Ultrastructural studies on the fertilization of mammalian gametes

The use of resveratrol decreases liquid-extend boar semen fertility, even in concentrations that do not alter semen quality

In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to investigate the effects of trans-resveratrol (RVT) on liquid-extended boar semen during 72 h of storage at 17 °C. Thirty-six ejaculates were collected from six boars, evaluated, and extended. RVT was then added at the indicated treatment concentration (0, 0.01, 0.1 or 1 mM), and the ejaculates were cooled to 17 °C and evaluated at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Samples were evaluated for sperm motility, kinetics, plasma and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, anion superoxide levels, lipoperoxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activity. In the follow-up experiment, twenty-eight gilts were fixed-time inseminated with 0 or 0.01 mM RVT liquid-extended boar semen. After five days, they were slaughtered, and their reproductive tracts were recovered. The embryos were collected, and the pregnancy, fertility, and viable embryo rates were calculated. In the in vitro assays, total motility, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, anion superoxide levels, and lipoperoxidation did not change at any of the evaluation times with the use of RVT up to 0.01 mM. RVT decreased SOD activity without changes in GPx. RVT used at 1 mM showed harmful effects for almost all evaluated parameters. For the in vivo assay, the same pregnancy and fertility rates were observed for both groups, while the viable embryo rate was three-fold lower in the 0.01 mM group than in the 0 mM group. The results showed a dichotomous effect of RVT; a low concentration was not harmful in vitro but was catastrophic for embryo viability.

Curcuma longa normalized cimetidine-induced pituitary-testicular dysfunction: Relevance in nutraceutical therapy

BACKGROUND

The increasing incidence of chemically induced infertility is both a social threat and a threat to the continuation of life itself. Treatment or management therapy is often expensive. This study investigated the effects of acetone extract of a local plant (Curcuma longa) in a Wistar rat model of cimetidine-induced pituitary-testicular dysfunction.

METHODS

Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats. After a phytochemical screening of an acetone extract of C. Longa, cimetidine and the extract at three doses, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, were orally co-administered to the rats for 28 consecutive days. Comparisons were made (at P < 0.05) against a control (2 mL/kg distilled water), a standard treatment group (cimetidine + 50 mg/kg vitamin C), a toxic group (60 mg/kg cimetidine) and a group receiving extract alone.

RESULTS

Cimetidine administration was associated with deleterious alterations to sperm motility, sperm count and sperm viability, as well as derangements in the plasma levels of FSH, LH and testosterone (P < 0.05). Both brain and testicular GSH and TBARS levels were significantly altered following cimetidine administration, and distortions were seen in the pituitary and testicular histoarchitecture. These changes were significantly normalized by co-administration of graded doses of the extract, with an associated improvement of both pituitary and testicular histology.

CONCLUSION

Acetone extract of C. Longa normalized cimetidine-induced pituitary-testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. This presents the extract as a potential nutraceutical choice against chemically induced reproductive toxicity.

Review: Integrating a semen quality control program and sire fertility at a large artificial insemination organization

The technology available to assess sperm population characteristics has advanced greatly in recent years. Large artificial insemination (AI) organizations that sell bovine semen utilize many of these technologies not only for novel research purposes, but also to make decisions regarding whether to sell or discard the product. Within an AI organization, the acquisition, interpretation and utilization of semen quality data is often performed by a quality control department. In general, quality control decisions regarding semen sales are often founded on the linkages established between semen quality and field fertility. Although no one individual sperm bioassay has been successful in predicting sire fertility, many correlations to various in vivo fertility measures have been reported. The most powerful techniques currently available to evaluate semen are high-throughput and include computer-assisted sperm analysis and various flow cytometric analyses that quantify attributes of fluorescently stained cells. However, all techniques measuring biological parameters are subject to the principles of precision, accuracy and repeatability. Understanding the limitations of repeatability in laboratory analyses is important in a quality control and quality assurance program. Hence, AI organizations that acquire sizeable data sets pertaining to sperm quality and sire fertility are well-positioned to examine and comment on data collection and interpretation. This is especially true for sire fertility, where the population of AI sires has been highly selected for fertility. In the December 2017 sire conception rate report by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, 93% of all Holstein sires (n=2062) possessed fertility deviations within 3% of the breed average. Regardless of the reporting system, estimates of sire fertility should be based on an appropriate number of services per sire. Many users impose unrealistic expectations of the predictive value of these assessments due to a lack of understanding for the inherent lack of precision in binomial data gathered from field sources. Basic statistical principles warn us of the importance of experimental design, balanced treatments, sampling bias, appropriate models and appropriate interpretation of results with consideration for sample size and statistical power. Overall, this review seeks to describe and connect the use of sperm in vitro bioassays, the reporting of AI sire fertility, and the management decisions surrounding the implementation of a semen quality control program.

Novel Flow Cytometry Analyses of Boar Sperm Viability: Can the Addition of Whole Sperm-Rich Fraction Seminal Plasma to Frozen-Thawed Boar Sperm Affect It?

