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Segabinazzi LGTM, Dell'Aqua CDPF, Cavalero T, Frasson M, Lisboa FP, Papa FO, Alvarenga MA. Post-cooling sperm processing can rescue sperm quality of cooled-stored stallion semen. Theriogenology 2024; 227:21-30. [PMID: 38996526 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Poor sperm quality in cooled-shipped semen has been related to subpar fertility in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the ability of post-cooling sperm processing to improve sperm parameters of cooled-stored stallion semen for artificial insemination. For all experiments, ejaculates were collected, processed, and diluted in skimmed milk-based (SM) medium and stored at 5 °C/24h. In all experiments an aliquot of unprocessed cooled semen was used as a control. In the first experiment (Exp 1.), cooled-stored semen from 16 stallions (n = 32) was processed by SpermFilter or centrifugation (600×g/10min) and resuspended in an egg yolk-based freezing medium containing permeating cryoprotectants (EY-C) for cryopreservation. Sperm recovery and motility parameters were immediately assessed after sperm resuspension in both groups and compared with unprocessed (Unp) samples. In Exp 2., cooled semen samples from six stallions (n = 18) were processed using SpermFilter and resuspended in SM or EY-C. Motility parameters and plasma membrane integrity were assessed in all groups (Unp, SM, and EY-C). In Exp 3, cooled semen from four stallions (n = 20) was processed by SpermFilter, resuspended in SM, EY-C, or egg yolk-based medium without cryoprotectants (EY-nC); and submitted to a thermoresistance test (37 °C/3h). Motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity and stability, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial superoxide generation, and DNA fragmentation index were evaluated in all groups. Finally, in Exp 4, 39 estrous cycles of 11 mares were inseminated with unprocessed (n = 6) cooled-stored semen or semen cooled at 5 °C/24h and then processed by SpermFilter and resuspended in SM (n = 5), EY-C (n = 11), EY-nC (n = 11), or centrifuged and resuspended in EY-C (n = 6). Overall, semen processing and resuspension in EY mediums (EY-C and EY-nC) improved sperm parameters compared with those of unprocessed semen (P < 0.05). Centrifugation (91 ± 5 %) recovered more sperm than SpermFilter (84 ± 9 %; P < 0.05). Sperm resuspended in EY-nC maintained better sperm parameters throughout the thermoresistance test than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The fertility rates were similar between all groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, processing and resuspension in EY medium can improve sperm parameters in post-cooled-stored stallion semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo G T M Segabinazzi
- São Paulo State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; Center 2, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, USA.
| | | | - Thais Cavalero
- São Paulo State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Frasson
- São Paulo State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando P Lisboa
- São Paulo State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; El Rincon Centro de Reproduccion Equina, Marco Paz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Frederico O Papa
- São Paulo State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco A Alvarenga
- São Paulo State University, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Kaneko S, Miyoshi K, Tomuro K, Terauchi M, Tanaka R, Kondo S, Tani N, Ishiguro KI, Toyoda A, Kamikouchi A, Noguchi H, Iwasaki S, Saito K. Mettl1-dependent m 7G tRNA modification is essential for maintaining spermatogenesis and fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8147. [PMID: 39317727 PMCID: PMC11422498 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Modification of guanosine to N7-methylguanosine (m7G) in the variable loop region of tRNA is catalyzed by the METTL1/WDR4 heterodimer and stabilizes target tRNA. Here, we reveal essential functions of Mettl1 in Drosophila fertility. Knockout of Mettl1 (Mettl1-KO) causes no major effect on the development of non-gonadal tissues, but abolishes the production of elongated spermatids and mature sperm, which is fully rescued by expression of a Mettl1-transgene, but not a catalytic-dead Mettl1 transgene. This demonstrates that Mettl1-dependent m7G is required for spermatogenesis. Mettl1-KO results in a loss of m7G modification on a subset of tRNAs and decreased tRNA abundance. Ribosome profiling shows that Mettl1-KO led to ribosomes stalling at codons decoded by tRNAs that were reduced in abundance. Mettl1-KO also significantly reduces the translation efficiency of genes involved in elongated spermatid formation and sperm stability. Germ cell-specific expression of Mettl1 rescues disrupted m7G tRNA modification and tRNA abundance in Mettl1-KO testes but not in non-gonadal tissues. Ribosome stalling is much less detectable in non-gonadal tissues than in Mettl1-KO testes. These findings reveal a developmental role for m7G tRNA modification and indicate that m7G modification-dependent tRNA abundance differs among tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunya Kaneko
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Keita Miyoshi
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kotaro Tomuro
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Makoto Terauchi
- Center for Genome Informatics, Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ryoya Tanaka
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shu Kondo
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Azusa Kamikouchi
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hideki Noguchi
- Center for Genome Informatics, Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shintaro Iwasaki
- RNA Systems Biochemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Saito
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan.
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Shizuoka, Japan.
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3
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Zhang X, Tu H, Zhou X, Wang B, Guo Y, Situ C, Qi Y, Li Y, Guo X. Quantitative Phosphoproteomic Profiling of Mouse Sperm Maturation in Epididymis Revealed Kinases Important for Sperm Motility. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100810. [PMID: 38977202 PMCID: PMC11338950 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcriptionally and translationally silent sperm undergo functional maturation during epididymis traverse, which provides sperm ability to move and is crucial for successful fertilization. However, the molecular mechanisms governing sperm maturation remain poorly understood, especially at the protein post-translational modification level. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of mouse epididymal sperm from different regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) to unveil the dynamics of protein phosphorylation during sperm maturation. We identified 6447 phosphorylation sites in 1407 phosphoproteins, and 345 phosphoproteins were differentially phosphorylated between caput and cauda sperm. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses showed enrichment of differentially phosphorylated proteins in energy metabolism, sperm motility, and fertilization. Kinase substrate network analysis followed by inhibition assay and quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis showed that TSSK2 kinase is important for sperm motility and progressive motility. This study systemically characterized the intricate phosphorylation regulation during sperm maturation in the mouse epididymis, which can be a basis to elucidate sperm motility acquisition, and to offer potential targets for male contraception and the treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixia Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaling Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Weide T, Mills K, Shofner I, Breitzman MW, Kerns K. Metabolic Shift in Porcine Spermatozoa during Sperm Capacitation-Induced Zinc Flux. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7919. [PMID: 39063161 PMCID: PMC11276750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147919] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa rely on glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for energy leading up to fertilization. Sperm capacitation involves a series of well-regulated biochemical steps that are necessary to give spermatozoa the ability to fertilize the oocyte. Additionally, zinc ion (Zn2+) fluxes have recently been shown to occur during mammalian sperm capacitation. Semen from seven commercial boars was collected and analyzed using image-based flow cytometry before, after, and with the inclusion of 2 mM Zn2+ containing in vitro capacitation (IVC) media. Metabolites were extracted and analyzed via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying 175 metabolites, with 79 differentially abundant across treatments (p < 0.05). Non-capacitated samples showed high levels of respiration-associated metabolites including glucose, fructose, citric acid, and pyruvic acid. After 4 h IVC, these metabolites significantly decreased, while phosphate, lactic acid, and glucitol increased (p < 0.05). With zinc inclusion, we observed an increase in metabolites such as lactic acid, glucitol, glucose, fructose, myo-inositol, citric acid, and succinic acid, while saturated fatty acids including palmitic, dodecanoic, and myristic acid decreased compared to 4 h IVC, indicating regulatory shifts in metabolic pathways and fatty acid composition during capacitation. These findings underscore the importance of metabolic changes in improving artificial insemination and fertility treatments in livestock and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Weide
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (T.W.); (I.S.)
| | - Kayla Mills
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
| | - Ian Shofner
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (T.W.); (I.S.)
| | - Matthew W. Breitzman
- W.M. Keck Metabolomics Research Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Karl Kerns
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA; (T.W.); (I.S.)
