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De Jonge CJ, Barratt CLR, Aitken RJ, Anderson RA, Baker P, Chan DYL, Connolly MP, Eisenberg ML, Garrido N, Jørgensen N, Kimmins S, Krausz C, McLachlan RI, Niederberger C, O’Bryan MK, Pacey A, Priskorn L, Rautakallio-Hokkanen S, Serour G, Veltman JA, Vogel DL, Vazquez-Levin MH. Current global status of male reproductive health. Hum Reprod Open 2024; 2024:hoae017. [PMID: 38699533 PMCID: PMC11065475 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widespread interest in male reproductive health (MRH), fueled by emerging evidence, such as the global decline in sperm counts, has intensified concerns about the status of MRH. Consequently, there is a pressing requirement for a strategic, systematic approach to identifying critical questions, collecting pertinent information, and utilizing these data to develop evidence-based strategies. The methods for addressing these questions and the pathways toward their answers will inevitably vary based on the variations in cultural, geopolitical, and health-related contexts. To address these issues, a conjoint ESHRE and Male Reproductive Health Initiative (MRHI) Campus workshop was convened. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The three objectives were: first, to assess the current state of MRH around the world; second, to identify some of the key gaps in knowledge; and, third, to examine how MRH stakeholders can collaboratively generate intelligent and effective paths forward. SEARCH METHODS Each expert reviewed and summarized the current literature that was subsequently used to provide a comprehensive overview of challenges related to MRH. OUTCOMES This narrative report is an overview of the data, opinions, and arguments presented during the workshop. A number of outcomes are presented and can be summarized by the following overarching themes: MRH is a serious global issue and there is a plethora of gaps in our understanding; there is a need for widespread international collaborative networks to undertake multidisciplinary research into fundamental issues, such as lifestyle/environmental exposure studies, and high-quality clinical trials; and there is an urgent requirement for effective strategies to educate young people and the general public to safeguard and improve MRH across diverse population demographics and resources. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION This was a workshop where worldwide leading experts from a wide range of disciplines presented and discussed the evidence regarding challenges related to MRH. While each expert summarized the current literature and placed it in context, the data in a number of areas are limited and/or sparse. Equally, important areas for consideration may have been missed. Moreover, there are clear gaps in our knowledge base, which makes some conclusions necessarily speculative and warranting of further study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Poor MRH is a global issue that suffers from low awareness among the public, patients, and heathcare professionals. Addressing this will require a coordinated multidisciplinary approach. Addressing the significant number of knowledge gaps will require policy makers prioritizing MRH and its funding. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The authors would like to extend their gratitude to ESHRE for providing financial support for the Budapest Campus Workshop, as well as to Microptic S.L. (Barcelona) for kindly sponsoring the workshop. P.B. is the Director of the not-for-profit organization Global Action on Men's Health and receives fees and expenses for his work, (which includes the preparation of this manuscript). Conflicts of interest: C.J.D.J., C.L.R.B., R.A.A., P.B., M.P.C., M.L.E., N.G., N.J., C.K., AAP, M.K.O., S.R.-H., M.H.V.-L.: ESHRE Campus Workshop 2022 (Travel support-personal). C.J.D.J.: Cambridge University Press (book royalties-personal). ESHRE Annual Meeting 2022 and Yale University Panel Meeting 2023 (Travel support-personal). C.L.R.B.: Ferring and IBSA (Lecture), RBMO editor (Honorarium to support travel, etc.), ExSeed and ExScentia (University of Dundee), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (for research on contraception). M.P.C.: Previously received funding from pharmaceutical companies for health economic research. The funding was not in relation to this work and had no bearing on the contents of this work. No funding from other sources has been provided in relation to this work (funding was provided to his company Global Market Access Solutions). M.L.E.: Advisor to Ro, Doveras, Next, Hannah, Sandstone. C.K.: European Academy of Andrology (Past president UNPAID), S.K.: CEO of His Turn, a male fertility Diagnostic and Therapeutic company (No payments or profits to date). R.I.M.: www.healthymale.org.au (Australian Government funded not for profit in men's health sector (Employed as Medical Director 0.2 FET), Monash IVF Pty Ltd (Equity holder)). N.J.: Merck (consulting fees), Gedeon Richter (honoraria). S.R.-H.: ESHRE (Travel reimbursements). C.N.: LLC (Nursing educator); COMMIT (Core Outcomes Measures for Infertility Trials) Advisor, meeting attendee, and co-author; COMMA (Core Outcomes in Menopause) Meeting attendee, and co-author; International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Delegate Letters and Sciences; ReproNovo, Advisory board; American Board of Urology Examiner; American Urological Association Journal subsection editor, committee member, guidelines co-author Ferring Scientific trial NexHand Chief Technology Officer, stock ownership Posterity Health Board member, stock ownership. A.P.: Economic and Social Research Council (A collaborator on research grant number ES/W001381/1). Member of an advisory committee for Merck Serono (November 2022), Member of an advisory board for Exceed Health, Speaker fees for educational events organized by Mealis Group; Chairman of the Cryos External Scientific Advisory Committee: All fees associated with this are paid to his former employer The University of Sheffield. Trustee of the Progress Educational Trust (Unpaid). M.K.O.: National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Research Council (Funding for research of the topic of male fertility), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Funding aimed at the development of male gamete-based contraception), Medical Research Future Fund (Funding aimed at defining the long-term consequences of male infertility). M.H.V.-L.: Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRH)/Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) Research Project Panel RP2/WHO Review Member; MRHI (Core Group Member), COMMIT (member), EGOI (Member); Human Reproduction (Associate Editor), Fertility and Sterility (Editor), AndroLATAM (Founder and Coordinator).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J De Jonge
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - R John Aitken
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environment and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - David Y L Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Mark P Connolly
- Health Economics, Global Market Access Solutions LLC, Mooresville, NC, USA
- University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Garrido
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, ‘Mario Serio’, University of Florence, University Hospital of Careggi (AOUC), Florence, Italy
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash IVF Group, Cremorne, Australia
| | - Craig Niederberger
- Clarence C. Department of Urology, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, UIC College of Engineering, Chicago, IL,USA
| | - Moira K O’Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Allan Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Gamal Serour
- The International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research, Al-Azhar University, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
- Egyptian IVF Center, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Donna L Vogel
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mónica H Vazquez-Levin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina—Fundación IBYME, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
In modern post-transition societies, we are reproducing later and living longer. While the impact of age on female reproductive function has been well studied, much less is known about the intersection of age and male reproduction. Our current understanding is that advancing age brings forth a progressive decline in male fertility accompanied by a reduction in circulating testosterone levels and the appearance of age-dependent reproductive pathologies including benign prostatic hypertrophy and erectile dysfunction. Paternal ageing is also associated with a profound increase in sperm DNA damage, the appearance of multiple epigenetic changes in the germ line and an elevated mutational load in the offspring. The net result of such changes is an increase in the disease burden carried by the progeny of ageing males, including dominant genetic diseases such as Apert syndrome and achondroplasia, as well as neuropsychiatric conditions including autism and spontaneous schizophrenia. The genetic basis of these age-related effects appears to involve two fundamental mechanisms. The first is a positive selection mechanism whereby stem cells containing mutations in a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway gain a selective advantage over their non-mutant counterparts and exhibit significant clonal expansion with the passage of time. The second is dependent on an age-dependent increase in oxidative stress which impairs the steroidogenic capacity of the Leydig cells, disrupts the ability of Sertoli cells to support the normal differentiation of germ cells, and disrupts the functional and genetic integrity of spermatozoa. Given the central importance of oxidative stress in defining the impact of chronological age on male reproduction, there may be a role for antioxidants in the clinical management of this process. While animal studies are supportive of this strategy, carefully designed clinical trials are now needed if we are to realize the therapeutic potential of this approach in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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Hug E, Villeneuve P, Bravard S, Chorfa A, Damon-Soubeyrand C, Somkuti SG, Moazamian A, Aitken RJ, Gharagozloo P, Drevet JR, Saez F. Loss of Nuclear/DNA Integrity in Mouse Epididymal Spermatozoa after Short-Term Exposure to Low Doses of Dibutyl Phthalate or Bisphenol AF and Its Mitigation by Oral Antioxidant Supplementation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051046. [PMID: 37237912 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Routine exposure to chemicals omnipresent in the environment, particularly the so-called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), has been associated with decreased sperm quality and increased anomalies in testis. The decline in semen quality and testicular abnormalities have been attributed to the disruption of endocrine signaling as well as oxidative stress. The present study set out to examine the effect of short-term exposure of two common EDCs widely used in the plastic industry: Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) and Bisphenol AF (BPAF). Our research objective was to focus on the post-testicular compartment of the epididymis, where spermatozoa acquire their functional capacity and are stored. The data obtained indicated no significant effect for either chemicals on sperm viability, motility or acrosome integrity. Neither of the EDCs had a noticeable effect on the structures of the testis and epididymis. However, substantial impact on the integrity of the sperm nucleus and DNA structure was evidenced by a significant increase in nuclear decondensation and DNA base oxidation. The damage observed was postulated to arise from the pro-oxidant properties of the EDCs generating excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggering a state of oxidative stress. This hypothesis was confirmed when the observed damage was largely blocked by co-administering EDCs with an evidenced-based antioxidant formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Hug
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pauline Villeneuve
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Stephanie Bravard
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Areski Chorfa
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Christelle Damon-Soubeyrand
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Aron Moazamian
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- CellOxess LLC, Ewing, NJ 08540, USA
| | - R John Aitken
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle 2308, Australia
| | | | - Joël R Drevet
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Fabrice Saez
