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Fietz D, Sgaier R, O’Donnell L, Stanton PG, Dagley LF, Webb AI, Schuppe HC, Diemer T, Pilatz A. Proteomic biomarkers in seminal plasma as predictors of reproductive potential in azoospermic men. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1327800. [PMID: 38654926 PMCID: PMC11035875 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1327800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Azoospermia, characterized by an absence of sperm in the ejaculate, represents the most severe form of male infertility. While surgical sperm retrieval in obstructive azoospermia (OA) is successful in the majority of cases, patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) show retrieval rates of only about 50% and thus frequently have unnecessary surgery. Surgical intervention could be avoided if patients without preserved spermatogenesis are identified preoperatively. This prospective study aimed to discover biomarkers in seminal plasma that could be employed for a non-invasive differential diagnosis of OA/NOA in order to rationalize surgery recommendations and improve success rates. Methods All patients signed written informed consent, underwent comprehensive andrological evaluation, received human genetics to exclude relevant pathologies, and patients with azoospermia underwent surgical sperm retrieval. Using label-free LC-MS/MS, we compared the proteomes of seminal plasma samples from fertile men (healthy controls (HC), n=8) and infertile men diagnosed with 1) OA (n=7), 2) NOA with successful sperm retrieval (mixed testicular atrophy (MTA), n=8), and 3) NOA without sperm retrieval (Sertoli cell-only phenotype (SCO), n=7). Relative abundance changes of two candidate markers of sperm retrieval, HSPA2 and LDHC, were confirmed by Western Blot. Results We found the protein expression levels of 42 proteins to be significantly down-regulated (p ≤ 0.05) in seminal plasma from SCO NOA patients relative to HC whereas only one protein was down-regulated in seminal plasma from MTA patients. Analysis of tissue and cell expression suggested that the testis-specific proteins LDHC, PGK2, DPEP3, and germ-cell enriched heat-shock proteins HSPA2 and HSPA4L are promising biomarkers of spermatogenic function. Western blotting revealed a significantly lower abundance of LDHC and HSPA2 in the seminal plasma of men with NOA (SCO and MTA) compared to controls. Discussion The results indicate that certain testis-specific proteins when measured in seminal plasma, could serve as indicators of the presence of sperm in the testis and predict the success of sperm retrieval. Used in conjunction with conventional clinical assessments, these proteomic biomarkers may assist in the non-invasive diagnosis of idiopathic male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Fietz
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raouda Sgaier
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Liza O’Donnell
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter G. Stanton
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura F. Dagley
- Advanced Technology and Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew I. Webb
- Advanced Technology and Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Diemer
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Ali N, Amelkina O, Santymire RM, Koepfli KP, Comizzoli P, Vazquez JM. Semen proteome and transcriptome of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) show association with the environment and fertility outcome. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7063. [PMID: 38528039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57096-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The ex situ population of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) has been experiencing declines in reproductive success over the past 30 years of human-managed care. A potential cause may be environmental-dependent inbreeding depression with diet being one of the contributing factors since ferrets are not fed their natural diet of prairie dogs. Here, we generated and analyzed semen proteome and transcriptome data from both wild and ex situ ferrets maintained on various diets. We identified 1757 proteins across all samples, with 149 proteins unique to the semen of wild ferrets and forming a ribosomal predicted protein-protein interaction cluster. Wild ferrets also differed from ex situ ferrets in their transcriptomic profile, showing enrichment in ribosomal RNA processing and potassium ion transport. Successful fertility outcomes documented for ex situ ferrets showed the strongest association with the semen transcriptome, with enrichment in genes involved in translation initiation and focal adhesion. Fertility also synergized with the effect of diet on differentially expressed transcriptomes, mainly affecting genes enriched in mitochondrial function. Our data and functional networks are important for understanding the causes and mechanisms of declining fertility in the ex situ ferret population and can be used as a resource for future conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadya Ali
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Olga Amelkina
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA.
| | | | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA.
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, George Mason University, Front Royal, VA, USA.
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Juan M Vazquez
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
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Fan Y, Li X, Li J, Xiong X, Yin S, Fu W, Wang P, Liu J, Xiong Y. Differential metabolites screening in yak (Bos grunniens) seminal plasma after cryopreservation and the evaluation of the effect of galactose on post-thaw sperm motility. Theriogenology 2024; 215:249-258. [PMID: 38103402 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.12.011] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Sperm survival and activity depend on the provision of energy and nutrients from seminal plasma (SP). This study aimed to investigate the variations of metabolites within SP before and after freezing and subsequently explore the potential regulatory mechanisms affecting yak sperm cryodamage due to changes in metabolites in the SP. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed to screen for differential metabolites, followed by KEGG analysis to identify enriched signaling pathways. The combinatorial analysis of metabolomics and sperm proteomics revealed the influence of key SP metabolites on sperm proteins. Subsequently, the relevant differentially expressed proteins were verified by Western blot analysis. Finally, the mechanism underlying the positive effect of galactose on sperm motility was determined by assessing the change in ATP content in sperm before and after freezing and thawing. The data showed that a total of 425 and 269 metabolites were identified in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Freezing and thawing resulted in the up-regulation of 70 metabolites and the down-regulation of 29 metabolites in SP. The primary impact of freezing and thawing was observed in carbohydrate metabolism, including pyruvate metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, galactose metabolism, the TCA cycle, and butanoate metabolism. In the combined analysis and Western blot results, a significant positive correlation was observed between galactose and Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) (P < 0.05), which has the ability to convert galactose into galactol. Furthermore, the addition of galactose to thawed semen improved sperm motility by increasing AKR1B1 protein in sperm and was associated with the content of ATP. These data identify differential metabolites between fresh and frozen-thawed SP and suggest that galactose is a valuable additive for cryopreserved sperm, providing a theoretical basis for further exploration of the refrigerant formula for yak sperm cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Fan
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Longri Breeding Stock Farm of Sichuan Province, Dujiangyan, 611800, China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Xianrong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shi Yin
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Sichuan Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Institute of Animal Husbandry Science, Kangding, 626000, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Sichuan Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Institute of Animal Husbandry Science, Kangding, 626000, China
| | - Yan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Reservation and Utilization, Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Wattananit P, Yingchutrakul Y, Kornkaewrat K, Mahasawangkul S, Roytrakul S, Pinyopummin A. Non-targeted proteomic analysis of Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus) seminal plasma using an in-solution digestion technique and liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1174078. [PMID: 37799407 PMCID: PMC10548676 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1174078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma proteins have recently been reported to play a significant role as valuable materials for understanding male reproductive biology, identifying causes of fertility problems, and developing reproductive biomarkers. Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma holds promise in advancing the understanding of male Asian elephant reproductive biology. This study aims to explore seminal plasma proteins of Asian elephants and their probable functions to provide fundamental information about male reproduction in this species. The protein solution from pooled seminal plasma from 10 bulls (a total of 33 ejaculates) was digested into peptides and identified using LC-MS/MS. Out of 986 proteins, 597 were mapped and matched with 58 species in UniProt databases, including Elephas maximus. These mapped proteins were mostly involved in binding function, catalytic activity, cellular process, and metabolic process. Only 29 mapped proteins were recognized to be related in reproductive process, mainly associated in spermatogenesis and sperm capacitation. Additionally, several seminal plasma proteins related to fertility or semen quality in other mammals were also found in Asian elephant semen, such as keratin type I, aldose reductase, thrombospondon-1, fibronectin 1, platelet-activating factor acetyl hydrolase, mannosidase, and semenogelin-2. This discovery clearly reveals the beneficial protein profile in seminal plasma of the Asian elephant and serves as a crucial step in investigating infertility and poor semen quality in this valuable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Podjana Wattananit
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Yodying Yingchutrakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | | | | | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Anuchai Pinyopummin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Grande G, Graziani A, De Toni L, Garolla A, Milardi D, Ferlin A. Acquired Male Hypogonadism in the Post-Genomic Era-A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1854. [PMID: 37763258 PMCID: PMC10532903 DOI: 10.3390/life13091854] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although precision medicine took its first steps from genomic medicine, it has gone far beyond genomics, considering the full complexity of cellular physiology. Therefore, the present time can be considered as the "post-genomic era". In detail, proteomics captures the overall protein profile of an analyzed sample, whilst metabolomics has the purpose of studying the molecular aspects of a known medical condition through the measurement of metabolites with low molecular weight in biological specimens. In this review, the role of post-genomic platforms, namely proteomics and metabolomics, is evaluated with a specific interest in their application for the identification of novel biomarkers in male hypogonadism and in the identification of new perspectives of knowledge on the pathophysiological function of testosterone. Post-genomic platforms, including MS-based proteomics and metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-HRMS, have been applied to find solutions to clinical questions related to the diagnosis and treatment of male hypogonadism. In detail, seminal proteomics helped us in identifying novel non-invasive markers of androgen activity to be translated into clinical practice, sperm proteomics revealed the role of testosterone in spermatogenesis, while serum metabolomics helped identify the different metabolic pathways associated with testosterone deficiency and replacement treatment, both in patients with insulin sensitivity and patients with insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Grande
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (L.D.T.); (A.G.); (A.F.)
| | - Andrea Graziani
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (L.D.T.); (A.G.); (A.F.)
| | - Luca De Toni
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (L.D.T.); (A.G.); (A.F.)
| | - Andrea Garolla
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (L.D.T.); (A.G.); (A.F.)
| | - Domenico Milardi
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institute (IRCCS), 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.G.); (L.D.T.); (A.G.); (A.F.)
