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Meunier L, Sorci G, Abi Hussein H, Hingrat Y, Rehspringer N, Saint-Jalme M, Lesobre L, Torres Carreira J. Pre-but not post-meiotic senescence affects sperm quality and reproductive success in the North African houbara bustard. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.977184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-dependent reduction in reproductive success can arise due to multiple factors including a deterioration of reproductive physiology. Senescing males have been shown to produce ejaculates with poor sperm quality, which impinges on male reproductive success. In addition to individual age, gamete age can also affect male reproductive success. Accordingly, variance in male reproductive success can be due to pre-meiotic (referring to individual age) and post-meiotic senescence (sperm age). Here, we tested whether male senescence and sperm cell aging have additive or interactive effects on male reproductive success in a bird with a promiscuous mating system, the North African houbara bustard. To assess the effect of pre-meiotic aging, we compared male reproductive success between two age classes (3-6- and 12–16-year-old). To infer the effect of post-meiotic aging, male ejaculates were collected at three-time intervals following a common initial collection (day 1, 5, and 10). Therefore, day 1 ejaculates are supposed to contain younger sperm than day 5 and 10 ejaculates. Following controlled artificial inseminations, reproductive success was assessed using three fitness-linked traits (hatching success, chick growth rate and survival). In addition to reproductive output, we also assessed whether pre- and post-meiotic aging affected a wide range of sperm and ejaculate traits. In agreement with previous reports, we found that males in the older age class produced less sperm with poorer motility compared to young individuals. However, contrary to the prediction, we found that ejaculates collected at day 5 and 10 tended to have better sperm traits such as motility and velocity. The results on sperm traits were generally mirrored in the effect on reproductive success since young males produced offspring that grew faster and had better survival during the first month of life, and eggs fertilized by sperm collected at day 5 had the highest hatching success. In any of the models, there was evidence for interactive effects of male and sperm age. Overall, these results confirm the role of pre-meiotic aging on male reproductive success. The lack of evidence for sperm aging could come from the experimental design but might also reflect the pattern of mating frequency in a species with a lek-based mating system.
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Bai X, Wang P. Relationship between sperm NAD + concentration and reproductive aging in normozoospermia men:A Cohort study. BMC Urol 2022; 22:159. [PMID: 36182928 PMCID: PMC9526896 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-022-01107-3] [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: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms of age-dependent reproductive decline in men are largely overlooked. An age-dependent reduction in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels has been reported in multiple somatic and female reproductive tissues, including oocytes and ovarian tissue. However, the relationship between NAD + levels and male reproduction has not yet been studied. In the current study, the association between sperm NAD + level and paternal age was investigated. In addition, we also investigated whether sperm NAD + levels were related to semen quality. METHODS In this pilot observational cohort study, semen samples from 51 male subjects who visited a university-affiliated reproductive medical center for preconception consultation (< 30 years: n = 13, 30-40 years: n = 19, > 40 years: n = 19) were recruited. Their anthropometric characteristics were recorded, and semen analysis was performed. Their sperm NAD + levels were evaluated spectrophotometrically. RESULTS There were significant differences among the three age groups in the major parameters of semen quality. The sperm NAD + level was, however, similar among the three groups (< 30 years: 91.61 ± 15.59 nmol/106 sperm, 30-40 years: 125.60 ± 16.28 nmol/106 sperm, > 40 years: 115.59 ± 16.55 nmol/106 sperm). Additionally, linear regression also revealed no correlation between sperm NAD + concentration and the age of the participants (r2 = 0.018, p = 0.35). Noticeably, a negative correlation was found between the sperm NAD + concentrations and the sperm quality parameters, including sperm concentration (r2 = 0.78, p < 0.0001), sperm count (r2 = 0.47, p < 0.0001), mobile sperm number (r2 = 33, p < 0.0001), and DFI (r2 = 0.35, p < 0.0001). The semen volume and mobility rate were not related to the sperm NAD + concentration. CONCLUSION Unlike the age-related decrease of NAD + levels in oocytes and ovarian tissue, the sperm NAD + concentration is not age dependent. Sperm NAD + levels are negatively correlated with sperm quality, suggesting a unique role of NAD + in spermatogenesis, which warrants further study and opens opportunities for pharmaceutical interventions for oligozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Bai
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Peng Wang
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
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3
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Abstract
Paternal age at conception has been increasing. In this review, we first present the results from the major mammalian animal models used to establish that increasing paternal age does affect progeny outcome. These models provide several major advantages including the possibility to assess multi- transgenerational effects of paternal age on progeny in a relatively short time window. We then present the clinical observations relating advanced paternal age to fertility and effects on offspring with respect to perinatal health, cancer risk, genetic diseases, and neurodevelopmental effects. An overview of the potential mechanism operating in altering germ cells in advanced age is presented. This is followed by an analysis of the current state of management of reproductive risks associated with advanced paternal age. The numerous challenges associated with developing effective, practical strategies to mitigate the impact of advanced paternal age are outlined along with an approach on how to move forward with this important clinical quandary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T. K. Chan
- Department of Urology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production Alters Sperm Quality. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10010092. [PMID: 33440836 PMCID: PMC7827812 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides ATP production, mitochondria are key organelles in several cellular functions, such as steroid hormone biosynthesis, calcium homoeostasis, intrinsic apoptotic pathway, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Despite the loss of the majority of the cytoplasm occurring during spermiogenesis, mammalian sperm preserves a number of mitochondria that rearrange in a tubular structure at the level of the sperm flagellum midpiece. Although sperm mitochondria are destroyed inside the zygote, the integrity and the functionality of these organelles seem to be critical for fertilization and embryo development. The aim of this review was to discuss the impact of mitochondria-produced ROS at multiple levels in sperm: the genome, proteome, lipidome, epigenome. How diet, aging and environmental pollution may affect sperm quality and offspring health—by exacerbating oxidative stress—will be also described.