- GReD Institute, CNRS UMR6293-Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculté de Médecine, CRBC, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Germon ZP, Sillar JR, Mannan A, Duchatel RJ, Staudt D, Murray HC, Findlay IJ, Jackson ER, McEwen HP, Douglas AM, McLachlan T, Schjenken JE, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Huang H, Melo-Braga MN, Plank MW, Alvaro F, Chamberlain J, De Iuliis G, Aitken RJ, Nixon B, Wei AH, Enjeti AK, Huang Y, Lock RB, Larsen MR, Lee H, Vaghjiani V, Cain JE, de Bock CE, Verrills NM, Dun MD. Blockade of ROS production inhibits oncogenic signaling in acute myeloid leukemia and amplifies response to precision therapies. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eabp9586. [PMID: 36976863 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abp9586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the type III receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 are frequent in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with a poor prognosis. AML is characterized by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce cysteine oxidation in redox-sensitive signaling proteins. Here, we sought to characterize the specific pathways affected by ROS in AML by assessing oncogenic signaling in primary AML samples. The oxidation or phosphorylation of signaling proteins that mediate growth and proliferation was increased in samples from patient subtypes with FLT3 mutations. These samples also showed increases in the oxidation of proteins in the ROS-producing Rac/NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2) complex. Inhibition of NOX2 increased the apoptosis of FLT3-mutant AML cells in response to FLT3 inhibitors. NOX2 inhibition also reduced the phosphorylation and cysteine oxidation of FLT3 in patient-derived xenograft mouse models, suggesting that decreased oxidative stress reduces the oncogenic signaling of FLT3. In mice grafted with FLT3 mutant AML cells, treatment with a NOX2 inhibitor reduced the number of circulating cancer cells, and combining FLT3 and NOX2 inhibitors increased survival to a greater extent than either treatment alone. Together, these data raise the possibility that combining NOX2 and FLT3 inhibitors could improve the treatment of FLT3 mutant AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zacary P Germon
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Sillar
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Calvary Mater Hospital, Waratah, NSW, Australia
| | - Abdul Mannan
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Ryan J Duchatel
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Dilana Staudt
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Heather C Murray
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Izac J Findlay
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Evangeline R Jackson
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Holly P McEwen
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Alicia M Douglas
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tabitha McLachlan
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Honggang Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Protein Research Group, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marcella N Melo-Braga
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Protein Research Group, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maximilian W Plank
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- GlaxoSmithKline, Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frank Alvaro
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Janis Chamberlain
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- John Hunter Children's Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoff De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew H Wei
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anoop K Enjeti
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Calvary Mater Hospital, Waratah, NSW, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Yizhou Huang
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin R Larsen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Protein Research Group, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Heather Lee
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Vijesh Vaghjiani
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason E Cain
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Charles E de Bock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole M Verrills
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew D Dun
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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Lawson EF, Ghosh A, Blanch V, Grupen CG, Aitken RJ, Lim R, Drury HR, Baker MA, Gibb Z, Tanwar PS. Establishment and characterisation of oviductal organoids from farm and companion animals. Biol Reprod 2023:7077433. [PMID: 36917225 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoid technology has provided a unique opportunity to study early human development and decipher various steps involved in the pathogenesis of disease. The technology is already used in clinics to improve human patient outcomes. However, limited knowledge of the methodologies required to establish organoid culture systems in domestic animals has slowed the advancement and application of organoid technology in veterinary medicine. This is particularly true for the field of reproduction and the application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Here, we have developed a platform to grow oviductal organoids from five domestic species - bovine, porcine, equine, feline, and canine. The organoids were grown progressively from single cells derived from the enzymatic digestion of freshly collected infundibular/fimbrial samples. The addition of WNT, TGFβ, BMP, ROCK, and Notch signalling pathway activators or inhibitors to the organoid culture medium suggested remarkable conservation of the molecular signals involved in oviductal epithelial development and differentiation across species. The gross morphology of organoids from all the domestic species was initially similar. However, some differences in size, complexity, and growth rate were subsequently observed and described. After 21 days, well-defined and synchronized motile ciliated cells were observed in organoids. Histopathologically, oviductal organoids mimicked their respective native tissue. In summary, we have carried out a detailed cross-species comparison of oviductal organoids, which would be valuable in advancing our knowledge of oviduct physiology and, potentially, help in increasing the success of assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwina F Lawson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Arnab Ghosh
- Global Centre for Gynaecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria Blanch
- Global Centre for Gynaecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher G Grupen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hannah R Drury
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark A Baker
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Pradeep S Tanwar
- Global Centre for Gynaecological Diseases, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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6
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Shapouri F, Mahendran T, Govindarajan M, Xie P, Kocur O, Palermo GD, Bakos HW, Ahlström A, Caisander G, Xu B, Bai S, Lambourne S, Aitken RJ. A comparison between the Felix™ electrophoretic system of sperm isolation and conventional density gradient centrifugation: a multicentre analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:83-95. [PMID: 36515800 PMCID: PMC9840737 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02680-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Developing optimized techniques for the isolation of human spermatozoa possessing low levels of DNA damage is an important objective for the ART industry. The purpose of this study was to compare a novel electrophoretic system (Felix™) of sperm isolation with a conventional method involving density gradient centrifugation (DGC). METHODS Five international ART Centres in Australia, India, Sweden, the USA, and China have collaborated in order to compare the quality of the sperm populations isolated by Felix™ and DGC in terms of processing time, sperm concentration, motility, vitality, and DNA integrity as assessed by 3 methods: SCSA, Halo, and TUNEL. RESULTS Across all centers, 112 comparisons were performed. Although significant differences were noted between centers in terms of the quality of the semen samples subjected for analysis, overall, both methods were equally capable of isolating populations of spermatozoa exhibiting high levels of vitality and progressive motility. The absolute numbers of spermatozoa recovered were significantly (p < 0.001) lower with the Felix™ device although sperm quality was higher with 4/5 centers reporting a significant improvement in DNA integrity relative to DGC (p < 0.01-p < 0.001). In practical terms, the Felix™ device featured a standardized 6 min preparation time whereas clinical DGC protocols varied from center to center but generally took around 40 min to complete. CONCLUSIONS The Felix™ device is a positive technical development capable of isolating suspensions of highly motile spermatozoa exhibiting low levels of DNA damage in a fraction of the time taken by conventional procedures such as DGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Shapouri
- Memphasys Ltd, 30 Richmond Road, Homebush West, NSW 2140 Australia
| | | | | | - Philip Xie
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XThe Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Olena Kocur
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XThe Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Gianpiero D. Palermo
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XThe Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Hassan W. Bakos
- Monash IVF Group Limited, Level 2, 1 Fennell Street, Parramatta, NSW 2151 Australia
| | | | | | - Bo Xu
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shun Bai
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001 People’s Republic of China
| | - Sarah Lambourne
- Memphasys Ltd, 30 Richmond Road, Homebush West, NSW 2140 Australia ,grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XPriority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia
| | - R. John Aitken
- Memphasys Ltd, 30 Richmond Road, Homebush West, NSW 2140 Australia ,grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XPriority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia ,grid.413648.cHunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305 Australia
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7
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Klein EK, Bahrami M, Gunn AJ, Stephen CP, Swegen A, Aitken RJ, Gibb Z. Fertility of Bos indicus bull sperm stored at room temperature in SpermSafe-B for seven days. Anim Reprod Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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8
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Martin JH, Nixon B, Cafe SL, Aitken RJ, Bromfield EG, Lord T. OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Oxidative stress and in vitro ageing of the post-ovulatory oocyte: an update on recent advances in the field. Reproduction 2022; 164:F109-F124. [PMID: 36190194 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In brief Post-ovulatory ageing of oocytes leads to poor oocyte and embryo quality as well as abnormalities in offspring. This review provides an update on the contributions of oxidative stress to this process and discusses the current literature surrounding the use of antioxidant media to delay post-ovulatory oocyte ageing. Abstract Following ovulation, the metaphase II stage oocyte has a limited functional lifespan before succumbing to a process known as post-ovulatory oocyte ageing. This progressive demise occurs both in vivo and in vitro and is accompanied by a deterioration in oocyte quality, leading to a well-defined sequelae of reduced fertilisation rates, poor embryo quality, post-implantation errors, and abnormalities in the offspring. Although the physiological consequences of post-ovulatory oocyte ageing have largely been characterised, less is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that drive this process. This review presents an update on the established relationships between the biochemical changes exhibited by the ageing oocyte and the myriad of symptoms associated with the ageing phenotype. In doing so, we consider the molecular events that are potentially involved in orchestrating post-ovulatory ageing with a particular focus on the role of oxidative stress. We highlight the mounting evidence that oxidative stress acts as an initiator for a cascade of events that create the aged oocyte phenotype. Specifically, oxidative stress has the capacity to disrupt mitochondrial function and directly damage multiple intracellular components of the oocyte such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. Finally, this review addresses emerging strategies for delaying post-ovulatory oocyte ageing with emphasis placed on the promise afforded by the use of selected antioxidants to guide the development of media tailored for the preservation of oocyte integrity during in vitro fertilisation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shenae L Cafe
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Burke ND, Nixon B, Roman SD, Schjenken JE, Walters JLH, Aitken RJ, Bromfield EG. Male infertility and somatic health - insights into lipid damage as a mechanistic link. Nat Rev Urol 2022; 19:727-750. [PMID: 36100661 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00640-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, mounting evidence has shown an alarming association between male subfertility and poor somatic health, with substantial evidence supporting the increased incidence of oncological disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and autoimmune diseases in men who have previously received a subfertility diagnosis. This paradigm is concerning, but might also provide a novel window for a crucial health reform in which the infertile phenotype could serve as an indication of potential pathological conditions. One of the major limiting factors in this association is the poor understanding of the molecular features that link infertility with comorbidities across the life course. Enzymes involved in the lipid oxidation process might provide novel clues to reconcile the mechanistic basis of infertility with incident pathological conditions. Building research capacity in this area is essential to enhance the early detection of disease states and provide crucial information about the disease risk of offspring conceived through assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Burke
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Drug Development, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica L H Walters
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia.
