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Ramírez-Agámez L, Hernández-Avilés C, Ortíz I, Love CC, Varner DD, Hinrichs K. Lactate as the sole energy substrate induces spontaneous acrosome reaction in viable stallion spermatozoa. Andrology 2024; 12:459-471. [PMID: 37300872 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13479] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine spermatozoa appear to differ from spermatozoa of other species in using oxidative phosphorylation preferentially over glycolysis. However, there is little information regarding effects of different energy sources on measured parameters in equine spermatozoa. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of three individual energy substrates, glucose, pyruvate, and lactate, on motion characteristics, membrane integrity, and acrosomal status of stallion spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS Freshly ejaculated stallion spermatozoa were incubated with combinations of glucose (5 mm), pyruvate (10 mm), and lactate (10 mm) for 0.5 to 4 h. Response to calcium ionophore A23187 (5 μm) was used to evaluate capacitation status. Motility was evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis, and plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS Incubation with lactate alone for 2 h increased acrosomal sensitivity to A23187. Notably, incubation with lactate alone for 4 h induced a significant spontaneous increase in acrosome-reacted, membrane-intact (viable) spermatozoa, to approximately 50% of the live population, whereas no increase was seen with incubation in glucose or pyruvate alone. This acrosomal effect was observed in spermatozoa incubated at physiological pH as well as under alkaline conditions (medium pH approximately 8.5). Sperm motility declined concomitantly with the increase in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. Sperm motility was significantly higher in pyruvate-only medium than in glucose or lactate. The addition of pyruvate to lactate-containing medium increased sperm motility but reduced the proportion of live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa in a dose-dependent fashion. DISCUSSION This is the first study to demonstrate that incubation with a specific energy substrate, lactate, is associated with spontaneous acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. The proportion of live, acrosome-reacted spermatozoa obtained is among the highest reported for equine spermatozoa. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the delicate control of key sperm functions, and may serve as a basis to increase our understanding of stallion sperm physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Ramírez-Agámez
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Camilo Hernández-Avilés
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Isabel Ortíz
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Charles C Love
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA
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The stallion sperm acrosome: Considerations from a research and clinical perspective. Theriogenology 2023; 196:121-149. [PMID: 36413868 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the fertilization process, the interaction between the sperm and the oocyte is mediated by a process known as acrosomal exocytosis (AE). Although the role of the sperm acrosome on fertilization has been studied extensively over the last 70 years, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern acrosomal function, particularly in species other than mice or humans. Even though subfertility due to acrosomal dysfunction is less common in large animals than in humans, the evaluation of sperm acrosomal function should be considered not only as a complementary but a routine test when individuals are selected for breeding potential. This certainly holds true for stallions, which might display lower levels of fertility in the face of "acceptable" sperm quality parameters determined by conventional sperm assays. Nowadays, the use of high throughput technologies such as flow cytometry or mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis is commonplace in the research arena. Such techniques can also be implemented in clinical scenarios of males with "idiopathic" subfertility. The current review focuses on the sperm acrosome, with particular emphasis on the stallion. We aim to describe the physiological events that lead to the acrosome formation within the testis, the role of very specific acrosomal proteins during AE, the methods to study the occurrence of AE under in vitro conditions, and the potential use of molecular biology techniques to discover new markers of acrosomal function and subfertility associated with acrosomal dysfunction in stallions.
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Sperm factors associated with the production of equine blastocysts by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using frozen/thawed semen. Theriogenology 2023; 195:85-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Cook NL, Masterson KR, Battaglia D, Beck R, Metcalf ES. Dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol as cryoprotectant agents of stallion semen: effects on blastocyst rates following intracytoplasmic sperm injection of IVM equine oocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:253-258. [PMID: 32172784 DOI: 10.1071/rd19266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous variables affect invitro blastocyst development following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The paternal factor is affected by initial semen quality, processing techniques and final selection of individual spermatozoon for injection. This study investigated whether there was an effect of sperm cryoprotectant agent (CPA) on equine invitro blastocyst production, and reviews recent developments examining how processing equine semen affects ICSI outcomes. Single ejaculates from five stallions were collected and processed in a freezing extender containing either 1M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 3.5% glycerol. Immature equine oocytes were obtained from ovarian follicles of mares during diestrus by transvaginal aspiration (n=128). After invitro maturation, MII oocytes (n=90) were fertilised by ICSI with thawed stallion spermatozoa (n=45 in both the DMSO and glycerol groups). The embryo cleavage rate was greater in the DMSO than glycerol group (73.3% vs 46.7% respectively; P=0.0098), but the blastocyst development rate per fertilised oocyte was similar between the two groups (28.9% vs 15.6% respectively; P=0.128), as was the blastocyst production rate per cleaved embryo (39.4% vs 33.3% respectively; P=0.653). In this study, cryopreservation of equine spermatozoa in 1M DMSO was correlated with significantly higher cleavage rates in IVM oocytes fertilised by ICSI compared with spermatozoa cryopreserved using 3.5% glycerol. Although not statistically significant in this small number of stallions, increased blastocyst production and individual stallion variability was observed among CPA treatments. This warrants further critical examination of cryoprotectants used in equine sperm subpopulations used for ICSI in a larger number of stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L Cook
- Advanced Equine Reproduction, 1123 Fredensborg Cyn Rd, Solvang, CA 93463, USA; and Andrology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, 3303 SW Bond Ave, CH10F, Portland, OR 97239, USA; and Corresponding author.
