Glucose prevents the acquisition of the capacitated state in pig spermatozoa.

Background: Mammalian spermatozoa need to undergo a process named capacitation to be able to fertilize an oocyte. During their journey in the female tract, spermatozoa obtain energy while exposed to a changing environment containing a variety of metabolic substrates. The energy requirements for sperm capacitation are species-specific.

Induction of acrosome reaction by 4-Br-A23187 alters the glycoproteomic profile of boar spermatozoa.

Protein glycosylation is a post-translational modification involved in wide range of biological processes. In mammalian spermatozoa this modification has been identified in numerous proteins, and membrane glycoproteins are involved in the fertilization process. The objective of the present study was to identify changes in protein glycosylation after acrosome reaction (AR) induction using the 4-Br-A23187 ionophore.

Quantitative Analysis of the Human Semen Phosphorometabolome by P-NMR.

Phosphorus-containing metabolites occupy a prominent position in cell pathways. The phosphorometabolomic approach in human sperm samples will deliver valuable information as new male fertility biomarkers could emerge. This study analyzed, by P-NMR, seminal plasma and whole semen from asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic samples (71% vs.

The compound YK 3-237 promotes pig sperm capacitation-related events.

Before fertilization of the oocyte, the spermatozoa must undergo through a series of biochemical changes in the female reproductive tract named sperm capacitation. Spermatozoa regulates its functions by post-translational modifications, being historically the most studied protein phosphorylation. In addition to phosphorylation, recently, protein acetylation has been described as an important molecular mechanism with regulatory roles in several reproductive processes.

Processing of boar spermatozoa with phosphate-buffered saline at 4˚C induces an increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32).

We aimed to investigate the impact of processing boar spermatozoa with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 4 ˚C on acrosomal integrity and increase in 32 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p32). Following cooled PBS washing, we observed a significant increase in p32 levels and in the proportion of dead spermatozoa with compromised acrosomal integrity compared to sperm washing using PBS at room temperature. Interestingly, this increase in p32 was effectively inhibited when cooled PBS was supplemented with 1 mM AEBSF, a serine protease inhibitor.

Mouse sperm energy restriction and recovery (SER) revealed novel metabolic pathways.

Mammalian sperm must undergo capacitation to become fertilization-competent. While working on mice, we recently developed a new methodology for treating sperm which results in higher rates of fertilization and embryo development after fertilization. Sperm incubated in media devoid of nutrients lose motility, although they remain viable.

Bisphenol S Reduces Pig Spermatozoa Motility through Different Intracellular Pathways and Mechanisms than Its Analog Bisphenol A.

Bisphenol A (BPA: 2,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane) is an environmental chemical widely used in the manufacturing of epoxy polymers and many thermoplastic consumer products. Serious concerns about its safety led to the development of analogs, such as BPS (4-hydroxyphenyl sulfone). Very limited studies about BPS's impact on reproduction, specifically in spermatozoa, exist in comparison with BPA.

The sirtuin 1 activator YK 3-237 stimulates capacitation-related events in human spermatozoa.

Research Question: Does sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) have a role in the human spermatozoa capacitation process?

Design: Human spermatozoa were incubated for 6 h in a capacitating medium in presence or absence of the specific SIRT1 activator, YK 3-237. Several sperm parameters were determined by flow cytometry: viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondria membrane status. Sperm motility was determined objectively by computer-assisted semen analysis.

Influence of different cellular concentrations of boar sperm suspensions on the induction of capacitation and acrosome reaction.

We aimed to analyze the influence of different cellular concentrations of boar sperm suspensions on the induction of capacitation and acrosome reaction. When spermatozoa were incubated at 100 or 200 mill/ml, significant increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the p32 protein were observed, compared to those at 50 mill/ml. In addition, sperm concentration-dependent increases were observed in plasma membrane lipid disorganization (50 mill/ml vs.

Impaired mammalian sperm function and lower phosphorylation signaling caused by the herbicide Roundup® Ultra Plus are due to its surfactant component.

The use of worldwide glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup® is growing and to date its effects on mammalian spermatozoa are controversial. This study aims to investigate the functional impact of in vitro exposure of pig spermatozoa to low concentrations of Roundup® Ultra Plus (RUP), similar to those present as environment contaminants, to its active ingredient glyphosate, and to the non-active component, surfactant polyoxyethyleneamine (POEA). Pig spermatozoa were incubated in Tyrode's basal medium (TBM) or Tyrode's complete medium (TCM) (1 h at 38.

Extracellular Vesicles, the Road toward the Improvement of ART Outcomes.

Nowadays, farm animal industries use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as a tool to manage herds' reproductive outcomes, for a fast dissemination of genetic improvement as well as to bypass subfertility issues. ART comprise at least one of the following procedures: collection and handling of oocytes, sperm, and embryos in in vitro conditions. Therefore, in these conditions, the interaction with the oviductal environment of gametes and early embryos during fertilization and the first stages of embryo development is lost.

Boar spermatozoa proteomic profile varies in sperm collected during the summer and winter.

