1
|
Piégu B, Lefort G, Douet C, Milhes M, Jacques A, Lareyre JJ, Monget P, Fouchécourt S. A first complete catalog of highly expressed genes in eight chicken tissues reveals uncharacterized gene families specific for the chicken testis. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:445-456. [PMID: 38497118 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00151.2023] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Based on next-generation sequencing, we established a repertoire of differentially overexpressed genes (DoEGs) in eight adult chicken tissues: the testis, brain, lung, liver, kidney, muscle, heart, and intestine. With 4,499 DoEGs, the testis had the highest number and proportion of DoEGs compared with the seven somatic tissues. The testis DoEG set included the highest proportion of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs; 1,851, representing 32% of the lncRNA genes in the whole genome) and the highest proportion of protein-coding genes (2,648, representing 14.7% of the protein-coding genes in the whole genome). The main significantly enriched Gene Ontology terms related to the protein-coding genes were "reproductive process," "tubulin binding," and "microtubule cytoskeleton." Using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we confirmed the overexpression of genes that encode proteins already described in chicken sperm [such as calcium binding tyrosine phosphorylation regulated (CABYR), spermatogenesis associated 18 (SPATA18), and CDK5 regulatory subunit associated protein (CDK5RAP2)] but whose testis origin had not been previously confirmed. Moreover, we demonstrated the overexpression of vertebrate orthologs of testis genes not yet described in the adult chicken testis [such as NIMA related kinase 2 (NEK2), adenylate kinase 7 (AK7), and CCNE2]. Using clustering according to primary sequence homology, we found that 1,737 of the 2,648 (67%) testis protein-coding genes were unique genes. This proportion was significantly higher than the somatic tissues except muscle. We clustered the other 911 testis protein-coding genes into 495 families, from which 47 had all paralogs overexpressed in the testis. Among these 47 testis-specific families, eight contained uncharacterized duplicated paralogs without orthologs in other metazoans except birds: these families are thus specific for chickens/birds.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Comparative next-generation sequencing analysis of eight chicken tissues showed that the testis has highest proportion of long noncoding RNA and protein-coding genes of the whole genome. We identified new genes in the chicken testis, including orthologs of known mammalian testicular genes. We also identified 47 gene families in which all the members were overexpressed, if not exclusive, in the testis. Eight families, organized in duplication clusters, were unknown, without orthologs in metazoans except birds, and are thus specific for chickens/birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Piégu
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Gaëlle Lefort
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Cécile Douet
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Marine Milhes
- US 1426, GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Aurore Jacques
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Lareyre
- UR1037 LPGP, Fish Physiology and Genomics, Campus de Beaulieu, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Rennes, France
| | - Philippe Monget
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| | - Sophie Fouchécourt
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Madeddu M, Zaniboni L, Marelli SP, Tognoli C, Belcredito S, Iaffaldano N, Di Iorio M, Cerolini S. Selection of Male Donors in Local Chicken Breeds to Implement the Italian Semen Cryobank: Variability in Semen Quality, Freezability and Fertility. Vet Sci 2024; 11:148. [PMID: 38668416 PMCID: PMC11054041 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Native breed conservation is an important component of poultry biodiversity. The aim of this work is to describe different steps that lead to donor selection for the implementation of the Italian Semen Cryobank of Autochthonous Chicken and Turkey Breeds. The variability within and between breeds was evaluated, and the stored semen reproductive capacity was in vivo tested using artificial insemination. Semen from Bionda Piemontese, Bianca di Saluzzo and Pepoi roosters was collected and processed. Concentration, volume, sperm membrane integrity, total motile sperm, progressive motile sperm and kinetic parameters were analyzed; sperm parameters accounting for bird variability were used to select male donors. Fresh semen quality parameters measured in donor ejaculates showed significant differences between breeds; no differences were found after cryopreservation. Variability in the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved semen was found within a breed (5-16%) and between birds within a breed (BP = 3-7%; BS = 7-31%; PP = 6-22%); only sperm quality parameters measured in fresh ejaculates, not frozen/thawed, may be associated with in vivo fertility results. In conclusion, sperm concentration and progressive motility were successfully used as selection parameters to identify chicken male donors with improved sperm quality for sperm cryobanking. However, new reliable sperm markers to predict cryopreserved semen's fertilizing ability are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Madeddu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Luisa Zaniboni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Stefano Paolo Marelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Cristina Tognoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Silvia Belcredito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Nicolaia Iaffaldano
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (N.I.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Michele Di Iorio
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (N.I.); (M.D.I.)