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5
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Miyata H, Shimada K, Kaneda Y, Ikawa M. Development of functional spermatozoa in mammalian spermiogenesis. Development 2024; 151:dev202838. [PMID: 39036999 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is a global health problem affecting one in six couples, with 50% of cases attributed to male infertility. Spermatozoa are male gametes, specialized cells that can be divided into two parts: the head and the flagellum. The head contains a vesicle called the acrosome that undergoes exocytosis and the flagellum is a motility apparatus that propels the spermatozoa forward and can be divided into two components, axonemes and accessory structures. For spermatozoa to fertilize oocytes, the acrosome and flagellum must be formed correctly. In this Review, we describe comprehensively how functional spermatozoa develop in mammals during spermiogenesis, including the formation of acrosomes, axonemes and accessory structures by focusing on analyses of mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuki Kaneda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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6
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Yazdan Parast F, Veeraragavan S, Gaikwad AS, Powar S, Prabhakar R, O'Bryan MK, Nosrati R. Viscous Loading Regulates the Flagellar Energetics of Human and Bull Sperm. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2300928. [PMID: 38135876 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The viscoelastic properties of the female reproductive tract influence sperm swimming behavior, but the exact role of these rheological changes in regulating sperm energetics remains unknown. Using high-speed dark-field microscopy, the flagellar dynamics of free-swimming sperm across a physiologically relevant range of viscosities is resolved. A transition from 3D to 2D slither swimming under an increased viscous loading is revealed, in the absence of any geometrical or chemical stimuli. This transition is species-specific, aligning with viscosity variations within each species' reproductive tract. Despite substantial drag increase, 2D slithering sperm maintain a steady swimming speed across a wide viscosity range (20-250 and 75-1000 mPa s for bull and human sperm) by dissipating over sixfold more energy into the fluid without elevating metabolic activity, potentially by altering the mechanisms of dynein motor activity. This energy-efficient motility mode is ideally suited for the viscous environment of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farin Yazdan Parast
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Shibani Veeraragavan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Avinash S Gaikwad
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sushant Powar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ranganathan Prabhakar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Reza Nosrati
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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7
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Vashisht A, Gahlay GK. Understanding seminal plasma in male infertility: emerging markers and their implications. Andrology 2024; 12:1058-1077. [PMID: 38018348 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13563] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects a significant proportion of the reproductive-aged population, with male-associated factors contributing to over half of the cases. However, current diagnostic tools have limitations, leading to an underestimation of the true prevalence of male infertility. While traditional semen parameters provide some insights, they fail to determine the true fertility potential in a substantial number of instances. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate additional molecular targets responsible for male infertility to improve understanding and identification of such cases. Seminal plasma, the main carrier of molecules derived from male reproductive glands, plays a crucial role in reproduction. Amongst its multifarious functions, it regulates processes such as sperm capacitation, sperm protection and maturation, and even interaction with the egg's zona pellucida. Seminal plasma offers a non-invasive sample for urogenital diagnostics and has shown promise in identifying biomarkers associated with male reproductive disorders. This review aims to provide an updated and comprehensive overview of seminal plasma in the diagnosis of male infertility, exploring its composition, function, methods used for analysis, and the application of emerging markers. Apart from the application, the potential challenges of seminal plasma analysis such as standardisation, marker interpretation and confounding factors have also been addressed. Moreover, we have also explored future avenues for enhancing its utility and its role in improving diagnostic strategies. Through comprehensive exploration of seminal plasma's diagnostic potential, the present analysis seeks to advance the understanding of male infertility and its effective management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Vashisht
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Gagandeep Kaur Gahlay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
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8
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Tian Y, Chen X, Pu J, Liang Y, Li W, Xu X, Tan X, Yu S, Shao T, Ma Y, Wang B, Chen Y, Li Y. Spermatogenic cell-specific type 1 hexokinase (HK1S) is essential for capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation and male fertility in mice. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011357. [PMID: 39074078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Hexokinase (HK) catalyzes the first irreversible rate-limiting step in glycolysis that converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. HK1 is ubiquitously expressed in the brain, erythrocytes, and other tissues where glycolysis serves as the major source of ATP production. Spermatogenic cell-specific type 1 hexokinase (HK1S) is expressed in sperm but its physiological role in male mice is still unknown. In this study, we generate Hk1s knockout mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to study the gene function in vivo. Hk1s mRNA is exclusively expressed in testes starting from postnatal day 18 and continuing to adulthood. HK1S protein is specifically localized in the outer surface of the sperm fibrous sheath (FS). Depletion of Hk1s leads to infertility in male mice and reduces sperm glycolytic pathway activity, yet they have normal motile parameters and ATP levels. In addition, by using in vitro fertilization (IVF), Hk1s deficient sperms are unable to fertilize cumulus-intact or cumulus-free oocytes, but can normally fertilize zona pellucida-free oocytes. Moreover, Hk1s deficiency impairs sperm migration into the oviduct, reduces acrosome reaction, and prevents capacitation-associated increases in tyrosine phosphorylation, which are probable causes of infertility. Taken together, our results reveal that HK1S plays a critical role in sperm function and male fertility in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Tian
- The School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xiu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Pu
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxin Liang
- The School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Weixi Li
- The School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Xiaotong Xu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Xinshui Tan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Shuntai Yu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Shao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Ma
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Bingwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongjie Chen
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yushan Li
- The School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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9
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Ezim OE, Nyeche J, Nebeolisa CE, Belonwu CD, Abarikwu SO. Ascorbic acid attenuates gasoline-induced testicular toxicity, sperm quality deterioration, and testosterone imbalance in rats. Toxicol Ind Health 2024; 40:323-336. [PMID: 38597120 DOI: 10.1177/07482337241245154] [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: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the protective effect of ascorbic acid (ASCB) against gasoline fumes (PET) induced testicular oxidative stress, sperm toxicity, and testosterone imbalance in Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) male albino rats (75 ± 16 g) were randomized into three experimental groups (N = 8). The control group: received normal saline, PET group: exposed to PET 6 h daily by inhalation in an exposure chamber and PET + 200 mg ASCB/kg body weight group: exposed to PET 6 h daily by inhalation and administered ASCB per os. Treatment of ASCB and PET exposure was done thrice and five times weekly for a period of 10 weeks respectively. ASCB co-treatment prevented PET-induced increases in the oxidative stress markers (glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, hydrogen peroxide generation, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation) and serum testosterone concentration (p < .05). Sperm quality was low and those with damaged heads and tails increased alongside histological injuries in the PET-exposed rats, which were also minimized with ASCB administration. ASCB protected against PET-induced oxidative stress, sperm, and testis damage in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogechukwu E Ezim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - Joy Nyeche
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | | | - Chuka D Belonwu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
| | - Sunny O Abarikwu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria
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10
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Wang S, Zeng X, Liu S, Hoque SAM, Min L, Ding N, Zhu Z. Vibration Emissions Reduce Boar Sperm Quality via Disrupting Its Metabolism. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:370. [PMID: 38927250 PMCID: PMC11200616 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) with liquid-preserved semen has recently become common in pig breeding. The semen doses are produced in a centralized manner at the boar stud and then subsequently distributed and transported to sow farms. However, vibration emissions during transportation by logistic vehicles may adversely affect the quality of boar sperm. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of vibration-induced emissions on sperm quality and function under simulated transportation conditions. Each time, ejaculates from all 15 boars were collected and then pooled together to minimize individual variations, and the sample was split using an extender for dilution. Different rotational speeds (0 rpm, 80 rpm, 140 rpm, 200 rpm) were utilized to simulate varying intensities of vibration exposure using an orbital shaker, considering different transportation times (0 h, 3 h, and 6 h). Subsequently, evaluations were conducted regarding sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, pH, glycolytic pathway enzyme activities, and capacitation following exposure to vibration emissions. Both vibration time and intensity impact sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosomal integrity. Vibration exposure significantly reduced sperm ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the levels of mitochondria-encoded proteins (MT-ND1, MT-ND6) (p < 0.05). After vibration emission treatment, the pH value and mitochondrial ROS levels significantly increased (p < 0.05). Inhibition of sperm glycolysis was observed, with reduced activities of hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), along with decreased lactate levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, sperm tyrosine phosphorylation levels were significantly reduced by vibration emissions compared to the control group (p < 0.05). After the vibration emission treatment, the number of sperm bound to each square millimeter of oviduct explants decreased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, compared to the control group, using semen subjected to vibration stress for AI results in significantly reduced pregnancy rates, total born litter size, live-born litter size, and healthy born litter size (p < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanpeng Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China (L.M.)
| | - Xuejun Zeng
- Fujian Aoxin Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Zhangzhou 363000, China;
- Ji’an Aobao Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Ji’an 343000, China
| | - Shenao Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China (L.M.)
| | - S. A. Masudul Hoque
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh;
| | - Lingjiang Min
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China (L.M.)
| | - Nengshui Ding
- Fujian Aoxin Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Zhangzhou 363000, China;
- Ji’an Aobao Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd., Ji’an 343000, China
- State Key Laboratory for Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Zhendong Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China (L.M.)
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11
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Chávez JC, Carrasquel-Martínez G, Hernández-Garduño S, Matamoros Volante A, Treviño CL, Nishigaki T, Darszon A. Cytosolic and Acrosomal pH Regulation in Mammalian Sperm. Cells 2024; 13:865. [PMID: 38786087 PMCID: PMC11120249 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As in most cells, intracellular pH regulation is fundamental for sperm physiology. Key sperm functions like swimming, maturation, and a unique exocytotic process, the acrosome reaction, necessary for gamete fusion, are deeply influenced by pH. Sperm pH regulation, both intracellularly and within organelles such as the acrosome, requires a coordinated interplay of various transporters and channels, ensuring that this cell is primed for fertilization. Consistent with the pivotal importance of pH regulation in mammalian sperm physiology, several of its unique transporters are dependent on cytosolic pH. Examples include the Ca2+ channel CatSper and the K+ channel Slo3. The absence of these channels leads to male infertility. This review outlines the main transport elements involved in pH regulation, including cytosolic and acrosomal pH, that participate in these complex functions. We present a glimpse of how these transporters are regulated and how distinct sets of them are orchestrated to allow sperm to fertilize the egg. Much research is needed to begin to envision the complete set of players and the choreography of how cytosolic and organellar pH are regulated in each sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio C. Chávez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
| | - Gabriela Carrasquel-Martínez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
- CITMER, Medicina Reproductiva, México City 11520, Mexico
| | - Sandra Hernández-Garduño
- Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Arturo Matamoros Volante
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| | - Claudia L. Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
| | - Takuya Nishigaki
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62210, Morelos, Mexico; (J.C.C.); (G.C.-M.)
