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Deng R, Wu Z, He C, Lu C, He D, Li X, Duan Z, Zhao H. Exosomes from uterine fluid promote capacitation of human sperm. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16875. [PMID: 38680889 PMCID: PMC11056104 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles containing various proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. EVs are found in many body fluids, such as blood and urine. The release of EVs can facilitate intercellular communication through fusion with the plasma membrane or endocytosis into the recipient cell or through internalization of the contents. Recent studies have reported that EVs isolated from human endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) promote sperm fertilization ability. EVs from uterine flushing fluid more closely resemble the physiological condition of the uterus. However, it is unclear whether EVs derived directly from uterine flushing fluid have the same effect on sperm. This study aimed to research the effect of EVs from uterine flushing fluid on sperm. Methods EVs were isolated from the uterine flushing fluid. The presence of EVs was confirmed by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). EVs were incubated with human sperm for 2 h and 4 h. The effects of EVs on sperm were evaluated by analyzing acrosome reaction, sperm motility, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results The EVs fractions isolated from the uterine fluid were observed in cup-shaped vesicles of different sizes by TEM. All isolated vesicles contained similar numbers of vesicles in the expected size range (30-200 nm) by NTA. CD9 and CD63 were detected in EVs by western blot. Comparing the motility of the two groups incubated sperm motility significantly differed at 4 h. The acrosome reactions were promoted by incubating with EVs significantly. ROS were increased in sperm incubated with EVs. Conclusion Our results showed EVs present in the uterine fluid. Acrosome reactions and ROS levels increased in human sperm incubated with EVs. EVs from uterine fluid can promote the capacitation of human sperm. The increased capacitation after sperm interaction with EVs suggests a possible physiological effect during the transit of the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renbin Deng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhao Wu
- Department of Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chaoyong He
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Danpeng He
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhenling Duan
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Alfaiate MI, Tavares RS, Ramalho-Santos J. A ripple effect? The impact of obesity on sperm quality and function. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23215. [PMID: 38589340 DOI: 10.1071/rd23215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples trying to conceive. Male-related causes account for roughly 50% of cases, with obesity emerging as a possible significant factor. Obesity, defined as a body mass index of 30.0 or higher, has become a widespread epidemic associated with numerous health issues, including a decrease of fertility. This review discusses the relationship between obesity and male infertility, particularly focusing on sperm quality and function. An overview of the literature suggests that obesity may influence the male reproductive system via disruptions in hormonal profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammation, leading to changes in sperm parameters. Several studies have discussed if obesity causes a decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology, so far without a consensus being reached. However, available evidence suggests an impairment of sperm function in obese men, due to an increase in DNA damage and oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and acrosome reaction in response to progesterone. Finally, the relationship between obesity and assisted reproductive technologies outcomes remains debatable, with conflicting evidence regarding the influence on fertilisation, pregnancy, and live birth rates. Therefore, the actual impact of obesity on human spermatozoa still needs to be clarified, due to the multiple factors potentially in play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Inês Alfaiate
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal; and University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Renata Santos Tavares
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal; and Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-456, Portugal
| | - João Ramalho-Santos
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal; and Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-456, Portugal
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3
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Irigoyen P, Mansilla S, Castro L, Cassina A, Sapiro R. Mitochondrial function and reactive oxygen species production during human sperm capacitation: Unraveling key players. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23486. [PMID: 38407497 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301957rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Sperm capacitation is a critical process for male fertility. It involves a series of biochemical and physiological changes that occur in the female reproductive tract, rendering the sperm competent for successful fertilization. The precise mechanisms and, specifically, the role of mitochondria, in sperm capacitation remain incompletely understood. Previously, we revealed that in mouse sperm mitochondrial activity (e.g., oxygen consumption, membrane potential, ATP/ADP exchange, and mitochondrial Ca2+ ) increases during capacitation. Herein, we studied mitochondrial function by high-resolution respirometry (HRR) and reactive oxygen species production in capacitated (CAP) and non-capacitated (NC) human spermatozoa. We found that in capacitated sperm from normozoospermic donors, the respiratory control ratio increased by 36%, accompanied by a double oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in the presence of antimycin A. Extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) detection was three times higher in CAP than in NC sperm cells. To confirm that H2 O2 production depends on mitochondrial superoxide (O 2 · - $$ {\mathrm{O}}_2^{\cdotp -} $$ ) formation, we evaluated mitochondrial aconitase (ACO2) amount, activity, and role in the metabolic flux from the sperm tricarboxylic acid cycle. We estimated that CAP cells produce, on average by individual, (59 ± 22)% moreO 2 · - $$ {\mathrm{O}}_2^{\cdotp -} $$ in the steady-state compared to NC cells. Finally, we analyzed two targets of oxidative stress: lipid peroxidation by western blot against 4-hydroxynonenal and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity by HRR. We did not observe modifications in lipoperoxidation nor the activity of SDH, suggesting that during capacitation, the increase in mitochondrial H2 O2 production does not damage sperm and it is necessary for the normal CAP process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Irigoyen
- Unidad Académica Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Santiago Mansilla
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Laura Castro
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Unidad Académica Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Kolyada MN, Osipova VP, Pimenov YT. Oxidative stress and cryoresistance of sturgeon sperm: A review. Cryobiology 2023; 113:104594. [PMID: 37848167 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the majority of sturgeons are relict fishes of high economic value yet endangered with extinction. Cryopreservation of sperm has great potential in fish farming and conservation, but the problem of low cryoresistance of sturgeon sperm has not yet been solved. The goal of this work was to review current literature data on the causes of low tolerance of sturgeon sperm to cryodamage. The influence of cryopreservation on the parameters of physiology and metabolism of sturgeon sperm (morphology and fine ultrastructure, mobility and fertilization ability, integrity of the plasma membrane, protein, lipid and metabolite profiles, antioxidant status, DNA damage), as well as on biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipids peroxidation levels and carbonyl derivatives of proteins) is discussed. Since the development of oxidative stress is an important mechanism of sperm cryodamage induction, the review presents the literature on the role of oxygen-derived species in damage of sturgeon reproductive cells caused by cryopreservation. Particular attention is paid to the system of antioxidant protection of sturgeon seminal plasma and spermatozoa, represented by antioxidant enzymes and low molecular weight antioxidants capable of utilizing various reactive forms of oxygen and nitrogen. The review discusses the results of lipidomic and proteomic studies of sturgeon sperm, which made it possible to obtain new data on the lipid composition of cell membranes, to detect proteins involved in the protection of sturgeon spermatozoa from oxidative damage during cryopreservation. This review presents the use of «omics» technology to elucidate the mechanism of cryodamage in sturgeon sperm. Additionally, the review summarizes information on the unique anatomical, morphological, biochemical, and physiological features of sturgeon sperm, which may be associated with low cryoresistance of sturgeon, in order to establish prospects for further research on improving the methods of the conservation of sperm of these threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita N Kolyada
- Southern Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Science, 41 Chekhova str., 344006, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
| | - Viсtoria P Osipova
- Southern Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Science, 41 Chekhova str., 344006, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
| | - Yuri T Pimenov
- Astrakhan State Technical University, 16 Tatisheva str., 414056, Astrakhan, Russia.
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5
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Breitbart H, Grinshtein E. Mechanisms That Protect Mammalian Sperm from the Spontaneous Acrosome Reaction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17005. [PMID: 38069328 PMCID: PMC10707520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
To acquire the capacity to fertilize the oocyte, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo a series of biochemical reactions in the female reproductive tract, which are collectively called capacitation. The capacitated spermatozoa subsequently interact with the oocyte zona-pellucida and undergo the acrosome reaction, which enables the penetration of the oocyte and subsequent fertilization. However, the spontaneous acrosome reaction (sAR) can occur prematurely in the sperm before reaching the oocyte cumulus oophorus, thereby jeopardizing fertilization. One of the main processes in capacitation involves actin polymerization, and the resulting F-actin is subsequently dispersed prior to the acrosome reaction. Several biochemical reactions that occur during sperm capacitation, including actin polymerization, protect sperm from sAR. In the present review, we describe the protective mechanisms that regulate sperm capacitation and prevent sAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haim Breitbart
- The Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
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6
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Faggi M, Vanzetti A, Teijeiro JM. Effect of glucose and reactive oxygen species on boar sperm induced-acrosome exocytosis. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:105013. [PMID: 37742485 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Ejaculated boar spermatozoa can be liquid preserved for several days and be easily activated to produce physiological changes. One of the major changes is acrosome exocytosis that is physiologically related to capacitation. Glycolysis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied regarding several boar sperm functions, but data available about their effect on boar sperm acrosome exocytosis are scarce. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of glucose and ROS on boar sperm acrosome exocytosis. We evaluated acrosome exocytosis by progesterone induction of capacitated sperm and assess viability, kinematics parameters, ROS levels, ATP content and Protein Kinase A activity in media with or without glucose and hydrogen peroxide or potassium chromate, as source of ROS. Our results show that glucose has no effect on acrosome exocytosis and also, it is not necessary for boar sperm capacitation, although it has a positive effect in the presence of ROS. On the other hand, ROS effects are related to spontaneous acrosome reaction. We conclude that glycolysis may function as a metabolic pathway that provides sustain but is not directly involved in boar sperm acrosome exocytosis and capacitation. Also, ROS do not promote capacitation in boar sperm, but affect spontaneous acrosome exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Faggi
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Agustín Vanzetti
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Juan Manuel Teijeiro
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina; CONICET.
