Glioma pathogenesis-related 1-like 1 is testis enriched, dynamically modified, and redistributed during male germ cell maturation and has a potential role in sperm-oocyte binding.

The glioma pathogenesis-related 1 (GLIPR1) family consists of three genes [GLIPR1, GLIPR1-like 1 (GLIPR1L1), and GLIPR1-like 2 (GLIPR1L2)] and forms a distinct subgroup within the cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP), antigen 5, and pathogenesis-related 1 (CAP) superfamily. CAP superfamily proteins are found in phyla ranging from plants to humans and, based largely on expression and limited functional studies, are hypothesized to have roles in carcinogenesis, immunity, cell adhesion, and male fertility. Specifically data from a number of systems suggests that sequences within the C-terminal CAP domain of CAP proteins have the ability to promote cell-cell adhesion.

Activin C antagonizes activin A in vitro and overexpression leads to pathologies in vivo.

Activin A is a potent growth and differentiation factor whose synthesis and bioactivity are tightly regulated. Both follistatin binding and inhibin subunit heterodimerization block access to the activin receptor and/or receptor activation. We postulated that the activin-beta(C) subunit provides another mechanism regulating activin bioactivity.

Freeze-dried primate sperm retains early reproductive potential after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Oocytes inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection using fresh ejaculated or freeze-dried rhesus macaque sperm showed similar activation, sperm aster assembly, and male-female pronuclear apposition rates.

Dynamic changes in the localization of five members of the methyl binding domain (MBD) gene family during murine and bovine preimplantation embryo development.

There are five methyl binding domain (MBD) proteins characterized by a methyl CpG-binding domain. Four MBD proteins (MeCP2 and MBDs 1-3) are linked to transcriptional repression and one (MBD4), to DNA repair. During preimplantation development, the embryo undergoes global demethylation following fertilization and selective remethylation following the maternal to zygotic transition (MZT).

Complex expression patterns support potential roles for maternally derived activins in the establishment of pregnancy in mouse.

Maternal-fetal communications are critical for the establishment of pregnancy. Embryonic growth and differentiation factors produced by the oviduct and uterus play essential roles during the pre- and early post-implantation phases. Although several studies indicate roles for activin in embryonic development, gene-knockout studies have failed to identify a critical role in mammalian embryogenesis.

Ram sperm motility after intermittent scrotal insulation evaluated by manual and computer-assisted methods.

Aim: To study whether additional measurements of motility characteristics of spermatozoa by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) were more sensitive indicators of reduced semen quality than estimates of percentages of motile, rapid or progressive cells.

Methods: Intermittent scrotal insulation was applied to 6 rams for 16 h per day for 21 days or to 2 of these for 12 h per day for 28 days in the following year. Semen was collected and evaluated by CASA immediately and either frozen or stored at 30 degrees Celsius or 5 degrees Celsius before re-evaluation.

A repository of ENU mutant mouse lines and their potential for male fertility research.

Many of the proteins and their encoding genes involved in spermatogenesis are unknown, making the specific diagnosis and treatment of infertility in males difficult and highlighting the importance of identifying new genes that are involved in spermatogenesis. Through genome-wide chemical mutagenesis using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) and a three-generation breeding scheme to isolate recessive mutations, we have identified mouse lines with a range of abnormalities relevant to human male fertility. Abnormal phenotypes included hypospermatogenesis, Sertoli cell-only (SCO) seminiferous tubules, germ-cell arrest and abnormal spermiogenesis and were accompanied, in some, with abnormal serum levels of reproductive hormones.

FGFR-1 [corrected] signaling is involved in spermiogenesis and sperm capacitation.

Cloning of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) adaptor Snt-2 cDNA and the identification of FGFR-1 protein in association with sperm tails, suggested that FGFR-1 signaling was involved in either sperm tail development or function. This hypothesis was tested by the creation of transgenic mice that specifically expressed a dominant-negative variant of FGFR-1 in male haploid germ cells. Mating of transgenic mice showed a significant reduction in pups per litter compared with wild-type littermates.

