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Hitit M, Kaya A, Memili E. Sperm long non-coding RNAs as markers for ram fertility. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1337939. [PMID: 38799722 PMCID: PMC11117017 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1337939] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
It is critical in sheep farming to accurately estimate ram fertility for maintaining reproductive effectiveness and for production profitability. However, there is currently a lack of reliable biomarkers to estimate semen quality and ram fertility, which is hindering advances in animal science and technology. The objective of this study was to uncover long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in sperm from rams with distinct fertility phenotypes. Mature rams were allocated into two groups: high and low fertility (HF; n = 31; 94.5 ± 2.8%, LF; n = 25; 83.1 ± 5.73%; P = 0.028) according to the pregnancy rates sired by the rams (average pregnancy rate; 89.4 ± 7.2%). Total RNAs were isolated from sperm of the highest- and lowest-fertility rams (n = 4, pregnancy rate; 99.2 ± 1.6%, and 73.6 ± 4.4%, respectively) followed by next-generation sequencing of the transcripts. We uncovered 11,209 lncRNAs from the sperm of rams with HF and LF. In comparison to each other, there were 93 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs in sperm from the two distinct fertility phenotypes. Of these, 141 mRNAs were upregulated and 134 were downregulated between HF and LF, respectively. Genes commonly enriched for 9 + 2 motile cilium and sperm flagellum were ABHD2, AK1, CABS1, ROPN1, SEPTIN2, SLIRP, and TEKT3. Moreover, CABS1, CCDC39, CFAP97D1, ROPN1, SLIRP, TEKT3, and TTC12 were commonly enriched in flagellated sperm motility and sperm motility. Differentially expressed mRNAs were enriched in the top 16 KEGG pathways. Targets of the differentially expressed lncRNAs elucidate functions in cis and trans manner using the genetic context of the lncRNA locus, and lncRNA sequences revealed 471 mRNAs targets of 10 lncRNAs. This study illustrates the existence of potential lncRNA biomarkers that can be implemented in analyzing the quality of ram sperm and determining the sperm fertility and is used in breeding soundness exams for precision livestock farming to ensure food security on a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
- College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United States
| | - Abdullah Kaya
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Erdogan Memili
- College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United States
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2
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Wang X, Yang J, Xue J, Zhang M, Zhang F, Wang K, Li Y, Zhang Y, Wu X, Wang F, Zhao X, Ni J, Ma Y, Li R, Wang L, Su G, Gao Y, Li J. Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls. Vet Med Int 2024; 2024:5593703. [PMID: 38318262 PMCID: PMC10843862 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5593703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The elite bull plays an extremely important role in the genetic progression of the dairy cow population. The previous results indicated the potential positive relationship of large scrotal circumference (SC) with improved semen volume, concentration, and motility. In order to improve bull's semen quantity and quality by selection, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of semen traits and their correlations with other conformation traits such as SC that could be used for an indirect selection. In this study, the genetic parameters of seven semen traits (n = 66,260) and nine conformation traits (n = 3,642) of Holstein bulls (n = 453) were estimated by using the bivariate repeatability animal model with the average information-restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML) approach. The results showed that the estimated heritabilities of semen traits ranged from 0.06 (total number of motile sperm, TNMS) to 0.37 (percentage of abnormal sperm, PAS) and conformation traits ranged from 0.23 (pin width, PW) to 0.69 (hip height, HH). The highest genetic correlations were found between semen volume per ejaculation (SVPE), semen concentration per ejaculation (SCPE), total number of sperm (TNS), and TNMS traits that were 0.97, 0.98, 1.00, and 0.99, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between SC and SVPE, SCPE, TNS, and TNMS were 0.35, 0.35, 0.48, and 0.42, respectively. In summary, the moderate or high heritability of semen traits indicates that genetic improvement of semen quality by selection is feasible, where SC could be a useful trait for indirect selection or as correlated information to improve semen quantity and production in the practical bull breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Jie Xue
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yanqin Li
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yuanpei Zhang
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xiaoping Wu
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xiuxin Zhao
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Junqing Ni
