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Firouzabadi AM, Henkel R, Tofighi Niaki M, Fesahat F. Adverse Effects of Nicotine on Human Sperm Nuclear Proteins. World J Mens Health 2024; 42:42.e66. [PMID: 39028130 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.240072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The effects of smoking on human health have long been documented. However, only a few studies have highlighted the direct effects of nicotine on sperm function. Nicotine, as a chemical compound found in tobacco, has been shown to modulate different aspects of spermatogenesis and sperm functions. Nicotine can lead to a reduction in the number of sperm, their motility and functionality. It can change the molecular expressions involved in sperm function, including genes encoding sperm nuclear proteins. The most important nuclear proteins that play a critical role in sperm function are known as H2B histone family, member W, testis-specific (H2BFWT), transition protein 1 (TNP1), transition protein 2 (TNP2), protamine-1 (PRM1), and protamine-2 (PRM2). These proteins are involved in sperm chromatin condensation, which in turn affects fertilization and embryonic development. Any alteration in the expression of these genes due to nicotine exposure/usage may lead to adverse implications in couples' fertility and the health of future generations. Since research in this area is still relatively new, it underscores the importance of understanding the potential side effects of environmental factors such as nicotine on reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Masoud Firouzabadi
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ralf Henkel
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- LogixX Pharma Ltd., Theale, Berkshire, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maryam Tofighi Niaki
- Health Reproductive Research Center, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Fesahat
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
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2
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Hosseini M, Khalafiyan A, Zare M, Karimzadeh H, Bahrami B, Hammami B, Kazemi M. Sperm epigenetics and male infertility: unraveling the molecular puzzle. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:57. [PMID: 38835100 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00626-4] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of infertility among couples is estimated to range from 8 to 12%. A paradigm shift has occurred in understanding of infertility, challenging the notion that it predominantly affects women. It is now acknowledged that a significant proportion, if not the majority, of infertility cases can be attributed to male-related factors. Various elements contribute to male reproductive impairments, including aberrant sperm production caused by pituitary malfunction, testicular malignancies, aplastic germ cells, varicocele, and environmental factors. MAIN BODY The epigenetic profile of mammalian sperm is distinctive and specialized. Various epigenetic factors regulate genes across different levels in sperm, thereby affecting its function. Changes in sperm epigenetics, potentially influenced by factors such as environmental exposures, could contribute to the development of male infertility. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this review investigates the latest studies pertaining to the mechanisms of epigenetic changes that occur in sperm cells and their association with male reproductive issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Hosseini
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Anis Khalafiyan
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Zare
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haniye Karimzadeh
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Basireh Bahrami
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Behnaz Hammami
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazemi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
- Reproductive Sciences and Sexual Health Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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3
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Babaei K, Aziminezhad M, Mirzajani E, Mozdarani H, Sharami SH, Norollahi SE, Samadani AA. A critical review of the recent concept of regulatory performance of DNA Methylations, and DNA methyltransferase enzymes alongside the induction of immune microenvironment elements in recurrent pregnancy loss. Toxicol Rep 2024; 12:546-563. [PMID: 38798987 PMCID: PMC11127471 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy Loss (RPL)is a frequent and upsetting condition. Besides the prevalent cause of RPL including chromosomal defects in the embryo,the effect of translational elements like alterations of epigenetics are of great importance. The emergence of epigenetics has offered a fresh outlook on the causes and treatment of RPL by focusing on the examination of DNA methylation. RPL may arise as a result of aberrant DNA methylation of imprinted genes, placenta-specific genes, immune-related genes, and sperm DNA, which may have a direct or indirect impact on embryo implantation, growth, and development. Moreover, the distinct immunological tolerogenic milieu established at the interface between the mother and fetus plays a crucial role in sustaining pregnancy. Given this, there has been a great deal of interest in the regulation of DNA methylation and alterations in the cellular components of the maternal-fetal immunological milieu. The research on DNA methylation's role in RPL incidence and the control of the mother-fetal immunological milieu is summed up in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosar Babaei
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Mohsen Aziminezhad
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
- UMR INSERM U 1122, IGE-PCV, Interactions Gène-Environment En Physiopathologie Cardiovascular Université De Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Ebrahim Mirzajani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Hossein Mozdarani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Hajar Sharami
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Al-Zahra Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Elham Norollahi
- Cancer Research Center and Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
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Amor H, Juhasz-Böss I, Bibi R, Hammadeh ME, Jankowski PM. H2BFWT Variations in Sperm DNA and Its Correlation to Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6048. [PMID: 38892236 PMCID: PMC11172515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in sperm nuclei and chromatin can interfere with normal fertilization, embryonic development, implantation, and pregnancy. We aimed to study the impact of H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA on ICSI outcomes in couples undergoing ART treatment. One hundred and nineteen partners were divided into pregnant (G1) and non-pregnant (G2) groups. After semen analysis, complete DNA was extracted from purified sperm samples. The sequence of the H2BFWT gene was amplified by PCR and then subjected to Sanger sequencing. The results showed that there are three mutations in this gene: rs7885967, rs553509, and rs578953. Significant differences were shown in the distribution of alternative and reference alleles between G1 and G2 (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0020, respectively) for rs553509 and rs578953. However, there was no association between these SNPs and the studied parameters. This study is the first to shed light on the connection between H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA and pregnancy after ICSI therapy. This is a pilot study, so further investigations about these gene variants at the transcriptional and translational levels will help to determine its functional consequences and to clarify the mechanism of how pregnancy can be affected by sperm DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ingolf Juhasz-Böss
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Riffat Bibi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
- Departement of Obstertics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Freiburg University Clinic, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Michael Jankowski
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Laboratory, Saarland University Clinic, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (M.E.H.)
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Pandya RK, Jijo A, Cheredath A, Uppangala S, Salian SR, Lakshmi VR, Kumar P, Kalthur G, Gupta S, Adiga SK. Differential sperm histone retention in normozoospermic ejaculates of infertile men negatively affects sperm functional competence and embryo quality. Andrology 2024; 12:881-890. [PMID: 37801310 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13541] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unique epigenetic architecture that sperm cells acquire during spermiogenesis by retaining <15% of either canonical or variant histone proteins in their genome is essential for normal embryogenesis. Whilst heterogeneous levels of retained histones are found in morphologically normal spermatozoa, their effect on reproductive outcomes is not fully understood. METHODS Processed spermatozoa (n = 62) were tested for DNA integrity by sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and retained histones were extracted and subjected to dot-blot analysis. The impact of retained histone modifications in normozoospermic patients on sperm functional characteristics, embryo quality, metabolic signature in embryo spent culture medium and pregnancy outcome was studied. RESULTS Dot-blot analysis showed heterogeneous levels of retained histones in the genome of normozoospermic ejaculates. Post-wash sperm yield was affected by an increase in H3K27Me3 and H4K20Me3 levels in the sperm chromatin (p < 0.05). Also, spermatozoa with higher histone H3 retention had increased DNA damage (p < 0.05). Spermatozoa from these cohorts, when injected into donor oocytes, correlated to a significant decrease in the fertilisation rate with an increase in sperm histone H3 (p < 0.05) and H3K27Me3 (p < 0.01). An increase in histone H3 negatively affected embryo quality (p < 0.01) and clinical pregnancy outcome post-embryo transfer (p < 0.05). On the other hand, spent culture medium metabolites assessed by high-resolution (800 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance showed an increased intensity of the amino acid methionine in the non-pregnant group than in the pregnant group (p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with sperm histone H3 in the pregnant group (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Histone retention in spermatozoa can be one of the factors behind the development of idiopathic male infertility. Such spermatozoa may influence embryonic behaviour and thereby affect the success rate of assisted reproductive technology procedures. These results, although descriptive in nature, warrant further research to address the underlying mechanisms behind these clinically important observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riddhi Kirit Pandya
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ameya Jijo
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Aswathi Cheredath
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shubhashree Uppangala
- Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sujith Raj Salian
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Vani R Lakshmi
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Pratap Kumar
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- KS313, Epigenetics and Chromatin Biology Group, Gupta Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Satish Kumar Adiga
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Cassuto NG, Ogal N, Assou S, Ruoso L, Rogers EJ, Monteiro MJ, Thomas D, Siffroi JP, Rouen A. Different Nuclear Architecture in Human Sperm According to Their Morphology. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:464. [PMID: 38674398 PMCID: PMC11049835 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human sperm parameters serve as a first step in diagnosing male infertility, but not in determining the potential for successful pregnancy during assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) procedures. Here, we investigated the relationship between sperm head morphology at high magnification, based on strict morphologic criteria, and the nuclear architecture analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We included five men. Two of them had an elevated high-magnification morphology score of 6 points (Score 6) indicating high fertility potential, whereas three had a low score of 0 points (Score 0), indicating low fertility potential. We used FISH to study the inter-telomeric distance and the chromosomal territory area of chromosome 1 (Chr. 1). We then compared these two parameters between subjects with high and low scores. FISH data analysis showed that the inter-telomeric distance (ITD) and chromosomal territory area (CTA) of Chr. 1 were significantly higher in subjects with low scores (score 0) than high scores (score 6). Our results suggest that (i) there is a link between nuclear architecture and sperm head abnormalities, particularly vacuoles; and (ii) it is possible to select spermatozoa with normal nuclear architecture, which might indirectly explain the positive ART outcomes observed with this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nino-Guy Cassuto
- ART Unit, Drouot Laboratory, 75009 Paris, France; (L.R.); (M.-J.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Nesrine Ogal
- Department of Medical Genetics, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, AP-HP, INSERM Unit U933, Sorbonne University, 75012 Paris, France; (N.O.); (E.-J.R.); (J.-P.S.)
