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Müller K, Müller P, Lui F, Kroh PD, Braun BC. Porcine spermadhesin AQN-3 binds to negatively charged phospholipids. Chem Phys Lipids 2023; 254:105306. [PMID: 37156322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2023.105306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The spermadhesin AQN-3 is a major component of porcine seminal plasma. While various studies suggest that this protein binds to boar sperm cells, its attachment to the cells is poorly understood. Therefore, the capacity of AQN-3 to interact with lipids was investigated. For that purpose, AQN-3 was recombinantly expressed in E. coli and purified via the included His-tag. Characterizing the quaternary structure by size exclusion chromatography revealed that recombinant AQN-3 (recAQN-3) is largely present as multimer and/or aggregate. To determine the lipid specificity of recAQN-3, a lipid stripe method and a multilamellar vesicle (MLV)-based binding assay were used. Both assays show that recAQN-3 selectively interacts with negatively charged lipids, like phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol phosphates, and cardiolipin. No interaction was observed with phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine, or cholesterol. The affinity to negatively charged lipids can be explained by electrostatic interactions because binding is partly reversed under high-salt condition. However, more factors have to be assumed like hydrogen bonds and/or hydrophobic forces because the majority of bound molecules was not released by high salt. To confirm the observed binding behavior for the native protein, porcine seminal plasma was incubated with MLVs comprising phosphatidic acid or phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate. Attached proteins were isolated, digested, and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Native AQN-3 was detected in all samples analyzed and was - besides AWN - the most abundant protein. It remains to be investigated whether AQN-3, together with other sperm associated seminal plasma proteins, acts as decapacitation factor by targeting negative lipids with signaling or other functional roles in fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Müller
- Department Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Peter Müller
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fan Lui
- Mass spectrometry, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Pascal D Kroh
- Department Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Beate C Braun
- Department Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Maitan P, Bromfield EG, Stout TAE, Gadella BM, Leemans B. A stallion spermatozoon's journey through the mare's genital tract: In vivo and in vitro aspects of sperm capacitation. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106848. [PMID: 34556396 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Conventional in vitro fertilization is not efficacious when working with equine gametes. Although stallion spermatozoa bind to the zona pellucida in vitro, these gametes fail to initiate the acrosome reaction in the vicinity of the oocyte and cannot, therefore, penetrate into the perivitelline space. Failure of sperm penetration most likely relates to the absence of optimized in vitro fertilization media containing molecules essential to support stallion sperm capacitation. In vivo, the female reproductive tract, especially the oviductal lumen, provides an environmental milieu that appropriately regulates interactions between the gametes and promotes fertilization. Identifying these 'fertilization supporting factors' would be a great contribution for development of equine in vitro fertilization media. In this review, a description of the current understanding of the interactions stallion spermatozoa undergo during passage through the female genital tract, and related specific molecular changes that occur at the sperm plasma membrane is provided. Understanding these molecular changes may hold essential clues to achieving successful in vitro fertilization with equine gametes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Maitan
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Leemans
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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3
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Xu B, Wang R, Wang Z, Liu H, Wang Z, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Su R, Liu Z, Liu Y, Li J, Zhang J. Evaluation of lipidomic change in goat sperm after cryopreservation. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1004683. [PMID: 36337197 PMCID: PMC9630556 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1004683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to detect the relationship between the spermatozoa cryotolerance and the post-thawed sperm lipidome. Ejaculates from 20 goats, and performed a uniform frozen-thawed procedure in this study. According to the total motility of thawed sperm of goats, semen samples were classified into HF group (High Freezers, n = 8) with >60% total motility and LF group (Low Freezers, n = 8) with < 45% total motility. The lipidomic analysis based on UHPLC-MS/MS was utilized to investigate the relationship between sperm cryotolerance and their lipid metabolites expression. The results showed that the cryotolerance of sperm from different individual goats were in great variation. The total motility of post-thawed sperm in HF group (60.93 ± 2.43%) is significantly higher than that in LF group (34.04 ± 3.41%, P < 0.01). And the post-thawed sperm in HF group exhibited significantly higher plasma membrane (59.06 ± 2.34%) and acrosome integrity (62.93 ± 1.15%) than that in LF group (34.06 ± 4.85%, 44.92 ± 2.19% respectively, P < 0.01). The total of 29 lipid subclasses and 1,133 lipid molecules in the post-thawed goat sperm were identified by lipidomics analysis. The lipid content of thawed sperm in HF group was higher than that in LF group, the lipid profile in HF group was significantly separated from LF group, which indicated that the difference in lipid composition and lipid metabolism mode of sperm between the two groups was existed, especially the expression of phosphatidylcholine and triglyceride molecules. In conclusion, the cryotolerance of sperm from different individual goats were in great variation. Sperm with high cryotolerance may be able to uptake more lipids during cryopreservation. The increase in phosphatidylcholine and triglyceride content of thawed. Sperm may relate to more active lipid anabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Xu
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Ruijun Wang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhiying Wang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Hongfu Liu
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Weihang Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yanjun Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Rui Su
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
| | - Yongbin Liu
- Research Center for Animal Genetic Resources of Mongolian Plateau, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jinquan Li
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
- Inner Mongolia Jinlai Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd., Hohhot, China
- *Correspondence: Jinquan Li
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Mutton Sheep Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot, China
- Jiaxin Zhang
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Sperm Lipid Markers of Male Fertility in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168767. [PMID: 34445473 PMCID: PMC8395862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm plasma membrane lipids are essential for the function and integrity of mammalian spermatozoa. Various lipid types are involved in each key step within the fertilization process in their own yet coordinated way. The balance between lipid metabolism is tightly regulated to ensure physiological cellular processes, especially referring to crucial steps such as sperm motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction or fusion. At the same time, it has been shown that male reproductive function depends on the homeostasis of sperm lipids. Here, we review the effects of phospholipid, neutral lipid and glycolipid homeostasis on sperm fertilization function and male fertility in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Won Shin
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takatsu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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6
