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Pilsova Z, Pilsova A, Zelenkova N, Klusackova B, Chmelikova E, Postlerova P, Sedmikova M. Hydrogen sulfide and its potential as a possible therapeutic agent in male reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1427069. [PMID: 39324123 PMCID: PMC11423738 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1427069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously produced signaling molecule that belongs to the group of gasotransmitters along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). H2S plays a pivotal role in male reproductive processes. It is produced in various tissues and cells of the male reproductive system, including testicular tissue, Leydig and Sertoli cells, epididymis, seminal plasma, prostate, penile tissues, and sperm cells. This review aims to summarize the knowledge about the presence and effects of H2S in male reproductive tissues and outline possible therapeutic strategies in pathological conditions related to male fertility, e. g. spermatogenetic disorders and erectile dysfunction (ED). For instance, H2S supports spermatogenesis by maintaining the integrity of the blood-testicular barrier (BTB), stimulating testosterone production, and providing cytoprotective effects. In spermatozoa, H2S modulates sperm motility, promotes sperm maturation, capacitation, and acrosome reaction, and has significant cytoprotective effects. Given its vasorelaxant effects, it supports the erection of penile tissue. These findings suggest the importance and therapeutic potential of H2S in male reproduction, paving the way for further research and potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Pilsova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Aneta Pilsova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Natalie Zelenkova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barbora Klusackova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Chmelikova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavla Postlerova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Marketa Sedmikova
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
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De Toni L, Cosci I, Sabovic I, Di Nisio A, Guidolin D, Pedrucci F, Finocchi F, Dall'Acqua S, Foresta C, Ferlin A, Garolla A. Membrane Cholesterol Inhibits Progesterone-Mediated Sperm Function through the Possible Involvement of ABHD2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119254. [PMID: 37298205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abhydrolase domain containing 2-acylglycerol lipase (ABHD2) was recently claimed as the membrane receptor of progesterone (P4) in sperm cells, mediating cell processes such as sperm chemotaxis and acrosome reaction. Here, we investigated the role of membrane cholesterol (Chol) on ABHD2-mediated human sperm chemotaxis. Human sperm cells were obtained from twelve normozoospemic healthy donors. ABHD2-Chol interaction was modelled by computational molecular-modelling (MM). Sperm membrane Chol content was depleted by incubating cells with cyclodextrin (CD) or augmented by the incubation with the complex between CD and Chol (CD:Chol). Cell Chol levels were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sperm migration upon P4 gradient was evaluated through the accumulation assay in a specific migration device. Motility parameters were evaluated by sperm class analyzer, whilst intracellular calcium concentration, acrosome reaction and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated with calcium orange, FITC-conjugated anti-CD46 antibody and JC-1 fluorescent probes, respectively. MM analysis showed the possible stable binding Chol to ABHD2, resulting in to major impact on the protein backbone flexibility. The treatment with CD was associated with a dose-dependent increase in sperm migration in a 160 nM P4 gradient, together with increase in sperm motility parameters and levels of acrosome reaction. The treatment with CD:Chol was associated with essentially opposite effects. Chol was, thus, suggested to inhibit P4-mediated sperm function through the possible inhibition of ABHD2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cosci
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Iva Sabovic
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Diego Guidolin
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Anatomy, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Pedrucci
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Finocchi
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall'Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Garolla
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
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Cañón-Beltrán K, Cajas YN, González E, Fernández-González R, Fierro N, Lorenzo PL, Arias-Álvarez M, García-García RM, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Rizos D. Acquisition of fertilization competence in guinea pig spermatozoa under different capacitation protocols. Theriogenology 2023; 198:231-240. [PMID: 36621132 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Guinea pig in vitro fertilization (IVF) are poorly developed due to the limited accessibility to oocytes and the lack of an efficient method of sperm capacitation. Thus, we aimed to evaluate different capacitation protocols that we validated through sperm analysis and using heterologous (He) IVF with zona-intact bovine oocytes. Spermatozoa of guinea pigs were collected and processed separately by 4 different protocols: A) Spermatozoa were obtained by flushing the lumen of one cauda epididymis and incubated in a minimal culture medium (MCM); B) One epididymis was placed in a prewarmed of M2 medium and gently minced with fine scissors. Spermatozoa were incubated in a modified human tubal fluid medium (HTF). In both protocols, the spermatozoa were capacitated at 37 °C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 h. In the protocols C and D, the spermatozoa were collected by flushing the lumen of the cauda epididymis and selected by commercial density gradient Bovipure® (Nidacon Laboratories AB, Göthenborg, Sweden), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then for Protocol C) spermatozoa were incubated in MCM medium supplemented with 10 mg/mL heparin (MCM-Hep); while for Protocol D) spermatozoa were incubated in FERT medium supplemented 10 mg/mL heparin (FERT-Hep). Incubation of C and D protocols were performed at 38.5 °C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 2 h. Capacitation protocols C and D showed a higher percentage of viability, total and hyperactive-like motility, and acrosome reaction compared to protocols A and B. For this reason, protocols C and D were used for further He-IVF analysis. Guinea pig sperm and matured zona-intact bovine oocytes were co-incubated at 5% CO2 and 38.5 °C. Sperm-oocyte interaction was assessed at 2.5 h post-insemination (hpi) and pronuclear formation (PrF) were evaluated at 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 hpi, while the cleavage rate was evaluated at 48 hpi. In protocol D, PrF was significantly higher than in protocol C (P ≤ 0.05) at every time point evaluated. Also, the cleavage rate at 48 hpi was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in He-IVF protocol D (69.8 ± 1.7%) compared to He-IVF protocol C (49.1 ± 1.1%). In conclusion, we determined the most adequate sperm capacitation conditions for guinea pig that allow zona-intact bovine oocyte penetration and lead to hybrid embryo formation, suggesting that these conditions could be optimal to develop IVF in guinea pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Cañón-Beltrán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Programa de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupo Kyron, Corporación Universitaria del Huila (CORHUILA), Huila, Colombia.
