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Wang M, Ren C, Wang P, Cheng X, Chen Y, Huang Y, Chen J, Sun Z, Wang Q, Zhang Z. Microbiome–Metabolome Reveals the Contribution of the Gut–Testis Axis to Sperm Motility in Sheep (Ovis aries). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13060996. [PMID: 36978536 PMCID: PMC10044597 DOI: 10.3390/ani13060996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A close association exists among testicular function, gut microbiota regulation, and organismal metabolism. In this study, serum and seminal plasma metabolomes, and the rumen microbiome of sheep with significant differences in sperm viability, were explored. Serum and seminal plasma metabolomes differed significantly between high-motility (HM) and low-motility (LM) groups of sheep, and 39 differential metabolites closely related to sperm motility in sheep were found in seminal plasma metabolomes, while 35 were found in serum samples. A 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that the relative abundance of HM and LM rumen microorganisms, such as Ruminococcus and Quinella, was significantly higher in the HM group, whereas genera such as Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Lactobacillus were enriched in the mid-LM group. Serum hormone assays revealed that serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and MT levels were significantly lower in the LM group than in the HM group, whereas serum glucocorticoid (GC) levels were higher in the LM group than in the HM group, and they all affected sperm motility in sheep. Ruminococcus and other rumen microorganisms were positively correlated with sperm motility, whereas Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with FSH and GCs levels. Our findings suggest that rumen microbial activity can influence the host metabolism and hormone levels associated with fertility in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Chunhuan Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Penghui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiao Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yale Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yafeng Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jiahong Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Modern Agricultural Technology Cooperation and Popularization Center of Dingyuan County, Chuzhou 233200, China
| | - Zhipeng Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Qiangjun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Correspondence: (Q.W.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zijun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Modern Agricultural Technology Cooperation and Popularization Center of Dingyuan County, Chuzhou 233200, China
- Correspondence: (Q.W.); (Z.Z.)
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Lymperi S, Neofytou E, Vaitsopoulou C, Bazioti MG, Kalyvianaki K, Chatzimeletiou K, Lambropoulos A, Tarlatzi TB, Kampa M, Kolibianakis EM, Tarlatzis BC. Oxytocin preprotein and oxytocin receptor mRNA expression is altered in semen samples with abnormal semen parameters. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:363-370. [PMID: 36604213 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.10.011] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Are oxytocin preprotein and the oxytocin receptor expressed in human spermatozoa and is their mRNA expression different between normal semen samples and samples with at least one abnormal parameter? DESIGN An in-vitro prospective study of 175 semen samples from Greek men, according to World Health Organization criteria, 2010. mRNA expression levels were compared between different categories of semen samples, classified according to their concentration, total number, motility and morphology. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect oxytocin preprotein and its receptor on spermatozoa smears. RESULTS Compared with normal samples (normal motility and normal concentration), samples with at least one abnormal sperm parameter had statistically significantly lower oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression (P = 0.019) and higher oxytocin receptor mRNA expression levels (P < 0.001). Oligozoospermic samples had statistically significantly higher oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression levels (P = 0.002) and lower oxytocin receptor mRNA expression levels (P = 0.047). Asthenozoospermic samples had statistically significantly lower oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression levels (P < 0.001). Teratozoospermic samples had statistically significantly lower oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression levels (P = 0.049) and higher oxytocin receptor mRNA expression levels (P < 0.001). Oxytocin preprotein mRNA expression was positively associated with total progressive motility (P < 0.001) and negatively associated with the percentage of immotile spermatozoa (P = 0.001). Oxytocin receptor mRNA expression was negatively associated with the percentage of normal forms (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Oxytocin preprotein and oxytocin receptor mRNA expression in spermatozoa could be used as a novel and unbiased diagnostic tool for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Lymperi
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Private Diagnostic Laboratory Agias Sofias, Andrology Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Eirini Neofytou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christine Vaitsopoulou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria-Georgia Bazioti
- Private Diagnostic Laboratory Agias Sofias, Andrology Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantina Kalyvianaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Lambropoulos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theoni B Tarlatzi
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Marilena Kampa
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, GR-71003, Greece
