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Hernández-Avilés C, Ramírez-Agámez L, Weintraub ST, Scoggin CF, Davis BW, Raudsepp T, Varner DD, Love CC. Proteomic analysis of sperm from fertile stallions and subfertile stallions due to impaired acrosomal exocytosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12446. [PMID: 38816557 PMCID: PMC11139894 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoroughbred stallions that carry a double-homozygous genotype A/A-A/A for SNPs rs397316122 and rs69101140 in exon 5 of the FKBP6 gene (chr13; EquCab3.0) are uniquely subfertile due to impaired acrosomal exocytosis (IAE). In this study, the sperm proteome in frozen/thawed semen from subfertile Thoroughbred stallions was studied and compared to that of frozen/thawed sperm from fertile Thoroughbred stallions. A total of 2,220 proteins was identified, of which 140 proteins were found to be differentially abundant in sperm from the subfertile stallions compared to that of fertile stallions (83 less and 57 more abundant). Proteins of differential abundance in sperm from the subfertile stallions were mainly overrepresented in the "metabolism" and the "metabolism of lipids" pathways. One of these proteins, arylsulfatase F (ARSF), was studied by immunofluorescence. A lower proportion of sperm displaying ARSF signal at the acrosome region was observed in sperm from subfertile Thoroughbred stallions. In addition, heterologous zona pellucida binding assays revealed that sperm from subfertile Thoroughbred stallions bound at a lower proportion to zonae pellucidae than sperm from fertile Thoroughbred stallions. In conclusion, a group of differential abundance proteins, including some of acrosome origin, were identified in sperm from subfertile stallions with acrosome dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Hernández-Avilés
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Luisa Ramírez-Agámez
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Charles F Scoggin
- LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Charles C Love
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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2
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Zhu Z, Li W, Yang Q, Zhao H, Zhang W, Adetunji AO, Hoque SAM, Kou X, Min L. Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Improves Ram Sperm Quality through Its Antioxidative Ability during Storage at 4 °C. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:104. [PMID: 38247528 PMCID: PMC10812569 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010104] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is an important factor in the migration of sperm from the uterus to the oviduct. During sperm preservation in vitro, sperm generates excessive ROS that damages its function. This study aims to investigate whether the addition of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) to the diluted medium could improve chilled ram sperm quality, and then elucidates the mechanism. Ram semen was diluted with Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) medium containing different doses of PQQ (0 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1000 nM, 10,000 nM), and stored at 4 °C. Sperm motility patterns, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and ATP levels were measured after preservation. Furthermore, the expressions of NADH dehydrogenase 1 (MT-ND1) and NADH dehydrogenase 6 (MT-ND6) in sperm were also detected by western blotting. In addition, sperm capacitation and the ability of sperm to bind to the zona pellucina were also evaluated. It was observed that the addition of PQQ significantly (p < 0.05) improved ram sperm motility, membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity during preservation. The percentage of sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential in the PQQ treatment group was much higher than that in the control. In addition, supplementation of PQQ also decreased the sperm MDA and ROS levels, while increasing ATP levels. Interestingly, the levels of MT-ND1 and MT-ND6 protein in sperm treated with PQQ were also higher than that of the control. Furthermore, the addition of 100 nM PQQ to the medium decreased ROS damage in MT-ND1 and MT-ND6 proteins. The addition of 100 nM PQQ significantly (p < 0.05) increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation in ram sperm after induced capacitation. Furthermore, the value of the sperm-zona pellucida binding capacity in the 100 nM PQQ treatment group was also much higher than that of the control. Overall, during chilled ram- sperm preservation, PQQ protected ram sperm quality by quenching the ROS levels to reduce ROS damage and maintain sperm mitochondrial function, and preserved the sperm's high ability of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Wenjia Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Qitai Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Haolong Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Weijing Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China; (Z.Z.)
| | - Adedeji O. Adetunji
- Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USA
| | - S. A. Masudul Hoque
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Xin Kou
- Hongde Livestock Farm, Yingli Town, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Lingjiang Min
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China; (Z.Z.)
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3
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Production of Genetically Modified Porcine Embryos via Lipofection of Zona-Pellucida-Intact Oocytes Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030342. [PMID: 36766231 PMCID: PMC9913380 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030342] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The generation of genetically modified pigs has an important impact thanks its applications in basic research, biomedicine, and meat production. Cloning was the first technique used for this production, although easier and cheaper methods were developed, such as the microinjection, electroporation, or lipofection of oocytes and zygotes. In this study, we analyzed the production of genetically modified embryos via lipofection of zona-pellucida-intact oocytes using LipofectamineTM CRISPRMAXTM Cas9 in comparison with the electroporation method. Two factors were evaluated: (i) the increment in the concentration of the lipofectamine-ribonucleoprotein complexes (LRNPC) (5% vs. 10%) and (ii) the concentration of ribonucleoprotein within the complexes (1xRNP vs. 2xRNP). We found that the increment in the concentration of the LRNPC had a detrimental effect on embryo development and a subsequent effect on the number of mutant embryos. The 5% group had a similar mutant blastocyst rate to the electroporation method (5.52% and 6.38%, respectively, p > 0.05). The increment in the concentration of the ribonucleoprotein inside the complexes had no effect on the blastocyst rate and mutation rate, with the mutant blastocyst rate being similar in both the 1xRNP and 2xRNP lipofection groups and the electroporation group (1.75%, 3.60%, and 3.57%, respectively, p > 0.05). Here, we showed that it is possible to produce knock-out embryos via lipofection of zona-pellucida-intact porcine oocytes with similar efficiencies as with electroporation, although more optimization is needed, mainly in terms of the use of more efficient vesicles for encapsulation with different compositions.
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4
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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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Effect of Mare Age on Transcript Abundance of Connexins-37 and -43, Zona Pellucida Proteins, and Sperm Binding. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 108:103796. [PMID: 34818616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Zona pellucida (ZP) proteins are important for fertilization and sperm binding and are closely associated with cumulus cells. Communication between cumulus and oocytes is facilitated by intracellular membrane channels composed of connexins. The extent aging impacts potential differences in fertilization and reductions in fertility is not well understood. This study characterized age-related differences in transcript abundance of ZP proteins and connexins in cells from ovarian follicles. Additionally, differences in sperm binding to oocytes from old and young mares was evaluated. For experiment 1, oocytes, corona radiata, cumulus, and granulosa cells were collected from mares classified as young (4-12 years) or old (> 20 years). Transcript abundance was evaluated for connexins -37 (GJA4) and -43 (GJA1); zona pellucida glycoproteins 1, 2, 3, and 4 (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, ZP4); Tubulin (TUBA1A), and equine chorionic gonadotropin β. For experiment 2, oocytes that failed to cleave following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were stored in salt solution for up to 4 years and used for sperm binding assays. Transcript abundance for GJA1 was decreased in oocytes, corona radiata, and granulosa cells while GJA4 was decreased in cumulus cells from old compared to young mares. Additionally, ZP1 tended to be decreased in corona radiata and cumulus cells from old mares. Oocytes from old mares tended to bind less spermatozoa compared young mares. Oocytes that failed to cleave following ICSI can be used for sperm binding studies for up to 2 years without losses in sperm binding. Our findings suggest that maternal age may contribute to changes in cellular communication and the ZP that could impact sperm binding.