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Abstract
Significance: Spermatozoa are very sensitive to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the limited antioxidant systems present in these terminal cells. However, tight regulation of ROS levels must be ensured to accomplish the unique goal of the spermatozoon, that is, the transfer of the paternal genome into the mature oocyte during the fertilization process. Thus, it is essential that the restricted antioxidant enzymatic systems are active for sperm function. Recent Advances: Oxidative stress is associated with low sperm quality. High levels of ROS in spermatozoa produce oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA that lead to lipid peroxidation, oxidation of essential structural proteins and enzymes, and mutations due to oxidation of DNA. Critical Issues: In this study, we described the available knockout mouse models that helped to better understand the role of different antioxidant enzymes in male fertility. We focused mainly on those studies that directly explore the effects of the lack of these enzymes in male fertility and included information when existing knockout mouse models produced for other purposes were used. Special attention was given in this review to the consequences of the absence of antioxidant enzymes on sperm quality and fertility of aging males from the knockout models. Future Directions: Further studies using novel mouse models lacking different antioxidants and their combinations are essential to understand the consequences of high levels of ROS in aging testes, epididymes, spermatozoa, and embryo development to produce a healthy baby.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Scarlata
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,The Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cristian O'Flaherty
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,The Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Gasparini C, Devigili A, Pilastro A. Sexual selection and ageing: interplay between pre- and post-copulatory traits senescence in the guppy. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 286:20182873. [PMID: 30963845 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Traits associated with mating and fertilization success are expected to senesce with age, but limited information is available on their relative rates of senescence. In polyandrous species, male reproductive fitness depends on both mating and fertilization success. Because successful mating is a prerequisite for post-copulatory sexual selection, ejaculate traits are expected to senesce faster than pre-copulatory traits, as pre-copulatory sexual selection is often deemed to be stronger than post-copulatory sexual selection. This pattern has generally been found in the few empirical studies conducted so far. We tested this prediction in the guppy ( Poecilia reticulata), a livebearing fish characterized by intense sperm competition, by comparing the expression of male sexual traits at two ages (four and nine months). Contrary to prediction, we found that post-copulatory traits senesced at a significantly slower rate than pre-copulatory traits. We also looked at whether early investment in those sexual traits affects longevity, and the interaction between sperm age (duration of sperm storage inside the male) and male age. Our results suggest that the relative senescence rate of pre- and post-copulatory sexual traits may vary among species with different mating systems and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clelia Gasparini
- 1 Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia , Crawley, Western Australia 6009 , Australia.,2 Department of Biology, University of Padova , 35131 Padova , Italy
| | - Alessandro Devigili
- 2 Department of Biology, University of Padova , 35131 Padova , Italy.,3 Department of Zoology, Stockholm University , Stockholm 106 91 , Sweden
| | - Andrea Pilastro
- 2 Department of Biology, University of Padova , 35131 Padova , Italy
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Hotzy C, Xuhui B, Larva T, Immler S. Intrinsic post-ejaculation sperm ageing does not affect offspring fitness in Atlantic salmon. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:576-583. [PMID: 31961980 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13590] [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: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Post-meiotic sperm ageing, both before ejaculation and after ejaculation, has been shown to negatively affect offspring fitness by lowering the rate of embryonic development, reducing embryonic viability and decreasing offspring condition. These negative effects are thought to be caused by intrinsic factors such as oxidative stress and ATP depletion or extrinsic factors such as temperature and osmosis. Effects of post-ejaculation sperm ageing on offspring fitness have so far almost exclusively been tested in internal fertilizers. Here, we tested whether intrinsic post-ejaculation sperm ageing affects offspring performance in an external fertilizer, the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. We performed in vitro fertilizations with a split-clutch design where sperm were subjected to four post-ejaculation ageing treatments. We varied the duration between sperm activation and fertilization while minimizing extrinsic stress factors and tested how this affected offspring fitness. We found no evidence for an effect of our treatments on embryo survival, hatching time, larval standard length, early larval survival or larval growth rate, indicating that intrinsic post-ejaculation sperm ageing may not occur in Atlantic salmon. One reason may be the short life span of salmon sperm after ejaculation. Whether our findings are true in other external fertilizers with extended sperm activity remains to be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Hotzy
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bao Xuhui
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tuuli Larva
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Simone Immler