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12
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Setiawan R, Christi RF, Alhuur KRG, Widyastuti R, Solihati N, Rasad SD, Hidajat K, Do DN. Impact of glucose and pyruvate on adenosine triphosphate production and sperm motility in goats. Anim Biosci 2024; 37:631-639. [PMID: 37905316 PMCID: PMC10915224 DOI: 10.5713/ab.23.0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study evaluates goat sperm motility in response to metabolic substrates and various inhibitors, aiming to assess the relative contribution of glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidation for sperm movement and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. METHODS In the present study, two main metabolic substrates; 0 to 0.5 mM glucose and 0 to 30 mM pyruvate were used to evaluate their contribution to sperm movements of goats. Using a 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD), a specific inhibitor for glycolysis, and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone as an inhibitor for oxidative phosphorylation, cellular mechanisms into ATP-generating pathways in relation to sperm movements and ATP production were observed. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance for multiple comparisons. RESULTS Sperm motility analysis showed that either glucose or pyruvate supported sperm movement during 0 to 30 min incubation. However, the supporting effects were abolished by the addition of a glycolysis inhibitor or mitochondrial uncoupler, concomitant with a significant decrease in ATP production. Although oxidative phosphorylation produces larger ATP concentrations than those from glycolysis, sperm progressivity in relation to these two metabolic pathways is comparable. CONCLUSION Based on the present study, we suggest that goat sperm use glucose and pyruvate to generate cellular energy through glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration pathways to maintain sperm movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rangga Setiawan
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Raden Febrianto Christi
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Ken Ratu Gharizah Alhuur
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Rini Widyastuti
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Nurcholidah Solihati
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Siti Darodjah Rasad
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Kundrat Hidajat
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung-Sumedang KM 21, West Java 45363,
Indonesia
| | - Duy Ngoc Do
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3,
Canada
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13
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Liu Y, Li T, Shi M, Wan Y, Li H, Zhang M, Wang Z, Wang S, Lv Y, Lu G, Liu H, Zhang H, Huang T. MORN2 regulates the morphology and energy metabolism of mitochondria and is required for male fertility in mice. J Transl Med 2024; 22:240. [PMID: 38443933 PMCID: PMC10916217 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05010-3] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate through respiratory activities to power sperm differentiation and motility, and decreased mitochondrial respiratory activity can result in poor sperm motility and asthenospermia. The mitochondrial sheath is a component of the mid-piece of the sperm flagellum, and dysfunction of the sheath can reduce sperm motility and cause male infertility. The membrane occupation and recognition nexus-motif protein 2 (MORN2) is testis enriched in mice, and the MORN motif was reported to play a role in the regulation of bioelectrical signal homeostasis in cardiomyocytes. METHODS We generated Morn2-/- mice using CRISPR/Cas9 and evaluated the potential functions of MORN2 in spermiogenesis through histological analysis, fertility examination, RT-PCR, CASA, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, electron microscopy analysis, mitochondrial energy metabolism analysis, etc. RESULTS: The Morn2-/- mice were infertile, and their sperm showed severe motility defects. Morn2-/- sperm also had abnormal morphology characterized by bent heads, aberrant mitochondrial sheath formation, lower mitochondrial membrane potential, higher levels of reactive oxygen species, and decreased mitochondrial respiratory activity. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that MORN2 is essential for male fertility and indicates that MORN2 functions in mitochondrial sheath formation and regulates mitochondrial respiratory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Mingze Shi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yanling Wan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Hanzhen Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Mingyu Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shiyu Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Lv
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory On Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gang Lu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory On Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory On Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Haobo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Tao Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Medicine Research Center for Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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14
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Qian GQ, Wang XC, Zhang X, Shen B, Liu Q. Pyruvate kinase M in germ cells is essential for sperm motility and male fertility but not spermatogenesis. Asian J Androl 2024; 26:212-219. [PMID: 37902871 PMCID: PMC10919421 DOI: 10.4103/aja202350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Male germ cells employ specific metabolic pathways throughout their developmental stages. In a previous study, we discovered heightened expression of pyruvate kinase M (PKM), a pivotal glycolytic enzyme, in spermatogonia and spermatids. To gain deeper insights into PKM's roles in spermatogenesis, sperm function, and male fertility, we engineered a conditional-knockout mouse model ( Pkm -vKO mice) to selectively disrupt the Pkm gene within germ cells. Despite maintaining regular testicular histology and sperm morphology, the male Pkm -vKO mice were infertility, characterized by significant impairments in sperm motility and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. In addition, Pkm -null spermatozoa exhibited similar deficits in protein tyrosine phosphorylation linked to capacitation, as well as compromised performance in in vitro fertilization experiments. To conclude, PKM's presence is not obligatory for the entirety of spermatogenesis in male germ cells; however, it emerges as a critical factor influencing sperm motility and overall male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao-Qing Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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15
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Kong H, Sokolova IM. Oxidative phosphorylation rather than glycolysis is the primary energy source for sperm motility in the mussels Mytilus edulis. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 270:110909. [PMID: 37898360 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2023.110909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Broadcast-spawning marine mussels rely on high sperm motility for successful fertilization in the dynamic seawater environment. Mitochondria are typically considered the primary source of ATP generation via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS); however, the ATP generation pathways of mussel sperm have not been fully characterized. To better understand the importance of both OXPHOS and glycolysis for mussel sperm function, we conducted experiments inhibiting these pathways in sperm from Mytilus edulis. Our results indicate that oligomycin, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial ATP synthase, immediately decreased sperm motility rate, velocity, and ATP content, while 2-deoxy-d-glucose, a glycolysis inhibitor, had no effect. The OXPHOS inhibitor rotenone also partially reduced sperm motility rate and velocity. Interestingly, no evidence was found for the inhibitors' effects on the content of energy-rich compounds (lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins) in the mussels' sperm, indicating only modest energy demand to fuel sperm motility. Based on these findings, we conclude that OXPHOS is the primary energy source for sperm motility in marine mussels. Our study sheds light on the intricacies of mussel sperm physiology and highlights the importance of understanding the energy requirements for successful fertilization in broadcast-spawning marine invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Kong
- Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Inna M Sokolova
- Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany; Department of Maritime Systems, Interdisciplinary Faculty, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
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16
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Chen Z, Wang Z, Zhu C, Deng H, Chen X. Inhibiting neddylation with MLN4924 potentiates hypoxia-induced apoptosis of mouse type B spermatogonia GC-2 cells. Gene 2024; 893:147935. [PMID: 38381506 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Hypoxia, an inadequate supply of tissue oxygen tension, has been reported to induce apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and is associated with male infertility. Neddylation, a post-translational modification similar to ubiquitination, has been shown to be involved in the hypoxia stress response. However, the functions of neddylation in hypoxia-induced apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and its association with male infertility remain largely unexplored. In this study, aiming to explore the role of neddylation in male infertility, we used the specific neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 for treatment in mouse type B spermatogonia GC-2 cells. Our results showed that MLN4924 had no apparent effect on GC-2 cell apoptosis under normoxia, but significantly increased apoptotic cells under hypoxia. Transcriptomic analysis and qPCR assay confirmed that MLN4924 could suppress the expression of hypoxia target genes in GC-2 cells under hypoxia. In addition, MLN4924 could enhance the induction of intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) under hypoxia. These results indicate that the neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 potentiates hypoxia-induced apoptosis of mouse type B spermatogonia GC-2 cells, and neddylation may play an important role in promoting spermatogenic cells to adapt to hypoxia stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Chen
- Department of Reproduction, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| | - Zixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Chunchun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Hongyan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China; College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China
| | - Xiaoyun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
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17
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Wang R, Liu L, Min L, Adetunji AO, Kou X, Zhou K, Zhu Z. Mitochonic Acid 5 Increases Ram Sperm Quality by Improving Mitochondrial Function during Storage at 4 °C. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:368. [PMID: 38338011 PMCID: PMC10854625 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Semen preservation involves lengthening sperm's fertile lifespan without any detrimental effects on its biochemical, functional, and ultrastructural properties. Liquid storage at 4 °C is a ram sperm preservation method. However, this method of storage causes irreversible damage due to cold shocks, osmotic stresses, oxidative stresses, and reductions in sperm metabolism. The present study aims to investigate whether the supplementation of mitochonic acid 5 (MA-5) in a sperm extender could improve chilled ram sperm quality and elucidate its mechanism of action. Ram sperm were diluted with a tris-citrate-glucose extender containing different concentrations of MA-5 (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nM) and stored at 4 °C for up to 48 h. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, ATP content, and the expression of NADPH dehydrogenase subunits 1 (MT-ND1) and NADPH dehydrogenase subunits 6 (MT-ND6) were evaluated. It was observed that compared to the control, the 10 nM MA-5 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased total motility (82 ± 3.5% vs. 76 ± 5.9%), progressive motility (67.6 ± 8.2% vs. 51 ± 8.3%), and other parameters (straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), and curvilinear velocity (VCL)). In addition, 10 nM MA-5 supplementation also improved ram sperm membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity as well increased mitochondrial membrane potential (51.1 ± 0.7% vs. 37.7 ± 1.3%), reduced ROS levels, and elevated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents. Furthermore, a Western blot analysis demonstrated that the addition of MA-5 significantly (p < 0.05) increased the expression of MT-ND1 and MT-ND6 proteins in ram sperm, with the 10 nM MA-5 treatment resulting in the highest expression level. These results suggest that MA-5 improves ram sperm quality by maintaining high sperm mitochondrial function during liquid storage at 4 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyuan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Luwei Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Lingjiang Min
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Adedeji O. Adetunji
- Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USA
| | - Xin Kou
- Hongde Livestock Farm, Yingli Town, Shuoguang 262717, China
| | - Kaifeng Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Animal Husbandry General Station, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Zhendong Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China
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18
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Schmidt CA, Hale BJ, Bhowmick D, Miller WJ, Neufer PD, Geyer CB. Pyruvate modulation of redox potential controls mouse sperm motility. Dev Cell 2024; 59:79-90.e6. [PMID: 38101411 PMCID: PMC10872278 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.11.011] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Sperm gain fertilization competence in the female reproductive tract through a series of biochemical changes and a requisite switch from linear progressive to hyperactive motility. Despite being essential for fertilization, regulation of sperm energy transduction is poorly understood. This knowledge gap confounds interpretation of interspecies variation and limits progress in optimizing sperm selection for assisted reproduction. Here, we developed a model of mouse sperm bioenergetics using metabolic phenotyping data, quantitative microscopy, and spectral flow cytometry. The results define a mechanism of motility regulation by microenvironmental pyruvate. Rather than being consumed as a mitochondrial fuel source, pyruvate stimulates hyperactivation by repressing lactate oxidation and activating glycolysis in the flagellum through provision of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+. These findings provide evidence that the transitions in motility requisite for sperm competence are governed by changes in the metabolic microenvironment, highlighting the unexplored potential of using catabolite combination to optimize sperm selection for fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron A Schmidt
- Department of Biology at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
| | - Benjamin J Hale
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Debajit Bhowmick
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - William J Miller
- Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - P Darrell Neufer
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Christopher B Geyer
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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Takemoto K, Nishimura T, Kawasaki T, Imai Y, Levy K, Hart N, Olaya I, Burgess SM, Elkouby YM, Tanaka M, Sakai N. In Vitro Storage of Functional Sperm at Room Temperature in Zebrafish and Medaka. Zebrafish 2023; 20:229-235. [PMID: 38010808 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The longevity of sperm in teleost such as zebrafish and medaka is short when isolated even in saline-balanced solution at a physiological temperature. In contrast, some internal fertilizers exhibit the long-term storage of sperm, >10 months, in the female reproductive tract. This evidence implies that sperm in teleost possesses the ability to survive for a long time under suitable conditions; however, these conditions are not well understood. In this study, we show that the sperm of zebrafish can survive and maintain fertility in L-15-based storage medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin, fetal bovine serum, glucose, and lactic acid for 28 days at room temperature. The fertilized embryos developed to normal fertile adults. This storage medium was effective in medaka sperm stored for 7 days at room temperature. These results suggest that sperm from external fertilizer zebrafish and medaka has the ability to survive for at least 4 and 1 week, respectively, in the body fluid-like medium at a physiological temperature. This sperm storage method allows researchers to ship sperm by low-cost methods and to investigate key factors for motility and fertile ability in those sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Takemoto
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan
| | | | - Toshihiro Kawasaki