| | - Said Assou
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, University Montpellier, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
| | - Lea Ruoso
- ART Unit, Drouot Laboratory, 75009 Paris, France; (L.R.); (M.-J.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Eli-Jonathan Rogers
- Department of Medical Genetics, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, AP-HP, INSERM Unit U933, Sorbonne University, 75012 Paris, France; (N.O.); (E.-J.R.); (J.-P.S.)
| | | | - Daniel Thomas
- ART Unit, Drouot Laboratory, 75009 Paris, France; (L.R.); (M.-J.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Jean-Pierre Siffroi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, AP-HP, INSERM Unit U933, Sorbonne University, 75012 Paris, France; (N.O.); (E.-J.R.); (J.-P.S.)
| | - Alexandre Rouen
- Maternity of Bluets, Medically Assisted Reproduction Service, 75012 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôtel-Dieu, Sleep and Vigilance Center, Université Paris Cité, VIFASOM, ERC 7330, 75010 Paris, France
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7
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Ali N, Amelkina O, Santymire RM, Koepfli KP, Comizzoli P, Vazquez JM. Semen proteome and transcriptome of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) show association with the environment and fertility outcome. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7063. [PMID: 38528039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57096-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The ex situ population of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) has been experiencing declines in reproductive success over the past 30 years of human-managed care. A potential cause may be environmental-dependent inbreeding depression with diet being one of the contributing factors since ferrets are not fed their natural diet of prairie dogs. Here, we generated and analyzed semen proteome and transcriptome data from both wild and ex situ ferrets maintained on various diets. We identified 1757 proteins across all samples, with 149 proteins unique to the semen of wild ferrets and forming a ribosomal predicted protein-protein interaction cluster. Wild ferrets also differed from ex situ ferrets in their transcriptomic profile, showing enrichment in ribosomal RNA processing and potassium ion transport. Successful fertility outcomes documented for ex situ ferrets showed the strongest association with the semen transcriptome, with enrichment in genes involved in translation initiation and focal adhesion. Fertility also synergized with the effect of diet on differentially expressed transcriptomes, mainly affecting genes enriched in mitochondrial function. Our data and functional networks are important for understanding the causes and mechanisms of declining fertility in the ex situ ferret population and can be used as a resource for future conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadya Ali
- Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Olga Amelkina
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA.
| | | | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA.
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, George Mason University, Front Royal, VA, USA.
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Juan M Vazquez
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
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8
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Sengupta P, Dutta S, Liew FF, Dhawan V, Das B, Mottola F, Slama P, Rocco L, Roychoudhury S. Environmental and Genetic Traffic in the Journey from Sperm to Offspring. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1759. [PMID: 38136630 PMCID: PMC10741607 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in the understanding of how sperm develop into offspring have shown complex interactions between environmental influences and genetic factors. The past decade, marked by a research surge, has not only highlighted the profound impact of paternal contributions on fertility and reproductive outcomes but also revolutionized our comprehension by unveiling how parental factors sculpt traits in successive generations through mechanisms that extend beyond traditional inheritance patterns. Studies have shown that offspring are more susceptible to environmental factors, especially during critical phases of growth. While these factors are broadly detrimental to health, their effects are especially acute during these periods. Moving beyond the immutable nature of the genome, the epigenetic profile of cells emerges as a dynamic architecture. This flexibility renders it susceptible to environmental disruptions. The primary objective of this review is to shed light on the diverse processes through which environmental agents affect male reproductive capacity. Additionally, it explores the consequences of paternal environmental interactions, demonstrating how interactions can reverberate in the offspring. It encompasses direct genetic changes as well as a broad spectrum of epigenetic adaptations. By consolidating current empirically supported research, it offers an exhaustive perspective on the interwoven trajectories of the environment, genetics, and epigenetics in the elaborate transition from sperm to offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sulagna Dutta
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai 345050, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fong Fong Liew
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vidhu Dhawan
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Biprojit Das
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar 788011, India
| | - Filomena Mottola
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Petr Slama
- Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Rocco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Castillo J, de la Iglesia A, Leiva M, Jodar M, Oliva R. Proteomics of human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:2312-2320. [PMID: 37632247 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteomic methodologies offer a robust approach to identify and quantify thousands of proteins from semen components in both fertile donors and infertile patients. These strategies provide an unprecedented discovery potential, which many research teams are currently exploiting. However, it is essential to follow a suitable experimental design to generate robust data, including proper purification of samples, appropriate technical procedures to increase identification throughput, and data analysis following quality criteria. More than 6000 proteins have been described so far through proteomic analyses in the mature sperm cell, increasing our knowledge on processes involved in sperm function, intercommunication between spermatozoa and seminal fluid, and the transcriptional origin of the proteins. These data have been complemented with comparative studies to ascertain the potential role of the identified proteins on sperm maturation and functionality, and its impact on infertility. By comparing sperm protein profiles, many proteins involved in the acquisition of fertilizing ability have been identified. Furthermore, altered abundance of specific protein groups has been observed in a wide range of infertile phenotypes, including asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, and normozoospermia with unsuccessful assisted reproductive techniques outcomes, leading to the identification of potential clinically useful protein biomarkers. Finally, proteomics has been used to evaluate alterations derived from semen sample processing, which might have an impact on fertility treatments. However, the intrinsic heterogeneity and inter-individual variability of the semen samples have resulted in a relatively low overlap among proteomic reports, highlighting the relevance of combining strategies for data validation and applying strict criteria for proteomic data analysis to obtain reliable results. This mini-review provides an overview of the most critical steps to conduct robust sperm proteomic studies, the most relevant results obtained so far, and potential next steps to increase the impact of sperm proteomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto de la Iglesia
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Leiva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Biomedical Diagnostic Center (CDB), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Travicic DZ, Pavlovic MV, Medar MLJ, Becin A, Cetnik M, Lalosevic D, Andric SA, Kostic TS. Circadian desynchrony disturbs the function of rat spermatozoa. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151323. [PMID: 37201364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Decreased male fertility is a growing health problem that requires a better understanding of molecular events regulating reproductive competence. Here the effects of circadian desynchrony on the rat spermatozoa functionality were studied. Circadian desynchrony was induced in rats that lived for 2 months under disturbed light conditions designed to mimic shiftwork in humans (two days of constant light, two days of continual dark, and three days of 14:10 h light:dark schedule). Such a condition abolished circadian oscillations in the rats' voluntary activity, followed by a flattened transcriptional pattern of the pituitary gene encoding follicle stimulating hormone subunit (Fshb), and genes important for germ cell maturation (Tnp1 and Prm2) as well as the clock in seminiferous tubules. However, the number of spermatozoa isolated from the epididymis of the rats suffering from circadian desynchrony did not deviate from the controls. Nevertheless, spermatozoa functionality, estimated by motility and progesterone-induced acrosome reaction, was reduced compared to the control. These changes were associated with the altered level of main markers of mitochondrial biogenesis (Pprgc1a/PGC1A, Nrf1/NRF1, Tfam, Cytc), decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number, ATP content, and clock genes (Bmal1/BMAL1, Clock, Cry1/2, and Reverba). The principal-component-analysis (PCA) points to a positive association of the clock and mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes in spermatozoa from rats suffering circadian desynchrony. Altogether, the results show the harmful effect of circadian desynchrony on spermatozoa functionality, targeting energetic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dijana Z Travicic
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging, Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Maja V Pavlovic
- University of Pristina in Kosovska Mitrovica, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
| | - Marija L J Medar
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging, Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Alisa Becin
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging, Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mia Cetnik
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging, Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dusan Lalosevic
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Silvana A Andric
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging, Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tatjana S Kostic
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Laboratory for Chronobiology and Aging, Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
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11
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de la Iglesia A, Jodar M, Oliva R, Castillo J. Insights into the sperm chromatin and implications for male infertility from a protein perspective. WIREs Mech Dis 2023; 15:e1588. [PMID: 36181449 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Male germ cells undergo an extreme but fascinating process of chromatin remodeling that begins in the testis during the last phase of spermatogenesis and continues through epididymal sperm maturation. Most of the histones are replaced by small proteins named protamines, whose high basicity leads to a tight genomic compaction. This process is epigenetically regulated at many levels, not only by posttranslational modifications, but also by readers, writers, and erasers, in a context of a highly coordinated postmeiotic gene expression program. Protamines are key proteins for acquiring this highly specialized chromatin conformation, needed for sperm functionality. Interestingly, and contrary to what could be inferred from its very specific DNA-packaging function across protamine-containing species, human sperm chromatin contains a wide spectrum of protamine proteoforms, including truncated and posttranslationally modified proteoforms. The generation of protamine knock-out models revealed not only chromatin compaction defects, but also collateral sperm alterations contributing to infertile phenotypes, evidencing the importance of sperm chromatin protamination toward the generation of a new individual. The unique features of sperm chromatin have motivated its study, applying from conventional to the most ground-breaking techniques to disentangle its peculiarities and the cellular mechanisms governing its successful conferment, especially relevant from the protein point of view due to the important epigenetic role of sperm nuclear proteins. Gathering and contextualizing the most striking discoveries will provide a global understanding of the importance and complexity of achieving a proper chromatin compaction and exploring its implications on postfertilization events and beyond. This article is categorized under: Reproductive System Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Reproductive System Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto de la Iglesia
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
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12
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New evidence for deleterious effects of environmental contaminants on the male gamete. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106886. [PMID: 34774338 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The decreasing trend in human and domestic animal fertility in recent decades has resulted in the question of whether reduced sperm quality is associated with changes in global climate and the environment. Proposed causes for reduced sperm quality include environmental contaminants, which enter into the body of animals through the food chain and are transported to the reproductive tract, where contaminating agents can have effects on fertilization capacities of gametes. In this review, there is a focus on various environmental contaminants and potential effects on male fertility. Human-derived contaminants, particularly endocrine-disrupting phthalates and the pesticide atrazine, are discussed. Naturally occurring toxins are also addressed, in particular mycotoxins such as aflatoxin which can be components in food consumed by humans and animals. Mechanisms by which environmental contaminants reduce male fertility are not clearly defined; however, are apparently multifactorial (i.e., direct and indirect effects) with there being diverse modes of action. Results from studies with humans, rodents and domestic animals indicate there are deleterious effects of contaminants on male gametes at various stages of spermatogenesis (i.e., in the testis) during passage through the epididymis, and in mature spermatozoa, after ejaculation and during capacitation. Considering there is never detection of a single contaminant, this review addresses synergistic or additive effects of combinations of contaminants. There is new evidence highlighted for the long-lasting effects of environmental contaminants on spermatozoa and developing embryos. Understanding the risk associated with environmental contaminants for animal reproduction may lead to new management strategies, thereby improving reproductive processes.