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Luque GM, Dalotto-Moreno T, Martín-Hidalgo D, Ritagliati C, Puga Molina LC, Romarowski A, Balestrini PA, Schiavi-Ehrenhaus LJ, Gilio N, Krapf D, Visconti PE, Buffone MG. Only a subpopulation of mouse sperm displays a rapid increase in intracellular calcium during capacitation. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:9685-9700. [PMID: 29953592 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm must undergo a functionally defined process called capacitation to be able to fertilize oocytes. They become capacitated in vivo by interacting with the female reproductive tract or in vitro in a defined capacitation medium that contains bovine serum albumin, calcium (Ca2+ ), and bicarbonate (HCO3 - ). In this work, sperm were double stained with propidium iodide and the Ca2+ dye Fluo-4 AM and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]i ) in individual live sperm. An increase in [Ca2+ ]i was observed in a subpopulation of capacitated live sperm when compared with noncapacitated ones. Sperm exposed to the capacitating medium displayed a rapid increase in [Ca2+ ]i within 1 min of incubation, which remained sustained for 90 min. These rise in [Ca2+ ]i after 90 min of incubation in the capacitating medium was evidenced by an increase in the normalized median fluorescence intensity. This increase was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and, at least in part, reflected the contribution of a new subpopulation of sperm with higher [Ca2+ ]i . In addition, it was determined that the capacitation-associated [Ca2+ ]i increase was dependent of CatSper channels, as sperm derived from CatSper knockout (CatSper KO) or incubated in the presence of CatSper inhibitors failed to increase [Ca2+ ]i . Surprisingly, a minimum increase in [Ca2+ ]i was also observed in CatSper KO sperm suggesting the existence of other Ca2+ transport systems. Altogether, these results indicate that a subpopulation of sperm increases [Ca2+ ]i very rapidly during capacitation mainly due to a CatSper-mediated influx of extracellular Ca2+ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomas Dalotto-Moreno
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - David Martín-Hidalgo
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Carla Ritagliati
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lis C Puga Molina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liza J Schiavi-Ehrenhaus
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolas Gilio
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Pitangui-Molina CP, Vireque AA, Tata A, Belaz KRA, Santos VG, Ferreira CR, Eberlin MN, Silva-de-Sá MF, Ferriani RA, Rosa-E-Silva ACJS. Effect of soybean phosphatidylcholine on lipid profile of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Chem Phys Lipids 2017; 204:76-84. [PMID: 28336451 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The phospholipid (PL) composition of embryo and oocyte membranes affects thermal phase behavior and several physicochemical properties such as fluidity and permeability. The characterization of PL profiles and the development of suitable in vitro maturation (IVM) protocols, that are able to modify membrane's composition, may result in significant improvements in oocyte developmental potential and cryotolerance. Using soybean phosphatidylcholine (PC) as a model supplement, we evaluated the effect of PL supplementation during IVM on bovine cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC). Substantial changes in the lipid profiles of oocyte membrane were observed and associated with pre-implantation data. The propensity of the PC supplement to become soluble in the maturation medium and/or diffuse into mineral oil was also assessed. Oocytes were matured in TCM without supplementation, i.e. control, (n=922) or supplemented with 50 or 100μM PC (n=994). The maturation media and mineral oil pre- and post- IVM, along with control and PC-treated oocytes were then analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and the lipid profiles were compared via principal component analysis (PCA). Soybean PCs are bioavailable and stable in IVM medium; further, PCs did not diffuse to the mineral oil, which also remained unaltered by the metabolism of treated oocytes. PC supplementation at 100μM resulted in substantially greater relative abundances of polyunsatured PL, namely PC (32:1), PC (34:2), PC (36:6), PC (36:4), and PC (38:6), in oocyte membrane. These differences indicated that short-term exposure to the PC supplement could indeed modify the lipid composition of IVM-oocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Membrane incorporation of polyunsaturated molecular species of PC was favored, and does so without compromising the viability of the subsequent embryo in regards to cleavage, blastocyst development and hatching rate. The reported approach will allow for the development of novel strategies to modulate oocyte membrane dynamics and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline P Pitangui-Molina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Alessandra A Vireque
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Tata
- Thomson Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Katia Roberta A Belaz
- Thomson Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa G Santos
- Thomson Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Christina R Ferreira
- Thomson Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos N Eberlin
- Thomson Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Felipe Silva-de-Sá
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rui A Ferriani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina J S Rosa-E-Silva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Vireque AA, Tata A, Belaz KRA, Grázia JGV, Santos FN, Arnold DR, Basso AC, Eberlin MN, Silva-de-Sá MF, Ferriani RA, Sá Rosa-E-Silva ACJ. MALDI mass spectrometry reveals that cumulus cells modulate the lipid profile of in vitro-matured bovine oocytes. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2017; 63:86-99. [PMID: 28301258 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2017.1289279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The influence of cumulus cells (CC) on the lipid profile of bovine oocytes matured in two different lipid sources was investigated. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) or denuded oocytes (DO) were matured in tissue culture medium (TCM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) or serum substitute supplement (SSS). Lipid profiles of TCM, serum supplements, immature CC and oocyte (IO), and in vitro-matured oocytes from COC and DO were then analyzed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and submitted to partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The developmental competence of such oocytes was also assessed. Differences in lipid composition were observed between two types of sera and distinctly influenced the lipid profile of CC. As revealed by PLS-DA, the abundance of specific ions corresponding to triacylglycerols (TAG) or phospholipids (PL) were higher in COC compared to DO both supplemented with FBS or SSS and to some extent affected the subsequent DO in vitro embryo development. DO exposed to SSS had however a marked diminished ability to develop to the blastocyst stage. These results indicate a modulation by CC of the oocyte TAG and PL profiles associated with a specific cell response to the serum supplement used for in vitro maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra A Vireque
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil
| | - Alessandra Tata
- b ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry , University of Campinas , Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | - Katia Roberta A Belaz
- b ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry , University of Campinas , Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | | | - Fábio N Santos
- b ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry , University of Campinas , Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcos N Eberlin
- b ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry , University of Campinas , Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | - Marcos Felipe Silva-de-Sá
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil
| | - Rui A Ferriani
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina J Sá Rosa-E-Silva
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , SP , Brazil
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Vireque AA, Tata A, Silva OFLLO, LoTurco EG, Azzolini A, Ferreira CR, Dantas MHY, Ferriani RA, Reis RM. Effects of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated acid-rich soybean phosphatidylcholine on membrane lipid profile and cryotolerance of human sperm. Fertil Steril 2016; 106:273-283.e6. [PMID: 27105718 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated acid-rich soybean phosphatidylcholine (soy-PC) on sperm cryotolerance with regard to sperm membrane lipid profile, membrane surface integrity, and routine semen parameters. DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING University-affiliated tertiary hospital. PATIENT(S) A total of 20 normospermic fertile men. INTERVENTION(S) Semen samples examined for differences in semen parameters, sperm membrane lipid profile, and plasma membrane surface both before and after cryopreservation using basic freezing medium with N-tris(hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid (TES) and tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (TRIS) supplemented with purified soy-PC (TEST-PC) or egg yolk (TEST-Y), both alone or in association (TEST-Y-PC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Conventional semen parameters and membrane lipid profile by matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). RESULT(S) Postthaw sperm cell motility, vitality, and morphology parameters were similar for soy-PC (TEST-PC) and egg yolk (TEST-Y) cryoprotectants. However, sperm exposed to TEST-Y-PC presented better kinetic parameters, which were similar to the original quality of the fresh semen. Human sperm MALDI-MS lipid profiles revealed that the relative abundance of glycerophospholipids of m/z 760.44 [PC (34:1)+H]+, 781.55 [SM (20:0) +Na]+, 784.55 [PC (36:3) +H]+, 806.64 [PC (38:6) +H]+, 807.64 [SM (22:1) +Na]+, and 809.64 [SM (22:0) +Na]+ increased in soy-PC samples (TEST-PC). Nonetheless, only one lipid (m/z 781.55, [SM (20:0) +Na]+) statistically significantly changed when sperm was cryopreserved in TEST-Y-PC. CONCLUSION(S) Sphingomyelin was defined as a prospective biomarker of soy-PC treatment, and it could be related to the positive cryoprotective effects of soy-PC in human sperm, opening new perspectives to design of a more efficient synthetic cryoprotectant medium containing purified egg yolk biomolecules combined with soy-PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra A Vireque