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6
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Ficarella E, Minooei M, Santoro L, Toma E, Trentadue B, De Spirito M, Papi M, Pruncu CI, Lamberti L. Visco-Hyperelastic Characterization of the Equine Immature Zona Pellucida. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14051223. [PMID: 33807624 PMCID: PMC7961360 DOI: 10.3390/ma14051223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This article presents a very detailed study on the mechanical characterization of a highly nonlinear material, the immature equine zona pellucida (ZP) membrane. The ZP is modeled as a visco-hyperelastic soft matter. The Arruda–Boyce constitutive equation and the two-term Prony series are identified as the most suitable models for describing the hyperelastic and viscous components, respectively, of the ZP’s mechanical response. Material properties are identified via inverse analysis based on nonlinear optimization which fits nanoindentation curves recorded at different rates. The suitability of the proposed approach is fully demonstrated by the very good agreement between AFM data and numerically reconstructed force–indentation curves. A critical comparison of mechanical behavior of two immature ZP membranes (i.e., equine and porcine ZPs) is also carried out considering the information on the structure of these materials available from electron microscopy investigations documented in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ficarella
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (E.F.); (M.M.); (L.S.); (E.T.); (B.T.)
| | - Mohammad Minooei
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (E.F.); (M.M.); (L.S.); (E.T.); (B.T.)
| | - Lorenzo Santoro
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (E.F.); (M.M.); (L.S.); (E.T.); (B.T.)
| | - Elisabetta Toma
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (E.F.); (M.M.); (L.S.); (E.T.); (B.T.)
| | - Bartolomeo Trentadue
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (E.F.); (M.M.); (L.S.); (E.T.); (B.T.)
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.D.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (M.D.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Catalin I. Pruncu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Rd., London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Design, Manufacturing & Engineering Management, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK
- Correspondence: or (C.I.P.); (L.L.)
| | - Luciano Lamberti
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (E.F.); (M.M.); (L.S.); (E.T.); (B.T.)
- Correspondence: or (C.I.P.); (L.L.)
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7
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Izquierdo-Rico MJ, Moros-Nicolás C, Pérez-Crespo M, Laguna-Barraza R, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Veyrunes F, Ballesta J, Laudet V, Chevret P, Avilés M. ZP4 Is Present in Murine Zona Pellucida and Is Not Responsible for the Specific Gamete Interaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:626679. [PMID: 33537315 PMCID: PMC7848090 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.626679] [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: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian eggs are surrounded by an extracellular matrix called the zona pellucida (ZP). This envelope participates in processes such as acrosome reaction induction, sperm binding, protection of the oviductal embryo, and may be involved in speciation. In eutherian mammals, this coat is formed of three or four glycoproteins (ZP1–ZP4). While Mus musculus has been used as a model to study the ZP for more than 35 years, surprisingly, it is the only eutherian species in which the ZP is formed of three glycoproteins Zp1, Zp2, and Zp3, Zp4 being a pseudogene. Zp4 was lost in the Mus lineage after it diverged from Rattus, although it is not known when precisely this loss occurred. In this work, the status of Zp4 in several murine rodents was tested by phylogenetic, molecular, and proteomic analyses. Additionally, assays of cross in vitro fertilization between three and four ZP rodents were performed to test the effect of the presence of Zp4 in murine ZP and its possible involvement in reproductive isolation. Our results showed that Zp4 pseudogenization is restricted to the subgenus Mus, which diverged around 6 MYA. Heterologous in vitro fertilization assays demonstrate that a ZP formed of four glycoproteins is not a barrier for the spermatozoa of species with a ZP formed of three glycoproteins. This study identifies the existence of several mouse species with four ZPs that can be considered suitable for use as an experimental animal model to understand the structural and functional roles of the four ZP proteins in other species, including human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mª José Izquierdo-Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
| | - Carla Moros-Nicolás
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
| | - Míriam Pérez-Crespo
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Laguna-Barraza
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Frédéric Veyrunes
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, UMR5554 CNRS/Université Montpellier/IRD/EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - José Ballesta
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
| | - Vincent Laudet
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Pascale Chevret
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research "Campus Mare Nostrum", Murcia, Spain
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8
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Bucci D, Spinaci M, Galeati G, Tamanini C. Different approaches for assessing sperm function. Anim Reprod 2020; 16:72-80. [PMID: 33299480 PMCID: PMC7720929 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Different approaches can be used to assess sperm function in different conditions, i.e. sperm storage, freezing-thawing or activation by induction of capacitation and acrosome reaction. In this review we will focus on the assays routinely performed in our laboratories, giving a literature support to critically analyse different approaches. In fact, researchers usually tend to look for the "one shot" parameter that could explain itself a specific process; it is our conviction that a multiparametric approach is still more valid, as some changes in sperm function are very complex and could be explained only by operating in different ways. Sperm motility, the most evident sperm characteristic, should be assessed by computer-aided sperm analysers that permit an objective evaluation of the motility and its kinematic parameters. Commercial and open source instruments are available and could be profitably used together with specific statistical approaches. The use of microscopy, and particularly fluorescent microscopy, could be a very useful tool to assess different parameters in sperm cells both by fluorophores that give indication of a determined function, and by immunolocalization of proteins, that permits the discover of new features or to explain particular sperm functions. The same substrates could be used also in flow cytometry: the difference is that it permits to study wider sperm populations (and their sub-population distribution). Flow cytometry is undergoing a very wide use in spermatology and technical and experimental rigor is needed to obtain reliable results. Metabolic assessment of sperm features, particularly energetic supply, ATP formation and other enzyme activities, could represent a very important challenge to acquire new information and complete/integrate those derived from other techniques. Finally, functional assays such as oocyte binding and in vitro fertilization, represent a very strong tool to assess sperm function in vitro, as they could evidence the functional intactness of some pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Bucci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcella Spinaci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Galeati
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Tamanini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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9
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Leemans B, Stout TAE, De Schauwer C, Heras S, Nelis H, Hoogewijs M, Van Soom A, Gadella BM. Update on mammalian sperm capacitation: how much does the horse differ from other species? Reproduction 2020; 157:R181-R197. [PMID: 30721132 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to various other mammalian species, conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) with horse gametes is not reliably successful. In particular, stallion spermatozoa fails to penetrate the zona pellucida, most likely due to incomplete activation of stallion spermatozoa (capacitation) under in vitro conditions. In other mammalian species, specific capacitation triggers have been described; unfortunately, none of these is able to induce full capacitation in stallion spermatozoa. Nevertheless, knowledge of capacitation pathways and their molecular triggers might improve our understanding of capacitation-related events observed in stallion sperm. When sperm cells are exposed to appropriate capacitation triggers, several molecular and biochemical changes should be induced in the sperm plasma membrane and cytoplasm. At the level of the sperm plasma membrane, (1) an increase in membrane fluidity, (2) cholesterol depletion and (3) lipid raft aggregation should occur consecutively; the cytoplasmic changes consist of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and elevated pH, cAMP and Ca2+ concentrations. These capacitation-related events enable the switch from progressive to hyperactivated motility of the sperm cells, and the induction of the acrosome reaction. These final capacitation triggers are indispensable for sperm cells to migrate through the viscous oviductal environment, penetrate the cumulus cells and zona pellucida and, finally, fuse with the oolemma. This review will focus on molecular aspects of sperm capacitation and known triggers in various mammalian species. Similarities and differences with the horse will be highlighted to improve our understanding of equine sperm capacitation/fertilizing events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Leemans
