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Ozsait-Selcuk B, Bulgurcuoglu-Kuran S, Sever-Kaya D, Coban N, Aktan G, Kadioglu A. Sperm RNA quantity and PRM1, PRM2, and TH2B transcript levels reflect sperm characteristics and early embryonic development. Asian J Androl 2024:00129336-990000000-00233. [PMID: 39187928 DOI: 10.4103/aja202452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile. Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development. To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and expression of protamine (PRM1 and PRM2) and testis-specific histone 2B (TH2B) genes, spermatozoa from 33 patients who enrolled in assisted reproduction treatment (ART) program were analyzed. Sperm RNA of teratozoospermic (T), oligoteratozoospermic (OT), and normozoospermic (N) samples was extracted, and the differences in transcript levels among the study groups were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlations of total RNA per spermatozoon and the expression of the transcripts were evaluated in relation to sperm characteristics and preimplantation embryo development. The mean (±standard deviation) RNA amount per spermatozoon was 28.48 (±23.03) femtogram in the overall group and was significantly higher in the OT group than that in N and T groups. Total sperm RNA and gene expression of PRM1 and PRM2 genes were related to preimplantation embryo development and developmental arrest. Specific sperm characteristics were correlated with the expressions of PRM1, PRM2, or TH2B genes. We conclude that the sperm RNA amount and composition are important factors and might influence early embryonic development and also differ in different cases of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilge Ozsait-Selcuk
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
| | - Sibel Bulgurcuoglu-Kuran
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
| | - Dilek Sever-Kaya
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
- Clinical Nutrition and Microbiota Research Laboratory, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
| | - Neslihan Coban
- Department of Genetics, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
| | - Gulsen Aktan
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
| | - Ates Kadioglu
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye
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2
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Chen A, Ji C, Li C, Brand-Saberi B, Zhang S. Multiple transcriptome analyses reveal mouse testis developmental dynamics. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:395. [PMID: 38649810 PMCID: PMC11036721 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10298-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The testes are the organs of gamete production and testosterone synthesis. Up to date, no model system is available for mammalian testicular development, and only few studies have characterized the mouse testis transcriptome from no more than three postnatal ages. To describe the transcriptome landscape of the developing mouse testis and identify the potential molecular mechanisms underlying testis maturation, we examined multiple RNA-seq data of mouse testes from 3-week-old (puberty) to 11-week-old (adult). Sperm cells appeared as expected in 5-week-old mouse testis, suggesting the proper sample collection. The principal components analysis revealed the genes from 3w to 4w clustered away from other timepoints, indicating they may be the important nodes for testicular development. The pairwise comparisons at two adjacent timepoints identified 7,612 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), resulting in 58 unique mRNA expression patterns. Enrichment analysis identified functions in tissue morphogenesis (3-4w), regulation of peptidase activity (4-5w), spermatogenesis (7-8w), and antigen processing (10-11w), suggesting distinct functions in different developmental periods. 50 hub genes and 10 gene cluster modules were identified in the testis maturation process by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and the miRNA-lncRNA-mRNA, miRNA-circRNA-mRNA and miRNA-circRNA-lncRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks were constructed. The results suggest that testis maturation is a complex developmental process modulated by various molecules, and that some potential RNA-RNA interactions may be involved in specific developmental stages. In summary, this study provides an update on the molecular basis of testis development, which may help to understand the molecular mechanisms of mouse testis development and provide guidance for mouse reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Chen
- Institute of Forensic Science, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoneng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 200438, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- Institute of Forensic Science, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Ministry of Justice, Academy of Forensic Science, 200063, Shanghai, China
| | - Beate Brand-Saberi
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Suhua Zhang
- Institute of Forensic Science, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Pathak D, Baksi A, Vasan SS, Dighe RR. Molecular and Functional Characterization of Human Sex-Determining Region on the Y Chromosome Variants Using Protamine 1 Promoter. DNA Cell Biol 2024; 43:12-25. [PMID: 38170186 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2022.0619] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The male sex-determining gene, sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY), is expressed in adult testicular germ cells; however, its role in regulating spermatogenesis remains unclear. The role of SRY in the postmeiotic gene expression was investigated by determining the effect of SRY on the promoter of the haploid-specific Protamine 1 (PRM1) gene, which harbors five distinct SRY-binding motifs. In a luciferase reporter assay system, SRY upregulates PRM1 promoter activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Through a gel-shift assay involving a 31-bp DNA fragment encompassing the SRY element within the PRM1 promoter, the third SRY-binding site on the sense strand (-373/-367) was identified as crucial for PRM1 promoter activation. This assay was extended to analyze 9 SRY variants found in the testicular DNA of 44 azoospermia patients. The findings suggest that SRY regulates PRM1 promoter activity by directly binding to its specific motif within the PRM1 promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Pathak
- School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-Be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Arka Baksi
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU-Dresden, Saxony, Germany
| | - S S Vasan
- Manipal Ankur Fertility, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajan R Dighe
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Arévalo L, Esther Merges G, Schneider S, Schorle H. Protamines: lessons learned from mouse models. Reproduction 2022; 164:R57-R74. [PMID: 35900356 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Protamines package and shield the paternal DNA in the sperm nucleus and have been studied in many mouse models over decades. This review recapitulates and updates our knowledge about protamines and reveals a surprising complexity in protamine function and their interactions with other sperm nuclear proteins. Abstract The packaging and safeguarding of paternal DNA in the sperm cell nucleus is a critical feature of proper sperm function. Histones cannot mediate the necessary hypercondensation and shielding of chromatin required for motility and transit through the reproductive tracts. Paternal chromatin is therefore reorganized and ultimately packaged by protamines. In most mammalian species, one protamine is present in mature sperm (PRM1). In rodents and primates among others, however, mature sperm contain a second protamine (PRM2). Unlike PRM1, PRM2 is cleaved at its N-terminal end. Although protamines have been studied for decades due to their role in chromatin hypercondensation and involvement in male infertility, key aspects of their function are still unclear. This review updates and integrates our knowledge of protamines and their function based on lessons learned from mouse models and starts to answer open questions. The combined insights from recent work reveal that indeed both protamines are crucial for the production of functional sperm and indicate that the two protamines perform distinct functions beyond simple DNA compaction. Loss of one allele of PRM1 leads to subfertility whereas heterozygous loss of PRM2 does not. Unprocessed PRM2 seems to play a distinct role related to the eviction of intermediate DNA-bound proteins and the incorporation of both protamines into chromatin. For PRM1, on the other hand, heterozygous loss leads to strongly reduced sperm motility as the main phenotype, indicating that PRM1 might be important for processes ensuring correct motility, apart from DNA compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gina Esther Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Bonn Technology Campus, Core Facility 'Gene-Editing', University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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5