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Olesti E, Boccard J, Rahban R, Girel S, Moskaleva NE, Zufferey F, Rossier MF, Nef S, Rudaz S, González-Ruiz V. Low-polarity untargeted metabolomic profiling as a tool to gain insight into seminal fluid. Metabolomics 2023; 19:53. [PMID: 37271779 PMCID: PMC10239740 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-023-02020-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A decrease in sperm cell count has been observed along the last several decades, especially in the most developed regions of the world. The use of metabolomics to study the composition of the seminal fluid is a promising approach to gain access to the molecular mechanisms underlying this fact. OBJECTIVES In the present work, we aimed at relating metabolomic profiles of young healthy men to their semen quality parameters obtained from conventional microscopic analysis. METHODS An untargeted metabolomics approach focusing on low- to mid-polarity compounds was used to analyze a subset of seminal fluid samples from a cohort of over 2700 young healthy men. RESULTS Our results show that a broad metabolic profiling comprising several families of compounds (including acyl-carnitines, steroids, and other lipids) can contribute to effectively distinguish samples provided by individuals exhibiting low or high absolute sperm counts. CONCLUSION A number of metabolites involved in sexual development and function, signaling, and energy metabolism were highlighted as being distinctive of samples coming from either group, proving untargeted metabolomics as a promising tool to better understand the pathophysiological processes responsible for male fertility impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eulalia Olesti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julien Boccard
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rita Rahban
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergey Girel
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Natalia E Moskaleva
- Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics and Metabolomic Analysis, Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Fanny Zufferey
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
- Service of Clinical Chemistry & Toxicology, Central Institute of Hospitals, Hospital of Valais, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Michel F Rossier
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
- Service of Clinical Chemistry & Toxicology, Central Institute of Hospitals, Hospital of Valais, Sion, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Rudaz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Víctor González-Ruiz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Basel, Switzerland
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid, Spain
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Chen X, Wu B, Shen X, Wang X, Ping P, Miao M, Liang N, Yin H, Shi H, Qian J, Zhang T. Relevance of PUFA-derived metabolites in seminal plasma to male infertility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1138984. [PMID: 37284213 PMCID: PMC10240070 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1138984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This study aims to investigate the biological effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-derived metabolites in seminal plasma on male fertility and to evaluate the potential of PUFA as a biomarker for normozoospermic male infertility. Methods From September 2011 to April 2012, We collected semen samples from 564 men aged 18 to 50 years old (mean=32.28 years old)ch., residing in the Sandu County, Guizhou Province, China. The donors included 376 men with normozoospermia (fertile: n=267; infertile: n=109) and 188 men with oligoasthenozoospermia (fertile: n=121; infertile: n=67). The samples thus obtained were then analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect the levels of PUFA-derived metabolites in April 2013. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2020, to May 15, 2022. Results Our analysis of propensity score-matched cohorts revealed that the concentrations of 9/26 and 7/26 metabolites differed significantly between fertile and infertile men with normozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia, respectively (FDR < 0.05). In men with normozoospermia, higher levels of 7(R)-MaR1 (HR: 0.4 (95% CI [0.24, 0.64]) and 11,12-DHET (0.36 (95% CI [0.21, 0.58]) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of infertility, while higher levels of 17(S)-HDHA (HR: 2.32 (95% CI [1.44, 3.79]), LXA5 (HR: 8.38 (95% CI [4.81, 15.24]), 15d-PGJ2 (HR: 1.71 (95% CI [1.06, 2.76]), and PGJ2 (HR: 2.28 (95% CI [1.42, 3.7]) correlated with an increased risk of infertility. Our ROC model using the differentially expressed metabolites showed the value of the area under the curve to be 0.744. Conclusion The PUFA-derived metabolites 7(R)-MaR1, 11,12-DHET, 17(S)-HDHA, LXA5, and PGJ2 might be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers of infertility in normozoospermic men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Chen
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wu
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - XiaoRong Shen
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Ping
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maohua Miao
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningning Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiyong Yin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism, and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Qian
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiancheng Zhang
- National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC), Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Gouletsou PG, Tsangaris GT, Katsarou EI, Bourganou MV, Barbagianni MS, Venianaki AP, Bouroutzika E, Anagnostopoulos AK, Fthenakis GC, Katsafadou AI. Proteomics Evaluation of Semen of Clinically Healthy Beagle-Breed Dogs. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9120697. [PMID: 36548858 PMCID: PMC9785154 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the present work were to evaluate the semen of dogs by means of proteomics methods and to compare with proteomics results of the blood of the animals, in order to increase available knowledge on the topic and present relevant reference values for semen samples. Semen samples were collected from five Beagle-breed dogs. Reproductive assessment of the animals by means of clinical, ultrasonographic and seminological examinations confirmed their reproductive health. The sperm-rich fraction and the prostatic fraction of semen were processed for proteomics evaluation. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed by means of a LTQ Orbitrap Elite system. The technology combines high separation capacity and strong qualitative ability of proteins in biological samples that require deep proteome coverage. Protein classification was performed based on their functional annotations using Gene Ontology (GO). In blood plasma, semen sperm-rich fraction, and semen prostatic fraction, 59, 42 and 43 proteins, respectively, were detected. Two proteins were identified simultaneously in plasma and the semen sperm-rich fraction, 11 proteins in plasma and the semen prostatic fraction, and three proteins in the semen sperm-rich and prostatic fractions. In semen samples, most proteins were related to cell organization and biogenesis, metabolic processes or transport of ions and molecules. Most proteins were located in the cell membrane, the cytosol or the nucleus. Finally, most proteins performed functions related to binding or enzyme regulation. There were no differences between the semen sperm-rich fraction and prostatic fractions in terms of the clustering of proteins. In conclusion, a baseline reference for proteins in the semen of Beagle-breed dogs is provided. These proteins are involved mostly in supporting spermatozoan maturation, survival and motility, enhancing the reproductive performance of male animals. There appears potential for the proteomics examination of semen to become a tool in semen evaluation. This analysis may potentially identify biomarkers for reproductive disorders. This can be particularly useful in stud animals, also given its advantage as a non-invasive method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Th. Tsangaris
- Proteomics Research Unit, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria V. Bourganou
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece
| | | | | | - Efterpi Bouroutzika
- Proteomics Research Unit, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Angeliki I. Katsafadou
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Light Microscopy and Proteomic Patterns of Ovulation in Cervical Mucus. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111815. [DOI: 10.3390/life12111815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing number of couples interested in identifying the fertile window for the purpose of conceiving. From what has been published so far, it can be concluded that there are no reliable methods to predict ovulation, and, therefore, to predict the fertile window. Proteins of the cervical mucus (CM) could behave as biomarkers to allow the early and precise identification of ovulation. CM samples were collected from the lumen of the cervical canal from women of reproductive age, on three different days of the same menstrual cycle. Samples were first analyzed and classified by light microscopy. High-resolution mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis were performed afterwards to determine the in vivo changes of CM protein composition. CM underwent cyclical changes in its biophysical composition, which were evidenced by changes in the crystallographic patterns observed under the light microscope. The proteomic analysis revealed changes in the protein composition of CM along the cycle. Twenty-five out of the forty-eight total proteins identified could become potential biomarkers of ovulation. The coordinated changes in the composition of the CM around the time of ovulation could be happening to specifically grant access to a foreign body, such as the sperm might be.