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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Pineaux M, Blanchard P, Danchin É, Hatch SA, Helfenstein F, Mulard H, White J, Leclaire S, Wagner RH. Behavioural avoidance of sperm ageing depends on genetic similarity of mates in a monogamous seabird. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Inbreeding, i.e. the mating of genetically related individuals, can lead to reduced fitness and is considered to be a major selective force of mate choice. Although inbreeding avoidance has been found in numerous taxa, individuals may face constraints when pairing, leading to mating with suboptimal partners. In such circumstances, individuals that are able to avoid factors exacerbating detrimental effects of inbreeding should be favoured. Using the socially and genetically monogamous black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), we explored whether the detrimental effects of inbreeding are exacerbated by sperm ageing (i.e. the post-meiotic senescence of sperm cells, mainly occurring within the female tracts after copulation), and whether they can be mitigated by behavioural tactics. First, by experimentally manipulating the age of the fertilizing sperm, we found that hatching failure due to sperm ageing increased with higher genetic similarity between mates. We then investigated whether more genetically similar pairs exhibited mating behaviours that prevent fertilization by old sperm. The more genetically similar mates were, the less likely they were to copulate early in the reproductive season and the more females performed post-copulatory sperm ejections. By flexibly adapting their behaviour in response to within-pair genetic similarity, kittiwakes may avoid exacerbation of inbreeding costs due to sperm ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Pineaux
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR), Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS, route de Narbonne, Bat, Toulouse cedex, France
| | - Pierrick Blanchard
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR), Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS, route de Narbonne, Bat, Toulouse cedex, France
| | - Étienne Danchin
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR), Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS, route de Narbonne, Bat, Toulouse cedex, France
| | - Scott A Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Mountain Place, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Hervé Mulard
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR), Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS, route de Narbonne, Bat, Toulouse cedex, France
| | - Joël White
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR), Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS, route de Narbonne, Bat, Toulouse cedex, France
| | - Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR), Université de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS, route de Narbonne, Bat, Toulouse cedex, France
| | - Richard H Wagner
- Konrad-Lorenz-Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinarian Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstr., Vienna, Austria
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9
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O'Flaherty C. Orchestrating the antioxidant defenses in the epididymis. Andrology 2019; 7:662-668. [PMID: 31044545 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the post-testicular maturation that occurs in the epididymis, spermatozoa need to face biochemical and morphological changes that may make them vulnerable to oxidative damage. During spermatogenesis and the epididymal maturation, the spermatozoon acquires antioxidant enzymes needed to face possible increases of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by its own aerobic metabolism but also due to ROS produced in high quantities by abnormal spermatozoa. OBJECTIVES Provide an up-to-date review of the enzymatic antioxidant system in the epididymis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A thorough literature review was performed for papers concerning the players of the antioxidant defenses in the epididymis. RESULTS The antioxidant system in the epididymis is composed by superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, peroxiredoxins, glutathione-S-transferases, thioredoxins and thioredoxin reductase. They work together to maintain low levels of ROS during the epididymal maturation. Knockout models revealed that the absence of one of the enzyme impact sperm quality affecting a variety of proteins involved in motility, the ability to fertilize oocyte, and promotes oxidative damage to the sperm DNA. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that each enzyme is playing a specific role, and in most of the cases, no compensatory mechanisms are put in place when one enzyme is absent. This review highlights the different antioxidant enzymes in the epididymis and their role during maturation of the spermatozoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- C O'Flaherty
- Departments of Surgery (Urology Division) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
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10
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Trevizan JT, Carreira JT, Carvalho IR, Kipper BH, Nagata WB, Perri SHV, Franco Oliveira ME, Pierucci JC, Koivisto MBD. Does lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage differ in cryopreserved semen samples from young, adult and aged Nellore bulls? Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 195:8-15. [PMID: 29764711 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to evaluate cryopreserved semen of Nellore bulls of different ages and verify whether sperm quality declines with advancing age and whether lipid peroxidation and DNA damage are involved in this process. For this purpose, 40 Nellore bulls were divided into three age groups: Young, aged 1.8-2 years (n = 9); Adult, aged 3.5-7.0 years (n = 19); and Seniors, aged 8.0-14.3 years (n = 12). Three ejaculates were collected from each bull, cryopreserved and evaluated for various parameters including membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential (FITC-PSA and JC1), lipid peroxidation (C-11BODIPY 581 / 591) and oxidative DNA damage (8OHdG) using flow cytometry. The thawed semen of senior bulls was characterized by a low percentage of motile sperm (33.7 ± 6.1%), higher damage to the plasma and acrosomal membrane (37.5 ± 9.8%), and low mitochondrial potential (29.1 ± 13.8%), as well as higher percentages of peroxidated cells (53.6 ± 12.2%) and DNA damage (44.1 ± 11.0%; P < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation was negatively correlated with motility (r = -0.35, P < 0.0002), average mitochondrial potential (r = -0.42; P < 0.0001) and showed a positive correlation with membrane injury and oxidative DNA damage (r = 039; P = 0.0003). Young bulls presented superior thawed sperm quality, possibly due to greater resistance to oxidative stress and, consequently, to cryopreservation. In conclusion, the sperm quality of bull semen declines with advancing age and is strongly associated with increased oxidative damage to both the plasma membrane and DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Teramachi Trevizan
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
| | - Janaina Torres Carreira
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
