Sperm plasma membrane

About: Sperm plasma membrane is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1016 publications have been published within this topic receiving 49964 citations.

The detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on semen parameters and sperm plasma membrane integrity in infertile patients undergoing intra-uterine insemination

Abstract: The present study was designed to assess the effect of cigarette smoking on semen parameters, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test (%) and outcome of intra-uterine insemination (IUI). In this study, one hundred infertile males were involved and according to cigarette smoking were divided into 55 smokers and 45 non smoker infertile couples. From each male, semen samples were collected and the sperm parameters including sperm concentration, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and HOS-test were evaluated according to standard World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. For IUI, the sperm prepared using direct swim-up technique through incubation for 30 minute in 5% CO 2 at 37oC. The results of the present study demonstrated that the sperm parameters, HOS-test (%) and IUI outcomes for non smoker infertile males was higher than smokers. In addition, the results of sperm parameters and HOS-test (%) for smokers were more deviated from normal range of criteria of WHO than non smokers. Non significant differences (P>0.05) in the sperm HOS-test were assessed between non smokers and smokers. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that the cigarette smoking have several impacts on sperm functions and integrity of plasma membrane, as well as sperm fertilizing ability. Further studies are recommended to assess the effect of cigarette smoking on DNA damage and embryo quality after IVF-ET.

Gamete Binding and Fusion

Abstract: Successful mammalian fertilization results in the union of two gametes, a spermatozoon and a mature oocyte. Membrane fusion events are essential for at least two distinct steps of the fertilization process: (i) the vesiculation of the acrosomal surface membranes during sperm acrosomal exocytosis (AE), induced by sperm binding to the egg-coat, and (ii) fusion of the oocyte plasma membrane, the oolemma, with the sperm plasma membrane that occurs after AE and sperm-egg coat penetration. The rearrangement of sperm plasma membrane domains/membrane lipid raft formation during sperm capacitation in the female reproductive tract is a priming step that enables the fusion and vesiculation of outer acrosomal membranes during AE. The membrane fusion/vesiculation events of AE seem to share similarities with synaptic vesicle fusion, assisted by the membrane proteins of the SNARE hypothesis. The AE exposes the transmembrane receptors on the sperm head equatorial segment in preparation for sperm-oolemma adhesion and fusion. Gene ablation studies indicate that the tetraspanin family proteins CD9 and CD81 on the oolemma interact with the superglobulin family protein IZUMO on the sperm plasmalemma to mediate sperm-oolemma adhesion in mammals. The fusogenicity of IZUMO has not been established, so the involvement of this system in the actual membrane fusion part of sperm–oolemma interaction remains open. Interactions of ADAM family proteins on sperm plasma membrane with oolemma integrins appear non-essential during sperm-oolemma fusion, but integrins may play a supporting role via sustenance of the tetraspanin web in the oocyte cortex. Sperm-oolemma binding may be reinforced by a cast of other receptors found on the surface of the sperm head (e.g. CRISP and MN9). The present chapter reviews recent progress in the study of these fundamental factors of gamete membrane fusion during mammalian fertilization.

Effects of Low Seminal Plasma Antioxidant Potential on Semen Quality and Male Fertility

Abstract: It is very important to identify the factors which affect normal sperm functions. New Bio-chemical parameters in seminal plasma were analyzed to determine the biochemical factors that affect normal sperm function. The research groups consists of infertile groups Asthenozoospermia (n=31) and Normozoospermia (n=27) with a healthy men as a control (n=24). The patients have been selected and examined according to the World Health Organization (2010). In addition the seminal fluid analysis the biochemical parameters were analyzed in the seminal plasma of each sample including; Total antioxidant capacity, Catalase, Glutathione Reductase , glutathione and Malondialdehyde.Results showed a decrease in seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity of Astheno-zoospermia and Normozoospermia , and a significance decrease in catalase level for both infertile groups, Malondialdehyde level significantly increased in both infertile groups and Glutathione level significantly decreased in Asthenozoospermia group as compared to control group. Antioxidants have an important role in sperm protection via disturbing the balance in ROS production which destroys sperm plasma membrane causing loss sperm activity and it's ability to fertilize the egg.

Morphological changes of mouse spermatozoa in uterus as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Abstract: Submicroscopic alterations occurring in mouse spermatozoa during their sojourn into the female reproductive tract--as revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy using ruthenium red as marked for glycosaminoglycans--are described in the present investigation. The results show that the surface of the plasma membrane covering the acrosomal region of the spermatozoa found in the uterus--at different intervals of time after copulation (between 10 minutes up to 20 hrs)--are provided with an increasing number of granules and small vesicles. Some of the surface structures appear gradually leading to perforation of discrete areas of plasma membrane in regions corresponding to acrosomal areas covering the head of spermatozoa. Similarly ruthenium red preparations, show a significant decrease of glycosaminoglycans and their sialic acid moieties, which specifically precede further vesiculation and perforation of the sperm plasma membrane covering the same acrosomal regions.