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Peris-Frau P, Sanchez-Rodriguez A, Velázquez R, Toledano-Díaz A, Castaño C, Roldan ERS, Santiago-Moreno J. Capacitation of ram spermatozoa promotes changes in energy metabolism and aquaporin 3 and is affected by individual testosterone variations. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 39238428 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, the metabolic pathways involved in energy production and the role of aquaglyceroporins in capacitation-associated events have been studied in humans and mice. However, little is known about these in ram spermatozoa. OBJECTIVE The present study investigated bioenergetic and aquaglyceroporin 3 variations during in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa. In addition, differences in testosterone levels between males were examined to determine their influence on capacitation-like changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Spermatozoa obtained from nine rams (ejaculates = 36) were incubated for 180 min in three different media (control, capacitating, and aquaglyceroporin-inhibitor media) at 38.5°C. At 0 and 180 min of incubation in each medium, sperm viability, kinetics, chlortetracycline patterns, adenosine triphosphate concentration, lactate excretion (final subproduct of glycolysis), and immunolocalization of aquaporin 3 were evaluated. RESULTS The increment of the capacitated spermatozoa-chlortetracycline pattern and the hyperactivated-like movement characterized by the highest curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement and the lowest linearity was only recorded after 180 min in the capacitating medium. At this time and conditions, adenosine triphosphate content and lactate excretion decreased, whereas the aquaglyceroporin 3 location in the midpiece and principal piece increased compared to 0 min. Such changes were not observed in the control medium over time. Incubation in the aquaglyceroporin-inhibitor medium for 180 min reduced drastically sperm motility and adenosine triphosphate content compared to the other media. Testosterone analysis revealed a significant individual variability, which was also present in all sperm parameters evaluated. Furthermore, testosterone was negatively correlated with adenosine triphosphate content but positively correlated with lactate excretion levels, sperm viability, motility, capacitated sperm-chlortetracycline pattern, and aquaglyceroporin 3 immunolabeling in the midpiece and principal piece. CONCLUSION Despite individual differences, capacitation of ram spermatozoa increases adenosine triphosphate consumption, energy metabolism, and aquaglyceroporin 3 location in the midpiece and principal piece, which seems to be related to the acquisition of hyperactivated-like motility. Furthermore, testosterone levels may serve as a valuable tool to select those males with a greater sperm metabolism rate and fertilizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Peris-Frau
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosario Velázquez
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adolfo Toledano-Díaz
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Castaño
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Santiago-Moreno
- Departament of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Martín-Hidalgo D, Solar-Málaga S, González-Fernández L, Zamorano J, García-Marín LJ, Bragado MJ. The compound YK 3-237 promotes pig sperm capacitation-related events. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:773-786. [PMID: 37906355 PMCID: PMC10998788 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10243-6] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Before fertilization of the oocyte, the spermatozoa must undergo through a series of biochemical changes in the female reproductive tract named sperm capacitation. Spermatozoa regulates its functions by post-translational modifications, being historically the most studied protein phosphorylation. In addition to phosphorylation, recently, protein acetylation has been described as an important molecular mechanism with regulatory roles in several reproductive processes. However, its role on the mammal's sperm capacitation process remains unraveled. Sirtuins are a deacetylase protein family with 7 members that regulate protein acetylation. Here, we investigated the possible role of SIRT1 on pig sperm capacitation-related events by using YK 3-237, a commercial SIRT1 activator drug. SIRT1 is localized in the midpiece of pig spermatozoa. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation (focused at p32) is an event associated to pig sperm capacitation that increases when spermatozoa are in vitro capacitated in presence of YK 3-237. Eventually, YK 3-237 induces acrosome reaction in capacitated spermatozoa: YK 3-237 treatment tripled (3.40 ± 0.40 fold increase) the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa compared to the control. In addition, YK 3-237 induces sperm intracellular pH alkalinization and raises the intracellular calcium levels through a CatSper independent mechanism. YK 3-237 was not able to bypass sAC inhibition by LRE1. In summary, YK 3-237 promotes pig sperm capacitation by a mechanism upstream of sAC activation and independent of CatSper calcium channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martín-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España.