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina De Schauwer
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sonia Heras
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hilde Nelis
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maarten Hoogewijs
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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10
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Bhakta HH, Refai FH, Avella MA. The molecular mechanisms mediating mammalian fertilization. Development 2019; 146:146/15/dev176966. [PMID: 31375552 DOI: 10.1242/dev.176966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization is a key biological process in which the egg and sperm must recognize one another and fuse to form a zygote. Although the process is a continuum, mammalian fertilization has been studied as a sequence of steps: sperm bind and penetrate through the zona pellucida of the egg, adhere to the egg plasma membrane and finally fuse with the egg. Following fusion, effective blocks to polyspermy ensure monospermic fertilization. Here, we review how recent advances obtained using genetically modified mouse lines bring new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian fertilization. We discuss models for these processes and we include studies showing that these mechanisms may be conserved across different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanisha H Bhakta
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
| | - Fares H Refai
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
| | - Matteo A Avella
- Department of Biological Science, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
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11
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Moros-Nicolás C, Douet C, Reigner F, Goudet G. Effect of cumulus cell removal and sperm pre-incubation with progesterone on in vitro fertilization of equine gametes in the presence of oviductal fluid or cells. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:1095-1103. [PMID: 31145487 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In spite of many attempts to establish an in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique in the equine, no efficient conventional IVF technique is available. The presence of oviductal fluid or oviductal cells during IVF helps to improve embryo production in vitro but is not sufficient to reach high fertilization rates. Thus, our aim was to perform equine IVF either after sperm pre-incubation with oviductal fluid or in the presence of oviductal cells, and to evaluate the effect of cumulus removal from the oocyte or sperm pre-incubation with progesterone. In experiments 1 and 2, IVF was performed in the presence of porcine oviduct epithelial cells. The removal of cumulus cells from equine oocytes after in vitro maturation tended to increase the percentage of fertilization when fresh sperm was used (1/33 vs. 4/31, p > 0.05) but had no effect when frozen sperm was used (1/32 vs. 1/32). Equine sperm pre-incubation with progesterone did not significantly influence the fertilization rate when fresh or frozen sperm was used (2/14 vs. 2/18 for fresh, 1/29 vs. 1/25 for frozen). In experiments 3 and 4, IVF was performed after pre-incubation of sperm with porcine oviductal fluid. The removal of cumulus cells tended to increase the percentage of fertilization when fresh sperm was used (1/24 vs. 3/26, p > 0.05). Sperm pre-incubation with progesterone did not significantly influence the fertilization rate when fresh or frozen sperm was used (2/39 vs. 2/36 for fresh, 2/37 vs. 1/46 for frozen), but two 3-4 cell stage zygotes were obtained with fresh sperm pre-incubated with progesterone. This is an encouraging result for the setting up of an efficient IVF procedure in equine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cécile Douet
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| | | | - Ghylène Goudet
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
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12
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Morrell JM. Effect of colloid centrifugation on boar sperm quality during storage and function in in vitro fertilization. Theriogenology 2019; 137:122-126. [PMID: 31176492 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ejaculates contain a heterogeneous population of spermatozoa with differing ability to fertilize. It may be possible to reduce the numbers of spermatozoa required for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization by selecting the sperm sub-population that possesses certain desired characteristics. This review describes what is meant by sperm quality, mentions different methods of sperm selection and then describes the effect of sperm selection by colloid centrifugation on boar sperm quality, both quality during storage and functionality in in vitro fertilization. Several versions of the technique known as Single Layer Centrifugation are available depending on the volume of ejaculate to be processed. Semen can be processed in volumes ranging from 0.25 to 150 mL, in suitably sized tubes. Processing small volumes of semen (0.25 mL on 1 mL colloid) is best done in a 15 mL tube, since the area of the interface between the semen and colloid is greater than in a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube. Potential uses of this processing technique are described, such as conservation breeding of rare breeds and removal of pathogens. Reducing the bacterial load in semen by single layer centrifugation though a low density colloid could provide an alternative to the use of antibiotics in semen extenders, and is an interesting development.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Morrell
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7054, SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
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13
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Ao Z, Li Z, Wang X, Zhao C, Gan Y, Wu X, Zeng F, Shi J, Gu T, Hong L, Zheng E, Liu D, Xu Z, Wu Z, Cai G. Identification of amniotic fluid metabolomic and placental transcriptomic changes associated with abnormal development of cloned pig fetuses. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:278-291. [PMID: 30618166 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Piglets cloned by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) show a high incidence of malformations and a high death rate during the perinatal period. To investigate the underlying mechanisms for abnormal development of cloned pig fetuses, we compared body weight, amniotic fluid (AF) metabolome, and placental transcriptome between SCNT- and artificial insemination (AI)-derived pig fetuses. Results showed that the body weight of SCNT pig fetuses was significantly lower than that of AI pig fetuses. The identified differential metabolites between the two groups of AF were mainly involved in bile acids and steroid hormones. The levels of all detected bile acids in SCNT AF were significantly higher than those in AI AF. The increase in the AF bile acid levels in SCNT fetuses was linked with the downregulation of placental bile acid transporter expression and the abnormal development of placental folds (PFs), both of which negatively affected the transfer of bile acids from AF across the placenta into the mother's circulation. Alteration in the AF steroid hormone levels in cloned fetuses was associated with decreased expression of enzymes responsible for steroid hormone biosynthesis in the placenta. In conclusion, cloned pig fetuses undergo abnormal intrauterine development associated with alteration of bile acid and steroid hormone levels in AF, which may be due to the poor development of PFs and the erroneous expression of bile acid transporters and enzymes responsible for steroid hormone biosynthesis in the placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Ao
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xingwang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengfa Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanmin Gan
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Zeng
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junsong Shi
- Wen's Research Institute, Guangdong Wen's Foodstuff Group Ltd., Yunfu, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Gu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Enqin Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dewu Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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14
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Hall AE, Rose MD. Cell fusion in yeast is negatively regulated by components of the cell wall integrity pathway. Mol Biol Cell 2018; 30:441-452. [PMID: 30586320 PMCID: PMC6594448 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-04-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During mating, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells must degrade the intervening cell wall to allow fusion of the partners. Because improper timing or location of cell wall degradation would cause lysis, the initiation of cell fusion must be highly regulated. Here, we find that yeast cell fusion is negatively regulated by components of the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway. Loss of the cell wall sensor, MID2, specifically causes “mating-induced death” after pheromone exposure. Mating-induced death is suppressed by mutations in cell fusion genes (FUS1, FUS2, RVS161, CDC42), implying that mid2Δ cells die from premature fusion without a partner. Consistent with premature fusion, mid2Δ shmoos had thinner cell walls and lysed at the shmoo tip. Normally, Cdc42p colocalizes with Fus2p to form a focus only when mating cells are in contact (prezygotes) and colocalization is required for cell fusion. However, Cdc42p was aberrantly colocalized with Fus2p to form a focus in mid2Δ shmoos. A hyperactive allele of the CWI kinase Pkc1p (PKC1*) caused decreased cell fusion and Cdc42p localization in prezygotes. In shmoos, PKC1* increased Cdc42p localization; however, it was not colocalized with Fus2p or associated with cell death. We conclude that Mid2p and Pkc1p negatively regulate cell fusion via Cdc42p and Fus2p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Hall
