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Fakhro KA, Awwad J, Garibova S, Saraiva LR, Avella M. Conserved genes regulating human sex differentiation, gametogenesis and fertilization. J Transl Med 2024; 22:473. [PMID: 38764035 PMCID: PMC11103854 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05162-2] [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] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of the functional genome in mice and humans has been instrumental for describing the conserved molecular mechanisms regulating human reproductive biology, and for defining the etiologies of monogenic fertility disorders. Infertility is a reproductive disorder that includes various conditions affecting a couple's ability to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing technologies have facilitated the identification and characterization of genes and mechanisms that, if affected, lead to infertility. We report established genes that regulate conserved functions in fundamental reproductive processes (e.g., sex determination, gametogenesis, and fertilization). We only cover genes the deletion of which yields comparable fertility phenotypes in both rodents and humans. In the case of newly-discovered genes, we report the studies demonstrating shared cellular and fertility phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function mutations in both species. Finally, we introduce new model systems for the study of human reproductive biology and highlight the importance of studying human consanguineous populations to discover novel monogenic causes of infertility. The rapid and continuous screening and identification of putative genetic defects coupled with an efficient functional characterization in animal models can reveal novel mechanisms of gene function in human reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Fakhro
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Johnny Awwad
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Vincent Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Service, The Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Luis R Saraiva
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Matteo Avella
- Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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2
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Horakova A, Konecna M, Anger M. Chromosome Division in Early Embryos-Is Everything under Control? And Is the Cell Size Important? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2101. [PMID: 38396778 PMCID: PMC10889803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042101] [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] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromosome segregation in female germ cells and early embryonic blastomeres is known to be highly prone to errors. The resulting aneuploidy is therefore the most frequent cause of termination of early development and embryo loss in mammals. And in specific cases, when the aneuploidy is actually compatible with embryonic and fetal development, it leads to severe developmental disorders. The main surveillance mechanism, which is essential for the fidelity of chromosome segregation, is the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC). And although all eukaryotic cells carry genes required for SAC, it is not clear whether this pathway is active in all cell types, including blastomeres of early embryos. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the recent progress in our understanding of the mechanisms controlling chromosome segregation and how they might work in embryos and mammalian embryos in particular. Our conclusion from the current literature is that the early mammalian embryos show limited capabilities to react to chromosome segregation defects, which might, at least partially, explain the widespread problem of aneuploidy during the early development in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Horakova
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Veterinary Research Institute, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Konecna
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Veterinary Research Institute, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Anger
- Department of Genetics and Reproductive Biotechnologies, Veterinary Research Institute, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic
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3
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Turner KA, Achinger L, Kong D, Kluczynski DF, Fishman EL, Phillips A, Saltzman B, Loncarek J, Harstine BR, Avidor-Reiss T. Abnormal centriolar biomarker ratios correlate with unexplained bull artificial insemination subfertility: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18338. [PMID: 37884598 PMCID: PMC10603076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45162-8] [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] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying male infertility are poorly understood. Most mammalian spermatozoa have two centrioles: the typical barrel-shaped proximal centriole (PC) and the atypical fan-like distal centriole (DC) connected to the axoneme (Ax). These structures are essential for fertility. However, the relationship between centriole quality and subfertility (reduced fertility) is not well established. Here, we tested the hypothesis that assessing sperm centriole quality can identify cattle subfertility. By comparing sperm from 25 fertile and 6 subfertile bulls, all with normal semen analyses, we found that unexplained subfertility and lower sire conception rates (pregnancy rate from artificial insemination in cattle) correlate with abnormal centriolar biomarker distribution. Fluorescence-based Ratiometric Analysis of Sperm Centrioles (FRAC) found only four fertile bulls (4/25, 16%) had positive FRAC tests (having one or more mean FRAC ratios outside of the distribution range in a group's high-quality sperm population), whereas all of the subfertile bulls (6/6, 100%) had positive FRAC tests (P = 0.00008). The most sensitive biomarker was acetylated tubulin, which had a novel labeling pattern between the DC and Ax. These data suggest that FRAC and acetylated tubulin labeling can identify bull subfertility that remains undetected by current methods and may provide insight into a novel mechanism of subfertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Luke Achinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Dong Kong
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Derek F Kluczynski
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Emily Lillian Fishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Audrey Phillips
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
| | - Barbara Saltzman
- Department of Population Health, College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Jadranka Loncarek
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, 3050 W. Towerview Blvd, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA.
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
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Moretti E, Noto D, Corsaro R, Collodel G. Focus on centrin in normal and altered human spermatozoa. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:175-187. [PMID: 36892570 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2181115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
This review provides details on the role of centrin in human spermatozoa and in various forms of male infertility. Centrin is a calcium (Ca2+)-binding phosphoprotein that is located in the centrioles - which are typical structures of the sperm connecting piece and play a key role in centrosome dynamics during sperm morphogenesis - as well as in zygotes and early embryos during spindle assembly. In humans, three different centrin genes encoding three isoforms have been discovered. Centrin 1, the only one expressed in spermatozoa, seems to be lost inside the oocyte after fertilization. The sperm connecting piece is characterized by the presence of numerous proteins including centrin, that deserves particular attention because, in humans, it is enriched during maturation of the centrioles. In normal sperm, centrin 1 is visible as two distinct spots in the head-tail junction; however, in some defective spermatozoa, centrin 1 distribution is altered. Centrin has been studied in humans and animal models. Its mutations may lead to several structural alterations, such as serious defects in the connective piece and, subsequently, fertilization failure or incomplete embryonic development. However, the effects of these abnormalities on male fertility have not been fully studied. Because the presence and the function of centrin in the sperm connecting piece appears important for reproductive success, additional studies are needed to bring medical benefits in resolving some cases of idiopathic infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moretti
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Daria Noto
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Roberta Corsaro
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Collodel
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Pereira R, Sousa M. Morphological and Molecular Bases of Male Infertility: A Closer Look at Sperm Flagellum. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020383. [PMID: 36833310 PMCID: PMC9956255 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a major health problem worldwide without an effective therapy or cure. It is estimated to affect 8-12% of couples in the reproductive age group, equally affecting both genders. There is no single cause of infertility, and its knowledge is still far from complete, with about 30% of infertile couples having no cause identified (named idiopathic infertility). Among male causes of infertility, asthenozoospermia (i.e., reduced sperm motility) is one of the most observed, being estimated that more than 20% of infertile men have this condition. In recent years, many researchers have focused on possible factors leading to asthenozoospermia, revealing the existence of many cellular and molecular players. So far, more than 4000 genes are thought to be involved in sperm production and as regulators of different aspects of sperm development, maturation, and function, and all can potentially cause male infertility if mutated. In this review, we aim to give a brief overview of the typical sperm flagellum morphology and compile some of the most relevant information regarding the genetic factors involved in male infertility, with a focus on sperm immotility and on genes related to sperm flagellum development, structure, or function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute Pereira
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +35-1918-127-817
| | - Mário Sousa
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Zhang X, Zheng R, Liang C, Liu H, Zhang X, Ma Y, Liu M, Zhang W, Yang Y, Liu M, Jiang C, Ren Q, Wang Y, Chen S, Yang Y, Shen Y. Loss-of-function mutations in CEP78 cause male infertility in humans and mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0968. [PMID: 36206347 PMCID: PMC9544341 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Centrosomal protein dysfunction might cause ciliopathies. However, the role of centrosomal proteins in male infertility remains poorly defined. Here, we identified a pathogenic splicing mutation in CEP78 in male infertile patients with severely reduced sperm number and motility, and the typical multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella phenotype. We further created Cep78 knockout mice, which showed an extremely low sperm count, completely aberrant sperm morphology, and approximately null sperm motility. The infertility of the patients and knockout mice could not be rescued by an intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. Mechanistically, CEP78 might regulate USP16 expression, which further stabilizes Tektin levels via the ubiquitination pathway. Cep78 knockout mice also exhibited impairments in retina and outer hair cells of the cochlea. Collectively, our findings identified nonfunctional CEP78 as an indispensable factor contributing to male infertility and revealed a role for this gene in regulating retinal and outer hair cell function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Haotian Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yongyi Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400000, China
| | - Mohan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingjia Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Suren Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yihong Yang
- Reproduction Medical Center of West China Second University Hospital, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Dederichs TM, Huber BA, Michalik P. Evolutionary morphology of sperm in pholcid spiders (Pholcidae, Synspermiata). BMC ZOOL 2022; 7:52. [PMID: 37170331 PMCID: PMC10127419 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-022-00148-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Pholcidae represent one of the largest and most diverse spider families and have been subject to various studies regarding behavior and reproductive biology. In contrast to the solid knowledge on phylogeny and general reproductive morphology, the primary male reproductive system is strongly understudied, as it has been addressed only for few species. Those studies however suggested a high diversity of sperm and seminal secretions across the family. To address this disparity and reconstruct the evolution of sperm traits, we investigate the primary male reproductive system of pholcid spiders by means of light, X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy using a comprehensive taxon sampling with 46 species from 33 genera, representing all five subfamilies.
