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Zhang Y, Ding N, Cao J, Zhang J, Liu J, Zhang C, Jiang L. Proteomics and Metabolic Characteristics of Boar Seminal Plasma Extracellular Vesicles Reveal Biomarker Candidates Related to Sperm Motility. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:3764-3779. [PMID: 39067049 PMCID: PMC11385425 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Although seminal plasma extracellular vesicles (SPEVs) play important roles in sperm function, little is known about their metabolite compositions and roles in sperm motility. Here, we performed metabolomics and proteomics analysis of boar SPEVs with high or low sperm motility to investigate specific biomarkers affecting sperm motility. In total, 140 proteins and 32 metabolites were obtained through differentially expressed analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Seven differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (ADIRF, EPS8L1, PRCP, CD81, PTPRD, CSK, LOC100736569) and six differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) (adenosine, beclomethasone, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, urea, 1-methyl-l-histidine, and palmitic acid) were also identified in WGCNA significant modules. Joint pathway analysis revealed that three DEPs (GART, ADCY7, and NTPCR) and two DEMs (urea and adenosine) were involved in purine metabolism. Our results suggested that there was significant correlation between proteins and metabolites, such as IL4I1 and urea (r = 0.86). Furthermore, we detected the expression level of GART, ADCY7, and CDC42 in sperm of two groups, which further verified the experimental results. This study revealed that several proteins and metabolites in SPEVs play important roles in sperm motility. Our results offered new insights into the complex mechanism of sperm motility and identified potential biomarkers for male reproductive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Ning Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jinkang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Chun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Li Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Animal Science & Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
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Mateo-Otero Y. Integrating metabolomics into reproduction: Sperm metabolism and fertility enhancement in pigs. Anim Reprod Sci 2024:107539. [PMID: 38926002 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107539] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The last decades of research have revealed that many other factors besides gamete genomes are able to determine the reproductive outcomes. Indeed, paternal factors have been observed to be capable of modulating multiple crucial features of the reproductive process, such as sperm physiology, the maternal environment and, even, the offspring health. These recent advances have been encompassed with the emergence of OMICS technologies, as they comprehensively characterise the molecular composition of biological systems. The present narrative review aimed to take a closer look at the potential of these technologies in the field of reproductive biology. This literature revision shows that most studies up to date have followed a non-targeted approach to screen mammalian seminal plasma (SP) and sperm metabolite composition through different metabolome platforms. These studies have proposed metabolites of multiple natures as potential in vivo fertility biomarkers. Yet, targeted approaches can be used to answer specific biological question, and their power is exemplified herein. For instance, metabolomic studies have uncovered not only that glycolysis is the main ATP energy source of pig sperm, but also that sperm metabolism can trigger DNA damage, hence compromise embryo development. In conclusion, this review shows the potential of both non-targeted and targeted metabolomics for the discovery of cell pathways that govern the reproductive process. Understanding these systems could help make progress in different areas, including livestock efficient breeding, the improvement of artificial reproductive technologies, and the development of biomarkers for infertility detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK.
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Laus F, Bazzano M, Spaterna A, Laghi L, Marchegiani A. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Metabolomics: Current Applications in Equine Health Assessment. Metabolites 2024; 14:269. [PMID: 38786746 PMCID: PMC11123227 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14050269] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics can allow for the comprehensive identification of metabolites within biological systems, at given time points, in physiological and pathological conditions. In the last few years, metabolomic analysis has gained popularity both in human and in veterinary medicine, showing great potential for novel applications in clinical activity. The aim of applying metabolomics in clinical practice is understanding the mechanisms underlying pathological conditions and the influence of certain stimuli (i.e., drugs, nutrition, exercise) on body systems, in the attempt of identifying biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis of diseases. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) is well tailored to be used as an analytical platform for metabolites' detection at the base of metabolomics studies, due to minimal sample preparation and high reproducibility. In this mini-review article, the scientific production of NMR metabolomic applications to equine medicine is examined. The research works are very different in methodology and difficult to compare. Studies are mainly focused on exercise, reproduction, and nutrition, other than respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases. The available information on this topic is still scant, but a greater collection of data could allow researchers to define new reliable markers to be used in clinical practice for diagnostic and therapeutical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy; (F.L.); (A.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy; (F.L.); (A.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Spaterna
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy; (F.L.); (A.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Luca Laghi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy;
| | - Andrea Marchegiani
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy; (F.L.); (A.S.); (A.M.)
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Freitas-Martins A, Sousa MI, Cristo MI, Ramalho-Santos J, Amaral S. Metabolic characterization of human sperm cells using the Seahorse metabolic flux analyzer. Andrology 2024; 12:410-421. [PMID: 37357530 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concerning trend on male infertility global prevalence, together with the unexplainable causes in half of those cases, highlights that there are still aspects of this disease to be understood and solved. To address this issue, one should not only be aware of the limitations of the implemented diagnostic tools, but also understand the sperm cell in depth, structurally, biochemically, molecularly in order to develop reliable and ready-to-be new/improved diagnostic tools. In this sense, the sperm cells metabolism, highly related to its functionality, seems to be a promising aspect to explore. Though there is much information on the human sperm metabolism, there is still a lack of a quick integrated and comprehensive analysis that may be introduced with the potential to reveal innovative clinically relevant information. OBJECTIVES Find metabolic details on human sperm that can be accessed easily, in real time and using few cells, relying on the bivalent potential of the Seahorse flux analyzer (SFA). RESULTS We have obtained standard records on human sperm cells' oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), that together with the metabolic metrics provided information on sperm cells' oxidative and glycolytic metabolism. Furthermore, a metabolic interindividual variation was observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Although the comparison with other species or cell types is not linear and warrant further studies, the metabolic profile of human sperm cells seems to be similar to that of other species. Altogether our results corroborate the value of SFA for metabolic human sperm cell analysis, warranting new studies, and anticipating several applications in the male infertility field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Freitas-Martins
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC-Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Inês Sousa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC-Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Inês Cristo
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC-Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Ramalho-Santos
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sandra Amaral
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC-Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC-Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Serrano R, Martin-Hidalgo D, Bilbao J, Bernardo-Seisdedos G, Millet O, Garcia-Marin LJ, Bragado MJ. Quantitative Analysis of the Human Semen Phosphorometabolome by 31P-NMR. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1682. [PMID: 38338962 PMCID: PMC10855173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Phosphorus-containing metabolites occupy a prominent position in cell pathways. The phosphorometabolomic approach in human sperm samples will deliver valuable information as new male fertility biomarkers could emerge. This study analyzed, by 31P-NMR, seminal plasma and whole semen from asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic samples (71% vs. 27% and 45% vs. 17%, total and progressive sperm motility, respectively), and also ejaculates from healthy donors. At least 16 phosphorus-containing metabolites involved in central energy metabolism and phospholipid, nucleotide, and nicotinamide metabolic pathways were assigned and different abundances between the samples with distinct sperm quality was detected. Specifically, higher levels of phosphocholine, glucose-1-phosphate, and to a lesser degree, acetyl phosphate were found in the asthenozoospermic seminal plasma. Notably, the phosphorometabolites implicated in lipid metabolism were highlighted in the seminal plasma, while those associated with carbohydrate metabolism were more abundant in the spermatozoa. Higher levels of phosphocholine, glucose-1-phosphate, and acetyl phosphate in the seminal plasma with poor quality suggest their crucial role in supporting sperm motility through energy metabolic pathways. In the seminal plasma, phosphorometabolites related to lipid metabolism were prominent; however, spermatozoa metabolism is more dependent on carbohydrate-related energy pathways. Understanding the presence and function of sperm phosphorylated metabolites will enhance our knowledge of the metabolic profile of healthy human sperm, improving assessment and differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Serrano
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Research Institute INBIO G+C, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (R.S.); (D.M.-H.)
| | - David Martin-Hidalgo
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Research Institute INBIO G+C, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (R.S.); (D.M.-H.)
| | - Jon Bilbao
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.B.); (G.B.-S.); (O.M.)
| | - Ganeko Bernardo-Seisdedos
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.B.); (G.B.-S.); (O.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Oscar Millet
- Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (J.B.); (G.B.-S.); (O.M.)
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis J. Garcia-Marin
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Research Institute INBIO G+C, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (R.S.); (D.M.-H.)
| | - Maria Julia Bragado
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Research Institute INBIO G+C, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (R.S.); (D.M.-H.)