| | - Yulia N Cajas
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Encina González
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Fernández-González
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natacha Fierro
- Escuela de Ingeniería Agropecuaria, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Pedro L Lorenzo
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Arias-Álvarez
- Department of Animal Production, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa M García-García
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Dimitrios Rizos
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Omics insights into spermatozoa activation induced by Fetal bovine serum in viviparous black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). Gene 2023; 851:147014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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G-Protein Coupled Receptors in Human Sperm: An In Silico Approach to Identify Potential Modulatory Targets. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196503. [PMID: 36235040 PMCID: PMC9571544 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in several physiological processes, and they represent the largest family of drug targets to date. However, the presence and function of these receptors are poorly described in human spermatozoa. Here, we aimed to identify and characterize the GPCRs present in human spermatozoa and perform an in silico analysis to understand their potential role in sperm functions. The human sperm proteome, including proteomic studies in which the criteria used for protein identification was set as <5% FDR and a minimum of 2 peptides match per protein, was crossed with the list of GPCRs retrieved from GLASS and GPCRdb databases. A total of 71 GPCRs were identified in human spermatozoa, of which 7 had selective expression in male tissues (epididymis, seminal vesicles, and testis), and 9 were associated with male infertility defects in mice. Additionally, ADRA2A, AGTR1, AGTR2, FZD3, and GLP1R were already associated with sperm-specific functions such as sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and motility, representing potential targets to modulate and improve sperm function. Finally, the protein-protein interaction network for the human sperm GPCRs revealed that 24 GPCRs interact with 49 proteins involved in crucial processes for sperm formation, maturation, and fertilization. This approach allowed the identification of 8 relevant GPCRs (ADGRE5, ADGRL2, GLP1R, AGTR2, CELSR2, FZD3, CELSR3, and GABBR1) present in human spermatozoa that can be the subject of further investigation to be used even as potential modulatory targets to treat male infertility or to develop new non-hormonal male contraceptives.
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Johnson BD, Anderson AP, Small CM, Rose E, Flanagan SP, Hendrickson-Rose C, Jones AG. The evolution of the testis transcriptome in pregnant male pipefishes and seahorses. Evolution 2022; 76:2162-2180. [PMID: 35863060 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14579] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In many animals, sperm competition and sexual conflict are thought to drive the rapid evolution of male-specific genes, especially those expressed in the testes. A potential exception occurs in the male pregnant pipefishes, where females transfer eggs to the males, eliminating testes from participating in these processes. Here, we show that testis-related genes differ dramatically in their rates of molecular evolution and expression patterns in pipefishes and seahorses (Syngnathidae) compared to other fish. Genes involved in testis or sperm function within syngnathids experience weaker selection in comparison to their orthologs in spawning and livebearing fishes. An assessment of gene turnover and expression in the testis transcriptome suggests that syngnathids have lost (or significantly reduced expression of) important classes of genes from their testis transcriptomes compared to other fish. Our results indicate that more than 50 million years of male pregnancy have removed syngnathid testes from the molecular arms race that drives the rapid evolution of male reproductive genes in other taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Clayton M Small
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403
| | - Emily Rose
- Department of Biology, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia, 31698
| | - Sarah P Flanagan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand
| | | | - Adam G Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 83844
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Kadlec M, Pintus E, Ros-Santaella JL. The Interaction of NO and H 2S in Boar Spermatozoa under Oxidative Stress. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050602. [PMID: 35268171 PMCID: PMC8909797 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Various recent studies dedicated to the role of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in somatic cells provide evidence for an interaction of the two gasotransmitters. In the case of male gametes, only the action of a single donor of each gasotransmitter has been investigated up until today. It has been demonstrated that, at low concentrations, both gasotransmitters alone exert a positive effect on sperm quality parameters. Moreover, the activity of gaseous cellular messengers may be affected by the presence of oxidative stress, an underlying condition of several male reproductive disorders. In this study, we explored the effect of the combination of two donors SNP and NaHS (NO and H2S donors, respectively) on boar spermatozoa under oxidative stress. We applied NaHS, SNP, and their combination (DD) at 100 nM concentration in boar spermatozoa samples treated with Fe2+/ascorbate system. After 90 min of incubation at 38 °C, we have observed that progressive motility (PMot) and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were improved (p < 0.05) in DD treatment compared to the Ctr sample under oxidative stress (CtrOX). Moreover, the PMot of DD treatment was higher (p < 0.05) than that of NaHS. Similar to NaHS, SNP treatment did not overcome the PMot and PMI of CtrOX. In conclusion, for the first time, we provide evidence that the combination of SNP and NaHS surmounts the effect of single-donor application in terms of PMot and PMI in porcine spermatozoa under oxidative stress.
