1
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Pan C, Zhaxi Y, Li H, Guan F, Pan J, Wa D, Song T, Zhao W. Effects of microbiota-testis interactions on the reproductive health of male ruminants: A review. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14704. [PMID: 39126408 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14704] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Ruminants are one of the world's economically important species, and their reproductive health is critical to the economic development of the livestock industry. In recent years, research on the relationship between microbiota and reproductive health has received much attention. Microbiota disruption affects the developmental health of the testes and epididymis, the male reproductive organs of the host, which in turn is related to sperm quality. Maintaining a stable microbiota protects the host from pathogens and increases breeding performance, which in turn promotes the economic development of animal husbandry. In addition, the effects and mechanisms of microbiota on reproduction were further explored. These findings support new approaches to improving and managing reproductive health in ruminants through the microbiota and facilitate further systematic exploration of microbiota-mediated reproductive impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Pan
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Yangzong Zhaxi
- Institute of Animal Science, Xizang Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Xizang Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lhasa, China
| | - Haiyan Li
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Feng Guan
- School of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junru Pan
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Da Wa
- Institute of Animal Science, Xizang Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, China
| | - Tianzeng Song
- Institute of Animal Science, Xizang Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Xizang Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lhasa, China
| | - Wangsheng Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
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2
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Miyata H, Shimada K, Kaneda Y, Ikawa M. Development of functional spermatozoa in mammalian spermiogenesis. Development 2024; 151:dev202838. [PMID: 39036999 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202838] [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] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is a global health problem affecting one in six couples, with 50% of cases attributed to male infertility. Spermatozoa are male gametes, specialized cells that can be divided into two parts: the head and the flagellum. The head contains a vesicle called the acrosome that undergoes exocytosis and the flagellum is a motility apparatus that propels the spermatozoa forward and can be divided into two components, axonemes and accessory structures. For spermatozoa to fertilize oocytes, the acrosome and flagellum must be formed correctly. In this Review, we describe comprehensively how functional spermatozoa develop in mammals during spermiogenesis, including the formation of acrosomes, axonemes and accessory structures by focusing on analyses of mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuki Kaneda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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3
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van den Hoven L, van Vrouwerff NJ, Dijkstra IM, Weeteling J, Brinkman JW, Eliveld J, Wetzels AMM. Evaluation of structural problems in the application of strict criteria for sperm morphology assessment. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38924385 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13684] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The WHO manual for basic semen analysis and ISO 23162 describe sperm morphology assessment as a standard part of semen analysis. Older studies showed a correlation between morphology results and (artificial) conception. In more recent studies this relationship was less apparent and there is more emphasis on sperm morphology as a marker for healthy spermatogenesis (and general male health). Meantime, many laboratories ceased morphology assessment, probably due to unfamiliarity with this paradigmatic shift and to technical difficulties in the assessment, like the interpretation of morphological criteria. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify morphological criteria with high variability in results in the Dutch External Quality Control (EQC) program. MATERIAL AND METHODS Over the period 2015-2020, a total of 72 photos of sperm cells along with dichotomous propositions based on 14 criteria as defined in WHO5 (2010) were distributed in the Dutch EQC program for semen analysis. The EQC results were evaluated for variability per criterion and for trends in time. RESULTS Between 2015 and 2020, 40 to 60 laboratories assessed the photos. Criteria with low variability between participants were related to acrosomal vacuoles, excessive residual cytoplasm, and tail metrics. In contrast, head ovality, regularity of head and midpiece contours, and alignment of the major axis of the midpiece and head led to the highest variability in outcomes. In general, there was a slightly positive trend (lower variability) in time, except for the criteria with the highest variability (stable or declining trend). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study indicates that there are (high) variabilities in the interpretation of the morphological criteria, leading to inconsistent outcomes of morphology assessment. The results are discussed from the perspective of imperfections in definitions and examples of the criteria as given in the WHO manuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie van den Hoven
- Fertility Laboratory Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ineke M Dijkstra
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper Weeteling
- Fertility Laboratory Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacoline W Brinkman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Hospital St. Jansdal, Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jitske Eliveld
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Section of reproductive medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alex M M Wetzels
- Fertility Laboratory Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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4
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Zhang XY, Zhang YH, Guo YY, Luo Y, Xu SS, Lu X, Liang NN, Wu HY, Huang YC, Xu DX. Arsenic exposure causes decline in sperm motility accompanied by energy metabolism disorders in mouse testes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 351:124060. [PMID: 38685555 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a notorious environmental toxicant widely present in various natural environments. As exposure has been correlated with the decline in sperm motility. Yet, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Adult male C57 mice were given 0, 1, or 15 mg/L NaAsO2 for 10 weeks. The mature seminiferous tubules and sperm count were decreased in As-exposed mice. Sperm motility and several sperm motility parameters, including average path velocity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), beat-cross frequency (BCF), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), were declined in As-exposed mice. RNA sequencing and transcriptomics analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways. Untargeted metabolomics analyses indicated that energy metabolism was disrupted in As-exposed mouse testes. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation were disturbed in As-exposed mouse testes. As-induced disruption of testicular glucose metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation was further validated by RT-PCR and Western blotting. In conclusion, As exposure causes decline in sperm motility accompanied by energy metabolism disorders in mouse testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yi Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-Hao Zhang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue-Yue Guo
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shan-Shan Xu
- Department of Public Health and General Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xue Lu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Nan-Nan Liang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hong-Yan Wu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-Chao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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5
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Barraza J, Cleofas P, Villamil S, García M, López A, Casas E, Salazar Z, Pichardo F, Barajas-Salinas A, Núñez-Macías E, Ramírez Y, Bonilla E, Bahena I, Ortíz-Muñíz R, Cortés-Barberena E, Betancourt M, Casillas F. In vitro exposure of porcine spermatozoa to methylparaben, and propylparaben, alone or in combination adversely affects sperm quality. J Appl Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38862408 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4650] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Parabens (PBs) are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries as preservatives of products. Because of its great use, humans and other organisms are highly exposed daily. However, little is known about the effect of PBs on male infertility. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methylparaben (MePB) and propylparaben (PrPB), alone or in combination, on the physiological characteristics of pig in vitro exposed sperm to different concentrations (0, 200, 500, and 700 μM) for viability, motility, and acrosome integrity evaluation and (0, 200, 500, 700, 1000, and 2000 μM) for DNA fragmentation index evaluation, after 4 h of exposure. The results showed that sperm viability decreased after exposure to MePB from the concentration of 500 μM. In the PrPB and mixture groups, viability decreased at all concentrations except for the control. The decrease in viability of sperm exposed to PrPB was greater than that of the mixture and MePB groups. Sperm motility decreased in all the experimental groups exposed to PBs, at all concentrations, except for the control group. Acrosome integrity was not decreased in the MePB group; however, in the PrPB group, it decreased at a concentration of 200 μM and in the mixture at 500 μM. All groups exhibited DNA damage at different concentrations, except for the control group. Additionally, the effect of PBs on sperm quality was concentration-dependent. The results demonstrated that MePB and PrPB alone or in combination can have adverse effects on sperm quality parameters. MePB had lower toxicity than did both PrPB and the mixture. The mixture did not have an additive effect on any of the parameters evaluated. This could partially explain the link between PB exposure and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Barraza
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
- Master's degree in Animal Reproduction Biology, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - P Cleofas
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - S Villamil
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M García
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A López
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - E Casas
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Z Salazar
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - F Pichardo
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Barajas-Salinas
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - E Núñez-Macías
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Y Ramírez
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - E Bonilla
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - I Bahena
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Ortíz-Muñíz
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - E Cortés-Barberena
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M Betancourt
- Department of Health Sciences, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa, Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - F Casillas
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Iztapalapa Campus, Mexico City, Mexico
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6
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Pan PY, Ke CC, Wang YY, Lin YH, Ku WC, Au CF, Chan CC, Huang CY, Lin YH. Proteomic profiling of TBC1 domain family member 21-null sperms reveals the critical roles of TEKT 1 in their tail defects. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 38822685 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.716] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 7% of the males exhibit reduced fertility; however, the regulatory genes and pathways involved remain largely unknown. TBC1 domain family member 21 (TBC1D21) contains a conserved RabGAP catalytic domain that induces GDP/GTP exchange to inactivate Rabs by interacting with microtubules. We previously reported that Tbc1d21-null mice exhibit severe sperm tail defects with a disrupted axoneme, and that TBC1D21 interacts with RAB10. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying the Tbc1d21 loss-induced sperm tail defects remain unknown. RESULTS Murine sperm from wild-type and Tbc1d21-null mice were comparatively analyzed using proteomic assays. Over 1600 proteins were identified, of which 15 were significantly up-regulated in Tbc1d21-null sperm. Notably, several tektin (TEKT) family proteins, belonging to a type of intermediate filament critical for stabilizing the microtubular structure of cilia and flagella, were significantly up-regulated in Tbc1d21-/- sperm. We also found that TBC1D21 interacts with TEKT1. In addition, TEKT1 co-localized with RAB10 during sperm tail formation. Finally, we found Tbc1d21-null sperm exhibited abnormal accumulation of TEKT1 in the midpiece region, accompanied by disrupted axonemal structures. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal that TBC1D21 modulates TEKTs protein localization in the axonemal transport system during sperm tail formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Pan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chun Ke
- Department of Urology, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yun Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hua Lin
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chi Ku
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Fong Au
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chying-Chyuan Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital, Zhongxing Branch and Branch for Women and Children, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Huang