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Yukiko Imai
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan
| | - Karine Levy
- Deparment of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Neta Hart
- Deparment of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ivan Olaya
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Sean M Burgess
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Yaniv M Elkouby
- Deparment of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
- Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Minoru Tanaka
- Division of Biological Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Sakai
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
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20
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Shito TT, Oka K, Hotta K. Multimodal factor evaluation system for organismal transparency by hyperspectral imaging. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292524. [PMID: 37819990 PMCID: PMC10566722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Organismal transparency constitutes a significant concern in whole-body live imaging, yet its underlying structural, genetic, and physiological foundations remain inadequately comprehended. Diverse environmental and physiological factors (multimodal factors) are recognized for their influence on organismal transparency. However, a comprehensive and integrated quantitative evaluation system for biological transparency across a broad spectrum of wavelengths is presently lacking. In this study, we have devised an evaluation system to gauge alterations in organismal transparency induced by multimodal factors, encompassing a wide range of transmittance spanning from 380 to 1000 nm, utilizing hyperspectral microscopy. Through experimentation, we have scrutinized the impact of three environmental variables (temperature, salinity, and pH) and the effect of 11 drugs treatment containing inhibitors targeting physiological processes in the ascidian Ascidiella aspersa. This particular species, known for its exceptionally transparent eggs and embryos, serves as an ideal model. We calculated bio-transparency defined as the mean transmittance ratio of visible light within the range of 400-760 nm. Our findings reveal a positive correlation between bio-transparency and temperature, while an inverse relationship is observed with salinity levels. Notably, reduced pH levels and exposure to six drugs have led to significant decreasing in bio-transparency (ranging from 4.2% to 58.6%). Principal component analysis (PCA) on the measured transmittance data classified these factors into distinct groups. This suggest diverse pathways through which opacification occurs across different spectrum regions. The outcome of our quantitative analysis of bio-transparency holds potential applicability to diverse living organisms on multiple scales. This analytical framework also contributes to a holistic comprehension of the mechanisms underlying biological transparency, which is susceptible to many environmental and physiological modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi T. Shito
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kotaro Oka
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
- Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kohji Hotta
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan
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21
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Naletova I, Schmalhausen E, Tomasello B, Pozdyshev D, Attanasio F, Muronetz V. The role of sperm-specific glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the development of pathologies-from asthenozoospermia to carcinogenesis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1256963. [PMID: 37711387 PMCID: PMC10499166 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1256963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The review considers various aspects of the influence of the glycolytic enzyme, sperm-specific glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDS) on the energy metabolism of spermatozoa and on the occurrence of several pathologies both in spermatozoa and in other cells. GAPDS is a unique enzyme normally found only in mammalian spermatozoa. GAPDS provides movement of the sperm flagellum through the ATP formation in glycolytic reactions. Oxidation of cysteine residues in GAPDS results in inactivation of the enzyme and decreases sperm motility. In particular, reduced sperm motility in diabetes can be associated with GAPDS oxidation by superoxide anion produced during glycation reactions. Mutations in GAPDS gene lead in the loss of motility, and in some cases, disrupts the formation of the structural elements of the sperm flagellum, in which the enzyme incorporates during spermiogenesis. GAPDS activation can be used to increase the spermatozoa fertility, and inhibitors of this enzyme are being tried as contraceptives. A truncated GAPDS lacking the N-terminal fragment of 72 amino acids that attaches the enzyme to the sperm flagellum was found in melanoma cell lines and then in specimens of melanoma and other tumors. Simultaneous production of the somatic form of GAPDH and sperm-specific GAPDS in cancer cells leads to a reorganization of their energy metabolism, which is accompanied by a change in the efficiency of metastasis of certain forms of cancer. Issues related to the use of GAPDS for the diagnosis of cancer, as well as the possibility of regulating the activity of this enzyme to prevent metastasis, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Naletova
- Institute of Crystallography, National Council of Research, Catania, Italy
| | - Elena Schmalhausen
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Barbara Tomasello
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Denis Pozdyshev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Vladimir Muronetz
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Butlerov Chemical Institute, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
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22
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Balbach M, Ghanem L, Violante S, Kyaw A, Romarowski A, Cross JR, Visconti PE, Levin LR, Buck J. Capacitation induces changes in metabolic pathways supporting motility of epididymal and ejaculated sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1160154. [PMID: 37440924 PMCID: PMC10335746 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1160154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm require sufficient energy to support motility and capacitation for successful fertilization. Previous studies cataloging the changes to metabolism in sperm explored ejaculated human sperm or dormant mouse sperm surgically extracted from the cauda epididymis. Due to the differences in methods of collection, it remains unclear whether any observed differences between mouse and human sperm represent species differences or reflect the distinct maturation states of the sperm under study. Here we compare the metabolic changes during capacitation of epididymal versus ejaculated mouse sperm and relate these changes to ejaculated human sperm. Using extracellular flux analysis and targeted metabolic profiling, we show that capacitation-induced changes lead to increased flux through both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in mouse and human sperm. Ejaculation leads to greater flexibility in the ability to use different carbon sources. While epididymal sperm are dependent upon glucose, ejaculated mouse and human sperm gain the ability to also leverage non-glycolytic energy sources such as pyruvate and citrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Balbach
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lubna Ghanem
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sara Violante
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aye Kyaw
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ana Romarowski
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Justin R. Cross
- Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Cancer Metabolism Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Integrated Sciences Building, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Lonny R. Levin
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jochen Buck
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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23
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Pozdyshev DV, Kombarova NA, Muronetz VI. Biochemical Features of X or Y Chromosome-Bearing Spermatozoa for Sperm Sexing. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:655-666. [PMID: 37331711 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923050085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
This review presents information on biochemical features of spermatozoa bearing X or Y chromosome, enabling production of a sperm fraction with pre-defined sex chromosome. The almost only technology currently used for such separation (called sexing) is based on the fluorescence-activated cell sorting of sperm depending on DNA content. In addition to the applied aspects, this technology made it possible to analyze properties of the isolated populations of spermatozoa bearing X or Y chromosome. In recent years, existence of the differences between these populations at the transcriptome and proteome level have been reported in a number of studies. It is noteworthy that these differences are primarily related to the energy metabolism and flagellar structural proteins. New methods of sperm enrichment with X or Y chromosome cells are based on the differences in motility between the spermatozoa with different sex chromosomes. Sperm sexing is a part of the widespread protocol of artificial insemination of cows with cryopreserved semen, it allows to increase proportion of the offspring with the required sex. In addition, advances in the separation of X and Y spermatozoa may allow this approach to be applied in clinical practice to avoid sex-linked diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis V Pozdyshev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Nina A Kombarova
- Head Center for Reproduction of Agricultural Animals, 142143 Bykovo, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Vladimir I Muronetz
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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24
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Zhang S, Wang C, Wang Y, Zhang H, Xu C, Cheng Y, Yuan Y, Sha J, Guo X, Cui Y. A novel protein encoded by circRsrc1 regulates mitochondrial ribosome assembly and translation during spermatogenesis. BMC Biol 2023; 21:94. [PMID: 37095490 PMCID: PMC10127071 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of mammalian RNAs. Several protein products translated by circRNAs have been reported to be involved in the development of various tissues and systems; however, their physiological functions in male reproduction have yet not been explored. RESULTS Here, we report an endogenous circRNA (circRsrc1) that encodes a novel 161-amino-acid protein which we named Rsrc1-161aa through circRNA sequencing coupled with mass spectrometry analysis on mouse testicular tissues. Deletion of Rsrc1-161aa in mice impaired male fertility with a significant decrease in sperm count and motility due to dysfunctions of mitochondrial energy metabolism. A series of in vitro rescue experiments revealed that circRsrc1 regulates mitochondrial functions via its encoded protein Rsrc1-161aa. Mechanistically, Rsrc1-161aa directly interacts with mitochondrial protein C1qbp and enhances its binding activity to mitochondrial mRNAs, thereby regulating the assembly of mitochondrial ribosomes and affecting the translation of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins and mitochondrial energy metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Our studies reveal that Rsrc1-161aa protein encoded by circRsrc1 regulates mitochondrial ribosome assembly and translation during spermatogenesis, thereby affecting male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yiwei Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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25
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Li Y, Hu Y, Wang Z, Lu T, Yang Y, Diao H, Zheng X, Xie C, Zhang P, Zhang X, Zhou Y. IKBA phosphorylation governs human sperm motility through ACC-mediated fatty acid beta-oxidation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:323. [PMID: 36966253 PMCID: PMC10039860 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates specific immunological responses and controls a wide range of physiological processes. NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IKBA) is an NF-κB inhibitory mediator in the cytoplasm that modulates the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activities of NF-κB proteins. However, whether the upstream cascade of the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway has physiological roles independent of IKBA-mediated transcriptional activation remains unclear. Herein we investigated the function of IKBA in mature sperm in which transcriptional and translational events do not occur. IKBA was highly expressed in human sperm. The repression of IKBA phosphorylation by its inhibitor Bay117082 markedly enhanced sperm motility. On the contrary, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IKBA phosphorylation significantly decreased sperm motility. Nevertheless, Bay117082 treatment did not affect the motility of IKBA-knockout sperm. Further, untargeted metabolomic analysis and pharmacological blocking assays revealed that the Bay117082-induced increase in sperm motility was attributable to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) enhancement. In addition, we found that IKBA phosphorylation inhibition resulted in a significant reduction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase levels in the FAO metabolic pathway. Our findings indicate that IKBA-mediated signaling orchestrates sperm motility program and improves our understanding of transcription-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanquan Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Youwei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengquan Wang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Lu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Yang
- NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Diao
- NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoguo Zheng
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong Xie
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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26
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Cañón-Beltrán K, Cajas YN, González E, Fernández-González R, Fierro N, Lorenzo PL, Arias-Álvarez M, García-García RM, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Rizos D. Acquisition of fertilization competence in guinea pig spermatozoa under different capacitation protocols. Theriogenology 2023; 198:231-240. [PMID: 36621132 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.12.042] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Guinea pig in vitro fertilization (IVF) are poorly developed due to the limited accessibility to oocytes and the lack of an efficient method of sperm capacitation. Thus, we aimed to evaluate different capacitation protocols that we validated through sperm analysis and using heterologous (He) IVF with zona-intact bovine oocytes. Spermatozoa of guinea pigs were collected and processed separately by 4 different protocols: A) Spermatozoa were obtained by flushing the lumen of one cauda epididymis and incubated in a minimal culture medium (MCM); B) One epididymis was placed in a prewarmed of M2 medium and gently minced with fine scissors. Spermatozoa were incubated in a modified human tubal fluid medium (HTF). In both protocols, the spermatozoa were capacitated at 37 °C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 h. In the protocols C and D, the spermatozoa were collected by flushing the lumen of the cauda epididymis and selected by commercial density gradient Bovipure® (Nidacon Laboratories AB, Göthenborg, Sweden), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then for Protocol C) spermatozoa were incubated in MCM medium supplemented with 10 mg/mL heparin (MCM-Hep); while for Protocol D) spermatozoa were incubated in FERT medium supplemented 10 mg/mL heparin (FERT-Hep). Incubation of C and D protocols were performed at 38.5 °C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 h. Capacitation protocols C and D showed a higher percentage of viability, total and hyperactive-like motility, and acrosome reaction compared to protocols A and B. For this reason, protocols C and D were used for further He-IVF analysis. Guinea pig sperm and matured zona-intact bovine oocytes were co-incubated at 5% CO2 and 38.5 °C. Sperm-oocyte interaction was assessed at 2.5 h post-insemination (hpi) and pronuclear formation (PrF) were evaluated at 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 hpi, while the cleavage rate was evaluated at 48 hpi. In protocol D, PrF was significantly higher than in protocol C (P ≤ 0.05) at every time point evaluated. Also, the cleavage rate at 48 hpi was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in He-IVF protocol D (69.8 ± 1.7%) compared to He-IVF protocol C (49.1 ± 1.1%). In conclusion, we determined the most adequate sperm capacitation conditions for guinea pig that allow zona-intact bovine oocyte penetration and lead to hybrid embryo formation, suggesting that these conditions could be optimal to develop IVF in guinea pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Cañón-Beltrán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Programa de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupo Kyron, Corporación Universitaria del Huila (CORHUILA), Huila, Colombia.