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España.
- Unidad de Investigación, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Cáceres, Avenida Pablo Naranjo s/n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain.
| | - Soraya Solar-Málaga
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
| | - José Zamorano
- Unidad de Investigación, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Cáceres, Avenida Pablo Naranjo s/n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain
| | - Luis Jesús García-Marín
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
| | - María Julia Bragado
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
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3
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Moretti E, Signorini C, Noto D, Corsaro R, Micheli L, Durand T, Oger C, Galano JM, Collodel G. F 4-Neuroprostane Effects on Human Sperm. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020935. [PMID: 36674450 PMCID: PMC9861396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Swim-up selected human sperm were incubated with 7 ng F4-neuroprostanes (F4-NeuroPs) for 2 and 4 h. Sperm motility and membrane mitochondrial potential (MMP) were evaluated. The percentage of reacted acrosome was assessed by pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA). Chromatin integrity was detected using the acridine orange (AO) assay and localization of the ryanodine receptor was performed by immunofluorescence analysis. Sperm progressive motility (p = 0.02) and the percentage of sperm showing a strong MMP signal (p = 0.012) significantly increased after 2 h F4-NeuroP incubation compared to control samples. The AO assay did not show differences in the percentage of sperm with dsDNA between treated or control samples. Meanwhile, a significantly higher number of sperm with reacted acrosomes was highlighted by PSA localization after 4 h F4-NeuroP incubation. Finally, using an anti-ryanodine antibody, the immunofluorescence signal was differentially distributed at 2 and 4 h: a strong signal was evident in the midpiece and postacrosomal sheath (70% of sperm) at 2 h, whereas a dotted one appeared at 4 h (53% of sperm). A defined concentration of F4-NeuroPs in seminal fluid may induce sperm capacitation via channel ions present in sperm cells, representing an aid during in vitro sperm preparation that may increase the positive outcome of assisted fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moretti
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Signorini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Daria Noto
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Roberta Corsaro
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Micheli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Thierry Durand
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Pole Chimie Balard Recherche, UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Camille Oger
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Pole Chimie Balard Recherche, UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean Marie Galano
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), Pole Chimie Balard Recherche, UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, 34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Giulia Collodel
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Martin-Hidalgo D, González-Fernández L, Bragado MJ, Garcia-Marin LJ, Alves MG, Oliveira PF. The sirtuin 1 activator YK 3-237 stimulates capacitation-related events in human spermatozoa. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:165-178. [PMID: 36357302 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) have a role in the human spermatozoa capacitation process? DESIGN Human spermatozoa were incubated for 6 h in a capacitating medium in presence or absence of the specific SIRT1 activator, YK 3-237. Several sperm parameters were determined by flow cytometry: viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondria membrane status. Sperm motility was determined objectively by computer-assisted semen analysis. Sperm capacitation status was evaluated by the extent of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and by the percentage of spermatozoa with the acrosome reacted by a calcium ionophore challenge. RESULTS SIRT1 was detected in the connecting piece of human spermatozoa where a lysine acetylation pattern was mainly found along the sperm tail. SIRT1 activation accelerates the occurrence of a phenotype associated with human sperm capacitation, with no differences seen in the lysine acetylation pattern. After 1 h of co-incubation of YK 3-237 with human spermatozoa, tyrosine phosphorylation levels were comparable to control levels after 6 h of incubation in capacitating conditions. In addition, the activator improved sperm responsiveness to a Ca2+ ionophore (A23187) challenge determined by an increase in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa (P = 0.025). Importantly, sperm viability and mitochondrial activity-related parameters assessed by flow cytometry were not affected by YK 3-237. CONCLUSION YK 3-237 induces capacitation-related events in human spermatozoa such an increase of tyrosine phosphorylation levels and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa after the ionophore challenge. Together, these results show that YK 3-237 affects human spermatozoa capacitation-related events by a mechanism independent of protein lysine acetylation but dependent on bicarbonate and calcium.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martin-Hidalgo
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain; Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Unidad de Investigación, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Cáceres, Avenida Pablo Naranjo s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain.