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Mark D Rose
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
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15
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Abdoon AS, Fathalla SI, Shawky SM, Kandil OM, Kishta AA, Masoud SR. In Vitro Maturation and Fertilization of Donkey Oocytes. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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16
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Salamone DF, Canel NG, Rodríguez MB. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in domestic and wild mammals. Reproduction 2017; 154:F111-F124. [PMID: 29196493 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become a useful technique for clinical applications in the horse-breeding industry. However, both ICSI blastocyst and offspring production continues to be limited for most farm and wild species. This article reviews technical differences of ICSI performance among species, possible biological and methodological reasons for the variable efficiency and potential strategies to improve the outcomes. One of the major applications of ICSI in animal production is the reproduction of high-value specimens. Unfortunately, some domestic species like the bovine show low rates of pronuclei formation after sperm injection, which led to the development of various artificial activation protocols and sperm pre-treatments that are discussed in this article. The impact of ICSI technique on equine breeding programs is considered in detail, since in contrast to other species, its use for elite horse reproduction has increased in recent years. ICSI has also been used to produce genetically modified animals; however, despite numerous attempts in several domestic species, only transgenic pigs have been consistently produced. Finally, the ICSI is a promising tool for genetic rescue of endangered and wild species. In conclusion, while ICSI has become a consistent ART for some species, it needs further development for others. The low results obtained for some domestic species, the high training needed and the equipment required have limited this technique to the production of elite specimens or for research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Salamone
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia G Canel
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
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17
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Estimating the binding ability of collared peccary ( Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) sperm using heterologous substrates. Theriogenology 2017; 92:57-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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18
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Bucci D, Giaretta E, Merlo B, Iacono E, Spinaci M, Gadani B, Mari G, Tamanini C, Galeati G. Alkaline phosphatase added to capacitating medium enhances horse sperm-zona pellucida binding. Theriogenology 2017; 87:72-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Yeste M, Jones C, Amdani SN, Coward K. Oocyte Activation and Fertilisation: Crucial Contributors from the Sperm and Oocyte. Results Probl Cell Differ 2017; 59:213-239. [PMID: 28247051 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-44820-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This chapter intends to summarise the importance of sperm- and oocyte-derived factors in the processes of sperm-oocyte binding and oocyte activation. First, we describe the initial interaction between sperm and the zona pellucida, with particular regard to acrosome exocytosis. We then describe how sperm and oocyte membranes fuse, with special reference to the discovery of the sperm protein IZUMO1 and its interaction with the oocyte membrane receptor JUNO. We then focus specifically upon oocyte activation, the fundamental process by which the oocyte is alleviated from metaphase II arrest by a sperm-soluble factor. The identity of this sperm factor has been the source of much debate recently, although mounting evidence, from several different laboratories, provides strong support for phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ), a sperm-specific phospholipase. Herein, we discuss the evidence in support of PLCζ and evaluate the potential role of other candidate proteins, such as post-acrosomal WW-binding domain protein (PAWP/WBP2NL). Since the cascade of downstream events triggered by the sperm-borne oocyte activation factor heavily relies upon specialised cellular machinery within the oocyte, we also discuss the critical role of oocyte-borne factors, such as the inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), protein kinase C (PKC), store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), during the process of oocyte activation. In order to place the implications of these various factors and processes into a clinical context, we proceed to describe their potential association with oocyte activation failure and discuss how clinical techniques such as the in vitro maturation of oocytes may affect oocyte activation ability. Finally, we contemplate the role of artificial oocyte activating agents in the clinical rescue of oocyte activation deficiency and discuss options for more endogenous alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Yeste
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, Campus Montilivi, E-17071, Girona, Spain. .,Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
| | - Celine Jones
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Siti Nornadhirah Amdani
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Coward
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK
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20
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Hall SE, Nixon B, Aitken RJ. Non-surgical sterilisation methods may offer a sustainable solution to feral horse (Equus caballus) overpopulation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:1655-1666. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral horses are a significant pest species in many parts of the world, contributing to land erosion, weed dispersal and the loss of native flora and fauna. There is an urgent need to modify feral horse management strategies to achieve public acceptance and long-term population control. One way to achieve this is by using non-surgical methods of sterilisation, which are suitable in the context of this mobile and long-lived species. In this review we consider the benefits of implementing novel mechanisms designed to elicit a state of permanent sterility (including redox cycling to generate oxidative stress in the gonad, random peptide phage display to target non-renewable germ cells and the generation of autoantibodies against proteins essential for conception via covalent modification) compared with that of traditional immunocontraceptive approaches. The need for a better understanding of mare folliculogenesis and conception factors, including maternal recognition of pregnancy, is also reviewed because they hold considerable potential in providing a non-surgical mechanism for sterilisation. In conclusion, the authors contend that non-surgical measures that are single shot and irreversible may provide a sustainable and effective strategy for feral horse control.
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21
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Influence of transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular punctures in the mare on heart rate, respiratory rate, facial expression changes, and salivary cortisol as pain scoring. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1757-63. [PMID: 27354340 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular punctures are widely used in the mare for diagnosis, research, and commercial applications. The objective of our study was to determine their influence on pain, stress, and well-being in the mare, by evaluating heart rate, breath rate, facial expression changes, and salivary cortisol before, during, and after puncture. For this experiment, 21 pony mares were used. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspirations were performed on 11 mares. After injections for sedation, analgesia, and antispasmodia, the follicles from both ovaries were aspirated with a needle introduced through the vagina wall into the ovary. In the control group, 10 mares underwent similar treatments and injections, but no follicular aspiration. Along the session, heart rate and breath rate were evaluated by a trained veterinarian, ears position, eyelid closure, and contraction of facial muscles were evaluated, and salivary samples were taken for evaluation of cortisol concentration. A significant relaxation was observed after sedative injection in the punctured and control mares, according to ear position, eyelid closure, and contraction of facial muscles, but no difference between punctured and control animals was recorded. No significant modification of salivary cortisol concentration during puncture and no difference between punctured and control mares at any time were observed. No significant modification of the breath rate was observed along the procedure for the punctured and the control mares. Heart rate increased significantly but transiently when the needle was introduced in the ovary and was significantly higher at that time for the punctured mares than that for control mares. None of the other investigated parameters were affected at that time, suggesting discomfort is minimal and transient. Improving analgesia, e.g., through a multimodal approach, during that possibly more sensitive step could be recommended. The evaluation of facial expression changes and heart rate is easy-to-use and accurate tools to evaluate pain and well-being of the mare.
