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Haghighat S, Tavalaee M, Kouhkan A, Zakeri Z, Noureddini M, Shahverdi AH, Nasr Esfahani MH. Reduction of truncated Kit Expression in Men with Abnormal Semen Parameters, Globozoospermia and History of Low or Fertilization Failure. CELL JOURNAL 2019; 21:314-321. [PMID: 31210438 PMCID: PMC6582429 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2019.6112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Objective Phospholipase C zeta 1 (PLCζ) is one of the main sperm factor involved in oocyte activation and other
factors may assist this factor to induce successful fertilization. Microinjection of recombinant tr-kit, a truncated form of
c-kit receptor, into metaphase II-arrested mouse oocytes initiate egg activation. Considering the potential roles of tr-
KIT during spermiogenesis and fertilization, we aimed to assess expression of tr-KIT in sperm of men with normal and
abnormal parameters and also in infertile men with previous failed fertilization and globozoospermia.
Materials and Methods This experimental study was conducted from September 2015 to July 2016 on 30
normozoospermic and 20 abnormozoospermic samples for experiment one, and also was carried out on 10
globozoospermic men, 10 men with a history low or failed fertilization and 13 fertile men for experiment two. Semen
parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were assessed according to WHO protocol, and TUNEL assay. Sperm tr-
KIT was evaluated by flow cytometry, immunostaining and western blot.
Results The results show that tr-KIT mainly was detected in post-acrosomal, equatorial and tail regions. Percentage
of tr-KIT-positive spermatozoa in abnormozoospermic men was significantly lower than normozoospermic men. Also
significant correlations were observed between sperm tr-KIT with sperm count (r=0.8, P<0.001), motility (r=0.31, P=0.03)
and abnormal morphology (r=-0.6, P<0.001). Expression of tr-KIT protein was significantly lower in infertile men with low/
failed fertilization and globozoospermia compared to fertile men. The significant correlation was also observed between
tr-KIT protein with fertilization rate (r=-0.46, P=0.04). In addition, significant correlations were observed between sperm
DNA fragmentation with fertilization rate (r=-0.56, P=0.019) and tr-KIT protein (r=-0.38, P=0.04).
Conclusion tr-KIT may play a direct or indirect role in fertilization. Therefore, to increase our insight regarding the role
of tr-KIT in fertilization further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Haghighat
- Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.,Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Kouhkan
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Zakeri
- Department of Biology, Queens College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Mahdi Noureddini
- Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.Electronic Address:
| | - Abdol Hossein Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Medicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.Electronic Address:.,Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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Xu YR, Yang WX. Calcium influx and sperm-evoked calcium responses during oocyte maturation and egg activation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:89375-89390. [PMID: 29179526 PMCID: PMC5687696 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Under the guidance and regulation of hormone signaling, large majority of mammalian oocytes go through twice cell cycle arrest-resumption prior to the fertilized egg splits: oocyte maturation and egg activation. Cytosolic free calcium elevations and endoplasmic reticulum calcium store alternations are actively involved in triggering the complex machineries and events during oogenesis. Among these, calcium influx had been implicated in the replenishment of endoplasmic reticulum store during oocyte maturation and calcium oscillation during egg activation. This process also drove successful fertilization and early embryo development. Store-operated Ca2+ entry, acts as the principal force of calcium influx, is composed of STIM1 and Orai1 on the plasma membrane. Besides, transient receptor potential channels also participate in the process of calcium inwards. In this review, we summarize the recent researches on the spatial-temporal distribution of store-operated calcium entry components and transient receptor potential channels. Questions about how these channels play function for calcium influx and what impacts these channels have on oocytes are discussed. At the time of sperm-egg fusion, sperm-specific factor(s) diffuse and enable eggs to mount intracellular calcium oscillations. In this review, we also focus on the basic knowledge and the modes of action of the potential sperm factor phospholipase C zeta, as well as the downstream receptor, type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. From the achievement in the previous several decades, it is easy to find that there are too many doubtful points in the field that need researchers take into consideration and take action in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ru Xu
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Tavalaee M, Kiani-Esfahani A, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Relationship between Potential Sperm Factors Involved in Oocyte Activation and Sperm DNA Fragmentation with Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection Clinical Outcomes. CELL JOURNAL 2016; 18:588-596. [PMID: 28042543 PMCID: PMC5086337 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2016.4725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective The present study aimed to simultaneously evaluate the association between expression of three potential factors [post-acrosomal sheath WW domain-binding protein (PAWP), phospholipase Cζ (PLCζ), and truncated form of the kit receptor
(TR-KIT)] as candidates of oocyte activation with fertilization rate and early embryonic development.