| | - Yulia N Cajas
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Encina González
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Fernández-González
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natacha Fierro
- Escuela de Ingeniería Agropecuaria, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Pedro L Lorenzo
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Arias-Álvarez
- Department of Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa M García-García
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Dimitrios Rizos
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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27
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Near-anoxia induces immobilization and sustains viability of sperm stored in ant queens. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3029. [PMID: 36859427 PMCID: PMC9977914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29705-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
After copulation, insect females store sperm in a spermatheca for some duration until fertilization. At the beginning of their adult lives, ant queens can preserve numerous viable sperm cells from copulation for over ten years. However, the key factors influencing long-term sperm storage have not been identified. Here we show that the spermathecal environment is nearly anoxic, which induces sperm immobilization. Furthermore, mitochondrial respiratory inhibitors suppress sperm motility, suggesting that sperm immobilization may be caused by a shortage of ATP generated from only glycolysis under near-anoxic conditions. Sperm immobilization is not induced by acidification via glycolytic metabolism because the spermathecal fluid is not acidic. Finally, we show that artificial anoxic conditions rather than aerobic conditions sustain viable sperm cells. Therefore, near-anoxia is a key factor influencing long-term sperm storage in ant queens. The viability of sperm cells under artificial anoxia, however, is lower than that of those dissected immediately from queens. Moreover, the immotile sperm cells under more than 4 h of anoxia do not begin swimming after aerobic exposure, unlike those under anoxic conditions for less than 2 h. This finding indicates that factors other than anoxia are also necessary for long-term sperm preservation.
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28
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Bucci D, Spinaci M, Bustamante-Filho IC, Nesci S. The sperm mitochondria: clues and challenges. Anim Reprod 2023; 19:e20220131. [PMID: 36819482 PMCID: PMC9924773 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cells rely on different substrates to fulfil thei energy demand for different functions and diverse moments of their life. Species specific mechanism involve both energy substrate transport and their utilization: hexose transporters, a protein family of facilitative passive transporters of glucose and other hexose, have been identified in spermatozoa of different species and, within the species, their localization has been identified and, in some cases, linked to specific glycilitic enzyme presence. The catabolism of hexose sources for energy purposes has been studied in various species, and recent advances has been made in the knowledge of metabolic strategies of sperm cells. In particular, the importance of aerobic metabolism has been defined and described in horse, boar and even mouse spermatozoa; bull sperm cells demonstrate to have a good adaptability and capacity to switch between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; finally, dog sperm cells have been demonstrated to have a great plasticity in energy metabolism management, being also able to activate the anabolic pathway of glycogen syntesis. In conclusion, the study of energy management and mitochondrial function in spermatozoa of different specie furnishes important base knowledge to define new media for preservation as well as newbases for reproductive biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Bucci
- Department of Veterinay Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,Corresponding author:
| | - Marcella Spinaci
- Department of Veterinay Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Nesci
- Department of Veterinay Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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29
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Ito C, Makino T, Mutoh T, Kikkawa M, Toshimori K. The association of ODF4 with AK1 and AK2 in mice is essential for fertility through its contribution to flagellar shape. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2969. [PMID: 36804949 PMCID: PMC9941515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28177-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal sperm flagellar shape and movement are essential for fertilization. The integral protein outer dense fiber 4 (ODF4) localizes to ODFs, but its function remains unclear. Adenylate kinase (AK) is a phosphotransferase that catalyzes the interconversion and controls the concentration equilibrium of adenine nucleotides. AK shuttles ATP to energy-consuming sites. Here, we report on the relationship of flagellar shape and movement with ODF4, AK1 and AK2 by using Odf4-deletion (Odf4-/-) mice. Soluble ODF4 is coimmunoprecipitated with AK1 and AK2 in Odf4+/+ spermatozoa. ODF4, AK1 and AK2 localize to whole flagella (plasmalemma, mitochondria, ODFs, and residual cytoplasmic droplets (CDs)), principal pieces, and midpieces, respectively. Odf4-/- sperm flagella lose ODF4 and reduce AK1 and AK2 but produce ATP. The flagellum is bent (hairpin flagellum) with a large CD in the midpiece. There is no motility in the midpiece, but the principal piece is motile. Odf4-/- spermatozoa progress backward and fail to ascend in the uterus. Thus, Odf4-/- males are infertile owing to abnormal flagellar shape and movement caused mainly by the loss of ODF4 with AK1 and AK2. This study is supported by the rescue experiment; the abnormalities and male infertility caused by Odf4 deletion were reversed by Odf4 restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chizuru Ito
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Tsukasa Makino
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Mutoh
- grid.136304.30000 0004 0370 1101Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670 Japan
| | - Masahide Kikkawa
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Toshimori
- Department of Functional Anatomy, Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. .,Future Medicine Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
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Kapitonova AA, Muronetz VI, Pozdyshev DV. Sorted Bulls' X-Chromosome-Bearing Spermatozoa Show Increased GAPDHS Activity Correlating with Motility. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:235. [PMID: 36672976 PMCID: PMC9859521 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm sexing is a technique for spermatozoa sorting into populations enriched with X- or Y-chromosome-bearing cells and is widely used in the dairy industry. Investigation of the characteristics of sorted semen is of practical interest, because it could contribute to the enhancement of sexed semen fertility characteristics, which are currently lower than those of conventional semen. Comparison of a spermatozoa population enriched with X-chromosome-bearing cells to a mixed population is also intriguing in the context of potential differences that drive the mechanisms of primary sex-ratio determination. In this work, sexed (X spermatozoa) and conventional spermatozoa of Holstein bulls were analyzed for the content and enzymatic activity of GAPDHS, a sperm-specific isoform of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase that plays a significant role in the regulation of flagellar activity. No difference in the amount of this glycolysis enzyme per cell was revealed, but, notably, GAPDHS enzymatic activity in the sexed samples was significantly higher. Enzymatic activity among the group of sexed but not conventional sperm samples positively correlated with spermatozoa motility, which indicates the significant role of this enzyme for the sorted cells population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Kapitonova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- A.N. Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir I. Muronetz
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis V. Pozdyshev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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Tourmente M, Sansegundo E, Rial E, Roldan ERS. Bioenergetic changes in response to sperm capacitation and two-way metabolic compensation in a new murine model. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:11. [PMID: 36534181 PMCID: PMC9763147 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04652-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The acquisition of fertilizing ability by mammalian spermatozoa, known as "capacitation," includes processes that depend on particular metabolic pathways. This has led to the hypothesis that ATP demands might differ between capacitated and non-capacitated cells. Mouse sperm can produce ATP via OXPHOS and aerobic glycolysis, an advantageous characteristic considering that these cells have to function in the complex and variable environment of the female reproductive tract. Nonetheless, despite evidence showing that both metabolic pathways play a role in events associated with mouse sperm capacitation, there is contradictory evidence regarding changes promoted by capacitation in this species. In addition, the vast majority of studies regarding murine sperm metabolism use Mus musculus laboratory strains as model, thus neglecting the wide diversity of sperm traits of other species of Mus. Focus on closely related species with distinct evolutionary histories, which may be the result of different selective pressures, could shed light on diversity of metabolic processes. Here, we analyzed variations in sperm bioenergetics associated with capacitation in spermatozoa of the steppe mouse, Mus spicilegus, a species with high sperm performance. Furthermore, we compared sperm metabolic traits of this species with similar traits previously characterized in M. musculus. We found that the metabolism of M. spicilegus sperm responded to capacitation in a manner similar to that of M. musculus sperm. However, M. spicilegus sperm showed distinct metabolic features, including the ability to perform cross-pathway metabolic compensation in response to either respiratory or glycolytic inhibition, thus revealing a delicate fine-tuning of its metabolic capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Tourmente
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (FCEFyN - UNC), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIByT - CONICET, UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Ester Sansegundo
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Rial
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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Losano JDDA, Daigneault BW. Pharmacological perturbation of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma alters motility and mitochondrial function of bovine sperm. Andrology 2023; 11:155-166. [PMID: 36198578 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13308] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm transit through the female reproductive relies upon maintenance of sperm motility. Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated nuclear transcription factor with roles in glucose metabolism and reproductive processes including placental function. PPARγ roles in the mammalian postejaculatory sperm function are incompletely defined. OBJECTIVES Determine expression, localization, and functions of PPARγ in postejaculatory bovine sperm. MATERIALS AND METHODS Frozen-thawed bovine sperm from three to four different bulls were pooled and subjected to immunofluorescence and western blot for detection and localization of PPARγ. Functions in sperm energetics were explored through the addition of pharmacological inhibition (GW; GW9662) and activation (Ros; Rosiglitazone) in the culture medium at 0 and 24 h under non-capacitating conditions. Samples were analyzed for sperm kinematics (CASA) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; JC-1 fluorophore). RESULTS PPARγ was detected in bovine sperm and co-localized to the acrosome with re-localization to the equatorial region in acrosome-compromised sperm. The addition of Ros 50 µM for 24 h maintained superior total and progressive motility of sperm compared to vehicle control (VC-DMSO 0.01%). The PPARγ antagonist GW 1 µM was detrimental to both total and progressive motility. A challenge experiment (Ros + GW) partially rescued total and progressive motility phenotypes observed with GW incubation. GW-treated samples had a lower number of sperm with high MMP at 24 h compared to Ros or VC. The negative GW MMP phenotype was reversed with the addition of Ros + GW. Likewise, GW-treated samples had more sperm with low MMP compared to VC and Ros, and this phenotype was partially restored with Ros + GW. CONCLUSION PPARγ is expressed in post-ejaculatory bovine sperm with regulatory roles in sperm motility and MMP. These findings implicate PPARγ as a novel regulator of postejaculatory mammalian sperm energetics through non-canonical signaling mechanisms.