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22
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Leemans B, Gadella BM, Stout TAE, De Schauwer C, Nelis H, Hoogewijs M, Van Soom A. Why doesn't conventional IVF work in the horse? The equine oviduct as a microenvironment for capacitation/fertilization. Reproduction 2016; 152:R233-R245. [PMID: 27651517 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to man and many other mammalian species, conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) with horse gametes is not reliably successful. The apparent inability of stallion spermatozoa to penetrate the zona pellucida in vitro is most likely due to incomplete activation of spermatozoa (capacitation) because of inadequate capacitating or fertilizing media. In vivo, the oviduct and its secretions provide a microenvironment that does reliably support and regulate interaction between the gametes. This review focuses on equine sperm-oviduct interaction. Equine sperm-oviduct binding appears to be more complex than the presumed species-specific calcium-dependent lectin binding phenomenon; unfortunately, the nature of the interaction is not understood. Various capacitation-related events are induced to regulate sperm release from the oviduct epithelium and most data suggest that exposure to oviduct secretions triggers sperm capacitation in vivo However, only limited information is available about equine oviduct secreted factors, and few have been identified. Another aspect of equine oviduct physiology relevant to capacitation is acid-base balance. In vitro, it has been demonstrated that stallion spermatozoa show tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation after binding to oviduct epithelial cells containing alkaline secretory granules. In response to alkaline follicular fluid preparations (pH 7.9), stallion spermatozoa also show tail-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation, hyperactivated motility and (limited) release from oviduct epithelial binding. However, these 'capacitating conditions' are not able to induce the acrosome reaction and fertilization. In conclusion, developing a defined capacitating medium to support successful equine IVF will depend on identifying as yet uncharacterized capacitation triggers present in the oviduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Leemans
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart M Gadella
- Departments of Farm Animal Health.,Biochemistry and Cell Biology
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Departments of Farm Animal Health.,Equine SciencesFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina De Schauwer
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hilde Nelis
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Maarten Hoogewijs
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of ReproductionObstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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23
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de Vasconcelos Franco JS, Faheem M, Chaveiro A, Moreira da Silva F. Effects of α-tocopherol and freezing rates on the quality and heterologous in vitro fertilization capacity of stallion sperm after cryopreservation. Theriogenology 2016; 86:957-962. [PMID: 27125690 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The effects of supplementation of α-tocopherol and different freezing rates (FRs) on the ability of stallion sperm to fertilize bovine oocytes with intact zona pellucida were investigated, in an attempt to develop a model to assess cryopreserved sperm function. Semen was obtained from four purebred Lusitano stallions (n = 4). Each ejaculate was subjected to cryopreservation with a commercial extender (Ghent, Minitub Iberia, Spain), without any supplementation (control) or supplemented with 2-mM α-tocopherol. The semen was exposed to two different FRs between 5 °C and -15 °C: slow (5 °C/min) and moderate (10 °C/min). After thawing, the viability (SYBR®-14 and propidium iodide [PI]), mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1, 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'tetraethylbenzimidazolyl carbocyanine iodine) and membrane lipid peroxidation (C11-BODIPY(581/591)) of each sample were determined by flow cytometry. Moreover, the heterologous IVF rate was measured to evaluate the fertilization capacity of postthaw semen in the four different treatments. For both extenders, the viability was higher for spermatozoa cooled slowly (39.40 ± 2.17 vs. 17.59 ± 2.25-control; 31.96 ± 2.19 vs. 11.46 ± 1.34-Tocopherol; P < 0.05). The α-tocopherol extender improved (P < 0.05) postthaw lipid peroxidation (10.28 ± 0.70 vs. 15.40 ± 0.95-slow FR; 10.14 ± 0.40 vs. 13.48 ± 0.34-moderate FR); however, it did not improve viability and mitochondrial membrane potential. Regarding the IVF rate, in the moderate FR, α-tocopherol supplementation reported a higher percentage of IVF (20.50 ± 2.11; P < 0.05), comparing with the control (14.00 ± 1.84). Regarding the slow FR, no significance differences were observed for percentage of IVF between the two extenders and the FRs. However, it seems that the α-tocopherol supplementation improved the IVF rate. In conclusion, this research reported that bovine oocytes intact zona pellucida can be used to evaluate the quality of postthaw stallion semen and α-tocopherol supplementation in the stallion freezing extender might exert a protective effect against oxidative damage during heterologous IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S de Vasconcelos Franco
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal.
| | - M Faheem
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal; Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - A Chaveiro
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - F Moreira da Silva
- Animal Reproduction, Department of Agrarian Sciences, University of the Azores, CITA-A, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
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24
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Santos MAM, Gradela A, Moraes EA, Souza WL, Alves NG, Costa JMS, Matos WC. Características do sêmen a fresco e descongelado de garanhões da raça Nordestina. PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA 2015. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2015001100009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RESUMO: Este estudo descreveu as características seminais, da membrana plasmática e do acrossoma de espermatozoide congelado/descongelado de 19 ejaculados de garanhões da raça Nordestina. Os aspectos analisados incluíram os parâmetros físicos do sêmen fresco; a motilidade e a longevidade do sêmen diluído e descongelado; a morfologia espermática, integridade funcional e estrutural da membrana plasmática do espermatozoide e a habilidade de ligação do espermatozoide à membrana perivitelina da gema do ovo de galinha do sêmen descongelado. As variáveis foram avaliadas pela ANOVA com post hoc teste de Student Newman-Keuls (P<0,05). A MT e a MP foram maiores (P<0,05) no sêmen diluído do que no descongelado. A percentagem média de defeitos maiores, menores e totais foi muito inferior ao limite recomendado pelo CBRA. A porcentagem de reativos ao HOST foi de 14,21±1,12% e a porcentagem média de membranas íntegras detectadas pelo teste supravital de 62,22±9,06% e pela sonda SYBR-14 de 81,47±26,90. O número médio de espermatozoides ligados à MPV após a descongelação do sêmen foi de 230,39±57,09. A MT e MP no tempo 0 min do TTR foi superior (P<0,05) em relação a 150 min, não diferindo nos tempos 10 min e 30 min. Os resultados demonstram que a utilização dos testes laboratoriais adicionais ajudam no processo de avaliação das amostras, possibilitando a obtenção de informações mais confiáveis e precisas. Embora a criopreservação tenha provocado queda na motilidade seminal, o uso de diluidor contendo amidas minimizou os danos osmóticos nas células espermáticas e manteve a integridade morfológica, funcional e estrutural da membrana plasmática do espermatozoide. Estes resultados são um referencial em estudos futuros uma vez que, inexistem dados comparativos nesta raça.
