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Morabbi A, Karimian M. Trace and essential elements as vital components to improve the performance of the male reproductive system: Implications in cell signaling pathways. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 83:127403. [PMID: 38340548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2024.127403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Successful male fertilization requires the main processes such as normal spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction. The progress of these processes depends on some endogenous and exogenous factors. So, the optimal level of ions and essential and rare elements such as selenium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, and so on in various types of cells of the reproductive system could affect conception and male fertility rates. The function of trace elements in the male reproductive system could be exerted through some cellular and molecular processes, such as the management of active oxygen species, involvement in the action of membrane channels, regulation of enzyme activity, regulation of gene expression and hormone levels, and modulation of signaling cascades. In this review, we aim to summarize the available evidence on the role of trace elements in improving male reproductive performance. Also, special attention is paid to the cellular aspects and the involved molecular signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Morabbi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
| | - Mohammad Karimian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
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Li C, Ni Y, Yao L, Fang J, Jiang N, Chen J, Lin W, Ni H, Zheng H. The correlation between sperm percentage with a small acrosome and unexplained in vitro fertilization failure. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:58. [PMID: 38212716 PMCID: PMC10782770 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06205-0] [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: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Since the unexplained in vitro fertilization failure occurs frequently, it is of great importance and clinical value to identify potential underlying predictors. This study aimed to explore whether the percentage of sperm with a small acrosome was correlated with unexplained in vitro fertilization failure. METHODS A new acrosomal function evaluation index (the percentage of sperm with a small acrosome) was introduced into the analysis of sperm morphology. The association between the index and acrosome function by acrosin activity detection test and acrosome reaction test was investigated. In addition, the correlation with unexplained in vitro fertilization failure was further explored. Finally, the ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy on the failure of in vitro fertilization and the cutoff value was calculated. RESULTS As the increasing of the percentage of sperm with a small acrosome, the value of acrosin activity, acrosome reaction rate, and in vitro fertilization rate were reduced, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The index in the low fertilization rate group was significantly higher than that in the normal fertilization rate group (P < 0.05). Finally, the results of ROC curve found that when the index was 43.5%, the sensitivity and specificity were 74.2% and 95.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION The percentage of sperm with a small acrosome was positively correlated with unexplained in vitro fertilization failure, which could be potentially used as a prognostic index for the failure of in vitro fertilization. TRIAL REGISTRATION [Ethics review acceptance No IIT20210339B].
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China.
| | - Ya Ni
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Hangzhou Medical College/Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Lingnv Yao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Jiajie Fang
- Urinary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Wenqin Lin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Hanchen Ni
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Hangzhou Medical College/Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
| | - Haiyan Zheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, China
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Suqueli García MF, Gabbanelli N, Ríos GL, Buschiazzo J. Exogenous progesterone during in vitro fertilization improves developmental competence of partially cumulus-denuded bovine oocytes. Theriogenology 2023; 211:11-18. [PMID: 37556930 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.07.036] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The progesterone (P4) secreted by cumulus cells has gained attention for its role as a possible physiological inducer of sperm acrosome exocytosis. In mammals, it is generally accepted that fertilization rates of oocytes without cumulus are markedly low. This study assessed the integrity of capacitated bovine sperm acrosome when exposed to increasing concentrations of P4, and evaluated whether exogenous P4 during in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the developmental competence of partially cumulus-denuded oocytes in serum-free conditions. After a 4-h capacitation induction, sperm were incubated with increasing concentrations of P4 (0, 0.1, 10 and 100 μM) and evaluated for viability, caspase activation and acrosome status at three different times (4, 5, and 22 h), including the capacitation induction period. Progesterone induced sperm acrosomal exocytosis without compromising sperm viability or activating sperm caspases. Sperm undergoing acrosome reaction exhibited three differential Concanavalin A patterns, corresponding to early, intermediate and late acrosomal exocytosis. The percentage of these patterns significantly increased over time, regardless of P4 concentration, except for those spermatozoa with late acrosomal exocytosis, which only showed an increase at 22 h of incubation. After incubation for 1 h with 100 μM P4, spermatozoa showing intermediate acrosomal exocytosis significantly increased. At 22 h of incubation, the pattern corresponding to early acrosomal exocytosis evidenced a dose-dependent increase. However, prematurely high levels of acrosome reaction induced by 100 μM P4 led to inefficient IVF outcomes (P < 0.05). Therefore, IVF trials with partially cumulus-denuded oocytes were carried out with lower P4 concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10 μM). Cleavage rate significantly increased at 1 μM P4, which translated to increased total embryo production after 7 days of in vitro culture (P < 0.05). Significantly higher percentages of expanded blastocysts were observed at both 1 μM and 10 μM P4 as compared to the other experimental conditions. In conclusion, the different patterns of acrosomal exocytosis identified over time by incubation of live sperm with a fluorescent lectin revealed the existence of sperm subpopulations heterogeneous in their physiological states. Moreover, exogenous P4 at 1 μM during IVF improved the developmental competence of partially cumulus-denuded oocytes in serum-free conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Suqueli García
- Laboratorio Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ruta 226 km 73.5, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.
