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Parvin A, Erabi G, Mohammadpour D, Maleki-Kakelar H, Sadeghpour S, Pashaei MR, Taheri-Anganeh M, Ghasemnejad-Berenji H. Infertility: Focus on the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100925. [PMID: 39018753 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100925] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is a well-known problem that arises from a variety of reproductive diseases. Until now, researchers have tried various methods to restore fertility, including medication specific to the cause, hormone treatments, surgical removals, and assisted reproductive technologies. While these methods do produce results, they do not consistently lead to fertility restoration in every instance. The use of exosome therapy has significant potential in treating infertility in patients. This is because exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, which are different types of vesicles, play a crucial role in transferring bioactive molecules that aid in cell-to-cell communication. Reproductive fluids can transport a variety of molecular cargos, such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, lipids, and DNA molecules. The percentage of these cargos in the fluids can be linked to their physiological and pathological status. EVs are involved in several physiological and pathological processes and offer interesting non-cellular therapeutic possibilities to treat infertility. EVs (extracellular vesicles) transplantation has been shown in many studies to be a key part of regenerating different parts of the reproductive system, including the production of oocytes and the start of sperm production. Nevertheless, the existing evidence necessitates testifying to the effectiveness of injecting EVs in resolving reproductive problems among humans. This review focuses on the current literature about infertility issues in both females and males, specifically examining the potential treatments involving extracellular vesicles (EVs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Parvin
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Gisou Erabi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Donna Mohammadpour
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hadi Maleki-Kakelar
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sonia Sadeghpour
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Pashaei
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Hojat Ghasemnejad-Berenji
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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Cheng P, Wei J, Liu B, Zhao Y, Ma B, Feng X, Xiong M, Zhao J, Shi C, Li Z. Metastasis-associated protein 1 participates in regulating luminal acidification of the epididymis via repressing estrogen receptor alpha transcription. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38436139 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13621] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a component of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylating (NuRD) complex, metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) has been reported to be abundant in male reproductive system and might participate in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, whereas the precise functional role of MTA1 in these processes is still undetermined. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential function of MTA1 in male fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mta1 knockout mice (Mta1-/- ) were employed to detect their reproductive phenotype. The pH value of Mta1-/- epididymal luminal fluid was measured, and the potential mechanism of MTA1 involved in regulating luminal acidification was detected in vivo and in vitro. A vasectomy model with abnormal pH of epididymal lumen was established to further detect the effect of MTA1 on epididymal luminal microenvironment. RESULTS Mta1-/- mice were fertile without any detectable defects in spermatogenesis or sperm motility while the deficiency of MTA1 could acidify the initial segment of epididymis to a certain extent. MTA1 could interact with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and inhibit the transcription of ERα target gene, hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3), and ultimately affect the epididymal luminal milieu. After vasectomy, the Mta1-/- mice presented a more acidic epididymal lumen which was closer to the normal state compared to the wild-type model. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION MTA1 is dispensable for male fertility in mice, but plays a potentially important function in regulating luminal acidification of the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pang Cheng
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinhua Wei
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Liu
- The Air Force Hospital of Central Theater of PLA, Datong, China
| | - Ya Zhao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Binfang Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingxiang Xiong
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Changhong Shi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Ali W, Deng K, Bian Y, Liu Z, Zou H. Spectacular role of epididymis and bio-active cargo of nano-scale exosome in sperm maturation: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114889. [PMID: 37209627 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114889] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The epididymis is responsible for post-testicular sperm maturation as it provides a favorable environment for spermatozoa to gain the ability for movement and fertilization. The recent evidence has shown that, the spermatozoa are vulnerable to dynamic variations driven by various cellular exposure mechanisms mediated by epididymosomes. Exosomes provide new insight into a mechanism of intercellular communication because they provide direct evidence for the transfer of several important bio-active cargo elements (proteins, lipid, DNA, mRNA, microRNA, circular RNA, long noncoding RNA) between epididymis and spermatozoa. In broad sense, proteomic analysis of exosomes from epididymis indicates number of proteins that are involved in sperm motility, acrosomal reaction, prevent pre-mature sperm capacitation and male infertility. Pinpointing, how reproductive disorders are associated with bio-active cargo elements of nano-scale exosome in the male reproductive tract. Therefore, the current review presents evidence regarding the distinctive characteristics and functions of nano-scale exosome in the male reproductive tract in both pathological and physiological developments, and argue that these vesicles serve as an important regulator of male reproduction, fertility, and disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Kai Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Yusheng Bian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China.
