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Lin YH, Huang CY, Ke CC, Wang YY, Lai TH, Liu HC, Ku WC, Chan CC, Lin YH. ACTN4 Mediates SEPT14 Mutation-Induced Sperm Head Defects. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8110518. [PMID: 33228246 PMCID: PMC7699536 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8110518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Septins (SEPTs) are highly conserved GTP-binding proteins and the fourth component of the cytoskeleton. Polymerized SEPTs participate in the modulation of various cellular processes, such as cytokinesis, cell polarity, and membrane dynamics, through their interactions with microtubules, actin, and other cellular components. The main objective of this study was to dissect the molecular pathological mechanism of SEPT14 mutation-induced sperm head defects. To identify SEPT14 interactors, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and nano-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry were applied. Immunostaining showed that SEPT14 was significantly localized to the manchette structure. The SEPT14 interactors were identified and classified as (1) SEPT-, (2) microtubule-, (3) actin-, and (4) sperm structure-related proteins. One interactor, ACTN4, an actin-holding protein, was selected for further study. Co-IP experiments showed that SEPT14 interacts with ACTN4 in a male germ cell line. SEPT14 also co-localized with ACTN4 in the perinuclear and manchette regions of the sperm head in early elongating spermatids. In the cell model, mutated SEPT14 disturbed the localization pattern of ACTN4. In a clinical aspect, sperm with mutant SEPT14, SEPT14A123T (p.Ala123Thr), and SEPT14I333T (p.Ile333Thr), have mislocalized and fragmented ACTN4 signals. Sperm head defects in donors with SEPT14 mutations are caused by disruption of the functions of ACTN4 and actin during sperm head formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hua Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan;
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
- Gynecologic Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; (T.-H.L.); (W.-C.K.)
| | - Chih-Chun Ke
- PhD Program in Nutrition & Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan;
- Department of Urology, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yun Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.W.); (H.-C.L.)
| | - Tsung-Hsuan Lai
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; (T.-H.L.); (W.-C.K.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Che Liu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.W.); (H.-C.L.)
| | - Wei-Chi Ku
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; (T.-H.L.); (W.-C.K.)
| | - Chying-Chyuan Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch, Taipei 106, Taiwan;
| | - Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; (Y.-Y.W.); (H.-C.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Lei WL, Han F, Hu MW, Liang QX, Meng TG, Zhou Q, Ouyang YC, Hou Y, Schatten H, Wang ZB, Sun QY. Protein phosphatase 6 is a key factor regulating spermatogenesis. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:1952-1964. [PMID: 31819157 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0472-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 6 (PP6) is a member of the PP2A-like subfamily, which plays a critical role in many fundamental cellular processes. We recently reported that PP6 is essential for female fertility. Here, we report that PP6 is involved in meiotic recombination and that germ cell-specific deletion of PP6 by Stra8-Cre causes defective spermatogenesis. The PP6-deficient spermatocytes were arrested at the pachytene stage and defects in DSB repair and crossover formation were observed, indicating that PP6 facilitated meiotic double-stranded breaks (DSB) repair. Further investigations revealed that depletion of PP6 in the germ cells affected chromatin relaxation, which was dependent on MAPK pathway activity, consequently preventing programmed DSB repair factors from being recruited to proper positions on the chromatin. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PP6 has an important role in meiotic recombination and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Long Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Feng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Meng-Wen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China
| | - Tie-Gang Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ying-Chun Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Heide Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Zhen-Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Testis-Specific SEPT12 Expression Affects SUN Protein Localization and is Involved in Mammalian Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051163. [PMID: 30866452 PMCID: PMC6429073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is observed in approximately 50% of all couples with infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a conventional artificial reproductive technique for treating male infertility, may fail because of a severe low sperm count, immotile sperm, immature sperm, and sperm with structural defects and DNA damage. Our previous studies have revealed that mutations in the septin (SEPT)-coding gene SEPT12 cause teratozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. These spermatozoa exhibit morphological defects in the head and tail, premature chromosomal condensation, and nuclear damage. Sperm from Sept12 knockout mice also cause the developmental arrest of preimplantation embryos generated through in vitro fertilization and ICSI. Furthermore, we found that SEPT12 interacts with SPAG4, a spermatid nuclear membrane protein that is also named SUN4. Loss of the Spag4 allele in mice also disrupts the integration nuclear envelope and reveals sperm head defects. However, whether SEPT12 affects SPAG4 during mammalian spermiogenesis remains unclear. We thus conducted this study to explore this question. First, we found that SPAG4 and SEPT12 exhibited similar localizations in the postacrosomal region of elongating spermatids and at the neck of mature sperm through isolated murine male germ cells. Second, SEPT12 expression altered the nuclear membrane localization of SPAG4, as observed through confocal microscopy, in a human testicular cancer cell line. Third, SEPT12 expression also altered the localizations of nuclear membrane proteins: LAMINA/C in the cells. This effect was specifically due to the expression of SEPT12 and not that of SEPT1, SEPT6, SEPT7, or SEPT11. Based on these results, we suggest that SEPT12 is among the moderators of SPAG4/LAMIN complexes and is involved in the morphological formation of sperm during mammalian spermiogenesis.