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13
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H4K5 Butyrylation Coexist with Acetylation during Human Spermiogenesis and Are Retained in the Mature Sperm Chromatin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012398. [PMID: 36293256 PMCID: PMC9604518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cells experience a drastic chromatin remodeling through the nucleo-histone to nucleo-protamine (NH-NP) transition necessary for proper sperm functionality. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of H4 Lys5, such as acetylation (H4K5ac), play a crucial role in epigenetic control of nucleosome disassembly facilitating protamine incorporation into paternal DNA. It has been shown that butyrylation on the same residue (H4K5bu) participates in temporal regulation of NH-NP transition in mice, delaying the bromodomain testis specific protein (BRDT)-dependent nucleosome disassembly and potentially marking retained nucleosomes. However, no information was available so far on this modification in human sperm. Here, we report a dual behavior of H4K5bu and H4K5ac in human normal spermatogenesis, suggesting a specific role of H4K5bu during spermatid elongation, coexisting with H4K5ac although with different starting points. This pattern is stable under different testicular pathologies, suggesting a highly conserved function of these modifications. Despite a drastic decrease of both PTMs in condensed spermatids, they are retained in ejaculated sperm, with 30% of non-colocalizing nucleosome clusters, which could reflect differential paternal genome retention. Whereas no apparent effect of these PTMs was observed associated with sperm quality, their presence in mature sperm could entail a potential role in the zygote.
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14
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Arévalo L, Esther Merges G, Schneider S, Schorle H. Protamines: lessons learned from mouse models. Reproduction 2022; 164:R57-R74. [PMID: 35900356 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Protamines package and shield the paternal DNA in the sperm nucleus and have been studied in many mouse models over decades. This review recapitulates and updates our knowledge about protamines and reveals a surprising complexity in protamine function and their interactions with other sperm nuclear proteins. Abstract The packaging and safeguarding of paternal DNA in the sperm cell nucleus is a critical feature of proper sperm function. Histones cannot mediate the necessary hypercondensation and shielding of chromatin required for motility and transit through the reproductive tracts. Paternal chromatin is therefore reorganized and ultimately packaged by protamines. In most mammalian species, one protamine is present in mature sperm (PRM1). In rodents and primates among others, however, mature sperm contain a second protamine (PRM2). Unlike PRM1, PRM2 is cleaved at its N-terminal end. Although protamines have been studied for decades due to their role in chromatin hypercondensation and involvement in male infertility, key aspects of their function are still unclear. This review updates and integrates our knowledge of protamines and their function based on lessons learned from mouse models and starts to answer open questions. The combined insights from recent work reveal that indeed both protamines are crucial for the production of functional sperm and indicate that the two protamines perform distinct functions beyond simple DNA compaction. Loss of one allele of PRM1 leads to subfertility whereas heterozygous loss of PRM2 does not. Unprocessed PRM2 seems to play a distinct role related to the eviction of intermediate DNA-bound proteins and the incorporation of both protamines into chromatin. For PRM1, on the other hand, heterozygous loss leads to strongly reduced sperm motility as the main phenotype, indicating that PRM1 might be important for processes ensuring correct motility, apart from DNA compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gina Esther Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Bonn Technology Campus, Core Facility 'Gene-Editing', University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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15
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Barrachina F, de la Iglesia A, Jodar M, Soler-Ventura A, Mallofré C, Rodriguez-Carunchio L, Goudarzi A, Corral JM, Ballescà JL, Castillo J, Oliva R. Histone H4 acetylation is dysregulated in active seminiferous tubules adjacent to testicular tumours. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1712-1726. [PMID: 35678707 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is histone H4 acetylation (H4ac) altered in the seminiferous tubules of patients affected by testicular tumours? SUMMARY ANSWER A considerable dysregulation of H4ac was detected in the cells of the seminiferous tubules adjacent to testicular tumours of different aetiology and prior to any treatment, while no comparable alterations were observed in patients with disrupted spermatogenesis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Altered H4ac levels have been associated with a variety of testicular pathological conditions. However, no information has been available regarding potential alterations in the spermatogenic cells adjacent to the neoplasia in testicular tumour patients. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A retrospective analysis using testicular sections from 33 men aged between 21 and 74 years old was performed. Three study groups were defined and subjected to double-blind evaluation: a control group with normal spermatogenesis (n = 6), patients with testicular tumours (n = 18) and patients with spermatogenic impairments (n = 8). One additional sample with normal spermatogenesis was used as a technical internal control in all evaluations. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Immunohistochemistry against H4ac and, when needed, Placental-like alkaline phosphatase and CD117, was performed on testicular sections. The H4ac H-score, based on the percentage of detection and signal intensity, was used as the scoring method for statistical analyses. Protein expression data from the Human Protein Atlas were used to compare the expression levels of predicted secreted proteins from testicular tumours with those present in the normal tissue. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We revealed, for the first time, a dramatic disruption of the spermatogenic H4ac pattern in unaffected seminiferous tubule cells from different testicular tumour patients prior to any antineoplastic treatment, as compared to controls (P < 0.05). Since no similar alterations were associated with spermatogenic impairments and the in silico analysis revealed proteins potentially secreted by the tumour to the testicular stroma, we propose a potential paracrine effect of the neoplasia as a mechanistic hypothesis for this dysregulation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Statistical analyses were not performed on the hypospermatogenesis and Leydig cell tumour groups due to limited availability of samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing an epigenetic alteration in cells from active seminiferous tubules adjacent to tumour cells in testicular tumour patients. Our results suggest that, despite presenting spermatogenic activity, the global epigenetic dysregulation found in the testicular tumour patients could lead to molecular alterations of the male germ cells. Since testicular tumours are normally diagnosed in men at reproductive age, H4ac alterations might have an impact when these testicular tumour patients express a desire for fatherhood. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the European Union Marie Curie European Training Network actions and by grants to R.O. from the 'Ministerio de Economía y Competividad (Spain)' (fondos FEDER 'una manera de hacer Europa', PI13/00699, PI16/00346 and PI20/00936) and from EU-FP7-PEOPLE-2011-ITN289880. J.C. was supported by the Sara Borrell Postdoctoral Fellowship, Acción Estratégica en Salud, CD17/00109. J.C. is a Serra Húnter fellow (Universitat de Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya). F.B. has received grants from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para la Formación de Profesorado Universitario (Spain) (FPU15/02306). A.d.l.I. is supported by a fellowship of the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain) (PFIS, FI17/00224). M.J. is supported by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya, pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut, PERIS 2016-2020, SLT002/16/00337). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto de la Iglesia
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ada Soler-Ventura
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Mallofré
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Rodriguez-Carunchio
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Afsaneh Goudarzi
- CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Juan Manuel Corral
- Department of Urology, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Lluís Ballescà
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Human Sperm Morphology as a Marker of Its Nuclear Quality and Epigenetic Pattern. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111788. [PMID: 35681482 PMCID: PMC9180039 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Human sperm chromatin condensation is a sum of epigenetic events that allows for the near-complete replacement of histones with protamines. Under high-magnification microscopy, nuclear vacuoles have been described as thumbprints with poor chromatin condensation. The objective of this study is to examine whether vacuolated spermatozoa carry specific epigenetic marks, which may influence embryo development. Methods: The presence and three-dimensional distribution of ten epigenetic marks (protamine-P2, histone-H3, H3K4me1/me2/me3, H3K9me1/me2/me3, H3K27me3, H4k20me2) were evaluated and compared in morphometrically normal spermatozoa according to the presence or absence of a large vacuole occupying more than 15% of the head surface (n = 4193). Results: Vacuolated spermatozoa were significantly more frequently labelled with H3 and H3K4me3 than normal spermatozoa (88.1% ± 2.7 and 78.5% ± 5.2 vs. 74.8% ± 4.8 and 49.1% ± 7.4, respectively; p = 0.009 and p < 0.001) and significantly less marked by P2 and H3K27me3 (50.2% ± 6.2 and 63.9% ± 6.3 vs. 82.1% ± 4.4 and 73.6% ± 5.1, respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.028). In three dimensions, vacuoles are nuclear concavities filled with DNA carrying the H3K4me3 marker. Conclusion: High-magnification microscopy is a simple tool to estimate in real time the sperm epigenetic profile. The selection of normal spermatozoa without vacuoles and the deselection of spermatozoa with vacuoles appear to be epigenetically favorable to embryo development and safe offspring.
