101
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Zupin L, Pascolo L, Luppi S, Ottaviani G, Crovella S, Ricci G. Photobiomodulation therapy for male infertility. Lasers Med Sci 2020; 35:1671-1680. [PMID: 32483749 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-020-03042-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a worldwide critical condition that affects about the 7.5% of males in Europe leading to an increment of the couples referring to reproductive medicine units to achieve pregnancy. Moreover, in the recent years, an increased number of patients have required to freeze their gametes in order to preserve their fertility. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a potential treatment that has been used for different clinical application basically aimed at biostimulating cells and tissues. Here, we report a deep overview of the published studies, focusing on PBM mechanism of action, with the aim of expanding the knowledge in the field of laser light for a rational utilization of irradiation in the clinical practice. In the field of reproductive science, PBM was employed to increment spermatozoa's metabolism, motility, and viability, due to its beneficial action on mitochondria, leading to an activation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and to the ATP production. This treatment can be particularly useful to avoid the use of chemicals in the spermatozoa culture medium as well as to promote the spermatozoa survival and movement especially after thawing or in largely immotile sperm samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Zupin
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Lorella Pascolo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefania Luppi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Ottaviani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Crovella
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, 34137, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
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102
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Duan YG, Wehry UP, Buhren BA, Schrumpf H, Oláh P, Bünemann E, Yu CF, Chen SJ, Müller A, Hirchenhain J, Lierop A, Novak N, Cai ZM, Krüssel JS, Schuppe HC, Haidl G, Gerber PA, Allam JP, Homey B. CCL20-CCR6 axis directs sperm-oocyte interaction and its dysregulation correlates/associates with male infertility‡. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:630-642. [PMID: 32412043 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of sperm with the oocyte is pivotal during the process of mammalian fertilization. The limited numbers of sperm that reach the fallopian tube as well as anatomic restrictions indicate that human sperm-oocyte encounter is not a matter of chance but a directed process. Chemotaxis is the proposed mechanism for re-orientating sperm toward the source of a chemoattractant and hence to the oocyte. Chemokines represent a superfamily of small (8-11 kDa), cytokine-like proteins that have been shown to mediate chemotaxis and tissue-specific homing of leukocytes through binding to specific chemokine receptors such as CCRs. Here we show that CCR6 is abundantly expressed on human sperms and in human testes. Furthermore, radioligand-binding experiments showed that CCL20 bound human sperm in a specific manner. Conversely, granulosa cells of the oocyte-surrounding cumulus complex as well as human oocytes represent an abundant source of the CCR6-specific ligand CCL20. In human ovaries, CCL20 shows a cycle-dependent expression pattern with peak expression in the preovulatory phase and CCL20 protein induces chemotactic responses of human sperm. Neutralization of CCL20 in ovarian follicular fluid significantly impairs sperm migratory responses. Conversely, analyses in infertile men with inflammatory conditions of the reproductive organs demonstrate a significant increase of CCL20/CCR6 expression in testis and ejaculate. Taken together, findings of the present study suggest that CCR6-CCL20 interaction may represent an important factor in directing sperm-oocyte interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital
| | - U P Wehry
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - B A Buhren
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H Schrumpf
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - P Oláh
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - E Bünemann
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - C-F Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - S-J Chen
- Depatment of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100006 Beijing, PR China
| | - A Müller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J Hirchenhain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - A Lierop
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - N Novak
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Andrology Unit, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Zhi-Ming Cai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital
| | - J S Krüssel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H-C Schuppe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - G Haidl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Andrology Unit, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - P A Gerber
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - J-P Allam
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Andrology Unit, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - B Homey
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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103
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Stromal cell-derived factor 1 regulates in vitro sperm migration towards the cumulus-oocyte complex in cattle. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232536. [PMID: 32353075 PMCID: PMC7192438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm migration towards an oocyte in the female reproductive tract is an important step for successful fertilization. Although several sperm-chemotactic factors have been identified in mammals, it is unclear whether these chemoattractants contribute to sperm migration towards an oocyte that is the final destination for sperm. Furthermore, chemoattractants for bovine sperm are still undiscovered even though the follicular fluid attracts sperm in cattle. Here, we demonstrated that a single bovine cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) had the ability to attract sperm, suggesting that the COC secreted sperm chemoattractants. We identified stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1), which was expressed in COCs, and its receptor CXCR4 in sperm, as a candidate. Our results showed that bovine sperm preferentially migrated to the area with a high SDF1 concentration and occasionally showed turn movements by asymmetric flagellar bends during the migration. We also demonstrated that increasing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration via Ca2+ channels was related to SDF1-induced sperm chemotaxis. Finally, a CXCR4 inhibitor significantly suppressed the in vitro bovine sperm migration towards a COC. Taken together, we propose that SDF1 is a chemotactic factor for bovine sperm to regulate their migration towards an oocyte via the CXCR4 receptor.
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104
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Kobayashi K, Endo T, Matsumura T, Lu Y, Yu Z, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. Prss55 but not Prss51 is required for male fertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:223-234. [PMID: 32301961 PMCID: PMC7401375 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa are produced in the testis through spermatogenesis and matured in the epididymis to acquire fertilizing ability. Spermatozoa are ejaculated and migrate from the uterus to the oviducts to fuse with oocytes. Although over 2000 genes are expressed abundantly in mouse testes, the genes responsible for male fertility are not yet fully clarified. Here, we focused on two testis-enriched serine protease genes, Serine protease (Prss) 51 and Prss55, which overlap their gene loci partially in both mice and humans. To characterize their functions in male fertility, we first generated Prss51 and Prss55 double knockout (DKO) mice by CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the DKO mice were sterile. DKO spermatozoa exhibit impaired migration from the uterus to the oviduct and impaired ability to bind the zona pellucida (ZP) of oocytes. Moreover, a sperm membrane protein, ADAM3 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 3), which plays a role in sperm migration through uterotubal junction (UTJ) and sperm-ZP binding, disappeared in the DKO spermatozoa from the epididymis. We next generated single knockout (KO) mice lacking Prss51 and found that Prss51 KO mice are fertile. We also generated single KO mice lacking Prss55 and found that Prss55 KO mice phenocopy the DKO mice, demonstrating impaired sperm migration and sperm-ZP binding and a severe defect in fertility. We conclude that Prss55, but not Prss51, is required for male fertility in mice, by stabilizing ADAM3 protein for efficient sperm-UTJ migration and sperm-ZP binding. Our findings have implications for understanding additional genetic causes of the idiopathic male infertility and for the development of male or female contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyonori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Endo
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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105
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Frolikova M, Otcenaskova T, Valasková E, Postlerova P, Stopkova R, Stopka P, Komrskova K. The Role of Taste Receptor mTAS1R3 in Chemical Communication of Gametes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072651. [PMID: 32290318 PMCID: PMC7177404 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is a multiple step process leading to the fusion of female and male gametes and the formation of a zygote. Besides direct gamete membrane interaction via binding receptors localized on both oocyte and sperm surface, fertilization also involves gamete communication via chemical molecules triggering various signaling pathways. This work focuses on a mouse taste receptor, mTAS1R3, encoded by the Tas1r3 gene, as a potential receptor mediating chemical communication between gametes using the C57BL/6J lab mouse strain. In order to specify the role of mTAS1R3, we aimed to characterize its precise localization in testis and sperm using super resolution microscopy. The testis cryo-section, acrosome-intact sperm released from cauda epididymis and sperm which underwent the acrosome reaction (AR) were evaluated. The mTAS1R3 receptor was detected in late spermatids where the acrosome was being formed and in the acrosomal cap of acrosome intact sperm. AR is triggered in mice during sperm maturation in the female reproductive tract and by passing through the egg surroundings such as cumulus oophorus cells. This AR onset is independent of the extracellular matrix of the oocyte called zona pellucida. After AR, the relocation of mTAS1R3 to the equatorial segment was observed and the receptor remained exposed to the outer surroundings of the female reproductive tract, where its physiological ligand, the amino acid L-glutamate, naturally occurs. Therefore, we targeted the possible interaction in vitro between the mTAS1R3 and L-glutamate as a part of chemical communication between sperm and egg and used an anti-mTAS1R3-specific antibody to block it. We detected that the acrosome reacted spermatozoa showed a chemotactic response in the presence of L-glutamate during and after the AR, and it is likely that mTAS1R3 acted as its mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Frolikova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
| | - Tereza Otcenaskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Eliska Valasková
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
| | - Pavla Postlerova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Stopkova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Pavel Stopka
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Katerina Komrskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-325-873-799
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106
