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Ma J, Xie Q, Zhang Y, Xiao Q, Liu X, Qiao C, Tian Y. Advances in microfluidic technology for sperm screening and in vitro fertilization. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:3717-3735. [PMID: 38189916 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
About 18% of reproductive-age adults worldwide are affected by infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are widely used assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) aimed at improving clinical outcomes. Efficient and noninvasive selection and isolation of highly motile sperm with intact DNA are essential for the success of IVF and ICSI and can potentially impact the therapeutic efficacy and the health of the offspring. Compared to traditional methods, microfluidic technology offers significant advantages such as low sample consumption, high efficiency, minimal damage, high integration, similar microenvironment, and high automation, providing a new platform for ARTs. Here, we review the current situation of microfluidic technology in the field of sperm motility screening and evaluation and IVF research. First, we focus on the working principle, structural design, and screening results of sperm selection microfluidic platforms. We then highlight how the multiple steps of the IVF process can be facilitated and integrated into a microfluidic chip, including oocyte capture, sperm collection and isolation, sperm sorting, fertilization, and embryo culture. Ultimately, we summarize how microfluidics can complement and optimize current sperm sorting and IVF protocols, and challenges and possible solutions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtong Ma
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Qianlin Xie
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Yusongjia Zhang
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Qirui Xiao
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110003, China.
| | - Chong Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, 110022, China.
| | - Ye Tian
- College of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110169, China.
- Foshan Graduate School of Innovation, Northeastern University, Foshan, 528300, China.
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Bouloorchi Tabalvandani M, Saeidpour Z, Habibi Z, Javadizadeh S, Firoozabadi SA, Badieirostami M. Microfluidics as an emerging paradigm for assisted reproductive technology: A sperm separation perspective. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:23. [PMID: 38652182 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00705-2] [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] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Millions of people are subject to infertility worldwide and one in every six people, regardless of gender, experiences infertility at some period in their life, according to the World Health Organization. Assisted reproductive technologies are defined as a set of procedures that can address the infertility issue among couples, culminating in the alleviation of the condition. However, the costly conventional procedures of assisted reproduction and the inherent vagaries of the processes involved represent a setback for its successful implementation. Microfluidics, an emerging tool for processing low-volume samples, have recently started to play a role in infertility diagnosis and treatment. Given its host of benefits, including manipulating cells at the microscale, repeatability, automation, and superior biocompatibility, microfluidics have been adopted for various procedures in assisted reproduction, ranging from sperm sorting and analysis to more advanced processes such as IVF-on-a-chip. In this review, we try to adopt a more holistic approach and cover different uses of microfluidics for a variety of applications, specifically aimed at sperm separation and analysis. We present various sperm separation microfluidic techniques, categorized as natural and non-natural methods. A few of the recent developments in on-chip fertilization are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zahra Saeidpour
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Zahra Habibi
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Saeed Javadizadeh
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Seyed Ahmadreza Firoozabadi
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran
| | - Majid Badieirostami
- MEMS Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1439957131, Iran.
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Jahangiri AR, Ziarati N, Dadkhah E, Bucak MN, Rahimizadeh P, Shahverdi A, Sadighi Gilani MA, Topraggaleh TR. Microfluidics: The future of sperm selection in assisted reproduction. Andrology 2023. [PMID: 38148634 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13578] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obtaining functional sperm cells is the first step to treat infertility. With the ever-increasing trend in male infertility, clinicians require access to effective solutions that are able to single out the most viable spermatozoa, which would max out the chance for a successful pregnancy. The new generation techniques for sperm selection involve microfluidics, which offers laminar flow and low Reynolds number within the platforms can provide unprecedented opportunities for sperm selection. Previous studies showed that microfluidic platforms can provide a novel approach to this challenge and since then researchers across the globe have attacked this problem from multiple angles. OBJECTIVE In this review, we seek to provide a much-needed bridge between the technical and medical aspects of microfluidic sperm selection. Here, we provide an up-to-date list on microfluidic sperm selection procedures and its application in assisted reproductive technology laboratories. SEARCH METHOD A literature search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to select papers reporting microfluidic sperm selection using the keywords: microfluidic sperm selection, self-motility, non-motile sperm selection, boundary following, rheotaxis, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis. Papers published before March 31, 2023 were selected. OUTCOMES Our results show that most studies have used motility-based properties for sperm selection. However, microfluidic platforms are ripe for making use of other properties such as chemotaxis and especially rheotaxis. We have identified that low throughput is one of the major hurdles to current microfluidic sperm selection chips, which can be solved via parallelization. CONCLUSION Future work needs to be performed on numerical simulation of the microfluidics chip prior to fabrication as well as relevant clinical assessment after the selection procedure. This would require a close collaboration and understanding among engineers, biologists, and medical professionals. It is interesting that in spite of two decades of microfluidics sperm selection, numerical simulation and clinical studies are lagging behind. It is expected that microfluidic sperm selection platforms will play a major role in the development of fully integrated start-to-finish assisted reproductive technology systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Reza Jahangiri
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Materials Science and Applied Mathematics, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Niloofar Ziarati
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Dadkhah
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mustafa Numan Bucak
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Pegah Rahimizadeh
- Division of Experimental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Abdolhossein Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi Gilani
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tohid Rezaei Topraggaleh
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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Navarrete-López P, Maroto M, Pericuesta E, Fernández-González R, Lombó M, Ramos-Ibeas P, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Loss of the importin Kpna2 causes infertility in male mice by disrupting the translocation of testis-specific transcription factors. iScience 2023; 26:107134. [PMID: 37456838 PMCID: PMC10338237 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Karyopherins mediate the movement between the nucleus and cytoplasm of specific proteins in diverse cellular processes. Through a loss-of-function approach, we here examine the role of Karyopherin Subunit Alpha 2 (Kpna2) in spermatogenesis. Knockout male mice exhibited reduced body size and sperm motility, increased sperm abnormalities, and led to the dysregulation of testis gene expression and ultimately to infertility. Impaired mRNA expression mainly affected clusters of genes expressed in spermatids and spermatocytes. Downregulated genes included a set of genes that participate in cell adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. We detected both the enrichment of some transcription factors that bind to regions around transcription start sites of downregulated genes and the impaired transport of specific factors to the nucleus of spermatid cells. We propose that Kpna2 is essential in the seminiferous tubules for promoting the translocation of testis-specific transcription factors that control the expression of genes related to ECM organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Maroto
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Lombó
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Khouzestani A, Hojjat Y, Tavalaee M, Sadeghian H, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Enhancing the Accuracy of Measuring DEP Force Applied on Cells by Considering the Friction Effect. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050540. [PMID: 37232901 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Dielectrophoresis (DEP) phenomenon has been widely used for cell separation in recent years. The experimental measurement of the DEP force is one of the concerns of scientists. This research presents a novel method for more accurately measuring the DEP force. The innovation of this method is considered the friction effect, which has been neglected in previous studies. For this purpose, first, the direction of the microchannel was aligned with the electrodes. As there was no DEP force in this direction, the release force of the cells caused by the fluid flow equaled the friction force between the cells and the substrate. Then, the microchannel was aligned perpendicular to the direction of the electrodes, and the release force was measured. The net DEP force was obtained by the difference between the release forces of these two alignments. In the experimental tests, the DEP force, when applied to the sperm and white blood cell (WBC), was measured. The WBC was used to validate the presented method. The experimental results showed that the forces applied by DEP to WBC and human sperm were 42 pN and 3 pN, respectively. On the other hand, with the conventional method, these figures were as high as 72 pN and 4 pN due to neglecting the friction force. The compression between the simulation results in COMSOL Multiphysics and the experiments determined the new approach to be valid and capable of use in any cell, such as sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Khouzestani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-175, Iran
| | - Yousef Hojjat
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-175, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan 8165131378, Iran
| | - Hesam Sadeghian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-175, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan 8165131378, Iran
- Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan 8158858151, Iran