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dos Reis RA, Santos Torres RDN, Ribeiro IM, Torres CAA, de Freitas BW. Coconut water-based extender for seminal preservation in small ruminants: a meta-analysis study. Small Rumin Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.106915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Sanchez-Rodriguez A, Sansegundo E, Tourmente M, Roldan ERS. Effect of High Viscosity on Energy Metabolism and Kinematics of Spermatozoa from Three Mouse Species Incubated under Capacitating Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315247. [PMID: 36499575 PMCID: PMC9737050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to sustain motility and prepare for fertilization, sperm require energy. The characterization of sperm ATP production and usage in mouse species revealed substantial differences in metabolic pathways that can be differentially affected by capacitation. Moreover, spermatozoa encounter different environments with varying viscoelastic properties in the female reproductive tract. Here, we examine whether viscosity affects sperm ATP levels and kinematics during capacitation in vitro. Sperm from three mouse species (Mus musculus, M. spretus, M. spicilegus) were incubated under capacitating conditions in a modified Tyrode's medium containing bicarbonate, glucose, pyruvate, lactate, and bovine serum albumin (mT-BH) or in a bicarbonate-free medium as a non-capacitating control. Viscosity was increased with the inclusion of polyvinylpyrrolidone. ATP was measured with a bioluminescence kit, and kinematics were examined with a computer-aided sperm analysis system. In M. musculus sperm, ATP declined during capacitation, but no differences were found between non-capacitating and capacitating sperm. In contrast, in M. spretus and M. spicilegus, ATP levels decreased in capacitating sperm. Increasing viscosity in the medium did not modify the timing or proportion of cells undergoing capacitation but did result in additional time- and concentration-dependent decreases in ATP in M. spretus and M. spicilegus under capacitating conditions. Additionally, increased viscosity altered both velocity and trajectory descriptors. The limited impact of capacitation and higher viscosity on M. musculus sperm ATP and kinematics could be related to the low intensity of postcopulatory sexual selection in this species. Responses seen in the other two species could be linked to the ability of their sperm to perform better under enhanced selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Sansegundo
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maximiliano Tourmente
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (FCEFyN—UNC), Córdoba X5016GCA, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIByT—CONICET, UNC), Córdoba X5016GCA, Argentina
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Departmento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Blanco-Prieto O, Maside C, Àlex Peña, Ibáñez-Príncep J, Bonet S, Yeste M, Rodríguez-Gil JE. The effects of red LED light on pig sperm function rely upon mitochondrial electron chain activity rather than on a PKC-mediated mechanism. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:930855. [PMID: 36274839 PMCID: PMC9585505 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.930855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
While irradiation with red LED light has been reported to modulate sperm function in different mammalian species, the mechanisms underlying their response are poorly understood. This work sought to provide new insights into whether this effect relies on a direct action upon mitochondrial electron chain and/or on PKC-linked mechanisms such as those related to opsins. For this purpose, pig semen was light-stimulated for 1, 5 or 10 min in the presence/absence of antimycin A, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial electron chain, or PKC 20–28® (PKCi), a PKC inhibitor. Antimycin A completely blocked the effects of light at all the performed irradiation patterns. This effect was linked to a complete immobility of sperm, which was accompanied with a significant (p < 0.05) drop in several markers of mitochondrial activity, such as JC-1 staining and O2 consumption rate. Antimycin A, however, did not affect intracellular ATP levels, intramitochondrial calcium, total ROS, superoxides or cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) activity. In the case of PKCi, it did also counteract the effects of light on motility, O2 consumption rate and CCO activity, but not to the same extent than that observed for antimycin A. Finally, the effects observed when sperm were co-incubated with antimycin A and PKCi were similar to those observed with antimycin A alone. In conclusion, red LED light acts on sperm function via a direct effect on mitochondrial electron chain. Additionally, light-activated PKC pathways have a supplementary effect to that observed in the electron chain, thereby modulating sperm parameters such as motility and CCO activity.
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36
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Amaral A. Energy metabolism in mammalian sperm motility. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1569. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Amaral
- Department of Developmental Genetics Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics Berlin Germany
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Hafizah I, Akka D, Wicaksono S, Afrini IM. Effect of Giving Traditional Drinks Kameko and Pongasih from Southeast Sulawesi on Sperm Quality of Mice ( Mus musculus). Pak J Biol Sci 2022; 25:892-898. [PMID: 36404742 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2022.892.898] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
<b>Background and Objective:</b> The traditional beverage of Southeast Sulawesi is Kameko and Pongasih, which is a traditional alcoholic beverage. One of the bad effects of alcohol on reproductive health is the occurrence of infertility. This research aimed to determine the effect of consuming traditional beverages of Kameko and Pongasih on the quality of sperm of mice (<i>Mus musculus</i>). <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This research used a true experiment. The samples were some healthy mice (<i>Mus musculus</i>) aged 6-8 weeks as much 24 tails and divided into 4 groups. On the 36th day after the treatment was completed, the mice were terminated and prepared for microscopic sperm quality analysis. The quality of sperm includes motility, viability, concentration and morphology. The data test uses the Shapiro-Wilk Test, One-way ANOVA and <i>post hoc</i> LSD Test. <b>Results:</b> Kameko traditional beverage had a significant influence on sperm quality with motility, morphology, sperm concentration (p = 0.000) and viability (p = 0.001). Pongasih traditional beverage has a significant influence on sperm quality with motility parameter, morphology, sperm concentration (p = 0.000) and viability (p = 0.001). Kameko and Pongasih traditional beverages did not have a significant difference in sperm quality with motility parameter (p = 0.463), viability (p = 1.000), morphology (p = 0.553) and amount of concentration (p = 0.714). <b>Conclusion:</b> South East Sulawesi traditional beverages Kameko and Pongasih have effects on mice's (<i>Mus musculus</i>) sperm quality, but there was no difference in the group of mice which have been given Kameko and Pongasih.