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Gianzo M, Urizar-Arenaza I, Muñoa-Hoyos I, Labaka G, Larreategui Z, Garrido N, Irazusta J, Subirán N. Sperm aminopeptidase N identifies the potential for high-quality blastocysts and viable embryos in oocyte-donation cycles. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2246-2254. [PMID: 35984316 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac170] [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: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there a relationship between human sperm aminopeptidase N (APN) and embryo development in humans? SUMMARY ANSWER Human sperm APN could possibly become a new molecular biomarker for identifying the potential for high-quality and usable embryos. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The diagnosis of male fertility is one of the major concerns of reproductive medicine. Approximately 30-40% of men with otherwise normal fertility parameters are still unable to achieve pregnancy. The predictive clinical value of semen analysis to identify fertile or infertile males is limited; therefore, new diagnostic methodologies for sperm are urgently required. Sperm APN may be a relevant molecular marker due to its high concentration in sperm cells and its important roles in sperm physiology, such as its functions in motility, acrosome reaction and embryo development. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study included 81 couples who underwent oocyte-donation cycles at Clínica IVI Bilbao (Spain), yielding 611 embryos, between September 2014 and July 2015. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS This study was conducted in an assisted reproduction unit and an academic research laboratory. All the semen samples were examined and classified following World Health Organization guidelines. Spermatozoa were isolated from semen using the discontinuous colloidal silica gradient (45-90%) technique. Embryo quality and development were determined according to the Spanish Association of Reproduction Biology Studies (ASEBIR) criteria. Human sperm APN levels were analyzed by quantitative and semiquantitative flow cytometry. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The most well-developed and usable blastocysts were associated with low sperm APN levels. Semen samples that had lower APN levels generated more expanded, hatched and usable blastocysts and fewer early, arrested and non-usable blastocysts. The cumulative probability of having well-developed blastocysts increased by 1.38-fold at Day 5 and 1.90-fold at Day 6 of embryo development, and the likelihood of having usable embryos increased by 1.48-fold, when semen samples with low APN levels were used during the ICSI technique. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The data were obtained from a single fertility clinic. A multicentre study will be required to confirm the results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Human sperm APN has the potential to become a new molecular biomarker to help identify the potential for high-quality embryos and diagnose male infertility, especially when seminal parameters are close to the threshold values. It could be a crucial tool for couples for whom the number of usable blastocysts is critical for ART success. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by grants from the Basque Government (GIC15/165) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (EHUA14/17). The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gianzo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Itziar Urizar-Arenaza
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Innovation in Assisted Reproduction Group, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Iraia Muñoa-Hoyos
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Innovation in Assisted Reproduction Group, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Gorka Labaka
- Hitz Center, Ixa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | | | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Jon Irazusta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Nerea Subirán
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursery, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Innovation in Assisted Reproduction Group, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,MEPROlife, Medical Reproductive Solutions, Research and Development Department, Donostia-San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain
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Merges GE, Meier J, Schneider S, Kruse A, Fröbius AC, Kirfel G, Steger K, Arévalo L, Schorle H. Loss of Prm1 leads to defective chromatin protamination, impaired PRM2 processing, reduced sperm motility and subfertility in male mice. Development 2022; 149:275502. [PMID: 35608054 PMCID: PMC9270976 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the key events during spermiogenesis is the hypercondensation of chromatin by substitution of the majority of histones by protamines. In humans and mice, protamine 1 (PRM1/Prm1) and protamine 2 (PRM2/Prm2) are expressed in a species-specific ratio. Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing, we generated Prm1-deficient mice and demonstrated that Prm1+/- mice were subfertile, whereas Prm1-/- mice were infertile. Prm1-/- and Prm2-/- sperm showed high levels of reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA damage and increased histone retention. In contrast, Prm1+/- sperm displayed only moderate DNA damage. The majority of Prm1+/- sperm were CMA3 positive, indicating protamine-deficient chromatin, although this was not the result of increased histone retention in Prm1+/- sperm. However, sperm from Prm1+/- and Prm1-/- mice contained high levels of incompletely processed PRM2. Furthermore, the PRM1:PRM2 ratio was skewed from 1:2 in wild type to 1:5 in Prm1+/- animals. Our results reveal that PRM1 is required for proper PRM2 processing to produce mature PRM2, which, together with PRM1, is able to hypercondense DNA. Thus, the species-specific PRM1:PRM2 ratio has to be precisely controlled in order to retain full fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Esther Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia Meier
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Kruse
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center of the Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Christian Fröbius
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center of the Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Gregor Kirfel
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center of the Justus-Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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7
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PRM1 Gene Expression and Its Protein Abundance in Frozen-Thawed Spermatozoa as Potential Fertility Markers in Breeding Bulls. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9030111. [PMID: 35324839 PMCID: PMC8951773 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030111] [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: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional genes and proteins in sperm play an essential role in bulls’ reproductive processes. They are more accurate in determining bull fertility than conventional semen quality tests. Protamine-1 (PRM1) is a gene or protein crucial for packaging and protecting sperm DNA until fertilization affects normal sperm function. This study analyzes the genes and proteins potential from PRM1 as fertility markers for different breeds of bulls utilized in the artificial insemination programs, expected to be an accurate tool in interpreting bull fertility in Indonesia. This study used Limousin, Holstein, and Ongole Grade bulls divided into two groups based on fertility, high-fertility (HF) and low fertility (LF). The semen quality assessment included progressive motility (computer-assisted semen analysis), viability (eosin-nigrosine), and plasma membrane integrity (HOS test). Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) was assessed using the acridine orange staining and the Halomax test. Sperm PRM deficiency was evaluated with the chromomycin A3 method. Moreover, PRM1 gene expression was measured using qRT-PCR, and the PRM1 protein abundance was measured with the enzyme immunoassay method. Semen quality values, relative expression of PRM1 gene, and quantity of PRM1 protein were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in HF bulls than in LF bulls. The SDF and PRM deficiency values in LF bulls were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than HF bulls. Additionally, PRM1 at the gene and protein levels correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with fertility. Therefore, PRM1 is a potential candidate for fertility markers in bulls in Indonesia.
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8
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Idu M, Alugeh MO, Alugeh MO, Gabriel BO. Phytochemical screening, antioxidant study and hematinic property of Mojeaga herbal remedy using animal model. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43088-022-00207-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Plants have been used as medicine since ancient time and contributed immensely to health care delivery system globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytoconstituents, antioxidant and hematinic property of Mojeaga herbal remedy (Alchornea cordifolia, Sorghum bicolor and Pennisetum glaucum) in animal model. Standard protocols were used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical, gas chromatography mass spectrum (GC–MS), and in vitro antioxidant studies (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity were also used to assess these plants. Ninety Wistar rats of both sexes were selected for this study. They were administered with 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine hydrochloride to induce anemia for 5 days afterward treated with oral dose of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg Mojeaga herbal remedy for 10 days. Hematological, CD4 and CD8, and histology of the blood and bone marrow were analyzed.
Results
The phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and phenol. Flavonoids and phenol were more in abundant (917 and 1445 mg/kg). The GC–MS analysis shows the presence of disulfide, dimethyl, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 1-Dodecanol, 10-Phenyldecanoic acid, 8-Phenyloctanoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid and 15-Hydroxypentadecanoic acid. The antioxidant scavenging property showed the potential capacity of the herbal remedy to scavenge free radicals against oxidative stress at 24%, 53.8% 1609.9 µM Fe II/ g extract when compared with ascorbic acid. The hematological indexes showed a significant increase in red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, mean corpuscular volume, CD4 and CD8 count at day 10 of the male and female rats with the values of RBC (6.72, 7.34, 7.10 × 106/ul) (6.78, 6.75, 6.79 × 106/ul), hematocrit (47.8, 51.5, 49.75%) (48.05, 44.80, 44.60%) and hemoglobin (16.5, 18.05, 17.1 g/dl) (16.6, 15.6, 15.75 g/dl) when compared with the control (p < 0.05). The histo-architectural structure of the bone marrow showed a stimulating effect of myeloid/erythroid cell ratio > 60 in the treatment groups when compared with 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine alone.
Conclusions
In conclusion, mojeaga herbal remedy elicited hematinic property that validated the folklore report; hence, further evaluation will be required.