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - M Julia Bragado
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - Luis J Garcia-Marin
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - Marco G Alves
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- 7QOPNA and LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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5
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Nixon B, Schjenken JE, Burke ND, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Hart HM, De Iuliis GN, Martin JH, Lord T, Bromfield EG. New horizons in human sperm selection for assisted reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1145533. [PMID: 36909306 PMCID: PMC9992892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1145533] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a commonly encountered pathology that is estimated to be a contributory factor in approximately 50% of couples seeking recourse to assisted reproductive technologies. Upon clinical presentation, such males are commonly subjected to conventional diagnostic andrological practices that rely on descriptive criteria to define their fertility based on the number of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa encountered within their ejaculate. Despite the virtual ubiquitous adoption of such diagnostic practices, they are not without their limitations and accordingly, there is now increasing awareness of the importance of assessing sperm quality in order to more accurately predict a male's fertility status. This realization raises the important question of which characteristics signify a high-quality, fertilization competent sperm cell. In this review, we reflect on recent advances in our mechanistic understanding of sperm biology and function, which are contributing to a growing armory of innovative approaches to diagnose and treat male infertility. In particular we review progress toward the implementation of precision medicine; the robust clinical adoption of which in the setting of fertility, currently lags well behind that of other fields of medicine. Despite this, research shows that the application of advanced technology platforms such as whole exome sequencing and proteomic analyses hold considerable promise in optimizing outcomes for the management of male infertility by uncovering and expanding our inventory of candidate infertility biomarkers, as well as those associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Similarly, the development of advanced imaging technologies in tandem with machine learning artificial intelligence are poised to disrupt the fertility care paradigm by advancing our understanding of the molecular and biological causes of infertility to provide novel avenues for future diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett Nixon,
| | - John E. Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan D. Burke
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hanah M. Hart
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H. Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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6
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Leung ETY, Lee BKM, Lee CL, Tian X, Lam KKW, Li RHW, Ng EHY, Yeung WSB, Ou JP, Chiu PCN. The role of spermatozoa-zona pellucida interaction in selecting fertilization-competent spermatozoa in humans. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1135973. [PMID: 37020592 PMCID: PMC10067631 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1135973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human fertilization begins when a capacitated spermatozoon binds to the zona pellucida (ZP) surrounding a mature oocyte. Defective spermatozoa-ZP interaction contributes to male infertility and is a leading cause of reduced fertilization rates in assisted reproduction treatments (ARTs). Human ejaculate contains millions of spermatozoa with varying degrees of fertilization potential and genetic quality, of which only thousands of motile spermatozoa can bind to the ZP at the fertilization site. This observation suggests that human ZP selectively interacts with competitively superior spermatozoa characterized by high fertilizing capability and genetic integrity. However, direct evidence for ZP-mediated sperm selection process is lacking. This study aims to demonstrate that spermatozoa-ZP interaction represents a crucial step in selecting fertilization-competent spermatozoa in humans. ZP-bound and unbound spermatozoa were respectively collected by a spermatozoa-ZP coincubation assay. The time-course data demonstrated that ZP interacted with a small proportion of motile spermatozoa. Heat shock 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2) and sperm acrosome associated 3 (SPACA 3) are two protein markers associated with the sperm ZP-binding ability. Immunofluorescent staining indicated that the ZP-bound spermatozoa had significantly higher expression levels of HSPA2 and SPACA3 than the unbound spermatozoa. ZP-bound spermatozoa had a significantly higher level of normal morphology, DNA integrity, chromatin integrity, protamination and global methylation when compared to the unbound spermatozoa. The results validated the possibility of applying spermatozoa-ZP interaction to select fertilization-competent spermatozoa in ART. This highly selective interaction might also provide diagnostic information regarding the fertilization potential and genetic qualities of spermatozoa independent of those derived from the standard semen analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica T. Y. Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Brayden K. M. Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cheuk-Lun Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinyi Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kevin K. W. Lam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Raymond H. W. Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ernest H. Y. Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - William S. B. Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Ping Ou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Philip C. N. Chiu, ; Jian-Ping Ou,
