1
|
Gruber FS, Richardson A, Johnston ZC, Myles R, Norcross NR, Day DP, Georgiou I, Sesma-Sanz L, Wilson C, Read KD, Martins da Silva S, Barratt CLR, Gilbert IH, Swedlow JR. Sperm Toolbox-A selection of small molecules to study human spermatozoa. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297666. [PMID: 38377053 PMCID: PMC10878532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297666] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Male contraceptive options and infertility treatments are limited, and almost all innovation has been limited to updates to medically assisted reproduction protocols and methods. To accelerate the development of drugs that can either improve or inhibit fertility, we established a small molecule library as a toolbox for assay development and screening campaigns using human spermatozoa. We have profiled all compounds in the Sperm Toolbox in several automated high-throughput assays that measure stimulation or inhibition of sperm motility or the acrosome reaction. We have assayed motility under non-capacitating and capacitating conditions to distinguish between pathways operating under these different physiological states. We also assayed cell viability to ensure any effects on sperm function are specific. A key advantage of our studies is that all compounds are assayed together in the same experimental conditions, which allows quantitative comparisons of their effects in complementary functional assays. We have combined the resulting datasets to generate fingerprints of the Sperm Toolbox compounds on sperm function. The data are included in an on-line R-based app for convenient querying.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franz S. Gruber
- Divisions of Computational Biology and Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, and National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Richardson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Zoe C. Johnston
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Myles
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Neil R. Norcross
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - David P. Day
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Georgiou
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Sesma-Sanz
- Divisions of Computational Biology and Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, and National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Martins da Silva
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher L. R. Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jason R. Swedlow
- Divisions of Computational Biology and Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, and National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kimmins S, Anderson RA, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Catford SR, De Jonge CJ, Delbes G, Eisenberg ML, Garrido N, Houston BJ, Jørgensen N, Krausz C, Lismer A, McLachlan RI, Minhas S, Moss T, Pacey A, Priskorn L, Schlatt S, Trasler J, Trasande L, Tüttelmann F, Vazquez-Levin MH, Veltman JA, Zhang F, O'Bryan MK. Frequency, morbidity and equity - the case for increased research on male fertility. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:102-124. [PMID: 37828407 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Currently, most men with infertility cannot be given an aetiology, which reflects a lack of knowledge around gamete production and how it is affected by genetics and the environment. A failure to recognize the burden of male infertility and its potential as a biomarker for systemic illness exists. The absence of such knowledge results in patients generally being treated as a uniform group, for whom the strategy is to bypass the causality using medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques. In doing so, opportunities to prevent co-morbidity are missed and the burden of MAR is shifted to the woman. To advance understanding of men's reproductive health, longitudinal and multi-national centres for data and sample collection are essential. Such programmes must enable an integrated view of the consequences of genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors on fertility and offspring health. Definition and possible amelioration of the consequences of MAR for conceived children are needed. Inherent in this statement is the necessity to promote fertility restoration and/or use the least invasive MAR strategy available. To achieve this aim, protocols must be rigorously tested and the move towards personalized medicine encouraged. Equally, education of the public, governments and clinicians on the frequency and consequences of infertility is needed. Health options, including male contraceptives, must be expanded, and the opportunities encompassed in such investment understood. The pressing questions related to male reproductive health, spanning the spectrum of andrology are identified in the Expert Recommendation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sarah R Catford
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Geraldine Delbes
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, University Hospital of Careggi Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ariane Lismer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash IVF Group, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Imperial, London, UK
| | - Tim Moss
