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Desantis S, Lacalandra GM, Batista M, Amann O, Antonelli D, Monaco D. Seminal plasma Alters surface Glycoprofile of dromedary camel cryopreserved epididymal spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2021; 167:77-84. [PMID: 33774369 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The high viscosity of Camelidae semen continues to present a major impediment for its application in assisted reproduction technology. The exposure of epididymal spermatozoa (ES) to seminal plasma (SP) may provide an approach to enhance the development of assisted reproductive techniques in these important domestic species. Since the sperm glycocalyx plays a key role in reproduction we aimed to evaluate whether SP exposure modifies the surface glycosylation patterns of cryopreserved dromedary ES. Epididymal sperm was collected through retrograde flushing of the cauda epididymidis that were obtained from orchidectomized mature dromedary bulls. The collected samples were then cryopreserved after dilution with a tris citrate clarified egg yolk extender, with and without the supplementation of 15% SP. Post-thaw carbohydrate surface profiles of both control and SP-treated spermatozoa were analyzed using 15 fluorescent lectins. Morpho-functional properties were also investigated via computer assisted sperm analysis. Lectin-binding analysis of the glycocalyx in control sperm revealed the presence of (1) N-glycans terminating with lactosamine (Con A, PHA-L, and RCA120), in both acrosomal and tail regions. Whilst (2) α2,3-/α2,6-linked sialic acids (MALII, SNA), and O-linked glycans terminating with a single N-acetylgalactosamine residue (Tn antigen) (HPA, SBA) along with galactoseβ1,3N-acetylgalactosamine (T antigen) (PNA) were observed in the acrosomal cap. The expression of both N-acetylglucosamine (sWGA and GSA II) and terminalαgalactose (GSA I-B4) residues was also noted in the acrosomal cap region of control sperm. Compared with controls, SP treated samples displayed: 1) the appearance of bisected di-triantennary complex-type N-glycans (PHA-E), terminating with lactosamine, as well as an increase of O-glycans terminating with Tn and T antigens in both the acrosomal and tail regions; 2) an increase in glycans containing α2,6-linked sialic acid, N-acetylglucosamine, and αgalactose in the tail region. The cytoplasmic droplets of both control and seminal plasma-treated sperm bound Con A, PHA-E, PHA-L, RCA120, HPA, PNA, sWGA, GSA I-B4, and GSA II. These results indicate that SP treatment affects the glycan composition of the dromedary camel ES glycocalyx. More comprehensive studies are required in order to evaluate the fertilization capacity of SP-treated ES in order to facilitate its application in dromedary camel assisted reproduction technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Desantis
- Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplants (D.E.T.O), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | | | - Miguel Batista
- Reproduction Clinic, University Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Las Palmas Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain
| | - Olga Amann
- Museo Del Campo Majorero, Oasis Park, Fuerteventura, Spain
| | | | - Davide Monaco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (Di.Me.V.), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
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Batra V, Dagar K, Nayak S, Kumaresan A, Kumar R, Datta TK. A Higher Abundance of O-Linked Glycans Confers a Selective Advantage to High Fertile Buffalo Spermatozoa for Immune-Evasion From Neutrophils. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1928. [PMID: 32983120 PMCID: PMC7483552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The glycans on the plasma membrane of cells manifest as the glycocalyx, which serves as an information-rich frontier that is directly in contact with its immediate milieu. The glycoconjugates (GCs) that adorn most of the mammalian cells are also abundant in gametes, especially the spermatozoa where they perform unique reproduction-specific functions e.g., inter-cellular recognition and communication. This study aimed to implicate the sperm glycosylation pattern as one of the factors responsible for low conception rates observed in buffalo bulls. We hypothesized that a differential abundance of glycans exists on the spermatozoa from bulls of contrasting fertilizing abilities endowing them with differential immune evasion abilities. Therefore, we investigated the role of glycan abundance in the phagocytosis and NETosis rates exhibited by female neutrophils (PMNs) upon exposure to such spermatozoa. Our results indicated that the spermatozoa from high fertile (HF) bulls possessed a higher abundance of O-linked glycans e.g., galactosyl (β-1,3)N-acetylgalactosamine and N-linked glycans like [GlcNAc]1-3, N-acetylglucosamine than the low fertile (LF) bull spermatozoa. This differential glycomic endowment appeared to affect the spermiophagy and NETosis rates exhibited by the female neutrophil cells (PMNs). The mean percentage of phagocytizing PMNs was significantly different (P < 0.0001) for HF and LF bulls, 28.44 and 59.59%, respectively. Furthermore, any introduced perturbations in the inherent sperm glycan arrangements promoted phagocytosis by PMNs. For example, after in vitro capacitation the mean phagocytosis rate (MPR) rate in spermatozoa from HF bulls significantly increased to 66.49% (P < 0.01). Likewise, the MPR increased to 70.63% (p < 0.01) after O-glycosidase & α2-3,6,8,9 Neuraminidase A treatment of spermatozoa from HF bulls. Moreover, the percentage of PMNs forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was significantly higher, 41.47% when exposed to spermatozoa from LF bulls vis-à-vis the spermatozoa from HF bulls, 15.46% (P < 0.0001). This is a pioneer report specifically demonstrating the role of O-linked glycans in the immune responses mounted against spermatozoa. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted to provide the measures to diagnose the sub-fertile phenotype thus preventing the losses incurred by incorrect selection of morphologically normal sperm in the AI/IVF reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Komal Dagar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Samiksha Nayak
