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Mu Y, Zhou X, Li L, Liu X, Wen X, Zhang L, Yan B, Zhang W, Dong K, Hu H, Liao Y, Ye Z, Deng A, Wang Y, Mao Z, Yang M, Xiao X. Automatic high-throughput and non-invasive selection of sperm at the biochemical level. MED 2024; 5:603-621.e7. [PMID: 38608708 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.03.008] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm selection, a key step in assisted reproductive technology (ART), has long been restrained at the preliminary physical level (morphology or motility); however, subsequent fertilization and embryogenesis are complicated biochemical processes. Such an enormous "gap" poses tough problems for couples dealing with infertility, especially patients with severe/total asthenozoospermia . METHODS We developed a biochemical-level, automatic-screening/separation, smart droplet-TO-hydrogel chip (BLASTO-chip) for sperm selection. The droplet can sense the pH change caused by sperm's respiration products and then transforms into a hydrogel to be selected out. FINDINGS The BLASTO-chip system can select biochemically active sperm with an accuracy of over 90%, and its selection efficiency can be flexibly tuned by nearly 10-fold. All the substances in the system were proven to be biosafe via evaluating mice fertilization and offspring health. Live sperm down to 1% could be enriched by over 76-fold to 76%. For clinical application to patients with severe/total asthenozoospermia, the BLASTO-chip could select live sperm from human semen samples containing 10% live but 100% immotile sperm. The rates of fertilization, cleavage, early embryos, and blastocysts were drastically elevated from 15% to 70.83%, 10% to 62.5%, 5% to 37.5%, and 0% to 16.67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The BLASTO-chip represents a real biochemical-level technology for sperm selection that is completely independent of sperm's motility. It can be a powerful tool in ART, especially for patients with severe/total asthenozoospermia. FUNDING This work was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the Ministry of Education of China, and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Hetao Cooperation Zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoqin Mu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology (FRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology and Biotech and Health Centre (SRI), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Longjie Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Xiaowen Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xu Wen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Bei Yan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Kejun Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430023, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yangwei Liao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhengxin Ye
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Aimin Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology (FRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology and Biotech and Health Centre (SRI), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zenghui Mao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Hereditary Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care Affiliated to Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology (FRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology and Biotech and Health Centre (SRI), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xianjin Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Peña FJ, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Gaitskell-Phillips GL, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Martín-Cano FE. An integrated overview on the regulation of sperm metabolism (glycolysis-Krebs cycle-oxidative phosphorylation). Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106805. [PMID: 34275685 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An overview of the sperm metabolism is presented; using the stallion as a model we review glycolysis, Krebs Cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, paying special attention to the interactions among them. In addition, metabolism implies a series of coordinated oxidation-reduction reactions and in the course of these reactions reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive oxoaldehydes are produced ; the electron transport chain (ETC) in the mitochondria is the main source of the anion superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, while glycolysis produces 2-oxoaldehydes such as methylglyoxal as byproducts; due to the adjacent carbonyl groups are strong electrophiles (steal electrons oxidizing other compounds). Sophisticated mechanisms exist to maintain redox homeostasis, because ROS under controlled production also have important regulatory functions in the spermatozoa. The interactions between metabolism and production of reactive oxygen species are essential for proper sperm function, and deregulation of these processes rapidly leads to sperm malfunction and finally death. Lastly, we briefly describe two techniques that will expand our knowledge on sperm metabolism in the coming decades, metabolic flow cytometry and the use of the "omics" technologies, proteomics and metabolomics, specifically the micro and nano proteomics/metabolomics. A better understanding of the metabolism of the spermatozoa will lead to big improvements in sperm technologies and the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