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Soto-Heras S, Sakkas D, Miller DJ. Sperm selection by the oviduct: perspectives for male fertility and assisted reproductive technologies†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:538-552. [PMID: 36625382 PMCID: PMC10106845 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of sperm to embryogenesis is gaining attention with up to 50% of infertility cases being attributed to a paternal factor. The traditional methods used in assisted reproductive technologies for selecting and assessing sperm quality are mainly based on motility and viability parameters. However, other sperm characteristics, including deoxyribonucleic acid integrity, have major consequences for successful live birth. In natural reproduction, sperm navigate the male and female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize the egg. During transport, sperm encounter many obstacles that dramatically reduce the number arriving at the fertilization site. In humans, the number of sperm is reduced from tens of millions in the ejaculate to hundreds in the Fallopian tube (oviduct). Whether this sperm population has higher fertilization potential is not fully understood, but several studies in animals indicate that many defective sperm do not advance to the site of fertilization. Moreover, the oviduct plays a key role in fertility by modulating sperm transport, viability, and maturation, providing sperm that are ready to fertilize at the appropriate time. Here we present evidence of sperm selection by the oviduct with emphasis on the mechanisms of selection and the sperm characteristics selected. Considering the sperm parameters that are essential for healthy embryonic development, we discuss the use of novel in vitro sperm selection methods that mimic physiological conditions. We propose that insight gained from understanding how the oviduct selects sperm can be translated to assisted reproductive technologies to yield high fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Soto-Heras
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - David J Miller
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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Fang Y, Wu R, Lee JM, Chan LHM, Chan KYJ. Microfluidic in-vitro fertilization technologies: Transforming the future of human reproduction. Trends Analyt Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.116959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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8
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Ruiz-Díaz S, Mazzarella R, Navarrete-López P, Fernández-González R, de Frutos C, Maroto M, Cucala C, Beltrán-Breña P, Lombó M, Rizos D, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Bull spermatozoa selected by thermotaxis exhibit high DNA integrity, specific head morphometry, and improve ICSI outcome. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:11. [PMID: 36627704 PMCID: PMC9832681 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00810-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm migration by thermotaxis is a guidance mechanism that operates along the oviduct and it has proved to be a valid method for selecting spermatozoa with low DNA fragmentation (SDF) in mice, humans, and stallions. This study aimed to analyse if bull spermatozoa could be selected by thermotaxis and to assess their quality in terms of SDF as well as determine the presence of a specific sperm subpopulation based on sperm morphometry and assess their fertilizing capacity by ICSI. METHODS We used frozen-thawed sperm from 6 bulls and sperm selection by thermotaxis was performed with TALP medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L of HEPES and 5 mmol/L of caffeine. In these conditions, sperm selection was achieved, obtaining a net thermotaxis of 3.6%. Subsequently, we analysed the SDF of the migrated and not-migrated spermatozoa using the neutral COMET assay, and we evaluated the size of the sperm head using Hemacolor® staining with Motic Images Plus 3 software. Additionally, migrated and not-migrated spermatozoa by thermotaxis were used to fertilize bovine in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes by ICSI, a very inefficient procedure in cattle that is only successful when the oocyte is artificially activated. RESULTS The results showed lower SDF (χ², P < 0.001, 13.3% reduction, n = 8) and lower head size parameters (length and width, P < 0.01; and perimeter and area, P < 0.001; n = 4) in those spermatozoa migrated in comparison to those not-migrated. The distribution of sperm subpopulations structure varied between groups, highlighting cluster 2, characterized by spermatozoa with small head size, and high ellipticity and elongated heads, as the most abundant in the thermotaxis migrated group. When performed ICSI (without oocyte artificial activation) with the thermotactic sperm, the blastocyst rate was 32.2% ± 9.3% in the group microinjected with the thermotactic spermatozoa vs. 8.3% ± 7.8% in the group of not-migrated sperm (χ², P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our results showed that bull sperm selection by thermotaxis has a much higher DNA integrity, small and elongated head size parameters, and different sperm subpopulation structure than the not-selected spermatozoa. Additionally, we evidenced that thermotactic spermatozoa improve ICSI success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L, Clínica Tambre, Calle Tambre, 8, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Celia de Frutos
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Maroto
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Cucala
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Lombó
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dimitrios Rizos
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA-CSIC, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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β-Defensin 19/119 mediates sperm chemotaxis and is associated with idiopathic infertility. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100825. [PMID: 36513070 PMCID: PMC9797948 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sperm chemotaxis is required for guiding sperm toward the egg. However, the molecular identity of physiological chemoattractant and its involvement in infertility remain elusive. Here, we identify DEFB19/119 (mouse/human orthologs) as a physiological sperm chemoattractant. The epithelia of the female reproductive tract and the cumulus-oocyte complex secrete DEFB19/119 that elicits calcium mobilization via the CatSper channel and induces sperm chemotaxis in capacitated sperm. Manipulating the level of DEFB19 in mice determines the number of sperm arriving at the fertilization site. Importantly, we identify exon mutations in the DEFB119 gene in idiopathic infertile women with low level of DEFB119 in the follicular fluid. The level of DEFB119 correlates with the chemotactic potency of follicular fluid and predicts the infertile outcome with positive correlation. This study reveals the pivotal role of DEFB19/119 in sperm chemotaxis and demonstrates its potential application in the diagnosis of idiopathic infertility.
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Alves NDC, Diniz SDA, Viegas RN, Arigoni AL, Freitas MM, Lana ÂQ, Lagares MDA. Action of swim-up and caffeine on equine frozen sperm. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20220056. [PMID: 36504918 PMCID: PMC9706678 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation of equine semen is crucial to semen commercialization. However, it reduces sperm motility and longevity. Thus, sperm selection methods and addition of motility-activating substances to sperm, such as caffeine, may improve sperm quality of equine frozen semen. The objective of the current work was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on recovery and quality parameters of frozen-thawed sperm subjected to swim-up selection to be used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in assisted reproductive techniques. Stallion semen were frozen and after thawing different caffeine concentrations were added to the samples performing four treatments control (no caffeine), 3, 5, and 7.5 mM caffeine. Sperm kinematic and motility were assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Then, the four treated samples were submitted to the swim-up sperm selection, and the number of recovered sperm and morphology were evaluated at four times 20, 40, 60, and 80 min. The swim-up increased the recovery proportion of normal morphology sperm without (80.1±1%) or with caffeine addition (3mM: 81.2±1%, 5mM: 79.9±1% and 7.5 mM 78.9±1%) compared to the thawed semen (70±2%). However, the addition of 5 mM caffeine induced an increase in sperm motility (38.9±2.8 vs. 32.6±3.4%, P<0.05), and sperm recovery after swim-up (7.9x106 vs. 3.4x106 sperm/ml, P<0.05) compared to the control. The addition of 5 mM caffeine to frozen-thawed equine semen before swim-up selection improved sperm motility and increased the sperm recovery rate while not decreasing the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. Thus, caffeine addition to frozen-thawed equine semen before swim-up selection has potential clinical application in improving sperm quality for use in ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália de Castro Alves
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil,Corresponding author: ;
| | | | - Rodrigo Novaes Viegas
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Ana Luiza Arigoni
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Marina Morra Freitas
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Ângela Quintão Lana
- Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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Xiao W, Yu M, Yuan Y, Liu X, Chen Y. Thermotaxis of mammalian sperm. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6650698. [PMID: 35894944 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm are guided through the female reproductive tract. A temperature difference of about 2 °C exists between the storage site and fertilization site of the mammalian oviduct, leading to the hypothesis that sperm can sense and swim towards the oocyte along a rising temperature gradient, known as thermotaxis. Research over the past two decades has reported that sperm feature a sophisticated thermal detection system to detect and track ambient temperature gradients. More recently, thermotaxis is expected to be added to the microfluidic isolation method based on sperm tactic responses for sperm selection. In this paper, mammalian sperm thermotaxis is discussed, explaining the underlying behavioral mechanisms and molecular basis, according to the latest research. Finally, this paper explores the possible application of sperm thermotaxis in assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanglong Xiao
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Mengdi Yu
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Xingzhu Liu
- Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, P. R. China
| | - Ying Chen
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
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Oocyte Penetration Speed Optimization Based on Intracellular Strain. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13020309. [PMID: 35208433 PMCID: PMC8875814 DOI: 10.3390/mi13020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Oocyte penetration is an essential step for many biological technologies, such as animal cloning, embryo microinjection, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Although the success rate of robotic cell penetration is very high now, the development potential of oocytes after penetration has not been significantly improved compared with manual operation. In this paper, we optimized the oocyte penetration speed based on the intracellular strain. We firstly analyzed the intracellular strain at different penetration speeds and performed the penetration experiments on porcine oocytes. Secondly, we studied the cell development potential after penetration at different penetration speeds. The statistical results showed that the percentage of large intracellular strain decreased by 80% and the maximum and average intracellular strain decreased by 25–38% at the penetration speed of 50 μm/s compared to at 10 μm/s. Experiment results showed that the cleavage rates of the oocytes after penetration increased from 65.56% to 86.36%, as the penetration speed increased from 10 to 50 μm/s. Finally, we verified the gene expression of oocytes after penetration at different speeds. The experimental results showed that the totipotency and antiapoptotic genes of oocytes were significantly higher after penetration at the speed of 50 μm/s, which verified the effectiveness of the optimization method at the gene level.