Results
Our data show a high disparity of sperm morphology and seminal secretions within pholcids. We document several sperm characters that are unique for pholcids, such as a helical band (Pholcinae) or a lamellate posterior centriolar adjunct material (Modisiminae). Character mapping revealed several putative synapomorphies for individual taxa. With regard to sperm transfer forms, we found that synspermia occur only in the subfamily Ninetinae, whereas the other subfamilies have cleistospermia. In several species with cleistospermia, we demonstrate that spermatids remain fused until late stages of spermiogenesis before ultimately separating shortly before the coiling process. Additionally, we explored the previously hypothesized correlation between sperm size and minimum diameter of the spermophor in the male palpal organ. We show that synspermia differ strongly in size whereas cleistospermia are rather uniform, but neither transfer form is positively correlated with the diameter of the spermophor.
Conclusions
Our data revealed a dynamic evolution of sperm characters, with convergences across all subfamilies and a high level of homoplasy. The present diversity can be related to subfamily level and allows for assignments of specific subtypes of spermatozoa. Our observations support the idea that Ninetinae are an ancestral clade within Pholcidae that have retained synspermia and that synspermia represent the ancestral sperm transfer form of Pholcidae.
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Ribeiro JC, Nogueira-Ferreira R, Amado F, Alves MG, Ferreira R, Oliveira PF. Exploring the Role of Oxidative Stress in Sperm Motility: A Proteomic Network Approach. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:501-520. [PMID: 34847748 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Infertility is a major global health problem, with nearly half of the cases being associated with male factors. Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial for sperm cell normal physiological processes, an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidants can lead to oxidative stress that can impair sperm function. Indeed, high semen ROS levels are reported in 30%-80% of infertile men. Recent Advances: Male oxidative stress infertility is an uprising classification for idiopathic infertility. Proteomic approaches, including quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, are being utilized to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with oxidative stress in male infertility. Critical Issues: In this review, proteome data were collected from articles available on PubMed centered on MS-based proteomic studies, performed in seminal plasma and sperm cell samples, and enrolling men with impaired semen parameters. The bioinformatic analysis of proteome data with Cytoscape (ClueGO+CluePedia) and STRING tools allowed the identification of the biological processes more prevalent in asthenozoospermia, with focus on the ones related to oxidative stress. Future Directions: The identification of the antioxidant proteins in seminal plasma and sperm cells that can protect sperm cells from oxidative stress is crucial not only for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with male infertility but specially to guide new therapeutic possibilities. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 501-520.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C Ribeiro
- Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita Nogueira-Ferreira
- Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Amado
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marco G Alves
- Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Ferreira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Frappier J, Martinaud A, Barberet J, Bruno C, Guilleman M, Amblot C, Guilloteau A, Fauque P. Effect of paternal smoking on pre-implantation embryonic development: a prospective cohort study. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:971-979. [PMID: 36031716 DOI: 10.1071/rd22093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Recent studies have failed to demonstrate the negative impact of male tobacco smoking on embryo development, raising the question of its actual implication on natural fecundity and assisted reproductive techniques outcomes. AIMS To assess the impact of paternal smoking on embryo development. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, 252 men from couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) were included. Each patient was interviewed and took a carbon monoxide breath-test, creating three groups: non-smokers (n=113), former smokers (n=81) and active smokers (n=58). The Top-grade embryo ratio (primary endpoint), embryo morphokinetic parameters and clinical outcomes were assessed. KEY RESULTS In a multivariate analyses based on 1521 embryos, no significant difference was found in the top-grade embryo ratio between the groups. Tobacco smoking had no impact on clinical outcomes. Compared to non-smokers the time to the pronuclei fading (tPNf, P=0.006) and the time to the first embryonic cleavage (t2, P=0.002) were shorter in smokers, and the t2 was also slightly shorter in former smokers (P=0.045). No other differences were found in the morphokinetic parameters. CONCLUSION Even if a few differences were observed in the first timing of embryonic events, this study did not highlight a major embryonic and clinical impact of the paternal smoking status. IMPLICATION The results obtained here are reassuring towards IVF outcomes. As maternal smoking is highly controlled in the IVF patients in this study, we speculate that the sperm selection process may limit the adverse effects of tobacco consumption on embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Frappier
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, 14 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon CEDEX, France; and INSERM UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne Franche comté, Dijon, France
| | - Aurélie Martinaud
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, 14 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon CEDEX, France; and INSERM UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne Franche comté, Dijon, France
| | - Julie Barberet
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, 14 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon CEDEX, France; and INSERM UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne Franche comté, Dijon, France
| | - Céline Bruno
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, 14 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon CEDEX, France; and INSERM UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne Franche comté, Dijon, France
| | - Magali Guilleman
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, 14 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon CEDEX, France; and INSERM UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne Franche comté, Dijon, France
| | - Céline Amblot
- Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | | | - Patricia Fauque
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, 14 rue Gaffarel, 21079 Dijon CEDEX, France; and INSERM UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne Franche comté, Dijon, France
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Sperm centriole assessment identifies male factor infertility in couples with unexplained infertility – a pilot study. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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11
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Dunkley S, Scheffler K, Mogessie B. Cytoskeletal form and function in mammalian oocytes and zygotes. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 75:102073. [PMID: 35364486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The actin and microtubule cytoskeletons of mammalian oocytes and zygotes exist in distinct forms at various subcellular locations. This enables each cytoskeletal system to perform vastly different functions in time and space within the same cell. In recent years, key discovery enabling tools including light-sensitive microscopy assays have helped to illuminate cytoskeletal form and function in female reproductive cell biology. New findings include unexpected participation of F-actin in oocyte chromosome segregation, oocyte specific modes of spindle self-organization as well as existence of nuclear actin polymers whose functions are only starting to emerge. Functional actin-microtubule interactions have also been identified as an important feature that supports mammalian embryo development. Other advances have revealed reproductive age-related changes in chromosome structure and dynamics that predispose mammalian eggs to aneuploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Dunkley
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Binyam Mogessie
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, Bristol, UK; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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12
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Avidor-Reiss T, Achinger L, Uzbekov R. The Centriole's Role in Miscarriages. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:864692. [PMID: 35300410 PMCID: PMC8922021 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.864692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrioles are subcellular organelles essential for normal cell function and development; they form the cell’s centrosome (a major cytoplasmic microtubule organization center) and cilium (a sensory and motile hair-like cellular extension). Centrioles with evolutionarily conserved characteristics are found in most animal cell types but are absent in egg cells and exhibit unexpectedly high structural, compositional, and functional diversity in sperm cells. As a result, the centriole’s precise role in fertility and early embryo development is unclear. The centrioles are found in the spermatozoan neck, a strategic location connecting two central functional units: the tail, which propels the sperm to the egg and the head, which holds the paternal genetic material. The spermatozoan neck is an ideal site for evolutionary innovation as it can control tail movement pre-fertilization and the male pronucleus’ behavior post-fertilization. We propose that human, bovine, and most other mammals–which exhibit ancestral centriole-dependent reproduction and two spermatozoan centrioles, where one canonical centriole is maintained, and one atypical centriole is formed–adapted extensive species-specific centriolar features. As a result, these centrioles have a high post-fertilization malfunction rate, resulting in aneuploidy, and miscarriages. In contrast, house mice evolved centriole-independent reproduction, losing the spermatozoan centrioles and overcoming a mechanism that causes miscarriages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States.,Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Luke Achinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Rustem Uzbekov
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Tours, Tours, France.,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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13
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CEP128 is involved in spermatogenesis in humans and mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1395. [PMID: 35296684 PMCID: PMC8927350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Centrosomal proteins are necessary components of the centrosome, a conserved eukaryotic organelle essential to the reproductive process. However, few centrosomal proteins have been genetically linked to fertility. Herein we identify a homozygous missense variant of CEP128 (c.665 G > A [p.R222Q]) in two infertile males. Remarkably, male homozygous knock-in mice harboring the orthologous CEP128R222Q variant show anomalies in sperm morphology, count, and motility. Moreover, Cep128 knock-out mice manifest male infertility associated with disrupted sperm quality. We observe defective sperm flagella in both homozygous Cep128 KO and KI mice; the cilia development in other organs is normal—suggesting that CEP128 variants predominantly affected the ciliogenesis in the testes. Mechanistically, CEP128 is involved in male reproduction via regulating the expression of genes and/or the phosphorylation of TGF-β/BMP-signalling members during spermatogenesis. Altogether, our findings unveil a crucial role for CEP128 in male fertility and provide important insights into the functions of centrosomal proteins in reproductive biology. CEP128 is a centrosomal protein important for the organization of centriolar microtubules. Here, the authors show that a CEP128 variant observed in human male siblings causes reduced sperm counts and morphologically abnormal sperm when modeled in mice, suggesting a role for CEP128 in male fertility.