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6
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Jeppesen MJ, Powers R. Multiplatform untargeted metabolomics. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY : MRC 2023; 61:628-653. [PMID: 37005774 PMCID: PMC10948111 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5350 10.1002/mrc.5350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Metabolomics samples like human urine or serum contain upwards of a few thousand metabolites, but individual analytical techniques can only characterize a few hundred metabolites at best. The uncertainty in metabolite identification commonly encountered in untargeted metabolomics adds to this low coverage problem. A multiplatform (multiple analytical techniques) approach can improve upon the number of metabolites reliably detected and correctly assigned. This can be further improved by applying synergistic sample preparation along with the use of combinatorial or sequential non-destructive and destructive techniques. Similarly, peak detection and metabolite identification strategies that employ multiple probabilistic approaches have led to better annotation decisions. Applying these techniques also addresses the issues of reproducibility found in single platform methods. Nevertheless, the analysis of large data sets from disparate analytical techniques presents unique challenges. While the general data processing workflow is similar across multiple platforms, many software packages are only fully capable of processing data types from a single analytical instrument. Traditional statistical methods such as principal component analysis were not designed to handle multiple, distinct data sets. Instead, multivariate analysis requires multiblock or other model types for understanding the contribution from multiple instruments. This review summarizes the advantages, limitations, and recent achievements of a multiplatform approach to untargeted metabolomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah J. Jeppesen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
| | - Robert Powers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
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7
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Jeppesen MJ, Powers R. Multiplatform untargeted metabolomics. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY : MRC 2023; 61:628-653. [PMID: 37005774 PMCID: PMC10948111 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics samples like human urine or serum contain upwards of a few thousand metabolites, but individual analytical techniques can only characterize a few hundred metabolites at best. The uncertainty in metabolite identification commonly encountered in untargeted metabolomics adds to this low coverage problem. A multiplatform (multiple analytical techniques) approach can improve upon the number of metabolites reliably detected and correctly assigned. This can be further improved by applying synergistic sample preparation along with the use of combinatorial or sequential non-destructive and destructive techniques. Similarly, peak detection and metabolite identification strategies that employ multiple probabilistic approaches have led to better annotation decisions. Applying these techniques also addresses the issues of reproducibility found in single platform methods. Nevertheless, the analysis of large data sets from disparate analytical techniques presents unique challenges. While the general data processing workflow is similar across multiple platforms, many software packages are only fully capable of processing data types from a single analytical instrument. Traditional statistical methods such as principal component analysis were not designed to handle multiple, distinct data sets. Instead, multivariate analysis requires multiblock or other model types for understanding the contribution from multiple instruments. This review summarizes the advantages, limitations, and recent achievements of a multiplatform approach to untargeted metabolomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah J. Jeppesen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
| | - Robert Powers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0304, United States
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Cheredath A, Uppangala S, Jijo A, Lakshmi RV, Gowda GAN, Kalthur G, Adiga SK. Use of sensitivity-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryogenically cooled micro-coil probe in identifying human sperm intracellular metabolites. Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 35:661-668. [PMID: 37643634 DOI: 10.1071/rd22246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The clinical value of human sperm metabolites has not been established due to the technical complexity in detecting these metabolites when sperm numbers are low. AIMS To detect endogenous intracellular metabolites in fresh and post-thaw human spermatozoa using 800MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryo-probe. METHODS Processed spermatozoa from 25 normozoospermic ejaculates were subjected to extraction of intracellular metabolites and then profiled by sensitivity-enhanced NMR spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryogenically cooled micro-coil probe. In parallel, some of the processed sperm fractions were subjected to freeze-thawing and were then analysed for intracellular metabolites. KEY RESULTS Twenty-three metabolites were profiled from only 1.25million sperm cells. Comparison of the metabolomic signature of pre-freeze and post-thaw sperm cells did not show significant changes in the levels of metabolites. CONCLUSIONS Sensitivity-enhanced NMR spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryogenically cooled micro-coil probe is a potential tool for identifying intracellular metabolites when sperm number is low. IMPLICATIONS Use of sensitivity-enhanced NMR spectroscopy opens up the opportunity to test for endogenous metabolites in samples with a limited number of spermatozoa, to understand the patho-physiology of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathi Cheredath
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - Shubhashree Uppangala
- Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - Ameya Jijo
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - R Vani Lakshmi
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - G A Nagana Gowda
- Northwest Metabolomics Research Centre, Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - Satish Kumar Adiga
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
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Houle E, Li Y, Schroder M, McRitchie SL, Rahil T, Sites CK, Sumner SJ, Pilsner JR. Exploring the internal exposome of seminal plasma with semen quality and live birth: A Pilot Study. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:296-309. [PMID: 37098216 PMCID: PMC11144350 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2195964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Infertility is clinically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy within 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse and affects 15% of couples worldwide. Therefore, the identification of novel biomarkers that can accurately predict male reproductive health and couples' reproductive success is of major public health significance. The objective of this pilot study is to test whether untargeted metabolomics is capable of discriminating reproductive outcomes and understand associations between the internal exposome of seminal plasma and the reproductive outcomes of semen quality and live birth among ten participants undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Springfield, MA. We hypothesize that seminal plasma offers a novel biological matrix by which untargeted metabolomics is able to discern male reproductive status and predict reproductive success. The internal exposome data was acquired using UHPLC-HR-MS on randomized seminal plasma samples at UNC at Chapel Hill. Unsupervised and supervised multivariate analyses were used to visualize the differentiation of phenotypic groups classified by men with normal or low semen quality based on World Health Organization guidelines as well as by successful ART: live birth or no live birth. Over 100 exogenous metabolites, including environmentally relevant metabolites, ingested food components, drugs and medications, and metabolites relevant to microbiome-xenobiotic interaction, were identified and annotated from the seminal plasma samples, through matching against the NC HHEAR hub in-house experimental standard library. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, vitamin A metabolism, and histidine metabolism were associated sperm quality; while pathways involving vitamin A metabolism, C21-steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and Omega-3 fatty acid metabolism distinguished live birth groups. Taken together, these pilot results suggest that seminal plasma is a novel matrix to study the influence of the internal exposome on reproductive health outcomes. Future research aims to increase the sample size to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Houle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 275 E. Hancock Street, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - YuanYuan Li
- Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Research Institute, 500 Laureate Way, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, Kannapolis, NC 28010, USA
| | - Madison Schroder
- Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Research Institute, 500 Laureate Way, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, Kannapolis, NC 28010, USA
| | - Susan L McRitchie
- Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Research Institute, 500 Laureate Way, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, Kannapolis, NC 28010, USA
| | - Tayyab Rahil
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Baystate Medical Center, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia K Sites
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Baystate Medical Center, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Susan Jenkins Sumner
- Department of Nutrition, Nutrition Research Institute, 500 Laureate Way, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, Kannapolis, NC 28010, USA
| | - J. Richard Pilsner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 275 E. Hancock Street, Detroit, MI, USA
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10
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Li Y, Hu Y, Wang Z, Lu T, Yang Y, Diao H, Zheng X, Xie C, Zhang P, Zhang X, Zhou Y. IKBA phosphorylation governs human sperm motility through ACC-mediated fatty acid beta-oxidation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:323. [PMID: 36966253 PMCID: PMC10039860 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates specific immunological responses and controls a wide range of physiological processes. NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IKBA) is an NF-κB inhibitory mediator in the cytoplasm that modulates the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activities of NF-κB proteins. However, whether the upstream cascade of the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway has physiological roles independent of IKBA-mediated transcriptional activation remains unclear. Herein we investigated the function of IKBA in mature sperm in which transcriptional and translational events do not occur. IKBA was highly expressed in human sperm. The repression of IKBA phosphorylation by its inhibitor Bay117082 markedly enhanced sperm motility. On the contrary, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IKBA phosphorylation significantly decreased sperm motility. Nevertheless, Bay117082 treatment did not affect the motility of IKBA-knockout sperm. Further, untargeted metabolomic analysis and pharmacological blocking assays revealed that the Bay117082-induced increase in sperm motility was attributable to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) enhancement. In addition, we found that IKBA phosphorylation inhibition resulted in a significant reduction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase levels in the FAO metabolic pathway. Our findings indicate that IKBA-mediated signaling orchestrates sperm motility program and improves our understanding of transcription-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanquan Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Youwei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengquan Wang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Lu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Yang
- NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Diao
- NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoguo Zheng
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong Xie
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuelian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuchuan Zhou
