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Moretti E, Bonechi C, Signorini C, Corsaro R, Micheli L, Liguori L, Centini G, Collodel G. In Vitro Effects of Charged and Zwitterionic Liposomes on Human Spermatozoa and Supplementation with Liposomes and Chlorogenic Acid during Sperm Freezing. Cells 2024; 13:542. [PMID: 38534386 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060542] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Semen handling and cryopreservation induce oxidative stress that should be minimized. In this study, human semen was supplemented during cryopreservation with formulations of handmade liposomes and chlorogenic acid (CGA), an antioxidant compound. Zwitterionic (ZL), anionic (AL), and cationic (CL) liposomes were synthesized and characterized. Three aliquots of swim-up-selected sperm were incubated with ZL, AL, and CL (1:10,000), respectively. The percentages of sperm with progressive motility, high mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; JC-1), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA acridine orange), and acrosome integrity (Pisum sativum agglutinin) were assessed. Then, human semen was frozen using both 1:10,000 ZL and CGA as follows: freezing medium/empty ZL (EL), freezing medium/empty ZL/CGA in the medium (CGA + EL), freezing medium/CGA loaded ZL (CGA), freezing medium (CTR). The same sperm endpoints were evaluated. ZL were the most tolerated and used for semen cryopreservation protocols. All the supplemented samples showed better endpoints versus CTR (p < 0.001). In particular, spermatozoa from the CGA and CGA + EL A samples showed increased motility, dsDNA, and acrosome integrity versus CTR and EL (p < 0.001; motility EL vs. CGA + EL p < 0.05). ZL and CGA can improve post-thaw sperm quality, acting on both cold shock effect management and oxidative stress. These findings open new perspectives on human and animal reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moretti
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Bonechi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Signorini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Roberta Corsaro
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Micheli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Liguori
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Centini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Obstetrics and Gynecological Clinic, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Collodel
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Jalalabadi FN, Cheraghi E, Janatifar R, Momeni HR. The Detection of CatSper1 and CatSper3 Expression in Men with Normozoospermia and Asthenoteratozoospermia and Its Association with Sperm Parameters, Fertilization Rate, Embryo Quality. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:704-713. [PMID: 37957468 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01397-4] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
CatSper affects sperm function and male fertilization capacity markers, including sperm motility and egg penetration. The study has aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of CatSper1, and CatSper3 in the spermatozoa of men with normozoospermia and Asthenoteratozoospermia, and to assess the correlation between genes expression and sperm parameters, fertilization rate, and embryo quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was utilized to evaluate the mRNA expression of CatSper1 and CatSper3 in sperm in two patient groups: Normozoospermia (NOR; n = 32), and Asthenoteratozoospermia (AT; n = 22). In all patients receiving intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the fertilization rate and embryo quality were evaluated. CatSper1, and CatSper3 mRNA expression in sperm was significantly lower in AT males than in NOR (P < 0.05). Levels of these genes demonstrated a significant positive correlation with sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), capacitation, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and embryo quality (P < 0.05) following ICSI. However, a negative correlation was found between mRNA expression of CatSper1, 3 and sperm DNA fragmentation (P < 0.05). Findings indicate low levels of CatSper1 and CatSper3 mRNA expression in men with Asthenoteratozoospermia, which resulted in poor sperm quality and impaired embryo development following ICSI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ebrahim Cheraghi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
| | - Rahil Janatifar
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR), Qom, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Momeni
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
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3
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Irigoyen P, Mansilla S, Castro L, Cassina A, Sapiro R. Mitochondrial function and reactive oxygen species production during human sperm capacitation: Unraveling key players. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23486. [PMID: 38407497 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301957rr] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Sperm capacitation is a critical process for male fertility. It involves a series of biochemical and physiological changes that occur in the female reproductive tract, rendering the sperm competent for successful fertilization. The precise mechanisms and, specifically, the role of mitochondria, in sperm capacitation remain incompletely understood. Previously, we revealed that in mouse sperm mitochondrial activity (e.g., oxygen consumption, membrane potential, ATP/ADP exchange, and mitochondrial Ca2+ ) increases during capacitation. Herein, we studied mitochondrial function by high-resolution respirometry (HRR) and reactive oxygen species production in capacitated (CAP) and non-capacitated (NC) human spermatozoa. We found that in capacitated sperm from normozoospermic donors, the respiratory control ratio increased by 36%, accompanied by a double oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in the presence of antimycin A. Extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) detection was three times higher in CAP than in NC sperm cells. To confirm that H2 O2 production depends on mitochondrial superoxide (O 2 · - $$ {\mathrm{O}}_2^{\cdotp -} $$ ) formation, we evaluated mitochondrial aconitase (ACO2) amount, activity, and role in the metabolic flux from the sperm tricarboxylic acid cycle. We estimated that CAP cells produce, on average by individual, (59 ± 22)% moreO 2 · - $$ {\mathrm{O}}_2^{\cdotp -} $$ in the steady-state compared to NC cells. Finally, we analyzed two targets of oxidative stress: lipid peroxidation by western blot against 4-hydroxynonenal and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity by HRR. We did not observe modifications in lipoperoxidation nor the activity of SDH, suggesting that during capacitation, the increase in mitochondrial H2 O2 production does not damage sperm and it is necessary for the normal CAP process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Irigoyen
