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Umezu K, Musina GR, Larina IV. In vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of mouse testis and epididymis with optical coherence tomography†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:365-376. [PMID: 37971359 PMCID: PMC10873499 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is crucial for studying the physiological dynamics. Sperm transport is a highly dynamic process regulated by tubular contractions and luminal flows within the male reproductive tract. However, due to the lack of imaging techniques to capture these dynamics in vivo, there is little information on the physiological and biomechanical regulation of sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. Here, we present a functional in vivo imaging approach using optical coherence tomography, enabling live, label-free, depth-resolved, three-dimensional, high-resolution visualization of the mouse testis and epididymis. With this approach, we spatiotemporally captured tubular contractility in mouse testis and epididymis, as well as microstructures of these reproductive organs. Our findings demonstrated that the contraction frequency varies significantly depending on the epididymal regions, suggesting the spatial regulation of epididymal contractility. Furthermore, we implemented quantitative measurements of the contraction wave and luminal transport through the epididymal duct, revealing the physiological dynamics within the male reproductive tract. The results show that the contraction wave propagates along the epididymal duct and the wave propagation velocity was estimated in vivo. In conclusion, this is the first study to develop in vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of the male reproductive tract, which allows for quantitative analysis of the dynamics associated with sperm transport. This study sets a platform for various studies investigating normal and abnormal male reproductive physiology as well as the pharmacological and environmental effects on reproductive functions in mouse models, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive understanding of male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Umezu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Guzel R Musina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Scully D, Reese S, Kölle S. Cystic ovary disease (COD) alters structure and function of the bovine oviduct. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23725. [PMID: 38282319 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Cystic ovary disease (COD) is a common cause of subfertility in dairy cattle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide novel concepts for cyst classification and to investigate the effects of COD on tubal microarchitecture, oviductal metabolic function, and the formation of the sperm reservoir. Bovine Fallopian tubes affected by follicular cysts, follicular cysts with luteinization and luteal cysts were investigated by a variety of microscopic and histological techniques and compared to control cows in metestrus and diestrus. We defined three types of cysts involved in COD, each of which had a characteristic wall thickness, inner wall appearance and cellular pattern within the cyst aspirate. Regarding the Fallopian tube, each cyst type was associated with a characteristic morphology, specifically the microarchitecture of the folds in ampulla, epithelial cell ratios, and ciliated/secretory cell size and form. Furthermore, each cyst type showed different patterns of tubal glycoprotein and acidic mucopolysaccharide synthesis, which was highly variable as compared to the controls. Our studies are the first to characterize the effects of COD on the Fallopian tube, which promotes the establishment of novel, cyst-specific therapeutic concepts in cattle and helps gain a holistic view of the causes of subfertility in cows with COD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre Scully
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sven Reese
- Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Kölle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
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Umezu K, Larina IV. Optical coherence tomography for dynamic investigation of mammalian reproductive processes. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:3-13. [PMID: 36574640 PMCID: PMC9877170 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The biological events associated with mammalian reproductive processes are highly dynamic and tightly regulated by molecular, genetic, and biomechanical factors. Implementation of live imaging in reproductive research is vital for the advancement of our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and for improving the management of reproductive disorders. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is emerging as a promising tool for dynamic volumetric imaging of various reproductive processes in mice and other animal models. In this review, we summarize recent studies employing OCT-based approaches toward the investigation of reproductive processes in both, males and females. We describe how OCT can be applied to study structural features of the male reproductive system and sperm transport through the male reproductive tract. We review OCT applications for in vitro and dynamic in vivo imaging of the female reproductive system, staging and tracking of oocytes and embryos, and investigations of the oocyte/embryo transport through the oviduct. We describe how the functional OCT approach can be applied to the analysis of cilia dynamics within the male and female reproductive systems. We also discuss the areas of research, where OCT could find potential applications to progress our understanding of normal reproductive physiology and reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Umezu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Irina V Larina
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Umezu K, Xia T, Larina IV. Dynamic volumetric imaging and cilia beat mapping in the mouse male reproductive tract with optical coherence tomography. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:3672-3684. [PMID: 35781970 PMCID: PMC9208606 DOI: 10.1364/boe.459937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spermatozoa transport within the male reproductive tract is a highly dynamic and biologically important reproductive event. However, due to the lack of live volumetric imaging technologies and quantitative measurements, there is little information on the dynamic aspect and regulation of this process. Here, we presented ex vivo dynamic volumetric imaging of the mouse testis, efferent duct, epididymis, and vas deferens at a micro-scale spatial resolution with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Micro computed tomography imaging is presented as a reference for the proposed OCT imaging. Application of functional OCT analysis allowed for 3D mapping of the cilia beat frequency in the efferent duct, which volumetrically visualized the spatial distribution of the ciliated cells and corresponding ciliary activities. Potentially these analyses could be expanded to in vivo settings through intravital approach. In summary, this study demonstrated that OCT has a great potential to investigate the microstructure and dynamics, such as cilia beating, muscle contractions, and sperm transport, within the male reproductive tract.