- Gynecologic Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Ge T, Yuan L, Xu L, Yang F, Xu W, Niu C, Li G, Zhou H, Zheng Y. Coiled-coil domain containing 159 is required for spermatid head and tail assembly in mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:877-894. [PMID: 38236177 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae012] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The centrosome is critical for maintaining the sperm head-tail connection and the formation of flagellar microtubules. In this study, we found that in mouse testes, CCDC159 (coiled-coil domain-containing protein 159) is specifically localized to the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) of spermatids, a structure that ensures sperm head-tail tight conjunction. CCDC159 contains a C-terminal coiled-coil domain that functions as the centrosomal localization signal. Gene knockout (KO) of Ccdc159 in mice resulted in acephalic spermatozoa, abnormal flagella, and male infertility. To explore the mechanism behind CCDC159 regulating spermatogenesis, we identified CCDC159-binding proteins using a yeast two-hybrid screen and speculated that CCDC159 participates in HTCA assembly by regulating protein phosphatase PP1 activity. Further RNA-sequencing analyses of Ccdc159 KO testes revealed numerous genes involved in male gamete generation that were downregulated. Together, our results show that CCDC159 in spermatids is a novel centrosomal protein anchoring the sperm head to the tail. Considering the limitation of KO mouse model in clarifying the biological function of CCDC159 in spermatogenesis, a gene-rescue experiment will be performed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ge
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lu Yuan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Linwei Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenhua Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Changmin Niu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guanghua Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huiping Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Liang Z, Dai C, He F, Wang Y, Huang Y, Li H, Wu Y, Hu Y, Xu K. AKAP3-mediated type I PKA signaling is required for mouse sperm hyperactivation and fertility†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:684-697. [PMID: 38145487 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad180] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, which mediates protein phosphorylation, is important for sperm motility and male fertility. This process relies on A-kinase anchoring proteins that organize PKA and its signalosomes within specific subcellular compartments. Previously, it was found that the absence of A-kinase anchoring protein 3 (AKAP3) leads to multiple morphological abnormalities in mouse sperm. But how AKAP3 regulates sperm motility is yet to be elucidated. AKAP3 has two amphipathic domains, here named dual and RI, in its N-terminus. These domains are responsible for binding regulatory subunits I alpha (RIα) and II alpha (RIIα) of PKA and for RIα only, respectively. Here, we generated mutant mice lacking the dual and RI domains of AKAP3. It was found that the deletion of these domains caused male mouse infertile, accompanied by mild defects in the fibrous sheath of sperm tails. Additionally, the levels of serine/threonine phosphorylation of PKA substrates and tyrosine phosphorylation decreased in the mutant sperm, which exhibited a defect in hyperactivation under capacitation conditions. The protein levels of PKA subunits remained unchanged. But, interestingly, the regulatory subunit RIα was mis-localized from principal piece to midpiece of sperm tail, whereas this was not observed for RIIα. Further protein-protein interaction assays revealed a preference for AKAP3 to bind RIα over RIIα. Collectively, our findings suggest that AKAP3 is important for sperm hyperactivity by regulating type-I PKA signaling pathway mediated protein phosphorylation via its dual and RI domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongkun Liang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, SunYat-Sen Memorial Hospital of SunYat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Chaowei Dai
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fenfen He
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Prenatal Diagnostic Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yihua Huang
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Heying Li
- Analysis and Testing Center, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510535, China
| | - Yongming Wu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yafang Hu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kaibiao Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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9
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Yang SK, Kubo S, Black CS, Peri K, Dai D, Legal T, Valente-Paterno M, Gaertig J, Bui KH. Effect of α-tubulin acetylation on the doublet microtubule structure. eLife 2024; 12:RP92219. [PMID: 38598282 PMCID: PMC11006419 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92219] [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] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Acetylation of α-tubulin at the lysine 40 residue (αK40) by αTAT1/MEC-17 acetyltransferase modulates microtubule properties and occurs in most eukaryotic cells. Previous literatures suggest that acetylated microtubules are more stable and damage resistant. αK40 acetylation is the only known microtubule luminal post-translational modification site. The luminal location suggests that the modification tunes the lateral interaction of protofilaments inside the microtubule. In this study, we examined the effect of tubulin acetylation on the doublet microtubule (DMT) in the cilia of Tetrahymena thermophila using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy, molecular dynamics, and mass spectrometry. We found that αK40 acetylation exerts a small-scale effect on the DMT structure and stability by influencing the lateral rotational angle. In addition, comparative mass spectrometry revealed a link between αK40 acetylation and phosphorylation in cilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Kai Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
| | - Shintaroh Kubo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
| | | | - Katya Peri
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
| | - Daniel Dai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
| | - Thibault Legal
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
| | | | - Jacek Gaertig
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of GeorgiaAthensUnited States
| | - Khanh Huy Bui
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie Structurale, McGill UniversityMontréalCanada
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10
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Bae JW, Hwang JM, Lee WJ, Kim DH, Yi JK, Ha JJ, Oh DY, Kwon WS. Application of sperm motion kinematics and motility-related proteins for prediction of male fertility. Theriogenology 2024; 218:223-230. [PMID: 38359560 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.007] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The selection of superior sires is paramount for enhancing the efficiency of animal production in the livestock industry. However, semen quality assessment still relies on conventional semen analysis techniques in both animals and humans. Despite extensive efforts to develop various biomarkers for more accurate and precise predictions of male fertility potential, more effective physiological indicators and advance potential biomarkers are needed. Herein, we aimed to develop new potential biomarkers related to sperm motion kinematics for male fertility prediction. We first evaluated sperm motion kinematic parameters and expression levels of sperm motility-related proteins of 30 Duroc boars. We then explored the correlation between litter size, sperm motion kinematics parameters, and sperm motility-related proteins. Progressive sperm motility (%), rapid sperm motility (%), slow sperm motility (%), straight-line velocity (μm/s), linearity (%), beat cross frequency (Hz), mean angular displacement (degree), wobble (%) were correlated with litter size. Furthermore, the expression of axonemal dynein light intermediate polypeptide 1 (DNALI1) and radial spoke head protein 9 homolog (RSPH9) correlated with litter size. The overall accuracy exceeded 60% for predicting litter size using these sperm motion parameters and proteins. Notably, our study observed an increase in litter size after predicting litter size using these parameters and proteins. Thus, sperm motion kinematic parameters and protein expression, particularly of DNALI1 and RSPH9, could serve as new biomarkers for male fertility. These results may contribute to improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Won Bae
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Mi Hwang
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Jin Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37224, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Kim
- Department of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Koo Yi
- School of Animal Life Convergence Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong, 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Jung Ha
- Gyeongbuk Livestock Research Institute, Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 36052, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Yep Oh
- Gyeongbuk Livestock Research Institute, Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 36052, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woo-Sung Kwon
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37224, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Horse Industry, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 37224, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Wang Y, Huang X, Sun G, Chen J, Wu B, Luo J, Tang S, Dai P, Zhang F, Li J, Wang L. Coiled-coil domain-containing 38 is required for acrosome biogenesis and fibrous sheath assembly in mice. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:407-418. [PMID: 37709195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.09.002] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, haploid spermatids undergo dramatic morphological changes to form slender sperm flagella and cap-like acrosomes, which are required for successful fertilization. Severe deformities in flagella cause a male infertility syndrome, multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF), while acrosomal hypoplasia in some cases leads to sub-optimal embryonic developmental potential. However, evidence regarding the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF is limited. Here, we report the generation of base-edited mice knocked out for coiled-coil domain-containing 38 (Ccdc38) via inducing a nonsense mutation and find that the males are infertile. The Ccdc38-KO sperm display acrosomal hypoplasia and typical MMAF phenotypes. We find that the acrosomal membrane is loosely anchored to the nucleus and fibrous sheaths are disorganized in Ccdc38-KO sperm. Further analyses reveal that Ccdc38 knockout causes a decreased level of TEKT3, a protein associated with acrosome biogenesis, in testes and an aberrant distribution of TEKT3 in sperm. We finally show that intracytoplasmic sperm injection overcomes Ccdc38-related infertility. Our study thus reveals a previously unknown role for CCDC38 in acrosome biogenesis and provides additional evidence for the occurrence of acrosomal hypoplasia in MMAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guoying Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jiahui Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Peng Dai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.
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12
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Hoque M, Li FQ, Weber WD, Chen JJ, Kim EN, Kuo PL, Visconti PE, Takemaru KI. The Cby3/ciBAR1 complex positions the annulus along the sperm flagellum during spermiogenesis. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202307147. [PMID: 38197861 PMCID: PMC10783431 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202307147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Proper compartmentalization of the sperm flagellum is essential for fertility. The annulus is a septin-based ring that demarcates the midpiece (MP) and the principal piece (PP). It is assembled at the flagellar base, migrates caudally, and halts upon arriving at the PP. However, the mechanisms governing annulus positioning remain unknown. We report that a Chibby3 (Cby3)/Cby1-interacting BAR domain-containing 1 (ciBAR1) complex is required for this process. Ablation of either gene in mice results in male fertility defects, caused by kinked sperm flagella with the annulus mispositioned in the PP. Cby3 and ciBAR1 interact and colocalize to the annulus near the curved membrane invagination at the flagellar pocket. In the absence of Cby3, periannular membranes appear to be deformed, allowing the annulus to migrate over the fibrous sheath into the PP. Collectively, our results suggest that the Cby3/ciBAR1 complex regulates local membrane properties to position the annulus at the MP/PP junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Hoque
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Feng-Qian Li
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - William David Weber
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jun Jie Chen
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Eunice N. Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Ken-Ichi Takemaru
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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13
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Llavanera M, Mateo-Otero Y, Viñolas-Vergés E, Bonet S, Yeste M. Sperm function, mitochondrial activity and in vivo fertility are associated to their mitochondrial DNA content in pigs. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2024; 15:10. [PMID: 38297401 PMCID: PMC10832242 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00988-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite their low abundance in sperm, mitochondria have diverse functions in this cell type, including energy production, signalling and calcium regulation. In humans, sperm mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) has been reported to be negatively linked to sperm function and fertility. Yet, the association between mtDNAc and sperm function in livestock remains unexplored. For this reason, this study aimed to shed some light on the link between mtDNAc and sperm function and fertilising potential in pigs. A qPCR method for mtDNAc quantification was optimised for pig sperm, and the association of this parameter with sperm motility, kinematics, mitochondrial activity, and fertility was subsequently interrogated. RESULTS First, the qPCR method was found to be sensitive and efficient for mtDNAc quantification in pig sperm. By using this technique, mtDNAc was observed to be associated to sperm motility, mitochondrial activity and in vivo, but not in vitro, fertility outcomes. Specifically, sperm with low mtDNAc were seen to exhibit greater motility but decreased mitochondrial activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, samples with lower mtDNAc showed higher conception and farrowing rates, but similar in vitro fertilisation rates and embryo development, when compared to those with greater mtDNAc. CONCLUSIONS These findings enrich our comprehension of the association of mtDNAc with sperm biology, and lay the foundation for future research into employing this parameter as a molecular predictor for sperm function and fertility in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Llavanera
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain.
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain.