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Grande G, Barrachina F, Soler-Ventura A, Jodar M, Mancini F, Marana R, Chiloiro S, Pontecorvi A, Oliva R, Milardi D. The Role of Testosterone in Spermatogenesis: Lessons From Proteome Profiling of Human Spermatozoa in Testosterone Deficiency. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:852661. [PMID: 35663320 PMCID: PMC9161277 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.852661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone is essential to maintain qualitative spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, no studies have been yet performed in humans to analyze the testosterone-mediated expression of sperm proteins and their importance in reproduction. Thus, this study aimed to identify sperm protein alterations in male hypogonadism using proteomic profiling. We have performed a comparative proteomic analysis comparing sperm from fertile controls (a pool of 5 normogonadic normozoospermic fertile men) versus sperm from patients with secondary hypogonadism (a pool of 5 oligozoospermic hypogonadic patients due to isolated LH deficiency). Sperm protein composition was analyzed, after peptide labelling with Isobaric Tags, via liquid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on an LTQ Velos-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. LC-MS/MS data were analyzed using Proteome Discoverer. Criteria used to accept protein identification included a false discovery rate (FDR) of 1% and at least 1 peptide match per protein. Up to 986 proteins were identified and, of those, 43 proteins were differentially expressed: 32 proteins were under-expressed and 11 were over-expressed in the pool of hypogonadic patients compared to the controls. Bioinformatic analyses were performed using UniProt Knowledgebase, and the Gene Ontology Consortium database based on PANTHER. Notably, 13 of these 43 differentially expressed proteins have been previously reported to be related to sperm function and spermatogenesis. Western blot analyses for A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 3 (AKAP3) and the Prolactin Inducible Protein (PIP) were used to confirm the proteomics data. In summary, a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach was used for the first time to describe alterations of the sperm proteome in secondary male hypogonadism. Some of the differential sperm proteins described in this study, which include Prosaposin, SMOC-1, SERPINA5, SPANXB1, GSG1, ELSPBP1, fibronectin, 5-oxoprolinase, AKAP3, AKAP4, HYDIN, ROPN1B, ß-Microseminoprotein and Protein S100-A8, could represent new targets for the design of infertility treatments due to androgen deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Grande
- Research Group on Human Fertility, International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Ferran Barrachina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ada Soler-Ventura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Mancini
- Research Group on Human Fertility, International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marana
- Research Group on Human Fertility, International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Chiloiro
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Research Group on Human Fertility, International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Domenico Milardi
- Research Group on Human Fertility, International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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Araujo SC, Bertolla RP. Protein markers of spermatogenesis and their potential use in the management of azoospermia. Expert Rev Proteomics 2021; 18:939-948. [PMID: 34812697 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2021.2010548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Azoospermia, absence of sperm in the ejaculate is classified as obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). In OA, sperm are produced, but due to physical obstruction in the male reproductive tract, they are not released in the ejaculate. NOA, on the other hand, is defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to testicular dysfunction. In NOA, spermatogenesis is frequently preserved in specific sites, and proteomics studies have been employed in order to identify men with preserved spermatogenesis. AREAS COVERED Differential protein expression in patients with male infertility is an indicator of impaired spermatogenesis. Here, we reviewed proteins with a potential role as biomarkers of spermatogenesis that could help in the management of non-obstructive and obstructive azoospermia. The following keywords were used for bibliographic research: seminal plasma, proteomics, male infertility, nonobstructive, obstructive, azoospermia, oligospermia. EXPERT OPINION Biopsy is an invasive and potentially harmful technique for detecting spermatogenesis in men with OA and NOA. Seminal plasma proteins are highly promising as biomarkers for spermatogenesis. Current literature presents a number of potential candidate biomarkers for determining preserved spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Costa Araujo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Mateo-Otero Y, Viñolas-Vergés E, Llavanera M, Ribas-Maynou J, Roca J, Yeste M, Barranco I. Aldose Reductase B1 in Pig Seminal Plasma: Identification, Localization in Reproductive Tissues, and Relationship With Quality and Sperm Preservation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:683199. [PMID: 34169077 PMCID: PMC8217816 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.683199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aldose reductase B1 (AKR1B1), a NADPH-dependent enzyme that belongs to the aldo-keto reductase protein superfamily, has been reported to be involved in both male and female reproductive physiology. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the concentration of SP-AKR1B1 in pig ejaculate fractions; (2) to describe the immunohistochemical localization of AKR1B1 alongside the boar genital tract; (3) to evaluate the relationship between SP-AKR1B1 and sperm quality/functionality parameters. Ejaculates from seven boars (one ejaculate per boar) were collected in separate portions [the first 10 mL of the sperm rich fraction (SRF-P1), the rest of the SRF (SRF-P2), and the post-SRF (PSRF)], and the concentration of SP-AKR1B1 was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting targeting was conducted in the reproductive tissues of these boars. Additionally, the entire ejaculates of 14 boars (one ejaculate per boar) were collected and split into three separate aliquots for: (i) SP-AKR1B1 quantification; (ii) assessment of sperm concentration and morphology; and (iii) evaluation of sperm quality and functionality parameters upon ejaculate collection (0 h) and after 72 h of liquid storage at 17°C. Concentration of AKR1B1 in the SP of SRF-P1 (458.2 ± 116.33 ng/mL) was lower (P < 0.05) than that of SRF-P2 (1105.0 ± 229.80 ng/mL) and PSRF (1342.4 ± 260.18 ng/mL). Monomeric and dimeric AKR1B1 forms were expressed alongside the reproductive tissues, except in the bulbourethral glands. No relationship between SP-AKR1B1 and sperm quality/functionality parameters was observed either at 0 h or after 72 h of storage at 17°C. In conclusion, AKR1B1 is expressed in the reproductive organs of boars (except bulbourethral glands) and a higher concentration is found in the PSRF suggesting that seminal vesicles would be the main secretory source. However, this enzyme does not appear to be related to sperm quality/functionality or to the sperm ability to withstand liquid storage at 17°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Estel Viñolas-Vergés
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Llavanera
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Isabel Barranco
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Lobo J, Leão R, Jerónimo C, Henrique R. Liquid Biopsies in the Clinical Management of Germ Cell Tumor Patients: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052654. [PMID: 33800799 PMCID: PMC7961393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies constitute a minimally invasive means of managing cancer patients, entailing early diagnosis, follow-up and prediction of response to therapy. Their use in the germ cell tumor field is invaluable since diagnostic tissue biopsies (which are invasive) are often not performed, and therefore only a presumptive diagnosis can be made, confirmed upon examination of the surgical specimen. Herein, we provide an overall review of the current liquid biopsy-based biomarkers of this disease, including the classical, routinely used serum tumor markers—the promising microRNAs rapidly approaching the introduction into clinical practice—but also cell-free DNA markers (including DNA methylation) and circulating tumor cells. Finally, and importantly, we also explore novel strategies and challenges for liquid biopsy markers and methodologies, providing a critical view of the future directions for liquid biopsy tests in this field, highlighting gaps and unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Leão
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (C.J.); (R.H.); Tel.: +351-22-225084000 (C.J. & R.H.); Fax: +351-22-5084199 (C.J. & R.H.)
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (C.J.); (R.H.); Tel.: +351-22-225084000 (C.J. & R.H.); Fax: +351-22-5084199 (C.J. & R.H.)
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Cannarella R, Barbagallo F, Crafa A, La Vignera S, Condorelli RA, Calogero AE. Seminal Plasma Transcriptome and Proteome: Towards a Molecular Approach in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Male Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197308. [PMID: 33022946 PMCID: PMC7582752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As the “-omic” technology has largely developed, its application in the field of medical science seems a highly promising tool to clarify the etiology, at least in part, of the so-called idiopathic male infertility. The seminal plasma (SP) is made-up of secretions coming from the male accessory glands, namely epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. It is not only a medium for sperm transport since it is able to modulate the female reproductive environment and immunity, to allow the acquisition of sperm competence, to influence the sperm RNA content, and even embryo development. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an updated and comprehensive description of the main transcripts and proteins reported by transcriptome and proteome studies performed in the human SP of patients with idiopathic infertility, in the attempt of identifying possible candidate molecular targets. We recurrently found that micro RNA (miR)-34, miR-122, and miR-509 are down-regulated in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oligozoospermia compared with fertile controls. These molecules may represent interesting targets whose predictive role in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, according to the available proteomic studies, ECM1, TEX101, lectingalactoside-binding andsoluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) have been reported as accurate predictors of TESE outcome. Interestingly, ECM1 is differently expressed in patients with different ART outcomes. Further prospective, ample-sized studies are needed to validate these molecular targets that will help in the counseling of patients with NOA or undergoing ART.