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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10
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Aitken RJ, Bromfield EG, Gibb Z. OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: The impact of oxidative stress on reproduction: a focus on gametogenesis and fertilization. Reproduction 2022; 164:F79-F94. [PMID: 35929832 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Many aspects of the reproductive process are impacted by oxidative stress. This article summarizes the chemical nature of reactive oxygen species and their role in both the physiological regulation of reproductive processes and the pathophysiology of infertility. Abstract This article lays out the fundamental principles of oxidative stress. It describes the nature of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the way in which these potentially toxic metabolites interact with cells and how they impact both cellular function and genetic integrity. The mechanisms by which ROS generation is enhanced to the point that the cells' antioxidant defence mechanisms are overwhelmed are also reviewed taking examples from both the male and female reproductive system, with a focus on gametogenesis and fertilization. The important role of external factors in exacerbating oxidative stress and impairing reproductive competence is also examined in terms of their ability to disrupt the physiological redox regulation of reproductive processes. Developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to cope with oxidative stress within the reproductive system will depend on the development of a deeper understanding of the nature, source, magnitude, and location of such stress in order to fashion personalized treatments that meet a given patient's clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Williams CL, Fareed R, Mortimer GLM, Aitken RJ, Wilson IV, George G, Gillespie KM, Williams AJK, Long AE. The longitudinal loss of islet autoantibody responses from diagnosis of type 1 diabetes occurs progressively over follow-up and is determined by low autoantibody titres, early-onset, and genetic variants. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 210:151-162. [PMID: 36181724 PMCID: PMC9750828 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical usefulness of post-diagnosis islet autoantibody levels is unclear and factors that drive autoantibody persistence are poorly defined in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our aim was to characterise the longitudinal loss of islet autoantibody responses after diagnosis in a large, prospectively sampled UK cohort. Participants with T1D [n = 577] providing a diagnosis sample [range -1.0 to 2.0 years] and at least one post-diagnosis sample (<32.0 years) were tested for autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GADA), islet antigen-2 (IA-2A), and zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A). Select HLA and non-HLA SNPs were considered. Non-genetic and genetic factors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression models for autoantibody positivity at initial sampling and autoantibody loss at final sampling. For GADA, IA-2A, and ZnT8A, 70.8%, 76.8%, and 40.1%, respectively, remained positive at the final sampling. Non-genetic predictors of autoantibody loss were low baseline autoantibody titres (P < 0.0001), longer diabetes duration (P < 0.0001), and age-at-onset under 8 years (P < 0.01--0.05). Adjusting for non-genetic covariates, GADA loss was associated with low-risk HLA class II genotypes (P = 0.005), and SNPs associated with autoimmunity RELA/11q13 (P = 0.017), LPP/3q28 (P = 0.004), and negatively with IFIH1/2q24 (P = 0.018). IA-2A loss was not associated with genetic factors independent of other covariates, while ZnT8A loss was associated with the presence of HLA A*24 (P = 0.019) and weakly negatively with RELA/11q13 (P = 0.049). The largest longitudinal study of islet autoantibody responses from diagnosis of T1D shows that autoantibody loss is heterogeneous and influenced by low titres at onset, longer duration, earlier age-at-onset, and genetic variants. These data may inform clinical trials where post-diagnosis participants are recruited.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Williams
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - R Fareed
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - G L M Mortimer
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - R J Aitken
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - I V Wilson
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - G George
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - K M Gillespie
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - A J K Williams
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - The BOX Study Group
BallavChitrabhanuDrBucks Healthcare Trust, UKDuttaAtanuDrBucks Healthcare Trust, UKRussell-TaylorMichelleDrBucks Healthcare Trust, UKBesserRachelDrOxford University Hospitals Trust UK, UKBursellJamesDrMilton Keynes University Hospital, UKChandranShanthiDrMilton Keynes University Hospital, UKPatelSejalDrWexham Park Hospital, UKSmithAnneDrNorthampton General Hospital, UKKenchaiahManoharaDrNorthampton General Hospital, UKMargabanthuGomathiDrKettering General Hospital, UKKavvouraFoteiniDrRoyal Berkshire Hospital, UKYaliwalChandanDrRoyal Berkshire Hospital, UK
| | - A E Long
- Correspondence: Dr Anna. E. Long. Diabetes and Metabolism, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Level 2, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK.
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12
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Abstract
Over the past half-century, the world has witnessed a steep decline in fertility rates in virtually every country on Earth. This universal decline in fertility is being driven by increasing prosperity largely through the mediation of social factors, the most powerful of which are the education of women and an accompanying shift in life’s purpose away from procreation. In addition, it is clear that environmental and lifestyle factors are also having a profound impact on our reproductive competence particularly in the male where increasing prosperity is associated with a significant rise in the incidence of testicular cancer and a secular decline in semen quality and testosterone levels. On a different timescale, we should also recognize that the increased prosperity associated with the demographic transition greatly reduces the selection pressure on high fertility genes by lowering the rates of infant and childhood mortality. The retention of poor fertility genes within the human population is also being exacerbated by the increased uptake of ART. It is arguable that all of these elements are colluding to drive our species into an infertility trap. If we are to avoid the latter, it will be important to recognize the factors contributing to this phenomenon and adopt the social, political, environmental and lifestyle changes needed to bring this situation under control.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Correspondence address. Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Tel: +61-2-4921-6851; E-mail:
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13
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Skerrett-Byrne DA, Nixon B, Bromfield EG, Breen J, Trigg NA, Stanger SJ, Bernstein IR, Anderson AL, Lord T, Aitken RJ, Roman SD, Robertson SA, Schjenken JE. Transcriptomic analysis of the seminal vesicle response to the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:728. [PMID: 34625024 PMCID: PMC8499523 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07951-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The seminal vesicles synthesise bioactive factors that support gamete function, modulate the female reproductive tract to promote implantation, and influence developmental programming of offspring phenotype. Despite the significance of the seminal vesicles in reproduction, their biology remains poorly defined. Here, to advance understanding of seminal vesicle biology, we analyse the mouse seminal vesicle transcriptome under normal physiological conditions and in response to acute exposure to the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. Mice were administered acrylamide (25 mg/kg bw/day) or vehicle control daily for five consecutive days prior to collecting seminal vesicle tissue 72 h following the final injection. RESULTS A total of 15,304 genes were identified in the seminal vesicles with those encoding secreted proteins amongst the most abundant. In addition to reproductive hormone pathways, functional annotation of the seminal vesicle transcriptome identified cell proliferation, protein synthesis, and cellular death and survival pathways as prominent biological processes. Administration of acrylamide elicited 70 differentially regulated (fold-change ≥1.5 or ≤ 0.67) genes, several of which were orthogonally validated using quantitative PCR. Pathways that initiate gene and protein synthesis to promote cellular survival were prominent amongst the dysregulated pathways. Inflammation was also a key transcriptomic response to acrylamide, with the cytokine, Colony stimulating factor 2 (Csf2) identified as a top-ranked upstream driver and inflammatory mediator associated with recovery of homeostasis. Early growth response (Egr1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (Ccl8), and Collagen, type V, alpha 1 (Col5a1) were also identified amongst the dysregulated genes. Additionally, acrylamide treatment led to subtle changes in the expression of genes that encode proteins secreted by the seminal vesicle, including the complement regulator, Complement factor b (Cfb). CONCLUSIONS These data add to emerging evidence demonstrating that the seminal vesicles, like other male reproductive tract tissues, are sensitive to environmental insults, and respond in a manner with potential to exert impact on fetal development and later offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - James Breen
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC), South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,Computational & Systems Biology Program, Precision Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
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14
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Skerrett-Byrne DA, Trigg NA, Bromfield EG, Dun MD, Bernstein IR, Anderson AL, Stanger SJ, MacDougall LA, Lord T, Aitken RJ, Roman SD, Robertson SA, Nixon B, Schjenken JE. Proteomic Dissection of the Impact of Environmental Exposures on Mouse Seminal Vesicle Function. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100107. [PMID: 34089863 PMCID: PMC8250459 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2021.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal vesicles are an integral part of the male reproductive accessory gland system. They produce a complex array of secretions containing bioactive constituents that support gamete function and promote reproductive success, with emerging evidence suggesting these secretions are influenced by our environment. Despite their significance, the biology of seminal vesicles remains poorly defined. Here, we complete the first proteomic assessment of mouse seminal vesicles and assess the impact of the reproductive toxicant acrylamide. Mice were administered acrylamide (25 mg/kg bw/day) or control daily for five consecutive days prior to collecting seminal vesicle tissue. A total of 5013 proteins were identified in the seminal vesicle proteome with bioinformatic analyses identifying cell proliferation, protein synthesis, cellular death, and survival pathways as prominent biological processes. Secreted proteins were among the most abundant, and several proteins are linked with seminal vesicle phenotypes. Analysis of the effect of acrylamide on the seminal vesicle proteome revealed 311 differentially regulated (FC ± 1.5, p ≤ 0.05, 205 up-regulated, 106 downregulated) proteins, orthogonally validated via immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Pathways that initiate protein synthesis to promote cellular survival were prominent among the dysregulated pathways, and rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR (RICTOR, p = 6.69E-07) was a top-ranked upstream driver. Oxidative stress was implicated as contributing to protein changes, with acrylamide causing an increase in 8-OHdG in seminal vesicle epithelial cells (fivefold increase, p = 0.016) and the surrounding smooth muscle layer (twofold increase, p = 0.043). Additionally, acrylamide treatment caused a reduction in seminal vesicle secretion weight (36% reduction, p = 0.009) and total protein content (25% reduction, p = 0.017). Together these findings support the interpretation that toxicant exposure influences male accessory gland physiology and highlights the need to consider the response of all male reproductive tract tissues when interpreting the impact of environmental stressors on male reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew D Dun
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Lily A MacDougall
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.
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15
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Aitken RJ. Impact of oxidative stress on male and female germ cells: implications for fertility. Reproduction 2021; 159:R189-R201. [PMID: 31846434 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Male and female germ lines are vulnerable to oxidative stress. In spermatozoa, such stress triggers a lipid peroxidation cascade that culminates in the generation of electrophilic lipid aldehydes that bind to DNA and a raft of proteins involved in the delivery of functionally competent cells. One set of targets for these aldehydes are the proteins of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. When this interaction occurs, mitochondrial ROS generation is enhanced leading to the sustained generation of oxidative damage in a self-perpetuating cycle. Such damage affects all aspects of sperm function including motility, sperm-egg recognition, acrosomal exocytosis and sperm-oocyte fusion. Oxidative stress in the male germ line also attacks the integrity of sperm DNA with potential impacts on the developmental capacity of embryos and the health and wellbeing of the offspring. Potential pathways of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in male germ cells could involve enhanced lipoxygenase activity, activation of NADPH oxidase and/or electron leakage from mitochondria. Similarly, in the female germ line, both the induction of oocyte senescence following ovulation and the deterioration of oocyte quality with maternal age appear to involve the generation of oxidative damage. In this case, the mitochondria appear to be a particularly important source of ROS compromising the viability and fertilizability of the oocyte and interfering with the normal segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. In light of these considerations, antioxidants should have some role to play in the preservation of reproductive function in both men and women; however, we still await appropriate trials to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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16
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Aitken RJ, Bakos HW. Should we be measuring DNA damage in human spermatozoa? New light on an old question. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1175-1185. [PMID: 33532854 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessments of sperm DNA damage are controversial because of perceived uncertainties over the relationship with pregnancy and the limited range of therapies available should positive results be returned. In this article, we highlight recent data supporting a chain of associations between oxidative stress in the male germ line, DNA damage in spermatozoa, defective DNA repair in the oocyte, the mutational load carried by the resulting embryo and the long-term health trajectory of the offspring. Any condition capable of generating oxidative damage in spermatozoa (age, obesity, smoking, prolonged abstinence, varicocele, chemical exposures, radiation etc.) is capable of influencing offspring health in this manner, creating a range of pathologies in the progeny including neuropsychiatric disorders and cancer. If sperm DNA damage is detected, there are several therapeutic interventions that can be introduced to improve DNA quality prior to the use of these cells in ART. We therefore argue that infertility specialists should be engaged in the diagnosis and remediation of sperm DNA damage as a matter of best practice, in order to minimize the risk of adverse health outcomes in children conceived using ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Hassan W Bakos
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Monash IVF Group Limited, Level 2, 1 Fennell Street, Parramatta, NSW 2151 Australia
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17
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Aitken RJ, Curry BJ, Shokri S, Pujianto DA, Gavriliouk D, Gibb Z, Whiting S, Connaughton HS, Nixon B, Salamonsen LA, Baker MA. Evidence that extrapancreatic insulin production is involved in the mediation of sperm survival. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 526:111193. [PMID: 33610643 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is presented for expression of the insulin receptor on the surface of mammalian spermatozoa as well as transcripts for the receptor substrate adaptor proteins (IRS1-4) needed to mediate insulin action. Exposure to this hormone resulted in insulin receptor phosphorylation (pTyr972), activation of AKT (pSer473) and the stimulation of sperm motility. Intriguingly, the male germ line is also shown to be capable of generating insulin, possessing the relevant mRNA transcript and expressing strong immunocytochemical signals for both insulin and C-peptide. Insulin could be released from the spermatozoa by sonication in a concentration-dependent manner but was not secreted in response to glucose, fructose or stimulation with progesterone. However, insulin release could be induced by factors present in human uterine lavages. Furthermore, the endometrium was also shown to possess the machinery for insulin production and action (mRNA, insulin, C-peptide, proprotein convertase and insulin receptor), releasing insulin into the uterine lumen prior to ovulation. These studies emphasize the fundamental importance of extra-pancreatic insulin in regulating the reproductive process, particularly in the support of spermatozoa on their perilous voyage to the site of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia, 2305.