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Hua J, Wan YY. Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel mutation of AURKC in a Chinese family with macrozoospermia. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 36:529-534. [PMID: 30594972 PMCID: PMC6439091 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1374-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Macrozoospermia is a rare sperm morphologic abnormality associated with male infertility and is characterized by a high percentage of spermatozoa with large irregular heads. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic cause of an infertile male with macrozoospermia from a consanguineous family. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed using peripheral blood genomic DNA from the patient and his parents. RESULTS WES analysis of the patient with macrozoospermia from a consanguineous family allowed the identification of a novel homozygous missense variant in the AURKC gene (c.269G>A). Bioinformatics analysis also suggested this variant a pathogenic mutation. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the mRNA level of AURKC is significantly decreased in the patient compared with his father. Moreover, no embryos were available for transfer after ICSI. CONCLUSIONS These results further support the important role of AURKC in male infertility and guide the practitioner in optimal decision making for patients with macrozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Hua
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yang-Yang Wan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China.
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Sha Y, Zheng L, Ji Z, Mei L, Ding L, Lin S, Wang X, Yang X, Li P. A novel TEX11 mutation induces azoospermia: a case report of infertile brothers and literature review. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2018; 19:63. [PMID: 29661171 PMCID: PMC5902858 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-018-0570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Testis-expressed gene 11 (TEX11) is an X-linked gene and essential for meiotic recombination and chromosomal synapsis. TEX11 deficiency causes meiotic arrest and male infertility, and many TEX11 mutations have been found in azoospermic and infertile men. Case presentation This study reported one novel TEX11 mutation (2653G → T, in exon 29, GenBank accession number, NM_031276) in two brothers with azoospermia. This mutation was firstly screened out by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and further verified by amplifying and sequencing the specific exon 29. Surprisingly, the same exonic missense mutation (W856C) was observed in two brothers but not in their mother. Histological analysis of testicular biopsy from both brothers revealed meiotic arrest and no post-meiotic round spermatids and mature spermatozoa were observed in the seminiferous tubules. TEX11 expression was observed strongly in spermatogonia and weakly in spermatocytes, but not in Sertoli cells and interstitial cells. Conclusions We identified one novel TEX11 mutation in two brothers and summarized the literature regarding TEX11 mutations and male infertility. This study and previous literature indicate that TEX11 mutations are closely associated with male infertility, especially azoospermia, although auxiliary clinical analyses are needed to figure out the causes of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Sha
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Liangkai Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhiyong Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Libin Mei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Lu Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shaobin Lin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Ping Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiamen Women's and Children's Health Hospital, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian Province, China.
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Lin YH, Ke CC, Wang YY, Chen MF, Chen TM, Ku WC, Chiang HS, Yeh CH. RAB10 Interacts with the Male Germ Cell-Specific GTPase-Activating Protein during Mammalian Spermiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18010097. [PMID: 28067790 PMCID: PMC5297731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
According to recent estimates, 2%–15% of couples are sterile, and approximately half of the infertility cases are attributed to male reproductive factors. However, the reasons remain undefined in approximately 25% of male infertility cases, and most infertility cases exhibit spermatogenic defects. Numerous genes involved in spermatogenesis still remain unknown. We previously identified Male Germ Cells Rab GTPase-Activating Proteins (MGCRABGAPs) through cDNA microarray analysis of human testicular tissues with spermatogenic defects. MGCRABGAP contains a conserved RABGAP catalytic domain, TBC (Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16). RABGAP family proteins regulate cellular function (e.g., cytoskeletal remodeling, vesicular trafficking, and cell migration) by inactivating RAB proteins. MGCRABGAP is a male germ cell-specific protein expressed in elongating and elongated spermatids during mammalian spermiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify proteins that interact with MGCRABGAP during mammalian spermiogenesis using a proteomic approach. We found that MGCRABGAP exhibited GTPase-activating bioability, and several MGCRABGAP interactors, possible substrates (e.g., RAB10, RAB5C, and RAP1), were identified using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (nano LC-MS/MS). We confirmed the binding ability between RAB10 and MGCRABGAP via co-IP. Additionally, MGCRABGAP–RAB10 complexes were specifically colocalized in the manchette structure, a critical structure for the formation of spermatid heads, and were slightly expressed at the midpiece of mature spermatozoa. Based on these results, we propose that MGCRABGAP is involved in mammalian spermiogenesis by modulating RAB10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Chun Ke
- Department of Urology, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 23702, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Yun Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Feng Chen
- Bone and Joint Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Ming Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Chi Ku
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Han-Sun Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Hsin Yeh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Shin-Kong Wu-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 11101, Taiwan.