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Tata
- Metabolite Profiling Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Oswaldo F L L O Silva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson G LoTurco
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto Azzolini
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christina R Ferreira
- Metabolite Profiling Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Marilda H Y Dantas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui A Ferriani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; National Institute of Hormones and Woman's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rosana M Reis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; National Institute of Hormones and Woman's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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10
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Fang Y, Blair H, Zhong R, Sun H, Zhou D. Optimizing the freezing rate for ovine semen cryopreservation: Phospholipid profiles and functions of the plasma membrane and quality and fertilization of spermatozoa. Small Rumin Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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11
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Schröter F, Jakop U, Teichmann A, Haralampiev I, Tannert A, Wiesner B, Müller P, Müller K. Lipid dynamics in boar sperm studied by advanced fluorescence imaging techniques. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2015; 45:149-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-015-1084-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Geerts N, McGrath J, Stronk J, Vanderlick T, Huszar G. Spermatozoa as a transport system of large unilamellar lipid vesicles into the oocyte. Reprod Biomed Online 2014; 28:451-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Gómez-Fernández J, Gómez-Izquierdo E, Tomás C, Mocé E, de Mercado E. Effect of different monosaccharides and disaccharides on boar sperm quality after cryopreservation. Anim Reprod Sci 2012; 133:109-16. [PMID: 22771077 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2011] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotectant effect of different non-permeating sugars for boar sperm. Pooled semen from three boars was used for the experiments. In the first experiment, the sperm quality of boar sperm cryopreserved with an egg-yolk based extender supplemented with different monosaccharides (glucose, galactose or fructose) was compared to a control cryopreserved in lactose-egg yolk extender. In the second experiment, the effect of five disaccharides (lactose, sucrose, lactulose, trehalose or melibiose) on boar sperm cryosurvival was studied. Several sperm quality parameters were assessed by flow cytometry in samples incubated for 30 and 150 min at 37°C after thawing: percentages of sperm with intact plasma membrane (SIPM), sperm presenting high plasma membrane fluidity (HPMF), sperm with intracellular reactive oxygen substances production (IROSP) and apoptotic sperm (AS). In addition, the percentages of total motile (TMS) and progressively motile sperm (PMS) were assessed at the same incubation times with a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. Freezing extenders supplemented with each of the monosaccharide presented smaller cryoprotective effect than the control extender supplemented with lactose (P<0.05). However, from the three monosaccharides tested, glucose provided the best sperm quality after freezing-thawing. With respect to the disaccharides studied, samples frozen with the extender supplemented with lactulose exhibited in general the lowest sperm quality, except for the percentage of capacitated sperm, which was highest (P<0.05) in the samples cryopreserved with the trehalose extender. Our results suggest that disaccharides have higher cryoprotective effect than monosaccharides, although the monosaccharide composition of the disaccharides is also important, since the best results were obtained with those disaccharides presenting glucose in their composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Gómez-Fernández
- Centro de Pruebas de Porcino, Área de Investigación Ganadera, Subdirección de Investigación y Tecnología, Instituto Tecnológico Agrario, Consejería de Agricultura y Ganadería, Junta de Castilla y León, Hontalbilla, Segovia, Spain
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14
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Effects of dithioerythritol on ram semen after the freeze–thawing process. Cryobiology 2011; 63:152-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2011.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Sheriff DS, Ali EF. Perspective on plasma membrane cholesterol efflux and spermatozoal function. J Hum Reprod Sci 2011; 3:68-75. [PMID: 21209749 PMCID: PMC2970794 DOI: 10.4103/0974-1208.69337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Revised: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 08/05/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of sperm maturation, capacitation, and fertilization occur in different molecular milieu provided by epididymis and female reproductive tract including oviduct. The different tissue environment with different oxygen tension and temperature may still influence the process of sperm maturation and capacitation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is reported to be an initial switch that may activate the molecular process of capacitation. Therefore, the generation of reactive oxygen species and its possible physiological role depends upon a balance between its formation and degradation in an open environment provided by female reproductive tract. The sensitivity of the spermatozoa to the action of ROS may be due to its exposure for the first time to an oxygen rich external milieu compared to its internal milieu in the male reproductive tract. Reduced temperature in testicular environment coupled with reduced oxygen tension may be the right molecular environment for the process of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. The morphologically mature spermatozoa then may attain its motility in an environment provided by the caput epididymis wherein, the dyenin motor can become active. This ability to move forward will make the spermatozoa physiologically fit to undertake its sojourn in the competitive race of fertilization in a new oxygen rich female reproductive tract. The first encounter may be oxygen trigger or preconditioning of the spermatozoa with reactive oxygen species that may alter the spermatozoal function. Infertility is still one of the major global health problems that need medical attention. Apart from the development of artificial methods of reproduction and development of newer techniques in the field of andrology focuses attention on spermatozoal structure and metabolism. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in fertilization in general and that of sperm capacitation in particular may help lead to new and better techniques for enhancing fertility, identifying and treating certain forms of male infertility, and preventing conception. One remarkable insight is the importance of membrane cholesterol efflux in initiating transmembrane signaling events that confer fertilization competence. The identity of the physiologically relevant cholesterol acceptors and modulators of cholesterol efflux is therefore of great interest. Still, it is clear that cholesterol efflux represents only a part of this story. The involvement of phospholipid translocation in mediating dynamic changes in the membrane, rendering it conducive to transmembrane signaling, and the modulation of membrane components of signal transduction cascades by cholesterol or phospholipids will yield important insights into the links between environmental sensing and transmembrane signaling in the sperm. Understanding the membrane molecular events will ultimately provide new and exciting areas of investigation for the future
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16
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Hossain MS, Johannisson A, Wallgren M, Nagy S, Siqueira AP, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Flow cytometry for the assessment of animal sperm integrity and functionality: state of the art. Asian J Androl 2011; 13:406-19. [PMID: 21478895 PMCID: PMC3739346 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2011.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Flow cytometry is now a recognized methodology within animal spermatology, and has moved from being a research tool to become routine in the assessment of animal semen destined to breeding. The availability of 'bench-top' flow cytometers and of newer and versatile markers for cell structure and function had allowed the instrumentation to measure more sperm parameters, from viability to reactiveness when exposed to exogenous stimuli, and to increase our capabilities to sort spermatozoa for potential fertilizing capacity, or chromosomal sex. The present review summarizes the state of the art regarding flow cytometry applied to animal andrology, albeit keeping an open comparative intent. It critically evaluates the present and future capabilities of flow cytometry for the diagnostics of potential fertility and for the development of current reproductive technologies such as sperm freezing, sperm selection and sperm sorting. The flow cytometry methods will probably further revolutionize our understanding of the sperm physiology and their functionality, and will undoubtedly extend its application in isolating many uncharacterized features of spermatozoa. However, continuous follow-up of the methods is a necessity owing to technical developments and the complexity of mapping spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sharoare Hossain