| | - Benjamin J Curry
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Said Shokri
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Dwi Ari Pujianto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Daniel Gavriliouk
- Family Fertility Centre, Ashford Specialist Centre, SA, 5035, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Sara Whiting
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Hayley S Connaughton
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia, 2305
| | - Lois A Salamonsen
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Centre for Reproductive Health, Monash University, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Mark A Baker
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia, 2305
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18
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Zhao F, Whiting S, Lambourne S, Aitken RJ, Sun YP. Melatonin alleviates heat stress-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human spermatozoa. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 164:410-416. [PMID: 33482333 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress generates a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and affects sperm quality via damaging sperm DNA and compromising the intracellular homeostasis in human spermatozoa. In assisted reproductive technology (ART), it is substantial to prevent spermatozoa from ROS attack. The pineal hormone melatonin has the natural antioxidant capacity and can scavenge ROS. To the best of our knowledge, however, there are presently no studies investigating if melatonin can protect human spermatozoa from heat-induced oxidative damage. Herein, we induced oxidative stress in human spermatozoa with heat treatment, and determined that melatonin could protect human spermatozoa from heat-induced oxidative stress. We first confirmed that heat stress-induced oxidative stress damaged human spermatozoa by decreasing sperm motility and viability. Furthermore, the pretreatment of human spermatozoa by melatonin was able to alleviate such damage by suppressing sperm mitochondrial ROS generation, increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing the formation of the lipid peroxidation product, 4-HNE, and reducing sperm DNA damage and apoptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that melatonin is useful as a potential treatment option for male infertility caused by heat-induced oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sara Whiting
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Lambourne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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19
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Walters JLH, Anderson AL, Martins da Silva SJ, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN, Sutherland JM, Nixon B, Bromfield EG. Mechanistic Insight into the Regulation of Lipoxygenase-Driven Lipid Peroxidation Events in Human Spermatozoa and Their Impact on Male Fertility. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 10:antiox10010043. [PMID: 33396527 PMCID: PMC7823465 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A prevalent cause of sperm dysfunction in male infertility patients is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, an attendant increase in lipid peroxidation and the production of cytotoxic reactive carbonyl species such as 4-hydroxynonenal. Our previous studies have implicated arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) in the production of 4-hydroxynonenal in developing germ cells. Here, we have aimed to develop a further mechanistic understanding of the lipoxygenase-lipid peroxidation pathway in human spermatozoa. Through pharmacological inhibition studies, we identified a protective role for phospholipase enzymes in the liberation of peroxidised polyunsaturated fatty acids from the human sperm membrane. Our results also revealed that arachidonic acid, linoleic acid and docosahexanoic acid are key polyunsaturated fatty acid substrates for ALOX15. Upon examination of ALOX15 in the spermatozoa of infertile patients compared to their normozoospermic counterparts, we observed significantly elevated levels of ALOX15 protein abundance in the infertile population and an increase in 4-hydroxynonenal adducts. Collectively, these data confirm the involvement of ALOX15 in the oxidative stress cascade of human spermatozoa and support the notion that increased ALOX15 abundance in sperm cells may accentuate membrane lipid peroxidation and cellular dysfunction, ultimately contributing to male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. H. Walters
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Amanda L. Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Sarah J. Martins da Silva
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK;
- Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - R. John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Jessie M. Sutherland
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Schools of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy and Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (J.L.H.W.); (A.L.A.); (R.J.A.); (G.N.D.I.); (J.M.S.); (B.N.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Discipline of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are generally characterized by excellent DNA surveillance and repair, resulting in one of the lowest spontaneous mutation rates in the body. However, the barriers to mutagenesis can be overwhelmed under two sets of circumstances. First, replication errors may generate age-dependent mutations that provide the mutant cells with a selective advantage, leading to the clonal expansions responsible for dominant genetic diseases such as Apert syndrome and achondroplasia. The second mechanism centers on the vulnerability of the male germline to oxidative stress and the induction of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa. Defective repair of such oxidative damage in the fertilized oocyte results in the creation of mutations in the zygote that can influence the health and well-being of the offspring. A particular hot spot for such oxidative attack on chromosome 15 has been found to align with several mutations responsible for paternally mediated disease, including cancer, psychiatric disorders, and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales 2305, Australia
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22
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Lu Y, Oura S, Matsumura T, Oji A, Sakurai N, Fujihara Y, Shimada K, Miyata H, Tobita T, Noda T, Castaneda JM, Kiyozumi D, Zhang Q, Larasati T, Young SAM, Kodani M, Huddleston CA, Robertson MJ, Coarfa C, Isotani A, Aitken RJ, Okabe M, Matzuk MM, Garcia TX, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals 30 testis-enriched genes dispensable for male fertility in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:501-511. [PMID: 31201419 PMCID: PMC6735960 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 1000 genes are predicted to be predominantly expressed in mouse testis, yet many of them remain unstudied in terms of their roles in spermatogenesis and sperm function and their essentiality in male reproduction. Since individually indispensable factors can provide important implications for the diagnosis of genetically related idiopathic male infertility and may serve as candidate targets for the development of nonhormonal male contraceptives, our laboratories continuously analyze the functions of testis-enriched genes in vivo by generating knockout mouse lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The dispensability of genes in male reproduction is easily determined by examining the fecundity of knockout males. During our large-scale screening of essential factors, we knocked out 30 genes that have a strong bias of expression in the testis and are mostly conserved in mammalian species including human. Fertility tests reveal that the mutant males exhibited normal fecundity, suggesting these genes are individually dispensable for male reproduction. Since such functionally redundant genes are of diminished biological and clinical significance, we believe that it is crucial to disseminate this list of genes, along with their phenotypic information, to the scientific community to avoid unnecessary expenditure of time and research funds and duplication of efforts by other laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Seiya Oura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asami Oji
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Sakurai
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tobita
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Julio M Castaneda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daiji Kiyozumi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tamara Larasati
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Samantha A M Young
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Caitlin A Huddleston
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew J Robertson
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Advanced Technology Cores, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Masaru Okabe
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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23
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Aitken RJ, Barratt CLR. In Memoriam: Lynn R Fraser. Andrology 2020; 8:532-534. [PMID: 32447841 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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24
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Bromfield EG, Walters JLH, Cafe SL, Bernstein IR, Stanger SJ, Anderson AL, Aitken RJ, McLaughlin EA, Dun MD, Gadella BM, Nixon B. Differential cell death decisions in the testis: evidence for an exclusive window of ferroptosis in round spermatids. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:241-256. [PMID: 30865280 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a major aetiology in many pathologies, including that of male infertility. Recent evidence in somatic cells has linked oxidative stress to the induction of a novel cell death modality termed ferroptosis. However, the induction of this iron-regulated, caspase-independent cell death pathway has never been explored outside of the soma. Ferroptosis is initiated through the inactivation of the lipid repair enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and is exacerbated by the activity of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), a lipoxygenase enzyme that facilitates lipid degradation. Here, we demonstrate that male germ cells of the mouse exhibit hallmarks of ferroptosis including; a caspase-independent decline in viability following exposure to oxidative stress conditions induced by the electrophile 4-hydroxynonenal or the ferroptosis activators (erastin and RSL3), as well as a reciprocal upregulation of ALOX15 and down regulation of GPX4 protein expression. Moreover, the round spermatid developmental stage may be sensitized to ferroptosis via the action of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), which modifies membrane lipid composition in a manner favourable to lipid peroxidation. This work provides a clear impetus to explore the contribution of ferroptosis to the demise of germline cells during periods of acute stress in in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica L H Walters
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shenae L Cafe
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew D Dun
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Barend M Gadella
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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25
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Martin JH, Aitken RJ, Bromfield EG, Nixon B. DNA damage and repair in the female germline: contributions to ART. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:180-201. [PMID: 30541031 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA integrity and stability are critical determinants of cell viability. This is especially true in the female germline, wherein DNA integrity underpins successful conception, embryonic development, pregnancy and the production of healthy offspring. However, DNA is not inert; rather, it is subject to assault from various environment factors resulting in chemical modification and/or strand breakage. If structural alterations result and are left unrepaired, they have the potential to cause mutations and propagate disease. In this regard, reduced genetic integrity of the female germline ranks among the leading causes of subfertility in humans. With an estimated 10% of couples in developed countries taking recourse to ART to achieve pregnancy, the need for ongoing research into the capacity of the oocyte to detect DNA damage and thereafter initiate cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or DNA repair is increasingly more pressing. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review documents our current knowledge of the quality control mechanisms utilised by the female germline to prevent and remediate DNA damage during their development from primordial follicles through to the formation of preimplantation embryos. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database was searched using the keywords: primordial follicle, primary follicle, secondary follicle, tertiary follicle, germinal vesical, MI, MII oocyte, zygote, preimplantation embryo, DNA repair, double-strand break and DNA damage. These keywords were combined with other phrases relevant to the topic. Literature was restricted to peer-reviewed original articles in the English language (published 1979-2018) and references within these articles were also searched. OUTCOMES In this review, we explore the quality control mechanisms utilised by the female germline to prevent, detect and remediate DNA damage. We follow the trajectory of development from the primordial follicle stage through to the preimplantation embryo, highlighting findings likely to have important implications for fertility management, age-related subfertility and premature ovarian failure. In addition, we survey the latest discoveries regarding DNA repair within the metaphase II (MII) oocyte and implicate maternal stores of endogenous DNA repair proteins and mRNA transcripts as a primary means by which they defend their genomic integrity. The collective evidence reviewed herein demonstrates that the MII oocyte can engage in the activation of major DNA damage repair pathway(s), therefore encouraging a reappraisal of the long-held paradigm that oocytes are largely refractory to DNA repair upon reaching this late stage of their development. It is also demonstrated that the zygote can exploit a number of protective strategies to mitigate the risk and/or effect the repair, of DNA damage sustained to either parental germline; affirming that DNA protection is largely a maternally driven trait but that some aspects of repair may rely on a collaborative effort between the male and female germlines. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The present review highlights the vulnerability of the oocyte to DNA damage and presents a number of opportunities for research to bolster the stringency of the oocyte's endogenous defences, with implications extending to improved diagnostics and novel therapeutic applications to alleviate the burden of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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26