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14
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Yanagimachi R. Mysteries and unsolved problems of mammalian fertilization and related topics. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:644-675. [PMID: 35292804 PMCID: PMC9040664 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization is a fascinating process that leads to the formation of a new individual. Eggs and sperm are complex cells that must meet at the appropriate time and position within the female reproductive tract for successful fertilization. I have been studying various aspects of mammalian fertilization over 60 years. In this review, I discuss many different aspects of mammalian fertilization, some of my laboratory's contribution to the field, and discuss enigmas and mysteries that remain to be solved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuzo Yanagimachi
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii Medical School, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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15
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Omolaoye TS, Hachim MY, du Plessis SS. Using publicly available transcriptomic data to identify mechanistic and diagnostic biomarkers in azoospermia and overall male infertility. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2584. [PMID: 35173218 PMCID: PMC8850557 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Azoospermia, which is the absence of spermatozoa in an ejaculate occurring due to defects in sperm production, or the obstruction of the reproductive tract, affects about 1% of all men and is prevalent in up to 10–15% of infertile males. Conventional semen analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosing and treating male infertility; however, advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics now highlight the insufficiency thereof. Hence, the need to widen the scope of investigating the aetiology of male infertility stands pertinent. The current study aimed to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that might serve as potential biomarkers for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and overall male infertility. DEGs across different datasets of transcriptomic profiling of testis from human patients with different causes of infertility/ impaired spermatogenesis and/or azoospermia were explored using the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Following the search using the GEOquery, 30 datasets were available, with 5 meeting the inclusion criteria. The DEGs for datasets were identified using limma R packages through the GEO2R tool. The annotated genes of the probes in each dataset were intersected with DEGs from all other datasets. Enriched Ontology Clustering for the identified genes was performed using Metascape to explore the possible connection or interaction between the genes. Twenty-five DEGs were shared between most of the datasets, which might indicate their role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Of the 25 DEGs, eight genes (THEG, SPATA20, ROPN1L, GSTF1, TSSK1B, CABS1, ADAD1, RIMBP3) are either involved in the overall spermatogenic processes or at specific phases of spermatogenesis. We hypothesize that alteration in the expression of these genes leads to impaired spermatogenesis and, ultimately, male infertility. Thus, these genes can be used as potential biomarkers for the early detection of NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temidayo S Omolaoye
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - Mahmood Yaseen Hachim
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE.
| | - Stefan S du Plessis
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE.,Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
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16
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Franasiak JM, Polyzos NP, Neves AR, Yovich JL, Ho TM, Vuong LN, Norman RJ. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection for all or for a few? Fertil Steril 2022; 117:270-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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17
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Pandit S, Sharma R. Non invasive assessment of human oocytes and embryos in assisted reproduction: Review on present practices and future trends. Med J Armed Forces India 2022; 78:7-16. [PMID: 35035038 PMCID: PMC8737104 DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oocyte and embryo grading is one of the most important steps in assisted reproductive technology to identify the best among cultured embryos for transfer or vitrification. The most commonly used non-invasive method is morphological assessment of gametes and embryos using a microscope. This method despite being simple and cost-effective has interobserver and intraobserver variability and subjectivity and has little to offer about the physiological state of embryos. This review sourced research articles and reviews pertaining to other non-invasive assessment methodologies from Medline and PubMed to collate latest technologies in vogue and identify novel methodologies of the future. The review assesses the current understanding in oocyte and embryo grading and touches upon novel non-invasive techniques and potential biomarkers to identify the best embryo. The latest available literature on time-lapse imaging, hierarchical algorithms, omics (consisting of proteomics and secretomes), miRNAs, mitochondrial RNAs and artificial intelligence has been accessed to summarize the enormous information available, to identify gaps in current interpretations, to identify emerging technologies and to provide direction for future research. This review will greatly benefit anyone practicing assisted reproduction and clinical embryology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhendu Pandit
- Professor (Anatomy) & Clinical Embryologist, Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt, India,Corresponding author.