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7
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Lavrentiadou SN, Sapanidou V, Tzekaki EE, Margaritis I, Tsantarliotou MP. Melatonin Protects Bovine Spermatozoa by Reinforcing Their Antioxidant Defenses. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3219. [PMID: 37893943 PMCID: PMC10603642 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreserved semen is widely used in assisted reproductive techniques. Post-thawing spermatozoa endure oxidative stress due to the high levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are produced during the freezing/thawing process, and the depletion of antioxidants. To counteract this depletion, supplementation of sperm preparation medium with antioxidants has been widely applied. Melatonin is a hormone with diverse biological roles and a potent antioxidant, with an ameliorative effect on spermatozoa. In the present study, we assessed the effect of melatonin on thawed bovine spermatozoa during their handling. Cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa were thawed and incubated for 60 min in the presence or absence of 100 μΜ melatonin. Also, the effect of melatonin was assessed on spermatozoa further challenged by the addition of 100 μΜ hydrogen peroxide. Spermatozoa were evaluated in terms of kinematic parameters (CASA), viability (trypan blue staining) and antioxidant capacity (glutathione and NBT assay, determination of iNOS levels by Western blot analysis). In the presence of melatonin, spermatozoa presented better kinematic parameters, as the percentage of motile and rapid spermatozoa was higher in the melatonin group. They also presented higher viability and antioxidant status, as determined by the increased cellular glutathione levels and the decreased iNOS protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia N. Lavrentiadou
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Animal Structure and Function, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.S.); (I.M.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Vasiliki Sapanidou
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Animal Structure and Function, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.S.); (I.M.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Elena E. Tzekaki
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Ioannis Margaritis
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Animal Structure and Function, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.S.); (I.M.); (M.P.T.)
| | - Maria P. Tsantarliotou
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Animal Structure and Function, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.S.); (I.M.); (M.P.T.)
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8
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Benko F, Urminská D, Ďuračka M, Tvrdá E. Signaling Roleplay between Ion Channels during Mammalian Sperm Capacitation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2519. [PMID: 37760960 PMCID: PMC10525812 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to accomplish their primary goal, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo a series of physiological, biochemical, and functional changes crucial for the acquisition of fertilization ability. Spermatozoa are highly polarized cells, which must swiftly respond to ionic changes on their passage through the female reproductive tract, and which are necessary for male gametes to acquire their functional competence. This review summarizes the current knowledge about specific ion channels and transporters located in the mammalian sperm plasma membrane, which are intricately involved in the initiation of changes within the ionic milieu of the sperm cell, leading to variations in the sperm membrane potential, membrane depolarization and hyperpolarization, changes in sperm motility and capacitation to further lead to the acrosome reaction and sperm-egg fusion. We also discuss the functionality of selected ion channels in male reproductive health and/or disease since these may become promising targets for clinical management of infertility in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Benko
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (D.U.); (E.T.)
| | - Dana Urminská
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (D.U.); (E.T.)
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Eva Tvrdá
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (D.U.); (E.T.)
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Kalo D, Mendelson P, Komsky-Elbaz A, Voet H, Roth Z. The Effect of Mycotoxins and Their Mixtures on Bovine Spermatozoa Characteristics. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:556. [PMID: 37755982 PMCID: PMC10534433 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing concern about the effects of mycotoxins on mammalian reproduction. Although the effects of single mycotoxins have been well documented, the impact of their mixtures on spermatozoon quality is less known. Here, frozen-thawed semen (n = 6 bulls) was in-vitro-cultured (2 h) without (control) or with (i) a single mycotoxin [zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), toxin 2 (T2), and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)] in a dose-response manner; (ii) binary mixtures (OTA + T2, OTA + ZEN, OTA + DAS, ZEN + T2, DAS + T2 and ZEN + DAS); or (iii) ternary mixtures (OTA + DAS + T2, OTA + ZEN + T2, and ZEN + DAS + T2). Then, the spermatozoa quality was characterized according to its plasma- and acrosome-membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidation status by a flow cytometer. Exposure to single mycotoxins or binary mixtures did not affect the spermatozoa characteristics. However, exposure to the ternary mixtures, OTA + DAS + T2 and OTA + ZEN + T2, reduced (p < 0.05) the mitochondrial membrane potential relative to the control. In addition, OTA + ZEN + T2 increased (p < 0.05) the proportion of spermatozoa with reactive oxygen species relative to the control. The most suggested interaction effect between the mycotoxins was found to be an additive one. A synergistic interaction, mainly regarding the oxidation status of the spermatozoa, was also found between the mycotoxins. The current study sheds light on the potential risk of exposing spermatozoa to a mycotoxin mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Paz Mendelson
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Alisa Komsky-Elbaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Hillary Voet
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Management, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Zvi Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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Andretta RR, de Castro LS, de Carvalho RC, Moura JACD, Fraietta R, Okada FK, Bertolla RP. Understanding the impact of varicocele on sperm capacitation. F&S SCIENCE 2023; 4:229-238. [PMID: 37169221 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between the seminal sample quality of men with varicocele and sperm capacitation. DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING Academic hospital. PATIENT(S) Seventy-six men (19 control and 57 with varicocele) were analyzed. INTERVENTION(S) Semen samples were submitted to a discontinuous density gradient for sperm selection. Sperm capacitation was induced using a human tubal fluid medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) After capacitation induction, the sperm were assessed by capacitation state, computer-assisted sperm motility, mitochondrial activity, membrane integrity, acrosome reaction, and intracellular oxidative stress. RESULT(S) The capacitation period increased sperm motility, showing an increase in the average path velocity and a decrease in the straightness compared with sperm before capacitation (paired analysis). After capacitation, the rate of capacitated sperm, motility, and mitochondrial activity showed differences between groups (control and varicocele). The varicocele group showed lower mitochondrial activity and capacitation than the control group. On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in the other variables evaluated. CONCLUSION(S) Varicocele men showed less viable sperm and mitochondrial activity than control men after capacitation sperm. The induction of capacitation altered motility by increasing path velocity and decreasing straightness in all of the studied groups, evidencing the occurrence of hyperactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhayza Roberta Andretta
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Signori de Castro
- Laboratory of Spermatozoa Biology, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Cristina de Carvalho
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Renato Fraietta
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fatima Kazue Okada
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Moretti E, Signorini C, Corsaro R, Giamalidi M, Collodel G. Human Sperm as an In Vitro Model to Assess the Efficacy of Antioxidant Supplements during Sperm Handling: A Narrative Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051098. [PMID: 37237965 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa are highly differentiated cells that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to aerobic metabolism. Below a certain threshold, ROS are important in signal transduction pathways and cellular physiological processes, whereas ROS overproduction damages spermatozoa. Sperm manipulation and preparation protocols during assisted reproductive procedures-for example, cryopreservation-can result in excessive ROS production, exposing these cells to oxidative damage. Thus, antioxidants are a relevant topic in sperm quality. This narrative review focuses on human spermatozoa as an in vitro model to study which antioxidants can be used to supplement media. The review comprises a brief presentation of the human sperm structure, a general overview of the main items of reduction-oxidation homeostasis and the ambivalent relationship between spermatozoa and ROS. The main body of the paper deals with studies in which human sperm have been used as an in vitro model to test antioxidant compounds, including natural extracts. The presence and the synergic effects of different antioxidant molecules could potentially lead to more effective products in vitro and, in the future, in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moretti
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Signorini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Roberta Corsaro
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Giamalidi
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, 15701 Athens, Greece
| | - Giulia Collodel
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Cheng J, Zhu L, Zhu F, Zhao P, Li QX, Lu ZH, Zhang SD, Li Z, Liu XX. Peroxiredoxin 1 transfer during mating protects eupyrene sperm against oxdative stress in Grapholita molesta. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023. [PMID: 36929567 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Each Grapholita molesta female only copulates once during its lifetime and thus must maintain the viability of stored eupyrene sperm for male reproductive success. The male ejaculate comprises abundant accessory gland proteins produced by the male accessory gland (AG), and many of which are major effectors for sperm storage and maintenance. RESULTS Here, we reported that an antioxidant protein, peroxiredoxin 1 (GmolPrx1), secreted by the male AG, is essential for protecting eupyrene sperm from oxidative stress and maintaining their quality during storage in the female bursa copulatrix (BC). Our data showed that GmolPrx1 is highly expressed in the AG of sexually mature males. The GmolPrx1 protein is localized to the cytoplasm of AG cells and delivered to the female BC during mating. Knockdown of GmolPrx1 strongly decreased the fertility of mated females. Additionally, we evaluated oxidative status in the spermatophore of females and found that the content of hydrogen peroxide increased significantly after mating with GmolPrx1 knockdown males. Finally, the quality assessment of eupyrene sperm demonstrated that the plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and DNA integrity were all severely impaired in the spermatophore of females after mating with GmolPrx1 knockdown males, which may contribute to the fertility decline in males. CONCLUSION Our current data demonstrated that activities of eupyrene sperm stored in females can be significantly impaired by enhanced oxidative stress through knocking down of GmolPrx1 in males. Our finding thus may further lay new foundations for the control of G. molesta through suppressing their populations by manipulating male reproductive genes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cheng
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong-Xi Li
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Hang Lu
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Song-Dou Zhang
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Liu
- Department of Entomology, MOA Key Laboratory of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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13
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Qamar AY, Naveed MI, Raza S, Fang X, Roy PK, Bang S, Tanga BM, Saadeldin IM, Lee S, Cho J. Role of antioxidants in fertility preservation of sperm - A narrative review. Anim Biosci 2023; 36:385-403. [PMID: 36397685 PMCID: PMC9996255 DOI: 10.5713/ab.22.0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Male fertility is affected by multiple endogenous stressors, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which greatly deteriorate the fertility. However, physiological levels of ROS are required by sperm for the proper accomplishment of different cellular functions including proliferation, maturation, capacitation, acrosomal reaction, and fertilization. Excessive ROS production creates an imbalance between ROS production and neutralization resulting in oxidative stress (OS). OS causes male infertility by impairing sperm functions including reduced motility, deoxyribonucleic acid damage, morphological defects, and enhanced apoptosis. Several in-vivo and in-vitro studies have reported improvement in quality-related parameters of sperm following the use of different natural and synthetic antioxidants. In this review, we focus on the causes of OS, ROS production sources, mechanisms responsible for sperm damage, and the role of antioxidants in preserving sperm fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Yar Qamar
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ilyas Naveed
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Sanan Raza
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Xun Fang
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Pantu Kumar Roy
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Seonggyu Bang
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Bereket Molla Tanga
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Islam M Saadeldin
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Jongki Cho
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.,Daejeon Wildlife Rescue Center, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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14
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Calpain Regulates Reactive Oxygen Species Production during Capacitation through the Activation of NOX2 and NOX4. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043980. [PMID: 36835392 PMCID: PMC9967964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Capacitation is a series of physiological, biochemical, and metabolic changes experienced by mammalian spermatozoa. These changes enable them to fertilize eggs. The capacitation prepares the spermatozoa to undergo the acrosomal reaction and hyperactivated motility. Several mechanisms that regulate capacitation are known, although they have not been fully disclosed; among them, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an essential role in the normal development of capacitation. NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are a family of enzymes responsible for ROS production. Although their presence in mammalian sperm is known, little is known about their participation in sperm physiology. This work aimed to identify the NOXs related to the production of ROS in guinea pig and mouse spermatozoa and define their participation in capacitation, acrosomal reaction, and motility. Additionally, a mechanism for NOXs' activation during capacitation was established. The results show that guinea pig and mouse spermatozoa express NOX2 and NOX4, which initiate ROS production during capacitation. NOXs inhibition by VAS2870 led to an early increase in the capacitation and intracellular concentration of Ca2+ in such a way that the spermatozoa also presented an early acrosome reaction. In addition, the inhibition of NOX2 and NOX4 reduced progressive motility and hyperactive motility. NOX2 and NOX4 were found to interact with each other prior to capacitation. This interaction was interrupted during capacitation and correlated with the increase in ROS. Interestingly, the association between NOX2-NOX4 and their activation depends on calpain activation, since the inhibition of this Ca2+-dependent protease prevents NOX2-NOX4 from dissociating and ROS production. The results indicate that NOX2 and NOX4 could be the most important ROS producers during guinea pig and mouse sperm capacitation and that their activation depends on calpain.
