Dynamics of mouse sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction
Dvořáková-Hortová, Kateřina; Frolíková, Michaela; Děd, Lukáš; Šebková, Nataša
2015 - English
Capacitation followed by the acrosome reaction (AR), is a very complex event of molecular changes, including acrosome matrix rearrangement and actin polymerization, which mammalian sperm must undergo in the female reproductive tract in order to obtain the ability to penetrate and fertilize the egg. CD46 and β1-integrin belong to specific proteins, which are predicted to interact during molecular reorganization of capacitating sperm. The IZUMO1 as the primary fusion protein of the mammalian sperm is also involved in this dynamic network. We investigated the relationship between the Izumo, CD46 and β1 integrin relocation in the sperm head during the capacitation and AR in vitro. We have already successfully monitored by immunofluorescent labelling the dynamics of proteins CD46 and β1-integrin. The changes in the localization of these proteins associated with the AR and their mutual co-localization was observed. The original β1-integrin location in the freshly released epididymal sperm is in the acrosome and it relocates during the AR further through the sperm head compartments into the equatorial segment and over the whole sperm head. Its density over the equatorial segment is decreasing with the extended time of the AR. Also its presence in the perforatorium of the mouse sperm head is very prominent. The pattern for protein CD46 is extremely similar if not identical in both aspects such as compartment localization and time progress during capacitation and AR in vitro. The molecular interaction of CD46 and β1-integrin was investigated using the Proximity Ligation Assay and Super resolution microscopy STED. The data were statistically analysed. The newly obtained results from CD46 and β1-integrin relocation are in correlation with IZUMO1 dynamics and giving a substantial knowledge on the studied protein network rearrangement during capacitation and AR in mouse spermatozoa.
Keywords:
CD46 monoclonal antibody; acrosome reaction; sperm capacitation; IZUMO 1; Proximity ligation assay
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Dynamics of mouse sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction
Capacitation followed by the acrosome reaction (AR), is a very complex event of molecular changes, including acrosome matrix rearrangement and actin polymerization, which mammalian sperm must undergo ...
One more drop for decreasing reproduction
Dvořáková-Hortová, K.; Šídlová, A.; Děd, Lukáš; Hladovcová, D.; Vieweg, M.; Weidner, W.; Steger, K.; Stopka, P.; Paradowska-Dogan, A.
2014 - English
Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals throughout the world, including mice and humans. During infection, both, the parasite and the host, utilize various mechanisms to maximize their own reproductive success. Mice and humans are both the intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, which forms specialized vacuoles containing reproductive cysts in the formers’ tissue. As half of the human population is infected, developing a disease called toxoplasmosis, along with an ever-growing number of couples suffering with idiopathic infertility, it is therefore surprising that there is a lack of research on how T.gondii can alter reproductive parameters. In this study, a detailed histometric screening of the testicular function along with the levels of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed in infected mice. Data on relative testis and epididymis weight, and sperm count were also collected. Based on the results obtained, the level of LH in the urine of Toxoplasma gondii infected mice was lower compared to the control. In direct correlation with the hormone level, testicular function and sperm production was also significantly lower in T. gondii positive group using sperm count and histometric analysis as a marker. Not only were the number of leptotene primary spermatocytes and spermatids lowered, but the number of Sertoli cells and the tubule diameter were elevated. In parallel, a pilot epigenetic study on global testicular methylation, and specific methylation of Crem, Creb1 and Hspa1genes essential for successfully ongoing spermatogenesis was performed. Global methylation was elevated in Toxoplasma infected mice, and differences in the DNA methylation of selected genes were detected between the Toxoplasma positive and control group. These findings demonstrate a direct relation between T. gondii infection and the decrease of male reproductive fitness in mice, which may contribute to an increase of infertility in humans.
Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii; luteinizing hormone; spermatocytes; methylation
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
One more drop for decreasing reproduction
Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals throughout the world, including mice and humans. During infection, both, the parasite and the host, utilize various ...
