Correlation between aneuploidy, apoptotic markers and DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa from normozoospermic patients.

Genetic and biochemical sperm integrity is essential to ensure the reproductive competence. However, spermatogenesis involves physiological changes that could endanger sperm integrity. DNA protamination and apoptosis have been studied extensively.

Semen levels of spermatid-specific thioredoxin-3 correlate with pregnancy rates in ART couples.

Spermatid specific thioredoxin-3 (SPTRX3 or TXNDC8) is a testis/male germ line specific member of thioredoxin family that accumulates in the superfluous cytoplasm of defective human spermatozoa. We hypothesized that semen levels of SPTRX3 are reflective of treatment outcome in assisted reproductive therapy (ART) couples treated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Relationship between SPTRX3 and treatment outcome was investigated in 239 couples undergoing ART at an infertility clinic.

Acrosomal biogenesis in human globozoospermia: immunocytochemical, ultrastructural and proteomic studies.

Background: Acrosome biogenesis is a key event in sperm differentiation that depends on the proper interaction between the Golgi complex and the nuclear envelope of early spermatids. We studied the development, structure and biochemical characteristics of human acrosomes in germ cells and spermatozoa from testicular biopsies and semen samples of fertile men and patients with acrosomeless spermatozoa (globozoospermia). A set of proteins collectively known as the perinuclear theca (PT), which has been related to acrosomal development in many mammalian species, were also investigated.

Dynamic changes of the Golgi apparatus during bovine in vitro oocyte maturation.

For successful fertilization by the male gamete, oocyte cytoplasmic organelles such as the Golgi apparatus have to undergo specific changes: the entire process is known as cytoplasmic maturation. The goal of this study was to unravel the dynamics of the Golgi apparatus in bovine oocytes at critical stages of in vitro maturation, i.e.

The nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein: localization and dynamics in human oocytes, fertilization and early embryos.

The oocyte's meiotic spindle is a dynamic structure that relies on microtubule organization and regulation by centrosomes. Disorganization of centrosomal proteins, including the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein and the molecular motor complex dynein/dynactin, can lead to chromosomal instability and developmental abnormalities. The present study reports the distribution and function of these proteins in human oocytes, zygotes and early embryos.