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Zhang R, Chu M, Chen Y, Yan P. Heparin-induced and caffeine or ouabain supplemented capacitation of frozen-thawed yak (Bos grunniens) spermatozoa. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:587-597. [PMID: 35171518 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14098] [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: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Our goal was to investigate heparin-induced capacitation of frozen-thawed yak sperm, and to assess the effects of caffeine or ouabain supplementation with heparin on sperm capacitation. Sperm were incubated with varying heparin concentrations, namely, 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml, for 0, 15, 30 and 60min. In every treatment, sperm capacitation was assessed using microscopic examination of the sperm acrosomal status and western blot analysis of the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P). Based on our results, the optimal condition for frozen-thawed yak sperm capacitation was a 30min exposure to 50 μg/ml heparin. Next, we incubated frozen-thawed yak sperm with 50ug/ml heparin, along with varying concentrations of caffeine supplementation, namely, 0, 2.5, 5, and 10mM for 30min. Interestingly, caffeine significantly increased yak sperm acrosome reaction (AR) and Tyr-P (p < 0.05). The optimal caffeine concentration was 5mM, followed by 2.5mM and 10mM, with the lowest AR and Tyr-P found in sperm cells that did not receive any caffeine. To examine the effects of ouabain on sperm capacitation, we next incubated frozen-thawed yak sperm with 50 μg/ml heparin, along with varying concentrations of ouabain, namely, 0, 25, 50, and 100 µM for 30min. We demonstrated that ouabain supplementation did not alter yak sperm AR or Tyr-P in sperm cells, relative to the control (p>0.05). In summary, our findings suggested that caffeine acts synergistically with heparin to increase yak sperm capacitation, but ouabain does not synergize with heparin to promote yak sperm capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzheng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Min Chu
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Yiwei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering Gansu Province, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Ping Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
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Exogenous Albumin Is Crucial for Pig Sperm to Elicit In Vitro Capacitation Whereas Bicarbonate Only Modulates Its Efficiency. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10111105. [PMID: 34827098 PMCID: PMC8615011 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In this work, we addressed if the presence of exogenous bicarbonate required for pig sperm capacitation, which is a necessary step to acquire fertilizing ability. While sperm incubated in media without BSA or BSA/bicarbonate did not achieve in vitro capacitation, those incubated with BSA reached that status under any bicarbonate concentration, even when bicarbonate was absent. Interestingly, there were differences related to the concentration of bicarbonate, since sperm incubated in media with BSA and with no bicarbonate or 5 mM bicarbonate showed lower overall efficiency in achieving in vitro capacitation than those incubated in the presence of BSA and higher concentration of bicarbonate. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, sperm incubated in the presence of BSA and 38 mM bicarbonate showed lower motility and plasma membrane integrity than those incubated in media with BSA and lower concentrations of bicarbonate. In conclusion, BSA is crucial in for pig sperm to elicit in vitro capacitation and trigger the subsequent progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis. In contrast, although exogenous bicarbonate does not appear to be indispensable, it shortens the time needed to reach that capacitated status. Abstract This work sought to address whether the presence of exogenous bicarbonate is required for pig sperm to elicit in vitro capacitation and further progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis. For this purpose, sperm were either incubated in a standard in vitro capacitation medium or a similar medium with different concentrations of bicarbonate (either 0 mM, 5 mM, 15 mM or 38 mM) and BSA (either 0 mg/mL or 5 mg/mL). The achievement of in vitro capacitation and progesterone-induced acrosomal exocytosis was tested through the analysis of sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and lipid disorder, acrosome exocytosis, intracellular calcium levels, mitochondria membrane potential, O2 consumption rate and the activities of both glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha (GSK3α) and protein kinase A (PKA). While sperm incubated in media without BSA or BSA/bicarbonate, they did not achieve in vitro capacitation; those incubated in media with BSA achieved the capacitated status under any bicarbonate concentration, even when bicarbonate was absent. Moreover, there were differences related to the concentration of bicarbonate, since sperm incubated in media with BSA and with no bicarbonate or 5 mM bicarbonate showed lower overall efficiency in achieving in vitro capacitation than those incubated in the presence of BSA and 15 mM or 38 mM bicarbonate. Additionally, at the end of the experiment, sperm incubated in the presence of BSA and 38 mM bicarbonate showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of motility and plasma membrane integrity than those incubated in media with BSA and lower concentrations of bicarbonate. In conclusion, BSA is instrumental for pig sperm to elicit in vitro capacitation and trigger the subsequent progesterone-induced acrosome exocytosis. Furthermore, while exogenous bicarbonate does not seem to be essential to launch sperm capacitation, it does modulate its efficiency.
