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Sysoeva AP, Makarova NP, Silachev DN, Lobanova NN, Shevtsova YA, Bragina EE, Kalinina EA, Sukhikh GT. Influence of Extracellular Vesicles of the Follicular Fluid on Morphofunctional Characteristics of Human Sperm. Bull Exp Biol Med 2021; 172:254-262. [PMID: 34855079 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-021-05372-4] [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: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We studied the effect of extracellular vesicles of the follicular fluid on morphofunctional characteristics of human spermatozoa using CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) analytical system. The vesicles were obtained by sequential centrifugation at different rotational speeds and frozen at -80°C in the Sydney IVF Gamete Buffer medium. The sperm fraction was isolated from the seminal fluid of 21 patients aged 27-36 years by differential centrifugation in a density gradient. The precipitate was suspended in Sydney IVF Gamete Buffer to a concentration of 106/ml and incubated with vesicles (1:2) at 37°C in a CO2 incubator for 30 min and 1 h. Sperm fraction incubated without vesicles served as the control. After incubation, some sperm samples were centrifuged at 700g for 5 min and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M buffer for transmission electron microscopy. After 30-min and 1-h incubation, the progressive and total sperm motility improved, the curvilinear and linear velocity of spermatozoa did not change significantly. Incubation with vesicles significantly changed the trajectory of sperm movement, which can attest to an increase in their hyperactivation and, probably, fertilizing capacity. Analysis of the effect of extracellular vesicles of follicular fluid on sperm motility will help to improve the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology programs with male infertility factor by improving sperm characteristics in patients with asthenozoospermia and increasing the fertilizing ability of the sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Sysoeva
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
| | - N P Makarova
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - D N Silachev
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.,A. N. Belozersky Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - N N Lobanova
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yu A Shevtsova
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - E E Bragina
- A. N. Belozersky Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Kalinina
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - G T Sukhikh
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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DNase activity in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid and its inhibition by follicular fluid chelating agents. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:1079-1086. [PMID: 34753679 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What is the mechanism by which human follicular fluid inhibits seminal plasma DNase activity? DESIGN Human genomic DNA was incubated with human follicular fluid and seminal plasma (reaction mixture) under different experimental conditions; increasing volumes of human follicular fluid; proteinase K digested or heat inactivated human follicular fluid; and the addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+ to the reaction mixture. RESULTS Increasing volume of human follicular fluid resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of seminal plasma DNase activity. Inhibition was not caused by proteins in the human follicular fluid as digestion with proteinase K or heat inactivation of human follicular fluid failed to abolish its inhibitory effect. Addition of divalent cations resulted in a reversion of the inhibitory effect, providing evidence that human follicular fluid inhibition of seminal plasma DNase activity seems to be mediated by a compound with chelating activity. Furthermore, incubation of genomic DNA with human follicular fluid in the presence of divalent cations served to elicit the existence of DNase activity. CONCLUSIONS Human follicular fluid seems to contain a molecule or molecules with chelating capacity that inhibits DNase activity of both follicular fluid and seminal plasma. Our findings provide new insight to understanding sperm preservation and the physiology of fertilization biology.
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Selection of Boar Sperm by Reproductive Biofluids as Chemoattractants. Animals (Basel) 2020; 11:ani11010053. [PMID: 33396764 PMCID: PMC7824399 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Both in natural breeding and some assisted reproduction technologies, spermatozoa are deposited into the uterus. The journey the spermatozoa must take from the place of semen deposition to the fertilization site is long, hostile, and selective of the best spermatozoa. For the fertilization to succeed, spermatozoa are guided by chemical stimuli (chemoattractants) to the fertilization site, mainly secreted by the oocyte, cumulus cells, and other substances poured into the oviduct in the periovulatory period. This work studied some sources of chemotactic factors and their action on spermatozoa functionality in vitro, including the fertility. A special chemotactic chamber for spermatozoa selection was designed which consists of two wells communicated by a tube. The spermatozoa are deposited in well A, and the chemoattractants in well B. This study focuses on the use of follicular fluid (FF), periovulatory oviductal fluid (pOF), conditioned medium from the in vitro maturation of oocytes (CM), and progesterone (P4) as chemoattractants to sperm. The chemotactic potential of these substances is also investigated as related to their action on CatSper which is a calcium channel in the spermatozoa known to be sensitive to chemoattractants and essential for motility. Abstract Chemotaxis is a spermatozoa guidance mechanism demonstrated in vitro in several mammalian species including porcine. This work focused on follicular fluid (FF), periovulatory oviductal fluid (pOF), the medium surrounding oocytes during in vitro maturation (conditioned medium; CM), progesterone (P4), and the combination of those biofluids (Σ) as chemotactic agents and modulators of spermatozoa fertility in vitro. A chemotaxis chamber was designed consisting of two independent wells, A and B, connected by a tube. The spermatozoa are deposited in well A, and the chemoattractants in well B. The concentrations of biofluids that attracted a higher proportion of spermatozoa to well B were 0.25% FF, 0.25% OF, 0.06% CM, 10 pM P4 and 0.25% of a combination of biofluids (Σ2), which attracted between 3.3 and 12.3% of spermatozoa (p < 0.05). The motility of spermatozoa recovered in well B was determined and the chemotactic potential when the sperm calcium channel CatSper was inhibited, which significantly reduced the % of spermatozoa attracted (p < 0.05). Regarding the in vitro fertility, the spermatozoa attracted by FF produced higher rates of penetration of oocytes and development of expanded blastocysts. In conclusion, porcine reproductive biofluids show an in vitro chemotactic effect on spermatozoa and modulate their fertilizing potential.
