Showing papers on "Sperm motility published in 1980"

Osmolality and potassium ion: their roles in initiation of sperm motility in teleosts

Abstract: Spermatozoa that are quiescent in electrolyte and nonelectrolyte solutions isotonic to seminal plasma show motility when the semen is diluted with hypotonic solution in freshwater teleosts (four species tested) and with hypertonic solution in marine teleosts (five species tested). Decrease or increase, respectively, in osmolality of the environment may be the factor initiating sperm motility in these species. The motility of chum salmon spermatozoa in a sodium chloride solution isotonic to seminal plasma is completely suppressed by approximately 10 millimoles of potassium per kilogram; topminnow spermatozoa, however, were immotile in a nonelectrolyte solution, and motility was induced by electrolytes, especially potassium. Thus ions, rather than osmolality, may be an essential determinant of sperm motility in salmonid and viviparous teleosts.

Calcium-induced quiescence in reactivated sea urchin sperm.

Abstract: Sperm flagella of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla beat with asymmetrical bending waves after demembranation with Triton X-100 in the presence of EGTA and reactivation at pH 81 with 1 mM ATP in the presence of 2 mM MgSO4 Addition of 01--02 mM free Ca2+ to these reactivated sperm induces 70--95% of them to become quiescent This quiescence can be reversed by reduction of the free Ca2% concentration with EGTA, or by dilution to reduce the MgATP2- concentration below 03 mM The quiescent waveform is characterized by a sharp principal bend of approximately 56 rad in the proximal region of the flagellum, a slight reverse bend in the midregion that averages approximately 03 rad, and a principal bend of approximately 11 rad in the tip The quiescent sperm are highly fragile mechanically, and disruption, including microtubule sliding, occurs spontaneously at a slow rate upon standing or immediately upon gentle agitation Mild digestion by trypsin causes a gradual appearance of normal, symmetrical flagellar beating Addition of increasing concentrations of vanadate to quiescent sperm causes a graded decrease in the proximal bend angle, with 50 micrometers vanadate reducing it to approximately 26 rad In the presence of 01 mM free Ca2% and 10 micrometers vanadate, a characteristic, crescented stationary bend is induced in the demembranated sperm, without intermediate oscillatory beating, by the addition of either 01 or 1 mM ATP In the absence of vanadate, these two concentrations of ATP produce asymmetric beating and quiescence, respectively The results support the hypothesis that quiescence in live sperm is induced by an elevated concentration of intracellular Ca2% In addition, they demonstrate that bending can occur in flagella in which oscillatory beating is inhibited and emphasize the close relationship between asymmetric beating and quiescence

Taurine and hypotaurine: their effects on motility, capacitation and the acrosome reaction of hamster sperm in vitro and their presence in sperm and reproductive tract fluids of several mammals*

Abstract: Previous work from this laboratory has shown that the β-amino acid taurine can support and stimulate hamster sperm motility during in vitro capacitation in the presence or absence of epinephrine The present report describes in vitro results which demonstrate that hypotaurine, a precursor of taurine, can also support and stimulate motility under these conditions and that a higher number of acrosome reactions occur in the presence of taurine as compared to hypotaurine (both in the presence and absence of epinephrine) In all cases, the greates percentage of acrosome reactions occurs in the presence of epinephrine Whether these β-amino acids act independently of epinephrine of in a synergistic manner with it remains to be determined In addition to these in vitro studies, we report that hypotaurine and taurine are present at high levels in bovine follicular fluid, rabbit uterine and ampullar oviductal fluid (11 hr after mating, ie, 1 hr after ovulation), monkey oviductal fluid, bovine adrenal cortex “motility factor” preparation and human, guinea pig and hamster sperm preparations Based on these results, we suggest the possibility that taurine and hypotaurine may have roles in vivo in the maintenance and stimulation of sperm motility and stimulation of capacitation and/or acrosome reactions

Sperm-egg interaction: evidence for boar sperm plasma membrane receptors for porcine zona pellucida.