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Yang F, Silber S, Leu NA, Oates RD, Marszalek JD, Skaletsky H, Brown LG, Rozen S, Page DC, Wang PJ. TEX11 is mutated in infertile men with azoospermia and regulates genome-wide recombination rates in mouse. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1198-210. [PMID: 26136358 PMCID: PMC4568952 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide recombination is essential for genome stability, evolution, and speciation. Mouse Tex11, an X-linked meiosis-specific gene, promotes meiotic recombination and chromosomal synapsis. Here, we report that TEX11 is mutated in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and that an analogous mutation in the mouse impairs meiosis. Genetic screening of a large cohort of idiopathic infertile men reveals that TEX11 mutations, including frameshift and splicing acceptor site mutations, cause infertility in 1% of azoospermic men. Functional evaluation of three analogous human TEX11 missense mutations in transgenic mouse models identified one mutation (V748A) as a potential infertility allele and found two mutations non-causative. In the mouse model, an intronless autosomal Tex11 transgene functionally substitutes for the X-linked Tex11 gene, providing genetic evidence for the X-to-autosomal retrotransposition evolution phenomenon. Furthermore, we find that TEX11 protein levels modulate genome-wide recombination rates in both sexes. These studies indicate that TEX11 alleles affecting expression level or substituting single amino acids may contribute to variations in recombination rates between sexes and among individuals in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sherman Silber
- Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert D Oates
- Department of Urology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janet D Marszalek
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Helen Skaletsky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura G Brown
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steve Rozen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA Duke-Nus Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - David C Page
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - P Jeremy Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Mulder CL, Zheng Y, Jan SZ, Struijk RB, Repping S, Hamer G, van Pelt AMM. Spermatogonial stem cell autotransplantation and germline genomic editing: a future cure for spermatogenic failure and prevention of transmission of genomic diseases. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 22:561-73. [PMID: 27240817 PMCID: PMC5001497 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subfertility affects approximately 15% of all couples, and a severe male factor is identified in 17% of these couples. While the etiology of a severe male factor remains largely unknown, prior gonadotoxic treatment and genomic aberrations have been associated with this type of subfertility. Couples with a severe male factor can resort to ICSI, with either ejaculated spermatozoa (in case of oligozoospermia) or surgically retrieved testicular spermatozoa (in case of azoospermia) to generate their own biological children. Currently there is no direct treatment for azoospermia or oligozoospermia. Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) autotransplantation (SSCT) is a promising novel clinical application currently under development to restore fertility in sterile childhood cancer survivors. Meanwhile, recent advances in genomic editing, especially the clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system, are likely to enable genomic rectification of human SSCs in the near future. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The objective of this review is to provide insights into the prospects of the potential clinical application of SSCT with or without genomic editing to cure spermatogenic failure and to prevent transmission of genetic diseases. SEARCH METHODS We performed a narrative review using the literature available on PubMed not restricted to any publishing year on topics of subfertility, fertility treatments, (molecular regulation of) spermatogenesis and SSCT, inherited (genetic) disorders, prenatal screening methods, genomic editing and germline editing. For germline editing, we focussed on the novel CRISPR-Cas9 system. We included papers written in English only. OUTCOMES Current techniques allow propagation of human SSCs in vitro, which is indispensable to successful transplantation. This technique is currently being developed in a preclinical setting for childhood cancer survivors who have stored a testis biopsy prior to cancer treatment. Similarly, SSCT could be used to restore fertility in sterile adult cancer survivors. In vitro propagation of SSCs might also be employed to enhance spermatogenesis in oligozoospermic men and in azoospermic men who still have functional SSCs albeit in insufficient numbers. The combination of SSCT with genomic editing techniques could potentially rectify defects in spermatogenesis caused by genomic mutations or, more broadly, prevent transmission of genomic diseases to the offspring. In spite of the promising prospects, SSCT and germline genomic editing are not yet clinically applicable and both techniques require optimization at various levels. WIDER IMPLICATIONS SSCT with or without genomic editing could potentially be used to restore fertility in cancer survivors to treat couples with a severe male factor and to prevent the paternal transmission of diseases. This will potentially allow these couples to have their own biological children. Technical development is progressing rapidly, and ethical reflection and societal debate on the use of SSCT with or without genomic editing is pressing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callista L Mulder
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yi Zheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Z Jan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert B Struijk
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Hamer
