan Fries bulls in tropical climate. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2017.1361584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simson Soren
- Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, India
| | - Sohan Vir Singh
- Climate Resilient Livestock Research Centre, Dairy Cattle Physiology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal, India
| | - Pawan Singh
- Livestock Production and Management Division, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal, India
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115
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Park HS, Kim TW. Paternal physical exercise improves spatial learning ability by enhancing hippocampal neuroplasticity in male pups born from obese maternal rats. J Exerc Rehabil 2017; 13:266-272. [PMID: 28702436 PMCID: PMC5498081 DOI: 10.12965/jer.1734998.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity exerts negative effects on cognitive function and behavior of the offspring. In the present study, we assessed the effects of paternal physical exercise on spatial learning ability in relation with hippocampal neuroplasticity in the rat pups born from the obese maternal rats. There were four experimental groups: paternal nonexercised male pups from normal maternal rats, paternal exercised male pups from normal maternal rats, paternal nonexercised male pups from obese maternal rats, and paternal exercised male pups from obese maternal rats. Normal diet was supplied for normal maternal rats and high-fat diet was supplied for obese maternal rats for a 12-week period until mating, and the same diet for each group continued throughout pregnancy and lactation period. Male rats in the exercising groups exercised for a 12-week period. Spatial learning ability was reduced in the male rat pups born from the obese maternal rats. Expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B receptor (TrkB) in the hippocampus were suppressed and cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus were reduced in the male rat pups born from the obese maternal rats. Paternal treadmill exercise improved spatial learning ability, increased BDNF and TrkB expressions, and enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation in the male rat pups born from the obese maternal rats. It can be suggested that paternal exercise enhances hippocampal neuroplasticity and consequently improved spatial learning ability in the rat pups born from the obese maternal rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Sang Park
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Woon Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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116
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Yingprasertchai T, Yu RMK, O'Connor WA, Hopwood T, MacFarlane GR. Acclimatory processes are likely responsible for metal tolerance in oyster embryos. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 127:49-61. [PMID: 28372811 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to determine if offspring of oysters from contaminated locations were more tolerant to metals, and whether this tolerance could be attributed to acclimation. Oysters from 10 estuaries were sampled, representing a gradient in metal contamination. Tolerance to metals of the F1 offspring from adults residing in these estuaries was assessed. Then, adults from these estuaries were translocated to a single estuary and their offspring tolerance reassessed. No linear relationship was found between the Cu concentrations of adults and their offspring's tolerance to Cu. A positive linear relationship was found between the Zn concentration of adults and the Zn EC50's of their offspring. Zn tolerance was lost after translocation. Zn EC50 values of offspring from transplanted adults bore no relation to the Zn EC50's of their location of origin. Thus the initial tolerance observed could be attributed to acclimation transferred to the F1 generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanvapon Yingprasertchai
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Faculty of Science and Technology, Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, Muang District, Kanchanaburi, 7100 Thailand
| | - Richard Man Kit Yu
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Wayne A O'Connor
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Taylors Beach, NSW 2316, Australia
| | - Tegan Hopwood
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Geoff R MacFarlane
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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117
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Runcie DE, Dorey N, Garfield DA, Stumpp M, Dupont S, Wray GA. Genomic Characterization of the Evolutionary Potential of the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis Facing Ocean Acidification. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 8:3672-3684. [PMID: 28082601 PMCID: PMC5521728 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocean acidification (OA) is increasing due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions and poses a threat to marine species and communities worldwide. To better project the effects of acidification on organisms’ health and persistence, an understanding is needed of the 1) mechanisms underlying developmental and physiological tolerance and 2) potential populations have for rapid evolutionary adaptation. This is especially challenging in nonmodel species where targeted assays of metabolism and stress physiology may not be available or economical for large-scale assessments of genetic constraints. We used mRNA sequencing and a quantitative genetics breeding design to study mechanisms underlying genetic variability and tolerance to decreased seawater pH (-0.4 pH units) in larvae of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. We used a gene ontology-based approach to integrate expression profiles into indirect measures of cellular and biochemical traits underlying variation in larval performance (i.e., growth rates). Molecular responses to OA were complex, involving changes to several functions such as growth rates, cell division, metabolism, and immune activities. Surprisingly, the magnitude of pH effects on molecular traits tended to be small relative to variation attributable to segregating functional genetic variation in this species. We discuss how the application of transcriptomics and quantitative genetics approaches across diverse species can enrich our understanding of the biological impacts of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Runcie
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Narimane Dorey
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | - David A Garfield
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Integrative Research Institute for the Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Meike Stumpp
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden.,Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Sciences (GEOMAR), Kiel, Germany
| | - Sam Dupont
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
| | - Gregory A Wray
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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118
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Relative abundance of heat shock proteins and clusterin transcripts in spermatozoa collected from boar routinely utilised in an artificial insemination centre: preliminary results. Vet Res Commun 2017; 41:233-239. [PMID: 28429153 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-017-9689-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that mature sperm contains RNA. The first hypothesis was that sperm RNAs have no functions of their own but are simply residues of spermatogenesis reflecting the events that occurred during their formation in the testes. More recently new discoveries have essentially expanded these views, showing that sperm mRNAs constitute a population of stable full-length transcripts, many of which are selectively retained during spermatogenesis and delivered to oocytes contributing to early embryo development. It is well known that semen quality can be influenced by occasional physical stress, infection, and variation in temperature and the definition of new markers for evaluation of semen could offer knowledge about the fertility potential of a semen sample. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence and the relative quantity of transcripts and protein of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), 90 (HSP90) and clusterin (CLU) in Percoll-selected spermatozoa collected from seven adult boars of proven fertility routinely employed for artificial insemination. Our results showed the presence of HSP70, HSP90 and CLU transcripts with different level of expression: high for HSPs and low for CLU transcripts. The transcript level of both HSPs are similar among selected spermatozoa derived from high quality sperm with the exception of one boar that showed a reduced content of HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA together with a lower semen quality. At protein level, both HSPs were detected with similar amount among all seven boars whilst no band was evidenced for CLU protein.
