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Myers C, Atkins GR, Villarreal J, Sutton RB, Cornwall GA. The mouse epididymal amyloid matrix is a mammalian counterpart of a bacterial biofilm. iScience 2024; 27:110152. [PMID: 38974467 PMCID: PMC11225826 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The mouse epididymis is a long tubule connecting the testis to the vas deferens. Its primary functions are to mature spermatozoa into motile and fertile cells and to protect them from pathogens that ascend the male tract. We previously demonstrated that a functional extracellular amyloid matrix surrounds spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen and has host defense functions, properties not unlike that of an extracellular biofilm that encloses and protects a bacterial community. Here we show the epididymal amyloid matrix also structurally resembles a biofilm by containing eDNA, eRNA, and mucin-like polysaccharides. Further these structural components exhibit comparable behaviors and perform functions such as their counterparts in bacterial biofilms. Our studies suggest that nature has used the ancient building blocks of bacterial biofilms to form an analogous structure that nurtures and protects the mammalian male germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Myers
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Georgia Rae Atkins
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Johanna Villarreal
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - R. Bryan Sutton
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Gail A. Cornwall
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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Shen Q, Wu X, Chen J, He C, Wang Z, Zhou B, Zhang H. Immune Regulation of Seminal Plasma on the Endometrial Microenvironment: Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14639. [PMID: 37834087 PMCID: PMC10572377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma (SP) accounts for more than 90% of semen volume. It induces inflammation, regulates immune tolerance, and facilitates embryonic development and implantation in the female reproductive tract. In the physiological state, SP promotes endometrial decidualization and causes changes in immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells, regulatory T cells, and dendritic cells. This leads to the secretion of cytokines and chemokines and also results in the alteration of miRNA profiles and the expression of genes related to endometrial tolerance and angiogenesis. Together, these changes modulate the endometrial immune microenvironment and contribute to implantation and pregnancy. However, in pathological situations, abnormal alterations in SP due to advanced age or poor diet in men can interfere with a woman's immune adaptation to pregnancy, negatively affecting embryo implantation and even the health of the offspring. Uterine pathologies such as endometriosis and endometritis can cause the endometrium to respond negatively to SP, which can further contribute to pathological progress and interfere with conception. The research on the mechanism of SP in the endometrium is conducive to the development of new targets for intervention to improve reproductive outcomes and may also provide new ideas for semen-assisted treatment of clinical infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuzi Shen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Q.S.); (X.W.); (J.C.); (C.H.)
| | - Xiaoyu Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Q.S.); (X.W.); (J.C.); (C.H.)
| | - Jin Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Q.S.); (X.W.); (J.C.); (C.H.)
| | - Chao He
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Q.S.); (X.W.); (J.C.); (C.H.)
| | - Zehao Wang
- School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;
| | - Boyan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Q.S.); (X.W.); (J.C.); (C.H.)
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Q.S.); (X.W.); (J.C.); (C.H.)
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DNase activity in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid and its inhibition by follicular fluid chelating agents. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:1079-1086. [PMID: 34753679 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.09.015] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What is the mechanism by which human follicular fluid inhibits seminal plasma DNase activity? DESIGN Human genomic DNA was incubated with human follicular fluid and seminal plasma (reaction mixture) under different experimental conditions; increasing volumes of human follicular fluid; proteinase K digested or heat inactivated human follicular fluid; and the addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+ to the reaction mixture. RESULTS Increasing volume of human follicular fluid resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of seminal plasma DNase activity. Inhibition was not caused by proteins in the human follicular fluid as digestion with proteinase K or heat inactivation of human follicular fluid failed to abolish its inhibitory effect. Addition of divalent cations resulted in a reversion of the inhibitory effect, providing evidence that human follicular fluid inhibition of seminal plasma DNase activity seems to be mediated by a compound with chelating activity. Furthermore, incubation of genomic DNA with human follicular fluid in the presence of divalent cations served to elicit the existence of DNase activity. CONCLUSIONS Human follicular fluid seems to contain a molecule or molecules with chelating capacity that inhibits DNase activity of both follicular fluid and seminal plasma. Our findings provide new insight to understanding sperm preservation and the physiology of fertilization biology.
