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Fattet AJ, Chaillot M, Koscinski I. Telomere Length, a New Biomarker of Male (in)Fertility? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:425. [PMID: 36833352 PMCID: PMC9957201 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Male factors are suspected in around half cases of infertility, of which up to 40% are diagnosed as idiopathic. In the context of a continuously increased resort to ART and increased decline of semen parameters, it is of greatest interest to evaluate an additional potential biomarker of sperm quality. According to PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of the literature selected studies evaluating telomere length in sperm and/or in leukocytes as a potential male fertility biomarker. Twenty-two publications (3168 participants) were included in this review of experimental evidence. For each study, authors determined if there was a correlation between telomere length and semen parameters or fertility outcomes. Of the 13 studies concerning sperm telomere length (STL) and semen parameters, ten found an association between short STL and altered parameters. Concerning the impact of STL on ART results, the data are conflicting. However, eight of the 13 included studies about fertility found significantly longer sperm telomeres in fertile men than in infertile men. In leukocytes, the seven studies reported conflicting findings. Shorter sperm telomeres appear to be associated with altered semen parameters or male infertility. Telomere length may be considered as a new molecular marker of spermatogenesis and sperm quality, and thus is related to male fertility potential. However, additional studies are needed to define the place of the STL in the assessment of individual fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Julie Fattet
- Centre d’AMP Majorelle-Atoutbio, 95 Rue Ambroise Paré, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Maxime Chaillot
- Service de Médecine et Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, 38 Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44000 Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Koscinski
- Inserm U1256, Nutrition Genetics Environmental Risks Exposure (NGERE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
- Centre d’AMP Hôpital Saint Joseph, 26 Bd de Louvain, 13008 Marseille, France
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2
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Turner KJ, Watson EM, Skinner BM, Griffin DK. Telomere Distribution in Human Sperm Heads and Its Relation to Sperm Nuclear Morphology: A New Marker for Male Factor Infertility? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147599. [PMID: 34299219 PMCID: PMC8306796 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a problem affecting an increasing number of couples worldwide. Currently, marker tests for male factor infertility are complex, highly technical and relatively subjective. Up to 40% of cases of male factor infertility are currently diagnosed as idiopathic therefore, there is a clear need for further research into better ways of diagnosing it. Changes in sperm telomere length have been associated with infertility and closely linked to DNA damage and fragmentation, which are also known to be related to infertility. However, telomere distribution is a parameter thus far underexplored as an infertility marker. Here, we assessed morphological parameters of sperm nuclei in fertile control and male factor infertile cohorts. In addition, we used 2D and 3D fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to compare telomere distribution between these two groups. Our findings indicate that the infertile cohort sperm nuclei were, on average, 2.9% larger in area and showed subtle differences in sperm head height and width. Telomeres were mainly distributed towards the periphery of the nuclei in the control cohort, with diminishing telomere signals towards the center of the nuclei. Sperm nuclei of infertile males, however, had more telomere signals towards the center of the nuclei, a finding supported by 3D imaging. We conclude that, with further development, both morphology and telomere distribution may prove useful investigative tools in the fertility clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara J. Turner
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK;
| | - Eleanor M. Watson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; (E.M.W.); (B.M.S.)
| | - Benjamin M. Skinner
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; (E.M.W.); (B.M.S.)
