Showing papers on "Sperm plasma membrane published in 2016"

Etiologies of sperm oxidative stress.

Abstract: Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) during critical phases of spermiogenesis. However, the level of seminal ROS is restricted by seminal antioxidants which have beneficial effects on sperm parameters and developmental potentials. Mitochondria and sperm plasma membrane are two major sites of ROS generation in sperm cells. Besides, leukocytes including polymer phonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and macrophages produce broad category of molecules including oxygen free radicals, non-radical species and reactive nitrogen species. Physiological role of ROS increase the intracellular cAMP which then activate protein kinase in male reproductive system. This indicates that spermatozoa need small amounts of ROS to acquire the ability of nuclear maturation regulation and condensation to fertilize the oocyte. There is a long list of intrinsic and extrinsic factors which can induce oxidative stress to interact with lipids, proteins and DNA molecules. As a result, we have lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, axonemal damage, denaturation of the enzymes, over generation of superoxide in the mitochondria, lower antioxidant activity and finally abnormal spermatogenesis. If oxidative stress is considered as one of the main cause of DNA damage in the germ cells, then there should be good reason for antioxidant therapy in these conditions.

Sperm Capacitation and Acrosome Reaction in Mammalian Sperm.

Abstract: Physiological changes that endow mammalian sperm with fertilizing capacity are known as sperm capacitation. As part of capacitation, sperm develop an asymmetrical flagellar beating known as hyperactivation and acquire the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction. Together, these processes promote fertilizing competence in sperm. At the molecular level, capacitation involves a series of signal transduction events which include activation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation pathways, removal of cholesterol, hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane, and changes in ion permeability. In recent years, new technologies have aided in the study of sperm signaling molecules with better resolution, at both spatial and temporal levels, unraveling how different cascades integrate and cooperate to render a fertilizing sperm. Despite this new information, the molecular mechanisms connecting capacitation with acrosomal exocytosis and hyperactivation are not well understood. This review brings together results obtained in mammalian species in the field of sperm capacitation with special focus on those pathways involved in the preparation to undergo the acrosomal reaction.

Boar seminal plasma exosomes maintain sperm function by infiltrating into the sperm membrane

Abstract: // Jian Du 1 , Jian Shen 1 , Yuanxian Wang 1 , Chuanying Pan 1 , Weijun Pang 1 , Hua Diao 2 and Wuzi Dong 1 1 College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest AF boar sperm quality; capacitation; liquid storage; Pathology Section Received : May 20, 2016 Accepted : July 28, 2016 Published : August 16, 2016 Abstract Seminal plasma ingredients are important for maintenance of sperm viability. This study focuses on the effect of boar seminal plasma exosomes on sperm function during long-term liquid storage. Boar seminal plasma exosomes had typical nano-structure morphology as measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular markers such as AWN, CD9 and CD63 by western blot analysis. The effect on sperm parameters of adding different ratio of boar seminal plasma exosomes to boar sperm preparations was analyzed. Compared to the diluent without exosomes, the diluent with four times or sixteen times exosomes compared to original semen had higher sperm motility, prolonged effective survival time, improved sperm plasma membrane integrity ( p < 0.05), increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The diluent containing four times concentration of exosomes compared to original semen was determined to inhibit premature capacitation, but not to influence capacitation induced in vitro . Inhibition of premature capacitation is likely related to the concentration of exosomes which had been demonstrated to transfer proteins including AWN and PSP-1 into sperm. In addition, using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis, it was demonstrated that exosomes in diluent were directly binding to the membrane of sperm head which could improve sperm plasma membrane integrity.