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Youngson NA, Uddin GM, Das A, Martinez C, Connaughton HS, Whiting S, Yu J, Sinclair DA, Aitken RJ, Morris MJ. Impacts of obesity, maternal obesity and nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation on sperm quality in mice. Reproduction 2020; 158:169-179. [PMID: 31226694 PMCID: PMC6589912 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Male fertility and sperm quality are negatively impacted by obesity. Furthermore, recent evidence has shown that male offspring from obese rat mothers also have reduced sperm quality and fertility. Here, we extend work in this area by comparing the effects of both maternal obesity and offspring post-weaning diet-induced obesity, as well as their combination, on sperm quality in mice. We additionally tested whether administration of the NAD+-booster nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) can ameliorate the negative effects of obesity and maternal obesity on sperm quality. We previously showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of NMN can reduce the metabolic deficits induced by maternal obesity or post-weaning dietary obesity in mice. In this study, female mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks until they were 18% heavier than a control diet group. Thereafter, HFD and control female mice were mated with control diet males, and male offspring were weaned into groups receiving control or HFD. At 30 weeks of age, mice received 500 mg/kg body weight NMN or vehicle PBS i.p. for 21 days. As expected, adiposity was increased by both maternal and post-weaning HFD but reduced by NMN supplementation. Post-weaning HFD reduced sperm count and motility, while maternal HFD increased offspring sperm DNA fragmentation and levels of aberrant sperm chromatin. There was no evidence that the combination of post-weaning and maternal HFD exacerbated the impacts in sperm quality suggesting that they impact spermatogenesis through different mechanisms. Surprisingly NMN reduced sperm count, vitality and increased sperm oxidative DNA damage, which was associated with increased NAD+ in testes. A subsequent experiment using oral NMN at 400 mg/kg body weight was not associated with reduced sperm viability, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction or increased NAD+ in testes, suggesting that the negative impacts on sperm could be dependent on dose or mode of administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Youngson
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - G Mezbah Uddin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Abhirup Das
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging, Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carl Martinez
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Haley S Connaughton
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sara Whiting
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Josephine Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David A Sinclair
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging, Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - R John Aitken
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margaret J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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27
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Houston BJ, Nixon B, McEwan KE, Martin JH, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. Whole-body exposures to radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy can cause DNA damage in mouse spermatozoa via an oxidative mechanism. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17478. [PMID: 31767903 PMCID: PMC6877509 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53983-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificially generated radiofrequency-electromagnetic energy (RF-EME) is now ubiquitous in our environment owing to the utilization of mobile phone and Wi-Fi based communication devices. While several studies have revealed that RF-EME is capable of eliciting biological stress, particularly in the context of the male reproductive system, the mechanistic basis of this biophysical interaction remains largely unresolved. To extend these studies, here we exposed unrestrained male mice to RF-EME generated via a dedicated waveguide (905 MHz, 2.2 W/kg) for 12 h per day for a period of 1, 3 or 5 weeks. The testes of exposed mice exhibited no evidence of gross histological change or elevated stress, irrespective of the RF-EME exposure regimen. By contrast, 5 weeks of RF-EME exposure adversely impacted the vitality and motility profiles of mature epididymal spermatozoa. These spermatozoa also experienced increased mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species after 1 week of exposure, with elevated DNA oxidation and fragmentation across all exposure periods. Notwithstanding these lesions, RF-EME exposure did not impair the fertilization competence of spermatozoa nor their ability to support early embryonic development. This study supports the utility of male germ cells as sensitive tools with which to assess the biological impacts of whole-body RF-EME exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Cancer Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Kristen E McEwan
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Cancer Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Bruce V King
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Cancer Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Geoffry N De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Cancer Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
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28
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Gaikwad AS, Anderson AL, Merriner DJ, O'Connor AE, Houston BJ, Aitken RJ, O'Bryan MK, Nixon B. GLIPR1L1 is an IZUMO-binding protein required for optimal fertilization in the mouse. BMC Biol 2019; 17:86. [PMID: 31672133 PMCID: PMC6824042 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0701-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sperm protein IZUMO1 (Izumo sperm-egg fusion 1) and its recently identified binding partner on the oolemma, IZUMO1R, are among the first ligand-receptor pairs shown to be essential for gamete recognition and adhesion. However, the IZUMO1-IZUMO1R interaction does not appear to be directly responsible for promoting the fusion of the gamete membranes, suggesting that this critical phase of the fertilization cascade requires the concerted action of alternative fusogenic machinery. It has therefore been proposed that IZUMO1 may play a secondary role in the organization and/or stabilization of higher-order heteromeric complexes in spermatozoa that are required for membrane fusion. Results Here, we show that fertilization-competent (acrosome reacted) mouse spermatozoa harbor several high molecular weight protein complexes, a subset of which are readily able to adhere to solubilized oolemmal proteins. At least two of these complexes contain IZUMO1 in partnership with GLI pathogenesis-related 1 like 1 (GLIPR1L1). This interaction is associated with lipid rafts and is dynamically remodeled upon the induction of acrosomal exocytosis in preparation for sperm adhesion to the oolemma. Accordingly, the selective ablation of GLIPR1L1 leads to compromised sperm function characterized by a reduced ability to undergo the acrosome reaction and a failure of IZUMO1 redistribution. Conclusions Collectively, this study characterizes multimeric protein complexes on the sperm surface and identifies GLIPRL1L1 as a physiologically relevant regulator of IZUMO1 function and the fertilization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash S Gaikwad
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - D Jo Merriner
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Anne E O'Connor
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Brendan J Houston
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- The School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
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29
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Xavier MJ, Nixon B, Roman SD, Scott RJ, Drevet JR, Aitken RJ. Paternal impacts on development: identification of genomic regions vulnerable to oxidative DNA damage in human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod 2019; 34:1876-1890. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Do all regions of the paternal genome within the gamete display equivalent vulnerability to oxidative DNA damage?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Oxidative DNA damage is not randomly distributed in mature human spermatozoa but is instead targeted, with particular chromosomes being especially vulnerable to oxidative stress.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Oxidative DNA damage is frequently encountered in the spermatozoa of male infertility patients. Such lesions can influence the incidence of de novo mutations in children, yet it remains to be established whether all regions of the sperm genome display equivalent susceptibility to attack by reactive oxygen species.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Human spermatozoa obtained from normozoospermic males (n = 8) were split into equivalent samples and subjected to either hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment or vehicle controls before extraction of oxidized DNA using a modified DNA immunoprecipitation (MoDIP) protocol. Specific regions of the genome susceptible to oxidative damage were identified by next-generation sequencing and validated in the spermatozoa of normozoospermic males (n = 18) and in patients undergoing infertility evaluation (n = 14).
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Human spermatozoa were obtained from normozoospermic males and divided into two identical samples prior to being incubated with either H2O2 (5 mm, 1 h) to elicit oxidative stress or an equal volume of vehicle (untreated controls). Alternatively, spermatozoa were obtained from fertility patients assessed as having high basal levels of oxidative stress within their spermatozoa. All semen samples were subjected to MoDIP to selectively isolate oxidized DNA, prior to sequencing of the resultant DNA fragments using a next-generation whole-genomic sequencing platform. Bioinformatic analysis was then employed to identify genomic regions vulnerable to oxidative damage, several of which were selected for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Approximately 9000 genomic regions, 150–1000 bp in size, were identified as highly vulnerable to oxidative damage in human spermatozoa. Specific chromosomes showed differential susceptibility to damage, with chromosome 15 being particularly sensitive to oxidative attack while the sex chromosomes were protected. Susceptible regions generally lay outside protamine- and histone-packaged domains. Furthermore, we confirmed that these susceptible genomic sites experienced a dramatic (2–15-fold) increase in their burden of oxidative DNA damage in patients undergoing infertility evaluation compared to normal healthy donors.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The limited number of samples analysed in this study warrants external validation, as do the implications of our findings. Selection of male fertility patients was based on high basal levels of oxidative stress within their spermatozoa as opposed to specific sub-classes of male factor infertility.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The identification of genomic regions susceptible to oxidation in the male germ line will be of value in focusing future analyses into the mutational load carried by children in response to paternal factors such as age, the treatment of male infertility using ART and paternal exposure to environmental toxicants.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
Project support was provided by the University of Newcastle’s (UoN) Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science. M.J.X. was a recipient of a UoN International Postgraduate Research Scholarship. B.N. is the recipient of a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Senior Research Fellowship. Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Xavier
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - B Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - S D Roman
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Drug Development, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - R J Scott
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Medical Genetics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Pathology North, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - J R Drevet
- GReD Laboratory, CNRS UMR6293—INSERM U1103—Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - R J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Medical Genetics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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30
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Xavier MJ, Roman SD, Aitken RJ, Nixon B. Transgenerational inheritance: how impacts to the epigenetic and genetic information of parents affect offspring health. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 25:518-540. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A defining feature of sexual reproduction is the transmission of genomic information from both parents to the offspring. There is now compelling evidence that the inheritance of such genetic information is accompanied by additional epigenetic marks, or stable heritable information that is not accounted for by variations in DNA sequence. The reversible nature of epigenetic marks coupled with multiple rounds of epigenetic reprogramming that erase the majority of existing patterns have made the investigation of this phenomenon challenging. However, continual advances in molecular methods are allowing closer examination of the dynamic alterations to histone composition and DNA methylation patterns that accompany development and, in particular, how these modifications can occur in an individual’s germline and be transmitted to the following generation. While the underlying mechanisms that permit this form of transgenerational inheritance remain unclear, it is increasingly apparent that a combination of genetic and epigenetic modifications plays major roles in determining the phenotypes of individuals and their offspring.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
Information pertaining to transgenerational inheritance was systematically reviewed focusing primarily on mammalian cells to the exclusion of inheritance in plants, due to inherent differences in the means by which information is transmitted between generations. The effects of environmental factors and biological processes on both epigenetic and genetic information were reviewed to determine their contribution to modulating inheritable phenotypes.