Boar semen cryopreservation remains a challenge due to the extension of cold shock damage. Thus, many alternatives have emerged to improve the quality of frozen-thawed boar sperm. Although the use of seminal plasma arising from boar sperm-rich fraction (SP-SRF) has shown good efficacy; however, the majority of actual sperm evaluation techniques include a single or dual sperm parameter analysis, which overrates the real sperm viability. Within this context, this work was performed to introduce a sperm flow cytometry fourfold stain technique for simultaneous evaluation of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential. We then used the sperm flow cytometry fourfold stain technique to study the effect of SP-SRF on frozen-thawed boar sperm and further evaluated the effect of this treatment on sperm movement, tyrosine phosphorylation and fertility rate (FR). The sperm fourfold stain technique is accurate (R² = 0.9356, p > 0.01) for simultaneous evaluation of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (IPIAH cells). Centrifugation pre-cryopreservation was not deleterious (p > 0.05) for any analyzed variables. Addition of SP-SRF after cryopreservation was able to improve total and progressive motility (p < 0.05) when boar semen was cryopreserved without SP-SRF; however, it was not able to decrease tyrosine phosphorylation (p > 0.05) or improve IPIAH cells (p > 0.05). FR was not (p > 0.05) statistically increased by the addition of seminal plasma, though females inseminated with frozen-thawed boar semen plus SP-SRF did perform better than those inseminated with sperm lacking seminal plasma. Thus, we conclude that sperm fourfold stain can be used to simultaneously evaluate plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential, and the addition of SP-SRF at thawed boar semen cryopreserved in absence of SP-SRF improve its total and progressive motility.

Assessment of sperm damages during different stages of cryopreservation in water buffalo by fluorescent probes

The present study was designed to investigate the sperm damages occurring in acrosome, plasma membrane, mitochondrial activity, and DNA of fresh, equilibrated and frozen-thawed buffalo semen by fluorescent probes. The stability of sperm acrosome and plasma membrane stability, mitochondrial activity and DNA status were assessed by fluorescein conjugated lectin Pisum sativum agglutinin, Annexin-V/propidium iodide, JC-1 and TUNEL assay, respectively, under the fluorescent microscope. The damages percentage of acrosome integrity was significantly increased during equilibration and freezing-thawing process. The stability of sperm plasma membrane is dependent on stability of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the inner leaflet of plasma membrane. The frozen-thawed sperm showed externalization of PS leading to significant increase in apoptotic, early necrotic and necrotic changes and lowered high mitochondrial membrane potential as compared with the fresh sperm but all these parameters were not affected during equilibration. However, the DNA integrity was not affected during equilibration and freezing-thawing procedure. In conclusion, the present study revealed that plasma membrane and mitochondria of buffalo sperm are more susceptible to damage during cryopreservation. Furthermore, the use of fluorescent probes to evaluate integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA status increased the accuracy of semen analyses.

Unresolved questions concerning mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis

In recent years, the study of mammalian acrosomal exocytosis has produced some major advances that challenge the long-held, general paradigms in the field. Principally, the idea that sperm must be acrosome-intact to bind to the zona pellucida of unfertilized eggs, based largely on in vitro fertilization studies of mouse oocytes denuded of the cumulus oophorus, has been overturned by experiments using state-of-the-art imaging of cumulus-intact oocytes and fertilization experiments where eggs were reinseminated by acrosome-reacted sperm recovered from the perivitelline space of zygotes. In light of these results, this minireview highlights a number of unresolved questions and emphasizes the fact that there is still much work to be done in this exciting field. Future experiments using recently advanced technologies should lead to a more complete and accurate understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the fertilization process in mammals.

Effect of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 isomers of conjugated linoleic acid on the integrity and functionality of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

Plasma membranes of sperm subjected to low temperatures undergo changes in their structure and permeability. The addition of fatty acids in semen cryopreservation media may influence the sperm motility after thawing, possibly by maintaining the membrane fluidity due to their incorporation in lipid bilayers. In this work, different concentrations of the isomers cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were added in the cryopreservation medium of bovine sperm. Four Jersey bulls were used, and the ejaculates were processed as a pool. The Tris-based extender (Dilutris®) was supplemented with 20% egg yolk (MB). The treatments with CLA (Luta-CLA®), which had oily presentation, were prepared from MB with addition of 1% sodium lauryl sulfate, and denominated MBL. The concentrations of CLA tested were 50, 100, and 150 μM. The motility characteristics of the post-thaw semen were analyzed by computerized analysis system (CASA), and plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal and mitochondrial function assessed by the association of the fluorescent probes propidium iodide, fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA), JC-1 and Hoechst 33342. No significant differences were observed among treatments, excepting for a decreased mitochondrial potential of cells treated with 150 μM CLA. The addition of CLA, at the concentrations used, showed no advantages on the integrity and functionality of bovine sperm submitted to cryopreservation.

In vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

1. An assessment of the efficiency of the acrosome reaction (AR) provides an important predictor of the fertilizing potential of semen and for diagnosis of the causes of infertility. A standardized protocol was therefore developed for initiation of the acrosome reaction in emu spermatozoa in vitro, and the role of CaCl2 or perivitelline membrane (PVM) proteins in determining the outcome of the reaction was investigated. 2. The acrosome reaction (assessed by FITC-PNA) was successfully induced in live spermatozoa by incubation for 2 min in NaCl-TES medium supplemented with 5 mM CaCl2. The maximum response was 32% live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa (LAR) achieved after 10 min incubation. 3. Compared to the outcome with 5 mM CaCl2 or PVM protein alone, the response was significantly better with a combination of PVM protein and CaCl2. 4. A significant variation in the percentage of LAR spermatozoa among individual males was observed. No treatment affected the percentage of dead acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. 5. The results emphasize the important role played by both PVM proteins and Ca(2+) in the in vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction.

Effects of discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation on the quality of bovine spermatozoa evaluated with computer-assisted semen analysis and fluorescent probes association

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of bovine frozen-thawed sperm cells after Percoll gradient centrifugation. Frozen semen doses were obtained from six bulls of different breeds, including three taurine and three Zebu animals. Four ejaculates per bull were evaluated before and after discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis and the integrity of the plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as mitochondrial function, were evaluated using a combination of fluorescent probes propidium iodide, fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin and 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide. The procedure of Percoll gradient centrifugation increased the percentage of total and progressive sperm motility, beat frequency, rectilinear motility, linearity and rapidly moving cells. In addition, the percentage of cells with intact plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane potential was increased in post-centrifugation samples. However, the percentage of sperm cells with intact acrosomal membrane was markedly reduced. The method used selected the motile cells with intact plasma membrane and higher mitochondrial functionality in frozen-thawed bull semen, but processing, centrifugation and/or the Percoll medium caused damage to the acrosomal membrane.