| | - Nadia Gabbanelli
- Laboratorio Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ruta 226 km 73.5, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.
| | - Glenda Laura Ríos
- Laboratorio Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ruta 226 km 73.5, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.
| | - Jorgelina Buschiazzo
- Laboratorio Biotecnología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ruta 226 km 73.5, 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.
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Zhou X, Xi Q, Jia W, Li Z, Liu Z, Luo G, Xing C, Zhang D, Hou M, Liu H, Yang X, Luo Y, Peng X, Wang G, Zou T, Zhu L, Jin L, Zhang X. A novel homozygous mutation in ACTL7A leads to male infertility. Mol Genet Genomics 2023; 298:353-360. [PMID: 36574082 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01985-0] [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: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility, a global public health problem, exhibits complex pathogenic causes and genetic factors deserve further discovery and study. We identified a novel homozygous missense mutation c.224A > C (p.D75A) in ACTL7A gene in two infertile brothers with teratozoospermia by whole-exome sequencing (WES). In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) showed fertilization failure of the two affected couples. The three-dimensional (3D) models showed that a small section of α-helix transformed into random coil in the mutant ACTL7A protein and mutant amino acid lacked a hydrogen bond with Ser170 amino acid. Immunofluorescence revealed that ACTL7A protein was degraded in sperms of patients. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of sperms from the infertile patients showed that the irregular perinuclear theca (PT) and acrosomal ultrastructural defects. Furthermore, ACTL7A mutation caused abnormal localization and reduced the expression of PLCZ1 in sperms of the patients, which may be the key reasons for the fertilization failure after ICSI. Our findings expand the spectrum of ACTL7A mutations and provide novel theoretical basis for genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Qingsong Xi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Weimin Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Geng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Chenxi Xing
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dazhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Meiqi Hou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Yalin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Xuejie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Guihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Tingting Zou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Lixia Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology and Center for Human Genome Research, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, China.
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Huang J, Chen H, Li N, Zhao Y. Emerging microfluidic technologies for sperm sorting. ENGINEERED REGENERATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.engreg.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
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Prajapati P, Kane S, McBrinn RC, Dean MS, Martins da Silva SJ, Brown SG. Elevated and Sustained Intracellular Calcium Signalling Is Necessary for Efficacious Induction of the Human Sperm Acrosome Reaction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911253. [PMID: 36232560 PMCID: PMC9570455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone and prostaglandin E1 are postulated to trigger the human sperm acrosome reaction (AR). However, their reported efficacy is very variable which likely, in part, reflects the plethora of experimental conditions and methodologies used to detect this physiologically relevant event. The purpose of this study was to develop an assay for the robust induction and objective measurement of the complete AR. Sperm from healthy volunteers or patients undertaking IVF were treated with a variety of ligands (progesterone, prostaglandin E1 or NH4Cl, alone or in combinations). AR, motility and intracellular calcium measurements were measured using flow cytometry, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and fluorimetry, respectively. The AR was significantly increased by the simultaneous application of progesterone, prostaglandin E1 and NH4Cl, following an elevated and sustained intracellular calcium concentration. However, we observed notable inter- and intra-donor sample heterogeneity of the AR induction. When studying the patient samples, we found no relationship between the IVF fertilization rate and the AR. We conclude that progesterone and prostaglandin E1 alone do not significantly increase the percentage of live acrosome-reacted sperm. This assay has utility for drug discovery and sperm toxicology studies but is not predictive for IVF success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Prajapati
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Shruti Kane
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK
| | | | - Morven S. Dean
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Sarah J. Martins da Silva
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Sean G. Brown
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK
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Occurrence of Calcium Oscillations in Human Spermatozoa Is Based on Spatial Signaling Enzymes Distribution. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158018. [PMID: 34360784 PMCID: PMC8347727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In human spermatozoa, calcium dynamics control most of fertilization events. Progesterone, present in the female reproductive system, can trigger several types of calcium responses, such as low-frequency oscillations. Here we aimed to identify the mechanisms of progesterone-induced calcium signaling in human spermatozoa. Progesterone-induced activation of fluorophore-loaded spermatozoa was studied by fluorescent microscopy. Two computational models were developed to describe the spermatozoa calcium responses: a homogeneous one based on a system of ordinary differential equations and a three-dimensional one with added space dimensions and diffusion for the cytosolic species. In response to progesterone, three types of calcium responses were observed in human spermatozoa: a single transient rise of calcium concentration in cytosol, a steady elevation, or low-frequency oscillations. The homogenous model provided qualitative description of the oscillatory and the single spike responses, while the three-dimensional model captured the calcium peak shape and the frequency of calcium oscillations. The model analysis demonstrated that an increase in the calcium diffusion coefficient resulted in the disappearance of the calcium oscillations. Additionally, in silico analysis suggested that the spatial distribution of calcium signaling enzymes governs the appearance of calcium oscillations in progesterone-activated human spermatozoa.