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Siu KK, Serrão VHB, Ziyyat A, Lee JE. The cell biology of fertilization: Gamete attachment and fusion. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:e202102146. [PMID: 34459848 PMCID: PMC8406655 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202102146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fertilization is defined as the union of two gametes. During fertilization, sperm and egg fuse to form a diploid zygote to initiate prenatal development. In mammals, fertilization involves multiple ordered steps, including the acrosome reaction, zona pellucida penetration, sperm-egg attachment, and membrane fusion. Given the success of in vitro fertilization, one would think that the mechanisms of fertilization are understood; however, the precise details for many of the steps in fertilization remain a mystery. Recent studies using genetic knockout mouse models and structural biology are providing valuable insight into the molecular basis of sperm-egg attachment and fusion. Here, we review the cell biology of fertilization, specifically summarizing data from recent structural and functional studies that provide insights into the interactions involved in human gamete attachment and fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen K. Siu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vitor Hugo B. Serrão
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmed Ziyyat
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
- Service d’Histologie, d’Embryologie, Biologie de la Reproduction, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Jeffrey E. Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Vickram S, Rohini K, Srinivasan S, Veenakumari DN, Archana K, Anbarasu K, Jeyanthi P, Thanigaivel S, Gulothungan G, Rajendiran N, Srikumar PS. Role of Zinc (Zn) in Human Reproduction: A Journey from Initial Spermatogenesis to Childbirth. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2188. [PMID: 33671837 PMCID: PMC7926410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc (Zn), the second-most necessary trace element, is abundant in the human body. The human body lacks the capacity to store Zn; hence, the dietary intake of Zn is essential for various functions and metabolism. The uptake of Zn during its transport through the body is important for proper development of the three major accessory sex glands: the testis, epididymis, and prostate. It plays key roles in the initial stages of germ cell development and spermatogenesis, sperm cell development and maturation, ejaculation, liquefaction, the binding of spermatozoa and prostasomes, capacitation, and fertilization. The prostate releases more Zn into the seminal plasma during ejaculation, and it plays a significant role in sperm release and motility. During the maternal, labor, perinatal, and neonatal periods, the part of Zn is vital. The average dietary intake of Zn is in the range of 8-12 mg/day in developing countries during the maternal period. Globally, the dietary intake of Zn varies for pregnant and lactating mothers, but the average Zn intake is in the range of 9.6-11.2 mg/day. The absence of Zn and the consequences of this have been discussed using critical evidence. The events and functions of Zn related to successful fertilization have been summarized in detail. Briefly, our current review emphasizes the role of Zn at each stage of human reproduction, from the spermatogenesis process to childbirth. The role of Zn and its supplementation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) opens opportunities for future studies on reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundaram Vickram
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India; (S.V.); (S.T.)
| | - Karunakaran Rohini
- Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong 08100, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Subramanian Srinivasan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India; (S.S.); (G.G.); (N.R.)
| | | | - Kumar Archana
- Department of Agriculture Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India;
| | - Krishnan Anbarasu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India;
| | - Palanivelu Jeyanthi
- Department of Biotechnology, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600062, India;
| | - Sundaram Thanigaivel
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India; (S.V.); (S.T.)
| | - Govindarajan Gulothungan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India; (S.S.); (G.G.); (N.R.)
| | - Nanmaran Rajendiran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 602105, India; (S.S.); (G.G.); (N.R.)
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Ruiz-Díaz S, Grande-Pérez S, Arce-López S, Tamargo C, Olegario Hidalgo C, Pérez-Cerezales S. Changes in the Cellular Distribution of Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Its Relationship with the Acrosomal Exocytosis and Plasma Membrane Integrity during In Vitro Capacitation of Frozen/Thawed Bull Spermatozoa. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082725. [PMID: 32326382 PMCID: PMC7216178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During sperm capacitation, intracellular signaling leads to protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PTP) of multiple cellular structures. However, the connection of this molecular signaling to the physiology of capacitated spermatozoa is not completely understood. This is the case of the short lifespan of capacitated spermatozoa and their increased susceptibility to initiate acrosomal exocytosis (AE) during incubation. Herein, by employing frozen/thawed bull spermatozoa, we aimed to study the relationship between PTP with AE and with plasma membrane integrity (PMI) at the cellular level. For this, we employed double staining following immunofluorescence for PTP combined with fluorescence probes for the acrosome (PNA-FITC) and PMI (LIVE/DEAD Fixable Dead Cell Stain Kit). Our results revealed that the presence of PTP at sperm head was less abundant in the sperm fraction that triggered the AE after 3 h of incubation under capacitating conditions, or by its induction with calcium ionophore, compared to the unreacted fraction. Furthermore, PTP at the equatorial region of the head (PTP-EQ) was enriched in the fraction showing damaged membrane while induction of AE with calcium ionophore did not alter the PMI and its relation to PTP-EQ. These results suggest that spontaneous AE and induced AE trigger similar cellular events regarding PTP and the spermatozoa showing PTP-EQ are more prone to suffer plasma membrane damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, The National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA) and Agrifood research, Ctra. de La Coruña km 5.9., 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (S.G.-P.); (S.A.-L.)
- Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L., Clínica Tambre, Calle Tambre, 8, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Grande-Pérez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, The National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA) and Agrifood research, Ctra. de La Coruña km 5.9., 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (S.G.-P.); (S.A.-L.)
| | - Sol Arce-López
- Department of Animal Reproduction, The National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA) and Agrifood research, Ctra. de La Coruña km 5.9., 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (S.G.-P.); (S.A.-L.)
| | - Carolina Tamargo
- Department of Animal Selection and Reproduction, The Regional Agri-Food Research and Development Service of Asturias (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla, Deva, E-33394 Gijón, Spain; (C.T.); (C.O.H.)
| | - Carlos Olegario Hidalgo
- Department of Animal Selection and Reproduction, The Regional Agri-Food Research and Development Service of Asturias (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, La Olla, Deva, E-33394 Gijón, Spain; (C.T.); (C.O.H.)
| | - Serafín Pérez-Cerezales
- Department of Animal Reproduction, The National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA) and Agrifood research, Ctra. de La Coruña km 5.9., 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.R.-D.); (S.G.-P.); (S.A.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-913-474-019
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Kadlec M, Ros-Santaella JL, Pintus E. The Roles of NO and H 2S in Sperm Biology: Recent Advances and New Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2174. [PMID: 32245265 PMCID: PMC7139502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
After being historically considered as noxious agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are now listed as gasotransmitters, gaseous molecules that play a key role in a variety of cellular functions. Both NO and H2S are endogenously produced, enzymatically or non-enzymatically, and interact with each other in a range of cells and tissues. In spite of the great advances achieved in recent decades in other biological systems, knowledge about H2S function and interactions with NO in sperm biology is in its infancy. Here, we aim to provide an update on the importance of these molecules in the physiology of the male gamete. Special emphasis is given to the most recent advances in the metabolism, mechanisms of action, and effects (both physiological and pathophysiological) of these gasotransmitters. This manuscript also illustrates the physiological implications of NO and H2S observed in other cell types, which might be important for sperm function. The relevance of these gasotransmitters to several signaling pathways within sperm cells highlights their potential use for the improvement and successful application of assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eliana Pintus
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (J.L.R.-S.)
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Zigo M, Maňásková-Postlerová P, Zuidema D, Kerns K, Jonáková V, Tůmová L, Bubeníčková F, Sutovsky P. Porcine model for the study of sperm capacitation, fertilization and male fertility. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 380:237-262. [PMID: 32140927 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03181-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization remains a poorly understood event with the vast majority of studies done in the mouse model. The purpose of this review is to revise the current knowledge about semen deposition, sperm transport, sperm capacitation, gamete interactions and early embryonic development with a focus on the porcine model as a relevant, alternative model organism to humans. The review provides a thorough overview of post-ejaculation events inside the sow's reproductive tract including comparisons with humans and implications for human fertilization and assisted reproductive therapy (ART). Porcine methodology for sperm handling, preservation, in vitro capacitation, oocyte in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection that are routinely used in pig research laboratories can be successfully translated into ART to treat human infertility. Last, but not least, new knowledge about mitochondrial inheritance in the pig can provide an insight into human mitochondrial diseases and new knowledge on polyspermy defense mechanisms could contribute to the development of new male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zigo
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
| | - Pavla Maňásková-Postlerová
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dalen Zuidema
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Karl Kerns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Věra Jonáková
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Tůmová
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filipa Bubeníčková
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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15
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The Exacerbation of Aging and Oxidative Stress in the Epididymis of Sod1 Null Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9020151. [PMID: 32054065 PMCID: PMC7071042 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that the quality of spermatozoa decreases with age and that children of older fathers have a higher incidence of birth defects and genetic mutations. The free radical theory of aging proposes that changes with aging are due to the accumulation of damage induced by exposure to excess reactive oxygen species. We showed previously that absence of the superoxide dismutase 1 (Sod1) antioxidant gene results in impaired mechanisms of repairing DNA damage in the testis in young Sod1−/− mice. In this study, we examined the effects of aging and the Sod−/− mutation on mice epididymal histology and the expression of markers of oxidative damage. We found that both oxidative nucleic acid damage (via 8-hydroxyguanosine) and lipid peroxidation (via 4-hydroxynonenal) increased with age and in Sod1−/− mice. These findings indicate that lack of SOD1 results in an exacerbation of the oxidative damage accumulation-related aging phenotype.