Transmission electron microscopy for characterization of acrosomal damage after Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized.

Cysteine addition on short-term cooled boar semen preservation and its relationship with swine field fertility

Artificial insemination is routinely used in the swine industry to reduce the costs of production through to increase the efficiency of the refrigerated boar semen process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of cysteine (CYS) added to the Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) extender semen during cooling for up to 72 hours. Ejaculated from three boars were collected with the gloved-hand technique and semen aliquots were diluted in BTS as follow: BTS only (BTS), BTS + 0.1mM cysteine (CYS0.1), BTS + 0.5mM cysteine (CYS0.5), BTS + 1.0mM cysteine (CYS1.0), BTS + 2.5mM cysteine (CYS2.5), BTS + 5.0mM cysteine (CYS5.0), BTS + 10.0mM cysteine (CYS10.0), and BTS + 20.0mM cysteine (CYS20.0). Evaluation of sperm integrity were analyzed using 0.5mg/ml propidium iodide (plasma membrane), 100µg/ml isothiocynate-conjugated Pisum sativun agglutinin (acrosomal membrane) and 153µM 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl carbocyanine iodide (mitochondria potential) after semen dilution at specific times (0, 24, 48 and 72 hours). Additionally, we also evaluated the effects of 5.0 mM CYS addition in the BTS extender on the maintenance of sperm quality and their influence on fertility in the swine production. After artificial insemination, animals were evaluated based on the estrous return and the number of piglet's born. Cysteine at concentrations of 10.0 and 20.0mM resulted in more pronounced reductions even at the time zero. Semen viability decreased to levels below 10% at these high levels of CYS in the first 24 hour of storage at 17ºC. At the end of the storage time, less than 65% of sperm cells had intact plasma membrane in all groups. The sperm viability decreased significantly when the semen was added at high concentrations of CYS (time "0"; CYS10.0 and CYS20.0; p<0.05), when compared to the other CYS concentrations. The BTS (10.20±0.39) treated group showed a lower rate of estrus return when compared to other (BTSCYS; 86.05±039), and it showed also the highest total number of piglets borne per treatment (12.71±3.38 vs. 9.00±3.38, respectively). In conclusion, the addition of CYS in the BTS semen extender did not maintain spermatic viability of boar cooled spermatozoa and it results in a higher percentage of return to estrus and lower number of piglets borne.

Dynamics of the mammalian sperm membrane modification leading to fertilization: a cytological study

Fertilization occurs when the sperm penetrates the egg, resulting in the combination of paternal and maternal genomes for the propagation of generations. To perform the task, the mammalian sperm membrane system, constructed during spermatogenesis, undergoes biochemical and cytological modifications. In this review, the following three points are discussed: (i) the nature of the acrosomal membrane disclosed by various types of microscopy, including transmission electron microscopy and the recently developed high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, (ii) the nascent acrosomal membrane dysfunction during acrosome biogenesis and (iii) the modification of the sperm membrane during sperm-egg interaction.

A reappraisal of the factors involved in in vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction in chicken spermatozoa

Chicken spermatozoa may remain in the female oviduct for a prolonged period before induction of the acrosome reaction on contact with the inner perivitelline layer (IPVL). By contrast, the acrosome reaction may be induced very rapidlyin vitroin the presence of IPVL and Ca2+. In the present study, we examined the extent to which the chicken acrosome reaction can be induced in media of various compositions in the presence or absence of IPVL and/or Ca2+and other factors known to be efficient in mammals. We also compared the efficacy of perivitelline layer (PL) taken at various states of oocyte maturation in initiating the reaction. The acrosome reaction was induced in less than 5 min in the presence of Ca2+and IPVL. Incubation of spermatozoa in different saline media (Beltsville poultry semen extender (BPSE); Dulbecco's modified eagle medium; NaCl-TES buffer) without IPVL showed a significant induction of acrosome reaction in BPSE supplemented with 5 mM Ca2+and in the three media after supplementation with Ca2+and Ca2+ionophore A23187. By contrast, the acrosome reaction was never induced without Ca2+. BSA, NaHCO3, and progesterone did not stimulate the acrosome reaction. Ca2+plus PL taken at various physiological states (follicle IPVL, ovulated IPVL, oviposited IPVL, and/or outer perivitelline layer) strongly stimulated the acrosome reaction, the latest states being the most efficient. Although PL induced the acrosome reaction in the presence of extracellular Ca2+, it was not possible to induce hyperactivation in chicken spermatozoa. Taken together, these results emphasize the central role of Ca2+in thein vitroinitiation of the acrosome reaction in chickens and show specific features of this induction in birds.

