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Li HM, Wan XY, Zhao JY, Liang XM, Dai Y, Li HG. Promising novel biomarkers and therapy targets: The application of cell-free seminal nucleotides in male reproduction research. Transl Res 2022; 256:73-86. [PMID: 36586533 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Liquid biopsy has the advantage of diagnosing diseases in a non-invasive manner. Seminal plasma contains secretions from the bilateral testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands, and the prostate. These organs are relatively small and contain delicate tubes that are prone to damage by invasive diagnosis. Cell-free seminal nucleic acids test is a newly emerged item in liquid biopsy. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of all known cell-free DNA and cell-free RNAs (mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, piRNA, YRNA, tsRNA, etc.) and discuss their roles as biomarker candidates in liquid biopsy. With great advantages, including high stability, sensitivity, representability, and non-invasiveness, cell-free DNA/RNAs may be developed as promising biomarkers for the screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of diseases in semen-secreting organs. Moreover, RNAs in semen may participate in important processes, including sperm maturation, early embryo development, and transgenerational disease inheritance, which may be developed as potential treatment targets for future clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Min Li
- Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Yan Wan
- Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510620, P. R. China
| | - Jie-Yi Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xu-Ming Liang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, P. R. China
| | - Yun Dai
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Gang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, P. R. China; Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, 430030, P. R. China.
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Dai Y, Kong X, Yao C, Xiong C, Li Z, Li H. Multi-stage screening cell-free seminal mRNAs to diagnose completion of meiosis and predict testicular sperm retrieval in men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Andrology 2022; 10:749-757. [PMID: 35266640 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13173] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differential diagnosis of men with subtypes of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is important for their treatment. Many genes are transcripted during meiosis. We hypothesized that some of these genes can be detected in cell-free seminal mRNAs (cfs-mRNA) and be developed as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing NOA subtypes. OBJECTIVE To screen cfs-mRNA to diagnose the completion of meiosis and predict successful sperm retrieval (SR) in men with NOA. MATERIALS AND METHODS NOA patients who visited our institutes from September 2018 to December 2020 for testicular histopathological diagnosis (n = 109) or testicular SR (n = 92) were screened for participation in the study. Microarray and real-time quantitative PCR were used in five stages to obtain candidate cfs-mRNAs for comparisons between patients with early maturation arrest (eMA, meiosis not completed) and late MA or hypospermatogenesis (meiosis completed), and between NOA patients with successful SR and SR failure. RESULTS Twelve cfs-mRNAs were selected based on this comparison between men with eMA and hypospermatogenesis and their gene expression and function information. Of these, AKAP1, BOLL, TCP11, and SETX predominantly derived from testes and germ cells were proposed as candidate cfs-mRNAs. Further quantification in men with NOA demonstrated significantly higher levels of BOLL cfs-mRNA (P < 0.0001) in men with late MA or hypospermatogenesis (n = 23), compared with men with eMA (n = 51); and significantly higher levels (P < 0.0001) in patients with successful SR (n = 44) when compared with patients with SR failure (n = 37). Interestingly, with a similar cutoff value, BOLL cfs-mRNA showed high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing late MA and hypospermatogenesis (>404 copies/mL) and predicting successful SR (>415 copies/mL). Correlation of BOLL mRNA levels was observed in paired semen and testicular tissues. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS We propose that BOLL cfs-mRNA is a promising non-invasive marker for diagnosing the completion of meiosis and predicting successful testicular SR in men with NOA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwan Dai
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan, China
| | - Xiangbin Kong
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, the Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, the Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, China
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Manterola M, Palominos MF, Calixto A. The Heritability of Behaviors Associated With the Host Gut Microbiota. Front Immunol 2021; 12:658551. [PMID: 34054822 PMCID: PMC8155505 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.658551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
What defines whether the interaction between environment and organism creates a genetic memory able to be transferred to subsequent generations? Bacteria and the products of their metabolism are the most ubiquitous biotic environments to which every living organism is exposed. Both microbiota and host establish a framework where environmental and genetic factors are integrated to produce adaptive life traits, some of which can be inherited. Thus, the interplay between host and microbe is a powerful model to study how phenotypic plasticity is inherited. Communication between host and microbe can occur through diverse molecules such as small RNAs (sRNAs) and the RNA interference machinery, which have emerged as mediators and carriers of heritable environmentally induced responses. Notwithstanding, it is still unclear how the organism integrates sRNA signaling between different tissues to orchestrate a systemic bacterially induced response that can be inherited. Here we discuss current evidence of heritability produced by the intestinal microbiota from several species. Neurons and gut are the sensing systems involved in transmitting changes through transcriptional and post-transcriptional modifications to the gonads. Germ cells express inflammatory receptors, and their development and function are regulated by host and bacterial metabolites and sRNAs thus suggesting that the dynamic interplay between host and microbe underlies the host's capacity to transmit heritable behaviors. We discuss how the host detects changes in the microbiota that can modulate germ cells genomic functions. We also explore the nature of the interactions that leave permanent or long-term memory in the host and propose mechanisms by which the microbiota can regulate the development and epigenetic reprogramming of germ cells, thus influencing the inheritance of the host. We highlight the vast contribution of the bacterivore nematode C. elegans and its commensal and pathogenic bacteria to the understanding on how behavioral adaptations can be inter and transgenerational inherited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Manterola