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17
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Barrachina F, Battistone MA, Castillo J, Mallofré C, Jodar M, Breton S, Oliva R. Sperm acquire epididymis-derived proteins through epididymosomes. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:651-668. [PMID: 35137089 PMCID: PMC8971652 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are epididymosomes implicated in protein transfer from the epididymis to spermatozoa? SUMMARY ANSWER We characterized the contribution of epididymal secretions to the sperm proteome and demonstrated that sperm acquire epididymal proteins through epididymosomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Testicular sperm are immature cells unable to fertilize an oocyte. After leaving the testis, sperm transit along the epididymis to acquire motility and fertilizing abilities. It is well known that marked changes in the sperm proteome profile occur during epididymal maturation. Since the sperm is a transcriptional and translational inert cell, previous studies have shown that sperm incorporate proteins, RNA and lipids from extracellular vesicles (EVs), released by epithelial cells lining the male reproductive tract. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We examined the contribution of the epididymis to the post-testicular maturation of spermatozoa, via the production of EVs named epididymosomes, released by epididymal epithelial cells. An integrative analysis using both human and mouse data was performed to identify sperm proteins with a potential epididymis-derived origin. Testes and epididymides from adult humans (n = 9) and adult mice (n = 3) were used to experimentally validate the tissue localization of four selected proteins using high-resolution confocal microscopy. Mouse epididymal sperm were co-incubated with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled epididymosomes (n = 4 mice), and visualized using high-resolution confocal microscopy. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Adult (12-week-old) C57BL/CBAF1 wild-type male mice and adult humans were used for validation purposes. Testes and epididymides from both mice and humans were obtained and processed for immunofluorescence. Mouse epididymal sperm and mouse epididymosomes were obtained from the epididymal cauda segment. Fluorescent epididymosomes were obtained after labeling the epididymal vesicles with CFSE dye followed by epididymosome isolation using a density cushion. Immunofluorescence was performed following co-incubation of sperm with epididymosomes in vitro. High-resolution confocal microscopy and 3D image reconstruction were used to visualize protein localization and sperm-epididymosomes interactions. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Through in silico analysis, we first identified 25 sperm proteins with a putative epididymal origin that were conserved in both human and mouse spermatozoa. From those, the epididymal origin of four sperm proteins (SLC27A2, EDDM3B, KRT19 and WFDC8) was validated by high-resolution confocal microscopy. SLC27A2, EDDM3B, KRT19 and WFDC8 were all detected in epithelial cells lining the human and mouse epididymis, and absent from human and mouse seminiferous tubules. We found region-specific expression patterns of these proteins throughout the mouse epididymides. In addition, while EDDM3B, KRT19 and WFDC8 were detected in both epididymal principal and clear cells (CCs), SLC27A2 was exclusively expressed in CCs. Finally, we showed that CFSE-fluorescently labeled epididymosomes interact with sperm in vitro and about 12-36% of the epididymosomes contain the targeted sperm proteins with an epididymal origin. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The human and mouse sample size was limited and our results were descriptive. The analyses of epididymal sperm and epididymosomes were solely performed in the mouse model due to the difficulties in obtaining epididymal luminal fluid human samples. Alternatively, human ejaculated sperm and seminal EVs could not be used because ejaculated sperm have already contacted with the fluids secreted by the male accessory sex glands, and seminal EVs contain other EVs in addition to epididymosomes, such as the abundant prostate-derived EVs. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings indicate that epididymosomes are capable of providing spermatozoa with a new set of epididymis-derived proteins that could modulate the sperm proteome and, subsequently, participate in the post-testicular maturation of sperm cells. Additionally, our data provide further evidence of the novel role of epididymal CCs in epididymosome production. Identifying mechanisms by which sperm mature to acquire their fertilization potential would, ultimately, lead to a better understanding of male reproductive health and may help to identify potential therapeutic strategies to improve male infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ministerio de Economía y Competividad; fondos FEDER 'una manera de hacer Europa' PI13/00699 and PI16/00346 to R.O.; and Sara Borrell Postdoctoral Fellowship, Acción Estratégica en Salud, CD17/00109 to J.C.), by National Institutes of Health (grants HD040793 and HD069623 to S.B., grant HD104672-01 to M.A.B.), by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para la Formación de Profesorado Universitario, FPU15/02306 to F.B.), by a Lalor Foundation Fellowship (to F.B. and M.A.B.), by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya, pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut, PERIS 2016-2020, SLT002/16/00337 to M.J.), by Fundació Universitària Agustí Pedro i Pons (to F.B.), and by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PROLAB Award from ASBMB/IUBMB/PABMB to F.B.). Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy was performed in the Microscopy Core facility of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Systems Biology/Program in Membrane Biology which receives support from Boston Area Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center (BADERC) award DK57521 and Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease grant DK43351. The Zeiss LSM800 microscope was acquired using an NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant S10-OD-021577-01. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Barrachina
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M A Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Mallofré
- Department of Pathology, Universitat de Barcelona, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Breton
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Tahmasbpour Marzouni E, Ilkhani H, Beigi Harchegani A, Shafaghatian H, Layali I, Shahriary A. Epigenetic Modifications, A New Approach to Male Infertility Etiology: A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2022; 16:1-9. [PMID: 35103425 PMCID: PMC8808252 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2021.138499.1032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic alterations are critical for normal function and development of spermatozoa during the fertilization process. This review will focus on the latest advances in epigenome profiling of the chromatin modifications during sperm development, as well as the potential roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the context of male infertility. In this review, all data were collected from published studies that considered the effect of epigenetic abnormalities on human spermatogenesis, sperm parameters quality, fertilization process, embryo development and live births. The database PubMed was searched for all experimental and clinical studies using the Keywords "epigenetic modifications", "male infertility", "spermatogenesis", "embryo development" and "reproductive function". Post-translational modifications of histone, DNA methylations and chromatin remodeling are among the most common forms of epigenetic modifications that regulate all stages of spermatogenesis and fertilization process. Incorrect epigenetic modifications of certain genes involved in the spermatogenesis and sperm maturation may be a main reason of male reproductive disorder and infertility. Most importantly, abnormal patterns of epigenetic modifications or transgenerational phenotypes and miRNAs expression may be transmitted from one generation to the next through assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and cause an increased risk of birth defects, infertility and congenital anomalies in children. Epigenetic modifications must be considered as a one of the main factors of unexplained male infertility etiology. Due to high risk of transmitting incorrect primary imprints to offspring, there is a need for more research into epigenetic alterations in couples who benefit of ART support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eisa Tahmasbpour Marzouni
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Innovations, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Ilkhani
- Islamic Azad University, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asghar Beigi Harchegani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Shafaghatian
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Issa Layali
- Department of Biochemistry, Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch, Sari, Iran
| | - Alireza Shahriary
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,P.O.Box: 19945-581Chemical Injuries Research CenterSystems Biology and Poisonings InstituteBaqiyatallah University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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19
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Carvalho RK, Rocha TL, Fernandes FH, Gonçalves BB, Souza MR, Araújo AA, Barbosa CC, Silva DM, Campos HM, Tomazett MV, Ghedini PC, Guimarães FS, Andersen ML, Santos FCA, Mazaro-Costa R. Decreasing sperm quality in mice subjected to chronic cannabidiol exposure: New insights of cannabidiol-mediated male reproductive toxicity. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 351:109743. [PMID: 34774840 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109743] [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: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural cannabinoid present in the Cannabis sativa plant, widely prescribed as an anticonvulsant drug, especially for pediatric use. However, its effects on male reproduction are still little investigated. Therefore, the present study assessed the effects of CBD on the spermatogenesis and sperm quality. For this, twenty-one-day-old Swiss mice received CBD for 34 consecutive days by gavage at doses of either 15 or 30 mg/kg. Chronic exposure to CBD decreased the frequency of stages VII-VIII and XII of spermatogenesis and an increase in the frequency of stage IX were noted. Furthermore, the seminiferous epithelium height reduced at stage IX and increased at stage XII in both CBD-treated groups. There was a significant rise of sperm DNA damage, while no genotoxic effects were observed in leukocytes. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased, while malondialdehyde levels increased in the sperm of mice treated with a higher dose of CBD. Mice exposed to 30 mg/kg of CBD showed a reduction in the mobile spermatozoa percentage and in curvilinear velocity, while straight line and average path velocity decreased in both treated groups. The number of acrosome-intact spermatozoa declined in the CBD 30 group, and the number of abnormal acrosomes raised in both CBD groups. On the other hand, the weight of reproductive organs, sperm count, and hormone levels were not affected by CBD treatment. These findings show that dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system by CBD can reduce sperm quality. The mechanisms responsible may be associated with disorders during spermatogenesis, especially during the final stages of nuclear remodelling and assembly of acrosome. However, changes in mitochondrial function, as well as the reduction on the antioxidant enzyme activities during epididymal transit, at least partly, may also be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata K Carvalho
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Thiago L Rocha
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Fábio H Fernandes
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Toxicogenomic and Nutrigenomic, Medical School, State University of São Paulo, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno B Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Maingredy R Souza
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Amanda A Araújo
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Caio C Barbosa
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Daniela M Silva
- Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Mutagenesis, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Hericles M Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemistry Pharmacology, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Mariana V Tomazett
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Ghedini
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemistry Pharmacology, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Monica L Andersen
- Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda C A Santos
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Cell Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy Applied to Reproduction, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Renata Mazaro-Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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20
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Protamine Characterization by Top-Down Proteomics: Boosting Proteoform Identification with DBSCAN. Proteomes 2021; 9:proteomes9020021. [PMID: 33946530 PMCID: PMC8162566 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes9020021] [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: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protamines replace histones as the main nuclear protein in the sperm cells of many species and play a crucial role in compacting the paternal genome. Human spermatozoa contain protamine 1 (P1) and the family of protamine 2 (P2) proteins. Alterations in protamine PTMs or the P1/P2 ratio may be associated with male infertility. Top-down proteomics enables large-scale analysis of intact proteoforms derived from alternative splicing, missense or nonsense genetic variants or PTMs. In contrast to current gold standard techniques, top-down proteomics permits a more in-depth analysis of protamine PTMs and proteoforms, thereby opening up new perspectives to unravel their impact on male fertility. We report on the analysis of two normozoospermic semen samples by top-down proteomics. We discuss the difficulties encountered with the data analysis and propose solutions as this step is one of the current bottlenecks in top-down proteomics with the bioinformatics tools currently available. Our strategy for the data analysis combines two software packages, ProSight PD (PS) and TopPIC suite (TP), with a clustering algorithm to decipher protamine proteoforms. We identified up to 32 protamine proteoforms at different levels of characterization. This in-depth analysis of the protamine proteoform landscape of normozoospermic individuals represents the first step towards the future study of sperm pathological conditions opening up the potential personalized diagnosis of male infertility.