| | - Darren K. Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK;
- Correspondence:
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3
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Sperm selection during ICSI treatments reduces single- but not double-strand DNA break values compared to the semen sample. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1187-1196. [PMID: 33660206 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02129-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To detect a possible bias in sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing when performed on semen samples or on those few spermatozoa selected for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatments. METHODS A multimethodological analysis of Single- and Double-Strand DNA Breaks (SSB and DSB, respectively) was performed through the Neutral Comet, the Alkaline Comet, the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) and the Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End Labelling (TUNEL) assays. SDF was evaluated in (i) semen samples from 23 infertile patients (not achieving pregnancy or suffering recurrent miscarriage); (ii) samples after a Swim-up and (iii) spermatozoa microselected for ICSI (ICSI-S). RESULTS The analysis of 3217 ICSI-S revealed a significant reduction of SSB values compared to the Ejaculate and the Swim-up samples. On the contrary, DSB values were not reduced after any sperm selection method. The No-pregnancy group presented poorer semen parameters and higher SSB values. The Recurrent miscarriage group presented better semen parameters but also higher DSB values. CONCLUSION The analysis of SDF on semen samples may not be fully representative of those few spermatozoa selected for ICSI. Since oxidative stress impairs sperm motility and causes SSB, selecting a motile sperm may intrinsically imply choosing a sperm not affected by this damage. DSB have an enzymatic origin which does not affect motility, making it difficult to select a sperm without this damage. Therefore, ICSI treatments could be effective in patients presenting high SSB values. Patients presenting high DSB values should expect bad ICSI results if this damage is not reduced through other specific methods.
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Imperador CHL, Bardella VB, Dos Anjos EHM, Rodrigues VLCC, Cabral-de-Mello DC, Mello MLS. Spatial Distribution of Heterochromatin Bodies in the Nuclei of Triatoma infestans (Klug). MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2020; 26:567-574. [PMID: 32393416 DOI: 10.1017/s143192762000149x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Constitutive heterochromatin typically exhibits low gene density and is commonly found adjacent or close to the nuclear periphery, in contrast to transcriptionally active genes concentrated in the innermost nuclear region. In Triatoma infestans cells, conspicuous constitutive heterochromatin forms deeply stained structures named chromocenters. However, to the best of our knowledge, no information exists regarding whether these chromocenters acquire a precise topology in the cell nuclei or whether their 18S rDNA, which is important for ribosome function, faces the nuclear center preferentially. In this work, the spatial distribution of fluorescent Feulgen-stained chromocenters and the distribution of their 18S rDNA was analyzed in Malpighian tubule cells of T. infestans using confocal microscopy. The chromocenters were shown to be spatially positioned relatively close to the nuclear periphery, though not adjacent to it. The variable distance between the chromocenters and the nuclear periphery suggests mobility of these bodies within the cell nuclei. The distribution of 18S rDNA at the edge of the chromocenters was not found to face the nuclear interior exclusively. Because the genome regions containing 18S rDNA in the chromocenters also face the nuclear periphery, the proximity of the chromocenters to this nuclear region is not assumed to be associated with overall gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Henrique L Imperador
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, 13083-862Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa B Bardella
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, State University of São Paulo (Unesp), Avenida 24-A, 1515, 13506-900Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Eli Heber M Dos Anjos
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, 13083-862Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Vera L C C Rodrigues
- Superintendence for Control of Endemic Diseases (SUCEN), Rua Afonso Pessini, 86, 13845-206Mogi-Guaçu, SP, Brazil
| | - Diogo C Cabral-de-Mello
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, State University of São Paulo (Unesp), Avenida 24-A, 1515, 13506-900Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza S Mello
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Rua Monteiro Lobato 255, 13083-862Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Agarwal A, Panner Selvam MK, Samanta L, Vij SC, Parekh N, Sabanegh E, Tadros NN, Arafa M, Sharma R. Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on the Sperm Proteome of Idiopathic Infertile Men. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:E488. [PMID: 31623114 PMCID: PMC6827009 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8100488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antioxidant supplementation in idiopathic male infertility has a beneficial effect on semen parameters. However, the molecular mechanism behind this effect has not been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sperm proteome of idiopathic infertile men pre- and post-antioxidant supplementation. Idiopathic infertile men were provided with oral antioxidant supplementation once daily for a period of 6 months. Of the 379 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between pre- and post-antioxidant treatment patients, the majority of the proteins (n = 274) were overexpressed following antioxidant treatment. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the activation of oxidative phosphorylation pathway and upregulation of key proteins involved in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, binding of sperm, fertilization and normal reproductive function. In addition, the transcriptional factors associated with antioxidant defense system (PPARGC1A) and free radical scavenging (NFE2L2) were predicted to be functionally activated post-treatment. Key DEPs, namely, NDUFS1, CCT3, PRKARA1 and SPA17 validated by Western blot showed significant overexpression post-treatment. Our novel proteomic findings suggest that antioxidant supplementation in idiopathic infertile men improves sperm function at the molecular level by modulating proteins involved in CREM signaling, mitochondrial function and protein oxidation. Further, activation of TRiC complex helped in nuclear compaction, maintenance of telomere length, flagella function, and expression of zona pellucida receptors for sperm-oocyte interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Manesh Kumar Panner Selvam
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Luna Samanta
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
- Redox Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack 753003, India.