- Fine Breed Centre of Animal Husbandry of HeBei, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
| | - Yabin Ma
- Fine Breed Centre of Animal Husbandry of HeBei, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
| | - Rongling Li
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Guosheng Su
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yundong Gao
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Jianbin Li
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
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3
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Lee BM, Park YJ, Pang WK, Ryu DY, Rahman MS, Lee DY, Pang MG. Boar fertility is controlled through systematic changes of mitochondrial protein expression during sperm capacitation. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 248:125955. [PMID: 37494999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Vigorous activation of mitochondria in spermatozoa during capacitation induces the biological and morphological changes of spermatozoa to acquire fertilizing ability. To in-depth understand the dynamic roles of mitochondrial and male fertility, this study was to identify how the mitochondrial proteins are changed during sperm capacitation and regulate male fertility using boar spermatozoa. The mitochondrial proteins were differentially changed during sperm capacitation according to fertility status, i.e., superior litter size (SL) and normal litter size (NL). Following sperm capacitation, ubiquitin-cytochrome c reductase core protein (UQCRC1) and ATP synthase F1 (ATP5F1) increased in NL, while cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B (COX5B), and cytochrome c1 (CYC1) proteins decreased. In contrast, only and ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit 8 (NDUFS8) protein was increased in SL following capacitation. The protein expression difference value of CYC1, COX5B, and NDUFS8 following sperm capacitation was lower in NL than SL boars. Based on these complicated changes during sperm capacitation, the accuracy for predicting male fertility of NDUFS8 was increased to 87 %. Overall, considering the systematic orchestration of mitochondrial protein expression according to sperm capacitation status, it will be possible to better understand male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeong-Mu Lee
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo-Jin Park
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ki Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Yeal Ryu
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Saidur Rahman
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Young Lee
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Geol Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17546, Republic of Korea.
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Indriastuti R, Pardede BP, Gunawan A, Ulum MF, Arifiantini RI, Purwantara B. Sperm Transcriptome Analysis Accurately Reveals Male Fertility Potential in Livestock. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2955. [PMID: 36359078 PMCID: PMC9657999 DOI: 10.3390/ani12212955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, selection of superior male candidates in livestock as a source of frozen semen based on sperm quality at the cellular level is not considered accurate enough for predicting the potential of male fertility. Sperm transcriptome analysis approaches, such as messenger RNA levels, have been shown to correlate with fertility rates. Using this technology in livestock growth has become the principal method, which can be widely applied to predict male fertility potential in the livestock industry through the analysis of the sperm transcriptome. It provides the gene expression to validate the function of sperm in spermatogenesis, fertilization, and embryo development, as the parameters of male fertility. This review proposes a transcriptomic analysis approach as a high-throughput method to predict the fertility potential of livestock more accurately in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhesti Indriastuti
- Reproductive Biology Study Program, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
- Tuah Sakato Technology and Resource Development Center, Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of West Sumatra, Payakumbuh 26229, Indonesia
| | - Berlin Pandapotan Pardede
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Asep Gunawan
- Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Mokhamad Fakhrul Ulum
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Raden Iis Arifiantini
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Bambang Purwantara
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
