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Soto-Heras S, Sakkas D, Miller DJ. Sperm selection by the oviduct: perspectives for male fertility and assisted reproductive technologies†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:538-552. [PMID: 36625382 PMCID: PMC10106845 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of sperm to embryogenesis is gaining attention with up to 50% of infertility cases being attributed to a paternal factor. The traditional methods used in assisted reproductive technologies for selecting and assessing sperm quality are mainly based on motility and viability parameters. However, other sperm characteristics, including deoxyribonucleic acid integrity, have major consequences for successful live birth. In natural reproduction, sperm navigate the male and female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize the egg. During transport, sperm encounter many obstacles that dramatically reduce the number arriving at the fertilization site. In humans, the number of sperm is reduced from tens of millions in the ejaculate to hundreds in the Fallopian tube (oviduct). Whether this sperm population has higher fertilization potential is not fully understood, but several studies in animals indicate that many defective sperm do not advance to the site of fertilization. Moreover, the oviduct plays a key role in fertility by modulating sperm transport, viability, and maturation, providing sperm that are ready to fertilize at the appropriate time. Here we present evidence of sperm selection by the oviduct with emphasis on the mechanisms of selection and the sperm characteristics selected. Considering the sperm parameters that are essential for healthy embryonic development, we discuss the use of novel in vitro sperm selection methods that mimic physiological conditions. We propose that insight gained from understanding how the oviduct selects sperm can be translated to assisted reproductive technologies to yield high fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Soto-Heras
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - David J Miller
- Department of Animal Sciences and Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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2
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Nixon B, Schjenken JE, Burke ND, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Hart HM, De Iuliis GN, Martin JH, Lord T, Bromfield EG. New horizons in human sperm selection for assisted reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1145533. [PMID: 36909306 PMCID: PMC9992892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1145533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a commonly encountered pathology that is estimated to be a contributory factor in approximately 50% of couples seeking recourse to assisted reproductive technologies. Upon clinical presentation, such males are commonly subjected to conventional diagnostic andrological practices that rely on descriptive criteria to define their fertility based on the number of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa encountered within their ejaculate. Despite the virtual ubiquitous adoption of such diagnostic practices, they are not without their limitations and accordingly, there is now increasing awareness of the importance of assessing sperm quality in order to more accurately predict a male's fertility status. This realization raises the important question of which characteristics signify a high-quality, fertilization competent sperm cell. In this review, we reflect on recent advances in our mechanistic understanding of sperm biology and function, which are contributing to a growing armory of innovative approaches to diagnose and treat male infertility. In particular we review progress toward the implementation of precision medicine; the robust clinical adoption of which in the setting of fertility, currently lags well behind that of other fields of medicine. Despite this, research shows that the application of advanced technology platforms such as whole exome sequencing and proteomic analyses hold considerable promise in optimizing outcomes for the management of male infertility by uncovering and expanding our inventory of candidate infertility biomarkers, as well as those associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Similarly, the development of advanced imaging technologies in tandem with machine learning artificial intelligence are poised to disrupt the fertility care paradigm by advancing our understanding of the molecular and biological causes of infertility to provide novel avenues for future diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett Nixon,
| | - John E. Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan D. Burke
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hanah M. Hart
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H. Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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3
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Mutations in CCIN cause teratozoospermia and male infertility. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2022; 67:2112-2123. [PMID: 36546111 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2022.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Teratozoospermia is usually associated with defective spermiogenesis and is a disorder with considerable genetic heterogeneity. Although previous studies have identified several teratozoospermia-associated genes, the etiology remains unknown for a majority of affected men. Here, we identified a homozygous missense mutation and a compound heterozygous mutation of CCIN in patients suffering from teratozoospermia. CCIN encodes the cytoskeletal protein Calicin that is involved in the formation and maintenance of the highly regular organization of the calyx of mammalian spermatozoa, and has been proposed to play a role in sperm head structure remodeling during the process of spermiogenesis. Our morphological and ultrastructural analyses of the spermatozoa obtained from all three men harboring deleterious CCIN mutants reveal severe head malformation. Further immunofluorescence assays unveil markedly reduced levels of Calicin in spermatozoa. These patient phenotypes are successfully recapitulated in mouse models expressing the disease-associated variants, confirming the role of Calicin in male fertility. Notably, all mutant spermatozoa from mice and human patients fail to adhere to the zona mass, which likely is the major mechanistic reason for CCIN-mutant sperm-derived infertility. Finally, the use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI) successfully makes mutated mice and two couples with CCIN variants have healthy offspring. Taken together, our findings identify the role of Calicin in sperm head shaping and male fertility, providing important guidance for genetic counseling and assisted reproduction treatments.
