Effects of the environmental endocrine disruptors di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate on human sperm function in vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 629
Author(s):  
Xinyi Sun ◽  
Wenqiong Chen ◽  
Shiqi Weng ◽  
Tingting Pan ◽  
Xiaonian Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemical ◽  
Ethylhexyl Phthalate

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a plastic-derived, endocrine-disrupting chemical, has been shown to exhibit male reproductive toxicity. However, its effects on human mature spermatozoa are largely unknown. In this study we investigated the invitro effects of DEHP and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP; the main metabolite of DEHP) on sperm function and the mechanisms involved. Human spermatozoa were exposed to phthalates invitro at the doses that cover the concentrations detected in human semen: 20nM–8 μM DEHP, 1nM–20 μM MEHP or a mixture of 20nM–8 μM DEHP and 1nM–20 μM MEHP. DEHP and MEHP, alone or in combination, had no effect on the viability, membrane integrity, motility, homeostasis of reactive oxygen species or mitochondrial activity of human spermatozoa. Interestingly, 1nM–20 μM MEHP and combinations of 20nM–8 μM DEHP and 1nM–20 μM MEHP enhanced penetration ability, hyperactivation and the spontaneous acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa, and increased intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and tyrosine phosphorylation, two key signalling pathways that regulate sperm function. The findings of this study suggest that invitro exposure to MEHP metabolised from DEHP affects human sperm function by inducing increases in sperm [Ca2+]i and tyrosine phosphorylation, which adds to our understanding of the effects of DEHP on male reproduction.

Redox regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation in human spermatozoa and its role in the control of human sperm function

1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 2017-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Aitken ◽  
M. Paterson ◽  
H. Fisher ◽  
D.W. Buckingham ◽  
M. van Duin
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Redox Regulation ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species Generation ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Oxygen Species

The redox status of human spermatozoa was found to have a profound influence on the fertilizing potential of these cells in association with qualitative and quantitative changes in the patterns of tyrosine phosphorylation. In general, oxidizing conditions enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation and stimulated sperm function, whereas reducing conditions had the opposite effect. Unstimulated human spermatozoa exhibited low levels of spontaneous acrosomal exocytosis and sperm-oocyte fusion and minimal reactive oxygen species generation, while phosphotyrosine expression was largely confined to a single protein of 116 kDa. However, if the spermatozoa were exposed to oxidizing conditions through the addition of exogenous H2O2, or the stimulation of endogenous NADPH-dependent reactive oxygen species generation, then a dramatic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation was observed (major phosphotyrosyl bands at 222 kDa, 200 kDa, 159 kDa, 133 kDa, 116 kDa and 82 kDa) in concert with the functional activation of the spermatozoa. A causal association between reactive oxygen species generation, tyrosine phosphorylation and sperm function was indicated by studies with the ionophore, A23187, which induced high rates of spermoocyte fusion together with enhanced rates of reactive oxygen species production and the increased expression of phosphotyrosyl proteins. This functional response to A23187 could be abrogated, without any concomitant change in sperm motility or viability, by using membrane permeant thiols or catalase to suppress the reactive oxygen species-induced increase in phosphotyrosine expression. The fact that the biological responses of human spermatozoa to biological agonists (recombinant human ZP3 and progesterone) could also be inhibited by catalase indicated the general relevance of these findings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of bovine oocytes matured in vitro by injection of bovine and human spermatozoa or their cytosolic fractions