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Aguiar GB, Caldas-Bussiere MC, Maciel VL, de Carvalho CSP, de Souza CLM. Association of L-arginine with heparin on the sperm capacitation improves in vitro embryo production in bovine. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:938-944. [PMID: 32368274 PMCID: PMC7189474 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effects of L-arginine (L-arg) in the quality of in vitro heparin-induced capacitation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa and its effects on IVP. The experimental groups were: Control 0 hour without pre-capacitation, and groups of sperm capacitated for 30 min in the absence of COC with heparin (Control 30 min), with 1 mM L-arg and with 1 mM L-arg + heparin. The capacitation pattern was evaluated by chlortetracycline assay and the integrity of the plasma membrane (PM) and acrosome membrane (AM) by the association of Hoescht 33342 and propidium iodide. Further, we assess the sperm quality by the rate of in vitro blastocysts production. Treatment with 1 mM L-arg + heparin increased the percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to Control 0 hour and the treatment with heparin (61.1 vs. 18.2 and 47.0%, respectively, P<0.05). The addition of 1 mM L-arg to the medium has capacitated the spermatozoa (26.2 ± 3.8) but was less effective than heparin (47.0 ± 4.0) (P<0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of sperm with intact PM between treatments when compared to Control 0 hour (P>0.05). The group capacitated with 1 mM L-arg + heparin for 30 min increased the blastocyst rate compared to Control IVF (53.7 vs. 40.8%, P<0.05). We conclude that the addition of L-arg with heparin increases the number of capacitated spermatozoa in vitro with 30 min of pre-incubation in the absence of COC not altering the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membrane. This treatment in the absence of COC was the most effective method for blastocysts production, and the method of pre-incubation could be used to assess the role of other substances in the sperm capacitation and its effect on IVP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gester Breda Aguiar
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Maria Clara Caldas-Bussiere
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Valter Luiz Maciel
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Carla Sobrinho Paes de Carvalho
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
| | - Cláudio Luiz Melo de Souza
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro - UENF, Laboratório de Engenharia Agrícola, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil
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Maciel VL, Caldas-Bussiere MC, Marín DFD, Paes de Carvalho CS, Quirino CR, Leal ACDMS. Nitric oxide impacts bovine sperm capacitation in a cGMP-dependent and cGMP-independent manner. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:1612-1620. [PMID: 31549441 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to elucidate whether NO acts in in vitro sperm capacitation in bovine via cGMP/PKG1 pathway. For this, cryopreserved bovine sperm were capacitated in vitro with 20 µg/ml heparin (Control) plus treatments: 1 mM L-arginine (L-arg, NO precursor), 50 µM Rp-8-Bromo-β-phenyl-1,N2 -ethenoguanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, selective inhibitor of the binding site for cGMP in PKG1), 1 mM 2-Phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO, NO scavenger), and the combinations of L-arg + RP-8-Br-cGMPS and L-arg + PTIO. Sperm motility and vigour were determined by phase-contrast microscopy, capacitation status by chlortetracycline staining, and the intracellular concentration of cGMP was measured by ELISA. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared with SNK test at 5% probability. Motility and vigour were lower in sperm treated with PTIO when compared to Control and other treatments (p < .05). The L-arg treatment showed the highest percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to the Control and other treatments (Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, L-arg + Rp-8-Br-cGMPS and PTIO) (69.8 ± 3.4%, 51.2 ± 3.0, 51.1 ± 2.1, 51.2 ± 3.0 and 45.5 ± 2.7, respectively) (p < .05). The capacitation ratio (%) was lower in treatments with Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, L-arg + Rp-8-Br-cGMPS and PTIO, respectively (p < .05). Lastly, cGMP concentration (pmol/ml) was lower in PTIO and L-arg + PTIO (1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4) and was higher in Rp-8-Br-cGMPS and L-arg + Rp-8-Br-cGMPS (3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.5) treatments. We showed that during in vitro capacitation of cattle: (a) NO influences sperm motility and vigour; (b) NO is associated with cGMP synthesis through two independent pathways and (c) the cGMP/PKG1 pathway has a partial role in sperm capacitation and does not involve the L-arg/NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Luiz Maciel
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias (CCTA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara Caldas-Bussiere
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias (CCTA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Diego Fernando Dubeibe Marín
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias (CCTA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Carla Sobrinho Paes de Carvalho
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias (CCTA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Celia Raquel Quirino
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias (CCTA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina de Macedo Soares Leal
- Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Agropecuárias (CCTA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
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Holt WV, Satake N. Making the most of sperm activation responses: experiments with boar spermatozoa and bicarbonate. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019. [PMID: 29514735 DOI: 10.1071/rd17476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Attempting to extract useful and reliable information about semen quality and its fertility potential remains a difficult exercise, partly because the sperm heterogeneity within samples often renders simple statistical analyses rather meaningless. In fact, a mean and standard deviation may reflect neither the very fast swimming activities of the most active cells nor the slow and sluggish activities of others. Herein we propose that the information value within semen samples can be maximised if current knowledge about sperm activation mechanisms is exploited before undertaking the measurements. We explain, using boar semen as an example, that estimating and defining relative sperm subpopulation sizes, after activation by bicarbonate, provides a means of quantifying sperm quality. Although such estimates may indeed be related to in vivo fertility, the general approach also suggests potential new avenues that could be exploited for the elaboration of novel in vitro tests for the characterisation of toxic environmental chemicals and, indeed, to reduce the number of animals used in such testing programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- William V Holt