| | - Isadora Resende Carvalho
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Helena Kipper
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
| | - Walter Bertequine Nagata
- Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
| | - Silvia Helena Venturoli Perri
- Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
| | - Maria Emilia Franco Oliveira
- Department of Preventative Veterinary Medicine and Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Julia Cestari Pierucci
- Department of Preventative Veterinary Medicine and Animal Reproduction, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Marion Burkhardt de Koivisto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, 16050-680, Brazil.
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11
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Carreira JT, Trevizan JT, Carvalho IR, Kipper B, Rodrigues LH, Silva C, Perri SHV, Drevet JR, Koivisto MB. Does sperm quality and DNA integrity differ in cryopreserved semen samples from young, adult, and aged Nellore bulls? Basic Clin Androl 2017. [PMID: 28649382 PMCID: PMC5479005 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-017-0056-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In humans, it is now well documented that rising paternal age is correlated with decreased sperm DNA integrity and embryonic developmental failures. On the other side of the coin, it is also reported that very young fathers such as teenagers carry an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. These observations suggest that, at least in humans, there is an age window for optimal sperm DNA integrity. In bovine, little is known about sperm DNA quality in young bulls and how it evolves with age. This study aimed to fill in this gap as it may be of importance for the bovine industry to know when exactly a bull is an optimal performer for reproductive programs. Methods Forty Nellore bulls were divided into three age groups: 1.8 to 2 years – young bulls; 3.5 to 7 years – adult bulls; and 8 to 14.3 years – aged bulls. Three ejaculates were collected from each bull, cryopreserved and evaluated for various parameters including: computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial potential, sperm nuclear protamination, DNA oxidative damage, and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Results We report here that young bulls presented superior values for motility, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, and high mitochondrial potential. However, they also presented higher values for sperm morphological abnormalities compared to adult and aged animal groups (p < 0.05). In addition, young bulls exhibited more defective protamination than older animals did. The oldest bulls showed more nuclear oxidative damage than the younger groups of bulls while both the young and aged groups were found more susceptible to DNA denaturation as revealed with the SCSA test (p < 0.05). Conclusion These results indicate that young bulls spermatozoa best survived the freezing procedure, followed by adult and aged bulls. However, young and aged bulls were found to be more susceptible to DNA damage, respectively caused by protamine deficiency and oxidation. Therefore, although young bulls have correct semen parameters according to classical evaluation, our results indicate that they may show some structural nuclear immaturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Carreira
- Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais, IFMG, 05, Fazenda Varginha, Estrada Bambuí-Medeiros, Km 05, CEP38900-000 Bambuí, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - J T Trevizan
- FMVA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - I R Carvalho
- FMVA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - B Kipper
- FMVA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | - C Silva
- CRVLagoa, Sertãozinho, Brazil
| | - S H V Perri
- FMVA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - J R Drevet
- GReD Laboratory, CNRS UMR6293 - INSERM U1103 - Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - M B Koivisto
- FMVA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Selvaratnam J, Paul C, Robaire B. Male Rat Germ Cells Display Age-Dependent and Cell-Specific Susceptibility in Response to Oxidative Stress Challenges. Biol Reprod 2015. [PMID: 26224006 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.131318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades male germ cells were considered unaffected by aging, due to the fact that males continue to generate sperm into old age; however, evidence indicates that germ cells from aged males are of lower quality than those of young males. The current study examines the effects of aging on pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, and is the first study to culture these cells in isolation for an extended period. Our objective is to determine the cell-specific responses germ cells have to aging and oxidative insult. Culturing isolated germ cells from young and aged Brown Norway rats revealed that germ cells from aged males displayed an earlier decline in viability, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased spermatocyte DNA damage, compared to young males. Furthermore, oxidative insult by prooxidant 3-morpholinosydnonimine provides insight into how spermatocytes and spermatids manage excess ROS. Genome-wide microarray analyses revealed that several transcripts for antioxidants, Sod1, Cat, and Prdxs, were up-regulated in response to ROS in germ cells from young males while being expressed at lower levels in the aged. In contrast, the expression of DNA damage repair genes Rad50 and Atm were increased in the germ cells from aged animals. Our data indicate that as germ cells undergo spermatogenesis, they adapt and respond to oxidative stress differently, depending on their phase of development, and the process of aging results in redox dysfunction. Thus, even at early stages of spermatogenesis, germ cells from aged males are unable to mount an appropriate response to manage oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Selvaratnam
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Catriona Paul
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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13
