scholarly journals The Roles of NO and H2S in Sperm Biology: Recent Advances and New Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2174
Author(s):  
Martin Kadlec ◽  
José Luis Ros-Santaella ◽  
Eliana Pintus
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Male Gamete ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Potential Use

After being historically considered as noxious agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are now listed as gasotransmitters, gaseous molecules that play a key role in a variety of cellular functions. Both NO and H2S are endogenously produced, enzymatically or non-enzymatically, and interact with each other in a range of cells and tissues. In spite of the great advances achieved in recent decades in other biological systems, knowledge about H2S function and interactions with NO in sperm biology is in its infancy. Here, we aim to provide an update on the importance of these molecules in the physiology of the male gamete. Special emphasis is given to the most recent advances in the metabolism, mechanisms of action, and effects (both physiological and pathophysiological) of these gasotransmitters. This manuscript also illustrates the physiological implications of NO and H2S observed in other cell types, which might be important for sperm function. The relevance of these gasotransmitters to several signaling pathways within sperm cells highlights their potential use for the improvement and successful application of assisted reproductive technologies.

Invited Review: Cell localization, physiology, and nongenomic actions of estrogen receptors

2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 1860-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellis R. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Estrogen Receptors ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Cell Localization ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Potential Interactions

The existence of binding proteins for the female sex steroid, 17β-estradiol, has been known for almost 50 years. Presently, two estrogen receptors (ERs), ER-α and ER-β, have been cloned in mammals, and they are expressed in many cell types of metazoans. ERs act primarily as nuclear transcription factors, and this effect is enhanced by ligand binding. Emerging data have identified a separate pool of receptors for this steroid in the plasma membrane, but the mechanisms of action and cellular functions of these proteins are just beginning to be defined. In this review, the known details of the nuclear and plasma membrane ER functions will be discussed. A particular focus will be to define the signaling pathways from the membrane that lead to important cell physiology effects of estrogen. The potential interactions of membrane ER with other local proteins will also be discussed, and the unique but often complementary roles of the receptor pools will be highlighted. These details may be of additional relevance to other steroid receptors, since there is evidence of their existence in the cell membrane.

scholarly journals On the origin of sperm epigenetic heterogeneity

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. R71-R78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Laurentino ◽  
Jennifer Borgmann ◽  
Jörg Gromoll
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Aberrant Dna Methylation ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Sperm Epigenetics

AbstractThe influence of epigenetic modifications on reproduction and on the function of male germ cells has been thoroughly demonstrated. In particular, aberrant DNA methylation levels in sperm have been associated with abnormal sperm parameters, lower fertilization rates and impaired embryo development. Recent reports have indicated that human sperm might be epigenetically heterogeneous and that abnormal DNA methylation levels found in the sperm of infertile men could be due to the presence of sperm populations with different epigenetic quality. However, the origin and the contribution of different germ cell types to this suspected heterogeneity remain unclear. In this review, we focus on sperm epigenetics at the DNA methylation level and its importance in reproduction. We take into account the latest developments and hypotheses concerning the functional significance of epigenetic heterogeneity coming from the field of stem cell and cancer biology and discuss the potential importance and consequences of sperm epigenetic heterogeneity for reproduction, male (in)fertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Based on the current information, we propose a model in which spermatogonial stem cell variability, either intrinsic or due to external factors (such as endocrine action and environmental stimuli), can lead to epigenetic sperm heterogeneity, sperm epimutations and male infertility. The elucidation of the precise causes for epimutations, the conception of adequate therapeutic options and the development of sperm selection technologies based on epigenetic quality should be regarded as crucial to the improvement of ART outcome in the near future.

scholarly journals Cryopreservation of Gametes and Embryos and Their Molecular Changes

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10864
Author(s):  
Enrique Estudillo ◽  
Adriana Jiménez ◽  
Pablo Edson Bustamante-Nieves ◽  
Carmen Palacios-Reyes ◽  
Iván Velasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Molecular Changes ◽  
Water Ice ◽  
Cryoprotective Agents ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Profile Changes