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
| | - Estel Viñolas-Vergés
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
| | - Sergi Bonet
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, ES-17003, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, ES-08010, Spain
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14
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Sang Y, Liu J, Dong X, Gao L, Li X, Zhou G, Zhang Y, Xue J, Zhao M, Zhou X. Silica nanoparticles induce male reproductive toxicity via Crem hypermethylation mediated spermatocyte apoptosis and sperm flagella damage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:13856-13866. [PMID: 38265582 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32046-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) could causally contribute to malfunctioning of the spermatogenesis, but the underlying mechanism is rarely known. This study was designed to explore the mechanism of Crem hypermethylation in SiNP-induced reproductive toxicity. The male mice were exposure to SiNPs (0 and 20 mg/kg·bw) once every 5 days via intratracheal instillation for 35 days. After exposure stopped, half of each group was killed, and the rest were sacrificed after another 15-day feeding. GC-2 cells were treated with 0 and 20 μg/mL SiNPs. The results showed that SiNPs led to structure damage of spermatocyte and sperm, caused spermatocyte apoptosis, and decreased sperm quantity and quality. After 15 days of the withdrawal, the testicular tissue damage gradually recovered. Mechanistic study showed that SiNPs induced hypermethylation of the gene of cAMP responsive element modulator (Crem) in the promoter region. Downregulation of Crem inhibited the expression of outer dense fiber 1 (Odf1), resulting in abnormal sperm flagella structure; at the same time, Crem inhibited the expression of Bcl-xl, causing upregulation of cytochrome-C, cleaved-caspase-9/caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3, resulting in mitochondrial dependent apoptotic pathway. However, 5-aza, DNA methylation inhibitor, could reverse the SiNP-induced downregulation of Crem and reverse the Crem/Bcl-xl-mediated mitochondrial dependent apoptotic pathway. These results suggested SiNPs could disrupt spermatogenesis by causing Crem hypermethylation to regulate the Odf1 and Bcl-xl in spermatocytes resulting in the sperm flagella structure and spermatocyte apoptosis. Our study provided new insights into the male reproductive toxicity mechanism of SiNPs; Crem demethylation may be a potential way to prevent reproductive dysfunction from SiNP exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujian Sang
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jianhui Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Xiaomin Dong
- Experimental Center for Basic Medical Teaching, Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Leqiang Gao
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Guiqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jinglong Xue
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Moxuan Zhao
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xianqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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15
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Long S, Fu L, Ma J, Yu H, Tang X, Hu T, Han W, Liu W, Liao H, Fu T, Huang G, Lu W, Lin T. Novel biallelic variants in DNAH1 cause multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella with favorable outcomes of fertility after ICSI in Han Chinese males. Andrology 2024; 12:349-364. [PMID: 37302001 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13476] [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: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella is an idiopathic asthenoteratozoospermia characterized by absent, short, coiled, angulation, and irregular-caliber flagella. Genetic variants of DNAH1 gene have been identified as a causative factor of multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella and intracytoplasmic sperm injection is an available strategy for infertile males with dynein axonemal heavy chain 1 defects to conceive. OBJECTIVES To identify novel variants and candidate mutant hotspots of DNAH1 gene related to multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella and male infertility in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS The DNAH1 variants were identified by whole exome sequencing and confirmed with Sanger sequencing. Papanicolaou staining, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and immunostaining were performed to investigate the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of spermatozoa. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was applied for the assisted reproductive therapy of males harboring biallelic DNAH1 variants. RESULTS We identified 18 different DNAH1 variants in 11 unrelated families, including nine missense variants (p.A2564T, p.T3657R, p.G1862R, p.L2296P, p.T4041I, p.L611P, p.A913D, p.R1932Q, p.R2356W) and nine loss-of-function variants (c.2301-1G>T, p.Q1518*, p.R1702*, p.D2845Mfs*2, p.P3909Rfs*33, p.Q4040Dfs*33, p.Q4058*, p.E4060Pfs*61, p.V4071Cfs*54). A total of 66.7% (12/18) of the identified variants were novel. Morphological analysis based on Papanicolaou staining and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the typical multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella characteristics of dynein axonemal heavy chain 1-deficient spermatozoa. Immunostaining further revealed the absence of inner dynein arms but not outer dynein arms, which induced a general ultrastructural disorganization, such as the loss of central pair and mis-localization of the microtubule doublets and outer dense fibers. To date, seven affected couples have accepted the intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment, and three of them have given birth to five healthy babies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These findings further expand the variant spectrum of DNAH1 gene related to multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella and male infertility in humans, thus providing new information for the molecular diagnosis of asthenoteratozoospermia. The favorable fertility outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection will facilitate the genetic counseling and clinical treatment of infertile males with multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunhua Long
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Longlong Fu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Haibing Yu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiangrong Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingwenyi Hu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Han
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiyuan Liao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Fu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoning Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenhong Lu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Lin
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Human Embryo Engineering, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing, China
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16
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Dementieva NV, Dysin AP, Shcherbakov YS, Nikitkina EV, Musidray AA, Petrova AV, Mitrofanova OV, Plemyashov KV, Azovtseva AI, Griffin DK, Romanov MN. Risk of Sperm Disorders and Impaired Fertility in Frozen-Thawed Bull Semen: A Genome-Wide Association Study. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:251. [PMID: 38254422 PMCID: PMC10812825 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020251] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation is a widely used method of semen conservation in animal breeding programs. This process, however, can have a detrimental effect on sperm quality, especially in terms of its morphology. The resultant sperm disorders raise the risk of reduced sperm fertilizing ability, which poses a serious threat to the long-term efficacy of livestock reproduction and breeding. Understanding the genetic factors underlying these effects is critical for maintaining sperm quality during cryopreservation, and for animal fertility in general. In this regard, we performed a genome-wide association study to identify genomic regions associated with various cryopreservation sperm abnormalities in Holstein cattle, using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers via a high-density genotyping assay. Our analysis revealed a significant association of specific SNPs and candidate genes with absence of acrosomes, damaged cell necks and tails, as well as wrinkled acrosomes and decreased motility of cryopreserved sperm. As a result, we identified candidate genes such as POU6F2, LPCAT4, DPYD, SLC39A12 and CACNB2, as well as microRNAs (bta-mir-137 and bta-mir-2420) that may play a critical role in sperm morphology and disorders. These findings provide crucial information on the molecular mechanisms underlying acrosome integrity, motility, head abnormalities and damaged cell necks and tails of sperm after cryopreservation. Further studies with larger sample sizes, genome-wide coverage and functional validation are needed to explore causal variants in more detail, thereby elucidating the mechanisms mediating these effects. Overall, our results contribute to the understanding of genetic architecture in cryopreserved semen quality and disorders in bulls, laying the foundation for improved animal reproduction and breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V. Dementieva
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Artem P. Dysin
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Yuri S. Shcherbakov
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Elena V. Nikitkina
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Artem A. Musidray
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Anna V. Petrova
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Olga V. Mitrofanova
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | - Kirill V. Plemyashov
- Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine”, 196084 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Anastasiia I. Azovtseva
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding—Branch of the L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Pushkin, 196601 St. Petersburg, Russia; (A.P.D.); (Y.S.S.); (E.V.N.); (A.A.M.); (A.V.P.); (O.V.M.); (A.I.A.)
| | | | - Michael N. Romanov
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK;
- L. K. Ernst Federal Research Centre for Animal Husbandry, Dubrovitsy, 142132 Podolsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia
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17
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Li Y, Xiao H, Qin X, Zhang H, Zheng Y, Cai R, Pang W. Carboxyfullerene C60 preserves porcine sperm by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting apoptosis and harmful bacteria. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae196. [PMID: 39008364 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae196] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This study used a porcine model to systematically investigate whether carboxyfullerene C60(CF-C60) can be used for sperm preservation. The results indicated that CF-C60 supplementation can preserve porcine sperm quality during storage at 17 °C. This effect was attributable to an improvement in the antioxidant capacity of sperm through a decrease in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Additionally, CF-C60 can maintain mitochondrial function, inhibit sperm apoptosis through the ROS/Cytochrome C (Cyt C)/Caspase 3 signaling pathway, and mediate suppression of bacterial growth through the effects of ROS. Finally, the results of artificial insemination experiments indicated that insemination with CF-C60-treated sperm can increase the total number of offspring born and reduce the number of deformed piglets. Thus, CF-C60 is safe for use as a component of semen diluent for sperm storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Haoqi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xue Qin
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Haize Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Rui Cai
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Weijun Pang
- Key Laboratory of Northwest China's Pig Breading and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs P.R. China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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Shibata T, Bhat SA, Cao D, Saito S, Bernstein EA, Nishi E, Medenilla JD, Wang ET, Chan JL, Pisarska MD, Tourtellotte WG, Giani JF, Bernstein KE, Khan Z. Testicular ACE regulates sperm metabolism and fertilization through the transcription factor PPARγ. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105486. [PMID: 37992807 PMCID: PMC10788540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105486] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Testis angiotensin-converting enzyme (tACE) plays a critical role in male fertility, but the mechanism is unknown. By using ACE C-domain KO (CKO) mice which lack tACE activity, we found that ATP in CKO sperm was 9.4-fold lower than WT sperm. Similarly, an ACE inhibitor (ACEi) reduced ATP production in mouse sperm by 72%. Metabolic profiling showed that tACE inactivation severely affects oxidative metabolism with decreases in several Krebs cycle intermediates including citric acid, cis-aconitic acid, NAD, α-ketoglutaric acid, succinate, and L-malic acid. We found that sperms lacking tACE activity displayed lower levels of oxidative enzymes (CISY, ODO1, MDHM, QCR2, SDHA, FUMH, CPT2, and ATPA) leading to a decreased mitochondrial respiration rate. The reduced energy production in CKO sperms leads to defects in their physiological functions including motility, acrosine activity, and fertilization in vitro and in vivo. Male mice treated with ACEi show severe impairment in reproductive capacity when mated with female mice. In contrast, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) had no effect. CKO sperms express significantly less peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) transcription factor, and its blockade eliminates the functional differences between CKO and WT sperms, indicating PPARγ might mediate the effects of tACE on sperm metabolism. Finally, in a cohort of human volunteers, in vitro treatment with the ramipril or a PPARγ inhibitor reduced ATP production in human sperm and hence its motility and acrosine activity. These findings may have clinical significance since millions of people take ACEi daily, including men who are reproductively active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Shibata
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shabir A Bhat
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - DuoYao Cao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Suguru Saito
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ellen A Bernstein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Erika Nishi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Juliet D Medenilla
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Erica T Wang
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jessica L Chan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Margareta D Pisarska
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Warren G Tourtellotte
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jorge F Giani
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kenneth E Bernstein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zakir Khan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Zhang L, Sun H, Chen X. Long noncoding RNAs in human reproductive processes and diseases. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23728. [PMID: 38282314 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23728] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Infertility has become a global disease burden. Although assisted reproductive technologies are widely used, the assisted reproduction birth rate is no more than 30% worldwide. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of reproduction can provide new strategies to improve live birth rates and clinical outcomes of enhanced implantation. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to exert regulatory roles in various biological processes and diseases in many species. In this review, we especially focus on the role of lncRNAs in human reproduction. We summarize the function and mechanisms of lncRNAs in processes vital to reproduction, such as spermatogenesis and maturation, sperm motility and morphology, follicle development and maturation, embryo development and implantation. Then, we highlight the importance and diverse potential of lncRNAs as good diagnostic molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets for infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hailong Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiujuan Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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20
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Li J, Nan B, Xu Z, Chang H, Xu S, Ren M, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Chen Y, Guo D, Shen H. Arsenic exposure caused male infertility indicated by testis and sperm metabolic dysfunction in SD rats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166838. [PMID: 37689206 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic containment is one of the most severe environmental problems. It has been reported that arsenic exposure could cause male reproductive damage. However, the evidence chain from sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) exposure to adverse male fertility outcomes has not been completed by molecular events. In this study, adult male rats were exposed to NaAsO2 for eight weeks via drinking water for verifying their reproductive capacity by checking the phenotypes of testis damage, sperm quality, and female pregnancy rate. H&E staining indicated testicular cells had atrophied, and necrosis was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Sperm viability tended to decrease, and sperm malformation increased. Notably, metabolites in the testes and sperm showed substantial disruption, especially sperm metabolites. The pregnancy rate tests showed that arsenic decreased male rats' reproduction, with some adverse outcomes of the increased numbers of unpregnant females. However, the fetal crown-rump length remained unaltered, indicating that the pregnancy rate was impacted by arsenic exposure but not fetal growth. On arsenic toxicometabolomics analysis, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in sperm was the clearest metabolic sign to correlate with the unpregnant rate. In summary, arsenic exposure can cause male infertility via the injured sperm, which results in decreased female pregnancy. The DHA information may imply the dietary intervention for improving sperm quality. Although the fetal growth of the successful pregnancy has not been affected, the changes in epigenetic phenotypes carried by sperms still need to be verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Bingru Nan
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, PR China; Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, PR China
| | - Zehua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Hao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Song Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Miaomiao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Yike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Yaru Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Yujie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Dongbei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China
| | - Heqing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China; Department of Obstetrics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, PR China.