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Belloc S, Hazout A, Zini A, Merviel P, Cabry R, Chahine H, Copin H, Benkhalifa M. How to overcome male infertility after 40: Influence of paternal age on fertility. Maturitas 2014; 78:22-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Sampino S, Juszczak GR, Zacchini F, Swiergiel AH, Modlinski JA, Loi P, Ptak GE. Grand-paternal age and the development of autism-like symptoms in mice progeny. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e386. [PMID: 24780920 PMCID: PMC4012289 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced paternal age (APA) contributes to the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children. In this study, we used a mouse model to investigate the effects of APA on behavioral features related to autistic syndromes (that is, social deficits, communication impairments and stereotypic/repetitive behaviors). We also examined whether such effects are transmitted across generations. To do this, males aged 15 months (APA) and 4 months (control) were bred with 4-month-old females, and the resulting offspring (F1) and their progeny (F2; conceived by 4-month-old parents) were tested for the presence and severity of ASD-like behaviors. Our results indicate that APA resulted in offspring that displayed distinctive symptoms of ASD. We found that both F1 conceived from old fathers and F2 derived from old grandfathers displayed increased ultrasound vocalization (USV) activity, decreased sociability, increased grooming activity and increased anxiety-like responses. Moreover, such abnormalities were partially transmitted to the second generation of mice, having APA grandfathers. In conclusion, our study suggests that the risk of ASD could develop over generations, consistent with heritable mutations and/or epigenetic alterations associated with APA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sampino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy,Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - G R Juszczak
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - F Zacchini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - A H Swiergiel
- Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland,Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - J A Modlinski
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - P Loi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - G E Ptak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy,Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, p.za aldo moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy. E-mail:
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15
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O'Flaherty C. Iatrogenic genetic damage of spermatozoa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 791:117-35. [PMID: 23955676 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7783-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Various factors that negatively influence male fertility can affect sperm morphology and physiology. Many studies on humans and animals suggest that both radiation and chemotherapy alter the sperm chromatin, inducing significant damage to sperm DNA, and decrease the level of protamination, thereby altering DNA compaction. Spermatozoa from cancer survivors are affected by chemotherapy even years after the end of treatment. We are exposed to various toxicants present in the environment (e.g., products of air pollution, pesticides, and plasticizers) whose impact on human male reproduction has not yet been established.This chapter aims to update our knowledge on how the sperm chromatin structure is modified by external agents and to describe the different strategies available to better study this complex structure in infertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian O'Flaherty
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University and the Research Institute- McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, room H6.46, 687 Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montréal, Québec, H3A 1A1, Canada,
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16
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17
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Hettyey A, Vági B, Penn DJ, Hoi H, Wagner RH. Post-meiotic intra-testicular sperm senescence in a wild vertebrate. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50820. [PMID: 23226542 PMCID: PMC3513296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in sperm senescence, both in its underlying mechanisms and evolutionary consequences, because it can impact the evolution of numerous life history traits. Previous studies have documented various types of sperm senescence, but evidence of post-meiotic intra-testicular sperm senescence in wild animals is lacking. To assess such senescence, we studied within-season changes in sperm motility in the common toad (Bufo bufo), where males produce all sperm prior to the breeding season. We found that males exposed to experimentally induced re-hibernation at the start of the breeding season, that is to experimentally lowered metabolic rates, stored sperm of significantly higher motility than males that were kept under seminatural conditions without females throughout the breeding season. This finding indicates that re-hibernation slows normal rates of sperm ageing and constitutes the first evidence to our knowledge of post-meiotic intra-testicular sperm senescence in a wild vertebrate. We also found that in males kept in seminatural conditions, sperm motility was positively related to the number of matings a male achieved. Thus, our results suggest that post-meiotic intra-testicular sperm senescence does not have a genetically fixed rate and may be modulated by temperature and possibly by mating opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Hettyey
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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18
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Jenkins TG, Carrell DT. The sperm epigenome and potential implications for the developing embryo. Reproduction 2012; 143:727-34. [PMID: 22495887 DOI: 10.1530/rep-11-0450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent work in the field of male fertility has yielded significant increases in our understanding of the sperm epigenome and its potential role in embryonic development. These new findings have enabled a broad classification of a normal epigenetic state in the male gamete and have provided insight into the possible etiologies of some idiopathic male infertility cases. Histone retention and modification, protamine incorporation into the chromatin, DNA methylation, and spermatozoal RNA transcripts appear to play important roles in the epigenetic state of mature sperm. These epigenetic factors may reveal a historical record of spermatogenesis, portend future functions in embryogenesis, and help to elucidate mechanism of pluripotency. In contrast to the once held dogma regarding the importance of the paternal epigenome, the unique epigenetic landscape in sperm appears to serve more than the gamete itself and is likely influential in the developing embryo. In fact, growing evidence suggests that mature sperm provide appropriate epigenetic marks that drive specific genes toward activation and contribute to the pluripotent state of the embryonic cells. Although not definitive, the current literature provides evidence for the role of the sperm epigenome in the embryo. Future work must be focused on the characterization of epigenetic abnormalities commonly found in individuals with compromised fertility to further establish this role. Additionally, studies should target the effects of environment and aging on the sperm epigenetic program and subsequent fertility loss to determine the etiology of aberrant epigenetic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy G Jenkins