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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Bazzano M, Zhu C, Laus F, Giambattista AD, Laghi L. Exploring the metabolome of seminal plasma in two different horse types: Light versus draft stallions. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:109-116. [PMID: 36151924 PMCID: PMC10092496 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The application of the 'omics' studies in the field of animal reproduction has been aimed at identifying novel biomarkers of fertility since the last few years. When assessing reproductive efficiency in horses, breed should also be taken into account as it can influence semen quality and fertility. Considering the growing interest in metabolomic analysis to evaluate male fertility, we aimed to investigate the metabolomic profile of seminal plasma in two different horse breeds. Twelve healthy stallions, n.6 American Quarter Horse (AQH) and n.6 Italian Draft Horse (IDH) stallions, regularly used for artificial insemination, were included in the study. Two semen collections, performed 30-day apart, were considered for the assessment of semen parameters including gel-free volume, spermatozoa (spz) concentration, spz progressive motility and seminal plasma analysis by 1 H-NMR.Semen characteristics differed between IDH and AQH (p < .05) as well as the first cycle conception rate that was higher in AQH than IDH (p = .001). Metabolomic analysis quantified 56 molecules in equine seminal plasma, with 11 metabolites showing different concentrations in IDH compared to AQH (p < .05).This study provided evidence of differences in seminal plasma metabolites' concentrations between studied horse types, highlighting specific metabolomic fingerprints characterizing AQH and IDH sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Chenglin Zhu
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Luca Laghi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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12
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Amaral A. Energy metabolism in mammalian sperm motility. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1569. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Amaral
- Department of Developmental Genetics Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics Berlin Germany
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13
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Tenorio Lira Neto F, Marques RA, Filho ADFC, Fonte JEFD, Lima SVC, Silva RO. Prediction of semen analysis parameters improvement after varicocelectomy using 1 H NMR-based metabonomics assays. Andrology 2022; 10:1581-1592. [PMID: 36018886 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varicocele is the most common correctable cause of male infertility, however, predicting varicocelectomy outcomes is difficult. "Omics" techniques have been increasingly used to develop new diagnostic and prognostics tools for several male infertility causes, and could be applied to study varicocele. OBJECTIVES To create metabolomics models capable of segregating men who improved semen analysis (SA) parameters or achieved natural pregnancy after microsurgical varicocelectomy (MV) from those who did not, using Hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR) spectra of seminal plasma of pre-operative samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited 29 infertile men with palpable varicocele. 1 H NMR spectra of seminal plasma were obtained from pre-operative samples and used to create metabonomics models. Improvement was defined as an increase in the total motile progressive sperm count (TMC) of the post-operative SA when compared to the baseline, and pregnancy was assessed during 24 months after MV. RESULTS Using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), we created a model that discriminated the men who improved SA from those who did not with accuracy of 93.1%. Another model segregated men who achieved natural pregnancy from men who did not. We identified 7 metabolites that were important for group segregation: caprylate, isoleucine, N-acetyltyrosine, carnitine, N-acetylcarnitine, creatine and threonine. DISCUSSION We described the use of metabonomics model to predict with high accuracy the outcomes of MV in infertile men with varicocele. The most important metabolites for groups segregation are involved in energy metabolism and oxidative stress response, highlighting the pivotal role of these mechanisms in the pathophysiology of varicocele. CONCLUSIONS 1 H NMR spectroscopy of seminal plasma can be used in conjunction with multivariate statistical tools to create metabonomics models useful segregate men with varicocele based on the reproductive outcomes of MV. These models may help counseling infertile men with varicocele regarding their prognosis after surgery. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Tenorio Lira Neto
- Andros Recife, Recife, Brazil. Department of Urology, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil. Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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14
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Grison S, Legendre A, Svilar L, Elie C, Kereselidze D, Gloaguen C, Lestaevel P, Martin JC, Souidi M. Multigenerational Exposure to Uranium Changes Sperm Metabolome in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8349. [PMID: 35955476 PMCID: PMC9369047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a major public health issue that can be induced by a host of lifestyle risk factors such as environment, nutrition, smoking, stress, and endocrine disruptors. Regarding the human population exposed to uranium, it is necessary to explore these effects on male reproduction in multigenerational studies. The sensitivity of mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods has already proved to be extremely useful in metabolite identification in rats exposed to low doses of uranium, but also in human sperm. We applied this method to rat sperm over three generations (F0, F1 and F2) with multigenerational uranium exposure. Our results show a significant content of uranium in generation F0, and a reduction in the pregnancy rate only in generation F1. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), we observed discriminant profiles between generations. The partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of the 48 annotated variables confirmed that parental exposure of generation F0 (during both the preconceptional and prenatal periods) can have metabolic effects on spermatozoa for the next two generations. Metabolomics applied to epididymal spermatozoa is a novel approach to detecting the multigenerational effects of uranium in an experimental model, but could be also recommended to identify potential biomarkers evaluating the impact of uranium on sperm in exposed infertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Grison
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Audrey Legendre
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Ljubica Svilar
- C2VN, CRIBIOM, Aix Marseille Université, 13007 Marseille, France;
| | - Christelle Elie
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Dimitri Kereselidze
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Céline Gloaguen
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Philippe Lestaevel
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Jean-Charles Martin
- C2VN, INRAE, INSERM, BIOMET, Aix Marseille Université, 13007 Marseille, France;
| | - Maâmar Souidi
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (A.L.); (C.E.); (D.K.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (M.S.)
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15
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Marín-Briggiler CI, Luque GM, Gervasi MG, Oscoz-Susino N, Sierra JM, Mondillo C, Salicioni AM, Krapf D, Visconti PE, Buffone MG. Human Sperm Remain Motile After a Temporary Energy Restriction but do Not Undergo Capacitation-Related Events. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:777086. [PMID: 34869380 PMCID: PMC8633110 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.777086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To acquire fertilization competence, mammalian sperm must undergo several biochemical and physiological modifications known as capacitation. Despite its relevance, the metabolic pathways that regulate the capacitation-related events, including the development of hyperactivated motility, are still poorly described. Previous studies from our group have shown that temporary energy restriction in mouse sperm enhanced hyperactivation, in vitro fertilization, early embryo development and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer, and it improved intracytoplasmic sperm injection results in the bovine model. However, the effects of starvation and energy recovery protocols on human sperm function have not yet been established. In the present work, human sperm were incubated for different periods of time in medium containing glucose, pyruvate and lactate (NUTR) or devoid of nutrients for the starving condition (STRV). Sperm maintained in STRV displayed reduced percentages of motility and kinematic parameters compared to cells incubated in NUTR medium. Moreover, they did not undergo hyperactivation and showed reduced levels of ATP, cAMP and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Similar to our results with mouse sperm, starvation induced increased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Starved human sperm were capable to continue moving for more than 27 h, but the incubation with a mitochondrial uncoupler or inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation led to a complete motility loss. When exogenous nutrients were added back (sperm energy recovery (SER) treatment), hyperactivated motility was rescued and there was a rise in sperm ATP and cAMP levels in 1 min, with a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and no changes in sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation. The finding that human sperm can remain motile for several hours under starvation due to mitochondrial use of endogenous metabolites implies that other metabolic pathways may play a role in sperm energy production. In addition, full recovery of motility and other capacitation parameters of human sperm after SER suggests that this treatment might be used to modulate human sperm fertilizing ability in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermina M. Luque
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G. Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Natalia Oscoz-Susino
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jessica M. Sierra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Mondillo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M. Salicioni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Darío Krapf
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pablo E. Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Mariano G. Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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16
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Alipour H, Duus RK, Wimmer R, Dardmeh F, Du Plessis SS, Jørgensen N, Christiansen OB, Hnida C, Nielsen HI, Van Der Horst G. Seminal plasma metabolomics profiles following long (4-7 days) and short (2 h) sexual abstinence periods. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 264:178-183. [PMID: 34325212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Metabolomic profiling of seminal plasma has been suggested as a possible approach for a fast and non-invasive male infertility evaluation diagnosis. However, metabolomics profiles in normozoospermic men have not been thoroughly investigated, and the influence of ejaculation-abstinence has not been described. To provide interim reference values and find associations between the metabolomics profiles of human seminal plasma and length of ejaculation-abstinence period in normozoospermic men. STUDY DESIGN Semen samples collected after long (4-7 days) and short abstinence (2 h) from 31 normozoospermic males were assessed for routine quality parameters before the seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation. Metabolomics profiles of the seminal plasma were then determined using untargeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. RESULTS In total, 30 metabolites were identified. Pyruvate showed a higher concentration, while fructose, acetate, choline, methanol, N-acetylglucosamine, O-acetylcarnitine, uridine, and sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline showed lower concentrations in samples collected after short abstinence (vs. long). All metabolites showed lower absolute amounts (volume × concentration) following shorter abstinence. However, the lower sperm concentration in samples collected after short abstinence resulted in higher absolute amounts of pyruvate and taurine per spermatozoa: pyruvate 1.92 (1.12-3.87) vs. 1.29 (0.83-2.62) (P < 0.001) and taurine 0.58 (0.36-0.92) vs. 0.43 (0.28-0.95) (P < 0.05) ng/106 spermatozoa. Simultaneously, there was a higher percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa in samples collected after the short abstinence. CONCLUSION The generally lower concentrations of seminal metabolites after short abstinence periods may be related to the shorter time available for secretion and collection of these metabolites by the accessory glands and the epididymides. The concomitant lower number of spermatozoa in the second ejaculate resulted in increased absolute amounts of pyruvate and taurine per spermatozoa, accompanied by increased spermatozoa motility in these samples. The simultaneous increase in percentages of motile spermatozoa and absolute amounts of pyruvate and taurine per spermatozoa after shorter abstinence might indicate that these two metabolites play a more critical role in sperm motility, which should be further investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Alipour