Assessment of sperm damages during different stages of cryopreservation in water buffalo by fluorescent probes

Abstract: The present study was designed to investigate the sperm damages occurring in acrosome, plasma membrane, mitochondrial activity, and DNA of fresh, equilibrated and frozen-thawed buffalo semen by fluorescent probes. The stability of sperm acrosome and plasma membrane stability, mitochondrial activity and DNA status were assessed by fluorescein conjugated lectin Pisum sativum agglutinin, Annexin-V/propidium iodide, JC-1 and TUNEL assay, respectively, under the fluorescent microscope. The damages percentage of acrosome integrity was significantly increased during equilibration and freezing-thawing process. The stability of sperm plasma membrane is dependent on stability of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the inner leaflet of plasma membrane. The frozen-thawed sperm showed externalization of PS leading to significant increase in apoptotic, early necrotic and necrotic changes and lowered high mitochondrial membrane potential as compared with the fresh sperm but all these parameters were not affected during equilibration. However, the DNA integrity was not affected during equilibration and freezing-thawing procedure. In conclusion, the present study revealed that plasma membrane and mitochondria of buffalo sperm are more susceptible to damage during cryopreservation. Furthermore, the use of fluorescent probes to evaluate integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA status increased the accuracy of semen analyses.

Silymarin protects plasma membrane and acrosome integrity in sperm treated with sodium arsenite.

Abstract: Background: Exposure to arsenic is associated with impairment of male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress. Silymarin with an antioxidant property scavenges free radicals. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on ram sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity. Materials and Methods: Ram epidydimal spermatozoa were divided into five groups: spermatozoa at 0 hr, spermatozoa at 180 min (control), spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) + sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min, spermatozoa treated with sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min and spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) for 180 min. Double staining of Hoechst and propidium iodide was performed to evaluate sperm plasma membrane integrity, whereas comassie brilliant blue staining was used to assess acrosome integrity. Results: Plasma membrane (p< 0.001) and acrosome integrity (p< 0.05) of the spermatozoa were significantly reduced in sodium arsenite group compared to the control. In silymarin + sodium arsenite group, silymarin was able to significantly (p< 0.001) ameliorate the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on these sperm parameters compared to sodium arsenite group. The incubation of sperm for 180 min (control group) showed a significant (p< 0.001) decrease in acrosome integrity compared to the spermatozoa at 0 hour. The application of silymarin alone for 180 min could also significantly (p< 0.05) increase sperm acrosome integrity compared to the control. Conclusion: Silymarin as a potent antioxidant could compensate the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on the ram sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity.

A Procedure-Spanning Analysis of Plasma Membrane Integrity for Assessment of Cell Viability in Sperm Cryopreservation of Zebrafish Danio rerio

Abstract: The goal of this study was to evaluate plasma membrane integrity and motility for zebrafish sperm quality assessment along the cryopreservation pathway—from sample collection through refrigerated storage, cryoprotectant equilibration, freezing, thawing, and fertilization. The objectives were to: (1) evaluate the effects of osmolality, extender, and refrigerated storage on sperm plasma membrane integrity and motility, and (2) compare cryopreservation of sperm from farm-raised and well-characterized research populations by evaluating motility and membrane integrity of fresh, post-equilibration (before freezing) and post-thaw sperm, and post-thaw fertility. Osmolality, extender, and storage time each influenced sperm motility and membrane integrity. Isotonic osmolality showed the best protection for motility and membrane integrity compared to hypotonic and hypertonic osmolalities. Of the four tested extenders, Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) and Ca2+-free HBSS showed the best protection compare...

Plasma membrane and acrosome loss before ICSI is required for sheep embryonic development