Abstract: Freshly ejaculated, noncapacitated boar sperm bind rapidly and in large numbers to pig egg zona pellucida in vitro. In the present study, the number of sperm bound decreased sharply when sperm motility was lowered by energy poisons or by reducing the temperature. Highly motile sperm from humans, guinea pigs, and rats, added at concentrations ten times higher than control sperm, did not bind to the porcine zona. At the same high concentration, a small number of hamster and bull sperm bound to the zona. Binding of boar sperm to the zona pellucida was blocked almost completely by diluted whole antiserum to sperm plasma membranes and by univalent (Fab) antibody to these membranes. When antibody to sperm plasma membrane was first absorbed with plasma membrane vesicles, sperm binding was not inhibited. These results provide direct evidence for the existence of sperm plasma membrane receptors for the zona pellucida of the pig.

Intermittent swimming in live sea urchin sperm.

Abstract: Sperm of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla repeatedly start and stop swimming when suspended in seawater and observed by dark-field microscopy. While in the quiescent state, which usually lasts about a second, the sperm assume s shape resembling a cane, with a sharp bend of approximately 3.4 rad in the proximal region of the flagellum and very little curvature in the rest of the flagellum except for a slight curve near the tip. The occurrence of quiescence requires the presence of at least 2 mM Ca2+ in the seawater, and the percentage of sperm quiescent at any one time increases substantially when the sperm are illuminated with blue light. With intense illumination, close to 100% of the sperm become quiescent, and this percentage decreases gradually to approximately 0.3% over a 10(4)-fold decrease in light intensity. An increased concentration of K+ in the seawater also increases the percentage of quiescence, with a majority of the sperm being quiescent in seawater containing 80 mM KCl. The induction of quiescence by light or by increased KCl is completely inhibited by 10 micrometers chlorpromazine, and approximately 90% inhibited by 1 mM procaine or sodium barbital. Sperm treated with the divalent-cation ionophore A23187 swim quite normally, although for a relatively short period, in artificial seawater lacking divalent cations, but are abruptly arrested upon addition of 0.04--0.2 mM free Ca2%. The flagellar waveform of these arrested sperm is almost identical to that of light-induced quiescence in the live sperm. The results support the hypothesis that quiescence is induced by a rise in intracellular Ca2%, perhaps as a consequence of a membrane depolarization, and that it is similar to the arrest response in cilia.

Relations between the fertilizing ability, motility and metabolism of epididymal spermatozoa

Abstract: This paper compares the principal modifications taking place in spermatozoa during epididymal transit in several species. The relations between changes in the epididymal medium and modifications in the metabolism, motility and/or fertility of spermatozoa are reviewed with particular reference to spermatozoon forward motility. The fertilizing ability of motile testicular and epididymal spermatozoa has been described. It is suggested that the maturation process may induce a series of spermatozoal changes in cyclic AMP content, external membrane composition and nuclear structure throughout the genital tract; these changes would be under the control of the epididymal epithelium. The origins of these phenomena are practically unknown.

Initiation, prolongation, and reactivation of the motility of salmonid spermatozoa

Abstract: The motility of salmonid spermatozoa initiated by dilution of the milt with ovarian fluid or isotonic saline is brief duration; it was believed that it can be activated only once in the life of the spermatozoon. Dilution of the milt with an equal volume of isotonic saline (0.12 M-NaCl) containing 5 mM-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (MIX) prolonged and intensified sperm motiliy. When motility had stopped after initial mobilization with saline or ovarian fluid, it could be reactivated by addition of MIX; reactivated spermatozoa fertilized eggs. Dilution with saline containing K+ (24 mEq/liter) did not initiate sperm motility even in the presence of MIX. The spermatozoa were mobilized by subsequent with 0.12 M-NaCl. The concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in sperm suspensions dropped on dilution with saline and rose as motility ceased, but declined without subsequent recovery following dilution with MIX-saline. The concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) rose and fell sharply on initiation of motility and rose again after motility had declined. While salmonid spermatozoa can be mobilized by dilition with saline alone, the effectiveness of MIX in reactivating “spent” spermatozoa supports the assumption that cAMP plays a role in the initiation of sperm motility.

Cryopreservation of rainbow trout sperm by deep-freezing.