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Aliakbari F, Eshghifar N, Mirfakhraie R, Pourghorban P, Azizi F. Coding and Non-Coding RNAs, as Male Fertility and Infertility Biomarkers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2021; 15:158-166. [PMID: 34155862 PMCID: PMC8233923 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2021.134602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Semen analysis is usually the first step in the assessment of male fertility. Although analyzes provide valuable information about male fertility, success of cytoplasmic sperm injection using this method is not predictable. In the recent years, studies have shown that sperm quality assessment helps clinicians predict male fertility status based on the expression of biomarkers. To write this article, a comprehensive study was conducted on several RNA transcripts by searching related words on medical information databases by 2018. According to the literature, spermatogenesis based disorders in male infertility have a significant relationship with the expression level of some RNA molecules (like DAZ and PRM1/PRM2 ratio) in semen and testicular tissue. Thus, they might be used as predictor biomarkersto evaluate success rate of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure, but confirmation of this hypothesis requires more extensive research. By comparing the number of RNAs attributed to each fertility disorder in men, it is possible to trace the causes of disease or return fertility to some infertile patients by regulating the mentioned molecules. Further researches can provide a better understanding of the use of RNA expression profiles in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Aliakbari
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahal Eshghifar
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Pourghorban
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Sabzevar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Faezeh Azizi
- Non-Communicable Disease Control Department, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Amor H, Zeyad A, Hammadeh ME. Tobacco smoking and its impact on the expression level of sperm nuclear protein genes: H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13964. [PMID: 33440036 DOI: 10.1111/and.13964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this current study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoke on sperm quality determined by standard parameters, on sperm DNA maturity tested by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, on sperm DNA fragmentation tested by TUNEL assay and on the transcript level of sperm nuclear proteins H2BFWT, PRM1, PRM2, TNP1 and TNP2 genes quantified by RT-PCR. One hundred forty-one (141) sperm samples (43 nonsmokers (G.1) and 98 heavy smokers (G.2)) of couples undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this study. In G2, a significant decrease in standard semen parameters in comparison with nonsmokers was shown (p < .01). In contrast, protamine deficiency (CMA3 positivity) and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) were significantly higher in G2 than in G1 (p < .01). Furthermore, the studied genes were differentially expressed (p < .01), down-regulated in the spermatozoa of G.2 compared to that of G.1 (fold change <0.5) and were significantly correlated between each other (p < .01). Moreover, in comparison with G1, the protamine mRNA ratio in G2 was significantly higher (p < .01). It can therefore be concluded that smoking alters mRNA expression levels of H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2 genes and the protamine mRNA ratio and consequently alters normal sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ali Zeyad
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
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11
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Schneider S, Shakeri F, Trötschel C, Arévalo L, Kruse A, Buness A, Poetsch A, Steger K, Schorle H. Protamine-2 Deficiency Initiates a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Mediated Destruction Cascade during Epididymal Sperm Maturation in Mice. Cells 2020; 9:E1789. [PMID: 32727081 PMCID: PMC7463811 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protamines are the safeguards of the paternal sperm genome. They replace most of the histones during spermiogenesis, resulting in DNA hypercondensation, thereby protecting its genome from environmental noxa. Impaired protamination has been linked to male infertility in mice and humans in many studies. Apart from impaired DNA integrity, protamine-deficient human and murine sperm show multiple secondary effects, including decreased motility and aberrant head morphology. In this study, we use a Protamine-2 (Prm2)-deficient mouse model in combination with label-free quantitative proteomics to decipher the underlying molecular processes of these effects. We show that loss of the sperm's antioxidant capacity, indicated by downregulation of key proteins like Superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1) and Peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5), ultimately initiates an oxidative stress-mediated destruction cascade during epididymal sperm maturation. This is confirmed by an increased level of 8-OHdG in epididymal sperm, a biomarker for oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage. Prm2-deficient testicular sperm are not affected and initiate the proper development of blastocyst stage preimplantation embryos in vitro upon intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) into oocytes. Our results provide new insight into the role of Prm2 and its downstream molecular effects on sperm function and present an important contribution to the investigation of new treatment regimens for infertile men with impaired protamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (S.S.); (L.A.)
| | - Farhad Shakeri
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (F.S.); (A.B.)
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Trötschel
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (C.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (S.S.); (L.A.)
| | - Alexander Kruse
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center of the Justus-Liebig University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany; (A.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Andreas Buness
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (F.S.); (A.B.)
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ansgar Poetsch
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (C.T.); (A.P.)
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center of the Justus-Liebig University Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany; (A.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (S.S.); (L.A.)
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12
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Tomoiaga D, Aguiar-Pulido V, Shrestha S, Feinstein P, Levy SE, Mason CE, Rosenfeld JA. Single-cell sperm transcriptomes and variants from fathers of children with and without autism spectrum disorder. NPJ Genom Med 2020; 5:14. [PMID: 32133155 PMCID: PMC7035312 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-020-0117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human sperm is one of the smallest cells in the body, but also one of the most important, as it serves as the entire paternal genetic contribution to a child. Investigating RNA and mutations in sperm is especially relevant for diseases such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which have been correlated with advanced paternal age. Historically, studies have focused on the assessment of bulk sperm, wherein millions of individual sperm are present and only high-frequency variants can be detected. Using 10× Chromium single-cell sequencing technology, we assessed the transcriptome from >65,000 single spermatozoa across six sperm donors (scSperm-RNA-seq), including two who fathered multiple children with ASD and four fathers of neurotypical children. Using RNA-seq methods for differential expression and variant analysis, we found clusters of sperm mutations in each donor that are indicative of the sperm being produced by different stem cell pools. Finally, we have shown that genetic variations can be found in single sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Tomoiaga
- 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Vanessa Aguiar-Pulido
- 2The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | | | - Paul Feinstein
- 4Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY USA
| | - Shawn E Levy
- 3Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL USA
| | - Christopher E Mason
- 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA.,2The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA.,5The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA.,6The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Jeffrey A Rosenfeld
- 7Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ USA.,8Department of Pathology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ USA
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13
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Suliman Y, Becker F, Wimmers K. Implication of transcriptome profiling of spermatozoa for stallion fertility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019. [PMID: 29534788 DOI: 10.1071/rd17188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor fertility of breeding stallions is a recognised problem in the equine industry. The aim of the present study was to detect molecular pathways using two groups of stallions that differed in pregnancy rates as well as in the proportion of normal and motile spermatozoa. RNA was isolated from spermatozoa of each stallion and microarray data were analysed to obtain a list of genes for which transcript abundance differed between the groups (P ≤0.05, fold change ≥1.2). In all, there were 437 differentially expressed (DE) genes between the two groups (P ≤ 0.05, fold change ≥1.2). Next, the DE genes were analysed using Database for Annotation, Visualisation, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Finally, ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA) was used to identify top biological functions and significant canonical pathways associated with the DE genes. Analysis using the DAVID database showed significant enrichment in the gene ontology (GO) term 'RNA binding' (P=0.05) and in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction (P=0.02). Furthermore, IPA analysis showed interconnected biological functions and canonical pathways involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and male fertility. In addition, significantly enriched metabolic pathways were identified. In conclusion, the present study has identified, for the first time, molecular processes in stallion spermatozoa that could be associated with stallion fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Suliman
- Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Wilhem-Stahl-Allee 2, Germany
| | - Frank Becker
- Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Wilhem-Stahl-Allee 2, Germany
| | - Klaus Wimmers
- Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology Dummerstorf, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Germany
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14
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Akmal M, Gholib G, Rinidar R, Fitriani F, Helmi TZ, Sugito S, Isa M, Nurliana N, Wahyuni S, Dasrul D, Yaman MA. The concentration of testosterone, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and protamine 1 in the serum of male chicken following administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination. Vet World 2019; 12:1101-1107. [PMID: 31528039 PMCID: PMC6702581 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1101-1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bakcground and Aim Testis and epididymis are male reproductive organs that play an important role in spermatogenesis. These two organs are rich in the content of hormones and other molecules needed in the process of spermatogenesis which affect the quality of the spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination on testosterone, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and protamine 1 (PRM1) concentrations in the serum of male chicken. Materials and Methods Twenty male chickens (broiler strain Cp707), aged 3 weeks and weighing 800-1000 g, were randomly divided into four different groups including a control group (T0) = injected with 1 ml normal saline and treatment groups: T1 = injected with 1 ml epididymis extract, T2 = injected with 1 ml testicular extract, and T3 = injected with a combination of 1 ml epididymis + 1 ml testicular extract. The experiment was conducted for 13 days and at the end of the study (day 14), the chickens were sacrificed to obtain the serum. Furthermore, the concentrations of testosterone, PACAP, and PRM1 were then measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results The concentrations of PACAP and PRM1 did not show a significant difference between treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) and control group (T0) (p>0.05). However, the concentration of testosterone showed a significantly higher difference in a group injected with a combination of 1 ml epididymis and 1 ml testicular extracts (T3) compared to the control group (T0) (p<0.05). Conclusion The administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination did not affect the increase of PACAP and PRM1 concentration. However, a combination of these extracts significantly affects the increase of testosterone concentration in the serum of male chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muslim Akmal
- Laboratory of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Gholib Gholib
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Rinidar Rinidar
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Fitriani Fitriani
- Laboratory of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - T Zahrial Helmi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Sugito Sugito
- Laboratory of Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - M Isa
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Nurliana Nurliana
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Sri Wahyuni
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Dasrul Dasrul
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
| | - M Aman Yaman
- Field Laboratory of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
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15
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Shittu SA, Shittu ST, Akindele OO, Kunle-Alabi OT, Raji Y. Protective action of N-acetylcysteine on sperm quality in cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats. JBRA Assist Reprod 2019; 23:83-90. [PMID: 30633472 PMCID: PMC6501750 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20180079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Reductions in sperm quality due to free radical formation during cancer
chemotherapy are well documented, hence the need for an adjunct antioxidant
treatment during chemotherapy. This study was designed to investigate the
effects of N-acetylcysteine on sperm quality following cyclophosphamide
exposure in male Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats weighing 150-170g were randomly assigned into 4
groups of five rats each, and were orally administered distilled water
(Control), Cyclophosphamide (6mg/kg), N-acetylcysteine (100mg/kg) or
Cyclophosphamide + N-acetylcysteine for 21 days. Sperm count,
histone-protamine replacement, chromatin integrity, testicular
histomorphometry and BAX Protein expression were assessed using standard
procedures. The data was presented as mean ± SEM and analyzed using
students' t- test. A p<0.05 was considered
significant. Results: Sperm counts were significantly reduced (p<0.05) among
the cyclophosphamide (69.95±7.78 x106/ml) and
cyclophosphamide + N-acetylcysteine (64.78±3.52 x106/ml)
treated rats, while it increased significantly (p<0.05)
in the N-acetylcysteine (132.20±28.71 x106/ml) treated
rats compared to the control animals (115.30±8.70x106/ml).