Abstract: This study aims to determine if the integrity of the sperm plasma membrane and acrosome vesicle could be limiting factors in sheep intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI, the oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) for 24 h. First, to evaluate the need of artificial activation for ovine ICSI, 226 oocytes were injected with intact spermatozoa (IS), from which 125 were activated by incubation in ionomycin and 101 were cultured without activation. Next, spermatozoa were mechanically (by piezo-electrical pulses) and/or chemically (by ionomycin/Triton X-100) treated to break membranes and acrosomes and were injected into oocytes, grouped as follows: (i) piezo-pulsed spermatozoa (PPS), (ii) PPS pre-treated with ionomycin (PPS-I), (iii) PPS pre-treated with Triton X-100 (PPS-T), and (iv) intact and untreated spermatozoa as a control (CTR-IS). No differences were observed in the zygote/cleavage/blastocyst rate between chemically activated and non-activated oocytes (50 vs. 45 %, 11.6 vs. 10.1 %; 1.8 vs. 1.1 %, respectively), after ICSI with CTR-IS. Injection of PPS compared to CTR-IS increased the proportion of zygotes and blastocysts (84.6 vs. 45 %, p < 0.01; 15.5 vs. 1.1 %, p < 0.0001, respectively). Moreover, the percentage of PPS-derived blastocysts was not significantly different from that obtained by conventional IVF (15.5 vs. 20.2 %). The ICSI blastocysts’ development was also improved with PPS pre-treated with ionomycin (15.6 %), but was completely impeded with PPS pre-treated with Triton X-100 (0 %). Our findings confirm that ICSI with spermatozoa whose plasma membrane and acrosome have been mechanically damaged substantially improves embryonic development until the blastocyst stage.

Determination of sperm concentration using flow cytometry with simultaneous analysis of sperm plasma membrane integrity in zebrafish Danio rerio.

Abstract: Control of sperm concentration is required to ensure consistent and reproducible results for cryopreservation and in vitro fertilization protocols. Determination of sperm concentration is traditionally performed with a counting chamber (e.g., hemocytometer), or more recently with a spectrophotometer. For small-sized biomedical model fishes, the availability of sperm sample is limited to microliters, so it is desirable to develop fast and accurate approaches for concentration determination that also minimize sample use. In this study, a new approach was developed for sperm concentration determination using a flow cytometer (Accuri C6, BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA) with simultaneous measurement of sperm membrane integrity after fluorescent staining with SYBR(®) -14 and propidium iodide (PI) in sperm from Zebrafish Danio rerio. The goal was to develop a protocol for simultaneous determination of sperm quality and quantity by flow cytometry. The objectives were to (1) determine the effects of sample volume (250 and 500 µl) and analysis volume (10 and 50 µl) on the accuracy of particle counting using standard volumetric validation beads; (2) identify the effective range of sperm concentrations that flow cytometry can measure; (3) test the precision and reproducibility of the sperm concentration measurements; and (4) verify the flow cytometry approach by comparison with measurement with a hemocytometer and a microspectrophotometer. Sample volumes of 250 and 500 µl and analysis volumes of 10 and 50 µl did not affect bead count with the factory-set flow rates of "medium" or "fast," and the precision and accuracy was retained across a concentration range of 1 × 10(3) -1 × 10(7) cells/ml. The approach developed in this study was comparable to traditional methodologies such as hemocytometer or microspectrophotometer. This study provides an efficient, accurate, and rapid method for determination of sperm concentration using flow cytometry while providing simultaneous assessment of sperm membrane integrity. Such approaches can reduce the time needed for quantity assessment and maximize the use of valuable sperm samples. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Fluorescence investigations on choline phospholipid binding and chemical unfolding of HSP-1/2, a major protein of horse seminal plasma

Abstract: Seminal fibronectin type-II (Fn-II) proteins interact with choline phospholipids present on the sperm plasma membrane and play a crucial role in sperm capacitation. Crystal structure of phosphorylcholine (PrC) complex of PDC-109, the major bovine Fn-II protein, together with fluorescence spectroscopic studies has shown that tryptophan residues are crucial for its specific interaction with choline phospholipids. In the present study, the heterogeneity and microenvironment of tryptophan residues in HSP-1/2, a major protein of horse seminal plasma (which is homologous to PDC-109) were investigated in the native state, in the presence of PrC and phosphatidylcholines (PCs) with short (valeryl, C-5) and long (myristoyl, C-14) chains, and upon denaturation using fluorescence quenching, time-resolved fluorescence and red-edge excitation shift (REES) measurements. The results obtained show that the environment of tryptophan residues in HSP-1/2 is more heterogeneous as compared to that in PDC-109. Binding of choline containing ligands afforded a protection to the tryptophan residues with the shielding order being: PrC≤divalaroyl PC

A pH Switch Regulates the Inverse Relationship between Membranolytic and Chaperone-like Activities of HSP-1/2, a Major Protein of Horse Seminal Plasma.