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21
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Ma Y, Wu B, Chen Y, Ma S, Wang L, Han T, Lin X, Yang F, Liu C, Zhao J, Li W. CCDC146 is required for sperm flagellum biogenesis and male fertility in mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 81:1. [PMID: 38038747 PMCID: PMC11072088 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is a severe disease of male infertility, while the pathogenetic mechanisms of MMAF are still incompletely understood. Previously, we found that the deficiency of Ccdc38 might be associated with MMAF. To understand the underlying mechanism of this disease, we identified the potential partner of this protein and found that the coiled-coil domain containing 146 (CCDC146) can interact with CCDC38. It is predominantly expressed in the testes, and the knockout of this gene resulted in complete infertility in male mice but not in females. The knockout of Ccdc146 impaired spermiogenesis, mainly due to flagellum and manchette organization defects, finally led to MMAF-like phenotype. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CCDC146 could interact with both CCDC38 and CCDC42. It also interacts with intraflagellar transport (IFT) complexes IFT88 and IFT20. The knockout of this gene led to the decrease of ODF2, IFT88, and IFT20 protein levels, but did not affect CCDC38, CCDC42, or ODF1 expression. Additionally, we predicted and validated the detailed interactions between CCDC146 and CCDC38 or CCDC42, and built the interaction models at the atomic level. Our results suggest that the testis predominantly expressed gene Ccdc146 is essential for sperm flagellum biogenesis and male fertility, and its mutations might be associated with MMAF in some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bingbing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yinghong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Tingting Han
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Xiaolei Lin
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Fulin Yang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Jianguo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Chen J, Wu B, Tang S, Zhang F, Liu C, Wang L. Dnali1 is required for sperm motility and male fertility in mice. Basic Clin Androl 2023; 33:32. [PMID: 37993789 PMCID: PMC10666298 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-023-00205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sperm flagellum is an evolutionarily conserved specialized organelle responsible for sperm motility and male fertility. Deleterious mutations in genes involved in the sperm flagellum assembly can often cause sperm motility defects and male infertility. The murine Dnali1 gene encodes a protein that is known to interact with the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain 1. RESULTS A Dnali1-mutated mouse model was generated by inducing a nonsense mutation in the Dnali1 gene. The Dnali1-mutated male mice presented impaired sperm motility and were completely infertile. Although no obviously abnormal sperm morphology was observed in Dnali1-mutated male mice, the ultrastructural structure of sperm flagellum was disrupted, displaying as an asymmetrical distribution of the longitudinal columns (LCs). Notably, infertile Dnali1-mutated male mice were able to obtain offspring via ICSI. CONCLUSIONS Our results uncover a role of DNALI1 in sperm motility and male fertility in mice, and demonstrate that ICSI overcomes Dnali1-associated male infertility, thus providing guidance for the diagnosis and genetic counseling of DNALI1-associated human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shuyan Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Chunyu Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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23
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Tai L, Yin G, Huang X, Sun F, Zhu Y. In-cell structural insight into the stability of sperm microtubule doublet. Cell Discov 2023; 9:116. [PMID: 37989994 PMCID: PMC10663601 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00606-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The propulsion for mammalian sperm swimming is generated by flagella beating. Microtubule doublets (DMTs) along with microtubule inner proteins (MIPs) are essential structural blocks of flagella. However, the intricate molecular architecture of intact sperm DMT remains elusive. Here, by in situ cryo-electron tomography, we solved the in-cell structure of mouse sperm DMT at 4.5-7.5 Å resolutions, and built its model with 36 kinds of MIPs in 48 nm periodicity. We identified multiple copies of Tektin5 that reinforce Tektin bundle, and multiple MIPs with different periodicities that anchor the Tektin bundle to tubulin wall. This architecture contributes to a superior stability of A-tubule than B-tubule of DMT, which was revealed by structural comparison of DMTs from the intact and deformed axonemes. Our work provides an overall molecular picture of intact sperm DMT in 48 nm periodicity that is essential to understand the molecular mechanism of sperm motility as well as the related ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhua Tai
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Yin
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojun Huang
- Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Sun
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Biological Imaging, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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24
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Chen J, Wang Y, Wu B, Shi H, Wang L. Experimental and molecular support for Cfap70 as a causative gene of 'multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella' with male infertility†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:450-460. [PMID: 37458246 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella, a severe form of asthenozoospermia, can lead to male infertility. Recent studies have implicated an association between human CFAP70 deficiency and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella; however, the underlying biological mechanism and supporting experimental evidence in animal models remain unclear. To address this gap, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate Cfap70-deficient mice to investigate the relationship between Cfap70 deficiency and multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella. Our findings show that the loss of CFAP70 leads to multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella and spermiogenesis defects. Specifically, the lack of CFAP70 impairs sperm flagellum biogenesis and head shaping during spermiogenesis. Late-step spermatids from Cfap70-deficient mouse testis exhibited club-shaped sperm heads and abnormal disassembly of the manchette. Furthermore, we found that CFAP70 interacts with DNAI1 and DNAI2; Cfap70 deficiency also reduces the level of AKAP3 in sperm flagella, indicating that CFAP70 may participate in the flagellum assembly and transport of flagellar components. These findings provide compelling evidence implicating Cfap70 as a causative gene of multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella and highlight the consequences of CFAP70 loss on flagellum biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bangguo Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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25
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Meindl K, Issler N, Afonso S, Cebrian-Serrano A, Müller K, Sterner C, Othmen H, Tegtmeier I, Witzgall R, Klootwijk E, Davies B, Kleta R, Warth R. A missense mutation in Ehd1 associated with defective spermatogenesis and male infertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1240558. [PMID: 37900275 PMCID: PMC10600459 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1240558] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal function of the C-terminal Eps15 homology domain-containing protein 1 (EHD1) has previously been associated with endocytic vesicle trafficking, shaping of intracellular membranes, and ciliogenesis. We recently identified an autosomal recessive missense mutation c.1192C>T (p.R398W) of EHD1 in patients who had low molecular weight proteinuria (0.7-2.1 g/d) and high-frequency hearing loss. It was already known from Ehd1 knockout mice that inactivation of Ehd1 can lead to male infertility. However, the exact role of the EHD1 protein and its p.R398W mutant during spermatogenesis remained still unclear. Here, we report the testicular phenotype of a knockin mouse model carrying the p.R398W mutation in the EHD1 protein. Male homozygous knockin mice were infertile, whereas the mutation had no effect on female fertility. Testes and epididymes were significantly reduced in size and weight. The testicular epithelium appeared profoundly damaged and had a disorganized architecture. The composition of developing cell types was altered. Malformed acrosomes covered underdeveloped and misshaped sperm heads. In the sperm tail, midpieces were largely missing indicating disturbed assembly of the sperm tail. Defective structures, i.e., nuclei, acrosomes, and sperm tail midpieces, were observed in large vacuoles scattered throughout the epithelium. Interestingly, cilia formation itself did not appear to be affected, as the axoneme and other parts of the sperm tails except the midpieces appeared to be intact. In wildtype mice, EHD1 co-localized with acrosomal granules on round spermatids, suggesting a role of the EHD1 protein during acrosomal development. Wildtype EHD1 also co-localized with the VPS35 component of the retromer complex, whereas the p.R398W mutant did not. The testicular pathologies appeared very early during the first spermatogenic wave in young mice (starting at 14 dpp) and tubular destruction worsened with age. Taken together, EHD1 plays an important and probably multifaceted role in spermatogenesis in mice. Therefore, EHD1 may also be a hitherto underestimated infertility gene in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Meindl
- Medical Cell Biology, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Naomi Issler
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit and Research Lab, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sara Afonso
- Medical Cell Biology, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alberto Cebrian-Serrano
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Karin Müller
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo- und Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Helga Othmen
- Medical Cell Biology, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ines Tegtmeier
- Medical Cell Biology, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Witzgall
- Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Enriko Klootwijk
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Genetic Modification Service, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Kleta
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Warth
- Medical Cell Biology, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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26
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Liu C, Wang Q, Gu L, Wang X, Yin Y, Huang T, Xiao S, Zhang S, Wang F, Zhou T, Xu G, Wang L, Dong F, Jiang J, Luo M, Li J, Zhang H, Zi-Jiang Chen, Ji W, Ji B, Liu H, Li W. CCDC176 stabilizes microtubule doublets 1 and 9 to ensure proper sperm movement. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3371-3388.e7. [PMID: 37494937 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanism underlying asymmetric axonemal complexes in sperm flagella is still largely unknown. Here, we showed that the knockout of the coiled-coil domain-containing 176 (CCDC176) in mice led to male infertility due to decreased sperm motility. Ccdc176 knockout specifically destabilized microtubule doublets (MTDs) 1 and 9 during sperm maturation in the corpus epididymis. Single-sperm immunofluorescence showed that most CCDC176 was distributed along the axoneme, and further super-resolution imaging revealed that CCDC176 is asymmetrically localized in the sperm axoneme. CCDC176 could cooperate with microtubule and radial spoke proteins to stabilize MTDs 1 and 9, and its knockout results in the destabilization of some proteins in sperm flagella. Furthermore, as predicted by the sperm multibody dynamics (MBD) model, we found that MTDs 1 and 9 jutted out from the sperm flagellum annulus region in Ccdc176-/- spermatozoa, and these flagellar defects alter sperm flagellar beat patterns and swimming paths, potentially owing to the reduction and disequilibration of bending torque on the central pair. These results demonstrate that CCDC176 specifically stabilizes MTDs 1 and 9 in the sperm flagellum to ensure proper sperm movement for fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qianchun Wang
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
| | - Lusheng Gu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiuge Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Sai Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fuqiang Wang
- Analysis Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214002, China
| | - Guangqiong Xu
- Analysis Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fucheng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Genome Tagging Project (GTP) Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mengcheng Luo
- Department of Tissue and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- Genome Tagging Project (GTP) Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Haobo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wei Ji
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Baohua Ji
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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27
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Wang Z, Fang K, Wan Y, Yin Y, Li M, Xu K, Li T, Cao Y, Lv Y, Lu G, Liu H, Huang T. TTC6-Mediated Stabilization of the Flagellum Annulus Ensures the Rapid and Directed Motion of Sperm. Cells 2023; 12:2091. [PMID: 37626901 PMCID: PMC10453820 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility and structural integrity are essential for successful fertilization in vivo, and any hindrance of the correct assembly of the axoneme and peri-axonemal structures in the sperm flagellum can lead to fertility problems. While there has been considerable advancement in studying diseases related to the flagellum, the underlying mechanisms that control sperm movement are not yet fully understood. In this study, we reveal that the tetratricopeptide repeat protein 6 (Ttc6) gene, expressed mainly in the testes, plays a crucial role in maintaining male fertility in mice. We further demonstrate that the knockout of Ttc6 in mice results in decreased sperm motility and induces an abnormal circular swimming pattern, consequently leading to male subfertility. Morphological analysis showed an atypical hairpin-like appearance of the spermatozoa, and ultrastructural studies showed unsheathed flagella at the juncture between the midpiece and principal piece. Collectively, these findings suggest that TTC6 plays an essential role in maintaining the stability of the annulus region of the sperm flagellum, thus ensuring the swift and directed motion of sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kailun Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China;
| | - Yanling Wan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Mengjing Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yongzhi Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- The Model Animal Research Centre, Shandong University, Jinan 250010, China
| | - Yue Lv
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Gang Lu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; (Z.W.); (Y.W.); (Y.Y.); (M.L.); (K.X.); (T.L.); (Y.C.); (G.L.); (H.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
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28
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Ribeiro JC, Bernardino RL, Gonçalves A, Barros A, Calamita G, Alves MG, Oliveira PF. Aquaporin-7-Mediated Glycerol Permeability Is Linked to Human Sperm Motility in Asthenozoospermia and during Sperm Capacitation. Cells 2023; 12:2003. [PMID: 37566082 PMCID: PMC10416866 DOI: 10.3390/cells12152003] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Osmoregulation plays a vital role in sperm function, encompassing spermatogenesis, maturation, and fertilization. Aquaglyceroporins, a subclass of aquaporins (AQPs), facilitate the transport of water and glycerol across the sperm membrane, with glycerol serving as an important substrate for sperm bioenergetics. This study aimed to elucidate the significance of AQP-mediated glycerol permeability in sperm motility. The presence and localization of AQP3 and AQP7 in human sperm were assessed using immunofluorescence. Subsequently, the glycerol permeability of spermatozoa obtained from normozoospermic individuals (n = 30) was measured, using stopped-flow light scattering, after incubation with specific aquaporin inhibitors targeting AQP3 (DFP00173), AQP7 (Z433927330), or general aquaglyceroporin (phloretin). Sperm from asthenozoospermic men (n = 30) were utilized to evaluate the AQP7-mediated glycerol permeability, and to compare it with that of normozoospermic men. Furthermore, hypermotile capacitated sperm cells were examined, to determine the AQP7 expression and membrane glycerol permeability. AQP3 was predominantly observed in the tail region, while AQP7 was present in the head, midpiece, and tail of human sperm. Our findings indicate that AQP7 plays a key role in glycerol permeability, as the inhibition of AQP7 resulted in a 55% decrease in glycerol diffusion across the sperm membrane. Importantly, this glycerol permeability impairment was evident in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic individuals, suggesting the dysregulation of AQP7-mediated glycerol transport, despite similar AQP7 levels. Conversely, the AQP7 expression increased in capacitated sperm, compared to non-capacitated sperm. Hence, AQP7-mediated permeability may serve as a valuable indicator of sperm motility, and be crucial in sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C. Ribeiro
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (R.L.B.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3010-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Raquel L. Bernardino
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (R.L.B.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Gonçalves
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Professor Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal (A.B.)