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Pitnick S, Wolfner MF, Dorus S. Post-ejaculatory modifications to sperm (PEMS). Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:365-392. [PMID: 31737992 PMCID: PMC7643048 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm must spend a minimum period of time within a female reproductive tract to achieve the capacity to fertilize oocytes. This phenomenon, termed sperm 'capacitation', was discovered nearly seven decades ago and opened a window into the complexities of sperm-female interaction. Capacitation is most commonly used to refer to a specific combination of processes that are believed to be widespread in mammals and includes modifications to the sperm plasma membrane, elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels, induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, hyperactivation of motility, and, eventually, the acrosome reaction. Capacitation is only one example of post-ejaculatory modifications to sperm (PEMS) that are widespread throughout the animal kingdom. Although PEMS are less well studied in non-mammalian taxa, they likely represent the rule rather than the exception in species with internal fertilization. These PEMS are diverse in form and collectively represent the outcome of selection fashioning complex maturational trajectories of sperm that include multiple, sequential phenotypes that are specialized for stage-specific functionality within the female. In many cases, PEMS are critical for sperm to migrate successfully through the female reproductive tract, survive a protracted period of storage, reach the site of fertilization and/or achieve the capacity to fertilize eggs. We predict that PEMS will exhibit widespread phenotypic plasticity mediated by sperm-female interactions. The successful execution of PEMS thus has important implications for variation in fitness and the operation of post-copulatory sexual selection. Furthermore, it may provide a widespread mechanism of reproductive isolation and the maintenance of species boundaries. Despite their possible ubiquity and importance, the investigation of PEMS has been largely descriptive, lacking any phylogenetic consideration with regard to divergence, and there have been no theoretical or empirical investigations of their evolutionary significance. Here, we (i) clarify PEMS-related nomenclature; (ii) address the evolutionary origin, maintenance and divergence in PEMS in the context of the protracted life history of sperm and the complex, selective environment of the female reproductive tract; (iii) describe taxonomically widespread types of PEMS: sperm activation, chemotaxis and the dissociation of sperm conjugates; (iv) review the occurence of PEMS throughout the animal kingdom; (v) consider alternative hypotheses for the adaptive value of PEMS; (vi) speculate on the evolutionary implications of PEMS for genomic architecture, sexual selection, and reproductive isolation; and (vii) suggest fruitful directions for future functional and evolutionary analyses of PEMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Pitnick
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syacuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Mariana F. Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Steve Dorus
- Department of Biology, Center for Reproductive Evolution, Syacuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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107
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Hadlow JH, Evans JP, Lymbery RA. Egg-induced changes to sperm phenotypes shape patterns of multivariate selection on ejaculates. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:797-807. [PMID: 32125748 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cells exhibit extraordinary phenotypic diversity and rapid rates of evolution, yet the adaptive value of most sperm traits remains equivocal. Recent findings suggest that to understand how selection targets ejaculates, we must recognize that female-imposed physiological conditions often alter sperm phenotypes. These phenotypic changes may influence the relationships among sperm traits and their association with fitness. Here, we show that chemical substances released by eggs (known to modify sperm physiology and behaviour) alter patterns of selection on a suite of sperm traits in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. We use multivariate selection analyses to characterize linear and nonlinear selection acting on sperm traits in (a) seawater alone and (b) seawater containing egg-derived chemicals (egg water). Our analyses revealed that nonlinear selection on canonical axes of multiple traits (notably sperm velocity, sperm linearity and percentage of motile sperm) was the most important form of selection overall, but importantly these patterns were only evident when sperm phenotypes were measured in egg water. These findings reveal the subtle way that females can alter patterns of selection, with the implication that overlooking environmentally moderated changes to sperm, may result in erroneous interpretations of how selection targets phenotypic (co)variation in sperm traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica H Hadlow
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Jonathan P Evans
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Rowan A Lymbery
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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108
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Ridzewski C, Li M, Dong B, Magdanz V. Gelatin Microcartridges for Onboard Activation and Antioxidant Protection of Sperm. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:1616-1627. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b01188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ridzewski
- Chair of Applied Zoology, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mingtong Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Bin Dong
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Veronika Magdanz
- Chair of Applied Zoology, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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109
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Roy D, Levi K, Kiss V, Nevo R, Eisenbach M. Rhodopsin and melanopsin coexist in mammalian sperm cells and activate different signaling pathways for thermotaxis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:112. [PMID: 31924821 PMCID: PMC6954197 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56846-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, various opsin types, known to be involved in vision, were demonstrated to be present in human and mouse sperm cells and to be involved there in thermosensing for thermotaxis. In vision, each opsin type is restricted to specific cells. The situation in this respect in sperm cells is not known. It is also not known whether or not both signaling pathways, found to function in sperm thermotaxis, are each activated by specific opsins, as in vision. Here we addressed these questions. Choosing rhodopsin and melanopsin as test cases and employing immunocytochemical analysis with antibodies against these opsins, we found that the majority of sperm cells were stained by both antibodies, indicating that most of the cells contained both opsins. By employing mutant mouse sperm cells that do not express melanopsin combined with specific signaling inhibitors, we furthermore demonstrated that rhodopsin and melanopsin each activates a different pathway. Thus, in mammalian sperm thermotaxis, as in vision, rhodopsin and melanopsin each triggers a different signaling pathway but, unlike in vision, both opsin types coexist in the same sperm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarun Roy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kohava Levi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vladimir Kiss
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reinat Nevo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michael Eisenbach
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.
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110
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Bettinazzi S, Nadarajah S, Dalpé A, Milani L, Blier PU, Breton S. Linking paternally inherited mtDNA variants and sperm performance. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 375:20190177. [PMID: 31787040 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Providing robust links between mitochondrial genotype and phenotype is of major importance given that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants can affect reproductive success. Because of the strict maternal inheritance (SMI) of mitochondria in animals, haplotypes that negatively affect male fertility can become fixed in populations. This phenomenon is known as 'mother's curse'. Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondria is a stable exception in bivalves, which entails two mtDNA lineages that evolve independently and are transmitted separately through oocytes and sperm. This makes the DUI mitochondrial lineages subject to different sex-specific selective sieves during mtDNA evolution, thus DUI is a unique model to evaluate how direct selection on sperm mitochondria could contribute to male reproductive fitness. In this study, we tested the impact of mtDNA variants on sperm performance and bioenergetics in DUI and SMI species. Analyses also involved measures of sperm performance following inhibition of main energy pathways and sperm response to oocyte presence. Compared to SMI, DUI sperm exhibited (i) low speed and linearity, (ii) a strict OXPHOS-dependent strategy of energy production, and (iii) a partial metabolic shift towards fermentation following egg detection. Discussion embraces the adaptive value of mtDNA variation and suggests a link between male-energetic adaptation, fertilization success and paternal mitochondria preservation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking the mitochondrial genotype to phenotype: a complex endeavour'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Bettinazzi
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2V 2S9
| | - Sugahendni Nadarajah
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2V 2S9.,Département Sciences de l'Univers, Environnement, Ecologie, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Andréanne Dalpé
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2V 2S9
| | - Liliana Milani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italia
| | - Pierre U Blier
- Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Sophie Breton
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2V 2S9
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111
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Nagata MB, Egashira J, Katafuchi N, Endo K, Ogata K, Yamanaka K, Yamanouchi T, Matsuda H, Hashiyada Y, Yamashita K. Bovine sperm selection procedure prior to cryopreservation for improvement of post-thawed semen quality and fertility. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2019; 10:91. [PMID: 31807306 PMCID: PMC6857337 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0395-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of cryopreservation and artificial insemination technology have contributed to the advancement of animal reproduction. However, a substantial proportion of spermatozoa undergoes alterations and loses their fertility during cryopreservation, rendering the frozen-thawed semen impractical for routine use. Cryopreservation is known to reduce sperm lifespan and fertility. Variation in cryosurvival of spermatozoa from different sires and even with the individual sire is common in artificial insemination (AI) centers. Our goal is to improve post-thawed semen quality by optimization of cryopreservation technique through sperm selection prior to cryopreservation process. RESULTS Our strategy of sperm selection based on rheotaxis and thermotaxis (SSRT) on macrosale in a rotating fluid flow demonstrated the ability to maintain the original pre-freezing structural integrity, viability and biological function related to fertilization competence. This strategy has a positive effect on the cryosurvival and fertilizing abilities of spermatozoa as supported by the improvement on pregnancy rate of Japanese Black heifers and Holstein repeat breeders. This technique protected further sublethal damage to bovine spermatozoa (higher % cryosurvival than the control) and resulted in the improvement of DNA integrity. Prefreeze selected spermatozoa demonstrated slower and controlled capacitation than unprocessed control which is thought to be related to sperm longevity and consequently to appropriate timing during in vivo fertilization. CONCLUSIONS These results provide solid evidence that improvement of post-thawed semen quality by SSRT method is beneficial in terms of cryosurvival, longevity of post-thawed sperm, and optimization of in vivo fertilization, embryo development and calving as supported by the favorable results of field fertility study.