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Ridzewski C, Li M, Dong B, Magdanz V. Gelatin Microcartridges for Onboard Activation and Antioxidant Protection of Sperm. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:1616-1627. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b01188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ridzewski
- Chair of Applied Zoology, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mingtong Li
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Bin Dong
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China
| | - Veronika Magdanz
- Chair of Applied Zoology, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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Assessment of reflectance confocal microscopy for non-invasive selection of optimal ovarian cortex fragments for autotransplantation. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 38:999-1009. [PMID: 30954431 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) be used to determine follicle density in human ovarian cortex fragments that are intended for fertility restoration? DESIGN RCM was used on living cortex tissue fragments derived from five bovine ovaries and 13 human ovaries. All tissue fragments were cryopreserved and thawed before RCM analysis. Follicle numbers and distribution were determined by RCM and histology. Before and after RCM, general tissue viability and follicle integrity were assessed by a glucose uptake assay and neutral red staining, respectively. RESULTS RCM can detect all stages of follicle development in living ovarian tissue to a maximum depth of 250 µm. In bovine tissue, all follicles were located within this 0-250 µm range. In human ovarian tissue, follicles were also present below the 250 µm RCM threshold, implying that only a percentage of the total number of follicles could be detected with RCM. The percentage of follicles detected by RCM appeared to be age dependent. The RCM procedure did not affect the glucose uptake by the tissue, whereas neutral red staining indicated a high level of follicle survival. CONCLUSION In this proof of concept study, we have shown that RCM is a promising technique to determine the density of follicles ex vivo in living human ovarian cortex fragments, apparently without compromising the vitality of the tissue. Safety studies and further optimization of the RCM technique with a focus on increasing the penetration depth are required before clinical use of RCM.
