Accumulation of Seminolipid in Sertoli Cells Is Associated with Increased Levels of Reactive Oxygen Species and Male Subfertility: Studies in Aging Arsa Null Male Mice

Assessment of Oxidative Stress and Biometric Data in a Captive Colony of Hamadryas Baboons (Papio hamadryas Linnaeus, 1758) at the Ravenna Zoo Safari (Italy)

This study evaluates the health of a captive colony of Hamadryas baboons at Ravenna Zoo Safari (Italy), focusing on oxidative stress markers and biometric data. Forty-eight individuals were assessed during routine veterinary procedures: males underwent vasectomy, and females were checked for pregnancy. Biometric data collected included body weight, body length, and genital measurements in males, while females were evaluated for reproductive status. Oxidative stress was measured using two tests that assess both harmful pro-oxidant levels and the body's antioxidant defenses. Results showed no significant differences in oxidative stress levels between sexes, although males and females differed in body weight. Pregnant and postpartum females exhibited higher oxidative stress, likely due to the metabolic and hormonal demands of reproduction. This supports the idea that reproductive activity increases the production of reactive oxygen species, requiring stronger antioxidant responses. In males, correlations between body weight and genital measurements suggest these could help estimate age in the absence of birth records. No link was found between oxidative stress and body weight, indicating limited age-related effects on these markers. Overall, the study highlights the importance of monitoring oxidative stress in captive primates to better understand the effects of reproduction and aging, and to improve welfare and management practices.

Comparison of reproductive performance and functional analysis of spermatogenesis factors between domestic yak and semi-wild blood yak

This study investigates differences in reproductive performance, testicular histology, and transcriptomic profiles between male Subei (SB; semi-wild) yaks and two domestic yaks, Gannan (GN) and Qinghai (QH). Key metrics including mating age, utilization time, breeding capacity, morphometric traits, and testicular indices were analyzed. SB yaks exhibited superior reproductive metrics, including earlier sexual maturity, prolonged utilization periods, and enhanced breeding capacity compared to GN and QH (P < 0.05). Morphologically, SB yaks demonstrated significantly greater body weight, and testicular dimensions. Compared with GN and QH yaks, the seminiferous tubules of SB yaks exhibited significantly larger spermatogenic cells and luminal cavities, along with a notably higher sperm density within the luminal cavity. Transcriptomic analysis identified 2,403 and 4,428 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GN vs. SB and QH vs. SB comparisons, respectively. Eight key genes (TPPP3, SMAD3, PAFAH1B3, BMP7, ARSA, CTNNB1, SMAD4, STAT3) and three pathways (Hippo, pluripotency regulation, TGF-β) were implicated in testicular development and spermatogenesis. These findings underscore the genetic and physiological advantages of SB yaks, offering insights for enhancing male yak reproductive performance.

Identification and functional prediction of miRNAs that regulate ROS levels in dielectric barrier discharge plasma-treated boar spermatozoa

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma regulates the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are critical for sperm quality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules encoded by endogenous genes, which regulate post-transcriptional gene expression in animals. At present, it is unknown whether DBD plasma can regulate sperm ROS levels through miRNAs. To further understand the regulatory mechanism of DBD plasma on sperm ROS levels, miRNAs in fresh boar spermatozoa were detected using Illumina deep sequencing technology. We found that 25 known miRNAs and 50 novel miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 14 known miRNAs and 74 novel miRNAs were significantly downregulated in DBD plasma-treated spermatozoa. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in many activities and pathways associated with antioxidants. We verified that DBD plasma significantly increased boar sperm quality and reduced ROS levels. These results suggest that DBD plasma can improve sperm quality by regulating ROS levels via miRNAs. Our findings provide a potential strategy to improve sperm quality through miRNA-targeted regulation of ROS, which helps to increase male reproduction and protect cryopreserved semen in clinical practice.