| | - José M Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Gemma L Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Maria C Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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3
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Theillet FX, Luchinat E. In-cell NMR: Why and how? PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 132-133:1-112. [PMID: 36496255 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
NMR spectroscopy has been applied to cells and tissues analysis since its beginnings, as early as 1950. We have attempted to gather here in a didactic fashion the broad diversity of data and ideas that emerged from NMR investigations on living cells. Covering a large proportion of the periodic table, NMR spectroscopy permits scrutiny of a great variety of atomic nuclei in all living organisms non-invasively. It has thus provided quantitative information on cellular atoms and their chemical environment, dynamics, or interactions. We will show that NMR studies have generated valuable knowledge on a vast array of cellular molecules and events, from water, salts, metabolites, cell walls, proteins, nucleic acids, drugs and drug targets, to pH, redox equilibria and chemical reactions. The characterization of such a multitude of objects at the atomic scale has thus shaped our mental representation of cellular life at multiple levels, together with major techniques like mass-spectrometry or microscopies. NMR studies on cells has accompanied the developments of MRI and metabolomics, and various subfields have flourished, coined with appealing names: fluxomics, foodomics, MRI and MRS (i.e. imaging and localized spectroscopy of living tissues, respectively), whole-cell NMR, on-cell ligand-based NMR, systems NMR, cellular structural biology, in-cell NMR… All these have not grown separately, but rather by reinforcing each other like a braided trunk. Hence, we try here to provide an analytical account of a large ensemble of intricately linked approaches, whose integration has been and will be key to their success. We present extensive overviews, firstly on the various types of information provided by NMR in a cellular environment (the "why", oriented towards a broad readership), and secondly on the employed NMR techniques and setups (the "how", where we discuss the past, current and future methods). Each subsection is constructed as a historical anthology, showing how the intrinsic properties of NMR spectroscopy and its developments structured the accessible knowledge on cellular phenomena. Using this systematic approach, we sought i) to make this review accessible to the broadest audience and ii) to highlight some early techniques that may find renewed interest. Finally, we present a brief discussion on what may be potential and desirable developments in the context of integrative studies in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois-Xavier Theillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Enrico Luchinat
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena, Italy; CERM - Magnetic Resonance Center, and Neurofarba Department, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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4
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Extend the Survival of Human Sperm In Vitro in Non-Freezing Conditions: Damage Mechanisms, Preservation Technologies, and Clinical Applications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182845. [PMID: 36139420 PMCID: PMC9496714 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Preservation of human spermatozoa in vitro at normothermia or hypothermia maintaining their functions and fertility for several days plays a significant role in reproductive biology and medicine. However, it is well known that human spermatozoa left in vitro deteriorate over time irreversibly as the consequence of various stresses such as the change of osmolarity, energy deficiency, and oxidative damage, leading to substantial limitations including the need for semen examinations, fertility preservation, and assisted reproductive technology. These problems may be addressed with the aid of non-freezing storage techniques. The main and most effective preservation strategies are the partial or total replacement of seminal plasma with culture medium, named as extenders, and temperature-induced metabolic restriction. Semen extenders consist of buffers, osmolytes, and antioxidants, etc. to protect spermatozoa against the above-mentioned adverse factors. Extended preservation of human spermatozoa in vitro has a negative effect on sperm parameters, whereas its effect on ART outcomes remains inconsistent. The storage duration, temperature, and pre-treatment of semen should be determined according to the aims of preservation. Advanced techniques such as nanotechnology and omics have been introduced and show great potential in the lifespan extension of human sperm. It is certain that more patients will benefit from it in the near future. This review provided an overview of the current knowledge and prospects of prolonged non-freezing storage of human sperm in vitro.