| | - Rajesh Sharma
- Classified Specialist (Obst & Gynae) & ART Specialist, ART Centre, Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt, India
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18
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Bruno C, Bourredjem A, Barry F, Frappier J, Martinaud A, Chamoy B, Hance I, Ginod P, Cavalieri M, Amblot C, Binquet C, Barberet J, Fauque P. Analysis and quantification of female and male contributions to the first stages of embryonic kinetics: study from a time-lapse system. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:85-95. [PMID: 34674102 PMCID: PMC8866590 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02336-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The few studies that examined the effect of male and/or female features on early embryo development, notably using the time-lapse system (TL), reported conflicting results. This can be explained by the small number of studies using an adapted model. METHODS We used two original designs to study the female and male effects on embryo development: (1) based on embryos from donor oocytes (TL-DO), and (2) from donor sperm (TL-DS). Firstly, we analyzed the female and male similarities using an ad hoc intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), then we completed the analysis with a multivariable model to assess the association between both male and female factors, and early embryo kinetics. A total of 572 mature oocytes (TL-DO: 293; TL-DS: 279), fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and incubated in a TL (Embryoscope®) were included from March 2013 to April 2019; 429 fertilized oocytes (TL-DO: 212; TL-DS: 217) were assessed. The timings of the first 48 h have been analyzed. RESULTS The similarities in the timings thought to be related to the female component were significant: (ICC in both DO-DS designs respectively: tPB2: 9-18%; tPNa: 16-21%; tPNf: 40-26%; t2: 38-24%; t3: 15-20%; t4: 21-32%). Comparatively, those related to male were lower. Surprisingly after multivariable analyses, no intrinsic female factors were clearly identified. However, in TL-DO design, oligozoospermia was associated with a tendency to longer timings, notably for tPB2 (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION This study quantifies the role of the oocyte in the first embryo cleavages, but without identified specific female factors. However, it also highlights that sperm may have an early embryonic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Bruno
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
| | - Abderrahmane Bourredjem
- Inserm, CIC1432, Module Epidémiologie Clinique, F-21000, Dijon, France
- CHU Dijon-Bourgogne, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Module Epidémiologie Clinique/Essais Clinique, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Fatima Barry
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Jean Frappier
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Aurélie Martinaud
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Bruno Chamoy
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Isabelle Hance
- Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Perrine Ginod
- Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Mathilde Cavalieri
- Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Céline Amblot
- Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Christine Binquet
- Inserm, CIC1432, Module Epidémiologie Clinique, F-21000, Dijon, France
- CHU Dijon-Bourgogne, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Module Epidémiologie Clinique/Essais Clinique, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Julie Barberet
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Patricia Fauque
- Laboratoire de Biologie de La Reproduction, Hôpital François Mitterrand, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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19
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Hua LL, Casas C, Mikawa T. Mitotic Antipairing of Homologous Chromosomes. Results Probl Cell Differ 2022; 70:191-220. [PMID: 36348108 PMCID: PMC9731508 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06573-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome organization is highly dynamic and plays an essential role during cell function. It was recently found that pairs of the homologous chromosomes are continuously separated at mitosis and display a haploid (1n) chromosome set, or "antipairing," organization in human cells. Here, we provide an introduction to the current knowledge of homologous antipairing in humans and its implications in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L. Hua
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, San Francisco
| | - Christian Casas
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, San Francisco
| | - Takashi Mikawa
- Department of Anatomy, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco,Corresponding author:
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20
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Gomes Pereira S, Sousa AL, Nabais C, Paixão T, Holmes AJ, Schorb M, Goshima G, Tranfield EM, Becker JD, Bettencourt-Dias M. The 3D architecture and molecular foundations of de novo centriole assembly via bicentrioles. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4340-4353.e7. [PMID: 34433076 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Centrioles are structurally conserved organelles, composing both centrosomes and cilia. In animal cycling cells, centrioles often form through a highly characterized process termed canonical duplication. However, a large diversity of eukaryotes assemble centrioles de novo through uncharacterized pathways. This unexplored diversity is key to understanding centriole assembly mechanisms and how they evolved to assist specific cellular functions. Here, we show that, during spermatogenesis of the bryophyte Physcomitrium patens, centrioles are born as a co-axially oriented centriole pair united by a cartwheel. Interestingly, we observe that these centrioles are twisted in opposite orientations. Microtubules emanate from the bicentrioles, which localize to the spindle poles during cell division. After their separation, the two resulting sister centrioles mature asymmetrically, elongating specific microtubule triplets and a naked cartwheel. Subsequently, two motile cilia are assembled that appear to alternate between different motility patterns. We further show that centriolar components SAS6, Bld10, and POC1, which are conserved across eukaryotes, are expressed during spermatogenesis and required for this de novo biogenesis pathway. Our work supports a scenario where centriole biogenesis, while driven by conserved molecular modules, is more diverse than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Gomes Pereira
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal.
| | - Ana Laura Sousa
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina Nabais
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tiago Paixão
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Alexander J Holmes
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Martin Schorb
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gohta Goshima
- Sugashima Marine Biological Laboratory, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Sugashima, 429-63, Toba 517-0004, Japan; Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Erin M Tranfield
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Jörg D Becker
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal.
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21
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The Cilioprotist Cytoskeleton , a Model for Understanding How Cell Architecture and Pattern Are Specified: Recent Discoveries from Ciliates and Comparable Model Systems. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2364:251-295. [PMID: 34542858 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1661-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The cytoskeletons of eukaryotic, cilioprotist microorganisms are complex, highly patterned, and diverse, reflecting the varied and elaborate swimming, feeding, reproductive, and sensory behaviors of the multitude of cilioprotist species that inhabit the aquatic environment. In the past 10-20 years, many new discoveries and technologies have helped to advance our understanding of how cytoskeletal organelles are assembled in many different eukaryotic model systems, in relation to the construction and modification of overall cellular architecture and function. Microtubule organizing centers, particularly basal bodies and centrioles, have continued to reveal their central roles in architectural engineering of the eukaryotic cell, including in the cilioprotists. This review calls attention to (1) published resources that illuminate what is known of the cilioprotist cytoskeleton; (2) recent studies on cilioprotists and other model organisms that raise specific questions regarding whether basal body- and centriole-associated nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA, should continue to be considered when seeking to employ cilioprotists as model systems for cytoskeletal research; and (3) new, mainly imaging, technologies that have already proven useful for, but also promise to enhance, future cytoskeletal research on cilioprotists.
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22
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Ribeiro JC, Braga PC, Martins AD, Silva BM, Alves MG, Oliveira PF. Antioxidants Present in Reproductive Tract Fluids and Their Relevance for Fertility. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091441. [PMID: 34573073 PMCID: PMC8466935 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, infertility is classified as a disease of the reproductive system. Although it does not compromise the life of the individual, it can have detrimental effects on the physiological and psychological health of the couple. Male fertility evaluation is mainly focused on the analysis of sperm parameters. However, the ejaculated fluid is also composed of seminal plasma, and the study of this fluid can provide crucial information to help in the assessment of male fertility status. Total antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma has been positively correlated with the fertility of men. Moreover, evidence highlights to a similar importance as that of female reproductive tract fluid antioxidant capabilities and female fertility. Herein, we describe the functions of seminal plasma and female reproductive tract fluids, as well as their main antioxidant components and their relationships with fertility outcomes. Additionally, this review contains the most up to date information regarding the mechanisms of the interaction between the male and the female reproductive fluids and the importance of proper antioxidant capacity for fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C. Ribeiro
- Department of Anatomy, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (P.C.B.); (M.G.A.)