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15
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Exosome Composition and Seminal Plasma Proteome: A Promising Source of Biomarkers of Male Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197022. [PMID: 32987677 PMCID: PMC7583765 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility has become a global health issue, with approximately 50% of infertility cases generated by disorders in male reproduction. Spermatozoa are conveyed towards female genital tracts in a safe surrounding provided by the seminal plasma. Interestingly, this dynamically changing medium is a rich source of proteins, essential not only for sperm transport, but also for its protection and maturation. Most of the seminal proteins are acquired by spermatozoa in transit through exosomes (epididymosomes and prostasomes). The high number of seminal proteins, the increasing knowledge of their origins and biological functions and their differential expression in the case of azoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia or other conditions of male infertility have allowed the identification of a wide variety of biomarker candidates and their involvement in biological pathways, thus to strongly suggest that the proteomic landscape of seminal plasma may be a potential indicator of sperm dysfunction. This review summarizes the current knowledge in seminal plasma proteomics and its potentiality as a diagnostic tool in different degrees of male infertility.
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Dysregulation of Key Proteins Associated with Sperm Motility and Fertility Potential in Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186754. [PMID: 32942548 PMCID: PMC7554694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has adverse effects on male reproductive health. Conventional semen analysis does not explain the molecular changes in the spermatozoa of cancer patients. Currently, proteomics is being widely used to identify the fertility-associated molecular pathways affected in spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sperm proteome of patients with various types of cancer. Cryopreserved semen samples from patients (testicular cancer, n = 40; Hodgkin’s disease, n = 32; lymphoma, n = 20; leukemia, n = 17) before starting therapy were used for proteomic analysis, while samples from fertile donors (n = 19) were included as controls. The proteomic profiling of sperm was carried out by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and differentially expressed proteins involved in the reproductive processes were validated by Western blotting. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that proteins associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative phosphorylation, and Sirtuin signaling pathways were dysregulated in cancer patients, while oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid cycle were predicted to be deactivated. Furthermore, the analysis revealed dysregulation of key proteins associated with sperm fertility potential and motility (NADH:Ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S1, superoxide dismutase 1, SERPINA5, and cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 2) in the cancer group, which were further validated by Western blot. Dysfunctional molecular mechanisms essential for fertility in cancer patients prior to therapy highlight the potential impact of cancer phenotype on male fertility.
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17
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Kumar N, Singh NK. "Emerging role of Novel Seminal Plasma Bio-markers in Male Infertility: A Review". Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 253:170-179. [PMID: 32871440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility has emerged as an important cause of infertility worldwide. There are many factors affecting male fertility and research is going on to know impact of various factors on sperm functions. Semen analysis is gold standard diagnostic test for male infertility, but it is crude method for estimation of male infertility as seminal composition gets affected by environmental factors, infections, other pathologies, hence, results of semen analysis either becomes normal/ambiguous, leading to failure of diagnosis and delayed treatment. Hence, with need of newer, better tests for assessing male factor infertility, seminal plasma is being tested for biomarkers. Seminal plasma is considered gold mine for male fertility as it contains molecules from male reproductive glands which play important role in sperm function. Study of seminal plasma molecules can give an idea about sperm concentration, motility, morphology and cause of infertility and can serve as biomarkers for male infertility. Present review briefs on some of these novel seminal plasma biomarkers which may play significant role in male fertility and can be used in future for better identification, assessment of infertile males. METHODOLOGY Literature from 1985 to 2019 was searched from various databases including PUBMED, SCOPUS, Google Scholar on seminal plasma biomarkers using keywords: "seminal plasma protein biomarkers", "novel seminal plasma markers and male infertility", "hormones in seminal plasma and male infertility", "oxidative stress and male infertility", "Reactive Oxygen Species and sperm DNA", "immunoinfertility". INCLUSION CRITERIA All full length original or review articles or abstracts on seminal plasma markers and male infertility published in English language in various peer-reviewed journals were considered. EXCLUSION CRITERIA Articles published in languages other than English were excluded from the study. RESULTS Seminal plasma is a big reservoir of molecules derived from the various male reproductive glands which can be used as potential biomarkers of male fertility. CONCLUSION Hence, seminal plasma biomarkers can be used in future for better assessment of male factor infertility, its causes and may play an important role in management of male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, 522503, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Namit Kant Singh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Li L, Hao X, Chen H, Wang L, Chen A, Song X, Hu Z, Su Y, Lin H, Fan P. Metabolomic characterization of semen from asthenozoospermic patients using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Biomed Chromatogr 2020; 34:e4897. [PMID: 32428267 PMCID: PMC7507193 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AS) is a common factor of male infertility, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential seminal plasma metabolic pattern in asthenozoospermic men and to identify potential biomarkers in relation to spermatogenic dysfunction using sensitive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem quadruple time‐of‐flight MS (UHPLC–Q‐TOF/MS). The samples of seminal plasma from patients with AS (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) were checked and differentiated by UHPLC–Q‐TOF/MS. Compared with the control group, the AS group showed a total of nine significantly different metabolites, including increases in creatinine, uric acid, N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), uridine, and taurine and decreases in carnitine, nicotinamide, N‐acetylputrescine and l‐palmitoylcarnitine. By analyzing the correlation among these metabolites and clinical computer‐assisted semen analysis reports, we found that m6A is significantly correlated with not only the four decreased metabolites but also with sperm count, motility, and curvilinear velocity. Furthermore, nicotinamide was shown to correlate with other identified metabolites, indicating its important role in the metabolic pathway of AS. Current results implied that sensitive untargeted seminal plasma metabolomics could identify distinct metabolic patterns of AS and would help clinicians by offering novel cues for discovering the pathogenesis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinrui Hao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Aolei Chen
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaotian Song
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiyan Hu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Su
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Han Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pei Fan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Baskaran S, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R. Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13614. [PMID: 32400107 DOI: 10.1111/and.13614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a major health issue affecting over 48.5 million couples around the world, with the male factor accounting for about 50% of the cases. The conventional semen analysis recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the cornerstone in the evaluation of male fertility status. It includes macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the ejaculate, which reflects the production of spermatozoa in the testes, the patency of the duct system and the glandular secretory activity. Evaluation of seminal fructose, sperm vitality and leucocytes (Endtz test) are useful adjuncts to semen analysis that provide information on specific clinical conditions. Though several computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems have been developed, conventional methods for semen analysis are still widely accepted in clinical practice. This review summarises the conventional techniques used in routine semen analysis and their diagnostic value in clinical andrology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Pereira GR, de Lazari FL, Dalberto PF, Bizarro CV, Sontag ER, Koetz Junior C, Menegassi SRO, Barcellos JOJ, Bustamante-Filho IC. Effect of scrotal insulation on sperm quality and seminal plasma proteome of Brangus bulls. Theriogenology 2020; 144:194-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Agarwal A, Panner Selvam MK, Baskaran S. Proteomic Analyses of Human Sperm Cells: Understanding the Role of Proteins and Molecular Pathways Affecting Male Reproductive Health. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051621. [PMID: 32120839 PMCID: PMC7084638 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human sperm proteomics research has gained increasing attention lately, which provides complete information about the functional state of the spermatozoa. Changes in the sperm proteome are evident in several male infertility associated conditions. Global proteomic tools, such as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight, are used to profile the sperm proteins to identify the molecular pathways that are defective in infertile men. This review discusses the use of proteomic techniques to analyze the spermatozoa proteome. It also highlights the general steps involved in global proteomic approaches including bioinformatic analysis of the sperm proteomic data. Also, we have presented the findings of major proteomic studies and possible biomarkers in the diagnosis and therapeutics of male infertility. Extensive research on sperm proteome will help in understanding the role of fertility associated sperm proteins. Validation of the sperm proteins as biomarkers in different male infertility conditions may aid the physician in better clinical management.