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, semen samples were collected
from 35 intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) candidates and analyzed according to World Health Organization criteria (2010). Each sample was divided into two
parts. The first part was processed for insemination by density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) and the second part was prepared for assessment of sperm morphology (Papanicolaou staining), DNA fragmentation [transferase dUTP nick end labeling
(TUNEL)], and three Sperm-borne oocyte-activating factor (s) (SOAFs)-PLCζ, PAWP,
and TR-KIT.
Results Significant positive correlations existed between the percentages of PLCζ,
PAWP, and TR-KIT with fertilization rate. In addition, significant negative correlations
existed between the percentage of DNA fragmentation with the percentages of PLCζ
and PAWP. We did not find a relationship between percentages of PLCζ, PAWP, and
TR-KIT with embryo quality and pregnancy rate (P>0.05). There was a significant
negative correlation between percentage of DNA fragmentation with fertilization and
embryo quality.
Conclusion Oocyte activation was associated with the studied sperm factors (PAWP,
PLCζ, and TR-KIT). These factors might hold the potential to be considered as diagnostic
factors in the assessment of semen samples to evaluate their potential to induce oocyte
activation. In addition, we observed a significant association between DNA fragmentation
with fertilization, as well as embryo quality and expression of PAWP and PLCζ, which
indicated that men with high degrees of DNA fragmentation might require artificial oocyte
activation. Whether such action should take place, and its cost and benefits should be
evaluated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abbas Kiani-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran; Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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Janghorban-Laricheh E, Ghazavi-Khorasgani N, Tavalaee M, Zohrabi D, Abbasi H, Nasr-Esfahani MH. An association between sperm PLCζ levels and varicocele? J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:1649-1655. [PMID: 27612872 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0802-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to compare the expression of phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ), as one of the main sperm factors involved in oocyte activation, at both RNA and protein levels in fertile men and those with varicocele. METHODS This study included 35 individuals with male factor infertility presenting primary infertility with grade II and III unilateral varicocele and 20 fertile men without varicocele. Semen parameters were assessed according to WHO 2010. Sperm DNA fragmentation, relative expression of PLCζ at messenger RNA, and protein levels were evaluated by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS The results of this study reveal that the mean relative expression of PLCζ was significantly lower in individuals with varicocele compared to fertile men at both transcription and translation levels. In addition, the percentage of DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in infertile men with varicocele compared to fertile men. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study illustrate that one of the etiologies of reduced fertility associated with varicocele is the low expression of PLCζ. This effect could subsequently reduce the sperm ability to induce oocyte activation. Therefore, these results hold promise to modify our understanding of reproductive physiology of varicocele state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Janghorban-Laricheh
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Biology, Nourdanesh Institute of Higher Education, Meymeh, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nasim Ghazavi-Khorasgani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Biology, Nourdanesh Institute of Higher Education, Meymeh, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Dina Zohrabi
- Department of Biology, Nourdanesh Institute of Higher Education, Meymeh, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad H Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran. .,Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran.
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Kamali-Dolat Abadi M, Tavalaee M, Shahverdi A, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Evaluation of PLCζ and PAWP Expression in Globozoospermic Individuals. CELL JOURNAL 2016; 18:438-45. [PMID: 27602326 PMCID: PMC5011332 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2016.4572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective Globozoospermia is a rare type of teratozoospermia with incidence of 0.1%
among infertile individuals. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) and postacrosomal sheath WW
domain binding protein (PAWP) are the main candidates in sperm taking responsibility for
oocyte activation during fertilization. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the expression of
these two genes at RNA and protein levels in globozoospermic individuals and compare
the results with fertile individuals.
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, semen samples of 21 infertile
men with globozoospermia and 25 fertile men were collected. Expression of PLCζ
and PAWP at RNA and protein levels were assessed and compared between two
groups by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot,
respectively.