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Lesani A, Ramazani Sarbandi I, Mousavi H, Kazemnejad S, Moghimi Zand M. Lower reactive oxygen species production and faster swimming speed of human sperm cells on nanodiamond spin-coated glass substrates. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2022; 110:1391-1399. [PMID: 35080336 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.35007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The sperm selection stage is what assisted reproductive technologies have in common and is crucial as it affects the success of the treatment cycle. The employment of microfluidic platforms for sperm selection has emerged showing promising results. In microfluidic platforms, sperm cells encounter micro-confined environments meanwhile having contact with channel walls and surfaces. Modification of contact surfaces using nanoparticles leads to the alteration of surface characteristics which in turn affects sperm behavior especially motility which is an indicator for sperm health. In this article, we present the results of investigating the motility parameters of sperm cells in contact with surface-modified glass substrates using nanodiamond particles. The results show that the sperm swimming velocities are significantly improved within the range of 12%-52% compared to the control surface (untreated). Reactive oxygen species production is also decreased by 14% justifying the increase in swimming speed. Taken together, bonding these modified surfaces to sperm selection microfluidic devices could enhance their efficiency and further improve their outcomes offering new solutions to patients facing infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Lesani
- Small Medical Devices, BioMEMS & LoC Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iman Ramazani Sarbandi
- Small Medical Devices, BioMEMS & LoC Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hengameh Mousavi
- Faculty of Physics, Nano Science and Technology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Somaieh Kazemnejad
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Moghimi Zand
- Small Medical Devices, BioMEMS & LoC Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Sperm Selection for ICSI: Do We Have a Winner? Cells 2021; 10:cells10123566. [PMID: 34944074 PMCID: PMC8700516 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In assisted reproductive technology (ART), the aim of sperm cells’ preparation is to select competent spermatozoa with the highest fertilization potential and in this context, the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) represents the most applied technique for fertilization. This makes the process of identifying the perfect spermatozoa extremely important. A number of methods have now been developed to mimic some of the natural selection processes that exist in the female reproductive tract. Although many studies have been conducted to identify the election technique, many doubts and disagreements still remain. In this review, we will discuss all the sperm cell selection techniques currently available for ICSI, starting from the most basic methodologies and continuing with those techniques suitable for sperm cells with reduced motility. Furthermore, different techniques that exploit some sperm membrane characteristics and the most advanced strategy for sperm selection based on microfluidics, will be examined. Finally, a new sperm selection method based on a micro swim-up directly on the ICSI dish will be analyzed. Eventually, advantages and disadvantages of each technique will be debated, trying to draw reasonable conclusions on their efficacy in order to establish the gold standard method.
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15
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Abstract
Sperm selection in the female reproductive tract (FRT) is sophisticated. Only about 1,000 sperm out of millions in an ejaculate reach the fallopian tube and thus have a chance of fertilizing an oocyte. In assisted reproduction techniques, sperm are usually selected using their density or motility, characteristics that do not reflect their fertilization competence and, therefore, might result in failure to fertilize the oocyte. Although sperm processing in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) bypasses many of the selection processes in the FRT, selection by the cumulus mass and the zona pellucida remain intact. By contrast, the direct injection of a sperm into an oocyte in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) bypasses all natural selection barriers and, therefore, increases the risk of transferring paternal defects such as fragmented DNA and genomic abnormalities in sperm to the resulting child. Research into surrogate markers of fertilization potential and into simulating the natural sperm selection processes has progressed. However, methods of sperm isolation - such as hyaluronic acid-based selection and microfluidic isolation based on sperm tactic responses - use only one or two parameters and are not comparable with the multistep sperm selection processes naturally occurring within the FRT. Fertilization-competent sperm require a panel of molecules, including zona pellucida-binding proteins and ion channel proteins, that enable them to progress through the FRT to achieve fertilization. The optimal artificial sperm selection method will, therefore, probably need to use a multiparameter tool that incorporates the molecular signature of sperm with high fertilization potential, and their responses to external cues, within a microfluidic system that can replicate the physiological processes of the FRT in vitro.
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16
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Bibancos M, Vaz RM, Mega PF, Borges E, Ribeiro M, Buttros D, Matheus WE, Cosci I, Foresta C, Garolla A. Sperm Selection for micro TESE-ICSI in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia, a Case Report. JBRA Assist Reprod 2021; 25:653-656. [PMID: 34415134 PMCID: PMC8489812 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20210012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
TESE-ICSI (testicular sperm extraction associated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection) represents a technique to attain pregnancy in couples with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and other unlikely situations. Because of the poor pregnancy outcomes obtained by this procedure, we need new sperm selection techniques to improve the livebirth rate of NOA patients. Here we describe a successful micro TESE-ICSI cycle performed with sperm selected through high magnification and polarized light microscopy in a couple with two previous ICSI failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Bibancos
- Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, Brazil.,Fivmed Laboratory for Human Reproduction, Campinas, Brazil.,Fertility Medical Group, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Davi Buttros
- Fivmed Laboratory for Human Reproduction, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Ilaria Cosci
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine & Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine & Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Garolla
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine & Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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17
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Alves LQ, Ruivo R, Valente R, Fonseca MM, Machado AM, Plön S, Monteiro N, García-Parraga D, Ruiz-Díaz S, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Castro LFC. A drastic shift in the energetic landscape of toothed whale sperm cells. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3648-3655.e9. [PMID: 34171300 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa are a notable example of metabolic compartmentalization.1 Energy in the form of ATP production, vital for motility, capacitation, and fertilization, is subcellularly separated in sperm cells. While glycolysis provides a local, rapid, and low-yielding input of ATP along the flagellum fibrous sheath, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), far more efficient over a longer time frame, is concentrated in the midpiece mitochondria.2 The relative weight of glycolysis and OXPHOS pathways in sperm function is variable among species and sensitive to oxygen and substrate availability.3-5 Besides partitioning energy production, sperm cell energetics display an additional singularity: the occurrence of sperm-specific gene duplicates and alternative spliced variants, with conserved function but structurally bound to the flagellar fibrous sheath.6,7 The wider selective forces driving the compartmentalization and adaptability of this energy system in mammalian species remain largely unknown, much like the impact of ecosystem resource availability (e.g., carbohydrates, fatty acids, and proteins) and dietary adaptations in reproductive physiology traits.8 Here, we investigated the Cetacea, an iconic group of fully aquatic and carnivorous marine mammals, evolutionarily related to extant terrestrial herbivores.9 In this lineage, episodes of profound trait remodeling have been accompanied by clear genomic signatures.10-14 We show that toothed whales exhibit impaired sperm glycolysis, due to gene and exon erosion, and demonstrate that dolphin spermatozoa motility depends on endogenous fatty acid β-oxidation, but not carbohydrates. Such unique energetic rewiring substantiates the observation of large mitochondria in toothed whale spermatozoa and emphasizes the radical physiological reorganization imposed by the transition to a carbohydrate-depleted marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Q Alves
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Raul Valente
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (U. Porto), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Fonseca
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - André M Machado
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (U. Porto), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Stephanie Plön
- Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
| | - Nuno Monteiro
- FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (U. Porto), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIBIO - Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - David García-Parraga
- Veterinary Services, L'Oceanográfic, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Junta de Murs i Vals, s/n, 46013 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L., Clínica Tambre, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria J Sánchez-Calabuig
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (U. Porto), Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
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18
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Simchi M, Riordon J, You JB, Wang Y, Xiao S, Lagunov A, Hannam T, Jarvi K, Nosrati R, Sinton D. Selection of high-quality sperm with thousands of parallel channels. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2464-2475. [PMID: 33982043 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01182g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sperm selection is essential for successful fertilization and embryo development. Current clinical sperm selection methods are labor-intensive and lack the selectivity required to isolate high-quality sperm. Microfluidic sperm selection approaches have shown promise but present a trade-off between the quality and quantity of selected sperm - clinicians demand both. The structure of the female reproductive tract helps to isolate a sufficient quantity of high-quality sperm for fertilization with densely folded epithelium that provides a multitude of longitudinally oriented pathways that guide sperm toward the fertilization site. Here, a three-dimensionally structured sperm selection device is presented that levers this highly parallelized in vivo mechanism for in vitro sperm selection. The device is inserted in a test tube atop 1 mL of raw semen and provides 6500 channels that isolate ∼100 000 high-DNA-integrity sperm for assisted reproduction. In side-by-side clinical testing, the developed approach outperforms the best current clinical methods by improving the DNA integrity of the selected sperm subpopulation up to 95%. Also, the device streamlines clinical workflow, reducing the time required for sperm preparation 3-fold. This single-tube, single-step sperm preparation approach promises to improve both the economics and outcomes of assisted reproduction practices, especially in cases with significant male-factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Simchi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
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19
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Abstract
Sperm selection is a clinical need for guided fertilization in men with low-quality semen. In this regard, microfluidics can provide an enabling platform for the precise manipulation and separation of high-quality sperm cells through applying various stimuli, including chemical agents, mechanical forces, and thermal gradients. In addition, microfluidic platforms can help to guide sperms and oocytes for controlled in vitro fertilization or sperm sorting using both passive and active methods. Herein, we present a detailed review of the use of various microfluidic methods for sorting and categorizing sperms for different applications. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are further discussed and future perspectives in the field are given.
