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Xu H, Wu S, Liu Y, Wang X, Efremov AK, Wang L, McCaskill JS, Medina-Sánchez M, Schmidt OG. 3D nanofabricated soft microrobots with super-compliant picoforce springs as onboard sensors and actuators. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:494-503. [PMID: 38172430 PMCID: PMC11026159 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Microscale organisms and specialized motile cells use protein-based spring-like responsive structures to sense, grasp and move. Rendering this biomechanical transduction functionality in an artificial micromachine for applications in single-cell manipulations is challenging due to the need for a bio-applicable nanoscale spring system with a large and programmable strain response to piconewton-scale forces. Here we present three-dimensional nanofabrication and monolithic integration, based on an acrylic elastomer photoresist, of a magnetic spring system with quantifiable compliance sensitive to 0.5 pN, constructed with customized elasticity and magnetization distributions at the nanoscale. We demonstrate the effective design programmability of these 'picospring' ensembles as energy transduction mechanisms for the integrated construction of customized soft micromachines, with onboard sensing and actuation functions at the single-cell scale for microrobotic grasping and locomotion. The integration of active soft springs into three-dimensional nanofabrication offers an avenue to create biocompatible soft microrobots for non-disruptive interactions with biological entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Xu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Leibniz IFW Dresden), Dresden, Germany.
| | - Song Wu
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Leibniz IFW Dresden), Dresden, Germany
| | - Yuan Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaopu Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Lei Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - John S McCaskill
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Leibniz IFW Dresden), Dresden, Germany.
- Chair of Micro- and NanoSystems, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany.
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Barbosa BB, Evangelista ITA, Soares ARB, Leão DL, Pereira RJG, Domingues SFS. Kinetic vitrification: concepts and perspectives in animal sperm cryopreservation. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20220096. [PMID: 37228692 PMCID: PMC10205064 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0096] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is an important tool for genetic diversity management programs and the conservation of endangered breeds and species. The most widely used method of sperm conservation is slow freezing, however, during the process, sperm cells suffer from cryoinjury, which reduces their viability and fertility rates. One of the alternatives to slow freezing is vitrification, that consist on rapid freezing, in which viable cells undergo glass-like solidification. This technology requires large concentrations of permeable cryoprotectants (P- CPA's) which increase the viscosity of the medium to prevent intracellular ice formation during cooling and warming, obtaining successful results in vitrification of oocytes and embryos. Unfortunately, this technology failed when applied to vitrification of sperm due to its higher sensitivity to increasing concentrations of P-CPAs. Alternatively, a technique termed 'kinetic sperm vitrification' has been used and consists in a technique of permeant cryoprotectant-free cryopreservation by direct plunging of a sperm suspension into liquid nitrogen. Some of the advantages of kinetic vitrification are the speed of execution and no rate-controlled equipment required. This technique has been used successfully and with better results for motility in human (50-70% motility recovery), dog (42%), fish (82%) and donkey (21.7%). However, more studies are required to improve sperm viability after devitrification, especially when it comes to motility recovery. The objective of this review is to present the principles of kinetic vitrification, the main findings in the literature, and the perspectives for the utilization of this technique as a cryopreservation method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Barreto Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brasil.
| | - Inara Tayná Alves Evangelista
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
| | - Airton Renan Bastos Soares
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
| | - Danuza Leite Leão
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, Brasil.
| | - Ricardo José Garcia Pereira
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
| | - Sheyla Farhayldes Souza Domingues
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Medicina de Animais da Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Castanhal, PA, Brasil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Produção Animal na Amazônia, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brasil.
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Sperm Motility of Mice under Simulated Microgravity and Hypergravity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145054. [PMID: 32709012 PMCID: PMC7404272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
For deep space exploration, reproductive health must be maintained to preserve the species. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of changes in gravity on male germ cells remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of simulated micro- and hypergravity on mouse sperm motility and the mechanisms of this change. For 1, 3 and 6 h, mouse sperm samples isolated from the caudal epididymis were subjected to simulated microgravity using a random position machine and 2g hypergravity using a centrifuge. The experimental samples were compared with static and dynamic controls. The sperm motility and the percentage of motile sperm were determined using microscopy and video analysis, cell respiration was determined by polarography, the protein content was assessed by Western blotting and the mRNA levels were determined using qRT-PCR. The results indicated that hypergravity conditions led to more significant changes than simulated microgravity conditions: after 1 h, the speed of sperm movement decreased, and after 3 h, the number of motile cells began to decrease. Under the microgravity model, the speed of movement did not change, but the motile spermatozoa decreased after 6 h of exposure. These changes are likely associated with a change in the structure of the microtubule cytoskeleton, and changes in the energy supply are an adaptive reaction to changes in sperm motility.
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Raval NP, Shah TM, George LB, Joshi CG. Effect of the pH in the enrichment of X or Y sex chromosome-bearing sperm in bovine. Vet World 2019; 12:1299-1303. [PMID: 31641311 PMCID: PMC6755399 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1299-1303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Studies have shown that the pH of the vagina during the course of fertilization may influence the migration of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa and thus leading to skewness in the sex of the offspring. Hence, this study was carried out to check the effect of the pH in the enrichment of X or Y sex chromosome-bearing sperm in bovine (Bos indicus). Materials and Methods: To check the effect of pH in the enrichment of X or Y sex chromosome-bearing sperm in bovine, we used buffers of various pH ranging from 5.5 to 9.0 for swim-up procedure of sperm sample and collected upper and bottom fraction from the same buffer and checked the abundance of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction using X- and Y-chromosome-specific DNA probe. Results: The abundance of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa was not differed significantly in either of the fraction collected. Conclusion: Thus, it appears to be unlikely that an immediate impact of pH on sperm can be a solitary impact on the sex of offspring in bovine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi P Raval
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India.,Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Tejas M Shah
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - Linz-Buoy George
- Department of Zoology, Biomedical Technology and Human Genetics, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Chaitanya G Joshi
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, Block B and D, 6 Floor, MS Building, Sector - 11, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
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Comparison of DNA fragmentation levels in spermatozoa with different sex chromosome complements. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:56-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Shi X, Chan CPS, Waters T, Chi L, Chan DYL, Li TC. Lifestyle and demographic factors associated with human semen quality and sperm function. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:358-367. [PMID: 30033774 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1491074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Carol Pui Shan Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tarah Waters
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Ling Chi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - David Yiu Leung Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Tin-Chiu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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