SEARCH METHODS
Articles indexed in PubMed were searched using keywords related to transgenerational inheritance, epigenetic modifications, paternal and maternal inheritable traits and environmental and biological factors influencing transgenerational modifications. We sought to clarify the role of epigenetic reprogramming events during the life cycle of mammals and provide a comprehensive review of how the genomic and epigenomic make-up of progenitors may determine the phenotype of its descendants.
OUTCOMES
We found strong evidence supporting the role of DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications and even non-protein-coding RNA in altering the epigenetic composition of individuals and producing stable epigenetic effects that were transmitted from parents to offspring, in both humans and rodent species. Multiple genomic domains and several histone modification sites were found to resist demethylation and endure genome-wide reprogramming events. Epigenetic modifications integrated into the genome of individuals were shown to modulate gene expression and activity at enhancer and promoter domains, while genetic mutations were shown to alter sequence availability for methylation and histone binding. Fundamentally, alterations to the nuclear composition of the germline in response to environmental factors, ageing, diet and toxicant exposure have the potential to become hereditably transmitted.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
The environment influences the health and well-being of progeny by working through the germline to introduce spontaneous genetic mutations as well as a variety of epigenetic changes, including alterations in DNA methylation status and the post-translational modification of histones. In evolutionary terms, these changes create the phenotypic diversity that fuels the fires of natural selection. However, rather than being adaptive, such variation may also generate a plethora of pathological disease states ranging from dominant genetic disorders to neurological conditions, including spontaneous schizophrenia and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel João Xavier
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Shaun D Roman
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Chemical Biology and Clinical Pharmacology, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Reproductive Science Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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31
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Houston BJ, Nixon B, Martin JH, De Iuliis GN, Trigg NA, Bromfield EG, McEwan KE, Aitken RJ. Heat exposure induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in the male germ line. Biol Reprod 2019; 98:593-606. [PMID: 29351587 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The reproductive consequences of global warming are not currently understood. In order to address this issue, we have examined the reproductive consequences of exposing male mice to a mild heat stress. For this purpose, adult male mice were exposed to an elevated ambient temperature of 35°C under two exposure models. The first involved acute exposure for 24 h, followed by recovery periods between 1 day and 6 weeks. The alternative heating regimen involved a daily exposure of 8 h for periods of 1 or 2 weeks. In our acute model, we identified elevated sperm mitochondrial ROS generation (P < 0.05), increased sperm membrane fluidity (P < 0.05), DNA damage in the form of single-strand breaks (P < 0.001), and oxidative DNA damage (P < 0.05), characteristic of an oxidative stress cascade. This DNA damage was detected in pachytene spermatocytes (P < 0.001) and round spermatids (P < 0.001) isolated from testes after 1 day heat recovery. Despite these lesions, the spermatozoa of heat-treated mice exhibited no differences in their ability to achieve hallmarks of capacitation or to fertilize the oocyte and support development of embryos to the blastocyst stage (all P > 0.05). Collectively, our acute heat stress model supports the existence of heat susceptible stages of germ cell development, with the round spermatids being most perturbed and spermatogonial stem cells exhibiting resistance to this insult. Such findings were complemented by our chronic heat stress model, which further supported the vulnerability of the round spermatid population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Geoffry N De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristen E McEwan
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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Martin JH, Aitken RJ, Bromfield EG, Cafe SL, Sutherland JM, Frost ER, Nixon B, Lord T. Investigation into the presence and functional significance of proinsulin C-peptide in the female germline†. Biol Reprod 2019; 100:1275-1289. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Shenae L Cafe
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jessie M Sutherland
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Emily R Frost
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights and the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Vorilhon S, Brugnon F, Kocer A, Dollet S, Bourgne C, Berger M, Janny L, Pereira B, Aitken RJ, Moazamian A, Gharagozloo P, Drevet J, Pons-Rejraji H. Accuracy of human sperm DNA oxidation quantification and threshold determination using an 8-OHdG immuno-detection assay. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:553-562. [PMID: 29579272 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can a discriminant threshold be determined for human sperm DNA oxidation? SUMMARY ANSWER A discriminant threshold was found with 65.8% of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive sperm cells and a mean intensity of fluorescence (MIF) of 552 arbitrary units. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Oxidative stress is known to interfere with sperm quality and fertilizing capacity. However, current practice does not include the routine determination of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa; optimized consensus protocols are lacking and no thresholds of normality have been established. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Intra- and inter-method comparisons between four protocols (I-IV) were conducted to determine the most relevant and efficient means of assessing human sperm 8-OHdG content. Tests of assay repeatability, specificity, sensitivity and stability were performed to validate an optimized methodology for routine diagnostic use. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS This prospective study compared three immuno-detection methods including immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Sperm DNA oxidation for 80 patients was determined relative to semen parameters and clinical conditions, using the selected immuno-detection protocol in comparison with a commercial kit. These patients (age 35 ± 1 years: mean ± SEM) presented with normozoospermic (n = 40) or altered parameters (necro- or/and astheno- or/and teratozoospermia or/and leukocytospermia). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Significant positive Pearson and Spearman correlations were determined for 8-OHdG values and sperm parameters using protocol III. A notable high and positive correlation was revealed for MIF with BMI and leukocyte concentration. Protocol III was the most discriminating method regarding assay repeatability, specificity, sensitivity, stability and reliability for sperm parameter alterations, in particular leukocytospermia according to parametric or non-parametric tests, effect-size determinations and factorial analysis such as principal component analysis and factor discriminant analysis. Of interest is that 39% of the subjects with 'pathological' sperm DNA oxidation values were normozoospermic. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The oligozoospermic population was not evaluated in this study because insufficient material was available to carry out the comparisons. However, spermatozoa concentration was taken into account in the statistical analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study is the first validation of a protocol to determine a discriminant threshold for human sperm DNA oxidation. The protocol's detection accuracy for 8-OHdG human sperm DNA residues, stability over time, and relationship to human sperm quality were demonstrated. The assay should find application in the diagnosis of male factor infertility associated with oxidative stress. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by institutional grants from the CNRS, INSERM and Université Clermont Auvergne (to J.R.D.) and by Clermont-Ferrand Hospital-CECOS research funds (to L.J. and F.B.). P.G., A.M., R.J.A. and J.D. are, respectively, CEO, scientific director and scientific advisors of a US-based biotech company (Celloxess, Princeton, NJ, USA) involved in preventative medicine with a focus on the generation of antioxidant oral supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vorilhon
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, AMP, CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - F Brugnon
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, AMP, CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, UFR Médecine, INSERM 1240, IMoST., F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - A Kocer
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - S Dollet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, UFR Médecine, INSERM 1240, IMoST., F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - C Bourgne
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, Hôpital Estaing, Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - M Berger
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, Hôpital Estaing, Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - L Janny
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, AMP, CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - B Pereira
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, DRCI, 'Délégation Recherche Clinique et Innovation', Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - R J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - A Moazamian
- CellOxess LLC, 830 Bear Tavern Road, Ewing, NJ 08628, USA
| | - P Gharagozloo
- CellOxess LLC, 830 Bear Tavern Road, Ewing, NJ 08628, USA
| | - J Drevet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - H Pons-Rejraji
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, AMP, CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, GReD, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, UFR Médecine, INSERM 1240, IMoST., F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Swegen A, Smith ND, Gibb Z, Curry BJ, Aitken RJ. The serine protease testisin is present on the surface of capacitated stallion spermatozoa and interacts with key zona pellucida binding proteins. Andrology 2018; 7:199-212. [PMID: 30549223 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Serine proteases are emerging as important players in the spermatozoon's acquisition of functional competence. This study aimed to characterize the serine protease testisin (PRSS21) in stallion spermatozoa, examining its surface expression, possible origins in the testis and epididymis, and changes in response to capacitation and acrosome reaction, as well as its capacity to form high molecular weight complexes and interact with other proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS The role of serine proteases in spontaneous capacitation and acrosome reaction of stallion spermatozoa was established using the serine protease inhibitor, AEBSF. Testisin localization, before and after exposure of stallion spermatozoa to capacitating conditions and calcium ionophore, was examined using live cell immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry of testicular and epididymal tissues was used to further dissect the origins of sperm testisin. Testisin's participation in high molecular weight protein complexes and identification of its interacting partner proteins were investigated using Blue Native PAGE, co-immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry, with interrogation of protein-protein interaction databases and gene ontology analysis of partner proteins used to further explore the potential roles of the testisin-containing complex in sperm function. RESULTS Testisin surface expression increased significantly in capacitated spermatozoa (p < 0.001), increased further following acrosome reaction (p < 0.01), and was localized to the equatorial region of the sperm head. Testisin was also detected in luminal fluid within the caput and corpus regions of the epididymis, epididymal spermatozoa, and epididymal epithelial cells. Testisin formed several multiprotein complexes; co-immunoprecipitation revealed interactions of testisin with a multitude of zona pellucida-binding proteins, including ZPBP, ZAN, acrosin, several heat-shock proteins, and components of the TCP1 complex. CONCLUSION Testisin appears to form part of the zona pellucida-binding complex in stallion spermatozoa and may be involved in the proteolytic cascade that prepares the sperm surface for interaction with the oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Swegen
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - N D Smith
- Analytical and Biomolecular Research Facility, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Z Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - B J Curry
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - R J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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35
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Mihalas BP, Bromfield EG, Sutherland JM, De Iuliis GN, McLaughlin EA, Aitken RJ, Nixon B. Oxidative damage in naturally aged mouse oocytes is exacerbated by dysregulation of proteasomal activity. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:18944-18964. [PMID: 30305393 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An increase in oxidative protein damage is a leading contributor to the age-associated decline in oocyte quality. By removing such damaged proteins, the proteasome plays an essential role in maintaining the fidelity of oocyte meiosis. In this study, we established that decreased proteasome activity in naturally aged, germinal vesicle (GV) mouse oocytes positively correlates with increased protein modification by the lipid aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Furthermore, attenuation of proteasome activity in GV oocytes of young animals was accompanied by an increase in 4-HNE-modified proteins, including α-tubulin, thereby contributing to a reduction in tubulin polymerization, microtubule stability, and integrity of oocyte meiosis. A decrease in proteasome activity was also recapitulated in the GV oocytes of young animals following exposure to oxidative insults in the form of either hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 4-HNE. We also observed that upon oxidative insult, 4-HNE exhibits elevated adduction to multiple proteasomal subunits. Notably, the inclusion of the antioxidant penicillamine, to limit propagation of oxidative stress cascades, led to a complete recovery of proteasome activity and enhanced clearance of 4-HNE-adducted α-tubulin during a 6-h post-treatment recovery period. This strategy also proved effective in reducing the incidence of oxidative stress-induced aneuploidy following in vitro oocyte maturation, but was ineffective for naturally aged oocytes. Taken together, our results implicate proteasome dysfunction as an important factor in the accumulation of oxidatively induced protein damage in the female germline. This discovery holds promise for the design of therapeutic interventions to address the age-dependent decline in oocyte quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina P Mihalas