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Yeh CH, Kuo PL, Wang YY, Wu YY, Chen MF, Lin DY, Lai TH, Chiang HS, Lin YH. SEPT12/SPAG4/LAMINB1 complexes are required for maintaining the integrity of the nuclear envelope in postmeiotic male germ cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120722. [PMID: 25775403 PMCID: PMC4361620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility affects approximately 50% of all infertile couples. The male-related causes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection failure include the absence of sperm, immotile or immature sperm, and sperm with structural defects such as those caused by premature chromosomal condensation and DNA damage. Our previous studies based on a knockout mice model indicated that SEPT12 proteins are critical for the terminal morphological formation of sperm. SEPT12 mutations in men result in teratozospermia and oligozospermia. In addition, the spermatozoa exhibit morphological defects of the head and tail, premature chromosomal condensation, and nuclear damage. However, the molecular functions of SEPT12 during spermatogenesis remain unclear. To determine the molecular functions of SEPT12, we applied a yeast 2-hybrid system to identify SEPT12 interactors. Seven proteins that interact with SEPT12 were identified: SEPT family proteins (SEPT4 and SEPT6), nuclear or nuclear membrane proteins (protamine 2, sperm-associated antigen 4, and NDC1 transmembrane nucleoproine), and sperm-related structural proteins (pericentriolar material 1 and obscurin-like 1). Sperm-associated antigen 4 (SPAG4; also known as SUN4) belongs to the SUN family of proteins and acts as a linker protein between nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton proteins and localizes in the nuclear membrane. We determined that SEPT12 interacts with SPAG4 in a male germ cell line through coimmunoprecipitation. During human spermiogenesis, SEPT12 is colocalized with SPAG4 near the nuclear periphery in round spermatids and in the centrosome region in elongating spermatids. Furthermore, we observed that SEPT12/SPAG4/LAMINB1 formed complexes and were coexpressed in the nuclear periphery of round spermatids. In addition, mutated SEPT12, which was screened from an infertile man, affected the integration of these nuclear envelope complexes through coimmunoprecipitation. This was the first study that suggested that SEPT proteins link to the SUN/LAMIN complexes during the formation of nuclear envelopes and are involved in the development of postmeiotic germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Hsin Yeh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Yun Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Yu Wu
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, College of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Feng Chen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Ding-Yen Lin
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biosignal Transduction, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsuan Lai
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Zhongli City, Taoyuan County, Taiwan
| | - Han-Sun Chiang
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, College of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, College of Medicine, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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van Wely M, Barbey N, Meissner A, Repping S, Silber SJ. Live birth rates after MESA or TESE in men with obstructive azoospermia: is there a difference? Hum Reprod 2015; 30:761-6. [PMID: 25740877 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dev032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How do live birth rates compare after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for men with obstructive azoospermia when using sperm derived from testicular sperm extraction (TESE) versus microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our study suggests that proximal epididymal sperm (from MESA) result in higher live birth rates as compared with testicular sperm (from TESE) in couples where the man has obstructive azoospermia due to congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) or vasectomy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY For couples with obstructive azoospermia, MESA (epididymal sperm) and TESE (testicular sperm) have generally been assumed to be equivalent for use in ICSI. But this assumption has never been confirmed, and this view has important clinical and basic scientific consequences. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a retrospective study of a consecutive cohort of 374 men with obstructive azoospermia and normal spermatogenesis, who underwent IVF and ICSI using either epididymal sperm or testicular sperm in the period 2000-2009. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study included men undergoing MESA or TESE at St. Luke's Hospital for obstructive azoospermia due to CBAVD or vasectomy. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 280 couples underwent MESA and 94 underwent TESE with ICSI. The live birth rate was 39% after MESA-ICSI and 24% after TESE-ICSI. The MESA-ICSI cycles also resulted in a significantly higher implantation rate and significantly higher clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates than the TESE-ICSI cycles. There was no significant difference in results between fresh or frozen sperm for both MESA and TESE. When adjusted for the available confounders, the odds ratio for live birth was significantly in favour of MESA-ICSI versus TESE-ICSI (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.05-3.67). The only significant confounders were female age and ovarian reserve. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a retrospective cohort study and not a randomized clinical trial. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study suggests that some aspect of sperm maturation after the sperm leaves the testicle to enter the epididymis is required for the most optimal results, even when ICSI is used for fertilization. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS No funding was used and there are no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon van Wely
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Barbey
- Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63017, USA
| | - Andreas Meissner
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sherman J Silber
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63017, USA
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11
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Scientific molecular basis for treatment of reproductive failure in the human: An insight into the future. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1822:1981-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Revised: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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12