| | - Alberto Barros
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Professor Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal (A.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Marco G. Alves
- iBiMED-Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3010-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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29
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Bai J, Zhou G, Hao S, Liu Y, Guo Y, Wang J, Liu H, Wang L, Li J, Liu A, Sun WQ, Wan P, Fu X. Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics assay identifies the role of FCGR1A in maintaining sperm fertilization capacity during semen cryopreservation in sheep. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1177774. [PMID: 37601105 PMCID: PMC10433746 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1177774] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Semen cryopreservation is a promising technology employed in preserving high-quality varieties in animal husbandry and is also widely applied in the human sperm bank. However, the compromised qualities, such as decreased sperm motility, damaged membrane structure, and reduced fertilization competency, have significantly hampered the efficient application of this technique. Therefore, it is imperative to depict various molecular changes found in cryopreserved sperm and identify the regulatory network in response to the cryopreservation stress. In this study, semen was collected from three Chinese Merino rams and divided into untreated (fresh semen, FS) and programmed freezing (programmed freezing semen, PS) groups. After measuring different quality parameters, the ultra-low RNA-seq and tandem mass tag-based (TMT) proteome were conducted in both the groups. The results indicated that the motility (82.63% ± 3.55% vs. 34.10% ± 2.90%, p < 0.05) and viability (89.46% ± 2.53% vs. 44.78% ± 2.29%, p < 0.05) of the sperm in the FS group were significantly higher compared to those in the PS group. In addition, 45 upregulated and 291 downregulated genes, as well as 30 upregulated and 48 downregulated proteins, were found in transcriptomics and proteomics data separately. Moreover, three integrated methods, namely, functional annotation and enrichment analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and two-way orthogonal partial least squares (O2PLS) analysis, were used for further analysis. The results suggested that various differentially expressed genes and proteins (DEGs and DEPs) were mainly enriched in leishmaniasis and hematopoietic cell lineage, and Fc gamma receptor Ia (FCGR1A) was significantly downregulated in cryopreserved sperm both at mRNA and protein levels in comparison with the fresh counterpart. In addition, top five genes (FCGR1A, HCK, SLX4, ITGA3, and BET1) and 22 proteins could form a distinct network in which genes and proteins were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). Interestingly, FCGR1A also appeared in the top 25 correlation list based on O2PLS analysis. Hence, FCGR1A was selected as the most potential differentially expressed candidate for screening by the three integrated multi-omics analysis methods. In addition, Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that the expression level of FCGR1A was positively correlated with sperm motility and viability. A subsequent experiment was conducted to identify the biological role of FCGR1A in sperm function. The results showed that both the sperm viability (fresh group: 87.65% ± 4.17% vs. 75.8% ± 1.15%, cryopreserved group: 48.15% ± 0.63% vs. 42.45% ± 2.61%, p < 0.05) and motility (fresh group: 83.27% ± 4.15% vs. 70.41% ± 1.07%, cryopreserved group: 45.31% ± 3.28% vs. 35.13% ± 2.82%, p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in fresh and frozen sperm when FCGR1A was blocked. Moreover, the cleavage rate of embryos fertilized by FCGR1A-blocked sperm was noted to be significantly lower in both fresh (95.28% ± 1.16% vs. 90.44% ± 1.56%, p < 0.05) and frozen groups (89.8% ± 1.50% vs. 82.53% ± 1.53%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results revealed that the downregulated membrane protein FCGR1A can potentially contribute to the reduced sperm fertility competency in the cryopreserved sheep sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Bai
- Institute of Biothermal Science and Technology, School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Guizhen Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shaopeng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China
| | - Yucheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Yanhua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Hongtao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Longfei Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Medical Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Aiju Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wendell Q. Sun
- Institute of Biothermal Science and Technology, School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengcheng Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Xiangwei Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
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30
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Cong S, Zhang J, Pan F, Pan L, Zhang A, Ma J. Research progress on ion channels and their molecular regulatory mechanisms in the human sperm flagellum. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23052. [PMID: 37352114 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300756r] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The ion channels in sperm tail play an important role in triggering key physiological reactions, e.g., progressive motility, hyperactivation, required for successful fertilization. Among them, CatSper and KSper have been shown to be important ion channels for the transport of Ca2+ and K+ . Moreover, the voltage-gated proton channel Hv1, the sperm-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger (sNHE), the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), members of the temperature-sensitive TRP channel family, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) are also found in the flagellum. This review focuses on the latest advances in ion channels located at the flagellum, describes how they affect sperm physiological function, and summarizes some primary mutual regulation mechanism between ion channels, including PH, membrane potential, and cAMP. These ion channels may be promising targets for clinical application in infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Cong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Feng Pan
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Lianjun Pan
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Aixia Zhang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jiehua Ma
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
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31
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Peruzza L, Tucci CF, Frizzo R, Riello T, Quagliariello A, Martino ME, Manuzzi A, Dalla Rovere G, Bonsembiante F, Gelain ME, Smits M, Borgheresi O, Camerani F, Panin M, Venier P, Mammi S, Hauton C, Patarnello T, Milan M, Bargelloni L. Impaired reproduction, energy reserves and dysbiosis: The overlooked consequences of heatwaves in a bivalve mollusc. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115192. [PMID: 37364338 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Extreme events like Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) are becoming more intense, severe, and frequent, threatening benthic communities, specifically bivalves. However, the consequences of non-lethal MHWs on animals are still poorly understood. Here, we exposed the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum to non-lethal MHW for 30 days and provided an integrative view of its effects. Our result indicated that albeit non-lethal, MHW reduced clam's energy reserves (by reducing their hepato-somatic index), triggered antioxidant defenses (particularly in males), impaired reproduction (via the production of smaller oocytes in females), triggered dysbiosis in the digestive gland microbiota and altered animals' behaviour (by impacting their burying capacity) and filtration rate. Such effects were seen also at RNA-seq (i.e. many down-regulated genes belonged to reproduction) and metabolome level. Interestingly, negative effects were more pronounced in males than in females. Our results show that MHWs influence animal physiology at multiple levels, likely impacting its fitness and its ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Peruzza
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Carmen Federica Tucci
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Riccardo Frizzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Tobia Riello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Quagliariello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Martino
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alice Manuzzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Giulia Dalla Rovere
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Federico Bonsembiante
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Gelain
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Morgan Smits
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Camerani
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Mattia Panin
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Venier
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Mammi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Chris Hauton
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way Southampton, UK
| | - Tomaso Patarnello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; NFBC, National Future Biodiversity Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimo Milan
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; NFBC, National Future Biodiversity Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Bargelloni
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; NFBC, National Future Biodiversity Center, Palermo, Italy
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Wu S, Li X, Huang G, Guo J, Zhang X, Liao L, Zhi W, Li K, Wang Y, Chu Z, Shang L, Yu X, Yu K, Xu W. Dissecting Sperm Mitochondrial G-Quadruplex Structures Using a Fluorescent Probe Biomarker to Monitor and Regulate Fertilization Capability. ACS Sens 2023; 8:2186-2196. [PMID: 37224082 PMCID: PMC10295354 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c00068] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To monitor the levels of mitochondrial DNA G-quadruplexes (mtDNA G4s) in spermatozoa and to explore the possibility using mtDNA G4s as a reliable marker in patients with multiple clinical insemination failures, a novel chemical TPE-mTO probe engineered in our previous work was used on both samples from the mice sperm and from patients with fertilization failure. Expression of valosin-containing protein and the zona-free hamster egg assay were used to evaluate mitophagy and human sperm penetration. RNA-sequencing was used to explore expression changes of key genes affected by mtDNA G4s. Results showed that the probe can track mtDNA G4s in spermatozoa easily and quickly with fewer backgrounds. Significantly increased mtDNA G4s were also found in patients with fertilization failure, using the flow-cytometry-based TPE-mTO probe detection method. A sperm-hamster egg penetration experiment showed that abnormal fertilization caused by increased mtDNA G4s can be effectively restored by a mitophagy inducer. This study provides a novel method for monitoring etiological biomarkers in patients with clinical infertility and treatment for patients with abnormal fertilization caused by mtDNA G4 dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sixian Wu
- Joint
Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, SCU-CUHK, Key Laboratory of Obstetric,
Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University
Hospital, Med-X Centre for Manufacturing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoliang Li
- Joint
Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, SCU-CUHK, Key Laboratory of Obstetric,
Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University
Hospital, Med-X Centre for Manufacturing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
- Reproduction
Medical Centre, West China Second University
Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gelin Huang
- Joint
Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, SCU-CUHK, Key Laboratory of Obstetric,
Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University
Hospital, Med-X Centre for Manufacturing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juncen Guo
- Joint
Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, SCU-CUHK, Key Laboratory of Obstetric,
Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University
Hospital, Med-X Centre for Manufacturing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Joint
Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, SCU-CUHK, Key Laboratory of Obstetric,
Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University
Hospital, Med-X Centre for Manufacturing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Liao
- Puhua
Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610200, China
| | - Weiwei Zhi
- Sichuan
Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu 610045, China
| | - Kun Li
- Key
Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education),
College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction
Medical Centre, West China Second University
Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhiwen Chu
- West
China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Lijun Shang
- School of
Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, U.K.