| | - Sarah C Vij
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Neel Parekh
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Edmund Sabanegh
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
| | - Nicholas N Tadros
- Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62769, USA.
| | - Mohamed Arafa
- Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 00974, Qatar.
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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Skinner BM, Bacon J, Rathje CC, Larson EL, Kopania EEK, Good JM, Affara NA, Ellis PJI. Automated Nuclear Cartography Reveals Conserved Sperm Chromosome Territory Localization across 2 Million Years of Mouse Evolution. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020109. [PMID: 30717218 PMCID: PMC6409866 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurements of nuclear organization in asymmetric nuclei in 2D images have traditionally been manual. This is exemplified by attempts to measure chromosome position in sperm samples, typically by dividing the nucleus into zones, and manually scoring which zone a fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) signal lies in. This is time consuming, limiting the number of nuclei that can be analyzed, and prone to subjectivity. We have developed a new approach for automated mapping of FISH signals in asymmetric nuclei, integrated into an existing image analysis tool for nuclear morphology. Automatic landmark detection defines equivalent structural regions in each nucleus, then dynamic warping of the FISH images to a common shape allows us to generate a composite of the signal within the entire cell population. Using this approach, we mapped the positions of the sex chromosomes and two autosomes in three mouse lineages (Mus musculus domesticus, Mus musculus musculus and Mus spretus). We found that in all three, chromosomes 11 and 19 tend to interact with each other, but are shielded from interactions with the sex chromosomes. This organization is conserved across 2 million years of mouse evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanne Bacon
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
| | | | - Erica Lee Larson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA.
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, MT 59812, USA.
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Champroux A, Damon-Soubeyrand C, Goubely C, Bravard S, Henry-Berger J, Guiton R, Saez F, Drevet J, Kocer A. Nuclear Integrity but Not Topology of Mouse Sperm Chromosome is Affected by Oxidative DNA Damage. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9100501. [PMID: 30336622 PMCID: PMC6210505 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed a well-defined higher order of chromosome architecture, named chromosome territories, in the human sperm nuclei. The purpose of this work was, first, to investigate the topology of a selected number of chromosomes in murine sperm; second, to evaluate whether sperm DNA damage has any consequence on chromosome architecture. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, confocal microscopy, and 3D-reconstruction approaches we demonstrate that chromosome positioning in the mouse sperm nucleus is not random. Some chromosomes tend to occupy preferentially discrete positions, while others, such as chromosome 2 in the mouse sperm nucleus are less defined. Using a mouse transgenic model (Gpx5−/−) of sperm nuclear oxidation, we show that oxidative DNA damage does not disrupt chromosome organization. However, when looking at specific nuclear 3D-parameters, we observed that they were significantly affected in the transgenic sperm, compared to the wild-type. Mild reductive DNA challenge confirmed the fragility of the organization of the oxidized sperm nucleus, which may have unforeseen consequences during post-fertilization events. These data suggest that in addition to the sperm DNA fragmentation, which is already known to modify sperm nucleus organization, the more frequent and, to date, the less highly-regarded phenomenon of sperm DNA oxidation also affects sperm chromatin packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Champroux
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Christelle Damon-Soubeyrand
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Chantal Goubely
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Stephanie Bravard
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Joelle Henry-Berger
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Rachel Guiton
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Fabrice Saez
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Joel Drevet
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Ayhan Kocer
- GReD "Genetics, Reproduction & Development" Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, 28 Place Henri Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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Chromosome positioning and male infertility: it comes with the territory. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1929-1938. [PMID: 30229502 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1313-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of functional spermatozoa through spermatogenesis requires a spatially and temporally highly regulated gene expression pattern, which in case of alterations, leads to male infertility. Changes of gene expression by chromosome anomalies, gene variants, and epigenetic alterations have been described as the main genetic causes of male infertility. Recent molecular and cytogenetic approaches have revealed that higher order chromosome positioning is essential for basic genome functions, including gene expression. This review addresses this issue by exposing well-founded evidences which support that alterations on the chromosome topology in spermatogenetic cells leads to defective sperm function and could be considered as an additional genetic cause of male infertility.