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Affiliation(s)
- MariaPortia B. Nagata
- Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 807-1 Shuku-machi, Tosu, Saga, 841-0052 Japan
| | - Junki Egashira
- Saga Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, 23242-2 Yamauchi-machi, Miyano, Takeo, Saga, 849-2305 Japan
| | - Naoto Katafuchi
- Saga Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, 23242-2 Yamauchi-machi, Miyano, Takeo, Saga, 849-2305 Japan
| | - Kenji Endo
- Morinaga Dairy Service Co. Ltd., 1-159 Toyoharaotsu, Nasu-gun Nasu-machi, Tochigi, 329-3224 Japan
| | - Kazuko Ogata
- National Livestock Breeding Center (NLBC), 1 Odakurahara, Odakura, Nishigo-mura, Nishishirakawa-gun, Fukushima, 961-8511 Japan
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Ikenodai 2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901 Japan
| | - Kenichi Yamanaka
- Faculty of Agriculture, Saga University, 1 Honjo-machi, Saga, 840-8502 Japan
| | - Tadayuki Yamanouchi
- National Livestock Breeding Center (NLBC), 1 Odakurahara, Odakura, Nishigo-mura, Nishishirakawa-gun, Fukushima, 961-8511 Japan
| | - Hideo Matsuda
- National Livestock Breeding Center (NLBC), 1 Odakurahara, Odakura, Nishigo-mura, Nishishirakawa-gun, Fukushima, 961-8511 Japan
| | - Yutaka Hashiyada
- National Livestock Breeding Center (NLBC), 1 Odakurahara, Odakura, Nishigo-mura, Nishishirakawa-gun, Fukushima, 961-8511 Japan
- Ishikawa Prefectural University, 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi-shi, Ishikawa, 921-8836 Japan
| | - Kenichi Yamashita
- Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 807-1 Shuku-machi, Tosu, Saga, 841-0052 Japan
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112
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Levin RJ. The Clitoris—An Appraisal of its Reproductive Function During the Fertile Years: Why Was It, and Still Is, Overlooked in Accounts of Female Sexual Arousal. Clin Anat 2019; 33:136-145. [DOI: 10.1002/ca.23498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy J. Levin
- Independent Research Investigator Sheffield United Kingdom
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113
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Vollmer T, Ljungberg B, Jankowski V, Jankowski J, Glorieux G, Stegmayr BG. An in-vitro assay using human spermatozoa to detect toxicity of biologically active substances. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14525. [PMID: 31601841 PMCID: PMC6787250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50929-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the key toxic players within an in-vivo toxic syndrome is crucial to develop targeted therapies. Here, we established a novel method that characterizes the effect of single substances by means of an ex-vivo incubation set-up. We found that primary human spermatozoa elicit a distinct motile response on a (uremic) toxic milieu. Specifically, this approach describes the influence of a bulk toxic environment (uremia) as well as single substances (uremic toxins) by real-time analyzing motile cellular behavior. We established the human spermatozoa-based toxicity testing (HSTT) for detecting single substance-induced toxicity to be used as a screening tool to identify in-vivo toxins. Further, we propose an application of the HSTT as a method of clinical use to evaluate toxin-removing interventions (hemodialysis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino Vollmer
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden. .,Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT) & Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Börje Ljungberg
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology and Andrology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Vera Jankowski
- Institute for Cardiovascular Research, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim Jankowski
- Institute for Cardiovascular Research, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,School for Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Griet Glorieux
- Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bernd G Stegmayr
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
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114
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Mulley JF. Greater Loss of Female Embryos During Human Pregnancy: A Novel Mechanism. Bioessays 2019; 41:e1900063. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John F. Mulley
- School of Natural SciencesBangor University Deiniol Road Bangor LL57 2UW UK
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115
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Boryshpolets S, Kholodnyy V, Cosson J, Dzyuba B. Fish sperm motility analysis: the central role of the flagellum. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:833-841. [PMID: 29650062 DOI: 10.1071/rd17478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Motility analysis of spermatozoa relies on the investigation of either head trajectories or flagellum characteristics. Those two sets of parameters are far from being independent, the flagellum playing the role of motor, whereas the head plays a passive role of cargo. Therefore, quantitative descriptions of head trajectories represent a simplification of the complex pattern of whole sperm cell motion, resulting from the waves developed by the flagellum. The flagellum itself responds to a large variety of signals that precisely control its axoneme to allow activation, acceleration, slowing down or reorientation of the whole spermatozoon. Thus, it is obvious that analysis of flagellum characteristics provides information on the original source of movement and orientation of the sperm cell and presents additional parameters that enrich the panoply of quantitative descriptors of sperm motility. In this review, we briefly describe the methodologies used to obtain good-quality images of fish spermatozoa (head and especially flagellum) while they move fast and the methods developed for their analysis. The paper also aims to establish a link between classical analyses by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and the descriptors generated by fish sperm flagellum analysis, and emphasises the information to be gained regarding motility performance from flagellum motion data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergii Boryshpolets
- University of South Bohemia in ?eské Bud?jovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vod?any, Czech Republic
| | - Vitaliy Kholodnyy
- University of South Bohemia in ?eské Bud?jovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vod?any, Czech Republic
| | - Jacky Cosson
- University of South Bohemia in ?eské Bud?jovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vod?any, Czech Republic
| | - Borys Dzyuba
- University of South Bohemia in ?eské Bud?jovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vod?any, Czech Republic
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116
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Özbek M, Hitit M, Öztop M, Beyaz F, Ergün E, Ergün L. Spatiotemporal expression patterns of natriuretic peptides in rat testis and epididymis during postnatal development. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13387. [PMID: 31661170 DOI: 10.1111/and.13387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Natriuretic peptide (NP) family is composed of atrial, brain and C-type NP (NPPA, NPPB and NPPC). Here, we aimed to investigate NP expression in testis and epididymis during postnatal development. NPPA expression was observed in gonocytes at prepubertal period but in only spermatocytes in pachytene and leptotene/zygotene stage at pubertal period. In prepubertal and pubertal periods, we detected NPPB expression in only Leydig cells. However, NPPC expression was detected in all of the gonocytes and Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and some interstitial cells in prepubertal and pubertal periods. In postpubertal and mature periods, NPPA and NPPB staining were detected in Leydig cells, elongated and round spermatids but not in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. However, we observed NPPC expression in all cells of the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in the postpubertal and mature periods. Epididymal epithelium showed intense NPPC expression during postnatal period but weak NPPA and NPPB expression in prepubertal and pubertal periods. The expression of three NPs in the testis significantly increased after puberty. In conclusion, puberty had a significant effect on NP expression in testis. Unlike NPPA and NPPB, expression of NPPC in all cells of the seminiferous tubule suggests that NPPC is effective in each step of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Özbek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Öztop
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Feyzullah Beyaz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Emel Ergün
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Levent Ergün
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
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117
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Wei F, Yin C, Zheng J, Zhan Z, Yao L. Rise of cyborg microrobot: different story for different configuration. IET Nanobiotechnol 2019; 13:651-664. [PMID: 31573533 PMCID: PMC8676360 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2018.5374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
By integrating organic parts achieved through evolution and inorganic parts developed by human civilisation, the cyborg microrobot is rising by taking advantage of the high flexibility, outstanding energy efficiency, extremely exquisite structure in the natural components and the fine upgradability, nice controllability in the artefact parts. Compared to the purely synthetic microrobots, the cyborg microrobots, due to the exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability, have already been utilised in in situ diagnosis, precise therapy and other biomedical applications. In this review, through a thorough summary of recent advances of cyborg microrobots, the authors categorise the cyborg microrobots into four major classes according to the configuration between biomaterials and artefact materials, i.e. microrobots integrated inside living cell, microrobots modified with biological debris, microrobots integrated with single cell and microrobots incorporated with multiple cells. Cyborg microrobots with the four types of configurations are introduced and summarised with the combination approaches, actuation mechanisms, applications and challenges one by one. Moreover, they conduct a comparison among the four different cyborg microrobots to guide the actuation force promotion, locomotion control refinement and future applications. Finally, conclusions and future outlook of the development and potential applications of the cyborg microrobots are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chao Yin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianghong Zheng
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziheng Zhan
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, People's Republic of China
| | - Ligang Yao
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, People's Republic of China
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118
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Hoell C, Löwen H, Menzel AM. Multi-species dynamical density functional theory for microswimmers: Derivation, orientational ordering, trapping potentials, and shear cells. J Chem Phys 2019. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5099554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hoell
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hartmut Löwen
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Menzel
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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119
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Katigbak RD, Turchini GM, de Graaf SP, Kong L, Dumée LF. Review on Sperm Sorting Technologies and Sperm Properties toward New Separation Methods via the Interface of Biochemistry and Material Science. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1900079. [PMID: 32648656 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Successful fertilization in mammals requires spermatozoa to efficiently traverse the female reproductive tract to meet the egg. This process naturally selects high quality sperm cells for fertilization, but when artificial reproductive technologies are used such as in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or intrauterine insemination, other methods of sperm selection are required. Currently, technology enables sperm sorting based on motility, maturity as defined by zeta potential or hyaluronic acid binding site expression, absence of apoptotic factors, appropriate morphology, and even sex. This review summarizes current knowledge on all known methods of sperm cell sorting, compares their efficiency, and discusses the advantages and limitations of each technique. Scope for further refinement and improvement of current methods are discussed as is the potential to utilize a variety of materials to innovate new methods of sperm separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto D Katigbak
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Waurn Ponds 3216, Victoria, Australia
| | - Giovanni M Turchini
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Burwood, 3125, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 2006, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Waurn Ponds 3216, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ludovic F Dumée
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Waurn Ponds 3216, Victoria, Australia
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120