- Programa de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - M. Fernanda Palominos
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Instituto de Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias, mención Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Andrea Calixto
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Instituto de Neurociencia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
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Grosso JB, Zoff L, Calvo KL, Maraval MB, Perez M, Carbonaro M, Brignardello C, Morente C, Spinelli SV. Levels of seminal tRNA-derived fragments from normozoospermic men correlate with the success rate of ART. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6162173. [PMID: 33693947 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreased fertility is becoming an important social and medical problem and the male factor is involved in at least half of infertility cases. Since conventional semen analysis provides limited prediction of male fertility; in this work, we evaluated the potential use of seminal small RNAs (sRNA) as markers of semen quality in ART. Our bioinformatic analyses of available sRNA-seq databases showed that the most abundant sRNA species in seminal plasma of normozoospermic men are tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), a novel class of regulatory sRNAs. These molecules not only exert their function within cells but also are released into the extracellular environment where they could carry out signaling functions. To evaluate whether the assessment of seminal tRFs in normozoospermic men has a predictive value for the clinical outcome in ART, we performed a prospective study with couples who underwent ICSI cycles with donated oocytes. The results obtained demonstrated that levels of 5'tRF-Glu-CTC, 5'tRF-Lys-CTT, and 5'tRF-Gly-GCC are significantly elevated in seminal samples from cases with repeated failed ICSI cycles, suggesting a potential association between increased seminal tRFs and unexplained male infertility. Interestingly, these tRFs showed a negative association with seminal testosterone, highlighting their involvement in male endocrinology. Our findings also suggest that tRFs could play a role in modulating male reproductive function in response to physiological stress since they showed significant associations with the levels of sperm DNA fragmentation in couples that achieved pregnancy but not in cases with failed ICSI cycles where seminal cortisol levels correlate with sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta B Grosso
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Luciana Zoff
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - María Belén Maraval
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | - Silvana V Spinelli
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
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Li H, Xiao X, Zhang J, Zafar MI, Wu C, Long Y, Lu W, Pan F, Meng T, Zhao K, Zhou L, Shen S, Liu L, Liu Q, Xiong C. Impaired spermatogenesis in COVID-19 patients. EClinicalMedicine 2020; 28:100604. [PMID: 33134901 PMCID: PMC7584442 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study aimed to determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility. METHODS This is a single-center, hospital-based observational study that included autopsied testicular and epididymal specimens of deceased COVID-19 male patients (n=6) and recruited recovering COVID-19 inpatients (n=23) with an equal number of age-matched controls, respectively. We performed histopathological examinations on testicular and epididymal specimens, and also performed TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry. Whereas, we investigated the semen specimen for sperm parameters and immune factors. FINDINGS Autopsied testicular and epididymal specimens of COVID-19 showed the presence of interstitial edema, congestion, red blood cell exudation in testes, and epididymides. Thinning of seminiferous tubules was observed. The number of apoptotic cells within seminiferous tubules was significantly higher in COVID-19 compared to control cases. It also showed an increased concentration of CD3+ and CD68+ in the interstitial cells of testicular tissue and the presence of IgG within seminiferous tubules. Semen from COVID-19 inpatients showed that 39.1% (n=9) of them have oligozoospermia, and 60.9% (n=14) showed a significant increase in leucocytes in semen. Decreased sperm concentration, and increased seminal levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 compared to control males were observed. INTERPRETATION Impairment of spermatogenesis was observed in COVID-19 patients, which could be partially explained as a result of an elevated immune response in testis. Additionally, autoimmune orchitis occurred in some COVID-19 patients. Further research on the reversibility of impairment and developing treatment are warranted. FUNDING This study was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology of China Plan, Hubei Science and Technology Plan, National Key Research and Development Program of China, HUST COVID-19 Rapid Response Call, China and National Natural Science Foundation of China; these funding bodies are public institutions, and they had no role in study conception, design, interpretation of results, and manuscript preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Sanyang Road 128, Wuhan 430013, China
| | - Xingyuan Xiao
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue 1277, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Mohammad Ishraq Zafar
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chunlin Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The No.1 Hospital of Wuhan, Zhongshan Avenue 215, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yuting Long
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Sanyang Road 128, Wuhan 430013, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Pathology, Kindstar Global, Gaoxin Avenue 666, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Feng Pan