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Patrícia C. Braga
- Department of Anatomy, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (P.C.B.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Ana D. Martins
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Branca M. Silva
- CICS, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Department of Anatomy, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (P.C.B.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-234370718
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23
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Sha Y, Liu W, Li L, Serafimovski M, Isachenko V, Li Y, Chen J, Zhao B, Wang Y, Wei X. Pathogenic Variants in ACTRT1 Cause Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:676246. [PMID: 34422805 PMCID: PMC8377740 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.676246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare type of teratozoospermia, but its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing for 34 patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and identified pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene, ACTRT1, in two patients. Sanger sequencing confirmed the pathogenic variants of ACTRT1 in the patients. Both pathogenic variants of ACTRT1 were highly conserved, and in silico analysis revealed that they were deleterious and rare. Actrt1-knockout mice exhibited a similar acephalic spermatozoa phenotype. Therefore, we speculated that mutations in ACTRT1 account for acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Moreover, the patients in this study conceived their children through artificial insemination. This study provides further insights for clinicians and researchers regarding the genetic etiology and therapeutic strategies for acephalic spermatozoa patients with pathogenic variants in ACTRT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, School of Public Health & Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mario Serafimovski
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Research Group for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Youzhu Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Bangrong Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Healthy/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Hebei Provincial, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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24
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Shen YR, Wang HY, Tsai YC, Kuo YC, Wu SR, Wang CY, Kuo PL. The SEPT12 complex is required for the establishment of a functional sperm head-tail junction. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:402-412. [PMID: 32392324 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The connecting pieces of the sperm neck link the flagellum and the sperm head, and they are important for initiating flagellar beating. The connecting pieces are important building blocks for the sperm neck; however, the mechanism of connecting piece assembly is poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the role of septins in sperm motility and found that Sept12D197N knock-in (KI) mice produce acephalic and immotile spermatozoa. Electron microscopy analysis showed defective connecting pieces in sperm from KI mice, indicating that SEPT12 is required for the establishment of connecting pieces. We also found that SEPT12 formed a complex with SEPT1, SEPT2, SEPT10 and SEPT11 at the sperm neck and that the D197N mutation disrupted the complex, suggesting that the SEPT12 complex is involved in the assembly of connecting pieces. Additionally, we found that SEPT12 interacted and colocalized with γ-tubulin in elongating spermatids, implying that SEPT12 and pericentriolar materials jointly contribute to the formation of connecting pieces. Collectively, our findings suggest that SEPT12 is required for the formation of striated columns, and the capitulum and for maintaining the stability of the sperm head-tail junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ru Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chieh Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Sport Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Rung Wu
- Institute of Oral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yih Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng-Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
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25
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Naglot S, Tomar AK, Singh N, Yadav S. Label-free proteomics of spermatozoa identifies candidate protein markers of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss. Reprod Biol 2021; 21:100539. [PMID: 34329819 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2021.100539] [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: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects a large number of couples worldwide, increasing their mental and financial burdens. While female factors that contribute to RPL have been studied extensively, the role of male factors is largely unknown, and approximately 40 % RPL cases remain unexplained despite thorough clinical examinations. These cases are clinically termed as idiopathic RPL (iRPL). Several studies have recently found that spermatozoa play an important role, beyond fertilization, in iRPL, specifically in early embryonic development. Consequently, scientists explored spermatozoa to understand iRPL and revealed that both oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation contribute to RPL. In this study, we analyzed sperm samples from male partners of iRPL patients and fertile men who recently fathered a child by LC-MS/MS to identify proteomic markers of iRPL. A total of 1,988 proteins were quantified by a label-free method, and stringent statistical analysis was performed for the selection of candidate biomarkers of iRPL. Out of 1,647 proteins quantified, only 7 proteins qualified the selection criteria, which are lactotransferrin, ATP synthase subunit beta mitochondrial, fatty acid synthase, anterior gradient protein 2 homolog, hemoglobin subunit beta, short-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase mitochondrial, cytoplasmic dynein 1 heavy chain, and 14-3-3 protein sigma. We then performed gene annotations, pathways, and network analyses to gain more biological insights, identifying an association between oxidative stress and iRPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarla Naglot
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Anil Kumar Tomar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Neeta Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Savita Yadav
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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26
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Abstract
Fertilization is a multistep process that culminates in the fusion of sperm and egg, thus marking the beginning of a new organism in sexually reproducing species. Despite its importance for reproduction, the molecular mechanisms that regulate this singular event, particularly sperm-egg fusion, have remained mysterious for many decades. Here, we summarize our current molecular understanding of sperm-egg interaction, focusing mainly on mammalian fertilization. Given the fundamental importance of sperm-egg fusion yet the lack of knowledge of this process in vertebrates, we discuss hallmarks and emerging themes of cell fusion by drawing from well-studied examples such as viral entry, placenta formation, and muscle development. We conclude by identifying open questions and exciting avenues for future studies in gamete fusion. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Deneke
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; ,
| | - Andrea Pauli
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria; ,
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27
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Phanindranath R, Sudhakar DVS, Thangaraj K, Sharma Y. Conformational scanning of individual EF-hand motifs of calcium sensor protein centrin-1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 570:67-73. [PMID: 34273620 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Centrin-1, a Ca2+ sensor protein of the centrin family is a crucial player for cell division in eukaryotes and plays a key role in the microtubule organising centre. Despite being regarded as a calcium sensor with a matched structure to calmodulin/troponin C, the protein undergoes mild changes in conformation and binds Ca2+ with moderate affinity. We present an in-depth analysis of the Ca2+ sensing by individual EF-hand motifs of centrin-1 and address unsolved questions of the rationales for moderate affinity and conformational transitions of the protein. Employing the more sensitive approach of Trp scanning of individual EF-hand motif, we have undertaken an exhaustive investigation of Ca2+ binding to individual EF-hand motifs, named EF1 to EF4. All four EF-hand motifs of centrin-1 are structural as all of them bind both Ca2+ and Mg2+. EF1 and EF4 are the most flexible sites as they undergo drastic conformational changes following Ca2+ binding, whereas EF3 responds to Ca2+ minimally. On the other hand, EF2 moves towards the protein surface upon binding Ca2+. The independent filling mode of Ca2+ to EF-hand motifs and lack of intermotif communication explain the lack of cooperativity of binding, thus constraining centrin-1 to a moderate affinity binding protein. Thus, centrin-1 is distinct from other calcium sensors such as calmodulin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kumarasamy Thangaraj
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India; Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
| | - Yogendra Sharma
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, India.
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28
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Tarozzi N, Nadalini M, Coticchio G, Zacà C, Lagalla C, Borini A. The paternal toolbox for embryo development and health. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6311671. [PMID: 34191013 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm is essential for reconstitution of embryonic diploidy and highly specialized developmental functions. Immediately after gamete fusion, the sperm-borne PLC-zeta triggers activation, generating intracellular free Ca2+ oscillations. Mutations in the PLC-zeta encoding gene are associated with the absence of this factor in mature sperm and inability to achieve fertilization. Sperm play also a role in the greater game of the choreography of fertilization. In the human, the sperm centrioles are introduced into the oocyte environment with gamete fusion. They interact with the oocyte cytoskeletal apparatus to form a functional pair of centrosomes and ultimately regulate pronuclear juxtaposition in preparation for the first cleavage. As a consequence, the fidelity of chromosome segregation during the first cell divisions depends on the function of sperm centrioles. Sperm DNA integrity is essential for embryo development and health. Damaged DNA does not impact on the sperm fertilization ability following ICSI. However, detrimental effects emerge at pre- and post-implantation stages. Sperm-specific epigenetic factors also play an active role in the regulation of embryonic development, as shown by correlations between reduced embryo morphological quality and incorrect chromatin packaging during spermiogenesis or abnormal methylation of sperm CpG islands. This functional landscape demonstrates that the contribution of the sperm to development goes far beyond its well-established role in fertilization. Clinical studies confirm this view and indicate sperm function as a crucial aspect of research to increase the efficacy of assisted reproduction treatments.