Ether lipids and a peroxisomal riddle in sperm

Sperm are terminally differentiated cells that lack most of the membranous organelles, resulting in a high abundance of ether glycerolipids found across different species. Ether lipids include plasmalogens, platelet activating factor, GPI-anchors and seminolipid. These lipids play important roles in sperm function and performance, and thus are of special interest as potential fertility markers and therapeutic targets. In the present article, we first review the existing knowledge on the relevance of the different types of ether lipids for sperm production, maturation and function. To further understand ether-lipid metabolism in sperm, we then query available proteomic data from highly purified sperm, and produce a map of metabolic steps retained in these cells. Our analysis pinpoints the presence of a truncated ether lipid biosynthetic pathway that would be competent for the production of precursors through the initial peroxisomal core steps, but devoid of subsequent microsomal enzymes responsible for the final synthesis of all complex ether-lipids. Despite the widely accepted notion that sperm lack peroxisomes, the thorough analysis of published data conducted herein identifies nearly 70% of all known peroxisomal resident proteins as part of the sperm proteome. In view of this, we highlight open questions related to lipid metabolism and possible peroxisomal functions in sperm. We propose a repurposed role for the truncated peroxisomal ether-lipid pathway in detoxification of products from oxidative stress, which is known to critically influence sperm function. The likely presence of a peroxisomal-derived remnant compartment that could act as a sink for toxic fatty alcohols and fatty aldehydes generated by mitochondrial activity is discussed. With this perspective, our review provides a comprehensive metabolic map associated with ether-lipids and peroxisomal-related functions in sperm and offers new insights into potentially relevant antioxidant mechanisms that warrant further research.

Testicular aging, male fertility and beyond

Normal spermatogenesis and sperm function are crucial for male fertility. The effects of healthy testicular aging and testicular premature aging on spermatogenesis, sperm function, and the spermatogenesis microenvironment cannot be ignored. Compared with younger men, the testis of older men tends to have disturbed spermatogenic processes, sperm abnormalities, sperm dysfunction, and impaired Sertoli and Leydig cells, which ultimately results in male infertility. Various exogenous and endogenous factors also contribute to pathological testicular premature aging, such as adverse environmental stressors and gene mutations. Mechanistically, Y-chromosomal microdeletions, increase in telomere length and oxidative stress, accumulation of DNA damage with decreased repair ability, alterations in epigenetic modifications, miRNA and lncRNA expression abnormalities, have been associated with impaired male fertility due to aging. In recent years, the key molecules and signaling pathways that regulate testicular aging and premature aging have been identified, thereby providing new strategies for diagnosis and treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms of aging on spermatogenesis. Furthermore, potential rescue measures for reproductive aging have been discussed. Finally, the inadequacy of testicular aging research and future directions for research have been envisaged to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular aging and premature aging.

Antioxidants and Male Infertility

Oxidative stress has been associated with decreased sperm quality and male infertility [...].

Decabromodiphenyl ether-induced PRKACA hypermethylation contributed to glycolipid metabolism disorder via regulating PKA/AMPK pathway in rat and L-02 cells

BDE-209 is the most prevalent congener of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and has high bioaccumulation in humans and animals. BDE-209 has been reported to disrupt glycolipid metabolism, but the mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we found that BDE-209 induced liver tissue injury and hepatotoxicity, increased the glucose and total cholesterol levels in the serum of rats, and increased glucose and triglyceride levels in L-02 cells. BDE-209 exposure changed the PKA, p-PKA, AMPK, p-AMPK, ACC, and FAS expression in rats' liver and L-02 cells. Moreover, BDE-209 induced PRKACA-1 hypermethylation in L-02 cells. AMPK activator (AICAR) inhibited the changes of p-AMPK, ACC, and FAS expression and elevation of glucose and triglyceride levels induced by BDE-209. DNA methylation inhibitor (5-Aza-CdR) reversed BDE-209 induced alters of PKA/AMPK/ACC/FAS signaling pathway. These results demonstrated that BDE-209 could disrupt the glycolipid metabolism by causing PRKACA-1 hypermethylation to regulate the PKA/AMPK signaling pathway in hepatocytes.

Reproduction in Animal Models of Lysosomal Storage Diseases: A Scoping Review

Background: Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are caused by a mutation in a specific gene. Enzymatic dysfunction results in a progressive storage of substrates that gradually affects lysosomal, cellular and tissue physiology. Their pathophysiological consequences vary according to the nature of the stored substrate, making LSDs complex and multisystemic diseases. Some LSDs result in near normal life expectancies, and advances in treatments mean that more people reach the age to have children, so considering the effects of LSDs on fertility and the risks associated with having children is of growing importance. Objectives: As there is a lack of clinical studies describing the effect of LSDs on the physiology of reproductivity, we undertook a scoping review of studies using animal models of LSDs focusing on reproductive parameters. Methods: We searched six databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and SciELO, and identified 49 articles that met our inclusion criteria. Results: The majority of the studies used male animal models, and a number reported severe morphological and physiological damage in gametes and gonads in models of sphingolipidoses. Models of other LSDs, such as mucopolysaccharidoses, presented important morphological damage. Conclusion: Many of the models found alterations in reproductive systems. Any signs of subfertility or morphological damage in animal models are important, particularly in rodents which are extremely fertile, and may have implications for individuals with LSDs. We suggest the use of more female animal models to better understand the physiopathology of the diseases, and the use of clinical case studies to further explore the risks of individuals with LSDs having children.