Abstract: Cryopreservation trials on rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) sperm were carried out using two basic extenders: Mounib's medium (M) and Menezo's medium (Me) to which were added bovine serum albumin (BSA) and tellurite egg yolk (Institut Pasteur). After 10 p. 100 of DMSO was added to these different deep-freeze diluents (DD), they were mixed with the sperm and then deep-frozen into 100 microliter pellets on dry ice. The pellets were stored in liquid nitrogen for periods lasting from 3 days to 6 months. The intensity of sperm motility and fertilizing ability were measured before and after cryopreservation. After the sperm was diluted in Menezo's medium, slight spermatozoon motility was noticed, which probably caused their early exhaustion and would explain the lower fertilizing ability observed after thawing. Mounib's medium gave better results, especially after 10 p. 100 of egg yolk was added. The optimal deep-freeze conditions were: 1/3 dilution, no equilibration after dilution but immediate deep-freezing at a rate of 10 to 40 degrees C/min. Thawing had to be carried out rapidly in 10 sec. However, the spermatozoa were altered during the freezing-thawing process, and during insemination more frozen spermatozoa had to be used to equal the fertilization rate obtained with non-frozen sperm. However, the fertile spermatozoa gave normal embryogenesis and no abnormal development was seen up to the vesicle resorption stage. At the end of spermiation, sperm fitness for deep-freezing decreased, perhaps due to sperm senescence. Pooling the sperm of several males partially compensated for the loss of fertilizing ability seen at the end of the reproductive period.

Artificial fertilization of gametes from the South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis

Abstract: A reproducible and effective method for fertilization eggs of Xenopus laevis was developed based of systematic manipulation of environmental factors. The effects of varying concentrations of individual components of a fertilization medium were tested by measuring jelly swelling, sperm motility, and sperm longevity. Results were used to develop an improved medium for fertilization, consisting of 41.25 mM NaCl, 1.25 mM KCl, 0.25 mM CaCl2, 0.0625 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mM Na2HPO4, 2.5 mM HEPES, 1.9 mM NaOH, final pH(2°) 7.8.

Increase in oxytocin secretion at ejaculation in male

Abstract: In this study changes in plasma oxytocin levels were determined before and after ejaculation in patients with abnormal spermatogenesis. Plasma oxytocin levels rose significantly after ejaculation (P < 0.001, n = 17). There was no obvious correlation between plasma oxytocin levels and sperm count, sperm motility or the number of abnormal forms. Oxytocin may play a role in the precipitation of ejaculation in males.

Elastase digestion of demembranated sperm flagella

Abstract: The changes in adenosine triphosphate-reactivated motility resulting from digestion of Triton-demembranated sea urchin sperm flagella by elastase are those expected if the elastic interdoublet linkages between flagellar microtubules are particularly sensitive to digestion by elastase and take part in regulating the amplitude of flagellar bending.

A collagen-binding protein on the surface of ejaculated rabbit spermatozoa.

Abstract: A rabbit antibody to mouse 3T3 cell fibronectin was used in conjunction with a fluorescein-tagged second antibody to detect fibronectin-like activity on the surface of rabbit spermatozoa. Only ejaculated sperm displayed an intense and highly localized fluorescence over the acrosomal region. Cauda epididymal sperm of the rabbit as well as several other species did not exhibit any reaction. The fluorescent activity could be eliminated by trypsin treatment but was re-established by incubation in cell-free seminal fluid. Sperm recovered from females 10-12 h after mating showed a reduction or absence of antifibronectin fluorescence, suggesting that this component's loss could be a factor in sperm capacitation. Because fibronectins show strong binding to collagen, mixtures of ejaculated sperm and collagen were examined in the light and electron microscope. Living sperm appear to have a strong affinity for collagen and quickly adhere to the filaments by their heads, while continuing vigorous flagellations. Surface labeling of sperm with the galactose-oxidase-NaB[3H]4 technique, extraction with urea-detergent mixtures and affinity chromatography of extracts on gelatin-Sepharose revealed a single radioactive band of mot wt approximately 40,000 after SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography.