- Unidad Académica Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Mansilla
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Laura Castro
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Unidad Académica Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Relovska S, Wang H, Zhang X, Fernández-Tussy P, Jeong KJ, Choi J, Suárez Y, McDonald JG, Fernández-Hernando C, Chung JJ. DHCR24-mediated sterol homeostasis during spermatogenesis is required for sperm mitochondrial sheath formation and impacts male fertility over time. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.21.572851. [PMID: 38187697 PMCID: PMC10769317 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.572851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Desmosterol and cholesterol are essential lipid components of the sperm plasma membrane. Cholesterol efflux is required for capacitation, a process through which sperm acquire fertilizing ability. In this study, using a transgenic mouse model overexpressing 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24), an enzyme in the sterol biosynthesis pathway responsible for the conversion of desmosterol to cholesterol, we show that disruption of sterol homeostasis during spermatogenesis led to defective sperm morphology characterized by incomplete mitochondrial packing in the midpiece, reduced sperm count and motility, and a decline in male fertility with increasing paternal age, without changes in body fat composition. Sperm depleted of desmosterol exhibit inefficiency in the acrosome reaction, metabolic dysfunction, and an inability to fertilize the egg. These findings provide molecular insights into sterol homeostasis for sperm capacitation and its impact on male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Relovska
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Huafeng Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Xinbo Zhang
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Pablo Fernández-Tussy
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kyung Jo Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yajaira Suárez
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jeffrey G. McDonald
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Carlos Fernández-Hernando
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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5
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Dai P, Chen C, Yu J, Ma C, Zhang X. New insights into sperm physiology regulation: Enlightenment from G-protein-coupled receptors. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38225815 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-protein-coupled receptors are critical in many physiological and pathological processes in various organs. Serving as the control panel for sensing extracellular stimuli, G-protein-coupled receptors recognise various ligands, including light, temperature, odours, pheromones, hormones, neurotransmitters, chemokines, etc. Most recently, G-protein-coupled receptors residing in spermatozoa have been found to be indispensable for sperm function. OBJECTIVE Here, we have summarised cutting-edge findings on the functional mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptors that are known to be associated with sperm functions and the activation of their downstream effectors, providing new insights into the roles of G-protein-coupled receptors in sperm physiology. RESULTS Emerging studies hint that alterations in G-protein-coupled receptors could affect sperm function, implicating their role in fertility, but solid evidence needs to be continuing excavated with various means. Several members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, including olfactory receptors, opsins, orphan G-protein-coupled receptors, CXC chemokine receptor 4, CC chemokine receptor 5 and CC chemokine receptor 6 as well as their downstream effector β-arrestins, etc., were suggested to be essential for sperm motility, capacitation, thermotaxis, chemotaxis, Ca2+ influx through CatSper channel and fertilisation capacity. CONCLUSION The present review provides a comprehensive overview of studies describing G-protein-coupled receptors and their potential action in sperm function. We also present a critical discussion of these issues, and a possible framework for future investigations on the diverse ligands, biological functions and cell signalling of G-protein-coupled receptors in spermatozoa. Here, the G-protein-coupled receptors and their related G proteins that specifically were identified in spermatozoa were summarised, and provided references valuable for further illumination, despite the evidence that is not overwhelming in most cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyuan Dai
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Chen Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Jingyan Yu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Chaoye Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, PR China
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6