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9
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Chagin V, Zalensky A, Nazarov I, Mudrak O. Preferable location of chromosomes 1, 29, and X in bovine spermatozoa. AIMS GENETICS 2018; 5:113-123. [PMID: 31435516 PMCID: PMC6698578 DOI: 10.3934/genet.2018.2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome positioning in sperm nucleus may have a functional significance by influencing the sequence of post-fertilization events. In this study we present data on preferential locations of chromosomes 1, 29 and X in Bos taurus spermatozoa. Here we demonstrate that the position of X chromosome in the sperm nucleus is more restricted as compared to the position of chromosome 1, which is about of the same size. Our data support the concept of the functional significance of genome architecture in male germline cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Chagin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Andrei Zalensky
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Virginia, USA
| | - Igor Nazarov
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Virginia, USA
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Olga Mudrak
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Virginia, USA
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
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10
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Potential selection of genetically balanced spermatozoa based on the hypo-osmotic swelling test in chromosomal rearrangement carriers. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 35:372-378. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abstract
The paternal contribution to fertilization and embryogenesis is frequently overlooked as the spermatozoon is often considered to be a silent vessel whose only function is to safely deliver the paternal genome to the maternal oocyte. In this article, we hope to demonstrate that this perception is far from the truth. Typically, infertile men have been unable to conceive naturally (or through regular IVF), and therefore, a perturbation of the genetic integrity of sperm heads in infertile males has been under-considered. The advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) however has led to very successful treatment of male factor infertility and subsequent widespread use in IVF clinics worldwide. Until recently, little concern has been raised about the genetic quality of sperm in ICSI patients or the impact genetic aberrations could have on fertility and embryogenesis. This review highlights the importance of chromatin packaging in the sperm nucleus as essential for the establishment and maintenance of a viable pregnancy.
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12
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Antunes DMF, Kalmbach KH, Wang F, Dracxler RC, Seth-Smith ML, Kramer Y, Buldo-Licciardi J, Kohlrausch FB, Keefe DL. A single-cell assay for telomere DNA content shows increasing telomere length heterogeneity, as well as increasing mean telomere length in human spermatozoa with advancing age. J Assist Reprod Genet 2015; 32:1685-90. [PMID: 26411311 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-015-0574-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The effect of age on telomere length heterogeneity in men has not been studied previously. Our aims were to determine the relationship between variation in sperm telomere length (STL), men's age, and semen parameters in spermatozoa from men undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. METHODS To perform this prospective cross-sectional pilot study, telomere length was estimated in 200 individual spermatozoa from men undergoing IVF treatment at the NYU Fertility Center. A novel single-cell telomere content assay (SCT-pqPCR) measured telomere length in individual spermatozoa. RESULTS Telomere length among individual spermatozoa within an ejaculate varies markedly and increases with age. Older men not only have longer STL but also have more variable STL compared to younger men. STL from samples with normal semen parameters was significantly longer than that from samples with abnormal parameters, but STL did not differ between spermatozoa with normal versus abnormal morphology. CONCLUSION The marked increase in STL heterogeneity as men age is consistent with a role for ALT during spermatogenesis. No data have yet reported the effect of age on STL heterogeneity. Based on these results, future studies should expand this modest sample size to search for molecular evidence of ALT in human testes during spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M F Antunes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,Graduation Program in Pathology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24033
| | - Keri H Kalmbach
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Roberta C Dracxler
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Michelle L Seth-Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yael Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Julia Buldo-Licciardi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Fabiana B Kohlrausch
- Graduation Program in Pathology, Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24033
| | - David L Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU School of Medicine, Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 180 Varick Street, New York, NY, 10014, USA.