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Fichtner T, Kotarski F, Gärtner U, Conejeros I, Hermosilla C, Wrenzycki C, Taubert A. Bovine sperm samples induce different NET phenotypes in a NADPH oxidase-, PAD4-, and Ca++-dependent process†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:902-914. [PMID: 31967293 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deposition of sperm during artificial insemination in the bovine female reproductive tract results in early host innate immune reactions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Furthermore, sperm-mediated neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation (NETosis) was recently reported to occur in different mammalian species, including humans. We, here, investigated the interactions of bovine PMN with different semen-derived samples and analyzed in more depth molecular aspects of this effector mechanism. Overall, confrontation of PMN with sperm/cell preparation (SCP) resulted in a rapid and dose-dependent NET formation leading to effective spermatozoa entrapment. Thereby, spermatozoa induced different phenotypes of NETs. Immunostaining analyses revealed the presence of histones (H3), neutrophil elastase (NE), and pentraxin (PTX) in sperm-triggered NET structures. Fresh SCP strongly induced NETosis than frozen-thawed ones. The level of NETosis was not related to spermatozoa viability. SCP as well as purified sperm cells (SCs) and supernatant (SN) induce NETosis, although the reaction in SC was lower. Enhanced levels of oxygen consumption and proton leak in PMN revealed sperm SNs but not purified SCs as PMN activators. Functional inhibition experiments revealed sperm-triggered NETosis as an NADPH oxidase- and peptidylarginine deiminase 4-dependent process and proved to be dependent on intra- and extracellular Ca++ influxes while myeloperoxidase activity and as ERK1/2- and PI3K-related signaling pathways did not seem to play a pivotal role in this effector mechanism. From these findings, we speculate that sperm-derived NETosis might also occur in vivo during artificial insemination and might therefore play a role related to reduced fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Fichtner
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic of Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Franziska Kotarski
- Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic of Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Gärtner
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Iván Conejeros
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christine Wrenzycki
- Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic of Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Mateo-Otero Y, Zambrano F, Catalán J, Sánchez R, Yeste M, Miro J, Fernandez-Fuertes B. Seminal plasma, and not sperm, induces time and concentration-dependent neutrophil extracellular trap release in donkeys. Equine Vet J 2021; 54:415-426. [PMID: 33908643 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In several mammalian species, acute endometritis driven by the recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) occurs in response to semen. These PMNs release DNA to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in cattle, horse and human, leading to sperm entrapment. While there is no evidence of this phenomenon occurring in donkeys, artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen, which results in very poor pregnancy rates, leads to a large PMN recruitment to the uterus. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether donkey semen can trigger NET release (NETosis) and if excessive NETosis occurs in response to frozen-thawed semen. STUDY DESIGN In vitro experiments. METHODS Jenny PMNs were exposed to jackass fresh or frozen-thawed semen, isolated sperm or seminal plasma (SP), over the course of three experiments. NET formation in response to different treatments was assessed through manual quantification of stained slides. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a post hoc Sidak test, was carried out to determine statistical significance. RESULTS NET release occurred in a semen concentration- and incubation-time-dependent manner. Surprisingly, frozen-thawed donkey sperm did not increase NETosis rate in comparison with the control (23 ± 2.5% vs. 31 ± 3.7%; P > .05), whereas fresh semen exposure did (78 ± 5.7% vs. 26 ± 3.2%, P < .01). NETosis increased in the presence of SP, regardless of the presence or absence of sperm, in comparison with the control in both fresh (84 ± 5.2% and 77 ± 5.0% vs. 12 ± 2.7%, respectively; P < .01) and frozen (95 ± 2.2% and 94 ± 2.9% vs. 14 ± 3.8%, respectively; P < .01) samples. Moreover, exposure of PMN to viable and motile sperm, in the absence of SP, did not increase NETosis rates (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Donkey SP, and not sperm-intrinsic factors, is able to trigger NETosis in both time- and semen concentration-dependent manner. The physiological relevance of such response against semen in the donkey remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Fabiola Zambrano
- Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine and Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine-Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT - BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jaime Catalán
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raúl Sánchez
- Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine and Molecular Endocrinology, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine-Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (CEMT - BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Miro
- Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Single Layer Centrifugation Improves the Quality of Fresh Donkey Semen and Modifies the Sperm Ability to Interact with Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112128. [PMID: 33207812 PMCID: PMC7696916 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Donkey Artificial Insemination (AI) with frozen/thawed semen results in poor fertility outcomes. Jennies show a significant post-AI endometrial reaction, with a large amount of defense cells—polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)—migrating to the uterine lumen. Seminal plasma (SP) has a detrimental effect on sperm conservation and its removal is a necessary step in the semen freezing protocol. However, several SP proteins seem to control sperm-PMN binding. Single layer centrifugation (SLC) with colloids, which has been used to select spermatozoa and improve reproductive performance in different species, is known to remove SP proteins attached to the sperm membrane. In this study, two experiments were performed. The first one compared the quality of SLC-selected and non-selected fresh donkey spermatozoa. In the second experiment, PMN obtained from the peripheral blood were co-incubated with selected and unselected spermatozoa, and the interaction between PMN and spermatozoa was analyzed. In conclusion, SLC of fresh donkey semen increases the proportion of functionally intact spermatozoa and appears to remove the SP proteins that inhibit sperm-PMN binding, thus increasing sperm phagocytosis by PMN. Abstract This study sought to determine whether single layer centrifugation (SLC) of fresh donkey semen with Equicoll has