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A new media without animal component for sperm cryopreservation: motility and various attributes affecting paternal contribution of sperm. J Assist Reprod Genet 2017; 34:647-657. [PMID: 28281145 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-017-0888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our aim was the development of a safe sperm cryopreservation New Media (NM), composed of consistent and reproducible components devoid of any animal origin, and evaluation of NM in terms of its effect on sperm structure and function as compared to regularly used yolk media (TYM) (Irvine Scientific). METHODS We evaluated patient semen samples and cryopreserved them in duplicates in either NM or TYM. The samples were cryopreserved for either a short term of 1 week or long term of 1 month prior to thawing. The parameters investigated include sperm motility via computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), sperm concentration, and sperm biomarkers that promote paternal contribution of spermatozoa to fertilization including hyaluronic acid binding, chromatin maturity, apoptotic markers, cytoplasmic retention, and sperm DNA integrity. RESULTS As compared to TYM, NM was equally capable of sperm cryopreservation with both short-term and long-term storage in media, and after freeze-thaw and gradient processing of sperm. HA binding of sperm was comparable post thaw in both NM and yolk media. There are also no differences observed between the samples cryopreserved in NM or TYM in terms of their aniline blue staining, CK immunocytochemistry, caspase 3 immunostaining, or DNA nick translation. CONCLUSIONS NM has the advantage of being xeno-free, yet in preservation of sperm motility and other sperm attributes, the NM is as effective as the TYM.
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Mansell SA, Publicover SJ, Barratt CLR, Wilson SM. Patch clamp studies of human sperm under physiological ionic conditions reveal three functionally and pharmacologically distinct cation channels. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 20:392-408. [PMID: 24442342 PMCID: PMC4004083 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Whilst fertilizing capacity depends upon a K+ conductance (GK) that allows the spermatozoon membrane potential (Vm) to be held at a negative value, the characteristics of this conductance in human sperm are virtually unknown. We therefore studied the biophysical/pharmacological properties of the K+ conductance in spermatozoa from normal donors held under voltage/current clamp in the whole cell recording configuration. Our standard recording conditions were designed to maintain quasi-physiological, Na+, K+ and Cl− gradients. Experiments that explored the effects of ionic substitution/ion channel blockers upon membrane current/potential showed that resting Vm was dependent upon a hyperpolarizing K+ current that flowed via channels that displayed only weak voltage dependence and limited (∼7-fold) K+ versus Na+ selectivity. This conductance was blocked by quinidine (0.3 mM), bupivacaine (3 mM) and clofilium (50 µM), NNC55-0396 (2 µM) and mibefradil (30 µM), but not by 4-aminopyridine (2 mM, 4-AP). Progesterone had no effect upon the hyperpolarizing K+ current. Repolarization after a test depolarization consistently evoked a transient inward ‘tail current’ (ITail) that flowed via a second population of ion channels with poor (∼3-fold) K+ versus Na+ selectivity. The activity of these channels was increased by quinidine, 4-AP and progesterone. Vm in human sperm is therefore dependent upon a hyperpolarizing K+ current that flows via channels that most closely resemble those encoded by Slo3. Although 0.5 µM progesterone had no effect upon these channels, this hormone did activate the pharmacologically distinct channels that mediate ITail. In conclusion, this study reveals three functionally and pharmacologically distinct cation channels: Ik, ITail, ICatSper.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Mansell
- Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9S, UK