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15
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The stallion sperm acrosome: Considerations from a research and clinical perspective. Theriogenology 2023; 196:121-149. [PMID: 36413868 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the fertilization process, the interaction between the sperm and the oocyte is mediated by a process known as acrosomal exocytosis (AE). Although the role of the sperm acrosome on fertilization has been studied extensively over the last 70 years, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern acrosomal function, particularly in species other than mice or humans. Even though subfertility due to acrosomal dysfunction is less common in large animals than in humans, the evaluation of sperm acrosomal function should be considered not only as a complementary but a routine test when individuals are selected for breeding potential. This certainly holds true for stallions, which might display lower levels of fertility in the face of "acceptable" sperm quality parameters determined by conventional sperm assays. Nowadays, the use of high throughput technologies such as flow cytometry or mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis is commonplace in the research arena. Such techniques can also be implemented in clinical scenarios of males with "idiopathic" subfertility. The current review focuses on the sperm acrosome, with particular emphasis on the stallion. We aim to describe the physiological events that lead to the acrosome formation within the testis, the role of very specific acrosomal proteins during AE, the methods to study the occurrence of AE under in vitro conditions, and the potential use of molecular biology techniques to discover new markers of acrosomal function and subfertility associated with acrosomal dysfunction in stallions.
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16
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Hussain T, Kandeel M, Metwally E, Murtaza G, Kalhoro DH, Yin Y, Tan B, Chughtai MI, Yaseen A, Afzal A, Kalhoro MS. Unraveling the harmful effect of oxidative stress on male fertility: A mechanistic insight. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1070692. [PMID: 36860366 PMCID: PMC9968806 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1070692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a widely debated issue that affects males globally. There are several mechanisms involved. Oxidative stress is accepted to be the main contributing factor, with sperm quality and quantity affected by the overproduction of free radicals. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) cannot be controlled by the antioxidant system and, thus, potentially impact male fertility and hamper sperm quality parameters. Mitochondria are the driving force of sperm motility; irregularities in their function may lead to apoptosis, alterations to signaling pathway function, and, ultimately, compromised fertility. Moreover, it has been observed that the prevalence of inflammation may arrest sperm function and the production of cytokines triggered by the overproduction of ROS. Further, oxidative stress interacts with seminal plasma proteomes that influence male fertility. Enhanced ROS production disturbs the cellular constituents, particularly DNA, and sperms are unable to impregnate the ovum. Here, we review the latest information to better understand the relationship between oxidative stress and male infertility, the role of mitochondria, the cellular response, inflammation and fertility, and the interaction of seminal plasma proteomes with oxidative stress, as well as highlight the influence of oxidative stress on hormones; collectively, all of these factors are assumed to be important for the regulation of male infertility. This article may help improve our understanding of male infertility and the strategies to prevent it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarique Hussain
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Tarique Hussain, ; Bie Tan,
| | - Mahmoud Kandeel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelshikh University, Kafrelshikh, Egypt
| | - Elsayed Metwally
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Dildar Hussain Kalhoro
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Yulong Yin
- Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bie Tan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Tarique Hussain, ; Bie Tan,
| | - Muhammad Ismail Chughtai
- Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Anjaleena Yaseen
- Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ali Afzal
- Department of Zoology, Minhaj University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem Kalhoro
- Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand
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17
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Benko F, Mohammadi-Sangcheshmeh A, Ďuračka M, Lukáč N, Tvrdá E. In vitro versus cryo-induced capacitation of bovine spermatozoa, part 1: Structural, functional, and oxidative similarities and differences. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276683. [PMID: 36269791 PMCID: PMC9586399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Low temperatures during cryopreservation activate a cascade of changes, which may lead into irreversible damage and reduction of the fertilization potential, including the process of premature capacitation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the range of cell damage following the cryopreservation process and possible activation of cryocapacitation in bovine spermatozoa. For the experiments semen samples were obtained from 30 sexually mature Holstein bulls. Within the analysed parameters, we focused on the functional activity, structural integrity, capacitation status and oxidative profile. The samples were divided into three experimental groups, control (CTRL), in vitro capacitated (CAP) and cryopreserved (CRYO). Based on the collected data, there was a significant decrease in the sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential and concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the CRYO group when compared to CAP and CTRL (P<0.0001). A significant decrease (P<0.01; P<0.0001) in the membrane and acrosome integrity as well as DNA fragmentation index and a significant increase (P<0.0001) of necrotic cells were observed in the CRYO group. Following capacitation, a significant increase (P<0.01; P<0.0001) was recorded in the number of cells which underwent the acrosome reaction in the CRYO group against CAP and CTRL. Changes in the oxidative profile of the CRYO group indicates an increase (P<0.0001) in the reactive oxygen species generation, except for the superoxide radical, which was significantly higher (P<0.0001; P<0.001) in the CAP group in comparison with CRYO and CTRL. In summary, premature capacitation may be considered a consequence of cryopreservation and the assessed parameters could serve as physical markers of cryogenic damage to bovine spermatozoa in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Benko
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Michal Ďuračka
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Norbert Lukáč
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Eva Tvrdá
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic
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18
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Swain N, Samanta L, Goswami C, Kar S, Majhi RK, Kumar S, Dixit A. TRPV1 channel in spermatozoa is a molecular target for ROS-mediated sperm dysfunction and differentially expressed in both natural and ART pregnancy failure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:867057. [PMID: 36211461 PMCID: PMC9538505 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.867057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bi-directional crosstalk between Ca2+ signaling and ROS modulates physiological processes as a part of a regulatory circuit including sperm function. The role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in this regard cannot be undermined. This is the first report demonstrating the Ca2+-sensitive TRPV1 channel to be under-expressed in spermatozoa of subfertile men, idiopathic infertile men, and normozoospermic infertile males with high ROS (idiopathic infertility and unilateral varicocele). To study the effect of TRPV1 in determining the fertility outcome, we compared the expression profile of TRPV1 in spermatozoa of male partners who achieved pregnancy by natural conception (NC+, n = 10), IVF (IVF+, n = 23), or ICSI (ICSI +, n = 9) and their respective counterparts with failed pregnancy NC (n = 7), IVF (n = 23), or ICSI (n = 10), by both immunocytochemistry and flow-cytometry. Reduced expression of TRPV1 in sperm of IVF ± and ICSI ± men with respect to that NC+ men imply its role in mediating successful fertilization. Unsuccessful pregnancy outcome with an underexpression of TRPV1 in sperm of NC-/IVF-/ICSI-men suggests its role in conception and maintenance of pregnancy. Since ROS is regarded as one of the major contributors to sperm dysfunction, the effect of H2O2 +/- TRPV1 modulators (RTX/iRTX) on acrosomal reaction and calcium influx was evaluated to confirm TRPV1 as a redox sensor in human sperm. A significant increment in the percentage of acrosome reacted spermatozoa along with augmented Ca2+-influx was observed after H2O2 treatment, both in the presence or absence of TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin (RTX). The effect was attenuated by the TRPV1 antagonist iodoresiniferatoxin (iRTX), indicating the involvement of TRPV1 in mediating H2O2 response. Enhancement of motility and triggering of acrosomal reaction post TRPV1 activation suggested that disruption of these signaling cascades in vivo, possibly due to down-regulation of TRPV1 in these subfertile males. Bioinformatic analysis of the crosstalk between TRPV1 with fertility candidate proteins (reported to influence IVF outcome) revealed cell death and survival, cellular compromise, and embryonic development to be the primary networks affected by anomalous TRPV1 expression. We therefore postulate that TRPV1 can act as a redox sensor, and its expression in spermatozoa may serve as a fertility marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirlipta Swain
- Redox Biology & Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, HBNI, Khordha, Odisha, India
| | - Luna Samanta
- Redox Biology & Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
- Centre for Excellence in Environment and Public Health, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
- *Correspondence: Luna Samanta, ; Chandan Goswami,
| | - Chandan Goswami
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, HBNI, Khordha, Odisha, India
- *Correspondence: Luna Samanta, ; Chandan Goswami,
| | - Sujata Kar
- Kar Clinic and Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Majhi
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, HBNI, Khordha, Odisha, India
| | - Sugandh Kumar
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Anshuman Dixit
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Ribeiro JC, Nogueira-Ferreira R, Amado F, Alves MG, Ferreira R, Oliveira PF. Exploring the Role of Oxidative Stress in Sperm Motility: A Proteomic Network Approach. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:501-520. [PMID: 34847748 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Infertility is a major global health problem, with nearly half of the cases being associated with male factors. Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial for sperm cell normal physiological processes, an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidants can lead to oxidative stress that can impair sperm function. Indeed, high semen ROS levels are reported in 30%-80% of infertile men. Recent Advances: Male oxidative stress infertility is an uprising classification for idiopathic infertility. Proteomic approaches, including quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, are being utilized to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with oxidative stress in male infertility. Critical Issues: In this review, proteome data were collected from articles available on PubMed centered on MS-based proteomic studies, performed in seminal plasma and sperm cell samples, and enrolling men with impaired semen parameters. The bioinformatic analysis of proteome data with Cytoscape (ClueGO+CluePedia) and STRING tools allowed the identification of the biological processes more prevalent in asthenozoospermia, with focus on the ones related to oxidative stress. Future Directions: The identification of the antioxidant proteins in seminal plasma and sperm cells that can protect sperm cells from oxidative stress is crucial not only for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with male infertility but specially to guide new therapeutic possibilities. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 501-520.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C Ribeiro
- Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rita Nogueira-Ferreira
- Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Amado
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marco G Alves
- Department of Anatomy and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Ferreira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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20
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From Oxidative Stress to Male Infertility: Review of the Associations of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (Bisphenols, Phthalates, and Parabens) with Human Semen Quality. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081617. [PMID: 36009337 PMCID: PMC9405245 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may result in oxidative stress and endocrine system disturbance, which can have an impact on human reproduction and development. In male reproductive health, EDCs have been related to impaired reproductive function and male infertility, altered fetal development, and testicular germ-cell, prostate, and breast cancers. We conducted an electronic search using PubMed on endocrine disruptors related to oxidative stress and male infertility, and evaluated their association with endocrine-disrupting chemicals (bisphenols, phthalates, and parabens) in 25 articles. Higher levels of urinary bisphenols showed correlation with impaired semen quality and increased DNA damage. Considering phthalates and their metabolites, all studies found a positive association between urinary levels of phthalates and at least one semen parameter indicative of low semen quality; some studies also revealed sperm DNA damage. The studies on parabens less often revealed correlation of urinary parabens concentrations with a decrease in sperm count, as well as motility and DNA damage. Moreover, EDCs can elevate ROS production and lipid peroxidation, increase apoptosis, induce epigenetic modifications, and change the Y:X sperm chromosome ratio and sperm protein composition. Our review revealed detrimental effects of EDCs on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity-especially in BPA and phthalates, but also in parabens.