Enzymatic and inhibiting activity in boar epididymal fluid
Davidová, Nina; Ren, Š.; Liberda, J.; Jonáková, Věra; Maňásková-Postlerová, Pavla
2014 - English
Sperm maturation, represents a key step in the reproduction process. Spermatozoa, particularly the plasma membrane, are exposed to epididymal fluid (EF) components representing the natural environment essential for their post-testicular maturation. Changes in the sperm membrane proteins are influenced by proteolytic and glycosidic enzymes present in the EF. Accordingly, the occurrence of inhibitors in this reproductive organ is very important for the regulation of sperm membrane protein processing. In present study, we monitored protease and glycosidase activities, and inhibitors of metallo- and serine proteinases in boar EF. Additionally, we studied acrosin inhibitor in fluid, spermatozoa and tissue along the epididymis. We chromatographically separated boar EF into several fractions. These fractions were subjected to SDS-electrophoresis and the separated proteins were either studied by zymographic methods or transferred to nitrocellulose membranes for detection of metallo- and serine proteinases and their inhibitors, and acrosin inhibitor by specific antibody, respectively. Acrosin inhibitor was monitored also in the sperm and tissue of the boar epididymis. In boar epididymal fluid, several metallo- and serine proteinases with different molecular masses, and inhibitors of metalloproteinase MMP-9 and acrosin were found. We measured strong activity of mannosidase in this fluid. Using specific antibody, we registered the increasing signal of acrosin inhibitor from caput to cauda epididymis in the spermatozoa, fluid and also tissue. Proteinases and their inhibitors in reproductive fluids may play a significant role in reproduction processes. Especially, acrosin inhibitor in the reproductive tract inactivates prematurely released sperm acrosin and protects spermatozoa and reproductive epithelium against proteolytic degradation. High mannosidase activity in boar EF suggests evident role of mannose structures in the sperm interaction during reproductive events.
Keywords:
enzymatic activity; inhibiting activity; epididymal fluid; proteinase
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Enzymatic and inhibiting activity in boar epididymal fluid
Sperm maturation, represents a key step in the reproduction process. Spermatozoa, particularly the plasma membrane, are exposed to epididymal fluid (EF) components representing the natural environment ...
Flow cytometry (FCM) sperm assessment In normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins
Čapková, Jana; Kubátová, Alena; Děd, Lukáš; Teplá, O.; Pěknicová, Jana
2014 - English
Recent studies have shown that infertility affects an estimated 15% of all couples. Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of these cases. Consequently, application of methods of assisted reproduction is increasing. These methods would benefit from extended evaluation of the sperm quality. For this purpose, we analyzed sperm proteins in men with normal spermiograms and with asthenozoospermia. Ejaculates of both groups were tested with a set of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to human sperm. No statistically significant differences were found between normospermics and asthenospermics in the expression of sperm surface proteins clusterin, evaluated by Hs-3 MoAb, and semenogelin, evaluated by Hs-9 MoAb. On the other hand, flow cytometry revealed quantitative differences between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men in GAPDHS (glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase human sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme), evaluated by Hs-8 MoAb, VCP (valosin-containing protein), detected with Hs-14 MoAb, and PRKAR2A (cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II – alpha regulatory subunit) detected by MoAb Hs-36. Asthenozoospermic men displayed significantly reduced expression of intra-acrosomal proteins with a likely decrease in sperm quality, and thus a negative impact on successful reproduction.
Keywords:
monoclonal antibody; flow cytometry; spermatozoa; asthenozoospermia
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Flow cytometry (FCM) sperm assessment In normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins
Recent studies have shown that infertility affects an estimated 15% of all couples. Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of these cases. Consequently, application of methods of ...
The effect of tetrabromobisphenol a on protamination and DNA quality of mouse sperm
Žatecká, Eva; Castillo, J.; Elzeinová, Fatima; Kubátová, Alena; Děd, Lukáš; Pěknicová, Jana; Oliva, R.
2014 - English
Tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant, currently its consumption is 210,000 tons / year and is still growing. In our previous multigenerational in vivo study we have demonstrated that TBBPA is able to induce apoptosis of testicular cells and changes in the expression of genes important for proper spermatogenesis. However the potential effect of TBBPA on epidydimal spermatozoa had not yet been investigated. Therefore, we performed further study to evaluate the effect of on sperm DNA integrity and on the protamines as the major nuclear proteins. C57Bl/6J mice pups (n=10) were exposed to TBBPA (experimental group) during the gestation, lactation, pre-pubertal and pubertal periods up to the age of 70 days and compared control mice pups (n= 10) which were not exposed. Our results demonstrate that TBBPA treatment results in a significantly decreased P1/P2 ratio, increased total protamine/DNA ratio and increased DNA fragmentation observed between TBBPA and control mice, respectively. Protamines have recently been connected to the epigenetic marking of sperm chromatin in human and mouse spermatozoa. Thus, our findings suggest that TBBPA exposure, in addition to result in increased sperm DNA damage, may also alter the epigenetic marking of sperm chromatin.
Keywords:
tetrabromobisphenol A; protamine; spermatozoa
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
The effect of tetrabromobisphenol a on protamination and DNA quality of mouse sperm
Tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA) is a widely used brominated flame retardant, currently its consumption is 210,000 tons / year and is still growing. In our previous multigenerational in vivo study we have ...