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, 675 Arapeen Drive, Suite 205, Salt Lake City,Utah 801-581-3740, USA
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19
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Vogel KS, Perez M, Momand JR, Acevedo-Torres K, Hildreth K, Garcia RA, Torres-Ramos CA, Ayala-Torres S, Prihoda TJ, McMahan CA, Walter CA. Age-related instability in spermatogenic cell nuclear and mitochondrial DNA obtained from Apex1 heterozygous mice. Mol Reprod Dev 2011; 78:906-19. [PMID: 21919107 PMCID: PMC3391697 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of spontaneous mutations increases with age in the male germline; consequently, older men have an increased risk of siring children with genetic disease due to de novo mutations. The lacI transgenic mouse can be used to study paternal age effects, and in this system, the prevalence of de novo mutations increases in the male germline at old ages. Mutagenesis is linked with DNA repair capacity, and base excision repair (BER), which can ameliorate spontaneous DNA damage, decreases in nuclear extracts of spermatogenic cells from old mice. Mice heterozygous for a null allele of the Apex1 gene, which encodes apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease I (APEN), an essential BER enzyme, display an accelerated increase in spontaneous germline mutagenesis early in life. Here, the consequences of lifelong reduction of APEN on genetic instability in the male germline were examined, for the first time, at middle and old ages. Mutant frequency increased earlier in spermatogenic cells from Apex1(+/-) mice (by 6 months of age). Nuclear DNA damage increased with age in the spermatogenic lineage for both wild-type and Apex1(+/-) mice. By old age, mutant frequencies were similar for wild-type and APEN-deficient mice. Mitochondrial genome repair also depends on APEN, and novel analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage revealed an increase in the Apex1(+/-) spermatogenic cells by middle age. Thus, Apex1 heterozygosity results in accelerated damage to mtDNA and spontaneous mutagenesis, consistent with an essential role for APEN in maintaining nuclear and mtDNA integrity in spermatogenic cells throughout life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine S. Vogel
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | - Marissa Perez
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | - Jamila R. Momand
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | | | - Kim Hildreth
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | - Rebecca A. Garcia
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | | | | | - Thomas J. Prihoda
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | - C. Alex McMahan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
| | - Christi A. Walter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
- South Texas Veteran’s Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229
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20
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Simon L, Castillo J, Oliva R, Lewis SE. Relationships between human sperm protamines, DNA damage and assisted reproduction outcomes. Reprod Biomed Online 2011; 23:724-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2011.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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21
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Paul C, Nagano M, Robaire B. Aging results in differential regulation of DNA repair pathways in pachytene spermatocytes in the Brown Norway rat. Biol Reprod 2011; 85:1269-78. [PMID: 21865553 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.094219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The present trend of increasing paternal age is accompanied by concerns for the development of complex multigene diseases (e.g., autism and schizophrenia) in progeny. Recent studies have established strong correlations between male age, increased oxidative stress, decreased sperm quality, and structural aberrations of chromatin and DNA in spermatozoa. We tested the hypothesis that increasing age would result in altered gene expression relating to oxidative stress and DNA damage/repair in germ cells. To test this hypothesis, pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids were isolated from Brown Norway (BN) rats at 4 (young) and 18 (aged) mo of age. Microarray analysis was used to compare gene expression between the groups. The probe sets with significantly altered expression were linked to DNA damage/repair and oxidative stress in pachytene spermatocytes but not in round spermatids. Further analysis of pachytene spermatocytes demonstrated that genes involved in the base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways were specifically altered. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that NER genes were upregulated (>1.5-fold), whereas BER genes were downregulated (>1.5-fold). At the protein level the members of the BER pathway were also altered by up to 2.3-fold; levels of NER proteins remained unchanged. Furthermore, there was an increase in 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) immunoreactivity in testes from aged males and in the number of spermatozoa positive for 8-oxodG. In conclusion, aging is associated with differential regulation of DNA repair pathways with a decrease in the BER pathway leading to deficient repair of 8-oxo-dG lesions in germ cells and spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catriona Paul
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
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22