Abstract: HSP-1/2, a major protein of horse seminal plasma binds to choline phospholipids present on the sperm plasma membrane and perturbs its structure by intercalating into the hydrophobic core, which results in an efflux of choline phospholipids and cholesterol, an important event in sperm capacitation. HSP-1/2 also exhibits chaperone-like activity (CLA) in vitro and protects target proteins against various kinds of stress. In the present study we show that HSP-1/2 exhibits destabilizing activity toward model supported and cell membranes. The membranolytic activity of HSP-1/2 is found to be pH dependent, with lytic activity being high at mildly acidic pH (6.0–6.5) and low at mildly basic pH (8.0–8.5). Interestingly, the CLA is also found to be pH dependent, with high activity at mildly basic pH and low activity at mildly acidic pH. Taken together the present studies demonstrate that the membranolytic and chaperone-like activities of HSP-1/2 have an inverse relationship and are regulated via a pH switch, which i...

Expression of Penaeus monodon ortholog of Niemann–Pick type C‐2 in the spermatic tract, and its role in sperm cholesterol removal

Abstract: Protein and lipid composition of sperm plasma membrane are modified as these gametes continue to mature during their transit along the spermatic tract. Our previous study revealed that during its journey through the spermatic duct of the black tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon, sperm cholesterol content decreases through the action of lipid-binding proteins within the luminal environment. In this study, the full cDNA sequence of epididymal secretory protein E1 (HE1), or Niemann-Pick C2 (NPC2), was cloned from P. monodon (termed Pmnpc2), and its conserved cholesterol/lipid-binding domain was characterized. The putative tertiary structure of PmNPC2 showed high similarity with the structure of Bos taurus NPC2. Pmnpc2 is expressed in many tissues, including the spermatic tract (i.e., testis, vas deferens, terminal ampoule) and the female thelycum. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of Pmnpc2 transcripts in the vas deferens, terminal ampoule, and thelycum epithelia, suggesting that PmNPC2 could be secreted into the lumen of the spermatic duct. A recombinant hexahistidine-tagged PmNPC2 (rPmNPC2-6His) was able to bind cholesterol and sperm lipid extracts, while co-incubation of sperm from the vas deferens with rPmNPC2-6His resulted in the depletion of cholesterol from these gametes. Together, these results suggest that PmNPC2 participates in sperm cholesterol efflux during the sperm maturation process in P. monodon. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 259-270, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of mechanical stresses on sperm function and fertilization rate in mice.

Abstract: In this study, we investigated whether any of the observed changes in mouse sperm function tests secondary to mechanical stresses (centrifugation and pipetting) correlate with sperm fertilization ability. Chinese Kunming mice were used as sperm and oocyte donors. Sperm samples were allocated evenly into centrifugation, pipette, and control groups. Sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP), baseline and stimulated intracellular ROS, and sperm fertilization ability were measured by hypo-osmotic swelling, flow cytometry, and fertilization tests. Parallel studies were conducted and all tests were repeated six times. Our results showed that after centrifugation, the progressive motility, average path velocity, and overall sperm motility and PMI decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the MMP level decreased significantly in viable sperm when the centrifugation condition reached 1,400 g × 15 minutes (p < 0.05). When pipetting was performed two or more times, progressive motility, average path velocity, and overall sperm motility decreased significantly (p < 0.05); when it was performed four or more times, sperm membrane integrity and intracellular basal ROS level of viable sperm was also significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, various mechanical stresses seem to affect sperm function, however this does not appear to alter fertilization rate. Laboratory handling steps should be minimized to avoid unnecessary mechanical stresses being applied to sperm samples.