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Kropp J, Carrillo JA, Namous H, Daniels A, Salih SM, Song J, Khatib H. Male fertility status is associated with DNA methylation signatures in sperm and transcriptomic profiles of bovine preimplantation embryos. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:280. [PMID: 28381255 PMCID: PMC5382486 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infertility in dairy cattle is a concern where reduced fertilization rates and high embryonic loss are contributing factors. Studies of the paternal contribution to reproductive performance are limited. However, recent discoveries have shown that, in addition to DNA, sperm delivers transcription factors and epigenetic components that are required for fertilization and proper embryonic development. Hence, characterization of the paternal contribution at the time of fertilization is warranted. We hypothesized that sire fertility is associated with differences in DNA methylation patterns in sperm and that the embryonic transcriptomic profiles are influenced by the fertility status of the bull. Embryos were generated in vitro by fertilization with either a high or low fertility Holstein bull. Blastocysts derived from each high and low fertility bulls were evaluated for morphology, development, and transcriptomic analysis using RNA-Sequencing. Additionally, DNA methylation signatures of sperm from high and low fertility sires were characterized by performing whole-genome DNA methylation binding domain sequencing. Results Embryo morphology and developmental capacity did not differ between embryos generated from either a high or low fertility bull. However, RNA-Sequencing revealed 98 genes to be differentially expressed at a false discovery rate < 1%. A total of 65 genes were upregulated in high fertility bull derived embryos, and 33 genes were upregulated in low fertility derived embryos. Expression of the genes CYCS, EEA1, SLC16A7, MEPCE, and TFB2M was validated in three new pairs of biological replicates of embryos. The role of the differentially expressed gene TFB2M in embryonic development was further assessed through expression knockdown at the zygotic stage, which resulted in decreased development to the blastocyst stage. Assessment of the epigenetic signature of spermatozoa between high and low fertility bulls revealed 76 differentially methylated regions. Conclusions Despite similar morphology and development to the blastocyst stage, preimplantation embryos derived from high and low fertility bulls displayed significant transcriptomic differences. The relationship between the paternal contribution and the embryonic transcriptome is unclear, although differences in methylated regions were identified which could influence the reprogramming of the early embryo. Further characterization of paternal factors delivered to the oocyte could lead to the identification of biomarkers for better selection of sires to improve reproductive efficiency. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3673-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Kropp
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - José A Carrillo
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Hadjer Namous
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Alyssa Daniels
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Sana M Salih
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.,Present address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26508, USA
| | - Jiuzhou Song
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Hasan Khatib
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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120
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Zhang X, Gao F, Fu J, Zhang P, Wang Y, Zeng X. Systematic identification and characterization of long non-coding RNAs in mouse mature sperm. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173402. [PMID: 28291811 PMCID: PMC5349675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing studies have shown that mature spermatozoa contain many transcripts including mRNAs and miRNAs. However, the expression profile of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mammalian sperm has not been systematically investigated. Here, we used highly purified RNA to investigate lncRNA expression profiles in mouse mature sperm by stranded-specific RNA-seq. We identified 20,907 known and 4,088 novel lncRNAs transcripts, and the existence of intact lncRNAs was confirmed by RT-PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization on two representative lncRNAs. Compared to round spermatids, 1,794 upregulated and 165 downregulated lncRNAs and 4,435 upregulated and 3,920 downregulated mRNAs were identified in sperm. Based on the "Cis and Trans" RNA-RNA interaction principle, we found 14,259 targeted coding genes of differently expressed lncRNAs. In terms of Gene ontology (GO) analysis, differentially expressed lncRNAs targeted genes mainly related to nucleic acid metabolic, protein modification, chromatin and histone modification, heterocycle compound metabolic, sperm function, spermatogenesis and other processes. In contrast, differentially expressed transcripts of mRNAs were highly enriched for protein metabolic process and RNA metabolic, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, cell cycle, chromatin organization, heterocycle and aromatic compound metabolic processes. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed lncRNAs were involved in RNA transport, mRNA surveillance pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Metabolic pathways, mRNA surveillance pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, cell cycle, RNA transport splicesome and endocytosis incorporated with the differentially expressed mRNA. Furthermore, many lncRNAs were specifically expressed in testis/sperm, and 880 lncRNAs were conserved between human and mouse. In summary, this study provides a preliminary database valuable for identifying lncRNAs critical in the late stage of spermatogenesis or important for sperm function regulation, fertilization and early embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fengxin Gao
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianbo Fu
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuhui Zeng
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- * E-mail:
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121
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El Fekih S, Nguyen MH, Perrin A, Beauvillard D, Morel F, Saad A, Ben Ali H, De Braekeleer M. Sperm RNA preparation for transcriptomic analysis: Review of the techniques and personal experience. Andrologia 2017; 49. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. El Fekih
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé; Université de Brest; Brest France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078; Brest France
- Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Génétique Moléculaire et Biologie de la Reproduction Humaines; CHU Farhat Hached Sousse; Université de Monastir; Monastir Tunisia
| | - M.-H. Nguyen
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé; Université de Brest; Brest France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078; Brest France
| | - A. Perrin
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé; Université de Brest; Brest France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078; Brest France
- Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction; Hôpital Morvan; CHRU Brest; Brest France
| | - D. Beauvillard
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé; Université de Brest; Brest France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078; Brest France
- Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction; Hôpital Morvan; CHRU Brest; Brest France
| | - F. Morel
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé; Université de Brest; Brest France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078; Brest France
- Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction; Hôpital Morvan; CHRU Brest; Brest France
| | - A. Saad
- Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Génétique Moléculaire et Biologie de la Reproduction Humaines; CHU Farhat Hached Sousse; Université de Monastir; Monastir Tunisia
| | - H. Ben Ali
- Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Génétique Moléculaire et Biologie de la Reproduction Humaines; CHU Farhat Hached Sousse; Université de Monastir; Monastir Tunisia
| | - M. De Braekeleer
- Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé; Université de Brest; Brest France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1078; Brest France
- Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction; Hôpital Morvan; CHRU Brest; Brest France
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122
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Wang Y, Liu H, Sun Z. Lamarck rises from his grave: parental environment-induced epigenetic inheritance in model organisms and humans. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 92:2084-2111. [PMID: 28220606 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2016] [Revised: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Organisms can change their physiological/behavioural traits to adapt and survive in changed environments. However, whether these acquired traits can be inherited across generations through non-genetic alterations has been a topic of debate for over a century. Emerging evidence indicates that both ancestral and parental experiences, including nutrition, environmental toxins, nurturing behaviour, and social stress, can have powerful effects on the physiological, metabolic and cellular functions in an organism. In certain circumstances, these effects can be transmitted across several generations through epigenetic (i.e. non-DNA sequence-based rather than mutational) modifications. In this review, we summarize recent evidence on epigenetic inheritance from parental environment-induced developmental and physiological alterations in nematodes, fruit flies, zebrafish, rodents, and humans. The epigenetic modifications demonstrated to be both susceptible to modulation by environmental cues and heritable, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and small non-coding RNAs, are also summarized. We particularly focus on evidence that parental environment-induced epigenetic alterations are transmitted through both the maternal and paternal germlines and exert sex-specific effects. The thought-provoking data presented here raise fundamental questions about the mechanisms responsible for these phenomena. In particular, the means that define the specificity of the response to parental experience in the gamete epigenome and that direct the establishment of the specific epigenetic change in the developing embryos, as well as in specific tissues in the descendants, remain obscure and require elucidation. More precise epigenetic assessment at both the genome-wide level and single-cell resolution as well as strategies for breeding at relatively sensitive periods of development and manipulation aimed at specific epigenetic modification are imperative for identifying parental environment-induced epigenetic marks across generations. Considering their diverse epigenetic architectures, the conservation and prevalence of the mechanisms underlying epigenetic inheritance in non-mammals require further investigation in mammals. Interpretation of the consequences arising from epigenetic inheritance on organisms and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms will provide insight into how gene-environment interactions shape developmental processes and physiological functions, which in turn may have wide-ranging implications for human health, and understanding biological adaptation and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Huijie Liu
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Zhongsheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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Jenkins TG, Aston KI, James ER, Carrell DT. Sperm epigenetics in the study of male fertility, offspring health, and potential clinical applications. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2017; 63:69-76. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2016.1274791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy G. Jenkins
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Emma R. James
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Douglas T. Carrell
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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124
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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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125
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Fathers Matter: Why It's Time to Consider the Impact of Paternal Environmental Exposures on Children's Health. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2017; 4:46-55. [PMID: 28848695 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-017-0098-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite accumulating evidence from experimental animal studies showing that paternal environmental exposures induce genetic and epigenetic alterations in sperm which in turn increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in offspring, there is limited epidemiological data on the effects of human paternal preconception exposures on children's health. We summarize animal and human studies showing that paternal preconception environmental exposures influence offspring health. We discuss specific approaches and designs for human studies to investigate the health effects of paternal preconception exposures, the specific challenges these studies may face, and how we might address them. RECENT FINDINGS In animal studies, paternal preconception diet, stress, and chemical exposures have been associated with offspring health and these effects are mediated by epigenetic modifications transmitted through sperm DNA, histones, and RNA. Most epidemiological studies have examined paternal preconception occupational exposures and their effect on the risk of birth defects and childhood cancer; few have examined the effects of low-level general population exposure to environmental toxicants. While the design and execution of epidemiological studies of paternal preconception exposures face challenges, particularly with regard to selection bias and recruitment, we believe these are tractable and that preconception studies are feasible. SUMMARY New or augmented prospective cohort studies would be the optimal method to address the critical knowledge gaps on the effect of paternal preconception exposures on prevalent childhood health outcomes. Determining if this period of life represents a window of heightened vulnerability would improve our understanding of modifiable risk factors for children's health and wellbeing.
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126
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Peña, Jr ST, Gummow B, Parker AJ, Paris DBBP. Revisiting summer infertility in the pig: could heat stress-induced sperm DNA damage negatively affect early embryo development? ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/an16079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is a crucial factor in mammalian spermatogenesis. The scrotum, pampiniform plexus, and cremaster and dartos muscles in mammals are specific adaptations to ensure sperm production in a regulated environment 4−6°C below internal body temperature. However, the limited endogenous antioxidant systems inherent in mammalian spermatozoa compounded by the loss of cytosolic repair mechanisms during spermatogenesis, make the DNA in these cells particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage. Boar sperm is likely to be more susceptible to the effects of heat stress and thus oxidative damage due to the relatively high unsaturated fatty acids in the plasma membrane, low antioxidant capacity in boar seminal plasma, and the boar’s non-pendulous scrotum. Heat stress has a significant negative impact on reproductive performance in piggeries, which manifests as summer infertility and results in productivity losses that amount to millions of dollars. This problem is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions where ambient temperatures rise beyond the animal’s zone of thermal comfort. Based on preliminary studies in the pig and other species, this article discusses whether heat stress could induce sufficient DNA damage in boar sperm to significantly contribute to the high rates of embryo loss and pregnancy failure observed in the sow during summer infertility. Heat stress-induced damage to sperm DNA can lead to disrupted expression of key developmental genes essential for the differentiation of early cell lineages, such as the trophectoderm, and can distort the timely formation of the blastocyst; resulting in a failure of implantation and ultimately pregnancy loss. Confirming such a link would prompt greater emphasis on boar management and strategies to mitigate summer infertility during periods of heat stress.