Results Expression of both PLCζ and PAWP were significantly reduced at RNA and protein levels in infertile men with globozoospermia compared to fertile men.
Conclusion This is the first study that simultaneously assessing the respective factors in
a large population of globozoospermia, suggested that intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI) along with artificial oocyte activation may rescue failed fertilization in routine ICSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Kamali-Dolat Abadi
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran; Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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Javadian-Elyaderani S, Ghaedi K, Tavalaee M, Rabiee F, Deemeh MR, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Diagnosis of genetic defects through parallel assessment of PLCζ and CAPZA3 in infertile men with history of failed oocyte activation. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2016; 19:281-9. [PMID: 27114798 PMCID: PMC4834118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ) is considered as a nominee for sperm associated oocyte activating factors and is located back-to-back with CAPZA3, an actin-capping protein controlling actin polymerization during spermiogenesis. They contain a common bidirectional promoter. The objective of this study was to identify individuals with parallel low expression of PLCζ and CAPZA3 mRNA, in hope of detecting genetic defects in this bidirectional promoter. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen samples were collected from 24 fertile and 59 infertile individuals with total failed, low and high fertilization rate post intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as well as globozoospermic individuals. Expression of PLCζ and CAPZA3 were assessed by Real time PCR. In addition, PLCζ was assessed by Western blot. RESULTS Significant correlations between PLCζ with CAPZA3 and also between these two genes with fertilization were observed. Individuals with low fertilization presented significantly lower expression of these two genes. Low expression of PLCζ was also verified by Western analysis. Sequence analysis of bidirectional promoter of these two genes in an individual with parallel low expression of both PLCζ and CAPZA3, revealed a mutation within the CAPZA3 predicted promoter, known as human regulatory factor X4 which is a testis-specific dimeric DNA-binding protein. In the opposite stand, in the same location, the mutation appears to be outside but in the vicinity of PLCζ, in a binding region predicate by Genomatix. CONCLUSION Parallel assessment of CAPZA3 with PLCζ at mRNA level in individuals with inability to induce oocyte activation may help researcher to identify genetic defects associated with failed fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudabeh Javadian-Elyaderani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kamran Ghaedi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Biology Department, School of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Rabiee
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Deemeh
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
- Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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Anifandis G, Messini CI, Dafopoulos K, Daponte A, Messinis IE. Sperm contributions to oocyte activation: more that meets the eye. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:313-316. [PMID: 26780328 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0653-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that for successful fertilization, oocyte activation is required, which involves a signal transduction cascade leading to the conversion of the oocyte to a diploid embryo. During oocyte activation, intracellular calcium levels oscillate repetitively causing exocytosis of cortical granules, the enzymes which the latter contain are released into the perivitelline space, leading to modifications of the zona pellucida (ZP), which prevent the penetration of the ZP by further spermatozoa. The necessary element that initiates oocyte activation is apparently the release of intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) stored in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The exact mechanism via which Ca(2+) is released within the oocyte has not been yet clarified, and has been a matter of an ongoing debate. Today, the sperm factor hypothesis has gained general acceptance, according to which a sperm molecule, either phospholipase C (PLCζ) or a post-acrosomal sheath WW domain-binding protein (PAWP), diffuses into the ooplasm initiating a molecular cascade involving mainly the phosphoinositide pathway. Mounting evidence now indicates that these calcium oscillations are caused by a testis-specific PLC termed PLCζ, released into the oocyte following gamete fusion. Also, recently, PAWP has been proposed as an alternative sperm factor candidate. These different sperm candidates have led to a significant debate. This raises important questions as regards to the relative importance of these two proteins as diagnostic tools in reproductive medicine with therapeutic potential, indicating the need for further research. In the present mini review, the phenomenon of oocyte activation during fertilization as well as the existing controversy will be highlighted and the possible mechanisms that are involved in this process will be discussed. Finally, an explanation of the existing debate will be attempted.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ART Unit, University of Thessaly, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Christina I Messini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ART Unit, University of Thessaly, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Dafopoulos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ART Unit, University of Thessaly, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
| | - Alexandros Daponte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ART Unit, University of Thessaly, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ioannis E Messinis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ART Unit, University of Thessaly, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece
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