Zygote ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Okitsu ◽  
Shuji Yamano ◽  
Toshihiro Aono
Keyword(s):  
Human Sperm ◽  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Oocyte Activation ◽  
Sham Injection ◽  
Bovine Sperm ◽  
Female Pronucleus ◽  
Sperm Factor ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate whether bovine spermatozoa possess so-called sperm factor in the cytosolic fraction (CF) which activates bovine oocytes, and whether bovine oocytes matured in vitro are activated by microinjection of CF extracted from spermatozoa of other species. In the first experiment, bovine and human spermatozoa were microinjected into ooplasm of bovine oocytes matured in vitro. Secondly, CF from bovine and human spermatozoa were injected into bovine oocytes. In the third, CF from human spermatozoa was injected into human unfertilised oocytes obtained 18-20 h after clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We found that microinjection of bovine spermatozoa into bovine oocytes induced oocyte activation, as shown by resumption of meiosis and formation of a female pronucleus, at a significantly higher rate than the bovine sham injection (63.0% vs 43.0%; p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in activation rate between the human sperm injection (35.9%) and the human sham injection (22.9%). Furthermore, microinjection of bovine sperm CF into bovine oocytes induced oocyte activation at a significantly higher rate than the human CF injection or sham injection (75.9% vs 14.8%, 20.4%; p < 0.01). Formation of a single female pronucleus and second polar body extrusion was observed in 95.1% of activated oocytes after bovine sperm CF injection. When human sperm CF was injected into human unfertilised oocytes, the activation rate was significantly higher than following sham injection (76.9% vs 44.0%; p < 0.05). These results indicate the presence of sperm factor in bovine sperm CF which activate bovine oocytes, and suggest the possibility that sperm factor has species-specificity at least between bovine and human.

Development of in Vitro Systems for the Diagnosis of Human Sperm Function

1988 ◽  
pp. 99-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Aitken ◽  
D. S. Irvine ◽  
J. S. Clarkson ◽  
D. W. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Human Sperm ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
In Vitro Systems

scholarly journals Exosomes derived from HEK293T cells interact in an efficient and noninvasive manner with mammalian sperm in vitro

Nanomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 1965-1980
Author(s):  
Teresa Vilanova-Perez ◽  
Celine Jones ◽  
Stefan Balint ◽  
Rebecca Dragovic ◽  
Michael L Dustin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Boar Sperm ◽  
Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis

Aim: To investigate exosomes as a noninvasive delivery tool for mammalian sperm. Materials & Methods: Exosomes were isolated from HEK293T cells and co-incubated with boar sperm in vitro. Results: Internalized exosomes were detected within 10 min of co-incubation. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry demonstrated that even after 5-h of exposure to exosomes, there were no significant deleterious effects with regard to sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (p > 0.05), thus indicating that exosomes did not interfere with basic sperm function. Conclusion: HEK293T-derived exosomes interacted with boar sperm without affecting sperm function. Exosomes represent a versatile and promising research tool for studying sperm biology and provide new options for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

scholarly journals Uterine flushings from women treated with levonorgestrel affect sperm functionality in vitro

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 154 (5) ◽  
pp. 607-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayel Chirinos ◽  
Marta Durand ◽  
María Elena González-González ◽  
Gabriela Hernández-Silva ◽  
Israel Maldonado-Rosas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Emergency Contraception ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Contraceptive Efficacy ◽  
Serum Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Emergency Contraceptive ◽  
Testosterone Derivative

Levonorgestrel (LNG), a synthetic 19 nor-testosterone derivative, is widely used for emergency contraception. It is well known that LNG prevents ovulation only when given prior to the surge of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) during the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. This observation suggests that LNG, given its contraceptive efficacy, has additional effects other than those affecting ovulation. In this study, we have evaluated the effects on human sperm functionality of uterine flushings (UF) obtained from women at day LH + 1 of a control cycle (CTR-LH + 1) and after receiving LNG (LNG-LH + 1) two days before the surge of LH. Human sperm from normozoospermic donors were incubated with UF and protein tyrosine phosphorylation, sperm motility, acrosome reaction as well as zona pellucida (ZP) binding capacity were assessed. A significant decrease in total motility and tyrosine phosphorylation accompanied by an increase on spontaneous acrosome reaction was observed when sperm were incubated in the presence of LNG-LH + 1. None of these effects were mimicked by purified glycodelin A (GdA). Moreover, the addition of UF obtained during the periovulatory phase from LNG-treated women or the presence of purified GdA significantly decreased sperm-ZP binding. The data were compatible with changes affecting sperm capacitation, motility and interaction with the ZP. These results may offer evidence on additional mechanisms of action of LNG as an emergency contraceptive.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of a Novel Functional Estrogen Receptor on Human Sperm Membrane That Interferes with Progesterone Effects