| | - Keith R Masterson
- Andrology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, 3303 SW Bond Ave, CH10F, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - David Battaglia
- Andrology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, 3303 SW Bond Ave, CH10F, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Rick Beck
- In-Foal, Inc., 39185 Diamond Valley Rd, Hemet, CA 92543, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Metcalf
- Andrology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, 3303 SW Bond Ave, CH10F, Portland, OR 97239, USA; and Honahlee, PC, 14005 SW Tooze Rd, Sherwood, OR 97239, USA
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Consuegra C, Crespo F, Dorado J, Diaz-Jimenez M, Pereira B, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ, Beltrán-Breña P, Pérez-Cerezales S, Rizos D, Hidalgo M. Fertilizing capacity of vitrified stallion sperm assessed utilizing heterologous IVF after different semen warming procedures. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 223:106627. [PMID: 33080568 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the fertilizing capacity of frozen or vitrified stallion sperm after assessing different warming procedures. In Experiment 1, different warming procedures were compared after sperm vitrification: immersion in extender at 43 °C (C), or in a water bath at 37 °C/30 s (W37), 43 °C/10 s (W43) or 60 °C/5 s (W60). With the W60 treatment, there were greater values (P < 0.05) for VCL (83.93 ± 3.6 μm/s) and ALH (3.00 ± 0.2 μm) than freezing and with the C group, and greater values (P < 0.001) for PM (35.33 ± 2.5 %) than with the W43 treatment. In Experiment 2, the fertilizing capacity of vitrified and frozen sperm was assessed utilizing heterologous IVF procedures, using cattle oocytes. Vitrification resulted in greater values (P < 0.05) than freezing for the number of bound sperm (1.36 ± 0.3 and 0.69 ± 0.2, respectively). There were no differences between frozen or vitrified sperm in pronuclear formation (26 hours post-insemination - hpi; 14.08 ± 4.2 % and 22.78 ± 4.8 %, respectively) or cleavage rate (32.77 ± 4.3 % and 39.66 ± 4.6 %, respectively). In conclusion, vitrified stallion sperm warmed in a water bath at 60 ºC had the capacity to penetrate cattle oocytes, leading to pronuclear formation and hybrid embryo cleavage after heterologous IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Consuegra
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - F Crespo
- Department of Reproduction, Centro Militar de Cría Caballar (CCFAS-Ministry of Defense), Ávila, Spain
| | - J Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - M Diaz-Jimenez
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - B Pereira
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - M J Sánchez-Calabuig
- Department of Animal Reproduction, SGIT-INIA, Madrid, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University Complutense of Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - D Rizos
- Department of Animal Reproduction, SGIT-INIA, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
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Leemans B, Stout TAE, De Schauwer C, Heras S, Nelis H, Hoogewijs M, Van Soom A, Gadella BM. Update on mammalian sperm capacitation: how much does the horse differ from other species? Reproduction 2020; 157:R181-R197. [PMID: 30721132 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to various other mammalian species, conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) with horse gametes is not reliably successful. In particular, stallion spermatozoa fails to penetrate the zona pellucida, most likely due to incomplete activation of stallion spermatozoa (capacitation) under in vitro conditions. In other mammalian species, specific capacitation triggers have been described; unfortunately, none of these is able to induce full capacitation in stallion spermatozoa. Nevertheless, knowledge of capacitation pathways and their molecular triggers might improve our understanding of capacitation-related events observed in stallion sperm. When sperm cells are exposed to appropriate capacitation triggers, several molecular and biochemical changes should be induced in the sperm plasma membrane and cytoplasm. At the level of the sperm plasma membrane, (1) an increase in membrane fluidity, (2) cholesterol depletion and (3) lipid raft aggregation should occur consecutively; the cytoplasmic changes consist of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and elevated pH, cAMP and Ca2+ concentrations. These capacitation-related events enable the switch from progressive to hyperactivated motility of the sperm cells, and the induction of the acrosome reaction. These final capacitation triggers are indispensable for sperm cells to migrate through the viscous oviductal environment, penetrate the cumulus cells and zona pellucida and, finally, fuse with the oolemma. This review will focus on molecular aspects of sperm capacitation and known triggers in various mammalian species. Similarities and differences with the horse will be highlighted to improve our understanding of equine sperm capacitation/fertilizing events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Leemans
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina De Schauwer