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Aldana A, Carneiro J, Martínez-Mekler G, Darszon A. Discrete Dynamic Model of the Mammalian Sperm Acrosome Reaction: The Influence of Acrosomal pH and Physiological Heterogeneity. Front Physiol 2021; 12:682790. [PMID: 34349664 PMCID: PMC8328089 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.682790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The acrosome reaction (AR) is an exocytotic process essential for mammalian fertilization. It involves diverse physiological changes (biochemical, biophysical, and morphological) that culminate in the release of the acrosomal content to the extracellular medium as well as a reorganization of the plasma membrane (PM) that allows sperm to interact and fuse with the egg. In spite of many efforts, there are still important pending questions regarding the molecular mechanism regulating the AR. Particularly, the contribution of acrosomal alkalinization to AR triggering physiological conditions is not well understood. Also, the dependence of the proportion of sperm capable of undergoing AR on the physiological heterogeneity within a sperm population has not been studied. Here, we present a discrete mathematical model for the human sperm AR based on the physiological interactions among some of the main components of this complex exocytotic process. We show that this model can qualitatively reproduce diverse experimental results, and that it can be used to analyze how acrosomal pH (pH a ) and cell heterogeneity regulate AR. Our results confirm that a pH a increase can on its own trigger AR in a subpopulation of sperm, and furthermore, it indicates that this is a necessary step to trigger acrosomal exocytosis through progesterone, a known natural inducer of AR. Most importantly, we show that the proportion of sperm undergoing AR is directly related to the detailed structure of the population physiological heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Aldana
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Carneiro
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Gustavo Martínez-Mekler
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Denisenko V, Chistyakova I, Volkova N, Volkova L, Iolchiev B, Kuzmina T. The Modulation of Functional Status of Bovine Spermatozoa by Progesterone. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061788. [PMID: 34203892 PMCID: PMC8232648 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061788] [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: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Progesterone is an endogenous steroid hormone, which can induce capacitation and/or acrosome reactions in semen of certain mammalian species. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of progesterone on the functional status of fresh bovine spermatozoa using a chlortetracycline fluorescent probe. Results showed that heparin induced capacitation in spermatozoa incubated with or without progesterone. The destruction of microfilaments by an inhibitor of cytochalasin D blocked the stimulating effect of heparin. Steroid hormone in mixture with prolactin stimulated the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa, which was blocked by an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization (nocodazole). At the acrosome stage, prolactin provided the undergoing of acrosome reaction in male gametes. This effect was noted both in the presence and absence of progesterone and inhibited by nocodazole. The supplementation of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate during the acrosome reaction to progesterone-untreated spermatozoa did not cause changes in proportion of acrosome-reacted cells. However, when progesterone was added during capacitation, a significant increase in the proportion of capacitated cells was noted, which was inhibited by nocodazole. Thus, progesterone under the action of prolactin and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate determines the functional status of fresh spermatozoa, which indicates progesterone-modulating effect on the indicators of post-ejaculatory maturation of male gametes. Abstract The aim of this study is to identify the effects of progesterone (PRG) on the capacitation and the acrosome reaction in bovine spermatozoa. The fresh sperm samples were incubated with and without capacitation inductors (heparin, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP)), hormones (prolactin (PRL), PRG), inhibitors of microfilaments (cytochalasin D) and microtubules (nocodazole) during capacitation and acrosome reactions. The functional status of spermatozoa was examined using the chlortetracycline assay. Supplementation of heparin stimulated capacitation in the presence and absence of PRG. Cytochalasin D blocked the stimulating effect of heparin on capacitation. The addition of PRL during capacitation (without PRG) did not affect the functional status of spermatozoa, while in PRG-treated cells PRL stimulated the acrosome reaction. PRL (with and without PRG) increased the acrosome reaction in capacitated cells. These PRL-dependent effects were inhibited by nocodazole. During the acrosome reaction, in presence of dbcAMP, PRG decreased the proportion of acrosome-reacted cells compared to PRG-untreated cells. This effect in PRG-treated cells was canceled in the presence of nocodazole. In conclusion, PRG under the action of PRL and dbcAMP determines the changes in the functional status of native sperm cells, which indicates PRG modulating effect on the indicators of post-ejaculatory maturation of spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Denisenko
- Branch of Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry Named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Russian Research Institute of Genetic and Breeding Farm Animals, 196601 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (V.D.); (I.C.)