Practical Techniques for Bovine Sperm Simultaneous Fluorimetric Assessment of Plasma, Acrosomal and Mitochondrial Membranes

This experiment was performed to develop and validate practical techniques for simultaneous evaluation of the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, as well as mitochondrial function in bovine spermatozoa using associations of fluorescent probes. Four protocols of fluorescent probes association were defined: protocol 1: propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and rhodamine 123; protocol 2: PI, FITC-PSA and MitoTracker Green FM (MITO); protocol 3: PI, Hoechst 33342 (H342), FITC-PSA and CMXRos; and protocol 4: PI, H342, FITC-PSA and JC-1. Three ejaculates from each of the four bulls (n = 12) were utilized, showing sperm motility >/=80% and abnormal morphology </=10%. The semen was diluted in Modified Tyrode's medium (TALP) (25 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml) and split into two aliquots, one sample was flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed. Samples for three treatments were prepared with the following ratio of fresh semen : flash-frozen semen: 100 : 0, 50 : 50 and 0 : 100. Samples were stained in all four protocols and evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy. Protocol 1 did not result in a satisfactory stain, so it could not be validated. Protocols 2, 3 and 4 were validated and showed high determination coefficient to plasma membrane integrity (R(2) = 0.95, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively), acrosome integrity (R(2) = 0.95, 0.92 and 0.91, respectively) and mitochondrial function (R(2) = 0.84, 0.93 and R(2) = 0.93, respectively). These techniques are efficient for the simultaneous integrity evaluation of plasma and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function in bovine spermatozoa. However, JC-1 has an advantage over MITO and CMXRos, as it separates two cell populations with high and low mitochondrial membrane potential.

Fluorescent Stain Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Mitochondrial Potential and Integrity of Plasma and Acrosomal Membranes in Boar Sperm

The purpose of this study was to validate a technique for simultaneous evaluation of the plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes in boar spermatozoa, using an association of fluorescent probes: Propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and JC-1. Three ejaculates from each of four different boars, all showing motility >or=80% and abnormal morphology <or=10%, were diluted in TALP medium and split into two aliquots. One of the aliquots was flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed in three continuous cycles, to induce damage in cellular membranes and to disturb mitochondrial function. Three treatments were prepared with the following fixed ratios of fresh semen : flash frozen semen; 100 : 0 (T100), 50 : 50 (T50), and 0 : 100 (T0). The samples were then submitted to a stain technique. To a 150-microl aliquot of diluted semen it was added 3 microl of PI (0.5 mg/ml), 2 microl of JC-1 (153 microm) and 50 microl of FITC-PSA (100 microg/ml). Samples were incubated at 38.5 degrees C for 8 min, in the dark. An 8-microl sample was put on a slide, coverslipped and immediately evaluated by epifluorescent microscopy. The association of fluorescent probes was divided into eight cell classes, according to plasma membrane integrity, intact acrosome and mitochondrial function. For plasma membrane integrity, detected by PI probe, the equation: (p < 0.0001) and R(2) = 0.97 was obtained. The intact acrosome, verified by the FITC-PSA probe, produced the equation: (p < 0.0001) and R(2) = 0.98. The mitochondrial potential, marked by JC-1, was estimated by the equation: (p < 0.001) and R(2) = 0.99. The group of spermatozoa with combined intact plasma membrane, intact acrosome and high mitochondrial potential (IPIAH), was estimated by the equation: (p < 0.0001) and R(2) = 0.97. The resulting linear equations demonstrate that this technique is efficient and practical for the simultaneous evaluations of the plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes in boar spermatozoa.

Identification and isolation of boar sperm specific antigens with potential role in sperm-egg interaction

Investigations on specific and functionally active sperm antigens would bring about the elucidation of the mechanisms of gamete interaction and help the search to new approaches for prognosis and regulation of fertility. Previously, we have produced a polyclonal rabbit anti-boar spermatozoa antibody (RABSA) that might affect the fertilizing capacity of boar spermatozoa. The sperm specificity of RABSA was demonstrated by double immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA against boar spermatozoa, as well as against saline extracts of boar reproductive and somatic organs. Using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test, here we provide evidence that RABSA stained the acrosomes of ejaculated and capacitated boar and human spermatozoa, the fluorescence being intensified on the equatorial region after the acrosome reaction. The RABSA cognate antigen/s is a subject of interest because of their specific localization in sperm structures, which is shown to be a binding and/or fusion competence region. Using ion-exchange (Heparin-Sepharose) chromatography, we eluted an antigen with molecular mass 60 kDa (Ag60) in SDS-PAGE from NP40 extracts of capacitated boar spermatozoa. In Western blot, RABSA recognized specifically this antigen. The Ag60 did not affect the sperm-ligand activity of zona pellucida in a porcine sperm-zona binding assay. IIF experiments showed that zona-free porcine oocytes preincubated with Ag60 and RABSA presented fluorescent labeling over the entire egg surface. The biological and IIF experiments provide evidence supporting the involvement of Ag60 in functional steps required for sperm-egg binding and/or fusion, but not sperm-zona pellucida binding.

Protein phosphatase-type 2B is involved in the regulation of the acrosome reaction but not in the temperature-dependent flagellar movement of fowl spermatozoa

The motility and acrosomal integrity of fowl spermatozoa in TES/NaCl buffer, with or without homogenized inner perivitelline layers (IPVL) prepared from laid fowl eggs, was almost negligible at 40 °C. However, motility became vigorous even at 40 °C when 2 mmol CaCl2/l was added, and the acrosome reaction was also stimulated in the presence, but not in the absence, of IPVL. The presence of deltamethrin or fenvalerate, specific inhibitors of protein phosphatase-type 2B (PP2B), did not permit the restoration of motility at 40 °C but, in the presence of IPVL, these compounds stimulated the acrosome reaction in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 1–1000 nmol/l. These results suggest that IPVL is necessary for the activation of the acrosome reaction in fowl spermatozoa and that Ca2+ plays an important role in the stimulation of motility and acrosomal exocytosis. Furthermore, it appears that the intracellular molecular mechanisms for the regulation of the acrosome reaction of fowl spermatozoa are different from those for the restoration of motility, i.e. protein dephosphorylation by PP2B in the former but not in the latter case.