Increased interstitial space distance, degenerated Leydig cells and impaired
histone-protamine replacement observed among the cyclophosphamide-treated
rats were ameliorated in the cyclophosphamide + N-acetylcysteine-treated
rats. Sperm chromatin integrity, which was poor in the
cyclophosphamide-treated rats, was considerably improved when compared with
the Control and the N-acetylcysteine-treated rats. Bax protein expression
was reduced in the cyclophosphamide (20%) and
cyclophosphamide+N-acetylcysteine (20%) groups when compared with the
Control (50%) and N-acetylcysteine (50%) groups. Conclusion: We concluded that N-acetylcysteine might improve sperm histone protamine
replacement, which is one of the stage-specific effect of cyclophosphamide
toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyid A Shittu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Physiology and Developmental Programming, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Shehu-Tijani Shittu
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Opeyemi O Akindele
- Laboratory for Reproductive Physiology and Developmental Programming, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olufadekemi T Kunle-Alabi
- Laboratory for Reproductive Physiology and Developmental Programming, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Yinusa Raji
- Laboratory for Reproductive Physiology and Developmental Programming, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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16
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Zheng W, Zou Z, Lin S, Chen X, Wang F, Li X, Dai J. Identification and functional analysis of spermatogenesis‐associated gene modules in azoospermia by weighted gene coexpression network analysis. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:3934-3944. [PMID: 30269365 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhong Zheng
- Department of Urology Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Zihao Zou
- Department of Urology The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guanzhou Medical University, Guanzhou Medical University Guanzhou China
| | - Shouren Lin
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Urology Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Feixiang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice Shanghai China
| | - Xianxin Li
- Department of Surgery Shenzhen Sun Yat‐Sen Cardiovascular Hospital Shenzhen China
| | - Jican Dai
- Department of Urology Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
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17
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Balhorn R, Steger K, Bergmann M, Schuppe HC, Neuhauser S, Balhorn MC. New monoclonal antibodies specific for mammalian protamines P1 and P2. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:424-447. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1510063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- Briar Patch Biosciences LLC, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Veterinary Faculty of the University, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Rogenhofer N, Ott J, Pilatz A, Wolf J, Thaler CJ, Windischbauer L, Schagdarsurengin U, Steger K, von Schönfeldt V. Unexplained recurrent miscarriages are associated with an aberrant sperm protamine mRNA content. Hum Reprod 2018; 32:1574-1582. [PMID: 28854581 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are unexplained recurrent miscarriages associated with abnormal protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA levels in spermatozoa? SUMMARY ANSWER Both protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA levels as well as the protamine-1 to protamine-2 mRNA ratio in spermatozoa from men whose female partners experienced two or more consecutive miscarriages were significantly different compared to those from both healthy control men and subfertile couples undergoing IVF/ICSI. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Aberrant sperm protamine ratios are known to be associated with male-factor infertility. Data from this study suggest that the protamine mRNA ratio may additionally affect early embryo development. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study population was recruited from men whose female partners presented with two or more consecutive unexplained miscarriages in a consultation for recurrent pregnancy loss between 2014 and 2016. At the research laboratory of the Urological Clinic of the University Giessen, spermatozoa from cases and controls were subjected to reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RTqPCR) using specific primer pairs for protamine-1 and protamine-2. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA levels were analysed in semen samples from 25 men whose female partners experienced at least two consecutive idiopathic miscarriages before the 20th week of gestation. The couples were recruited during consultation at the Fertility Center of the LMU Munich, Germany, and at the Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Results were compared with those from 32 healthy donors (WHO, 2010) recruited at the Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Giessen, Germany, and 107 men whose partners participated in an IVF/ICSI program at the Fertility Center of the LMU Munich, Germany. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA levels as well as the protamine mRNA ratio and all routine semen parameters revealed significant differences between recurrent miscarriage couples and healthy volunteers (P < 0.01). When comparing recurrent miscarriage couples with couples undergoing IVF/ICSI, Ct-values of protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNAs were significantly higher and the protamine mRNA ratio was significantly lower in RM couples (P < 0.01). When comparing protamine mRNA levels and the protamine mRNA ratio with routine semen parameters, a significant negative correlation was evident between progressive motility and the protamine-2 mRNA level (P = 0.015), as well as between non-progressive motility and the protamine mRNA ratio (P = 0.023). LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Although our data demonstrate significant abnormalities in RM, larger sample sizes will be needed to confirm our results. Larger sample sizes should also balance the fact that we had to focus mainly on median protamine mRNA levels. Finally, men in the healthy control group were younger in age than those in the case group, which might have introduced some bias, at least concerning the classic semen parameters. Moreover, only protamine mRNA instead of protein levels could be measured. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated, our data suggest that protamine mRNA levels in spermatozoa are not only important for successful fertilization, but also for proper development of the early embryo. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Grant from the University Clinic Giessen and Marburg (UKGM 29/2015GI). There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rogenhofer
- Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Ott
- Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Julia Wolf
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian J Thaler
- Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Windischbauer
- Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Undraga Schagdarsurengin
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Viktoria von Schönfeldt
- Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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19
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Hamad M, Shelko N, Montenarh M, Hammadeh ME. The impact of cigarette smoking on protamines 1 and 2 transcripts in human spermatozoa. HUM FERTIL 2017; 22:104-110. [DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2017.1382733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Hamad
- College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
- IVF & Andrology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Nyaz Shelko
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
- IVF & Andrology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Mathias Montenarh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Mohammed Eid Hammadeh
- IVF & Andrology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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20
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Steger K. Lessons learned in Andrology: Occupy a scientific niche, be proactive, and stay visible for the scientific community. Andrology 2017; 5:200-203. [PMID: 28297562 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K Steger
- Section Molecular Andrology of the Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology Biomedical Research Center of the Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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21
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Re-visiting the Protamine-2 locus: deletion, but not haploinsufficiency, renders male mice infertile. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36764. [PMID: 27833122 PMCID: PMC5105070 DOI: 10.1038/srep36764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Protamines are arginine-rich DNA-binding proteins that replace histones in elongating spermatids. This leads to hypercondensation of chromatin and ensures physiological sperm morphology, thereby protecting DNA integrity. In mice and humans, two protamines, protamine-1 (Prm1) and protamine-2 (Prm2) are expressed in a species-specific ratio. In humans, alterations of this PRM1/PRM2 ratio is associated with subfertility. By applying CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene-editing in oocytes, we established Prm2-deficient mice. Surprisingly, heterozygous males remained fertile with sperm displaying normal head morphology and motility. In Prm2-deficient sperm, however, DNA-hypercondensation and acrosome formation was severely impaired. Further, the sperm displayed severe membrane defects resulting in immotility. Thus, lack of Prm2 leads not only to impaired histone to protamine exchange and disturbed DNA-hypercondensation, but also to severe membrane defects resulting in immotility. Interestingly, previous attempts using a regular gene-targeting approach failed to establish Prm2-deficient mice. This was due to the fact that already chimeric animals generated with Prm2+/− ES cells were sterile. However, the Prm2-deficient mouse lines established here clearly demonstrate that mice tolerate loss of one Prm2 allele. As such they present an ideal model for further studies on protamine function and chromatin organization in murine sperm.