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Romar R, Cánovas S, Matás C, Gadea J, Coy P. Pig in vitro fertilization: Where are we and where do we go? Theriogenology 2019; 137:113-121. [PMID: 31182223 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The pig is an important livestock animal. Biotechnological interest in this species has increased due to its use, among others, in the generation of transgenic animals for use in biomedicine based on its greater physiological proximity to the human species than other large domestic animals. This development has paralleled an improvement in Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) used for this species. However, the ability to generate animals from embryos produced entirely in vitro is still limited and a wide margin for improvement remains. Here we review the procedures, additives, and devices used during pig in vitro fertilization (IVF), focusing on the main points of each step that have offered the best results in terms of increased efficiency of the system. The lack of standardized protocols and consensus on the parameters to be assessed makes it difficult to compare results across different studies, but some conclusions are drawn from the literature. We anticipate that new physiological protocols will advance the field of swine IVF, including induction of prefertilization ZP hardening with oviductal fluid, sperm preparation by swim-up method, increased viscosity through the addition of inert molecules or reproductive biofluids, and the incorporation of 3D devices. Here we also reflect on the need to expand the variables on which the efficiency of pig IVF is based, providing new parameters that should be considered to supply more objective and quantitative assessment of IVF additives and protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Romar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Sebastián Cánovas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Carmen Matás
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Gadea
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Coy
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
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121
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Brenker C, Rehfeld A, Schiffer C, Kierzek M, Kaupp UB, Skakkebæk NE, Strünker T. Synergistic activation of CatSper Ca2+ channels in human sperm by oviductal ligands and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:1915-1923. [PMID: 30189007 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does the chemosensory activation of CatSper Ca2+ channels in human sperm give rise to additive, sub-additive or even synergistic actions among agonists? SUMMARY ANSWER We show that oviductal ligands and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) activate human CatSper highly synergistically. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In human sperm, the sperm-specific CatSper channel controls the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and, thereby, several crucial stages toward fertilization. CatSper is activated by oviductal ligands and structurally diverse EDCs. The chemicals mimic the action of the physiological ligands, which might interfere with the precisely coordinated sequence of events underlying fertilization. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION For both oviductal ligands and EDCs, we examined in quantitative terms whether stimulation of human sperm in vitro with mixtures results in additive, sub-additive or synergistic actions. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We studied activation of CatSper in sperm of healthy volunteers, using kinetic Ca2+ fluorimetry and patch-clamp recordings. The combined action of progesterone and prostaglandins and of the EDCs benzylidene camphor sulfonic acid (BCSA) and α-Zearalenol was evaluated by curve-shift analysis, curvilinear isobolographic analysis and the combination-index method. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Analysis of the action of progesterone/prostaglandin and BCSA/α-Zearalenol mixtures in human sperm by fluorimetry revealed that the oviductal ligands and EDCs both evoke Ca2+ influx via CatSper in a highly synergistic fashion. Patch-clamp recordings of CatSper currents in human sperm corroborated the synergistic ligand-activation of the channel. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is an in vitro study. Future studies have to assess the physiological relevance in vivo. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These findings indicate that the fertilization process is orchestrated by multiple oviductal CatSper agonists that act in concert to control the behavior of sperm. Moreover, our results substantiate the concerns regarding the negative impact of EDCs on male reproductive health. So far, safety thresholds like the "No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)" or "No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC)" are set for individual EDCs. Our finding that EDCs act synergistically in human sperm challenges the validity of this procedure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the German Research Foundation (SFB 645; CRU326), the Cells-in-Motion (CiM) Cluster of Excellence, Münster, (FF-2016-17), the 'Innovative Medical Research' of the University of Münster Medical School (BR121507), an EDMaRC research grant from the Kirsten and Freddy Johansen's Foundation, and the Innovation Fund Denmark (InnovationsFonden; 14-2013-4). The authors have no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Brenker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A Rehfeld
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C Schiffer
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - M Kierzek
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - U B Kaupp
- Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Bonn, Germany
| | - N E Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Strünker
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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122
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Xiong W, Wang Z, Shen C. An update of the regulatory factors of sperm migration from the uterus into the oviduct by genetically manipulated mice. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:935-955. [PMID: 31131960 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental MedicineShanghai Rui‐Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
- School of Life Sciences and BiochemistryShanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental MedicineShanghai Rui‐Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Chunling Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Research Center for Experimental MedicineShanghai Rui‐Jin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
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123
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Abstract
The moment of the fertilization of an egg by a spermatozoon-the point of "sperm success"-is a key milestone in the biology of sexually reproducing species and is a fundamental requirement for offspring production. Fertilization also represents the culmination of a suite of sexually selected processes in both sexes and is commonly used as a landmark to measure reproductive success. Sperm success is heavily dependent upon interactions with other key aspects of male and female biology, with the immune system among the most important. The immune system is vital to maintaining health in both sexes; however, immune reactions can also have antagonistic effects on sperm success. The effects of immunity on sperm success are diverse, and may include trade-offs in the male between investment in the production or protection of sperm, as well as more direct, hostile, immune responses to sperm within the female, and potentially the male, reproductive tract. Here, we review current understanding of where the biology of immunity and sperm meet, and identify the gaps in our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Wigby
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Susan S Suarez
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences (SSS), Entomology (BPL), and Molecular Biology and Genetics (MFW), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Brian P Lazzaro
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences (SSS), Entomology (BPL), and Molecular Biology and Genetics (MFW), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Tommaso Pizzari
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana F Wolfner
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences (SSS), Entomology (BPL), and Molecular Biology and Genetics (MFW), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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124
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Saito A, Sakata T. Sperm-Cultured Gate Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor for Non-Optical and Live Monitoring of Sperm Capacitation. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 19:E1784. [PMID: 31013976 PMCID: PMC6515096 DOI: 10.3390/s19081784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We have successfully monitored the effect of progesterone and Ca2+ on artificially induced sperm capacitation in a real-time, noninvasive and label-free manner using an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensor. The sperm activity can be electrically detected as a change in pH generated by sperm respiration based on the principle of the ISFET sensor. Upon adding mouse sperm to the gate of the ISFET sensor in the culture medium with progesterone, the pH decreases with an increasing concentration of progesterone from 1 to 40 μM. This is because progesterone induces Ca2+ influx into spermatozoa and triggers multiple Ca2+-dependent physiological responses, which subsequently activates sperm respiration. Moreover, this pH response of the ISFET sensor is not observed for a Ca2+-free medium even when progesterone is introduced, which means that Ca2+ influx is necessary for sperm activation that results in sperm capacitation. Thus, a platform based on the ISFET sensor system can provide a simple method of evaluating artificially induced sperm capacitation in the field of male infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Saito
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Toshiya Sakata
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
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125
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Hino T, Yanagimachi R. Active peristaltic movements and fluid production of the mouse oviduct: their roles in fluid and sperm transport and fertilization†. Biol Reprod 2019; 101:40-49. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
To study how the oviduct behaves in relation to fluid secretion and sperm transport, ovary–oviduct–uterus complexes of the mouse were installed in a fluid-circulating chamber without disturbing the blood circulation or parasympathetic innervation. Injection of a bolus of Indian ink into the lower isthmus revealed very active adovarian peristalsis of the isthmus, which was most prominent during the periovulatory period. Oviduct fluid, secreted by the entire length of the isthmus, was rapidly transported to the ampulla and ovarian bursa before draining into the peritoneal cavity. The upper isthmus, in particular the isthmic–ampullary junction, was responsible for this adovarian fluid flow. Peristalsis of the oviduct, undisturbed flow of oviduct fluid from the isthmus to the peritoneal cavity, and the spermatozoon's own motility all contribute to efficient sperm ascent and to fertilization within the oviduct. Therefore, chemotaxis, rheotaxis, and thermotaxis of spermatozoa toward oocyte–cumulus complexes in the ampulla are all unlikely mechanisms for explaining sperm–oocyte contact and successful fertilization, given the rapid adovarian flow of oviduct fluid in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Hino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Yanagimachi
- Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns, School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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126
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Sperm physiology varies according to ultradian and infradian rhythms. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5988. [PMID: 30979936 PMCID: PMC6461627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42430-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The spermatozoon must be physiologically prepared to fertilize the egg, process called capacitation. Human sperm samples are heterogeneous in their ability to capacitate themselves, which leads to variability between samples from the same or different donors, and even along the seasons. Here we studied sperm variation in the capacitation state according to the ability of capacitated spermatozoa to acrosome react upon stimulation (% ARi) and to be recruited by chemotaxis (% Chex). Both indirect indicators of sperm capacitation increased along the incubation time with fluctuations. Those capacitated sperm recruited by chemotaxis showed an ultradian rhythm with a cycle every 2 h, which might be influenced by unknown intrinsic sperm factors. Two infradian rhythms of 12 months for the % ARi and of 6 months for % Chex were observed, which are associated with the joint action of temperature and photoperiod. Thus, to avoid false negative results, human sperm samples are recommended to be incubated for a long period (e.g. 18 h) preferably in spring time. This innovative point of view would lead to better comprehend human reproductive biology and to think experimental designs in the light of sperm cyclicity or to improve sperm aptitude for clinical purposes.
