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Binelli M, Rocha CC, Bennett A, Waheed A, Sultana H, Maldonado MBC, Mesquita FS. Solutions to the fertility equation in beef embryo recipients. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20240041. [PMID: 39175998 PMCID: PMC11340797 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2024-0041] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In beef cattle operations that conduct embryo transfer, the overall success depends on the pregnancy outcome that results from every pregnancy opportunity. In this review, we dissected the main components that determine if a recipient will sustain the pregnancy after embryo transfer up to calving. Specifically, we describe the effect of the uterus on its ability to provide a receptive environment for embryo development. We then discuss the capacity of the embryo to thrive after transfer, and especially the contribution of the sire to embryo fitness. Finally, we review the interaction between the uterus and the embryo as an integrated unit that defines the pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Binelli
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Bennett
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Institute of Continuing Education & Extension, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Halima Sultana
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Fernando Silveira Mesquita
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Universidade Federal do Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brasil
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2
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Nuño de la Rosa L. Agency in Reproduction. Evol Dev 2023; 25:418-429. [PMID: 37243316 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12440] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
While niche construction theory and developmental approaches to evolution have brought to the front the active role of organisms as ecological and developmental agents, respectively, the role of agents in reproduction has been widely neglected by organismal perspectives of evolution. This paper addresses this problem by proposing an agential view of reproduction and shows that such a perspective has implications for the explanation of the origin of modes of reproduction, the evolvability of reproductive modes, and the coevolution between reproduction and social behavior. After introducing the two prevalent views of agency in evolutionary biology, namely those of organismal agency and selective agency, I contrast these two perspectives as applied to the evolution of animal reproduction. Taking eutherian pregnancy as a case study, I wonder whether organismal approaches to agency forged in the frame of niche construction and developmental plasticity theories can account for the goal-directed activities involved in reproductive processes. I conclude that the agential role of organisms in reproduction is irreducible to developmental and ecological agency, and that reproductive goals need to be included into our definitions of organismal agency. I then explore the evolutionary consequences of endorsing an agential approach to reproduction, showing how such an approach might illuminate our understanding of the evolutionary origination and developmental evolvability of reproductive modes. Finally, I analyze recent studies on the coevolution between viviparity and social behavior in vertebrates to suggest that an agential notion of reproduction can provide unforeseen links between developmental and ecological agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nuño de la Rosa
- Department of Logic and Theoretical Philosophy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Mahdjoub H, Khelifa R, Roy J, Sbilordo SH, Zeender V, Perdigón Ferreira J, Gourgoulianni N, Lüpold S. Interplay between male quality and male-female compatibility across episodes of sexual selection. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf5559. [PMID: 37774022 PMCID: PMC10541500 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf5559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The processes underlying mate choice profoundly influence the dynamics of sexual selection and the evolution of male sexual traits. Consistent preference for certain phenotypes may erode genetic variation in populations through directional selection, whereas divergent preferences (e.g., genetically compatible mates) provide one mechanism to maintain such variation. However, the relative contributions of these processes across episodes of selection remain unknown. Using Drosophila melanogaster, we followed the fate of male genotypes, previously scored for their overall reproductive value and their compatibility with different female genotypes, across pre- and postmating episodes of selection. When pairs of competitor males differed in their intrinsic quality and their compatibility with the female, both factors influenced outcomes from mating success to paternity but to a varying degree between stages. These results add further dimensions to our understanding of how the interactions between genotypes and forms of selection shape reproductive outcomes and ultimately reproductive trait evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayat Mahdjoub
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Biology Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Rassim Khelifa
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Biology Department, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Jeannine Roy
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja H. Sbilordo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valérian Zeender
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jhoniel Perdigón Ferreira
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Gourgoulianni
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Lüpold
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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4
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Tabęcka-Łonczyńska A, Skóra B, Kaleniuk E, Szychowski KA. Reprotoxic Effect of Tris(2,3-Dibromopropyl) Isocyanurate (TBC) on Spermatogenic Cells In Vitro. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052337. [PMID: 36903582 PMCID: PMC10005038 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052337] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC) belongs to the class of novel brominated flame retardants (NFBRs) that are widely used in industry. It has commonly been found in the environment, and its presence has been discovered in living organisms as well. TBC is also described as an endocrine disruptor that is able to affect male reproductive processes through the estrogen receptors (ERs) engaged in the male reproductive processes. With the worsening problem of male infertility in humans, a mechanism is being sought to explain such reproductive difficulties. However, so far, little is known about the mechanism of action of TBC in male reproductive models in vitro. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of TBC alone and in cotreatment with BHPI (estrogen receptor antagonist), 17β-estradiol (E2), and letrozole on the basic metabolic parameters in mouse spermatogenic cells (GC-1 spg) in vitro, as well as the effect of TBC on mRNA expression (Ki67, p53, Pparγ, Ahr, and Esr1). The presented results show the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of high micromolar concentrations of TBC on mouse spermatogenic cells. Moreover, an increase in Pparγ mRNA levels and a decrease in Ahr and Esr1 gene expression were observed in GS-1spg cells cotreated with E2. These results suggest the significant involvement of TBC in the dysregulation of the steroid-based pathway in the male reproductive cell models in vitro and may be the cause of the currently observed deterioration of male fertility. However, more research is needed to reveal the full mechanism of TBC engagement in this phenomenon.