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Morgan HL, Watkins AJ. The influence of seminal plasma on offspring development and health. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 97:131-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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De Lazari FL, Sontag ER, Schneider A, Araripe Moura AA, Vasconcelos FR, Nagano CS, Dalberto PF, Bizarro CV, Mattos RC, Mascarenhas Jobim MI, Bustamante-Filho IC. Proteomic identification of boar seminal plasma proteins related to sperm resistance to cooling at 17 °C. Theriogenology 2019; 147:135-145. [PMID: 31780059 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The modern pig industry relies on extensive use of artificial insemination with cooled semen. It is important that semen doses maintain their quality during processing, transport and storage before insemination to guarantee maximum fertility rates. However, ejaculates may respond differently to liquid preservation at 17 °C, despite the optimal quality assessed before cooling. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify differences in seminal plasma proteome of ejaculates with a higher or lower seminal resistance to storage at 17 °C. A total of 148 ejaculates from 65 sexually mature healthy boars were classified as: High Resistance to cooling (HR, total motility > 60% at 144h) and Low resistance to cooling (LR, total motility <60 at 72h). To identify differentially expressed seminal plasma proteins between HR and LR ejaculates, ten ejaculates of each group were analyzed by 2D SDS-PAGE and ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry. The proteins associated with HR ejaculates were cathepsin B (spot 2803 and 6601, p < 0.01); spermadhesin PSP-I (spots 3101 and 3103, p < 0.05); epididymal secretory protein E1 precursor (spot 2101, p < 0.05) and IgGFc binding protein (spot 1603, p < 0.01). The protein associated with LR group was the Major seminal plasma PSPI (spot 9103, p < 0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the association of boar seminal plasma proteins to semen resistance to cold storage at 17 °C. These results suggest the use of these proteins as biomarkers for semen resistance to preservation at 17 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciele Lucca De Lazari
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari - Univates, Rua Avelino Tallini, 171, 95914-014, Lajeado, RS, Brazil
| | - Elistone Rafael Sontag
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari - Univates, Rua Avelino Tallini, 171, 95914-014, Lajeado, RS, Brazil
| | - Alexander Schneider
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari - Univates, Rua Avelino Tallini, 171, 95914-014, Lajeado, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Roger Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Celso Shiniti Nagano
- Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ferrari Dalberto
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional (CPBMF), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Av. Ipiranga 6681 - Prédio 92A Tecnopuc, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiano Valim Bizarro
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biologia Molecular e Funcional (CPBMF), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Tuberculose (INCT-TB), Av. Ipiranga 6681 - Prédio 92A Tecnopuc, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Costa Mattos
- REPROLAB, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Ivan Cunha Bustamante-Filho
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari - Univates, Rua Avelino Tallini, 171, 95914-014, Lajeado, RS, Brazil.
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Kant K, Tomar AK, Singh S, Yadav S. Ageing associated proteomic variations in seminal plasma of Indian men. JOURNAL OF PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s42485-019-00013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Barrachina F, Jodar M, Delgado-Dueñas D, Soler-Ventura A, Estanyol JM, Mallofré C, Ballescà JL, Oliva R. Stable-protein Pair Analysis as A Novel Strategy to Identify Proteomic Signatures: Application To Seminal Plasma From Infertile Patients. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:S77-S90. [PMID: 30518674 PMCID: PMC6427235 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.001248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to define seminal plasma proteome signatures of infertile patients categorized according to their seminal parameters using TMT-LC-MS/MS. To that extent, quantitative proteomic data was analyzed following two complementary strategies: (1) the conventional approach based on standard statistical analyses of relative protein quantification values; and (2) a novel strategy focused on establishing stable-protein pairs. By conventional analyses, the abundance of some seminal plasma proteins was found to be positively correlated with sperm concentration. However, this correlation was not found for all the peptides within a specific protein, bringing to light the high heterogeneity existing in the seminal plasma proteome because of both the proteolytic fragments and/or the post-translational modifications. This issue was overcome by conducting the novel stable-protein pairs analysis proposed herein. A total of 182 correlations comprising 24 different proteins were identified in the normozoospermic-control population, whereas this proportion was drastically reduced in infertile patients with altered seminal parameters (18 in patients with reduced sperm motility, 0 in patients with low sperm concentration and 3 in patients with no sperm in the ejaculate). These results suggest the existence of multiple etiologies causing the same alteration in seminal parameters. Additionally, the repetition of the stable-protein pair analysis in the control group by adding the data from a single patient at a time enabled to identify alterations in the stable-protein pairs profile of individual patients with altered seminal parameters. These results suggest potential underlying pathogenic mechanisms in individual infertile patients, and might open up a window to its application in the personalized diagnostic of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- From the ‡Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- From the ‡Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Delgado-Dueñas
- From the ‡Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ada Soler-Ventura
- From the ‡Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Estanyol
- Proteomics Unit, Scientific Technical Services, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Mallofré
- Department of Pathology, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Lluís Ballescà
- Clinic Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- From the ‡Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain;.
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Camargo M, Intasqui P, Belardin L, Antoniassi M, Cardozo K, Carvalho V, Fraietta R, Bertolla R. Molecular pathways of varicocele and its repair – A paired labelled shotgun proteomics approach. J Proteomics 2019; 196:22-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Kisspeptin Protein in Seminal Plasma Is Positively Associated with Semen Quality: Results from the MARHCS Study in Chongqing, China. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:5129263. [PMID: 30729125 PMCID: PMC6343164 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5129263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To study the associations between kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma and blood plasma and semen quality. Materials and Methods We conducted a male reproductive health survey in June 2014. A total of 666 volunteers were recruited from colleges in Chongqing, China. All volunteers completed a questionnaire including information on domestic characteristics and some potential confounders. We tested the kisspeptin levels in both blood and seminal plasma. Total seminal kisspeptin was calculated as the concentration of kisspeptin in seminal plasma multiplied by semen volume. Semen samples were tested according to the 2010 World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines. Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression were used to explore the association between kisspeptin concentrations in seminal plasma and blood plasma and semen quality. Potential confounders that were adjusted for included age, abstinence time, body mass index (BMI), grade, and smoking. Results The median of kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma was 60,000 times higher than kisspeptin in blood plasma (28.0 × 106 pg/ml versus 448.9 pg/ml). Each interquartile range (IQR) of kisspeptin in seminal plasma was associated with a 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6%–7.6%) increase in sperm concentration. Each IQR of total kisspeptin was associated with a 7.7% (95% CI: 4.4%–11.0%) increase in total sperm number and a 7.8% (95% CI: 4.0%–11.7%) increase in total motile sperm count. Kisspeptin levels were further classified into quartiles and Q1 was set as the reference level. Subjects in the high total kisspeptin group had 57.5% (95% CI: 33.2%–86.2%) higher total sperm number than the reference group. Conclusion The positive association between kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma and semen quality supported an important role for the KISS1/GPR54 system in male reproductive health. Kisspeptin may be a potential marker of male reproductive health and an alternative strategy for treating infertility.
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Milardi D, Grande G, Vincenzoni F, Pierconti F, Pontecorvi A. Proteomics for the Identification of Biomarkers in Testicular Cancer-Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:462. [PMID: 31354629 PMCID: PMC6639829 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of biomarkers have been proposed for the diagnosis of testicular cancer, representing putative molecular targets for anticancer treatments. However, no conclusive data have been provided. Proteomics represents a research field recently developed. It evaluates the large-scale analysis of the full protein components of a single cell, of a specific tissue, or of biological fluids. In the last decades, proteomics has been applied in clinical fields, thanks to modern technology and new bioinformatic tools, to identify novel molecular markers of diseases. The aim of this review is to argue the findings of recent studies in the discoveries of putative prognostic and diagnostic markers of testis cancer by proteomic techniques. We present here a panel of proteins identified by proteomics which might be used after validation for early detection and the prognostic evaluation of testicular tumors. In addition, the molecular mechanisms revealed by these proteomic studies might also guide the development of novel treatments in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Milardi
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giuseppe Grande
| | - Federica Vincenzoni
- School of Medicine, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry Institute, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierconti
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Protein profile of Dabry's sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) spermatozoa and relationship to sperm quality. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 201:1-11. [PMID: 30587384 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of conditions affecting sperm quality is essential for efficient culture of fish for commercial purposes and conservation of species. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry were used to characterize the proteomic profile of Acipenser dabryanus spermatozoa relative to motility and fertilization capacity. There were differential amounts of protein in 313 spots in spermatozoa of males classified to have relatively greater or lesser spermatozoa quality. The functions of 43 of 50 selected proteins were identified. The proteins in 14 spots were involved in metabolism, and of these, proteins in 11 spots were highly abundant in spermatozoa of males categorized to have spermatozoa of greater quality, including pyruvate kinase, enolase B, phosphoglycerate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, brain creatine kinase b, Ckmb protein, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase. The proteins involved in mechanics of flagellum movement were identified, including the dynein intermediate chain, radial spoke head 1 homolog; ropporin-1-like, Bardet-Biedl syndrome 5, ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 3, tektin-4, gamma-actin, and tubulin cytoskeleton proteins to be differentially abundant in spermatozoa that were classified relatively greater or lesser quality. Heat shock proteins, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase and peroxiredoxins, which are involved in stress response were of differential abundance in spermatozoa from males with spermatozoa in the two different classification groups. Proteins were also detected that are involved in protein folding and binding, or hydrolase activity. The results are valuable for the prediction of sperm quality and for reproduction management in A. dabryanus and other threatened species.
