Roles of male reproductive tract extracellular vesicles in reproduction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cottrell T. Tamessar ◽  
Natalie A. Trigg ◽  
Brett Nixon ◽  
David A. Skerrett‐Byrne ◽  
David J. Sharkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract

scholarly journals Epididymosomes, prostasomes, and liposomes: their roles in mammalian male reproductive physiology

Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. R21-R35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sullivan ◽  
Fabrice Saez
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
Multistep Process ◽  
Fertilization Capacity ◽  
Extracellular Environment

Mammalian spermatozoa are unique cells in many ways, and the acquisition of their main function, i.e. fertilization capacity, is a multistep process starting in the male gonad and ending near the female egg for the few cells reaching this point. Owing to the unique character of this cell, the molecular pathways necessary to achieve its maturation also show some specific characteristics. One of the most striking specificities of the spermatozoon is that its DNA is highly compacted after the replacement of histones by protamines, making the classical processes of transcription and translation impossible. The sperm cells are thus totally dependent on their extracellular environment for their protection against oxidative stress, for example, or for the molecular changes occurring during the transit of the epididymis; the first organ in which post-testicular maturation takes place. The molecular mechanisms underlying sperm maturation are still largely unknown, but it has been shown in the past three decades that extracellular vesicles secreted by the male reproductive tract are involved in this process. This review will examine the roles played by two types of naturally occurring extracellular vesicles, epididymosomes and prostasomes, secreted by the epididymis and the prostate respectively. We will also describe how the use of artificial vesicles, liposomes, contributed to the study of male reproductive physiology.

scholarly journals The Transformative Impact of Extracellular Vesicles on Developing Sperm

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P Rimmer ◽  
Christopher D Gregory ◽  
Rod T Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Parent Cell ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Cell Niche ◽  
Transformative Impact

Objective To review the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from the male reproductive tract and their impact on developing sperm. We discuss how sperm exiting the seminiferous tubules, although developmentally mature, require further modification. Acquisition of various functions including increased motility, transfer of cargoes and ability to undertake the acrosome reaction are mediated through the interaction between sperm and EVs. Methods A review of the literature identified that EVs are released from different portions of the male reproductive tract, notably the epididymis and prostate. These EVs interact with sperm as they pass from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis and vas deferens prior to ejaculation. Results EVs are small lipid bound particles carrying bespoke RNA, protein and lipid cargoes. These cargoes are loaded based on the state of the parent cell and are used to communicate with recipient cells. In sperm, these cargoes are essential for post testicular modification. Sperm extracted from the proximal epididymis are poorly motile and unable to carry out the acrosome reaction. Conclusions Interaction between developing sperm and EVs is important for the subsequent function of sperm. Little is known however about EVs released from the seminiferous tubules to developing sperm or in the fetal and pre-pubertal testes. A greater understanding, especially in the formation and development of the spermatogonial stem cell niche may lead to new insights as to how damage to this niche may be prevented and preserve future fertility.

The Effect of PDE5 Inhibitors on the Male Reproductive Tract

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Sofikitis ◽  
Aris Kaltsas ◽  
Fotios Dimitriadis ◽  
Jens Rassweiler ◽  
Nikolaos Grivas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Tunica Albuginea ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Secretory Function ◽  
Pde5 Inhibitors ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Review Study ◽  
Phosphodiesterase 5

The therapeutic range of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5) inhibitors is getting wider in the last years. This review study focuses on the potential employment of PDE5 inhibitors as an adjunct tool for the therapeutic management of male infertility. The literature tends to suggest a beneficial effect of PDE5 inhibitors on Leydig and Sertoli cells secretory function. It also appears that PDE5 inhibitors play a role in the regulation of the contractility of the testicular tunica albuginea and the epididymis. Moreover scientific data suggest that PDE5 inhibitors enhance the prostatic secretory function leading to an improvement in sperm motility. Other studies additionally demonstrate a role of PDE5 inhibitors in the regulation of sperm capacitation process. Placebo-controlled, randomized, blind studies are necessary to unambiguously incorporate PDE5 inhibitors as an adjunct tool for the pharmaceutical treatment of semen disorders and male infertility.

Changes in the Male Reproductive Organs of the Dugong, Dugong dugon (Sirenia: Dugondidae) with Age and Reproductive Activity

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Marsh ◽  
GE Heinsohn ◽  
TD Glover
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Growth Layer ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Quantitative Examination ◽  
Testicular Histology

The anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the dugong (Dugong dugon) is described. Each testis and its adjacent epididymis lie immediately caudal to the corresponding kidney. The seminal vesicles are large but there is no discrete prostate gland and the bulbo-urethral glands are also diffuse. Both qualitative and quantitative examination of the testes and epididymides of 59 males whose ages have been estimated from tusk dentinal growth layer counts indicate that the male dugong does not produce spermatozoa continuously, despite the absence of a distinct breeding season. Individual dugongs were observed with testes at all stages between complete quiescence and full spermatogenesis, and only 10 of the 40 mature males had fully spermatogenic testes and epididymides packed with spermatozoa. Androgenic and spermatogenic activity of the testes appeared to be in phase, but the testicular histology of some old males suggested that they may have been sterile for long periods.

Methyl-parathion bioactivation in the male reproductive tract: From mRNA to protein expression of involved CYP isoforms

2009 ◽  
Vol 189 ◽  
pp. S145
Author(s):  
Betzabet Quintanilla-Vega ◽  
Patricia Espíritu-Gordillo ◽  
Yuliana Palacios-Gil ◽  
Margarita Guaderrama-Díaz ◽  
María de Jesús Solís-Heredia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Methyl Parathion ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cyp Isoforms

scholarly journals Identification of multiple male reproductive tract-specific proteins that regulate sperm migration through the oviduct in mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18498-18506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Fujihara ◽  
Taichi Noda ◽  
Kiyonori Kobayashi ◽  
Asami Oji ◽  
Sumire Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Migration ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Multiple Male

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology enables researchers to efficiently generate and analyze genetically modified animals. We have taken advantage of this game-changing technology to uncover essential factors for fertility. In this study, we generated knockouts (KOs) of multiple male reproductive organ-specific genes and performed phenotypic screening of these null mutant mice to attempt to identify proteins essential for male fertility. We focused on making large deletions (dels) within 2 gene clusters encoding cystatin (CST) and prostate and testis expressed (PATE) proteins and individual gene mutations in 2 other gene families encoding glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain (GDPD) containing and lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly6)/Plaur domain (LYPD) containing proteins. These gene families were chosen because many of the genes demonstrate male reproductive tract-specific expression. AlthoughGdpd1andGdpd4mutant mice were fertile, disruptions ofCstandPategene clusters andLypd4resulted in male sterility or severe fertility defects secondary to impaired sperm migration through the oviduct. While absence of the epididymal protein families CST and PATE affect the localization of the sperm membrane protein A disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 3 (ADAM3), the sperm acrosomal membrane protein LYPD4 regulates sperm fertilizing ability via an ADAM3-independent pathway. Thus, use of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies has allowed us to quickly rule in and rule out proteins required for male fertility and expand our list of male-specific proteins that function in sperm migration through the oviduct.

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