| | - Xiaoqi Yu
- Key
Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education),
College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Kangkang Yu
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment (Ministry of Education),
College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
- Key
Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education),
College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Joint
Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, SCU-CUHK, Key Laboratory of Obstetric,
Gynaecologic and Paediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry
of Education, West China Second University
Hospital, Med-X Centre for Manufacturing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
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Zhou L, Liu H, Liu S, Yang X, Dong Y, Pan Y, Xiao Z, Zheng B, Sun Y, Huang P, Zhang X, Hu J, Sun R, Feng S, Zhu Y, Liu M, Gui M, Wu J. Structures of sperm flagellar doublet microtubules expand the genetic spectrum of male infertility. Cell 2023; 186:2897-2910.e19. [PMID: 37295417 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sperm motility is crucial for successful fertilization. Highly decorated doublet microtubules (DMTs) form the sperm tail skeleton, which propels the movement of spermatozoa. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based modeling, we determined the structures of mouse and human sperm DMTs and built an atomic model of the 48-nm repeat of the mouse sperm DMT. Our analysis revealed 47 DMT-associated proteins, including 45 microtubule inner proteins (MIPs). We identified 10 sperm-specific MIPs, including seven classes of Tektin5 in the lumen of the A tubule and FAM166 family members that bind the intra-tubulin interfaces. Interestingly, the human sperm DMT lacks some MIPs compared with the mouse sperm DMT. We also discovered variants in 10 distinct MIPs associated with a subtype of asthenozoospermia characterized by impaired sperm motility without evident morphological abnormalities. Our study highlights the conservation and tissue/species specificity of DMTs and expands the genetic spectrum of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lunni Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haobin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, The Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yun Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhuang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Beihong Zheng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Pengyu Huang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Xixi Zhang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin Hu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Feng
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Miao Gui
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jianping Wu
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China.
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He X, Mu W, Wang Z, Xu K, Yin Y, Lu G, Chan WY, Liu H, Lv Y, Liu S. Deficiency of the Tmem232 Gene Causes Male Infertility with Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagellum in Mice. Cells 2023; 12:1614. [PMID: 37371084 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121614] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The axoneme and accessory structures of flagella are critical for sperm motility and male fertilization. Sperm production needs precise and highly ordered gene expression to initiate and sustain the many cellular processes that result in mature spermatozoa. Here, we identified a testis enriched gene transmembrane protein 232 (Tmem232), which is essential for the structural integrity of the spermatozoa flagella axoneme. Tmem232 knockout mice were generated for in vivo analyses of its functions in spermatogenesis. Phenotypic analysis showed that deletion of Tmem232 in mice causes male-specific infertility. Transmission electron microscopy together with scanning electron microscopy were applied to analyze the spermatozoa flagella and it was observed that the lack of TMEM232 caused failure of the cytoplasm removal and the absence of the 7th outer microtubule doublet with its corresponding outer dense fiber (ODF). Co-IP assays further identified that TMEM232 interacts with ODF family protein ODF1, which is essential to maintain sperm motility. In conclusion, our findings indicate that TMEM232 is a critical protein for male fertility and sperm motility by regulating sperm cytoplasm removal and maintaining axoneme integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuqing He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wenyu Mu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yingying Yin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Gang Lu
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan 250012, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yue Lv
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Shangming Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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35
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Wu B, Li R, Ma S, Ma Y, Fan L, Gong C, Liu C, Sun L, Yuan L. The cilia and flagella associated protein CFAP52 orchestrated with CFAP45 is required for sperm motility in mice. J Biol Chem 2023:104858. [PMID: 37236356 PMCID: PMC10319328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia characterized by decreased sperm motility is a major cause of male infertility, but the majority of their etiology remains unknown. Here, we showed that the cilia and flagella associated protein 52 (Cfap52) gene was predominantly expressed in testis and its deletion in a Cfap52 knockout mouse model resulted in decreased sperm motility and male infertility. Cfap52 knockout also led to the disorganization of midpiece-principal piece junction of the sperm tail, but had no effect on the axoneme ultrastructure in spermatozoa. Furthermore, we found that CFAP52 interacted with the cilia and flagella associated protein 45 (CFAP45), and knockout of Cfap52 decreased the expression level of CFAP45 in sperm flagellum, which further disrupted the microtubule sliding produced by dynein ATPase. Together, our studies demonstrate that CFAP52 plays an essential role in sperm motility by interacting with CFAP45 in sperm flagellum, providing insights into the potential pathogenesis of the infertility of the human CFAP52 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Wu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rachel Li
- Beijing Academy International Division, Beijing, 100018, China
| | - Shuang Ma
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanjie Ma
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lijun Fan
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, Metabolism, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Chunxiu Gong
- Department of Endocrinology, Genetics, Metabolism, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Sun
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 510623 Guangzhou, China.
| | - Li Yuan
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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36
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Zhao Q, Liu Y, Wang X, Zhu Y, Jiao Y, Bao Y, Shi W. Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids reducing oxidative stress of the improve sperm damage in bisphenol A exposed mice offspring. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 255:114831. [PMID: 36966614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common environmental endocrine disruptor, and overexposure is a threat to male reproduction. Although studies have confirmed that BPA exposure causes a decrease in sperm quality in offspring, the dosage used, and the underlying mechanism is not clear. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids (CCFs) can antagonize or alleviate BPA-induced reproductive injury by analyzing the processes associated with BPA's impairment of sperm quality. BPA and 40 mg/kg bw/day of CCFs were administered to the dams at gestation day (GD) 0.5-17.5. Testicles and serum of male mice are collected on postnatal day 56 (PND56), and spermatozoa are collected to detect relevant indicators. Our results showed that compared with the BPA group, CCFs could significantly increase the serum contents of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T) in males at PND 56, as well as the transcription levels of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and Cytochrome P450 family 11, subfamily A, and member 1 (CYP11A1). CCFs also significantly inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce oxidative stress, increase mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduce sperm apoptosis. It also has a certain regulatory effect on sperm telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number. These results suggest that CCFs can increase reproductive hormone and receptor levels in adult males by regulating the expression of oxidative stress correlated factors, and ultimately mitigate the negative effects of BPA on sperm quality in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhui Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Yixuan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Yulan Jiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; Hebei Veterinary Biotenology Innovation Center, Baoding 071001, China; Ruipu (Baoding) Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Baoding 071000, China
| | - Yongzhan Bao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Wanyu Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; Hebei Veterinary Biotenology Innovation Center, Baoding 071001, China.
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37
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Mytlis A, Levy K, Elkouby YM. The many faces of the bouquet centrosome MTOC in meiosis and germ cell development. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 81:102158. [PMID: 36913831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102158] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic chromosomal pairing is facilitated by a conserved cytoskeletal organization. Telomeres associate with perinuclear microtubules via Sun/KASH complexes on the nuclear envelope (NE) and dynein. Telomere sliding on perinuclear microtubules contributes to chromosome homology searches and is essential for meiosis. Telomeres ultimately cluster on the NE, facing the centrosome, in a configuration called the chromosomal bouquet. Here, we discuss novel components and functions of the bouquet microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in meiosis, but also broadly in gamete development. The cellular mechanics of chromosome movements and the bouquet MTOC dynamics are striking. The newly identified zygotene cilium mechanically anchors the bouquet centrosome and completes the bouquet MTOC machinery in zebrafish and mice. We hypothesize that various centrosome anchoring strategies evolved in different species. Evidence suggests that the bouquet MTOC machinery is a cellular organizer, linking meiotic mechanisms with gamete development and morphogenesis. We highlight this cytoskeletal organization as a new platform for creating a holistic understanding of early gametogenesis, with direct implications to fertility and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishag Mytlis
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein-Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel; Institute for Medical Research - Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein-Kerem Campus, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Karine Levy
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein-Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel; Institute for Medical Research - Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein-Kerem Campus, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Yaniv M Elkouby
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein-Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, 9112102, Israel; Institute for Medical Research - Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Ein-Kerem Campus, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel.
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38
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Chicaiza-Cabezas N, Garcia-Herreros M, Aponte PM. Germplasm cryopreservation in bulls: Effects of gonadal tissue type, cryoprotectant agent, and freezing-thawing rates on sperm quality parameters. Cryobiology 2023; 110:24-35. [PMID: 36603805 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.01.001] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Germplasm preservation is crucial for reproductive programs involving farm and endangered species. This study describes the effects of slow-uncontrolled cryopreservation protocols on bovine sperm associated with testicular or epididymal tissues. Samples from the testis or epididymis (cauda) were cut into ∼0.5 or 1 cm3 fragments and cryopreserved using Me2SO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) or glycerol-based cryoprotectants. Sperm were collected from testicular or epididymal tissue before and after freezing-thawing (38 °C or 40 °C) and kept at room temperature (RT) or 4 °C during handling. The parameters studied were viability, membrane integrity (HOS), motility, acrosome integrity, chromatin, and morphology. Pre-freezing parameters were lower in testicular sperm than epididymal: HOS+ and DNA integrity (P < 0.05). Normal-% pre-freezing testicular sperm morphology was lower than epididymal (43.3 ± 1.8% vs. 65.3 ± 14.8%). All testicular RT-kept sperm parameters decreased post-freezing, except for acrosome integrity, which remained constant (P > 0.05). There were no differences in Me2SO-frozen tissue sizes (P > 0.05). All epididymal RT-kept sperm parameters dropped post-freezing except for the constant DNA integrity (P > 0.05). 4oC-kept sperm were fitter than those at RT (P < 0.05). 4oC-kept testicular sperm viability, DNA, and membrane integrities declined after 38 °C or 40 °C thawing (P < 0.05). Acrosome integrity and motility remained unchanged after freezing (P > 0.05). 4oC-kept epididymal sperm acrosome integrity, motility, and HOS+% severely dropped post-thawing (P < 0.05). Viability and DNA integrity were unchanged (38 °C vs. 40 °C; P > 0.05). Overall, post-freezing sperm morphology was unaffected (P > 0.05), but Dag defect was significantly lower in testicular samples (P < 0.05). Whole-epididymis parameters were maintained up to 24h at 4 °C (P > 0.05). In conclusion, testis-epididymis freezing protocols should use small tissue pieces, Me2SO-based cryoprotectants, and 4°C-kept samples to reduce sperm damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Chicaiza-Cabezas
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, 170157, Quito, Ecuador
| | - M Garcia-Herreros
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I. P. (INIAV, I.P.), Polo de Santarém, Santarém, 2005-048, Portugal
| | - P M Aponte
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, 170157, Quito, Ecuador; Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, 170157, Quito, Ecuador; Instituto de Investigaciones en Biomedicina, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, 170157, Quito, Ecuador.