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue 1277, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Tianqing Meng
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Sanyang Road 128, Wuhan 430013, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Liquan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Shiliang Shen
- Department of Pathology, Kindstar Global, Gaoxin Avenue 666, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan 430030, China
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Sanyang Road 128, Wuhan 430013, China
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Boellaard WP, Stoop H, Gillis AJ, Oosterhuis JW, Looijenga LH. VASA mRNA (DDX4) detection is more specific than immunohistochemistry using poly- or monoclonal antibodies for germ cells in the male urogenital tract. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e7489. [PMID: 28746190 PMCID: PMC5627816 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000007489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
VASA, also known as DDX4, is reported to be specifically expressed in cells belonging to the germ cell lineage, both in males and females. Therefore, it could be an informative protein biomarker to be applied on semen to differentiate between obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia (OA and NOA, respectively). In addition, it could be of value to predict sperm retrieval based on testicular sperm extraction. Immunocytochemistry of proven OA semen using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against VASA showed positive staining of both cells and cell sized particles. This is spite of being the absolute negative controls, completely lacking germ lineage derived cells and material. In order to identify the source of the VASA-positive material, a detailed screen of different anatomical parts of the whole male urogenital tract was performed of multiple cases using immunohistochemistry.The polyclonal antibody stained, besides the expected germ cells in the testis, epithelium of the bladder and the seminal vesicles. The monoclonal antibody only stained the latter. To investigate whether the immunohistochemical staining is associated with the presence of the corresponding VASA mRNA, samples of seminal vesicles, bladder, testis, and semen (with and without germ cells) were investigated using the specific quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on 42 samples. A positive result was detected in testis and semen containing germ cells (n = 10 and 8), being negative in semen without germ cells (n = 11), bladder (n = 3), and seminal vesicles (n = 10).Two commercially available VASA antibodies (mono- and polyclonal) are not specific. In contrast, VASA-mRNA evaluation, using qRT-PCR, is specific for the presence of germ cells, therefore, is an interesting molecular biomarker for germ cell detection in semen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hans Stoop
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ad J.M. Gillis
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J. Wolter. Oosterhuis
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Boissière A, Gala A, Ferrières-Hoa A, Mullet T, Baillet S, Petiton A, Torre A, Hamamah S. Cell-free and intracellular nucleic acids: new non-invasive biomarkers to explore male infertility. Basic Clin Androl 2017; 27:7. [PMID: 28439417 PMCID: PMC5399401 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-017-0052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a devastating problem that affects many couples worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms and causes of idiopathic male infertility remain unclear. Circulating cell-free nucleic acids have an important role in human physiology and emerging evidence suggests that they play a role in male infertility. This review summarizes recent results on cell-free and intracellular nucleic acids in male infertility and discusses their potential use as biomarkers of male infertility in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Boissière
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Gala
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Alice Ferrières-Hoa
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Tiffany Mullet
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Solenne Baillet
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Amaël Petiton
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Antoine Torre
- Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Samir Hamamah
- Unité INSERM U1203, Hôpital Saint Eloi, CHRU Montpellier, 80, avenue Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.,Département de biologie de la reproduction, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34295 Montpellier, France
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Shilpa M, Selvaraju S, GirishKumar V, Parthipan S, Binsila KB, Arangasamy A, Ravindra JP. Novel insights into the role of cell-free seminal mRNAs on semen quality and cryotolerance of spermatozoa in bulls (Bos taurus). Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:2446-2456. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to ascertain the effectiveness of seminal plasma mRNAs as markers to assess the reproductive performance of bulls. Semen samples (33 ejaculates) from 11 bulls were evaluated for sperm kinematic and functional parameters. Total RNA was isolated from cell-free seminal (cfs) using TRIzol LS reagent and the concentration of cfs-RNA was 24.4 ± 2.3 µg mL−1 seminal plasma. The cfs-RNA was fragmented to a size of 25–500 bp. Of the cfs-mRNAs screened using real time PCR, expression of protamine 1 (PRM1) was positively (P < 0.05) associated with the mitochondrial membrane potential of raw semen, whereas expression of Fas Ligand (FASLG) was negatively (P < 0.05) associated with sperm velocity, membrane integrity and chromatin distribution in post-thaw semen samples. The percentage of Type A spermatozoa (amplitude of lateral movement of head >2.5 μm and straightness >85%) in raw semen was positively (P < 0.05) associated with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2D3 (UBE2D3), tumour-associated necrotic factor-associated death domain (TRADD) and caspase-3 (CASP3) expression. Nerve growth factor (NGF) expression was positively (P < 0.05) associated with the maintenance of post-thaw functional membrane integrity in spermatozoa and could be used to assess the cryotolerance of bull semen. In conclusion, the expression of cfs mRNAs can be used to assess the reproductive performance of males and to predict the sensitivity of spermatozoa to cryoinjury.
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