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21
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Oral D-Aspartate Treatment Improves Sperm Fertility in Both Young and Adult B6N Mice. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111350. [PMID: 35681815 PMCID: PMC9179375 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Investigations concerning the impact of D-Aspartate on fertility suggest that it has a positive influence on the in vitro fertilization rate in young C57BL/6N mice. Here, we demonstrated that adult C57BL/6N mice that received an oral treatment of D-Aspartate also have a higher fertilizing capability and the quality of their spermatozoa increased after only two weeks of treatment. Hence, this study gives us new insights on the role of D-Aspartate in the regulation of the reproductive activity in both young and adult mice. Abstract D-Aspartate (D-Asp) treatment improved the fertility of young male C57BL/6N mice in vivo revealing a direct role on capacitation, acrosome reaction, and fertility in vitro in young males only. We investigated whether the positive effect of D-Asp on fertility could be extended to adult males and evaluated the efficacy of a 2- or 4-week-treatment in vivo. Therefore, 20 mM sodium D-Asp was supplied in drinking water to males of different ages so that they were 9 or 16 weeks old at the end of the experiments. After sperm freezing, the in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate, the birth rate, hormone levels (luteinizing hormone (LH), epitestosterone, and testosterone), the sperm quality (morphology, abnormalities, motility, and velocity), the capacitation rate, and the acrosome reaction were investigated. Oral D-Asp treatment improves the fertilizing capability in mice regardless of the age of the animals. Importantly, a short D-Asp treatment of 2 weeks in young males elevates sperm parameters to the levels of untreated adult animals. In vivo, D-Asp treatment highly improves sperm quality but not sperm concentration. Therefore, D-Asp plays a beneficial role in mouse male fertility and may be highly relevant for cryorepositories to improve mouse sperm biobanking.
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22
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Montanari M, Burattini S, Ciacci C, Ambrogini P, Carloni S, Balduini W, Lopez D, Panza G, Papa S, Canonico B. Automated–Mechanical Procedure Compared to Gentle Enzymatic Tissue Dissociation in Cell Function Studies. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050701. [PMID: 35625628 PMCID: PMC9138555 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The first step to obtain a cellular suspension from tissues is the disaggregation procedure. The cell suspension method has to provide a representative sample of the different cellular subpopulations and to maximize the number of viable functional cells. Here, we analyzed specific cell functions in cell suspensions from several rat tissues obtained by two different methods, automated–mechanical and enzymatic disaggregation. Flow cytometric, confocal, and ultrastructural (TEM) analyses were applied to the spleen, testis, liver and other tissues. Samples were treated by an enzymatic trypsin solution or processed by the Medimachine II (MMII). The automated–mechanical and enzymatic disaggregation procedures have shown to work similarly in some tissues, which displayed comparable amounts of apoptotic/necrotic cells. However, cells obtained by the enzyme-free Medimachine II protocols show a better preservation lysosome and mitochondria labeling, whereas the enzymatic gentle dissociation appears to constantly induce a lower amount of intracellular ROS; nevertheless, lightly increased ROS can be recognized as a complimentary signal to promote cell survival. Therefore, MMII represents a simple, fast, and standardized method for tissue processing, which allows to minimize bias arising from the operator’s ability. Our study points out technical issues to be adopted for specific organs and tissues to obtain functional cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariele Montanari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Sabrina Burattini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Caterina Ciacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Patrizia Ambrogini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Silvia Carloni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Walter Balduini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Daniele Lopez
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Panza
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Stefano Papa
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Barbara Canonico
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (M.M.); (S.B.); (C.C.); (P.A.); (S.C.); (W.B.); (D.L.); (G.P.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Impact of Heat Stress on Bovine Sperm Quality and Competence. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12080975. [PMID: 35454222 PMCID: PMC9027525 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming has negatively influenced animal production performance, in addition to animal well-being and welfare, consequently impairing the economic sustainability of the livestock industry. Heat stress impact on male fertility is complex and multifactorial, with the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa affected by several pathways. Among the most significative changes are the increase in and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing lipid peroxidation and motility impairment. The exposure of DNA during the cell division of spermatogenesis makes it vulnerable to both ROS and apoptotic enzymes, while the subsequent post-meiotic DNA condensation makes restoration impossible, harming later embryonic development. Mitochondria are also susceptible to the loss of membrane potential and electron leakage during oxidative phosphorylation, lowering their energy production capacity under heat stress. Although cells are equipped with defense mechanisms against heat stress, heat insults that are too intense lead to cell death. Heat shock proteins (HSP) belong to a thermostable and stress-induced protein family, which eliminate protein clusters and are essential to proteostasis under heat stress. This review focuses on effects of heat stress on sperm quality and on the mechanisms leading to defective sperm under heat stress.
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Relevance of Aquaporins for Gamete Function and Cryopreservation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050573. [PMID: 35268142 PMCID: PMC8909058 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The interaction between cells and the extracellular medium is of great importance; changes in medium composition can drive water movement across plasma membranes. Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane channels involved in the transport of water and some solutes across membranes. When sperm enter the female reproductive tract after ejaculation, they encounter a drastic change in extracellular composition, which leads to water flowing across the plasma membrane. This triggers a series of events that are crucial to allowing fertilization to take place, such as regulation of sperm motility. In the context of assisted reproduction techniques (ART), long-term storage of gametes is sometimes required, and, during cryopreservation, these cells undergo drastic changes in extracellular medium composition. As a result, AQPs are crucial in both sperm and oocytes during this process. Cryopreservation is of considerable importance for fertility preservation in livestock, endangered species and for individuals undergoing certain medical treatments that compromise their fertility. Further research to fully elucidate the roles and underlying mechanisms of AQPs in mammalian sperm is therefore warranted. Abstract The interaction between cells and the extracellular medium is of great importance, and drastic changes in extracellular solute concentrations drive water movement across the plasma membrane. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channels that allow the transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes. Different members of this family have been identified in gametes. In sperm, they are relevant to osmoadaptation after entering the female reproductive tract, which is crucial for sperm motility activation and capacitation and, thus, for their fertilizing ability. In addition, they are relevant during the cryopreservation process, since some members of this family are also permeable to glycerol, one of the most frequently used cryoprotective agents in livestock. Regarding oocytes, AQPs are very important in their maturation but also during cryopreservation. Further research to define the exact sets of AQPs that are present in oocytes from different species is needed, since the available literature envisages certain AQPs and their roles but does not provide complete information on the whole set of AQPs. This is of considerable importance because, in sperm, specific AQPs are known to compensate the role of non-functional members.