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Lyon MD, Ferreira JJ, Li P, Bhagwat S, Butler A, Anderson K, Polo M, Santi CM. SLO3: A Conserved Regulator of Sperm Membrane Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11205. [PMID: 37446382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311205] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cells must undergo a complex maturation process after ejaculation to be able to fertilize an egg. One component of this maturation is hyperpolarization of the membrane potential to a more negative value. The ion channel responsible for this hyperpolarization, SLO3, was first cloned in 1998, and since then much progress has been made to determine how the channel is regulated and how its function intertwines with various signaling pathways involved in sperm maturation. Although Slo3 was originally thought to be present only in the sperm of mammals, recent evidence suggests that a primordial form of the gene is more widely expressed in some fish species. Slo3, like many reproductive genes, is rapidly evolving with low conservation between closely related species and different regulatory and pharmacological profiles. Despite these differences, SLO3 appears to have a conserved role in regulating sperm membrane potential and driving large changes in response to stimuli. The effect of this hyperpolarization of the membrane potential may vary among mammalian species just as the regulation of the channel does. Recent discoveries have elucidated the role of SLO3 in these processes in human sperm and provided tools to target the channel to affect human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian D Lyon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Juan J Ferreira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shweta Bhagwat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alice Butler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kelsey Anderson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Maria Polo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Celia M Santi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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7
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Balbach M, Ghanem L, Violante S, Kyaw A, Romarowski A, Cross JR, Visconti PE, Levin LR, Buck J. Capacitation induces changes in metabolic pathways supporting motility of epididymal and ejaculated sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1160154. [PMID: 37440924 PMCID: PMC10335746 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1160154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm require sufficient energy to support motility and capacitation for successful fertilization. Previous studies cataloging the changes to metabolism in sperm explored ejaculated human sperm or dormant mouse sperm surgically extracted from the cauda epididymis. Due to the differences in methods of collection, it remains unclear whether any observed differences between mouse and human sperm represent species differences or reflect the distinct maturation states of the sperm under study. Here we compare the metabolic changes during capacitation of epididymal versus ejaculated mouse sperm and relate these changes to ejaculated human sperm. Using extracellular flux analysis and targeted metabolic profiling, we show that capacitation-induced changes lead to increased flux through both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in mouse and human sperm. Ejaculation leads to greater flexibility in the ability to use different carbon sources. While epididymal sperm are dependent upon glucose, ejaculated mouse and human sperm gain the ability to also leverage non-glycolytic energy sources such as pyruvate and citrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Balbach
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lubna Ghanem
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sara Violante
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aye Kyaw
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Justin R. Cross
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Lonny R. Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Horta Remedios M, Liang W, González LN, Li V, Da Ros VG, Cohen DJ, Zaremberg V. Ether lipids and a peroxisomal riddle in sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1166232. [PMID: 37397249 PMCID: PMC10309183 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1166232] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm are terminally differentiated cells that lack most of the membranous organelles, resulting in a high abundance of ether glycerolipids found across different species. Ether lipids include plasmalogens, platelet activating factor, GPI-anchors and seminolipid. These lipids play important roles in sperm function and performance, and thus are of special interest as potential fertility markers and therapeutic targets. In the present article, we first review the existing knowledge on the relevance of the different types of ether lipids for sperm production, maturation and function. To further understand ether-lipid metabolism in sperm, we then query available proteomic data from highly purified sperm, and produce a map of metabolic steps retained in these cells. Our analysis pinpoints the presence of a truncated ether lipid biosynthetic pathway that would be competent for the production of precursors through the initial peroxisomal core steps, but devoid of subsequent microsomal enzymes responsible for the final synthesis of all complex ether-lipids. Despite the widely accepted notion that sperm lack peroxisomes, the thorough analysis of published data conducted herein identifies nearly 70% of all known peroxisomal resident proteins as part of the sperm proteome. In view of this, we highlight open questions related to lipid metabolism and possible peroxisomal functions in sperm. We propose a repurposed role for the truncated peroxisomal ether-lipid pathway in detoxification of products from oxidative stress, which is known to critically influence sperm function. The likely presence of a peroxisomal-derived remnant compartment that could act as a sink for toxic fatty alcohols and fatty aldehydes generated by mitochondrial activity is discussed. With this perspective, our review provides a comprehensive metabolic map associated with ether-lipids and peroxisomal-related functions in sperm and offers new insights into potentially relevant antioxidant mechanisms that warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weisheng Liang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lucas N. González
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Vanina G. Da Ros
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Débora J. Cohen
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina Zaremberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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9