| | - Philip C. N. Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Philip C. N. Chiu, ; Jian-Ping Ou,
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7
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Botezatu A, Vladoiu S, Fudulu A, Albulescu A, Plesa A, Muresan A, Stancu C, Iancu IV, Diaconu CC, Velicu A, Popa OM, Badiu C, Dinu-Draganescu D. Advanced molecular approaches in male infertility diagnosis. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:684-704. [PMID: 35594455 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac105] [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: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the recent years a special attention has been given to a major health concern namely to male infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, taken into account the statistics that highlight that sperm counts have dropped by 50-60% in recent decades. According to the WHO, infertility affects approximately 9% of couples globally, and the male factor is believed to be present in roughly 50% of cases, with exclusive responsibility in 30%. The aim of this manuscript is to present an evidence-based approach for diagnosing male infertility that includes finding new solutions for diagnosis and critical outcomes, retrieving up-to-date studies and existing guidelines. The diverse factors that induce male infertility generated in a vast amount of data that needed to be analysed by a clinician before a decision could be made for each individual. Modern medicine faces numerous obstacles as a result of the massive amount of data generated by the molecular biology discipline. To address complex clinical problems, vast data must be collected, analysed, and used, which can be very challenging. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods to create a decision support system can help predict the diagnosis and guide treatment for infertile men, based on analysis of different data as environmental and lifestyle, clinical (sperm count, morphology, hormone testing, karyotype, etc.) and "omics" bigdata. Ultimately, the development of AI algorithms will assist clinicians in formulating diagnosis, making treatment decisions, and predicting outcomes for assisted reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Botezatu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - S Vladoiu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Fudulu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Albulescu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania.,National Institute for Chemical pharmaceutical Research & Development
| | - A Plesa
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Muresan
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Stancu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - I V Iancu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C C Diaconu
- "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Velicu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - O M Popa
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Badiu
- "CI Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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8
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Sáez-Espinosa P, Huerta-Retamal N, Robles-Gómez L, Avilés M, Aizpurua J, Velasco I, Romero A, Gómez-Torres MJ. Influence of in vitro capacitation time on structural and functional human sperm parameters. Asian J Androl 2021; 22:447-453. [PMID: 31621655 PMCID: PMC7523607 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_104_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A cascade of dramatic physiological events is linked to the sperm acrosome reaction and binding to the oocyte's zona pellucida during human sperm capacitation. However, structural and functional sperm changes during capacitation currently remain poorly defined. Here, we performed a multibiomarker approach based on the utilization of sperm concentration, motility, viability, morphology, acrosome reaction, tyrosine phosphorylation, DNA fragmentation, and lectin-binding sites to analyze the impact caused by swim-up selection times (uncapacitated, 1 h capacitated, and 4 h capacitated) on sperm function and structure in normozoospermic samples. We found that a 4 h swim-up capacitation increased sperm quality, because a large number of cells with normal morphology and lower DNA fragmentation rates were recovered. Furthermore, the long-term capacitation induced a higher percentage of cells with tyrosine phosphorylation of the principal piece as well as a redistribution of lectin-binding sites. Overall, the multivariate biomarkers analyzed showed a less variable distribution on spermatozoa recovered after 4 h capacitation than that with the shorter capacitation time. These findings stress the importance of capacitation time as a relevant factor in sperm quality with potential biological reproductive implications both for basic research and in assisted reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Sáez-Espinosa