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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17
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Brouwers JF, Boerke A, Silva PFN, Garcia-Gil N, van Gestel RA, Helms JB, van de Lest CHA, Gadella BM. Mass spectrometric detection of cholesterol oxidation in bovine sperm. Biol Reprod 2011; 85:128-36. [PMID: 21415139 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.091207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on the presence and formation of cholesterol oxidation products (oxysterols) in bovine sperm. Although cholesterol is the most abundant molecule in the membrane of mammalian cells and is easily oxidized, this is the first report on cholesterol oxidation in sperm membranes as investigated by state-of-the-art liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. First, oxysterols are already present in fresh semen samples, showing that lipid peroxidation is part of normal sperm physiology. After chromatographic separation (by high-performance liquid chromatography), the detected oxysterol species were identified with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry in multiple-reaction-monitoring mode that enabled detection in a broad and linear concentration range (0.05-100 pmol for each oxysterol species detected). Second, exposure of living sperm cells to oxidative stress does not result in the same level and composition of oxysterol species compared with oxidative stress imposed on reconstituted vesicles from protein-free sperm lipid extracts. This suggests that living sperm cells protect themselves against elevated oxysterol formation. Third, sperm capacitation induces the formation of oxysterols, and these formed oxysterols are almost completely depleted from the sperm surface by albumin. Fourth, and most importantly, capacitation after freezing/thawing of sperm fails to induce both the formation of oxysterols and the subsequent albumin-dependent depletion of oxysterols from the sperm surface. The possible physiological relevance of capacitation-dependent oxysterol formation and depletion at the sperm surface as well as the omission of this after freezing/thawing semen is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos F Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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18
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Levano K, Sobocki T, Jayman F, Debata PR, Sobocka MB, Banerjee P. A genetic strategy involving a glycosyltransferase promoter and a lipid translocating enzyme to eliminate cancer cells. Glycoconj J 2009; 26:739-48. [PMID: 19283471 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-009-9233-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2008] [Revised: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 02/11/2009] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The most common therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer uses antimetabolites, which block uncontrolled division of cancer cells and kill them. However, such antimetabolites also kill normal cells, thus yielding detrimental side effects. This emphasizes the need for an alternative therapy, which would have little or no side effects. Our approach involves designing genetic means to alter surface lipid determinants that induce phagocytosis of cancer cells. The specific target of this strategy has been the enzyme activity termed aminophospholipid translocase (APLT) or flippase that causes translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) from the outer to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in viable cells. Efforts to identify the enigmatic, plasma membrane APLT of mammalian cells have led investigators to some P-type ATPases, which have often proven to be the APLT of internal membranes rather than the plasma membrane. By measuring kinetic parameters for the plasma membrane APLT activity, we have shown that the P-type ATPase Atp8a1 is the plasma membrane APLT of the tumorigenic N18 cells, but not the non-tumorigenic HN2 (hippocampal neuron x N18) cells. Targeted knockdown of this enzyme causes PS externalization in the N18 cells, which would trigger phagocytic removal of these cells. But how would we specifically express the mutants or antisense Atp8a1 in the cancer cells? This has brought us to a glycosyltransferase, GnT-V, which is highly expressed in the transformed cells. By using the GnT-V promoter to drive a luciferase reporter gene we have demonstrated a dramatic increase in luciferase expression selectively in tumor cells. The described strategy could be tested for the removal of cancer cells without the use of antimetabolites that often kill normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Levano
- CUNY Doctoral Program in Biochemistry, City University of New York at the College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
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19
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Bucak MN, Tuncer PB, Sarıözkan S, Ulutaş PA. Comparison of the effects of glutamine and an amino acid solution on post-thawed ram sperm parameters, lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant activities. Small Rumin Res 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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21
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Hunnicutt GR, Koppel DE, Kwitny S, Cowan AE. Cyclic 3',5'-AMP causes ADAM1/ADAM2 to rapidly diffuse within the plasma membrane of guinea pig sperm. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:999-1007. [PMID: 18667756 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.067058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Because sperm cannot synthesize new proteins as they journey to the egg, they use multiple mechanisms to modify the activity of existing proteins, including changes in the diffusion coefficient of some membrane proteins. Previously, we showed that during capacitation the guinea pig heterodimeric membrane protein ADAM1/ADAM2 (fertilin) transforms from a stationary state to one of rapid diffusion within the lipid bilayer. The cause for this biophysical change, however, was unknown. In this study we examined whether an increase in cAMP, such as occurs during capacitation, could trigger this change. We incubated guinea pig cauda sperm with the membrane-permeable cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP) and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor papaverine and first tested for indications of capacitation. We observed hypermotility and acrosome-reaction competence. We then used fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) to measure the lateral mobility of ADAM1/ADAM2 after the db-cAMP treatment. We observed that db-cAMP caused roughly a 12-fold increase in lateral mobility of ADAM1/ADAM2, yielding diffusion similar to that observed for sperm capacitated in vitro. When we repeated the FRAP on testicular sperm incubated in db-cAMP, we found only a modest increase in lateral mobility of ADAM1/ADAM2, which underwent little redistribution. Interestingly, testicular sperm also cannot be induced to undergo capacitation. Together, the data suggest that the release of ADAM1/ADAM2 from its diffusion constraints results from a cAMP-induced signaling pathway that, like others of capacitation, is established during epididymal sperm maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary R Hunnicutt
- population council, center for biomedical research, rockefeller university, new york, ny 10065, USA.
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22
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Chaveiro A, Santos P, da Silva FM. Assessment of Sperm Apoptosis in Cryopreserved Bull Semen After Swim-up Treatment: A Flow Cytometric Study. Reprod Domest Anim 2007; 42:17-21. [PMID: 17214767 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00712.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The techniques used to prepare bovine spermatozoa for in vitro fertilization, to enhance the percentage of motile sperm cells include the swim-up (SU) method, among others. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation and plasma membrane integrity as the indicator of apoptosis and necrosis in post-thaw bull sperm after SU treatment using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) assay. A flow cytometric method was employed to measure apoptosis levels on frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa. The assay detects PS translocation across the plasma membrane using a fluorescein-labelled annexin-V and PI. By using the annexin V/PI assay four different subpopulations of sperm were observed: (i) a population of apoptotic sperm, labelled with annexin V-FITC but not with PI; (ii) a population of early necrotic spermatozoa, sperm labelled with annexin-FITC and PI; (iii) a population of necrotic sperm, labelled with PI but not with annexin-FITC; and (iv) a population of fully viable sperm cells, sperm not labelled with annexin V-FITC and without PI. Results clearly indicated that SU technique itself could have an adverse effect on the spermatozoa membrane stability. It has also been found, significant differences between bulls in the levels of apoptotic sperm, after SU treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chaveiro
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, Angra do Heroismo, Portugal.
