The effects of diminazene aceturate and ceftriaxone on ram sperm

The research progress on the impact of antibiotics on the male reproductive system

Antibiotics are extensively utilized in the livestock and poultry industry and can accumulate in animals and the environment, leading to potential health risks for humans via food and water consumption. Research on antibiotic toxicity, particularly their impact as endocrine disruptors on the male reproductive system, is still in its nascent stages. This review highlights the toxic effect of antibiotics on the male reproductive system, detailing the common routes of exposure and the detrimental impact and mechanisms of various antibiotic classes. Additionally, it discusses the protective role of food-derived active substances against the reproductive toxicity induced by antibiotics. This review aims to raise awareness about the reproductive toxicity of antibiotics in males and to outline the challenges that must be addressed in future research.

Acetylproteomic analysis reveals functional implications of lysine acetylation in human spermatozoa (sperm)

Male infertility is a medical condition that has been on the rise globally. Lysine acetylation of human sperm, an essential posttranslational modification involved in the etiology of sperm abnormality, is not fully understood. Therefore, we first generated a qualified pan-anti-acetyllysine monoclonal antibody to characterize the global lysine acetylation of uncapacitated normal human sperm with a proteomics approach. With high enrichment ratios that were up to 31%, 973 lysine-acetylated sites that matched to 456 human sperm proteins, including 671 novel lysine acetylation sites and 205 novel lysine-acetylated proteins, were identified. These proteins exhibited conserved motifs XXXKYXXX, XXXKFXXX, and XXXKHXXX, were annotated to function in multiple metabolic processes, and were localized predominantly in the mitochondrion and cytoplasmic fractions. Between the uncapacitated and capacitated sperm, different acetylation profiles in regard to functional proteins involved in sperm capacitation, sperm-egg recognition, sperm-egg plasma fusion, and fertilization were observed, indicating that acetylation of functional proteins may be required during sperm capacitation. Bioinformatics analysis revealed association of acetylated proteins with diseases and drugs. Novel acetylation of voltage-dependent anion channel proteins was also found. With clinical sperm samples, we observed differed lysine acetyltransferases and lysine deacetylases expression between normal sperm and abnormal sperm of asthenospermia or necrospermia. Furthermore, with sperm samples impaired by epigallocatechin gallate to mimic asthenospermia, we observed that inhibition of sperm motility was partly through the blockade of voltage-dependent anion channel 2 Lys-74 acetylation combined with reduced ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, we obtained a qualified pan-anti-acetyllysine monoclonal antibody, analyzed the acetylproteome of uncapacitated human sperm, and revealed associations between functional protein acetylation and sperm functions.

Inhibition of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity: a new therapeutic concept in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Changes in polyamine-modulated factor 1 (PMF-1) promoter methylation might favor the expression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SSAT-1), causing excessive consumption of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of SSAT-1 activity inhibition, either alone or in combination with SAM.

METHODS

Synovial fibroblasts were isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). PMF-1 promoter methylation was determined by pyrosequencing. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against SSAT-1 were transfected weekly in RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). In addition, synovial fibroblasts were treated with diminazene aceturate (DA), an inhibitor of SSAT-1. SSAT-1, 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC), adenosyl methionine decarboxylase (AMD), PMF-1, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT-1), CXCL12, β1 integrin, and CD44 levels were measured by flow cytometry. Putrescine levels were determined by colorimetry. Levels of matrix metalloproteinases were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell adhesion was tested. The SCID mouse model of RA was used to monitor the invasiveness of RASFs.

RESULTS

RASFs showed elevated SSAT-1, AMD, and PMF-1 levels. However, PMF-1 promoter methylation was unchanged. Transfection of siRNA targeting SSAT-1 increased 5-MeC levels within 21 days. Similarly, DA increased 5-MeC levels in RASFs. In addition, DA increased the levels of DNMT-1, decreased the levels of AMD, putrescine, activation markers, and MMP-1, and altered the adhesion of RASFs. DA was more efficient in RASFs with higher levels of SSAT-1. Most interestingly, the combination of DA and SAM reduced the invasiveness of RASFs by 70%.

CONCLUSION

The use of DA alone or in combination with SAM/L-methionine might introduce a new therapeutic concept in RA. This is the first therapy that would directly target RASFs and thereby inhibit ongoing joint destruction.

Influence of gastrointestinal trichostrongylidosis on ram fertility

A study on the influence of gastrointestinal trichostrongyles on ram fertility was performed. Two groups of semen donor rams (Sarda breed) were utilized; one was experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Teladorsagia circumcincta and the other was used as a control group. In all animals, coprological, haematological and reproductive parameters were studied. The results suggest that the parasites had a limited effect with some changes in phosphorus, cholesterol and chlorine levels. In our experience the parasitic burden produced no significant change on ram fertility.

Short term effects of dexamethasone on hyaluronidase activity and sperm characteristics in rams

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dexamethasone on sperm characteristics and hyaluronidase activity of serum and semen. In this investigation, 14 healthy Akkaraman rams, at the age of 2 years and weighing between 50-60 kg, were used. The rams were randomly divided into two groups. After the last administration of dexamethasone intramuscularly at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg, semen and blood samples were taken at different times. The results showed that the serum hyaluronidase activity was increased significantly (p<0.001) in the treatment group when compared with the control group except for the 1st hour. There was a significant difference (p<0.001, 0.01, 0.05) in the hyaluronidase activity of semen between the treatment group and the control group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference (p<0.01) in sperm concentration between both groups at all the times except the 96th hour. There were statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in semen volume between the treatment and control groups. There were also significant differences (p<0.05) in sperm motility between the treatment and control groups except for the 72 and 96th hours. These findings indicate that dexamethasone increases hyaluronidase activity of serum and semen, but it decreases sperm concentration, semen volume and sperm motility in rams. Therefore the use of these drugs in breeding rams during breeding season is not suitable.