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Regenerative Medicine Group, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - R K Duus
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Regenerative Medicine Group, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - R Wimmer
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - F Dardmeh
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Regenerative Medicine Group, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - S S Du Plessis
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - N Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - O B Christiansen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - C Hnida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - H I Nielsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Regenerative Medicine Group, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - G Van Der Horst
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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17
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Lombó M, Ruiz-Díaz S, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ. Sperm Metabolomics through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061669. [PMID: 34205204 PMCID: PMC8227655 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) is of special interest for the analysis of metabolites present in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. This metabolomic approach has been used to identify the presence of new biomarkers or their proportions in a non-invasive manner and is, therefore, an interesting tool for male fertility diagnosis. In this paper, we review current knowledge of the use of 1 H-NMR to examine sperm metabolomics in different species with special attention paid to humans and farm animals. We also describe the use of 1 H-NMR to establish a possible relationship between the mammalian diet and the presence of certain hydrophilic and lipophilic metabolites in spermatozoa. Abstract This report reviews current knowledge of sperm metabolomics analysis using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) with particular emphasis on human and farm animals. First, we present the benefits of NMR over other techniques to identify sperm metabolites and then describe the specific methodology required for NMR sperm analysis, stressing the importance of analyzing metabolites extracted from both the hydrophilic and lipophilic phases. This is followed by a description of advances produced to date in the use of NMR to diagnose infertility in humans and to identify metabolic differences among the sperm of mammalian herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore species. This last application of NMR mainly seeks to explore the possible use of lipids to fuel sperm physiology, contrary to previous theories that glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are the only sources of sperm energy. This review describes the use of NMR to identify sperm and seminal plasma metabolites as possible indicators of semen quality, and to examine the metabolites needed to maintain sperm motility, induce their capacitation, and consequently, to predict animal fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lombó
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
- Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L., Clínica Tambre, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - María-Jesús Sánchez-Calabuig
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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18
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Kuang W, Zhang J, Lan Z, Deepak RNVK, Liu C, Ma Z, Cheng L, Zhao X, Meng X, Wang W, Wang X, Xu L, Jiao Y, Luo Q, Meng Z, Kee K, Liu X, Deng H, Li W, Fan H, Chen L. SLC22A14 is a mitochondrial riboflavin transporter required for sperm oxidative phosphorylation and male fertility. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109025. [PMID: 33882315 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ablation of Slc22a14 causes male infertility in mice, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we show that SLC22A14 is a riboflavin transporter localized at the inner mitochondrial membrane of the spermatozoa mid-piece and show by genetic, biochemical, multi-omic, and nutritional evidence that riboflavin transport deficiency suppresses the oxidative phosphorylation and reprograms spermatozoa energy metabolism by disrupting flavoenzyme functions. Specifically, we find that fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) is defective with significantly reduced levels of acyl-carnitines and metabolites from the TCA cycle (the citric acid cycle) but accumulated triglycerides and free fatty acids in Slc22a14 knockout spermatozoa. We demonstrate that Slc22a14-mediated FAO is essential for spermatozoa energy generation and motility. Furthermore, sperm from wild-type mice treated with a riboflavin-deficient diet mimics those in Slc22a14 knockout mice, confirming that an altered riboflavin level causes spermatozoa morphological and bioenergetic defects. Beyond substantially advancing our understanding of spermatozoa energy metabolism, our study provides an attractive target for the development of male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Kuang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhou Lan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - R N V Krishna Deepak
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhilong Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lili Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xinbin Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xianbin Meng
- National Center for Protein Science, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Weihua Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- National Center for Protein Science, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lina Xu
- National Center for Protein Science, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yupei Jiao
- National Center for Protein Science, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qi Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ziyi Meng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kehkooi Kee
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- National Center for Protein Science, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- National Center for Protein Science, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hao Fan
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Ligong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100084, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Al Rashid K, Taylor A, Lumsden MA, Goulding N, Lawlor DA, Nelson SM. Association of the serum metabolomic profile by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with sperm parameters: a cross-sectional study of 325 men. F&S SCIENCE 2020; 1:142-160. [PMID: 35559925 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether 155 circulating metabolic measures relevant to lifestyle and metabolic health are associated with sperm parameters, as measured by concentration, motility, and total motile sperm count (TMSC). STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) Three hundred twenty-five men prospectively recruited between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2019. INTERVENTION(S) Detailed demographic, lifestyle, fertility, medical history, and semen analysis with quantification of nonfasting serum lipids, lipoprotein subclasses, and low-molecular weight metabolites (including amino acids, glycolysis, and inflammatory markers) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Association of serum metabolic profiles with sperm parameters. RESULT(S) The age of the participants was mean 37.2 years, with a median sperm concentration of 35 million/mL and median motility of 53%. Of these men, 76% had a TMSC >15 million, 10% had 5-15 million, and 14% had <5 million. In both univariate and confounder adjusted analyses, an extensive range of lipids and lipoproteins, glycolysis-related metabolites, amino acids, ketone bodies, creatinine, or albumin showed no strong statistically significant association with sperm concentration, motility, or the odds of having a reduced or low TMSC. Higher levels of glycolysis metabolites and ketone bodies were associated with an increased odds of TMSC <15 million compared with ≥15 million (odds ratios of ∼1.2-1.3), and several lipids/lipoprotein concentrations appeared to protect against very low TMSC (<5 million compared with ≥5 million) with odds ratios of ∼0.8 or greater. CONCLUSION(S) Several metabolites exhibited potentially clinically relevant strength of association with the odds of a low TMSC and warrant replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karema Al Rashid
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Taylor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Ann Lumsden
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Goulding
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Scott M Nelson
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, United Kingdom.
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Asampille G, Cheredath A, Joseph D, Adiga SK, Atreya HS. The utility of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in assisted reproduction. Open Biol 2020; 10:200092. [PMID: 33142083 PMCID: PMC7729034 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15-20% of individuals of reproductive age worldwide. Over the last 40 years, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has helped millions of childless couples. However, ART is limited by a low success rate and risk of multiple gestations. Devising methods for selecting the best gamete or embryo that increases the ART success rate and prevention of multiple gestation has become one of the key goals in ART today. Special emphasis has been placed on the development of non-invasive approaches, which do not require perturbing the embryonic cells, as the current morphology-based embryo selection approach has shortcomings in predicting the implantation potential of embryos. An observed association between embryo metabolism and viability has prompted researchers to develop metabolomics-based biomarkers. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides a non-invasive approach for the metabolic profiling of tissues, gametes and embryos, with the key advantage of having a minimal sample preparation procedure. Using NMR spectroscopy, biologically important molecules can be identified and quantified in intact cells, extracts or secretomes. This, in turn, helps to map out the active metabolic pathways in a system. The present review covers the contribution of NMR spectroscopy in assisted reproduction at various stages of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitanjali Asampille
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - Aswathi Cheredath
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
| | - David Joseph
- NMR Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Satish K. Adiga
- Department of Clinical Embryology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India
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Metabonomic Insights into the Sperm Activation Mechanisms in Ricefield Eel ( Monopterus albus). Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111259. [PMID: 33114541 PMCID: PMC7692440 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In fish, sperm motility activation is one of the most essential procedures for fertilization. Previous studies have mainly focused on the external environmental effects and intracellular signals in sperm activation; however, little is known about the metabolic process of sperm motility activation in fish. In the present study, using ricefield eel (Monopterus albus) sperm as a model, metabonomics was used to analyze the metabolic mechanism of the sperm motility activation in fish. Firstly, 529 metabolites were identified in the sperm of ricefield eel, which were clustered into the organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides, benzene, and carbohydrates, respectively. Among them, the most abundant metabolites in sperm were L-phenylalanine, DL-leucine, L-leucine, lysolecithin choline 18:0, L-tryptophan, adenine, hypoxanthine, 7-Methylguanine, shikimic acid, and L-tyrosine. Secondly, compared to pre-activated sperm, the level of S-sulfo-L-cysteine and L-asparagine were both increased in the post-activated sperm. Ninety-two metabolites were decreased in the post-activated sperm, including quinic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, 7,8-dihydro L-biopterin, citric acid, glycylphenylalanine, and dihydrotachysterol (DHT). Finally, basing on the pathway analysis, we found that the changed metabolites in sperm motility activation were mainly clustered into energy metabolism and anti-oxidative stress. Fish sperm motility activation would be accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy, which might damage the genetic material of sperm. Thus, the anti-oxidative stress function is a critical process to maintain the normal physiological function of sperm.