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Kanannejad Z, Gharesi-Fard B. Difference in the seminal plasma protein expression in unexplained infertile men with successful and unsuccessful in vitro fertilisation outcome. Andrologia 2018; 51:e13158. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Kanannejad
- Department of Immunology; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
| | - Behrouz Gharesi-Fard
- Department of Immunology; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
- Infertility Research Center; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
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Liu X, Wang W, Zhu P, Wang J, Wang Y, Wang X, Liu J, Li N, Wang X, Lin C, Liu F. In-depth quantitative proteome analysis of seminal plasma from men with oligoasthenozoospermia and normozoospermia. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 37:467-479. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Grande G, Milardi D, Baroni S, Luca G, Pontecorvi A. Identification of seminal markers of male accessory gland inflammation: From molecules to proteome. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e12992. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Grande
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”; Rome Italy
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”; Rome Italy
| | - Domenico Milardi
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”; Rome Italy
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”; Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Baroni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry; Catholic University; Rome Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”; Rome Italy
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Camargo M, Intasqui P, Bertolla RP. Understanding the seminal plasma proteome and its role in male fertility. Basic Clin Androl 2018; 28:6. [PMID: 29881623 PMCID: PMC5985566 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-018-0071-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma is a complex fluid comprised of secretions from the seminal vesicles, the prostate, bulbourethral glands and from the seminiferous tubule lumen / epididymides / vasa deferentia. While it has been established that seminal plasma serves not only as a medium to carry, protect, and nourish sperm after ejaculation up to fertilization, but also as a functional modulator of sperm function, there is still a need to properly characterize the molecular make-up of seminal plasma in fertile men, and to understand how this is altered in different causes of male infertility. The main purpose of this manuscript was to review articles that studied the human seminal plasma proteome, ranging from characterizing a fertile seminal plasma proteomic map to studies comparing seminal plasma from fertile and infertile men, and comparing seminal plasma of fertile or normozoospermic men to a diverse range of biological causes for male infertility. Finally, this review has focused on the association between semen and sperm functional quality and the seminal plasma proteome, in order to demonstrate cellular and molecular mechanisms of male infertility. Due to the untargeted nature of the majority of the studies presented in this review, and to the diverse range of techniques utilized to study the seminal plasma proteomic composition, many differentially expressed proteins were observed. However, in general, it seems that there is a seminal plasma proteome associated to male fertility, and that different biological conditions or cellular phenotypes shift its pathways away from its homeostatic condition to altered energy production pathways. Moreover, it seems there is an inflammatory component to the seminal plasma of infertile men. In conclusion, there are a number of studies focused on the proteomic composition of human seminal plasma; downstream confirmatory studies will help to understand specific pathways of infertility in different biological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Camargo
- 1Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R Embau, 231, Sao Paulo, SP 04039-060 Brazil
| | - Paula Intasqui
- 1Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R Embau, 231, Sao Paulo, SP 04039-060 Brazil
| | - Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
- 1Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R Embau, 231, Sao Paulo, SP 04039-060 Brazil.,2Hospital São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Druart X, de Graaf S. Seminal plasma proteomes and sperm fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 194:33-40. [PMID: 29657075 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.04.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During ejaculation, the spermatozoa are transported by the seminal plasma, a fluid resulting from secretions originating mainly from the prostate and the seminal vesicles in mammals. The interaction of the seminal plasma with spermatozoa induces binding of seminal proteins onto the sperm surface and membrane remodeling potentially impacting the sperm transport, survival and fertilizing ability in the female genital tract. The seminal plasma also contains peptides and proteins involved in the inflammatory and immune response of the female tract. Therefore the seminal plasma proteome has been investigated in a large range of taxa, including mammals, birds, fishes and insect species. The association of the seminal plasma with semen preservation or fertility identified proteic markers of seminal plasma function in domestic species. This review summarizes the current knowledge in seminal plasma proteomes and proteic markers of sperm preservation in animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Druart
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et du Comportement, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
| | - Simon de Graaf
- RMC Gunn Building (B19), Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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Kenny LC, Kell DB. Immunological Tolerance, Pregnancy, and Preeclampsia: The Roles of Semen Microbes and the Father. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 4:239. [PMID: 29354635 PMCID: PMC5758600 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is widely considered, in many cases, to involve two separable stages (poor placentation followed by oxidative stress/inflammation), the precise originating causes of preeclampsia (PE) remain elusive. We have previously brought together some of the considerable evidence that a (dormant) microbial component is commonly a significant part of its etiology. However, apart from recognizing, consistent with this view, that the many inflammatory markers of PE are also increased in infection, we had little to say about immunity, whether innate or adaptive. In addition, we focused on the gut, oral and female urinary tract microbiomes as the main sources of the infection. We here marshall further evidence for an infectious component in PE, focusing on the immunological tolerance characteristic of pregnancy, and the well-established fact that increased exposure to the father's semen assists this immunological tolerance. As well as these benefits, however, semen is not sterile, microbial tolerance mechanisms may exist, and we also review the evidence that semen may be responsible for inoculating the developing conceptus (and maybe the placenta) with microbes, not all of which are benign. It is suggested that when they are not, this may be a significant cause of PE. A variety of epidemiological and other evidence is entirely consistent with this, not least correlations between semen infection, infertility and PE. Our view also leads to a series of other, testable predictions. Overall, we argue for a significant paternal role in the development of PE through microbial infection of the mother via insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise C. Kenny
- The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Kwon WS, Shin DH, Ryu DY, Khatun A, Rahman MS, Pang MG. Applications of capacitation status for litter size enhancement in various pig breeds. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2017; 31:842-850. [PMID: 29268576 PMCID: PMC5933982 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.17.0760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective Several studies have reported the development of new molecular methods for the prognosis and diagnosis of male fertility based on biomarkers aimed at overcoming the limitations of conventional male fertility analysis tools. However, further studies are needed for the field application of these methods. Therefore, alternative methods based on existing semen analysis methods are required to improve production efficiency in the animal industry. Methods we examined the possibility of improving litter size in various pig breeds using combined Hoechst 33258/chlortetracycline fluorescence (H33258/CTC) staining. The correlation between field fertility and capacitation status by combined H33258/CTC staining in different ejaculates spermatozoa (n = 3) from an individual boar (20 Landrace, 20 Yorkshire, and 20 Duroc) was evaluated as well as overall accuracy. Results The acrosome reacted (AR) pattern after capacitation (%) was positively correlated with the litter size of Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc pigs and the overall accuracy was 75%, 75%, and 70% in Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc pigs, respectively. The difference (Δ) in AR pattern before and after capacitation was positively correlated with the litter size of Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc pigs and the overall accuracy was 80%, 65%, and 55% in Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc pigs, respectively. However, the difference (Δ) in capacitated (B) pattern before and after capacitation was negatively correlated with the litter size of Landrace pigs and the overall accuracy was 75%. Moreover, average litter size was significantly altered according to different combined H33258/CTC staining parameters. Conclusion These results show that combined H33258/CTC staining may be used to predict male fertility in various breeds. However, the selection of specific efficiency combined H33258/CTC staining parameters requires further consideration. Taken together, these findings suggest that combined H33258/CTC staining may constitute an alternative method for predicting male fertility until such time as fertility-related biomarkers are further validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea
| | - Dong-Ha Shin
- Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Do-Yeal Ryu
- Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Amena Khatun
- Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Md Saidur Rahman
- Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
| | - Myung-Geol Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea
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Seminal plasma enables selection and monitoring of active surveillance candidates using nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics: A preliminary investigation. Prostate Int 2017; 5:149-157. [PMID: 29188202 PMCID: PMC5693471 DOI: 10.1016/j.prnil.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diagnosis and monitoring of localized prostate cancer requires discovery and validation of noninvasive biomarkers. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics of seminal plasma reportedly improves diagnostic accuracy, but requires validation in a high-risk clinical cohort. Materials and methods Seminal plasma samples of 151 men being investigated for prostate cancer were analyzed with 1H-NMR spectroscopy. After adjustment for buffer (add-to-subtract) and endogenous enzyme influence on metabolites, metabolite profiling was performed with multivariate statistical analysis (principal components analysis, partial least squares) and targeted quantitation. Results Seminal plasma metabolites best predicted low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer with differences observed between these groups and benign samples. Lipids/lipoproteins dominated spectra of high grade samples with less metabolite contributions. Overall prostate cancer prediction using previously described metabolites was not validated. Conclusion Metabolomics of seminal plasma in vitro may assist urologists with diagnosis and monitoring of either low or intermediate grade prostate cancer. Less clinical benefit may be observed for high-risk patients. Further investigation in active surveillance cohorts, and/or in combination with in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging may further optimize localized prostate cancer outcomes.