Boar sperm quality is less during the summer as a result of the different photoperiod or ambient temperatures as compared with the winter. The present study was conducted to elucidate possible variations in proteomic profiles of boar spermatozoa collected during the summer and winter. Effects of season on sperm viability, total motility, progressive motility, acrosome status, mitochondrial membrane potential and plasma membrane lipid organization were also analyzed.

Metabolic changes in mouse sperm during capacitation†.

Mammalian sperm are stored in the epididymis in a dormant state. Upon ejaculation, they must immediately start producing sufficient energy to maintain motility and support capacitation. While this increased energy demand during capacitation is well established, it remains unclear how mouse sperm modify their metabolism to meet this need.

Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidants As a Tool to Ameliorate Male Infertility Induced by Reactive Oxygen Species.

Antioxidants are essential for the maintenance of cellular redox homeodynamics in the male reproductive tract, playing a key role in fertilizing potential. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), at physiological levels, are essential for sperm function and fertilization. Under pathological conditions, abnormal production of ROS may occur.

Human sperm phosphoproteome reveals differential phosphoprotein signatures that regulate human sperm motility.

Human sperm motility is essential for fertilization and among pathologies underlying male infertility is asthenozoospermia. Nevertheless, mechanisms regulating sperm motility are not completely unraveled. This work investigates phosphoproteins underlying human sperm motility by using differential phosphoproteomic in two human sperm subpopulations: high (HM) and low (LM) motility, obtained by centrifugation in a density gradient.

Transient Sperm Starvation Improves the Outcome of Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

To become fertile, mammalian sperm must undergo a series of biochemical and physiological changes known as capacitation. These changes involve crosstalk between metabolic and signaling pathways and can be recapitulated . In this work, sperm were incubated in the absence of exogenous nutrients (starved) until they were no longer able to move.

Antioxidants and Male Fertility: from Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence.

Spermatozoa are physiologically exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a pivotal role on several sperm functions through activation of different intracellular mechanisms involved in physiological functions such as sperm capacitation associated-events. However, ROS overproduction depletes sperm antioxidant system, which leads to a condition of oxidative stress (OS). Subfertile and infertile men are known to present higher amount of ROS in the reproductive tract which causes sperm DNA damage and results in lower fertility and pregnancy rates.

AMPK Function in Mammalian Spermatozoa.

AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK regulates cellular energy by controlling metabolism through the inhibition of anabolic pathways and the simultaneous stimulation of catabolic pathways. Given its central regulator role in cell metabolism, AMPK activity and its regulation have been the focus of relevant investigations, although only a few studies have focused on the AMPK function in the control of spermatozoa's ability to fertilize. This review summarizes the known cellular roles of AMPK that have been identified in mammalian spermatozoa.

CatSper channels are regulated by protein kinase A.

Mammalian sperm must undergo capacitation as a preparation for entering into hyperactivated motility, undergoing the acrosome reaction, and acquiring fertilizing ability. One of the initial capacitation events occurs when sperm encounter an elevated HCO concentration. This anion activates the atypical adenylyl cyclase Adcy10, increases intracellular cAMP, and stimulates protein kinase A (PKA).

Supplementation of freezing/thawing media with GSK3 inhibitor alsterpaullone does not bypass the harmful effect of cryopreservation on boar spermatozoa.

Frozen-thawed boar sperm have less motility and fertility capacity in comparison to fresh sperm. Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3) contributes to sperm motility in fresh semen. In addition, GSK3 inhibition in boar spermatozoa in fresh semen improves motility variables.

Only a subpopulation of mouse sperm displays a rapid increase in intracellular calcium during capacitation.

Mammalian sperm must undergo a functionally defined process called capacitation to be able to fertilize oocytes. They become capacitated in vivo by interacting with the female reproductive tract or in vitro in a defined capacitation medium that contains bovine serum albumin, calcium (Ca ), and bicarbonate (HCO ). In this work, sperm were double stained with propidium iodide and the Ca dye Fluo-4 AM and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine changes in intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca ] ) in individual live sperm.

Boar sperm hyperactivated motility is induced by temperature via an intracellular calcium-dependent pathway.

Herein we describe a new protocol to induce boar sperm hypermotility: temperature-induced hypermotility (TIH). Briefly, spermatozoa stored at 17°C in a calcium-free Tyrode's basal medium (containing EGTA) were exposed to increased temperature by incubation at 38.5°C.

Defective sperm head decondensation undermines the success of ICSI in the bovine.

The efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the bovine is low compared to other species. It is unknown whether defective oocyte activation and/or sperm head decondensation limit the success of this technique in this species. To elucidate where the main obstacle lies, we used homologous and heterologous ICSI and parthenogenetic activation procedures.

AMP-activated kinase in human spermatozoa: identification, intracellular localization, and key function in the regulation of sperm motility.

AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), a protein that regulates energy balance and metabolism, has recently been identified in boar spermatozoa where regulates key functional sperm processes essential for fertilization. This work's aims are AMPK identification, intracellular localization, and their role in human spermatozoa function. Semen was obtained from healthy human donors.