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sonia Heras
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hilde Nelis
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maarten Hoogewijs
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Leemans B, Stout TAE, Soom AV, Gadella BM. pH-dependent effects of procaine on equine gamete activation†. Biol Reprod 2019; 101:1056-1074. [PMID: 31373616 PMCID: PMC6877780 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Procaine directly triggers pH-dependent cytokinesis in equine oocytes and induces hypermotility in stallion spermatozoa, an important event during capacitation. However, procaine-induced hyperactivated motility is abolished when sperm is washed to remove the procaine prior to sperm-oocyte co-incubation. To understand how procaine exerts its effects, the external Ca2+ and Na+ and weak base activity dependency of procaine-induced hyperactivation in stallion spermatozoa was assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Percoll-washed stallion spermatozoa exposed to Ca2+-depleted (+2 mM EGTA) procaine-supplemented capacitating medium (CM) still demonstrated hyperactivated motility, whereas CM without NaCl or Na+ did not. Both procaine and NH4Cl, another weak base, were shown to trigger a cytoplasmic pH increase (BCECF-acetoxymethyl (AM)), which is primarily induced by a pH rise in acidic cell organelles (Lysosensor green dnd-189), accompanied by hypermotility in stallion sperm. As for procaine, 25 mM NH4Cl also induced oocyte cytokinesis. Interestingly, hyperactivated motility was reliably induced by 2.5-10 mM procaine, whereas a significant cytoplasmic cAMP increase and tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation were only observed at 10 mM. Moreover, 25 mM NH4Cl did not support the latter capacitation characteristics. Additionally, cAMP levels were more than 10× higher in boar than stallion sperm incubated under similar capacitating conditions. Finally, stallion sperm preincubated with 10 mM procaine did not fertilize equine oocytes. In conclusion, 10 mM procaine causes a cytoplasmic and acidic sperm cell organelle pH rise that simultaneously induces hyperactivated motility, increased levels of cAMP and tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation in stallion spermatozoa. However, procaine-induced hypermotility is independent of the cAMP/protein tyrosine phosphorylation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Leemans
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Departments of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Departments of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Moros-Nicolás C, Douet C, Reigner F, Goudet G. Effect of cumulus cell removal and sperm pre-incubation with progesterone on in vitro fertilization of equine gametes in the presence of oviductal fluid or cells. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:1095-1103. [PMID: 31145487 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In spite of many attempts to establish an in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique in the equine, no efficient conventional IVF technique is available. The presence of oviductal fluid or oviductal cells during IVF helps to improve embryo production in vitro but is not sufficient to reach high fertilization rates. Thus, our aim was to perform equine IVF either after sperm pre-incubation with oviductal fluid or in the presence of oviductal cells, and to evaluate the effect of cumulus removal from the oocyte or sperm pre-incubation with progesterone. In experiments 1 and 2, IVF was performed in the presence of porcine oviduct epithelial cells. The removal of cumulus cells from equine oocytes after in vitro maturation tended to increase the percentage of fertilization when fresh sperm was used (1/33 vs. 4/31, p > 0.05) but had no effect when frozen sperm was used (1/32 vs. 1/32). Equine sperm pre-incubation with progesterone did not significantly influence the fertilization rate when fresh or frozen sperm was used (2/14 vs. 2/18 for fresh, 1/29 vs. 1/25 for frozen). In experiments 3 and 4, IVF was performed after pre-incubation of sperm with porcine oviductal fluid. The removal of cumulus cells tended to increase the percentage of fertilization when fresh sperm was used (1/24 vs. 3/26, p > 0.05). Sperm pre-incubation with progesterone did not significantly influence the fertilization rate when fresh or frozen sperm was used (2/39 vs. 2/36 for fresh, 2/37 vs. 1/46 for frozen), but two 3-4 cell stage zygotes were obtained with fresh sperm pre-incubated with progesterone. This is an encouraging result for the setting up of an efficient IVF procedure in equine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cécile Douet
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Ghylène Goudet
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
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Abdoon AS, Fathalla SI, Shawky SM, Kandil OM, Kishta AA, Masoud SR. In Vitro Maturation and Fertilization of Donkey Oocytes. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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10