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23
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Brewis IA, Moore HD, Fraser LR, Holt WV, Baldi E, Luconi M, Gadella BM, Ford WCL, Harrison RAP. Molecular mechanisms during sperm capacitation. HUM FERTIL 2006; 8:253-61. [PMID: 16393825 DOI: 10.1080/14647270500420178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Brewis
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit & Department of Medical Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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24
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Kurz A, Viertel D, Herrmann A, Müller K. Localization of phosphatidylserine in boar sperm cell membranes during capacitation and acrosome reaction. Reproduction 2005; 130:615-26. [PMID: 16264092 DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
One of the essential properties of mammalian, including sperm, plasma membranes is a stable transversal lipid asymmetry with the aminophospholipids, phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), typically in the inner, cytoplasmic leaflet. The maintenance of this nonrandom lipid distribution is important for the homeostasis of the cell. To clarify the relevance of lipid asymmetry to sperm function, we have studied the localization of PS in boar sperm cell membranes. By using labeled annexin V as a marker for PS and propidium iodide (PI) as a stain for nonviable cells in conjunction with different methods (flow cytometry, fluorescence and electron microscopy), we have assessed the surface exposure of PS in viable cells during sperm genesis, that is, before and during capacitation as well as after acrosome reaction. An approach was set up to address also the presence of PS in the outer acrosome membrane. The results show that PS is localized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane as well as on the outer acrosome membrane. Our results further indicate the cytoplasmic localization of PS in the postacrosomal region. During capacitation and acrosome reaction of spermatozoa, PS does not become exposed on the outer surface of the viable cells. Only in a subpopulation of PI-positive sperm cells does PS became accessible upon capacitation. The stable cytoplasmic localization of PS in the plasma membrane, as well as in the outer acrosome membrane, is assumed to be essential for a proper genesis of sperm cells during capacitation and acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Kurz
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Biologie, Invalidenstrasse 42, D-10099 Berlin, Germany
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25
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Abstract
Ejaculated semen is washed for in vitro fertilization or diluted and processed to allow optimal and long-term low temperature liquid- and cryo-preservation. However, sperm are vulnerable to the washing, dilution, temperature and osmotic changes involved in sperm storage. In this review, a number of techniques are considered for detecting damaged spermatozoa. Staining protocols have been developed to detect the membrane and organelle integrity of mammalian sperm cells. Plasma membrane integrity is usually assessed after staining cells with membrane-impermeable dyes or alternatively with acetylated membrane (AM) permeable probes that are selectively de-esterified and become membrane impermeable and thus entrapped into viable cells only (AM ester loading). Organelle-specific dyes are commonly used to detect functionality of mitochondria or the acrosome. A distortion in the lateral and bilayer organization of lipids as well as the peroxidation of fatty acid moieties can be quantified and localized in living sperm. The relation of a disordering in the sperm membrane's lipid architecture and sperm deterioration versus capacitation is discussed. Finally, the integrity of sperm DNA can be measured at three different levels by assessing the degree of DNA-protamine condensation, the incidence of breaks and nicks in the DNA and the frequency of fragmentation of the nuclei into sub-haploid apoptotic bodies. The relevance of detecting DNA aberrations and especially the putative link to the incidence of apoptosis is critically considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F N Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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26
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Gillan L, Evans G, Maxwell WMC. Flow cytometric evaluation of sperm parameters in relation to fertility potential. Theriogenology 2005; 63:445-57. [PMID: 15626410 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most laboratory methods used to evaluate semen quality have not correlated highly with fertilizing capacity. The discovery of a variety of fluorochromes and compounds conjugated to fluorescent probes has enabled a more widespread analysis of sperm attributes, and in conjunction with the flow cytometer, permit the evaluation of a large number of spermatozoa. A number of characteristics of sperm integrity, viability and function can be assessed by flow cytometry. The DNA status of spermatozoa has been determined using the metachromatic properties of acridine orange (AO). AO staining, when used in the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), correlates with fertility in a number of species. DNA fragmentation can also be assessed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, which identifies DNA strand breaks by labeling free 3'-OH termini with modified nucleotides. The status of the sperm acrosome can be determined using fluorescently labeled lectins and LysoTracker Green DND-26, a fluorescent acidotropic probe. Capacitation status has been observed through calcium-mediated changes using chlortetracycline (CTC) or by changes in membrane fluidity monitored by the binding of the fluorescent amphiphilic probe, Merocyanine 540. Fluorescently labeled annexin-V, C6NBD and Ro-09-0198 can also be used to detect changes in membrane phospholipid distribution. Cell viability can be determined using the propensity of propidium iodide (PI), ethidium homodimer-1 (EthD-1) or Yo-Pro-1 to permeate damaged membranes. These are generally more adaptable to clinical flow cytometry than the bisbenzimide membrane impermeable stain, Hoechst 33258, which excites in the ultraviolet range and requires UV laser equipment. Mitochondrial function can be determined using rhodamine 123 (R123) and MitoTracker Green FM (MITO) and 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide (JC-1). Flow cytometry is a tool that may be used in the future to monitor many new potential markers of sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Gillan
- RMC Gunn Building (B19), The Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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27
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Abstract
During capacitation, major changes take place in the sperm plasma membrane so as to render it fusogenic and responsive to zona pellucida glycoproteins. However, the mechanisms involved have not been defined. As bicarbonate is known to be the key component that induces capacitation, we have investigated the bicarbonate-dependent changes in the boar sperm's plasma membrane architecture. We have discovered that bicarbonate induces a rapid collapse of phospholipid transverse asymmetry, exposing phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine at the outer surface of the lipid bilayer. The collapse, which is reversible, is brought about as a result of activation of the phospholipid scramblase that exchanges phospholipids in a non-specific fashion between the two leaflets of the lipid bilayer. The activation takes place via a cyclic AMP-protein kinase A-dependent pathway and is initiated via stimulation of the so-called 'soluble' adenylyl cyclase in the sperm cell by bicarbonate. As a result of the collapse and the concurrent increase in phospholipid exchange, removal of cholesterol by albumin is facilitated (perhaps due to increased lipid packing disorder). This finding is in conflict with earlier surmises that cholesterol loss precedes activation of the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A axis. We have noted that not all cells in a given sperm population show rapid changes in response to bicarbonate stimulation; samples from individual boars also differ in their response. Maturation differences between cells have been found to play an important role in such functional heterogeneity.
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28
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Guthrie HD, Welch GR. Impact of storage prior to cryopreservation on plasma membrane function and fertility of boar sperm. Theriogenology 2005; 63:396-410. [PMID: 15626407 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Occasionally, boar semen must be shipped to another location for cryopreservation. We increased the initial holding time for the cooling of extended semen at 15 degrees C from 3 to 24 h to determine the effects on sperm characteristics and fertility. Thirty-one gilts and sows were inseminated once with subsequently cryopreserved and thawed semen. Increasing the holding time from 3 to 24 h had no significant effect on pregnancy rate 23 days after AI with frozen-thawed semen (64.5%) but decreased (P<0.05) embryo number from 15 to 9 and recovered embryos as fraction of CL from 73 to 47%. While the longer holding time at 15 degrees C did decrease potential litter size, the loss incurred was not too great to preclude the incorporation of a longer holding time into the cryopreservation protocol. An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that processing and freeze-thawing of boar semen would induce phospholipid scrambling in the plasma membrane similar to that evoked by incubation in bicarbonate-containing media. Merocyanine staining after incubation in the presence and absence of bicarbonate indicated that changes in plasma membrane phospholipid scrambling of processed and cryopreserved sperm differed from those in fresh semen undergoing bicarbonate-induced capacitation. The level of Annexin-V binding in boar spermatozoa increased from 1.6% in live spermatozoa in fresh semen to 18.7% in cryopreserved sperm. Apoptosis is unlikely to operate in mature spermatozoa. Apoptotic morphology in ejaculated spermatozoa is probably a result of incomplete deletion of apoptotic spermatocytes during spermatogenesis. Increased Annexin-V binding in thawed spermatozoa probably results from plasma membrane damage incurred during freezing and thawing.
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Affiliation(s)
- H D Guthrie
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, USDA Henry B. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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29
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Abstract
This paper deals with the effects of bicarbonate induced signaling pathways on plasma membrane lipid organization and downstream protein signaling, and their role in sperm-egg interactions. It also provides an overview of results that indicate that bicarbonate responses are not related to cell death or apoptosis. The information presented shows that only those sperm cells that have functionally completed maturation in the epididymis are sensitive to bicarbonate whereas immature sperm fail to respond to this physiological challenge. Therefore, it is important to selectively analyze the responsive sperm subpopulations when studying sperm capacitation. Moreover, bicarbonate induced signaling responses differ within the diverse sperm structures (e.g. the tail versus the head). Consequently, dissecting sperm structures and signaling areas from each other deserves more attention in sperm capacitation research. The information discussed was obtained from a variety of mammalian species but the basic bicarbonate-mediated sperm responses are similar in most Eutherian species despite some species to species variations (most notably in kinetics rather than the sequence of events). The objective of the paper is to provide a comparative experimental overview of bicarbonate mediated sperm capacitation in the hope that this information will lead to a better understanding of the complex biochemical nature of the involvement of bicarbonate in mammalian sperm capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Gadella
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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30
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Oehninger S, Morshedi M, Weng SL, Taylor S, Duran H, Beebe S. Presence and significance of somatic cell apoptosis markers in human ejaculated spermatozoa. Reprod Biomed Online 2004; 7:469-76. [PMID: 14656410 DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)61892-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Ejaculated spermatozoa, particularly in infertile men, have been shown to display morphological and biochemical features that are typical of an apoptotic phenotype in somatic cells. Deregulation of apoptosis is known to play roles in a number of disease processes, but roles for apoptosis in ejaculated spermatozoa and male infertility are poorly defined or have not been studied. Preliminary data demonstrated that populations of ejaculated spermatozoa express: (i) various degrees of plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine and DNA fragmentation; and (ii) active caspase-3, the main executor of apoptosis in somatic cells, with an apparent exclusive cellular location to the mid-piece. Tests are currently being carried out on the effects of well-known apoptosis agonists and caspase inhibitors on such markers using purified populations of leukocyte-free ejaculated human spermatozoa. The main objective is to determine if somatic cell apoptosis markers are relevant indicators and/or causative factors of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Oehninger
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 601 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA.