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Level 4, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield S10 2SF, UK
| | - Nana Satake
- School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia
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Smetanina IG, Tatarinova LV, Krivokharchenko AS. Use of Dibutyryl Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate in Sperm Capacitation for in vitro Production of Bovine Embryos. BIOL BULL+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359019040137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Soriano-Úbeda C, Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J, Matás C, Visconti PE, García-Vázquez FA. Manipulation of bicarbonate concentration in sperm capacitation media improvesin vitro fertilisation output in porcine species. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2019; 10:19. [PMID: 30899459 PMCID: PMC6410524 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0324-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The in vivo concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3 -), one of the essential sperm capacitating effectors, varies greatly in the different environments sperm go through from cauda epididymis to the fertilisation site. On the contrary, porcine in vitro sperm capacitation and fertilisation media usually contains a standard concentration of 25 mmol/L, and one of the main problems presented is the unacceptable high incidence of polyspermy. This work hypothesised that by modifying the HCO3 - concentration of the medium, the output of in vitro sperm capacitation and fertilisation could be increased. Results Once exposed to the capacitation medium, the intracellular pH (pHi) of spermatozoa increased immediately even at low concentrations of HCO3 -, but only extracellular concentrations of and above 15 mmol/L increased the substrates protein kinase A phosphorylation (pPKAs). Although with a significant delay, 15 mmol/L of HCO3 - stimulated sperm linear motility and increased other late events in capacitation such as tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P) to levels similar to those obtained with 25 mmol/L. This information allowed the establishment of a new in vitro fertilisation (IVF) system based on the optimization of HCO3 - concentration to 15 mmol/L, which led to a 25.3% increment of the viable zygotes (8.6% in the standard system vs. 33.9%). Conclusions Optimising HCO3 - concentrations allows for establishing an IVF method that significantly reduced porcine polyspermy and increased the production of viable zygotes. A concentration of 15 mmol/L of HCO3 - in the medium is sufficient to trigger the in vitro sperm capacitation and increase the fertilisation efficiency in porcine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Soriano-Úbeda
- 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.,2Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Jon Romero-Aguirregomezcorta
- 3Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia Spain
| | - Carmen Matás
- 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.,2Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Francisco A García-Vázquez
- 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.,2Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
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Rosa CO, Bonato DV, Souza AK, Morotti F, Francisco RC, Basso AC, Martins MIM, Seneda MM. Improvement on the efficiency of doses per conception by using a semen extender in timed artificial insemination. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Wu K, Mei C, Chen Y, Guo L, Yu Y, Huang D. C-type natriuretic peptide regulates sperm capacitation by the cGMP/PKG signalling pathway via Ca 2+ influx and tyrosine phosphorylation. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:289-299. [PMID: 30655075 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What is the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on human sperm capacitation in vitro and what is the mechanism of this effect? DESIGN CNP/NPR-B expression in the female rat genital tract was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blot assay, and then the role of CNP in human sperm capacitation was determined. The signal transduction pathway of CNP in the process was determined to elucidate the regulation mechanism of CNP by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS Both CNP and NPR-B were expressed in the genital tract of female rats, especially in the mucosa epithelium cell of the oviduct; the CNP level in the rat oviduct was higher than that in the cervix. Both CNP and NPR-B level in the rat oviduct varied during the oestrus cycle, maximal expression being observed at proestrus. Furthermore, intracellular cGMP level in spermatozoa was significantly enhanced by CNP (P < 0.01). PKG activity was detected in the spermatozoa, and it can be activated by the CNP and 8-Br-cGMP (cGMP analogue). The PKG inhibitor KT5823 inhibited the effect of CNP on sperm hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. Finally, Ca2+ and tyrosine phosphorylation levels in spermatozoa were markedly improved by CNP and 8-Br-cGMP but significantly inhibited by the addition of KT5823 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CNP secreted by the female genital tract might bind to NPR-B on the spermatozoa. It successively stimulated intracellular cGMP/PKG signalling, increased Ca2+ and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, promoted hyperactivation and induced the acrosome reaction, which ultimately facilitated sperm capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejia Wu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Chunlei Mei
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; Reproductive Medicine Centre of Jingzhou Central Hospital, Jingzhou 434000, China
| | - Lidan Guo
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuejin Yu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Donghui Huang