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Tourmente M, Sansegundo E, Rial E, Roldan ERS. Bioenergetic changes in response to sperm capacitation and two-way metabolic compensation in a new murine model. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:11. [PMID: 36534181 PMCID: PMC9763147 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The acquisition of fertilizing ability by mammalian spermatozoa, known as "capacitation," includes processes that depend on particular metabolic pathways. This has led to the hypothesis that ATP demands might differ between capacitated and non-capacitated cells. Mouse sperm can produce ATP via OXPHOS and aerobic glycolysis, an advantageous characteristic considering that these cells have to function in the complex and variable environment of the female reproductive tract. Nonetheless, despite evidence showing that both metabolic pathways play a role in events associated with mouse sperm capacitation, there is contradictory evidence regarding changes promoted by capacitation in this species. In addition, the vast majority of studies regarding murine sperm metabolism use Mus musculus laboratory strains as model, thus neglecting the wide diversity of sperm traits of other species of Mus. Focus on closely related species with distinct evolutionary histories, which may be the result of different selective pressures, could shed light on diversity of metabolic processes. Here, we analyzed variations in sperm bioenergetics associated with capacitation in spermatozoa of the steppe mouse, Mus spicilegus, a species with high sperm performance. Furthermore, we compared sperm metabolic traits of this species with similar traits previously characterized in M. musculus. We found that the metabolism of M. spicilegus sperm responded to capacitation in a manner similar to that of M. musculus sperm. However, M. spicilegus sperm showed distinct metabolic features, including the ability to perform cross-pathway metabolic compensation in response to either respiratory or glycolytic inhibition, thus revealing a delicate fine-tuning of its metabolic capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Tourmente
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (FCEFyN - UNC), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIByT - CONICET, UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Ester Sansegundo
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Rial
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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10
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Sanchez-Rodriguez A, Sansegundo E, Tourmente M, Roldan ERS. Effect of High Viscosity on Energy Metabolism and Kinematics of Spermatozoa from Three Mouse Species Incubated under Capacitating Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315247. [PMID: 36499575 PMCID: PMC9737050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to sustain motility and prepare for fertilization, sperm require energy. The characterization of sperm ATP production and usage in mouse species revealed substantial differences in metabolic pathways that can be differentially affected by capacitation. Moreover, spermatozoa encounter different environments with varying viscoelastic properties in the female reproductive tract. Here, we examine whether viscosity affects sperm ATP levels and kinematics during capacitation in vitro. Sperm from three mouse species (Mus musculus, M. spretus, M. spicilegus) were incubated under capacitating conditions in a modified Tyrode's medium containing bicarbonate, glucose, pyruvate, lactate, and bovine serum albumin (mT-BH) or in a bicarbonate-free medium as a non-capacitating control. Viscosity was increased with the inclusion of polyvinylpyrrolidone. ATP was measured with a bioluminescence kit, and kinematics were examined with a computer-aided sperm analysis system. In M. musculus sperm, ATP declined during capacitation, but no differences were found between non-capacitating and capacitating sperm. In contrast, in M. spretus and M. spicilegus, ATP levels decreased in capacitating sperm. Increasing viscosity in the medium did not modify the timing or proportion of cells undergoing capacitation but did result in additional time- and concentration-dependent decreases in ATP in M. spretus and M. spicilegus under capacitating conditions. Additionally, increased viscosity altered both velocity and trajectory descriptors. The limited impact of capacitation and higher viscosity on M. musculus sperm ATP and kinematics could be related to the low intensity of postcopulatory sexual selection in this species. Responses seen in the other two species could be linked to the ability of their sperm to perform better under enhanced selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Sansegundo
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maximiliano Tourmente
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (FCEFyN—UNC), Córdoba X5016GCA, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIByT—CONICET, UNC), Córdoba X5016GCA, Argentina
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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11
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Amaral A. Energy metabolism in mammalian sperm motility. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1569. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Amaral
- Department of Developmental Genetics Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics Berlin Germany
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12
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Irigoyen P, Pintos-Polasky P, Rosa-Villagran L, Skowronek MF, Cassina A, Sapiro R. Mitochondrial metabolism determines the functional status of human sperm and correlates with semen parameters. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:926684. [PMID: 36111336 PMCID: PMC9468643 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.926684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of male infertility is based essentially on the patient’s medical history and a standard semen analysis. However, the latter rarely provides information on the causes of a possible infertility, emphasizing the need to extend the analysis of the sperm function. Mitochondrial function has been associated with sperm function and dysfunction, the latter primarily through the production of excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We hypothesized that analysis of sperm mitochondrial metabolism together with sperm ROS production could be an additional tool to improve routine semen analysis, after appropriate validations. To test our hypothesis, we performed several experiments using a non-routine method (high-resolution respirometry, HRR) to access mitochondrial function. First, we investigated whether mitochondrial function is related to human sperm motility and morphology. When mitochondrial metabolism was challenged, sperm motility decreased significantly. Additionally, morphological abnormalities in the sperm mid-piece and mitochondria were associated with global sperm defects evaluated by routine methods. Subsequently, sperm mitochondrial function was assessed by HRR. Respiratory control ratio (RCR) was determined and evaluated in the context of classical sperm analysis. In parallel, sperm hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and seminal plasma (SP) antioxidant capacity were measured. The percentage of sperm with progressive motility correlated positively with RCR, SP antioxidant capacity, and negatively with the concentration of extracellular H2O2 production ([H2O2]). The percentage of normal sperm morphology correlated positively with RCR and negatively with [H2O2]. Sperm morphology did not correlate with seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used for the first time to test the diagnostic ability of RCR, [H2O2], and SP antioxidant capacity as binary classifiers. An RCR cut off value of 3.2 was established with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 61%, using reference values considered normal or abnormal in routine semen analysis. The cut off value for [H2O2] was 0.2 μM/106 sperm (sensitivity = 65%, specificity = 60%). There were no reference values for SP antioxidant capacity that distinguished between abnormal and normal sperm samples. We conclude that sperm mitochondrial function indices in combination with [H2O2] may be useful tools to complement the routine semen analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Irigoyen
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Pintos-Polasky
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Rosa-Villagran
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Maria Fernanda Skowronek
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Rossana Sapiro,
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Tourmente M, Sansegundo E, Rial E, Roldan ERS. Capacitation promotes a shift in energy metabolism in murine sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:950979. [PMID: 36081906 PMCID: PMC9445201 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.950979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, sperm acquire fertilization ability after a series of physiological and biochemical changes, collectively known as capacitation, that occur inside the female reproductive tract. In addition to other requirements, sperm bioenergetic metabolism has been identified as a fundamental component in the acquisition of capacitation. Mammalian sperm produce ATP through two main metabolic processes, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and aerobic glycolysis that are localized to two different flagellar compartments, the midpiece, and the principal piece, respectively. In mouse sperm, the occurrence of many events associated with capacitation relies on the activity of these two energy-producing pathways, leading to the hypothesis that some of these events may impose changes in sperm energetic demands. In the present study, we used extracellular flux analysis to evaluate changes in glycolytic and respiratory parameters of murine sperm that occur as a consequence of capacitation. Furthermore, we examined whether these variations affect sperm ATP sustainability. Our results show that capacitation promotes a shift in the usage ratio of the two main metabolic pathways, from oxidative to glycolytic. However, this metabolic rewiring does not seem to affect the rate at which the sperm consume ATP. We conclude that the probable function of the metabolic switch is to increase the ATP supply in the distal flagellar regions, thus sustaining the energetic demands that arise from capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Tourmente
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (FCEFyN—UNC), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIByT—CONICET, UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Maximiliano Tourmente, ; Eduardo R. S. Roldan,
| | - Ester Sansegundo
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Rial
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Maximiliano Tourmente, ; Eduardo R. S. Roldan,
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Wang H, Dou Q, Jeong KJ, Choi J, Gladyshev VN, Chung JJ. Redox regulation by TXNRD3 during epididymal maturation underlies capacitation-associated mitochondrial activity and sperm motility in mice. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102077. [PMID: 35643315 PMCID: PMC9218152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During epididymal transit, redox remodeling protects mammalian spermatozoa, preparing them for survival in the subsequent journey to fertilization. However, molecular mechanisms of redox regulation in sperm development and maturation remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that thioredoxin-glutathione reductase (TXNRD3), a thioredoxin reductase family member particularly abundant in elongating spermatids at the site of mitochondrial sheath formation, regulates redox homeostasis to support male fertility. Using Txnrd3-/- mice, our biochemical, ultrastructural, and live cell imaging analyses revealed impairments in sperm morphology and motility under conditions of TXNRD3 deficiency. We find that mitochondria develop more defined cristae during capacitation in wildtype sperm. Furthermore, we show that absence of TXNRD3 alters thiol redox status in both the head and tail during sperm maturation and capacitation, resulting in defective mitochondrial ultrastructure and activity under capacitating conditions. These findings provide insights into molecular mechanisms of redox homeostasis and bioenergetics during sperm maturation, capacitation, and fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Qianhui Dou
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kyung Jo Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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