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Wang L, Beserra C, Garbers DL. A novel aminophospholipid transporter exclusively expressed in spermatozoa is required for membrane lipid asymmetry and normal fertilization. Dev Biol 2004; 267:203-15. [PMID: 14975727 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2003.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2003] [Revised: 11/06/2003] [Accepted: 11/07/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Through the use of a functionally unbiased signal peptide trap screen, we have discovered an ATP-dependent aminophospholipid transporter that is exclusively expressed in the acrosomal region of spermatozoa; it is about 62% similar to the flippase, FIC1. We disrupted the transporter gene and found that the size of litters from male null mice was slightly smaller than found with wild-type males. Sperm morphology and motility were the same between null and wild-type littermates, but agents (merocyanine and annexin) that measure phospholipid packing or phosphatidylserine (PS) in the outer membrane leaflet showed that PS already existed in the outer leaflet of null spermatozoa before sperm capacitation. Fertilization rates were normal when null spermatozoa were added to zona pellucida-free eggs, but in the presence of the extracellular matrix, fewer transporter(-/-) spermatozoa bound tightly or penetrated the zona pellucida (ZP), and fewer underwent acrosome reactions. In vitro fertilization was compromised, especially at early time points or at low sperm concentrations after mixing null spermatozoa and eggs. Thus, a new aminophospholipid transporter expressed exclusively in spermatozoa is critical for normal phospholipid distribution in the bilayer, and for normal binding, penetration, and signaling by the zona pellucida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9051, USA
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32
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Januskauskas A, Johannisson A, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Subtle membrane changes in cryopreserved bull semen in relation with sperm viability, chromatin structure, and field fertility. Theriogenology 2003; 60:743-58. [PMID: 12832022 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00050-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the use of annexin-V/PI assay to assess sub lethal changes in bull spermatozoa post-thawing, and to further relate these changes to results obtained by fluorometric assessment of sperm viability and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), as well as field fertility (as 56-day non-return rates, 56-day NRR) after AI. Frozen-thawed semen samples were obtained from 18 Swedish Red and White bulls (one to three semen batches/bull) and fertility data was based on 6900 inseminations. The annexin-V/PI assay revealed that post-thaw semen samples contained on average 41.8+/-7.5% annexin-V-positive cells. Most of the annexin-V-positive cells were dying cells, i.e. also PI-positive. The incidence of annexin-V-positive cells was negatively related (r=-0.59, P<0.01) to the percentage of viable cells, as detected by fluorometry. The incidence of annexin-V-positive spermatozoa significantly correlated to the SCSA variable xalphat (r=0.53, P<0.05). The incidence of annexin-V-negative, dead cells was the only annexin-V/PI assay variable that correlated significantly with fertility both at batch (r=-0.40, P<0.05), and bull (r=-0.56, P<0.05) levels. Among sperm viability variables, subjectively assessed sperm motility (r=0.52-0.59, P<0.01), CASA-assessed sperm motility (r=0.43-0.61, P<0.05), and the incidence of live spermatozoa, expressed as total numbers (r=0.39-0.54, P<0.05), or percentage values (r=0.68-0.68, P<0.01), correlated significantly with field fertility both at batch, and bull levels. Among the SCSA variables, only the COMP alphat correlated significantly (r=0.33-0.51, P<0.05) with fertility results. The results indicate a certain proportion of bull spermatozoa express PS on their surface after thawing, e.g. they have altered membrane function, and that the incidence of such cells is inversely correlated to sperm viability, and positively correlated to abnormal sperm chromatin condensation since they eventually undergo necrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Januskauskas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilzes 18, LT-3022 Kaunas, Lithuania
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de Vries KJ, Wiedmer T, Sims PJ, Gadella BM. Caspase-independent exposure of aminophospholipids and tyrosine phosphorylation in bicarbonate responsive human sperm cells. Biol Reprod 2003; 68:2122-34. [PMID: 12606386 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.012500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Only capacitated sperm cells are able to fertilize egg cells, and this process is triggered by high levels of bicarbonate. Bicarbonate renders the plasma membrane more fluid, which is caused by protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated alterations in the phospholipid (PL) bilayer. We studied exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in human sperm cells. Surface exposure of PS and PE on sperm cell activation in vitro was found to be bicarbonate dependent and restricted to the apical area of the head plasma membrane. The PL scrambling in bicarbonate-triggered human sperm was not related to apoptosis, because the incubated cells did not show any signs of caspases or degeneration of mitochondria or DNA. The PL scramblase (PLSCR) gene family has been implicated in this nonspecific, bidirectional PL movement. A 25-kDa isoform of PLSCR was identified that was homogeneously distributed in human sperm cells. We propose that compartment-dependent activation of PKA is required for the surface exposure of aminophospholipids at the apical plasma membrane of sperm cells. Bicarbonate-induced PL scrambling appears to be an important event in the capacitation process, because the entire intact scrambling sperm subpopulation showed extensive tyrosine phosphorylation, which was absent in the nonscrambling subpopulation. The proportion of live cells with PL scrambling corresponded with that showing capacitation-specific chlortetracyclin staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J de Vries
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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34
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Tanphaichitr N, Haebe J, Leader A, Carmona E, Harris JD, da Silva SM, Antunes TT, Chakrabandhu K, Léveillé MC. Towards a more precise assay of sperm function in egg binding. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2003; 25:461-70. [PMID: 12806448 DOI: 10.1016/s1701-2163(16)30308-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Historically, the treatment of severe male factor infertility has relied on donor sperm insemination. A decade ago the option of treating severe male factor infertility with partner sperm became a viable alternative. With the introduction of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF), only men who produce no sperm are denied the option of fathering their own children. The use of ICSI has been extended to couples with mild male factors. Despite the known genetic risks (both inherent and de novo) of ICSI to offspring, couples with male factors as part of their infertility problem often prefer ICSI to standard IVF, due to apprehension that their sperm might not otherwise succeed in fertilization. This apprehension would be alleviated if an assay for the egg binding capability of human sperm were available. We examine here the possibility that recombinant human zona pellucida 3 (rec hZP3), the primary sperm receptor sulfoglycoprotein of the egg zona pellucida (ZP), be used as a human ZP surrogate for assessing sperm ability to bind to the ZP. Unlike human eggs, which cannot be obtained for this purpose, rec hZP3 can be produced in quantity. An efficient assay can be established by incubating sperm with rec hZP3 coated to a microwell plate. Infertile men with sperm having ability to bind to rec hZP3 can be advised to select standard IVF or intrauterine insemination, which have fewer genetic and medical risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nongnuj Tanphaichitr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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35
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Travis AJ, Kopf GS. The role of cholesterol efflux in regulating the fertilization potential of mammalian spermatozoa. J Clin Invest 2002. [DOI: 10.1172/jci0216392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Travis AJ, Kopf GS. The role of cholesterol efflux in regulating the fertilization potential of mammalian spermatozoa. J Clin Invest 2002; 110:731-6. [PMID: 12235100 PMCID: PMC151136 DOI: 10.1172/jci16392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Travis