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13
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Rouen A, Lavillaureix A, Hyon C, Heide S, Clède S, Balet R, Kott E, Cassuto NG, Siffroi JP. Nuclear volume differences between balanced and unbalanced spermatozoa in chromosomal translocation carriers. Reprod Biomed Online 2015; 30:290-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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14
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Pellestor F, Gatinois V, Puechberty J, Geneviève D, Lefort G. Chromothripsis: potential origin in gametogenesis and preimplantation cell divisions. A review. Fertil Steril 2014; 102:1785-96. [PMID: 25439810 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the discovery of chromothripsis and analyze its impact on human reproduction. DESIGN Database and literature analysis. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) Carriers of massive and complex chromosomal rearrangements. INTERVENTION(S) Cytogenetic analysis and molecular testing (fluorescence in situ hybridization, microarray, whole-genome sequencing). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Chromothripsis occurrence in human gametes and preimplantation embryos, with regard to the potential causative mechanisms described in literature. RESULT(S) Databases were searched for the literature published up to March 2014. Chromothripsis is characterized by the shattering of one (or a few) chromosome segments followed by a haphazard reassembly of the fragments generated, arising through a single initial catastrophic event. Several mechanisms involving abortive apoptosis, telomere erosion, mitotic errors, micronuclei formation, and p53 inactivation might cause chromothripsis. The remarkable point is that all these plausible mechanisms have been identified in the field of human reproduction as causal factors for reproductive failures and the genesis of chromosomal abnormalities. Specific features of gametogenesis and early embryonic development such as the weakness of cell cycle and mitosis checkpoints and the rapid kinetics of division in germ cells and early cleavage embryos may contribute to the emergence of chromothripsis. CONCLUSION(S) The discovery of this new class of massive chromosomal rearrangement has deeply modified our understanding on the genesis of complex genomic rearrangements. Data presented in this review support the assumption that chromothripsis could operate in human germlines and during early embryonic development. Chromothripsis might arise more frequently than previously thought in both gametogenesis and early human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Pellestor
- Laboratory of Chromosomal Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, Montpellier, France; INSERM Unit Plasticity of the Genome and Aging, Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier, France.
| | - Vincent Gatinois
- Laboratory of Chromosomal Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, Montpellier, France; INSERM Unit Plasticity of the Genome and Aging, Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Puechberty
- Laboratory of Chromosomal Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, Montpellier, France
| | - David Geneviève
- Laboratory of Chromosomal Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, Montpellier, France
| | - Geneviève Lefort
- Laboratory of Chromosomal Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital, Montpellier CHRU, Montpellier, France
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15
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Kara M, Sen A, Cetin ES, Kargun K. Chromosomal Translocation t (10;19) (q11.2;q13.4) in an Infertile Male. Eurasian J Med 2014; 46:220-3. [PMID: 25610329 DOI: 10.5152/eajm.2014.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements are usually associated with male factor infertility. We report here a 34-year-old man suffering from primary infertility for 15 years. The cytogenetic analysis and investigation of Y-chromosome microdeletions were performed. A reciprocal balanced translocation t (10;19) (q11.2;q13.4) was found in oligozoospermic infertile men with no Y-chromosome microdeletions. In this case, we aimed to evaluate the 46,XY,t (10;19) (q11.2;q13.4) karyo-type, which was detected through a cytogenetic analysis of a person referred to our genetic laboratory due to primary infertility, in the light of the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Kara
- Department of Medical Genetics, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Faculty of Medicine, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Askin Sen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Firat University Hospital Faculty of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Esin Sakallı Cetin
- Department of Medical Biology, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Faculty of Medicine, Mugla, Turkey
| | - Kursat Kargun
- Department of Medical Genetics Laboratory, Firat University Hospital, Elazig, Turkey
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16
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Acloque H, Bonnet-Garnier A, Mompart F, Pinton A, Yerle-Bouissou M. Sperm nuclear architecture is locally modified in presence of a Robertsonian translocation t(13;17). PLoS One 2013; 8:e78005. [PMID: 24205066 PMCID: PMC3815027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the non-random organization of the sperm nucleus supports an early function during embryonic development. Altering this organization may interfere with the zygote development and reduce fertility or prolificity. Thus, rare studies on sperm cells from infertile patients described an altered nuclear organization that may be a cause or a consequence of their respective pathologies. Thereby, chromosomal rearrangements and aneuploidy can be studied not only for their adverse effects on production of normal/balanced gametes at meiosis but also for their possible impact on sperm nuclear architecture and the epigenetic consequences of altered chromosome positioning. We decided to compare the global architecture of sperm nuclei from boars, either with a normal chromosome composition or with a Robertsonian translocation involving chromosomes 13 and 17. We hypothesized that the fusion between these chromosomes may change their spatial organization and we examined to what extend it could also modify the global sperm nuclear architecture. Analysis of telomeres, centromeres and gonosomes repartition does not support a global nuclear disorganization. But specific analysis of chromosomes 13 and 17 territories highlights an influence of chromosome 17 for the positioning of the fused chromosomes within the nucleus. We also observed a specific clustering of centromeres depending of the chromosome subtypes. Altogether our results showed that chromosome fusion does not significantly alter sperm nucleus architecture but suggest that centromere remodelling after chromosome fusion locally impacts chromosome positioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Acloque