- Healthy Male and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allan Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Paediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, Department of Paediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mónica Hebe Vazquez-Levin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, Fundación IBYME, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang C, Meriggiola MC, Amory JK, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Bremner WJ, Ferlin A, Honig S, Kopa Z, Lo K, Nieschlag E, Page ST, Sandlow J, Sitruk-Ware R, Swerdloff RS, Wu FCW, Goulis DG. Practice and development of male contraception: European Academy of Andrology and American Society of Andrology guidelines. Andrology 2023. [PMID: 37727884 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13525] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Despite a wide spectrum of contraceptive methods for women, the unintended pregnancy rate remains high (45% in the US), with 50% resulting in abortion. Currently, 20% of global contraceptive use is male-directed, with a wide variation among countries due to limited availability and lack of efficacy. Worldwide studies indicate that >50% of men would opt to use a reversible method, and 90% of women would rely on their partner to use a contraceptive. Additional reasons for novel male contraceptive methods to be available include the increased life expectancy, sharing the reproductive risks among partners, social issues, the lack of pharma industry involvement and the lack of opinion makers advocating for male contraception. AIM The present guidelines aim to review the status regarding male contraception, the current state of the art to support the clinical practice, recommend minimal requirements for new male contraceptive development and provide and grade updated, evidence-based recommendations from the European Society of Andrology (EAA) and the American Society of Andrology (ASA). METHODS An expert panel of academicians appointed by the EAA and the ASA generated a consensus guideline according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system. RESULTS Sixty evidence-based and graded recommendations were produced on couple-centered communication, behaviors, barrier methods, semen analysis and contraceptive efficacy, physical agents, surgical methods, actions before initiating male contraception, hormonal methods, non-hormonal methods, vaccines, and social and ethical considerations. CONCLUSION As gender roles transform and gender equity is established in relationships, the male contribution to family planning must be facilitated. Efficient and safe male-directed methods must be evaluated and introduced into clinical practice, preferably reversible, either hormonal or non-hormonal. From a future perspective, identifying new hormonal combinations, suitable testicular targets, and emerging vas occlusion methods will produce novel molecules and products for male contraception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine and Clinical and Translational Science Institute, The Lundquist Insitute and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Meriggiola
- Division of Gynecology and Human Reproduction Physiopathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - John K Amory
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems and Cellular Medicine, Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Medicine Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - William J Bremner
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stanton Honig
- Division of Reproductive and Sexual Medicine, Department of Urology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Zsolt Kopa
- Department of Urology, Andrology Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kirk Lo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eberhard Nieschlag
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephanie T Page
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jay Sandlow
- Department of Urology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Regine Sitruk-Ware
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ronald S Swerdloff
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The Lundquist Institute and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Frederick C W Wu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Dimitrios G Goulis
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Influence of Two Widely Used Solvents, Ethanol and Dimethyl Sulfoxide, on Human Sperm Parameters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010505. [PMID: 36613946 PMCID: PMC9820180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To study mechanisms involved in fertility, many experimental assays are conducted by incubating spermatozoa in the presence of molecules dissolved in solvents such as ethanol (EtOH) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Although a vehicle control group is usually included in such studies, it does not allow to evaluate the intrinsic effect of the solvent on sperm parameters and its potential influence on the outcome of the experiment. In the present study, we incubated human spermatozoa for 4 h in a capacitation medium in the absence or the presence of different concentrations of EtOH and DMSO (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%) to assess the impact of these solvents on sperm motility, vitality, capacitation, and acrosome integrity. The presence of statistically significant relationships between increasing solvent concentrations and the investigated parameters was assessed using linear mixed models. A significant effect was observed with both solvents for total and progressive sperm motilities. We also evaluated the effect of time for these parameters and showed that the influence of the solvents was stable between 0 and 4 h, indicating an almost direct impact of the solvents. While EtOH did not influence sperm vitality and acrosome integrity, a significant effect of increasing DMSO concentrations was observed for these parameters. Finally, regarding capacitation, measured via phosphotyrosine content, although a dose-dependent effect was observed with both solvents, the statistical analysis did not allow to precisely evaluate the intensity of the effect. Based on the results obtained in the present study, and the corresponding linear mixed models, we calculated the concentration of both solvents which would result in a 5% decline in sperm parameters. For EtOH, these concentrations are 0.9, 0.7, and 0.3% for total motility, progressive motility, and capacitation, respectively, while for DMSO they are 1.5, 1.1, >2, 0.3 and >2% for total motility, progressive motility, vitality, capacitation, and acrosome integrity, respectively. We recommend using solvent concentrations below these values to dissolve molecules used to study sperm function in vitro, to limit side effects.