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Irigoyen P, Pintos-Polasky P, Rosa-Villagran L, Skowronek MF, Cassina A, Sapiro R. Mitochondrial metabolism determines the functional status of human sperm and correlates with semen parameters. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:926684. [PMID: 36111336 PMCID: PMC9468643 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.926684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of male infertility is based essentially on the patient’s medical history and a standard semen analysis. However, the latter rarely provides information on the causes of a possible infertility, emphasizing the need to extend the analysis of the sperm function. Mitochondrial function has been associated with sperm function and dysfunction, the latter primarily through the production of excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We hypothesized that analysis of sperm mitochondrial metabolism together with sperm ROS production could be an additional tool to improve routine semen analysis, after appropriate validations. To test our hypothesis, we performed several experiments using a non-routine method (high-resolution respirometry, HRR) to access mitochondrial function. First, we investigated whether mitochondrial function is related to human sperm motility and morphology. When mitochondrial metabolism was challenged, sperm motility decreased significantly. Additionally, morphological abnormalities in the sperm mid-piece and mitochondria were associated with global sperm defects evaluated by routine methods. Subsequently, sperm mitochondrial function was assessed by HRR. Respiratory control ratio (RCR) was determined and evaluated in the context of classical sperm analysis. In parallel, sperm hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and seminal plasma (SP) antioxidant capacity were measured. The percentage of sperm with progressive motility correlated positively with RCR, SP antioxidant capacity, and negatively with the concentration of extracellular H2O2 production ([H2O2]). The percentage of normal sperm morphology correlated positively with RCR and negatively with [H2O2]. Sperm morphology did not correlate with seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used for the first time to test the diagnostic ability of RCR, [H2O2], and SP antioxidant capacity as binary classifiers. An RCR cut off value of 3.2 was established with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 61%, using reference values considered normal or abnormal in routine semen analysis. The cut off value for [H2O2] was 0.2 μM/106 sperm (sensitivity = 65%, specificity = 60%). There were no reference values for SP antioxidant capacity that distinguished between abnormal and normal sperm samples. We conclude that sperm mitochondrial function indices in combination with [H2O2] may be useful tools to complement the routine semen analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Irigoyen
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Pintos-Polasky
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Rosa-Villagran
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Maria Fernanda Skowronek
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Rossana Sapiro,
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Tourmente M, Sansegundo E, Rial E, Roldan ERS. Capacitation promotes a shift in energy metabolism in murine sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:950979. [PMID: 36081906 PMCID: PMC9445201 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.950979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, sperm acquire fertilization ability after a series of physiological and biochemical changes, collectively known as capacitation, that occur inside the female reproductive tract. In addition to other requirements, sperm bioenergetic metabolism has been identified as a fundamental component in the acquisition of capacitation. Mammalian sperm produce ATP through two main metabolic processes, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and aerobic glycolysis that are localized to two different flagellar compartments, the midpiece, and the principal piece, respectively. In mouse sperm, the occurrence of many events associated with capacitation relies on the activity of these two energy-producing pathways, leading to the hypothesis that some of these events may impose changes in sperm energetic demands. In the present study, we used extracellular flux analysis to evaluate changes in glycolytic and respiratory parameters of murine sperm that occur as a consequence of capacitation. Furthermore, we examined whether these variations affect sperm ATP sustainability. Our results show that capacitation promotes a shift in the usage ratio of the two main metabolic pathways, from oxidative to glycolytic. However, this metabolic rewiring does not seem to affect the rate at which the sperm consume ATP. We conclude that the probable function of the metabolic switch is to increase the ATP supply in the distal flagellar regions, thus sustaining the energetic demands that arise from capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Tourmente
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (FCEFyN—UNC), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIByT—CONICET, UNC), Córdoba, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Maximiliano Tourmente, ; Eduardo R. S. Roldan,
| | - Ester Sansegundo
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Rial
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Maximiliano Tourmente, ; Eduardo R. S. Roldan,
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40
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Wang H, Dou Q, Jeong KJ, Choi J, Gladyshev VN, Chung JJ. Redox regulation by TXNRD3 during epididymal maturation underlies capacitation-associated mitochondrial activity and sperm motility in mice. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102077. [PMID: 35643315 PMCID: PMC9218152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During epididymal transit, redox remodeling protects mammalian spermatozoa, preparing them for survival in the subsequent journey to fertilization. However, molecular mechanisms of redox regulation in sperm development and maturation remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that thioredoxin-glutathione reductase (TXNRD3), a thioredoxin reductase family member particularly abundant in elongating spermatids at the site of mitochondrial sheath formation, regulates redox homeostasis to support male fertility. Using Txnrd3-/- mice, our biochemical, ultrastructural, and live cell imaging analyses revealed impairments in sperm morphology and motility under conditions of TXNRD3 deficiency. We find that mitochondria develop more defined cristae during capacitation in wildtype sperm. Furthermore, we show that absence of TXNRD3 alters thiol redox status in both the head and tail during sperm maturation and capacitation, resulting in defective mitochondrial ultrastructure and activity under capacitating conditions. These findings provide insights into molecular mechanisms of redox homeostasis and bioenergetics during sperm maturation, capacitation, and fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Qianhui Dou
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kyung Jo Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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Numata S, McDermott JP, Sanchez G, Mitra A, Blanco G. The sodium-glucose cotransporter isoform 1 (SGLT-1) is important for sperm energetics, motility, and fertility†. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1206-1217. [PMID: 35420639 PMCID: PMC9199017 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose is a key substrate for supporting sperm energy production and function. Previous studies have demonstrated that sperm glucose uptake is facilitated by several isoforms of the glucose transporters (GLUT). Here, we report that sperm also expresses the Na+-dependent sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT). This was first suggested by our observation that genetic deletion of the testis-specific Na,K-ATPase α4, which impairs the sperm plasma membrane Na+ gradient, reduces glucose uptake and ATP production. Immunoblot analysis revealed the presence of an SGLT in sperm, with specific expression of isoform 1 (SGLT-1), but not of isoform 2 (SGLT-2). Immunocytochemistry identified SGLT-1 in the mid- and principal piece of the sperm flagellum. Inhibition of SGLT-1 with the isotype-selective inhibitor phlorizin significantly reduced glucose uptake, glycolytic activity, and ATP production in noncapacitated and capacitated sperm from wild-type mice. Phlorizin also decreased total sperm motility, as well as other parameters of sperm movement. In contrast, inhibition of SGLT-1 had no significant effect on sperm hyperactivation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, or acrosomal reaction. Importantly, phlorizin treatment impaired the fertilizing capacity of sperm. Altogether, these results demonstrate that mouse sperm express a functional SGLT transport system that is important for supporting sperm energy production, motility, and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- September Numata
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jeff P McDermott
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Gladis Sanchez
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Amrita Mitra
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Gustavo Blanco
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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Grinshtain E, Shpungin S, Baum M, Nir U, Breitbart H. The Fer tyrosine kinase protects sperm from spontaneous acrosome reaction. Dev Biol 2022; 487:24-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Mise S, Matsumoto A, Shimada K, Hosaka T, Takahashi M, Ichihara K, Shimizu H, Shiraishi C, Saito D, Suyama M, Yasuda T, Ide T, Izumi Y, Bamba T, Kimura-Someya T, Shirouzu M, Miyata H, Ikawa M, Nakayama KI. Kastor and Polluks polypeptides encoded by a single gene locus cooperatively regulate VDAC and spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1071. [PMID: 35228556 PMCID: PMC8885739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28677-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been shown to encode small polypeptides, those in testis remain largely uncharacterized. Here we identify two sperm-specific polypeptides, Kastor and Polluks, encoded by a single mouse locus (Gm9999) previously annotated as encoding a lncRNA. Both Kastor and Polluks are inserted in the outer mitochondrial membrane and directly interact with voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), despite their different amino acid sequences. Male VDAC3-deficient mice are infertile as a result of reduced sperm motility due to an abnormal mitochondrial sheath in spermatozoa, and deficiency of both Kastor and Polluks also severely impaired male fertility in association with formation of a similarly abnormal mitochondrial sheath. Spermatozoa lacking either Kastor or Polluks partially recapitulate the phenotype of those lacking both. Cooperative function of Kastor and Polluks in regulation of VDAC3 may thus be essential for mitochondrial sheath formation in spermatozoa and for male fertility. A number of testes-specific lncRNAs have been annotated but their roles remain largely unexplored. Here the authors identify two small peptides encoded by the lncRNA Gm9999, Kastor and Polluks, both of which are required for male fertility in mice.
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Oxidative Phosphorylation Is Required for Powering Motility and Development of the Sleeping Sickness Parasite Trypanosoma brucei in the Tsetse Fly Vector. mBio 2022; 13:e0235721. [PMID: 35012336 PMCID: PMC8749461 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02357-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The single-celled parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by hematophagous tsetse flies. Life cycle progression from mammalian bloodstream form to tsetse midgut form and, subsequently, infective salivary gland form depends on complex developmental steps and migration within different fly tissues. As the parasite colonizes the glucose-poor insect midgut, ATP production is thought to depend on activation of mitochondrial amino acid catabolism via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). This process involves respiratory chain complexes and F1Fo-ATP synthase and requires protein subunits of these complexes that are encoded in the parasite's mitochondrial DNA (kDNA). Here, we show that progressive loss of kDNA-encoded functions correlates with a decreasing ability to initiate and complete development in the tsetse. First, parasites with a mutated F1Fo-ATP synthase with reduced capacity for OXPHOS can initiate differentiation from bloodstream to insect form, but they are unable to proliferate in vitro. Unexpectedly, these cells can still colonize the tsetse midgut. However, these parasites exhibit a motility defect and are severely impaired in colonizing or migrating to subsequent tsetse tissues. Second, parasites with a fully disrupted F1Fo-ATP synthase complex that is completely unable to produce ATP by OXPHOS can still differentiate to the first insect stage in vitro but die within a few days and cannot establish a midgut infection in vivo. Third, parasites lacking kDNA entirely can initiate differentiation but die soon after. Together, these scenarios suggest that efficient ATP production via OXPHOS is not essential for initial colonization of the tsetse vector but is required to power trypanosome migration within the fly. IMPORTANCE African trypanosomes cause disease in humans and their livestock and are transmitted by tsetse flies. The insect ingests these parasites with its blood meal, but to be transmitted to another mammal, the trypanosome must undergo complex development within the tsetse fly and migrate from the insect's gut to its salivary glands. Crucially, the parasite must switch from a sugar-based diet while in the mammal to a diet based primarily on amino acids when it develops in the insect. Here, we show that efficient energy production by an organelle called the mitochondrion is critical for the trypanosome's ability to swim and to migrate through the tsetse fly. Surprisingly, trypanosomes with impaired mitochondrial energy production are only mildly compromised in their ability to colonize the tsetse fly midgut. Our study adds a new perspective to the emerging view that infection of tsetse flies by trypanosomes is more complex than previously thought.