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20
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Crean AJ, Immler S. Evolutionary consequences of environmental effects on gamete performance. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200122. [PMID: 33866815 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Variation in pre- and post-release gamete environments can influence evolutionary processes by altering fertilization outcomes and offspring traits. It is now widely accepted that offspring inherit epigenetic information from both their mothers and fathers. Genetic and epigenetic alterations to eggs and sperm-acquired post-release may also persist post-fertilization with consequences for offspring developmental success and later-life fitness. In externally fertilizing species, gametes are directly exposed to anthropogenically induced environmental impacts including pollution, ocean acidification and climate change. When fertilization occurs within the female reproductive tract, although gametes are at least partially protected from external environmental variation, the selective environment is likely to vary among females. In both scenarios, gamete traits and selection on gametes can be influenced by environmental conditions such as temperature and pollution as well as intrinsic factors such as male and female reproductive fluids, which may be altered by changes in male and female health and physiology. Here, we highlight some of the pathways through which changes in gamete environments can affect fertilization dynamics, gamete interactions and ultimately offspring fitness. We hope that by drawing attention to this important yet often overlooked source of variation, we will inspire future research into the evolutionary implications of anthropogenic interference of gamete environments including the use of assisted reproductive technologies. This article is part of the theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela J Crean
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Simone Immler
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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21
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Ali MA, Wang Y, Qin Z, Yuan X, Zhang Y, Zeng C. Odorant and Taste Receptors in Sperm Chemotaxis and Cryopreservation: Roles and Implications in Sperm Capacitation, Motility and Fertility. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040488. [PMID: 33801624 PMCID: PMC8065900 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm chemotaxis, which guide sperm toward oocyte, is tightly associated with sperm capacitation, motility, and fertility. However, the molecular mechanism of sperm chemotaxis is not known. Reproductive odorant and taste receptors, belong to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) super-family, cause an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration which is pre-requisite for sperm capacitation and acrosomal reaction, and result in sperm hyperpolarization and increase motility through activation of Ca2+-dependent Cl¯ channels. Recently, odorant receptors (ORs) in olfactory transduction pathway were thought to be associated with post-thaw sperm motility, freeze tolerance or freezability and cryo-capacitation-like change during cryopreservation. Investigation of the roles of odorant and taste receptors (TRs) is important for our understanding of the freeze tolerance or freezability mechanism and improve the motility and fertility of post-thaw sperm. Here, we reviewed the roles, mode of action, impact of odorant and taste receptors on sperm chemotaxis and post-thaw sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Ahsan Ali
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Theriogenology, Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore 54000, Punjab, Pakistan;
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Yihan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ziyue Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xiang Yuan
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Changjun Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology and Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan, China; (Y.W.); (Z.Q.); (X.Y.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-28-86291010
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22
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Yan Y, Zhang B, Fu Q, Wu J, Liu R. A fully integrated biomimetic microfluidic device for evaluation of sperm response to thermotaxis and chemotaxis. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:310-318. [PMID: 33444427 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00845a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, humans have faced greater challenges in reproduction. Assisted reproductive technology is the most prominent approach for addressing this problem. Current clinical screening methods simply consider the motility or morphology of the sperm. However, as the spermatozoa need to navigate over a long distance in the female reproductive tract and survive the natural screening processes therein, these methods are imperfect. Many approaches have been undertaken to study the chemotaxis and thermotaxis navigation behavior of spermatozoa, but few of these have involved integrated screening that considers motility, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis based on the biological environment of the human body. Current routine sperm evaluation techniques are inadequate and fail to simultaneously provide conclusive evidence for the thermotactic and chemotactic characteristics of sperm. Thus, such screening of functional spermatozoa will be an advancement in assisted reproduction. In this study, we developed a fully integrated biomimetic microfluidic system for screening sperm for their characteristics when exposed to temperature and chemical gradients. Based on our results, we showed that spermatozoa were attracted by temperature and chemical gradients in the physiological range. Moreover, we ascertained a suitable temperature gradient range for thermotaxis and statistically proved that the thermotactic and chemotactic responses are not linked. Here, we report the first quantitative study of functional sperm during thermotaxis and chemotaxis, and our analysis of the difference in motility caused by different conditions. More broadly, we foresee the clinical application of these biologically motivated parameters and characteristics in assisted reproduction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimo Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China.
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23
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Giojalas LC, Guidobaldi HA. Getting to and away from the egg, an interplay between several sperm transport mechanisms and a complex oviduct physiology. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110954. [PMID: 32738445 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the architecture and physiology of the oviduct are very complex, and one long-lasting intriguing question is how spermatozoa are transported from the sperm reservoir in the isthmus to the oocyte surface. In recent decades, several studies have improved knowledge of the factors affecting oviduct fluid movement and sperm transport. They report sperm-guiding mechanisms that move the spermatozoa towards (rheotaxis, thermotaxis, and chemotaxis) or away from the egg surface (chemorepulsion), but only a few provide evidence of their occurrence in vivo. This gives rise to several questions: how and when do the sperm transport mechanisms operate inside such an active oviduct? why are there so many sperm guidance processes? is one dominant over the others, or do they cooperate to optimise the success of fertilisation? Assuming that sperm guidance evolved alongside oviduct physiology, in this review we propose a theoretical model that integrates oviduct complexity in space and time with the sperm-orienting mechanisms. In addition, since all of the sperm-guidance processes recruit spermatozoa in a better physiological condition than those not selected, they could potentially be incorporated into assisted reproductive technology (ART) to improve fertility treatment and/or to develop innovative contraceptive methods. All these issues are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cecilia Giojalas
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular (FCEFyN- UNC), and Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET - UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Héctor Alejandro Guidobaldi
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular (FCEFyN- UNC), and Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET - UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
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24
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Oseguera-López I, Pérez-Cerezales S, Ortiz-Sánchez PB, Mondragon-Payne O, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Jiménez-Morales I, Fierro R, González-Márquez H. Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS) Alters Protein Phosphorylation, Increase ROS Levels and DNA Fragmentation during In Vitro Capacitation of Boar Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101934. [PMID: 33096732 PMCID: PMC7588980 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101934] [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: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Perfluorinated compounds are synthetic chemicals, with a wide variety of applications like firefighting foams, food packaging, additives in paper and fabrics to avoid dyes. Perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorohexane sulfonate are globally distributed, and contaminates air, water, food, and dust, have toxic effects and bioaccumulate. Significant levels of these compounds have found in blood serum, breast milk, and semen of occupationally exposed and unexposed people, as well as in blood serum and organs of the domestic, farm, and wild animals. The present study seeks to analyze the toxic effects and possible alterations caused by the presence of these compounds in boar sperm during the in vitro capacitation, due to their toxicity, worldwide distribution, and lack of information in spermatozoa physiology during pre-fertilization processes. Abstract Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) are toxic and bioaccumulative, included in the Stockholm Convention’s list as persistent organic pollutants. Due to their toxicity, worldwide distribution, and lack of information in spermatozoa physiology during pre-fertilization processes, the present study seeks to analyze the toxic effects and possible alterations caused by the presence of these compounds in boar sperm during the in vitro capacitation. The spermatozoa capacitation was performed in supplemented TALP-Hepes media and mean lethal concentration values of 460.55 μM for PFOS, and 1930.60 μM for PFHxS were obtained. Results by chlortetracycline staining showed that intracellular Ca2+ patterns bound to membrane proteins were scarcely affected by PFOS. The spontaneous acrosome reaction determined by FITC-PNA was significantly reduced by PFOS and slightly increased by PFHxS. Both toxic compounds significantly alter the normal capacitation process from 30 min of exposure. An increase in ROS production was observed by flow cytometry and considerable DNA fragmentation by the comet assay. The immunocytochemistry showed a decrease of tyrosine phosphorylation in proteins of the equatorial and acrosomal zone of the spermatozoa head. In conclusion, PFOS and PFHxS have toxic effects on the sperm, causing mortality and altering vital parameters for proper sperm capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Oseguera-López
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 09340, Mexico; (I.O.-L.); (P.B.O.-S.)