Oocyte activation after intracytoplasmic injection with sperm frozen without cryoprotectants results in live offspring from inbred and hybrid mouse strains.

Re-establishment of mouse strains used for mutagenesis and transgenesis has been hindered by difficulties in freezing sperm. The use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) enables the production of embryos for the restoration of mouse lines using sperm with reduced quality. By using ICSI, simplified sperm-freezing methods such as snap freezing can be explored.

Effect of compatible solutes and diluent composition on the post-thaw motility of ram sperm.

The effect of the compatible solutes proline, glycine betaine and trehalose in Tris-based diluents at varying pH, concentrations of egg yolk or glycerol on the post-thaw motility characteristics and fertility of ram sperm was examined. In addition, the amino acid glycine was compared with proline, glycine betaine and a standard Tris-based diluent. Post-thaw motility was assessed using a Hamilton-Thorn motility analyser.

Fertility and its relationship to motility characteristics of spermatozoa in ewes after cervical, transcervical, and intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed ram semen.

The fertility of ewes after artificial insemination and the relationship between fertility and motility characteristics assessed by a computerized motility analysis system were examined with ram semen frozen in diluents reported to improve postthaw motility. The percentages of motile and progressive spermatozoa were better when frozen in proline- or glycine betaine-containing or HEPES-based, rather than Tris-based, diluents (P < 0.01).

Epididymal compounds and antioxidants in diluents for the frozen storage of ram spermatozoa.

The epididymal compounds taurine, hypotaurine and inositol, and the antioxidants carnosine and ascorbic acid, were added to Tris-based diluents containing varying concentrations of glycerol, and their effect on the post-thaw motility characteristics and fertility of ram spermatozoa was examined. Overall, the post-thaw motility characteristics of spermatozoa were better when semen was frozen in the presence rather than in the absence of glycerol. Only taurine protected spermatozoa during cryopreservation; the presence of 25 mM or 50 mM taurine significantly improved the post-thaw percentage of motile spermatozoa but this had no effect on fertility after cervical or laparoscopic insemination of ewes.

Motility, acrosome integrity and fertility of frozen ram spermatozoa treated with caffeine, pentoxifylline, cAMP, 2-deoxyadenosine and kallikrein.

The motility, acrosome integrity and fertility of ram spermatozoa were examined after treatment with five compounds (caffeine, pentoxifylline, cAMP, 2-deoxyadenosine and kallikrein). Semen was extended with a Tris-based medium and frozen in pellet form. The compounds were added at various concentrations to the semen before freezing or after thawing.

Distribution of variance associated with measurement of post-thaw function in ram sperm.

Post-thaw characteristics of ram semen frozen as pellets were assessed using biochemically (amidase activity) or motility-based (Hamilton Thorn Motility Analyzer) techniques. The total variation associated with each semen characteristic measured was partitioned between rams (5), ejaculates within rams (5), pellets within ejaculates (5) and within pellets (2). A variety of variance distributions were observed for the characteristics measured.

Epididymal constituents and related substances in the storage of spermatozoa: a review.

In vertebrate animals, the duration of storage of viable spermatozoa in the epididymis varies from a few hours in birds to many months in reptiles and bats. The available information on the unusual composition of the epididymal luminal fluid is summarized, and the effect of the various constituents on sperm motility is described. Spermatozoa would probably be best stored in an immotile state and some constituents of epididymal luminal fluid may be able to inhibit the motility of mammalian spermatozoa during storage in vitro.

Effects of heating the testes and epididymides of rams by scrotal insulation on fertility and embryonic mortality in ewes inseminated with frozen semen.

Fertilization rate and embryonic mortality were assessed in 636 ewes inseminated in each uterine horn with 50 x 10(6) frozen spermatozoa from four control rams and from four rams submitted to a moderate (1.4-2.2 degrees C), but repeated, intermittent (16 h/day for 21 consecutive days) increase in their subcutaneous scrotal temperature by means of scrotal insulation.