1
|
Kameni SL, Dlamini NH, Feugang JM. Exploring the full potential of sperm function with nanotechnology tools. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20240033. [PMID: 39176004 PMCID: PMC11340799 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2024-0033] [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: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm quality is essential to guarantee the success of assisted reproduction. However, selecting high-quality sperm and maintaining it during (cryo)preservation for high efficiency remains challenging in livestock reproduction. A comprehensive understanding of sperm biology allows for better assessment of sperm quality, which could replace conventional sperm analyses used today to predict fertility with low accuracy. Omics approaches have revealed numerous biomarkers associated with various sperm phenotypic traits such as quality, survival during storage, freezability, and fertility. At the same time, nanotechnology is emerging as a new biotechnology with high potential for use in preparing sperm intended to improve reproduction in livestock. The unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles make them exciting tools for targeting (e.g., sperm damage and sexing) and non-targeting bioapplications. Recent advances in sperm biology have led to the discovery of numerous biomarkers, making it possible to target specific subpopulations of spermatozoa within the ejaculate. In this review, we explore potential biomarkers associated with sperm phenotypes and highlight the benefits of combining these biomarkers with nanoparticles to further improve sperm preparation and technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Leugoué Kameni
- Mississippi State University, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Notsile Hleliwe Dlamini
- Mississippi State University, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Jean Magloire Feugang
- Mississippi State University, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pan M, Luo X, Zhang Z, Li J, Shahzad K, Danba Z, Caiwang G, Chilie W, Chen X, Zhao W. The expression spectrum of yak epididymal epithelial cells reveals the functional diversity of caput, corpus and cauda regions. Genomics 2024; 116:110912. [PMID: 39117249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110912] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Sperm undergo a series of changes in the epididymis region before acquiring the ability to move and fertilize, and the identification of genes expressed in a region-specific manner in the epididymis provides a valuable insight into functional differences between regions. We collected epididymal tissue from three yaks and cultured epithelial cells from the caput, corpus and cauda regions of the yak epididymis using the tissue block method. RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) technology was used to detect gene expression in yak epididymal caput, corpus and cauda epithelial cells. The results showed that the DEGs were highest in the caput vs. corpus comparison, and lowest in the corpus vs. cauda comparison. Six DEGs were verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), consistent with transcriptome sequencing results. The significantly enriched DNA replication pathway in the caput vs. corpus was coordinated with cell proliferation, while upregulated DEGs such as POLD1 and MCM4 were found in the DNA replication pathway. The AMPK signaling pathway was found significantly enriched in the caput vs cauda, suggesting its involvement in sperm maturation and capacitation. The TGF beta signaling pathway was screened in the corpus vs cauda and is crucial for mammalian reproductive regulation. Upregulated DEGs (TGFB3, INHBA, INHBB) are involved in the TGF beta signaling pathway. This study provides a reference for culturing yak epididymal epithelial cells in vitro, and elucidates the transcriptional profiles of epithelial cells in different segments of the epididymis, revealing the regulatory and functional differences between different segments, providing basic data for exploring the molecular mechanism of yak sperm maturation and improving the reproductive capacity of high-altitude mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meilan Pan
- College of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, China
| | - Xiaofeng Luo
- College of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- College of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, China
| | - Khuram Shahzad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Zhaxi Danba
- Science and Technology Research and Promotion Center, Agricultural and Animal Husbandry (Grass Industry), Naqu, Tibet 852200, China
| | - Gongbu Caiwang
- Tibet Naqu Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Naqu, Tibet 852000, China
| | - Wangmu Chilie
- Science and Technology Research and Promotion Center, Agricultural and Animal Husbandry (Grass Industry), Naqu, Tibet 852200, China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa 850009, China.