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5
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Adelakun SA, Akintunde OW, Ogunlade B, Adeyeluwa BE. Histochemical and histomorphological evidence of the modulating role of 1-isothiocyanate-4-methyl sulfonyl butane on cisplatin-induced testicular-pituitary axis degeneration and cholesterol homeostasis in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Morphologie 2023; 107:80-98. [PMID: 35659716 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2022.05.002] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examine the histochemical and histomorphological effect of 1-isothiocyanato-4-methyl sulfonyl butane (SFN) on cisplatin (CP) induced testicular alteration and cholesterol homeostasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety adult-male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into nine groups of ten (n=10) rats each. Group A (control) received normal saline, group B received a single dose of 10mg/Kg body weight (bwt) CP (i.p.), group C received 50mg/Kg bwt of SFN, group D received 100mg/Kg bwt of SFN, group E received 10mg/Kg bwt CP and 50mg/Kg bwt of SFN, group F received 10mg/Kg bwt CP and 100mg/Kg bwt of SFN, group G received 10mg/Kg bwt CP and 50mg/Kg bwt vitamin C, group H received 50mg/Kg bwt of SFN and 10mg/Kg bwt CP, group I received 100mg/Kg bwt of SFN and 10mg/Kg bwt CP. The procedure lasted for 56 days. Testicular histomorphology and histochemistry, testicular testosterone, sperm parameters, total antioxidant status (TSA), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and serum lipid profile were examined. RESULTS Cisplatin decrease intra-testicular testosterone, sperm quality, and expression of glycogen and increases testicular TOS and OSI, serum lipid profile, collagen, and disruption of germinal epithelium. However, the intervention of SFN reversed the effect of CP on testes' weight and volume, DSP, ESP, testosterone production, TAS, TOS, and OSI. Histoarchitectecture showing normal seminiferous tubules and even distribution of glycogen and collagen fibers. CONCLUSION Treatment with SFN ameliorate CP-induced testicular toxicity by reversing the cytotoxic mechanisms of CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Adelakun
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | - O W Akintunde
- Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
| | - B Ogunlade
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - B E Adeyeluwa
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
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6
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Makieva S, Fraire-Zamora JJ, Mincheva M, Uraji J, Ali ZE, Ammar OF, Liperis G, Serdarogullari M, Bianchi E, Pettitt J, Sermon K, Bhattacharya S, Massarotti C. #ESHREjc report: failed fertilization: is genetic incompatibility the elephant in the room? Hum Reprod 2023; 38:324-327. [PMID: 36583604 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Makieva
- Kinderwunschzentrum, Klinik für Reproduktions-Endokrinologie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Zoya E Ali
- Research & Development Department, Hertility Health Limited, London, UK
| | - Omar F Ammar
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - George Liperis
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Munevver Serdarogullari
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine Cyprus International University, Northern Cyprus via Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Enrica Bianchi
- Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Jonathan Pettitt
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Siladitya Bhattacharya
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claudia Massarotti
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.,DINOGMI Department, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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What Does Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Change in Embryonic Development? The Spermatozoon Contribution. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12020671. [PMID: 36675600 PMCID: PMC9867417 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12020671] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique was invented to solve severe male infertility due to altered sperm parameters. Nowadays, it is applied worldwide for the treatment of couple infertility. ICSI is performed with any available spermatozoon from surgery or ejaculated samples, whatever are the sperm motility, morphology or quantity. The aim of the present review was to study if embryo development and kinetics would be modified by (1) ICSI under the technical aspects, (2) the micro-injected spermatozoa in connection with male infertility. From published data, it can be seen that ICSI anticipates the zygote kinetics Furthermore, because fertilization rate is higher in ICSI compared to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), more blastocysts are obtained for clinical use in ICSI. Sperm and spermatozoa characteristics, such as sperm parameters, morphology and vitality, DNA content (levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, microdeletions, and chromosomal abnormalities), RNA content, epigenetics, and sperm recovery site (testicular, epididymis, and ejaculated), have an impact on fertilization and blastocyst rates and embryo kinetics in different ways. Even though ICSI is the most common solution to solve couples' infertility, the causes of male infertility are crucial in building a competent spermatozoa that will contribute to normal embryonic development and healthy offspring.