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Duarte MA, Fernandes CR, Heckel G, da Luz Mathias M, Bastos-Silveira C. Variation and Selection in the Putative Sperm-Binding Region of ZP3 in Muroid Rodents: A Comparison between Cricetids and Murines. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091450. [PMID: 34573431 PMCID: PMC8469249 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3) is considered a primary sperm receptor of the oocyte and is hypothesized to be involved in reproductive isolation. We investigated patterns of diversity and selection in the putative sperm-binding region (pSBR) of mouse ZP3 across Cricetidae and Murinae, two hyperdiverse taxonomic groups within muroid rodents. In murines, the pSBR is fairly conserved, in particular the serine-rich stretch containing the glycosylation sites proposed as essential for sperm binding. In contrast, cricetid amino acid sequences of the pSBR were much more variable and the serine-rich motif, typical of murines, was generally substantially modified. Overall, our results suggest a general lack of species specificity of the pSBR across the two muroid families. We document statistical evidence of positive selection acting on exons 6 and 7 of ZP3 and identified several amino acid sites that are likely targets of selection, with most positively selected sites falling within or adjacent to the pSBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Alexandra Duarte
- Champalimaud Centre for the Uknown, Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Foundation, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
- Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58, Lisboa, 1250-102 Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Centro de Estudos de Ambiente e Mar, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Carlos Rodríguez Fernandes
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.R.F.); (C.B.-S.)
- Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, 1649-013 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland;
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge-Batiment Amphipole, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria da Luz Mathias
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Centro de Estudos de Ambiente e Mar, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristiane Bastos-Silveira
- cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (C.R.F.); (C.B.-S.)
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5
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Hu WY, Li XX, Diao YF, Qi JJ, Wang DL, Zhang JB, Sun BX, Liang S. Asiatic acid protects oocytes against in vitro aging-induced deterioration and improves subsequent embryonic development in pigs. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 13:3353-3367. [PMID: 33281118 PMCID: PMC7906213 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
As a pentacyclic triterpene in Centella asiatica, asiatic acid (AA) is a powerful antioxidant with many bioactivities. In the present research, we investigated whether AA has the potential to rescue the decrease in porcine oocyte quality that occurs during in vitro aging (IVA). Mature porcine oocytes were collected and then continuously cultured for an additional 24 h or 48 h with or without AA in maturation medium as an IVA model. The results revealed that AA supplementation reduced the percentage of abnormal aged porcine oocytes during IVA. Furthermore, AA supplementation effectively maintained aged porcine oocyte developmental competence, both parthenogenetic activation and in vitro fertilization. The number of sperm that bound to the zona pellucida on aged porcine oocytes was higher in the AA-supplemented group than in the non-supplemented group. Moreover, AA supplementation not only blocked IVA-induced oxidative stress but also maintained intracellular GSH levels and reduced the percentage of early apoptosis aged porcine oocytes. Mitochondrial functions were disordered during the IVA process. The intracellular ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential in aged porcine oocytes were dramatically increased by AA supplementation. Therefore, AA has beneficial effects on porcine oocyte quality and developmental potential maintenance during IVA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Hu
- Department of Animals Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao Xia Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agriculture Science and Technology University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agriculture Science and Technology University, Changchun, China
| | - Yun Fei Diao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agriculture Science and Technology University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Province Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agriculture Science and Technology University, Changchun, China
| | - Jia-Jia Qi
- Department of Animals Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Da-Li Wang
- Department of Animals Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jia-Bao Zhang
- Department of Animals Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bo-Xing Sun
- Department of Animals Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Animals Sciences, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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6
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Zhang M, ShiYang X, Zhang Y, Miao Y, Chen Y, Cui Z, Xiong B. Coenzyme Q10 ameliorates the quality of postovulatory aged oocytes by suppressing DNA damage and apoptosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 143:84-94. [PMID: 31398498 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Postovulatory aging is known to compromise the oocyte quality as well as subsequent embryo development in many different animal models, and becomes one of the most intractable issues that limit the outcome of human assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the strategies to prevent the deterioration of aged oocytes and relevant mechanisms are still underexplored. Here, we find that supplementation of CoQ10, a natural antioxidant present in human follicular fluids, is able to restore the postovulatory aging-induced fragmentation of oocytes and decline of fertilization. Importantly, we show