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Pang WK, Amjad S, Ryu DY, Adegoke EO, Rahman MS, Park YJ, Pang MG. Establishment of a male fertility prediction model with sperm RNA markers in pigs as a translational animal model. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:84. [PMID: 35794675 PMCID: PMC9261079 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is an important issue that causes low production in the animal industry. To solve the male fertility crisis in the animal industry, the prediction of sperm quality is the most important step. Sperm RNA is the potential marker for male fertility prediction. We hypothesized that the expression of functional genes related to fertilization will be the best target for male fertility prediction markers. To investigate optimum male fertility prediction marker, we compared target genes expression level and a wide range of field data acquired from artificial insemination of boar semen. RESULTS Among the genes related to acrosomal vesicle exocytosis and sperm-oocyte fusion, equatorin (EQTN), zona pellucida sperm-binding protein 4 (ZP4), and sperm acrosome membrane-associated protein 3 exhibited high accuracy (70%, 90%, and 70%, respectively) as markers to evaluate male fertility. Combinations of EQTN-ZP4, ZP4-protein unc-13 homolog B, and ZP4-regulating synaptic membrane exocytosis protein 1 (RIMS1) showed the highest prediction value, and all these markers are involved in the acrosome reaction. CONCLUSION The EQTN-ZP4 model was efficient in clustering the high-fertility group and may be useful for selection of animal that has superior fertility in the livestock industry. Compared to the EQTN-ZP4 model, the ZP4-RIMS1 model was more efficient in clustering the low-fertility group and may be useful in the diagnosis of male infertility in humans and other animals. The appointed translational animal model and established biomarker combination can be widely used in various scientific fields such as biomedical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Ki Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Shehreen Amjad
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Yeal Ryu
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Elikanah Olusayo Adegoke
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Saidur Rahman
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo-Jin Park
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Geol Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Omics and Male Infertility: Highlighting the Application of Transcriptomic Data. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020280. [PMID: 35207567 PMCID: PMC8875138 DOI: 10.3390/life12020280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifaceted disorder affecting approximately 50% of male partners in infertile couples. Over the years, male infertility has been diagnosed mainly through semen analysis, hormone evaluations, medical records and physical examinations, which of course are fundamental, but yet inefficient, because 30% of male infertility cases remain idiopathic. This dilemmatic status of the unknown needs to be addressed with more sophisticated and result-driven technologies and/or techniques. Genetic alterations have been linked with male infertility, thereby unveiling the practicality of investigating this disorder from the “omics” perspective. Omics aims at analyzing the structure and functions of a whole constituent of a given biological function at different levels, including the molecular gene level (genomics), transcript level (transcriptomics), protein level (proteomics) and metabolites level (metabolomics). In the current study, an overview of the four branches of omics and their roles in male infertility are briefly discussed; the potential usefulness of assessing transcriptomic data to understand this pathology is also elucidated. After assessing the publicly obtainable transcriptomic data for datasets on male infertility, a total of 1385 datasets were retrieved, of which 10 datasets met the inclusion criteria and were used for further analysis. These datasets were classified into groups according to the disease or cause of male infertility. The groups include non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), obstructive azoospermia (OA), non-obstructive and obstructive azoospermia (NOA and OA), spermatogenic dysfunction, sperm dysfunction, and Y chromosome microdeletion. Findings revealed that 8 genes (LDHC, PDHA2, TNP1, TNP2, ODF1, ODF2, SPINK2, PCDHB3) were commonly differentially expressed between all disease groups. Likewise, 56 genes were common between NOA versus NOA and OA (ADAD1, BANF2, BCL2L14, C12orf50, C20orf173, C22orf23, C6orf99, C9orf131, C9orf24, CABS1, CAPZA3, CCDC187, CCDC54, CDKN3, CEP170, CFAP206, CRISP2, CT83, CXorf65, FAM209A, FAM71F1, FAM81B, GALNTL5, GTSF1, H1FNT, HEMGN, HMGB4, KIF2B, LDHC, LOC441601, LYZL2, ODF1, ODF2, PCDHB3, PDHA2, PGK2, PIH1D2, PLCZ1, PROCA1, RIMBP3, ROPN1L, SHCBP1L, SMCP, SPATA16, SPATA19, SPINK2, TEX33, TKTL2, TMCO2, TMCO5A, TNP1, TNP2, TSPAN16, TSSK1B, TTLL2, UBQLN3). These genes, particularly the above-mentioned 8 genes, are involved in diverse biological processes such as germ cell development, spermatid development, spermatid differentiation, regulation of proteolysis, spermatogenesis and metabolic processes. Owing to the stage-specific expression of these genes, any mal-expression can ultimately lead to male infertility. Therefore, currently available data on all branches of omics relating to male fertility can be used to identify biomarkers for diagnosing male infertility, which can potentially help in unravelling some idiopathic cases.