Effect of exposure to bisphenol A on gene expression in the testicular tissue in male mice
Dorosh, Andriy; Elzeinová, Fatima; Žatecká, Eva; Kubátová, Alena; Pěknicová, Jana
2014 - English
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic, endocrine-disrupting compound able to directly bind estrogen receptors. Free BPA has been detected in human samples indicating that humans are internally exposed to BPA. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of BPA on the male reproductive system and testicular gene expression in germ cells. We studied the influence of long-term low concentration BPA exposition on male fertility in vivo in a two-generation study in C57BL/6 mouse strain. In this work, BPA was added with water at two environmentally relevant concentrations: 0, 4 and 4 µg/l. We measured the reproductive organs weight and sperm cells morphology and quality. Expression of genes involved in endocrine regulation and energy metabolism in testis was analysed after BPA exposure. Next, the epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression and regulation during the germ cell differentiation and effect of BPA will be analysed.
Keywords:
bisphenol A; gene expression; testicular tissue
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Effect of exposure to bisphenol A on gene expression in the testicular tissue in male mice
Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Prague, Czech Republic Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic, endocrine-disrupting ...
Detection of mannosidase in the porcine urogenital tract – study of the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir
Maňásková, Pavla; Ren, Š.; Jelínková, Jitka; Krejčová, T.; Liberda, J.
2014 - English
One of the most important steps of reproduction process is the meeting of sperm with oocyte. Binding of sperm with oviductal cells maintains spermatozoa in fertile state. The beginning of sperm capacitation is associated with oocyte ovulation resulting in the sperm release from oviductal reservoir. Hormonal changes after ovulation probably induce distinct oviductal secretion leading to disruption of the sperm protein binding with oviductal saccharide moieties. Another eventuality of the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir is a change of oviductal environment caused by components of follicular fluid transported with oocyte after ovulation. In the pig, previous studies indicate lectin-type interaction of sperm protein receptors by mannose structures on the surface of oviductal cells. Our study was focused on enzymatic activity of mannosidase and its detection in porcine oviduct (fluid and tissue) and follicular fluid during hormonal cycle. In fluid from follicles in early and late hormonal stages, we measured mannosidase activity by colorimetric methods at physiological and acidic pH. Expression of secreted mannosidase was studied by specific antibody in follicular and oviductal fluids, and oviductal tissues during hormonal cycle. Clearly increased enzymatic activity of secreted mannosidase was found as specific-species in porcine fluid from follicles in late stage of hormonal cycle. On the other hand, detection of secreted mannosidase in follicular fluid as well as in oviductal fluid did not shown any significant differences during hormonal cycle. In oviductal isthmic tissue, we detected decreased protein expression of secreted mannosidase at middle and late follicular phases. These results suggest possible role of follicular mannosidase rather than oviductal one in the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir in the pig. The additional study of the gene expression of secreted form of mannosidase in oviductal tissue during hormonal cycle should be necessary.
Keywords:
mannosidase; oviductal reservoir; follicular fluid; enzymatic activity
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Detection of mannosidase in the porcine urogenital tract – study of the sperm releasing from oviductal reservoir
One of the most important steps of reproduction process is the meeting of sperm with oocyte. Binding of sperm with oviductal cells maintains spermatozoa in fertile state. The beginning of sperm ...
Expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) In murine male reproductive tract and sperm
Dostálová, Pavla; Děd, Lukáš; Dorosh, Andriy; Elzeinová, Fatima; Pěknicová, Jana
2014 - English
Estrogens are steroid hormones that play an important role in reproduction of both sexes. In male, the main source of estrogens are testes where both somatic and germ cells are responsible for testosteron conversion to estrogens. Estrogens are involved in control of spermatogenesis, fluid reabsorption in rete testis and epididymis, and in later maturation steps that sperm undergo in female genital tract (capacitation, acrosome reaction). Generally, estrogen action is mediated through binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) which than lead to classical genomic or rapid non-genomic signaling. Nowadays, two classical estrogen receptors are known – ERα and ERβ. ERβ is a predominant variant in testes, while ERα is more abundant in rete testis and initial segment of epididymis. In addition to classical ERs, several splice variants that can differ in their ligand- or DNA-binding properties were detected in different tissues and cell lines. ERs mostly work as a dimer (homo- and hetero-) and splice variants often „only“ modulate function of classical full-length ERs. Therefore, estrogen action seems to be a very complex. To contribute to understanding of estrogen action in male, we detected ERβ and its potential splice variants in mice testis, epididymis and sperm. According to our results, two variants are present in all analysed tissues and cells. These variants differ in one exon in ligand binding domain which leads to different affinity for estrogens. To analyse these variants also at a protein level, we prepared specific monoclonal antibodies recognizing particular variant of ERβ. Both atibodies detected band(s) in protein extracts from testes or epididymis. Taking together, there are at least two variants of ERβ in mice testes, epididymis and sperm and it seems that both variants are similar in abundance within the same organ or sperm.