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22
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Li L, Hao X, Chen H, Wang L, Chen A, Song X, Hu Z, Su Y, Lin H, Fan P. Metabolomic characterization of semen from asthenozoospermic patients using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Biomed Chromatogr 2020; 34:e4897. [PMID: 32428267 PMCID: PMC7507193 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AS) is a common factor of male infertility, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential seminal plasma metabolic pattern in asthenozoospermic men and to identify potential biomarkers in relation to spermatogenic dysfunction using sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadruple time-of-flight MS (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The samples of seminal plasma from patients with AS (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) were checked and differentiated by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Compared with the control group, the AS group showed a total of nine significantly different metabolites, including increases in creatinine, uric acid, N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A), uridine, and taurine and decreases in carnitine, nicotinamide, N-acetylputrescine and l-palmitoylcarnitine. By analyzing the correlation among these metabolites and clinical computer-assisted semen analysis reports, we found that m6 A is significantly correlated with not only the four decreased metabolites but also with sperm count, motility, and curvilinear velocity. Furthermore, nicotinamide was shown to correlate with other identified metabolites, indicating its important role in the metabolic pathway of AS. Current results implied that sensitive untargeted seminal plasma metabolomics could identify distinct metabolic patterns of AS and would help clinicians by offering novel cues for discovering the pathogenesis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xinrui Hao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Hua Chen
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Aolei Chen
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiaotian Song
- Reproductive Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Zhiyan Hu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Ying Su
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Han Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Pei Fan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedicsthe Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangChina
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23
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Neto FTL, Marques RA, de Freitas Cavalcanti Filho A, Araujo LCN, Lima SVC, Pinto L, Silva RO. 1H NMR-based metabonomics for infertility diagnosis in men with varicocele. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2233-2247. [PMID: 32715373 PMCID: PMC7492286 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01896-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE "Omics" techniques have been used to understand and to identify biomarkers of male infertility. We report on the first metabonomics models created to diagnose varicocele and infertility among men with varicocele. METHODS We recruited 35 infertile men with varicocele (VI group), 21 fertile men with varicocele (VF group) and 24 fertile men without varicocele (C group). All men underwent standard semen analysis, scrotal duplex ultrasonography, and sexual hormone level measurement. Hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra of seminal plasma were used to create metabonomics models to discriminate between men with and without varicocele, and between fertile and infertile men with varicocele. RESULTS Using the statistical formalisms partial least square discriminants analysis and genetic algorithm-based linear discriminant analysis (GA-LDA), we created two models that discriminated the three groups from each other with accuracy of 92.17%. We also created metabonomics models using orthogonal partial least square discriminants analysis and GA-LDA that discriminated VF group from VI group, with an accuracy of 94.64% and 100% respectively. We identified 19 metabolites that were important in group segregation: caprate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylvalerate, leucine, valine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, alanine, 4-aminobutyrate, isoleucine, citrate, methanol, glucose, glycosides, glycerol-3-phosphocoline, n-acetyltyrosine, glutamine, tyrosine, arginine, and uridine. CONCLUSIONS 1HNMR-based metabonomics of seminal plasma can be used to create metabonomics models to discriminate between men with varicocele from those without varicocele, and between fertile men with varicocele from those infertile with varicocele. Furthermore, the most important metabolites for group segregation are involved in the oxidative stress caused by varicocele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Tenorio Lira Neto
- Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua Guilherme Salazar, n 150, apt 601E, Recife, PE ZIP 52061-275 Brazil
- Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Rua dos Coelho, 300, Coelhos, Recife, PE ZIP 50070-902 Brazil
| | - Ronmilson Alves Marques
- Fundamental Chemistry Department, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Anibal Fernandes, s/n° Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE ZIP 50740-560 Brazil
| | | | | | - Salvador Vilar Correia Lima
- Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Hospital das Clínicas - Campus UFPE, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego,”s/n° - Bloco “A” - Térreo Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE ZIP 50670-420 Brazil
| | - Licarion Pinto
- Fundamental Chemistry Department, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Anibal Fernandes, s/n° Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE ZIP 50740-560 Brazil
| | - Ricardo Oliveira Silva
- Fundamental Chemistry Department, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Jornalista Anibal Fernandes, s/n° Cidade Universitária, Recife, PE ZIP 50740-560 Brazil
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24
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Memili E, Moura AA, Kaya A. Metabolomes of sperm and seminal plasma associated with bull fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 220:106355. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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25
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Panner Selvam MK, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R. Proteomics and metabolomics - Current and future perspectives in clinical andrology. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13711. [PMID: 32598566 DOI: 10.1111/and.13711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteomics and metabolomics are emerging as promising tools to investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with male infertility. Proteins and metabolites play a pivotal role in regulating the molecular pathways associated with physiological functions of spermatozoa. Semen analysis, physical examination and laboratory work up cannot identify the etiology of infertility in 30%-40% of cases, which are classified as idiopathic. Therefore, the application of proteomics and metabolomics in the field of andrology will aid to overcome the limitations of the standard semen analysis. Understanding the molecular pathways associated with male infertility will help in planning ad hoc treatments, contributing to the clinical management of infertile patients. In this review, proteomics and metabolomics studies on spermatozoa and seminal plasma are discussed with a focus on molecular biomarkers associated with male infertility-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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26
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Weiner HS, Crosier AE, Keefer CL. Analysis of metabolic flux in felid spermatozoa using metabolomics and 13C-based fluxomics†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:1261-1274. [PMID: 30715249 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa from three feline species-the domestic cat (Felis catus), the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)-were analyzed using metabolomic profiling and 13C-based fluxomics to address questions raised regarding their energy metabolism. Metabolic profiles and utilization of 13C-labeled energy substrates were detected and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Spermatozoa were collected by electroejaculation and incubated in media supplemented with 1.0 mM [U13C]-glucose, [U13C]-fructose, or [U13C]-pyruvate. Evaluation of intracellular metabolites following GC-MS analysis revealed the uptake and utilization of labeled glucose and fructose in sperm, as indicated by the presence of heavy ions in glycolytic products lactate and pyruvate. Despite evidence of substrate utilization, neither glucose nor fructose had an effect on the sperm motility index of ejaculated spermatozoa from any of the three felid species, and limited entry of pyruvate derived from these hexose substrates into mitochondria and the tricarboxylic acid cycle was detected. However, pathway utilization was species-specific for the limited number of individuals (four to seven males per species) assessed in these studies. An inhibitor of fatty acid beta-oxidation (FAO), etomoxir, altered metabolic profiles of all three felid species but decreased motility only in the cheetah. While fluxomic analysis provided direct evidence that glucose and fructose undergo catabolic metabolism, other endogenous substrates such as endogenous lipids may provide energy to fuel motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halli S Weiner
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrienne E Crosier
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Carol L Keefer
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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27
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Saraf KK, Kumaresan A, Dasgupta M, Karthikkeyan G, Prasad TSK, Modi PK, Ramesha K, Jeyakumar S, Manimaran A. Metabolomic fingerprinting of bull spermatozoa for identification of fertility signature metabolites. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:692-703. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaustubh K. Saraf
- Theriogenology LaboratorySouthern Regional Station of ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Bengaluru Karnataka India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenology LaboratorySouthern Regional Station of ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Bengaluru Karnataka India
| | - Mohua Dasgupta
- Theriogenology LaboratorySouthern Regional Station of ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Bengaluru Karnataka India
| | - Gayathree Karthikkeyan
- Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research CentreYenepoya (Deemed to be University) Mangalore Karnataka India
| | | | - Prashant K. Modi
- Centre for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research CentreYenepoya (Deemed to be University) Mangalore Karnataka India
| | - Kerekoppa Ramesha
- Dairy Production SectionSouthern Regional Station of ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Bengaluru Karnataka India
| | - Sakthivel Jeyakumar
- Dairy Production SectionSouthern Regional Station of ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Bengaluru Karnataka India
| | - Ayyasamy Manimaran
- Dairy Production SectionSouthern Regional Station of ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Bengaluru Karnataka India
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28
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Sousa SD, Lucini L, Ajmone-Marsan P, van Tilburg MF, Moura AA. Untargeted metabolomic profiling of accessory sex gland fluid from Morada Nova rams. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:409-418. [PMID: 32202367 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to characterize the metabolome of accessory gland fluid (AGF) of locally adapted Morada Nova rams, raised in the Brazilian Northeast. AGF was collected by an artificial vagina from five vasectomized rams. Metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS), with the support of Human Metabolome Database, PubChem, LIPID Metabolites, Pathways Strategy databases, and MetaboAnalyst platforms. There were 182 and 190 metabolites detected by GC/MS and LC/MS, respectively, with an overlap of one molecule. Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the most abundant class of metabolites in the ram AGF (127 compounds), followed by amino acids, peptides, and analogs(103 metabolites). Considering all GC/MS and LC/MS, fructose, glycerol, citric acid, d-mannitol, d-glucose, and l-(+)-lactic acid were the most abundant single metabolites present in the ram AGF. Meaningful pathways associated with AGF metabolites included glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis; galactose metabolism; glutamate metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism, and so forth. In conclusion, the combined use of LC/MS and GC/MS was essential for getting a holistic view of the compounds embedded in the ram AGF. Chemical analysis of the accessory sex gland secretion is relevant for understanding sperm function and fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange D Sousa