any impact on sperm quality parameters and on the modulation of endometrial reaction following semen deposition using an in vitro model. Seventeen ejaculates from five jackasses were obtained using an artificial vagina and diluted in a skim-milk extender. Samples were either selected through SLC (Equicoll) or non-treated (control). Two experiments were performed. The first one consisted of incubating selected or non-selected spermatozoa at 38 °C for 180 min. Integrity and lipid disorder of sperm plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular levels of calcium and reactive oxygen species were evaluated at 0, 60, 120, and 180 min. In the second experiment, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) isolated from jennies blood were mixed with selected and unselected spermatozoa. Interaction between spermatozoa and PMN was evaluated after 0, 60, 120, and 180 min of co-incubation at 38 °C. SLC-selection increased the proportions of spermatozoa with an intact plasma membrane and low lipid disorder, of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential and with high calcium levels, and of progressively motile spermatozoa. In addition, selection through SLC augmented the proportion of phagocytosed spermatozoa, which supported the modulating role of seminal plasma proteins on sperm-PMN interaction. In conclusion, SLC of fresh donkey semen increases the proportions of functionally intact and motile spermatozoa, and appears to remove the seminal plasma proteins that inhibit sperm-PMN binding.
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Fichtner T, Kotarski F, Hermosilla C, Taubert A, Wrenzycki C. Semen extender and seminal plasma alter the extent of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) formation in cattle. Theriogenology 2020; 160:72-80. [PMID: 33189996 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
During artificial insemination in bovine, the deposition of semen into the uterus results in an immune reaction which is based on polymorphonuclear neutrophils activity, including the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps as a reaction of neutrophils to spermatozoa was recently described. However, it is not completely clear which components of the semen are responsible for this reaction. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps following in vitro incubation of bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils with semen and extenders of different origins and conditions. We investigated the interactions between bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils and different semen extenders, various seminal plasma concentrations from young and old bulls as well as sexed and non-sexed semen and their corresponding extenders. Three different semen extenders from two companies in fresh and frozen-thawed conditions were compared. Fresh semen extenders showed higher neutrophil extracellular traps induction than did frozen-thawed ones. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps were also dependent on the presence of seminal plasma. We could show that seminal plasma alone, without any sperm cells, induced the reaction and that the addition of at least 1% seminal plasma already resulted in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Furthermore, seminal plasma from young bulls led to significant higher neutrophil extracellular traps induction. No difference between non-sex-sorted and sex-sorted sperm and its extenders was observed. Taken together, different semen extenders as well as the amount and origin of seminal plasma influence neutrophil extracellular traps formation, whereas sex-sorted sperm did not affect the reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Fichtner
- Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic of Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 106, 35392, Giessen, Germany; Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, BFS - Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg, Schubertstraße 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Franziska Kotarski
- Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic of Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 106, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, BFS - Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg, Schubertstraße 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, BFS - Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg, Schubertstraße 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christine Wrenzycki
- Chair for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Clinic of Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 106, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Miró J, Marín H, Catalán J, Papas M, Gacem S, Yeste M. Seminal Plasma, Sperm Concentration, and Sperm-PMN Interaction in the Donkey: An In Vitro Model to Study Endometrial Inflammation at Post-Insemination. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103478. [PMID: 32423134 PMCID: PMC7278951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the donkey, artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen is associated with low fertility rates, which could be partially augmented through adding seminal plasma (SP) and increasing sperm concentration. On the other hand, post-AI endometrial inflammation in the jenny is significantly higher than in the mare. While previous studies analyzed this response through recovering Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMN) from uterine washings, successive lavages can detrimentally impact the endometrium, leading to fertility issues. For this reason, the first set of experiments in this work intended to set an in vitro model through harvesting PMN from the peripheral blood of jennies. Thereafter, how PMN, which require a triggering agent like formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) to be activated, are affected by donkey semen was interrogated. Finally, we tested how four concentrations of spermatozoa (100 × 106, 200 × 106, 500 × 106 and 1000 × 106 spermatozoa/mL) affected their interaction with PMN. We observed that semen, which consists of sperm and SP, is able to activate PMN. Whereas there was a reduced percentage of spermatozoa phagocytosed by PMN, most remained attached on the PMN surface or into a surrounding halo. Spermatozoa not attached to PMN were viable, and most of those bound to PMN were also viable and showed high tail beating. Finally, only sperm concentrations higher than 500 × 106 spermatozoa/mL showed free sperm cells after 3 h of incubation, and percentages of spermatozoa not attached to PMN were higher at 3 h than at 1 h, exhibiting high motility. We can thus conclude that semen activates PMN in the donkey, and that the percentage of spermatozoa phagocytosed by PMN is low. Furthermore, because percentages of spermatozoa not attached to PMN were higher after 3 h than after 1 h of incubation, we suggest that PMN-sperm interaction plays an instrumental role in the reproductive strategy of the donkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Miró
- Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain; (H.M.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-93-5814273
| | - Henar Marín
- Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain; (H.M.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (S.G.)