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29
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Li YZ, Li N, Liu WS, Sha YW, Wu RF, Tang YL, Zhu XS, Wei XL, Zhang XY, Wang YF, Lu ZX, Zhang FX. Biallelic mutations in spermatogenesis and centriole-associated 1 like ( SPATC1L) cause acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and male infertility. Asian J Androl 2021; 24:67-72. [PMID: 34213489 PMCID: PMC8788604 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_56_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare type of teratozoospermia that severely impairs the reproductive ability of male patients, and genetic defects have been recognized as the main cause of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Spermatogenesis and centriole-associated 1 like (SPATC1L) is indispensable for maintaining the integrity of sperm head-to-tail connections in mice, but its roles in human sperm and early embryonic development remain largely unknown. Herein, we conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 22 infertile men with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. An in silico analysis of the candidate variants was conducted, and WES data analysis was performed using another cohort consisting of 34 patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome and 25 control subjects with proven fertility. We identified biallelic mutations in SPATC1L (c.910C>T:p.Arg304Cys and c.994G>T:p.Glu332X) from a patient whose sperm displayed complete acephalia. Both SPATC1L variants are rare and deleterious. SPATC1L is mainly expressed at the head–tail junction of elongating spermatids. Plasmids containing pathogenic variants decreased the level of SPATC1L in vitro. Moreover, none of the patient's four attempts at intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) resulted in a transplantable embryo, which suggests that SPATC1L defects might affect early embryonic development. In conclusion, this study provides the first identification of SPATC1L as a novel gene for human acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. Furthermore, WES might be applied for patients with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome who exhibit reiterative ICSI failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Zhu Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Na Li
- Intensive Care Unit, Fujian Medical University Xiamen Humanity Hospital, Xiamen 361009, China
| | - Wen-Sheng Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yan-Wei Sha
- Department of Andrology, United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital and School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Rong-Feng Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Ya-Ling Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Xing-Shen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiao-Li Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiao-Ya Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yi-Feng Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Zhong-Xian Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Fu-Xing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
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30
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Khanal S, Leung MR, Royfman A, Fishman EL, Saltzman B, Bloomfield-Gadêlha H, Zeev-Ben-Mordehai T, Avidor-Reiss T. A dynamic basal complex modulates mammalian sperm movement. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3808. [PMID: 34155206 PMCID: PMC8217517 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24011-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive success depends on efficient sperm movement driven by axonemal dynein-mediated microtubule sliding. Models predict sliding at the base of the tail - the centriole - but such sliding has never been observed. Centrioles are ancient organelles with a conserved architecture; their rigidity is thought to restrict microtubule sliding. Here, we show that, in mammalian sperm, the atypical distal centriole (DC) and its surrounding atypical pericentriolar matrix form a dynamic basal complex (DBC) that facilitates a cascade of internal sliding deformations, coupling tail beating with asymmetric head kinking. During asymmetric tail beating, the DC's right side and its surroundings slide ~300 nm rostrally relative to the left side. The deformation throughout the DBC is transmitted to the head-tail junction; thus, the head tilts to the left, generating a kinking motion. These findings suggest that the DBC evolved as a dynamic linker coupling sperm head and tail into a single self-coordinated system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil Khanal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Miguel Ricardo Leung
- The Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Abigail Royfman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Emily L Fishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Barbara Saltzman
- School of Population Health, College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Hermes Bloomfield-Gadêlha
- Department of Engineering Mathematics and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
- The Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
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31
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Hwang JY, Nawaz S, Choi J, Wang H, Hussain S, Nawaz M, Lopez-Giraldez F, Jeong K, Dong W, Oh JN, Bilguvar K, Mane S, Lee CK, Bystroff C, Lifton RP, Ahmad W, Chung JJ. Genetic Defects in DNAH2 Underlie Male Infertility With Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella in Humans and Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662903. [PMID: 33968937 PMCID: PMC8103034 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia accounts for over 80% of primary male infertility cases. Reduced sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients are often accompanied by teratozoospermia, or defective sperm morphology, with varying severity. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is one of the most severe forms of asthenoteratozoospermia, characterized by heterogeneous flagellar abnormalities. Among various genetic factors known to cause MMAF, multiple variants in the DNAH2 gene are reported to underlie MMAF in humans. However, the pathogenicity by DNAH2 mutations remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified a novel recessive variant (NM_020877:c.12720G > T;p.W4240C) in DNAH2 by whole-exome sequencing, which fully co-segregated with the infertile male members in a consanguineous Pakistani family diagnosed with asthenozoospermia. 80-90% of the sperm from the patients are morphologically abnormal, and in silico analysis models reveal that the non-synonymous variant substitutes a residue in dynein heavy chain domain and destabilizes DNAH2. To better understand the pathogenicity of various DNAH2 variants underlying MMAF in general, we functionally characterized Dnah2-mutant mice generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Dnah2-null males, but not females, are infertile. Dnah2-null sperm cells display absent, short, bent, coiled, and/or irregular flagella consistent with the MMAF phenotype. We found misexpression of centriolar proteins and delocalization of annulus proteins in Dnah2-null spermatids and sperm, suggesting dysregulated flagella development in spermiogenesis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that flagella ultrastructure is severely disorganized in Dnah2-null sperm. Absence of DNAH2 compromises the expression of other axonemal components such as DNAH1 and RSPH3. Our results demonstrate that DNAH2 is essential for multiple steps in sperm flagella formation and provide insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of MMAF pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Yeon Hwang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Huafeng Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mehboob Nawaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Kyungjo Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Weilai Dong
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jong-Nam Oh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kaya Bilguvar
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shrikant Mane
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Chang-Kyu Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Designed Animal and Transplantation Research Institute, Institutes of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea
| | - Christopher Bystroff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Richard P. Lifton
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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32
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Turner KA, Fishman EL, Asadullah M, Ott B, Dusza P, Shah TA, Sindhwani P, Nadiminty N, Molinari E, Patrizio P, Saltzman BS, Avidor-Reiss T. Fluorescence-Based Ratiometric Analysis of Sperm Centrioles (FRAC) Finds Patient Age and Sperm Morphology Are Associated With Centriole Quality. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:658891. [PMID: 33968935 PMCID: PMC8100587 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.658891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A large proportion of infertility and miscarriage causes are unknown. One potential cause is a defective sperm centriole, a subcellular structure essential for sperm motility and embryonic development. Yet, the extent to which centriolar maladies contribute to male infertility is unknown due to the lack of a convenient way to assess centriole quality. We developed a robust, location-based, ratiometric assay to overcome this roadblock, the Fluorescence-based Ratiometric Assessment of Centrioles (FRAC). We performed a case series study with semen samples from 33 patients, separated using differential gradient centrifugation into higher-grade (pellet) and lower-grade (interface) sperm fractions. Using a reference population of higher-grade sperm from infertile men with morphologically standard sperm, we found that 79% of higher-grade sperm of infertile men with substandard sperm morphology have suboptimal centrioles (P = 0.0005). Moreover, tubulin labeling of the sperm distal centriole correlates negatively with age (P = 0.004, R = -0.66). These findings suggest that FRAC is a sensitive method and that patient age and sperm morphology are associated with centriole quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A. Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Emily L. Fishman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Mariam Asadullah
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Brooke Ott
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Patrick Dusza
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Tariq A. Shah
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Puneet Sindhwani
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Nagalakshmi Nadiminty
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Emanuela Molinari
- Yale Fertility Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Pasquale Patrizio
- Yale Fertility Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Barbara S. Saltzman
- School of Population Health, College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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33
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van Marion ES, Speksnijder JP, Hoek J, Boellaard WPA, Dinkelman-Smit M, Chavli EA, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Laven JSE, Baart EB. Time-lapse imaging of human embryos fertilized with testicular sperm reveals an impact on the first embryonic cell cycle. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:1218-1227. [PMID: 33690817 PMCID: PMC8181962 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular sperm is increasingly used during in vitro fertilization treatment. Testicular sperm has the ability to fertilize the oocyte after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but they have not undergone maturation during epididymal transport. Testicular sperm differs from ejaculated sperm in terms of chromatin maturity, incidence of DNA damage, and RNA content. It is not fully understood what the biological impact is of using testicular sperm, on fertilization, preimplantation embryo development, and postimplantation development. Our goal was to investigate differences in human preimplantation embryo development after ICSI using testicular sperm (TESE-ICSI) and ejaculated sperm. We used time-lapse embryo culture to study these possible differences. Embryos (n = 639) originating from 208 couples undergoing TESE-ICSI treatment were studied and compared to embryos (n = 866) originating from 243 couples undergoing ICSI treatment with ejaculated sperm. Using statistical analysis with linear mixed models, we observed that pronuclei appeared 0.55 h earlier in TESE-ICSI embryos, after which the pronuclear stage lasted 0.55 h longer. Also, significantly more TESE-ICSI embryos showed direct unequal cleavage from the 1-cell stage to the 3-cell stage. TESE-ICSI embryos proceeded faster through the cleavage divisions to the 5- and the 6-cell stage, but this effect disappeared when we adjusted our model for maternal factors. In conclusion, sperm origin affects embryo development during the first embryonic cell cycle, but not developmental kinetics to the 8-cell stage. Our results provide insight into the biological differences between testicular and ejaculated sperm and their impact during human fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S van Marion