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Lin YH, Kuo YC, Chiang HS, Kuo PL. The role of the septin family in spermiogenesis. SPERMATOGENESIS 2011; 1:298-302. [PMID: 22332113 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.1.4.18326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
SEPTINS (FULL NAME: Septin; symbol name: SEPT) belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, including membrane compartmentalization, vesicle trafficking, mitosis and cytoskeletal remodeling. Two of the 14 family members in the mammalian species, Septin12 and 14 are expressed specifically in the testis. In the mouse, knockout of Septin4 and Septin12 leads to male sterility with distinctive sperm pathology (defective annulus or bent neck). In humans, sperm with abnormal expression patterns of SEPT4, 7 and 12 are more prevalent in infertile men. How septin filament is assembled/dissembled and how the SEPT-related complex regulates spermatogenesis still await further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine; Fu Jen Catholic University; Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Ketefian A, Hu J, Bartolucci AA, Schlegel PN, Azziz R. Fifteen-year trend in the use of male reproductive surgery: analysis of the healthcare cost and utilization project data. BJU Int 2011; 107:1118-23. [PMID: 21438976 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2010.09632.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE • To determine trends in male reproductive surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS • A database analysis was performed using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project databases from 1988, 1992 and 1998-2002. SAS statistical software was used to estimate the total numbers of reproductive surgeries and their variances for each year. RESULTS • The number of male reproductive surgeries has declined during the period of study, both in the inpatient and outpatient arenas. The number of procedures with a diagnosis of infertility has also declined. CONCLUSION • The number of male reproductive surgeries has declined from 1988 to 2002.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Ketefian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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14
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Silber SJ. Sperm retrieval for azoospermia and intracytoplasmic sperm injection success rates--a personal overview. HUM FERTIL 2011; 13:247-56. [PMID: 21117935 DOI: 10.3109/14647273.2010.534529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
It is often questioned whether sperm parameters, including whether retrieved or ejaculated, have any effect on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) results. Do severe spermatogenic defects affect embryo quality or pregnancy rate? Further, does it matter in azoospermic patients whether the sperm source is testicular or epididymal? Our studies show there is no significant difference in results with ICSI related to any sperm count parameters either with patient's sperm or even with donor sperm. No matter how poor the sperm count, there was no difference from patients with high sperm counts nor even patients using donor sperm. There is no significant difference between results with epididymal sperm, either fresh or frozen, in comparison to results with ejaculated or donor sperm. However, both pregnancy rate and delivery rate were considerably lower with testicular sperm (testis sperm extraction) than with epididymal sperm (microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration). This was true for overall results as well as in each category of the female partner's age. It is obvious that in all these cycles the female partner's age was the most important determinant of delivery rate, but testicular sperm always yielded lower results than epididymal sperm. These results show that it is the origin of the sperm rather than the spermatogenic defect that determines success rate with ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherman J Silber
- Infertility Center of St Louis, St Luke's Hospital, St Louis, USA.
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15
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van der Steeg JW, Steures P, Eijkemans MJ, F. Habbema JD, Hompes PG, Kremer JA, van der Leeuw-Harmsen L, Bossuyt PM, Repping S, Silber SJ, Mol BW, van der Veen F. Role of semen analysis in subfertile couples. Fertil Steril 2011; 95:1013-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Lin YH, Lin YM, Kuo YC, Wang YY, Kuo PL. Identification and characterization of a novel Rab GTPase-activating protein in spermatids. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 34:e358-67. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01126.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Lin YH, Lin YM, Wang YY, Yu IS, Lin YW, Wang YH, Wu CM, Pan HA, Chao SC, Yen PH, Lin SW, Kuo PL. The expression level of septin12 is critical for spermiogenesis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2009; 174:1857-68. [PMID: 19359518 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.080955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Septins belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and cytoskeletal remodeling. One family member, septin12, is expressed specifically in the testis. In this study, we found septin12 expressed in multiple subcellular compartments during terminal differentiation of mouse germ cells. In humans, the testicular tissues of men with either hypospermatogenesis or maturation arrest had lower levels of SEPTIN12 transcripts than normal men. In addition, increased numbers of spermatozoa with abnormal head, neck, and tail morphologies lacked SEPT12 immunostaining signals, as compared with normal spermatozoa. To elucidate the role of septin12, we generated 129 embryonic stem cells containing a septin12 mutant allele with a deletion in the exons that encode the N-terminal GTP-binding domain. Most chimeras derived from the targeted embryonic stem cells were infertile, and the few fertile chimeras only produced offspring with a C57BL/6 background. Semen analysis of the infertile chimeras showed a decreased sperm count, decreased sperm motility, and spermatozoa with defects involving all subcellular compartments. The testicular phenotypes included maturation arrest of germ cells at the spermatid stage, sloughing of round spermatids, and increased apoptosis of germ cells. Electron microscopic examination of spermatozoa showed misshapen nuclei, disorganized mitochondria, and broken acrosomes. Our data indicate that Septin12 expression levels are critical for mammalian spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan
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18
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Frayman KB, Cerritelli B, Wilson J, Sawyer SM. Reproductive and sexual health in boys with cystic fibrosis: what do parents know and say? Pediatr Pulmonol 2008; 43:1107-1116. [PMID: 18972412 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.20911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Improved life expectancy in cystic fibrosis (CF) alters the significance of developmentally relevant aspects such as sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Men with CF report parents are an important source of information about infertility, but parent perspectives remain unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically explore parents' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding the SRH education of their sons. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible participants were parents of boys with CF aged at least 6 years who completed a 61-item written questionnaire that was developed to measure parent knowledge and education about CF-specific aspects of SRH, and parent attitudes and behaviors about the CF-specific sexuality education of their sons. RESULTS Eighty-four mothers (82%) and 64 fathers (70%) completed the questionnaire. All but one knew of probable infertility, being primarily informed at the time of diagnosis. Since then, 19% of parents reported subsequent discussions of SRH with their son's CF specialist, mostly initiated by parents. Adolescence was considered the most appropriate time for the initial education of boys. Sixty percent of parents worried how their sons would react. Ninety-five percent of parents said that they (alone or together with the CF specialist) should first inform their sons of probable infertility. Only 30% of parents were satisfied with their current knowledge. CONCLUSION These parents are well informed about male infertility in CF. However, they have had little opportunity for subsequent discussion of SRH with health professionals since their son's diagnosis. As boys mature, subsequent SRH discussions by health professionals with parents are indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Frayman
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Cerritelli
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - John Wilson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan M Sawyer
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia.,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Cavallini G, Crippa A, Magli MC, Cavallini N, Ferraretti AP, Gianaroli L. A Study to Sustain the Hypothesis of the Multiple Genesis of Oligoasthenoteratospermia in Human Idiopathic Infertile Males. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:667-73. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.067330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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20
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Lin YH, Lin YM, Teng YN, Hsieh TYT, Lin YS, Kuo PL. Identification of ten novel genes involved in human spermatogenesis by microarray analysis of testicular tissue. Fertil Steril 2006; 86:1650-8. [PMID: 17074343 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2005] [Revised: 04/18/2006] [Accepted: 08/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify novel genes that are down-regulated in the testicular tissue of infertile men. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING University-based reproductive clinics and genetics laboratory. PATIENTS Nine patients with normal spermatogenesis, and 15 patients with maturation arrest (MA) or Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS). INTERVENTION Testicular samples of patients with the same histology were pooled for complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Novel, down-regulated genes. RESULTS In total, 300 genes were significantly down-regulated in SCOS or MA samples, and 10 novel sterility-related genes were identified. Of the 10 novel genes, 6 genes (Hs.126780, Hs.553658, Hs.274135, Hs.268122, Hs.531701, and Hs.171130) encode proteins with predictable functional domains, and all these functional domains are believed to correlate with spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis. Conversely, the other 4 genes (Hs.351582, Hs.407480, Hs.552781, and Hs.355570) do not encompass known functional domains. Two genes (Hs.407480 and Hs.552781) lack mouse orthologues. Most novel genes showed a testis-specific expression pattern in both mice and humans. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed three distinct types of developmental stage-dependent expressions of message ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for these novel genes in murine testes. CONCLUSION These 10 novel genes provide targets to elucidate novel pathways involved in human spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hung Lin
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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21
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Abstract
Idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT) affects approximately 30% of all infertile men. This mini-review discussed recent data in this field. Age, non-inflammatory functional alterations in post-testicular organs, infective agents (Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes virus and adeno-associated viruses), alterations in gamete genome, mitochondrial alterations, environmental pollutants and "subtle" hormonal alterations are all considered possible causes of iOAT. Increase of reactive oxygen species in tubules and in seminal plasma and of apoptosis are reputed to affect sperm concentration, motility and morphology. iOAT is commonly diagnosed by exclusion, nevertheless spectral traces of the main testicular artery may be used as a diagnostic tool for iOAT. The following can be considered therapies for iOAT: 1) tamoxifen citrate (20 mg/d) + testosterone undecanoate (120 mg/d) (pregnancy rate per couple/month [prcm]: 3.8%); 2) folic acid (66 mg/d) + zinc sulfate (5 mg/d); 3) L-carnitine (2 g/d) alone or in combination with acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d) (prcm: 2.3%); and 4) both carnitines = one 30 mg cinnoxicam suppository every 4 days (prcm: 8.5%). Alpha-blocking drugs improved sperm concentration but not morphology, motility or pregnancy rate. Tranilast (300 mg/d) increased sperm parameters and pregnancy rates in an initial uncontrolled study. Its efficacy on sperm concentration (but not on sperm motility, morphology or prcm) was confirmed in subsequent published reports. The efficacy of tamoxifen + testosterone undecanoate, tamoxifen alone, and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone is still a matter for discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Cavallini