| | - Irena Chistyakova
- Branch of Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry Named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Russian Research Institute of Genetic and Breeding Farm Animals, 196601 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (V.D.); (I.C.)
| | - Natalia Volkova
- Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry Named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, 142132 Moscow, Russia; (N.V.); (L.V.); (B.I.)
| | - Ludmila Volkova
- Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry Named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, 142132 Moscow, Russia; (N.V.); (L.V.); (B.I.)
| | - Baylar Iolchiev
- Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry Named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, 142132 Moscow, Russia; (N.V.); (L.V.); (B.I.)
| | - Tatyana Kuzmina
- Branch of Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry Named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Russian Research Institute of Genetic and Breeding Farm Animals, 196601 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (V.D.); (I.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-9213-92-19-47
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Elad D, Jaffa AJ, Grisaru D. Biomechanics of Early Life in the Female Reproductive Tract. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 35:134-143. [PMID: 32027564 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00028.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early human life that starts at the onset of fertilization and ends with implantation of the embryo in the uterine wall is the foundation for a successful pregnancy. The different stages during this period require biomechanical mechanisms, which are mostly unknown due to difficulties to conduct in vivo studies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Elad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel J Jaffa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Grisaru
- Gynecological Oncology Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Bunay J, Gallardo LM, Torres-Fuentes JL, Aguirre-Arias MV, Orellana R, Sepúlveda N, Moreno RD. A decrease of docosahexaenoic acid in testes of mice fed a high-fat diet is associated with impaired sperm acrosome reaction and fertility. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:306-313. [PMID: 33269725 PMCID: PMC8152421 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_76_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major worldwide health problem that is related to most chronic diseases, including male infertility. Owing to its wide impact on health, mechanisms underlying obesity-related infertility remain unknown. In this study, we report that mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for over 2 months showed reduced fertility rates and increased germ cell apoptosis, seminiferous tubule degeneration, and decreased intratesticular estradiol (E2) and E2-to-testosterone ratio. Interestingly, we also detected a decrease in testicular fatty acid levels, behenic acid (C22:0), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), which may be related to the production of dysfunctional spermatozoa. Overall, we did not detect any changes in the frequency of seminiferous tubule stages, sperm count, or rate of in vitro capacitation. However, there was an increase in spontaneous and progesterone-induced acrosomal exocytosis (acrosome reaction) in spermatozoa from HFD-fed mice. These data suggest that a decrease in E2 and fatty acid levels influences spermatogenesis and some steps of acrosome biogenesis that will have consequences for fertilization. Thus, our results add new evidence about the adverse effect of obesity in male reproduction and suggest that the acrosomal reaction can also be affected under this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Bunay
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Luz-Maria Gallardo
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Jorge Luis Torres-Fuentes
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - M Verónica Aguirre-Arias
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Renan Orellana
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago 8370854, Chile
| | - Néstor Sepúlveda
- Center of Excellence in Biotechnology of Reproduction, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile
| | - Ricardo D Moreno
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), Santiago 8331150, Chile
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Carichino L, Olson SD. Emergent three-dimensional sperm motility: coupling calcium dynamics and preferred curvature in a Kirchhoff rod model. MATHEMATICAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY-A JOURNAL OF THE IMA 2020; 36:439-469. [PMID: 30325451 DOI: 10.1093/imammb/dqy015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Changes in calcium concentration along the sperm flagellum regulate sperm motility and hyperactivation, characterized by an increased flagellar bend amplitude and beat asymmetry, enabling the sperm to reach and penetrate the ovum (egg). The signalling pathways by which calcium increases within the flagellum are well established. However, the exact mechanisms of how calcium regulates flagellar bending are still under investigation. We extend our previous model of planar