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7
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Klein EK, Swegen A, Gunn AJ, Stephen CP, Aitken RJ, Gibb Z. The future of assessing bull fertility: Can the 'omics fields identify usable biomarkers? Biol Reprod 2022; 106:854-864. [PMID: 35136971 PMCID: PMC9113469 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breeding soundness examinations for bulls rely heavily on the subjective, visual assessment of sperm motility and morphology. Although these criteria have the potential to identify infertile males, they cannot be used to guarantee fertility or provide information about varying degrees of bull fertility. Male factor fertility is complex, and the success of the male gamete is not necessarily realized until well after the spermatozoon enters the oocyte. This paper reviews our existing knowledge of the bull’s contribution from a standpoint of the sperm’s cargo and the impact that this can have on fertilization and the development of the embryo. There has been a plethora of recent research characterizing the many molecular attributes that can affect the functional competence of a spermatozoon. A better understanding of the molecular factors influencing fertilization and embryo development in cattle will lead to the identification of biomarkers for the selection of bulls of superior fertility, which will have major implications for livestock production. To see this improvement in reproductive performance, we believe incorporation of modern technology into breeding soundness examinations will be necessary—although many of the discussed technologies are not ready for large-scale field application. Each of the ‘omics fields discussed in this review have shown promise for the identification of biomarkers of fertility, with certain families of biomarkers appearing to be better suited to different evaluations throughout a bull’s lifetime. Further research is needed for the proposed biomarkers to be of diagnostic or predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Klein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Aleona Swegen
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Allan J Gunn
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyril P Stephen
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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8
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Xiong H, Chen Z, Zhao J, Li W, Zhang S. TNF-α/ENO1 signaling facilitates testicular phagocytosis by directly activating Elmo1 gene expression in mouse Sertoli cells. FEBS J 2021; 289:2809-2827. [PMID: 34919331 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Phagocytic clearance of apoptotic germ cells (GCs), as well as residual bodies (RBs) released from developing spermatids, is critical for Sertoli cells (SCs) to maintain inner environment homeostasis within testis. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the phagocytosis are ill defined. Here, we identify a new role for alpha-enolase (ENO1), a key enzyme during glycolysis, as a molecule that facilitates testicular phagocytosis via transactivation of the engulfment and cell motility 1 (Elmo1) gene. Using immunohistochesmitry and double-labeling immunofluorescence, ENO1 was observed to be expressed exclusively in the nuclei of SCs and its expression correlated with the completion of Sertoli cell differentiation. By incubating TM4 cells with different pharmacological inhibitors and establishing TM4Tnfr1-/- cells, we demonstrated that Sertoli cell-specific expression of ENO1 was under a delicate paracrine control from apoptotic GCs. In turn, persistent blockade of ENO1 expression by a validated siRNA protocol resulted in the disturbance of spermatogenesis and impairment of male fertility. Furthermore, using chromatin immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase reporter assay, we showed that in the presence of apoptotic GCs, ENO1 binds to the distal region of the Elmo1 promoter and facilitates transactivation of the Elmo1 gene. In agreement, overexpression of ELMO1 ameliorated ENO1 deficiency-induced impairment of phagocytosis in TM4 cells. These data reveal a novel role for Sertoli cell-specific expression of ENO1 in regulating phagocytosis in testis, identify TNF-α and ELMO1 as critical upstream and downstream factors in mediating ENO1 action, and have important implications for understanding paracrine control of Sertoli cell function by adjacent GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Xiong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, P.R.China
| | - Zhenzhen Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, P.R.China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, P.R.China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, P.R.China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, P.R.China
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9
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Hitit M, Özbek M, Ayaz-Guner S, Guner H, Oztug M, Bodu M, Kirbas M, Bulbul B, Bucak MN, Ataman MB, Memili E, Kaya A. Proteomic fertility markers in ram sperm. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 235:106882. [PMID: 34823050 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Precise estimation of ram fertility is important for sheep farming to sustain reproduction efficiency and profitability of production. There, however, is no conventional method to accurately predict ram fertility. The objective of this study, therefore, was to ascertain proteomic profiles of ram sperm having contrasting fertility phenotypes. Mature rams (n = 66) having greater pregnancy rates than average (89.4 ± 7.2%) were assigned into relatively-greater fertility (GF; n = 31; 94.5 ± 2.8%) whereas those with less-than-average pregnancy rates were assigned into a lesser-fertility (LF; n = 25; 83.1 ± 5.73%; P = 0.028) group. Sperm samples from the outlier greatest- and least-fertility rams (n = 6, pregnancy rate; 98.4 ± 1.8% and 76.1 ± 3.9%) were used for proteomics assessments utilizing Label-free LC-MS/MS. A total of 997 proteins were identified, and among these, 840 were shared by both groups, and 57 and 93 were unique to GF and LF, respectively. Furthermore, 190 differentially abundant proteins were identified; the abundance of 124 was larger in GF while 66 was larger in LF rams. The GF ram sperm had 79 GO/pathway terms in ten major biological networks while there were 47 GO/pathway terms in six biological networks in sperm of LF rams. Accordingly, differential abundances of sperm proteins between sperm of GF and LF rams were indicative of functional implications of sperm proteome on male fertility. The results of this study emphasize there are potential protein markers for evaluation of semen quality and estimation of ram sperm fertilizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özbek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Serife Ayaz-Guner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Life and Natural Science, Abdullah Gül University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Guner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Life and Natural Science, Abdullah Gül University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Merve Oztug
- National Metrology Institute, TUBITAK UME, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Bodu
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mesut Kirbas
- Bahri Dagdas International Agricultural Research Institute, Konya, Turkey
| | - Bulent Bulbul
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Numan Bucak
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Bozkurt Ataman
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Erdoğan Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States; Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United States.