| | - Jaime Catalán
- Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain; (H.M.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (S.G.)
| | - Marion Papas
- Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain; (H.M.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (S.G.)
| | - Sabrina Gacem
- Equine Reproduction Service, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain; (H.M.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (S.G.)
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, E-17003 Girona, Spain;
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, E-17003 Girona, Spain
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Abstract
Seminal fluid is often assumed to have just one function in mammalian reproduction, delivering sperm to fertilize oocytes. But seminal fluid also transmits signaling agents that interact with female reproductive tissues to facilitate conception and .pregnancy. Upon seminal fluid contact, female tissues initiate a controlled inflammatory response that affects several aspects of reproductive function to ultimately maximize the chances of a male producing healthy offspring. This effect is best characterized in mice, where the female response involves several steps. Initially, seminal fluid factors cause leukocytes to infiltrate the female reproductive tract, and to selectively target and eliminate excess sperm. Other signals stimulate ovulation, induce an altered transcriptional program in female tract tissues that modulates embryo developmental programming, and initiate immune adaptations to promote receptivity to implantation and placental development. A key result is expansion of the pool of regulatory T cells that assist implantation by suppressing inflammation, mediating tolerance to male transplantation antigens, and promoting uterine vascular adaptation and placental development. Principal signaling agents in seminal fluid include prostaglandins and transforming growth factor-β. The balance of male signals affects the nature of the female response, providing a mechanism of ‟cryptic female choiceˮ that influences female reproductive investment. Male-female seminal fluid signaling is evident in all mammalian species investigated including human, and effects of seminal fluid in invertebrates indicate evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Understanding the female response to seminal fluid will shed new light on infertility and pregnancy disorders and is critical to defining how events at conception influence offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Schjenken
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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10
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Elweza AE, Ezz MA, Acosta TJ, Talukder AK, Shimizu T, Hayakawa H, Shimada M, Imakawa K, Zaghloul AH, Miyamoto A. A proinflammatory response of bovine endometrial epithelial cells to active sperm in vitro. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:215-226. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E. Elweza
- Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Obihiro Japan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Department of Theriogenology; University of Sadat City; Sadat City Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Ezz
- Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Obihiro Japan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Department of Theriogenology; Mansoura University; Mansoura Egypt
| | - Tomas J. Acosta
- Field Center of Animal Science and Agriculture; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Obihiro Japan
| | - Anup K. Talukder
- Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Obihiro Japan
- Department of Gynecology; Obstetrics and Reproductive Health; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University; Gaipur Bangladesh
| | - Takashi Shimizu
- Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Obihiro Japan
| | | | - Masayuki Shimada
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science; Hiroshima University; Higashi-Hiroshima Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Imakawa
- Animal Resource Science Center; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences; The University of Tokyo; Ibaraki Japan
| | - Ahmed H. Zaghloul
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Department of Theriogenology; University of Sadat City; Sadat City Egypt
| | - Akio Miyamoto
- Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene; Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; Obihiro Japan
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11
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Alterations in the proliferative/apoptotic equilibrium in semen of adolescents with varicocele. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:1657-1664. [PMID: 27629121 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0808-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To verify if the presence of varicocele (grades II and III) with and without seminal alterations, using the 5th centile cutoff values in table A1.1 of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) manual, alters the seminal plasma levels of proteins DNASE1 (deoxyribonuclease-1) and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), which are related to apoptosis regulation and cell proliferation, respectively, demonstrating that these proteins are important for correct spermatogenesis. METHODS This cross sectional study was performed at the Sao Paulo Federal University Paulo between May 2014 and April 2016. A total of 61 male adolescents were included in this