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Hallam J, Burton P, Sanders K. Poor Sperm Chromatin Condensation Is Associated with Cryopreservation-Induced DNA Fragmentation and Cell Death in Human Spermatozoa. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4156. [PMID: 39064196 PMCID: PMC11277714 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Semen cryopreservation is routinely performed in fertility clinics for a variety of reasons, including fertility preservation and storage of donor sperm, yet the freeze-thaw process leads to cellular damage via ice crystal formation, osmotic shock, and supraphysiological levels of oxidative stress. Sperm resistance to damage during the freeze-thaw process varies widely, yet the intrinsic factors associated with sperm cryotolerance are largely unknown. The study aimed to investigate whether poor chromatin condensation renders sperm vulnerable to DNA fragmentation and cell death induced by the freeze-thaw process. Methods: Participants (n = 51) from the general community who met the inclusion criteria collected a semen sample after 3-8 days of abstinence. Neat semen samples underwent traditional semen analysis, aniline blue (AB)-eosin staining for chromatin condensation, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay for DNA fragmentation, and the Annexin V assay for apoptosis/necrosis, prior to being cryopreserved using the liquid nitrogen vapour method and stored at -196 °C. Stored samples were later thawed at room temperature and processed using density gradient centrifugation. Motile sperm concentration, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis/necrosis were analysed in post-thaw samples. Results: As indicated by a significant interaction effect in linear mixed models, an increased proportion of AB-positive sperm in the pre-freeze sample exacerbated the adverse effect of freezing on sperm DNA fragmentation (p = 0.004), late apoptosis (p = 0.007), and necrosis (p = 0.007). AB-staining was positively correlated with all three parameters in the post-thaw sample (all rs ≥ 0.424, all p < 0.01) and remained significant after adjusting for neat sperm concentration (all partial rs ≥ 0.493, all p < 0.01). Similarly, AB-staining was significantly correlated with the percentage point change in sperm DNA fragmentation (rs = 0.366, p = 0.014) and necrosis (rs = 0.403, p = 0.009), both of which remained significant after adjusting for neat sperm concentration (both partial rs ≥ 0.404, both p < 0.01), and borderline significantly correlated with percentage point change in late apoptosis (rs = 0.307, p = 0.051). Conclusions: Sperm with poorly condensed chromatin may be more susceptible to cellular damage during the freeze-thaw process, independent of pre-freeze sperm concentration. These findings may help to explain the intrinsic variation in sperm resistance to cryodamage within and between individuals that is poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Hallam
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Peter Burton
- Concept Fertility Centre, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia;
| | - Katherine Sanders
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
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Mogielnicka-Brzozowska M, Cichowska AW. Molecular Biomarkers of Canine Reproductive Functions. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:6139-6168. [PMID: 38921038 PMCID: PMC11202846 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the current study is to review potential molecular biomarker substances selected so far as useful for assessing the quality of dog semen. Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and ions can serve as molecular biomarkers of reproductive functions (BRFs) for evaluating male reproductive health and identifying potential risk factors for infertility or reproductive disorders. Evaluation of BRF levels in semen samples or reproductive tissues may provide insights into the underlying causes of infertility, such as impaired sperm function, abnormal sperm-egg interaction, or dysfunction of the male reproductive tract. Molecular biomarker proteins may be divided into two groups: proteins that are well-studied, such as A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs), albumins (ALBs), alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), clusterin (CLU), canine prostate-specific esterase (CPSE), cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2), lactotransferrin (LTF), metalloproteinases (MMPs), and osteopontin (OPN) and proteins that are not well-studied. Non-protein markers include lipid-based substances (fatty acids, phosphatidylcholine), carbohydrates (glycosaminoglycans), and ions (zinc, calcium). Assessing the levels of BRFs in semen samples may provide valuable information for breeding management and reproductive assessments in dogs. This review systematizes current knowledge that could serve as a starting point for developing practical tests with the use of biomarkers of canine reproductive functions and their predictive value for assisted reproductive technique outcomes and semen preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Mogielnicka-Brzozowska
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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Suo J, Wang J, Zheng Y, Xiao F, Li R, Huang F, Niu P, Zhu W, Du X, He J, Gao Q, Khan A. Recent advances in cryotolerance biomarkers for semen preservation in frozen form-A systematic review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303567. [PMID: 38776323 PMCID: PMC11111053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa cryopreservation has been practiced for decades and is a very useful technique for long-term preservation of sperm fertility. The capability for semen cryopreservation varies across species, seasons, latitudes, and even for different ejaculates from the same animal. This article summarizes research results on sperm cryotolerance biomarkers in several species, focusing on three areas: spermatozoa cryotolerance biomarkers, seminal plasma proteins cryotolerance biomarkers, and other cryotolerance biomarkers. We discovered that sperm cryoresistance biomarkers are primarily related to sperm plasma membrane stability, the presence of antioxidant substances in sperm or seminal plasma, sperm cell energy metabolism, water and small molecule transport channels in the sperm plasma membrane, and antistress substances in sperm or seminal plasma. The research conducted using diverse livestock models can be employed to enhance the basic and applied reproduction of other mammals through the study of sperm cryotolerance biomarkers, as well as the substantial similarities between livestock and other organisms, including endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Suo
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Jieru Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yanling Zheng
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Fayi Xiao
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Ruchun Li
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Fei Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Peng Niu
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoxia Du
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Jianxiu He
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ahrar Khan
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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de Neergaard R, Nielsen JE, Jørgensen A, Toft BG, Goetze JP, Jørgensen N. Positive association between cholesterol in human seminal plasma and sperm counts: results from a cross-sectional cohort study and immunohistochemical investigations. Andrology 2018; 6:817-828. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. de Neergaard
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - J. E. Nielsen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - A. Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - B. G. Toft
- Department of Pathology; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - J. P. Goetze
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - N. Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen Denmark
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