that CoQ10 supplementation recovers postovulatory aging-caused meiotic defects such as disruption of spindle assembly, misalignment of chromosome, disappearance of actin cap, and abnormal distribution patterns of mitochondria and cortical granules. In addition, CoQ10 protects aged oocytes from premature exocytosis of ovastacin, cleavage of sperm binding site ZP2, and loss of localization of Juno, to maintain the fertilization potential. Notably, CoQ10 suppresses the aging-induced oxidative stress by reducing the levels of superoxide and DNA damage, ultimately inhibiting the apoptosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that CoQ10 supplementation is a feasible and effective way to prevent postovulatory aging and preserve the oocyte quality, potentially contributing to improve the successful rate of IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) during human ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiayan ShiYang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Research Center of Combine Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Yilong Miao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ying Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhaokang Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Bo Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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7
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Qiu Z, Wang M, She M, Chen Q, Li Q, Zhu J, Yang X, Cai X. Efficient production of human zona pellucida-3 in a prokaryotic expression system. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 34:159. [PMID: 30341457 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-018-2521-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The zona pellucida-3 (ZP3) protein plays a pivotal role in oocyte and gamete development. We aimed to produce a recombinant ZP3 peptide using the Escherichia coli secretory system and apply it to a protein chip for detecting anti-ZP3 antibodies. The ZP3 gene was cloned into the pHOA downstream of the phoA promoter and transformed into E. coli YK537. Recombinant ZP3 was secretory expressed by decreasing the inorganic phosphate concentration. Then, rZP3 was purified and coated onto a protein chip, which was used to detect AZP3A in serum samples from 63 infertile patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.934. The results, in terms of AZP3A detection, of the rZP3-coated protein chip were consistent with those of the ELISA kit. Therefore, our protein chip assay has potential for diagnosis of infertility due to AZP3A, and represents a less costly and simpler assay for clinical and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuolin Qiu
- Reproductive Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingzhu Wang
- Center of Reproduction Medicine in Fourth Hospital of Xi'an City, Xi'an, 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaoqin She
- Reproductive Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianmei Chen
- Reproductive Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqing Li
- Reproductive Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbin Zhu
- Technology Center, Guangdong Vitalife Bio-Tech Co., LTD, Foshan, 528200, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Yang
- Clinical Laboratory and Medical Laboratory Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiangsheng Cai
- Reproductive Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
- Clinical Laboratory and Medical Laboratory Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Swann CA, Cooper SJB, Breed WG. The egg coat zona pellucida 3 glycoprotein - evolution of its putative sperm-binding region in Old World murine rodents (Rodentia: Muridae). Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:2376-2386. [PMID: 28403915 DOI: 10.1071/rd16455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In eutherian mammals, before fertilisation can occur the spermatozoon has to bind to, and penetrate, the egg coat, the zona pellucida (ZP). In the laboratory mouse there is good evidence that the primary sperm-binding site is a protein region encoded by Exon 7 of the ZP3 gene and it has been proposed that binding is species specific and evolves by sexual selection. In the present study we investigate these hypotheses by comparing Exon 6 and 7 sequences of ZP3 in 28 species of murine rodents of eight different divisions from Asia, Africa and Australasia, in which a diverse array of sperm morphologies occurs. We found considerable nucleotide (and corresponding amino acid) sequence divergence in Exon 7, but not in Exon 6, across these species, with evidence for positive selection at five codon positions. This molecular divergence does not appear to be due to reinforcement to reduce hybridisation, nor does it correlate with divergence in sperm head morphology or tail length, thus it is unlikely to be driven by inter-male sperm competition. Other forms of post-copulatory sexual selection therefore appear to have resulted in the molecular divergence of this region of ZP3 in this highly speciose group of mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Swann
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Medical School, and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Steven J B Cooper
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - William G Breed
- Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Medical School, and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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9