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Sellitto C, Li L, White TW. Double Deletion of PI3K and PTEN Modifies Lens Postnatal Growth and Homeostasis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172708. [PMID: 36078116 PMCID: PMC9455000 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that the conditional deletion of either the p110α catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), or its opposing phosphatase, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), had distinct effects on lens growth and homeostasis. The deletion of p110α reduced the levels of phosphorylated Akt and equatorial epithelial cell proliferation, and resulted in smaller transparent lenses in adult mice. The deletion of PTEN increased levels of phosphorylated Akt, altered lens sodium transport, and caused lens rupture and cataract. Here, we have generated conditional p110α/PTEN double-knockout mice, and evaluated epithelial cell proliferation and lens homeostasis. The double deletion of p110α and PTEN rescued the defect in lens size seen after the single knockout of p110α, but accelerated the lens rupture phenotype seen in PTEN single-knockout mice. Levels of phosphorylated Akt in double-knockout lenses were significantly higher than in wild-type lenses, but not as elevated as those reported for PTEN single-knockout lenses. These results showed that the double deletion of the p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K and its opposing phosphatase, PTEN, exacerbated the rupture defect seen in the single PTEN knockout and alleviated the growth defect observed in the single p110α knockout. Thus, the integrity of the PI3K signaling pathway was absolutely essential for proper lens homeostasis, but not for lens growth.
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Dufresne J, Gregory M, Pinel L, Cyr DG. Differential gene expression and hallmarks of stemness in epithelial cells of the developing rat epididymis. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 389:327-349. [PMID: 35590013 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epididymal development can be subdivided into three phases: undifferentiated, a period of differentiation, and expansion. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess gene expression profiles in epididymides, (2) predict signaling pathways, and (3) develop a novel 3D cell culture method to assess the regulation of epididymal development in vitro. Microarray analyses indicate that the largest changes in differential gene expression occurred between the 7- to 18-day period, in which 1452 genes were differentially expressed, while 671 differentially expressed genes were noted between days 18 and 28, and there were 560 differentially expressed genes between days 28 and 60. Multiple signaling pathways were predicted at different phases of development. Pathway associations indicated that in epididymides of 7- to 18-day old rats, there was a significant association of regulated genes implicated in stem cells, estrogens, thyroid hormones, and kidney development, while androgen- and estrogen-related pathways were enriched at other phases of development. Organoids were derived from CD49f + columnar cells from 7-day old rats, while no organoids developed from CD49f- cells. Cells cultured in an epididymal basal cell organoid medium versus a commercial kidney differentiation medium supplemented with DHT revealed that irrespective of the culture medium, cells within differentiating organoids expressed p63, AQP9, and V-ATPase after 14 days of culture. The commercial kidney medium resulted in an increase in the number of organoids positive for p63, AQP9, and V-ATPase. Together, these data indicate that columnar cells represent an epididymal stem/progenitor cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Dufresne
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada
| | - Mary Gregory
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada
| | - Laurie Pinel
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada
| | - Daniel G Cyr
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada.
