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Ramírez-López CJ, Barros E, Vidigal PM, Okano DS, Gomes LL, Carvalho RPR, de Castro AG, Baracat-Pereira MC, Guimarães SEF, Guimarães JD. Oxidative stress associated with proteomic and fatty acid profiles of sperm from Nellore bulls at rest†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:878-891. [PMID: 37702320 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual rest is a transient condition, which compromises conception rates, characterized by large volumes of ejaculate with high percentages of dead sperm observed in bulls. The biochemical mechanisms leading to this ejaculate pattern are not fully understood. Six adult resting Nellore bulls were submitted to Breeding Soundness Evaluation by four consecutive semen collections through the electroejaculation method during a 30 min period. Each ejaculate had its semen phenotypic parameters; morphology and physical aspects were evaluated. To assess enzymatic activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase), lipid peroxidation (concentrations of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide), fatty acid, and proteomic profile aliquots of spermatozoa from the first and fourth ejaculates were used. All sperm parameters differed between the first and fourth ejaculates. Spermatozoa from the first ejaculate showed lower enzymatic activity and a higher concentration of lipid peroxidation markers. Among the 19 identified fatty acids, 52.7% are polyunsaturated. Relative abundance analysis showed that C12:0 and C18:0 fatty acids differed between the first and fourth ejaculates, being the fourth ejaculate richer in spermatozoa. The proteomics analysis identified a total of 974 proteins in both sample groups (first and fourth ejaculates). The majority of identified proteins are related to cellular processes and signaling. Quantitative proteomics showed 36 differentially abundant proteins, 6 up-regulated proteins in the first ejaculate, and 30 up-regulated proteins in the fourth ejaculate. Spermatozoa from bulls at sexual rest have less antioxidant capacity, causing changes in their fatty acid composition and protein profile, which generates the observed sperm pattern and lower fertilization capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo José Ramírez-López
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerai, Brazil
| | - Edvaldo Barros
- Nucleus for Analysis of Biomolecules, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | - Denise Silva Okano
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lidiany Lopes Gomes
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Alex Gazolla de Castro
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity for the Environment Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Baracat-Pereira
- Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Simone Eliza Facioni Guimarães
- LABTEC-Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Domingos Guimarães
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Renoirt M, Angelier F, Cheron M, Brischoux F. What are the contributions of maternal and paternal traits to fecundity and offspring development? A case study in an amphibian species, the spined toad Bufo spinosus. Curr Zool 2023; 69:527-534. [PMID: 37637310 PMCID: PMC10449425 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessing the determinants of reproductive success is critical but often complicated because of complex interactions between parental traits and environmental conditions occurring during several stages of a reproductive event. Here, we used a simplified ecological situation-an amphibian species lacking post-oviposition parental care-and a laboratory approach to investigate the relationships between parental (both maternal and paternal) phenotypes (body size and condition) and reproductive success (fecundity, egg size, embryonic and larval duration, larval and metamorphic morphology). We found significant effects of maternal phenotype on fecundity, hatching success, and tadpole size, as well as on the duration of larval development. Interestingly, and more surprisingly, we also found a potential contribution of the paternal phenotype occurring during early (embryonic development duration) offspring development. Although our study focused on life-history traits such as body size and development duration, additional mechanisms involving physiological costs of development may well mediate the relationships between parental phenotypes and offspring development. Future studies are required to decipher the mechanisms underlying our findings in order to clarify the mechanistic basis of the links between parental phenotypes and offspring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Renoirt
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Marion Cheron
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
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Turnell BR, Reinhardt K. Sperm metabolic rate predicts female mating frequency across Drosophila species. Evolution 2022; 76:573-584. [PMID: 35064568 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Female mating rates vary widely, even among closely related species, but the reasons for this variation are not fully understood. Across Drosophila species, female mating frequencies are positively associated with sperm length. This association may be due in part to sperm limitation, with longer-spermed species transferring fewer sperm, or to cryptic female choice. However, a previously overlooked factor is sperm metabolic rate, which may correlate with sperm length. If faster-metabolizing sperm accumulate age-related cellular damage more quickly, then females should remate sooner to obtain fresh sperm. Alternatively, frequent female mating may select for increased sperm competitiveness via increased metabolism. Here, we measure sperm metabolism across 13 Drosophila species and compare these measures to published data on female mating rate and on sperm length. Using fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy, we quantify NAD(P)H metabolism ex vivo, in intact organs. Phylogenetically controlled regression reveals that sperm metabolic rate is positively associated with sperm length and with female mating frequency. Path analysis shows sperm length driving sperm metabolism and sperm metabolism either driving or being driven by female mating rate. While the causal directionality of these relationships remains to be fully resolved, and the effect of sperm metabolism on sperm aging and/or sperm competitiveness remains to be established, our results demonstrate the importance of sperm metabolism in sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biz R Turnell