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127
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Fraser R, Lin CJ. Epigenetic reprogramming of the zygote in mice and men: on your marks, get set, go! Reproduction 2016; 152:R211-R222. [PMID: 27601712 PMCID: PMC5097126 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gametogenesis (spermatogenesis and oogenesis) is accompanied by the acquisition of gender-specific epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and regulation by small RNAs, to form highly differentiated, but transcriptionally silent cell-types in preparation for fertilisation. Upon fertilisation, extensive global epigenetic reprogramming takes place to remove the previously acquired epigenetic marks and produce totipotent zygotic states. It is the aim of this review to delineate the cellular and molecular events involved in maternal, paternal and zygotic epigenetic reprogramming from the time of gametogenesis, through fertilisation, to the initiation of zygotic genome activation for preimplantation embryonic development. Recent studies have begun to uncover the indispensable functions of epigenetic players during gametogenesis, fertilisation and preimplantation embryo development, and a more comprehensive understanding of these early events will be informative for increasing pregnancy success rates, adding particular value to assisted fertility programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupsha Fraser
- The University of EdinburghMRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Chih-Jen Lin
- The University of EdinburghMRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
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Ho SM, Cheong A, Adgent MA, Veevers J, Suen AA, Tam NNC, Leung YK, Jefferson WN, Williams CJ. Environmental factors, epigenetics, and developmental origin of reproductive disorders. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 68:85-104. [PMID: 27421580 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sex-specific differentiation, development, and function of the reproductive system are largely dependent on steroid hormones. For this reason, developmental exposure to estrogenic and anti-androgenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is associated with reproductive dysfunction in adulthood. Human data in support of "Developmental Origins of Health and Disease" (DOHaD) comes from multigenerational studies on offspring of diethylstilbestrol-exposed mothers/grandmothers. Animal data indicate that ovarian reserve, female cycling, adult uterine abnormalities, sperm quality, prostate disease, and mating behavior are susceptible to DOHaD effects induced by EDCs such as bisphenol A, genistein, diethylstilbestrol, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene, phthalates, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Mechanisms underlying these EDC effects include direct mimicry of sex steroids or morphogens and interference with epigenomic sculpting during cell and tissue differentiation. Exposure to EDCs is associated with abnormal DNA methylation and other epigenetic modifications, as well as altered expression of genes important for development and function of reproductive tissues. Here we review the literature exploring the connections between developmental exposure to EDCs and adult reproductive dysfunction, and the mechanisms underlying these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuk-Mei Ho
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Cincinnati Veteran Affairs Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| | - Ana Cheong
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Margaret A Adgent
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jennifer Veevers
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Alisa A Suen
- Reproductive Medicine Group, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States; Curriculum in Toxicology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Neville N C Tam
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Yuet-Kin Leung
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Wendy N Jefferson
- Reproductive Medicine Group, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Carmen J Williams
- Reproductive Medicine Group, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
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129
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Terashima M, Barbour S, Ren J, Yu W, Han Y, Muegge K. Effect of high fat diet on paternal sperm histone distribution and male offspring liver gene expression. Epigenetics 2016; 10:861-71. [PMID: 26252449 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1075691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have described phenotypic changes in the offspring of mice exposed to a variety of environmental factors, including diet, toxins, and stress; however, the molecular pathways involved in these changes remain unclear. Using a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model, we examined liver gene expression in male offspring and analyzed chromatin of paternal spermatozoa. We found that the hepatic mRNA level of 7 genes (out of 20 evaluated) was significantly altered in HFD male offspring compared to control mice, suggesting that phenotypic changes in the offspring depend on parental diet. We examined 7 imprinted loci in spermatozoa DNA from HFD-treated and control fathers by bisulfite sequencing, but did not detect changes in DNA methylation associated with HFD. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing, we found differential histone H3-occupancy at genes involved in the regulation of embryogenesis and differential H3K4me1-enrichment at transcription regulatory genes in HFD fathers vs. control mice. These results suggest that dietary exposure can modulate histone composition at regulatory genes implicated in developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Terashima
- a Mouse Cancer Genetics Program; Center for Cancer Research; National Cancer Institute ; Frederick , MD USA
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130
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Jodar M, Sendler E, Moskovtsev SI, Librach CL, Goodrich R, Swanson S, Hauser R, Diamond MP, Krawetz SA. Absence of sperm RNA elements correlates with idiopathic male infertility. Sci Transl Med 2016; 7:295re6. [PMID: 26157032 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aab1287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Semen parameters are typically used to diagnose male infertility and specify clinical interventions. In idiopathic infertile couples, an unknown male factor could be the cause of infertility even when the semen parameters are normal. Next-generation sequencing of spermatozoal RNAs can provide an objective measure of the paternal contribution and may help guide the care of these couples. We assessed spermatozoal RNAs from 96 couples presenting with idiopathic infertility and identified the final reproductive outcome and sperm RNA elements (SREs) reflective of fecundity status. The absence of required SREs reduced the probability of achieving live birth by timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination from 73 to 27%. However, the absence of these same SREs does not appear to be critical when using assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection. About 30% of the idiopathic infertile couples presented an incomplete set of required SREs, suggesting a male component as the cause of their infertility. Conversely, analysis of couples that failed to achieve a live birth despite presenting with a complete set of SREs suggested that a female factor may have been involved, and this was confirmed by their diagnosis. The data in this study suggest that SRE analysis has the potential to predict the individual success rate of different fertility treatments and reduce the time to achieve live birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Jodar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Edward Sendler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sergey I Moskovtsev
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1N8, Canada. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E2, Canada
| | - Clifford L Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1N8, Canada. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E2, Canada. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1B1, Canada
| | - Robert Goodrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sonja Swanson
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1N8, Canada
| | - Russ Hauser
- Vincent Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael P Diamond
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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131
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New insights about the evaluation of human sperm quality: the aromatase example. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2016; 47:S13-7. [PMID: 20067884 DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0059-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Male contribution to the couple's infertility is at first evaluated by the routine examination of semen parameters upon optical microscopy providing valuable information for a rational initial diagnosis and for a clinical management of infertility. But the different forms of infertility defined according to the WHO criteria especially teratozoospermia are not always related to the chromatin structure or to the fertilization capacity. New investigations at the molecular level (transcript and protein) could be developed in order to understand the nature of sperm malformation responsible of human infertility and thus to evaluate the sperm quality. The profile analysis of spermatozoal transcripts could be considered as a fingerprint of the past spermatogenic events. The selection of representative transcripts of normal spermatozoa remains complex because a differential expression (increased, decreased or not modified levels) of specific transcripts has been revealed between immotile and motile sperm fractions issued from normozoospermic donors. Microarrays tests or real-time quantitative PCR could be helpful for the identification of factors involved in the male infertility. Differences in the expression of specific transcripts have been reported between normal and abnormal semen samples. With the aromatase example, we have noted a negative strong correlation between the amount of transcript and the percentage of abnormal forms especially in presence of head defects. Immunocytochemical procedures using fluorescent probes associated with either confocal microscopy or flow cytometry can be also helpful to proceed with further investigations about the localization of proteins in the compartmentalized spermatozoa or the acrosome reaction. The dual location of aromatase both in the equatorial segment, the mid-piece and the tail could explain the double role of this enzyme in acrosome reaction and motility.