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Kalthur G, Kumar P, Adiga SK. Enhancement in motility of sperm co-incubated with cumulus oocyte complex (COC) in vitro. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2009; 145:167-71. [PMID: 19482407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2008] [Revised: 03/28/2009] [Accepted: 05/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the influence of cumulus cell co-culture on sperm motility under in vitro conditions. STUDY DESIGN Patients recruited for IVF were included in this prospective study. Among 30 subjects, 15 were normozoospermic and 15 were teratozoospermic. The oocyte cumulus mass was inseminated with optimum number of spermatozoa. Sperm motility was documented every 24h after insemination. RESULTS Sperm motility without co-culture declined with incubation time and complete loss of motility was observed at the end of 72 h. The inclusion of cumulus cells with sperm almost doubled the sperm motility at 48 h incubation time. At 72 h incubation time, the sperm+cumulus group had 14% total motility in comparison to 0% in the sperm alone group. When compared to the teratospermic group, the normospermic group did not show any significant difference with respect to sperm motility at 24 and 48 h both in the sperm alone and the sperm+cumulus groups. However at 72 h significantly higher (P<0.05) motility was maintained in the normospermic group. CONCLUSION The result of the present investigation suggests that co-culture with cumulus cells enhances sperm motility under in vitro conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
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Getpook C, Wirotkarun S. Sperm motility stimulation and preservation with various concentrations of follicular fluid. J Assist Reprod Genet 2007; 24:425-8. [PMID: 17594511 PMCID: PMC3454953 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-007-9145-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2007] [Accepted: 05/08/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the optimal concentrations of follicular fluid (FF) for sperm motility stimulation and preservation. METHODS Thirty normal semen samples and FF from women in an in vitro fertilization programme were used in an experiment. The semen was processed and incubated in Earle culture media with 20, 50, 80, and 100% FF (v/v) with controls. Sperm motility was evaluated and followed up for 48 h. RESULTS FF could stimulate progressive sperm motility at all concentrations and last for at least 12 h. However, at more than 50% v/v of FF, sperm demonstrated a rapid decline in progressive motility after 12 h of incubation compared to other concentrations and the control group. CONCLUSION FF can stimulate the sperm motility properly at not more than 50% (v/v) concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chatpavit Getpook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkhla University, HatYai, Songkla, 90110, Thailand.
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Petrella C, Hsieh J, Thrift K, Jarow JP, Zacur H, Zhao Y. Optimizing incubation conditions for the preservation of sperm motility in processed semen samples. Fertil Steril 2005; 84:513-5. [PMID: 16084899 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.01.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2004] [Revised: 01/28/2005] [Accepted: 01/28/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
To determine the optimal conditions to maintain sperm motility and viability for prolonged periods, semen specimens were processed and cultured in different temperature and conditions. We conclude that processing of semen and incubation of sperm in protein-supplemented N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) human tubal fluid medium at room temperature best preserved viability and motility of sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Petrella
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
Human follicular fluid (hFF), present in the ampullary environment, can reduce the number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of follicular fluid on sperm function. The presence of 50% v/v follicular fluid resulted in a significant reduction in the number of bound spermatozoa with respect to control medium (12.7 +/- 5.5 sp HZ(-1) versus 24.6 +/- 5.7 sp HZ(-1), P = 0.03) as measured by the hemizona binding assay. This reduction in zona binding capacity was not associated with a loss of sperm viability, motility or a premature acrosomal reaction. When capacitated spermatozoa were previously exposed 1 h to follicular fluid, a significant reduction in the number of alpha-d-mannose binding sites on sperm head was detected (23.7 +/- 3.1% versus 15.5 +/- 2.4%, P < 0.05). In addition, sperm fertilizing capacity (assessed as the acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge score) in the presence of follicular fluid was also diminished (38.0 +/- 4.8% versus 22.6 +/- 4.9%, P < 0.01). No modification in the pattern of protein tyrosine phosphorylation which occurs during capacitation was observed in the presence of the fluid. Taken together, the results indicate that the decrease in sperm zona-binding capacity observed in the presence of hFF was related to a lower number of sperm containing alpha-d-mannose receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Munuce
- Laboratorio de Estudios Reproductivos, Cátedra de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.