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Grande G, Vincenzoni F, Milardi D, Pompa G, Ricciardi D, Fruscella E, Mancini F, Pontecorvi A, Castagnola M, Marana R. Cervical mucus proteome in endometriosis. Clin Proteomics 2017; 14:7. [PMID: 28174513 PMCID: PMC5290661 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-017-9142-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of functional endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterine cavity. It affects 7–10% of women of reproductive age and up to 50% of women with infertility. The current gold standard for the diagnosis combines laparoscopic evaluation and biopsy of the visualized lesions. However, laparoscopy requires general anesthesia and developed surgical skills and it has a high procedural cost. In addition, it is associated with the risk, although rare, of potential intraoperative or postoperative complications. To date, several noninvasive biomarkers have been proposed; however, no definite diagnostic biomarker is yet available. The aim of this study was to characterize the CM proteome in patients with endometriosis using high resolution mass spectrometry—based proteomics, implemented by bioinformatic tools for quantitative analysis, in order to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis. Methods Cervical mucus samples were collected from patients affected by endometriosis and fertile controls. An aliquot of the soluble acidic fraction of each cervical mucus sample, corresponding to 0.5 mg of total protein, was left to digest with sequencing grade modified porcine trypsin. The peptides were analyzed by LC–MS/MS on a high resolution Orbitrap Elite mass spectrometer and data were evaluated using bioinformatic tools. Results We aimed at the first total profiling of the cervical mucus proteome in endometriosis. From the list of identified proteins, we detected a number of differentially expressed proteins, including some functionally significant proteins. Six proteins were quantitatively increased in endometriosis, almost all being involved in the inflammatory pattern. Nine proteins were quantitatively reduced in endometriosis, including some proteins related with local innate immunity (CRISP-3 and Pglyrp1) and protection against oxidative stress (HSPB1). Fifteen proteins were not detected in endometriosis samples including certain proteins involved in antimicrobial activity (SLURP1 and KLK13) and related to seminal plasma liquefaction and male fertility (KLK13). Conclusions This is the first application of high resolution mass spectrometry—based proteomics aimed in detecting an array of proteins in CM to be proposed for the noninvasive diagnosis of endometriosis. This chronic disease presents in CM an inflammatory protein pattern. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12014-017-9142-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Grande
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzoni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Milardi
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Pompa
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Ricciardi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Fruscella
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancini
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Division of Endocrinology, Catholic University, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Castagnola
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marana
- International Scientific Institute "Paul VI", L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Atikuzzaman M, Sanz L, Pla D, Alvarez-Rodriguez M, Rubér M, Wright D, Calvete JJ, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Selection for higher fertility reflects in the seminal fluid proteome of modern domestic chicken. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2016; 21:27-40. [PMID: 27852008 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The high egg-laying capacity of the modern domestic chicken (i.e. White Leghorn, WL) has arisen from the low egg-laying ancestor Red Junglefowl (RJF) via continuous trait selection and breeding. To investigate whether this long-term selection impacted the seminal fluid (SF)-proteome, 2DE electrophoresis-based proteomic analyses and immunoassays were conducted to map SF-proteins/cytokines in RJF, WL and a 9th generation Advanced Intercross Line (AIL) of RJF/WL-L13, including individual SF (n=4, from each RJF, WL and AIL groups) and pools of the SF from 15 males of each group, analyzed by 2DE to determine their degree of intra-group (AIL, WL, and RJF) variability using Principal Component Analysis (PCA); respectively an inter-breed comparative analysis of intergroup fold change of specific SF protein spots intensity between breeds. The PCA clearly highlighted a clear intra-group similarity among individual roosters as well as a clear inter-group variability (e.g. between RJF, WL and AIL) validating the use of pools to minimize confounding individual variation. Protein expression varied considerably for processes related to sperm motility, nutrition, transport and survival in the female, including signaling towards immunomodulation. The major conserved SF-proteins were serum albumin and ovotransferrin. Aspartate aminotransferase, annexin A5, arginosuccinate synthase, glutathione S-transferase 2 and l-lactate dehydrogenase-A were RJF-specific. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase appeared specific to the WL-SF while angiotensin-converting enzyme, γ-enolase, coagulation factor IX, fibrinogen α-chain, hemoglobin subunit α-D, lysozyme C, phosphoglycerate kinase, Src-substrate protein p85, tubulins and thioredoxin were AIL-specific. The RJF-SF contained fewer immune system process proteins and lower amounts of the anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory TGF-β2 compared to WL and AIL, which had low levels- or lacked pro-inflammatory CXCL10 compared to RJF. The seminal fluid proteome differs between ancestor and modern chicken, with a clear enrichment of proteins and peptides related to immune-modulation for sperm survival in the female and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Atikuzzaman
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Libia Sanz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Davinia Pla
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Marie Rubér
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Dominic Wright
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Juan J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain.