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Paolo Ajmone-Marsan
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition-DIANA and Proteomics and Nutrigenomics Research Center-PRONUTRIGEN, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Maurício F van Tilburg
- Department of Animal Science - Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Arlindo A Moura
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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29
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Ugur MR, Dinh T, Hitit M, Kaya A, Topper E, Didion B, Memili E. Amino Acids of Seminal Plasma Associated With Freezability of Bull Sperm. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 7:347. [PMID: 31993417 PMCID: PMC6970951 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is an important technique for fertility management, but post-thaw viability of sperm differs among breeding bulls. With metabolites being the end products of various metabolic pathways, the contributions of seminal plasma metabolites to sperm cryopreservation are still unknown. These gaps in the knowledge base are concerning because they prevent advances in the fundamental science of cryobiology and improvement of bull fertility. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that seminal plasma amino acids are associated with freezability of bull sperm. To accomplish this objective, amino acid concentrations in seminal plasma from seven bulls of good freezability (GF) and six bulls of poor freezability (PF) were quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Multivariate and univariate analyses were performed to identify potential freezability biomarkers. Pathways and networks analyses of identified amino acids were performed using bioinformatic tools. By analyzing and interpreting the results we demonstrated that glutamic acid was the most abundant amino acid in bull seminal plasma with average concentration of 3,366 ± 547.3 nM, which accounts for about 53% of total amino acids. The other most predominant amino acids were alanine, glycine, and aspartic acid with the mean concentrations of 1,053 ± 187.9, 429.8 ± 57.94, and 427 ± 101.3 nM. Pearson’s correlation analysis suggested that phenylalanine concentration was significantly associated with post-thaw viability (r = 0.57, P-value = 0.043). Significant correlations were also found among other amino acids. In addition, partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) bi-plot indicated a distinct separation between GF and PF groups. Phenylalanine had the highest VIP score and was more abundant in the GF groups than in the PF groups. Moreover, pathway and network analysis indicated that phenylalanine contributes to oxidoreductase and antioxidant reactions. Although univariate analysis did not yield significant differences in amino acid concentration between the two groups, these findings are significant that they indicate the potentially important roles of amino acids in seminal plasma, thereby building a foundation for the fundamental science of cryobiology and reproductive biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Rasit Ugur
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Thu Dinh
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States.,Department of Animal Genetics, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Kaya
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Einko Topper
- Alta Genetics, Inc., Watertown, WI, United States
| | | | - Erdogan Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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30
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Menezes EB, Velho ALC, Santos F, Dinh T, Kaya A, Topper E, Moura AA, Memili E. Uncovering sperm metabolome to discover biomarkers for bull fertility. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:714. [PMID: 31533629 PMCID: PMC6749656 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Subfertility decreases the efficiency of the cattle industry because artificial insemination employs spermatozoa from a single bull to inseminate thousands of cows. Variation in bull fertility has been demonstrated even among those animals exhibiting normal sperm numbers, motility, and morphology. Despite advances in research, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the causes of low fertility in some bulls have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the metabolic profile of bull spermatozoa using non-targeted metabolomics. Statistical analysis and bioinformatic tools were employed to evaluate the metabolic profiles high and low fertility groups. Metabolic pathways associated with the sperm metabolome were also reported. Results A total of 22 distinct metabolites were detected in spermatozoa from bulls with high fertility (HF) or low fertility (LF) phenotype. The major metabolite classes of bovine sperm were organic acids/derivatives and fatty acids/conjugates. We demonstrated that the abundance ratios of five sperm metabolites were statistically different between HF and LF groups including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), carbamate, benzoic acid, lactic acid, and palmitic acid. Metabolites with different abundances in HF and LF bulls had also VIP scores of greater than 1.5 and AUC- ROC curves of more than 80%. In addition, four metabolic pathways associated with differential metabolites namely alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, and pyruvate metabolism were also explored. Conclusions This is the first study aimed at ascertaining the metabolome of spermatozoa from bulls with different fertility phenotype using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We identified five metabolites in the two groups of sires and such molecules can be used, in the future, as key indicators of bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- E B Menezes
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - A L C Velho
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - F Santos
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.,Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - T Dinh
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - A Kaya
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - E Topper
- Alta Genetic Inc., Watertown, WI, USA
| | - A A Moura
- Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - E Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, 4025 Wise Center, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
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31
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Zou D, Meng X, Wang B, Dai Y, Yang R, Suo Y, Wu Y, Yang W, Lin R. Analysis of pharmacological mechanisms and targets mining of Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan for treating non-obstructive oligoasthenospermia. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 115:108898. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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32
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Engel KM, Baumann S, Rolle-Kampczyk U, Schiller J, von Bergen M, Grunewald S. Metabolomic profiling reveals correlations between spermiogram parameters and the metabolites present in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211679. [PMID: 30785892 PMCID: PMC6382115 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In 50% of all infertility cases, the male is subfertile or infertile, however, the underlying mechanisms are often unknown. Even when assisted reproductive procedures such as in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection are performed, the causes of male factor infertility frequently remain elusive. Since the overall activity of cells is closely linked to their metabolic capacity, we analyzed a panel of 180 metabolites in human sperm and seminal plasma and elucidated their associations with spermiogram parameters. Therefore, metabolites from a group of 20 healthy donors were investigated using a targeted LC-MS/MS approach. The correlation analyses of the amino acids, biogenic amines, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins and sugars from sperm and seminal plasma with standard spermiogram parameters revealed that metabolites in sperm are closely related to sperm motility, whereas those in seminal plasma are closely related to sperm concentration and morphology. This study provides essential insights into the metabolome of human sperm and seminal plasma and its associations with sperm functions. This metabolomics technique could be a promising screening tool to detect the factors of male infertility in cases where the cause of infertility is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin M. Engel
- Training Center of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology Clinic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Baumann
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Rolle-Kampczyk
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schiller
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin von Bergen
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sonja Grunewald
- Training Center of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology Clinic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Darbandi M, Darbandi S, Agarwal A, Baskaran S, Dutta S, Sengupta P, Khorram Khorshid HR, Esteves S, Gilany K, Hedayati M, Nobakht F, Akhondi MM, Lakpour N, Sadeghi MR. Reactive oxygen species-induced alterations in H19-Igf2 methylation patterns, seminal plasma metabolites, and semen quality. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:241-253. [PMID: 30382470 PMCID: PMC6420547 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1350-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels on the seminal plasma (SP) metabolite milieu and sperm dysfunction. METHODS Semen specimens of 151 normozoospermic men were analyzed for ROS by chemiluminescence and classified according to seminal ROS levels [in relative light units (RLU)/s/106 sperm]: group 1 (n = 39): low (ROS < 20), group 2 (n = 38): mild (20 ≤ ROS < 40), group 3 (n = 31): moderate (40 ≤ ROS < 60), and group 4 (n = 43): high (ROS ≥ 60). A comprehensive analysis of SP and semen parameters, including conventional semen characteristics, measurement of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), chromatin maturation index (CMI), H19-Igf2 methylation status, and untargeted seminal metabolic profiling using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), was carried out. RESULT(S) The methylation status of H19 and Igf2 was significantly different in specimens with high ROS (P < 0.005). Metabolic fingerprinting of these SP samples showed upregulation of trimethylamine N-oxide (P < 0.001) and downregulations of tryptophan (P < 0.05) and tyrosine/tyrosol (P < 0.01). High ROS significantly reduced total sperm motility (P < 0.05), sperm concentration (P < 0.001), and seminal TAC (P < 0.001) but increased CMI and DFI (P < 0.005). ROS levels have a positive correlation with Igf2 methylation (r = 0.19, P < 0.05), DFI (r = 0.40, P < 0.001), CMI (r = 0.39, P < 0.001), and trimethylamine N-oxide (r = 0.45, P < 0.05) and a negative correlation with H19 methylation (r = - 0.20, P < 0.05), tryptophan (r = - 0.45, P < 0.05), sperm motility (r = - 0.20, P < 0.05), sperm viability (r = - 0.23, P < 0.01), and sperm concentration (r = - 0.30, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION(S) Results showed significant correlation between ROS levels and H19-Igf2 gene methylation as well as semen parameters. These findings are critical to identify idiopathic male infertility and its management through assisted reproduction technology (ART).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Darbandi
- Department of Embryology and Andrology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, 1936773493, Iran
| | - Sara Darbandi
- Department of Embryology and Andrology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, 1936773493, Iran
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Sulagna Dutta
- Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, 42610, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, 42610, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hamid Reza Khorram Khorshid
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, 1985713834, Iran
| | - Sandro Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, 13075-460, Brazil
| | - Kambiz Gilany
- Department of Embryology and Andrology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, 1936773493, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hedayati
- Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University for Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985717413, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Nobakht
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Nishabur, 9314634814, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ARI), ACECR, Shahid Beheshti University, Evin, Tehran, 1936773493, Iran
| | - Niknam Lakpour
- Department of Embryology and Andrology, Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, 1936773493, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute (ARI), ACECR, Shahid Beheshti University, Evin, Tehran, 1936773493, Iran.