1999 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1670-1678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Luconi ◽  
Monica Muratori ◽  
Gianni Forti ◽  
Elisabetta Baldi
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Protein Band ◽  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Functional Surface ◽  
Nongenomic Action ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Experimental Approaches

The presence of a novel functional estrogen receptor on the human sperm surface has been demonstrated by using different experimental approaches. Ligand blot analysis of sperm lysates, using peroxidase-conjugated estradiol as probe, identified a specific estradiol-binding protein of approximately 29-kDa apparent molecular mass. The same protein band was also revealed by using αH222 antibody, which is directed against the steroid binding domain of the genomic estrogen receptor. The biological effects of estrogen receptor were investigated by analyzing calcium fluxes, tyrosine phosphorylation, and acrosome reaction (AR) in response to 17β-estradiol (17βE2) and by measuring the steroid influence on calcium and AR in responses to progesterone (P), a well-known physiological stimulus for human spermatozoa. Our results demonstrate that 17βE2 induces a rapid and sustained increase of intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i). This effect is totally dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium, because it is completely abolished in a calcium-depleted medium. The dose-response curve for calcium increase to 17βE2 is biphasic with a first component in the nanomolar range (effective concentration 50 = 0.60 ± 0.12 nmol/L) and a second component in the micromolar range (EC50 = 3.80 ± 0.26 μmol/L). 17βE2 stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of several sperm proteins, including the 29-kDa protein band, and determines a reduction of calcium response to P, finally resulting in inhibition of P-stimulated sperm AR. Conversely, no direct effect of 17βE2 is observed on AR. 17βE2 effects on calcium are clearly mediated by a membrane receptor, because they are reproduced by the membrane-impermeable conjugate of the hormone BSA-E2 and reduced by sperm preincubation with αH222 antibody. Taken together, our results clearly show the presence of a functional surface estrogen receptor, of 29 kDa, on human spermatozoa. This receptor may play a role in the modulation of nongenomic action of P in these cells during the process of fertilization.

Influence of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol, non-ortho PCB 77 and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane on human sperm function in vitro

Andrologia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Pflieger-Bruss ◽  
S. Heitkamp ◽  
S. Hagemann ◽  
W. Korner ◽  
F.-M. Kohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Sperm ◽  
Sperm Function

The effects in vitro of TNF-α and its antagonist ‘etanercept’ on ejaculated human sperm

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola A. Pascarelli ◽  
Antonella Fioravanti ◽  
Elena Moretti ◽  
Giacomo M. Guidelli ◽  
Lucia Mazzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Impact

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α is primarily involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis; in addition it possesses pro-inflammatory properties. Anti-TNF-α strategies involve either administration of anti-TNF-α antibody or soluble TNF receptor to mop up circulating TNF-α. Etanercept, a recombinant human TNF-α receptor, was found to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The impact of TNF-α inhibitors on human fertility is of notable interest. This in vitro study investigated the effect of different concentrations of TNF-α and etanercept used alone or in combination on sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial function, percentage of apoptosis and chromatin integrity in swim-up selected human spermatozoa. A negative effect of TNF-α (300 and 500 ng mL–1) and etanercept (from 800 µg mL–1 to 2000 µg mL–1) individually on sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial function, percentage of apoptotic spermatozoa and sperm DNA integrity was demonstrated. However, at concentrations of 100 and 200 µg mL–1, etanercept can block, in a significant way, the toxic effects of TNF-α (500 ng mL–1) on studied sperm characteristics. Our results confirm that TNF-α has a detrimental effect on sperm function and suggest, for the first time, that etanercept may counteract the in vitro toxic action of TNF-α. This data appears to be quite promising, although further studies, both in vivo and in vitro, are needed to understand the exact mechanism of action of TNF-α and TNF-α antagonists on sperm function.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document