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Jiang H, Huang CJ. Aberrant protamination in sperm correlates to anomalous nuclear and cytoplasmic architectures in infertile males with sperm dysmorphology. Asian J Androl 2023; 26:00129336-990000000-00136. [PMID: 37921517 PMCID: PMC10919428 DOI: 10.4103/aja202360] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant sperm protamination is linked to sperm dysmorphology and nuclear chromatin condensation. Yet, its effects on sperm cytoplasmic maturation remain largely unexplored. The relationships of protamines, sperm morphology, DNA damage, and cytoplasmic remodeling were illustrated in this study to provide fresh perspectives on the mechanisms of male infertility. A total of 205 infertile males were allocated into 5 groups according to the percentage of spermatozoa exhibiting abnormal morphology within their samples. Sperm concentration, motility, abnormal sperm morphology, cytoplasmic droplets (CDs), and excess residual cytoplasm (ERC) were analyzed according to the World Health Organization manual (2010). Sperm nuclear vacuoles (NVs) were determined by propidium iodide (PI) staining. Sperm protamine expressions (P1 and P2) were detected by western blot. DNA damage was measured by acridine orange test (AOT) to calculate the proportion of sperm with single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs). Our data showed that sperm concentration and motility in infertile males significantly decreased with the severity of abnormal sperm morphology (both P < 0.01). P1 level, P1/P2 ratio, and SSB rate increased with the severity of sperm dysmorphology, whilst the P2 level decreased (all P < 0.01). NVs, CDs, and ERC were more common in males with sperm dysmorphology and positively correlated with the SSB rate (all P < 0.01). The relationships between the SSB rate and the P1/P2 ratio were also significant (P < 0.01). Aberrant protamination may cause sperm dysmorphology and compromise male fertility by impairing sperm's nucleus and cytoplasm maturation, with the P1/P2 ratio potentially serving as a valuable indicator of sperm quality and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Jiang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City (Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College), Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Chu-Jie Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Immunology, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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2
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Magnetic bead-based separation of sperm cells from semen-vaginal fluid mixed stains using an anti-ACRBP antibody. Int J Legal Med 2023; 137:511-518. [PMID: 36418581 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02917-8] [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: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Forensic DNA analysis of semen-vaginal fluid mixed stains is essential and necessary in sexual assault cases. Here, we used a magnetic bead conjugated acrosin binding protein (ACRBP) antibody to separate and enrich sperm cells from mixed stains. Previously, western blotting indicated that ACRBP was specifically expressed in sperm cells, but not in female blood and epithelial cells, while immunofluorescence data showed ACRBP was localized to the acrosome in sperm cells. In our study, sperm were separated from mixed samples at three sperm cell/female buccal epithelial cell ratios (103:103; 103:104; and 103:105) using a magnetic bead conjugated ACRBP antibody. Subsequently, 23 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci were amplified using the Huaxia™ Platinum PCR Amplification System and genotyped using capillary electrophoresis. The genotyping success rate for STR loci was 90% when the sperm to female buccal epithelial cell ratio was > 1:100 in mixed samples. Our results suggest that the magnetic bead conjugated ACRBP antibody is effective for isolating sperm cells in sexual assault cases.
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Ribas-Maynou J, Novo S, Salas-Huetos A, Rovira S, Antich M, Yeste M. Condensation and protamination of sperm chromatin affect ICSI outcomes when gametes from healthy individuals are used. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:371-386. [PMID: 36539233 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac261] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do defects in sperm chromatin protamination and condensation have an impact on ICSI outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER Sperm protamination is related to fertilization rates in healthy donors, and the in vitro capacity of sperm to condense their chromatin is linked to blastocyst rates, both associations being more apparent in women <33 years of age. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous data on how sperm chromatin damage affects ICSI outcomes are inconsistent. Revealing which sperm factors influence embryo development is necessary to understand the male contribution to ICSI success and to develop novel sperm selection techniques or male-based treatments. Sperm chromatin is mainly condensed in protamines, which are cross-linked through disulphide bridges. This study aimed to determine whether sperm protamination and the integrity of disulphide bonds (condensation) are related to embryo development after ICSI. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The design was a retrospective study with a blind analysis of sperm chromatin. Gametes were divided into two groups: double donation (DD) cohort and single donation (SD) cohort. Samples from 45 semen donors used in 55 ICSI cycles with oocyte donors (age range 19-33 years), generating 491 embryos, were included in the DD cohort. The SD cohort consisted of samples from 34 semen donors used in 41 ICSI cycles with oocytes from healthy females (single-parent families or lesbian couples, age range 20-44 years), generating a total of 378 embryos. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS Donor sperm samples from DD and SD cohorts were used for standard ICSI, and embryo development was observed by time-lapse imaging. The incidence of thiol reduction (dibromobimane, DBB) and the degree of chromatin protamination (chromomycin A3, CMA3, indicating non-protaminated regions) in sperm were determined by flow cytometry at 0 and 4 h post-thawing. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Percentages ± standard deviation of CMA3 were 21.08 ± 9.09 and 35.01 ± 14.68 at 0 and 4 h post-thawing, respectively, in the DD cohort and 22.57 ± 9.48 and 35.79 ± 12.58, at 0 and 4 h post-thawing, respectively, in the SD cohort. Percentages of DBB+ were 16.57 ± 11.10 and 10.51 ± 8.40 at 0 and 4 h post-thawing (P < 0.0001), respectively, in the DD cohort and 17.98 ± 10.19 and 12.72 ± 8.76 at 0 and 4 h post-thawing (P < 0.0001), respectively, in the SD cohort. Female age correlated with fertilization rates, and the relation between sperm chromatin and embryo development was determined through multiple linear regression. While CMA3 was associated with fertilization rates, with no influence of female age, in the DD cohort (β1 = -1.036, P < 0.001 for CMA3; β2 = 0.667, P = 0.304 for female age), this was not observed in the SD cohort, where female age had a significant effect, masking the effects of CMA3 (β1 = -0.066, P = 0.804 for CMA3; β 2 = -1.451, P = 0.003 for female age). The in vitro capacity of sperm to condense their chromatin after 4 h of incubation was associated with blastocyst rates, independent of female age (DD cohort: β1 = -0.238, P = 0.008 for %DBB+ variation; β2 = 0.404, P = 0.638 for female age; SD cohort: β1 = -0.278, P = 0.010 for %DBB+ variation; β2 = -0.292, P = 0.594 for female age). The in vitro capacity of sperm to condense their chromatin was also related to the time required for the embryo to reach blastocyst stage in the DD cohort (P = 0.007). Finally, multiple logistic regression showed that both chromatin protamination and condensation, together with the age of the oocyte donors and the embryo recipients, had an impact on pregnancy achievement (P < 0.01) and on live birth rates (P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The main limitation was the restrictive selection of couples, which led to a relatively small sample size and could influence the observed outcomes. For this reason, and to reduce Type I error, the level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.01. On the other hand, the use of cryopreserved samples could also be a limitation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This research demonstrated that protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin are related to embryo development after ICSI, but female age could be a confounding factor when oocytes from older females are used. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation scheme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 801342 (Tecniospring INDUSTRY; TECSPR-19-1-0003); La Marató de TV3 Foundation (214/857-202039); the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (IJC2019-039615-I); the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants, Regional Government of Catalonia, Spain (2017-SGR-1229); and the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Spain (ICREA). The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Novo
- Fertilab-Institut Catala de Fertilitat SL, Barcelona, Spain.,Fertibank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sergi Rovira
- Fertilab-Institut Catala de Fertilitat SL, Barcelona, Spain.,Fertibank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Antich
- Fertilab-Institut Catala de Fertilitat SL, Barcelona, Spain.,Fertibank, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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Ribas-Maynou J, Delgado-Bermúdez A, Mateo-Otero Y, Viñolas E, Hidalgo CO, Ward WS, Yeste M. Determination of double- and single-stranded DNA breaks in bovine sperm is predictive of their fertilizing capacity. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:105. [PMID: 36114517 PMCID: PMC9482281 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00754-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The analysis of chromatin integrity has become an important determinant of sperm quality. In frozen-thawed bovine sperm, neither the sequence of post-thaw injury events nor the dynamics of different types of sperm DNA breaks are well understood. The aim of the present work was to describe such sperm degradation aftermath focusing on DNA damage dynamics, and to assess if this parameter can predict pregnancy rates in cattle. RESULTS A total of 75 cryopreserved ejaculates from 25 Holstein bulls were evaluated at two post-thawing periods (0-2 h and 2-4 h), analyzing global and double-stranded DNA damage through alkaline and neutral Comet assays, chromatin deprotamination and decondensation, sperm motility, viability, acrosomal status, and intracellular levels of total ROS, superoxides and calcium. Insemination of 59,605 females was conducted using sperm from the same bulls, thus obtaining the non-return to estrus rates after 90 d (NRR). Results showed an increased rate of double-stranded breaks in the first period (0-2 h: 1.29 ± 1.01%/h vs. 2-4 h: 0.13 ± 1.37%/h; P < 0.01), whereas the rate of sperm with moderate + high single-stranded breaks was higher in the second period (0-2 h: 3.52 ± 7.77 %/h vs. 2-4h: 21.06 ± 11.69 %/h; P < 0.0001). Regarding sperm physiology, viability decrease rate was different between the two periods (0-2 h: - 4.49 ± 1.79%/h vs. 2-4 h: - 2.50 ± 3.39%/h; P = 0.032), but the progressive motility decrease rate was constant throughout post-thawing incubation (0-2 h: - 4.70 ± 3.42%/h vs. 2-4 h: - 1.89 ± 2.97%/h; P > 0.05). Finally, whereas no correlations between bull fertility and any dynamic parameter were found, there were correlations between the NRR and the basal percentage of highly-damaged sperm assessed with the alkaline Comet (Rs = - 0.563, P = 0.003), between NRR and basal progressive motility (Rs = 0.511, P = 0.009), and between NRR and sperm with high ROS at 4 h post-thaw (Rs = 0.564, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The statistically significant correlations found between intracellular ROS, sperm viability, sperm motility, DNA damage and chromatin deprotamination suggested a sequence of events all driven by oxidative stress, where viability and motility would be affected first and sperm chromatin would be altered at a later stage, thus suggesting that bovine sperm should be used for fertilization within 2 h post-thaw. Fertility correlations supported that the assessment of global DNA damage through the Comet assay may help predict bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain. .,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain. .,Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
| | - Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Estel Viñolas
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Carlos O Hidalgo
- Department of Animal Selection and Reproduction, The Regional Agri-Food Research and Development Service of Asturias (SERIDA), ES-33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - W Steven Ward
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), ES-08010, Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Rezaei-Gazik M, Vargas A, Amiri-Yekta A, Vitte AL, Akbari A, Barral S, Esmaeili V, Chuffart F, Sadighi-Gilani MA, Couté Y, Eftekhari-Yazdi P, Khochbin S, Rousseaux S, Totonchi M. Direct visualization of pre-protamine 2 detects protamine assembly failures and predicts ICSI success. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6527641. [PMID: 35150275 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone-to-protamine transition is an essential step in the generation of fully functional spermatozoa in various mammalian species. In human and mouse, one of the two protamine-encoding genes produces a precursor pre-protamine 2 (pre-PRM2) protein, which is then processed and assembled. Here we design an original approach based on the generation of pre-PRM2-specific antibodies to visualize the unprocessed pre-PRM2 by microscopy, flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Using mouse models with characterized failures in histone-to-protamine replacement, we show that pre-Prm2 retention is tightly linked to nucleosome disassembly. Additionally, in elongating/condensing spermatids, we observe that pre-Prm2 and transition protein are co-expressed spatiotemporally, and their physical interaction suggests that these proteins act simultaneously rather than successively during histone replacement. By using our anti-human pre-PRM2 antibody we also measured pre-PRM2 retention rates in the spermatozoa from 49 men of a series of infertile couples undergoing ICSI, which shed new light on the debated relation between pre-PRM2 retention and sperm parameters. Finally, by monitoring 2-pronuclei (2PN) embryo formation following ICSI, we evaluated the fertilization ability of the sperm in these 49 patients. Our results suggest that the extent of pre-PRM2 retention in sperm, rather than pre-PRM2 accumulation per se, is associated with fertilization failure. Hence, anti-pre-PRM2/pre-Prm2 antibodies are valuable tools which could be used in routine monitoring of sperm parameters in fertility clinics, as well as in experimental research programmes to better understand the obscure process of histone-to-protamine transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Rezaei-Gazik
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alexandra Vargas
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Amir Amiri-Yekta
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Anne-Laure Vitte
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Arvand Akbari
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sophie Barral
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Vahid Esmaeili
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Florent Chuffart
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi-Gilani
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yohann Couté
- Université Grenoble Alpes; Inserm, CEA, UMR BioSanté U1292, CNRS CEA FR2048, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Poopak Eftekhari-Yazdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saadi Khochbin
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Sophie Rousseaux
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, 38700, France
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Abstract
Sperm nuclei present a highly organized and condensed chromatin due to the interchange of histones by protamines during spermiogenesis. This high DNA condensation leads to almost inert chromatin, with the impossibility of conducting gene transcription as in most other somatic cells. The major chromosomal structure responsible for DNA condensation is the formation of protamine-DNA toroids containing 25-50 kilobases of DNA. These toroids are connected by toroid linker regions (TLR), which attach them to the nuclear matrix, as matrix attachment regions (MAR) do in somatic cells. Despite this high degree of condensation, evidence shows that sperm chromatin contains vulnerable elements that can be degraded even in fully condensed chromatin, which may correspond to chromatin regions that transfer functionality to the zygote at fertilization. This chapter covers an updated review of our model for sperm chromatin structure and its potential functional elements that affect embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Hieu Nguyen
- Department Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Hongwen Wu
- Department Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - W. Steven Ward
- Department Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
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7