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22
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Ni K, Spiess AN, Schuppe HC, Steger K. The impact of sperm protamine deficiency and sperm DNA damage on human male fertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrology 2016; 4:789-99. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Ni
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie; Justus-Liebig-Universität; Giessen Germany
| | - A.-N. Spiess
- Department of Andrology; University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - H.-C. Schuppe
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie; Justus-Liebig-Universität; Giessen Germany
| | - K. Steger
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie; Justus-Liebig-Universität; Giessen Germany
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Rode K, Sieme H, Otzen H, Schwennen C, Lüpke M, Richterich P, Schrimpf R, Distl O, Brehm R. Effects of Repeated Testicular Biopsies in Adult Warmblood Stallions and Their Diagnostic Potential. J Equine Vet Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Moghbelinejad S, Najafipour R, Hashjin AS. Comparison of Protamine 1 to Protamine 2 mRNA Ratio and YBX2 gene mRNA Content in Testicular Tissue of Fertile and Azoospermic Men. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2015; 9:338-45. [PMID: 26644857 PMCID: PMC4671373 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2015.4549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Although aberrant protamine (PRM) ratios have been observed in infertile
men, the mechanisms that implicit the uncoupling of PRM1 and PRM2 expression remain
unclear. To uncover these mechanisms, in this observational study we have compared the
PRM1/PRM2 mRNA ratio and mRNA contents of two regulatory factors of these genes. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, sampling was performed by a multi-step method from 50 non-obstructive azoospermic and 12 normal men. After RNA
extraction and cDNA synthesis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-
QPCR) was used to analyze the PRM1, PRM2, Y box binding protein 2 (YBX2) and
JmjC-containing histone demethylase 2a (JHDM2A) genes in testicular biopsies of the
studied samples. Results The PRM1/PRM2 mRNA ratio differed significantly among studied groups,
namely 0.21 ± 0.13 in azoospermic samples and -0.8 ± 0.22 in fertile samples. The amount
of PRM2 mRNA, significantly reduced in azoospermic patients. Azoospermic men exhibited significant under expression of YBX2 gene compared to controls (P<0.001). mRNA
content of this gene showed a positive correlation with PRM mRNA ratio (R=0.6, P=0.007).
JHDM2A gene expression ratio did not show any significant difference between the studied
groups (P=0.3). We also observed no correlation between JHDM2A mRNA content and the
PRM mRNA ratio (R=0.2, P=0.3). Conclusion We found significant correlation between the aberrant PRM ratio (PRM2
under expression) and lower YBX2 mRNA content in testicular biopsies of azoospermic
men compared to controls, which suggested that downregulation of the YBX2 gene might
be involved in PRM2 under expression. These molecules could be useful biomarkers for
predicting male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Moghbelinejad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran ; Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Reza Najafipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran ; Department of Medical Genetics, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Amir Samimi Hashjin
- Cellular and Molecular Research Centre, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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The Role of Protamine 2 Gene Expression and Caspase 9 Activity in Male Infertility. J Urol 2015; 195:796-800. [PMID: 26392304 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.08.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately 15% of couples are affected by infertility with the man responsible in almost half of the cases. PRMs (protamines) confer a higher order of DNA packaging in sperm than that in somatic cells. Because of the critical roles of PRMs in spermatid differentiation, aberrations in PRM expression or changes in protein structure could be causes of certain types of idiopathic human male infertility. The aim of this study was to give insight into the role of PRM2 gene expression and caspase 9 activity in the pathogenesis of male infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS The current study included 70 men with idiopathic infertility and 64 fertile men who attended the andrology outpatient clinic at Mansoura University Hospital. Semen sample analyses were done according to WHO recommendations. The acrosome reaction of spermatozoa recovered from each sample was assessed. Samples were separated using discontinuous gradient separation. From each semen sample mature sperm were separated from immature sperm. The resulting samples were divided into 2 parts, including one to determine caspase 9 activity and the other for RNA extraction and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of PRM2 gene expression. The polymerase chain reaction product was electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel. RESULTS PRM2 gene expression was significantly decreased in immature sperm extracted from the fertile and infertile groups. Caspase 9 activity was significantly increased in immature sperm extracted from both groups. CONCLUSIONS Low levels of PRM2 may be associated with morphological abnormalities, initiation of the apoptotic pathway and decreasing sperm motility. PRM2 may be an important marker to better understand the key regulatory pathway of spermatogenesis and it may act as a crucial part of fertilization.