study, of which 20 controls without varicocele (C), 22 with varicocele and normal semen analysis (VNS) and 19 with varicocele and altered semen analysis (VAS). Seminal plasma from each patient was used for Western blotting analysis of individual protein levels. Values of each protein were normalized to a testicular housekeeping protein (PARK7-protein deglycase DJ-1). RESULTS Levels of IGFBP7 protein are increased in varicocele. Levels of DNASE1 are progressively decreased in varicocele (lower in varicocele and normal semen analysis, lowest in varicocele and altered semen analysis) when compared to adolescents without varicocele. DNASE1 levels are positively correlated with sperm concentration and morphology (correlation values of 0.400 and 0.404, respectively; p values of 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION In conclusion, in adolescents, seminal plasma levels of IGFBP7, responsible for proliferative activity, are increased in varicocele grades II and III, and DNASE1, responsible for apoptosis regulation, are lower in varicocele, lowest in varicocele and low semen quality. These proteins demonstrate molecular alterations brought upon by varicocele. Moreover, DNASE1 is capable of discriminating a varicocele that causes alterations to semen quality from one that does not. We propose that the initial response of varicocele is to increase proliferative activity which, if followed by regulation of apoptosis, may lead to the ejaculation of a population of sperm that are in accordance with WHO cutoff values but, in the presence of dysregulated apoptosis, leads to lower sperm concentration and morphology.
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Del Giudice PT, Belardin LB, Camargo M, Zylbersztejn DS, Carvalho VM, Cardozo KHM, Bertolla RP, Cedenho AP. Determination of testicular function in adolescents with varicocoele - a proteomics approach. Andrology 2016; 4:447-55. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. T. Del Giudice
- Division of Urology; Human Reproduction Section; Department of Surgery; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - L. B. Belardin
- Division of Urology; Human Reproduction Section; Department of Surgery; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - M. Camargo
- Division of Urology; Human Reproduction Section; Department of Surgery; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - D. S. Zylbersztejn
- Division of Urology; Human Reproduction Section; Department of Surgery; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
- Hospital São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | | | | | - R. P. Bertolla
- Division of Urology; Human Reproduction Section; Department of Surgery; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
- Hospital São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - A. P. Cedenho
- Division of Urology; Human Reproduction Section; Department of Surgery; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
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Schjenken JE, Robertson SA. Seminal fluid and immune adaptation for pregnancy--comparative biology in mammalian species. Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 49 Suppl 3:27-36. [PMID: 25220746 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Seminal fluid delivered to the female reproductive tract at coitus not only promotes the survival and fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa, but also contains potent signalling agents that influence female reproductive physiology to improve the chances of conception and reproductive success. Male to female seminal fluid signalling occurs in rodents, domestic and livestock animals, and all other mammals examined to date. Seminal plasma is instrumental in eliciting the female response, by provision of cytokines and prostaglandins synthesized in the male accessory glands. These agents bind to receptors on target cells in the cervix and uterus, activating changes in gene expression leading to functional adaptations in the female tissues. Sperm also interact with female tract cells, although the molecular basis of this interaction is not yet defined. The consequences are increased sperm survival and fertilization rates, conditioning of the female immune response to tolerate semen and the conceptus, and molecular and cellular changes in the endometrium that facilitate embryo development and implantation. Studies in porcine, equine, bovine, ovine and canine species all show evidence of male-female signalling function for seminal fluid. There are variations between species that relate to their different reproductive strategies and behaviours, particularly the site of seminal fluid deposition and female reproductive tract anatomy. Although the details of the molecular mechanisms require more study, the available data are consistent with both the sperm and plasma fractions of seminal fluid acting in a synergistic fashion to activate inflammation-like responses and downstream female tract changes in each of these species. Insight into the biological function and molecular basis of seminal fluid signalling in the female will inform new interventions and management practices to support optimal reproductive outcomes in domestic, livestock and endangered animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Schjenken
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Effect of donkey seminal plasma on sperm movement and sperm–polymorphonuclear neutrophils attachment in vitro. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 140:164-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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