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127
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Zadmajid V, Myers JN, Sørensen SR, Ernest Butts IA. Ovarian fluid and its impacts on spermatozoa performance in fish: A review. Theriogenology 2019; 132:144-152. [PMID: 31022604 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Factors such as gamete quality can profoundly affect fertility, but the spawning micro-environment that surrounds the spermatozoa and eggs during gamete contact has largely been neglected. In fishes, understanding these gametic interactions is crucial because each female creates a unique spawning environment by simultaneously expelling her distinct ovarian fluid (OF) along with an egg batch. In turn, OF has been shown to influence spermatozoa performance traits by modifying spermatozoa behaviors and fertilization outcomes. Here, we shed light on these gametic interactions by overviewing literature on OF and how it impacts spermatozoa performance traits. Fish OF is clear or has slight coloration and can constitute ≤10-30% of egg mass. Viscosity of the OF is ∼2- to 3-fold higher than water and its pH ranges 6.2 to 8.8. Osmolality of the OF is lower in freshwater (190-322 mOsmol/kg) than marine species (289-514 mOsmol/kg). Na+ (98.3-213.7 mmol/L) and Cl- (89.8-172.7 mmol/L) are predominant ions in OF, while K+ (1.7-19.3 mmol/L), Mg2+ (0.4-8.1 mmol/L), and Ca2+(0.5-9.7 mmol/L) ions are detected at lower concentrations. Protein levels can be high in OF and exhibit intra- and inter-species variation (54-826 mg/100 mL). Fish OF also contains a series of organic components and substances that enhance and/or attract sperm towards the vicinity of an egg. OF can also differentially impact sperm based on genetic relatedness of mates, male phenotype (i.e. alternative reproductive tactics), or geographic origin. To conclude, when testing further reproductive paradigms, we suggest a shift from classic spermatozoa activation medium (water only) to more natural spawning media, which encompass OF-spermatozoa interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Zadmajid
- Department of Fisheries Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jaelen Nicole Myers
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Sune Riis Sørensen
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ian Anthony Ernest Butts
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
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128
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Jakuszeit T, Croze OA, Bell S. Diffusion of active particles in a complex environment: Role of surface scattering. Phys Rev E 2019; 99:012610. [PMID: 30780271 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.99.012610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Experiments have shown that self-propelled particles can slide along the surface of a circular obstacle without becoming trapped over long times. Using simulations and theory, we study the impact of boundary conditions on the diffusive transport of active particles in an obstacle lattice. We find that particle dynamics with sliding boundary conditions result in large diffusivities even at high obstacle density, unlike classical specular reflection. These dynamics are very well described by a model based on run-and-tumble particles with microscopically derived reorientation functions arising from obstacle-induced tumbles. This model, however, fails to describe fine structure in the diffusivity at high obstacle density predicted by simulations for pusherlike collisions. Using a simple deterministic model, we show that this structure results from particles being guided by the lattice. Our results thus show how nonclassical surface scattering introduces a dependence on the lattice geometry at high densities. We discuss implications for the study of bacteria in complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Jakuszeit
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Ottavio A Croze
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Bell
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
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129
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Luddi A, Governini L, Wilmskötter D, Gudermann T, Boekhoff I, Piomboni P. Taste Receptors: New Players in Sperm Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E967. [PMID: 30813355 PMCID: PMC6413048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Taste receptors were first described as sensory receptors located on the tongue, where they are expressed in small clusters of specialized epithelial cells. However, more studies were published in recent years pointing to an expression of these proteins not only in the oral cavity but throughout the body and thus to a physiological role beyond the tongue. The recent observation that taste receptors and components of the coupled taste transduction cascade are also expressed during the different phases of spermatogenesis as well as in mature spermatozoa from mouse to humans and the overlap between the ligand spectrum of taste receptors with compounds in the male and female reproductive organs makes it reasonable to assume that sperm "taste" these different cues in their natural microenvironments. This assumption is assisted by the recent observations of a reproductive phenotype of different mouse lines carrying a targeted deletion of a taste receptor gene as well as the finding of a significant correlation between human male infertility and some polymorphisms in taste receptors genes. In this review, we depict recent findings on the role of taste receptors in male fertility, especially focusing on their possible involvement in mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and post testicular sperm maturation. We also highlight the impact of genetic deletions of taste receptors, as well as their polymorphisms on male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Luddi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Laura Governini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Dorke Wilmskötter
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80539 Munich, Germany.
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80539 Munich, Germany.
| | - Ingrid Boekhoff
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80539 Munich, Germany.
| | - Paola Piomboni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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130
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Yu H, Hackenbroch L, Meyer FRL, Reiser J, Razzazi-Fazeli E, Nöbauer K, Besenfelder U, Vogl C, Brem G, Mayrhofer C. Identification of Rabbit Oviductal Fluid Proteins Involved in Pre-Fertilization Processes by Quantitative Proteomics. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1800319. [PMID: 30637940 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Oviductal fluid (ODF) proteins modulate and support reproductive processes in the oviduct. In the present study, proteins involved in the biological events that precede fertilization have been identified in the rabbit ODF proteome, isolated from the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct at different time points within 8 h after intrauterine insemination. A workflow is used that integrates lectin affinity capture with stable-isotope dimethyl labeling prior to nanoLC-MS/MS analysis. In total, over 400 ODF proteins, including 214 lectin enriched glycoproteins, are identified and quantified. Selected data are validated by Western blot analysis. Spatiotemporal alterations in the abundance of ODF proteins in response to insemination are detected by global analysis. A subset of 63 potentially biologically relevant ODF proteins is identified, including extracellular matrix components, chaperones, oxidoreductases, and immunity proteins. Functional enrichment analysis reveals an altered peptidase regulator activity upon insemination. In addition to protein identification and abundance changes, N-glycopeptide analysis further identifies 281 glycosites on 199 proteins. Taken together, these results show, for the first time, the evolving oviductal milieu early upon insemination. The identified proteins are likely those that modulate in vitro processes, including spermatozoa function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production, Interuniversity Department for Agrobiotechnology (IFA Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, 3430, Tulln, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department for Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lena Hackenbroch
- Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production, Interuniversity Department for Agrobiotechnology (IFA Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, 3430, Tulln, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department for Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian R L Meyer
- Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production, Interuniversity Department for Agrobiotechnology (IFA Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, 3430, Tulln, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department for Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Reiser
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, 85764, Munich, Germany
| | - Ebrahim Razzazi-Fazeli
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Nöbauer
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urban Besenfelder
- Reproduction Centre Wieselburg, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 3250, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Vogl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department for Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gottfried Brem
- Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production, Interuniversity Department for Agrobiotechnology (IFA Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, 3430, Tulln, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department for Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Corina Mayrhofer
- Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Production, Interuniversity Department for Agrobiotechnology (IFA Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, 3430, Tulln, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department for Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
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131
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Alquézar-Baeta C, Gimeno-Martos S, Miguel-Jiménez S, Santolaria P, Yániz J, Palacín I, Casao A, Cebrián-Pérez JÁ, Muiño-Blanco T, Pérez-Pé R. OpenCASA: A new open-source and scalable tool for sperm quality analysis. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006691. [PMID: 30657753 PMCID: PMC6355034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems have proved their utility and potential for assessing sperm quality, improving the prediction of the fertility potential of a seminal dose. Although most laboratories and scientific centers use commercial systems, in the recent years certain free and open-source alternatives have emerged that can reduce the costs that research groups have to face. However, these open-source alternatives cannot analyze sperm kinetic responses to different stimuli, such as chemotaxis, thermotaxis or rheotaxis. In addition, the programs released to date have not usually been designed to encourage the scalability and the continuity of software development. We have developed an open-source CASA software, called OpenCASA, which allows users to study three classical sperm quality parameters: motility, morphometry and membrane integrity (viability) and offers the possibility of analyzing the guided movement response of spermatozoa to different stimuli (useful for chemotaxis, thermotaxis or rheotaxis studies) or different motile cells such as bacteria, using a single software. This software has been released in a Version Control System at Github. This platform will allow researchers not only to download the software but also to be involved in and contribute to further developments. Additionally, a Google group has been created to allow the research community to interact and discuss OpenCASA. For validation of the OpenCASA software, we analysed different simulated sperm populations (for chemotaxis module) and evaluated 36 ejaculates obtained from 12 fertile rams using other sperm analysis systems (for motility, membrane integrity and morphology modules). The results were compared with those obtained by Open-CASA using the Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman tests, obtaining a high level of correlation in all parameters and a good agreement between the different used methods and the OpenCASA. With this work, we propose an open-source project oriented to the development of a new software application for sperm quality analysis. This proposed software will use a minimally centralized infrastructure to allow the continued development of its modules by the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alquézar-Baeta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Gimeno-Martos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Miguel-Jiménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Santolaria
- TECNOGAM Research Group, Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Jesús Yániz
- TECNOGAM Research Group, Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Palacín
- TECNOGAM Research Group, Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Adriana Casao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Álvaro Cebrián-Pérez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Teresa Muiño-Blanco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosaura Pérez-Pé
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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132
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Hare RM, Simmons LW. Sexual selection and its evolutionary consequences in female animals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 94:929-956. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin M. Hare