Telomere-Binding TRF2/MTBP Localization during Mouse Spermatogenesis and Cell Cycle of the Mouse Cells L929

Observations of the organization and distribution of telomeres (Tel) in somatic tissues still remain controversial. The Tel topography revealed by modern microscopy shows them to be associated with the nuclear envelope (NE) in a wide variety of eukaryotic cells, although not at the Rabl orientation (peripheral position at one pole of the nucleus at prophase). We used two cell types that have different nuclear architectures. The cell line L929 shows lack of any rigid Tel architecture in the nucleus. In contrast, spermatozoa have a precise architecture established during spermiogenesis. We observed Tel and membrane Tel binding protein (MTBP/TRF2) position by immunoFISH in L929 cells and by immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy, using antibodies against Membrane Tel Binding Protein (MTBP/TRF2), during different stages of spermiogenesis. At all stages of the L929 cell cycle, MTBP/TRF2 is co-localized with Tel. The only Tel order found in this cell type is similar to the Rabl-orientation, probably due to fast divisions. In the mouse pachytene spermatocytes, the membrane structures abut on the synaptonemal complex (SC) attachment sites contain MTBP/TRF2. In fully formed spermatozoa and during spermiogenesis, apart from the expected MTBP/TRF2 position at the nuclear periphery, MTBP/TRF2 unexpectedly localized at the acrosomal membrane that is adjacent to the nucleus. The difference in the MTBP/TRF2 distribution in the oocyte and spermatozoa leads to the suggestion that the MTBP/TRF2 location might reflect preparation for fertilization events. The Tel distribution is not static in cultured cells throughout the cell cycle or during spermatogenesis. When the Tel are attached to the NE, as during SC formation, MTBP/TRF2 is the member of the protein complex, which appears to be responsible for this attachment.

Monoclonal antibody G3 epitope location on Guinea pig sperm membrane protein, sperad

A protein isolated from guinea pig testes was purified, characterized as having a molecular weight of 34 kDa, and subjected to amino acid sequencing. A monoclonal antibody to the protein (G11) was found to cross-react with a second monoclonal antibody (G3). Two peptide sequences derived from the purified protein, labeled as 34 kDa G11, show sequence homology with sperad. Sperad is a transmembrane protein present in the peri-acrosomal plasma membrane of guinea pig spermatozoa. Both G11 and G3 monoclonal antibodies recognise antigens on the equatorial segment plasma membrane of guinea pig spermatozoa following the acrosome-reaction. Therefore, experiments were designed to check whether monoclonal antibody G3 epitope is present on the sperad. The intra-cytoplasmic domain and the extra-cytoplasmic domain of sperad was amplified from a guinea pig testes cDNA expression library by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into pGEM T-Easy vector. The recombinant pGEM T-Easy plasmids were subjected to in vitro transcription and translation by rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. The resulting translated products were immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibody G3. The results obtained from this study confirmed that monoclonal antibody G3 epitope is located on the extra-cytoplasmic domain but not on the intra-cytoplasmic domain of sperad.

Identification of the 48-kDa G11 protein from guinea pig testes as sperad

A protein found specifically in the membrane of spermatozoa called G11 has been implicated in sperm-egg binding and fusion. This study describes purification and identification of the G11 antigen. The G11 protein was purified using anion exchange chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography and preparative SDS-PAGE and was subjected to amino acid microsequencing by tandem mass spectrometry. Internal amino acid sequence data derived from the 48-kDa G11 protein revealed that G11 is the recently discovered guinea pig sperm protein, sperad. Sperad is a transmembrane protein present in the periacrosomal plasma membrane of guinea pig sperm. The cytoplasmic domain of sperad was amplified from a guinea pig testes cDNA expression library by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into a prokaryotic gene expression vector, pGEX-2T. The recombinant glutathione S-transferase fusion protein was immunoblotted with monoclonal antibody G11. The results obtained from this study confirmed the monoclonal antibody G11 epitope location on the cytoplasmic domain of sperad.

Cellular and molecular biology of capacitation and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa

A comparative account is given of advances in cellular and molecular biology of capacitation and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa by comparing and contrasting their biochemical and physiological changes in response to various factors in vivo and in vitro. It can now be stated that phenomena of sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction are endogenous molecular events occurring at the membrane level which can be modulated by external environmental factors. The molecular mechanisms and the signal transduction pathways mediating the process of capacitation and acrosome reaction are only partially defined and appear to involve modification of intracellular Ca2+ and other ions, lipid transfer, and phospholipid remodeling in the sperm plasma membrane as well as changes in protein phosphorylation. Evidences for the involvement of cAMP-dependent kinase pathway in the acrosome reaction are discussed. The mediation of one or more external signals by the sperm plasma membrane appears to activate this pathway after or simultaneously with the influx of Ca2+. Concurrent with or following entry of Ca2+, adenylate cyclase is activated, leading to increased concentrations of cAMP-activation of cAMP-dependent kinase and protein phosphorylation; the identity of such proteins and their role in the acrosome reaction must be determined. The roles of biological effectors of the acrosome reaction, such as ZP3 and follicular fluid are still to be defined at the molecular level. The gaps in our knowledge about the cellular and molecular aspects of capacitation and acrosome reaction are emphasized.