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenelogy Laboratory, SRS of National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Tirtha K Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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Rateb SA, Monaco D, El-Bahrawy KA, Khalifa MA, Abd El-Hamid IS, Kamel AM, Accogli G, Lacalandra GM, Desantis S. Ramifications of protease-based liquefaction of camel semen on physical, kinematic and surface glyco-pattern of cryopreserved spermatozoa. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 208:106121. [PMID: 31405482 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106121] [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: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The efficiency of incorporating different proteases in the diluent for reducing camel semen viscosity, and subsequent ramifications on morpho-functional and glycan surface properties of cryopreserved spermatozoa were investigated. Ejaculates (n = 48) were collected from three adult camels, Camelus dromedarius, during the breeding season (January - March). A portion of each raw ejaculate was evaluated for sperm physical and morphological traits, whereas the other portion was divided into three aliquots assigned for the following liquefaction treatments: control (untreated), 0.1 mg/mL papain or 5 U/mL bromelain. All samples were diluted with Tris-lactose diluent containing the anti-enzyme E-64 to neutralize both proteases before being processed for cryopreservation. Post-thaw physical and kinematic properties of spermatozoa were analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. The sperm surface glycocalyx pattern was evaluated with a panel of 14 fluorescent lectins. Although bromelain was more effective in elimination of semen viscosity, there was a negative correlation between bromelain supplementation and values for the variables: normal sperm, intact acrosome and intact sperm cell membrane. Bromelain supplementation, compared to papain-treated and control samples, was positively correlated with secondary sperm abnormalities, increased straight-line velocity (VSL, μm/s) and straightness (%) of spermatozoa. Results from the glycan analysis indicated that both proteases did not affect the N-linked glycan content of the entire sperm surface, whereas the treatment with proteases induced little change in N-acetylgalactosamine and fucose terminating glycans in the tail region of the sperm. Functional studies are needed to evaluate the sperm fertility rates of bromelain- and papain-treated semen for application in camel assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Rateb
- Lab. Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Mariout Research Station, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt.
| | - D Monaco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (Di.Me.V.), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Bari, Italy
| | - K A El-Bahrawy
- Lab. Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Mariout Research Station, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt
| | - M A Khalifa
- Lab. Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Mariout Research Station, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt
| | - I S Abd El-Hamid
- Lab. Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Mariout Research Station, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt
| | - A M Kamel
- Lab. Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Mariout Research Station, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt
| | - G Accogli
- Veterinary Clinic and Animal Productions Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Trasplantation (DETO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, St.prov. per Casamassima Km. 3, 70010 Valenzano (Ba), Italy
| | - G M Lacalandra
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (Di.Me.V.), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Bari, Italy
| | - S Desantis
- Veterinary Clinic and Animal Productions Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Trasplantation (DETO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, St.prov. per Casamassima Km. 3, 70010 Valenzano (Ba), Italy
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Gasparrini B. Effects of reproductive season on embryo development in the buffalo. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:68-81. [PMID: 32188543 DOI: 10.1071/rd18315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Interest in buffalo farming is increasing worldwide due to the critical role played by buffaloes as sources of animal protein in tropical and subtropical environments. However, reproductive seasonality negatively affects the profitability of buffalo farming. Buffaloes tend to be short-day breeders, with seasonality patterns increasing with greater distances from the Equator. Although ovarian cyclic activity may occur throughout the year, seasonal anoestrus and cycles in calving and milk production are recorded. When buffaloes are forced to mate during the unfavourable season, to meet market demand, they may undergo a higher incidence of embryo mortality. This review addresses the effects of the reproductive season on embryo development in the buffalo, analysing the different factors involved in determining embryo mortality during the unfavourable season, such as impaired luteal function, oocyte competence and sperm quality. The review then focuses on strategies to control the photoperiod-dependent annual fluctuations in conception and embryo mortality in the female buffalo.
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Fernandez-Fuertes B, Blanco-Fernandez A, Reid CJ, Meade KG, Fair S, Lonergan P. Removal of sialic acid from bull sperm decreases motility and mucus penetration ability but increases zona pellucida binding and polyspermic penetration in vitro. Reproduction 2018; 155:481-492. [PMID: 29618635 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that sperm sialic acid (Sia) is required to reach the site of fertilization, and that successful fertilization requires recognition of Sia from both the sperm and oocyte to occur. In addition, it has recently been reported that Siglecs (Sia-binding-immunoglobulin-like lectins) are present on the sperm surface. Thus, the possibility that the recognition of oocyte Sia was sperm-Siglec-mediated was also addressed. Sperm exposed to neuraminidase (NMase) exhibited lower overall and progressive motility, which translated to a decreased ability to swim through cervical mucus from cows in oestrus. In addition, when either sperm or cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were treated with NMase, a decrease in cleavage and blastocyst rate was observed. However, incubation of sperm with increasing concentrations of anti-Siglec-2, -5, -6 and -10 antibodies prior to fertilization had no effect on their fertilizing ability. Interestingly, treatment with NMase increased the number of sperm bound to the ZP but also the rate of polyspermic fertilization. Flow cytometry analysis revealed no differences in the percentage of capacitated or acrosome-reacted sperm. These results suggest that Sia are required to reach the site of fertilization but need to be removed for sperm-oocyte interaction. However, fine regulation is needed to avoid abnormal fertilization which can lead to impaired embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fernandez-Fuertes
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Blanco-Fernandez
- Flow Cytometry Core FacilitiesUCD-Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C J Reid
- School of Veterinary MedicineVeterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K G Meade
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation CentreTeagasc, Grange, County Meath, Ireland
| | - S Fair
- Department of Biological SciencesLaboratory of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - P Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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