| | - Efstratios M Kolibianakis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Basil C Tarlatzis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Gołyszny M, Obuchowicz E, Zieliński M. Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders. Neuropeptides 2022; 91:102216. [PMID: 34974357 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2021.102216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides being regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, also affect the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons. Here, we review the available data on how neuropeptides affect HPG axis activity directly or indirectly via their influence on the HPA axis. The putative role of neuropeptides in stress-induced infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is also described. This review discusses both well-known neuropeptides (i.e., kisspeptin, Kp; oxytocin, OT; arginine-vasopressin, AVP) and more recently discovered peptides (i.e., relaxin-3, RLN-3; nesfatin-1, NEFA; phoenixin, PNX; spexin, SPX). For the first time, we present an up-to-date review of all published data regarding interactions between the aforementioned neuropeptide systems. The reviewed literature suggest new pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fertility disturbances that are induced by stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miłosz Gołyszny
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Michał Zieliński
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
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Dalmazzo A, Losano JDA, Angrimani DSR, Pereira IVA, Goissis MD, Francischini MCP, Lopes E, Minazaki CK, Blank MH, Cogliati B, Pereira RJG, Barnabe VH, Nichi M. Immunolocalisation and expression of oxytocin receptors and sex hormone-binding globulin in the testis and epididymis of dogs: correlation with sperm function. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1434-1443. [PMID: 31046900 DOI: 10.1071/rd18452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to confirm gene and protein expression of oxytocin receptor (OTR) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the testis and epididymis of dogs, correlating these data with sperm quality and production and testosterone concentrations. Positive correlations were found between OTR and SHBG expression in both the testis and epididymis. Testicular OTR expression was positively associated with plasma membrane and acrosome integrity in canine spermatozoa, whereas SHBG expression in the testis was positively correlated with various sperm characteristics, such as sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. Testicular expression of both OTR and SHBG was negatively correlated with low sperm mitochondrial activity. In the epididymis, SHBG expression was only positively correlated with plasma membrane integrity. Analysis of protein expression revealed that testicular OTR was positively correlated with testosterone concentrations and negatively correlated with the absence of sperm mitochondrial activity. In addition, SHBG expression in the testes was associated with epididymis SHBG expression and morphologically normal cells. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis revealed the presence of both OTR and SHBG in testicular smooth muscles and Leydig cells. However, in the epididymis, OTR was only located in smooth muscle cells, whereas neither IHC nor western blotting detected SHBG. Together, the results of this study suggest that OTR and SHBG play key roles in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, being essential for male reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa Dalmazzo
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - João D A Losano
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Daniel S R Angrimani
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Isabel V A Pereira
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Marcelo D Goissis
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Maria C P Francischini
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Everton Lopes
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Marcel H Blank
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Ricardo J G Pereira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Valquiria H Barnabe
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Marcilio Nichi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil; and Corresponding author.
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Mostafa T, Rashed LA, Osman I, Marawan M. Seminal plasma oxytocin and oxidative stress levels in infertile men with varicocele. Andrologia 2014; 47:209-13. [PMID: 24635706 DOI: 10.1111/and.12248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess seminal plasma oxytocin (OT) and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile men with varicocele (Vx). A total of 131 men were divided into fertile men (n = 20), fertile men with Vx (n = 17), infertile men without Vx (n = 40) and infertile men with Vx (n = 54). OT, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in seminal plasma. Mean levels of seminal OT, MDA were significantly decreased, and the mean level of GPx was significantly increased in fertile men with/without Vx compared with infertile men with/without Vx. Mean levels of OT, MDA were increased, and mean level of GPx was significantly decreased in Vx grade III cases compared with Vx grades I, II cases and in bilateral Vx cases compared with unilateral Vx. There was significant negative correlation between seminal OT with sperm count, sperm motility, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with sperm abnormal forms, seminal MDA. It is concluded that seminal OT is significantly decreased in fertile men with/without Vx compared with infertile men with/without Vx. Seminal OT demonstrated significant negative correlation with sperm count, sperm motility, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with sperm abnormal forms, seminal MDA. Seminal OT is associated with Vx grade and its bilaterality.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Mostafa
- Department of Andrology and Sexology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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