An MN9 antigenic molecule, equatorin, is required for successful sperm-oocyte fusion in mice

The acrosome plays an important role in fertilization. This study was designed to examine the role and behavior of a molecule, equatorin (the antigenic molecule of the monoclonal antibody mMN9), localized at the equatorial segment of the acrosome. In vitro fertilization (IVF) investigation was conducted to examine the role of this molecule, by assessing the effect of mMN9 in TYH medium (a modified Krebs Ringer bicarbonate solution) containing mMN9 at 0 (control), 25, 50, and 100 microg/ml. Under these conditions, the IVF investigation was divided into two experiments: 1) the zona pellucida (zona)-intact experiment, in which capacitated sperm inseminated cumulus- and zona-intact oocytes; and 2) the zona-free experiment, in which acrosome-reacted sperm inseminated zona-free oocytes. It was found that mMN9 did not affect sperm motility, zona binding, or zona penetration, but it significantly inhibited fertilization, reducing the rates of pronucleus and two-cell embryo formation in both the zona-intact and zona-free oocyte experiments. In addition, when judged at 5 h after insemination in the zona-intact experiment, nearly half of the unfertilized oocytes had accumulated sperm in the perivitelline space (perivitelline sperm), and concurrently we confirmed by electron microscopy the presence of many unreleased cortical granules preserved beneath the oolemma, indicating no occurrence of sperm-oocyte fusion. Confocal laser scanning light microscopy with indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated that equatorin was localized at the equatorial segment in both capacitated and perivitelline sperm (acrosome-reacted sperm). These results suggest that equatorin that is preserved at the equatorial segment is involved in the process of sperm-oocyte fusion in mice.

Remodeling the sperm nucleus into a male pronucleus at fertilization

After fertilization, the dormant sperm nucleus undergoes morphological and biochemical transformations leading to the development of a functional nucleus, the male pronucleus. We have investigated the formation of the male pronucleus in a cell-free system consisting of permeabilized sea urchin sperm nuclei incubated in fertilized sea urchin egg extract containing membrane vesicles. The first sperm nuclear alteration in vitro is the disassembly of the sperm nuclear lamina as a result of lamin phosphorylation mediated by egg protein kinase C. The conical sperm nucleus decondenses into a spherical pronucleus in an ATP-dependent manner. The new nuclear envelope (NE) forms by ATP-dependent binding of vesicles to chromatin and GTP-dependent fusion of vesicles to each other. Three cytoplasmic membrane vesicle fractions with distinct biochemical, chromatin-binding and fusion properties, are required for pronuclear envelope assembly. Binding of each fraction to chromatin requires two detergent-resistant lipophilic structures at each pole of the sperm nucleus, which are incorporated into the NE by membrane fusion. Targeting of the bulk of NE vesicles to chromatin is mediated by a lamin B receptor (LBR)-like integral membrane protein. The last step of male pronuclear formation involves nuclear swelling. Nuclear swelling is associated with import of soluble lamin B into the nucleus and growth of the nuclear envelope by fusion of additional vesicles. In the nucleus, lamin B associates with LBR, which apparently tethers the NE to the lamina. Thus male pronuclear envelope assembly in vitro involves a highly ordered series of events. These events are similar to those characterizing the remodeling of somatic and embryonic nuclei transplanted into oocytes. The relationship between sperm nuclear remodeling at fertilization and nuclear remodeling after nuclear transplantation is discussed.

Molecules involved in mammalian sperm-egg interaction

To achieve fertilization, sperm and egg are equipped with specific molecules which mediate the steps of gamete interaction. In mammals, the first interaction between sperm and egg occurs at an egg-specific extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida (zp). The three glycoproteins, ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3, that comprise the zp have been characterized from many species and assigned different roles in gamete interaction. A large number of candidate-binding partners for the zp proteins have been described; a subset of these have been characterized structurally and functionally. Galactosyltransferase, sp56, zona receptor kinase, and spermadhesins are thought to participate in the primary binding between sperm and zp and may initiate the exocytotic release of hydrolytic enzymes in the sperm head, the acrosome reaction. Digestion of the zp by these enzymes enables sperm to traverse the zp, at which time the proteins PH20, proacrosin, sp38, and Sp17 are thought to participate in secondary binding between the acrosome-reacted sperm and zp. Once through the zp, sperm and egg plasma membranes meet and fuse in a process reported to involve the egg integrin alpha 6 beta 1 and the sperm proteins DE and fertilin. These molecules and the processes involved in gamete interaction are reviewed in this chapter within a physiological context.

Major goat sperm 105 kDa maturation antigen: purification, characterization, and effect of its antiserum on acrosin activity

A ConA binding membrane glycoantigen of 105 kDa molecular mass was purified from mature goat sperm by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Of the detergents examined, the anionic deoxycholate was found to be highly effective in maximum solubilization of this sperm membrane antigen (SMA2). The analysis of the saccharide components by gas liquid chromatography revealed that the 105 kDa antigen (SMA2) contained the highest amount of mannose, followed by galactose and glucose in a ratio of 4:3:1. One amino sugar, N-acetylglucosamine, was also found to be present in the polysaccharide branching of the SMA2 antigen. The internal sulfydryl linkage is essential for the maintenance of the protein backbone of 105 kDa antigen. The antigen selectively resides on the anterior head of goat sperm. The binding of anti-SMA2 antibody to the integrated mature goat spermatozoa inhibited the release of acrosin after the induction of spermatozoa with Ca-ionophore.