The process of freezing cells or tissues and depositing them in liquid nitrogen at –196 °C is called cryopreservation. Sub-zero temperature is not a physiological condition for cells and water ice crystals represent the main problem since they induce cell death, principally in large cells like oocytes, which have a meiotic spindle that degenerates during this process. Significantly, cryopreservation represents an option for fertility preservation in patients who develop gonadal failure for any condition and those who want to freeze their germ cells for later use. The possibility of freezing sperm, oocytes, and embryos has been available for a long time, and in 1983 the first birth with thawed oocytes was achieved. From the mid-2000s forward, the use of egg vitrification through intracytoplasmic sperm injection has improved pregnancy rates. Births using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have some adverse conditions and events. These risks could be associated with ART procedures or related to infertility. Cryopreservation generates changes in the epigenome of gametes and embryos, given that ART occurs when the epigenome is most vulnerable. Furthermore, cryoprotective agents induce alterations in the integrity of germ cells and embryos. Notably, cryopreservation extensively affects cell viability, generates proteomic profile changes, compromises crucial cellular functions, and alters sperm motility. This technique has been widely employed since the 1980s and there is a lack of knowledge about molecular changes. The emerging view is that molecular changes are associated with cryopreservation, affecting metabolism, cytoarchitecture, calcium homeostasis, epigenetic state, and cell survival, which compromise the fertilization in ART.

scholarly journals A Comparison Between the Effects of Global Sperm Washing® and FertiCult Flushing TM Media on Certain Sperm Function Parameters of Asthenozoospermic Men

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
Saad S. Al-Dujaily ◽  
Khalid Al-Azzawi ◽  
Zena Hussein ◽  
Ban Al-Anii
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Sperm Activation ◽  
Optimum Result ◽  
Sperm Washing

The World Health Organization (WHO) and many studies considered the infertility as a disease and so many couples complaining from unsuccessful assisted reproductive technologies procedures to overcome their problem. One of the reasons of this dilemma is the sperm preparation method when no optimum result obtained even by using any of media found globally. However Global sperm washing®, and FertiCult flushingTM media were proved their capability to obtain good results of certain sperm function parameters. Nevertheless, the studies that compare between these media were rare. Therefore, this study aimed to compare between Global sperm washing medium®, FertiCult flushing TM media that used for sperm washing before using the partner sperm for ART procedure. After detecting asthenozoospermia in sixty semen samples, they were divided into two groups according to medium used for sperm activation in vitro Global sperm washing medium ® (n=31) and FertiCult flushing mediumTM (n=29) groups.The semen analysis was done after 3-5 days of abstinence as recommended by the manual of WHO (1999). Certain sperm function parameters were recorded. Semen fluid samples were treated with sperm activation media (Global sperm washing medium and FertiCult flushing medium TM) by using direct swim-up technique for in vitro sperm activation test. A significant (P<0.05) improvement was noticed between the two media regarding active sperm motility grades A and  B when using FertiCult flushing mediumTM compared to Global sperm washing medium®. Whereas no significant (P>0.05) differences were detected between the two media regarding sperm motility grades C and D. There was no significant (P>0.05) differences in morphologically normal sperm  following in vitro activation by using the two media. It is concluded that FertiCult flushing mediumTM was better than Global sperm washing medium®  in improving active sperm motility of asthenozoospermic men which can be utilized in future for successful of assisted reproduction.

Recent Advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Endocrine ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firouz Khamsi ◽  
Iara Lacanna ◽  
Maxine Endman ◽  
Jeremy Wong
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Recent Advances

scholarly journals Papain and its inhibitor E-64 reduce camelid semen viscosity without impairing sperm function and improve post-thaw motility rates

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Kershaw ◽  
G. Evans ◽  
R. Rodney ◽  
W. M. C. Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Exposure Time ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Plasma Viscosity ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Viscous Component ◽  
Acrosome Integrity

In camelids, the development of assisted reproductive technologies is impaired by the viscous nature of the semen. The protease papain has shown promise in reducing viscosity, although its effect on sperm integrity is unknown. The present study determined the optimal papain concentration and exposure time to reduce seminal plasma viscosity and investigated the effect of papain and its inhibitor E-64 on sperm function and cryopreservation in alpacas. Papain (0.1 mg mL–1, 20 min, 37°C) eliminated alpaca semen viscosity while maintaining sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity. Furthermore E-64 (10 µM at 37°C for 5 min after 20 min papain) inhibited the papain without impairing sperm function. Cryopreserved, papain-treated alpaca spermatozoa exhibited higher total motility rates after chilling and 0 and 1 h after thawing compared with control (untreated) samples. Papain treatment, followed by inhibition of papain with E-64, is effective in reducing alpaca seminal plasma viscosity without impairing sperm integrity and improves post-thaw motility rates of cryopreserved alpaca spermatozoa. The use of the combination of papain and E-64 to eliminate the viscous component of camelid semen may aid the development of assisted reproductive technologies in camelids.