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Foldi CJ, Eyles DW, Flatscher-Bader T, McGrath JJ, Burne THJ. New perspectives on rodent models of advanced paternal age: relevance to autism. Front Behav Neurosci 2011; 5:32. [PMID: 21734873 PMCID: PMC3124931 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Offspring of older fathers have an increased risk of various adverse health outcomes, including autism and schizophrenia. With respect to biological mechanisms for this association, there are many more germline cell divisions in the life history of a sperm relative to that of an oocyte. This leads to more opportunities for copy error mutations in germ cells from older fathers. Evidence also suggests that epigenetic patterning in the sperm from older men is altered. Rodent models provide an experimental platform to examine the association between paternal age and brain development. Several rodent models of advanced paternal age (APA) have been published with relevance to intermediate phenotypes related to autism. All four published APA models vary in key features creating a lack of consistency with respect to behavioral phenotypes. A consideration of common phenotypes that emerge from these APA-related mouse models may be informative in the exploration of the molecular and neurobiological correlates of APA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire J Foldi
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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23
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Gharagozloo P, Aitken RJ. The role of sperm oxidative stress in male infertility and the significance of oral antioxidant therapy. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:1628-40. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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24
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Aitken RJ, Curry BJ. Redox regulation of human sperm function: from the physiological control of sperm capacitation to the etiology of infertility and DNA damage in the germ line. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 14:367-81. [PMID: 20522002 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Defective sperm function is the largest single defined cause of human infertility and one of the major reasons we are witnessing an exponential increase in the uptake of assisted conception therapy in the developed world. A major characteristic of defective human spermatozoa is the presence of large amounts of DNA damage, which is, in turn, associated with reduced fertility, increased rates of miscarriage, and an enhanced risk of disease in the offspring. This DNA damage is largely oxidative and is closely associated with defects in spermiogenesis. To explain the origins of this DNA damage, we postulate that spermiogenesis is disrupted by oxidative stress, leading to the creation of defective gametes with poorly remodeled chromatin that are particularly susceptible to free radical attack. To compound the problem, these defective cells have a tendency to undergo an unusual truncated form of apoptosis associated with high amounts of superoxide generation by the sperm mitochondria. This leads to significant oxidative DNA damage that eventually culminates in the DNA fragmentation we see in infertile patients. In light of the significance of oxidative stress in the etiology of defective sperm function, a variety of antioxidant therapies are now being assessed for their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Aitken
- Discipline of Biological Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
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25
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26
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Kokkinaki M, Lee TL, He Z, Jiang J, Golestaneh N, Hofmann MC, Chan WY, Dym M. Age affects gene expression in mouse spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells. Reproduction 2010; 139:1011-20. [PMID: 20371641 DOI: 10.1530/rep-09-0566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis in man starts with spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), and leads to the production of sperm in approximately 64 days, common to old and young men. Sperm from elderly men are functional and able to fertilize eggs and produce offspring, even though daily sperm production is more than 50% lower and damage to sperm DNA is significantly higher in older men than in those who are younger. Our hypothesis is that the SSC/spermatogonial progenitors themselves age. To test this hypothesis, we studied the gene expression profile of mouse SSC/progenitor cells at several ages using microarrays. After sequential enzyme dispersion, we purified the SSC/progenitors with immunomagnetic cell sorting using an antibody to GFRA1, a known SSC/progenitor cell marker. RNA was isolated and used for the in vitro synthesis of amplified and labeled cRNAs that were hybridized to the Affymetrix mouse genome microarrays. The experiments were repeated twice with different cell preparations, and statistically significant results are presented. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to confirm the microarray results. Comparison of four age groups (6 days, 21 days, 60 days, and 8 months old) showed a number of genes that were expressed specifically in the older mice. Two of them (i.e. Icam1 and Selp) have also been shown to mark aging hematopoietic stem cells. On the other hand, the expression levels of the genes encoding the SSC markers Gfra1 and Plzf did not seem to be significantly altered by age, indicating that age affects only certain SSC/progenitor properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kokkinaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20057, USA
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Zhang J, Liu Q, Zhang W, Li J, Li Z, Tang Z, Li Y, Han C, Hall SH, Zhang Y. Comparative profiling of genes and miRNAs expressed in the newborn, young adult, and aged human epididymides. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2010; 42:145-53. [PMID: 20119626 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmp116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand roles of transcriptional factors and miRNAs in regulating gene expression in the epididymis from postnatal development through aging, systematic profiling of genes and miRNAs expressed in the newborn, young adult, and aged human epididymides was performed by cDNA array and miRNA array analysis, respectively. The newborn human epididymis expressed the fewest mRNAs but the largest number of miRNAs, whereas the adult and aged epididymides expressed the most mRNAs but the fewest miRNAs, a negative correlation between mRNAs and miRNA during aging. By integrative analysis, a set of miRNA targets were predicted based on the miRNA and cDNA arrays. In the newborn epididymis, 127 miRNAs were exclusively or preferentially expressed but only 3 and 2 miRNAs showed an age-enriched expression pattern in the adult and aged epididymides, respectively. This study provides a basic database as well as new insights and foundations for further studies on the complex regulation of gene expression in the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsong Zhang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