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Peña FJ, O'Flaherty C, Ortiz Rodríguez JM, Martín Cano FE, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Gil MC, Ortega Ferrusola C. The Stallion Spermatozoa: A Valuable Model to Help Understand the Interplay Between Metabolism and Redox (De)regulation in Sperm Cells. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:521-537. [PMID: 35180830 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Proper functionality of the spermatozoa depends on the tight regulation of their redox status; at the same time these cells are highly energy demanding and in the energetic metabolism, principally in the electron transport chain in the mitochondria, reactive oxygen species are continuously produced, in addition to that observed in the Krebs cycle and during the β-oxidation of fatty acids. Recent Advances: In addition, in glycolysis, elimination of phosphate groups from glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate results in the byproducts glyoxal (G) and methylglyoxal (MG); these products are 2-oxoaldehydes. The presence of adjacent carbonyl groups makes them strong electrophiles that react with nucleophiles in proteins, lipids, and DNA, forming advanced glycation end products. Critical Issues: This mechanism is behind subfertility in diabetic patients; in the animal breeding industry, commercial extenders for stallion semen contain a supraphysiological concentration of glucose that promotes MG production, constituting a potential model of interest. Future Directions: Increasing our knowledge of sperm metabolism and its interactions with redox regulation may improve current sperm technologies in use, and shall provide new clues to understanding infertility in males. Moreover, stallion spermatozoa due to its accessibility, intense metabolism, and suitability for proteomics/metabolomic studies may constitute a suitable model for studying regulation of metabolism and interactions between metabolism and redox homeostasis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 521-537.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristian O'Flaherty
- Urology Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - José M Ortiz Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E Martín Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - María C Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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6
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Amaral A. Energy metabolism in mammalian sperm motility. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1569. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Amaral
- Department of Developmental Genetics Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics Berlin Germany
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7
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Asampille G, Cheredath A, Joseph D, Adiga SK, Atreya HS. The utility of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in assisted reproduction. Open Biol 2020; 10:200092. [PMID: 33142083 PMCID: PMC7729034 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15-20% of individuals of reproductive age worldwide. Over the last 40 years, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has helped millions of childless couples. However, ART is limited by a low success rate and risk of multiple gestations. Devising methods for selecting the best gamete or embryo that increases the ART success rate and prevention of multiple gestation has become one of the key goals in ART today. Special emphasis has been placed on the development of non-invasive approaches, which do not require perturbing the embryonic cells, as the current morphology-based embryo selection approach has shortcomings in predicting the implantation potential of embryos. An observed association between embryo metabolism and viability has prompted researchers to develop metabolomics-based biomarkers. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides a non-invasive approach for the metabolic profiling of tissues, gametes and embryos, with the key advantage of having a minimal sample preparation procedure. Using NMR spectroscopy, biologically important molecules can be identified and quantified in intact cells, extracts or secretomes. This, in turn, helps to map out the active metabolic pathways in a system. The present review covers the contribution of NMR spectroscopy in assisted reproduction at various stages of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitanjali Asampille
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Aswathi Cheredath
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - David Joseph
- NMR Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Satish K. Adiga
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
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Carrageta DF, Guerra-Carvalho B, Sousa M, Barros A, Oliveira PF, Monteiro MP, Alves MG. Mitochondrial Activation and Reactive Oxygen-Species Overproduction during Sperm Capacitation are Independent of Glucose Stimuli. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9080750. [PMID: 32823893 PMCID: PMC7464989 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9080750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa capacitation is a complex process that requires specific ionic and energetic conditions to support biochemical alterations leading to motility hyperactivation. However, human sperm capacitation is still poorly understood. Herein, we studied the effects of glucose on human sperm capacitation. Healthy men seminal samples (n = 55) were submitted to a density gradient centrifugation and incubated in capacitating conditions in the absence or presence of increasing glucose concentrations (0, 5.5, 11, and 22 mM). Viability and total motility were accessed. Phosphotyrosine levels were measured. Mitochondrial activity and endogenous ROS production were evaluated. Oxidative stress-induced damage was analyzed. Culture media was collected and analyzed by 1H-NMR. Our results show that glucose is essential for human sperm capacitation and motility. Notably, we observed that mitochondrial activity increased even in the absence of glucose. This increased mitochondrial activity was followed by a ROS overproduction, although no oxidative stress-induced damage was detected. Our results show that glucose is essential for capacitation but mitochondrial activation is independent from its stimuli. ROS overproduction may take part on a finely regulated signaling pathway that modulates or even activates capacitation. Taken together, our results constitute a paradigm shift on human sperm capacitation physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F. Carrageta
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Bárbara Guerra-Carvalho
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Mário Sousa
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Alberto Barros
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Mariana P. Monteiro
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220-428-000
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Weiner HS, Crosier AE, Keefer CL. Analysis of metabolic flux in felid spermatozoa using metabolomics and 13C-based fluxomics†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:1261-1274. [PMID: 30715249 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa from three feline species-the domestic cat (Felis catus), the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)-were analyzed using metabolomic profiling and 13C-based fluxomics to address questions raised regarding their energy metabolism. Metabolic profiles and utilization of 13C-labeled energy substrates were detected and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spermatozoa were collected by electroejaculation and incubated in media supplemented with 1.0 mM [U13C]-glucose, [U13C]-fructose, or [U13C]-pyruvate. Evaluation of intracellular metabolites following GC-MS analysis revealed the uptake and utilization of labeled glucose and fructose in sperm, as indicated by the presence of heavy ions in glycolytic products lactate and pyruvate. Despite evidence of substrate utilization, neither glucose nor fructose had an effect on the sperm motility index of ejaculated spermatozoa from any of the three felid species, and limited entry of pyruvate derived from these hexose substrates into mitochondria and the tricarboxylic acid cycle was detected. However, pathway utilization was species-specific for the limited number of individuals (four to seven males per species) assessed in these studies. An inhibitor of fatty acid beta-oxidation (FAO), etomoxir, altered metabolic profiles of all three felid species but decreased motility only in the cheetah. While fluxomic analysis provided direct evidence that glucose and fructose undergo catabolic metabolism, other endogenous substrates such as endogenous lipids may provide energy to fuel motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halli S Weiner
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrienne E Crosier
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Carol L Keefer
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Calvert SJ, Reynolds S, Paley MN, Walters SJ, Pacey AA. Probing human sperm metabolism using 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:30-41. [PMID: 30395244 PMCID: PMC6314230 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can 13C-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) of selected metabolites provide useful information about human sperm metabolism and how glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation are used by different sperm populations? SUMMARY ANSWER Sperm populations, prepared by density gradient centrifugation (DGC) and incubated with either 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate, showed consistent evidence of metabolism generating principally lactate and more intermittently bicarbonate, and significantly more lactate was produced from 13Cu-glucose by vital or motile sperm recovered from the 40/80% interface compared to those from the pellet, which could not be accounted for by differences in the non-sperm cells present. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous studies have focused on CO2 or other specific metabolite production by human sperm and there remains considerable debate about whether glycolysis and/or oxidative phosphorylation is the more important pathway for ATP production in sperm. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Sperm populations were prepared by DGC and subjected to 13C-MRS to answer the following questions. (i) Is it possible to detect human sperm metabolism of 13C substrates implicated in energy generation? (ii) What are the kinetics of such reactions? (iii) Do different sperm populations (e.g. '80%' pellet sperm and '40%' interface sperm) utilise substrates in the same way? Semen samples from 97 men were used in these experiments; 52 were used in parallel for aims (i) and (ii) and 45 were used for aim (iii). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Sperm populations were prepared from ejaculates of healthy men using a Percoll/Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) DGC and then incubated with a range of 13C-labelled substrates (13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose, 13C1-pyruvate, 13C1-butyrate, 13C3-lactate, 13C2,4-D-3-hydroxybutyrate, 13C5-l-glutamate, 13C1,2-glycine or 13Cu-galactose) along with penicillin/streptomycin antibiotic at 37°C for 4 h, 24 h or over 48 h for an estimated rate constant. Sperm concentration, vitality and motility were measured and, for a subset of experiments, non-sperm cell concentration was determined. A 9.4 T magnetic resonance spectrometer was used to acquire 1D 13C, inverse gated 1H decoupled, MRS spectra. Spectrum processing was carried out using spectrometer software and Matlab scripts to determine peak integrals for each spectrum. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose and 13C1-pyruvate were consistently converted into lactate and, to a lesser extent, bicarbonate. There was a significant correlation between sperm concentration and lactate peak size for 13Cu-glucose and 13Cu-fructose, which was not observed for 13C1-pyruvate. The lactate peak did not correlate with the non-sperm cell concentration up to 6.9 × 106/ml. The concentration of 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate (1.8, 3.6, 7.2 or 14.4 mM) had no influence on the size of the observed lactate peak over a 4 h incubation. The rate of conversion of 13C1-pyruvate to lactate was approximately three times faster than for 13Cu-glucose or 13Cu-fructose which were not significantly different from each other. After incubating for 4 h, the utilisation of 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate by sperm from the '40%' interface of the DGC was no different from those from the pellet when normalised to total sperm concentration. However, after normalising by either the vital or motile sperm concentration, there was a significant increase in conversion of 13Cu-glucose to lactate by '40%' interface sperm compared to pellet sperm (Vital = 3.3 ± 0.30 × 106 vs 2.0 ± 0.21 × 106; P = 0.0049; Motile = 7.0 ± 0.75 × 106 vs 4.8 ± 0.13 × 106; P = 0.0032. Mann-Whitney test P < 0.0055 taken as statistically significant). No significant differences were observed for 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Only 13C labelled metabolites that accumulate to a sufficiently high concentration can be observed by 13C MRS. For this reason, intermediary molecules in the metabolic chain are difficult to observe without trapping the molecule at a particular step using inhibitors. Non-sperm cell concentration was typical of the general population and no link was found between these cells and the magnitude of the 13C-lactate peak. However, it is possible that higher concentrations than the maximum observed (6.9 × 106/ml) may contribute to exogenous substrate metabolism in other experiments. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS 13C-MRS can provide information on the underlying metabolism of multiple pathways in live sperm. Dysfunction in sperm metabolism, as a result of either impaired enzymes of lack of metabolisable substrate, could be detected in sperm by a non-destructive assay, potentially offering new treatment options to improve overall sperm quality and outcomes for reproduction. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the Medical Research Council Grant MR/M010473/1. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Calvert
- Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, UK
| | - S Reynolds
- Academic Unit of Radiology, Department of Immunity, Infection and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - M N Paley
- Academic Unit of Radiology, Department of Immunity, Infection and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - S J Walters
- School of Health Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, UK
| | - A A Pacey
- Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, UK
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11
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Harris T, Uppala S, Lev-Cohain N, Adler-Levy Y, Shaul D, Nardi-Schreiber A, Sapir G, Azar A, Gamliel A, Sosna J, Gomori JM, Katz-Brull R. Hyperpolarized product selective saturating-excitations for determination of changes in metabolic reaction rates in real-time. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2020; 33:e4189. [PMID: 31793111 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Investigation of hyperpolarized substrate metabolism has been showing utility in real-time determination of in-cell and in vivo enzymatic activities. Intracellular reaction rates may vary during the course of a measurement, even on the very short time scales of visibility on hyperpolarized MR, due to many factors such as the availability of the substrate and co-factors in the intracellular space. Despite this potential variation, the kinetic analysis of hyperpolarized signals typically assumes that the same rate constant (and in many cases, the same rate) applies throughout the course of the reaction as observed via the build-up and decay of the hyperpolarized signals. We demonstrate here an acquisition approach that can null the need for such an assumption and enable the detection of instantaneous changes in the rate of the reaction during an ex vivo hyperpolarized investigation, (i.e. in the course of the decay of one hyperpolarized substrate dose administered to a viable tissue sample ex vivo). This approach utilizes hyperpolarized product selective saturating-excitation pulses. Similar pulses have been previously utilized in vivo for spectroscopic imaging. However, we show here favorable consequences to kinetic rate determinations in the preparations used. We implement this acquisition strategy for studies on perfused tissue slices and develop a theory that explains why this particular approach enables the determination of changes in enzymatic rates that are monitored via the chemical conversions of hyperpolarized substrates. Real-time changes in intracellular reaction rates are demonstrated in perfused brain, liver, and xenograft breast cancer tissue slices and provide another potential differentiation parameter for tissue characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Harris