Sperm nuclear envelope: breakdown of intrinsic envelope and de novo formation in hamster oocytes or eggs

During fertilisation of a fully mature oocyte, the sperm intrinsic nuclear envelope (SINE) disappears soon after sperm-oocyte fusion. A new nuclear envelope appears around the decondensed sperm chromatin when the oocyte reaches telophase II. Whether the SINE persists or rapidly disappears after sperm entry into immature oocytes or fertilised eggs has been controversial. Nuclear envelopes have been demonstrated around the sperm chromatin, which cannot be decondensed within the ooplasm of these oocytes or eggs, but whether these envelopes are persisting SINEs or newly formed envelopes has been a point of dispute. To resolve this issue, the fate of the SINEs of hamster sperm nuclei was traced after incorporation into immature oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage (GV oocytes) or fertilised eggs at the pronuclear stage (PN eggs). The SINEs disappeared quickly within these oocytes or eggs, like those within maturing or mature oocytes, suggesting that the envelopes around the sperm chromatin must be newly formed after SINE breakdown. To obtain further evidence, a detergent-treated, SINE-free sperm nucleus was injected into a PN egg. A new envelope appeared around the still-condensed or partially decondensed sperm chromatin within 3 h after injection. Thus, disassembly of the SINE within ooplasm, unlike that of nuclear envelopes of other cells at prophase, is independent of the cell cycle stage of the oocyte or egg, whereas the ability of the ooplasm to assemble the new envelope is restricted to certain periods of the cycle, i.e. early prophase and telophase during meiosis and interphase, periods when active M-phase promoting factor (MPF) is absent from the ooplasm.

Morphological differences in nuclear materials released from hamster sperm heads at an early stage of incorporation into immature oocytes, mature oocytes, or fertilized eggs

To elucidate the effects of ooplasmic factors on the early morphological changes in hamster sperm heads within the ooplasm, immature ovarian oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage (GV oocytes), ovulated fully mature oocytes, and fertilized eggs at anaphase II or the pronuclear stage (PN eggs) were examined in detail 15-30 min after insemination or reinsemination. Thin-sectioning studies demonstrated distinct materials released from the sperm nucleus over the entire postacrosomal nuclear surface immediately after disappearance of the sperm nuclear envelope. The release occurred in all of the oocytes and eggs prior to or even in the absence of subsequent chromatin decondensation. Depending upon the stage of the penetrated oocyte or egg, however, the materials varied in morphology: several hemispherical projections of amorphous material within mature oocytes; a number of electron-dense globules within GV oocytes and PN eggs; and both forms within eggs at anaphase II-telophase II. These observations and the fact that only the release of the amorphous material was accompanied by sperm chromatin decondensation indicate that this release was the initial process of chromatin decondensation, whereas the release of the globules resulted from a deficiency or lack of ooplasmic factors affecting the sperm nucleus. Restriction of the release in both forms of material to the late meiotic phase suggests changes in the factors associated with progression of meiosis. To approach an understanding of the mechanism of successful decondensation of sperm chromatin, the ooplasmic factors considered responsible for the stage-dependent release of nuclear materials are discussed.

Intra-acrosomal 155,000 dalton protein increases the antigenicity during mouse sperm maturation in the epididymis: a study using a monoclonal antibody MC101

We found an intra-acrosomal antigen of about 155,000 daltons (155 kDa) in a survey using the monoclonal antibody MC101 raised against mouse cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Morphological studies by means of indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy localized the antigen to the cortex region of the anterior acrosome. Avidin biotin complex immunocytochemistry initially demonstrated a faint signal at the anterior acrosome in the testis spermatozoa that increased in intensity as the sperm moved toward the distal epididymis. This incremental immunoreactivity was also confirmed by immunoblotting following one-dimensional SDS-PAGE. The 155 kDa protein band was immunostained, and it was much more intense in the cauda epididymal than in the caput and corpus epididymal spermatozoa. Only a trace or no immunostain was evident in the caput or testis spermatozoa. The antigen localization did not change during passage through the epididymis, being confined at the cortex region of the anterior acrosome. The epididymal epithelial cells were not immunostained. These findings suggested that the 155 kDa protein is biochemically modified, further implying that the biochemical alteration of intra-acrosomal material is involved in sperm maturation in the epididymis.

Plasma membrane block to sperm entry occurs in mouse eggs upon parthenogenetic activation

The ability of parthenogenetically activated mouse eggs to establish a plasma membrane (PM) block to sperm penetration was studied. Zona-free eggs preloaded with Hoechst 33342 were activated by exposure to ethanol or OAG (1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol) and inseminated after different periods. Eggs challenged with sperm at 30- or 60-min postactivation displayed a fertilization frequency significantly lower than that of control eggs. Conversely, when insemination was carried out at 120-min postactivation, the proportion of fertilized eggs was equivalent to that observed in the control group. Moreover, we report that when the eggs were induced to resume meiosis without any notable loss of CGs (egg exposure to OAG at 100 microM external Ca2+ or to heat shock), a normal ability to be penetrated was recorded at 30-min postactivation. Similar behaviour was exhibited by eggs that underwent a CG exocytosis close to that triggered by sperm in absence of nuclear activation (microinjection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate into the egg at 1 microM cytosolic concentration). Present data support the conclusion that parthenogenetically activated mouse eggs are capable of a transitory PM block response that requires both CG exocytosis and meiosis resumption to occur.

Relationship between sperm nucleus remodelling and cell cycle progression of fragments of mouse parthenogenotes

Nucleate and anucleate fragments of parthenogenetically activated mouse oocytes, as well as cybrids obtained by fusion of anucleate fragments (cytoplasts) of maturing and activated matured oocytes were fertilized at different time after activation. Remodelling of the sperm nucleus was studied by electron microscopy at 1.5 and 3 h after fertilization and, in addition, at 14 h in cybrids. Results show that 1) the nuclear envelope of the sperm nucleus can break down when the insemination takes place after the end of M-phase, but the capacity of the parthenote cytoplasm to remodel the sperm nucleus is restricted in time. 2) Male chromatin can decondense within the old, unbroken nuclear envelope, but in such cases formation of a male pronucleus, one of the two nuclei of zygote possessing inactive nucleoli, is never observed.