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González-Fernández L, Macedo S, Lopes JS, Rocha A, Macías-García B. Effect of Different Media and Protein Source on Equine Gametes: Potential Impact DuringIn VitroFertilization. Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 50:1039-46. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L González-Fernández
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences Centre; University of Porto; Vairão Portugal
- ICBAS - Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - S Macedo
- ICBAS - Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - JS Lopes
- ICBAS - Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - A Rocha
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences Centre; University of Porto; Vairão Portugal
- ICBAS - Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - B Macías-García
- CECA/ICETA - Animal Sciences Centre; University of Porto; Vairão Portugal
- ICBAS - Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
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Naz RK, Saver AE. Immunocontraception for Animals: Current Status and Future Perspective. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 75:426-39. [PMID: 26412331 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
An alternative to surgical sterilization for fertility control of animals (wild, zoo, farm, and domestic) is needed to prevent problems related to overpopulation, including culling and relocation. A PubMed and Google Scholar database search was conducted using the keywords 'contraceptive vaccine animals,' 'immunocontraception animals,' 'non-surgical sterilization animals,' 'PZP vaccine,' and 'GnRH vaccine.' The searches from 1972 to 2015 yielded over 1500 publications. These articles were read, and 375 were selected for detailed analysis. Articles referenced in these publications were also thoroughly examined. PZP and GnRH contraceptive vaccines (CVs) have been extensively investigated for fertility control of wild, zoo, farm, and domestic animal populations. Both vaccines have shown tremendous success with PZP vaccines taking the lead. Novel technologies and targets are being developed to improve existing vaccines and generate second-generation CVs. Single-shot vaccines, which can be delivered remotely, will greatly advance the field of immunocontraception for animal use with potential human application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Naz
- Reproductive Immunology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ashley E Saver
- Reproductive Immunology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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27
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The acrosome of eutherian mammals. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 363:147-157. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2238-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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28
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Leemans B, Gadella BM, Stout TA, Heras S, Smits K, Ferrer-Buitrago M, Claes E, Heindryckx B, De Vos WH, Nelis H, Hoogewijs M, Van Soom A. Procaine Induces Cytokinesis in Horse Oocytes via a pH-Dependent Mechanism1. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:23. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.127423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Schmidt K, Clark A, Mello A, Durfey C, Buck A, Boyd K, Whitaker BD. The effects of glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine on in vitro fertilisation of porcine oocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2015; 28:RD14226. [PMID: 25585197 DOI: 10.1071/rd14226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High incidences of polyspermic penetration continue to challenge researchers during porcine in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The aim of this study was to reduce the incidence of polyspermy by increasing the perivitelline space thickness with glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) supplementation during oocyte maturation. After maturation, zona pellucida and perivitelline space thicknesses, intracellular glutathione concentrations and fertilisation kinetics were measured, in addition to embryonic cleavage and blastocyst formation at 48h and 144h after IVF, respectively. There were no significant differences between the treatments for zona pellucida thickness, penetration rates, male pronuclear formation or cortical granule exocytosis. Glucuronic acid supplementation significantly increased (PPPP<0.05) of cleavage and blastocyst formation by 48 and 144h after IVF compared with all other groups. These results indicate that supplementing with 0.005mM glucuronic acid and 0.005mM GlcNAc during oocyte maturation decreases the incidence of polyspermic penetration by increasing perivitelline space thickness and improving embryo development in pigs.
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Four glycoproteins are expressed in the cat zona pellucida. Theriogenology 2014; 83:1162-73. [PMID: 25623231 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian oocyte is surrounded by a matrix called the zona pellucida (ZP). This envelope participates in processes such as acrosome reaction induction, sperm binding and may be involved in speciation. In cat (Felis catus), this matrix is composed of at least three glycoproteins called ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4. However, recent studies have pointed to the presence of a fourth protein in several mammals (rat, human, hamster or rabbit), meaning that a reevaluation of cat ZP is needed. For this reason, the objective of this research was to analyze the protein composition of cat ZP by means of proteomic analysis. Using ZP from ovaries and oocytes, several peptides corresponding to four proteins were detected, yielding a coverage of 33.17%, 71.50%, 50.23%, and 49.64% for ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4, respectively. Moreover, the expression of four genes was confirmed by molecular analysis. Using total RNA isolated from cat ovaries, the complementary deoxyribonucleic acids encoding cat ZP were partially amplified by reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, ZP1 was totally amplified for the first time in this species. As far as we are aware, this is the first study that confirms the presence of four proteins in cat ZP.
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31
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Accogli G, Douet C, Ambruosi B, Martino NA, Uranio MF, Deleuze S, Dell'Aquila ME, Desantis S, Goudet G. Differential expression and localization of glycosidic residues in in vitro- and in vivo-matured cumulus-oocyte complexes in equine and porcine species. Mol Reprod Dev 2014; 81:1115-35. [PMID: 25511183 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Glycoprotein oligosaccharides play major roles during reproduction, yet their function in gamete interactions is not fully elucidated. Identification and comparison of the glycan pattern in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from species with different efficiencies of in vitro spermatozoa penetration through the zona pellucida (ZP) could help clarify how oligosaccharides affect gamete interactions. We compared the expression and localization of 12 glycosidic residues in equine and porcine in vitro-matured (IVM) and preovulatory COCs by means of lectin histochemistry. The COCs glycan pattern differed between animals and COC source (IVM versus preovulatory). Among the 12 carbohydrate residues investigated, the IVM COCs from these two species shared: (a) sialo- and βN-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-terminating glycans in the ZP; (b) sialylated and fucosylated glycans in cumulus cells; and (c) GalNAc and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) glycans in the ooplasm. Differences in the preovulatory COCs of the two species included: (a) sialoglycans and GlcNAc terminating glycans in the equine ZP versus terminal GalNAc and internal GlcNAc in the porcine ZP; (b) terminal galactosides in equine cumulus cells versus terminal GlcNAc and fucose in porcine cohorts; and (c) fucose in the mare ooplasm versus lactosamine and internal GlcNAc in porcine oocyte cytoplasm. Furthermore, equine and porcine cumulus cells and oocytes contributed differently to the synthesis of ZP glycoproteins. These results could be attributed to the different in vitro fertilization efficiencies between these two divergent, large-animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Accogli
- Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, Department Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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32
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Validation of a heterologous fertilization assay and comparison of fertilization rates of equine oocytes using in vitro fertilization, perivitelline, and intracytoplasmic sperm injections. Theriogenology 2014; 82:274-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Distinct subtypes of zona pellucida morphology reflect canine oocyte viability and cumulus-oocyte complex quality. Theriogenology 2013; 80:498-506. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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34
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Balao da Silva CM, Spinaci M, Bucci D, Giaretta E, Peña FJ, Mari G, Galeati G. Effect of sex sorting on stallion spermatozoa: Heterologous oocyte binding, tyrosine phosphorylation and acrosome reaction assay. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 141:68-74. [PMID: 23953198 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The interest on sex sorting by flow cytometry on the equine industry has been increasing over the years. In this work, three different tests were performed in order to evaluate the membrane status of sorted stallion spermatozoa: assessment of binding ability to porcine oocytes, evaluation of acrosome integrity after stimulation with A23187, and detection of tyrosine phosphorylation. These evaluations were made after incubation for 0h, 1.5h and 3h in a capacitating medium. Sorted stallion spermatozoa attached similarly to the porcine oocytes, when compared with control samples. Sorted spermatozoa were more prone to undergo acrosome reaction (P<0.05), at the beginning and after 1.5h and 3h of incubation, and also had higher tyrosine phosphorylation of the tail (P<0.001), only at the beginning of the incubation period. Apparently sex sorted stallion spermatozoa are in a more advanced status of membrane destabilization, which could be associated with capacitation, although similar binding ability to porcine oocytes is maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Balao da Silva
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
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Hall V, Hinrichs K, Lazzari G, Betts DH, Hyttel P. Early embryonic development, assisted reproductive technologies, and pluripotent stem cell biology in domestic mammals. Vet J 2013; 197:128-42. [PMID: 23810186 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 05/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Over many decades assisted reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination, embryo transfer, in vitro production (IVP) of embryos, cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and stem cell culture, have been developed with the aim of refining breeding strategies for improved production and health in animal husbandry. More recently, biomedical applications of these technologies, in particular, SCNT and stem cell culture, have been pursued in domestic mammals in order to create models for human disease and therapy. The following review focuses on presenting important aspects of pre-implantation development in cattle, pigs, horses, and dogs. Biological aspects and impact of assisted reproductive technologies including IVP, SCNT, and culture of pluripotent stem cells are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Hall
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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36
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Takahashi K, Kikuchi K, Uchida Y, Kanai-Kitayama S, Suzuki R, Sato R, Toma K, Geshi M, Akagi S, Nakano M, Yonezawa N. Binding of Sperm to the Zona Pellucida Mediated by Sperm Carbohydrate-Binding Proteins is not Species-Specific in Vitro between Pigs and Cattle. Biomolecules 2013; 3:85-107. [PMID: 24970158 PMCID: PMC4030887 DOI: 10.3390/biom3010085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrates are candidates for the basis of species-selective interaction of gametes during mammalian fertilization. In this study, we sought to clarify the roles of sugar residues in the species-selective, sperm-oocyte interaction in pigs and cattle. Acrosome-intact porcine and bovine sperm exhibited their strongest binding affinities for β-Gal and α-Man residues, respectively. Porcine-sperm specificity changed from β-Gal to α-Man after the acrosome reaction, while bovine-sperm specificity did not. Binding of acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm decreased after trypsinization, indicating that the carbohydrate-binding components are proteins. While immature oocytes bound homologous sperm preferentially to heterologous sperm, oocytes matured in vitro bound similar numbers of homologous and heterologous sperm. Lectin staining revealed the aggregation of α-Man residues on the outer surface of the porcine zona during maturation. In both species, zona-free, mature oocytes bound homologous sperm preferentially to heterologous sperm. The lectin-staining patterns of the zona pellucida and zona-free oocytes coincided with the carbohydrate-binding specificities of acrosome-intact and acrosome-reacted sperm, respectively, supporting the involvement of carbohydrates in gamete recognition in pigs and cattle. These results also indicate that sperm-zona pellucida and sperm-oolemma bindings are not strictly species-specific in pigs and cattle, and further suggest that sperm penetration into the zona and/or fusion with oolemma may be species-specific between pigs and cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takahashi
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan.
| | - Yasuomi Uchida
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | | | - Reiichiro Suzuki
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Reiko Sato
- The Noguchi Institute, Tokyo 173-0003, Japan.
| | | | - Masaya Geshi
- National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Akagi
- National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan.
| | - Minoru Nakano
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
| | - Naoto Yonezawa
- Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
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37
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Samoylova TI, Cochran AM, Samoylov AM, Schemera B, Breiteneicher AH, Ditchkoff SS, Petrenko VA, Cox NR. Phage display allows identification of zona pellucida-binding peptides with species-specific properties: Novel approach for development of contraceptive vaccines for wildlife. J Biotechnol 2012; 162:311-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Revised: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Coutinho da Silva MA, Seidel GE, Squires EL, Graham JK, Carnevale EM. Effects of components of semen extenders on the binding of stallion spermatozoa to bovine or equine zonae pellucidae. Reproduction 2012; 143:577-85. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-11-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The effects of semen extender components on the ability of stallion sperm to bind to the zona pellucida (ZP) and the suitability of using bovine ZP for a ZP-binding assay for stallion sperm were investigated in a series of experiments. In Experiment I, binding of stallion sperm to both bovine and equine ZP was significantly increased when a skim milk-based extender (EZM) was used. In Experiment II, a threefold increase in sperm binding to ZP was observed when sperm were diluted in EZM compared with diluents, which contained no milk (TALP, LAC, and EmCare). In Experiment III, centrifuging the sperm through Percoll did not increase sperm binding to the ZP but did remove any positive effect of EZM on sperm–ZP binding. In Experiment IV, exposure of either sperm or ZP to EZM before co-incubation did not increase sperm binding to ZP. In Experiment V, sperm diluted in TALP containing skim milk, EZM, or INRA96 bound more efficiently to the ZP than sperm diluted in TALP without milk proteins. In Experiment VI, sodium caseinate, native phosphocaseinate, and caseinoglycopeptide increased sperm binding to the ZP. In conclusion, diluents containing milk or milk proteins markedly enhanced the number of sperm bound to both equine and bovine ZP.