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132
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Castillo J, Estanyol JM, Ballescá JL, Oliva R. Human sperm chromatin epigenetic potential: genomics, proteomics, and male infertility. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:601-9. [PMID: 25926607 PMCID: PMC4492051 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.153302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The classical idea about the function of the mammalian sperm chromatin is that it serves to transmit a highly protected and transcriptionally inactive paternal genome, largely condensed by protamines, to the next generation. In addition, recent sperm chromatin genome-wide dissection studies indicate the presence of a differential distribution of the genes and repetitive sequences in the protamine-condensed and histone-condensed sperm chromatin domains, which could be potentially involved in regulatory roles after fertilization. Interestingly, recent proteomic studies have shown that sperm chromatin contains many additional proteins, in addition to the abundant histones and protamines, with specific modifications and chromatin affinity features which are also delivered to the oocyte. Both gene and protein signatures seem to be altered in infertile patients and, as such, are consistent with the potential involvement of the sperm chromatin landscape in early embryo development. This present work reviews the available information on the composition of the human sperm chromatin and its epigenetic potential, with a particular focus on recent results derived from high-throughput genomic and proteomic studies. As a complement, we provide experimental evidence for the detection of phosphorylations and acetylations in human protamine 1 using a mass spectrometry approach. The available data indicate that the sperm chromatin is much more complex than what it was previously thought, raising the possibility that it could also serve to transmit crucial paternal epigenetic information to the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rafael Oliva
- Human Genetics Research Group, IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Casanova 143; Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre, Hospital Clinic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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133
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Proteomics of reproductive systems: Towards a molecular understanding of postmating, prezygotic reproductive barriers. J Proteomics 2016; 135:26-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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134
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Yuan S, Schuster A, Tang C, Yu T, Ortogero N, Bao J, Zheng H, Yan W. Sperm-borne miRNAs and endo-siRNAs are important for fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. Development 2015; 143:635-47. [PMID: 26718009 DOI: 10.1242/dev.131755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although it is believed that mammalian sperm carry small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) into oocytes during fertilization, it remains unknown whether these sperm-borne sncRNAs truly have any function during fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. Germline-specific Dicer and Drosha conditional knockout (cKO) mice produce gametes (i.e. sperm and oocytes) partially deficient in miRNAs and/or endo-siRNAs, thus providing a unique opportunity for testing whether normal sperm (paternal) or oocyte (maternal) miRNA and endo-siRNA contents are required for fertilization and preimplantation development. Using the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as a readout, we found that sperm with altered miRNA and endo-siRNA profiles could fertilize wild-type (WT) eggs, but embryos derived from these partially sncRNA-deficient sperm displayed a significant reduction in developmental potential, which could be rescued by injecting WT sperm-derived total or small RNAs into ICSI embryos. Disrupted maternal transcript turnover and failure in early zygotic gene activation appeared to associate with the aberrant miRNA profiles in Dicer and Drosha cKO spermatozoa. Overall, our data support a crucial function of paternal miRNAs and/or endo-siRNAs in the control of the transcriptomic homeostasis in fertilized eggs, zygotes and two-cell embryos. Given that supplementation of sperm RNAs enhances both the developmental potential of preimplantation embryos and the live birth rate, it might represent a novel means to improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies in fertility clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiqiao Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Andrew Schuster
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Chong Tang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Tian Yu
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Nicole Ortogero
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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135
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Singh RP, Shafeeque CM, Sharma SK, Singh R, Mohan J, Sastry KVH, Saxena VK, Azeez PA. Chicken sperm transcriptome profiling by microarray analysis. Genome 2015; 59:185-96. [PMID: 26868024 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2015-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
It has been confirmed that mammalian sperm contain thousands of functional RNAs, and some of them have vital roles in fertilization and early embryonic development. Therefore, we attempted to characterize transcriptome of the sperm of fertile chickens using microarray analysis. Spermatozoal RNA was pooled from 10 fertile males and used for RNA preparation. Prior to performing the microarray, RNA quality was assessed using a bioanalyzer, and gDNA and somatic cell RNA contamination was assessed by CD4 and PTPRC gene amplification. The chicken sperm transcriptome was cross-examined by analysing sperm and testes RNA on a 4 × 44K chicken array, and results were verified by RT-PCR. Microarray analysis identified 21,639 predominantly nuclear-encoded transcripts in chicken sperm. The majority (66.55%) of the sperm transcripts were shared with the testes, while surprisingly, 33.45% transcripts were detected (raw signal intensity greater than 50) only in the sperm and not in the testes. The greatest proportion of up-regulated transcripts were responsible for signal transduction (63.20%) followed by embryonic development (56.76%) and cell structure (56.25%). Of the 20 most abundant transcripts, 18 remain uncharacterized, whereas the least abundant genes were mostly associated with the ribosome. These findings lay a foundation for more detailed investigations on sperm RNAs in chickens to identify sperm-based biomarkers for fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Singh
- a Avian Physiology and Genetics Division, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty-641108, Coimbatore, India
| | - C M Shafeeque
- a Avian Physiology and Genetics Division, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty-641108, Coimbatore, India
| | - S K Sharma
- b Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122, India
| | - R Singh
- c Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122, India
| | - J Mohan
- b Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122, India
| | - K V H Sastry
- b Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122, India
| | - V K Saxena
- b Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122, India
| | - P A Azeez
- a Avian Physiology and Genetics Division, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty-641108, Coimbatore, India
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136
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Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of diabetes risk as a consequence of early nutritional imbalances. Proc Nutr Soc 2015; 75:78-89. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665115004231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In today's world, there is an unprecedented rise in the prevalence of chronic metabolic diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The pathogenesis of T2D includes both genetic and environmental factors, such as excessive energy intake and physical inactivity. It has recently been suggested that environmental factors experienced during early stages of development, including the intrauterine and neonatal periods, might play a major role in predisposing individuals to T2D. Furthermore, several studies have shown that such early environmental conditions might even contribute to disease risk in further generations. In this review, we summarise recent data describing how parental nutrition during development increases the risk of diabetes in the offspring. We also discuss the potential mechanisms underlying transgenerational inheritance of metabolic disease, with particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms.