scholarly journals Reproductive outcomes predicted by phase imaging with computational specificity of spermatozoon ultrastructure

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (31) ◽  
pp. 18302-18309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail E. Kandel ◽  
Marcello Rubessa ◽  
Yuchen R. He ◽  
Sierra Schreiber ◽  
Sasha Meyers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Contrast Agents ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Phase Imaging ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Mass Content

The ability to evaluate sperm at the microscopic level, at high-throughput, would be useful for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), as it can allow specific selection of sperm cells for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The tradeoff between intrinsic imaging and external contrast agents is particularly acute in reproductive medicine. The use of fluorescence labels has enabled new cell-sorting strategies and given new insights into developmental biology. Nevertheless, using extrinsic contrast agents is often too invasive for routine clinical operation. Raising questions about cell viability, especially for single-cell selection, clinicians prefer intrinsic contrast in the form of phase-contrast, differential-interference contrast, or Hoffman modulation contrast. While such instruments are nondestructive, the resulting image suffers from a lack of specificity. In this work, we provide a template to circumvent the tradeoff between cell viability and specificity by combining high-sensitivity phase imaging with deep learning. In order to introduce specificity to label-free images, we trained a deep-convolutional neural network to perform semantic segmentation on quantitative phase maps. This approach, a form of phase imaging with computational specificity (PICS), allowed us to efficiently analyze thousands of sperm cells and identify correlations between dry-mass content and artificial-reproduction outcomes. Specifically, we found that the dry-mass content ratios between the head, midpiece, and tail of the cells can predict the percentages of success for zygote cleavage and embryo blastocyst formation.

scholarly journals A microfluidic approach to rapid sperm recovery from heterogeneous cell suspensions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Vasilescu ◽  
Shayan Khorsandi ◽  
Lin Ding ◽  
Sajad Razavi Bazaz ◽  
Reza Nosrati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Testicular Sperm ◽  
Inertial Microfluidics ◽  
Mixed Suspension ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Sperm Recovery

AbstractThe isolation of sperm cells from background cell populations and debris is an essential step in all assisted reproductive technologies. Conventional techniques for sperm recovery from testicular sperm extractions stagnate at the sample processing stage, where it can take several hours to identify viable sperm from a background of collateral cells such as white bloods cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), epithelial cells (ECs) and in some cases cancer cells. Manual identification of sperm from contaminating cells and debris is a tedious and time-consuming operation that can be suitably addressed through inertial microfluidics. Microfluidics has proven an effective technology for high-quality sperm selection based on motility. However, motility-based selection methods cannot cater for viable, non-motile sperm often present in testicular or epididymal sperm extractions and aspirations. This study demonstrates the use of a 3D printed inertial microfluidic device for the separation of sperm cells from a mixed suspension of WBCs, RBCs, ECs, and leukemic cancer cells. This technology presents a 36-fold time improvement for the recovery of sperm cells (> 96%) by separating sperm, RBCS, WBCs, ECs and cancer cells into tight bands in less than 5 min. Furthermore, microfluidic processing of sperm has no impact on sperm parameters; vitality, motility, morphology, or DNA fragmentation of sperm. Applying inertial microfluidics for non-motile sperm recovery can greatly improve the current processing procedure of testicular sperm extractions, simplifying the fertility outcomes for severe forms of male infertility that warrant the surgery.

Re-imagining Reproduction: Unsettling Metaphors in the History of Imperial Science and Commercial Surrogacy in India

Somatechnics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalindi Vora
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
Commercial Surrogacy ◽  
Art Practices ◽  
History Of ◽  
Travel Industry

This paper provides an analysis of how cultural notions of the body and kinship conveyed through Western medical technologies and practices in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) bring together India's colonial history and its economic development through outsourcing, globalisation and instrumentalised notions of the reproductive body in transnational commercial surrogacy. Essential to this industry is the concept of the disembodied uterus that has arisen in scientific and medical practice, which allows for the logic of the ‘gestational carrier’ as a functional role in ART practices, and therefore in transnational medical fertility travel to India. Highlighting the instrumentalisation of the uterus as an alienable component of a body and subject – and therefore of women's bodies in surrogacy – helps elucidate some of the material and political stakes that accompany the growth of the fertility travel industry in India, where histories of privilege and difference converge. I conclude that the metaphors we use to structure our understanding of bodies and body parts impact how we imagine appropriate roles for people and their bodies in ways that are still deeply entangled with imperial histories of science, and these histories shape the contemporary disparities found in access to medical and legal protections among participants in transnational surrogacy arrangements.

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