- INRA, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet Tolosan, France
- Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Toulouse, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Amélie Bonnet-Garnier
- INRA, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet Tolosan, France
- Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Florence Mompart
- INRA, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet Tolosan, France
- Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Alain Pinton
- INRA, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet Tolosan, France
- Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Martine Yerle-Bouissou
- INRA, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet Tolosan, France
- Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Toulouse, France
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17
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Alçada-Morais S, Sousa AP, Paiva A, Almeida-Santos T, Ramalho-Santos J. Anterior positioning of sex chromosomes on the head of human sperm sorted using visible wavelengths. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2013; 59:223-6. [DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2013.787129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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18
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Alladin N, Moskovtsev SI, Russell H, Kenigsberg S, Lulat AGM, Librach CL. The three-dimensional image analysis of the chromocenter in motile and immotile human sperm. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2013; 59:146-52. [PMID: 23445178 DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2013.772679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomes in human spermatozoa are arranged non-randomly with the centromeres of non-homologous chromosomes forming a chromocenter. We have compared motile and immotile sperm populations in normozoospermic patients to determine if there is any dissimilarity in the formation of the chromocenter and the nuclear position of chromosome 17. Based on the differences between motile and immotile populations, we propose for the 'optimal' nuclear organization to be defined as containing 1 to 3 chromocenter(s) with central radial and median longitudinal position for the centromere of chromosome 17. By this definition, 42% of motile spermatozoa had 'optima' nuclei, in comparison to 25% of immotile spermatozoa (P < 0.05). Immotile spermatozoa exhibited a greater disruption in the formation of the chromocenter, altered position of the centromere of chromosome 17, and were more prone to chemical decondensation, resulting in higher nuclear and chromocenter volumes. The altered topology of the chromosomes might lead to the disruption of the sequence of events involved in fertilization and early embryonic development.
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19
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Kalmbach KH, Fontes Antunes DM, Dracxler RC, Knier TW, Seth-Smith ML, Wang F, Liu L, Keefe DL. Telomeres and human reproduction. Fertil Steril 2013; 99:23-29. [PMID: 23273986 PMCID: PMC3857638 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres mediate biologic aging in organisms as diverse as plants, yeast, and mammals. We propose a telomere theory of reproductive aging that posits telomere shortening in the female germ line as the primary driver of reproductive aging in women. Experimental shortening of telomeres in mice, which normally do not exhibit appreciable oocyte aging, and which have exceptionally long telomeres, recapitulates the aging phenotype of human oocytes. Telomere shortening in mice reduces synapsis and chiasmata, increases embryo fragmentation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, spindle dysmorphologies, and chromosome abnormalities. Telomeres are shorter in the oocytes from women undergoing in vitro fertilization, who then produce fragmented, aneuploid embryos that fail to implant. In contrast, the testes are replete with spermatogonia that can rejuvenate telomere reserves throughout the life of the man by expressing telomerase. Differences in telomere dynamics across the life span of men and women may have evolved because of the difference in the inherent risks of aging on reproduction between men and women. Additionally, growing evidence links altered telomere biology to endometriosis and gynecologic cancers, thus future studies should examine the role of telomeres in pathologies of the reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri Horan Kalmbach
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York
| | - Danielle Mota Fontes Antunes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York; Graduate Program in Pathology, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, and CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Roberta Caetano Dracxler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York; São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Taylor Warner Knier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York
| | - Michelle Louise Seth-Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York
| | - Lin Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - David Lawrence Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York City, New York.