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137
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Antunes DMF, Kalmbach KH, Wang F, Dracxler RC, Seth-Smith ML, Kramer Y, Buldo-Licciardi J, Kohlrausch FB, Keefe DL. A single-cell assay for telomere DNA content shows increasing telomere length heterogeneity, as well as increasing mean telomere length in human spermatozoa with advancing age. J Assist Reprod Genet 2015; 32:1685-90. [PMID: 26411311 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-015-0574-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The effect of age on telomere length heterogeneity in men has not been studied previously. Our aims were to determine the relationship between variation in sperm telomere length (STL), men's age, and semen parameters in spermatozoa from men undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. METHODS To perform this prospective cross-sectional pilot study, telomere length was estimated in 200 individual spermatozoa from men undergoing IVF treatment at the NYU Fertility Center. A novel single-cell telomere content assay (SCT-pqPCR) measured telomere length in individual spermatozoa. RESULTS Telomere length among individual spermatozoa within an ejaculate varies markedly and increases with age. Older men not only have longer STL but also have more variable STL compared to younger men. STL from samples with normal semen parameters was significantly longer than that from samples with abnormal parameters, but STL did not differ between spermatozoa with normal versus abnormal morphology. CONCLUSION The marked increase in STL heterogeneity as men age is consistent with a role for ALT during spermatogenesis. No data have yet reported the effect of age on STL heterogeneity. Based on these results, future studies should expand this modest sample size to search for molecular evidence of ALT in human testes during spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M F Antunes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,Graduation Program in Pathology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24033
| | - Keri H Kalmbach
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Roberta C Dracxler
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Michelle L Seth-Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yael Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Julia Buldo-Licciardi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Fabiana B Kohlrausch
- Graduation Program in Pathology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24033
| | - David L Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU School of Medicine, Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 180 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA.
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138
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Sakkas D, Ramalingam M, Garrido N, Barratt CLR. Sperm selection in natural conception: what can we learn from Mother Nature to improve assisted reproduction outcomes? Hum Reprod Update 2015; 21:711-26. [PMID: 26386468 PMCID: PMC4594619 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmv042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In natural conception only a few sperm cells reach the ampulla or the site of fertilization. This population is a selected group of cells since only motile cells can pass through cervical mucus and gain initial entry into the female reproductive tract. In animals, some studies indicate that the sperm selected by the reproductive tract and recovered from the uterus and the oviducts have higher fertilization rates but this is not a universal finding. Some species show less discrimination in sperm selection and abnormal sperm do arrive at the oviduct. In contrast, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) utilize a more random sperm population. In this review we contrast the journey of the spermatozoon in vivo and in vitro and discuss this in the context of developing new sperm preparation and selection techniques for ART. METHODS A review of the literature examining characteristics of the spermatozoa selected in vivo is compared with recent developments in in vitro selection and preparation methods. Contrasts and similarities are presented. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS New technologies are being developed to aid in the diagnosis, preparation and selection of spermatozoa in ART. To date progress has been frustrating and these methods have provided variable benefits in improving outcomes after ART. It is more likely that examining the mechanisms enforced by nature will provide valuable information in regard to sperm selection and preparation techniques in vitro. Identifying the properties of those spermatozoa which do reach the oviduct will also be important for the development of more effective tests of semen quality. In this review we examine the value of sperm selection to see how much guidance for ART can be gleaned from the natural selection processes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denny Sakkas
- Boston IVF, 130 Second Ave, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Mythili Ramalingam
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
| | | | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
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139
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Rassoulzadegan M, Cuzin F. From paramutation to human disease: RNA-mediated heredity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 44:47-50. [PMID: 26335266 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic variation, a stable alteration in gene expression, occurs at multiple moments during development. Several instances of non-Mendelian transmission to the progenies modes are very intriguing. Studies of the mode of hereditary transmission revealed in a series of such cases a role of noncoding RNA molecules as inducers. While still an enigmatic mechanism, emerging models pinpoint to a more general roles of these variations, initiated as a response to genetic and environmental variation. Here we compare the known modes of transgenerational epigenetic variation in mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoo Rassoulzadegan
- Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Inserm U1091 - CNRS U7277, 06034 Nice, France.
| | - François Cuzin
- Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Inserm U1091 - CNRS U7277, 06034 Nice, France
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140
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Drinking beyond a lifetime: New and emerging insights into paternal alcohol exposure on subsequent generations. Alcohol 2015; 49:461-70. [PMID: 25887183 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-use disorder (AUD) is prevalent and associated with substantial socioeconomic costs. While heritability estimates of AUD are ∼50%, identifying specific gene variants associated with risk for AUD has proven challenging despite considerable investment. Emerging research into heritability of complex diseases has implicated transmission of epigenetic variants in the development of behavioral phenotypes, including drug preference and drug-induced behavior. Several recent rodent studies have specifically focused on paternal transmission of epigenetic variants, which is especially relevant because sires are not present for offspring rearing and changes to offspring phenotype are assumed to result from modifications to the sperm epigenome. While considerable interest in paternal transmission of epigenetic variants has emerged recently, paternal alcohol exposures have been studied for 30+ years with interesting behavioral and physiologic effects noted on offspring. However, only recently, with improvements in technology to identify epigenetic modifications in germ cells, has it been possible to identify mechanisms by which paternal ethanol exposure alters offspring behavior. This review presents an overview of epigenetic inheritance in the context of paternal ethanol exposure and suggests future studies to identify specific effects of paternal ethanol exposure on offspring behavior and response to ethanol.