Integrity of the plasma membrane, the acrosomal membrane, and the mitochondrial membrane potential of sperm in Nelore bulls from puberty to sexual maturity

Abstract: This study evaluated the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential of Nelore bull sperm from early puberty to early sexual maturity and their associations with sperm motility and vigor, the mass motility of the spermatozoa (wave motion), scrotal circumference, and testosterone. Sixty Nelore bulls aged 18 to 19 months were divided into four lots (n=15 bulls/lot) and evaluated over 280 days. Semen samples, collected every 56 days by electroejaculation, were evaluated soon after collection for motility, vigor and wave motion under an optical microscope. Sperm membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and mitochondrial activity were evaluated under a fluorescent microscope using probe association (FITC-PSA, PI, JC-1, H342). The sperm were classified into eight integrity categories depending on whether they exhibited intact or damaged membranes, an intact or damaged acrosomal membrane, and high or low mitochondrial potential. The results show that bulls have a low amount of sperm with intact membranes at puberty, and the sperm show low motility, vigor, and wave motion; however, in bulls at early sexual maturity, the integrity of the sperm membrane increased significantly. The rate of sperm membrane damage was negatively correlated with motility, vigor, wave motion, and testosterone in the bulls, and a positive correlation existed between sperm plasma membrane integrity and scrotal circumference. The integrity of the acrosomal membrane was not influenced by puberty. During puberty and into early sexual maturity, bulls show low sperm mitochondrial potential, but when bulls reached sexual maturity, high membrane integrity with high mitochondrial potential was evident.

Dairy cow sperm cryopreservation method

Abstract: The invention discloses a dairy cow sperm cryopreservation method, and relates to sperm preservation, in particular to a dairy cow sperm cryopreservation method which has the protective effect on dairy cow sperm cryopreservation and can improve the cooling effectThe dairy cow sperm cryopreservation method is characterized by comprising the steps that dairy cow sperms are placed into a cryopreservation solution added with pigeon egg yolks for cryopreservation, low-density lipoprotein contained in the pigeon egg yolks is utilized for protecting dairy cow sperms, and the death rate obtained after cow sperm anabiosis is decreasedAccording to the dairy cow sperm cryopreservation method, the pigeon egg yolks are adopted for preparation, the pigeon egg yolks have the better protecting effect on dairy cow sperms, and in the cryopreservation solution, the dairy cow frozen sperm anabiosis exercise degree, the exercise degree anabiosis rate and the sperm plasma membrane complete rate are higher than those of existing other reported cryopreservation solutions added with yolks of different species; by adopting the cryopreservation solution, the freezing effect of dairy cow sperms can be improved, and the cryopreservation method is easy to promote in practice of production

Fusion of Boar Sperm with Nanoliposomes Prepared from Synthetic Phospholipids.

Abstract: Liposomes are artificial membrane vesicles that can be used to test and model the functions and interactions of various biological membranes, or as a carrier system to deliver biologically active substances into the cells, or to incorporate lipids into the plasma membrane of target cells to modify membrane structure-function relationships. Sperm plasma membrane undergoes lipid modification during maturation in epididymis and during capacitation in the female reproductive tract to facilitate fertilization. Natural variation in the amounts and composition of lipids in the sperm plasma membrane may also contribute to the species-specific sperm sensitivities to handling and storage conditions. Boar sperm are notoriously susceptible to membrane damage and are resistant to compositional alteration by artificial liposomes. This study used flow cytometry to demonstrate stable incorporation of nanoliposomes prepared from a complex mixture of various phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine : phosphatidylethanolamine : sphingomyelin : phosphatidylserine : phosphatidylinositol) with high fusion efficiency. Over 90% of sperm rapidly took up fluorescently labelled liposomes and retained the lipids for at least 60 min, in a significant time- and concentration-dependent manner. This unique fusion efficacy could be used to alter sperm plasma membrane composition and hence membrane-based functional responses.

Effects of high ambient temperature on fish sperm plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity - A flow cytometric study.