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Zhang M, Dai X, Lu Y, Miao Y, Zhou C, Cui Z, Liu H, Xiong B. Melatonin protects oocyte quality from Bisphenol A-induced deterioration in the mouse. J Pineal Res 2017; 62. [PMID: 28178360 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) has been reported to adversely affect the mammalian reproductive system in both sexes. However, the underlying mechanisms regarding how BPA disrupts the mammalian oocyte quality and how to prevent it have not been fully defined. Here, we document that BPA weakens oocyte quality by impairing both oocyte meiotic maturation and fertilization ability. We find that oral administration of BPA (100 μg/kg body weight per day for 7 days) compromises the first polar body extrusion (78.0% vs 57.0%, P<.05) by disrupting normal spindle assembly, chromosome alignment, and kinetochore-microtubule attachment. This defect could be remarkably ameliorated (76.7%, P<.05) by concurrent oral administration of melatonin (30 mg/kg body weight per day for 7 days). In addition, BPA administration significantly decreases the fertilization rate of oocytes (87.2% vs 41.1%, P<.05) by reducing the number of sperm binding to the zona pellucida, which is consistent with the premature cleavage of ZP2 as well as the mis-localization and decreased protein level of ovastacin. Also, the localization and protein level of Juno, the sperm receptor on the egg membrane, are strikingly impaired in BPA-administered oocytes. Finally, we show that melatonin administration substantially elevates the in vitro fertilization rate (63.0%, P<.05) by restoring above defects of fertilization proteins and events, which might be mediated by the improvement of oocyte quality via reduction of ROS levels and inhibition of apoptosis. Collectively, our data reveal that melatonin has a protective action against BPA-induced deterioration of oocyte quality in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxin Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yajuan Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yilong Miao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Changyin Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaokang Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Honglin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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10
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Hedrih A, Banić M. The effect of friction and impact angle on the spermatozoa-oocyte local contact dynamics. J Theor Biol 2016; 393:32-42. [PMID: 26780648 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although a large proportion of biomolecules involved in spermatozoa-oocyte interaction has been discovered so far, many details of fertilization mechanism remain unknown. Both biochemical and biomechanical components exist in the fertilization process. Mammalian sperm evolved a ZP (zona pelucida) thrust reduction penetration strategy probably in response to the ZP resilient elasticity. Using a biomechanical approach and FEM analysis, local contact stress, ZP deformations during impact and attempt of sperm head penetration relative to different sperm impact angles (SIA) were studied. The sperm-oocyte contact was defined as non-linear frictional contact. A transient structural analysis at 37°C revealed that, from the mechanical standpoint there are SIA that are more favorable for possible ZP penetration due to larger equivalent stress of ZP. An "slip-stick" resembling effect was identified for almost all examined SIA. The sperm head-ZP contact area increases as SIA decreases. Favorable ZP-stress state for sperm penetration regarding SIA are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjelka Hedrih
- Department for Bio-Medical Science, State University of Novi Pazar, Vuka Karadzica bb, 36 300 Novi Pazar, Serbia.
| | - Milan Banić
- Department for Mechanical Design, Development and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Nis, Aleksandra Medvedeva 14, 18000 Nis, Serbia
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11
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Dai X, Zhang M, Lu Y, Miao Y, Zhou C, Sun S, Xiong B. Melamine Impairs Female Fertility via Suppressing Protein Level of Juno in Mouse Eggs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144248. [PMID: 26633308 PMCID: PMC4669189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melamine is an organic nitrogenous compound widely used as an industrial chemical, and it has been recently reported by us that melamine has a toxic effect on the female reproductive system in mice, and renders females subfertile; the molecular basis, however, has not been adequately assessed. In the present study, we explore the underlying mechanism regarding how melamine compromises fertility in the mouse. The data showed that melamine exposure significantly impaired the fertilization capability of the egg during in vitro fertilization. To further figure out the cause, we analyzed ovastacin localization and protein level, the sperm binding ability of zona pellucida, and ZP2 cleavage status in unfertilized eggs from melamine fed mice, and no obvious differences were found between control and treatment groups. However, the protein level of Juno on the egg plasma membrane in the high-dose feeding group indeed significantly decreased compared to the control group. Thus, these data suggest that melamine compromises female fertility via suppressing Juno protein level on the egg membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxin Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
| | - Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
| | - Yajuan Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
| | - Yilong Miao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
| | - Changyin Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
| | - Shaochen Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
| | - Bo Xiong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 20095, China
- * E-mail:
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Influence of sperm impact angle on successful fertilization through mZP oscillatory spherical net model. Comput Biol Med 2015; 59:19-29. [PMID: 25659799 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2015.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
According to the available literature, penetrating sperm creates an oblique path trough Zona pellucida (ZP)--the most outer surface of oocytes. Considering fertilization process as an oscillatory phenomenon, the influence of sperm impact angle relative to the oscillatory behavior of mouse ZP is described by using the discrete continuum mechanical model in the form of a spherical net model. A parametric frequency analysis of oscillatory behavior of knot material particles in the mouse ZP (mZP) spherical net model is conducted by using generalized Lussajous curves. The influence of impact angles of sperm cells on the corresponding knot mass particles' resultant trajectory is discussed. Favorable sperm impact angles for successful fertilization are identified.