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141
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Developmental windows of susceptibility for epigenetic inheritance through the male germline. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 43:96-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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142
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Barragán M, Martínez A, Llonch S, Pujol A, Vernaeve V, Vassena R. Effect of ribonucleic acid (RNA) isolation methods on putative reference genes messenger RNA abundance in human spermatozoa. Andrology 2015; 3:797-804. [PMID: 26097086 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Although the male gamete participates in a significant proportion of infertility cases, there are currently no proven molecular markers of sperm quality. The search for significant gene expression markers is partially hindered by the lack of a recognized set of reference genes (RGs) to normalize reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) data across studies. The aim of this study is to define a set of RGs in assisted reproduction patients undergoing different sample collection and RNA isolation methods. Twenty-two normozoospermic men were included in the study. From each man, semen was either cryopreserved by slow freezing or analyzed fresh, and, for each, RNA was extracted with either phenol-free or phenol-based methods. In two cases, both methods were used to isolate RNA. Twenty putative RGs were analyzed and their mRNA abundance across samples was estimated by RT-qPCR. To determine the genes whose steady-state mRNA abundance remains unchanged, three different algorithms (geNorm, BestKeeper and NormFinder) were applied to the qPCR data. We found that RGs such as GAPDH or ACTB, useful in other biological contexts, cannot be used as reference for human spermatozoa. It is possible to compare gene expression from fresh and cryopreserved sperm samples using the same isolation method, while the mRNA abundance of expressed genes becomes different depending on the RNA isolation technique employed. In our conditions, the most appropriate RGs for RT-qPCR analysis were RPLP1, RPL13A, and RPLP2. Published discrepancies in gene expression studies in human spermatozoa may be due in part to inappropriate RGs selection, suggesting a possible different interpretation of PCR data in several reports, which were normalized using unstable RGs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - A Pujol
- Clinica EUGIN, Barcelona, Spain
| | - V Vernaeve
- Clinica EUGIN, Barcelona, Spain.,Fundació EUGIN, Barcelona, Spain
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143
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Krauss-Etschmann S, Meyer KF, Dehmel S, Hylkema MN. Inter- and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: evidence in asthma and COPD? Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:53. [PMID: 26052354 PMCID: PMC4456695 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0085-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence is now emerging that early life environment can have lifelong effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary function in offspring, a concept also known as fetal or developmental programming. In mammals, developmental programming is thought to occur mainly via epigenetic mechanisms, which include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and expression of non-coding RNAs. The effects of developmental programming can be induced by the intrauterine environment, leading to intergenerational epigenetic effects from one generation to the next. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance may be considered when developmental programming is transmitted across generations that were not exposed to the initial environment which triggered the change. So far, inter- and transgenerational programming has been mainly described for cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. In this review, we discuss available evidence that epigenetic inheritance also occurs in respiratory diseases, using asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as examples. While multiple epidemiological as well as animal studies demonstrate effects of 'toxic' intrauterine exposure on various asthma-related phenotypes in the offspring, only few studies link epigenetic marks to the observed phenotypes. As epigenetic marks may distinguish individuals most at risk of later disease at early age, it will enable early intervention strategies to reduce such risks. To achieve this goal further, well designed experimental and human studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- />Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich and Children’s Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians University, Max-Lebsche-Platz 31, 81377 Munich, Germany
- />Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Leibniz Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Research Center Borstel and Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Airway Research Center North, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Parkallee 1-40, Borstel, Germany
| | - Karolin F Meyer
- />Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, The Netherlands
- />University of Groningen, GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Dehmel
- />Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich and Children’s Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians University, Max-Lebsche-Platz 31, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Machteld N Hylkema
- />Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, The Netherlands
- />University of Groningen, GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, The Netherlands
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144
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Feinberg JI, Bakulski KM, Jaffe AE, Tryggvadottir R, Brown SC, Goldman LR, Croen LA, Hertz-Picciotto I, Newschaffer CJ, Fallin MD, Feinberg AP. Paternal sperm DNA methylation associated with early signs of autism risk in an autism-enriched cohort. Int J Epidemiol 2015; 44:1199-210. [PMID: 25878217 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyv028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic mechanisms such as altered DNA methylation have been suggested to play a role in autism, beginning with the classical association of Prader-Willi syndrome, an imprinting disorder, with autistic features. OBJECTIVES Here we tested for the relationship of paternal sperm DNA methylation with autism risk in offspring, examining an enriched-risk cohort of fathers of autistic children. METHODS We examined genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) in paternal semen biosamples obtained from an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enriched-risk pregnancy cohort, the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) cohort, to estimate associations between sperm DNAm and prospective ASD development, using a 12-month ASD symptoms assessment, the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI). We analysed methylation data from 44 sperm samples run on the CHARM 3.0 array, which contains over 4 million probes (over 7 million CpG sites), including 30 samples also run on the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 (450K) BeadChip platform (∼485 000 CpG sites). We also examined associated regions in an independent sample of post-mortem human brain ASD and control samples for which Illumina 450K DNA methylation data were available. RESULTS Using region-based statistical approaches, we identified 193 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in paternal sperm with a family-wise empirical P-value [family-wise error rate (FWER)] <0.05 associated with performance on the Autism Observational Scale for Infants (AOSI) at 12 months of age in offspring. The DMRs clustered near genes involved in developmental processes, including many genes in the SNORD family, within the Prader-Willi syndrome gene cluster. These results were consistent among the 75 probes on the Illumina 450K array that cover AOSI-associated DMRs from CHARM. Further, 18 of 75 (24%) 450K array probes showed consistent differences in the cerebellums of autistic individuals compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that epigenetic differences in paternal sperm may contribute to autism risk in offspring, and provide evidence that directionally consistent, potentially related epigenetic mechanisms may be operating in the cerebellum of individuals with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason I Feinberg
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, Center for Epigenetics
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Epidemiology
| | - Andrew E Jaffe
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Mental Health and
| | | | - Shannon C Brown
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Epidemiology
| | - Lynn R Goldman
- George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research, Autism Research Program
| | | | - Craig J Newschaffer
- Drexel University, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University School of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Mental Health and
| | - Andrew P Feinberg
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Medicine
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145
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Rassoulzadegan M, Cuzin F. Epigenetic heredity: RNA-mediated modes of phenotypic variation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2015; 1341:172-5. [PMID: 25726734 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In addition to the Mendelian mutations, several instances of heritable phenotypic variation have been reported. We have observed, in mice, a role for sperm RNAs in the induction of such stable phenotypic variation. When experimentally transferred by RNA microinjection into fertilized mouse eggs, the noncoding RNAs homologous in sequence to the target locus are efficient inducers of variation at the transcriptional level. Transmission of the phenotypic variation to progeny is highly efficient and independent of gender. Here, we have summarized these finding and how they relate to other reports of epigenetic variation.