Capacitated and acrosome reacted spermatozoa of goat (Capra indicus): a fluorescence and electron microscopic study

Plasma membrane alterations accompanying in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction of goat spermatozoa were studied using lectin labelling, scanning electron microscopy, and freeze-fracture methods. Fluorescein isothiocyanate linked lectins namely; Canavalia ensiformis (ConA), Maclura pomifera (MPA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Glycine max (SBA) and Triticum vulgaris (WGA) agglutinin were used to examine the distribution of surface carbohydrates during these two events. The head and the sperm tail reveal altered lectin labelling features after capacitation and acrosome reaction. After capacitation the surface coat components for MPA, SBA, and WGA are shed from the spermatozoon head. ConA receptors on the head are retained after capacitation but are partially shed in the acrosome reacted spermatozoa. SBA receptor sites appear on the sperm tail of the capacitated spermatozoa. Unusual morphological changes attending capacitation involve the sperm tail-end which develops a novel entity, which we have termed 'spatula'. The 'spatula' shows strong binding with ConA and WGA only. In the acrosome reacted spermatozoa the spatulated tail-end unwinds with a concomitant loss of lectin labelling. Highly ordered membrane particles, 'ladders' of the middle piece of the epididymal sperm tail, disappear and IMP clearings appear on the middle piece and in the spatulated ends of the capacitated spermatozoa. But in the acrosome reacted sperm IMPs reappear and are randomly disposed on the middle-piece and are clustered in small patches on the principal-piece. IMP free areas appear on the plasma membrane covering the acrosome and the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM) of the capacitated spermatozoa. The plasma membrane and OAM fuse at multiple foci and appear as acrosomal 'ghosts' which remain associated with the sperm head even after acrosome reaction.

Characterization of the antigen recognized by a monoclonal antibody MN9: unique transport pathway to the equatorial segment of sperm head during spermiogenesis

MN9, a monoclonal antibody raised against mouse spermatozoa, specifically recognizes the equatorial segment of sperm head in several mammalian species, including humans. Colloidal gold-immuno-electron microscopy of mouse spermatozoa has shown that the antigen is localized in the space between the outer and inner acrosome membranes and on the acrosome membranes at the equatorial segment. Immunoblotting after electrophoresis of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis has identified two immunoreactive bands: 38 kDa and 48 kDa in mouse, and 48 kDa in rat. During spermiogenesis in rat, this antigen is transported to the equatorial segment via a unique pathway, first appearing in some cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and in the Golgi apparatus of spermatids at around step 3. The antigen can further be found on the vesicles at the trans-side of the Golgi apparatus, in the matrix of the head cap, and on the head cap membrane in step-4 to step-7 spermatids. The antigen appears to be concentrated at the equatorial segment during late spermiogenesis. Neither the (pro-)acrosomic granule nor the surrounding membrane are required in this pathway. This pathway can be termed the 'Golgi-head cap tract'.

A rat sperm flagellar surface antigen that originates in the testis and is expressed on the flagellar surface during epididymal transit

We identified a rat sperm flagellar surface antigen using an IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MC31) against rat epididymal sperm. Avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the antigen was first expressed in the cytoplasm of early primary spermatocytes, then gradually became restricted to the principal piece of the sperm flagellum during spermatogenesis. However, when the sperm reached the corpus epididymidis, the antigen was expressed on the surface of both the principal piece and the midpiece of the flagellum. The epithelial cells of the epididymis were not stained with MC31. Immunogold electron microscopy showed that the antigen was present on the surface of the sperm flagellar plasma membrane. Immunoblotting of Triton X-100 extracts of epididymal sperm after one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under nonreducing conditions demonstrated that MC31 detected a major antigen of 26,000-28,000 daltons (26-28K). Two-dimensional isoelectric focusing and SDS-PAGE indicated that the 26-28K antigen had an isoelectric focusing point (pl) of 5.8-5.3; minor antigens were also detected from 26K (pl 5.8) to 35K (pl 5.0). These results indicate that the antigen recognized by MC31 is an acidic 26-35K protein that originates in the testis, is integrated into the sperm flagellar plasma membrane of the principal piece during spermatogenesis, and then is expressed on the entire flagellar surface during epididymal transit.

Appearance of an intra-acrosomal antigen during the terminal step of spermiogenesis in the rat

In a survey of sperm antigens in the rat, a new intra-acrosomal antigen was found using a monoclonal antibody MC41 raised against rat epididymal spermatozoa. The MC41 was immunoglobulin G1 and recognized spermatozoa from rat, mouse and hamster. Indirect immunofluorescence with MC41 specifically stained the crescent region of the anterior acrosome of the sperm head. Immuno-gold electron microscopy demonstrated that the antigen was localized within the acrosomal matrix. Immunoblot study showed that MC41 recognized a band of approximately 165,000 dalton in the extract of rat sperm from the cauda epididymidis. Immunohistochemistry with MC41 demonstrated that the antigen was first detected in approximately step-2 spermatids, and distributed over the entire cytoplasmic region of spermatids from step 2 to early step 19. The head region became strongly stained in late step-19 spermatids and then in mature spermatozoa. Distinct immunostaining was not found in the developing acrosome of spermatids throughout spermiogenesis. These results suggest that the MC41 antigen is a unique intra-acrosomal antigen which is accumulated into the acrosome during the terminal step of spermiogenesis.

A monoclonal antibody, MN13, that recognizes specifically a novel substance between the postacrosomal sheath and the overlying plasma membrane in the mammalian sperm head

Monoclonal antibody MN13 raised against mouse spermatozoa specifically recognizes the postacrosomal region of the sperm head in several mammalian species. Colloidal gold-immunoelectron microscopy of demembranated mouse spermatozoa indicated that the antigen is associated with the outer layer of the periodic substructure apparently linking the postacrosomal sheath to the overlying plasma membrane. The antigen recognized by MN13 may contribute to the intimate association of the postacrosomal sheath with the overlying plasma membrane.