flagellar bending by developing a fluid-structure interaction model that couples the 3D motion of the flagellum in a viscous Newtonian fluid with the evolving calcium concentration. The flagellum is modelled as a Kirchhoff rod: an elastic rod with preferred curvature and twist. The calcium dynamics are represented as a 1D reaction-diffusion model on a moving domain, the flagellum. The two models are coupled assuming that the preferred curvature and twist of the sperm flagellum depend on the local calcium concentration. To investigate the effect of calcium on sperm motility, we compare model results of flagellar bend amplitude and swimming speed for three cases: planar, helical (spiral with equal amplitude in both directions), and quasi-planar (spiral with small amplitude in one direction). We observe that for the same parameters, the planar swimmer is faster and a turning motion is more clearly observed when calcium coupling is accounted for in the model. In the case of flagellar bending coupled to the calcium concentration, we observe emergent trajectories that can be characterized as a hypotrochoid for both quasi-planar and helical bending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Carichino
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Sarah D Olson
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA, USA
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Frolikova M, Otcenaskova T, Valasková E, Postlerova P, Stopkova R, Stopka P, Komrskova K. The Role of Taste Receptor mTAS1R3 in Chemical Communication of Gametes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072651. [PMID: 32290318 PMCID: PMC7177404 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is a multiple step process leading to the fusion of female and male gametes and the formation of a zygote. Besides direct gamete membrane interaction via binding receptors localized on both oocyte and sperm surface, fertilization also involves gamete communication via chemical molecules triggering various signaling pathways. This work focuses on a mouse taste receptor, mTAS1R3, encoded by the Tas1r3 gene, as a potential receptor mediating chemical communication between gametes using the C57BL/6J lab mouse strain. In order to specify the role of mTAS1R3, we aimed to characterize its precise localization in testis and sperm using super resolution microscopy. The testis cryo-section, acrosome-intact sperm released from cauda epididymis and sperm which underwent the acrosome reaction (AR) were evaluated. The mTAS1R3 receptor was detected in late spermatids where the acrosome was being formed and in the acrosomal cap of acrosome intact sperm. AR is triggered in mice during sperm maturation in the female reproductive tract and by passing through the egg surroundings such as cumulus oophorus cells. This AR onset is independent of the extracellular matrix of the oocyte called zona pellucida. After AR, the relocation of mTAS1R3 to the equatorial segment was observed and the receptor remained exposed to the outer surroundings of the female reproductive tract, where its physiological ligand, the amino acid L-glutamate, naturally occurs. Therefore, we targeted the possible interaction in vitro between the mTAS1R3 and L-glutamate as a part of chemical communication between sperm and egg and used an anti-mTAS1R3-specific antibody to block it. We detected that the acrosome reacted spermatozoa showed a chemotactic response in the presence of L-glutamate during and after the AR, and it is likely that mTAS1R3 acted as its mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Frolikova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
| | - Tereza Otcenaskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Eliska Valasková
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
| | - Pavla Postlerova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Stopkova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Pavel Stopka
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Katerina Komrskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; (M.F.); (T.O.); (E.V.); (P.P.)
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic; (R.S.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-325-873-799
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Abstract
The perpetuation and preservation of distinct species rely on mechanisms that ensure that only interactions between gametes of the same species can give rise to viable and fertile offspring. Species-specificity can act at various stages, ranging from physical/behavioral pre-copulatory mechanisms, to pre-zygotic incompatibility during fertilization, to post-zygotic hybrid incompatibility. Herein, we focus on our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for species-specificity during fertilization. While still poorly understood, decades of research have led to the discovery of molecules implicated in species-specific gamete interactions, starting from initial sperm-egg attraction to the binding of sperm and egg. While many of these molecules have been described as species-specific in their mode of action, relatively few have been demonstrated as such with definitive evidence. Thus, we also raise remaining questions that need to be addressed in order to characterize gamete interaction molecules as species-specific.
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