| | - Wangsheng Zhao
- College of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang YQ, Sun RF, Ge P, Li WX, Zhang X, Zhang J, Ye L, Zhang N, Wang SY, Lv MQ, Zhou DX. GRPR down-regulation inhibits spermatogenesis through Ca 2+ mediated by PLCβ/IP3R signaling pathway in long-term formaldehyde-exposed rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 179:113998. [PMID: 37604300 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde (FA), which is known as an air pollutant, has been proven to induce male infertility. However, the underlying mechanism of FA-induced male infertility remains elusive. In this study, 24 male SD rats were exposed to different levels of FA (0, 0.5, 2.46, and 5 mg/m3) for eight consecutive weeks. Through HE staining and sperm smear, we observed that FA exposure resulted in spermatogenic injury and the sperm quality decreased in rats. The qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis further revealed that GRPR was down-regulated in testicular tissues of FA-exposed rats as well as primary spermatogenic cells. Meanwhile, ZDOCK uncovered an interaction between GRPR and PLCβ. In addition, the CCK8, Fluo 3-AM and Flow cytometry results showed that FA exposure suppressed the expression of GRPR, PLCβ and IP3R, consequently reducing the Ca2+ concentration in spermatogenic cells, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation of spermatogenic cells. Moreover, rescue experiments confirmed that promoting GRPR could improve intracellular Ca2+ concentration by upregulating PLCβ and IP3R, partially reducing the apoptosis and promoting the proliferation of FA-treated spermatogenic cells. These findings revealed that GRPR participates in spermatogenesis through Ca2+ mediated by the PLCβ/IP3R signaling pathway in FA-exposed rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Qi Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Rui-Fang Sun
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Pan Ge
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Wen-Xing Li
- Department of SURGICAL Oncology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College First Affiliated Hospital, 277 West Yanta Road, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Electrocardiographic Diagnosis, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, 710003, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Lu Ye
- Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Xi'an Fourth Hospital, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Si-Yu Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Mo-Qi Lv
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
| | - Dang-Xia Zhou
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China; Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aitken RJ, Bromfield EG, Gibb Z. OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: The impact of oxidative stress on reproduction: a focus on gametogenesis and fertilization. Reproduction 2022; 164:F79-F94. [PMID: 35929832 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Many aspects of the reproductive process are impacted by oxidative stress. This article summarizes the chemical nature of reactive oxygen species and their role in both the physiological regulation of reproductive processes and the pathophysiology of infertility. Abstract This article lays out the fundamental principles of oxidative stress. It describes the nature of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the way in which these potentially toxic metabolites interact with cells and how they impact both cellular function and genetic integrity. The mechanisms by which ROS generation is enhanced to the point that the cells' antioxidant defence mechanisms are overwhelmed are also reviewed taking examples from both the male and female reproductive system, with a focus on gametogenesis and fertilization. The important role of external factors in exacerbating oxidative stress and impairing reproductive competence is also examined in terms of their ability to disrupt the physiological redox regulation of reproductive processes. Developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to cope with oxidative stress within the reproductive system will depend on the development of a deeper understanding of the nature, source, magnitude, and location of such stress in order to fashion personalized treatments that meet a given patient's clinical needs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aitken RJ. Role of sperm DNA damage in creating de novo mutations in human offspring: the ‘post-meiotic oocyte collusion’ hypothesis. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:109-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
6
|
Aitken RJ, Drevet JR, Moazamian A, Gharagozloo P. Male Infertility and Oxidative Stress: A Focus on the Underlying Mechanisms. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020306. [PMID: 35204189 PMCID: PMC8868102 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in defining the functional competence of human spermatozoa. When generated in moderate amounts, ROS promote sperm capacitation by facilitating cholesterol efflux from the plasma membrane, enhancing cAMP generation, inducing cytoplasmic alkalinization, increasing intracellular calcium levels, and stimulating the protein phosphorylation events that drive the attainment of a capacitated state. However, when ROS generation is excessive and/or the antioxidant defences of the reproductive system are compromised, a state of oxidative stress may be induced that disrupts the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa and the structural integrity of their DNA. This article focusses on the sources of ROS within this system and examines the circumstances under which the adequacy of antioxidant protection might become a limiting factor. Seminal leukocyte contamination can contribute to oxidative stress in the ejaculate while, in the germ line, the dysregulation of electron transport in the sperm mitochondria, elevated NADPH oxidase activity, or the excessive stimulation of amino acid oxidase action are all potential contributors to oxidative stress. A knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for creating such stress within the human ejaculate is essential in order to develop better antioxidant strategies that avoid the unintentional creation of its reductive counterpart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-4921-6851
| | - Joël R. Drevet
- GReD Institute, INSERM U1103-CNRS UMR6293—Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, CRBC Building, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (J.R.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Aron Moazamian
- GReD Institute, INSERM U1103-CNRS UMR6293—Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, CRBC Building, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (J.R.D.); (A.M.)
- CellOxess LLC, Ewing, NJ 08628, USA;
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
AITKEN RJ, GIBB Z. Sperm oxidative stress in the context of male infertility: current evidence, links with genetic and epigenetic factors and future clinical needs. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2022; 47:38-57. [DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.21.03630-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|