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, 6009 Australia
| | - Leigh W. Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, 6009 Australia
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133
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Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J, Sugrue E, Martínez-Fresneda L, Newport D, Fair S. Hyperactivated stallion spermatozoa fail to exhibit a rheotaxis-like behaviour, unlike other species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16897. [PMID: 30442996 PMCID: PMC6237856 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34973-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The journey of spermatozoa through the female genital tract is facilitated by rheotaxis, or the cell's preference to swim against a flow, as well as thigmotaxis, the wall tracking behaviour, which guides them to the site of fertilisation. The aim of this study was to characterise the rheotactic and thigmotactic response of stallion sperm within a microfluidic channel. Stallion sperm rheotaxis was assessed within the microfluidic channel with regard to: (i) A range of flow velocities, (ii) Varying media viscosity and (iii) Sperm hyperactivation. Sperm distribution across the microfluidic channel was also studied and compared to human and ram sperm. Stallion sperm progressed furthest at a velocity range of 10-30 µm/s, with an optimum velocity of 20 µm/s. A flow viscosity of 2.5cP or greater reduced sperm rheotaxis (P < 0.05). Stallion sperm that were hyperactivated were unable to exhibit rheotaxis within the microfluidic channel, whereas, both hyperactivated human and ram sperm did exhibit positive rheotaxis under the same conditions. The number of sperm swimming near the microfluidic channel walls was higher than in the microfluidic channel centre (P < 0.05). This is the first study to illustrate that stallion sperm are rheotactically responsive and increasing viscosity reduces this response. We also demonstrated that sperm are predominantly inclined to swim along a surface and uniquely, hyperactivated stallion sperm are non-progressive and do not exhibit a rheotactic response unlike other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Romero-Aguirregomezcorta
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Emer Sugrue
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Lucía Martínez-Fresneda
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - David Newport
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
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134
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Daloglu MU, Lin F, Chong B, Chien D, Veli M, Luo W, Ozcan A. 3D imaging of sex-sorted bovine spermatozoon locomotion, head spin and flagellum beating. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15650. [PMID: 30353033 PMCID: PMC6199306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of sperm sex sorting methods and computer-aided sperm analysis platforms, comparative 2D motility studies showed that there is no significant difference in the swimming speeds of X-sorted and Y-sorted sperm cells, clarifying earlier misconceptions. However, other differences in their swimming dynamics might have been undetectable as conventional optical microscopes are limited in revealing the complete 3D motion of free-swimming sperm cells, due to poor depth resolution and the trade-off between field-of-view and spatial resolution. Using a dual-view on-chip holographic microscope, we acquired the full 3D locomotion of 235X-sorted and 289 Y-sorted bovine sperms, precisely revealing their 3D translational head motion and the angular velocity of their head spin as well as the 3D flagellar motion. Our results confirmed that various motility parameters remain similar between X- and Y-sorted sperm populations; however, we found out that there is a statistically significant difference in Y-sorted bovine sperms' preference for helix-shaped 3D swimming trajectories, also exhibiting an increased linearity compared to X-sorted sperms. Further research on e.g., the differences in the kinematic response of X-sorted and Y-sorted sperm cells to the surrounding chemicals and ions might shed more light on the origins of these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ugur Daloglu
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Francis Lin
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Bryan Chong
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Daniel Chien
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Muhammed Veli
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Wei Luo
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Aydogan Ozcan
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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135
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Hoell C, Löwen H, Menzel AM. Particle-scale statistical theory for hydrodynamically induced polar ordering in microswimmer suspensions. J Chem Phys 2018; 149:144902. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5048304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hoell
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hartmut Löwen
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Menzel
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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136
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Peña FJ, Ortiz Rodriguez JM, Gil MC, Ortega Ferrusola C. Flow cytometry analysis of spermatozoa: Is it time for flow spermetry? Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53 Suppl 2:37-45. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - Jose M. Ortiz Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - María C. Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
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137
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Dominguez EM, Moreno-Irusta A, Guidobaldi HA, Tribulo H, Giojalas LC. Improved bovine in vitro embryo production with sexed and unsexed sperm selected by chemotaxis. Theriogenology 2018; 122:1-8. [PMID: 30199739 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) have been widely used in farm animals in the last decades. Sexed cryopreserved spermatozoa, ovum pick up, in vitro embryo production and transfer constitute the ART that have revolutionized the dairy industry. However, the efficiency of some of these techniques is still low due in part to sperm quality, which influences fertilization, embryo development and implantation. The Sperm Selection Assay (SSA), based on sperm chemotaxis towards progesterone, provides a sperm subpopulation enriched with spermatozoa that are capacitated, with intact DNA and low level of oxidative stress. Since the SSA selects a sperm subpopulation at optimum physiological state, the application of the SSA may improve the efficiency of the current ART. The aim of this study was to adapt the SSA for unsexed and sexed bovine frozen-thawed semen samples, and then to test whether sperm selection by the SSA improves the cleavage rate of bovine embryos in vitro. The optimal SSA conditions to obtain the higher sperm accumulation percentage given by chemotaxis were the same for both unsexed and sexed semen samples. Thus, sperm accumulation in W2 was significantly higher when: 2 million sperm per mL were placed in W1 (unsexed samples: 12 ± 1%, p = 0.002; sexed samples: 14 ± 3%, p = 0.02); 1 pM progesterone was placed in W2 (unsexed sample: 9 ± 1%, p = 0.009; sexed samples: 11 ± 2%, p = 0.02); and to incubate the SSA device for 10 min (unsexed samples: 17 ± 2%, p = 0.007; sexed samples: 10 ± 1%, p = 0.004). We found that the quality of spermatozoa recovered from W2 in unsexed and sexed semen was enhanced. Thus, the capacitation index was significantly increased (unsexed samples: 1.75 ± 0.1, p = 0.0001; sexed samples: 1.76 ± 0.2, p = 0.004), while DNA fragmentation index was significantly decreased (unsexed samples: 0.33 ± 0.07, p = 0.0003; sexed samples: 0.32 ± 0.04, p = 0.002). Moreover, the cleavage index of oocytes fertilized with either unsexed or sexed SSA-selected sperm was significantly improved (unsexed samples: 3.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.0001; sexed samples: 2.3 ± 0.33, p = 0.03). Thus, we show that the SSA can be used to recruit a bovine sperm subpopulation at optimal functional state regardless of whether the sample is previously sexed, and that this optimal state improves bovine embryo cleavage rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Mauricio Dominguez
- Centro de Biologia Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales (FCEFN), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas y Tecnologicas, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), UNC-FCEFN, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ayelen Moreno-Irusta
- Centro de Biologia Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales (FCEFN), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas y Tecnologicas, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), UNC-FCEFN, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Héctor Alejandro Guidobaldi
- Centro de Biologia Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales (FCEFN), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas y Tecnologicas, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), UNC-FCEFN, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Huberto Tribulo
- Instituto de Reproducción Animal Córdoba, Estación Gral. Paz, Paraje Pozo del Tigre, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Cecilia Giojalas
- Centro de Biologia Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales (FCEFN), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas y Tecnologicas, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), UNC-FCEFN, Córdoba, Argentina.
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138
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Saucedo L, Sobarzo C, Brukman NG, Guidobaldi HA, Lustig L, Giojalas LC, Buffone MG, Vazquez-Levin MH, Marín-Briggiler C. Involvement of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and its receptors in the regulation of mouse sperm physiology. Reproduction 2018; 156:163-172. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and its receptors (FGFRs) have been described in several tissues, where they regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, motility and apoptosis. Although FGF2/FGFRs expression in the male reproductive tract has been reported, there is scarce evidence on their presence in the female reproductive tract and their involvement in the modulation of sperm function. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the expression of FGF2 in the female reproductive tract and to assess the role of the FGF2/FGFRs system in the regulation of sperm physiology using the murine model. FGF2 was detected in uterus and oviduct protein extracts, and it was immunolocalized in epithelial cells of the uterus,isthmusandampulla, as well as in thecumulus oophorus-oocyte complex. The receptors FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4 were immunodetected in the flagellum and acrosomal region of sperm recovered from thecaudaepididymis. Analysis of testis sections showed the expression of FGFRs in germ cells at different stages of the spermatogenesis, suggesting the testicular origin of the sperm FGFRs. Sperm incubation with recombinant FGF2 (rFGF2) led to increased sperm motility and velocity and to enhanced intracellular Ca2+levels and acrosomal loss compared to the control. In conclusion, this study shows that FGF2 is expressed in tissues of the female reproductive tract. Also, the fact that functional FGFRs are present in mouse sperm and that rFGF2 affects sperm motility and acrosomal exocytosis, suggests the involvement of this system in thein vivoregulation of sperm function.
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139
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Rheotaxis-based separation of sperm with progressive motility using a microfluidic corral system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:8272-8277. [PMID: 30061393 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1800819115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The separation of motile sperm from semen samples is sought after for medical infertility treatments. In this work, we demonstrate a high-throughput microfluidic device that can passively isolate motile sperm within corrals inside a fluid channel, separating them from the rest of the diluted sample. Using finite element method simulations and proposing a model for sperm motion, we investigated how flow rate can provide a rheotaxis zone in front of the corral for sperm to move upstream/downstream depending on their motility. Using three different flow rates that provided shear rates above the minimum value within the rheotaxis zone, we experimentally tested the device with human and bovine semen. By taking advantage of the rheotactic behavior of sperm, this microfluidic device is able to corral motile sperm with progressive velocities in the range of 48-93 μm⋅s-1 and 51-82 μm⋅s-1 for bovine and human samples, respectively. More importantly, we demonstrate that the separated fractions of both human and bovine samples feature 100% normal progressive motility. Furthermore, by extracting the sperm swimming distribution within the rheotaxis zone and sperm velocity distribution inside the corral, we show that the minimum velocity of the corralled sperm can be adjusted by changing the flow rate; that is, we are able to control the motility of the separated sample. This microfluidic device is simple to use, is robust, and has a high throughput compared with traditional methods of motile sperm separation, fulfilling the needs for sperm sample preparation for medical treatments, clinical applications, and fundamental studies.