Collapse
|
5
|
Prajapati P, Kane S, McBrinn RC, Dean MS, Martins da Silva SJ, Brown SG. Elevated and Sustained Intracellular Calcium Signalling Is Necessary for Efficacious Induction of the Human Sperm Acrosome Reaction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911253. [PMID: 36232560 PMCID: PMC9570455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone and prostaglandin E1 are postulated to trigger the human sperm acrosome reaction (AR). However, their reported efficacy is very variable which likely, in part, reflects the plethora of experimental conditions and methodologies used to detect this physiologically relevant event. The purpose of this study was to develop an assay for the robust induction and objective measurement of the complete AR. Sperm from healthy volunteers or patients undertaking IVF were treated with a variety of ligands (progesterone, prostaglandin E1 or NH4Cl, alone or in combinations). AR, motility and intracellular calcium measurements were measured using flow cytometry, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and fluorimetry, respectively. The AR was significantly increased by the simultaneous application of progesterone, prostaglandin E1 and NH4Cl, following an elevated and sustained intracellular calcium concentration. However, we observed notable inter- and intra-donor sample heterogeneity of the AR induction. When studying the patient samples, we found no relationship between the IVF fertilization rate and the AR. We conclude that progesterone and prostaglandin E1 alone do not significantly increase the percentage of live acrosome-reacted sperm. This assay has utility for drug discovery and sperm toxicology studies but is not predictive for IVF success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Prajapati
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Shruti Kane
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK
| | | | - Morven S. Dean
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Sarah J. Martins da Silva
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Sean G. Brown
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Male contraceptive development: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114709. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
7
|
Gruber FS, Johnston ZC, Norcross NR, Georgiou I, Wilson C, Read KD, Gilbert IH, Swedlow JR, Martins da Silva S, Barratt CLR. Compounds enhancing human sperm motility identified using a high-throughput phenotypic screening platform. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:466-475. [PMID: 35048946 PMCID: PMC8888995 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can a high-throughput screening (HTS) platform facilitate male fertility drug discovery? SUMMARY ANSWER An HTS platform identified a large number of compounds that enhanced sperm motility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Several efforts to find small molecules modulating sperm function have been performed but none have used high-throughput technology. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Healthy donor semen samples were used and samples were pooled (3-5 donors per pool). Primary screening was performed singly; dose-response screening was performed in duplicate (using independent donor pools). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Spermatozoa isolated from healthy donors were prepared by density gradient centrifugation and incubated in 384-well plates with compounds (6.25 μM) to identify those compounds with enhancing effects on motility. Approximately 17 000 compounds from the libraries, ReFRAME, Prestwick, Tocris, LOPAC, CLOUD and MMV Pathogen Box, were screened. Dose-response experiments of screening hits were performed to confirm the enhancing effect on sperm motility. Experiments were performed in a university setting. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE From our primary single concentration screening, 105 compounds elicited an enhancing effect on sperm motility compared to dimethylsulphoxide-treated wells. Confirmed enhancing compounds were grouped based on their annotated targets/target classes. A major target class, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, were identified, in particular PDE10A inhibitors as well as number of compounds not previously known to enhance human sperm motility, such as those related to GABA signalling. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although this approach provides data about the activity of the compound, it is only a starting point. For example, further substantive experiments are necessary to provide a more comprehensive picture of each compound's activity, the effect on the kinetics of the cell populations and subpopulations, and their potential mechanisms of action. Compounds have been tested with prepared donor spermatozoa, incubated under non-capacitating conditions, and only incubated with compounds for a relatively short period of time. Therefore, the effect of compounds under different conditions, for example in whole semen, for longer incubation times, or using samples from patient groups, may be different and require further study. All experiments were performed in vitro. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This phenotypic screening assay identified a large number of compounds that increased sperm motility. In addition to furthering our understanding of human sperm function, for example identifying new avenues for discovery, we highlight potential compounds as promising start-point for a medicinal chemistry programme for potential enhancement of male fertility. Moreover, with disclosure of the results of screening, we present a substantial resource to inform further work in the field. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance. C.L.R.B. is Editor for RBMO. C.L.R.B. receives funding from Chief Scientists Office (Scotland), ESHRE and Genus PLC, consulting fees from Exscientia and lecture fees from Cooper Surgical and Ferring. S.M.d.S. is an Associate Editor of Human Reproduction, and an Associate Editor of Reproduction and Fertility. S.M.d.S. receives funding from Cooper Surgical and British Dietetic Society. No other authors declared a COI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franz S Gruber
- National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Zoe C Johnston
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Neil R Norcross
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discover, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Irene Georgiou
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discover, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discover, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kevin D Read