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Anzar M, Kakuda N, He L, Pauls KP, Buhr MM. Optimizing and quantifying fusion of liposomes to mammalian sperm using resonance energy transfer and flow cytometric methods. CYTOMETRY 2002; 49:22-7. [PMID: 12210607 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.10137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liposomes are used to carry pharmaceutical agents and to alter the lipid composition of cell membranes. This study compared resonance energy transfer (RET), fluorescence dequenching, and flow cytometry as monitors and quantifiers of fusion between liposomes and mammalian spermatozoa. METHODS Preliminary experiments used RET to determine the optimum sperm concentration for fusion of DL-alpha-phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl (PC)/DL-alpha-phosphatidylethanolamine dipalmitoyl (PE) liposomes at 35 degrees C +/- 5 mM Ca2+. Microscopy confirmed the fusion of liposomes, not just adhesion (n = 3). Dequenching tested the time-dependent fusion of liposomes of two different lipid compositions to sperm, both, (n = 3) +/- 1 mM Ca2+ and (n = 3) without Ca2+ at two sperm concentrations. Finally, flow cytometry absolutely quantified the percentage of sperm fusing to liposomes at different liposome-to-sperm ratios (n = 4) and with sperm from different donors (n = 3). RESULTS RET detected fusion of liposomes with sperm and microscopy confirmed the interaction to be true fusion. Dequenching detected more fusion of liposomes with sperm at 100 x 10(6) sperm per milliliter than at lower concentrations (P < 0.05). Fusion dynamics differed with lipid composition but Ca2+ had no effect. Flow cytometry reliably quantified the percentage of sperm fusing with liposomes, which varied from bull to bull (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Liposome fusion with mammalian sperm membranes can be quantified cytometrically and varies with lipid composition, sperm-to-liposome ratio, and individual animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Anzar
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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38
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Gadella BM, Harrison RAP. Capacitation induces cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent, but apoptosis-unrelated, exposure of aminophospholipids at the apical head plasma membrane of boar sperm cells. Biol Reprod 2002; 67:340-50. [PMID: 12080038 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod67.1.340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacitating agent bicarbonate/CO(2) has been shown to induce profound changes in the architecture and dynamics within the sperm's plasma membrane lipid bilayer via a cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation signaling pathway. Here we have investigated the effect of bicarbonate on surface exposure of endogenous aminophospholipids in boar spermatozoa, detecting phosphatidylserine (PS) with fluorescein-conjugated annexin V and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) with fluorescein-conjugated streptavidin/biotinylated Ro-09-0198. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that incubation with 15 mM bicarbonate induced 30%-70% of live acrosome-intact cells to expose PE very rapidly; this exposure was closely related to a decrease in lipid packing order as detected by enhanced binding of merocyanine 540. PS exposure was detectable in the same proportion of cells, though its expression was slower. Confocal microscopy revealed that exposure of aminophospholipids in intact cells was restricted to the anterior acrosomal region of the head plasma membrane. Aminophospholipid exposure, merocyanine stainability, and a subsequent migration of cholesterol to the apical region of the head plasma membrane, were all under the control of the cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation pathway. The close coupling of decreased lipid packing order with exposure of PE led us to conclude that bicarbonate was inducing phospholipid scrambling (i.e., collapse of asymmetric transverse distribution), and that the scrambling was a prerequisite for cholesterol relocation. There was no evidence whatever that the bicarbonate-induced scrambling was an apoptotic process. It was not accompanied by major loss of viability or by DNA degeneration or by loss of mitochondrial function, and it could not be blocked by the broad-specificity caspase inhibitors zVAD-fmk and BocD-fmk. In the absence of bicarbonate, scrambling could not be induced by the apoptotic agents UV, staurosporine, or cycloheximide. Bicarbonate-induced phospholipid scrambling thus appears to be an important and early physiological event in the capacitation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Gadella
- Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3564 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Quinn
- Division of Life Sciences, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN, UK
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40
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Gadella BM, Rathi R, Brouwers JF, Stout TA, Colenbrander B. Capacitation and the acrosome reaction in equine sperm. Anim Reprod Sci 2001; 68:249-65. [PMID: 11744269 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00161-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
During sexual reproduction, the sperm and oocyte must fuse before the production of a diploid zygote can proceed. In mammals such as equids, fusion depends critically on complex changes in the plasma membrane of the sperm and, not surprisingly, this membrane differs markedly from that of somatic cells. After leaving the testes, sperm cease to synthesize plasma membrane lipids or proteins, and vesicle-mediated transport stops. When the sperm reaches the female reproductive tract, it is activated by so-called capacitation factors that initiate a delicate reorientation and modification of molecules within the plasma membrane. These surface changes enable the sperm to bind to the extracellular matrix of the egg (zona pellucida ZP) and the zona then primes the sperm to initiate the acrosome reaction, an exocytotic event required for the sperm to penetrate the zona. This paper will review the processes that occur at the sperm plasma membrane before and during successful penetration of the equine ZP. It is noted that while several methods have been described for detecting changes that occur during capacitation and the acrosome reaction in bovine and porcine sperm, relatively little has been documented for equine sperm. Special attention will therefore be dedicated to recent attempts to develop and implement new assays for the detection of the capacitation status of live, acrosome-intact and motile equine sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Gadella
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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41
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Flesch FM, Brouwers JF, Nievelstein PF, Verkleij AJ, van Golde LM, Colenbrander B, Gadella BM. Bicarbonate stimulated phospholipid scrambling induces cholesterol redistribution and enables cholesterol depletion in the sperm plasma membrane. J Cell Sci 2001; 114:3543-55. [PMID: 11682613 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.114.19.3543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm cells are activated prior to fertilization by high bicarbonate levels, which facilitate lipoprotein-mediated cholesterol efflux. The role of bicarbonate and cholesterol acceptors on the cholesterol organization in the sperm plasma membrane was tested. Bicarbonate induced an albumin-independent change in lipid architecture that was detectable by an increase in merocyanine staining (due to protein kinase A-mediated phospholipid scrambling). The response was limited to a subpopulation of viable sperm cells that were sorted from the non-responding subpopulation by flow cytometry. The responding cells had reduced cholesterol levels (30% reduction) compared with non-responding cells. The subpopulation differences were caused by variable efficiencies in epididymal maturation as judged by cell morphology. Membrane cholesterol organization was observed with filipin, which labeled the entire sperm surface of non-stimulated and non-responding cells, but labeled only the apical surface area of bicarbonate-responding cells. Addition of albumin caused cholesterol efflux, but only in bicarbonate-responding cells that exhibited virtually no filipin labeling in the sperm head area. Albumin had no effect on other lipid components, and no affinity for cholesterol in the absence of bicarbonate. Therefore, bicarbonate induces first a lateral redistribution in the low cholesterol containing spermatozoa, which in turn facilitates cholesterol extraction by albumin. A model is proposed in which phospholipid scrambling induces the formation of an apical membrane raft in the sperm head surface that enables albumin mediated efflux of cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Flesch
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands
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42