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Bucak MN, Keskin N, Bodu M, Bülbül B, Kırbaş M, Öztürk AE, Frootan F, İli P, Özkan H, Başpınar N, Dursun Ş. Combination of trehalose and low boron in presence of decreased glycerol improves post-thawed ram sperm parameters: A model study in boron research. Andrology 2021; 10:585-594. [PMID: 34779585 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm cryopreservation has been widely used in the field of reproductive biotechnology. It applies to certain males of economic and scientific values, including livestock breeds or endangered animal species. The development of a semen extender with a low cryoprotectant concentration and an appropriate amount of trehalose and boron can prevent the deterioration of sperm parameters. OBJECTIVE The main goal of this study is to establish a suitable ram extender model, by examining different combinations of high (5%) and low (3%) glycerol concentrations (to reduce its toxic effects on sperm freezing), a fixed amount of trehalose and an increased dose of boron to prevent the deterioration of sperm parameters, and investigate the levels of gene expressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Merino ram ejaculates were collected. The collected ejaculates providing the defined criteria were pooled. The pooled ejaculates were divided into eight aliquots and diluted with the Tris extender including different combinations of glycerol (5% and 3%) and boron (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mm) concentrations and a fixed amount of trehalose, then frozen. After freeze-thawing process, sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane activity, plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal membrane integrity, DNA damage (single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET) and TUNEL assays) as well as NAD(P)H quinone oxyreductase (NQO1), glutamate-cycteine ligase (GCLC), and glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1) for molecular mechanisms of sperm cell response to oxidative stress were assessed for different extender groups following freeze-thawing process: 5% glycerol + 0 mm boron (G5B0.00), 5% glycerol + 0.25 mm boron (G5B0.25), 5% glycerol + 0.5 mm boron (G5B0.50), 5% glycerol + 1 mm boron (G5B1.00), 3% glycerol + 0 mm boron (G3B.00), 3% glycerol + 0.25 mm boron (G3B0.25), 3% glycerol + 0.5 mm boron (G3B0.50), and 3% glycerol + 1 mm boron (G3B1.00). RESULTS G3B0.25 presented higher percentages of subjective motility, mitochondrial activity, and viability of spermatozoa comparing with G5B0.00 and groups with boron. Supplementation of 0.25 mm boron with and without trehalose (G3B0.25 and G5B0.25) showed higher acrosome integrity, compared with G5B0.00, G5B1.00, G3B0.50, and G3B1.00. For TUNEL analysis, G3B1.00 showed the highest DNA integrity among the experimental groups which was statistically significant only with G5B0.50 (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of NQO1 were significantly decreased in G5B1.00, G3B0.50, and G3B1.00, when compared to G5B0.00. In comparison with G5B0.00, supplementation of 1 mm boron with and without trehalose had significantly lower expression of GCLC. The level of GSTP1 gene was significantly lower (approximately threefold) in G3B1.00, compared to G5B0.00 (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION It can be assumed that the increase of the boron concentration in the extender may have important adverse effects on sperm parameters and antioxidant gene expression after thawing. The results obtained from this study will help to understand the toxicity limits of boron and eliminate the toxicity of glycerol in studies of gametes and tissue freezing. Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of sufficient boron can decrease cryodamages of cryopreservation of mammalian spermatozoa as well tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Numan Bucak
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Nazan Keskin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Bodu
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Bülent Bülbül
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mesut Kırbaş
- Bahri Dagdas International Agricultural Research Institute, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ali Erdem Öztürk
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Fateme Frootan
- National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Pınar İli
- Denizli Vocational School of Health Services, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Özkan
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Nuri Başpınar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Şükrü Dursun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
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8
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Amor H, Zeyad A, Hammadeh ME. Tobacco smoking and its impact on the expression level of sperm nuclear protein genes: H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13964. [PMID: 33440036 DOI: 10.1111/and.13964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this current study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoke on sperm quality determined by standard parameters, on sperm DNA maturity tested by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, on sperm DNA fragmentation tested by TUNEL assay and on the transcript level of sperm nuclear proteins H2BFWT, PRM1, PRM2, TNP1 and TNP2 genes quantified by RT-PCR. One hundred forty-one (141) sperm samples (43 nonsmokers (G.1) and 98 heavy smokers (G.2)) of couples undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this study. In G2, a significant decrease in standard semen parameters in comparison with nonsmokers was shown (p < .01). In contrast, protamine deficiency (CMA3 positivity) and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) were significantly higher in G2 than in G1 (p < .01). Furthermore, the studied genes were differentially expressed (p < .01), down-regulated in the spermatozoa of G.2 compared to that of G.1 (fold change <0.5) and were significantly correlated between each other (p < .01). Moreover, in comparison with G1, the protamine mRNA ratio in G2 was significantly higher (p < .01). It can therefore be concluded that smoking alters mRNA expression levels of H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2 genes and the protamine mRNA ratio and consequently alters normal sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ali Zeyad