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Supplementation of Schisandrin B in Semen Extender Improves Quality and Oxidation Resistance of Boar Spermatozoa Stored at 4 °C. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050848. [PMID: 36899705 PMCID: PMC10000210 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050848] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During cold storage, boar spermatozoa undergo oxidative stress, which can impair sperm function and fertilizing capacity. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B) in semen extenders on the quality of boar semen stored at hypothermia. Semen was collected from twelve Duroc boars and diluted in extenders supplemented with different concentrations of Sch B (0 μmol/L, 2.5 μmol/L, 5 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, and 40 μmol/L). Here, we demonstrated that 10 μmol/L Sch B provided the best effects on motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, sperm normality rate, average movement velocity, wobbility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity of sperm. The results of Sch B effects on antioxidant factors in boar sperm showed that Sch B significantly elevated the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and markedly decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of sperm. The expression of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA was increased, while the expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA demonstrated no change compared to non-treated boar sperm. Compared to the non-treated group, Sch B triggered a decrease in Ca2+/protein kinase A (PKA) and lactic acid content in boar sperm. Similarly, Sch B led to a statistically higher quantitative expression of AWN mRNA and a lower quantitative expression of porcine seminal protein I (PSP-I) and porcine seminal protein II (PSP-II) mRNA. In a further reverse validation test, no significant difference was observed in any of the parameters, including adhesion protein mRNA, calcium content, lactic acid content, PKA, and protein kinase G (PKG) activity after sperm capacitation. In conclusion, the current study indicates the efficient use of Sch B with a 10 μmol/L concentration in the treatment of boar sperm through its anti-apoptosis, antioxidative, and decapacitative mechanisms, suggesting that Sch B is a novel candidate for improving antioxidation and decapacitation factors in sperm in liquid at 4 °C.
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Hu X, Zhu L, Ouyang Q, Wang J, Hu J, Hu B, Hu S, He H, Li L, Liu H, Wang J. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified crucial genes and pathways affecting sperm motility in the reproductive tract of drakes with different libido. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102560. [PMID: 36881978 PMCID: PMC9993030 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Libido can affect the semen quality of male, and the sperm motility in semen quality parameters is a reliable index to evaluate the fertility of male. In drakes, the sperm motility is gradually acquired in testis, epididymis, and spermaduct. However, the relationship between libido and sperm motility in drakes has not been reported and the mechanisms of testis, epididymis, and spermaduct regulating the sperm motility of drakes are unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to compare the semen quality of drakes with libido level 4 (LL4) and libido level 5 (LL5), and tried to identify the mechanisms regulating the sperm motility in drakes by performing RNA-seq in testis, epididymis, and spermaduct. Phenotypically, the sperm motility of drakes (P < 0.01), weight of testis (P < 0.05), and organ index of epididymis (P < 0.05) in the LL5 group were significantly better than those in LL4 group. Moreover, compared with the LL4 group, the ductal square of seminiferous tubule (ST) in testis was significantly bigger in the LL5 group (P < 0.05), and the seminiferous epithelial thickness (P < 0.01) of ST in testis and lumenal diameter (P < 0.05) of ductuli conjugentes/dutus epididymidis in epididymis were significantly longer in the LL5 group. In transcriptional regulation, in addition to KEGG pathways related to metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation, lots of KEGG pathways associated with immunity, proliferation, and signaling were also significantly enriched in testis, epididymis, and spermaduct, respectively. Furthermore, through the integrated analysis of coexpression network and protein-protein interaction network, 3 genes (including COL11A1, COL14A1, and C3AR1) involved in protein digestion and absorption pathway and Staphylococcus aureus infection pathway were identified in testis, 2 genes (including BUB1B and ESPL1) involved in cell cycle pathway were identified in epididymis, and 13 genes (including DNAH1, DNAH3, DNAH7, DNAH10, DNAH12, DNAI1, DNAI2, DNALI1, NTF3, ITGA1, TLR2, RELN, and PAK1) involved in Huntington disease pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway were identified in spermaduct. These genes could play crucial roles in the sperm motility of drakes with different libido, and all data the present study obtained will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating sperm motility of drakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lipeng Zhu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qingyuan Ouyang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junqi Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shenqiang Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hua He
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130 Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Kumaresan A, Sinha MK, Paul N, Nag P, Ebenezer Samuel King JP, Kumar R, Datta TK. Establishment of a repertoire of fertility associated sperm proteins and their differential abundance in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) with contrasting fertility. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2272. [PMID: 36754964 PMCID: PMC9908891 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29529-5] [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: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm harbours a wide range of proteins regulating their functions and fertility. In the present study, we made an effort to characterize and quantify the proteome of buffalo bull spermatozoa, and to identify fertility associated sperm proteins through comparative proteomics. Using high-throughput mass spectrometry platform, we identified 1305 proteins from buffalo spermatozoa and found that these proteins were mostly enriched in glycolytic process, mitochondrial respiratory chain, tricarboxylic acid cycle, protein folding, spermatogenesis, sperm motility and sperm binding to zona pellucida (p < 7.74E-08) besides metabolic (p = 4.42E-31) and reactive oxygen species (p = 1.81E-30) pathways. Differential proteomic analysis revealed that 844 proteins were commonly expressed in spermatozoa from both the groups while 77 and 52 proteins were exclusively expressed in high- and low-fertile bulls, respectively. In low-fertile bulls, 75 proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated and 176 proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated; these proteins were highly enriched in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly (p = 2.63E-07) and flagellated sperm motility (p = 7.02E-05) processes besides oxidative phosphorylation pathway (p = 6.61E-15). The down regulated proteins in low-fertile bulls were involved in sperm motility, metabolism, sperm-egg recognition and fertilization. These variations in the sperm proteome could be used as potential markers for the selection of buffalo bulls for fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India.
| | - Manish Kumar Sinha
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Nilendu Paul
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - John Peter Ebenezer Samuel King
- Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560030, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132 001, India
| | - Tirtha Kumar Datta
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, 125 001, India
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Liu W, Wei X, Liu X, Chen G, Zhang X, Liang X, Isachenko V, Sha Y, Wang Y. Biallelic mutations in ARMC12 cause asthenozoospermia and multiple midpiece defects in humans and mice. J Med Genet 2023; 60:154-162. [PMID: 35534203 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-108137] [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: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthenozoospermia is a major factor contributing to male infertility. The mitochondrial sheath (MS), an important organelle in the midpiece of spermatozoa, is crucial to sperm motility. ARMC12 is a mitochondrial peripheral membrane protein. Deletion of Armc12 impairs the arrangement of MS and causes infertility in mice. However, the role of ARMC12 in human asthenozoospermia remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To study the genetic defects in patients with asthenozoospermia. METHODS A total of 125 patients with asthenozoospermia and 120 men with proven fertility were recruited. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed for genetic analysis. Papanicolaou staining, HE staining, immunofluorescent staining, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy were employed to observe the morphological and structural defects of the spermatozoa and testes. Armc12-knockout mice were generated using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was used to treat the patients. RESULTS Biallelic ARMC12 mutations were identified in three patients, including homozygous mutations in two siblings from a consanguineous family and compound heterozygous mutations in one sporadic patient. ARMC12 is mainly expressed in the midpiece of elongated and late spermatids in the human testis. The patients' spermatozoa displayed multiple midpiece defects, including absent MS and central pair, scattered or forked axoneme and incomplete plasma membrane. Spermatozoa from Armc12-/- mice showed parallel defects in the midpiece. Moreover, two patients were treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection and achieved good outcomes. CONCLUSION Our findings prove for the first time that defects in ARMC12 cause asthenozoospermia and multiple midpiece defects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensheng Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Gaowen Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoya Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaomei Liang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Women and Children's Hospital & School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Fahmy MA, Hassan EE, Farghaly AA, Hassan ZM. Genotoxicity, DNA damage and sperm defects induced by vinblastine. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:1059-1068. [PMID: 36394708 PMCID: PMC9889443 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08061-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment with chemotherapy may develop secondary tumors as a result of chemo genotoxicity. Sperm defects is another complication associated with chemo treatment. In this study the genotoxicity of vinblastine (VB) was estimated in both somatic and germ cells. MATERIALS 85 mice were taken. Four single doses of VB at 3, 4.5, 6 and 10 mg/kg and three successive doses at 3, 4.5 and 6 mg/kg were taken for estimation of chromosomal aberrations (CAs). Four single doses of VB were involved in estimating the DNA fragmentation, and comet assay. For sperm abnormalities mice were injected with three successive doses of VB at 3, 4.5, and 6 mg/kg. RESULTS The results demonstrated a significant frequency of DNA fragmentation in spleen cells and in the percentage of CAs in bone marrow. Numerical and structural aberrations were recorded with a pronounced number of polyploidy metaphases which reached (11.60%) after treatment with 6 mg/kg for three successive days vs zero for control. VB also induced a significant percentage of CAs in spermatocytes in the form of univalent. Sperm defects in the form of coiled tail, absence of acrosome and shapeless head and a significant DNA damage in the testes were recorded. The frequency of sperm abnormalities reached 11.06 ± 0.14 after treatment with highest tested dose (6 mg/kg) vs 3.04 ± 0.19 for control. CONCLUSION VB is genotoxic in somatic and germ cells. Sperm defects induced by VB are of serious concern to future generations and may affect the fertility of cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha A Fahmy
- Department of Genetics and Cytology, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Entesar E Hassan
- Department of Genetics and Cytology, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Ayman A Farghaly
- Department of Genetics and Cytology, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Zeinab M Hassan
- Department of Natural Compounds Chemistry Research, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt
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Cheung S, Xie P, Rosenwaks Z, Palermo GD. Profiling the male germline genome to unravel its reproductive potential. Fertil Steril 2023; 119:196-206. [PMID: 36379263 PMCID: PMC9898105 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.11.006] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify specific germline mutations related to sperm reproductive competence, in couples with unexplained infertility. DESIGN In this retrospective study, couples were divided according to whether they had successful intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes (fertile) or not (infertile). Ancillary sperm function tests were performed on ejaculates, and whole exome sequencing was performed on spermatozoal DNA. Sperm aneuploidy and gene mutation profiles were compared between the 2 cohorts as well as according to the specific reasons for reproductive failure. SETTING Center for reproductive medicine at a major academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Thirty-one couples with negative infertility workups and normal semen parameters. INTERVENTION(S) Couples with mutations on fertilization- or embryo development-related genes were subsequently treated by assisted gamete treatment or microfluidics, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle outcomes including fertilization, clinical pregnancy, and delivery rates. RESULT(S) Sperm aneuploidy was lower in the fertile group (4.0% vs. 8.4%). Spermatozoa from both cohorts displayed mutations associated with sperm-egg fusion (ADAM3A) and acrosomal development (SPACA1), regardless of reproductive outcome. The infertile cohort was then categorized according to the reasons for reproductive failure: absent fertilization, poor early embryo development, implantation failure, or pregnancy loss. Spermatozoa from the fertilization failure subgroup (n = 4) had negligible PLCζ presence (10% ± 9%) and gene mutations (PLCZ1, PIWIL1, ADAM15) indicating a sperm-related oocyte-activating deficiency. These couples were successfully treated by assisted gamete treatment in their subsequent cycles. Spermatozoa from the poor early embryo development subgroup (n = 5) had abnormal centrosomes (45.9% ± 5%), and displayed mutations impacting centrosome integrity (HAUS1) and spindle/microtubular stabilization (KIF4A, XRN1). Microfluidic sperm processing subsequently yielded a term pregnancy. Spermatozoa from the implantation failure subgroup (n = 7) also had abnormal centrosomes (53.1% ± 13%) and carried mutations affecting embryonic implantation (IL9R) and microtubule and centrosomal integrity (MAP1S, SUPT5H, PLK4), whereas those from the pregnancy loss subgroup (n = 5) displayed mutations on genes involved in trophoblast development (NLRP7), cell cycle regulation (MARK4, TRIP13, DAB2IP, KIF1C), and recurrent miscarriage (TP53). CONCLUSION(S) By assessing the sperm genome, we identified specific germline mutations related to various reproductive processes. This information may clarify elusive factors underlying reproductive competence and enhance treatment for couples with unexplained infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cheung