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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l-arginine alters the proteome of frozen-thawed bovine sperm during in vitro capacitation. Theriogenology 2018; 119:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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24
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Liu Y, Ding Z. Obesity, a serious etiologic factor for male subfertility in modern society. Reproduction 2017; 154:R123-R131. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, defined as excessive accumulation of fat in adipose tissue, is a metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental and heritable causes. Obesity increases the risks of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis and cancer. Meanwhile, the negative impact of obesity on male reproduction is gradually recognized. According to the clinical investigations and animal experiments, obesity is correlated with reductions in sperm concentration and motility, increase in sperm DNA damage and changes in reproductive hormones. Several mechanisms can elucidate the effects of obesity on sperm functions and male subfertility, i.e., the excessive conversion of androgens into estrogens in redundant adipose tissue causes sexual hormone imbalance, subsequently resulting in hypogonadism. Secondly, adipokines produced by adipose tissue induce severe inflammation and oxidative stress in male reproductive tract, directly impairing testicular and epididymal tissues. Moreover, increased scrotal adiposity leads to increase gonadal heat, continuously hurting spermatogenesis. Therefore, obesity alters the systematic and regional environment crucial for spermatogenesis in testis and sperm maturation in epididymis, and finally results in poor sperm quality including decreased sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology and acrosome reaction, changed membrane lipids and increased DNA damage. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that epigenetic changes may be a consequence of increased adiposity. A major effort to identify epigenetic determinants of obesity revealed that sperm DNA methylation and non-coding RNA modification are associated with BMI changes and proposed to inherit metabolic comorbidities across generations. This review will explain how obesity-related changes in males to influence sperm function and male fertility as well.
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Flow cytometric sex sorting affects CD4 membrane distribution and binding of exogenous DNA on bovine sperm cells. ZYGOTE 2017; 25:519-528. [PMID: 28701237 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199417000375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Bovine sex-sorted sperm have been commercialized and successfully used for the production of transgenic embryos of the desired sex through the sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) technique. However, sex-sorted sperm show a reduced ability to internalize exogenous DNA. The interaction between sperm cells and the exogenous DNA has been reported in other species to be a CD4-like molecule-dependent process. The flow cytometry-based sex-sorting process subjects the spermatozoa to different stresses causing changes in the cell membrane. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the redistribution of CD4-like molecules and binding of exogenous DNA to sex-sorted bovine sperm. In the first set of experiments, the membrane phospholipid disorder and the redistribution of the CD4 were evaluated. The second set of experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of CD4 redistribution on the mechanism of binding of exogenous DNA to sperm cells and the efficiency of lipofection in sex-sorted bovine sperm. Sex-sorting procedure increased the membrane phospholipid disorder and induced the redistribution of CD4-like molecules. Both X-sorted and Y-sorted sperm had decreased DNA bound to membrane in comparison with the unsorted sperm; however, the binding of the exogenous DNA was significantly increased with the addition of liposomes. Moreover, we demonstrated that the number of sperm-bound exogenous DNA was decreased when these cells were preincubated with anti-bovine CD4 monoclonal antibody, supporting our hypothesis that CD4-like molecules indeed play a crucial role in the process of exogenous DNA/bovine sperm cells interaction.
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Calpain inhibition prevents flotillin re-ordering and Src family activation during capacitation. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 369:395-412. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2591-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Sperm-bound antisperm antibodies prevent capacitation of bovine spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2017; 89:58-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Specific LED-based red light photo-stimulation procedures improve overall sperm function and reproductive performance of boar ejaculates. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22569. [PMID: 26931070 PMCID: PMC4773850 DOI: 10.1038/srep22569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study evaluated the effects of exposing liquid-stored boar semen to different red light LED regimens on sperm quality and reproductive performance. Of all of the tested photo-stimulation procedures, the best pattern consisted of 10 min light, 10 min rest and 10 min of further light (10-10-10 pattern). This pattern induced an intense and transient increase in the majority of motility parameters, without modifying sperm viability and acrosome integrity. While incubating non-photo-stimulated sperm at 37 °C for 90 min decreased all sperm quality parameters, this reduction was prevented when the previously-described light procedure was applied. This effect was concomitant with an increase in the percentage of sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential. When sperm were subjected to ‘in vitro’ capacitation, photo-stimulation also increased the percentage of sperm with capacitation-like changes in membrane structure. On the other hand, treating commercial semen doses intended for artificial insemination with the 10-10-10 photo-stimulation pattern significantly increased farrowing rates and the number of both total and live-born piglets for parturition. Therefore, our results indicate that a precise photo-stimulation procedure is able to increase the fertilising ability of boar sperm via a mechanism that could be related to mitochondrial function.
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