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Kumar L, Solanki S, Jain A, Botts M, Gupta R, Rajput S, Roti Roti E. MAPKs signaling is obligatory for male reproductive function in a development-specific manner. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 6:1330161. [PMID: 38406668 PMCID: PMC10885697 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1330161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) represent widely expressed and evolutionarily conserved proteins crucial for governing signaling pathways and playing essential roles in mammalian male reproductive processes. These proteins facilitate the transmission of signals through phosphorylation cascades, regulating diverse intracellular functions encompassing germ cell development in testis, physiological maturation of spermatozoa within the epididymis, and motility regulation at ejaculation in the female reproductive tract. The conservation of these mechanisms appears prevalent across species, including humans, mice, and, to a limited extent, livestock species such as bovines. In Sertoli cells (SCs), MAPK signaling not only regulates the proliferation of immature SCs but also determines the appropriate number of SCs in the testes at puberty, thereby maintaining male fertility by ensuring the capacity for sperm cell production. In germ cells, MAPKs play a crucial role in dynamically regulating testicular cell-cell junctions, supporting germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Throughout spermatogenesis, MAPK signaling ensures the appropriate Sertoli-to-germ cell ratio by regulating apoptosis, controlling the metabolism of developing germ cells, and facilitating the maturation of spermatozoa within the cauda epididymis. During ejaculation in the female reproductive tract, MAPKs regulate two pivotal events-capacitation and the acrosome reaction essential for maintaining the fertility potential of sperm cells. Any disruptions in MAPK pathway signaling possibly may disturb the testicular microenvironment homeostasis, sperm physiology in the male body before ejaculation and in the female reproductive tract during fertilization, ultimately compromising male fertility. Despite decades of research, the physiological function of MAPK pathways in male reproductive health remains inadequately understood. The current review attempts to combine recent findings to elucidate the impact of MAPK signaling on male fertility and proposes future directions to enhance our understanding of male reproductive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Kumar
- Genus Breeding India Pvt Ltd., Pune, India
- GenusPlc, ABS Global, Windsor, WI, United States
| | - Subhash Solanki
- Genus Breeding India Pvt Ltd., Pune, India
- GenusPlc, ABS Global, Windsor, WI, United States
| | - Ashish Jain
- Department of Microbiology, Smt. CHM College, University of Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, India
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Zhang C, Lu D, Niu T, Sun Z, Wang Y, Han X, Xiong B, Shen W, Sun Q, Zhao Y, Zhang W, Feng Y. LncRNA5251 inhibits spermatogenesis via modification of cell-cell junctions. Biol Direct 2023; 18:31. [PMID: 37316926 PMCID: PMC10268499 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00381-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male factors-caused decline in total fertility has raised significant concern worldwide. LncRNAs have been identified to play various roles in biological systems, including spermatogenesis. This study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA5251 in mouse spermatogenesis. METHODS The expression of lncRNA5251 was modulated in mouse testes in vivo or spermatogonial stem cells (C18-4 cells) in vitro by shRNA. RESULTS The sperm motility in two generations mice after modulation of lncRNA5251 (muF0 and muF1) was decreased significantly after overexpression of lncRNA5251. GO enrichment analysis found that knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes related to cell junctions, and genes important for spermatogenesis in mouse testes. Meanwhile, overexpressing lncRNA5251 decreased the gene and/or protein expression of important genes for spermatogenesis and immune pathways in mouse testes. In vitro, knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes for cell junction, and the protein levels of some cell junction proteins such as CX37, OCLN, JAM1, VCAM1 and CADM2 in C18-4 cells. LncRNA5251 is involved in spermatogenesis by modulation of cell junctions. CONCLUSION This will provide a theoretical basis for improving male reproductive ability via lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
- Urology Department, Shenzhen University general hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Dongxin Lu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Tong Niu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Urology Department, Shenzhen University general hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yandi Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Han
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Bohui Xiong
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Qingyuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, 6150, Australia
| | - Weidong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China.
| | - Yanni Feng
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China.