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AITKEN RJ, GIBB Z. Sperm oxidative stress in the context of male infertility: current evidence, links with genetic and epigenetic factors and future clinical needs. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2022; 47:38-57. [DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.21.03630-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Raj CJ, Aishwarya CVS, Mounika KVSSN, Mishra B, Sumithra B, Vishal B, Mandal SK. Deciphering the Nexus Between Oxidative Stress and Spermatogenesis: A Compendious Overview. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1391:1-16. [PMID: 36472813 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-12966-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of the main reasons for the multifactorial concern - male infertility. ROS are active components of cellular metabolism that are intrinsic to cellular functioning and are present at minimal and unreactive levels in normal cells. They are an integral component of the sperm developmental physiology, capacitation, and function. As said "anything in excess is poison," so is the case with ROS. These, when produced in excess to the antioxidants present in the seminal plasma, cause multiple malformations during the process of spermatogenesis such as lipid peroxidation, interfere with capacitation, sperm DNA fragmentation and damage to the membrane of the sperm which in turn reduces the motility of the sperm and its ability to fuse with the oocyte. Exposure of spermatozoa to oxidative stress is a major causative agent of male infertility. Thus, a delicate balance between the beneficial and detrimental effects of ROS for proper functions is of utter importance. In this chapter, the influence of ROS in OS which is a key player in male infertility along with the diagnosis, available treatment, and prevention of extensive ROS buildup within the spermatozoa are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Joel Raj
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - C V S Aishwarya
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - K V S S N Mounika
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Bishwambhar Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - B Sumithra
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Bhushan Vishal
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sanjeeb Kumar Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
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27
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Ogata K, Imai A, Sato S, Nishino K, Watanabe S, Somfai T, Kobayashi E, Takeda K. Effects of reduced glutathione supplementation in semen freezing extender on frozen-thawed bull semen and in vitro fertilization. J Reprod Dev 2021; 68:53-61. [PMID: 34866119 PMCID: PMC8872743 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During cryopreservation, spermatozoa may suffer cold and cryo-induced injuries -associated with alterations in cell defense systems- that are detrimental to their function and subsequent fertility. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of supplementing the semen freezing extender with the antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) in cattle. Semen was collected from four bulls and diluted in a freezing extender supplemented with or without GSH (0, 1, 5, and 10 mM) before the cooling step of the cryopreservation process. After thawing, the quality of the frozen-thawed semen was investigated for motility, viability, acrosomal and DNA integrity, and subsequent embryo development after in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes. Additionally, semen from one of the bulls was used to analyze semen antioxidative potential, sperm penetration into oocytes, male pronucleus formation rate, and embryo DNA integrity. The sperm quality varied among bulls after GSH supplementation. One bull had decreased sperm total motility, and two bulls had decreased sperm DNA integrity. GSH supplementation had positive effects on embryo development for three bulls. Two of them showed both improved cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, while the other one only showed an improved cleavage rate. We observed positive effects on early male pronucleus formation and no negative effects on DNA integrity and cell number in blastocyst stage embryos. Although the effect varies depending on individual bulls and GSH concentration, GSH supplementation in semen may improve in vitro embryo production from frozen semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuko Ogata
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | - Akira Imai
- Hiroshima Prefectural Livestock Technology Research Center, Hiroshima 739-0151, Japan
| | - Shinya Sato
- Hiroshima Prefectural Livestock Technology Research Center, Hiroshima 739-0151, Japan
| | - Kagetomo Nishino
- Beef Cattle Institute, Ibaraki Prefectural Livestock Research Center, Ibaraki 319-2224, Japan
| | - Shinya Watanabe
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | - Tamas Somfai
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, NARO, Ibaraki 305-8518, Japan
| | - Eiji Kobayashi
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | - Kumiko Takeda
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
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Izanloo H, Soleimanzadeh A, Bucak MN, Imani M, Zhandi M. The effects of glutathione supplementation on post-thawed Turkey semen quality and oxidative stress parameters and fertilization, and hatching potential. Theriogenology 2021; 179:32-38. [PMID: 34823059 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of semen extenders enriched with glutathione (GSH) on in vitro quality parameters and fertility of post-thawed turkey. In experiment 1, pools of semen diluted in glucose-based extender containing 0.5, 1, and 2 mM of GSH were cryopreserved. During the next step, a different variable such as motility and motion parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and functionality (PMF), DNA integrity, lipid peroxidation (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined in the post-thawed samples. In the second experiment, artificial insemination was used to evaluate the fertility and hatchability performances of the post-thawed semen. The results of the first experiment showed that the extenders supplemented with 2, 1 and 0.5 mM of GSH had higher levels (p ≤ 0.05) of motility and motion parameters, PMI, PMF, TAC, CAT and SOD activity and lower abnormal morphology, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation respectively in comparison to the control group (only extender with semen). Notably, the second experiment showed a higher rate of fertility (p ≤ 0.05) in 2 mM of GSH compared to the control group. It can be concluded that adding 2, 1 and 0.5 mM of glutathione leads to an improvement in the survival of the post-thawed turkey, while 2 mM of GSH can increase the fertility strength of the turkey sperm; hence it can be used to improve fertility and hatchability performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Izanloo
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - A Soleimanzadeh
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
| | - M N Bucak
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - M Imani
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - M Zhandi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
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Câmara DR, Ibanescu I, Siuda M, Bollwein H. Mitoquinone does not improve sperm cryo-resistance in bulls. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 57:10-18. [PMID: 34626138 PMCID: PMC9298030 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is associated with impaired post‐thaw sperm quality. As mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in sperm, the goal of this study was to evaluate effects of the mitochondria‐targeting antioxidant Mitoquinone (MitoQ) during cryopreservation of bull sperm. Semen was collected from 11 Simmental bulls (two ejaculates per bull) and diluted in Triladyl® supplemented with various concentrations of MitoQ (0, 0.2, 2, and 20 nM) to a final concentration of 65 × 106 sperm/ml. After thawing (0 and 3 hr), we assessed the following sperm traits: sperm motility by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), DNA fragmentation index by SCSA® and plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, intracellular calcium concentration, esterase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and synthesis of ROS using two multicolour flow cytometric assays. After 3 hr of incubation, 20 nM MitoQ increased (p < .05) sperm ROS synthesis compared to Control, whereas none of the other quality parameters were altered (p > .05). Therefore, we concluded that addition of MitoQ to semen extender before cryopreservation of bull sperm was unable to improve post‐thaw sperm quality. Furthermore, 20 nM of MitoQ increased frozen‐thawed sperm ROS synthesis, without apparent negative effects on the evaluated sperm traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Ribeiro Câmara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Alagoas, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Iulian Ibanescu
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Delgado-Bermúdez A, Recuero S, Llavanera M, Mateo-Otero Y, Sandu A, Barranco I, Ribas-Maynou J, Yeste M. Aquaporins Are Essential to Maintain Motility and Membrane Lipid Architecture During Mammalian Sperm Capacitation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:656438. [PMID: 34540822 PMCID: PMC8440886 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.656438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins are a family of ubiquitous transmembrane proteins that allow the transport of water and small molecules across the cell plasma membrane. The different members of this family present a characteristic distribution across different cell types, which is species-specific. In mammalian sperm, different AQPs, including AQP3, AQP7, and AQP11, have been identified; their main roles are related to osmoadaptation and sperm motility activation after ejaculation. Capacitation, which is a post-ejaculatory process that sperm must undergo to achieve fertilizing ability, is triggered by pH changes and different extracellular ions that are present in the female reproductive tract. Considering the function of AQPs and their influence on pH through the regulation of water flow, this study aimed to elucidate the potential role of different AQPs during in vitro sperm capacitation using three different transition metal compounds as AQP inhibitors. Cooper sulfate, a specific inhibitor of AQP3, caused a drastic increase in peroxide intracellular levels compared to the control. Mercury chloride, an unspecific inhibitor of all AQPs except AQP7 produced an increase in membrane lipid disorder and led to a decrease in sperm motility and kinetics parameters. Finally, the addition of silver sulfadiazine, an unspecific inhibitor of all AQPs, generated the same effects than mercury chloride, decreased the intracellular pH and altered tyrosine phosphorylation levels after the induction of the acrosome reaction. In the light of the aforementioned, (a) the permeability of AQP3 to peroxides does not seem to be crucial for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction; (b) AQPs have a key role in preserving sperm motility during that process; and (c) AQPs as a whole seem to contribute to the maintenance of lipid membrane architecture during capacitation and may be related to the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the acrosome reaction. Hence, further research aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the involvement of AQPs in mammalian sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sandra Recuero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Llavanera
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Andra Sandu
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Isabel Barranco
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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31
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Ribeiro JC, Braga PC, Martins AD, Silva BM, Alves MG, Oliveira PF. Antioxidants Present in Reproductive Tract Fluids and Their Relevance for Fertility. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091441. [PMID: 34573073 PMCID: PMC8466935 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, infertility is classified as a disease of the reproductive system. Although it does not compromise the life of the individual, it can have detrimental effects on the physiological and psychological health of the couple. Male fertility evaluation is mainly focused on the analysis of sperm parameters. However, the ejaculated fluid is also composed of seminal plasma, and the study of this fluid can provide crucial information to help in the assessment of male fertility status. Total antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma has been positively correlated with the fertility of men. Moreover, evidence highlights to a similar importance as that of female reproductive tract fluid antioxidant capabilities and female fertility. Herein, we describe the functions of seminal plasma and female reproductive tract fluids, as well as their main antioxidant components and their relationships with fertility outcomes. Additionally, this review contains the most up to date information regarding the mechanisms of the interaction between the male and the female reproductive fluids and the importance of proper antioxidant capacity for fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C. Ribeiro
- Department of Anatomy, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (P.C.B.); (M.G.A.)