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8
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Kekäläinen J. Cryptic female choice within individual males - A neglected component of the postmating sexual selection? J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1407-1413. [PMID: 35988118 PMCID: PMC9804180 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cryptic female choice (CFC) is commonly assumed to act only in polyandrous mating systems, which allows females to bias fertilization towards the sperm of particular males. However, accumulated evidence has demonstrated that sperm show significant phenotypic and genotypic variation also within single ejaculates, which have important consequences for offspring phenotype and fitness. Here, I argue that these neglected sources of intra-male sperm variation often allow CFC to act also within individual males and facilitate fertilization bias towards genetically compatible (or otherwise preferred) sperm haplotypes. In this article, I explain prerequisites for within-male CFC, the criteria for demonstrating it and summarize accumulated evidence for this emerging selection process. Then, I evaluate prevalence of within-male CFC and review its potential evolutionary consequences. The aim of this article is to broaden the current definition of CFC by demonstrating that CFC has potential to act in all mating systems, in both internally and externally fertilizing species. Incorporation of the within-male CFC concept into the current models of sexual selection may provide novel insights into the deeper understanding of selective factors driving the evolution of mating systems and reproductive proteins. Finally, within-male CFC towards particular sperm haplotypes may increase our understanding of non-Mendelian inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Kekäläinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandJoensuuFinland
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9
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Magnus MC, Havdahl A, Wilcox AJ, Goisis A. Parental fecundability and neurodevelopmental delays and difficulties in offspring. Int J Epidemiol 2022; 51:1511-1521. [PMID: 35536321 PMCID: PMC9557840 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired neurodevelopment is reported among children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART). However, this might be explained by conditions underlying parental subfecundity, rather than the ART procedure. METHODS We examined associations of parental time-to-pregnancy (TTP) and conception by ART with neurodevelopmental traits up to 8 years of age, including motor and language skills, social delays and difficulties, and inattention-hyperactivity, among 92 142 singletons participating in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). Mothers reported TTP and neurodevelopmental traits through questionnaires. Mean differences in standardized neurodevelopmental traits were estimated using linear regression, adjusting for maternal age, parity, educational level, body mass index and smoking, and paternal age. RESULTS A longer TTP was associated with decreased language skills and motor skills at 6, 18 and 36 months (P-values for trend ≤0.01), prosocial skills delay at 36 months (P-values for trend ≤0.001) and increased scores for inattention-hyperactivity traits at all ages up to 8 years (P-values for trend from 0.06 to 0.01). Effect sizes were small, ranging between 0.03 and 0.05 difference in the standardized neurodevelopmental scores. Estimates for ART were imprecise, but there were no differences between children conceived by ART and naturally conceived children of subfecund parents (TTP ≥12 months). CONCLUSIONS Longer parental TTP is modestly but robustly associated with offspring neurodevelopmental delays and difficulties, with no added impact of ART. Future studies should investigate the underlying causes of-or aspects related to-parental subfecundity which might explain the association with offspring neurodevelopmental delays and difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Magnus
- Corresponding author. Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway. E-mail:
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Allen J Wilcox
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alice Goisis
- Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
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10
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Balli M, Cecchele A, Pisaturo V, Makieva S, Carullo G, Somigliana E, Paffoni A, Vigano’ P. Opportunities and Limits of Conventional IVF versus ICSI: It Is Time to Come off the Fence. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195722. [PMID: 36233589 PMCID: PMC9572455 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional IVF (c-IVF) is one of the most practiced assisted reproductive technology (ART) approaches used worldwide. However, in the last years, the number of c-IVF procedures has dropped dramatically in favor of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in cases of non-male-related infertility. In this review, we have outlined advantages and disadvantages associated with c-IVF, highlighting the essential steps governing its success, its limitations, the methodology differences among laboratories and the technical progress. In addition, we have debated recent insights into fundamental questions, including indications regarding maternal age, decreased ovarian reserve, endometriosis, autoimmunity, single oocyte retrieval-cases as well as preimplantation genetic testing cycles. The “overuse” of ICSI procedures in several clinical situations of ART has been critically discussed. These insights will provide a framework for a better understanding of opportunities associated with human c-IVF and for best practice guidelines applicability in the reproductive medicine field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Balli