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Xiong B, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Han X, Zhang C, Zhong R, Ge W, Han B, Ge Z, Huang G, Yin S, Shen W, Sun Q, Sun Z, Zhao Y, Zhang H. LncRNA8276 primes cell‐cell adhesion for regulation of spermatogenesis. Andrology 2022; 10:1687-1701. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.13298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bohui Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Yue Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Yandi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Cong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Ruqing Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Wei Ge
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 P. R. China
| | - Baoquan Han
- Urology Department Peking University Shenzhen Hospital Shenzhen 518036 China
| | - Zhaojia Ge
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 P. R. China
| | - Gui'an Huang
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 P. R. China
| | - Shen Yin
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 P. R. China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 P. R. China
| | - Qingyuang Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital Guangzhou 510317 P. R. China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Urology Department Shenzhen University General Hospital Shenzhen 518055 P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
| | - Hongfu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Institute of Animal Sciences Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing 100193 P. R. China
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Carbamate Pesticides: Shedding Light on Their Impact on the Male Reproductive System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158206. [PMID: 35897782 PMCID: PMC9332211 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbamates are widely used and known around the world as pesticides in spite of also having medical applications. This class of chemicals is classified as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, blocking acetylcholine hydrolyzation in a reversible manner. Their lack of species selectivity and their reported high toxicity can induce, upon exposure, adverse outcomes in male fertility that may lead to infertility. In addition, they are also considered endocrine-disrupting chemicals and can interfere with the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis, essential for the normal function of the male reproductive system, thus being able to provoke male reproductive dysfunctions. Although the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood, various signaling pathways, such as those mediated by acetylcholine or kisspeptin, are affected by exposure to carbamates, thus compromising steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Over the last decades, several studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have reported a myriad of negative effects of carbamates on the male reproductive system. In this review, an up-to-date overview of the impact of carbamates on the male reproductive system is discussed, with an emphasis on the role of these compounds on acetylcholine regulation and the male endocrine system.
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Gai Y, Zhang MY, Ji PY, You RJ, Ge ZJ, Shen W, Sun QY, Yin S. Melatonin improves meiosis maturation against diazinon exposure in mouse oocytes. Life Sci 2022; 301:120611. [PMID: 35526594 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Organophosphorus pesticide diazinon (DZN) has adverse effects on animals and humans by direct contact or the spread of food chain. The antioxidant melatonin has protective effects on female reproduction. This study aimed to explore the effects of DZN on meiosis maturation in mouse cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and the effects of melatonin. MAIN METHODS Different concentrations of DZN and melatonin were added during the in vitro maturation of COCs. Then we detected the extrusion rate of the first polar body, the number of sperms binding to oocyte, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS), early apoptosis. Subsequently, the expression of Juno, CX37, CX43 and ERK1/2 were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. KEY FINDINGS DZN exposure results in the failure of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of oocyte meiosis. Destruction of repositioning and function of mitochondria increases the levels of ROS and early apoptosis. The DZN-exposed oocytes express less Juno resulting to bind less sperms than normal. The loss of gap junctions and failure to activate ERK1/2 also contribute to the failure of cytoplasmic maturation. All these ultimately lead to the poor oocyte quality and low fertility. Appropriate melatonin can effectively restore all these defects. SIGNIFICANCE Under DZN exposure, melatonin can significantly improve the quality of oocytes, and melatonin promotes oocyte maturation by protecting gap junction and restoring ERK1/2 pathway, which is a new breakthrough for improving female fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gai
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Man-Yu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Peng-Yuan Ji
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Rong-Jing You
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Zhao-Jia Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Shen Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Animal Developmental Biology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
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Radhakrishnan RK, Ravichandran S, Sukesh A, Kadalmani B, Kandasamy M. Single injection of very mild dose botulinum toxin in the vastus lateralis improves testicular spermatogenesis and sperm motility in ageing experimental mice. Lab Anim Res 2022; 38:7. [PMID: 35246277 PMCID: PMC8895922 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-022-00117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is a widely used therapeutic agent that blocks the excessive release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Previously, repeated intracremasteric injections and slight overdose of BoNT have been reported to induce adverse effects in the testicular parameter of experimental rodents. However, a mild dose of BoNT is highly beneficial against skin ageing, neuromuscular deficits, overactive urinary bladder problems, testicular pain and erectile dysfunctions. Considering the facts, the possible therapeutic benefits of BoNT on the testis might be achieved at a very minimal dosage and via a distal route of action. Therefore, we revisited the effect of BoNT, but with a trace amount injected into the vastus lateralis of the thigh muscle, and analyzed histological parameters of the testis, levels of key antioxidants and sperm parameters in ageing experimental mice. Results Experimental animals injected with 1 U/kg bodyweight of BoNT showed enhanced spermatogenesis in association with increased activities of key antioxidants in the testis, leading to enhanced amount of the total sperm count and progressive motility. Conclusions This study signifies that a mild intramuscular dose of BoNT can be considered as a potent treatment strategy to manage and prevent male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risna Kanjirassery Radhakrishnan
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India
| | - Sowbarnika Ravichandran
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India
| | - Aishwarya Sukesh
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India
| | - Balamuthu Kadalmani
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India
| | - Mahesh Kandasamy
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration, Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India. .,Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India. .,Faculty Recharge Programme, University Grants Commission (UGC-FRP), New Delhi, 110002, India.
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