| | - Serafín Pérez-Cerezales
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-C.); (R.S.-S.)
| | - Paola Berenice Ortiz-Sánchez
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 09340, Mexico; (I.O.-L.); (P.B.O.-S.)
| | - Oscar Mondragon-Payne
- Maestría en Biología Experimental, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 09340, Mexico;
| | - Raúl Sánchez-Sánchez
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-C.); (R.S.-S.)
| | - Irma Jiménez-Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City 09340, Mexico; (I.J.-M.); (R.F.)
| | - Reyna Fierro
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City 09340, Mexico; (I.J.-M.); (R.F.)
| | - Humberto González-Márquez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City 09340, Mexico; (I.J.-M.); (R.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-55-5804-6557
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25
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Abstract
Sperm competition was defined by Geoff Parker 50 years ago as the competition between sperm from two or more males over the fertilization of a set of eggs. Since the publication of his seminal paper, sperm competition has developed into a large field of research, and many aspects are still being discovered. One of the relatively poorly understood aspects is the importance of selection and competition among sperm within the ejaculate of a male. The sheer number of sperm present in a male's ejaculate suggests that the competition among sibling sperm produced by the same male may be intense. In this review, we summarize Parker's theoretical models generating predictions about the evolution of sperm traits under the control of the haploid gamete as opposed to the diploid male. We review the existing evidence of within-ejaculate competition from a wide range of fields and taxa. We also discuss the conceptual and practical hurdles we have been facing to study within-ejaculate sperm competition, and how novel technologies may help in addressing some of the currently open questions. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Fifty years of sperm competition’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Sutter
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Simone Immler
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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26
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Henning HHW, Batz-Schott J, Grünther B, Le Thi X, Waberski D. Fluorescent labelling of boar spermatozoa for quantitative studies on competitive sperm-oviduct binding. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1520-1532. [PMID: 31072452 DOI: 10.1071/rd19081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Invitro sperm-oviduct binding assays enable assessment of the capacity of spermatozoa to form a 'reservoir' in the oviduct. Competitive approaches, such as experimental set-ups that test multiple males or semen samples simultaneously on the same tissue explants, are desirable because they reduce the likelihood of bias when using material from different females. Therefore, we established a fluorescent labelling technique that allows tagging and storage of spermatozoa before competitive studies of sperm-oviduct binding invitro. Fluorescent markers were tested for reliability and compatibility with parameters of boar spermatozoa viability. The addition of seminal plasma after density gradient centrifugation was essential to counteract centrifugation stress during the labelling procedure. It was demonstrated that sperm tagged with MitoTracker Green FM or MitoTracker Red FM can be successfully used in competitive sperm-oviduct binding studies. The assay was sensitive enough to indicate subtle effects of semen storage temperature on the ability of the spermatozoa to contribute to the female sperm reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko H W Henning
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany; and Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584CM Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Julia Batz-Schott
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Benita Grünther
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Xuyen Le Thi
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dagmar Waberski
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany; and Corresponding author.
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Majhi RK, Kumar A, Giri SC, Goswami C. Differential expression and localization of TRPV channels in the mature sperm of Anas platyrhynchos. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:1619-1628. [PMID: 32920930 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cells perform precise chemotactic and thermotactic movement which is crucial for fertilization. However, the key molecules involved in detection of different chemical and physical stimuli which guide the sperm during navigation are not well understood. Ca2+ -signalling mediated by ion channels seem to play important role in motility and other fertility parameters. In this work, we explored the endogenous localization pattern of TRPV channels in the mature spermatozoa of avian species. Using sperm from white pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos) as the representative avian model, we demonstrate that duck sperm endogenously express the thermosensitive channels TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, and highly Ca2+ -selective channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 in specific yet differential locations. All of these TRPV channels are enriched in the sperm tail, indicating their relevance in sperm motility. Interestingly, the TRPV3 and TRPV4 channels are present in the mitochondrial region. Calcium selective TRPV5 channel is exclusively present in sperm tail and is most abundant among the TRPV channels. This is the first report describing the endogenous presence of TRPV2 and TRPV3 channels in the sperm of any species. Using confocal imaging and super-resolution imaging, we demonstrate that though the TRPV channels are evolutionarily closely related, they have distinct localization pattern in the duck sperm, which could impact their role in fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar Majhi
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Sunil C Giri
- Central Avian Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Chandan Goswami
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, India
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28
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Peris-Frau P, Álvarez-Rodríguez M, Martín-Maestro A, Iniesta-Cuerda M, Sánchez-Ajofrín I, Medina-Chávez DA, Garde JJ, Villar M, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Soler AJ. Unravelling how in vitro capacitation alters ram sperm chromatin before and after cryopreservation. Andrology 2020; 9:414-425. [PMID: 32888251 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm chromatin structure provides valuable information for the prediction of male fertility and can be altered during different procedures. Previous studies have shown that sperm chromatin condensation decreased during in vitro capacitation. Moreover, cryopreservation can affect sperm DNA integrity and chromatin compaction. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate dynamic modifications produced in the chromatin structure of ram spermatozoa during in vitro capacitation before and after cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chromatin decondensation (AB+), DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) were evaluated in fresh and frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under capacitating (CAP) conditions at 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes and under non-capacitating (NC) conditions at 0, 15 and 240 minutes. RESULTS Incubation in NC conditions did not induce significant changes in chromatin condensation (P > .05; AB + and HDS). However, incubation of fresh and cryopreserved ram spermatozoa under CAP conditions significantly increased chromatin decondensation (P < .05), reaching the highest percentage of AB + and HDS from 180 to 240 minutes in fresh samples and from 5 to 30 minutes in cryopreserved samples. Both variables (HDS and AB+) were positively correlated with tyrosine phosphorylation, total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement, as well as between them under CAP conditions in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. DNA methylation significantly increased in cryopreserved spermatozoa (P < .05), but only after extended incubation under CAP conditions (60-240 minutes), while the %DFI, albeit higher in cryopreserved samples, remained constant under CAP and NC conditions in both types of sample (P > .05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that sperm chromatin condensation decreased progressively during in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa, while sperm DNA integrity remained intact. Such changes in chromatin condensation appeared faster after sperm cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Peris-Frau
- SaBio IREC (CSIC - UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, Albacete, Spain.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), BHK/Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), BHK/Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Margarita Villar
- SaBio IREC (CSIC - UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, Albacete, Spain.,Biochemistry Section, Faculty of Science, Chemical Technologies, and Regional Centre for Biomedical Research (CRIB), Albacete, Spain
| | - Heriberto Rodríguez-Martínez
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), BHK/Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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29
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Ruiz-Díaz S, Oseguera-López I, De La Cuesta-Díaz D, García-López B, Serres C, Sanchez-Calabuig MJ, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Perez-Cerezales S. The Presence of D-Penicillamine during the In Vitro Capacitation of Stallion Spermatozoa Prolongs Hyperactive-Like Motility and Allows for Sperm Selection by Thermotaxis. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091467. [PMID: 32825582 PMCID: PMC7552178 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091467] [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: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in the horse still yield suboptimal results in terms of pregnancy rates. One of the reasons for this is the lack of optimal conditions for the sperm capacitation in vitro. This study assesses the use of synthetic human tubal fluid (HTF) supplemented with D-penicillamine (HTF + PEN) for the in vitro capacitation of frozen/thawed stallion spermatozoa by examining capacitation-related events over 180 min of incubation. Besides these events, we explored the in vitro capacity of the spermatozoa to migrate by thermotaxis and give rise to a population of high-quality spermatozoa. We found that HTF induced higher levels of hyperactive-like motility and protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PTP) compared to the use of a medium commonly used in this species (Whitten's). Also, HTF + PEN was able to maintain this hyperactive-like motility, otherwise lost in the absence of PEN, for 180 min, and also allowed for sperm selection by thermotaxis in vitro. Remarkably, the selected fraction was enriched in spermatozoa showing PTP along the whole flagellum and lower levels of DNA fragmentation when compared to the unselected fraction (38% ± 11% vs 4.4% ± 1.1% and 4.2% ± 0.4% vs 11% ± 2% respectively, t-test p < 0.003, n = 6). This procedure of in vitro capacitation of frozen/thawed stallion spermatozoa in HTF + PEN followed by in vitro sperm selection by thermotaxis represents a promising sperm preparation strategy for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (D.D.L.C.-D.); (B.G.-L.); (S.P.-C.)
- Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L., Clínica Tambre, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivan Oseguera-López
- Unidad Iztapalapa, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 09340, Mexico;
| | - David De La Cuesta-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (D.D.L.C.-D.); (B.G.-L.); (S.P.-C.)
| | - Belén García-López
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (D.D.L.C.-D.); (B.G.-L.); (S.P.-C.)
| | - Consuelo Serres
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.S.); (M.J.S.-C.)
| | - Maria José Sanchez-Calabuig
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.S.); (M.J.S.-C.)
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (D.D.L.C.-D.); (B.G.-L.); (S.P.-C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Serafin Perez-Cerezales
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (D.D.L.C.-D.); (B.G.-L.); (S.P.-C.)
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30
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Pedrosa ML, Furtado MH, Ferreira MCF, Carneiro MM. Sperm selection in IVF: the long and winding road from bench to bedside. JBRA Assist Reprod 2020; 24:332-339. [PMID: 32155013 PMCID: PMC7365522 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20190081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa wage battle to conquer fertilization but the traits needed to succeed remain elusive. The natural advantageous qualities that enable only a few selected sperm cells to reach the site of fertilization remain unknown. Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) facilitates the job of spermatozoa, a universally acceptable means of sperm selection is yet to be developed. No objective or reliable sperm quality indicators have been established and sperm selection is, to a great extent, based on subjective qualitative evaluation. The best method for sperm selection in IVF presents several challenges: intrinsic sperm qualities cannot be evaluated and the ideal endpoint for these studies is debatable. An ideal method for sperm selection in ART should be noninvasive and cost-effective, and allow the identification of high-quality spermatozoa and yield better outcomes in terms of pregnancy and live birth rates. This narrative review included 85 papers and focused on the new available methods and technologies that might shed some light on sperm selection in IVF. It discusses the available data on microfluidic devices, omics profiling, micronuclei studies, sperm plasma membrane markers, and other techniques, such as Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS), Raman micro-spectroscopy, and artificial intelligence systems. The new techniques herein reviewed offer fresh approaches to an old problem, for which a definite solution has yet to cross the bridge from bench to IVF clinics around the world, since clinical usefulness and application remain unproven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisa Lucia Pedrosa
- Centro de Reprodução Humana Hospital MATER DEI, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia e Obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Márcia Cristina França Ferreira
- Centro de Reprodução Humana Hospital MATER DEI, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia e Obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcia Mendonça Carneiro
- Centro de Reprodução Humana Hospital MATER DEI, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia e Obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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31
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Hunter RHF, López-Gatius F. Temperature gradients in the mammalian ovary and genital tract: A clinical perspective. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 252:382-386. [PMID: 32682213 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Temperature within mammalian reproductive tissues is noted to be a key component of fertility, and significant gradients in temperature can be demonstrated deep within the abdomen shortly before ovulation. Indeed, in the absence of such gradients in the ovary and genital tract, the processes of ovulation and fertilisation are severely compromised. This review aims to assess literature produced during the last five decades regarding temperature gradients in the mammalian ovary and genital tract. A large body of observations derived from rabbits, women, pigs and cattle is summarised in tabular form, ovarian follicular values being as much as 2.5 °C or more cooler than neighbouring ovarian tissues or deep rectal temperature. We highlight recent works demonstrating a positive correlation between pre-ovulatory follicular cooling and pregnancy. Understanding the significance of follicular cooling should help us (a) explain why so many potential pregnancies fail in vivo as in vitro and (b) inspire ways for improving the processes of fertilisation and establishment of a full-term pregnancy. Based on our findings in domestic animals, and most recently in cows whose Graafian follicles are comparable in size and timing of response to the LH peak with human follicles, we wish to encourage IVF and fertility preservation clinics to take advantage of this work. By so doing, the incidence of full-term pregnancies in women should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald H F Hunter
- Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge, UK; Ladfield, Oxnam, Jedburgh, UK
| | - Fernando López-Gatius
- Agrotecnio Center Lleida, Spain; Transfer in Bovine Reproduction SLu, Barbastro, Spain.
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32
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Gómez-Redondo I, Ramos-Ibeas P, Pericuesta E, Fernández-González R, Laguna-Barraza R, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Minor Splicing Factors Zrsr1 and Zrsr2 Are Essential for Early Embryo Development and 2-Cell-Like Conversion. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4115. [PMID: 32527007 PMCID: PMC7312986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Minor splicing plays an important role in vertebrate development. Zrsr1 and Zrsr2 paralog genes have essential roles in alternative splicing, mainly participating in the recognition of minor (U12) introns. To further explore their roles during early embryo development, we produced Zrsr1mu and Zrsr2mu mutant mice, containing truncating mutations within the second zinc finger domain. Both homozygous mutant mice were viable with a normal lifespan. When we crossed a homozygous Zrsr2mu/mu female with Zrsr1mu/mu male, the double heterozygotes were non-viable, giving rise to embryos that stopped developing mainly between the 2- and 4-cell stages, just after zygotic gene activation. RNA-seq analysis of Zrsr1/2mu 2-cell embryos showed altered gene and isoform expression of thousands of genes enriched in gene ontology terms and biological pathways related to ribosome, RNA transport, spliceosome, and essential zygotic gene activation steps. Alternative splicing was analyzed, showing a significant increase in intron retention in both U2 and U12 intron-containing genes related to cell cycle and mitotic nuclear division. Remarkably, both Zrsr1 and Zrsr2 were required for the conversion of mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells into 2C-like cells. According to our results, Zrsr1 or Zrsr2 are necessary for ZGA and both are indispensable for the conversion of induced pluripotent stem cells into 2C-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Avda. Puerta de Hierro n° 12. Local 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (I.G.-R.); (P.R.-I.); (E.P.); (R.F.-G.); (R.L.-B.)
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33
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Nguyen HV, Faivre V. Targeted drug delivery therapies inspired by natural taxes. J Control Release 2020; 322:439-456. [PMID: 32259545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A taxis is the movement responding to a stimulus of an organism. This behavior helps organisms to migrate, to find food or to avoid dangers. By mimicking and using natural taxes, many bio-inspired and bio-hybrid drug delivery systems have been synthesized. Under the guidance of physical and chemical stimuli, drug-loaded carriers are led to a target, for example tumors, then locally release the drug, inducing a therapeutic effect without influencing other parts of the body. On the other hand, for moving targets, for example metastasis cancer cells or bacteria, taking advantage of their taxes behavior is a solution to capture and to eliminate them. For instance, several traps and ecological niches have been fabricated to attract cancer cells by releasing chemokines. Cancer cells are then eliminated by drug loaded inside the trap, by radiotherapy focusing on the trap location or by simply removing the trap. Further research is needed to deeply understand the taxis behavior of organisms, which is essential to ameliorate the performance of taxes-inspired drug delivery application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung V Nguyen
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris Sud, 5 rue JB Clément, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Vincent Faivre
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris Sud, 5 rue JB Clément, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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34
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Roy D, Levi K, Kiss V, Nevo R, Eisenbach M. Rhodopsin and melanopsin coexist in mammalian sperm cells and activate different signaling pathways for thermotaxis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:112. [PMID: 31924821 PMCID: PMC6954197 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56846-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, various opsin types, known to be involved in vision, were demonstrated to be present in human and mouse sperm cells and to be involved there in thermosensing for thermotaxis. In vision, each opsin type is restricted to specific cells. The situation in this respect in sperm cells is not known. It is also not known whether or not both signaling pathways, found to function in sperm thermotaxis, are each activated by specific opsins, as in vision. Here we addressed these questions. Choosing rhodopsin and melanopsin as test cases and employing immunocytochemical analysis with antibodies against these opsins, we found that the majority of sperm cells were stained by both antibodies, indicating that most of the cells contained both opsins. By employing mutant mouse sperm cells that do not express melanopsin combined with specific signaling inhibitors, we furthermore demonstrated that rhodopsin and melanopsin each activates a different pathway. Thus, in mammalian sperm thermotaxis, as in vision, rhodopsin and melanopsin each triggers a different signaling pathway but, unlike in vision, both opsin types coexist in the same sperm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarun Roy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kohava Levi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vladimir Kiss
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reinat Nevo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michael Eisenbach
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.