Cryoprotective effects of some amides on rabbit spermatozoa

Abstract: Summary. Semen was diluted 1:9 with egg yolk\p=n-\citratemedium containing 0\m=.\31\p=n-\ 3\m=.\1M (final concentration) formamide, butyramide, acetamide, propionamide, dimethylformamide, lactamide, malomide, ethylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) or glycerol. After 30 min incubation at 20\s=deg\C,sperm motility was superior in hypertonic solutions of acetamide, lactamide, dimethylsulphoxide, trimethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. Some of these compounds were added to semen diluted 1:2 in an isotonic egg-yolk\p=n-\glucose\p=n-\ lactose\p=n-\raffinosesolution and frozen by the pellet method. Relatively good survival of motility was obtained in 1\m=.\0M-DMSO, -lactamide or -acetamide. Dimethylformamide (0\m=.\5M), ethylene glycol (0\m=.\5\p=n-\1\m=.\5M), trimethylene glycol (1\m=.\5M) and propionamide (0\m=.\75M) also gave some protection. Insemination of does with semen frozen and thawed with 1\m=.\0M-DMSO, -lactamide or -acetamide gave fertilization rates of 68\p=n-\88%,and 84% (38/45) of does gave birth to an average of 5\m=.\3young.

Varicocelectomy and Male Fertility: Comparison of Semen Quality and Recurrence of Varicocele Following Varicocelectomy by Two Techniques

Abstract: Two hundred thirty-eight infertile men aged between 20 and 50 years suffering from left varicocele underwent ligation of the internal spermatic vein. The patients were operated on using Ivanissevich technique IT (210 patients) or the Bernardi technique BT (28 patients). In the BT group recurrences were found in 7.1% as against 28% in the IT group. The low rate of recurrence found in the BT group might be due to the fact that the patients were under local anaesthesia and collaborated with the surgeon. Varicocelectomy was followed by significant improvement in sperm quality 3 to 9 months after operation. Improvement among the fertile men was more rapid than among the infertile men. Sperm concentration improved significantly in 50% of the cases. Sperm motility improved in 37% of the cases, while morphology improved only in 29% of the cases. Sperm vitality was identical in response to that of motility. Varioocelectomy did not cause any change in the seminal plasma constituents (volume, pH, fructose). Improvement in sperm quality was identical in the IT and BT groups, as was the impregnation rate. 94 couples reported pregnancies 39.5%), which occurred within 2 years after operation (12 +/- 1.5 months mean +/- SEM). No correlation was found between size of varicocele and improvement in sperm quality and fertilizing capacity.

Effets du plasma séminal sur la survie et la fertilité des spermatozoïdes conservés in vitro

Abstract: In sperm cell populations kept in vitro, the profiles of motile cell number and motility are always influenced by the seminal plasma. The non-epididymal fraction of the seminal plasma first enhanced and then depressed bull, ram and goat sperm motility or immediately depressed that of horses and rabbits. The secretions of Cowper's gland (male goat) or of the seminal vesicles (boar) were implicated in the depressive effect of the non-epididymal plasma fraction on the maintenance of sperm motility. These secretions were responsible for variations in motility correlated with variations in sperm fertility. The level and significance of these correlations indicated that the seminal plasma might be involved in sperm fertility, perhaps owing to a type A lecithinase secreted by Cowper's gland (bull, ram and male goat) or by a protein of vesicular origin (boar).

The effect of hydroxyurea and mitomycin C on sperm motility in mice.

Abstract: The mutagen, mitomycin C, and the teratogen, hydroxyurea, were found to decrease sperm motility in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Positive results with these compounds suggest that sperm motility may have been decreased through either mutations or developmental disturbances. Sperm motility can be determined quickly and may be done in conjunction with a sperm-morphology assay.

Association of actin with sperm centrioles: isolation of centriolar complexes and immunofluorescent localization of actin

Abstract: The centrioles of cnidarian sperm associate with striated specializations (pericentriolar processes) during spermiogenesis. Three functions have been proposed for the role of these structures: (a) an anchoring mechanism for the sperm flagellum, (b) a signal-transmitting mechanism for communication between sperm head and tal, and (c) a contractile mechanism involved in motor function of the sperm flagellum. To investigate these proposed functions, we developed a technique for the isolation and purification of Hydractinia sperm distal centriles with attached pericentriolar processes. SDS polyacrylamide electrophoretic profiles of whole sperm and pericentriolar process proteins revealed a prominent protein that comigrates with rabbit and penaeid shrimp muscle actin. To label and localize actin in hydroid spem, we produced in rabbits a highly specific antiserum to invertebrate actin that cross-reacts with both invertebrate and vertebrate muscle and nonmuscle actin. Immunofluorescent double antibody labeling of hydroid sperm with antiactin has demonstrated the presence of actin in the pericentriolar process region of the sperm. In earlier reports, it has been proposed that pericentriolar processes, if contractile, could alter the mid-piece asymmetry of hydroid sperm, facilitating the directional motility that these cells demonstrate in respone to egg-released chemoattractants. The present results support this hypothesis.