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140
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Reigh SY, Chuphal P, Thakur S, Kapral R. Diffusiophoretically induced interactions between chemically active and inert particles. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:6043-6057. [PMID: 29978883 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01102h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the presence of a chemically active particle, a nearby chemically inert particle can respond to a concentration gradient and move by diffusiophoresis. The nature of the motion is studied for two cases: first, a fixed reactive sphere and a moving inert sphere, and second, freely moving reactive and inert spheres. The continuum reaction-diffusion and Stokes equations are solved analytically for these systems and microscopic simulations of the dynamics are carried out. Although the relative velocities of the spheres are very similar in the two systems, the local and global structures of streamlines and the flow velocity fields are found to be quite different. For freely moving spheres, when the two spheres approach each other the flow generated by the inert sphere through diffusiophoresis drags the reactive sphere towards it. This leads to a self-assembled dimer motor that is able to propel itself in solution. The fluid flow field at the moment of dimer formation changes direction. The ratio of sphere sizes in the dimer influences the characteristics of the flow fields, and this feature suggests that active self-assembly of spherical colloidal particles may be manipulated by sphere-size changes in such reactive systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Yik Reigh
- Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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141
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Li K, Li R, Ni Y, Sun P, Liu Y, Zhang D, Huang H. Novel distance-progesterone-combined selection approach improves human sperm quality. J Transl Med 2018; 16:203. [PMID: 30029659 PMCID: PMC6053761 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sperm selection is essential for the health of offspring conceived via assistive reproductive technology (ART). Various methods of sperm preparation for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection have been developed to acquire sperm with better quality and to avoid potential genetic disorders. However, current sperm processing and selection techniques bypass the natural selection that occurs during fertilization in vivo. The aim of this study was to present a novel distance-progesterone-combined selection approach with an original device based on the human female reproductive tract, and to report on its effectiveness based on sperm progressive motility, as well as chemotaxis. Methods A novel device with long distance channels which mimicked the female human reproductive system was designed and fabricated. This ready-to-be-used device was developed using a progesterone gradient and human tube fluid media. Sperm swam for 150 min in the device under conditions of 37 °C air temperature with 5% CO2 after separation from seminal plasma via discontinuous Percoll gradient treatment. The selected sperm were assessed for normal morphology using Diff-Quik staining. A chromatin diffusion assay assessed sperm for DNA fragments and apoptosis was assessed using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide fluorescent staining. Results Our distance-progesterone-combined sperm selection method was successfully established. After sperm were selected, the percentage of sperm with normal morphology increased (before vs. after selection, 11.2 ± 1.3% vs. 40.3 ± 6.6%, P = 0.000), the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation decreased (before vs. after selection, 15.4 ± 4.0% vs. 6.8 ± 3.3%, P = 0.001), and the percentage of sperm with apoptosis did not change significantly. Conclusions Our newly-developed method is capable of successfully selecting sperm of high quality. The method will be benefit clinical ART practice as it can reduce sperm-related genetic risks. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-018-1575-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China.,Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310013, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Ya Ni
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Peibei Sun
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, 310013, China
| | - Ye Liu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China. .,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China. .,International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China. .,Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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142
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Kekäläinen J, Evans JP. Gamete-mediated mate choice: towards a more inclusive view of sexual selection. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:20180836. [PMID: 30051836 PMCID: PMC6083266 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
'Sperm competition'-where ejaculates from two or more males compete for fertilization-and 'cryptic female choice'-where females bias this contest to suit their reproductive interests-are now part of the everyday lexicon of sexual selection. Yet the physiological processes that underlie these post-ejaculatory episodes of sexual selection remain largely enigmatic. In this review, we focus on a range of post-ejaculatory cellular- and molecular-level processes, known to be fundamental for fertilization across most (if not all) sexually reproducing species, and point to their putative role in facilitating sexual selection at the level of the cells and gametes, called 'gamete-mediated mate choice' (GMMC). In this way, we collate accumulated evidence for GMMC across different mating systems, and emphasize the evolutionary significance of such non-random interactions among gametes. Our overall aim in this review is to build a more inclusive view of sexual selection by showing that mate choice often acts in more nuanced ways than has traditionally been assumed. We also aim to bridge the conceptual divide between proximal mechanisms of reproduction, and adaptive explanations for patterns of non-random sperm-egg interactions that are emerging across an increasingly diverse array of taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Kekäläinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Jonathan P Evans
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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143
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Röcker A, Roan NR, Yadav JK, Fändrich M, Münch J. Structure, function and antagonism of semen amyloids. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:7557-7569. [PMID: 29873340 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc01491d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are linear polypeptide aggregates with a cross-β structure. These fibrils are best known for their association with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, but they may also be used by living organisms as functional units, e.g. in the synthesis of melanin or in the formation of bacterial biofilms. About a decade ago, in a search for semen factors that modulate infection by HIV-1 (a sexually transmitted virus and the causative agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)), it was demonstrated that semen harbors amyloid fibrils capable of markedly increasing HIV infection rates. This discovery not only created novel opportunities to prevent sexual HIV-1 transmission but also stimulated research to unravel the natural role of these factors. We discuss here the identification of these intriguing structures, their molecular properties, and their effects on both sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health. Moreover, we review strategies to antagonize semen amyloid to prevent sexual transmission of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Röcker
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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144
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Ko YJ, Maeng JH, Hwang SY, Ahn Y. Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Microfluidic Device for Thermotaxis and Chemotaxis Assays of Sperm. SLAS Technol 2018; 23:507-515. [PMID: 29949396 DOI: 10.1177/2472630318783948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Infertile couples needing assisted reproduction are increasing, so a fundamental understanding of motile sperm migration is required. This paper presents an advanced microfluidic device for sperm motion analysis utilizing chemotaxis and thermotaxis simultaneously for the first time. The proposed device is a transparent polydimethylsiloxane- and glass-based microfluidic chip system providing a low-cost, useful, and disposable platform for sperm analysis. The concentration gradient of the chemoattractant (acetylcholine) and the temperature difference are formed along the microchannel. The temperature gradient is generated and controlled by a microheater and microsensor. Thermotactic and chemotactic responses of mouse sperm were examined using the proposed device. Experimental results show that motile mouse sperm are attracted more sensitively under integrated conditions of chemotaxis and thermotaxis rather than individual conditions of chemotaxis and thermotaxis. This sperm analysis device is expected to be a useful tool for the study of mammalian sperm migration and the improvement of artificial insemination techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jun Ko
- 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Ho Maeng
- 2 Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yong Hwang
- 2 Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoomin Ahn
- 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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145
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Daloglu MU, Ozcan A. Computational imaging of sperm locomotion. Biol Reprod 2018; 97:182-188. [PMID: 29044431 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Not only essential for scientific research, but also in the analysis of male fertility and for animal husbandry, sperm tracking and characterization techniques have been greatly benefiting from computational imaging. Digital image sensors, in combination with optical microscopy tools and powerful computers, have enabled the use of advanced detection and tracking algorithms that automatically map sperm trajectories and calculate various motility parameters across large data sets. Computational techniques are driving the field even further, facilitating the development of unconventional sperm imaging and tracking methods that do not rely on standard optical microscopes and objective lenses, which limit the field of view and volume of the semen sample that can be imaged. As an example, a holographic on-chip sperm imaging platform, only composed of a light-emitting diode and an opto-electronic image sensor, has emerged as a high-throughput, low-cost and portable alternative to lens-based traditional sperm imaging and tracking methods. In this approach, the sample is placed very close to the image sensor chip, which captures lensfree holograms generated by the interference of the background illumination with the light scattered from sperm cells. These holographic patterns are then digitally processed to extract both the amplitude and phase information of the spermatozoa, effectively replacing the microscope objective lens with computation. This platform has further enabled high-throughput 3D imaging of spermatozoa with submicron 3D positioning accuracy in large sample volumes, revealing various rare locomotion patterns. We believe that computational chip-scale sperm imaging and 3D tracking techniques will find numerous opportunities in both sperm related research and commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ugur Daloglu
- Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Aydogan Ozcan
- Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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146