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Leemans B, Gadella BM, Stout TAE, De Schauwer C, Nelis H, Hoogewijs M, Van Soom A. Why doesn't conventional IVF work in the horse? The equine oviduct as a microenvironment for capacitation/fertilization. Reproduction 2016; 152:R233-R245. [PMID: 27651517 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to man and many other mammalian species, conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) with horse gametes is not reliably successful. The apparent inability of stallion spermatozoa to penetrate the zona pellucida in vitro is most likely due to incomplete activation of spermatozoa (capacitation) because of inadequate capacitating or fertilizing media. In vivo, the oviduct and its secretions provide a microenvironment that does reliably support and regulate interaction between the gametes. This review focuses on equine sperm-oviduct interaction. Equine sperm-oviduct binding appears to be more complex than the presumed species-specific calcium-dependent lectin binding phenomenon; unfortunately, the nature of the interaction is not understood. Various capacitation-related events are induced to regulate sperm release from the oviduct epithelium and most data suggest that exposure to oviduct secretions triggers sperm capacitation in vivo However, only limited information is available about equine oviduct secreted factors, and few have been identified. Another aspect of equine oviduct physiology relevant to capacitation is acid-base balance. In vitro, it has been demonstrated that stallion spermatozoa show tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation after binding to oviduct epithelial cells containing alkaline secretory granules. In response to alkaline follicular fluid preparations (pH 7.9), stallion spermatozoa also show tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation, hyperactivated motility and (limited) release from oviduct epithelial binding. However, these 'capacitating conditions' are not able to induce the acrosome reaction and fertilization. In conclusion, developing a defined capacitating medium to support successful equine IVF will depend on identifying as yet uncharacterized capacitation triggers present in the oviduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Leemans
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Departments of Farm Animal Health.,Biochemistry and Cell Biology
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Departments of Farm Animal Health.,Equine SciencesFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina De Schauwer
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hilde Nelis
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Maarten Hoogewijs
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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de Vasconcelos Franco JS, Faheem M, Chaveiro A, Moreira da Silva F. Effects of α-tocopherol and freezing rates on the quality and heterologous in vitro fertilization capacity of stallion sperm after cryopreservation. Theriogenology 2016; 86:957-962. [PMID: 27125690 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of supplementation of α-tocopherol and different freezing rates (FRs) on the ability of stallion sperm to fertilize bovine oocytes with intact zona pellucida were investigated, in an attempt to develop a model to assess cryopreserved sperm function. Semen was obtained from four purebred Lusitano stallions (n = 4). Each ejaculate was subjected to cryopreservation with a commercial extender (Ghent, Minitub Iberia, Spain), without any supplementation (control) or supplemented with 2-mM α-tocopherol. The semen was exposed to two different FRs between 5 °C and -15 °C: slow (5 °C/min) and moderate (10 °C/min). After thawing, the viability (SYBR®-14 and propidium iodide [PI]), mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1, 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'tetraethylbenzimidazolyl carbocyanine iodine) and membrane lipid peroxidation (C11-BODIPY(581/591)) of each sample were determined by flow cytometry. Moreover, the heterologous IVF rate was measured to evaluate the fertilization capacity of postthaw semen in the four different treatments. For both extenders, the viability was higher for spermatozoa cooled slowly (39.40 ± 2.17 vs. 17.59 ± 2.25-control; 31.96 ± 2.19 vs. 11.46 ± 1.34-Tocopherol; P < 0.05). The α-tocopherol extender improved (P < 0.05) postthaw lipid peroxidation (10.28 ± 0.70 vs. 15.40 ± 0.95-slow FR; 10.14 ± 0.40 vs. 13.48 ± 0.34-moderate FR); however, it did not improve viability and mitochondrial membrane potential. Regarding the IVF rate, in the moderate FR, α-tocopherol supplementation reported a higher percentage of IVF (20.50 ± 2.11; P < 0.05), comparing with the control (14.00 ± 1.84). Regarding the slow FR, no significance differences were observed for percentage of IVF between the two extenders and the FRs. However, it seems that the α-tocopherol supplementation improved the IVF rate. In conclusion, this research reported that bovine oocytes intact zona pellucida can be used to evaluate the quality of postthaw stallion semen and α-tocopherol supplementation in the stallion freezing extender might exert a protective effect against oxidative damage during heterologous IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S de Vasconcelos Franco
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal.