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21
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Ishchuk MA, Malysheva OV, Komarova EM, Mekina ID, Lesik EA, Gzgzyan AM, Kogan IY, Baranov VS. Protamine 1 and 2 mRNA Abundance in Human Spermatozoa and Its Relation to Semen Quality and Sperm DNA Fragmentation among Fertility Clinic Patients. RUSS J GENET+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795421020058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Komsky-Elbaz A, Kalo D, Roth Z. Carryover effect of atrazine and its metabolite-from treated bovine spermatozoa to the embryo's transcriptome†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:1162-1180. [PMID: 33624745 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrazine (ATZ) is an extensively used herbicide and ubiquitous environmental contaminant. ATZ and its metabolite, diaminochlorotriazine (DACT), cause several cellular and functional alterations in spermatozoa. We aimed to examine the effect of ATZ/DACT on spermatozoon DNA integrity, fertilization competence, embryonic development, and transcriptome profile of in vitro-produced embryos derived from fertilization with pre-exposed sperm. Bovine spermatozoa exposed to ATZ (0.1 or 1 μM) or DACT (1 or 10 μM) during in vitro capacitation were used for in vitro fertilization of untreated oocytes. Cleavage and blastocyst-formation rates were evaluated 42 h and 7 days postfertilization, respectively. The association between DNA fragmentation and apoptosis (annexin V kit) was determined. Fertilization competence of annexin-positive (AV+) and annexin-negative (AV-) spermatozoa was examined. Microarray analysis was performed for 7-day blastocysts. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed with control (AV+, AV-) and DACT (AV+, AV-) spermatozoa. Cleavage rates did not differ between groups and blastocyst formation tended to be higher for AV- vs. AV+ in both control and DACT groups, suggesting that acrosome reaction, rather than DNA fragmentation, underlies the reduced cleavage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 139 and 230 differentially expressed genes in blastocysts derived from ATZ- and DACT-exposed spermatozoa, respectively, relative to controls. Proteomic analysis shown differential expression of proteins in ATZ- or DACT-treated spermatozoa, in particular proteins related to cellular processes and biological pathways. Therefore, we assume that factors delivered by the spermatozoa, regardless of DNA fragmentation, are also involved. Overall, the current study reveals a deleterious carryover effect of ATZ/DACT from the spermatozoa to the developing embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Komsky-Elbaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.,Animal Sperm Research Center, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.,Animal Sperm Research Center, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Z Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel.,Animal Sperm Research Center, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.,Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health, Jerusalem, Israel
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23
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Amor H, Zeyad A, Hammadeh ME. Tobacco smoking and its impact on the expression level of sperm nuclear protein genes: H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13964. [PMID: 33440036 DOI: 10.1111/and.13964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this current study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoke on sperm quality determined by standard parameters, on sperm DNA maturity tested by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, on sperm DNA fragmentation tested by TUNEL assay and on the transcript level of sperm nuclear proteins H2BFWT, PRM1, PRM2, TNP1 and TNP2 genes quantified by RT-PCR. One hundred forty-one (141) sperm samples (43 nonsmokers (G.1) and 98 heavy smokers (G.2)) of couples undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this study. In G2, a significant decrease in standard semen parameters in comparison with nonsmokers was shown (p < .01). In contrast, protamine deficiency (CMA3 positivity) and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) were significantly higher in G2 than in G1 (p < .01). Furthermore, the studied genes were differentially expressed (p < .01), down-regulated in the spermatozoa of G.2 compared to that of G.1 (fold change <0.5) and were significantly correlated between each other (p < .01). Moreover, in comparison with G1, the protamine mRNA ratio in G2 was significantly higher (p < .01). It can therefore be concluded that smoking alters mRNA expression levels of H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2 genes and the protamine mRNA ratio and consequently alters normal sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ali Zeyad
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University Clinic, Homburg, Germany
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24
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Roth Z, Komsky-Elbaz A, Kalo D. Effect of environmental contamination on female and male gametes - A lesson from bovines. Anim Reprod 2020; 17:e20200041. [PMID: 33029217 PMCID: PMC7534576 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2020-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and foodborne contaminants are environmental pollutants that are considered reproductive toxicants due to their deleterious effects on female and male gametes. Among the EDCs, the phthalate plasticizers are of growing concern. In-vivo and in-vitro models indicate that the oocyte is highly sensitive to phthalates. This review summarizes the effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and its major metabolite mono(2-ethyhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on the oocyte. MEHP reduces the proportion of oocytes that fertilize, cleave and develop to the blastocyst stage. This is associated with negative effects on meiotic progression, and disruption of cortical granules, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial reorganization. MEHP alters mitochondrial membrane polarity, increases reactive oxygen species levels and induces alterations in genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation. A carryover effect from the oocyte to the blastocyst is manifested by alterations in the transcriptomic profile of blastocysts developed from MEHP-treated oocytes. Among foodborne contaminants, the pesticide atrazine (ATZ) and the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are of high concern. The potential hazards associated with exposure of spermatozoa to these contaminants and their carryover effect to the blastocyst are described. AFB1 and ATZ reduce spermatozoa's viability, as reflected by a high proportion of cells with damaged plasma membrane; induce acrosome reaction, expressed as damage to the acrosomal membrane; and interfere with mitochondrial function, characterized by hyperpolarization of the membrane. ATZ and AFB1-treated spermatozoa show a high proportion of cells with fragmented DNA. Exposure of spermatozoa to AFB1 and ATZ reduces fertilization and cleavage rates, but not that of blastocyst formation. However, fertilization with AFB1- or ATZ-treated spermatozoa impairs transcript expression in the formed blastocysts, implying a carryover effect. Taken together, the review indicates the risk of exposing farm animals to environmental contaminants, and their deleterious effects on female and male gametes and the developing embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvi Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Alisa Komsky-Elbaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Dorit Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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25
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Kuchakulla M, Narasimman M, Khodamoradi K, Khosravizadeh Z, Ramasamy R. How defective spermatogenesis affects sperm DNA integrity. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13615. [PMID: 32324913 DOI: 10.1111/and.13615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the essential process to maintain and promote male fertility. It is extraordinarily complex with many regulatory elements and numerous steps. The process involves several cell types, regulatory molecules, repair mechanisms and epigenetic regulators. Evidence has shown that fertility can be negatively impacted by reduced sperm DNA integrity. Sources of sperm DNA damage include replication errors and causes of DNA fragmentation which include abortive apoptosis, defective maturation and oxidative stress. This review outlines the process of spermatogenesis, spermatogonial regulation and sperm differentiation; additionally, DNA damage and currently studied DNA repair mechanisms in spermatozoon are also covered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kuchakulla
- Department of Urology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Manish Narasimman
- Department of Urology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kajal Khodamoradi
- Department of Urology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zahra Khosravizadeh
- Department of Urology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ranjith Ramasamy
- Department of Urology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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26
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Yılmaz F. Sperm function tests from past to present. JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.32322/jhsm.660649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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27
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Sarasa J, Enciso M, García L, Leza A, Steger K, Aizpurua J. Comparison of ART outcomes in men with altered mRNA protamine 1/protamine 2 ratio undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection with ejaculated and testicular spermatozoa. Asian J Androl 2020; 22:623-628. [PMID: 32217836 PMCID: PMC7705981 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_146_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies involving the use of spermatozoa and eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) have come as the solution for many infertile couples to become parents. However, in some cases, the use of ejaculated spermatozoa delivers poor IVF performance. Some studies have suggested the use of testicular spermatozoa in severe male infertility cases, but no guidelines regarding their utilization are currently available. In the present study, we found the mRNA protamine 1/protamine 2 (P1/P2) ratio to be a valuable biomarker of poor sperm function that could be used as a diagnostic key for the identification of cases that would benefit from the use of testicular spermatozoa. A total of 23 couples undergoing egg donation cycles with at least one previous cycle failure were studied. All couples underwent two consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles with either ejaculated or testicular spermatozoa (TESA). The sperm mRNA P1/P2 ratio, fertilization rate, blastocyst rate, and pregnancy and live birth rate were compared. Results showed improved ICSI and clinical outcomes in cycles with testicular spermatozoa in men with altered mRNA P1/P2 ratios. TESA cycles presented significantly higher rates of fertilization (mean ± standard deviation: 76.1% ± 15.1% vs 65.5% ± 18.8%), blastocyst formation (55.0% ± 20.3% vs 30.8% ± 23.8%), and good morphological quality blastocyst (28.9% ± 22.9% vs 13.5% ± 17.9%) and also improvements on pregnancy (60.9% vs 0%) and healthy birth rates (56.5% vs 0%) than EJACULATE cycles. The results described here suggest that in patients with previous IVF/ICSI failures and aberrant mRNA protamine ratios, the use of testicular spermatozoa may be a good alternative to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Klaus Steger
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Molecular Andrology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen 35385, Germany
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28
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Xie C, Ping P, Ma Y, Wu Z, Chen X. Correlation between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism and oligoasthenospermia and the effects of folic acid supplementation on semen quality. Transl Androl Urol 2019; 8:678-685. [PMID: 32038964 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2019.11.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The present study investigated the correlation between 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and oligoasthenospermia, as well as the effects of folic acid supplementation on semen quality. Methods The present study was a case control study. The PCR-chip assay was applied to analyze the distribution characteristics of the frequencies and genotypes of the MTHFR C677T allele in 167 Han Chinese patients with idiopathic male infertility (including 86 patients with oligospermia and 81 patients with asthenospermia) and in 78 males with normal semen parameters. Moreover, homocysteine (Hcy) levels were assessed for the different groups. Semen quality was measured following three months of folic acid supplementation for the oligospermia and asthenospermia groups. Results The cytosine-thymine (CT) genotype (50% vs. 39.5%) and the thymine-thymine (TT) genotype (51.2% vs. 7.7%) carriers in the oligospermia group exhibited significantly higher percentages compared with those of the control group. The percentage of the CT genotype carriers in the asthenospermia group was significantly higher compared with that of the control group (59.3% vs. 50%), while the frequency of the TT genotype was significantly increased (22.2% vs. 7.7%). Furthermore, serum Hcy levels in the oligospermia and asthenospermia groups were significantly higher compared with those of the control group. The data also demonstrated that sperm density increased significantly following three months of folic acid supplementation to patients with oligospermia or asthenospermia. In these patients, the highest increase was noted for the subjects carrying the TT genotype. Conclusions The MTHFR C677T mutation and the elevated Hcy levels are important risk factors for the development of oligoasthenospermia. Folic acid supplementation can significantly improve sperm density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Xie