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Rodler D, Sasanami T, Sinowatz F. Assembly of the Inner Perivitelline Layer, a Homolog of the Mammalian Zona Pellucida: An Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Study. Cells Tissues Organs 2012; 195:330-9. [DOI: 10.1159/000327013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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40
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Franciosi F, Lodde V, Goudet G, Duchamp G, Deleuze S, Douet C, Tessaro I, Luciano AM. Changes in histone H4 acetylation during in vivo versus in vitro maturation of equine oocytes. Mol Hum Reprod 2011; 18:243-52. [PMID: 22155671 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gar077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are established during gametogenesis and preimplantation embryonic development. Any disturbance of the normal natural environment during these critical phases could cause alterations of the epigenetic signature. Histone acetylation is an important epigenetic modification involved in the regulation of chromatin organization and gene expression. The present study was aimed to determine whether the proper establishment of post-translational histone H4 acetylation at lysine 8 (AcH4K8), 12 (AcH4K12) and 16 (AcH4K16) of equine oocytes is adversely affected during in vitro maturation (IVM) when compared with in vivo matured oocytes collected from naturally cycling mares not undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation. The acetylation patterns were investigated by means of indirect immunofluorescence staining with specific antibodies directed against the acetylated lysine residues. Our results indicate that the acetylation state of H4 is dependent on the chromatin configuration in immature germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes and it changes in a residue-specific manner along with the increase of chromatin condensation. In particular, the levels of AcH4K8 and AcH4K12 increased significantly, while AcH4K16 decreased significantly from the fibrillar to the condensed state of chromatin configuration within the GV. Moreover, during meiosis, K8 and K12 were substantially deacetylated without any differences between in vivo and in vitro conditions, while K16 displayed a strong acetylation in oocytes matured in vivo, and in contrast, it was markedly deacetylated following IVM. Although the functional meaning of residue-specific acetylation during oocyte differentiation and meiotic resumption needs further investigation, our results support the hypothesis that IVM conditions can adversely affect oocyte ability to regulate the epigenetic reprogramming, critical for successful meiosis and subsequent embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Franciosi
- Division of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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41
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Corcini CD, Stephan MH, Colares ÉP, Santos EC, Varela AS, Bongalhardo DC, Lucia T. In vitro assays for vesper mice (Calomys laucha) sperm using heterologous substrates from nonrodent species. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 317:96-102. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Élton P. Colares
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Universidade Federal de Rio Grande; RS; Brazil
| | - Elisa C.S. Santos
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Universidade Federal de Rio Grande; RS; Brazil
| | - Antonio S. Varela
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Universidade Federal de Rio Grande; RS; Brazil
| | - Denise C. Bongalhardo
- Instituto de Biologia; Campus Capão do Leão; Universidade Federal de Pelotas; Pelotas-RS; Brazil
| | - Thomaz Lucia
- ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária; Campus Capão do Leão; Universidade Federal de Pelotas; Pelotas-RS; Brazil
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Izquierdo-Rico MJ, Gimeno L, Jiménez-Cervantes C, Ballesta J, Avilés M. Biosynthesis of hamster zona pellucida is restricted to the oocyte. Theriogenology 2010; 75:463-72. [PMID: 21074836 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Revised: 09/13/2010] [Accepted: 09/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular coat that surrounds the mammalian oocyte and the early embryo until implantation. This coat mediates several critical aspects of fertilization, including species-selective sperm recognition, the blocking of polyspermy and protection of the oocyte and the preimplantation embryo. Depending on the species, the ZP is composed of three to four different glycoproteins encoded by three or four genes. These genes have been cloned and sequenced for different species. However, controversy exists about the cell type specificity of the ZP glycoproteins, for which several models have been proposed. Different groups have reported that ZP is produced only by the oocytes, by the granulosa cells or by both cell types, depending on the species under study. We recently described the expression of four ZP proteins in the hamster ovary. By means of the complete set of the hamster ZP cDNAs, we undertook the study of the origin and expression pattern of the four ZP genes. In the present work, the expression of ZP1, ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4 is carefully analyzed by in situ hybridization (ISH) in hamster ovaries. Our data suggest that the four hamster ZP genes are expressed in a coordinate and oocyte-specific manner during folliculogenesis. Furthermore, this expression is maximal during the first stages of the oocyte development and declines in oocytes from later development stages, particularly within large antral follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Izquierdo-Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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43
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Yoshida K, Ito C, Yamatoya K, Maekawa M, Toyama Y, Suzuki-Toyota F, Toshimori K. A model of the acrosome reaction progression via the acrosomal membrane-anchored protein equatorin. Reproduction 2010; 139:533-44. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-09-0434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It is important to establish a reliable and progressive model of the acrosome reaction. Here, we present a progression model of the acrosome reaction centering around the acrosomal membrane-anchored protein equatorin (MN9), comparing the staining pattern traced by MN9 antibody immunofluorescence with that traced by Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA)–FITC. Prior to the acrosome reaction, equatorin was present in both the anterior acrosome and the equatorial segment. Since sperm on zona pellucida showed various staining patterns, MN9-immunostaining patterns were classified into four stages: initial, early, advanced, and final. As the acrosome reaction progressed from the initial to the early stage, equatorin spread from the peripheral region of the anterior acrosome toward the center of the equatorial segment, gradually over the entire region of the equatorial segment during the advanced stage, and finally uniformly at the equatorial segment at the final stage. In contrast, the PNA–FITC signals spread more quickly from the peripheral region of the acrosome toward the entire equatorial segment, while decreasing in staining intensity, and finally became weak at the final stage. MN9-immunogold electron microscopy showed equatorin on the hybrid vesicles surrounded by amorphous substances at advanced stage of acrosome reaction. Equatorin decreased in molecular mass from 40–60 to 35 kDa, and the signal intensity of 35 kDa equatorin increased as the acrosome reaction progressed. Thus, the established equatorin-based progression model will be useful for analyzing not only the behavior of equatorin but also of other molecules of interest involved in the acrosome reaction.
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Mugnier S, Kervella M, Douet C, Canepa S, Pascal G, Deleuze S, Duchamp G, Monget P, Goudet G. The secretions of oviduct epithelial cells increase the equine in vitro fertilization rate: are osteopontin, atrial natriuretic peptide A and oviductin involved? Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:129. [PMID: 19925651 PMCID: PMC2785818 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Accepted: 11/19/2009] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) co-culture promotes in vitro fertilization (IVF) in human, bovine and porcine species, but no data are available from equine species. Yet, despite numerous attempts, equine IVF rates remain low. Our first aim was to verify a beneficial effect of the OEC on equine IVF. In mammals, oviductal proteins have been shown to interact with gametes and play a role in fertilization. Thus, our second aim was to identify the proteins involved in fertilization in the horse. METHODS & RESULTS In the first experiment, we co-incubated fresh equine spermatozoa treated with calcium ionophore and in vitro matured equine oocytes with or without porcine OEC. We showed that the presence of OEC increases the IVF rates. In the subsequent experiments, we co-incubated equine gametes with OEC and we showed that the IVF rates were not significantly different between 1) gametes co-incubated with equine vs porcine OEC, 2) intact cumulus-oocyte complexes vs denuded oocytes, 3) OEC previously stimulated with human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Luteinizing Hormone and/or oestradiol vs non stimulated OEC, 4) in vivo vs in vitro matured oocytes. In order to identify the proteins responsible for the positive effect of OEC, we first searched for the presence of the genes encoding oviductin, osteopontin and atrial natriuretic peptide A (ANP A) in the equine genome. We showed that the genes coding for osteopontin and ANP A are present. But the one for oviductin either has become a pseudogene during evolution of horse genome or has been not well annotated in horse genome sequence. We then showed that osteopontin and ANP A proteins are present in the equine oviduct using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor, and we analyzed their expression during oestrus cycle by Western blot. Finally, we co-incubated equine gametes with or without purified osteopontin or synthesized ANP A. No significant effect of osteopontin or ANP A was observed, though osteopontin slightly increased the IVF rates. CONCLUSION Our study shows a beneficial effect of homologous and heterologous oviduct cells on equine IVF rates, though the rates remain low. Furthers studies are necessary to identify the proteins involved. We showed that the surface plasmon resonance technique is efficient and powerful to analyze molecular interactions during fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Mugnier
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Morgane Kervella
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Cécile Douet
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Sylvie Canepa
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Géraldine Pascal
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Stefan Deleuze
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département des Sciences Cliniques - Clinique Equine, Université de Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Guy Duchamp
- INRA, UE1297 Unité Expérimentale de Physiologie Animale de l'Orfrasière, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Philippe Monget
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Ghylène Goudet
- INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- CNRS, UMR6175, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37041 Tours, France
- Haras Nationaux, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
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