| | - Silvia Cerolini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (M.M.); (S.P.M.); (C.T.); (S.B.); (S.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lin HLH, Mermillod P, Grasseau I, Blesbois E, Carvalho AV. Exploring how sucrose-colloid selection improves the fertilizing ability of chicken sperm after cryopreservation with glycerol. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103448. [PMID: 38237325 PMCID: PMC10828597 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, glycerol is the most effective cryoprotectant when combined with straw packaging for preserving chicken sperm. Glycerol, however, has toxic effects on sperm cells, which can reduce fertility when present in inseminated semen. Historically, the serial dilution (SD) method was developed to eliminate glycerol and mitigate its adverse effects. We have recently developed a new method for removing glycerol called sucrose-Percoll (SP), that can be performed at either 4°C (4°C-SP) or 20°C (20°C-SP). This SP protocol has been found to be simpler and faster to improve fertility compared to the traditional SD method. Nevertheless, the reasons for such effectiveness differences between glycerol removal procedures remained unclear and required more comprehensive understandings for future protocol developments. Here, we examined the effects of SP and SD protocols on the fertility duration. We also investigated the potential causes of varying effects of these methods by analyzing sperm quality parameters and sperm storage in the hen's reproductive tract. The fertility was significantly higher in 4°C-SP than 20°C-SP during the first 6 d after insemination, and also higher than sperm processed using SD. No difference was observed between 20°C-SP and SD between 7 and 13 d. However, a 2.7-time higher fertility was shown with 4°C-SP. In addition, the SP method demonstrated a 2-fold greater ability to remove glycerol than the SD method. Sperm centrifuged at 4°C-SP exhibited higher sperm storage compared to 20°C-SP and were higher than sperm treated with SD. Overall, our findings revealed that the differences in efficiencies between SP and SD methods were not related to in vitro sperm quality but resulted from a higher ability to remove glycerol, a higher storage capacity in the female reproductive tract, and a longer fertility ability. Since no impacts were observed in sperm cellular characteristics, further experiments are necessary to investigate the influences of glycerol removal treatments at the molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Lien Herbie Lin
- INRAe, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France; Division of Physiology, LRI, COA, 71246, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pascal Mermillod
- INRAe, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Isabelle Grasseau
- INRAe, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang X, Li X, Yang F, Zhao L, Meng C, Gao Y, Guo H, Si X, Liu H, Jiang A, Li X. Research Note: Spermatozoa proteins identification in domesticated pigeons by proteomic analysis. Poult Sci 2023; 102:103088. [PMID: 37741119 PMCID: PMC10520526 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103088] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins are considered major effectors of sperm function. However, the proteins expressed in pigeon sperm have not been explored. Here, we collected semen from meat and racing pigeons using the electroejaculation method and identified proteins in pigeon sperm using the proteomics approach. A total of 1,641 proteins were identified in the sperm of domesticated pigeons. Of which, 1,541 proteins were reliably quantified, and gene ontology (GO) and associated bioinformatics analyses indicated that annotated proteins were linked to the oxidation-reduction process, integral component membrane, and protein binding, etc. Among quantified proteins, 1,515 and 1,507 proteins were respectively presented in White King pigeons and racing pigeons, and 1,481 proteins were shared between these 2 types of pigeons, including axonemal dynein, solute carrier, cilia- and flagella-associated protein, outer dense fiber protein, etc. Proteins in our constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network are involved in oxidative phosphorylation, sperm axoneme assembly, cilium-dependent cell motility, axonemal dynein complex assembly, flagellated sperm motility, etc. In conclusion, this study characterized the sperm proteome of pigeons and provided a foundation for the subsequent research screening markers for fertility evaluation of pigeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
| | - Xingyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Fuxing Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Ling Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Cheng Meng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Yuhao Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Hongrui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Si
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Anan Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Xuewei Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lin HLH, Mermillod P, Grasseau I, Brillard JP, Gérard N, Reynaud K, Chen LR, Blesbois E, Carvalho AV. Is glycerol a good cryoprotectant for sperm cells? New exploration of its toxicity using avian model. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 258:107330. [PMID: 37734123 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Glycerol is a cryoprotectant used widely for the cryopreservation of animal sperm, but it is linked to a decrease in fertility. The mechanism underlying the negative effects of glycerol remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding by using the chicken model. First, we investigated the impact of increasing the concentration of glycerol during insemination on hen fertility. Our findings revealed that 2% glycerol resulted in partial infertility, while 6% glycerol led to complete infertility. Subsequently, we examined the ability of sperm to colonize sperm storage tubules (SST) during in vivo insemination and in vitro incubation. The sperm used in the experiment were stained with Hoechst and contained 0, 2, or 6% glycerol. Furthermore, we conducted perivitelline membrane lysis tests and investigated sperm motility, mitochondrial function, ATP concentration, membrane integrity, and apoptosis after 60 min of incubation with different glycerol concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, 6%, and 11%) at two temperatures to simulate pre-freezing (4 °C) and post-insemination (41 °C) conditions. Whereas 2% glycerol significantly reduced 50% of sperm containing SST, 6% glycerol completely inhibited SST colonization in vivo. On the other hand, in vitro incubation of sperm with SST revealed no effect of 2% glycerol, and 6% glycerol showed only a 17% reduction in sperm-filled SST. Moreover, glycerol reduced sperm-egg penetration rates and also affected sperm motility, bioenergetic metabolism, and cell death at 4 °C. These effects were observed when the concentration of glycerol exceeded 6%. Furthermore, at 41 °C, glycerol caused even greater damage, particularly in terms of reducing sperm motility. These data altogether reveal important effects of glycerol on sperm biology, sperm migration, SST colonization, and oocyte penetration. This suggests that glycerol plays a role in reducing fertility and presents opportunities for improving sperm cryopreservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Lien Herbie Lin
- INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380 Nouzilly, France; Division of Physiology, LRI, COA, 71246 Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pascal Mermillod
- INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | - Nadine Gérard
- INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Karine Reynaud
- INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Lih-Ren Chen
- Division of Physiology, LRI, COA, 71246 Tainan, Taiwan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lin HLH, Grasseau I, Mermillod P, Chen LR, Blesbois E, Carvalho AV. A simple and fast alternative method to remove glycerol from chicken semen after cryopreservation. Cryobiology 2023; 112:104567. [PMID: 37586473 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
A concentration of 11% of glycerol is the standard one for sperm cryopreservation in chickens, however, the presence of just 2% glycerol already causes severe fertility reduction, suggesting the necessity of removing glycerol before artificial insemination (AI). The major approach developed for this purpose is serial dilution followed by centrifugation (SDC), which demands special equipment (such as a refrigerate room) to maintain post-thaw semen at 4 °C, besides being time consuming. Therefore, we attempted to develop a simple method to remove glycerol from chicken frozen-thawed semen based on a colloidal gel, Percoll, which is ordinarily used to select motile and viable sperm in mammals as well as in fresh chicken semen. In this study, we used a Percoll based glycerol removal solution (GRS) containing sucrose to avoid frozen-thawed sperm suffering from osmotic stress. Subsequently, several conditions including GRS compositions (GRS A, B, C and D) and centrifugation temperatures (4 and 20 °C) were compared by their influence on sperm in vitro parameters. Afterwards, GRS A and D were selected for fertility evaluation, compared to conventional SDC method. Our results showed that the fertility with GRS A at both 4 and 20 °C were higher than GRS D (p < 0.05) and similar or even superior to the fertility obtained with SDC method. Altogether, our novel GRS protocol is a valuable method for chicken sperm cryobanking policy, supported by its notable results of fertility as well as saving 44% of time, with a simple equipment at flexible operation temperatures of 4 or 20 °C.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Lien Herbie Lin
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France; Division of Physiology, LRI, COA, 71246, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Isabelle Grasseau
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Pascal Mermillod
- CNRS, IFCE, INRAE, Université de Tours, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Lih-Ren Chen
- Division of Physiology, LRI, COA, 71246, Tainan, Taiwan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Novak TE, Bailey NP, Stevison LS. Genetic characterization of Macaca arctoides: A highlight of key genes and pathways. Primates 2023:10.1007/s10329-023-01064-x. [PMID: 37142891 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-023-01064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
When compared to the approximately 22 other macaque species, Macaca arctoides has many unique phenotypes. These traits fall into various phenotypic categories, including genitalia, coloration, mating, and olfactory traits. Here we used a previously identified whole genome set of 690 outlier genes to look for possible genetic explanations of these unique traits. Of these, 279 genes were annotated miRNAs, which are non-coding. Patterns within the remaining outliers in coding genes were investigated using GO (n = 370) and String (n = 383) analysis, which showed many interconnected immune-related genes. Further, we compared the outliers to candidate pathways associated with M. arcotides' unique phenotypes, revealing 10/690 outlier genes that overlapped these four pathways: hedgehog signaling, WNT signaling, olfactory, and melanogenesis. Of these, genes in all pathways except olfactory had higher FST values than the rest of the genes in the genome based on permutation tests. Overall, our results point to many genes each having a small impact on phenotype, working in tandem to cause large systemic changes. Additionally, these results may indicate pleiotropy. This seems to be especially true with the development and coloration of M. arctoides. Our results highlight that development, melanogenesis, immune function, and miRNAs may be heavily involved in M. arctoides' evolutionary history.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Novak
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
| | - Nick P Bailey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Laurie S Stevison
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|