Abstract: Local extreme climatic conditions occurring as a result of global climate change may interfere with the reproduction of animals. In the present study fish spermatozoa were incubated at different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 40 °C) for 10 and 30 minutes, respectively and plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential changes were evaluated with flow cytometry using SYBR-14/PI and Mitotracker Deep Red FM fluorescent dyes. No significant differences were found in plasma membrane integrity at either incubation temperatures or time points. Mitotracker Deep Red FM histogram profiles indicating mitochondrial activity showed significant (p < 0.001) alterations in all cases of higher (25, 30 and 40 °C) temperature treatments as compared to the samples incubated at 20 °C. Our results indicate that fish spermatozoa exposed to high temperatures suffer sublethal damage that cannot be detected with conventional, vital staining techniques.

Plasma membrane integrity of bull spermatozoa at different stages of processing of semen

Abstract: Present investigation was carried out on 51 semen ejaculates (26 from Holstein Friesian and 25 from crossbred bulls) collected from ten bulls maintained at Animal Breeding Centre, Salon, Rae Bareli (UP). Plasma membrane integrity of sperms at various stages of cryo-preservation was studied with the help of Hypo Osmotic Swelling Test (HOST). The results obtained revealed that the process of cryopreservation adversely affected the plasma membrane integrity. Percentage of HOST reacted sperms was reduced by more than 20 percent after freezing. There was a highly significant positive correlation (r=0.43) between number of HOST reacted sperms after dilution and after freezing. Too early ( 30 minutes) was found to have adverse effect on sperm plasma membrane integrity. A non significant but negative correlation was observed between the processing time and % of HOST reacted sperms after equilibration (r = -0.19) and freezing (r = -0.22).

Sperm binding properties to uterine epithelial cells in vitro employing a primary porcine endometrium culture system

Abstract: In pig husbandry the conventional method of intrauterine deposition of an 80-100 ml AI volume containing 1-3 x109 fresh spermatozoa is the commonly used procedure. Compared to bovine insemination, where as little as 2 x106 spermatozoa result in gravities, boar ejaculates have only little efficiency. The only way to utilize low doses of boar sperm is to deposit the semen closer to the site of fertilisation, which is in the distal isthmus of the oviduct. The species-specific binding of spermatozoa, to several surface epithelia in the female tract, foregoing capacitation and hyperactivation, encompasses carbohydrate recognition by lectin-like receptors on the sperm plasma membrane. It was therefore assumed that the putative binding of porcine sperm and uterine epithelia is mediated by specific protein-carbohydrate interactions, too. The aim of this thesis was to establish a reproducible in vitro cell culture model from primary uterine epithelial cells of the sow (Sus scrofa) to examine and identify possible reasons for the high numbers needed in porcine fertilisation. Porcine uterine epithelial cells were harvested by layer-enzymatic digestion with Trypsin/EDTA (1x). Dissemination was carried out on collagen (rat tail, type I) coated glass cover slips in six-well culture dishes. Cells started to adhere to the collagen matrix after 12 to 36 hours and colonies were formed after five to seven days. Confluence could be documented after ten to 15 days. Verification for epithelial cells was completed by immune-fluorescence antibody stain using an epithelial cell-specific primary antibody (marking cytokeratin 19). Porcine spermatozoa bound to UEC within minutes and remained motile. Reduced sperm binding was observed for sperm on porcine aortal epithelia as well as porcine foetal fibroblasts, indicating that porcine uterine epithelia possess specific ligands for porcine sperm surface moieties. Sperm as well as uterine epithelia showed high binding density for lectins affine for Glc-NAc and sialic acid as well as Gal-NAc indicated by high binding intensities from lectins affine for these oligosaccharides, namely wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and succinylated wheat germ agglutinin (sWGA). The blocking of sialic acid residues on the UEC before sperm incubation resulted in diminished binding density. No effect was seen for blocked Glc-NAc ligands. This shows that the main molecule involved in sperm-UEC interactions most likely is sialic acid.