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Guidobaldi HA, Cubilla M, Moreno A, Molino MV, Bahamondes L, Giojalas LC. Sperm chemorepulsion, a supplementary mechanism to regulate fertilization. Hum Reprod 2018; 32:1560-1573. [PMID: 28854585 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are human spermatozoa able of chemorepulsive behaviour? SUMMARY ANSWER Capacitated human spermatozoa are able to be chemorepelled by synthetic Progesterone Receptor Ligands (sPRL, known as contraceptives) and zinc (a cation released by the oocyte upon fertilization). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Moving cells can be oriented towards or against a molecular gradient, processes called chemoattraction and chemorepulsion, respectively, which have been described in unicellular organisms such as amoebas and bacteria, to organismic cells such macrophages and developmental cells. In the case of spermatozoa, chemoattraction may help the finding of an oocyte and has been widely studied in various invertebrate and mammalian species; however, chemorepulsion has not yet been verified in spermatozoa. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is an in vitro study involving human, rabbit and mouse spermatozoa which were used to perform 3-30 experiments per treatment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Human sperm samples were obtained by masturbation from healthy donors who gave written consent. Only those samples exhibiting normal semen parameters according to current WHO criteria were included in the study. Rabbit spermatozoa were obtained by artificial vagina whereas mice spermatozoa were obtained from epididymis. The sperm selection assay (SSA), originally designed to evaluate sperm chemoattraction towards progesterone (P), and a video-microscopy and computer motion analysis system were used to test sperm chemorepulsion. Additional kinetic parameters were also determined by video-microscopy and computer motion analysis. In some experiments, the level of induced acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was determined. Rabbit mating manipulation was achieved to perform the sperm-oocyte co-incubation assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Sperm accumulation in the well containing 100 pg/ml of sPRL was lower than the culture medium negative control (P < 0.05). The percentage of sperm persistence against the well containing 100 pg/ml ulipristal acetate (UPA) (P = 0.001), and the percentage of sperm showing a repulsive pattern of movement (a linear trajectory followed by a transitional one after turning against the UPA), were higher than the culture medium negative control (P = 0.049). Sperm accumulation was diminished when spermatozoa where exposed to a homogeneous distribution of 100 pg/ml sPRL combined with a chemotactic gradient of progesterone (P), with respect to the culture medium negative control (P < 0.05). These results were reverted when non-capacitated spermatozoa were used to perform the same experimental settings. The accumulation of spermatozoa against 100 pg/ml sPRL was lower than the culture medium negative control also in rabbits and mice (P < 0.05). The relative number of rabbit spermatozoa arriving to the vicinity of the oocyte was diminished under the presence of 100 pg/ml UPA (P = 0.004). Sperm accumulation in the well containing zinc was decreased compared to the culture medium negative control (P < 0.05). A homogeneous distribution of zinc combined with a gradient of 10 pM P, was lower than the culture medium negative control (P = 0.016). The results were quite reproducible with two different methodologies (accumulation assay and video-microscopy combined with computer motion analysis), in three mammalian species. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The experiments were performed in vitro. Even though a quite complete characterization of sperm chemorepulsion was provided, the molecular mechanism that governs sperm repulsion is currently under investigation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Since the chemorepelled spermatozoa are those physiologically ready to fertilize the oocyte, these findings may have both biological and clinical implications, preventing either polyspermy under natural conditions or fertilization under pharmacological treatment with sPRL. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was financed by the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina). The authors declare that they do not have competing financial interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Guidobaldi
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, UNC, FCEFyN, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, UNC, CONICET, FCEFyN, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M Cubilla
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, UNC, FCEFyN, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, UNC, CONICET, FCEFyN, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - A Moreno
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, UNC, FCEFyN, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, UNC, CONICET, FCEFyN, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - M V Molino
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, UNC, FCEFyN, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - L Bahamondes
- Family Planning Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - L C Giojalas
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, UNC, FCEFyN, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, UNC, CONICET, FCEFyN, Córdoba, Argentina
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147
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Kromer JA, Märcker S, Lange S, Baier C, Friedrich BM. Decision making improves sperm chemotaxis in the presence of noise. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006109. [PMID: 29672515 PMCID: PMC5929576 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To navigate their surroundings, cells rely on sensory input that is corrupted by noise. In cells performing chemotaxis, such noise arises from the stochastic binding of signalling molecules at low chemoattractant concentrations. We reveal a fundamental relationship between the speed of chemotactic steering and the strength of directional fluctuations that result from the amplification of noise in a chemical input signal. This relation implies a trade-off between steering that is slow and reliable, and steering that is fast but less reliable. We show that dynamic switching between these two modes of steering can substantially increase the probability to find a target, such as an egg to be found by sperm cells. This decision making confers no advantage in the absence of noise, but is beneficial when chemical signals are detectable, yet characterized by low signal-to-noise ratios. The latter applies at intermediate distances from a target, where signalling molecules are diluted, thus defining a ‘noise zone’ that cells have to cross. Our results explain decision making observed in recent experiments on sea urchin sperm chemotaxis. More generally, our theory demonstrates how decision making enables chemotactic agents to cope with high levels of noise in gradient sensing by dynamically adjusting the persistence length of a biased random walk. Many cells can navigate upwards a concentration gradient of signalling molecules, a process called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis is used e.g. by sperm cells to find the egg. To measure and compare concentrations, cells count stochastic binding events of signalling molecules that diffuse to cellular receptors. Efficient chemotaxis strategies must be adapted to this molecular shot noise of concentration measurements. We reveal a fundamental relationship between the speed of chemotactic steering and the strength of directional fluctuations that result from the amplification of noise. This implies a trade-off between steering fast and steering reliable. Inspired by recent experiments on chemotaxis of sperm cells of marine invertebrates, we develop a theory that allows to efficiently compute optimal chemotaxis strategies. We show that dynamic switching between either fast or reliable steering can substantially increase the probability for a sperm cell to find the egg. Furthermore, the optimal strategy requires only minimal computational capacities of the chemotactic agent, a key constraint for biological cells. More generally, our work demonstrates a benefit of decision making for chemotaxis in the presence of noise, which could inspire optimal control designs for artificial microswimmers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steffen Märcker
- Faculty of Computer Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany
| | | | - Christel Baier
- Faculty of Computer Science, TU Dresden, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany
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Ordinelli A, Bernabò N, Orsini M, Mattioli M, Barboni B. Putative human sperm Interactome: a networks study. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2018; 12:52. [PMID: 29642908 PMCID: PMC5896140 DOI: 10.1186/s12918-018-0578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background For over sixty years, it has been known that mammalian spermatozoa immediately after ejaculation are virtually infertile. They became able to fertilize only after they reside for long time (hours to days) within female genital tract where they complete their functional maturation, the capacitation. This process is finely regulated by the interaction with the female environment and involves, in spermatozoa, a myriad of molecules as messengers and target of signals. Since, to date, a model able to represent the molecular interaction that characterize sperm physiology does not exist, we realized the Human Sperm Interactme Network3.0 (HSIN3.0) and its main component (HSNI3.0_MC), starting from the pathway active in male germ cells. Results HSIN3.0 and HSIN3.0_MC are scale free networks, adherent to the Barabasi-Albert model, and are characterised by an ultra-small world topology. We found that they are resistant to random attacks and that are designed to respond quickly and specifically to external inputs. In addition, it has been possible to identify the most connected nodes (the hubs) and the bottlenecks nodes. This result allowed us to explore the control mechanisms active in driving sperm biochemical machinery and to verify the different levels of controls: party vs. date hubs and hubs vs. bottlenecks, thanks the availability of data from KO mice. Finally, we found that several key nodes represent molecules specifically involved in function that are thought to be not present or not active in sperm cells, such as control of cell cycle, proteins synthesis, nuclear trafficking, and immune response, thus potentially open new perspectives on the study of sperm biology. Conclusions For the first time we present a network representing putative human sperm interactome. This result gives very intriguing biological information and could contribute to the knowledge of spermatozoa, either in physiological or pathological conditions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12918-018-0578-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Ordinelli
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabò
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
| | | | - Mauro Mattioli
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.,Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale "G. Caporale", Teramo, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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149
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Liberti J, Baer B, Boomsma JJ. Rival seminal fluid induces enhanced sperm motility in a polyandrous ant. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:28. [PMID: 29566664 PMCID: PMC5865361 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1144-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Promiscuous mating and sperm competition often induce arms races between the sexes with detrimental outcomes for females. However, ants with multiply-inseminated queens have only a single time-window for sperm competition and queens are predicted to gain control over the outcome of sperm storage quickly. The seminal fluid of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants reduces the viability of rival sperm, but how confrontations between unrelated ejaculates affect sperm storage remains unknown. Results We investigated the effects of ejaculate admixture on sperm motility in A. echinatior and found that the proportion of motile spermatozoa, sperm swimming speed, and linearity of sperm movement increased when rival ejaculates were mixed in vitro. Major effects induced by the seminal fluid of rival males were of similar magnitude to those generated by queen reproductive tract secretions, whereas own seminal fluid induced lower sperm activation levels. Conclusions Our results suggest that ant sperm respond via a self–non-self recognition mechanism to similar or shared molecules expressed in the reproductive secretions of both sexes. Lower sperm motility in the presence of own seminal fluid indicates that enhanced motility is costly and may trade-off with sperm viability during sperm storage, consistent with studies in vertebrates. Our results imply that ant spermatozoa have evolved to adjust their energetic expenditure during insemination depending on the perceived level of sperm competition. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-018-1144-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanito Liberti
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Boris Baer
- Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER), Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Jacobus J Boomsma
- Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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150
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Wang S, Larina IV. In vivo three-dimensional tracking of sperm behaviors in the mouse oviduct. Development 2018; 145:dev157685. [PMID: 29487107 PMCID: PMC5897595 DOI: 10.1242/dev.157685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm evolutionarily acquired complex mechanisms to regulate their behaviors, which are thought to be crucial in navigating through the female reproductive tract toward fertilization. However, all current knowledge of this process is largely extrapolated from in vitro and ex vivo studies, because in vivo analysis of sperm in their native fertilization environment has not been possible. Here, we report a functional optical coherence tomography approach that allows, for the first time, in vivo three-dimensional tracking of sperm behaviors in the mouse oviduct. Motile sperm are identified with their intrinsic dynamic characteristics. Sperm trajectories are reconstructed in three dimensions with a ∼5 µm spatial resolution, allowing for quantitative analysis of the sperm velocity and location relative to the oviduct. Using this method, we found different behavior patterns, including sperm collection by the oviduct epithelium, spatial dependence of sperm velocity, and sperm grouping and separation as the first in vivo evidence of sperm cooperation in the ampulla, the site of fertilization. This approach opens new avenues to study sperm-oviduct interactions in vivo toward a more complete understanding of fertility and reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Wang
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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