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Lang X, Adjei M, Wang C, Chen X, Li C, Wang P, Pan M, Li K, Shahzad K, Zhao W. RNA-Seq reveals the functional specificity of epididymal caput, corpus, and cauda genes of cattleyak. Anim Sci J 2022; 93:e13732. [PMID: 35543176 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The first filial generation of the cattleyaks demonstrates hybrid vigor; however, the male cattleyaks are infertile and restrict productivity and breeding. The discovery of genes in a segment-specific approach offers valuable information and understanding concerning fertility status, yet the biology of cattleyak epididymis is still progressing. Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on segment pairs of cattleyak epididymis. The caput versus corpus epididymis provided the highest (57.8%) differentially expressed genes (DEGs), corpus versus cauda (25.1%) followed, whereas caput versus cauda pair (17.1%) had the least DEGs. The expression levels of genes coding EPHB6, TLR1, MUC20, MT3, INHBB, TRPV5, EI24, PAOX, KIF12, DEPDC5, and KRT25, which might have the potentials to regulate the homeostasis, innate immunity, differentiation, motility, transport, and sperm maturation-related function in epididymal cells, were downregulated in the distal segment of epididymis. Top enriched KEGG pathways included mTOR, axon guidance, and taste transduction signaling pathways. EIF4B, EPHB6, and TAS2R42 were enriched in the pathways, respectively. Identifying key, new, and unexplored DEGs among the epididymal segments and further analyzing them could boost cattleyak fertility by maximizing sperm quality from genetically better sires and also facilitate better understanding of the epididymal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Lang
- Institute of Animal & Pasture Science and Green Agricultural, Key laboratory for sheep, goat and cattle germplasm and straw feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, China
| | - Michael Adjei
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Cailian Wang
- Institute of Animal & Pasture Science and Green Agricultural, Key laboratory for sheep, goat and cattle germplasm and straw feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, China
| | - Chunhai Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Meilan Pan
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Kerui Li
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Khuram Shahzad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wangsheng Zhao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
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Shum W, Zhang BL, Cao AS, Zhou X, Shi SM, Zhang ZY, Gu LY, Shi S. Calcium Homeostasis in the Epididymal Microenvironment: Is Extracellular Calcium a Cofactor for Matrix Gla Protein-Dependent Scavenging Regulated by Vitamins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:827940. [PMID: 35252193 PMCID: PMC8893953 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.827940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the male reproductive tract, the epididymis is an essential organ for sperm maturation, in which sperm cells acquire mobility and the ability to fertilize oocytes while being stored in a protective microenvironment. Epididymal function involves a specialized luminal microenvironment established by the epithelial cells of epididymal mucosa. Low-calcium concentration is a unique feature of this epididymal luminal microenvironment, its relevance and regulation are, however, incompletely understood. In the rat epididymis, the vitamin D-related calcium-dependent TRPV6-TMEM16A channel-coupler has been shown to be involved in fluid transport, and, in a spatially complementary manner, vitamin K2-related γ-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX)-dependent carboxylation of matrix Gla protein (MGP) plays an essential role in promoting calcium-dependent protein aggregation. An SNP in the human GGCX gene has been associated with asthenozoospermia. In addition, bioinformatic analysis also suggests the involvement of a vitamin B6-axis in calcium-dependent MGP-mediated protein aggregation. These findings suggest that vitamins interact with calcium homeostasis in the epididymis to ensure proper sperm maturation and male fertility. This review article discusses the regulation mechanisms of calcium homeostasis in the epididymis, and the potential role of vitamin interactions on epididymal calcium homeostasis, especially the role of matrix calcium in the epididymal lumen as a cofactor for the carboxylated MGP-mediated scavenging function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Shum
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Winnie Shum,
| | - Bao Li Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Reproduction and Development Institution, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Albert Shang Cao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Su Meng Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze Yang Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lou Yi Gu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Shi