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20
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Hierarchical radial and polar organisation of chromosomes in human sperm. Chromosome Res 2012; 20:875-87. [DOI: 10.1007/s10577-012-9323-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Revised: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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21
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Sarrate Z, Blanco J, Vidal F. Acrocentric bivalents positioned preferentially nearby to the XY pair in metaphase I human spermatocytes. Fertil Steril 2012; 98:1241-5. [PMID: 22884015 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.07.1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze whether the preferential proximity between acrocentric bivalents and the XY pair described at pachytene was maintained in metaphase I human spermatocytes. DESIGN Proximity frequencies of autosomic bivalents to the sex bivalent were evaluated with the analysis of meiotic preparations combining sequentially standard techniques and multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization. SETTING Assisted reproduction centers. PATIENT(S) Thirty-seven men consulting for fertility problems. INTERVENTION(S) Unilateral testicular biopsies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Proximity frequencies analysis to the XY pair, evaluated individually and grouping bivalents, was carried out using a logistical regression model with repeated measures. RESULT(S) Bivalents 22 and 15 were observed more frequently near to the sex bivalent than the others. Significant interindividual differences were not observed. CONCLUSION(S) Results suggest that bivalents distribution to the metaphase plate is nonrandom. The maintenance of the acrocentric chromosomes' proximity to the sex bivalent from pachytene to metaphase I would indicate that the relative bivalents position would be notably preserved. The observation of non-interindividual variability, despite different infertility etiology, suggests that the nuclear organization pattern remains largely unaffected even if spermatogenesis is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaida Sarrate
- Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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22
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Ioannou D, Meershoek EJ, Christopikou D, Ellis M, Thornhill AR, Griffin DK. Nuclear organisation of sperm remains remarkably unaffected in the presence of defective spermatogenesis. Chromosome Res 2011; 19:741-53. [PMID: 21947956 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-011-9238-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Organisation of chromosome territories in interphase nuclei has been studied in many systems and positional alterations have been associated with disease phenotypes (e.g. laminopathies, cancer) in somatic cells. Altered nuclear organisation is also reported in developmental processes such as mammalian spermatogenesis where a "chromocentre" model is proposed with the centromeres and sex chromosomes repositioning to the nuclear centre. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that alterations in nuclear organisation of human spermatozoa are associated with defects upstream in spermatogenesis (as manifest in certain infertility phenotypes). The nuclear address of (peri-) centromeric loci for 18 chromosomes (1-4, 6-12, 15-18, 20, X and Y) was assayed in 20 males using established algorithms for 3D extrapolations of 2D data. The control group comprised 10 fertile sperm donors while the test group was 10 patients with severely compromised semen parameters including high sperm aneuploidy. All loci examined in the control group adopted defined, interior positions thus providing supporting evidence for the presence of a chromocentre and interior sex chromosome territories. In the test group however there were subtle alterations in the nuclear address for certain centromeres in individual patients and, when all patient results were pooled, some different nuclear addresses were observed for chromosomes 3, 6, 12 and 18. Considering the extensive impairment of spermatogenesis in the test group (evidenced by compromised semen parameters and increased chromosome abnormalities), the observed differences in nuclear organisation for centromeric loci compared to the controls were modest. A defined pattern of nuclear reorganisation of centromeric loci in sperm heads therefore appears to be a remarkably robust process, even if spermatogenesis is severely compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Ioannou
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT27NJ, UK
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