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Sansegundo E, Tourmente M, Roldan ERS. Energy Metabolism and Hyperactivation of Spermatozoa from Three Mouse Species under Capacitating Conditions. Cells 2022; 11:220. [PMID: 35053337 PMCID: PMC8773617 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm differ widely in sperm morphology, and several explanations have been presented to account for this diversity. Less is known about variation in sperm physiology and cellular processes that can give sperm cells an advantage when competing to fertilize oocytes. Capacitation of spermatozoa, a process essential for mammalian fertilization, correlates with changes in motility that result in a characteristic swimming pattern known as hyperactivation. Previous studies revealed that sperm motility and velocity depend on the amount of ATP available and, therefore, changes in sperm movement occurring during capacitation and hyperactivation may involve changes in sperm bioenergetics. Here, we examine differences in ATP levels of sperm from three mouse species (genus Mus), differing in sperm competition levels, incubated under non-capacitating and capacitating conditions, to analyse relationships between energetics, capacitation, and swimming patterns. We found that, in general terms, the amount of sperm ATP decreased more rapidly under capacitating conditions. This descent was related to the development of a hyperactivated pattern of movement in two species (M. musculus and M. spicilegus) but not in the other (M. spretus), suggesting that, in the latter, temporal dynamics and energetic demands of capacitation and hyperactivation may be decoupled or that the hyperactivation pattern differs. The decrease in ATP levels during capacitation was steeper in species with higher levels of sperm competition than in those with lower levels. Our results suggest that, during capacitation, sperm consume more ATP than under non-capacitating conditions. This higher ATP consumption may be linked to higher velocity and lateral head displacement, which are associated with hyperactivated motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Sansegundo
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Maximiliano Tourmente
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cordoba X5016GCA, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científica y Técnicas (CONICET), Cordoba X5016GCA, Argentina
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
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Li Y, Jin L, Li Y, Qian J, Wang Z, Zheng X, Xie C, Zhang X, Huang H, Zhou Y. Lysophosphatidic Acid Improves Human Sperm Motility by Enhancing Glycolysis and Activating L-Type Calcium Channels. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:896558. [PMID: 35903269 PMCID: PMC9317953 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.896558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Until now, the molecular mechanisms underlining sperm motility defect causing male infertility are still poorly understood. Safe and effective compounds or drugs that can improve sperm motility are also very limited. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a naturally occurring phospholipid and a bioactive intermediate with multiple biological activities. It has been detected in various body fluids such as serum, plasma, saliva, tears, blister fluids, hen egg white, and ascites from patients with ovarian cancer. LPA is also abundant in seminal plasma and follicular fluid. It enhances follicle stimulation, improves oocyte fertilization, and promotes early embryonic development and embryo implantation. However, the physiological role of LPA in the male reproductive system remains unknown. Here, our study showed that LPA significantly improved the motility parameters of human sperm hyperactivation in a dose-dependent manner. The LPA-induced elevation of sperm motility is dependent on bovine serum albumin (BSA) but independent of the classical BSA-induced sAC/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. The enhancement of sperm motility by LPA could not be blocked by CCCP, a respiratory inhibitor suppressing mitochondrial ATP production. Moreover, LPA improved the activity of triosephosphate isomerase in glycolysis. Meanwhile, LPA treatment significantly increased ATP and phosphoenolpyruvate levels and decreased ADP content during sperm glycolysis. Notably, none of known or identified LPA receptors was detected in human sperm. Further investigations showed that LPA promoted sperm motility through L-type calcium channels. In summary, this study revealed the involvement of LPA in the regulation for human sperm motility by enhancing glycolysis and activating L-type calcium channels. The current findings may shed new light on the understanding of causes of asthenozoospermia, and indicate that LPA could be used as a novel therapeutic agent to improve sperm function and fertilizing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinlam Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanquan Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianing Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengquan Wang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoguo Zheng
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong Xie
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuchuan Zhou, ; Hefeng Huang, ; Xuelian Zhang,
| | - Hefeng Huang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuchuan Zhou, ; Hefeng Huang, ; Xuelian Zhang,
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuchuan Zhou, ; Hefeng Huang, ; Xuelian Zhang,
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Giaccagli MM, Gómez-Elías MD, Herzfeld JD, Marín-Briggiler CI, Cuasnicú PS, Cohen DJ, Da Ros VG. Capacitation-Induced Mitochondrial Activity Is Required for Sperm Fertilizing Ability in Mice by Modulating Hyperactivation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:767161. [PMID: 34765607 PMCID: PMC8576324 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.767161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
To become fully competent to fertilize an egg, mammalian sperm undergo a series of functional changes within the female tract, known as capacitation, that require an adequate supply and management of energy. However, the contribution of each ATP generating pathway to sustain the capacitation-associated changes remains unclear. Based on this, we investigated the role of mitochondrial activity in the acquisition of sperm fertilizing ability during capacitation in mice. For this purpose, the dynamics of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was studied by flow cytometry with the probe tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE). We observed a time-dependent increase in MMP only in capacitated sperm as well as a specific staining with the probe in the flagellar region where mitochondria are confined. The MMP rise was prevented when sperm were exposed to the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine (CCCP) or the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 during capacitation, indicating that MMP increase is dependent on capacitation and H89-sensitive events. Results showed that whereas nearly all motile sperm were TMRE positive, immotile cells were mostly TMRE negative, supporting an association between high MMP and sperm motility. Furthermore, CCCP treatment during capacitation did not affect PKA substrate and tyrosine phosphorylations but produced a decrease in hyperactivation measured by computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA), similar to that observed after H89 exposure. In addition, CCCP inhibited the in vitro sperm fertilizing ability without affecting cumulus penetration and gamete fusion, indicating that the hyperactivation supported by mitochondrial function is needed mainly for zona pellucida penetration. Finally, complementary in vivo fertilization experiments further demonstrated the fundamental role of mitochondrial activity for sperm function. Altogether, our results show the physiological relevance of mitochondrial functionality for sperm fertilization competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Milagros Giaccagli
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos Moleculares de la Fertilización, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías Daniel Gómez-Elías
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos Moleculares de la Fertilización, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jael Dafne Herzfeld
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos Moleculares de la Fertilización, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clara Isabel Marín-Briggiler
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular de la Reproducción, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Sara Cuasnicú
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos Moleculares de la Fertilización, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Débora Juana Cohen
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos Moleculares de la Fertilización, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanina Gabriela Da Ros
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos Moleculares de la Fertilización, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Marín-Briggiler CI, Luque GM, Gervasi MG, Oscoz-Susino N, Sierra JM, Mondillo C, Salicioni AM, Krapf D, Visconti PE, Buffone MG. Human Sperm Remain Motile After a Temporary Energy Restriction but do Not Undergo Capacitation-Related Events. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:777086. [PMID: 34869380 PMCID: PMC8633110 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.777086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To acquire fertilization competence, mammalian sperm must undergo several biochemical and physiological modifications known as capacitation. Despite its relevance, the metabolic pathways that regulate the capacitation-related events, including the development of hyperactivated motility, are still poorly described. Previous studies from our group have shown that temporary energy restriction in mouse sperm enhanced hyperactivation, in vitro fertilization, early embryo development and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer, and it improved intracytoplasmic sperm injection results in the bovine model. However, the effects of starvation and energy recovery protocols on human sperm function have not yet been established. In the present work, human sperm were incubated for different periods of time in medium containing glucose, pyruvate and lactate (NUTR) or devoid of nutrients for the starving condition (STRV). Sperm maintained in STRV displayed reduced percentages of motility and kinematic parameters compared to cells incubated in NUTR medium. Moreover, they did not undergo hyperactivation and showed reduced levels of ATP, cAMP and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Similar to our results with mouse sperm, starvation induced increased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Starved human sperm were capable to continue moving for more than 27 h, but the incubation with a mitochondrial uncoupler or inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation led to a complete motility loss. When exogenous nutrients were added back (sperm energy recovery (SER) treatment), hyperactivated motility was rescued and there was a rise in sperm ATP and cAMP levels in 1 min, with a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and no changes in sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation. The finding that human sperm can remain motile for several hours under starvation due to mitochondrial use of endogenous metabolites implies that other metabolic pathways may play a role in sperm energy production. In addition, full recovery of motility and other capacitation parameters of human sperm after SER suggests that this treatment might be used to modulate human sperm fertilizing ability in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermina M. Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G. Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Natalia Oscoz-Susino
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jessica M. Sierra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Mondillo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M. Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Darío Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Mariano G. Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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49
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In-cell structures of conserved supramolecular protein arrays at the mitochondria-cytoskeleton interface in mammalian sperm. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2110996118. [PMID: 34737233 PMCID: PMC8609336 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110996118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial organization of mitochondria is vital for cellular function. In many specialized cell types, mitochondria are immobilized at specific subcellular loci through interactions with the cytoskeleton. One of the most striking mitochondrial configurations occurs in mammalian sperm, where mitochondria wrap around the flagellum. Malformation of the mitochondrial sheath causes infertility, but the molecular structures underlying this intricate arrangement are unknown. Here, we analyzed the mitochondrial sheath in sperm from three mammalian species. We find that although mitochondrial dimensions and cristae architecture vary across species, molecular assemblies mediating intermitochondria and mitochondria–cytoskeleton interactions are conserved. These findings yield important insight into sperm physiology and evolution and are relevant for other polarized cell types, such as muscles, neurons, photoreceptors, and hair cells. Mitochondria–cytoskeleton interactions modulate cellular physiology by regulating mitochondrial transport, positioning, and immobilization. However, there is very little structural information defining mitochondria–cytoskeleton interfaces in any cell type. Here, we use cryofocused ion beam milling-enabled cryoelectron tomography to image mammalian sperm, where mitochondria wrap around the flagellar cytoskeleton. We find that mitochondria are tethered to their neighbors through intermitochondrial linkers and are anchored to the cytoskeleton through ordered arrays on the outer mitochondrial membrane. We use subtomogram averaging to resolve in-cell structures of these arrays from three mammalian species, revealing they are conserved across species despite variations in mitochondrial dimensions and cristae organization. We find that the arrays consist of boat-shaped particles anchored on a network of membrane pores whose arrangement and dimensions are consistent with voltage-dependent anion channels. Proteomics and in-cell cross-linking mass spectrometry suggest that the conserved arrays are composed of glycerol kinase-like proteins. Ordered supramolecular assemblies may serve to stabilize similar contact sites in other cell types in which mitochondria need to be immobilized in specific subcellular environments, such as in muscles and neurons.
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50
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Ferreira JJ, Cassina A, Irigoyen P, Ford M, Pietroroia S, Peramsetty N, Radi R, Santi CM, Sapiro R. Increased mitochondrial activity upon CatSper channel activation is required for mouse sperm capacitation. Redox Biol 2021; 48:102176. [PMID: 34753004 PMCID: PMC8585656 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To fertilize an oocyte, sperm must undergo several biochemical and functional changes known as capacitation. A key event in capacitation is calcium influx through the cation channel of sperm (CatSper). However, the molecular mechanisms of capacitation downstream of this calcium influx are not completely understood. Capacitation is also associated with an increase in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, and several lines of evidence indicate that regulated calcium entry into mitochondria increases the efficiency of oxidative respiration. Thus, we hypothesized that calcium influx through CatSper during capacitation increases mitochondrial calcium concentration and mitochondrial efficiency and thereby contributes to sperm hyperactivation and fertilization capacity. To test this hypothesis, we used high-resolution respirometry to measure mouse sperm mitochondrial activity. We also measured mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP/ADP exchange during capacitation, and mitochondrial calcium concentration in sperm from wild-type and CatSper knockout mice. We show that the increase in mitochondrial activity in capacitated wild-type sperm parallels the increase in mitochondrial calcium concentration. This effect is blunted in sperm from CatSper knockout mice. Importantly, these mechanisms are needed for optimal hyperactivation and fertilization in wild-type mice, as confirmed by using mitochondrial inhibitors. Thus, we describe a novel mechanism of sperm capacitation. This work contributes to our understanding of the role of mitochondria in sperm physiology and opens the possibility of new molecular targets for fertility treatments and male contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Ferreira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Departamento de Bioquímica and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO) Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pilar Irigoyen
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariana Ford
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Pietroroia
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nikita Peramsetty
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Rafael Radi
- Departamento de Bioquímica and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO) Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Celia M Santi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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