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Miska W, Peña P, Villegas J, Sánchez R. Detection of a CBG-like protein in human Fallopian tube tissue*. Andrologia 2004; 36:41-6. [PMID: 14871264 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2003.00601.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The acrosome reaction (AR), a modified exocytotic process, is prerequisite for successful mammalian fertilization. The protein component that is responsible for the AR-inducing activity of human follicular fluid, has been found to be immunologically identical with corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), which is well characterized and serves as a transport protein for progesterone and cortisol in the plasma. Our findings have shown that the CBG-like protein is expressed by endothelial cells of the Fallopian tube depending on the hormonal cycle. In the culture medium of human epithelial tubal cells, the CBG-like protein was detected by Western blot analysis. The protein was also found in biologically active form in human tubular fluid. Our investigations strongly indicate that human Fallopian tube cells actively express and secrete a CBG-like progesterone-binding protein, which might play a role in the in vivo modulation of human sperm AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Miska
- Centre of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
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Wang Y, Storeng R, Dale PO, Abyholm T, Tanbo T. Effects of follicular fluid and steroid hormones on chemotaxis and motility of human spermatozoa in vitro. Gynecol Endocrinol 2001; 15:286-92. [PMID: 11560102 DOI: 10.1080/gye.15.4.286.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The 'Transwell system' was used to test the response of human spermatozoa to human follicular fluid, progesterone, estradiol and mifepristone. Motility parameters were assessed with computer-assisted sperm analysis. Follicular fluid and progesterone induced significant accumulation of spermatozoa. Changes compatible with an increased progressive and hyperactivation-like motility were obtained with follicular fluid but not with progesterone. Mifepristone eliminated the progesterone-induced accumulation of spermatozoa but had no significant effect on the accumulation of spermatozoa in wells containing human follicular fluid. Furthermore, mifepristone abolished the motility changes effected by follicular fluid. Estradiol had no effect on accumulation or motility of spermatozoa. Human follicular fluid exerted a strong effect on sperm chemoattraction and motility in vitro, while progesterone influenced sperm chemoattraction only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Jeon BG, Moon JS, Kim KC, Lee HJ, Choe SY, Rho GJ. Follicular fluid enhances sperm attraction and its motility in human. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001; 18:407-12. [PMID: 11599459 PMCID: PMC3455506 DOI: 10.1023/a:1016674302652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Follicular fluid has a pivotal effect on motility and chemotaxis of spermatozoa for successful fertilization. The effect of human follicular fluid (hFF) and progesterone on attraction and motility of spermatozoa were investigated using simplified capillary assays. METHODS Capillary tubes loaded with hFF, modified human tubal fluid (m-hTF), or m-hTF supplemented with progesterone, respectively, were used for assessments of attraction and motility of spermatozoa following culture at various time intervals. RESULTS Number and motile ratio of spermatozoa in the tubes loaded with hFF were significantly (P < .05) higher than those with m-hTF. In the tubes loaded with m-hTF, m-hTF supplemented with progesterone, and hFF, the attracted number of spermatozoa were 34 x 10(5), 131 x 10(5), and 108 x 10(5), and motile ratio of spermatozoa was 37, 48, and 82%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that hFF clearly plays a crucial role in enhancing attraction and motility of spermatozoa, and progesterone has strong effect on attraction of spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin-Soo Moon
- Kaya Mother-Child's Hospital, Chinju, South Korea
| | | | - Hyo-Jong Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju, South Korea
| | - Sang-Yong Choe
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju, South Korea
| | - Gyu-Jin Rho
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Chinju, South Korea
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Briton-Jones C, Yeung QS, Tjer GC, Chiu TT, Cheung LP, Yim SF, Lok IH, Haines C. The effects of follicular fluid and platelet-activating factor on motion characteristics of poor-quality cryopreserved human sperm. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001; 18:165-70. [PMID: 11411433 PMCID: PMC3455591 DOI: 10.1023/a:1009412004356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of follicular fluid and platelet-activating factor on sperm motion characteristics of cryopreserved oligospermic and normospermic samples. METHODS Sperm motion characteristics were evaluated prior to cryopreservation, immediately after thawing and following incubation in human tubal fluid, follicular fluid, or 1-microM platelet-activating factor cultures. Sixteen oligospermic samples and 20 normospermic samples were examined. Sperm motion characteristics were analyzed manually according to WHO criteria (1999) and also with an automated videomicrography system. RESULT(S) Incubation in follicular fluid increased overall motility and the percentage of sperm with fast progressive motility in normospermic but not oligospermic samples. Incubation with platelet-activating factor increased overall motility and the percentage of sperm showing nonprogressive motility in both oligospermic and normospermic samples. CONCLUSION(S) The stimulatory effects of culture in follicular fluid as seen in normospermic samples do not show a significant benefit in oligospermic cryopreserved samples. Platelet-activating factor and follicular fluid increase motility via different mechanisms. Incubation of oligospermic cryopreserved sperm with PAF increases the number of motile sperm, thereby enabling easier identification of viable sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection in samples with severe asthenozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Briton-Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Ziskind G, Paltieli Y, Eibschitz I, Ohel G, Weichselbaum A. The effect of human fallopian tube epithelium on human sperm velocity motility and binding. J Assist Reprod Genet 2000; 17:147-50. [PMID: 10911574 PMCID: PMC3455663 DOI: 10.1023/a:1009414121489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A prospective, controlled in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effects of human fallopian tube epithelium on the motility, velocity, and binding of human spermatozoa. METHODS Eleven fallopian tubes from six women undergoing hysterectomy and semen samples from 14 male partners of women undergoing in vitro fertilization were collected. Human spermatozoa were cultured with monolayer of human fallopian tube epithelial cells. The motility and velocity were analyzed subsequently at 0, 2, 6, 24, and 48 hr of incubation. The sperm binding capacity was analyzed after 48 hr in the hemizona assay (HZA). RESULTS The presence of the human fallopian tube epithelial cells did not have any beneficial effects on sperm motility and velocity. On the other hand, significant promoting effect was observed in the ability of the sperm to bind to the zona pellucida. CONCLUSIONS The interaction of human spermatozoa with fallopian tube epithelial cells significantly increases sperm binding in the HZA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ziskind
- Bnai Zion Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Fabbri R, Porcu E, Marsella T, Primavera MR, Cecconi S, Nottola SA, Motta PM, Venturoli S, Flamigni C. Human embryo development and pregnancies in an homologous granulosa cell coculture system. J Assist Reprod Genet 2000; 17:1-12. [PMID: 10754777 PMCID: PMC3455192 DOI: 10.1023/a:1009424528177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our purpose was to determine the effects of the coculture of embryos on human granulosa cells (GCs) in patients in the first cycle of IVF-ET treatment and in patients with repeated implantation failures and to investigate the presence of specific proteins in a 48-hr GC conditioned medium and the GC ultrastructural characteristics. METHODS Eighteen patients with tubal or idiopathic infertility were enrolled in this study: 7 patients (Trial 1) were in the first cycle of IVF-ET treatment and 11 patients (Trial 2) had repeated implantation failures (one to five). Embryos from each patient were cocultured randomly either on homologous granulosa cells or on a conventional culture medium. RESULTS At the end of the coculture period (day 5 or 6), 50% of the embryos (Trial 1) reached the blastocyst stage, with respect to 35% in Trial 2. The pregnancy rate per retrieval was 14.2 and 9%, respectively, in Trial 1 and in Trial 2. Many conditioned media showed proteins of 24-29 kDa. and some of them showed additional proteins of 90 kDa. The ultrastructural analysis of GCs showed healthy, metabolically active, protein-synthesizing, and mostly steroidogenic cells. CONCLUSIONS GC cultures improve embryo development but not pregnancy rates both in Trial 1 and in Trial 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fabbri
- Infertility and IVF Centre, University of Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
A key process in human fertilization is bringing the two gametes together, so that the complex molecular events involved in sperm and egg interaction can begin. Does nature allow fertilization to occur only as a consequence of a chance collision, or is there a precontact sperm-egg communication? This review summarizes the bioassays used in testing human spermatozoa for chemotaxis, emphasizing the necessity to distinguish between chemotaxis and other accumulation-causing processes, and the results obtained. It demonstrates that human sperm chemotaxis to a follicular factor(s) does occur, at least in vitro, and that only capacitated spermatozoa are chemotactically responsive. Substances that have been proposed as attractants for human spermatozoa are reassessed. The potential role of sperm chemotaxis in vivo is discussed. Faulty precontact sperm-egg communication may be one of the causes of male infertility, female infertility, or both. On the other hand, interfering with human sperm chemotaxis may represent an exciting new approach to contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Eisenbach
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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