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and
| | - Jessie M Sutherland
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and
| | - Geoffry N De Iuliis
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and.,the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - R John Aitken
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and
| | - Brett Nixon
- From the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia and
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36
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Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. Probing the Origins of 1,800 MHz Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Damage in Mouse Immortalized Germ Cells and Spermatozoa in vitro. Front Public Health 2018; 6:270. [PMID: 30298125 PMCID: PMC6160547 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As the use of mobile phone devices is now highly prevalent, many studies have sought to evaluate the effects of the radiofrequency-electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on both human health and biology. While several such studies have shown RF-EMR is capable of inducing cellular stress, the physicobiological origin of this stress remains largely unresolved. To explore the effect of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, we exposed cultured mouse spermatogonial GC1 and spermatocyte GC2 cell lines, as well as cauda epididymal spermatozoa to a waveguide generating continuous wave RF-EMR (1.8 GHz, 0.15 and 1.5 W/kg). This study demonstrated that a 4 h exposure is capable of inducing the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in populations of GC1 (7 vs. 18%; p < 0.001) and GC2 cells (11.5 vs. 16 %; p < 0.01), identifying Complex III of the electron transport chain (ETC) as the potential source of electrons producing ROS. Assessing the generation of ROS in the presence of an antioxidant, penicillamine, as well as measuring lipid peroxidation via 4-hydroxynonenal levels, indicated that the elevated incidence of ROS generation observed under our exposure conditions did not necessarily induce an overt cellular oxidative stress response. However, exposure to RF-EMR at 0.15 W/kg for 3 h did induce significant DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa (that was no longer significant after 4 h), assessed by the alkaline comet assay (p < 0.05). Furthermore, this fragmentation was accompanied by an induction of oxidative DNA damage in the form of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, which was significant (p < 0.05) after spermatozoa were exposed to RF-EMR for 4 h. At this exposure time point, a decline in sperm motility (p < 0.05) was also observed. This study contributes new evidence toward elucidating a mechanism to account for the effects of RF-EMR on biological systems, proposing Complex III of the mitochondrial ETC as the key target of this radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan J Houston
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce V King
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffry N De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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37
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Xavier MJ, Mitchell LA, McEwan KE, Scott RJ, Aitken RJ. Genomic integrity in the male germ line: evidence in support of the disposable soma hypothesis. Reproduction 2018; 156:269-282. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The Big Blue λSelect-cII selection system has been employed along with whole-exome sequencing to examine the susceptibility of the male germ line to mutation in two challenging situations (i) exposure to a chemotherapeutic regime including bleomycin, etoposide and cis-platinum (BEP) and (ii) the ageing process. A 3-week exposure to BEP induced complete azoospermia associated with a loss of developing germ cells and extensive vacuolization of Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Following cessation of treatment, spermatozoa first appeared in the caput epididymis after 6 weeks and by 12 weeks motile spermatozoa could be recovered from the cauda, although the count (P < 0.001) and motility (P < 0.01) of these cells were significantly reduced and superoxide generation was significantly elevated (P < 0.001). Despite this increase in free radical generation, no evidence of chromatin instability was detected in these spermatozoa. Furthermore, embryos obtained from females mated at this 12-week time point showed no evidence of an increased mutational load. Similarly, progressive ageing of Big Blue mice had no impact on the quality of the spermatozoa, fertility or mutation frequency in the offspring despite a significant increase in the mutational load carried by somatic tissues such as the liver (P < 0.05). We conclude that the male germ line is highly resistant to mutation in keeping with the disposable soma hypothesis, which posits that genetic integrity in the germ cells will be maintained at the expense of the soma, in light of the former’s sentinel position in safeguarding the stability of the genome.
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Martin JH, Bromfield EG, Aitken RJ, Lord T, Nixon B. Double Strand Break DNA Repair occurs via Non-Homologous End-Joining in Mouse MII Oocytes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9685. [PMID: 29946146 PMCID: PMC6018751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27892-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique biology of the oocyte means that accepted paradigms for DNA repair and protection are not of direct relevance to the female gamete. Instead, preservation of the integrity of the maternal genome depends on endogenous protein stores and/or mRNA transcripts accumulated during oogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether mature (MII) oocytes have the capacity to detect DNA damage and subsequently mount effective repair. For this purpose, DNA double strand breaks (DSB) were elicited using the topoisomerase II inhibitor, etoposide (ETP). ETP challenge led to a rapid and significant increase in DSB (P = 0.0002) and the consequential incidence of metaphase plate abnormalities (P = 0.0031). Despite this, ETP-treated MII oocytes retained their ability to participate in in vitro fertilisation, though displayed reduced developmental competence beyond the 2-cell stage (P = 0.02). To account for these findings, we analysed the efficacy of DSB resolution, revealing a significant reduction in DSB lesions 4 h post-ETP treatment. Notably, this response was completely abrogated by pharmacological inhibition of key elements (DNA-PKcs and DNA ligase IV) of the canonical non-homologous end joining DNA repair pathway, thus providing the first evidence implicating this reparative cascade in the protection of the maternal genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. .,Preganancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Preganancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Preganancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Preganancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
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Kozhakhmetova A, Wyatt RC, Caygill C, Williams C, Long AE, Chandler K, Aitken RJ, Wenzlau JM, Davidson HW, Gillespie KM, Williams AJK. A quarter of patients with type 1 diabetes have co-existing non-islet autoimmunity: the findings of a UK population-based family study. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 192:251-258. [PMID: 29431870 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk of coeliac disease (CD), autoimmune thyroiditis and autoimmune gastritis, but the absolute risks are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase (TGA), thyroid peroxidase (TPOA) and gastric H+ /K+ -ATPase (ATPA) and their genetic associations in a well-characterized population-based cohort of individuals with T1D from the Bart's-Oxford family study for whom islet autoantibody prevalence data were already available. Autoantibodies in sera from 1072 patients (males/females 604/468; median age 11·8 years, median T1D duration 2·7 months) were measured by radioimmunoassays; HLA class II risk genotype was analysed in 973 (91%) using polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP). The prevalence of TGA (and/or history of CD), TPOA and ATPA in patients was 9·0, 9·6 and 8·2%, respectively; 3·1% had two or more autoantibodies. Females were at higher risk of multiple autoimmunity; TGA/CD were associated with younger age and TPOA with older age. ATPA were uncommon in patients under 5 years, and more common in older patients. Anti-glutamate decarboxylase autoantibodies were predictive of co-existing TPOA/ATPA. TGA/CD were associated with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DR3-DQ2, with the DR3-DQ2/DR3-DQ2 genotype conferring the highest risk, followed by DR4-DQ8/DR4-DQ8. ATPA were associated with DR3-DQ2, DRB1*0404 (in males) and the DR3-DQ2/DR4-DQ8 genotype. TPOA were associated with the DR3-DQ2/DR3-DQ2 genotype. Almost one-quarter of patients diagnosed with T1D aged under 21 years have at least one other organ-specific autoantibody. HLA class II genetic profiling may be useful in identifying those at risk of multiple autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kozhakhmetova
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - R C Wyatt
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C Caygill
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C Williams
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - A E Long
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - K Chandler
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - R J Aitken
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - J M Wenzlau
- The Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | - H W Davidson
- The Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | - K M Gillespie
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - A J K Williams
- Diabetes and Metabolism, Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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40
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Bromfield EG, Aitken RJ, McLaughlin EA, Nixon B. Proteolytic degradation of heat shock protein A2 occurs in response to oxidative stress in male germ cells of the mouse. Mol Hum Reprod 2018; 23:91-105. [PMID: 27932549 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does oxidative stress compromise the protein expression of heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2) in the developing germ cells of the mouse testis? SUMMARY ANSWER Oxidative stress leads to the modification of HSPA2 by the lipid aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) and initiates its degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous work has revealed a deficiency in HSPA2 protein expression within the spermatozoa of infertile men that have failed fertilization in a clinical setting. While the biological basis of this reduction in HSPA2 remains to be established, we have recently shown that the HSPA2 expressed in the spermatozoa of normozoospermic individuals is highly susceptible to adduction, a form of post-translational modification, by the lipid aldehyde 4HNE that has been causally linked to the degradation of its substrates. This modification of HSPA2 by 4HNE adduction dramatically reduced human sperm-egg interaction in vitro. Moreover, studies in a mouse model offer compelling evidence that the co-chaperone BCL2-associated athanogene 6 (BAG6) plays a key role in regulating the stability of HSPA2 in the testis, by preventing its ubiquitination and subsequent proteolytic degradation. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Dose-dependent studies were used to establish a 4HNE-treatment regime for primary culture(s) of male mouse germ cells. The influence of 4HNE on HSPA2 protein stability was subsequently assessed in treated germ cells. Additionally, sperm lysates from infertile patients with established zona pellucida recognition defects were examined for the presence of 4HNE and ubiquitin adducts. A minimum of three biological replicates were performed to test statistical significance. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Oxidative stress was induced in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids isolated from the mouse testis, as well as a GC-2 cell line, using 50-200 µM 4HNE or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the expression of HSPA2 was monitored via immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting approaches. Using the GC-2 cell line as a model, the ubiquitination and degradation of HSPA2 was assessed using immunoprecipitation techniques and pharmacological inhibition of proteasomal and lysosomal degradation pathways. Finally, the interaction between BAG6 and HSPA2 was examined in response to 4HNE exposure via proximity ligation assays. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE HSPA2 protein levels were significantly reduced compared with controls after 4HNE treatment of round spermatids (P < 0.01) and GC-2 cells (P < 0.001) but not pachytene spermatocytes. Using GC-2 cells as a model, HSPA2 was shown to be both adducted by 4HNE and targeted for ubiquitination in response to cellular oxidative stress. Inhibition of the proteasome with MG132 prevented HSPA2 degradation after 4HNE treatment indicating that the degradation of HSPA2 is likely to occur via a proteasomal pathway. Moreover, our assessment of proteasome activity provided evidence that 4HNE treatment can significantly increase the proteasome activity of GC-2 cells (P < 0.05 versus control). Finally, 4HNE exposure to GC-2 cells resulted in the dissociation of HSPA2 from its regulatory co-chaperone BAG6, a key mediator of HSPA2 stability in male germ cells. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION While these experiments were performed using a mouse germ cell-model system, our analyses of patient sperm lysate imply that these mechanisms are conserved between mouse and human germ cells. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study suggests a causative link between non-enzymatic post-translational modifications and the relative levels of HSPA2 in the spermatozoa of a specific sub-class of infertile males. In doing so, this work enhances our understanding of failed sperm-egg recognition and may assist in the development of targeted antioxidant-based approaches for ameliorating the production of cytotoxic lipid aldehydes in the testis in an attempt to prevent this form of infertility. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (APP1101953). The authors have no competing interests to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Hall SE, Aitken RJ, Nixon B, Smith ND, Gibb Z. Electrophilic aldehyde products of lipid peroxidation selectively adduct to heat shock protein 90 and arylsulfatase A in stallion spermatozoa. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:107-121. [PMID: 28395341 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.145292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a major determinant of mammalian sperm function stimulating lipid peroxidation cascades that culminate in the generation of potentially cytotoxic aldehydes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of such aldehydes on the functionality of stallion spermatozoa. The impact of exposure to exogenous acrolein (ACR) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) was manifested in a highly significant dose- and time-dependent increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), total cellular ROS, a decrease in sperm motility, and a time-dependent increase in lipid peroxidation. Notably, low doses of ACR and 4HNE also caused a significant decrease in zona binding. In contrast, exogenous malondialdehyde, a commonly used marker of oxidative stress, had little impact on the various sperm parameters assessed. In accounting for the negative physiological impact of ACR and 4HNE, it was noted that both aldehydes readily adducted to sperm proteins located predominantly within the head, proximal centriole, and tail. The detoxifying activity of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 appeared responsible for a lack of adduction in the midpiece; however, this activity was overwhelmed by 24 h of electrophilic aldehyde exposure. Sequencing of the dominant proteins targeted for ACR and 4HNE covalent modification identified heat shock protein 90 alpha (cytosolic) class A member 1 and arylsulfatase A, respectively. These collective findings may prove useful in the identification of diagnostic biomarkers of stallion fertility and resolving the mechanistic basis of sperm dysfunction in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally E Hall