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
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9
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Abou-Elhamd AS, Sumayli S, Steger K, Ali AKM, Zayed AE. Effect of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) extract on testicular maturation in pre-pubertal and pubertal rats: A morphological and biochemical study. Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:271-283. [PMID: 33089910 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed at analysing the effect of Khat plant extract on rat testicular development. Thirty-two weaned male albino rats (4 weeks old) were divided into four groups consisting of eight animals each. While control animals received normal saline, rats of groups I, II and III received 100, 200 and 300 mg Khat extract per kg body weight dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 8 weeks, respectively. Blood samples were collected in separate heparinized tubes by cardiac puncture from each rat and processed for measuring plasma levels of reproductive hormones LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin. Five-µm sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscope. Some sections were immunostained for protamine-1 representing a biomarker for intact sperm differentiation. The present study clearly demonstrated that Khat extract has a pronounced effect on testicular maturation of developing albino rats at both the morphological and functional levels. Khat-treated groups revealed a significantly low serum testosterone level and severe impairment of spermatogenesis when compared with control animals. The current findings also verified, for the first time, that the final stages of sperm maturation (spermiogenesis) were strongly impaired after administration of Khat extract to experimental rats particularly at a higher dose (300 mg/kg body weight). This was proved by the very weak, if any, expression of protamine-1 in the maturing spermatids in Khat-treated rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa S Abou-Elhamd
- Department of Respiratory Care, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy, Embryology & Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Saud Sumayli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Ahmed E Zayed
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology & Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Balhorn R, Steger K, Bergmann M, Schuppe HC, Neuhauser S, Balhorn MC. New monoclonal antibodies specific for mammalian protamines P1 and P2. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:424-447. [DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1510063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rod Balhorn
- Briar Patch Biosciences LLC, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Veterinary Faculty of the University, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Ni K, Spiess AN, Schuppe HC, Steger K. The impact of sperm protamine deficiency and sperm DNA damage on human male fertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrology 2016; 4:789-99. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Ni
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie; Justus-Liebig-Universität; Giessen Germany
| | - A.-N. Spiess
- Department of Andrology; University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
| | - H.-C. Schuppe
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie; Justus-Liebig-Universität; Giessen Germany
| | - K. Steger
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Kinderurologie und Andrologie; Justus-Liebig-Universität; Giessen Germany
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12
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Castillo J, Estanyol JM, Ballescá JL, Oliva R. Human sperm chromatin epigenetic potential: genomics, proteomics, and male infertility. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:601-9. [PMID: 25926607 PMCID: PMC4492051 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.153302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The classical idea about the function of the mammalian sperm chromatin is that it serves to transmit a highly protected and transcriptionally inactive paternal genome, largely condensed by protamines, to the next generation. In addition, recent sperm chromatin genome-wide dissection studies indicate the presence of a differential distribution of the genes and repetitive sequences in the protamine-condensed and histone-condensed sperm chromatin domains, which could be potentially involved in regulatory roles after fertilization. Interestingly, recent proteomic studies have shown that sperm chromatin contains many additional proteins, in addition to the abundant histones and protamines, with specific modifications and chromatin affinity features which are also delivered to the oocyte. Both gene and protein signatures seem to be altered in infertile patients and, as such, are consistent with the potential involvement of the sperm chromatin landscape in early embryo development. This present work reviews the available information on the composition of the human sperm chromatin and its epigenetic potential, with a particular focus on recent results derived from high-throughput genomic and proteomic studies. As a complement, we provide experimental evidence for the detection of phosphorylations and acetylations in human protamine 1 using a mass spectrometry approach. The available data indicate that the sperm chromatin is much more complex than what it was previously thought, raising the possibility that it could also serve to transmit crucial paternal epigenetic information to the embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rafael Oliva
- Human Genetics Research Group, IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Casanova 143; Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Biomedical Diagnostic Centre, Hospital Clinic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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