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Key laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ping Ping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Zhengmu Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Key laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xiangfeng Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China.,Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai 200135, China
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29
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Soler-Ventura A, Gay M, Jodar M, Vilanova M, Castillo J, Arauz-Garofalo G, Villarreal L, Ballescà JL, Vilaseca M, Oliva R. Characterization of Human Sperm Protamine Proteoforms through a Combination of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mass Spectrometry Approaches. J Proteome Res 2019; 19:221-237. [PMID: 31703166 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Protamine 1 (P1) and protamine 2 (P2) family are extremely basic, sperm-specific proteins, packing 85-95% of the paternal DNA. P1 is synthesized as a mature form, whereas P2 components (HP2, HP3, and HP4) arise from the proteolysis of the precursor (pre-P2). Due to the particular protamine physical-chemical properties, their identification by standardized bottom-up mass spectrometry (MS) strategies is not straightforward. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the sperm protamine proteoforms profile, including their post-translational modifications, in normozoospermic individuals using two complementary strategies, a top-down MS approach and a proteinase-K-digestion-based bottom-up MS approach. By top-down MS, described and novel truncated P1 and pre-P2 proteoforms were identified. Intact P1, pre-P2, and P2 mature proteoforms and their phosphorylation pattern were also detected. Additionally, a +61 Da modification in different proteoforms was observed. By the bottom-up MS approach, phosphorylated residues for pre-P2, as well as the new P2 isoform 2, which is not annotated in the UniProtKB database, were revealed. Implementing these strategies in comparative studies of different infertile phenotypes, together with the evaluation of P1/P2 and pre-P2/P2 MS-derived ratios, would permit determining specific alterations in the protamine proteoforms and elucidate the role of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation dynamics in male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Soler-Ventura
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , 08036 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Marina Gay
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Baldiri Reixac, 10 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , 08036 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Mar Vilanova
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Baldiri Reixac, 10 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , 08036 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Gianluca Arauz-Garofalo
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Baldiri Reixac, 10 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Laura Villarreal
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Baldiri Reixac, 10 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | | | - Marta Vilaseca
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) , The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology , Baldiri Reixac, 10 , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- EUGIN-UB Research Excellence Program, Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , 08036 Barcelona , Spain
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30
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Zhang Z, Mu S, Chen T, Sun Z, Shu Z, Li Y, Kang X. H4S1ph, an alternative epigenetic marker for sperm maturity. Andrologia 2019; 52:e13352. [PMID: 31746491 DOI: 10.1111/and.13352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone phosphorylation, an epigenetic post-translational modification, plays essential roles in male gamete chromatin compaction during spermatogenesis and sperm maturity. Previously, we studied the epigenetic marker of phosphorylated serine 1 of histone H2A and H4 (HS1ph) during spermatogenesis in mice and crabs, which was shown to be closely related to the sperm maturity. To further investigate the correlation between phosphorylated serine 1 of histone H4 (H4S1ph) and sperm maturation, a comparison study was conducted in this work between the healthy and the precocious crabs. It was discovered that the distribution of H4S1ph was similar for the two groups of crabs during spermatogenesis before maturity, but totally different in the sperm nuclei. H4S1ph vanished in the nuclei of healthy crab spermatozoa mostly, while retained in the precocious crabs just like what it was in elongated spermatid of both kinds of crabs. The results showed that a high level of H4S1ph conservation was closely associated with immaturity and might indicate inefficient fertility of male precocious crabs. Thus, H4S1ph was suggested to be an epigenetic marker of sperm maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine, Baoding First Central Hospital, Baoding, China
| | - Shumei Mu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Tingrong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Zhe Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Zhiquan Shu
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Everett, Washington
| | - Yanqin Li
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Xianjiang Kang
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China
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31
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Rezaei-Agdam H, Moshari S, Nahari E, Minas A, Daliri Z, Hallaj M, Razi M. Zeta and hyaluronic acid assessments, novel sperm selection procedures, in animal model for male infertility. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13447. [PMID: 31617612 DOI: 10.1111/and.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering varicocele (VCL)-induced severe, progressive DNA damage, histone-protamine anomalies and low sperm production, in the current study, the experimental VCL was induced and the efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA)-binding method (HABM) and zeta preparation procedure (ZPP) in selection of appropriate spermatozoa was compared with those spermatozoa from intact animals. Following 2 and 4 months, the histological alterations in testicular tissue, sperm count and viability were assessed to prove the VCL condition. The spermatozoa were undergone simple wash, HABM and ZPP. The chromatin condensation, active caspase-3 expression, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis index were analysed after applying selection techniques and compared with the spermatozoa from intact and VCL-induced animals, which were undergone a simple wash. Observations showed that both HABM and ZPP effectively prepared the spermatozoa with higher chromatin condensation and lower DNA damage. Meanwhile, the ZPP exerted a more preferable effect by preparing the spermatozoa with higher chromatin condensation, and lower caspase-3 expression, and DNA disintegrity versus the HABM, especially after 4 months. In conclusion, ZPP seems to exert much more reliable efficiency in selecting appropriate spermatozoa for ICSI processes, while more studies are needed to find out which one is more useful in the clinical assisted reproductive technique (ART) process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Rezaei-Agdam
- Molecular and Genetic Division, Rasta Diagnostic and Research Center, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sana Moshari
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Elaheh Nahari
- Molecular and Genetic Division, Rasta Diagnostic and Research Center, Urmia, Iran
| | - Aram Minas
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Zeynab Daliri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic AZAD University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Hallaj
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mazdak Razi
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
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32
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Darmishonnejad Z, Tavalaee M, Izadi T, Tanhaei S, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Evaluation of sperm telomere length in infertile men with failed/low fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:579-587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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33
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Ferigolo PC, Ribeiro de Andrade MB, Camargo M, Carvalho VM, Cardozo KHM, Bertolla RP, Fraietta R. Sperm functional aspects and enriched proteomic pathways of seminal plasma of adult men with obesity. Andrology 2019; 7:341-349. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. C. Ferigolo
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - M. B. Ribeiro de Andrade
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - M. Camargo
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
| | | | | | - R. P. Bertolla
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
- Hospital São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - R. Fraietta
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
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34
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Fowler KE, Mandawala AA, Griffin DK. The role of chromosome segregation and nuclear organisation in human subfertility. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:425-432. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20180231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is central to successful sexual reproduction, producing large numbers of haploid motile male gametes. Throughout this process, a series of equational and reductional chromosome segregation precedes radical repackaging of the haploid genome. Faithful chromosome segregation is thus crucial, as is an ordered spatio-temporal ‘dance’ of packing a large amount of chromatin into a very small space. Ergo, when the process goes wrong, this is associated with an improper chromosome number, nuclear position and/or chromatin damage in the sperm head. Generally, screening for overall DNA damage is relatively commonplace in clinics, but aneuploidy assessment is less so and nuclear organisation studies form the basis of academic research. Several studies have focussed on the role of chromosome segregation, nuclear organisation and analysis of sperm morphometry in human subfertility observing significant alterations in some cases, especially of the sex chromosomes. Importantly, sperm DNA damage has been associated with infertility and both extrinsic (e.g. lifestyle) and intrinsic (e.g. reactive oxygen species levels) factors, and while some DNA-strand breaks are repaired, unexpected breaks can cause differential chromatin packaging and further breakage. A ‘healthy’ sperm nucleus (with the right number of chromosomes, nuclear organisation and minimal DNA damage) is thus an essential part of reproduction. The purpose of this review is to summarise state of the art in the fields of sperm aneuploidy assessment, nuclear organisation and DNA damage studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E. Fowler
- School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, U.K
| | - Anjali A. Mandawala
- School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, U.K
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35
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Abstract
Epigenetic information refers to heritable changes in gene expression that occur without modifications at the DNA sequence level. These changes are orchestrated by different epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, posttranslational modifications of histones, and the presence of noncoding RNAs. Epigenetic information regulates chromatin structure to confer cell-specific gene expression.The sperm epigenome is the result of three periods of global resetting during men's life. Germ cell epigenome reprogramming is designed to allow cell totipotency and to prevent the transmission of epimutations via spermatozoa. At the end of these reprogramming events, the sperm epigenome has a very specific epigenetic pattern that is a footprint of past reprogramming events and has an influence on embryo development.Several data demonstrate that not all regions of the epigenome are erased during the reprogramming periods, suggesting the transmission of epigenetic information from fathers to offspring via spermatozoa. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly clear that the sperm epigenome is sensitive to environmental factors during the process of gamete differentiation, suggesting the plasticity of the sperm epigenetic signature according to the circumstances of the individual's life.In this chapter, we provided strong evidences about the association between variations of the sperm epigenome and the exposure to environmental factors. Moreover, we will present data about how epigenetic mechanisms are candidates for transferring paternal environmental information to offspring.