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146
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Savadi-Shiraz E, Edalatkhah H, Talebi S, Heidari-Vala H, Zandemami M, Pahlavan S, Modarressi MH, Akhondi MM, Paradowska-Dogan A, Sadeghi MR. Quantification of sperm specific mRNA transcripts (PRM1, PRM2
, and TNP2
) in teratozoospermia and normozoospermia: New correlations between mRNA content and morphology of sperm. Mol Reprod Dev 2014; 82:26-35. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elham Savadi-Shiraz
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
- Department of Urology; Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Section Molecular Andrology; Justus Liebig University; Giessen Germany
| | - Haleh Edalatkhah
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
| | - Saeed Talebi
- Department of Medical Genetics; Faculty of Medicine; Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Hamed Heidari-Vala
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
| | - Mahdi Zandemami
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
| | - Somayeh Pahlavan
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
| | - Agnieszka Paradowska-Dogan
- Department of Urology; Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Section Molecular Andrology; Justus Liebig University; Giessen Germany
| | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; ACECR; Tehran Iran
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147
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Shi ZH, Lin YT, Hou YM. Mother-derived trans-generational immune priming in the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae). BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2014; 104:742-750. [PMID: 25208627 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485314000583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) is the most destructive pest of palm trees worldwide containing it invasive areas, such as the southern part of China. It is always emphasized to develop integrated pest management based on biological agents, but their success is not very exciting. Presently, the immune defenses of this pest against biological agents attract scarce attention. It is still unclear whether immune priming also generally occurs in insect pests and in response to different pathogens. Our results indicated that previous challenge of bacteria pathogen enhanced the magnitude of phenoloxidase activity and antibacterial activity in R. ferrugineus larvae against the secondary infection. Furthermore, trans-generational immune priming was also determined in this pest, and only challenged R. ferrugineus mothers transferred the immune protection to their offspring which suggested males and females of this pest might have evolved different strategies on the investment of delivering immune protection to their offspring. Importantly, our data provide the evidence to suggest that different kinds of biological control agents might be used alternatively or in combination to fight against R. ferrugineus because of the existence of immune priming with low species-specific level. On the other hand, for this invasive pest, the immune priming may also facilitate its adaptation and dispersal in the new regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z H Shi
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian-Taiwan Crops,Ministry of Agriculture,China
| | - Y T Lin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian-Taiwan Crops,Ministry of Agriculture,China
| | - Y M Hou
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Fujian-Taiwan Crops,Ministry of Agriculture,China
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148
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Wei Y, Schatten H, Sun QY. Environmental epigenetic inheritance through gametes and implications for human reproduction. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 21:194-208. [PMID: 25416302 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional studies focused on DNA as the heritable information carrier that passes the phenotype from parents to offspring. However, increasing evidence suggests that information, that is independent of the DNA sequence, termed epigenetic information, can be inherited between generations. Recently, in our lab, we found that prediabetes in fathers increases the susceptibility to diabetes in offspring through gametic cytosine methylation changes. Paternal prediabetes changed overall methylation patterns in sperm, and a large portion of differentially methylated loci can be transmitted to pancreatic islets of offspring up to the second generation. In this review, we survey the extensive examples of environmentally induced epigenetic inheritance in various species, ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. We focus mainly on elucidating the molecular basis of environmental epigenetic inheritance through gametes, which is an emerging theme and has important implications for explaining the prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic non-genetic diseases, which is also important for understanding the influence of environmental exposures on reproductive and overall health in offspring. METHODS For this review, we included relevant data and information obtained through a PubMed database search for all English language articles published up to August 2014 which included the term 'environmental epigenetic inheritance' and 'transgenerational epigenetic inheritance'. We focused on research papers using animal models including Drosophila, C. elegans, mouse and rat. Human data were also included. RESULTS Evidence from animal models suggests that environmental epigenetic inheritance through gametes exists in various species. Extensive molecular evidence suggests that epigenetic information carriers including DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs and chromatin proteins in gametes play important roles in the transmission of phenotypes from parents to offspring. CONCLUSIONS Given the large number of experimental evidence from various organisms, it is clear that parental environmental alterations can affect the phenotypes of offspring through gametic epigenetic alterations. This more recent thinking based on new data may have implications in explaining the prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic non-genetic diseases. This also implies that, in the near future, epigenetic factors which are heritable should be regarded important in determining the risk of certain diseases. Moreover, identification of epigenetic markers in gametes (polar body or sperm) may hold great promise for predicting susceptibility to and preventing certain non-genetic diseases in offspring, as well as providing indications on parental environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Heide Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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149
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Abstract
Sperm RNA has been linked recently to trans-generational, non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Originally dismissed as “residual” to spermatogenesis, some sperm RNA may have postfertilization functions including the transmission of acquired characteristics. Sperm RNA may help explain how trans-generational effects are transmitted and it may also have implications for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) where sperm are subjected to considerable, ex vivo manual handling. The presence of sperm RNA was originally a controversial topic because nuclear gene expression is switched off in the mature mammalian spermatozoon. With the recent application of next generation sequencing (NGS), an unexpectedly rich and complex repertoire of RNAs has been revealed in the sperm of several species that makes its residual presence counterintuitive. What follows is a personal survey of the science behind our understanding of sperm RNA and its functional significance based on experimental observations from my laboratory as well as many others who have contributed to the field over the years and are continuing to contribute today. The narrative begins with a historical perspective and ends with some educated speculation on where research into sperm RNA is likely to lead us in the next 10 years or so.
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150
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Du Y, Wang X, Wang B, Chen W, He R, Zhang L, Xing X, Su J, Wang Y, Zhang Y. Deep sequencing analysis of microRNAs in bovine sperm. Mol Reprod Dev 2014; 81:1042-52. [PMID: 25279827 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participates in the regulation of many physiological pathways, but a role for spermatozoon-delivered miRNAs in fertilization and embryonic development remains controversial. A library of miRNAs in bovine sperm was constructed using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology, along with the predication and the pathway analysis of target genes. miRNAs in mammalian spermatozoon were systematically investigated, and a protocol for RNA isolation from the cauda region of an epididymal biopsy was established. Unique sequences that were 18-26 nucleotides in length were mapped to specific precursors in miRBase 20.0 using BLAST. A total of 951 known miRNAs and 8 novel, highly expressed miRNA candidates were identified. The search for endogenous sperm miRNAs will contribute to a preliminary database for functional and molecular mechanistic studies in embryonic development and sperm epigenetic programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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