- Operative Unit of Andrology, Società Italiana di Medicina della Riproduzione, Via Mazzini 12, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
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22
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Silber SJ, Grotjan HE. Microscopic vasectomy reversal 30 years later: a summary of 4010 cases by the same surgeon. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 25:845-59. [PMID: 15477352 DOI: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2004.tb03150.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sherman J Silber
- Infertility Center of St Louis, St Luke's Hospital, 224 South Woods Mill Rd, Suite 730, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA.
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23
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Gianaroli L, Magli MC, Cavallini G, Crippa A, Nadalini M, Bernardini L, Menchini Fabris GF, Voliani S, Ferraretti AP. Frequency of aneuploidy in sperm from patients with extremely severe male factor infertility. Hum Reprod 2005; 20:2140-52. [PMID: 15845594 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dei033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A protocol for the chromosomal analysis of sperm samples with a severely reduced number of sperm cells was designed. METHODS A severe male factor condition was the main cause of infertility for 38 couples: 27 were oligoasthenoteratospermic (OAT) and 11 with non-obstructive azoospermia underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE). A two-round fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol was performed with probes specific for the chromosomes X, Y, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21 and 22. The recording of the position of each sperm cell at the microscope allowed diagnosis of each spermatozoon for the nine tested chromosomes. RESULTS A mean number of 122+/-78.5 sperm were diagnosed per patient with an incidence of total abnormalities corresponding to 13.4%. chi2-tests for the observed frequencies and goodness-of-fit test were highly significant in all cases. A significantly higher proportion of total aneuploidy was detected in 79% of the tested samples compared to the normal population. Testicular sperm were significantly more prone to aneuploidy than ejaculated sperm. CONCLUSIONS The designed FISH protocol for the analysis of severe OAT and TESE sperm samples is reliable, implying that the studied sample is representative of the original population. In view of the high incidence of aneuploidy in most severe OAT and TESE sperm, the FISH analysis of pathological sperm samples can be routinely performed in order to estimate the chances of the paternal contribution to aneuploidy in the resulting embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gianaroli
- S.I.S.Me.R. Reproductive Medicine Unit, via Mazzini 12, 40138 Bologna, Dept Ob/Gyn, S. Martino Hospital, University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
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Abstract
In this issue we make a review of our experience in the management of the sterile men: protocols used for the study of men's sterility, causes and specific treatments, surgical recovery of spermatozoa and screening before IVF or IVF-ICSI. We concluded that with an adequate protocol, it's possible to establish the aetiology of men's infertility in a 78.8% of the cases and it's also possible to initiate a specific treatment in almost a 47.8% of men. Results of specific treatment, with a previous selection of patients, could be better than those of assisted reproduction techniques. Best results are obtained in cases of vaso-vasostomy (vasectomy reversal) and obstruction of ejaculatory duct. It's also needed a study of genetics causes and bad prognostic circumstances in those men whose partner is going on with an IVF or IVF-ICSI cycle.
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Andrade-Rocha FT. Semen analysis in laboratory practice: an overview of routine tests. J Clin Lab Anal 2004; 17:247-58. [PMID: 14614749 PMCID: PMC6807815 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.10105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen analysis is a basic step in the investigation of several disturbances affecting the male genital tract. Analysis of seminal parameters provides important clinical information on the spermatogenesis and functional competence of spermatozoa, as well as on the secretory pattern of the accessory genital glands. Semen analysis is particularly useful in the evaluation of couples requiring fertility investigation (to detect genital infections and pathologies) and in verifying the influence of environmental factors, drugs, lifestyle, chemical products, and professional activities on several diseases affecting male reproductive health. Measure of semen quality is of substantial interest for diagnoses in clinical urology, andrology, and gynecology. Currently, basic requirements for semen analysis are standardized by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines that describe several procedures for an objective evaluation of the semen quality with diagnostic purposes. These guidelines include: parameters for the physical and biochemical evaluation of semen; parameters for the analysis of sperm characteristics; and other seminal parameters that can be easily adopted in any laboratory. This report summarizes current concepts on semen analysis and the significance of the seminal parameters for reaching a diagnosis based on the procedures recommended by WHO guidelines.