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sivaranjan Uppala
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Naama Lev-Cohain
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yael Adler-Levy
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Shaul
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Atara Nardi-Schreiber
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gal Sapir
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Assad Azar
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ayelet Gamliel
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jacob Sosna
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - J Moshe Gomori
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rachel Katz-Brull
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
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12
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Menezes EB, Velho ALC, Santos F, Dinh T, Kaya A, Topper E, Moura AA, Memili E. Uncovering sperm metabolome to discover biomarkers for bull fertility. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:714. [PMID: 31533629 PMCID: PMC6749656 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Subfertility decreases the efficiency of the cattle industry because artificial insemination employs spermatozoa from a single bull to inseminate thousands of cows. Variation in bull fertility has been demonstrated even among those animals exhibiting normal sperm numbers, motility, and morphology. Despite advances in research, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the causes of low fertility in some bulls have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the metabolic profile of bull spermatozoa using non-targeted metabolomics. Statistical analysis and bioinformatic tools were employed to evaluate the metabolic profiles high and low fertility groups. Metabolic pathways associated with the sperm metabolome were also reported. Results A total of 22 distinct metabolites were detected in spermatozoa from bulls with high fertility (HF) or low fertility (LF) phenotype. The major metabolite classes of bovine sperm were organic acids/derivatives and fatty acids/conjugates. We demonstrated that the abundance ratios of five sperm metabolites were statistically different between HF and LF groups including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), carbamate, benzoic acid, lactic acid, and palmitic acid. Metabolites with different abundances in HF and LF bulls had also VIP scores of greater than 1.5 and AUC- ROC curves of more than 80%. In addition, four metabolic pathways associated with differential metabolites namely alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, and pyruvate metabolism were also explored. Conclusions This is the first study aimed at ascertaining the metabolome of spermatozoa from bulls with different fertility phenotype using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We identified five metabolites in the two groups of sires and such molecules can be used, in the future, as key indicators of bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- E B Menezes
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - A L C Velho
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - F Santos
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - T Dinh
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - A Kaya
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - E Topper
- Alta Genetic Inc., Watertown, WI, USA
| | - A A Moura
- Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - E Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
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13
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Parameswari R, Sridharan TB. Cigarette smoking and its toxicological overview on human male fertility—a prospective review. TOXIN REV 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2019.1579229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Parameswari
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Gene Cloning and Technology Lab, VIT University, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - T. B. Sridharan
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Gene Cloning and Technology Lab, VIT University, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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14
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The Science and Translation of Lactate Shuttle Theory. Cell Metab 2018; 27:757-785. [PMID: 29617642 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 618] [Impact Index Per Article: 103.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Once thought to be a waste product of anaerobic metabolism, lactate is now known to form continuously under aerobic conditions. Shuttling between producer and consumer cells fulfills at least three purposes for lactate: (1) a major energy source, (2) the major gluconeogenic precursor, and (3) a signaling molecule. "Lactate shuttle" (LS) concepts describe the roles of lactate in delivery of oxidative and gluconeogenic substrates as well as in cell signaling. In medicine, it has long been recognized that the elevation of blood lactate correlates with illness or injury severity. However, with lactate shuttle theory in mind, some clinicians are now appreciating lactatemia as a "strain" and not a "stress" biomarker. In fact, clinical studies are utilizing lactate to treat pro-inflammatory conditions and to deliver optimal fuel for working muscles in sports medicine. The above, as well as historic and recent studies of lactate metabolism and shuttling, are discussed in the following review.
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