Sperm motility

About: Sperm motility is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 13874 publications have been published within this topic receiving 416587 citations. The topic is also known as: sperm movement & GO:0097722.

Inhibition of the mouse sperm surface alpha-D-mannosidase inhibits sperm-egg binding in vitro.

Abstract: In previous reports from this laboratory, we identified the presence of a novel alpha-D-mannosidase on the surface of rat, mouse, hamster, and human spermatozoa [J Cell Biol 1989; 109:1257-1267 and Biol Reprod 1990; 42:843-858]. Since it has been suggested that mannosyl residues on the egg zona pellucida may be important for sperm-egg binding, studies were undertaken to examine the potential role of the sperm alpha-D-mannosidase during fertilization. Incubation of mouse spermatozoa in the presence of increasing concentrations of the inhibitory sugars, alpha-methyl mannoside, alpha-methyl glucoside, D-mannose, or D-mannitol, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the number of spermatozoa bound per egg without a deleterious effect on sperm motility or on the sperm acrosome, and a dose-dependent inhibition of the sperm mannosidase activity. Galactose, however had no effect on sperm-egg binding or on sperm mannosidase activity. Two nucleotide sugars (UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-gal) were also tested and shown to reduce sperm-egg binding but with only a minimal effect on sperm mannosidase activity. In additional studies, spermatozoa incubated in the presence of a mannose-containing oligosaccharide exhibited a dramatic reduction in sperm-egg binding that correlated with a similar inhibition of sperm mannosidase activity. The oligosaccharide substrate did not affect sperm motility or the sperm acrosome. These studies suggest that the sperm alpha-D-mannosidase may play an important role during fertilization.

Effects of advanced selection methods on sperm quality and ART outcome: a systematic review.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Current routine semen preparation techniques do not inclusively target all intrinsic sperm characteristics that may impact the fertilization potential. In order to address these characteristics, several methods have been recently developed and applied to sperm selection. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature describing these advanced sperm selection methods focusing on their anticipated benefits on sperm quality and assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcome. METHODS: Systematic literature review was conducted by means of a Medline literature search. Sperm quality parameters assessed included: motility, morphology, viability, DNA integrity, apoptosis and maturity. ART outcomes assessed included: fertilization, embryo quality, pregnancy, abortion and live birth rates. RESULTS: A total of 44 studies were identified describing four advanced sperm selection methods based on: (i) surface charge (electrophoresis and zeta potential), (ii) apoptosis (magnetic cell sorting and glass wool), (iii) membrane maturity (hyaluronic acid binding) and (iv) ultramorphology (high magnification). Selection of high-quality sperm including improvements in DNA integrity, resulted from the application of these methods. Fertilization and pregnancy rates showed improvement following some of the advanced sperm selection techniques. CONCLUSIONS: While some of the advanced sperm selection methods are of value in specific clinical ART settings, others are in need of further evaluation. More clinical studies on safety and efficacy are needed before the implementation of advanced sperm selection methods could be universally recommended in ART.

Cigarette smoke extract immobilizes human spermatozoa and induces sperm apoptosis.

Abstract: Cigarette smoking by the male partner adversely affects assisted reproductive techniques, suggesting that it may damage sperm chromatin/DNA and consequently embryo development. The effects of graded concentrations of research cigarettes smoke extract (CSE) on motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), chromatin integrity and apoptosis were evaluated in spermatozoa obtained from 13 healthy, non-smoking men with normal sperm parameters, by flow cytometry. CSE suppressed sperm motility in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and increased the number of spermatozoa with low MMP, the main source of energy for sperm motility. In addition, CSE had a detrimental effect on sperm chromatin condensation and apoptosis. Indeed, it increased the number of spermatozoa with phosphatidylserine externalization, an early apoptotic sign, and fragmented DNA, a late apoptotic sign, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These effects of CSE were of similar or even greater magnitude to those obtained following incubation with tumour necrosis factor-α, a cytokine known for its negative impact on sperm function, used as positive control. Since transmission of smoking-induced sperm DNA alterations has been found in pre-implantation embryos, and this may predispose offspring to a greater risk of malformations, cancer and genetic diseases, men seeking to father a child are recommended to give up smoking.