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Patrícia C. Braga
- Department of Anatomy, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (P.C.B.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Ana D. Martins
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Branca M. Silva
- CICS, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Department of Anatomy, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (J.C.R.); (P.C.B.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-234370718
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32
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Impact of Environmental and Lifestyle Use of Chromium on Male Fertility: Focus on Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091365. [PMID: 34572997 PMCID: PMC8468676 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Male reproductive tissues are strongly susceptible to several environmental and lifestyle stressors. In general, male reproductive health is highly sensitive to oxidative stress, which results in reversible and/or irreversible changes in testosterone-producing cells, spermatogenesis, and sperm quality. Chromium compounds are widely used in the +3 and +6 valence states, as food supplements, and in the industrial field, respectively. Chromium (III) compounds, i.e., Cr(III)-tris-picolinate, [Cr(pic)3], known as chromium picolinate, are used as nutritional supplements for the control of diabetes, body weight, and muscular growth. However, previous studies showed that animal models exposed to chromium picolinate experienced degenerative changes in spermatogenesis. Contradictory results are documented in the literature and deserve discussion. Furthermore, the long-term effects of chromium picolinate on the antioxidant system of treated subjects have not been properly studied. Comprehensive studies on the role of this compound will help to establish the safe and useful use of chromium supplementation. On the other hand, chromium (VI) compounds are widely used in several industries, despite being well-known environmental pollutants (i.e., welding fumes). Chromium (VI) is known for its deleterious effects on male reproductive health as toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic. Previous studies have demonstrated severe lesions to mouse spermatogenesis after exposure to chromium (VI). However, workers worldwide are still exposed to hexavalent chromium, particularly in electronics and military industries. Data from the literature pinpoints mechanisms of oxidative stress induced by chromium compounds in somatic and germ cells that lead to apoptosis, thus underlining the impairment of fertility potential. In this review, we analyze the benefits and risks of chromium compounds on male fertility, as well as the mechanisms underlying (in)fertility outcomes. Although supplements with antioxidant properties may maximize male fertility, adverse effects need to be investigated and discussed.
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Takei GL, Tourzani DA, Paudel B, Visconti PE. Activation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation pathways is independent of ROS production during mouse sperm capacitation. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:544-557. [PMID: 34318548 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm have to undergo capacitation to fertilize the egg. At the molecular level, capacitation involves cAMP synthesis, protein kinase A activation, and downstream increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, during capacitation, mammalian sperm actively generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been proposed that ROS modulate phosphorylation pathways; however, the crosstalk between these signaling processes is not well-understood. In the present study, we used loss- and gain-of-function approaches to evaluate the interconnection between ROS and phosphorylation. We showed that BSA and HCO3 - , but not Ca2+ , in the capacitation media are required for ROS production. The synergic effect of these compounds was neither mediated by HCO3 - stimulation of cAMP synthesis nor by BSA-induced cholesterol efflux. The capacitation-induced ROS generation was blocked in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and apocynin. However, none of these compounds affected cAMP-dependent or tyrosine phosphorylation. On the other hand, the addition of NADPH to the media induced ROS generation in sperm incubated in the absence of BSA and HCO3 - without upregulating cAMP-dependent or tyrosine phosphorylation signaling. Most interestingly, catalase, but not SOD, blocked in vitro fertilization suggesting a role for H2 O2 in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen L Takei
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bidur Paudel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Pintus E, Ros-Santaella JL. Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproduction in Domestic and Wild Animals. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071154. [PMID: 34356386 PMCID: PMC8301082 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs when the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overcome the antioxidant defenses of the organism, jeopardizing several biological functions, including reproduction. In the male reproductive system, oxidative stress not only impairs sperm fertility but also compromises offspring health and survival, inducing oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Although a clear link between oxidative stress and male fertility disorders has been demonstrated in humans and laboratory rodents, little information is available about the implications of impaired redox homeostasis in the male fertility of domestic and wild animals. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update regarding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are associated with oxidative stress in the male reproductive system and their impact on the reproductive performance of domestic and wild animals. The most recent strategies for palliating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on male fertility are reviewed together with their potential economic and ecological implications in the livestock industry and biodiversity conservation.
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Kumar P, Wang M, Isachenko E, Rahimi G, Mallmann P, Wang W, von Brandenstein M, Isachenko V. Unraveling Subcellular and Ultrastructural Changes During Vitrification of Human Spermatozoa: Effect of a Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant and a Permeable Cryoprotectant. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:672862. [PMID: 34277615 PMCID: PMC8284099 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.672862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants have great potential to counterbalance the generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) because they cross the inner membrane of the mitochondria. Still, their use was not reported in vitrified human spermatozoa. Our laboratory has successfully vitrified spermatozoa without the use of permeable cryoprotectants, but subcellular-level evidence was missing. Therefore, this study aimed to improve spermatozoa vitrification using a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (mitoquinone, MitoQ), reveal ultrastructural changes in the spermatozoa due to the use of a permeable cryoprotectant, and report alterations of functional proteins during the spermatozoa vitrification process. For this, each of 20 swim-up-prepared ejaculates was divided into seven aliquots and diluted with a vitrification medium supplemented with varying concentrations of MitoQ (0.02 and 0.2 μM), glycerol (1, 4, and 6%), and a combination of MitoQ and glycerol. All aliquots were vitrified by the aseptic capillary method developed in our laboratory. The spermatozoa function assays revealed that the addition of either MitoQ (0.02 μM), glycerol (1%), or a combination of MitoQ (0.02 μM) and glycerol (1%) in the vitrification medium results in better or equivalent spermatozoa quality relative to the control. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that MitoQ protects the spermatozoa from undergoing ultrastructural alterations, but glycerol induced ultrastructural alterations during the vitrification process. Next, we performed label-free quantitative proteomics and identified 1,759 proteins, of which 69, 60, 90, and 81 were altered in the basal medium, 0.02 μM MitoQ, 1% glycerol, and Mito-glycerol groups, respectively. Actin, tubulins, and outer dense fiber proteins were not affected during the vitrification process. Some of the identified ubiquitinating enzymes were affected during spermatozoa vitrification. Only a few proteins responsible for phosphorylation were altered during vitrification. Similarly, several proteins involved in spermatozoa–egg fusion and fertilization (IZUMO1 and Tektin) were not affected during the vitrification process. In conclusion, MitoQ attenuates the vitrification-induced ultrastructural changes and alterations in the key proteins involved in spermatozoa functions and fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Animal Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mengying Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Evgenia Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gohar Rahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Mallmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wanxue Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Cologne University, Cologne, Germany
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36
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Sperm Oxidative Stress during In Vitro Manipulation and Its Effects on Sperm Function and Embryo Development. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071025. [PMID: 34202126 PMCID: PMC8300781 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated at low levels during mitochondrial respiration have key roles in several signaling pathways. Oxidative stress (OS) arises when the generation of ROS exceeds the cell's antioxidant scavenging ability and leads to cell damage. Physiological ROS production in spermatozoa regulates essential functional characteristics such as motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, hyperactivation, and sperm-oocyte fusion. OS can have detrimental effects on sperm function through lipid peroxidation, protein damage, and DNA strand breakage, which can eventually affect the fertility of an individual. Substantial evidence in the literature indicates that spermatozoa experiencing OS during in vitro manipulation procedures in human- and animal-assisted reproduction are increasingly associated with iatrogenic ROS production and eventual impairment of sperm function. Although a direct association between sperm OS and human assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is still a matter of debate, studies in animal models provide enough evidence on the adverse effects of sperm OS in vitro and defective fertilization and embryo development. This review summarized the literature on sperm OS in vitro, its effects on functional ability and embryo development, and the approaches that have been proposed to reduce iatrogenic sperm damage and altered embryonic development.
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37
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Pellavio G, Laforenza U. Human sperm functioning is related to the aquaporin-mediated water and hydrogen peroxide transport regulation. Biochimie 2021; 188:45-51. [PMID: 34087390 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane water channels and some of them are permeable in addition to water to other small solutes including hydrogen peroxide. The sperm cells of mammals and fishes express different AQPs, although there is no agreement in the literature on their localization. In humans, AQP3 and AQP11 are expressed mainly in the tail, AQP7 in the head and AQP8 in the midpiece. Thanks to the results of experiments with KO mice and to data obtained by comparing sub-fertile patients with normospermic subjects, the importance of AQPs for the normal functioning of sperms to ensure normal fertility emerged. AQP3, AQP7 and AQP11 appeared involved in the sperm volume regulation, a key role for fertility because osmoadaptation protect the sperm against a swelling and tail bending that could affect sperm motility. AQP8 seems to have a fundamental role in regulating the elimination of hydrogen peroxide, the most abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS), and therefore in the response to oxidative stress. In this review, the human AQPs expression, their localization and functions, as well as their relevance in normal fertility are discussed. To understand better the AQPs role in human sperm functionality, the results of studies obtained in other animal species were also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Pellavio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Human Physiology Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia, I-27100, Italy
| | - Umberto Laforenza
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Human Physiology Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia, I-27100, Italy.