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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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Maldera JA, Weigel Munoz M, Chirinos M, Busso D, GE Raffo F, Battistone MA, Blaquier JA, Larrea F, Cuasnicu PS. Human fertilization: epididymal hCRISP1 mediates sperm-zona pellucida binding through its interaction with ZP3. Mol Hum Reprod 2013; 20:341-9. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gat092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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15
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Wang G, Wu Y, Zhou T, Guo Y, Zheng B, Wang J, Bi Y, Liu F, Zhou Z, Guo X, Sha J. Mapping of the N-Linked Glycoproteome of Human Spermatozoa. J Proteome Res 2013; 12:5750-9. [DOI: 10.1021/pr400753f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaigai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ye Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Fangjuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Zuomin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive
Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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McGinnis LK, Luo J, Kinsey WH. Protein tyrosine kinase signaling in the mouse oocyte cortex during sperm-egg interactions and anaphase resumption. Mol Reprod Dev 2013; 80:260-72. [PMID: 23401167 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fertilization triggers activation of a series of pre-programmed signal transduction pathways in the oocyte that establish a block to polyspermy, induce meiotic resumption, and initiate zygotic development. Fusion between sperm and oocyte results in rapid changes in oocyte intracellular free-calcium levels, which in turn activate multiple protein kinase cascades in the ooplasm. The present study examined the possibility that sperm-oocyte interaction involves localized activation of oocyte protein tyrosine kinases, which could provide an alternative signaling mechanism to that triggered by the fertilizing sperm. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis with antibodies to phosphotyrosine and phosphorylated protein tyrosine kinases allowed detection of minute signaling events localized to the site of sperm-oocyte interaction that were not amenable to biochemical analysis. The results provide evidence for localized accumulation of phosphotyrosine at the site of sperm contact, binding, or fusion, which suggests active protein tyrosine kinase signaling prior to and during sperm incorporation. The PYK2 kinase was found to be concentrated and activated at the site of sperm-oocyte interaction, and likely participates in this response. Widespread activation of PYK2 and FAK kinases was subsequently observed within the oocyte cortex, indicating that sperm incorporation is followed by more global signaling via these kinases during meiotic resumption. The results demonstrate an alternate signaling pathway triggered in mammalian oocytes by sperm contact, binding, or fusion with the oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda K McGinnis
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
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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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Clark GF. The role of carbohydrate recognition during human sperm-egg binding. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:566-77. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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19
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Gadella BM. Dynamic regulation of sperm interactions with the zona pellucida prior to and after fertilisation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2013; 25:26-37. [DOI: 10.1071/rd12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have refined our thinking on sperm interactions with the cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) and our understanding of how, at the molecular level, the sperm cell fertilises the oocyte. Proteomic analyses has identified a capacitation-dependent sperm surface reordering that leads to the formation of functional multiprotein complexes involved in zona–cumulus interactions in several mammalian species. During this process, multiple docking of the acrosomal membrane to the plasma membrane takes place. In contrast with the dogma that the acrosome reaction is initiated when spermatozoa bind to the zona pellucida (ZP), it has been established recently that, in mice, the fertilising spermatozoon initiates its acrosome reaction during its voyage through the cumulus before it reaches the ZP. In fact, even acrosome-reacted mouse spermatozoa collected from the perivitelline space can fertilise another ZP-intact oocyte. The oviduct appears to influence the extracellular matrix properties of the spermatozoa as well as the COC. This may influence sperm binding and penetration of the cumulus and ZP, and, in doing so, increase monospermic while decreasing polyspermic fertilisation rates. Structural analysis of the ZP has shed new light on how spermatozoa bind and penetrate this structure and how the cortical reaction blocks sperm–ZP interactions. The current understanding of sperm interactions with the cumulus and ZP layers surrounding the oocyte is reviewed with a special emphasis on the lack of comparative knowledge on this topic in humans, as well as in most farm mammals.
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Margalit M, Paz G, Yavetz H, Yogev L, Amit A, Hevlin-Schwartz T, Gupta SK, Kleiman SE. Genetic and physiological study of morphologically abnormal human zona pellucida. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2012; 165:70-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Revised: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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