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36
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Arhondakis S, Varriale A. Distribution of Nucleosome-enriched Sequences of Human Sperm Chromatin Along Isochores. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH AND HYPOTHESIS IN MEDICINE 2018; 3:54-60. [DOI: 10.14218/erhm.2018.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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37
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Barbonetti A, Calogero AE, Balercia G, Garolla A, Krausz C, La Vignera S, Lombardo F, Jannini EA, Maggi M, Lenzi A, Foresta C, Ferlin A. The use of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) for the treatment of the infertile man: position statement from the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS). J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:1107-1122. [PMID: 29392544 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0843-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Barbonetti
- Casa di Cura San Raffaele Sulmona, Sulmona, AQ, Italy
| | - A E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Balercia
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Ancona, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A Garolla
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - C Krausz
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - S La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - F Lombardo
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - E A Jannini
- Department of Systems Medicine, Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Laboratory of Seminology-Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini", Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - C Foresta
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - A Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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38
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Barrachina F, Anastasiadi D, Jodar M, Castillo J, Estanyol JM, Piferrer F, Oliva R. Identification of a complex population of chromatin-associated proteins in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) sperm. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018; 64:502-517. [PMID: 29939100 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1482383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A very common conception about the function of the spermatozoon is that its unique role is to transmit the paternal genome to the next generation. Most of the sperm genome is known to be condensed in many species by protamines, which are small and extremely positively charged proteins (50-70% arginine) with the functions of streamlining the sperm cell and protecting its DNA. However, more recently, it has been shown in mammals that 2-10% of its mature sperm chromatin is also associated to a complex population of histones and chromatin-associated proteins differentially distributed in the genome. These proteins are transferred to the oocyte upon fertilization and may be involved in the epigenetic marking of the paternal genome. However, little information is so far available on the additional potential sperm chromatin proteins present in other protamine-containing non-mammalian vertebrates detected through high-throughput mass spectrometry. Thus, we started the present work with the goal of characterizing the mature sperm proteome of the European sea bass, with a particular focus on the sperm chromatin, chosen as a representative of non-mammalian vertebrate protamine-containing species. Proteins were isolated by acidic extraction from purified sperm cells and from purified sperm nuclei, digested with trypsin, and subsequently the peptides were separated using liquid chromatography and identified through tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 296 proteins were identified. Of interest, the presence of 94 histones and other chromatin-associated proteins was detected, in addition to the protamines. These results provide phylogenetically strategic information, indicating that the coexistence of histones, additional chromatin proteins, and protamines in sperm is not exclusive of mammals, but is also present in other protamine-containing vertebrates. Thus, it indicates that the epigenetic marking of the sperm chromatin, first demonstrated in mammals, could be more fundamental and conserved than previously thought. Abbreviations: AU-PAGE: acetic acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; CPC: chromosomal passenger complex; DTT: dithiothreitol; EGA: embryonic genome activation; FDR: false discovery rate; GO: Gene Ontology; IAA: iodoacetamide; LC: liquid chromatography; LC-MS/MS: liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry; MS: mass spectrometry; MS/MS: tandem mass spectrometry; MW: molecular weight; PAGE: polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS-PAGE: sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; TCA: trichloroacetic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Dafni Anastasiadi
- c Institut de Ciències del Mar , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Josep Maria Estanyol
- d Proteomics Unit, Scientific and Technological Centers from the University of Barcelona , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Francesc Piferrer
- c Institut de Ciències del Mar , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- a Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service , Hospital Clínic , Barcelona , Spain
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Castillo J, Jodar M, Oliva R. The contribution of human sperm proteins to the development and epigenome of the preimplantation embryo. Hum Reprod Update 2018; 24:535-555. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Judit Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Casanova, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Casanova, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Casanova, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel, Barcelona, Spain
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40
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Liu Y, Hu L, Fan L, Wang F. Efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gynecol Endocrinol 2018; 34:178-183. [PMID: 29073790 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1391202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation might hold some promise in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles. However, the results remain controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of DHEA in patients for in vitro fertilization. PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of DHEA versus placebo on in vitro fertilization were included. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect model. Six RCTs involving 745 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with placebo, DHEA supplementation was associated with the significant increase in clinical pregnancy (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.04-2.03; p = .03), live birth rate (OR = 2.70; 95% CI = 1.24-5.85; p = .01) and endometrial thickness (Std. mean difference = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.02-1.32; p = .04) but showed no influence on E2 on hCG day (Std. mean difference = 0.69; 95% CI = -0.46 to 1.85; p = .24), embryos transferred (Std. mean difference = 0.42; 95% CI = -0.04 to 0.88; p = .07) and miscarriage rate (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.03-6.66; p = .55). DHEA supplementation could significantly improve clinical pregnancy, live birth rate, endometrial thickness and retrieved oocytes but failed to alter E2 on hCG day, embryos transferred and miscarriage rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaofang Liu
- a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University , Luzhou , Sichuan , China
| | - Lina Hu
- b Department of Gynecology , The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Lingye Fan
- a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University , Luzhou , Sichuan , China
| | - Fang Wang
- a Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University , Luzhou , Sichuan , China
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41
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Rex AS, Aagaard J, Fedder J. DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa: a historical review. Andrology 2018; 5:622-630. [PMID: 28718529 PMCID: PMC5601286 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sperm DNA Fragmentation has been extensively studied for more than a decade. In the 1940s the uniqueness of the spermatozoa protein complex which stabilizes the DNA was discovered. In the fifties and sixties, the association between unstable chromatin structure and subfertility was investigated. In the seventies, the impact of induced DNA damage was investigated. In the 1980s the concept of sperm DNA fragmentation as related to infertility was introduced as well as the first DNA fragmentation test: the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labelling (TUNEL) test followed by others was introduced in the nineties. The association between DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa and pregnancy loss has been extensively investigated spurring the need for a therapeutic tool for these patients. This gave rise to an increased interest in the aetiology of DNA damage. The present decade continues within this research area. Some of the more novel methods recently submerging are sorting of cells with increased DNA fragmentation and hyaluronic acid (HA) binding techniques. The clinical value of these tests remains to be elucidated. In spite of half a century of research within the area, this analysis is not routinely implemented into the fertility clinics. The underlying causes are multiple. The abundance of methods has impeded the need for a clinical significant threshold. One of the most promising methods was commercialized in 2005 and has been reserved for larger licensed laboratories. Myriads of reviews and meta‐analyses on studies using different assays for analysis of DNA fragmentation, different clinical Artificial Reproductive Treatments (ART), different definitions of successful ART outcome and small patient cohorts have been published. Although the area of DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa is highly relevant in the fertility clinics, the need for further studies focusing on standardization of the methods and clinical implementation persists.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Rex
- Aagaard Gynaecological Clinic, Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - J Aagaard
- Aagaard Gynaecological Clinic, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J Fedder
- Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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42
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Kong Q, Banaszynski LA, Geng F, Zhang X, Zhang J, Zhang H, O'Neill CL, Yan P, Liu Z, Shido K, Palermo GD, Allis CD, Rafii S, Rosenwaks Z, Wen D. Histone variant H3.3-mediated chromatin remodeling is essential for paternal genome activation in mouse preimplantation embryos. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:3829-3838. [PMID: 29358330 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Derepression of chromatin-mediated transcriptional repression of paternal and maternal genomes is considered the first major step that initiates zygotic gene expression after fertilization. The histone variant H3.3 is present in both male and female gametes and is thought to be important for remodeling the paternal and maternal genomes for activation during both fertilization and embryogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using our H3.3B-HA-tagged mouse model, engineered to report H3.3 expression in live animals and to distinguish different sources of H3.3 protein in embryos, we show here that sperm-derived H3.3 (sH3.3) protein is removed from the sperm genome shortly after fertilization and extruded from the zygotes via the second polar bodies (PBII) during embryogenesis. We also found that the maternal H3.3 (mH3.3) protein is incorporated into the paternal genome as early as 2 h postfertilization and is detectable in the paternal genome until the morula stage. Knockdown of maternal H3.3 resulted in compromised embryonic development both of fertilized embryos and of androgenetic haploid embryos. Furthermore, we report that mH3.3 depletion in oocytes impairs both activation of the Oct4 pluripotency marker gene and global de novo transcription from the paternal genome important for early embryonic development. Our results suggest that H3.3-mediated paternal chromatin remodeling is essential for the development of preimplantation embryos and the activation of the paternal genome during embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingran Kong