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Head J, Tenan MS, Tweedell AJ, LaFiandra ME, Morelli F, Wilson KM, Ortega SV, Helton WS. Prior Mental Fatigue Impairs Marksmanship Decision Performance. Front Physiol 2017; 8:680. [PMID: 28951724 PMCID: PMC5599781 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Mental fatigue has been shown to impair subsequent physical performance in continuous and discontinuous exercise. However, its influence on subsequent fine-motor performance in an applied setting (e.g., marksmanship for trained soldiers) is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether prior mental fatigue influences subsequent marksmanship performance as measured by shooting accuracy and judgment of soldiers in a live-fire scenario. Methods: Twenty trained infantry soldiers engaged targets after completing either a mental fatigue or control intervention in a repeated measure design. Heart rate variability and the NASA-TLX were used to gauge physiological and subjective effects of the interventions. Target hit proportion, projectile group accuracy, and precision were used to measure marksmanship accuracy. Marksmanship accuracy was assessed by measuring bullet group accuracy (i.e., how close a group of shots are relative to center of mass) and bullet group precision (i.e., how close are each individual shot to each other). Additionally, marksmanship decision accuracy (correctly shooting vs. correctly withholding shot) when engaging targets was used to examine marksmanship performance. Results: Soldiers rated the mentally fatiguing task (59.88 ± 23.7) as having greater mental workload relative to the control intervention [31.29 ± 12.3, t(19) = 1.72, p < 0.001]. Additionally, soldiers completing the mental fatigue intervention (96.04 ± = 37.1) also had lower time-domain (standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals) heart rate variability relative to the control [134.39 ± 47.4, t(18) = 3.59, p < 0.001]. Projectile group accuracy and group precision failed to show differences between interventions [t(19) = 0.98, p = 0.34, t(19) = 0.18, p = 0.87, respectively]. Marksmanship decision errors significantly increased after soldiers completed the mental fatigue intervention (48% ± 22.4) relative to the control intervention [M = 32% ± 79.9, t(19) = 4.39, p < 0.001]. There was a significant negative correlation between shooting response time and errors of commission (r = −0.61; p = 0.004) when preceded by the mental fatigue intervention, but not the control (r = −0.31; p = 0.17). Conclusion: The mental fatigue intervention was successful in eliciting fatigue which was supported subjectively and objectively. Marksmanship judgment performance is significantly reduced when soldiers are mentally fatigued, although shot accuracy is not.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Head
- United States Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Dismounted Soldier and Team Performance BranchAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Matthew S Tenan
- United States Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Integrated Capability Enhancement BranchAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Andrew J Tweedell
- United States Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Integrated Capability Enhancement BranchAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Michael E LaFiandra
- United States Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Integrated Capability Enhancement BranchAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Frank Morelli
- United States Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Integrated Capability Enhancement BranchAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - Kyle M Wilson
- Psychology Department, University of HuddersfieldHuddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Samson V Ortega
- United States Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Dismounted Soldier and Team Performance BranchAberdeen Proving Ground, MD, United States
| | - William S Helton
- ARCH Lab, Human Factors and Applied Cognition, George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA, United States
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Peters IT, Stegehuis PL, Peek R, Boer FL, van Zwet EW, Eggermont J, Westphal JR, Kuppen PJ, Trimbos JB, Hilders CG, Lelieveldt BP, van de Velde CJ, Bosse T, Dijkstra J, Vahrmeijer AL. Noninvasive Detection of Metastases and Follicle Density in Ovarian Tissue Using Full-Field Optical Coherence Tomography. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:5506-5513. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Raghunathan R, Singh M, Dickinson ME, Larin KV. Optical coherence tomography for embryonic imaging: a review. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:50902. [PMID: 27228503 PMCID: PMC4881290 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.5.050902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis is a highly complex and dynamic process, and its visualization is crucial for understanding basic physiological processes during development and for identifying and assessing possible defects, malformations, and diseases. While traditional imaging modalities, such as ultrasound biomicroscopy, micro-magnetic resonance imaging, and micro-computed tomography, have long been adapted for embryonic imaging, these techniques generally have limitations in their speed, spatial resolution, and contrast to capture processes such as cardiodynamics during embryogenesis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging modality with micrometer-scale spatial resolution and imaging depth up to a few millimeters in tissue. OCT has bridged the gap between ultrahigh resolution imaging techniques with limited imaging depth like confocal microscopy and modalities, such as ultrasound sonography, which have deeper penetration but poorer spatial resolution. Moreover, the noninvasive nature of OCT has enabled live imaging of embryos without any external contrast agents. We review how OCT has been utilized to study developing embryos and also discuss advances in techniques used in conjunction with OCT to understand embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raksha Raghunathan
- University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3517 Cullen Boulevard, Room 2027, Houston, Texas 77204-5060, United States
| | - Manmohan Singh
- University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3517 Cullen Boulevard, Room 2027, Houston, Texas 77204-5060, United States
| | - Mary E. Dickinson
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, One Baylor Plaza- BCM335, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- University of Houston, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 3517 Cullen Boulevard, Room 2027, Houston, Texas 77204-5060, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, One Baylor Plaza- BCM335, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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