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain.,FISABIO - University Hospital of San Juan de Alicante, Service of Gynecology and Obstetrics, San Juan de Alicante 03550, Spain
| | - Natalia Huerta-Retamal
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain
| | - Laura Robles-Gómez
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia 30100, Spain
| | - Jon Aizpurua
- IVF Spain, Reproductive Medicine, Alicante 03540, Spain
| | - Irene Velasco
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain.,University Hospital of San Juan de Alicante, Service of Gynecology and Obstetrics, San Juan de Alicante 03550, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain.,Human Fertility Cathedra, University of Alicante, Alicante 03080, Spain
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9
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Sáez-Espinosa P, López-Huedo A, Robles-Gómez L, Huerta-Retamal N, Aizpurua J, Gómez-Torres MJ. Characterization of Human Spermatic Subpopulations by ConA-Binding Sites and Tyrosine Phosphorylation during in vitro Capacitation and Acrosome Reaction. Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 210:1-9. [PMID: 33873194 DOI: 10.1159/000513275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa capacitation is a time-dependent physiological process essential for acquiring the fertilizing capacity. In this context, reorganization of spermatozoa surface sugars and tyrosine phosphorylation are some of the most important biochemical changes involved in capacitation. However, the relationship between these 2 biomarkers remains poorly defined. By cytofluorescence we simultaneously characterized the head concanavalin A (ConA)-binding sites and the flagellar tyrosine phosphorylation before capacitation, during different capacitation times (1 and 4 h), and after acrosome reaction induction in human spermatozoa. The results showed a strong connection between ConA-label patterns and tyrosine phosphorylation according to the spermatozoa capacitation time and acrosomal status. Specifically, the spermatozoa subpopulation with phosphotyrosine presented proper sugar location (label in acrosomal and postacrosomal region) just after 1 h of capacitation, while cells without phosphotyrosine needed 4 h to do it. Moreover, after induction of spermatozoa acrosome reaction, phosphorylation was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the relocation of ConA-binding residues to the equatorial region, regardless of capacitation time. Overall, these observations provide novel insights regarding spermatozoa subpopulations based on essential physiological events like capacitation and acrosome reaction, which could have potential implications in the improvement of spermatozoa selection techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Sáez-Espinosa
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Alba López-Huedo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Robles-Gómez
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Natalia Huerta-Retamal
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jon Aizpurua
- IVF Spain, Reproductive Medicine, Alicante, Spain.,Human Fertility Cathedra, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Human Fertility Cathedra, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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10
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Huerta-Retamal N, Sáez-Espinosa P, Robles-Gómez L, Romero A, Aizpurua J, Gómez-Torres MJ. [Localization of Arylsulfatase A during in vitro incubation of human spermatozoa in capacitation media]. Rev Int Androl 2020; 19:129-136. [PMID: 33342716 DOI: 10.1016/j.androl.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the localization and distribution of the ArylsulfataseA receptor (ARSA) in human spermatozoa before and after their incubation in capacitation medium for 1 and 4hours. MATERIAL AND METHODS Semen samples were obtained from five normozoospermic donors. Capacitation was by swim-up technique using capacitation medium for 1 and 4hours. Localization of the ARSA receptor was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence using confocal microscopy. A minimum of 200cells were observed in each physiological condition. RESULTS Before incubation, no representative pattern was observed among the cells positive for this biomarker (8.61%). This percentage increased significantly after incubation in the capacitation medium for 1 and 4hours (61.86% and 63.38% respectively). A majority pattern was observed among the capacitated cells, with intense labelling in the acrosomal region (27.11% and 28.20% after 1 and 4hours respectively). It should be noted that the pattern corresponding to fluorescence at the level of the periacrosomal region was not observed in the spermatozoa prior to incubation. Only after incubation in capacitation medium for 1 and 4hours, 9.13% and 12.78% of cells with such distribution were detected. CONCLUSIONS In vitro capacitation, regardless of time, favours the immunolocalization of ARSA in the cephalic region of the spermatozoa. The most representative subpopulation after this process was the one in which ARSA was intensely and homogeneously distributed in the acrosome region, involved in primary gamete recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Robles-Gómez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - Jon Aizpurua
- IVF Spain, Medicina Reproductiva, Alicante, España; Cátedra Human Fertility, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España; Cátedra Human Fertility, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España.