| | - Abdullah Kaya
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
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10
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Zhao Y, Wang Y, Guo F, Lu B, Sun J, Wang J, Ren Z. iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of sperm reveals candidate proteins that affect the quality of spermatozoa from boars on plateaus. Proteome Sci 2021; 19:9. [PMID: 34330296 PMCID: PMC8323236 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-021-00177-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tibetan pigs (TP) exhibit heritable adaptations to their hypoxic environments as a result of natural selection. However, candidate proteins that affect the sperm quality of boars on plateaus have not yet been clearly investigated. Methods In this study, to reveal the candidate proteins that affect the quality of spermatozoa of boars on plateaus, we analyzed the sperm quality using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. We also compared the proteomes of sperm proteomes between TP and Yorkshire pigs (YP) raised at high altitudes using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) in combination with the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) proteomic method, and confirmed the relative expression levels of the four proteins by western blotting. Results The sperm quality of the TP was superior to that of the YP on plateaus. Of the 1,555 quantified proteins, 318 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the DEPs were predominantly associated with the sorbitol metabolic process, removal of superoxide radicals, cellular response to superoxide, response to superoxide and regulation of the mitotic spindle assembly. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were mainly enriched in pathways involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and estrogen signaling. Based on the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we identified 8 candidate proteins (FN1, EGF, HSP90B1, CFL1, GPX4, NDUFA6, VDAC2, and CP) that might play important roles and affect the sperm quality of boars on plateaus. Moreover, the relative expression levels of four proteins (CFL1, EGF, FN1, and GPX4) were confirmed by western blot analysis. Conclusions Our study revealed 8 candidate proteins (FN1, EGF, HSP90B1, CFL1, GPX4, NDUFA6, VDAC2, and CP) that affect the sperm quality of boar on plateaus and provide a reference for further studies on improving sperm quality and the molecular breeding of boars on plateaus. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12953-021-00177-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Zhao
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Yaomei Wang
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Feipeng Guo
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Bo Lu
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Jiale Sun
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhou Wang
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Zili Ren
- College of Animal Science, Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China.
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11
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Fuentes-Albero MC, González-Brusi L, Cots P, Luongo C, Abril-Sánchez S, Ros-Santaella JL, Pintus E, Ruiz-Díaz S, Barros-García C, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ, García-Párraga D, Avilés M, Izquierdo Rico MJ, García-Vázquez FA. Protein Identification of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673961. [PMID: 34336830 PMCID: PMC8323341 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins play an important role in many reproductive functions such as sperm maturation, sperm transit in the female genital tract or sperm-oocyte interaction. However, in general, little information concerning reproductive features is available in the case of aquatic animals. The present study aims to characterize the proteome of both spermatozoa and seminal plasma of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a model organism for cetaceans. Ejaculate samples were obtained from two trained dolphins housed in an aquarium. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma were analyzed by means of proteomic analyses using an LC-MS/MS, and a list with the gene symbols corresponding to each protein was submitted to the DAVID database. Of the 419 proteins identified in spermatozoa and 303 in seminal plasma, 111 proteins were shared by both. Furthermore, 70 proteins were identified as involved in reproductive processes, 39 in spermatozoa, and 31 in seminal plasma. The five most abundant proteins were also identified in these samples: AKAP3, ODF2, TUBB, GSTM3, ROPN1 for spermatozoa and CST11, LTF, ALB, HSP90B1, PIGR for seminal plasma. In conclusion, this study provides the first characterization of the proteome in cetacean sperm and seminal plasma, opening the way to future research into new biomarkers, the analysis of conservation capacity or possible additional applications in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari-Carmen Fuentes-Albero
- Department of Biology, Avanqua-Oceanogràfic S.L, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Leopoldo González-Brusi
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Paula Cots
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Chiara Luongo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Silvia Abril-Sánchez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Luis Ros-Santaella
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eliana Pintus