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35
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Oseguera-López I, Ruiz-Díaz S, Ramos-Ibeas P, Pérez-Cerezales S. Novel Techniques of Sperm Selection for Improving IVF and ICSI Outcomes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:298. [PMID: 31850340 PMCID: PMC6896825 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost 50% of the infertility cases are due to male factors. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) allow to overcome the incapacity of these patients' spermatozoa to fertilize the oocyte and produce a viable and healthy offspring, but the efficiency of the different techniques has still the potential to improve. According to the latest reports of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC), the percentages of deliveries per ART cycle in 2014 and 2016 were 21 and 22%, respectively. Among the reasons for this relatively low efficiency, the quality of the spermatozoa has been pointed out as critical, and the presence of high percentages of DNA-damaged spermatozoa in patients' ejaculates is possibly one of the main factors reducing the ARTs outcomes. Thus, one of the main challenges in reproductive medicine is to ensure the highest quality of the spermatozoa used in ARTs, and specifically, in terms of genetic integrity. The latest techniques for the preparation and selection of human spermatozoa are herein discussed focusing on those proven to improve one or several of the following parameters: sperm genetic integrity, fertilization capacity, embryo production, and in vitro survival, as well as pregnancy and delivery rates following in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In addition, we discuss the potential of techniques developed in non-human mammals that could be further transferred to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L., Clínica Tambre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Priscila Ramos-Ibeas
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Serafín Pérez-Cerezales
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
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36
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Navarrete FA, Aguila L, Martin-Hidalgo D, Tourzani DA, Luque GM, Ardestani G, Garcia-Vazquez FA, Levin LR, Buck J, Darszon A, Buffone MG, Mager J, Fissore RA, Salicioni AM, Gervasi MG, Visconti PE. Transient Sperm Starvation Improves the Outcome of Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:262. [PMID: 31750304 PMCID: PMC6848031 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
To become fertile, mammalian sperm must undergo a series of biochemical and physiological changes known as capacitation. These changes involve crosstalk between metabolic and signaling pathways and can be recapitulated in vitro. In this work, sperm were incubated in the absence of exogenous nutrients (starved) until they were no longer able to move. Once immotile, energy substrates were added back to the media and sperm motility was rescued. Following rescue, a significantly higher percentage of starved sperm attained hyperactivated motility and displayed increased ability to fertilize in vitro when compared with sperm persistently incubated in standard capacitation media. Remarkably, the effects of this treatment continue beyond fertilization as starved and rescued sperm promoted higher rates of embryo development, and once transferred to pseudo-pregnant females, blastocysts derived from treated sperm produced significantly more pups. In addition, the starvation and rescue protocol increased fertilization and embryo development rates in sperm from a severely sub-fertile mouse model, and when combined with temporal increase in Ca2+ ion levels, this methodology significantly improved fertilization and embryo development rates in sperm of sterile CatSper1 KO mice model. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) does not work in the agriculturally relevant bovine system. Here, we show that transient nutrient starvation of bovine sperm significantly enhanced ICSI success in this species. These data reveal that the conditions under which sperm are treated impact post-fertilization development and suggest that this “starvation and rescue method” can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in other mammalian species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Navarrete
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Luis Aguila
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - David Martin-Hidalgo
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States.,Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction, Institute of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Livestock (INBIO G + C), University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Guillermina M Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Goli Ardestani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Francisco A Garcia-Vazquez
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary School, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Lonny R Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Rafael A Fissore
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Ana M Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - María G Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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Nordhoff V, Kliesch S. Das eine unter vielen – Spermienqualität und Möglichkeiten der Selektion. GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-019-00274-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Yalcinkaya Kalyan E, Can Celik S, Okan O, Akdeniz G, Karabulut S, Caliskan E. Does a microfluidic chip for sperm sorting have a positive add-on effect on laboratory and clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles? A sibling oocyte study. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13403. [PMID: 31434165 DOI: 10.1111/and.13403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The most recent technologies for sperm sorting involve microfluidics. However, the most important question whether their use is of any advantage in terms of laboratory and clinical IVF/ICSI outcomes still remains controversy. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a microfluidic sperm sorting device (Fertile Plus® ) has a positive add-on effect on laboratory and clinical outcomes. Sibling oocytes of 81 patients were assigned to two sperm sorting groups including swim up and Fertile Plus® . All embryos were cultured until day 5/6. Fertilisation, embryo quality and blastocyst development were assessed as primary outcomes among 81 patients; clinical pregnancy, implantation and live birth rates were analysed as secondary outcomes as a subgroup analysis due to transfer cancellations. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of all outcomes analysed in laboratory and clinical terms (p > .05 for all). The results of this study suggest that sorting spermatozoa through Fertile chip does not improve laboratory outcomes significantly and does not seem to have a positive contribution to clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seren Can Celik
- Okan University Hospital Assisted Reproduction Unit, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Okan
- Adatip Hospital Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Gulden Akdeniz
- Adatip Hospital Assisted Reproduction Unit, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Seda Karabulut
- International School of Medicine, Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER), Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eray Caliskan
- Okan University Hospital Assisted Reproduction Unit, Istanbul, Turkey
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Katigbak RD, Turchini GM, de Graaf SP, Kong L, Dumée LF. Review on Sperm Sorting Technologies and Sperm Properties toward New Separation Methods via the Interface of Biochemistry and Material Science. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1900079. [PMID: 32648656 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Successful fertilization in mammals requires spermatozoa to efficiently traverse the female reproductive tract to meet the egg. This process naturally selects high quality sperm cells for fertilization, but when artificial reproductive technologies are used such as in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or intrauterine insemination, other methods of sperm selection are required. Currently, technology enables sperm sorting based on motility, maturity as defined by zeta potential or hyaluronic acid binding site expression, absence of apoptotic factors, appropriate morphology, and even sex. This review summarizes current knowledge on all known methods of sperm cell sorting, compares their efficiency, and discusses the advantages and limitations of each technique. Scope for further refinement and improvement of current methods are discussed as is the potential to utilize a variety of materials to innovate new methods of sperm separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto D Katigbak
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Waurn Ponds 3216, Victoria, Australia
| | - Giovanni M Turchini
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Burwood, 3125, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 2006, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Waurn Ponds 3216, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ludovic F Dumée
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Waurn Ponds 3216, Victoria, Australia
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Alavioon G, Cabrera Garcia A, LeChatelier M, Maklakov AA, Immler S. Selection for longer lived sperm within ejaculate reduces reproductive ageing in offspring. Evol Lett 2019; 3:198-206. [PMID: 31289692 PMCID: PMC6591544 DOI: 10.1002/evl3.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Males produce numerous sperm in a single ejaculate that greatly outnumber their potential egg targets. Recent studies found that phenotypic and genotypic variation among sperm in a single ejaculate of a male affects the fitness and performance of the resulting offspring. Specifically, within-ejaculate sperm selection for sperm longevity increased the performance of the resulting offspring in several key life-history traits in early life. Because increased early-life reproductive performance often correlates with rapid ageing, it is possible that within-ejaculate sperm selection increases early-life fitness at the cost of accelerated senescence. Alternatively, within-ejaculate sperm selection could improve offspring quality throughout the life cycle, including reduced age-specific deterioration. We tested the two alternative hypotheses in an experimental setup using zebrafish Danio rerio. We found that within-ejaculate sperm selection for sperm longevity reduced age-specific deterioration of fecundity and offspring survival but had no effect on fertilization success in males. Remarkably, we found an opposing effect of within-ejaculate sperm selection on female fecundity, where selection for sperm longevity resulted in increased early-life performance followed by a slow decline, while females sired by unselected sperm started low but increased their fecundity with age. Intriguingly, within-ejaculate sperm selection also reduced the age-specific decline in fertilization success in females, suggesting that selection for sperm longevity improves at least some aspects of female reproductive ageing. These results demonstrate that within-ejaculate variation in sperm phenotype contributes to individual variation in animal life histories in the two sexes and may have important implications for assisted fertilization programs in livestock and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazal Alavioon
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18D 75 236 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Andrea Cabrera Garcia
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18D 75 236 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Magali LeChatelier
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18D 75 236 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Alexei A Maklakov
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18D 75 236 Uppsala Sweden.,School of Biological Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ United Kingdom
| | - Simone Immler
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18D 75 236 Uppsala Sweden.,School of Biological Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park Norwich NR4 7TJ United Kingdom