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.,Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nathan D Smith
- Analytical and Biomedical Research Facility, Research Division, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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42
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Swegen A, Grupen CG, Gibb Z, Baker MA, Ruijter‐Villani M, Smith ND, Stout TAE, Aitken RJ. From Peptide Masses to Pregnancy Maintenance: A Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of The Early Equine Embryo Secretome, Blastocoel Fluid, and Capsule. Proteomics 2017; 17. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201600433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleona Swegen
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW Australia
| | - Christopher G. Grupen
- Faculty of Veterinary Science School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Camden NSW Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW Australia
| | - Mark A. Baker
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW Australia
| | - Marta Ruijter‐Villani
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - Nathan D. Smith
- Analytical and Biomolecular Research Facility University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW Australia
| | - Tom A. E. Stout
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - R. John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW Australia
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Bromfield EG, Mihalas BP, Dun MD, Aitken RJ, McLaughlin EA, Walters JL, Nixon B. Inhibition of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase prevents 4-hydroxynonenal-induced protein damage in male germ cells†. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:598-609. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Lin M, Zhang X, Murdoch RN, Aitken RJ. Swim-up of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) spermatozoa in Biggers, Whitter and Whittingham (BWW) medium: maximisation of sperm motility, minimisation of impairment of sperm metabolism and induction of sperm hyperactivation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:345-356. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of media were compared for their ability to sustain the motility of tammar wallaby spermatozoa over an 8-h period following swim–up from coagulated semen. The study demonstrated that a modified Tyrode’s solution, Biggers, Whitter and Whittingham medium (BWW) was significantly better than any of the other assessed media in supporting wallaby sperm motility. After 8 h of incubation in BWW, motility was maintained at 79.3 ± 9.3%, with 77.0 ± 10.4% rapid and 65.7 ± 8.7% progressively motile spermatozoa. By contrast, motility was <10% at the same 8-h time point in all of the other media assessed. After 2 h of incubation in BWW, tammar spermatozoa consumed more oxygen than their counterparts in PBS (52.0 ± 2.7 vs 75.0 ± 6.6 μL per 108 spermatozoa per 2 h; P < 0.001). Motility was not enhanced in any of these media by the addition of 5 mM N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, the major energy substrate in wallaby semen. However, addition of dibutyryl cAMP and pentoxifylline in BWW resulted in the extremely rapid induction of hyperactivated motility in the entire sperm population. This burst of hyperactivated motility was entirely dependent on calcium in BWW and significantly inhibited by calmidazolium, a calmodulin inhibitor. A set of computer-assisted sperm analysis parameters were identified that permitted the accurate quantification of hyperactivation rates in this species. This is the first comparative analysis of media for harvesting and incubating marsupial spermatozoa and the first record of hyperactivated motility in any marsupial species.
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Hall SE, Nixon B, Aitken RJ. Non-surgical sterilisation methods may offer a sustainable solution to feral horse (Equus caballus) overpopulation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:1655-1666. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral horses are a significant pest species in many parts of the world, contributing to land erosion, weed dispersal and the loss of native flora and fauna. There is an urgent need to modify feral horse management strategies to achieve public acceptance and long-term population control. One way to achieve this is by using non-surgical methods of sterilisation, which are suitable in the context of this mobile and long-lived species. In this review we consider the benefits of implementing novel mechanisms designed to elicit a state of permanent sterility (including redox cycling to generate oxidative stress in the gonad, random peptide phage display to target non-renewable germ cells and the generation of autoantibodies against proteins essential for conception via covalent modification) compared with that of traditional immunocontraceptive approaches. The need for a better understanding of mare folliculogenesis and conception factors, including maternal recognition of pregnancy, is also reviewed because they hold considerable potential in providing a non-surgical mechanism for sterilisation. In conclusion, the authors contend that non-surgical measures that are single shot and irreversible may provide a sustainable and effective strategy for feral horse control.
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Swegen A, Lambourne SR, Aitken RJ, Gibb Z. Rosiglitazone Improves Stallion Sperm Motility, ATP Content, and Mitochondrial Function. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:107. [PMID: 27683266 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.142687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Media used for equine sperm storage often contain relatively high concentrations of glucose, even though stallion spermatozoa preferentially utilize oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) over glycolysis to generate ATP and support motility. Rosiglitazone is an antidiabetic compound that enhances metabolic flexibility and glucose utilization in various cell types, but its effects on sperm metabolism are unknown. This study investigated the effects of rosiglitazone on stallion sperm function in vitro, along with the possible role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in mediating these effects. Spermatozoa were incubated with or without rosiglitazone, GW9662 (an antagonist of peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor-gamma), and compound C (CC; an AMPK inhibitor). Sperm motility, viability, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential (mMP), ATP content, and glucose uptake capacity were measured. Samples incubated with rosiglitazone displayed significantly higher motility, percentage of cells with normal mMP, ATP content, and glucose uptake capacity, while sperm viability was unaffected. The percentage of spermatozoa positive for mitochondrial ROS was also significantly lower in rosiglitazone-treated samples. AMPK localized to the sperm midpiece, and its phosphorylation, was increased in rosiglitazone-treated spermatozoa. CC decreased sperm AMPK phosphorylation and reduced sperm motility, and successfully inhibited the effects of rosiglitazone. Inclusion of rosiglitazone in a room temperature sperm storage medium maintained sperm motility above 60% for 6 days, attaining significantly higher motility than sperm stored in control media. The ability of rosiglitazone to substantially alleviate the time-dependent deterioration of stallion spermatozoa by diverting metabolism away from OXPHOS and toward glycolysis has novel implications for the long-term, functional preservation of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleona Swegen
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Renay Lambourne
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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Young SAM, Miyata H, Satouh Y, Muto M, Larsen MR, Aitken RJ, Baker MA, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation revealed cytoplasmic tail is dispensable for IZUMO1 function and male fertility. Reproduction 2016; 152:665-672. [PMID: 27624483 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
IZUMO1 is a protein found in the head of spermatozoa that has been identified as essential for sperm-egg fusion. Its binding partner in the egg has been discovered (JUNO); however, the roles of several domains within IZUMO1 remain unexplored. One such domain is the C-terminus, which undergoes major phosphorylation changes in the cytoplasmic portion of the protein during rat epididymal transit. However, the cytoplasmic tail of IZUMO1 in many species is highly variable, ranging from 55 to one amino acid. Therefore, to understand the role of the cytoplasmic tail of IZUMO1 in mouse, we utilised the gene manipulation system of CRISPR/Cas9 to generate a point mutation resulting in a premature stop codon, producing mice with truncated IZUMO1. Mice without the cytoplasmic tail of IZUMO1 showed normal fertility but decreased the amount of protein, indicating that whilst this region is important for the expression level of IZUMO1, it is dispensable for fertilisation in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A M Young
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases.,Priority Research Centre in Reproductive ScienceDiscipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Masanaga Muto
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesOsaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Martin R Larsen
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive ScienceDiscipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark A Baker
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive ScienceDiscipline of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases .,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesOsaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Martin JH, Bromfield EG, Aitken RJ, Nixon B. Biochemical alterations in the oocyte in support of early embryonic development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 74:469-485. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2356-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, De Iuliis GN, Aitken RJ. The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function. Reproduction 2016; 152:R263-R276. [PMID: 27601711 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Mobile phone usage has become an integral part of our lives. However, the effects of the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by these devices on biological systems and specifically the reproductive systems are currently under active debate. A fundamental hindrance to the current debate is that there is no clear mechanism of how such non-ionising radiation influences biological systems. Therefore, we explored the documented impacts of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system and considered any common observations that could provide insights on a potential mechanism. Among a total of 27 studies investigating the effects of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, negative consequences of exposure were reported in 21. Within these 21 studies, 11 of the 15 that investigated sperm motility reported significant declines, 7 of 7 that measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) documented elevated levels and 4 of 5 studies that probed for DNA damage highlighted increased damage due to RF-EMR exposure. Associated with this, RF-EMR treatment reduced the antioxidant levels in 6 of 6 studies that discussed this phenomenon, whereas consequences of RF-EMR were successfully ameliorated with the supplementation of antioxidants in all 3 studies that carried out these experiments. In light of this, we envisage a two-step mechanism whereby RF-EMR is able to induce mitochondrial dysfunction leading to elevated ROS production. A continued focus on research, which aims to shed light on the biological effects of RF-EMR will allow us to test and assess this proposed mechanism in a variety of cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Houston
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive ScienceSchool of Environmental and Life Sciences
| | - B Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive ScienceSchool of Environmental and Life Sciences
| | - B V King
- School of Mathematical and Physical SciencesUniversity of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - G N De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive ScienceSchool of Environmental and Life Sciences
| | - R J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive ScienceSchool of Environmental and Life Sciences
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Martin JH, Nixon B, Lord T, Bromfield EG, Aitken RJ. Identification of a key role for permeability glycoprotein in enhancing the cellular defense mechanisms of fertilized oocytes. Dev Biol 2016; 417:63-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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