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J P Speksnijder
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Hoek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W P A Boellaard
- Department of Urology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Dinkelman-Smit
- Department of Urology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E A Chavli
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R P M Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J S E Laven
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E B Baart
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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34
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Moretti E, Noto D, Guazzo R, Menchiari A, Belmonte G, Collodel G. Centriolar defects, centrin 1 alterations, and FISH studies in human spermatozoa of a male partner of a couple that produces aneuploid embryos in natural and artificial fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1197-1205. [PMID: 33619679 PMCID: PMC8190424 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02109-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the potential paternal contribution to aneuploidies in the man of a couple who obtained trisomic embryos with natural and assisted fertilization. METHODS Semen analysis, immunofluorescence for localization of tubulin and centrin 1, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for chromosomes 18 and 9 were performed. Sperm of fertile men were used as controls. RESULTS The percentages of sperm motility and normal forms were decreased. The percentages of sperm with tail reduced in dimension, headless tails, coiled tails, and altered head-tail junction were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the patient than in controls, whereas the percentage of sperm with a normal centrin 1 localization (two spots in the centriolar area) was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in the patient. Immunofluorescence with anti-tubulin antibody showed that in most of the patient's sperm connecting pieces (83.00 ± 1.78%), two spots were present, indicating prominent proximal centriole/centriolar adjunct and evident distal centriole, whereas controls' sperm displayed a single spot, indicating the proximal centriole. The percentage of sperm with two spots was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the patient than in controls. TEM analysis showed that centriolar adjuncts of the patient's sperm were significantly longer (721.80 ± 122.26 nm) than in controls' sperm (310.00 ± 64.11 nm; P < 0.001). The aneuploidy frequencies of the patient's sperm, detected by FISH analysis, were increased with respect to controls. CONCLUSION A paternal contribution to sperm aneuploidies cannot be excluded since the patient's sperm showed altered morphology, immature centriolar adjunct, presence of evident distal centriole, scarce presence of centrin 1, and high aneuploidy frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moretti
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Daria Noto
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Raffaella Guazzo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Menchiari
- Department of Business and Law, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Belmonte
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Collodel
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Cazin C, Boumerdassi Y, Martinez G, Fourati Ben Mustapha S, Whitfield M, Coutton C, Thierry-Mieg N, Di Pizio P, Rives N, Arnoult C, Touré A, Ray PF, Zouari R, Sifer C, Kherraf ZE. Identification and Characterization of the Most Common Genetic Variant Responsible for Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome in Men Originating from North Africa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042187. [PMID: 33671757 PMCID: PMC7927044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is a rare but extremely severe type of teratozoospermia, defined by the presence of a majority of headless flagella and a minority of tail-less sperm heads in the ejaculate. Like the other severe monomorphic teratozoospermias, ASS has a strong genetic basis and is most often caused by bi-allelic variants in SUN5 (Sad1 and UNC84 domain-containing 5). Using whole exome sequencing (WES), we investigated a cohort of nine infertile subjects displaying ASS. These subjects were recruited in three centers located in France and Tunisia, but all originated from North Africa. Sperm from subjects carrying candidate genetic variants were subjected to immunofluorescence analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on sperm nuclei to assess their chromosomal content. Variant filtering permitted us to identify the same SUN5 homozygous frameshift variant (c.211+1_211+2dup) in 7/9 individuals (78%). SUN5 encodes a protein localized on the posterior part of the nuclear envelope that is necessary for the attachment of the tail to the sperm head. Immunofluorescence assays performed on sperm cells from three mutated subjects revealed a total absence of SUN5, thus demonstrating the deleterious impact of the identified variant on protein expression. Transmission electron microscopy showed a conserved flagellar structure and a slightly decondensed chromatin. FISH did not highlight a higher rate of chromosome aneuploidy in spermatozoa from SUN5 patients compared to controls, indicating that intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be proposed for patients carrying the c.211+1_211+2dup variant. These results suggest that the identified SUN5 variant is the main cause of ASS in the North African population. Consequently, a simple and inexpensive genotyping of the 211+1_211+2dup variant could be beneficial for affected men of North African origin before resorting to more exhaustive genetic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Cazin
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yasmine Boumerdassi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Assistance Publique, Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75004 Paris, France; (Y.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Guillaume Martinez
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
- UM de Génétique Chromosomique, CHU Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Selima Fourati Ben Mustapha
- Centre d’Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Polyclinique les Jasmin, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (S.F.B.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Marjorie Whitfield
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
| | - Charles Coutton
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Assistance Publique, Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75004 Paris, France; (Y.B.); (C.S.)
| | | | - Pierre Di Pizio
- EA 4308 ‘Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, F-76000 Rouen, France; (P.D.P.); (N.R.)
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory-CECOS, Assisted Reproductive Center, Rouen Normandy University Hospital, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Nathalie Rives
- EA 4308 ‘Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, F-76000 Rouen, France; (P.D.P.); (N.R.)
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory-CECOS, Assisted Reproductive Center, Rouen Normandy University Hospital, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
| | - Aminata Touré
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
| | - Pierre F. Ray
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Raoudha Zouari
- Centre d’Aide Médicale à la Procréation, Polyclinique les Jasmin, Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis 1003, Tunisia; (S.F.B.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Christophe Sifer
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Assistance Publique, Hôpitaux de Paris, F-75004 Paris, France; (Y.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Zine-Eddine Kherraf
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; (C.C.); (G.M.); (M.W.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (P.F.R.)
- UM GI-DPI, CHU Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- Correspondence:
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36
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Vuarin P, Lesobre L, Levêque G, Saint Jalme M, Lacroix F, Hingrat Y, Sorci G. Paternal age negatively affects sperm production of the progeny. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:719-727. [PMID: 33565248 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Parental age has profound consequences for offspring's phenotype. However, whether patrilineal age affects offspring sperm production remains unknown, despite the importance of sperm production for male reproductive success in species facing post-copulatory sexual selection. Using a longitudinal dataset on ejaculate attributes of the houbara bustard, we showed that offspring sired by old fathers had different age-dependent trajectories of sperm production compared to offspring sired by young fathers. Specifically, they produced less sperm (-48%) in their first year of life, and 14% less during their lifetime. Paternal age had the strongest effect, with weak evidence for grandpaternal or great grandpaternal age effects. These results show that paternal age can affect offspring reproductive success by reducing sperm production, establishing an intergenerational link between ageing and sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Vuarin
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, PoBox 61741, United Arab Emirates.,Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6 boulevard Gabriel, Dijon, 21000, France
| | - Loïc Lesobre
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, PoBox 61741, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gwènaëlle Levêque
- Emirates Center for Wildlife Propagation, BP 47, route de Midelt, Missour, 33250, Morocco
| | - Michel Saint Jalme
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, UMR 7204 MNHN CNRS-UPMC, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 43 et 61 rue Buffon, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Frédéric Lacroix
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, PoBox 61741, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yves Hingrat
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, Abu Dhabi, PoBox 61741, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gabriele Sorci
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 6 boulevard Gabriel, Dijon, 21000, France
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37
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Baluška F, Lyons S. Archaeal Origins of Eukaryotic Cell and Nucleus. Biosystems 2021; 203:104375. [PMID: 33549602 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Symbiosis is a major evolutionary force, especially at the cellular level. Here we discuss several older and new discoveries suggesting that besides mitochondria and plastids, eukaryotic nuclei also have symbiotic origins. We propose an archaea-archaea scenario for the evolutionary origin of the eukaryotic cells. We suggest that two ancient archaea-like cells, one based on the actin cytoskeleton and another one based on the tubulin-centrin cytoskeleton, merged together to form the first nucleated eukaryotic cell. This archaeal endosymbiotic origin of eukaryotic cells and their nuclei explains several features of eukaryotic cells which are incompatible with the currently preferred autogenous scenarios of eukaryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sherrie Lyons
- Union College, 130 N. College, St. - Schenectady, NY, 12305, USA.