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28
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Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN, McLachlan RI. Biological and clinical significance of DNA damage in the male germ line. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 32:46-56. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2008.00943.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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29
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Sitzmann BD, Urbanski HF, Ottinger MA. Aging in male primates: reproductive decline, effects of calorie restriction and future research potential. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2008; 30:157-168. [PMID: 19424865 PMCID: PMC2527629 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-008-9065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2008] [Accepted: 05/17/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Although less dramatic than in females, male mammals experience decreasing reproductive function during aging. In primates, multiple facets of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis show evidence of gradual age-related decline, including behavioral, neuroendocrine and endocrine alterations such as decreased testosterone levels, reduced circulating dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels, increased numbers of sperm abnormalities, and a general decline in physiological responses. In this review we consider a range of age-related changes in males. These measures, including more subtle aging characteristics, are interesting additional indices for detecting the timing of age-related changes in behavioral, neuroendocrine, and endocrine responses. Evidence of potential effects of calorie restriction as an intervention in reproductive aging is also discussed. A discernable decline occurs in both metabolic and reproductive endocrine processes during male aging. This cascade of events includes neuroendocrine and behavioral changes; biomarkers such as circulating DHEAS also show clear age-related decline. The varied changes that occur during male aging are considered in the context of primate aging in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D. Sitzmann
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Henryk F. Urbanski
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
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30
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O'Flaherty C, Vaisheva F, Hales BF, Chan P, Robaire B. Characterization of sperm chromatin quality in testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients prior to chemotherapy. Hum Reprod 2008; 23:1044-52. [PMID: 18346994 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the incidences of testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma have increased in young men over the past decade, combination chemotherapy has improved survival. As fertility is of importance to these patients, characterization of sperm chromatin structure is needed. We assessed sperm chromatin in testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients prior to chemotherapy, in comparison with control community and idiopathic infertile volunteers. METHODS DNA damage was assessed with the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and comet assays; reactive thiols (SH) and DNA compaction were determined with the monobromobimane (mBBr) and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) assays, respectively. RESULTS Both testicular cancer (37%) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (81%) patients had normospermic samples with increased DNA damage, compared with controls. Cancer patients also had higher reactive thiols and CMA3 staining, indicating low DNA compaction. CONCLUSIONS Sperm DNA integrity and compaction were affected in testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients prior to chemotherapy. Although SCSA, TUNEL and comet assays all detected DNA damage, the latter was optimal for use in cancer patients. A combination of the comet assay with tests that evaluate sperm DNA compaction, such as flow cytometry-based CMA3 and mBBr assays, is a reliable strategy to characterize sperm chromatin quality in cancer patients at the time of sperm banking.
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Affiliation(s)
- C O'Flaherty
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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31
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Pizzari T, Dean R, Pacey A, Moore H, Bonsall MB. The evolutionary ecology of pre- and post-meiotic sperm senescence. Trends Ecol Evol 2008; 23:131-40. [PMID: 18280006 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2007.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2007] [Revised: 12/13/2007] [Accepted: 12/13/2007] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pizzari
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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32
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Perrin MC, Brown AS, Malaspina D. Aberrant epigenetic regulation could explain the relationship of paternal age to schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2007; 33:1270-3. [PMID: 17712030 PMCID: PMC2779878 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbm093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The causal mechanism underlying the well-established relation between advancing paternal age and schizophrenia is hypothesized to involve mutational errors during spermatogenesis that occur with increasing frequency as males age. Point mutations are well known to increase with advancing paternal age while other errors such as altered copy number in repeat DNA and chromosome breakage have in some cases also been associated with advancing paternal age. Dysregulation of epigenetic processes may also be an important mechanism underlying the association between paternal age and schizophrenia. Evidence suggests that advancing age as well as environmental exposures alter epigenetic regulation. Errors in epigenetic processes, such as parental imprinting can have serious effects on the offspring both pre- and postnatally and into adulthood. This article will discuss parental imprinting on the autosomal and X chromosomes and the alterations in epigenetic regulation that may lead to such errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C. Perrin
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Alan S. Brown
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Dolores Malaspina
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 212-263-6214, fax: 212-263-5717, e-mail:
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