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María-Jesús Sánchez-Calabuig
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Department of Biology, Avanqua-Oceanogràfic S.L, Valencia, Spain.,Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Mᵃ José Izquierdo Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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12
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Peroxiredoxin 4 directly affects the male fertility outcome in porcine. Theriogenology 2021; 171:85-93. [PMID: 34051589 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs) are known to play a critical role in regulating male fertility as antioxidant enzymes. Although several studies have suggested a close association between Prdxs and male fertility, few studies have explored the efficacy of Prdxs to predict male fertility. Therefore, the current study was designed to discover the most efficient biomarkers among the Prdxs with six isoforms. Our study showed a significant positive correlation between the litter size and the levels of PRDX 4 among all isoforms in spermatozoa. Subsequently, a regression analysis using a combination of markers was conducted to increase efficacy for fertility prediction. Nevertheless, PRDX4 had the highest efficacy compared to other combination models to predict litter size. The prediction accuracy of male fertility was further evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, which showed that PRDX 4 could predict the litter size with high overall accuracy of 95%. Moreover, litter size was increased by 1.55 piglets after predicting high litter size using PRDX 4. This is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the role of all isoforms of PRDXs on male fertility to the best of our knowledge. PRDX 4 was tested and evaluated up to a practical level. Data here reported suggesting PRDX 4 marker allowed the highest accuracy for male fertility prediction and diagnosis, leading to a measurable improvement in the male fertility outcome.
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13
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Vitorino Carvalho A, Soler L, Thélie A, Grasseau I, Cordeiro L, Tomas D, Teixeira-Gomes AP, Labas V, Blesblois E. Proteomic Changes Associated With Sperm Fertilizing Ability in Meat-Type Roosters. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:655866. [PMID: 33898456 PMCID: PMC8063615 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.655866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of male fertility remains unclear, especially in chickens, where decades of genetic selection increased male fertility variability as a side effect. As transcription and translation are highly limited in sperm, proteins are key molecules defining their functionality, making proteomic approaches one of the most adequate methods to investigate sperm capacity. In this context, it is interesting to combine complementary proteomic approaches to maximize the identification of proteins related to sperm-fertilizing ability. In the present study, we aimed at identifying proteins related to fertility in meat-type roosters, showing fertility variability. Fertile roosters (fertility rates higher than 70% after artificial insemination) differed from subfertile roosters (fertility rates lower than 40%) in their sperm mass motility. Fertile and subfertile sperm protein contents were compared using two complementary label-free quantitative proteomic methods: Intact Cell MALDI-TOF-Mass Spectrometry and GeLC-MS/MS. Combining the two strategies, 57 proteins were identified as differentially abundant. Most of them were described for the first time as differentially abundant according to fertility in this species. These proteins were involved in various molecular pathways including flagellum integrity and movement, mitochondrial functions, sperm maturation, and storage in female tract as well as oocyte–sperm interaction. Collectively, our data improved our understanding of chicken sperm biology by revealing new actors involved in the complexity of male fertility that depends on multiple cell functions to reach optimal rates. This explains the inability of reductionist in vitro fertility testing in predicting male fertility and suggests that the use of a combination of markers is a promising approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Soler
- INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, UMR Toxalim, Toulouse, France
| | - Aurore Thélie
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Luiz Cordeiro
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Daniel Tomas
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France.,INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, UMR Toxalim, Toulouse, France.,INRAE, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Plate-forme PIXANIM (Phénotypage par Imagerie in/ex vivo de l'Animal à la Molécule), Nouzilly, France
| | - Ana-Paula Teixeira-Gomes
- INRAE, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Plate-forme PIXANIM (Phénotypage par Imagerie in/ex vivo de l'Animal à la Molécule), Nouzilly, France.,INRAE, ISP, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | - Valérie Labas
- CNRS, INRAE, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France.,INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, UMR Toxalim, Toulouse, France.,INRAE, Université de Tours, CHU de Tours, Plate-forme PIXANIM (Phénotypage par Imagerie in/ex vivo de l'Animal à la Molécule), Nouzilly, France
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