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38
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Kobayashi J, Sasaki A, Watanabe A, Komine K, Kuroishi T, Takada N, Sasada H, Sato E. Effects of exogenous lactoferrin on characteristics and functions of bovine epididymal, ejaculated and frozen-thawed sperm. Anim Sci J 2021; 92:e13538. [PMID: 33754399 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of addition of lactoferrin on characteristics and functions of bovine epididymal, ejaculated, and frozen-thawed sperm. The addition of lactoferrin was significantly (p < .05) effective on increasing values of progressive motility, straightness, and linearity in caput epididymal sperm and values of motility in cauda epididymal sperm. When ejaculated sperm were incubated in capacitation medium, percentages of motile and progressively motile sperm decreased largely within the first period of 30 min, followed by only minor changes. However, the addition of lactoferrin significantly lessened the early decreases of these parameters and additionally promoted capacitation-dependent changes of chlortetracycline staining patterns (from F pattern to B pattern). In other experiments, when ejaculated sperm were exposed to oxidative stress with 100-µM H2 O2 , the addition of lactoferrin partially protected them from dysfunction of flagellar movement and loss of progressive movement. In final experiments with frozen-thawed samples incubated in the capacitation medium, the addition of lactoferrin effectively survived dying sperm and suppressed occurrence of sperm agglutination. These results may suggest biological and biotechnological potentials of lactoferrin for modulation of bovine sperm viability, motility, capacitation state, and preservation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Kobayashi
- Research farm, Miyagi Agricultural College, Sendai, Japan.,School of Food Industrial Sciences, Miyagi University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Aya Sasaki
- Research farm, Miyagi Agricultural College, Sendai, Japan
| | - Asuka Watanabe
- Research farm, Miyagi Agricultural College, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kenichi Komine
- T-Cell Research Institute, Intelligent Cosmos Research Institute Corporation, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toshinobu Kuroishi
- T-Cell Research Institute, Intelligent Cosmos Research Institute Corporation, Sendai, Japan
| | - Naokazu Takada
- Miyagi Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Osaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sasada
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eimei Sato
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Zhang H, Liu H, Kataoka S, Kinukawa M, Uchiyama K, Kambe J, Watanabe G, Jin W, Nagaoka K. L-amino acid oxidase 1 in sperm is associated with reproductive performance in male mice and bulls. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:1154-1161. [PMID: 33590844 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm quality is an important indicator of male fertility, and a suitable biomarker enables the selection of high-quality spermatozoa. We previously found that L-amino acid oxidase encoded by the L-amino acid oxidase 1 (Lao1) gene exerts biological roles in the mammary gland and brain by converting specific L-amino acids into keto acids, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Here, we describe the role of Lao1 in male reproduction. Lao1-deficient (Lao1-/-) male mice generated fewer pregnant embryos and pups as well as lower ratios of fertilized oocytes and even ovulated number was not different, suggesting that male subfertility caused the smaller litters. We found that LAO1 expressed in acrosomes is associated with high malformation ratios and low viability of Lao1-/- sperm. Wild-type (WT) sperm produced more H2O2 than Lao1-/- sperm, and 10 μM H2O2 restored knockout (KO) sperm viability in vitro. In addition, the sperm ratio of induced acrosome reaction was higher in WT than in Lao1-/- sperm incubated with the calcium ionophore A23187. Moreover, LAO1 expression was abundant in bovine sperm with high fertilization ratios. We concluded that LAO1 localized in the sperm acrosome influences sperm viability and morphology as well as the acrosome reaction, and that LAO1-deficient sperm might cause male subfertility. Thus, LAO1 might serve as a novel marker for selecting high-quality spermatozoa, especially for livestock reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolin Zhang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachi Kataoka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Kinukawa
- Division of Animal Reproduction, Maebashi Institute of Animal Science, Livestock Improvement Association of Japan (LIAJ), Maebashi, Japan
| | - Kyoko Uchiyama
- Division of Animal Reproduction, Maebashi Institute of Animal Science, Livestock Improvement Association of Japan (LIAJ), Maebashi, Japan
| | - Jun Kambe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Watanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wanzhu Jin
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Kentaro Nagaoka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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40
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Rashki Ghaleno L, Alizadeh A, Drevet JR, Shahverdi A, Valojerdi MR. Oxidation of Sperm DNA and Male Infertility. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10010097. [PMID: 33445539 PMCID: PMC7827380 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
One important reason for male infertility is oxidative stress and its destructive effects on sperm structures and functions. The particular composition of the sperm membrane, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the easy access of sperm DNA to oxidative damage due to sperm cell specific cytologic and metabolic features (no cytoplasm left and cells unable to mount stress responses) make it the cell type in metazoans most susceptible to oxidative damage. In particular, oxidative damage to the spermatozoa genome is an important issue and a cause of male infertility, usually associated with single- or double-strand paternal DNA breaks. Various methods of detecting sperm DNA fragmentation have become important diagnostic tools in the prognosis of male infertility and such assays are available in research laboratories and andrology clinics. However, to date, there is not a clear consensus in the community as to their respective prognostic value. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that the effects of oxidative stress on the sperm genome go well beyond DNA fragmentation alone. Oxidation of paternal DNA bases, particularly guanine and adenosine residues, the most sensitive residues to oxidative alteration, is the starting point for DNA damage in spermatozoa but is also a danger for the integrity of the embryo genetic material independently of sperm DNA fragmentation. Due to the lack of a spermatozoa DNA repair system and, if the egg is unable to correct the sperm oxidized bases, the risk of de novo mutation transmission to the embryo exists. These will be carried on to every cell of the future individual and its progeny. Thus, in addition to affecting the viability of the pregnancy itself, oxidation of the DNA bases in sperm could be associated with the development of conditions in young and future adults. Despite these important issues, sperm DNA base oxidation has not attracted much interest among clinicians due to the lack of simple, reliable, rapid and consensual methods of assessing this type of damage to the paternal genome. In addition to these technical issues, another reason explaining why the measurement of sperm DNA oxidation is not included in male fertility is likely to be due to the lack of strong evidence for its role in pregnancy outcome. It is, however, becoming clear that the assessment of DNA base oxidation could improve the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies and provide important information on embryonic developmental failures and pathologies encountered in the offspring. The objective of this work is to review relevant research that has been carried out in the field of sperm DNA base oxidation and its associated genetic and epigenetic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Rashki Ghaleno
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran 16635-148, Iran; (L.R.G.); (A.A.); (A.S.)
| | - AliReza Alizadeh
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran 16635-148, Iran; (L.R.G.); (A.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Joël R. Drevet
- Faculty of Medicine, GReD Institute, INSERM U1103—CNRS UMR6293—Université Clermont Auvergne, CRBC Building, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Correspondence: (J.R.D.); or (M.R.V.); Tel.: +33-47-340-7413 (J.R.D.); +98-21-223-07735 or +98-21-828-83897 (M.R.V.); Fax: +33-47-340-7042 (J.R.D.); +98-21-223-06480 or +98-21-880-13030 (M.R.V.)
| | - Abdolhossein Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran 16635-148, Iran; (L.R.G.); (A.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran 16635-148, Iran; (L.R.G.); (A.A.); (A.S.)
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14155-6343, Iran
- Correspondence: (J.R.D.); or (M.R.V.); Tel.: +33-47-340-7413 (J.R.D.); +98-21-223-07735 or +98-21-828-83897 (M.R.V.); Fax: +33-47-340-7042 (J.R.D.); +98-21-223-06480 or +98-21-880-13030 (M.R.V.)
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41
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Alves NDC, Diniz SDA, Viegas RN, Cortes SF, Costa ED, Freitas MM, Martins-Filho OA, Araújo MSS, Lana ÂMQ, Wenceslau RR, Lagares MDA. Addition of caffeine to equine thawed sperm increases motility and decreases nitrite concentration. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13918. [PMID: 33368488 DOI: 10.1111/and.13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed equine sperm by the addition of caffeine to it. Semen from nine stallions was frozen and different concentrations of caffeine (3, 5 and 7.5 mM) were added to frozen-thawed semen. The sperm kinetic parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, and acrosome integrity and spontaneous acrosome reacted sperm were evaluated with a computer-assisted sperm analysis, a hypoosmotic swelling test and epifluorescent microscopy, respectively. Nitrite and hydroperoxide concentrations of frozen-thawed semen were measured using spectrophotometry. Sperm fertility was evaluated by artificial insemination (AI) of 16 mares with thawed ejaculates (control and 5 mM caffeine-treated groups). Compared to that in the control, the addition of 5 mM caffeine induced an increase in sperm motility (38.9 ± 2.8 versus 32.6 ± 3.4%), and a decrease in nitrite concentration (11.4 ± 2.1 versus 12.8 ± 2.9 µM/µg protein, p < .05). Moreover, the pregnancy rate from AI in the caffeine group was significantly higher (62.5%) than that in the control group (12.5%). These data suggest that caffeine reduced the nitrite concentration and enhanced sperm motility in thawed equine sperm, thus increasing the fertility rate in mares inseminated with caffeine-treated equine semen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rodrigo Novaes Viegas
- Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Steyner Franca Cortes
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Damasceno Costa
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marina Morra Freitas
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Betim, Brazil
| | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- René Rachou Research Center - Fiocruz, Laboratory of Diagnostic and Monitoring Biomarkers, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Márcio Sobreira Silva Araújo
- René Rachou Research Center - Fiocruz, Laboratory of Diagnostic and Monitoring Biomarkers, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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42
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Ribeiro JC, Alves MG, Yeste M, Cho YS, Calamita G, Oliveira PF. Aquaporins and (in)fertility: More than just water transport. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1867:166039. [PMID: 33338597 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.166039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of channel proteins that facilitate the transport of water and small solutes across biological membranes. They are widely distributed throughout the organism, having a number of key functions, some of them unexpected, both in health and disease. Among the various diseases in which AQPs are involved, infertility has been overlooked. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) infertility is a global public health problem with one third of the couples suffering from subfertility or even infertility due to male or female factors alone or combined. Thus, there is an urgent need to unveil the molecular mechanisms that control gametes production, maturation and fertilization-related events, to more specifically determine infertility causes. In addition, as more couples seek for fertility treatment through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), it is pivotal to understand how these techniques can be improved. AQPs are heterogeneously expressed throughout the male and female reproductive tracts, highlighting a possible regulatory role for these proteins in conception. In fact, their function, far beyond water transport, highlights potential intervention points to enhance ART. In this review we discuss AQPs distribution and structural organization, functions, and modulation throughout the male and female reproductive tracts and their relevance to the reproductive success. We also highlight the most recent advances and research trends regarding how the different AQPs are involved and regulated in specific mechanisms underlying (in)fertility. Finally, we discuss the involvement of AQPs in ART-related processes and how their handling can lead to improvement of infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C Ribeiro
- Department of Anatomy, and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marco G Alves
- Department of Anatomy, and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Yoon S Cho
- Centro di Procreazione Medicalmente Assistita, Ospedale Santa Maria, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Dept. of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
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43