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He L, Bailey JL, Buhr MM. Incorporating lipids into boar sperm decreases chilling sensitivity but not capacitation potential. Biol Reprod 2001; 64:69-79. [PMID: 11133660 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod64.1.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Fresh boar sperm were incubated with small unilamellar liposomes composed of either the total lipids extracted from head plasma membranes (HPM) of fresh boar sperm or selected lipids (SL) of five defined phospholipids with specific acyl chains. To optimize fusion, liposomes with 2 mol% octadecyl rhodamine fluorophore in Beltsville Thawing Solution +/- 1 mM CaCl(2) were incubated at 35 degrees C with 1;ts 10(7) or 10(8) spermatozoa/ml and monitored over 60 min, using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The HPM fused to both sperm concentrations faster than SL but was equivalent by 30 min (10(8) sperm/ml) or 60 min (10(7) sperm/ml; 57.5 +/- 3% and 67.1 +/- 8% sperm fused to HPM and SL, respectively) +/- Ca(2+). Neither HPM nor SL affected onset of capacitation or spontaneous or ionophore-induced acrosome reactions at 0 or 3 h (chlortetracycline and fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum agglutinin; n = 3). During cooling and after cryopreservation (n = 4 ejaculates), SL but not HPM significantly improved sperm motility and viability (Sybr14/propidium iodide staining) +/- 20% egg yolk, but egg yolk alone was more effective than SL alone. Liposomes of complex composition can fuse to boar sperm without harming in vitro capacitation or acrosome reaction and reduce sperm chilling sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L He
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
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43
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Flesch FM, Gadella BM. Dynamics of the mammalian sperm plasma membrane in the process of fertilization. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2000; 1469:197-235. [PMID: 11063883 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4157(00)00018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of sperm cell and oocyte during fertilization to produce the diploid zygote. In mammals complex changes in the plasma membrane of the sperm cell are involved in this process. Sperm cells have unusual membranes compared to those of somatic cells. After leaving the testes, sperm cells cease plasma membrane lipid and protein synthesis, and vesicle mediated transport. Biophysical studies reveal that lipids and proteins are organized into lateral regions of the sperm head surface. A delicate reorientation and modification of plasma membrane molecules take place in the female tract when sperm cells are activated by so-called capacitation factors. These surface changes enable the sperm cell to bind to the extra cellular matrix of the egg (zona pellucida, ZP). The ZP primes the sperm cell to initiate the acrosome reaction, which is an exocytotic process that makes available the enzymatic machinery required for sperm penetration through the ZP. After complete penetration the sperm cell meets the plasma membrane of the egg cell (oolemma). A specific set of molecules is involved in a disintegrin-integrin type of anchoring of the two gametes which is completed by fusion of the two gamete plasma membranes. The fertilized egg is activated and zygote formation preludes the development of a new living organism. In this review we focus on the involvement of processes that occur at the sperm plasma membrane in the sequence of events that lead to successful fertilization. For this purpose, dynamics in adhesive and fusion properties, molecular composition and architecture of the sperm plasma membrane, as well as membrane derived signalling are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Flesch
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and Department of Farm Animal Health, Graduate School of Animal Health and Institute for Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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44
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Gadella BM, Harrison RA. The capacitating agent bicarbonate induces protein kinase A-dependent changes in phospholipid transbilayer behavior in the sperm plasma membrane. Development 2000; 127:2407-20. [PMID: 10804182 DOI: 10.1242/dev.127.11.2407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A flow cytometric procedure was used to follow the effect of bicarbonate, a key inducer of sperm capacitation in vitro, on the transbilayer behavior of C6NBD-phospholipids in the plasma membrane of living acrosome-intact boar spermatozoa under physiological conditions. In the absence of bicarbonate, 97% of C6NBD-phosphatidylserine and 78% of C6NBD-phosphatidylethanolamine was rapidly translocated from the outer leaflet to the inner, whereas relatively little C6NBD-phosphatidylcholine and C6NBD-sphingomyelin was translocated (15% and 5%, respectively). Inclusion of 15 mM bicarbonate/5%CO(2) markedly slowed down the rates of translocation of the aminophospholipids without altering their final distribution, whereas it increased the proportions of C6NBD-phosphatidylcholine and C6NBD-sphingomyelin translocated (30% and 20%, respectively). Bicarbonate activated very markedly the outward translocation of all four phospholipid classes. The changes in C6NBD-phospholipid behavior were accompanied by increased membrane lipid disorder as detected by merocyanine 540, and also by increased potential for phospholipase catabolism of the C6NBD-phospholipid probes. All three changes were mediated via a cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation pathway. We suspect that the changes result from an activation of the non- specific bidirectional translocase ('scramblase'). They have important implications with respect to sperm fertilizing function.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Gadella
- Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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45
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Abstract
Bicarbonate/CO(2), a physiological effector of sperm capacitation, has been shown to induce a rapid and reversible change in the lipid architecture of the plasma membrane of live boar sperm: the change is detectable as an increase in the cells' ability to bind the fluorescent dye merocyanine, a characteristic which implied an increase in lipid packing disorder (Harrison et al. 1996. Mol Reprod Dev 45:378-391). Evidence suggested that cAMP may act as a second messenger in the system, and we have therefore investigated this cAMP-dependency in more detail. Bicarbonate stimulates cAMP levels within 1 min in a dose-dependent fashion, prior to parallel increases in merocyanine binding. Although the potent somatic cell adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin is unable to induce significant increases in cAMP or merocyanine binding, increases in merocyanine binding are inducible in a dose-dependent fashion by 5, 6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, a cAMP analogue highly specific in its ability to stimulate protein kinase A; moreover, the bicarbonate-induced membrane change is inhibited by H89, a specific protein kinase A inhibitor. Neither bisindolylmaleimide I (protein kinase C inhibitor) nor lavendustin A (protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor) are inhibitory. In the presence of low levels of the potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor papaverine, increases in merocyanine binding are enhanced by okadaic acid and (more effectively) by calyculin (both protein phosphatase inhibitors). We conclude that boar sperm plasma membrane lipid architecture is controlled via a target protein that is dynamically phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase type 1. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55:220-228, 2000.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Harrison
- Laboratory of Gamete Function, The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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46
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Gadella BM, Flesch FM, van Golde LM, Colenbrander B. Dynamics in the membrane organization of the mammalian sperm cell and functionality in fertilization. Vet Q 1999; 21:142-6. [PMID: 10568004 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.1999.9695009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacitation process of sperm cells involves complex changes in the composition and orientation of molecules at the surface of the sperm cell. Here we focus on the lipid architecture in the sperm plasma membrane and demonstrate that the sperm plasma membrane is not static but is an extremely dynamic structure. Advanced fluoroscopic techniques enabled continuous monitoring of lipid organization in living cells and extremely rapid lipid movements were observed. The orientation of lipids in the sperm plasma membrane changed under capacitative treatments, was found to be sensitive for temperature and also changed upon binding of sperm cells to the zona pellucida. The changes in membrane properties coincided with an activation of protein kinases resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of specific plasma membrane proteins. The detected membrane changes relate to intrinsic membrane properties such as fluidity, permeability, adhesiveness and fusibility. We think that these results may provide a physiological basis for new assays, able to discriminate between functional and non-physiological sperm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Gadella
- Department Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
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