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11
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Huerta-Retamal N, Sáez-Espinosa P, Robles-Gómez L, Avilés M, Romero A, Aizpurua J, Gómez-Torres MJ. Human sperm chaperone HSPA2 distribution during in vitro capacitation. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 143:103246. [PMID: 33246276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human fertilization success depends on the ability of the spermatozoa to undergo capacitation. Even though this process can be conducted in vitro, the optimal time for a sperm cell to complete capacitation in vitro is still under discussion due to the lack of proper capacitation biomarkers. Here, we evaluated the influence of in vitro capacitation time on HSPA2 distribution over human sperm head testing this chaperone as a potential capacitation biomarker. The chaperone was assessed in human spermatozoa from 16 normozoospermic donors using indirect immunofluorescence in uncapacitated, one and four-hour capacitated spermatozoa. The percentage of HSPA2 immunofluorescent cells before and after one hour of capacitation did not differ significantly. However, after four hours of capacitation, we observed a significantly higher percentage of HSPA2 labelled cells. In fluorescent cells analysed before capacitation, we could not identify a predominant distribution pattern. Meanwhile, after capacitation, most sperm showed a highly labelled equatorial band accompanied by a homogeneous fluorescence throughout the acrosomal region. Our findings suggest that HSPA2 needs more than one hour of in vitro capacitation for being correctly distributed in the anterior region of the sperm head. In conclusion, the present study provides solid evidences for the utility of HSPA2 as a biomarker of human sperm in vitro capacitation. Due to its importance during egg-sperm recognition, the use of HSPA2 as a biomarker before an artificial reproduction technique may be suggested, in addition to a longer capacitation time during sperm preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Sáez-Espinosa
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain
| | - Laura Robles-Gómez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Departamento de Biología celular e Histología, Universidad de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Sociosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, 30003, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain
| | - Jon Aizpurua
- IVF Spain, Medicina Reproductiva, Alicante, 03540, Spain; Cátedra Human Fertility, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, 03690, Spain; Cátedra Human Fertility, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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12
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Sáez-Espinosa P, Ferrández-Rives M, Huerta-Retamal N, Robles-Gómez L, Aizpurua J, Romero A, Gómez-Torres MJ. Proper cytoskeleton α-tubulin distribution is concomitant to tyrosine phosphorylation during in vitro capacitation and acrosomal reaction in human spermatozoa. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2020; 77:333-341. [PMID: 32875747 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa motility is a key parameter during the fertilization process. In this context, spermatozoa tyrosine protein phosphorylation and an appropriate cytoskeleton α-tubulin distribution are some of the most important physiological events involved in motility. However, the relationship between these two biomarkers remains poorly defined. Here, we characterized simultaneously by immunocytochemistry the α-tubulin (TUBA4A) distribution and the tyrosine phosphorylation at flagellum before capacitation, during different capacitation times (1 and 4 hr), and after acrosome reaction induction in human spermatozoa. We found that the absence of spermatozoa phosphorylation in tyrosine residues positively and significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the terminal piece α-tubulin flagellar distribution in all physiological conditions. Conversely, we observed a positive significant correlation (p < 0.01) between phosphorylated spermatozoa and continuous α-tubulin distribution in spermatozoa flagellum, independently of the physiological condition. Similarly, the subpopulation of spermatozoa with tyrosine phosphorylated and continuous α-tubulin increases with longer capacitation times and after the acrosome reaction induction. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the post-transcriptional physiological events associated to α-tubulin and the tyrosine phosphorylation during fertilization, which present potential implications for the improvement of spermatozoa selection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jon Aizpurua
- Reproductive Medicine, IVF Spain, Alicante, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - María José Gómez-Torres
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Reproductive Medicine, IVF Spain, Alicante, Spain.,Cathedra of Human Fertility, University de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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13