- From the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and.,Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China, and
| | - Laura A Banaszynski
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Fuqiang Geng
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China, and
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China, and
| | - Heng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China, and
| | - Claire L O'Neill
- From the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and
| | - Peidong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China, and
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China, and
| | - Koji Shido
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Gianpiero D Palermo
- From the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and
| | - C David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- From the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and
| | - Duancheng Wen
- From the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and
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43
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Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gil MC, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Anel L, Peña FJ, Martín-Muñoz P. Flow cytometry in Spermatology: A bright future ahead. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 52:921-931. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Ortega-Ferrusola
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery; University of León; León Spain
| | - MC Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology; Veterinary Teaching Hospital; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - H Rodríguez-Martínez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - L Anel
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery; University of León; León Spain
| | - FJ Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology; Veterinary Teaching Hospital; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - P Martín-Muñoz
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology; Veterinary Teaching Hospital; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
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Jiang W, Zhu P, Zhang J, Wu Q, Li W, Liu S, Ni M, Yu M, Cao J, Li Y, Cui Y, Xia X. Polymorphisms of protamine genes contribute to male infertility susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Oncotarget 2017; 8:61637-61645. [PMID: 28977892 PMCID: PMC5617452 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Protamine (PRM) plays important roles in the packaging of DNA within the sperm nucleus. To investigate the role of PRM1/2 and transition protein 1 (TNP1) polymorphisms in male infertility, 636 infertile men and 442 healthy individuals were recruited into this case-controlled study of the Chinese Han population, using MassARRAY technology to analyze genotypes. Our analysis showed that there were no significant differences between controls and infertile cases among the five single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in PRM1, PRM2 and TNP1 [rs737008 (G/A), rs2301365 (C/A), rs2070923 (C/A), rs1646022 (C/G) and rs62180545 (A/G)]. However, we found that the PRM1 and PRM2 haplotypes GCTGC, TCGCA and TCGCC exhibited significant protective effects against male infertility compared to fertile men, while TCGGA, GCTCC and TCGGC represented significant risk factors for spermatogenesis. Our data showed that rs737008 and rs2301365 in PRM1, and rs1646022 in PRM2, were significantly associated with male infertility and that gene–gene interaction played a role in male infertility. A linkage disequilibrium plot for the five SNPs showed that rs737008 was strongly linked with both rs2301365 and rs2070923. These findings are likely to help improve our understanding of the etiology of male infertility. Further studies should include a larger number of genes and SNPs, particularly growing critical genes; such studies will help us to unravel the effect of individual genetic factors upon male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Jiang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Peiran Zhu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Qiuyue Wu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Shuaimei Liu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Mengxia Ni
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Maomao Yu
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Jin Cao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Yingxia Cui
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
| | - Xinyi Xia
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, P.R. China
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Jodar M, Soler-Ventura A, Oliva R. Semen proteomics and male infertility. J Proteomics 2017; 162:125-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Champroux A, Torres-Carreira J, Gharagozloo P, Drevet JR, Kocer A. Mammalian sperm nuclear organization: resiliencies and vulnerabilities. Basic Clin Androl 2016; 26:17. [PMID: 28031843 PMCID: PMC5175393 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-016-0044-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cells are remarkably complex and highly specialized compared to somatic cells. Their function is to deliver to the oocyte the paternal genomic blueprint along with a pool of proteins and RNAs so a new generation can begin. Reproductive success, including optimal embryonic development and healthy offspring, greatly depends on the integrity of the sperm chromatin structure. It is now well documented that DNA damage in sperm is linked to reproductive failures both in natural and assisted conception (Assisted Reproductive Technologies [ART]). This manuscript reviews recent important findings concerning - the unusual organization of mammalian sperm chromatin and its impact on reproductive success when modified. This review is focused on sperm chromatin damage and their impact on embryonic development and transgenerational inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Champroux
- GReD “Genetics, Reproduction & Development” Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont Université, BP60026 - TSA60026, 63178 Aubière cedex, France
| | - J. Torres-Carreira
- Centro Universitário Rio Preto, UNIRP, Rodovia Br153, Km 69, CEP15093-450 São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo Brazil
| | - P. Gharagozloo
- CellOxess LLC, 830 Bear Tavern Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 USA
| | - J. R. Drevet
- GReD “Genetics, Reproduction & Development” Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont Université, BP60026 - TSA60026, 63178 Aubière cedex, France
| | - A. Kocer
- GReD “Genetics, Reproduction & Development” Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont Université, BP60026 - TSA60026, 63178 Aubière cedex, France
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Topology of chromosome centromeres in human sperm nuclei with high levels of DNA damage. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31614. [PMID: 27558650 PMCID: PMC4997348 DOI: 10.1038/srep31614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that the 'poor' sperm DNA quality appears to be an important factor affecting male reproductive ability. In the case of sperm cells from males with the correct somatic karyotype but with deficient spermatogenesis, resulting in a high degree of sperm DNA fragmentation, we observed changes in the preferential topology of the chromosome 7, 9, 15, 18, X and Y centromeres. The changes occurred in radial localization and may have been directly linked to the sperm chromatin damage. This conclusion is mainly based on a comparison of FISH signals that were observed simultaneously in the TUNEL-positive and TUNEL-negative sperm cells. The analyzed cells originated from the same ejaculated sample and FISH was performed on the same slides, after in situ TUNEL reaction. Based on the observed changes and previous data, it appears that the sperm nucleus architecture can be disrupted by a variety of factors and has a negative influence on spermatogenesis at the same time. Often, these factors coexist (e.g. chromosomal translocations, aneuploidies, a higher DNA fragmentation, abnormal seminology), but no direct correlations between the factors were observed.
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Samanta L, Swain N, Ayaz A, Venugopal V, Agarwal A. Post-Translational Modifications in sperm Proteome: The Chemistry of Proteome diversifications in the Pathophysiology of male factor infertility. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1860:1450-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Kunkitti P, Axnér E, Bergqvist AS, Sjunnesson Y. In vitro fertilization using frozen-thawed feline epididymal spermatozoa from corpus and cauda regions. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1403-1408. [PMID: 27242180 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epididymal sperm preservation offers a potential for rescuing genetic material from endangered or valuable animals after injury or death. Spermatozoa from corpus, as well as from cauda, have the capability to be motile and to undergo capacitation and can thus potentially be preserved for assisted reproductive technologies. In the present study, feline frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa from corpus and cauda regions were investigated for their ability to fertilize homologous oocytes and further embryo development in vitro. Epididymal spermatozoa from corpus and cauda of seven cats were cryopreserved and used for IVF. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 419) were obtained from female cats after routine spaying. Frozen-thawed corpus epididymal spermatozoa showed similar properties of acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, and chromatin integrity as frozen-thawed spermatozoa from cauda except corpus spermatozoa showed lower motility (P < 0.05). The fertilizing capacity of frozen-thawed corpus epididymal spermatozoa was confirmed by similar number of embryos developing to the two- and four-cell stages compared with sperm from cauda (32.03% vs. 33.33%). However, oocytes fertilized with corpus spermatozoa had lower potential to develop to the blastocyst stage (6.79%) and had lower cell numbers compared to oocytes fertilized with cauda spermatozoa (14.08%). In conclusion, spermatozoa from corpus epididymis had a similar capability to fertilize homologous oocytes in vitro as sperm from cauda but resulted in fewer embryos developing to the blastocyst stage compared to spermatozoa from the cauda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panisara Kunkitti
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
| | - Eva Axnér
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ann-Sofi Bergqvist
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ylva Sjunnesson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Dynamics of histone H2A, H4 and HS1ph during spermatogenesis with a focus on chromatin condensation and maturity of spermatozoa. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25089. [PMID: 27121047 PMCID: PMC4848542 DOI: 10.1038/srep25089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Histones and histone phosphorylation play vital roles during animal spermatogenesis and spermatozoa maturation. The dynamic distribution of histones H2A and H4 and phosphorylated H2A and H4 at serine 1 (HS1ph) was explored in mammalian and Decapoda germ cells, with a special focus on the distribution of H2A, H4 and HS1ph between mouse condensed spermatozoa chromatin and crab non-condensed spermatozoa chromatin. The distribution of histone marks was also analysed in mature spermatozoa with different chromatin structures. Histone H2A and H4 marks were closely associated with the relatively loose chromatin structure in crab spermatozoa. The significant decrease in the HS1ph signal during spermatogenesis suggests that eliminating most of these epigenetic marks in the nucleusis closely associated with spermatozoa maturity.
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