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Kameni SL, Dlamini NH, Feugang JM. Exploring the full potential of sperm function with nanotechnology tools. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20240033. [PMID: 39176004 PMCID: PMC11340799 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2024-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm quality is essential to guarantee the success of assisted reproduction. However, selecting high-quality sperm and maintaining it during (cryo)preservation for high efficiency remains challenging in livestock reproduction. A comprehensive understanding of sperm biology allows for better assessment of sperm quality, which could replace conventional sperm analyses used today to predict fertility with low accuracy. Omics approaches have revealed numerous biomarkers associated with various sperm phenotypic traits such as quality, survival during storage, freezability, and fertility. At the same time, nanotechnology is emerging as a new biotechnology with high potential for use in preparing sperm intended to improve reproduction in livestock. The unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles make them exciting tools for targeting (e.g., sperm damage and sexing) and non-targeting bioapplications. Recent advances in sperm biology have led to the discovery of numerous biomarkers, making it possible to target specific subpopulations of spermatozoa within the ejaculate. In this review, we explore potential biomarkers associated with sperm phenotypes and highlight the benefits of combining these biomarkers with nanoparticles to further improve sperm preparation and technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Leugoué Kameni
- Mississippi State University, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Notsile Hleliwe Dlamini
- Mississippi State University, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Jean Magloire Feugang
- Mississippi State University, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State, MS, USA
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Peña FJ, Martín-Cano FE, Becerro-Rey L, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gaitskell-Phillips G, da Silva-Álvarez E, Gil MC. Proteomics is advancing the understanding of stallion sperm biology. Proteomics 2024; 24:e2300522. [PMID: 38807556 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202300522] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian ejaculate is very well suited to proteomics studies. As such, research concerning sperm proteomics is offering a huge amount of new information on the biology of spermatozoa. Among domestic animals, horses represent a species of special interest, in which reproductive technologies and a sizeable market of genetic material have grown exponentially in the last decade. Studies using proteomic approaches have been conducted in recent years, showing that proteomics is a potent tool to dig into the biology of the stallion spermatozoa. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the research conducted, and how these studies have improved our knowledge of stallion sperm biology. The main outcomes of the research conducted so far have been an improved knowledge of metabolism, and its importance in sperm functions, the impact of different technologies on the sperm proteome, and the identification of potential biomarkers. Moreover, proteomics of seminal plasma and phosphoproteomics are identified as areas of major interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco Eduardo Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Laura Becerro-Rey
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva da Silva-Álvarez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - María Cruz Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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Peña FJ, Martín-Cano FE, Becerro-Rey L, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gaitskell-Phillips G, da Silva-Álvarez E, Gil MC. The future of equine semen analysis. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23212. [PMID: 38467450 DOI: 10.1071/rd23212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
We are currently experiencing a period of rapid advancement in various areas of science and technology. The integration of high throughput 'omics' techniques with advanced biostatistics, and the help of artificial intelligence, is significantly impacting our understanding of sperm biology. These advances will have an appreciable impact on the practice of reproductive medicine in horses. This article provides a brief overview of recent advances in the field of spermatology and how they are changing assessment of sperm quality. This article is written from the authors' perspective, using the stallion as a model. We aim to portray a brief overview of the changes occurring in the assessment of sperm motility and kinematics, advances in flow cytometry, implementation of 'omics' technologies, and the use of artificial intelligence/self-learning in data analysis. We also briefly discuss how some of the advances can be readily available to the practitioner, through the implementation of 'on-farm' devices and telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco Eduardo Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Laura Becerro-Rey
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva da Silva-Álvarez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - María Cruz Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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Yu J, Liu H, Li X, Ge S, Zhao X, Ji C, Wang Y, Wang Z, Dang R, Zhao F. TMT-based comparative proteomic analysis of Dezhou donkey spermatozoa related to freezability. J Proteomics 2023; 273:104793. [PMID: 36535622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104793] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The freezability difference between donkey ejaculates is a limiting factor of sperm cryopreservation. Our recent study shows that the freezability of donkey semen is related to the seminal plasma proteome. In this study, we aimed to identify the different abundance sperm proteins in good freezability ejaculates (GFEs) and poor freezability ejaculates (PFEs) using a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) peptide labeling coupled with LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 2682 proteins were identified, among which 58 were significantly up-regulated in GFEs and 16 were down-regulated compared with PFEs. Bioinformatic analysis results revealed that the majority of different abundance proteins (DAPs) participated in copper and calcium binding, regulation of RNA biosynthetic process, positive regulation of innate immune response, and negative regulation of programmed cell death. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed the up-regulated proteins in GF group were mainly involved in N-Glycan biosynthesis and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Our study was the first to analyze the proteome of sperm from donkey ejaculates with different freezabilities. The identified candidate proteins might be used to explore the molecular mechanism related to donkey sperm cryotolerance and might improve the screening of jacks with good sperm freezability. SIGNIFICANCE: Cryopreserved semen has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology. However, semen cryopreservation is a damaging process, which can cause oxidative stress, reduce sperm motility and motility. There are differences in sperm freezability reported to exist between or within breeds, and even between fractions coming from the same ejaculate. The freezability difference between donkey ejaculates is a limiting factor of sperm cryopreservation. The mechanisms that affect the freezing difference in sperm quality remain to be investigated, and freezability differences was found to be related to protein composition of spermatozoa. Some protein markers that can indicate good freezability or poor freezability semen have been identified in mammals. Until now, there is no information about the relationship between donkey spermatozoa proteome and freezability. Additional novel biomarkers of semen freezability in donkey spermatozoa are also needed. The identified candidate proteins might be used to explore the molecular mechanism related to donkey sperm cryotolerance and might improve the screening of jacks with good sperm freezability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China; National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haibing Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City 271018, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuexian Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shihao Ge
- College of Pharmacy, Heze University, 2269 Daxue Road, Heze 274015, China
| | - Xianlin Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Heze University, 2269 Daxue Road, Heze 274015, China
| | - Chuanliang Ji
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yantao Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhaofei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ruihua Dang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Fuwei Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Heze University, 2269 Daxue Road, Heze 274015, China.
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Gaitskell-Phillips G, Martín-Cano FE, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Silva-Rodríguez A, da Silva-Álvarez E, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Peña FJ. Dataset of the sperm proteome of stallions with different motility. Data Brief 2022; 45:108578. [PMID: 36131951 PMCID: PMC9483576 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper provides a detailed set of data on how the stallion sperm proteome differs among stallions with different sperm motilities, although within normal ranges. Findings distinguish proteins that may help to identify stallions of superior sperm motility. Sperm proteins were analyzed using a UHPLC/MS/MS system comprising of an Agilent 1290 infinity series UHPLC coupled to an Agilent 6550 Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). These data can be used to disclose potential targets to identify good sperm samples and to study specific pathways involved in the regulation of sperm motility. This data article is linked to the paper "Proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolic functions and fertilization predominate in stallions with better motility Journal of Proteomics 247:104335 doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104335".
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E. Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Eva da Silva-Álvarez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Maria C. Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology, Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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Peña FJ, O'Flaherty C, Ortiz Rodríguez JM, Martín Cano FE, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Gil MC, Ortega Ferrusola C. The Stallion Spermatozoa: A Valuable Model to Help Understand the Interplay Between Metabolism and Redox (De)regulation in Sperm Cells. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:521-537. [PMID: 35180830 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Proper functionality of the spermatozoa depends on the tight regulation of their redox status; at the same time these cells are highly energy demanding and in the energetic metabolism, principally in the electron transport chain in the mitochondria, reactive oxygen species are continuously produced, in addition to that observed in the Krebs cycle and during the β-oxidation of fatty acids. Recent Advances: In addition, in glycolysis, elimination of phosphate groups from glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate results in the byproducts glyoxal (G) and methylglyoxal (MG); these products are 2-oxoaldehydes. The presence of adjacent carbonyl groups makes them strong electrophiles that react with nucleophiles in proteins, lipids, and DNA, forming advanced glycation end products. Critical Issues: This mechanism is behind subfertility in diabetic patients; in the animal breeding industry, commercial extenders for stallion semen contain a supraphysiological concentration of glucose that promotes MG production, constituting a potential model of interest. Future Directions: Increasing our knowledge of sperm metabolism and its interactions with redox regulation may improve current sperm technologies in use, and shall provide new clues to understanding infertility in males. Moreover, stallion spermatozoa due to its accessibility, intense metabolism, and suitability for proteomics/metabolomic studies may constitute a suitable model for studying regulation of metabolism and interactions between metabolism and redox homeostasis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 521-537.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristian O'Flaherty
- Urology Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - José M Ortiz Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E Martín Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - María C Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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