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Sharara F, Seaman E, Morris R, Schinfeld J, Nichols J, Sobel M, Lee A, Somkuti S, Hirshberg S, Budinetz T, Barmat L, Palermo G, Rosenwaks Z, Bar-Chama N, Bodie J, Nichols J, Payne J, McCoy T, Tarnawa E, Whitman-Elia G, Weissmann L, Doukakis M, Hurwitz J, Leondires M, Murdock C, Ressler I, Richlin S, Williams S, Wosnitzer M, Butcher M, Kashanian J, Ahlering P, Aubuchon M, Ostermeier GC, Travis AJ. Multicentric, prospective observational data show sperm capacitation predicts male fertility, and cohort comparison reveals a high prevalence of impaired capacitation in men questioning their fertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:69-79. [PMID: 32505543 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTIONS Can a previously defined relationship between sperm capacitation and the probability of a man generating pregnancy within three cycles, prospectively predict male fertility in diverse clinical settings? A second study asked, what is the prevalence of impaired sperm fertilizing ability in men questioning their fertility (MQF), and does this relate to traditional semen analysis metrics? DESIGN In the multicentric, prospective observational study, data (n = 128; six clinics) were analysed to test a published relationship between the percentage of fertilization-competent, capacitated spermatozoa (Cap-Score) and probability of generating pregnancy (PGP) within three cycles of intrauterine insemination. Logistic regression of total pregnancy outcomes (n = 252) assessed fit. In the cohort comparison, Cap-Scores of MQF (n = 2155; 22 clinics) were compared with those of 76 fertile men. RESULTS New outcomes (n = 128) were rank-ordered by Cap-Score and divided into quintiles (25-26 per group); chi-squared testing revealed no difference between predicted and observed pregnancies (P = 0.809). Total outcomes (n = 252; 128 new + 124 previous) were pooled and the model recalculated, yielding an improved fit (P < 0.001). Applying the Akaike information criterion found that the optimal model used Cap-Score alone. Cap-Scores were performed on 2155 men (with semen analysis data available for 1948). To compare fertilizing ability, men were binned by PGP (≤19%, 20-29%, 30-39%, 40-49%, 50-59%, ≥60%). Distributions of PGP and the corresponding Cap-Scores were significantly lower in MQF versus fertile men (P < 0.001). Notably, 64% of MQF with normal volume, concentration and motility (757/1183) had PGP of 39% or less (Cap-Scores ≤31), versus 25% of fertile men. CONCLUSIONS Sperm capacitation prospectively predicted male fertility. Impaired capacitation affects many MQF with normal semen analysis results, informing diagnosis versus idiopathic infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fady Sharara
- Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reston VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annette Lee
- Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Larry Barmat
- Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington PA, USA
| | - Gianpiero Palermo
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, New York NY, USA
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, New York NY, USA
| | | | - Joshua Bodie
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, USA
| | - John Nichols
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | - John Payne
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | - Travis McCoy
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | - Edward Tarnawa
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael Butcher
- Park Nicollet Sexual Medicine & Male Infertility Clinic, St Louis Park MN, USA
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14
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Schinfeld J, Sharara F, Morris R, Palermo GD, Rosenwaks Z, Seaman E, Hirshberg S, Cook J, Cardona C, Ostermeier GC, Travis AJ. Cap-Score™ prospectively predicts probability of pregnancy. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:654-664. [PMID: 30187594 PMCID: PMC6221170 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Semen analysis (SA) poorly predicts male fertility, because it does not assess sperm fertilizing ability. The percentage of capacitated sperm determined by GM1 localization (“Cap‐Score™”), differs between cohorts of fertile and potentially infertile men, and retrospectively, between men conceiving or failing to conceive by intrauterine insemination (IUI). Here, we prospectively tested whether Cap‐Score can predict male fertility with the outcome being clinical pregnancy within ≤3 IUI cycles. Cap‐Score and SA were performed (n = 208) with outcomes initially available for 91 men. Men were predicted to have either low (n = 47) or high (n = 44) chance of generating pregnancy using previously‐defined Cap‐Score reference ranges. Absolute and cumulative pregnancy rates were reduced in men predicted to have low pregnancy rates versus high ([absolute: 10.6% vs. 29.5%; p = 0.04]; [cumulative: 4.3% vs. 18.2%, 9.9% vs. 29.1%, and 14.0% vs. 32.8% for cycles 1–3; n = 91, 64, and 41; p = 0.02]). Only Cap‐Score, not male/female age or SA results, differed significantly between outcome groups. Logistic regression evaluated Cap‐Score and SA results relative to the probability of generating pregnancy (PGP) for men who were successful in, or completed, three IUI cycles (n = 57). Cap‐Score was significantly related to PGP (p = 0.01). The model fit was then tested with 67 additional patients (n = 124; five clinics); the equation changed minimally, but fit improved (p < 0.001; margin of error: 4%). The Akaike Information Criterion found the best model used Cap‐Score as the only predictor. These data show that Cap‐Score provides a practical, predictive assessment of male fertility, with applications in assisted reproduction and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Schinfeld
- Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington, Pennsylvania
| | - Fady Sharara
- Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reston, Virginia
| | | | - Gianpiero D Palermo
- The Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- The Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
| | | | | | - John Cook
- Singular Value Consulting, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Alexander J Travis
- Androvia LifeSciences, Mountainside, New Jersey.,Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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15
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Puga Molina LC, Luque GM, Balestrini PA, Marín-Briggiler CI, Romarowski A, Buffone MG. Molecular Basis of Human Sperm Capacitation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:72. [PMID: 30105226 PMCID: PMC6078053 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the early 1950s, Austin and Chang independently described the changes that are required for the sperm to fertilize oocytes in vivo. These changes were originally grouped under name of “capacitation” and were the first step in the development of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in humans. Following these initial and fundamental findings, a remarkable number of observations led to characterization of the molecular steps behind this process. The discovery of certain sperm-specific molecules and the possibility to record ion currents through patch-clamp approaches helped to integrate the initial biochemical observation with the activity of ion channels. This is of particular importance in the male gamete due to the fact that sperm are transcriptionally inactive. Therefore, sperm must control all these changes that occur during their transit through the male and female reproductive tracts by complex signaling cascades that include post-translational modifications. This review is focused on the principal molecular mechanisms that govern human sperm capacitation with particular emphasis on comparing all the reported pieces of evidence with the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lis C Puga Molina
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clara I Marín-Briggiler
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Ostermeier GC, Cardona C, Moody MA, Simpson AJ, Mendoza R, Seaman E, Travis AJ. Timing of sperm capacitation varies reproducibly among men. Mol Reprod Dev 2018. [PMID: 29521463 PMCID: PMC6001750 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sperm must mature functionally in the process of capacitation to become able to fertilize. Capacitation depends on membrane lipid changes, and can be quantitatively assessed by redistribution of the ganglioside GM1, the basis of the Cap‐Score™ sperm function test. Here, differences in Cap‐Score were compared among and within men at two time points. Ejaculates were liquefied, washed, and incubated for 3 hr under capacitating (Cap) conditions, then fixed and analyzed immediately (Day0); after being incubated 3 hr under Cap conditions then maintained 22–24 hr in fix (Day1‐fix); or after 22–24 hr incubation under Cap conditions prior to fixation (Day1). In all cases, a light fixative previously shown to allow membrane lipid movements was used. Day1‐fix and Day1 Cap‐Scores were greater than Day0 (p < 0.001; n = 25), whereas Day1‐fix and Day1 Cap‐Scores were equivalent (p = 0.43; n = 25). In 123 samples from 52 fertile men, Cap‐Score increased more than 1SD (7.7; calculated previously from a fertile cohort) from Day0 to Day1‐fix in 44% (54/123) of the samples. To test whether timing of capacitation was consistent within an individual, 52 samples from 11 fertile men were classified into either “early” or “late” capacitation groups. The average capacitation group concordance within a donor was 81%. Median absolute deviation (MAD; in Cap‐Score units) was used to assess the tightness of clustering of the difference from Day0 to Day1‐fix within individuals. The average (2.21) and median (1.98) MAD confirmed consistency within individuals. Together, these data show that the timing of capacitation differed among men and was consistent within men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander J. Travis
- Androvia LifeSciencesMountainsideNew Jersey
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
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