- Applied Zoology, Faculty Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaus Reinhardt
- Applied Zoology, Faculty Biology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Watt AM, Marcec-Greaves R, Hinkson KM, Poo S, Roberts B, Pitcher TE. Effects of age on sperm quality metrics in endangered Mississippi gopher frogs (Lithobates sevosus) from captive populations used for controlled propagation and reintroduction efforts. Zoo Biol 2021; 40:218-226. [PMID: 33606315 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
A decline in sperm quality with age is a common prediction of senescence-based hypotheses and empirical studies. While widely studied across taxa, there is little known on the effect of ageing on sperm quality in amphibians, especially in captive populations used for controlled propagation and reintroduction efforts. Here, we investigated variation in sperm quality metrics (i.e., motility, concentration, and morphology) in the endangered Mississippi gopher frog (Lithobates sevosus) among males of three age categories using individuals from captive breeding populations housed at three different zoological institutions. Different aged males across the species expectant lifespan (1-9, 1-2, 3-4, and 8-9-year-old subcategories) were chosen in an attempt to identify an optimal breeding age relevant for captive breeding programs. Moreover, we explored and statistically controlled for potential differences in sperm quality which may be attributed to the type of induction hormones and source populations that differed among institutions. Results indicated that males of different ages did not differ in sperm motility or concentration. However, we did find that older males (8-9 years old) had significantly longer sperm than other age categories and younger males (1-2 years old) had significantly more atypical sperm than other age categories. Furthermore, we found no significant differences in any sperm quality metrics between the different induction hormones or source populations used at the different institutions. Within a captive breeding program, this information is especially valuable as our results indicate that males that have only recently sexually matured may not be ready to breed, while older males maintain sperm quality metrics presumably related to fertilization success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Watt
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Marcec-Greaves
- National Amphibian Conservation Center, Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
| | - Kristin M Hinkson
- Department of Conservation and Research, Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sinlan Poo
- Department of Conservation and Research, Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Beth Roberts
- Department of Conservation and Research, Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Trevor E Pitcher
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.,Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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Monaghan P, Metcalfe NB. The deteriorating soma and the indispensable germline: gamete senescence and offspring fitness. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20192187. [PMID: 31847776 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The idea that there is an impenetrable barrier that separates the germline and soma has shaped much thinking in evolutionary biology and in many other disciplines. However, recent research has revealed that the so-called 'Weismann Barrier' is leaky, and that information is transferred from soma to germline. Moreover, the germline itself is now known to age, and to be influenced by an age-related deterioration of the soma that houses and protects it. This could reduce the likelihood of successful reproduction by old individuals, but also lead to long-term deleterious consequences for any offspring that they do produce (including a shortened lifespan). Here, we review the evidence from a diverse and multidisciplinary literature for senescence in the germline and its consequences; we also examine the underlying mechanisms responsible, emphasizing changes in mutation rate, telomere loss, and impaired mitochondrial function in gametes. We consider the effect on life-history evolution, particularly reproductive scheduling and mate choice. Throughout, we draw attention to unresolved issues, new questions to consider, and areas where more research is needed. We also highlight the need for a more comparative approach that would reveal the diversity of processes that organisms have evolved to slow or halt age-related germline deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Neil B Metcalfe
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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Linking effective population size dynamics to phenotypic traits in the common toad (Bufo bufo). CONSERV GENET 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01185-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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