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Kumalic SI, Klun IV, Bokal EV, Pinter B. Effect of the oral intake of astaxanthin on semen parameters in patients with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Radiol Oncol 2020; 55:97-105. [PMID: 33885235 PMCID: PMC7877271 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2020-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher concentrations of seminal reactive oxygen species may be related to male infertility. Astaxanthin with high antioxidant activity can have an impact on the prevention and treatment of various health conditions, including cancer. However, efficacy studies on astaxanthin in patients with oligospermia with/without astheno- or teratozoospermia (O±A±T) have not yet been reported. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of the oral intake of astaxanthin on semen parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a randomized double-blind trial, 80 men with O±A±T were allocated to intervention with 16 mg astaxanthin orally daily or placebo. At baseline and after three months basic semen parameters, sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of spermatozoa and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) value were measured. RESULTS Analysis of the results of 72 patients completing the study (37 in the study group, 35 in the placebo group) did not show any statistically significant change, in the astaxanthin group no improvements in the total number of spermatozoa, concentration of spermatozoa, total motility of spermatozoa, morphology of spermatozoa, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential of spermatozoa or serum FSH were determined. In the placebo group, statistically significant changes in the total number and concentration of spermatozoa were determined. CONCLUSIONS The oral intake of astaxanthin did not affect any semen parameters in patients with O±A±T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senka Imamovic Kumalic
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Irma Virant Klun
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eda Vrtacnik Bokal
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bojana Pinter
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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44
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Agarwal A, Baskaran S, Panner Selvam MK, Finelli R, Barbarosie C, Robert KA, Iovine C, Master K, Henkel R. Scientific landscape of oxidative stress in male reproductive research: A scientometric study. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 156:36-44. [PMID: 32439384 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Unraveling the role of reactive oxygen species and associated oxidative stress (OS) in male reproduction is one of the key areas of male reproductive research. This article illustrates the scientific landscape of OS in male reproductive research over the past several decades (1941-2018) using a scientometric approach. Scientometric data (articles per year, authors, affiliations, journals, and countries) on OS related to male reproduction were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed for each decade. Our analysis revealed an increasing trend in OS-based male reproductive research from 1941 to 2018 with a steep raise in publications and research collaborations starting from the period 1991-2000 (R2 = 0.81). Semen abnormalities and varicocele were the major areas investigated in relation to OS with the highest positive trend in publications from the time interval 1981-1990 to 2011-2018. Analysis of publications based on OS assessment techniques revealed chemiluminescence (n = 180) and evaluation of antioxidants (n = 300) as the most widely used direct and indirect tests, respectively. Furthermore, prognostic/diagnostic studies on OS evaluation increased significantly over the time. Our analysis highlights the evolution of OS in male reproductive research and its emergence as an important prognostic and diagnostic tool in the evaluation of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Catalina Barbarosie
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kathy Amy Robert
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Concetta Iovine
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kruyanshi Master
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Carrageta DF, Guerra-Carvalho B, Sousa M, Barros A, Oliveira PF, Monteiro MP, Alves MG. Mitochondrial Activation and Reactive Oxygen-Species Overproduction during Sperm Capacitation are Independent of Glucose Stimuli. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9080750. [PMID: 32823893 PMCID: PMC7464989 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9080750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa capacitation is a complex process that requires specific ionic and energetic conditions to support biochemical alterations leading to motility hyperactivation. However, human sperm capacitation is still poorly understood. Herein, we studied the effects of glucose on human sperm capacitation. Healthy men seminal samples (n = 55) were submitted to a density gradient centrifugation and incubated in capacitating conditions in the absence or presence of increasing glucose concentrations (0, 5.5, 11, and 22 mM). Viability and total motility were accessed. Phosphotyrosine levels were measured. Mitochondrial activity and endogenous ROS production were evaluated. Oxidative stress-induced damage was analyzed. Culture media was collected and analyzed by 1H-NMR. Our results show that glucose is essential for human sperm capacitation and motility. Notably, we observed that mitochondrial activity increased even in the absence of glucose. This increased mitochondrial activity was followed by a ROS overproduction, although no oxidative stress-induced damage was detected. Our results show that glucose is essential for capacitation but mitochondrial activation is independent from its stimuli. ROS overproduction may take part on a finely regulated signaling pathway that modulates or even activates capacitation. Taken together, our results constitute a paradigm shift on human sperm capacitation physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F. Carrageta
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Bárbara Guerra-Carvalho
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Mário Sousa
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Alberto Barros
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Mariana P. Monteiro
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220-428-000
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Loren P, Sánchez-Villalba E, Risopatrón J, Arias ME, Felmer R, Sánchez R. Induction of oxidative stress does not increase the cryotolerance of vitrified embryos. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 219:106511. [PMID: 32828397 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Short-term treatment of mammalian oocytes with different stressors induces stress tolerance of embryos derived from these oocytes. The aims of this study were to evaluate effects on embryo development when there was treatment of oocyte complexes (COCs) used to derive the embryos with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).The COCs were not incubated with H2O2: control (0 μM), or were incubated with 25, 50, 75, or 100 μM concentrations of H2O2 for 1 h prior to in vitro fertilization, and presumptive zygotes were cultured until day 7. Blastocysts at day 7 of development derived from H2O2-treated (25 μM treatment concentration) COCs were vitrified. Percentage of embryos undergoing cleavage was not affected by any treatment, while percentage of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was less when there was treatment of COCs with 100 μM of H2O2. Embryo quality was less when COCs used to derive blastocysts were treated with 50, 75, or 100 μM concentrations of H2O2. There were lesser relative abundances of some mRNA transcripts of interest in blastocysts when there was treatment of COCs with H2O2. After vitrification, there were no differences in embryo re-expansion and hatching rates compared with fresh and vitrified blastocysts of the control group and those derived from COCs treated with 25 μM H2O2. In conclusion, treatment of COCs used to derive blastocysts with H2O2 does not induce stress tolerance in vitrified embryos of cattle; however, the viability of these blastocysts is similar to those of the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Loren
- Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - E Sánchez-Villalba
- Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - J Risopatrón
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - M E Arias
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - R Felmer
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - R Sánchez
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
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Baskaran S, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R. Reactive oxygen species in male reproduction: A boon or a bane? Andrologia 2020; 53:e13577. [PMID: 32271474 DOI: 10.1111/and.13577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are free radicals derived from oxygen during normal cellular metabolism. ROS play a crucial role in the physiological processes and signalling pathways associated with male fertility. At physiological concentrations, ROS act as molecular mediators of signal transduction pathways involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. They also trigger the morphological changes required for sperm maturation, such as DNA compaction and flagellar modification. Furthermore, ROS modulate crucial processes involved in the attainment of sperm fertilising ability such as capacitation, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction and sperm-oocyte fusion. Conversely, oxidative stress prevails when the concentration of ROS overwhelms the body's antioxidant defence. Various endogenous and exogenous factors enhance the synthesis of ROS resulting in the disruption of structural and functional integrity of spermatozoa through the induction of apoptotic pathway and oxidation of molecules, such as lipids, proteins and DNA. Therefore, maintenance of a balanced redox state is critical for normal male reproductive functions. This article discusses the dual role of ROS in male reproduction, highlighting the physiological role as well as their pathological implications on male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Peris-Frau P, Martín-Maestro A, Iniesta-Cuerda M, Sánchez-Ajofrín I, Cesari A, Garde JJ, Villar M, Soler AJ. Cryopreservation of ram sperm alters the dynamic changes associated with in vitro capacitation. Theriogenology 2020; 145:100-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Aitken RJ, Drevet JR. The Importance of Oxidative Stress in Determining the Functionality of Mammalian Spermatozoa: A Two-Edged Sword. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9020111. [PMID: 32012712 PMCID: PMC7070991 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9020111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This article addresses the importance of oxidative processes in both the generation of functional gametes and the aetiology of defective sperm function. Functionally, sperm capacitation is recognized as a redox-regulated process, wherein a low level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is intimately involved in driving such events as the stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation, the facilitation of cholesterol efflux and the promotion of cAMP generation. However, the continuous generation of ROS ultimately creates problems for spermatozoa because their unique physical architecture and unusual biochemical composition means that they are vulnerable to oxidative stress. As a consequence, they are heavily dependent on the antioxidant protection afforded by the fluids in the male and female reproductive tracts and, during the precarious process of insemination, seminal plasma. If this antioxidant protection should be compromised for any reason, then the spermatozoa experience pathological oxidative damage. In addition, situations may prevail that cause the spermatozoa to become exposed to high levels of ROS emanating either from other cells in the immediate vicinity (particularly neutrophils) or from the spermatozoa themselves. The environmental and lifestyle factors that promote ROS generation by the spermatozoa are reviewed in this article, as are the techniques that might be used in a diagnostic context to identify patients whose reproductive capacity is under oxidative threat. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of ROS-monitoring methodologies is critical if we are to effectively identify those patients for whom treatment with antioxidants might be considered a rational management strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Joel R. Drevet
- GReD Institute, INSERM U1103—CNRS UMR6293—Université Clermont Auvergne, Faculty of Medicine, CRBC building, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France;
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Aitken RJ, Baker MA. The Role of Genetics and Oxidative Stress in the Etiology of Male Infertility-A Unifying Hypothesis? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:581838. [PMID: 33101214 PMCID: PMC7554587 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.581838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of male infertility, very little is known about its etiology. In recent years however, advances in gene sequencing technology have enabled us to identify a large number of rare single point mutations responsible for impeding all aspects of male reproduction from its embryonic origins, through the endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis to germ cell differentiation and sperm function. Such monogenic mutations aside, the most common genetic causes of male infertility are aneuploidies such as Klinefelter syndrome and Y-chromosome mutations which together account for around 20-25% of all cases of non-obstructive azoospermia. Oxidative stress has also emerged as a major cause of male fertility with at least 40% of patients exhibiting some evidence of redox attack, resulting in high levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage in the form of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). The latter is highly mutagenic and may contribute to de novo mutations in our species, 75% of which are known to occur in the male germ line. An examination of 8OHdG lesions in the human sperm genome has revealed ~9,000 genomic regions vulnerable to oxidative attack in spermatozoa. While these oxidized bases are generally spread widely across the genome, a particular region on chromosome 15 appears to be a hot spot for oxidative attack. This locus maps to a genetic location which has linkages to male infertility, cancer, imprinting disorders and a variety of behavioral conditions (autism, bipolar disease, spontaneous schizophrenia) which have been linked to the age of the father at the moment of conception. We present a hypothesis whereby a number of environmental, lifestyle and clinical factors conspire to induce oxidative DNA damage in the male germ line which then triggers the formation de novo mutations which can have a major impact on the health of the offspring including their subsequent fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Robert John Aitken
| | - Mark A. Baker
- Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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