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Zatecka E, Castillo J, Elzeinova F, Kubatova A, Ded L, Peknicova J, Oliva R. The effect of tetrabromobisphenol A on protamine content and DNA integrity in mouse spermatozoa. Andrology 2014; 2:910-7. [PMID: 25146423 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00257.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Revised: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant of increasing concern to human health because of its action as an endocrine disruptor. We have previously demonstrated that TBBPA is able to increase apoptosis of testicular cells and other changes in the first and second generations of mice exposed to TBBPA. However, the potential effects of TBBPA on mouse epididymal spermatozoa have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we initiated this study to determine whether TBBPA exposure could also result in increased DNA fragmentation in epididymal spermatozoa and whether it had an effect on the protamines as the major nuclear proteins. C57Bl/6J mouse pups (n = 10) were exposed to TBBPA (experimental group) during the gestation, lactation, pre-pubertal and pubertal periods up to the age of 70 days as previously described and compared to control mouse pups (n = 10) that were not exposed. The results demonstrate that TBBPA treatment results in a significantly decreased protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio (0.362 vs. 0.494; p < 0.001), increased total protamine/DNA ratio (0.517 vs. 0.324; p < 0.001) and increased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling positive spermatozoa (39.5% vs. 21.2%; p < 0.05) observed between TBBPA and control mice respectively. These findings indicate that TBBPA exposure, in addition to the resulting increased sperm DNA damage, also has the potential to alter the epigenetic marking of sperm chromatin through generation of an anomalous content and distribution of protamines. The possibility is now open to study whether the detected altered protamine content and DNA integrity are related to the previously observed second-generation effects upon TBBPA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Zatecka
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
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Hamad MF, Shelko N, Kartarius S, Montenarh M, Hammadeh ME. Impact of cigarette smoking on histone (H2B) to protamine ratio in human spermatozoa and its relation to sperm parameters. Andrology 2014; 2:666-77. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00245.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Revised: 06/14/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. F. Hamad
- Department of Basic Sciences; College of Science and Health Professions; King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Riyadh Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
- IVF & Andrology Laboratory; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences; Petra University; Amman Jordan
| | - N. Shelko
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
- IVF & Andrology Laboratory; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
| | - S. Kartarius
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
| | - M. Montenarh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
| | - M. E. Hammadeh
- IVF & Andrology Laboratory; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; University of the Saarland; Homburg/Saar Germany
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Dottermusch-Heidel C, Gärtner SMK, Tegeder I, Rathke C, Barckmann B, Bartkuhn M, Bhushan S, Steger K, Meinhardt A, Renkawitz-Pohl R. H3K79 methylation: a new conserved mark that accompanies H4 hyperacetylation prior to histone-to-protamine transition in Drosophila and rat. Biol Open 2014; 3:444-52. [PMID: 24795146 PMCID: PMC4058078 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20147302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, haploid spermatids undergo extensive chromatin remodeling events in which histones are successively replaced by more basic protamines to generate highly compacted chromatin. Here we show for the first time that H3K79 methylation is a conserved feature preceding the histone-to-protamine transition in Drosophila melanogaster and rat. During Drosophila spermatogenesis, the Dot1-like methyltransferase Grappa (Gpp) is primarily expressed in canoe stage nuclei. The corresponding H3K79 methylation is a histone modification that precedes the histone-to-protamine transition and correlates with histone H4 hyperacetylation. When acetylation was inhibited in cultured Drosophila testes, nuclei were smaller and chromatin was compact, Gpp was little synthesized, H3K79 methylation was strongly reduced, and protamines were not synthesized. The Gpp isoform Gpp-D has a unique C-terminus, and Gpp is essential for full fertility. In rat, H3K79 methylation also correlates with H4 hyperacetylation but not with active RNA polymerase II, which might point towards a conserved function in chromatin remodeling during the histone-to-protamine transition in both Drosophila and rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Dottermusch-Heidel
- Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie M K Gärtner
- Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Tegeder
- Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Christina Rathke
- Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Bridlin Barckmann
- Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany Present address: Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS UPR 1142, 141 Rue de la Cardonille, 34396, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Marek Bartkuhn
- Department of Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58-62, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Unit of Reproductive Biology, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaus Steger
- Molecular Andrology Section, Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Unit of Reproductive Biology, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Renate Renkawitz-Pohl
- Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Paradowska-Dogan A, Fernandez A, Bergmann M, Kretzer K, Mallidis C, Vieweg M, Waliszewski P, Zitzmann M, Weidner W, Steger K, Kliesch S. Protamine mRNA ratio in stallion spermatozoa correlates with mare fecundity. Andrology 2014; 2:521-30. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00211.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Paradowska-Dogan
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - A. Fernandez
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology; University Clinic Muenster; Muenster Germany
| | - M. Bergmann
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - K. Kretzer
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - C. Mallidis
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology; University Clinic Muenster; Muenster Germany
| | - M. Vieweg
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - P. Waliszewski
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - M. Zitzmann
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology; University Clinic Muenster; Muenster Germany
| | - W. Weidner
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - K. Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology; Justus Liebig University of Giessen; Giessen Germany
| | - S. Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology; University Clinic Muenster; Muenster Germany
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Jodar M, Oliva R. Protamine Alterations in Human Spermatozoa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 791:83-102. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7783-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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de Vries M, Ramos L, Lacroix R, D'Hauwers K, Hendriks J, Kremer J, van der Vlag J, de Boer P. Chromatin remodelling initiation in spermatids: differences among human males. Andrology 2013; 1:421-30. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00079.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. de Vries
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - L. Ramos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - R. Lacroix
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - K. D'Hauwers
- Department of Urology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - J.C.M. Hendriks
- Department for Health Evidence; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - J.A.M. Kremer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - J. van der Vlag
- Nephrology Research Laboratory; Department of Nephrology; Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
| | - P. de Boer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre; Nijmegen; The Netherlands
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Rogenhofer N, Dansranjavin T, Schorsch M, Spiess A, Wang H, von Schönfeldt V, Cappallo-Obermann H, Baukloh V, Yang H, Paradowska A, Chen B, Thaler CJ, Weidner W, Schuppe HC, Steger K. The sperm protamine mRNA ratio as a clinical parameter to estimate the fertilizing potential of men taking part in an ART programme. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:969-78. [PMID: 23340056 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Could the protamine-1 to protamine-2 mRNA ratio serve as a biomarker to estimate the fertilizing capacity of sperm from men taking part in an IVF/ICSI programme? SUMMARY ANSWER The protamine mRNA ratio clearly discriminates between fertile and subfertile men and sperm with a normal protamine mRNA ratio exhibit a higher fertilizing capacity in IVF/ICSI. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Aberrant sperm protamine ratios are associated with male factor infertility and mRNA ratio is comparable with protein ratio (due to transcriptional stop in elongating spermatids). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study population was drawn from subfertile men, whose female partners participated in IVF or ICSI programmes between September 2010 and February 2012. Normozoospermic healthy volunteers served as controls. Sperm cells were lysed, mRNA extracted, reverse transcribed and subjected to real-time quantitative PCR using specific primer pairs for protamine-1 and protamine-2. Relative protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA levels were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U-test (two-tailed). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Quantitative RT-PCR for protamines 1 and 2 has been performed in ejaculates from 32 normozoospermic volunteers (control, University Clinic Giessen, Germany) and 306 patients, whose female partners took part in an IVF (n = 76; University Clinic Hamburg, Germany and Shanghai Jiaotong University, China) or an ICSI (n = 230; University Clinic Munich, Germany and Kinderwunschzentrum Wiesbaden, Germany) programme. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The sperm protamine mRNA ratio in normozoospermic men (0.98 ± 0.3) differed significantly from that of ICSI patients (Munich 0.81 ± 0.1; Wiesbaden 0.78 ± 0.2; P < 0.001), while processed samples obtained from IVF patients revealed a normal protamine mRNA ratio (Hamburg 1.0 ± 0.07; Shanghai 1.0 ± 0.54). Normal protamine mRNA ratios were associated with a significantly higher total motile sperm count and a significantly higher percentage of progressively motile sperm. Sperm with a normal protamine mRNA ratio revealed a higher fertilization capacity (fc) in both IVF (53.6% of patients with fc > 80%; P = 0.017) and ICSI (65.1% of patients with fc > 70%; P = 0.028). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The protamine mRNA ratio in an individual sperm cell used for ICSI may be different from the overall value obtained from a semen aliquot. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Data are in line with current literature and suggest the protamine mRNA ratio as a diagnostic marker to estimate the fertilizing capacity of sperm. STUDY FUNDING The German Research Foundation (DFG) to K.S., W.W. and A.P. (STE 892/9-2), as well as to A.S. and H.C.O. (SP721/1-3). COMPETING INTEREST(S) None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rogenhofer
- Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
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Steger K, Slavov M, Failing K, Weidner W, Bergmann M. Effect of Vasectomy on Sperm Nuclear Chromatin Condensation in the Rabbit. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 26:289-95. [PMID: 15713836 DOI: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2005.tb01097.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Histone-to-protamine exchange in haploid spermatids is known to play a central role for male fertility. The present study investigates, for the first time, the effects of vasectomy on the expression of protamines in the rabbit. During normal spermatogenesis, protamine-1 and protamine-2 mRNA were expressed from step 5 round spermatids to step 11 elongated spermatids. In unilaterally vasectomized animals, control testes revealed normal spermatogenesis with normal protamine expression, while vasectomized testes exhibited both normal spermatogenesis and spermatogenic arrest. Some testes with normal spermatogenesis revealed delayed expression of both protamine-1 and protamine-2. Furthermore, multinucleated round spermatids were a regular finding in these testes. In both treated and untreated animals, a higher percentage of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis had highly condensed chromatin when compared with those from the testis. The percentage of spermatozoa with highly condensed chromatin from testes and epididymides from the vasectomized side of treated animals remained unchanged from controls. As the integrity of nuclear chromatin is important for oocyte fertilization, especially in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where most of the natural selection mechanisms are bypassed, our data add valuable information for the treatment of infertility by ICSI, showing that vasectomy may affect nuclear chromatin integrity of testicular spermatids but not epididymal spermatozoa. Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), therefore, may be superior to testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in vasectomized patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, German Research Foundation, Giessen, Germany.