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Biagiotti G, Cavallini G, Modenini F, Vitali G, Gianaroli L. Spermatogenesis and spectral echo-colour Doppler traces from the main testicular artery. BJU Int 2002; 90:903-8. [PMID: 12460354 DOI: 10.1046/j.1464-410x.2002.03033.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI) of testicular arteries may be useful in distinguishing the various causes of dyspermia when compared with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testicular volume. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included nine men with obstructive and 20 with unobstruc-tive azoospermia, 17 with oligoasthenospermia and clinical varicoceles, with male accessory glans inflammation (MAGI), 38 with undetermined oligoasthenospermia, 19 with MAGI, 11 with clinical varicoceles, 32 subjects with normal sperm analysis and recent paternity (fertile controls), and 15 with normal sperm analysis and a varicocele with recent paternity (fertile + varicoceles). Testicular volume, FSH, PSV, EDV and RI were compared among the dyspermic and/or control groups using analysis of variance. RESULTS The PSV and RI were useful for identifying the different groups of patients, while EDV, FSH and testicular volume were not. Men with varicoceles, varicoceles + MAGI or fertile with varicoceles had the highest PSV and RI; fertile controls, those with obstructive azoospermia and MAGI had similar PSVs and RIs, those with unexplained oligoasthenospermia had a significantly lower PSV and RI, and men with unobstructive azoospermia had the lowest PSV and RI. CONCLUSIONS The RI and PSV are reliable indicators for routine clinical use to identify infertile/dyspermic men, while EDV, FSH and testicular volume are not. The RI and especially PSV clearly differentiated obstructive from unobstructive azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Biagiotti
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Società Italiana Studi di MEdicina della Riproduzione (SISMER), Bologna, Italy
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27
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Kanatsu-Shinohara M, Ogura A, Ikegawa M, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Tashiro K, Toyokuni S, Honjo T, Shinohara T. Adenovirus-mediated gene delivery and in vitro microinsemination produce offspring from infertile male mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:1383-8. [PMID: 11818536 PMCID: PMC122199 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.022646399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells play a pivotal role in spermatogenesis through their interactions with germ cells. To set up a strategy for treating male infertility caused by Sertoli cell dysfunction, we developed a Sertoli cell gene transfer system by using an adenovirus vector, which maintained long-term transgene expression in the testes of infertile mice. Introduction of an adenovirus carrying the mouse Steel (Sl) gene into Sertoli cells restored partial spermatogenesis in infertile Steel/Steel(dickie) (Sl/Sl(d)) mutant mouse testes. Although these males remained infertile, round spermatids and spermatozoa from the testes produced normal fertile offspring after intracytoplasmic injection into oocytes. None of the offspring showed evidence of germ line transmission of adenoviral DNA. Thus, we demonstrate a successful treatment for infertility by using a gene therapy vector. Therefore, adenovirus-mediated gene delivery into Sertoli cells not only provides an efficient and convenient means for studying germ cell-Sertoli cell interactions through manipulation of the germ cell microenvironment in vivo, but also is a useful method to treat male infertility resulting from a Sertoli cell defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Plant TM, Marshall GR. The functional significance of FSH in spermatogenesis and the control of its secretion in male primates. Endocr Rev 2001; 22:764-86. [PMID: 11739331 DOI: 10.1210/edrv.22.6.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to provide an integrative analysis of the role of FSH in the control of testicular function in higher primates, including man. Attention is focused on the action of FSH during neonatal development, puberty, and adulthood. Whether FSH is the major determinant of the adult complement of Sertoli cells and whether FSH is obligatory for the initiation, maintenance, and restoration of spermatogenesis is evaluated. The mechanism whereby the circulating concentration of FSH regulates spermatogonial proliferation to dictate the sperm production rate under physiological conditions in the adult is discussed in detail. Inhibin B is the major component of the testicular negative feedback signal governing FSH beta gene expression and FSH secretion, and the evidence for this view is presented. The review concludes with the presentation of a model for the operation of the FSH-inhibin B feedback control system regulating sperm production postpubertally in monkey and man, and with speculation on issues of clinical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Plant
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. plant1+@pitt.edu
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