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Camargo M, Intasqui P, Bertolla RP. Proteomic profile of seminal plasma in adolescents and adults with treated and untreated varicocele. Asian J Androl 2016; 18:194-201. [PMID: 26643563 PMCID: PMC4770485 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.168788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Varicocele, the most important treatable cause of male infertility, is present in 15% of adult males, 35% of men with primary infertility, and 80% of men with secondary infertility. On the other hand, 80% of these men will not present infertility. Therefore, there is a need to differentiate a varicocele that is exerting a deleterious effect that is treatable from a “silent” varicocele. Despite the growing evidence of the cellular effects of varicocele, its underlying molecular mechanisms are still eluding. Proteomics has become a promising area to determine the reproductive biology of semen as well as to improve diagnosis of male infertility. This review aims to discuss the state-of-art in seminal plasma proteomics in patients with varicocele to discuss the challenges in undertaking these studies, as well as the future outlook derived from the growing body of evidence on the seminal proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, R. Embau, 231, 04039-060; Sao Paulo Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Dacheux JL, Dacheux F, Druart X. Epididymal protein markers and fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 169:76-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Kwasnik A, Tonry C, Ardle AM, Butt AQ, Inzitari R, Pennington SR. Proteomes, Their Compositions and Their Sources. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 919:3-21. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-41448-5_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Camargo M, Intasqui P, Bertolla RP. Proteomic profile of seminal plasma in adolescents and adults with treated and untreated varicocele. Asian J Androl 2015. [PMID: 26643563 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682χ.168788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Varicocele, the most important treatable cause of male infertility, is present in 15% of adult males, 35% of men with primary infertility, and 80% of men with secondary infertility. On the other hand, 80% of these men will not present infertility. Therefore, there is a need to differentiate a varicocele that is exerting a deleterious effect that is treatable from a "silent" varicocele. Despite the growing evidence of the cellular effects of varicocele, its underlying molecular mechanisms are still eluding. Proteomics has become a promising area to determine the reproductive biology of semen as well as to improve diagnosis of male infertility. This review aims to discuss the state-of-art in seminal plasma proteomics in patients with varicocele to discuss the challenges in undertaking these studies, as well as the future outlook derived from the growing body of evidence on the seminal proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, R. Embau, 231, 04039-060; Sao Paulo Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Zhang X, Diao R, Zhu X, Li Z, Cai Z. Metabolic characterization of asthenozoospermia using nontargeted seminal plasma metabolomics. Clin Chim Acta 2015; 450:254-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Kwon WS, Rahman MS, Lee JS, You YA, Pang MG. Improving litter size by boar spermatozoa: application of combined H33258/CTC staining in field trial with artificial insemination. Andrology 2015; 3:552-7. [PMID: 25767078 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Conventional semen analysis offers basic information on infertility; however, its clinical value in predicting fertility status is unclear. To establish an accurate diagnosis of male fertility, semen analysis under capacitation condition is necessary because only capacitated spermatozoa are capable of fertilizing oocytes. The objective of this study was to verify male fertility based on conventional semen analysis before and after capacitation, including the assessment of motility (%), motion kinematics, and capacitation status of spermatozoa. A computer-assisted sperm analysis system and chlortetracycline staining were applied to evaluate the motility parameters and capacitation status, respectively. To enable efficacy of the two methods for predicting fertility, correlation analysis was performed with the historic litter size. Our results showed that sperm motility (%), motion kinematics, and their variations before and after capacitation represented a statistical non-significant correlation with litter size. Litter size showed significant correlation with acrosome reaction (AR) after capacitation (r = 0.375), as well as differences (Δ) in AR (r = 0.333) and capacitated (B) pattern (r = -0.447) before and after capacitation. The overall accuracy of the assay for predicting litter sizes using the AR and differences (Δ) in the AR and B pattern was 70%. On the basis of these results, we propose that capacitation status of spermatozoa is a more reliable indicator for evaluating male fertility status compared to motility parameters. Therefore, we suggest that analysis of capacitation status in company with conventional semen analysis may accept to evaluate more accurate diagnosis or prognosis of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- W-S Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - M S Rahman
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - J-S Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - Y-A You
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
| | - M-G Pang
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea
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Yu H, Diao H, Wang C, Lin Y, Yu F, Lu H, Xu W, Li Z, Shi H, Zhao S, Zhou Y, Zhang Y. Acetylproteomic analysis reveals functional implications of lysine acetylation in human spermatozoa (sperm). Mol Cell Proteomics 2015; 14:1009-23. [PMID: 25680958 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m114.041384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a medical condition that has been on the rise globally. Lysine acetylation of human sperm, an essential posttranslational modification involved in the etiology of sperm abnormality, is not fully understood. Therefore, we first generated a qualified pan-anti-acetyllysine monoclonal antibody to characterize the global lysine acetylation of uncapacitated normal human sperm with a proteomics approach. With high enrichment ratios that were up to 31%, 973 lysine-acetylated sites that matched to 456 human sperm proteins, including 671 novel lysine acetylation sites and 205 novel lysine-acetylated proteins, were identified. These proteins exhibited conserved motifs XXXKYXXX, XXXKFXXX, and XXXKHXXX, were annotated to function in multiple metabolic processes, and were localized predominantly in the mitochondrion and cytoplasmic fractions. Between the uncapacitated and capacitated sperm, different acetylation profiles in regard to functional proteins involved in sperm capacitation, sperm-egg recognition, sperm-egg plasma fusion, and fertilization were observed, indicating that acetylation of functional proteins may be required during sperm capacitation. Bioinformatics analysis revealed association of acetylated proteins with diseases and drugs. Novel acetylation of voltage-dependent anion channel proteins was also found. With clinical sperm samples, we observed differed lysine acetyltransferases and lysine deacetylases expression between normal sperm and abnormal sperm of asthenospermia or necrospermia. Furthermore, with sperm samples impaired by epigallocatechin gallate to mimic asthenospermia, we observed that inhibition of sperm motility was partly through the blockade of voltage-dependent anion channel 2 Lys-74 acetylation combined with reduced ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, we obtained a qualified pan-anti-acetyllysine monoclonal antibody, analyzed the acetylproteome of uncapacitated human sperm, and revealed associations between functional protein acetylation and sperm functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heguo Yu
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development
| | - Hua Diao
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fudong Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Medical College, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China, and
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Wei Xu
- School of Life Sciences, and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development
| | - Shimin Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, and Molecular and Cell Biology Lab, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China,
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,
| | - Yonglian Zhang
- From the NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institutes of Reproduction and Development, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China,
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Ayaz A, Agarwal A, Sharma R, Arafa M, Elbardisi H, Cui Z. Impact of precise modulation of reactive oxygen species levels on spermatozoa proteins in infertile men. Clin Proteomics 2015; 12:4. [PMID: 25972767 PMCID: PMC4429661 DOI: 10.1186/1559-0275-12-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are detected in 25% to 80% of infertile men. They are involved in the pathology of male infertility. Understanding the effect of increasing levels of ROS on the differential expression of sperm proteins is important to understand the cellular processes and or/pathways that may be implicated in male infertility. The aim of this study was to examine differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in spermatozoa from patients with low, medium and high ROS levels. Methods A total of 42 infertile men presenting for infertility and 17 proven fertile men were enrolled in the study. ROS levels were measured by chemiluminescence assay. Infertile men were divided into Low (0- < 93 RLU/s/106 sperm) (n = 11), Medium (>93-500 RLU/s/106 sperm) (n = 17) and High ROS (>500 RLU/s/106 sperm) group (n = 14). All fertile men had ROS levels between 4-50 RLU/s/106 sperm. 4 subjects from fertile group and 4 each from the Low, Medium and High ROS were pooled. Protein extraction, protein estimation, gel separation of the proteins, in-gel digestion, LTQ-orbitrap elite hybrid mass spectrometry system was conducted. The DEPs, the cellular localization and pathways of DEPs involved were examined utilizing bioinformatics tools. Results 1035 proteins were identified in the 3 groups by global proteomic analysis. Of these, 305 were DEPs. 51 were unique to the Low ROS group, 47 Medium ROS group and 104 were unique to the High ROS group. 6 DEPs were identified by Uniprot and DAVID that had distinct reproductive functions and they were expressed only in 3 ROS groups but not in the control. Conclusions We have for the first time demonstrated the presence of 6 DEPs with distinct reproductive functions only in men with low, medium or high ROS levels. These DEPs can serve as potential biomarkers of oxidative stress induced male infertility. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1559-0275-12-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Ayaz
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195 USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195 USA
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195 USA
| | - Mohamed Arafa
- Male Infertility Unit, Department of Urology, Hamad Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Haitham Elbardisi
- Male Infertility Unit, Department of Urology, Hamad Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zhihong Cui
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195 USA
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Grande G, Milardi D, Vincenzoni F, Pompa G, Biscione A, Astorri AL, Fruscella E, De Luca A, Messana I, Castagnola M, Marana R. Proteomic characterization of the qualitative and quantitative differences in cervical mucus composition during the menstrual cycle. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2015; 11:1717-25. [DOI: 10.1039/c5mb00071h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The chemical composition of the cervical mucus (CM), its physical characteristics and the volume of secretion change cyclically throughout the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Grande
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - D. Milardi
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - F. Vincenzoni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - G. Pompa
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - A. Biscione
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - A. L. Astorri
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - E. Fruscella
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - A. De Luca
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - I. Messana
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences
- University of Cagliari
- Cagliari
- Italy
| | - M. Castagnola
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
| | - R. Marana
- International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI”
- Università Cattolica del S. Cuore
- Rome
- Italy
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Schumacher A, Zenclussen AC. The Paternal Contribution to Fetal Tolerance. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 868:211-25. [PMID: 26178852 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-18881-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Recognition of foreign paternal antigens expressed in the semi-allogeneic fetus by maternal immune cells is a requirement for successful pregnancy. However, despite intensive research activity during the last decades, the precise mechanisms contributing to the acceptance of the paternal alloantigens are still puzzling and pregnancy remains a fascinating phenomenon. Moreover, most studies focused on the maternal and fetal contribution to pregnancy success, and relatively little is known about the paternal involvement. In the current review, we address the contribution of paternal-derived factors to fetal-tolerance induction. First, we discuss data suggesting that in both humans and mice, the female body gets prepared for a pregnancy in every cycle, also in regard to male alloantigens delivered at coitus. Then, we provide an overview about factors present in seminal fluid and how these factors influence immune responses in the female reproductive tract. We further discuss ways of paternal alloantigen presentation and identify the immune modulatory properties of seminal fluid-derived factors with a special focus on Treg biology. Finally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of seminal fluid in different clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schumacher
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Gerhart-Hauptmann Straße 35, 39108, Magdeburg, Germany
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