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Sperm lipidic profiles differ significantly between ejaculates resulting in pregnancy or not following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1973-1985. [PMID: 30105539 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although assisted reproduction techniques involve the use of semen samples, there is little scientific methodology applied when selecting sperm. To select the most appropriate spermatozoa, first we need to define the optimal molecular characteristics. Sperm lipids may contribute to sperm function, thus our aim was to compare the lipidic profiles of sperm samples used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles that ultimately led to a pregnancy with those that did not.Spermatozoa from infertile patients after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (group non-pregnant, n = 16; vs. group pregnant, n = 22) were analyzed for lipid composition using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, by means two platforms for measuring fatty acyls, bile-acids, lysoglycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, cholesteryl-esters, sphingolipids, and glycerophospholipids. Lipid levels were compared using a univariate test and multivariate analyses after logarithmic transformation.We detected 151 different lipids in the sperm samples, 10 of which were significantly increased in sperm samples from the NP group, ranging from 1.10- to 1.30-fold change. These were primarily ceramides, sphingomyelins and three glycerophospholipids, a lysophosphatidylcholine, and two plasmalogen species. Additionally, 2-Monoacylglycerophosphocholine were also found in higher levels in non-pregnant group.Our results describe the composition of sperm lipids linked to optimal sperm function, opening new possibilities for the development of male fertility diagnostic tools and culture media formulations to improve sperm quality and enhance reproductive results. Given that lipids compose the majority of the sperm plasma membrane, this information is also useful in designing new sperm selection tools that will allow for the selection of the best spermatozoa.
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Reynolds S, Calvert SJ, Paley MN, Pacey AA. 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of live human sperm. Mol Hum Reprod 2018; 23:441-451. [PMID: 28431025 PMCID: PMC5909857 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gax025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) be used to obtain information about the molecules and metabolites in live human spermatozoa? SUMMARY ANSWER Percoll-based density gradient centrifugation (DGC) followed by a further two washing steps, yielded enough sperm with minimal contamination (<0.01%) from seminal fluid to permit effective MRS which detected significant differences (P < 0.05) in the choline/glycerophosphocholine (GPC), lipid and lactate regions of the 1H MRS spectrum between sperm in the pellet and those from the 40%/80% interface. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Current methods to examine sperm are either limited in their value (e.g. semen analysis) or are destructive (e.g. immunohistochemistry, sperm DNA testing). A few studies have previously used MRS to examine sperm, but these have either looked at seminal plasma from men with different ejaculate qualities or at the molecules present in pooled samples of lyophilized sperm. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS Sperm suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37°C were examined by 1H MRS scanning using a 1H excitation-sculpting solvent suppression sequence after recovery from fresh ejaculates by one of three different methods: (i) simple centrifugation; (ii) DGC with one wash; or (iii) DGC with two washes. In the case of DGC, sperm were collected both from the pellet (‘80%’ sperm) and the 40/80 interface (‘40%’ sperm). Spectrum processing was carried out using custom Matlab scripts to determine; the degree of seminal plasma/Percoll contamination, the minimum sperm concentration for 1H MRS detection and differences between the 1H MRS spectra of ‘40%’ and ‘80%’ sperm. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE DGC with two washes minimized the 1H MRS peak intensity for both seminal plasma and Percoll/PBS solution contamination while retaining sperm specific peaks. For the MRS scanner used in this study, the minimum sperm concentration required to produce a choline/GPC 1H MRS peak greater than 3:1 signal to noise ratio (SNR) was estimated at ~3 × 106/ml. The choline/GPC and lactate/lipid regions of the 1H spectrum were significantly different by two-way ANOVA analysis (P < 0.0001; n = 20). ROC curve analysis of these region showed significant ability to distinguish between the two sperm populations: choline/GPC ROC AUC = 0.65–0.67, lactate/lipid ROC AUC = 0.86–0.87. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Only 3–4 semen samples were used to assess the efficacy of each sperm washing protocol that were examined. The estimated minimum sperm concentration required for MRS is specific to the hardware used in our study and may be different in other spectrometers. Spectrum binning is a low resolution analysis method that sums MRS peaks within a chemical shift range. This can obscure the identity of which metabolite(s) are responsible for differences between sperm populations. Further work is required to determine the relative contribution of somatic cells to the MRS spectrum from the ‘40%’ and ‘80%’ sperm. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS 1H MRS can provide information about the molecules present in live human sperm and may therefore permit the study of the underlying functional biology or metabolomics of live sperm. Given the relatively low concentration of sperm required to obtain a suitable MRS signal (~3 × 106/ml), this could be carried out on sperm from men with oligo-, astheno- or teratozoospermia. This may lead to the development of new diagnostic tests or ultimately novel treatments for male factor infertility. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Medical Research Council Grant MR/M010473/1. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Reynolds
- Academic Unit of Radiology, Department of Immunity, Infection and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK
| | - S J Calvert
- Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK
| | - M N Paley
- Academic Unit of Radiology, Department of Immunity, Infection and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK
| | - A A Pacey
- Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK
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Velho ALC, Menezes E, Dinh T, Kaya A, Topper E, Moura AA, Memili E. Metabolomic markers of fertility in bull seminal plasma. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195279. [PMID: 29634739 PMCID: PMC5892889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolites play essential roles in biological systems, but detailed identities and significance of the seminal plasma metabolome related to bull fertility are still unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine the comprehensive metabolome of seminal plasma from Holstein bulls and to ascertain the potential of metabolites as biomarkers of bull fertility. The seminal plasma metabolome from 16 Holstein bulls with two fertility rates were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate and univariate analyses of the data were performed, and the pathways associated with the seminal plasma metabolome were identified using bioinformatics approaches. Sixty-three metabolites were identified in the seminal plasma of all bulls. Fructose was the most abundant metabolite in the seminal fluid, followed for citric acid, lactic acid, urea and phosphoric acid. Androstenedione, 4-ketoglucose, D-xylofuranose, 2-oxoglutaric acid and erythronic acid represented the least predominant metabolites. Partial-Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA) revealed a distinct separation between high and low fertility bulls. The metabolites with the greatest Variable Importance in Projection score (VIP > 2) were 2-oxoglutaric acid and fructose. Heat-map analysis, based on VIP score, and univariate analysis indicated that 2-oxoglutaric acid was less (P = 0.02); whereas fructose was greater (P = 0.02) in high fertility than in low fertility bulls. The current study is the first to describe the metabolome of bull seminal plasma using GC-MS and presented metabolites such as 2-oxoglutaric acid and fructose as potential biomarkers of bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza Cazaux Velho
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
- Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Erika Menezes
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
| | - Thu Dinh
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
| | - Abdullah Kaya
- Alta Genetic Inc., Watertown, WI, United States of America
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Einko Topper
- Alta Genetic Inc., Watertown, WI, United States of America
| | - Arlindo Alencar Moura
- Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
| | - Erdogan Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, United States of America
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Iaffaldano N, Di Iorio M, Mannina L, Paventi G, Rosato MP, Cerolini S, Sobolev AP. Age-dependent changes in metabolic profile of turkey spermatozoa as assessed by NMR analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194219. [PMID: 29534088 PMCID: PMC5849324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic profile of fresh turkey spermatozoa at three different reproductive period ages, namely 32, 44 and 56 weeks, was monitored by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and correlated to sperm quality parameters. The age-related decrease in sperm quality as indicated by reduction of sperm concentration, sperm mobility and osmotic tolerance was associated to variation in the level of specific water-soluble and liposoluble metabolites. In particular, the highest levels of isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, tyrosine and valine were found at 32 weeks of age, whereas aspartate, lactate, creatine, carnitine, acetylcarnitine levels increased during the ageing. Lipid composition also changed during the ageing: diunsaturated fatty acids level increased from 32 to 56 weeks of age, whereas a reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acids content was observed at 56 weeks. The untargeted approach attempts to give a wider picture of metabolic changes occurring in ageing suggesting that the reduction of sperm quality could be due to a progressive deficiency in mitochondrial energy producing systems, as also prompted by the negative correlation found between sperm mobility and the increase in certain mitochondrial metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Michele Di Iorio