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Cacciola G, Chioccarelli T, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Cobellis G. Estrogens and spermiogenesis: new insights from type 1 cannabinoid receptor knockout mice. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:501350. [PMID: 24324492 PMCID: PMC3845505 DOI: 10.1155/2013/501350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex mechanism which allows the production of male gametes; it consists of mitotic, meiotic, and differentiation phases. Spermiogenesis is the terminal differentiation process during which haploid round spermatids undergo several biochemical and morphological changes, including extensive remodelling of chromatin and nuclear shape. Spermiogenesis is under control of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors, like gonadotropins and testosterone. More recently, emerging pieces of evidence are suggesting that, among these factors, estrogens may have a role. To date, this is a matter of debate and concern because of the agonistic and antagonistic estrogenic effects that environmental chemicals may have on animal and human with damaging outcome on fertility. In this review, we summarize data which fuel this debate, with a particular attention to our recent results, obtained using type 1 cannabinoid receptor knockout male mice as animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Cacciola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Chioccarelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
- *Riccardo Pierantoni:
| | - Gilda Cobellis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Grassetti D, Paoli D, Gallo M, D'Ambrosio A, Lombardo F, Lenzi A, Gandini L. Protamine-1 and -2 polymorphisms and gene expression in male infertility: an Italian study. J Endocrinol Invest 2012; 35:882-8. [PMID: 22104739 DOI: 10.3275/8111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Correct histone/protamine replacement is an important stage in chromatin condensation during spermiogenesis in humans. There are two types of protamines: protamine 1 (P1) and the protamine 2 family (P2, P3, and P4), coded by the genes PRM1 and PRM2. AIM We analyze the sequences and gene expression of PRM1 and PRM2 and their relationship with defective spermatogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sequence analysis was carried out on 163 patients attending our laboratory for analysis of seminal fluid. Patients were divided into three groups: normozoospermic (53), teratozoospermic (60), and azoospermic (50). Gene expression was analyzed in seven patients with azoospermia and one with cryptozoospermia. RESULTS Seven single nuclotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified: G54A, G102T and C230A for PRM1, and C246T, G288C, G298C and C373A for PRM2. For C230A, the CA genotype was present in 38% of teratozoospermic vs 55% of normozoospermic and 64% of azoospermic patients; for C373A, CA was found in 37% of teratozoospermic vs 47% of normozoospermic and 64% of azoospermic patients. In contrast, for G298C, GC was more common in the teratozoospermic (63%) than in the normozoospermic (49%) or azoospermic (48%) groups. These differences could suggest a greater susceptibility of these patients to abnormal sperm morphology. In five patients the levels of transcripts were reduced with respect to the control. CONCLUSION These data suggest that premeiotic arrest is associated with extremely reduced protamine expression. New studies of both PRM1 and PRM2 and their mRNA expression could help us better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the protamine transcription and translation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Grassetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Conde J, Baptista PV, Hernández Y, Sanz V, de la Fuente JM. Modification of plasmid DNA topology by ‘histone-mimetic’ gold nanoparticles. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2012; 7:1657-66. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Our aim is to explore whether gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with a carboxylated polyethylene glycol (PEG) and protamine (AuNP@PEG@Prot) can modulate - enhance or restrain - DNA condensation, altering DNA conformation and inducing structural changes. Understanding how these nanoconjugates modulate DNA structure, size and shape of DNA condensates, and enable control over the resulting 3D structures is of major biological and therapeutic importance. Materials & methods: Citrate-AuNPs were covered with a dense layer of a hetero-functional octa(ethylene glycol) (SH-EG(8)-COOH). Conjugation of protamine to the AuNP@PEG was achieved by taking advantage of the carboxylated surface previously generated on the surface of the NP and the remaining amino groups from the protamine, using carbodiimide and N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide coupling reactions. Results & conclusion: AuNP@PEG@Prot modulates the structure and topology of DNA, not only for condensation, but also for decondensation, via formation of higher quantities of dimers and multimers, when compared with AuNP@PEG and free protamine. Original submitted 16 July 2011; Revised submitted 9 January 2012; Published online 14 May 2012
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Affiliation(s)
- João Conde
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor s/n 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Genética Molecular Humana (CIGMH), Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro V Baptista
- Centro de Investigação em Genética Molecular Humana (CIGMH), Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Yulan Hernández
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor s/n 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Vanesa Sanz
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor s/n 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesus M de la Fuente
- Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor s/n 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
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Heyn H, Ferreira HJ, Bassas L, Bonache S, Sayols S, Sandoval J, Esteller M, Larriba S. Epigenetic disruption of the PIWI pathway in human spermatogenic disorders. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47892. [PMID: 23112866 PMCID: PMC3480440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes are involved in a wide range of common human diseases. Although DNA methylation defects are known to be associated with male infertility in mice, their impact on human deficiency of sperm production has yet to be determined. We have assessed the global genomic DNA methylation profiles in human infertile male patients with spermatogenic disorders by using the Infinium Human Methylation27 BeadChip. Three populations were studied: conserved spermatogenesis, spermatogenic failure due to germ cell maturation defects, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome samples. A disease-associated DNA methylation profile, characterized by targeting members of the PIWI-associated RNA (piRNA) processing machinery, was obtained. Bisulfite genomic sequencing and pyrosequencing in a large cohort (n = 46) of samples validated the altered DNA methylation patterns observed in piRNA-processing genes. In particular, male infertility was associated with the promoter hypermethylation-associated silencing of PIWIL2 and TDRD1. The downstream effects mediated by the epigenetic inactivation of the PIWI pathway genes were a defective production of piRNAs and a hypomethylation of the LINE-1 repetitive sequence in the affected patients. Overall, our data suggest that DNA methylation, at least that affecting PIWIL2/TDRD1, has a role in the control of gene expression in spermatogenesis and its imbalance contributes to an unsuccessful germ cell development that might explain a group of male infertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Heyn
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Humberto J. Ferreira
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lluís Bassas
- Laboratory of Seminology and Embryology, Andrology Service-Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sandra Bonache
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sergi Sayols
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Juan Sandoval
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara Larriba
- Human Molecular Genetics Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Differential expression of protamine 1 and 2 genes in mature spermatozoa of normal and motility impaired semen producing crossbred Frieswal (HF×Sahiwal) bulls. Res Vet Sci 2012; 94:256-62. [PMID: 23044178 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2012] [Revised: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Mature spermatozoa contain thousands of mRNA transcripts. These untranslated mRNA may perhaps serve as a "footprint" of spermatogenesis since many of them might directly or indirectly be involved in fertilization, early embryo cleavage, poor semen quality and fertility. In this study, we tried to isolate high-quality RNA from mature spermatozoa and to monitor the expression profile of protamine 1 (PRM1) and protamine 2 (PRM2) gene in ejaculated spermatozoa of normal (good, % initial progressive motility: 57.61±1.41, n=9) and motility impaired (poor, % initial progressive motility: 18.45±1.61, n=8) crossbred Frieswal (HF×Sahiwal) bulls semen using real time quantitative PCR. Semen samples were subjected to discontinuous (45:90) Percoll gradient centrifugation, specifically to eliminate damaged spermatozoa and contaminating somatic cells. Total RNA was extracted from sperm pellets and cDNA was synthesized. Furthermore, the absence of contamination of germ cells, epithelial cells and leucocytes in all the RNA extractions was tested by RT-PCR targeting specific molecular markers like KIT, CDH1 and CD4, respectively. The presence of transcripts like PRM1, PRM2, DAZL, and PPIA were demonstrated in ejaculated spermatozoa using appropriate PCR primers without RNA amplification. Expression of PRM1 and PRM2 genes were evaluated by real time quantitative PCR using TaqMan chemistry, where PPIA was used as internal control. The cDNA synthesized from normal buffalo testicular tissue was served as positive control. The good quality semen producing group showed significantly higher level of PRM1 mRNAs expression as compared to the poor quality semen producers (P<0.05) indicating putative role of the gene and semen quality parameters especially initial progressive motility. However, PRM2 transcript levels were not significantly different between the groups (P>0.05).