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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Ozkocer SE, Konac E. The current perspective on genetic and epigenetic factors in sperm maturation in the epididymis. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13989. [PMID: 33491190 DOI: 10.1111/and.13989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately 30% of infertile couples. As spermatozoa mature in the epididymal lumen, their potential for mobility increases, and their protein, lipid and small RNA (sRNA) content changes, whereas capacitation and fertilisation take place in the female reproductive tract. Both of the latter processes are affected by maturation, because impaired maturation causes premature capacitation and fertilization. The epididymis produces a suitable environment for sperm maturation via ion transport, vesicle secretion and protein matrix formation. The microenvironment for sperm maturation varies in three broad segments: the caput, the corpus and the cauda epididymis. Epididymosomes transfer proteins, lipids and sRNAs from the epididymal epithelium to spermatozoa and genetic alterations of epididymal genes can lead to decreased sperm motility, morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa and subfertility. Genetic factors are involved in all aetiological categories in male infertility. However, studies conducted on the genes involved in epididymal functions are limited. The sRNA content of spermatozoa changes during epididymal migration, and these sRNAs play a role in embryo development and epigenetic inheritance. This review aims to clarify the role of the epididymal epithelium in the maturation of spermatozoa in light of the current molecular genomic knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suheyla Esra Ozkocer
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ece Konac
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey
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James ER, Carrell DT, Aston KI, Jenkins TG, Yeste M, Salas-Huetos A. The Role of the Epididymis and the Contribution of Epididymosomes to Mammalian Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5377. [PMID: 32751076 PMCID: PMC7432785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well-established that testicular spermatozoa are immature and acquire motility and fertilization capabilities during transit throughout the epididymis. The epididymis is a duct-like organ that connects the testis to the vas deferens and is comprised of four anatomical regions: the initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda. Sperm maturation occurs during epididymal transit by the interaction of sperm cells with the unique luminal environment of each epididymal region. In this review we discuss the epididymis as an essential reproductive organ responsible for sperm concentration, maturation (including sperm motility acquisition and fertilizing ability), protection and storage. Importantly, we also discuss specific characteristics and roles of epididymal-derived exosomes (epididymosomes) in establishing sperm competency within the intricate process of reproduction. This review suggests that an increasing body of evidence is working to develop a complete picture of the role of the epididymis in male reproduction, offspring health, and disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R. James
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; (E.R.J.); (D.T.C.); (K.I.A.)
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Douglas T. Carrell
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; (E.R.J.); (D.T.C.); (K.I.A.)
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kenneth I. Aston
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; (E.R.J.); (D.T.C.); (K.I.A.)
| | - Timothy G. Jenkins
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA;
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain;
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA; (E.R.J.); (D.T.C.); (K.I.A.)
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de Mello Santos T, Cavariani MM, Pereira DN, Schimming BC, Chuffa LGDA, Domeniconi RF. Maternal Protein Restriction Modulates Angiogenesis and AQP9 Expression Leading to a Delay in Postnatal Epididymal Development in Rat. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091094. [PMID: 31533210 PMCID: PMC6770568 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal nutritional status is essential to the health and well-being of the fetus. Maternal protein restriction during the perinatal stage causes sperm alterations in the offspring that are associated with epididymal dysfunctions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGFr-2, as well as aquaporins (AQPs) are important regulators of angiogenesis and the epididymal microenvironment and are associated with male fertility. We investigated the effects of maternal protein restriction on epididymal angiogenesis and AQP expression in the early stages of postnatal epididymal development. Pregnant rats were divided into two experimental groups that received either a normoprotein (17% protein) or low-protein diet (6% protein) during gestation and lactation. At postnatal day (PND)7 and PND14, male offspring were euthanized, the epididymides were subjected to morphometric and microvascular density analyses and to VEGF-A, VEGF-r2, AQP1 and AQP9 expression analyses. The maternal low-protein diet decreased AQP9 and VEGFr-2 expression, decreased epididymal microvascularity and altered the morphometric features of the epididymal epithelium; no changes in AQP1 expression were observed at the beginning of postnatal epididymal development. Maternal protein restriction alters microvascularization and affects molecules involved in the epidydimal microenvironment, resulting in morphometric alterations related to a delay in the beginning of epididymis postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita de Mello Santos
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marilia Martins Cavariani
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | - Dhrielly Natália Pereira
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | - Bruno César Schimming
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Raquel Fantin Domeniconi
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
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