Keywords:
estrogene receptor beta; spermatozoa; splice variant
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Expression of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) In murine male reproductive tract and sperm
Estrogens are steroid hormones that play an important role in reproduction of both sexes. In male, the main source of estrogens are testes where both somatic and germ cells are responsible for ...
Panel of monoclonal antibodies – alternative tool For monitoring of sperm–zona pellucida receptors localization and identification
Zigo, Michal; Dorosh, Andriy; Pohlová, Alžběta; Jonáková, Věra; Šulc, Miroslav; Maňásková-Postlerová, Pavla
2014 - English
Primary binding of the sperm to the zona pellucida (ZP) is one of the many steps necessary for successful fertilization in all sexually reproducing species. Sperm bind ZP by means of membrane receptors which recognize carbohydrate moieties on ZP glycoproteins according to a well-precised sequential process. Primary-binding receptors are localized throughout the acrosomal region of the sperm surface of which many have been disclosed in various mammals. For the monitoring sperm-zona pellucida receptors in terms of localization and characterization - panel of monoclonal antibodies against proteins from the sperm surface was prepared. Antibodies were screened by immunofluorescence and Western blotting for protein localizations and competence of antibodies, respectively. Antibodies recognizing proteins localized on the sperm head and simultaneously detected by Western blot were further studied by means of immunolocalization in reproductive tissues and fluids, binding to ZP, immunoprecipitation and protein identification using MS analysis. Out of 17 prepared antibodies, 8 antibodies were simultaneously recognizing proteins localized on the sperm head and detecting proteins of interest by Western blotting. Further only 3 antibodies recognized proteins which also coincided in binding to ZP. These 3 antibodies were used for immunoprecipitation, and further protein identification of immunoprecipitates revealed that the antibodies distinguish acrosin precursor, RAB2A protein, and lactadherin P47. Acrosin and lactadherin P47 have been already detected on the sperm surface and their physiological functions in reproduction have been proposed. To our knowledge, this is the first time RAB2A has been found on the surface of sperm and its physiological function in the process of fertilization remains undisclosed.
Keywords:
monoclonal antibody; zona pellucida; acrosin precursor; RAB2A; lactahedrin P47
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Panel of monoclonal antibodies – alternative tool For monitoring of sperm–zona pellucida receptors localization and identification
Primary binding of the sperm to the zona pellucida (ZP) is one of the many steps necessary for successful fertilization in all sexually reproducing species. Sperm bind ZP by means of membrane ...
Effect of diabetes mellitus on reproductive parameters in mice
Margaryan, Hasmik; Elzeinová, Fatima; Kubátová, Alena; Strolená, Eva; Pěknicová, Jana
2014 - English
The decrease in population fertility has become a major concern in many developed countries. Recent studies show that infertility is affecting an estimated 15% of all couples (World Health Organization, WHO, 2010). Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of cases. Male infertility is caused by a number of factors, such as genetic background, various environmental factors and disease. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a serious health problem on its own, is also suspected to be a contributing factor to male infertility. The aim of this project was to analyze the cellular, molecular and genetic effects of diabetic environment on spermatogenesis and sperm quality and to determine the impact of DM on the in vivo reproduction, using the mouse model (Mus musculus) inbred FVB. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. We used our knowledge and tools (unique monoclonal antibodies developed by our group) to determine the status of reproductive organs, anogenital distance, and the quality of sperms. Genetic analysis was performed by a quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). We tested selected genes which are expressed in testicular tissue and thus can influence process of spermatogenesis and consequently the sperm quality. Our preliminary data strongly suggest that DM impairs male fertility. We have found significant changes in the body and reproductive organ weight of mice with DM. We have identified qualitative and quantitative changes in the expression of proteins in epididymal fluid and sperms. We have also detected an increased number of apoptotic cells in sperm of diabetic mice compared to the control group. To our knowledge, there is no study assessing the correlation between DM and “unexplained infertility”. In view of this, it is essential to analyze the effects of DM on male fertility, sperm quality, and reproduction parameters.
Keywords:
diabetes mellitus; monoclonal antibody; reproduction
Available at various institutes of the ASCR
Effect of diabetes mellitus on reproductive parameters in mice
The decrease in population fertility has become a major concern in many developed countries. Recent studies show that infertility is affecting an estimated 15% of all couples (World Health ...
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