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Cavalcanti MCO, Failling K, Schuppe HC, Bergmann M, Stalf T, Weidner W, Steger K. Validation of reference genes in human testis and ejaculate. Andrologia 2011; 43:361-7. [PMID: 21714797 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01076.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-actin (ACTB), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPD), Heat Shock Protein 1, beta (HSPCB) and Adenosine Triphosphate subunit 5 beta (ATP5B) with distinct functional characteristics and expression patterns were investigated as suitable references for gene expression studies. We determined the expression stability of the four reference genes in ejaculates, cryopreserved as well as fixed and paraffin-embedded testicular tissue (from fertile and subfertile men) applying real-time qRT-PCR and statistical analysis. The mean gene expressions (mean Ct value) were compared for each gene between the fertile and subfertile donors by using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. We did not observe significant statistical differences between variability of genes. To detect random effects, we used the two-way analysis of variance with a hierarchical model. The results show no significant statistical differences between proband and repetition within the probands. Taken together, we concluded that ACTB, GAPD, HSPCB and ATP5B have a variable expression within these samples, but this variability is not statistically significant. This finding demonstrated that all these genes could be appropriated for further studies on gene expression in ejaculate and testis tissue. Therefore, the selection of the suitable reference genes is highly specific for a particular experimental model and validation for each situation, on an individual basis, is a crucial requirement.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C O Cavalcanti
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Cappallo-Obermann H, Schulze W, Jastrow H, Baukloh V, Spiess AN. Highly purified spermatozoal RNA obtained by a novel method indicates an unusual 28S/18S rRNA ratio and suggests impaired ribosome assembly. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 17:669-78. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gar037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Altmäe S, Salumets A. A novel genomic diagnostic tool for sperm quality? Reprod Biomed Online 2011; 22:405-7. [PMID: 21388886 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Male factor infertility is a growing problem worldwide. Considering that a male factor is involved in at least 20% of infertility cases, there is a need for better predictive markers of sperm function. The traditional sperm analysis based on sperm count and motility has been used for the diagnosis of male fertility for several decades, however, a significant number of men with normal sperm features remain unable to reach pregnancy. This fact clearly indicates the need to develop new male infertility tests to accurately diagnose the sperm samples from these individuals. Furthermore, the classic spermiogram has limited predictive power to predict pregnancy in assisted reproductive techniques. Microarray technology is a powerful tool for detecting gene expression of thousands of genes at the same time. There is a great interest in the sperm transcriptome as a source from which to develop markers of male infertility. This commentary discusses the current advances in the microarray technology and sperm quality. It is believed that microarray-based fertility testing of sperm potential in infertility treatment could be close at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Altmäe
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Competence Centre on Reproductive Medicine and Biology, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Reproductive Medicine and Biology, Tartu, Estonia
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Cavalcanti MCO, Steilmann C, Failing K, Bergmann M, Kliesch S, Weidner W, Steger K. Apoptotic gene expression in potentially fertile and subfertile men. Mol Hum Reprod 2011; 17:415-20. [PMID: 21317160 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gar011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human sperm contain similar amounts of protamine-1 (P1) and protamine-2 (P2). Although an aberrant protamine ratio have been observed in subfertile men, functional evidence is provided by protamine knockout mice exhibiting male infertility. As sperm DNA integrity is known to be linked with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, we investigated whether the DNA fragmentation factor 40 (DFF40) ratio or caspase (Casp4, Casp6) and tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 10 (TNFSF10) ratio together with the P1/P2 ratio represents a reliable biomarker to discriminate between fertile and subfertile men. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used for amplification of P1, P2 and DFF40 in 49 testicular biopsies. Casp4, Casp6 and TNFSF10 have been selected from a PCR apoptosis array and were further investigated in another group of testicular biopsies (22 subfertile men versus 11 potentially fertile men). Using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis, we did not find a correlation between DFF40 and P1, P2, P1/P2, score, fertilization rate and age. In addition, logistic regression analysis demonstrated no statistically significant effect of the analyzed variables on pregnancy. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures of relative expression of Casp4, Casp6 and TNFSF10 versus P1 or P2 in potentially fertile men and subfertile patients demonstrated statistically significant differences between both groups, all tested gene combinations and the interaction between two genes and both groups in all cases analyzed. Furthermore, significant differences in the expression of Casp4 and TNFSF10 between the groups of potentially fertile and subfertile men could be demonstrated. In addition, the means of differences of selected gene combinations revealed that the protamine to apoptotic gene ratio is statistically different between both groups. Our data suggest that Casp4, Casp 6 and TNFSF10 are differentially expressed in potentially fertile and subfertile men and represent useful biomarkers for predicting male fertility in combination with P1 and P2.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C O Cavalcanti
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 7, Giessen D-35385, Germany
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44
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Anniballo R, Brehm R, Steger K. Recognising the Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) syndrome: a case study. Andrologia 2011; 43:78-83. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.01030.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Abstract
Genetic factors contribute upto 15%-30% cases of male infertility. Formation of spermatozoa occurs in a sequential manner with mitotic, meiotic, and postmeiotic differentiation phases each of which is controlled by an intricate genetic program. Genes control a variety of physiologic processes, such as hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, germ cell development, and differentiation. In the era of assisted reproduction technology, it is important to understand the genetic basis of infertility to provide maximum adapted therapeutics and counseling to the couple.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. B. Shamsi
- Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - K. Kumar
- Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - R. Dada
- Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Oliva R, de Mateo S. Medical Implications of Sperm Nuclear Quality. EPIGENETICS AND HUMAN REPRODUCTION 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-14773-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Steger K, Cavalcanti MCO, Schuppe HC. Prognostic markers for competent human spermatozoa: fertilizing capacity and contribution to the embryo. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 34:513-27. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01129.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Li C, Zheng L, Wang C, Zhou X. Absence of nerve growth factor and comparison of tyrosine kinase receptor A levels in mature spermatozoa from oligoasthenozoospermic, asthenozoospermic and fertile men. Clin Chim Acta 2010; 411:1482-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2010.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Revised: 05/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Transcriptome analysis of bull spermatozoa: implications for male fertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2010; 21:312-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2010.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Revised: 02/12/2010] [Accepted: 06/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Awe S, Renkawitz-Pohl R. Histone H4 acetylation is essential to proceed from a histone- to a protamine-based chromatin structure in spermatid nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2010; 56:44-61. [PMID: 20170286 DOI: 10.3109/19396360903490790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In humans, other mammals, and also in Drosophila, the paternal genome in the sperm is highly condensed and organized mainly in a protamine-based chromatin structure. However, the timing and mechanism of the switch from a histone- to the protamine-based chromatin configuration is still poorly understood. We therefore established Drosophila in vitro cultures of cysts with 64 synchronously developing spermatids genetically marked with histone H2AvD-RFP and ProtamineB-eGFP. Live cell imaging showed that the switch from H2AvD-RFP to Protamine-eGFP chromatin takes approximately five hours, with a short but clear overlap of the presence of both histones and protamines. Moreover, cultured pupal testes showed H4 hyperacetylation at the canoe stage shortly before histone removal; a feature previously observed in the intact animal. We then used TSA to inhibit histone deacetylation and found that premature hyperacetylation was already induced at the round nuclei stage of spermatids. However, this premature hyperacetylation did not lead to a premature switch to the protamine-based chromatin structure, showing that histone hyperacetylation is not the sole inducer of the histone to protamine switch. Importantly, we observed that inactivation of histone acetyltransferases by anacardic acid blocks further differentiation and thus prevents the degradation of histones and the switch to a protamine-based chromatin. Thus, we conclude that H4 hyperacetylation is an essential feature but not the sole inducer of the histone to protamine switch during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Awe
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Fachbereich Biologie, Entwicklungsbiologie, Marburg, Germany
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