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38
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Aneuploidy in human eggs: contributions of the meiotic spindle. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:107-118. [PMID: 33449109 PMCID: PMC7925012 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human eggs frequently contain an incorrect number of chromosomes, a condition termed aneuploidy. Aneuploidy affects ∼10-25% of eggs in women in their early 30s, and more than 50% of eggs from women over 40. Most aneuploid eggs cannot develop to term upon fertilization, making aneuploidy in eggs a leading cause of miscarriages and infertility. The cellular origins of aneuploidy in human eggs are incompletely understood. Aneuploidy arises from chromosome segregation errors during the two meiotic divisions of the oocyte, the progenitor cell of the egg. Chromosome segregation is driven by a microtubule spindle, which captures and separates the paired chromosomes during meiosis I, and sister chromatids during meiosis II. Recent studies reveal that defects in the organization of the acentrosomal meiotic spindle contribute to human egg aneuploidy. The microtubules of the human oocyte spindle are very frequently incorrectly attached to meiotic kinetochores, the multi-protein complexes on chromosomes to which microtubules bind. Multiple features of human oocyte spindles favour incorrect attachments. These include spindle instability and many age-related changes in chromosome and kinetochore architecture. Here, we review how the unusual spindle assembly mechanism in human oocytes contributes to the remarkably high levels of aneuploidy in young human eggs, and how age-related changes in chromosome and kinetochore architecture cause aneuploidy levels to rise even higher as women approach their forties.
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39
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Pandruvada S, Royfman R, Shah TA, Sindhwani P, Dupree JM, Schon S, Avidor-Reiss T. Lack of trusted diagnostic tools for undetermined male infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:265-276. [PMID: 33389378 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02037-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen analysis is the cornerstone of evaluating male infertility, but it is imperfect and insufficient to diagnose male infertility. As a result, about 20% of infertile males have undetermined infertility, a term encompassing male infertility with an unknown underlying cause. Undetermined male infertility includes two categories: (i) idiopathic male infertility-infertile males with abnormal semen analyses with an unknown cause for that abnormality and (ii) unexplained male infertility-males with "normal" semen analyses who are unable to impregnate due to unknown causes. The treatment of males with undetermined infertility is limited due to a lack of understanding the frequency of general sperm defects (e.g., number, motility, shape, viability). Furthermore, there is a lack of trusted, quantitative, and predictive diagnostic tests that look inside the sperm to quantify defects such as DNA damage, RNA abnormalities, centriole dysfunction, or reactive oxygen species to discover the underlying cause. To better treat undetermined male infertility, further research is needed on the frequency of sperm defects and reliable diagnostic tools that assess intracellular sperm components must be developed. The purpose of this review is to uniquely create a paradigm of thought regarding categories of male infertility based on intracellular and extracellular features of semen and sperm, explore the prevalence of the various categories of male factor infertility, call attention to the lack of standardization and universal application of advanced sperm testing techniques beyond semen analysis, and clarify the limitations of standard semen analysis. We also call attention to the variability in definitions and consider the benefits towards undetermined male infertility if these gaps in research are filled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Pandruvada
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA
| | - Rachel Royfman
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA
| | - Tariq A Shah
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA
| | - Puneet Sindhwani
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA
| | - James M Dupree
- Department of Urology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48019, USA
| | - Samantha Schon
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA. .,Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA.
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40
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Avidor-Reiss T, Carr A, Fishman EL. The sperm centrioles. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110987. [PMID: 32810575 PMCID: PMC7606549 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Centrioles are eukaryotic subcellular structures that produce and regulate massive cytoskeleton superstructures. They form centrosomes and cilia, regulate new centriole formation, anchor cilia to the cell, and regulate cilia function. These basic centriolar functions are executed in sperm cells during their amplification from spermatogonial stem cells during their differentiation to spermatozoa, and finally, after fertilization, when the sperm fuses with the egg. However, sperm centrioles exhibit many unique characteristics not commonly observed in other cell types, including structural remodeling, centriole-flagellum transition zone migration, and cell membrane association during meiosis. Here, we discuss five roles of sperm centrioles: orchestrating early spermatogenic cell divisions, forming the spermatozoon flagella, linking the spermatozoon head and tail, controlling sperm tail beating, and organizing the cytoskeleton of the zygote post-fertilization. We present the historic discovery of the centriole as a sperm factor that initiates embryogenesis, and recent genetic studies in humans and other mammals evaluating the current evidence for the five functions of sperm centrioles. We also examine information connecting the various sperm centriole functions to distinct clinical phenotypes. The emerging picture is that centrioles are essential sperm components with remarkable functional diversity and specialization that will require extensive and in-depth future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA; Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| | - Alexa Carr
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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Vandenbrouck Y, Pineau C, Lane L. The Functionally Unannotated Proteome of Human Male Tissues: A Shared Resource to Uncover New Protein Functions Associated with Reproductive Biology. J Proteome Res 2020; 19:4782-4794. [PMID: 33064489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the context of the Human Proteome Project, we built an inventory of 412 functionally unannotated human proteins for which experimental evidence at the protein level exists (uPE1) and which are highly expressed in tissues involved in human male reproduction. We implemented a strategy combining literature mining, bioinformatics tools to collate annotation and experimental information from specific molecular public resources, and efficient visualization tools to put these unknown proteins into their biological context (protein complexes, tissue and subcellular location, expression pattern). The gathered knowledge allowed pinpointing five uPE1 for which a function has recently been proposed and which should be updated in protein knowledge bases. Furthermore, this bioinformatics strategy allowed to build new functional hypotheses for five other uPE1s in link with phenotypic traits that are specific to male reproductive function such as ciliogenesis/flagellum formation in germ cells (CCDC112 and TEX9), chromatin remodeling (C3orf62) and spermatozoon maturation (CCDC183). We also discussed the enigmatic case of MAGEB proteins, a poorly documented cancer/testis antigen subtype. Tools used and computational outputs produced during this study are freely accessible via ProteoRE (http://www.proteore.org), a Galaxy-based instance, for reuse purposes. We propose these five uPE1s should be investigated in priority by expert laboratories and hope that this inventory and shared resources will stimulate the interest of the community of reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Vandenbrouck
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, IRIG-BGE, U1038, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Pineau
- Univ. Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35042 Rennes cedex, France
| | - Lydie Lane
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU, Michel Servet 1, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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42
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Principal Postulates of Centrosomal Biology. Version 2020. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102156. [PMID: 32987651 PMCID: PMC7598677 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrosome, which consists of two centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar material, is a unique structure that has retained its main features in organisms of various taxonomic groups from unicellular algae to mammals over one billion years of evolution. In addition to the most noticeable function of organizing the microtubule system in mitosis and interphase, the centrosome performs many other cell functions. In particular, centrioles are the basis for the formation of sensitive primary cilia and motile cilia and flagella. Another principal function of centrosomes is the concentration in one place of regulatory proteins responsible for the cell's progression along the cell cycle. Despite the existing exceptions, the functioning of the centrosome is subject to general principles, which are discussed in this review.
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43
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Turner KA, Rambhatla A, Schon S, Agarwal A, Krawetz SA, Dupree JM, Avidor-Reiss T. Male Infertility is a Women's Health Issue-Research and Clinical Evaluation of Male Infertility Is Needed. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040990. [PMID: 32316195 PMCID: PMC7226946 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a devastating experience for both partners as they try to conceive. Historically, when a couple could not conceive, the woman has carried the stigma of infertility; however, men and women are just as likely to contribute to the couple’s infertility. With the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the treatment burden for male and unexplained infertility has fallen mainly on women. Equalizing this burden requires reviving research on male infertility to both improve treatment options and enable natural conception. Despite many scientific efforts, infertility in men due to sperm dysfunction is mainly diagnosed by a semen analysis. The semen analysis is limited as it only examines general sperm properties such as concentration, motility, and morphology. A diagnosis of male infertility rarely includes an assessment of internal sperm components such as DNA, which is well documented to have an impact on infertility, or other components such as RNA and centrioles, which are beginning to be adopted. Assessment of these components is not typically included in current diagnostic testing because available treatments are limited. Recent research has expanded our understanding of sperm biology and suggests that these components may also contribute to the failure to achieve pregnancy. Understanding the sperm’s internal components, and how they contribute to male infertility, would provide avenues for new therapies that are based on treating men directly for male infertility, which may enable less invasive treatments and even natural conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A. Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;
| | - Amarnath Rambhatla
- Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Samantha Schon
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, L4000 UH-South, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Stephen A. Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - James M. Dupree
- Department of Urology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA;
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Correspondence:
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