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discover, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ian H Gilbert
- Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discover, Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Jason R Swedlow
- National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Division of Computational Biology and Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Sarah Martins da Silva
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
ChoGlueck C. Still no pill for men? Double standards & demarcating values in biomedical research. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2022; 91:66-76. [PMID: 34879317 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Double standards are widespread throughout biomedicine, especially in research on reproductive health. One of the clearest cases of double standards involves the feminine gendering of reproductive responsibility for contraception and the continued lack of highly effective, reversible methods for cisgender men. While the biomedical establishment accepts diversity and inclusion as important social values for clinical trials, their continued use of inequitable standards undermines their ability to challenge unfair social hierarchies by developing male contraception. Thus, the gender/sex bias present in contraceptive research raises the "New Demarcation Problem": If we accept that values can and will play important roles in science, how can we nevertheless distinguish positive influences of values from more corrosive bias? I argue that biomedical researchers ought to aim their clinical trials at equity and utilize methodologies that actually achieve that aim. More specifically, I contend that we can avoid the problem of double standards by gender/sex in contraceptive research by utilizing more equitable standards. My demarcation strategy captures dynamic interplay between values and their effects, with direct policy implications for institutions conducting, funding, and evaluating clinical trials. For male contraceptive trials, this involves shifting risk assessment from an individual model to a shared model for sexual partners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher ChoGlueck
- Department of Communication, Liberal Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS), New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), 215 Finch Hall, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, 87801, New Mexico, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Florman HM. Male contraception: Are we seeing the end of the beginning? Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:647-649. [PMID: 34462988 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harvey M Florman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sperm ion channels and transporters in male fertility and infertility. Nat Rev Urol 2020; 18:46-66. [PMID: 33214707 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-020-00390-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm cells must respond to cues originating from along the female reproductive tract and from the layers of the egg in order to complete their fertilization journey. Dynamic regulation of ion signalling is, therefore, essential for sperm cells to adapt to their constantly changing environment. Over the past 15 years, direct electrophysiological recordings together with genetically modified mouse models and human genetics have confirmed the importance of ion channels, including the principal Ca2+-selective plasma membrane ion channel CatSper, for sperm activity. Sperm ion channels and membrane receptors are attractive targets for both the development of contraceptives and infertility treatment drugs. Furthermore, in this era of assisted reproductive technologies, understanding the signalling processes implicated in defective sperm function, particularly those arising from genetic abnormalities, is of the utmost importance not only for the development of infertility treatments but also to assess the overall health of a patient and his children. Future studies to improve reproductive health care and overall health care as a function of the ability to reproduce should include identification and analyses of gene variants that underlie human infertility and research into fertility-related molecules.
Collapse
|
11
|
McGoldrick LL, Chung JJ. Stopping sperm in their tracks. eLife 2020; 9:55396. [PMID: 32105216 PMCID: PMC7046466 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55396] [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: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An automated high-throughput platform can screen for molecules that change the motility of sperm cells and their ability to fertilize.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke L McGoldrick
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gruber FS, Johnston ZC, Barratt CLR, Andrews PD. A phenotypic screening platform utilising human spermatozoa identifies compounds with contraceptive activity. eLife 2020; 9:e51739. [PMID: 31987071 PMCID: PMC7046468 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop new methods for male contraception, however a major barrier to drug discovery has been the lack of validated targets and the absence of an effective high-throughput phenotypic screening system. To address this deficit, we developed a fully-automated robotic screening platform that provided quantitative evaluation of compound activity against two key attributes of human sperm function: motility and acrosome reaction. In order to accelerate contraceptive development, we screened the comprehensive collection of 12,000 molecules that make up the ReFRAME repurposing library, comprising nearly all the small molecules that have been approved or have undergone clinical development, or have significant preclinical profiling. We identified several compounds that potently inhibit motility representing either novel drug candidates or routes to target identification. This platform will now allow for major drug discovery programmes that address the critical gap in the contraceptive portfolio as well as uncover novel human sperm biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franz S Gruber
- National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Zoe C Johnston
- National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Division of Systems Medicine, School of MedicineNinewells Hospital and Medical School, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Christopher LR Barratt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Division of Systems Medicine, School of MedicineNinewells Hospital and Medical School, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Paul D Andrews
- National Phenotypic Screening Centre, School of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|