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Cecchele
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Valerio Pisaturo
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Sofia Makieva
- Kinderwunschzentrum, Klinik für Reproduktions-Endokrinologie, Universitätsspital Zürich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Carullo
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Edgardo Somigliana
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Paola Vigano’
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence:
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11
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Sperm Physiological Response to Female Serum-Potential New Insights into the Reproductive Incompatibility Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073428. [PMID: 35408797 PMCID: PMC8998597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073428] [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: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is assumed to arise exclusively from male- and female-dependent pathological factors. However, recent studies have indicated that reproductive failure may also result from the reproductive incompatibility of the partners. Selection against such incompatibilities likely occurs via female-derived reproductive secretions, including follicular fluid (FF), that mediate gamete-level mate choice towards the sperm of specific males. To facilitate potential development of diagnostic tests for human reproductive incompatibility, we examined whether sperm physiological response to female serum indicate male–female compatibility in the presence of FF. We performed a full-factorial experiment, in which the sperm of 10 males were treated with the FF and serum of 6 healthy females. We found that sperm motility and viability in both biofluids were highly similar and that in 70% of the males, sperm serum treatment predicted male–female compatibility. We also identified male human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and female (FF and serum) anti-HLA antibodies and tested whether the number of allele–antibody matches predict sperm physiological response to female fluids. However, no association was found between measured sperm traits and the number of allele–antibody matches. Overall, the present results may open novel possibilities for the future development of reproductive incompatibility tests and may pave the way towards more accurate infertility diagnostics and treatments.
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12
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Kekäläinen J, Hiltunen J, Jokiniemi A, Kuusipalo L, Heikura M, Leppänen J, Malinen M. Female-induced selective modification of sperm protein SUMOylation-potential mechanistic insights into the non-random fertilization in humans. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:254-264. [PMID: 35000241 PMCID: PMC9305144 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In many species, mate choice continues after the mating via female‐ or egg‐derived biochemical factors that induce selective changes in sperm pre‐fertilization physiology and behaviour. Recent studies have indicated that gamete‐mediated mate choice likely occurs also in humans, but the mechanistic basis of the process has remained virtually unexplored. Here, we investigated whether female‐induced modifications in sperm protein SUMOylation (post‐translational modification of the proteome) could serve as a novel mechanism for gamete‐mediated mate choice in humans. We treated the sperm of ten males with the oocyte‐surrounding bioactive liquid (follicular fluid) of five females and investigated motility, viability and global protein SUMOylation status of the sperm in all (n = 50) of these male–female combinations (full‐factorial design). All the measured sperm traits were affected by male–female combinations, and sperm protein SUMOylation status was also negatively associated with sperm motility. Furthermore, our results indicate that female‐induced sperm protein SUMOylation is selective, potentially allowing females to increase sperm motility in some males, whereas decreasing it in the others. Consequently, our findings suggest that follicular fluid may non‐randomly modify the structure and function of sperm proteome and in this way facilitate gamete‐mediated mate choice in humans and possibly many other species. However, due to the relatively low number of female subjects and their potential infertility problems, our results should be replicated with larger subset of fully fertile women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Kekäläinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Johannes Hiltunen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Annalaura Jokiniemi
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | | | - Marjo Heikura
- Eastern Finland Laboratory Centre Joint Authority (ISLAB), North Savonia Regional Laboratory, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Marjo Malinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
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13
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OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:457-479. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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