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Philip Xie
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Gianpiero D Palermo
- The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
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Pereira R, Sousa M. Morphological and Molecular Bases of Male Infertility: A Closer Look at Sperm Flagellum. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020383. [PMID: 36833310 PMCID: PMC9956255 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a major health problem worldwide without an effective therapy or cure. It is estimated to affect 8-12% of couples in the reproductive age group, equally affecting both genders. There is no single cause of infertility, and its knowledge is still far from complete, with about 30% of infertile couples having no cause identified (named idiopathic infertility). Among male causes of infertility, asthenozoospermia (i.e., reduced sperm motility) is one of the most observed, being estimated that more than 20% of infertile men have this condition. In recent years, many researchers have focused on possible factors leading to asthenozoospermia, revealing the existence of many cellular and molecular players. So far, more than 4000 genes are thought to be involved in sperm production and as regulators of different aspects of sperm development, maturation, and function, and all can potentially cause male infertility if mutated. In this review, we aim to give a brief overview of the typical sperm flagellum morphology and compile some of the most relevant information regarding the genetic factors involved in male infertility, with a focus on sperm immotility and on genes related to sperm flagellum development, structure, or function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Pereira
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +35-1918-127-817
| | - Mário Sousa
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Chen Y, Sun T, Gu L, Ouyang S, Liu K, Yuan P, Liu C. Identification of hub genes and biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia and chronic epididymitis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1110218. [PMID: 37152990 PMCID: PMC10160426 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1110218] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the most common causes of male fertility, affecting family wellbeing and population growth. Chronic epididymitis (CE) is a common and lingering inflammatory disease in the scrotum. Inflammation in the epididymis has a severe impact on sperm motility. This study aimed to explore the genetic profile and critical pathways involved in the pathological mechanisms of AZS and CE, and discover potential biomarkers. Methods: Genomic datasets of AZS and CE were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and relevant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO and pathway enrichment analyses, construction of a protein-protein interaction network, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were conducted. The expression profile of hub genes was validated in immunohistochemical data and testicular cell data. Immune infiltration, miRNA-hub gene interactions, and gene-disease interactions were explored. The mRNA levels of hub genes were further measured by qRT-PCR. Results: A total of 109 DEGs were identified between the AZS/CE and healthy control groups. Pathways of the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling were enriched in AZS and CE. Five hub genes (CD300LB, CMKLR1, CCR4, B3GALT5, and CTSK) were selected, and their diagnostic values were validated in AZS, CE, and independent validation sets (area under the curve >0.7). Furthermore, the five-hub gene signature was well characterized in testicular immunohistochemical staining and testicular cells from healthy controls. Immune infiltration analysis showed that infiltration of CD8+ cells and T helper cells was significantly related to the expression level of five hub genes. In addition, a miRNA-hub gene network and interaction of other diseases were displayed. The mRNA levels of hub genes (CD300LB, CMKLR1, CCR4, and B3GALT5) were significantly elevated in the patient group. The mRNA level of CTSK also showed a similar trend. Conclusion: Our study uncovered the genetic profile involved in AZS and CE, and elucidated enriched pathways and molecular associations between hub genes and immune infiltration. This finding provides novel insight into the common pathogenesis of both diseases as well as the potential biomarkers for CE-associated AZS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinwei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Longjie Gu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Song Ouyang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Penghui Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- *Correspondence: Penghui Yuan, ; Chang Liu,
| | - Chang Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: Penghui Yuan, ; Chang Liu,
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Karanwal S, Pal A, Chera JS, Batra V, Kumaresan A, Datta TK, Kumar R. Identification of protein candidates in spermatozoa of water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) bulls helps in predicting their fertility status. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1119220. [PMID: 36891514 PMCID: PMC9986327 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1119220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an indispensable part of the Indian dairy sector and in several instances, the farmers incur economic losses due to failed pregnancy after artificial insemination (AI). One of the key factors for the failure of conception is the use of semen from the bulls of low fertilizing potential and hence, it becomes important to predict the fertility status before performing AI. In this study, the global proteomic profile of high fertile (HF) and low fertile (LF) buffalo bull spermatozoa was established using a high-throughput LC-MS/MS technique. A total of 1,385 proteins (≥1 high-quality PSM/s, ≥1 unique peptides, p < 0.05, FDR < 0.01) were identified out of which, 1,002 were common between both the HF and LF groups while 288 and 95 proteins were unique to HF and LF groups respectively. We observed 211 and 342 proteins were significantly high (log Fc ≥ 2) and low abundant (log Fc ≤ 0.5) in HF spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the fertility associated high abundant proteins in HF were involved in spermatogenesis, sperm motility, acrosome integrity, zona pellucida binding and other associated sperm functions. Besides this, the low abundant proteins in HF were involved in glycolysis, fatty acid degradation and inflammation. Furthermore, fertility related differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) on sperm viz., AKAP3, Sp17, and DLD were validated through Western blotting and immunocytochemistry which was in coherence with the LC-MS/MS data. The DAPs identified in this study may be used as potential protein candidates for predicting fertility in buffaloes. Our findings provide an opportunity in mitigating the economic losses that farmers incur due to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Karanwal
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Ankit Pal
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Jatinder Singh Chera
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenelogy Laboratory, SRS of National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Tirtha K Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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Huang L, Zhang J, Zhang P, Huang X, Yang W, Liu R, Sun Q, Lu Y, Zhang M, Fu Q. Single-cell RNA sequencing uncovers dynamic roadmap and cell-cell communication during buffalo spermatogenesis. iScience 2022; 26:105733. [PMID: 36582818 PMCID: PMC9793287 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105733] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis carries the task of precise intergenerational transmission of genetic information from the paternal genome and involves complex developmental processes regulated by the testicular microenvironment. Studies performed mainly in mouse models have established the theoretical basis for spermatogenesis, yet the wide interspecies differences preclude direct translation of the findings, and farm animal studies are progressing slowly. More than 32,000 cells from prepubertal (3-month-old) and pubertal (24-month-old) buffalo testes were analyzed by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and dynamic gene expression roadmaps of germ and somatic cell development were generated. In addition to identifying the dynamic processes of sequential cell fate transitions, the global cell-cell communication essential to maintain regular spermatogenesis in the buffalo testicular microenvironment was uncovered. The findings provide the theoretical basis for establishing buffalo germline stem cells in vitro or culturing organoids and facilitating the expansion of superior livestock breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Junjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Institute of Medical and Health, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Xingchen Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Weihan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Runfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Qinqiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yangqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China,Corresponding author
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China,Corresponding author
| | - Qiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China,Corresponding author
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Zou C, Xu S, Geng H, Li E, Sun W, Yu D. Bioinformatics analysis identifies potential hub genes and crucial pathways in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia. BMC Med Genomics 2022; 15:252. [PMID: 36471356 PMCID: PMC9724253 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01407-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthenozoospermia is a troublesome disease experienced by men in their reproductive years, but its exact etiology remains unclear. To address this problem, this study aims to identify the hub genes and crucial pathways in asthenozoospermia. METHODS We screened two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE92578 and GSE22331) to extract the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using the "Limma" package. Gene enrichment analyses of the DEGs were conducted using the "clusterProfiler" R package. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then established using the STRING database. A miRNA-transcription factor-gene network was constructed based on the predicted results of hub genes using the RegNetwork database. The expression of four hub genes in asthenozoospermia and normal samples were verified using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. RESULTS We identified 271 DEGs, which included 218 upregulated and 53 downregulated in two asthenozoospermia datasets. These DEGs were observed to be markedly enriched in pathways with cell growth and embryonic organ development, phospholipase D signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. The most significant genes were identified, including COPS7A, CUL3, KLHL7, NEDD4. We then constructed regulatory networks of these genes, miRNAs, and transcription factors. Finally, we found that the COPS7A was significantly upregulated in patients with asthenozoospermia, but CUL3, KLHL7 and NEDD4 were significantly downregulated compared with normal samples. CONCLUSION We applied bioinformatics methods to analyze the DEGs of asthenozoospermia based on the GEO database and identified the novel crucial genes and pathways in this disease. Our findings may provide novel insights into asthenozoospermia and identify new clues for the potential treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ci Zou
- grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical of University, 230601 Hefei, China
| | - Shen Xu
- grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical of University, 230601 Hefei, China
| | - Hao Geng
- grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical of University, 230601 Hefei, China
| | - Enlai Li
- grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical of University, 230601 Hefei, China
| | - Wei Sun
- grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical of University, 230601 Hefei, China
| | - Dexin Yu
- grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical of University, 230601 Hefei, China ,grid.452696.a0000 0004 7533 3408Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, NO.678 Furong Road, 230601 Hefei, China
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50
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de Carvalho JC, Souza FF, Kastelic JP, Ferreira JCP. Reproduction in South American wild canids—A review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:986030. [PMID: 36353253 PMCID: PMC9637898 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.986030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Canids occupy the top of the food chain and are fundamental in sustaining a wild animal/environmental balance. South America, the most biodiverse continent, has 11 species of canids inhabiting diverse biomes, with or without overlapping territories. Although several species are threatened, little is known about their reproductive biology. Remarkably, basic knowledge regarding ejaculate characteristics, sexual behavior, female reproductive cycles, pregnancy and management, and parturition are scarce or absent. These gaps complicate or preclude development of conservation programs. This review compiles the current knowledge of the reproductive biology of South American canids and discusses implications of this scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Candido de Carvalho
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Santo Amaro University, UNISA, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ferreira Souza
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - John Patrick Kastelic
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- *Correspondence: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira
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