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Ramos-Ibeas P, Heras S, Gómez-Redondo I, Planells B, Fernández-González R, Pericuesta E, Laguna-Barraza R, Pérez-Cerezales S, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Embryo responses to stress induced by assisted reproductive technologies. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1292-1306. [PMID: 30719806 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has led to the birth of millions of babies. In cattle, thousands of embryos are produced annually. However, since the introduction and widespread use of ART, negative effects on embryos and offspring are starting to emerge. Knowledge so far, mostly provided by animal models, indicates that suboptimal conditions during ART can affect embryo viability and quality, and may induce embryonic stress responses. These stress responses take the form of severe gene expression alterations or modifications in critical epigenetic marks established during early developmental stages that can persist after birth. Unfortunately, while developmental plasticity allows the embryo to survive these stressful conditions, such insult may lead to adult health problems and to long-term effects on offspring that could be transmitted to subsequent generations. In this review, we describe how in mice, livestock, and humans, besides affecting the development of the embryo itself, ART stressors may also have significant repercussions on offspring health and physiology. Finally, we argue the case that better control of stressors during ART will help improve embryo quality and offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Ramos-Ibeas
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Heras
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Gómez-Redondo
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Benjamín Planells
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Fernández-González
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Pericuesta
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Laguna-Barraza
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Serafín Pérez-Cerezales
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain
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Umezu K, Yajima R, Hiradate Y, Yanai R, Numabe T, Hara K, Oikawa T, Tanemura K. Improvement in blastocyst quality by neurotensin signaling via its receptors in bovine spermatozoa during in vitro fertilization. J Reprod Dev 2019; 65:147-153. [PMID: 30662011 PMCID: PMC6473113 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2018-147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we reported that neurotensin (NT), which is expressed in the uterus and oviduct, enhanced bovine sperm capacitation and acrosome reactions. As NT mRNA expression in bovine
oviducts increases dramatically in the follicular phase, we hypothesized that NT modulates fertilization and subsequent conception in cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
effect of NT on embryo development and blastocyst quality. The rate of embryo cleavage was significantly increased by the addition of NT to the fertilization medium. Furthermore, the total
number of cells and numbers of cells in the inner cell mass of blastocysts were significantly increased by NT during in vitro fertilization (IVF). These results suggested
that NT enhanced the efficiency of early bovine embryo development and blastocyst quality. The expression of NT receptors (NTRs) in sperm, testes, oocytes, and cumulus cells was evaluated to
determine whether NT acted via NTRs in sperm alone or in both male and female reproductive cells during IVF. Immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed
that NTR1 and NTR2 were expressed in sperm and testes, but not in oocytes and cumulus cells. We propose that NT selectively acts upon sperm via NTR1 and NTR2 during IVF to improve the
cleavage rate and quality of blastocysts, which are important determinants of sperm quality for successful conception. This research supports our hypothesis that NT acts as a key modulator
of fertilization and conception in cattle. Further studies are necessary to apply our findings to the industrial framework of bovine reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Umezu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
| | - Risa Yajima
- Miyagi Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Miyagi 989-6445, Japan
| | - Yuuki Hiradate
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
| | - Rin Yanai
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
| | - Takashi Numabe
- Miyagi Agricultural Development Corporation, Miyagi 981-0914, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Hara
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
| | - Toshinori Oikawa
- Miyagi Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Miyagi 989-6445, Japan
| | - Kentaro Tanemura
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Development, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi 980-0845, Japan
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Alquézar-Baeta C, Gimeno-Martos S, Miguel-Jiménez S, Santolaria P, Yániz J, Palacín I, Casao A, Cebrián-Pérez JÁ, Muiño-Blanco T, Pérez-Pé R. OpenCASA: A new open-source and scalable tool for sperm quality analysis. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006691. [PMID: 30657753 PMCID: PMC6355034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems have proved their utility and potential for assessing sperm quality, improving the prediction of the fertility potential of a seminal dose. Although most laboratories and scientific centers use commercial systems, in the recent years certain free and open-source alternatives have emerged that can reduce the costs that research groups have to face. However, these open-source alternatives cannot analyze sperm kinetic responses to different stimuli, such as chemotaxis, thermotaxis or rheotaxis. In addition, the programs released to date have not usually been designed to encourage the scalability and the continuity of software development. We have developed an open-source CASA software, called OpenCASA, which allows users to study three classical sperm quality parameters: motility, morphometry and membrane integrity (viability) and offers the possibility of analyzing the guided movement response of spermatozoa to different stimuli (useful for chemotaxis, thermotaxis or rheotaxis studies) or different motile cells such as bacteria, using a single software. This software has been released in a Version Control System at Github. This platform will allow researchers not only to download the software but also to be involved in and contribute to further developments. Additionally, a Google group has been created to allow the research community to interact and discuss OpenCASA. For validation of the OpenCASA software, we analysed different simulated sperm populations (for chemotaxis module) and evaluated 36 ejaculates obtained from 12 fertile rams using other sperm analysis systems (for motility, membrane integrity and morphology modules). The results were compared with those obtained by Open-CASA using the Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman tests, obtaining a high level of correlation in all parameters and a good agreement between the different used methods and the OpenCASA. With this work, we propose an open-source project oriented to the development of a new software application for sperm quality analysis. This proposed software will use a minimally centralized infrastructure to allow the continued development of its modules by the research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alquézar-Baeta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Gimeno-Martos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Miguel-Jiménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Santolaria
- TECNOGAM Research Group, Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Jesús Yániz
- TECNOGAM Research Group, Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Palacín
- TECNOGAM Research Group, Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
| | - Adriana Casao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Álvaro Cebrián-Pérez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Teresa Muiño-Blanco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosaura Pérez-Pé
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology-Institute of Research in Environmental Sciences of Aragon (IUCA), Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J, Sugrue E, Martínez-Fresneda L, Newport D, Fair S. Hyperactivated stallion spermatozoa fail to exhibit a rheotaxis-like behaviour, unlike other species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16897. [PMID: 30442996 PMCID: PMC6237856 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34973-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The journey of spermatozoa through the female genital tract is facilitated by rheotaxis, or the cell's preference to swim against a flow, as well as thigmotaxis, the wall tracking behaviour, which guides them to the site of fertilisation. The aim of this study was to characterise the rheotactic and thigmotactic response of stallion sperm within a microfluidic channel. Stallion sperm rheotaxis was assessed within the microfluidic channel with regard to: (i) A range of flow velocities, (ii) Varying media viscosity and (iii) Sperm hyperactivation. Sperm distribution across the microfluidic channel was also studied and compared to human and ram sperm. Stallion sperm progressed furthest at a velocity range of 10-30 µm/s, with an optimum velocity of 20 µm/s. A flow viscosity of 2.5cP or greater reduced sperm rheotaxis (P < 0.05). Stallion sperm that were hyperactivated were unable to exhibit rheotaxis within the microfluidic channel, whereas, both hyperactivated human and ram sperm did exhibit positive rheotaxis under the same conditions. The number of sperm swimming near the microfluidic channel walls was higher than in the microfluidic channel centre (P < 0.05). This is the first study to illustrate that stallion sperm are rheotactically responsive and increasing viscosity reduces this response. We also demonstrated that sperm are predominantly inclined to swim along a surface and uniquely, hyperactivated stallion sperm are non-progressive and do not exhibit a rheotactic response unlike other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Romero-Aguirregomezcorta
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Emer Sugrue
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Lucía Martínez-Fresneda
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - David Newport
- Bernal Institute, School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
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Ko YJ, Maeng JH, Hwang SY, Ahn Y. Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Microfluidic Device for Thermotaxis and Chemotaxis Assays of Sperm. SLAS Technol 2018; 23:507-515. [PMID: 29949396 DOI: 10.1177/2472630318783948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Infertile couples needing assisted reproduction are increasing, so a fundamental understanding of motile sperm migration is required. This paper presents an advanced microfluidic device for sperm motion analysis utilizing chemotaxis and thermotaxis simultaneously for the first time. The proposed device is a transparent polydimethylsiloxane- and glass-based microfluidic chip system providing a low-cost, useful, and disposable platform for sperm analysis. The concentration gradient of the chemoattractant (acetylcholine) and the temperature difference are formed along the microchannel. The temperature gradient is generated and controlled by a microheater and microsensor. Thermotactic and chemotactic responses of mouse sperm were examined using the proposed device. Experimental results show that motile mouse sperm are attracted more sensitively under integrated conditions of chemotaxis and thermotaxis rather than individual conditions of chemotaxis and thermotaxis. This sperm analysis device is expected to be a useful tool for the study of mammalian sperm migration and the improvement of artificial insemination techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jun Ko
- 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Ho Maeng
- 2 Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Yong Hwang
- 2 Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoomin Ahn
- 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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