| | - M Faheem
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal; Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - A Chaveiro
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - F Moreira da Silva
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
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Loux SC, Macías-Garcia B, González-Fernández L, Canesin HD, Varner DD, Hinrichs K. Regulation of axonemal motility in demembranated equine sperm. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:152. [PMID: 25339104 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.122804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine in vitro fertilization is not yet successful because equine sperm do not effectively capacitate in vitro. Results of previous studies suggest that this may be due to failure of induction of hyperactivated motility in equine sperm under standard capacitating conditions. To evaluate factors directly affecting axonemal motility in equine sperm, we developed a demembranated sperm model and analyzed motility parameters in this model under different conditions using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Treatment of ejaculated equine sperm with 0.02% Triton X-100 for 30 sec maximized both permeabilization and total motility after reactivation. The presence of ATP was required for motility of demembranated sperm after reactivation, but cAMP was not. The calculated intracellular pH of intact equine sperm was 7.14 ± 0.07. Demembranated sperm showed maximal total motility at pH 7. Neither increasing pH nor increasing calcium levels, nor any interaction of the two, induced hyperactivated motility in demembranated equine sperm. Motility of demembranated sperm was maintained at free calcium concentrations as low as 27 pM, and calcium arrested sperm motility at much lower concentrations than those reported in other species. Calcium arrest of sperm motility was not accompanied by flagellar curvature, suggesting a failure of calcium to induce the tonic bend seen in other species and thought to support hyperactivated motility. This indicated an absence, or difference in calcium sensitivity, of the related asymmetric doublet-sliding proteins. These studies show a difference in response to calcium of the equine sperm axoneme to that reported in other species that may be related to the failure of equine sperm to penetrate oocytes in vitro under standard capacitating conditions. Further work is needed to determine the factors that stimulate hyperactivated motility at the axonemal level in equine sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shavahn C Loux
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Beatríz Macías-Garcia
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Heloisa DeSiqueira Canesin
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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Loux SC, Crawford KR, Ing NH, González-Fernández L, Macías-García B, Love CC, Varner DD, Velez IC, Choi YH, Hinrichs K. CatSper and the Relationship of Hyperactivated Motility to Intracellular Calcium and pH Kinetics in Equine Sperm1. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:123. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.111708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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14
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Orsztynowicz M, Pawlak P, Kociucka B, Mucha S, Klukowska‐Rotzler J, Lechniak D. Short‐Term Storage and Swim‐Up Selection Do Not Affect the X/Y Ratio in Equine Spermatozoa. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 49:52-8. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Orsztynowicz
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding Poznan University of Life Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - P Pawlak
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding Poznan University of Life Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - B Kociucka
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding Poznan University of Life Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - S Mucha
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding Poznan University of Life Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - J Klukowska‐Rotzler
- Division of Pedriatric Hematology/Oncology Department of Clinical Research University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| | - D Lechniak
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding Poznan University of Life Sciences Poznan Poland
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16
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Peña FJ, García BM, Samper JC, Aparicio IM, Tapia JA, Ferrusola CO. Dissecting the molecular damage to stallion spermatozoa: the way to improve current cryopreservation protocols? Theriogenology 2011; 76:1177-86. [PMID: 21835453 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We review recent developments in the technology of freezing stallion sperm, paying special attention to the molecular lesions that spermatozoa suffer during freezing and thawing, such as osmotic stress, oxidative damage, and apoptotic changes. We also discuss the applicability of colloidal centrifugation in stallion sperm cryobiology. Increased knowledge about the molecular injuries that occur during cryopreservation may lead to improved protective techniques and thus to further improvements in fertility in the current decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura Cáceres, Spain.
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Alghamdi AS, Funnell BJ, Bird SL, Lamb GC, Rendahl AK, Taube PC, Foster DN. Comparative studies on bull and stallion seminal DNase activity and interaction with semen extender and spermatozoa. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 121:249-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2009] [Revised: 06/08/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Alghamdi AS, Lovaas BJ, Bird SL, Lamb GC, Rendahl AK, Taube PC, Foster DN. Species-specific interaction of seminal plasma on sperm–neutrophil binding. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 114:331-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2008] [Revised: 10/12/2008] [Accepted: 10/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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