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Luisa Mannina
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Metodologie Chimiche, Laboratorio di Risonanza Magnetica “Annalaura Segre”, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Paventi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Rosato
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anatoly P. Sobolev
- Istituto di Metodologie Chimiche, Laboratorio di Risonanza Magnetica “Annalaura Segre”, CNR, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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Metabolomic Profiling of Human Spermatozoa in Idiopathic Asthenozoospermia Patients Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:8327506. [PMID: 29682560 PMCID: PMC5851030 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8327506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the first metabolic profile of human sperm cells through the application of an untargeted platform based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sperm cell samples from patients diagnosed with idiopathic asthenozoospermia (n = 30) and healthy subjects (n = 30) were analyzed using a nontargeted metabolomics method based on GC-MS spectroscopy. The mass spectrometric data were collected using multivariate and univariate analyses to identify metabolites related to idiopathic asthenozoospermia. By using metabolomic strategies, we identified 33 metabolites, 27 of which were decreased in the idiopathic asthenozoospermia group compared with the normozoospermic group and six were increased in idiopathic asthenozoospermia. With respect to human sperm cells, some of these metabolites are reported here for the first time. Pathways for nucleoside, amino acid and energy metabolism, and the Krebs cycle were disturbed and were associated with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. The metabolic profiling provides an important first step in studying the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in IAS, and the identified metabolites may become potential biomarkers for its diagnosis and treatment.
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Zavahir JS, Nolvachai Y, Marriott PJ. Molecular spectroscopy – Information rich detection for gas chromatography. Trends Analyt Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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40
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Luque de Castro M, Priego-Capote F. The analytical process to search for metabolomics biomarkers. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 147:341-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2017.06.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Fernando H, Bhopale KK, Kondraganti SS, Kaphalia BS, Ansari GAS. Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Steatosis: A Comparative Study to Identify Possible Indicator(s) of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 7. [PMID: 31032137 DOI: 10.4303/jdar/236040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Fatty liver is an early sign of both nonalcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Ethanol feeding using a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet (LD) model which contains 35% fat to rats or mice is a well-established model for alcoholic fatty liver. However, LD diet alone can also induce fatty liver and its differential metabolic profile may be able to differentiate steatosis induced by LD versus LD plus ethanol. Purpose We investigated the lipidomic differences in the livers of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats fed a pellet diet (PD), LD and liquid ethanol diet (LED) for six weeks. Study Design Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with nonalcoholic diets PD, LD or LED (ethanol in LD) for six weeks. Lipids were extracted and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)- based metabolomics. The NMR data obtained was analyzed by multivariate Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Spotfire DecisionSite 9.0 software to compare PD versus LD and LD versus LED groups. Results PCA of the NMR spectral data of livers of both comparisons showed a clear separation of PD from LD group and LD from LED group indicating differences in lipid profiles which corresponded with changes in total lipid weights. LD showed increases for cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, cholesterol acetate and triglycerides with decreases for fatty acyl chain, diallylic and allylic protons, while the LED showed increases in esterified cholesterol, cholesterol acetate, fatty acid methyl esters, allylic protons and some triglyceride protons with decreases in free cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Conclusion Our data suggest that altered lipid signature or PC levels could be an indicator to differentiate between nonalcoholic versus alcoholic fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshica Fernando
- Department of Chemistry, Prairie View A & M University, 100 University Dr, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
| | - Kamlesh K Bhopale
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | | | - Bhupendra S Kaphalia
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - G A Shakeel Ansari
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
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Bogle OA, Kumar K, Attardo-Parrinello C, Lewis SEM, Estanyol JM, Ballescà JL, Oliva R. Identification of protein changes in human spermatozoa throughout the cryopreservation process. Andrology 2016; 5:10-22. [PMID: 27860400 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cryoinjury is a consequence of cryopreservation and may have a negative impact on sperm quality regarding motility, morphology, and viability. This study was designed to identify potential proteomic changes in human sperm cells throughout the cryopreservation process. Comparisons made within this study included the detection of the sperm proteomic changes induced by incubation of the sperm cells with a protein-free cryoprotectant (with and without CryoSperm), and the proteomic changes induced by freezing, thawing, and subsequent after-thawing incubation at two different temperatures (0 °C vs. 23 °C). Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) peptide labeling coupled with LC-MS/MS was used for protein quantification. LC-MS/MS resulted in the identification of 769 quantifiable proteins. The abundance of 105 proteins was altered upon CryoSperm incubation. Freezing and thawing also induced substantial protein changes. However, fewer changes were observed when semen was thawed and then maintained after-thawing at approximately 0 °C than when it was maintained after-thawing at 23 °C, with 60 and 99 differential proteins detected, respectively, as compared to unfrozen semen incubated in CryoSperm. Collectively, these differences indicate that substantial changes occur in the sperm proteome at every stage of the cryopreservation process which may ultimately impair the sperm fertilizing capability. This is the first study to compare protein levels in fresh and cryopreserved semen using the TMT technology coupled to LC-MS/MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- O A Bogle
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - K Kumar
- Centre for Public Health, Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Clinical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - C Attardo-Parrinello
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S E M Lewis
- Centre for Public Health, Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Clinical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - J M Estanyol
- Proteomics Unit, Scientific Technical Services, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J L Ballescà
- Clinic Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Clinic Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Zerbinati C, Caponecchia L, Rago R, Leoncini E, Bottaccioli AG, Ciacciarelli M, Pacelli A, Salacone P, Sebastianelli A, Pastore A, Palleschi G, Boccia S, Carbone A, Iuliano L. Fatty acids profiling reveals potential candidate markers of semen quality. Andrology 2016; 4:1094-1101. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Zerbinati
- Vascular Biology & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University of Rome; Latina Italy
| | - L. Caponecchia
- Center for Couple Infertility and Andrology; S. M. Goretti Hospital; Latina Italy
| | - R. Rago
- Pathophysiology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit; S. Pertini Hospital; Rome Italy
| | - E. Leoncini
- Section of Hygiene; Institute of Public Health; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Rome Italy
| | - A. G. Bottaccioli
- Vascular Biology & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University of Rome; Latina Italy
| | - M. Ciacciarelli
- Vascular Biology & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University of Rome; Latina Italy
| | - A. Pacelli
- Vascular Biology & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University of Rome; Latina Italy
| | - P. Salacone
- Center for Couple Infertility and Andrology; S. M. Goretti Hospital; Latina Italy
| | - A. Sebastianelli
- Center for Couple Infertility and Andrology; S. M. Goretti Hospital; Latina Italy
| | - A. Pastore
- Urology Unit; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico alaumatologico; Latina Italy
| | - G. Palleschi
- Urology Unit; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico alaumatologico; Latina Italy
| | - S. Boccia
- Section of Hygiene; Institute of Public Health; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Rome Italy
| | - A. Carbone
- Urology Unit; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico alaumatologico; Latina Italy
| | - L. Iuliano
- Vascular Biology & Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University of Rome; Latina Italy
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