A selective effect of Ni2+ on wave initiation in bull sperm flagella.

Abstract: Bull sperm that are extracted with 0.1% Triton X-100 and restored to motility with Mg2+-ATP lose coordination and stop swimming in the presence of 0.5 mM NiSO4. Although spontaneous coordination of flagellar waves is lost after exposure to Ni2+, other functions of the flagellum remain intact. The capacity for wave propagation along the flagellum is maintained together with the capacity for microtubular sliding. Wave motility can be restored to Ni2+-inhibited sperm by inducing a permanent bend onto the flagellum by micromanipulation. In the absence of such intervention, the loss of wave coordination is complete and irreversible. Ni2+-inhibited demembranated cells that are kept active by maintaining a bend in the flagellum exhibit a normal beat frequency. Both intact and demembranated sperm can retain spontaneous wave production at considerably slower rates of motion than Ni2+-inhibited cells. Short segments from the distal tip of the flagellum contain only the 9 + 2 microtubular axoneme. These short segments are able to propagate imposed bends even in the presence of Ni2+. In addition to wave propagation Ni2+-treated sperm can be shown to exhibit a normal sliding tubule phenomenon by direct assay. Although Ni2+-treated cells have a functional sliding tubule mechanism, and consequently the axoneme can propagate bends, it appears that these retained functions are not sufficient to cause spontaneous bend initiation. Our findings show that bend initiation is inhibited by Ni2+, and therefore is an independent process separate from the sliding tubule mechanism responsible for wave propagation.

Acrosome breakdown in leptodactylus chaquensis (amphibia anura) spermatozoa

Abstract: Acrosome breakdown in Leptodactylus chaquensis is described: during this process acrosome enlarges, becomes round-shaped and finally disrupts. Low tonicity media (0.025 M sucrose and 1/10 Holtfreter's solutions) favor acrosome breakdown and sperm fertility loosing. High tonicity media (0.250 M sucrose and Holtfreter's solutions) maintain acrosomes in an unreacted stage and sperm fertilizing capacity is preserved. Sperm motility does not seem to be a sufficient condition for the sperm to fertilize and also does not seem to be related with acrosome breakdown. The presence of lectins in the incubation media does not modify the time-course of acrosome breakdown.

Relation between semen quality and fate of pregnancy: retrospective study on 534 pregnancies.

Abstract: Full semen analysis including sperm and seminal plasma (SP) was performed on 534 men, within 3 months of their wives conception, 65% of the pregnant wives eventually delivered, while the remainder aborted. The abortions were divided into five groups: early abortion (6%), late abortion (3%), repeated abortion (14%), and habitual abortion (12%). SP quality of the husbands of the various groups were identical. The motility and vitality of spermatozoa of the various groups were in the same range. Sperm concentration was significantly higher in the repeated and habitual abortion groups with a tendency to polyzoospermia. The morphology of spermatozoa was much better in these two groups. Generally, sperm quality of the men whose wives were repeated or habitual aborters was better than in the other groups. We could not find any evidence in the routine semen analysis indicating that sperm quality was responsible for the abortions. The reason for the abortions seems to be a female factor or chromosomal aberrations.

Role of Hyaluronidase in Fertilization: The Antifertility Activity of Myocrisin, a Nontoxic Hyaluronidase Inhibitor

Abstract: Myocrisin a hyaluronidase inhibitor of low molecular weight was tested for antifertility activity. In addition the effect of myocrisin on penetration of the follicle cell layer by spermatozoa was studied. Myocrisin prevented the in vitro fertilization of capacitated mouse spermatozoa when these were added to intact oocytes. The inhibitor had no effect on sperm motility at the concentrations used for the in vitro fertilization tests and did not inhibit the acrosome reaction of guinea pig spermatozoa. Myocrisin also had no effect on human acrosin. Fertility was not prevented when the myocrisin-treated spermatozoa were added to oocytes from which the follicle cell layer had been removed showing that sperm hyaluronidase is essential specifically for sperm penetration through this ovum investment at least in the case of the mouse. Myocrisin is approved for human use by the FDA and is a compound worth further in vivo evaluation as a contraceptive. (authors)