331 DIRECT EFFECTS OF ERGOT ALKALOIDS ON BOVINE SPERM MOTILITY IN VITRO

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
H. Wang ◽  
Z. Johnson ◽  
R. Rorie ◽  
C. Rosenkrans, Jr
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Medium Osmolarity ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa

Ergot alkaloids have been associated with decreased livestock reproductive rates. Concentration of alkaloids in the reproductive tract after consumption of toxic forage is unknown. In addition, the direct effects of alkaloids on bovine spermatozoa have not been determined. We investigated the direct and interactive effects of 3 ergot alkaloids (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, and ergonovine) on motility of frozen–thawed bovine spermatozoa. Thawed spermatozoa from 3 bulls were pooled and washed using a Percoll density gradient. Sperm motility was visually estimated by counting at least 100 spermatozoa in each triplicate well (> 300 per treatment per replicate). The cell counting was conducted using phase contrast (400�) on an inverted bright field microscope. Spermatozoa were considered motile if they exhibited free progressive forward or other movement and were not attached to the well surface. Motile spermatozoa were exposed to alkaloids ranging in concentration from 0 to 100 �M. Assays were conducted in modified sperm-TL (mSPTL) medium at 39�C in moist air without CO2 for 6 to 12 h. The results showed that both ergotamine (ET) and dihydroergotamine (DHET) inhibited (P < 0.05) sperm motility at concentrations greater than 50 �M and 33.3 �M, respectively. Ergonovine (EN) did not inhibit sperm motility at the test concentrations. Inhibitory effects of alkaloids on sperm motility were concentration-dependent for ET and DHET incubations and time-dependent for DHET incubations. Sperm motility also was inhibited by an interaction (P < 0.05) between ET and DHET at concentrations of 16.7 �M or above. The medium pH affected the toxic effects of both ET and DHET, whereas the medium osmolarity affected only the toxic effect of ET on relative sperm motility (P < 0.05). Medium osmolarity of 358 mOsm and/or pH higher than 7.1 exacerbated the toxic effects of the alkaloids. These results demonstrate that ergot alkaloids can directly interact with spermatozoa and impair sperm motility. Herbivores consuming toxic tall fescue are exposed to a cocktail of ergot alkaloids. Alkaloid interactive effects coupled with altered cell chemistry, due to increased respiration rates and frequent urination, on spermatozoa may indicate the mechanism by which reproduction is impaired in animals consuming toxic forage.

scholarly journals Current Insights and Latest Updates in Sperm Motility and Associated Applications in Assisted Reproduction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyon Dcunha ◽  
Reda S. Hussein ◽  
Hanumappa Ananda ◽  
Sandhya Kumari ◽  
Satish Kumar Adiga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Global Trend ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractSpermatozoon is a motile cell with a special ability to travel through the woman’s reproductive tract and fertilize an oocyte. To reach and penetrate the oocyte, spermatozoa should possess progressive motility. Therefore, motility is an important parameter during both natural and assisted conception. The global trend of progressive reduction in the number and motility of healthy spermatozoa in the ejaculate is associated with increased risk of infertility. Therefore, developing approaches for maintaining or enhancing human sperm motility has been an important area of investigation. In this review we discuss the physiology of sperm, molecular pathways regulating sperm motility, risk factors affecting sperm motility, and the role of sperm motility in fertility outcomes. In addition, we discuss various pharmacological agents and biomolecules that can enhance sperm motility in vitro and in vivo conditions to improve assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. This article opens dialogs to help toxicologists, clinicians, andrologists, and embryologists in understanding the mechanism of factors influencing sperm motility and various management strategies to improve treatment outcomes.

scholarly journals Integration of Sperm Motility and Chemotaxis Screening with a Microchannel-Based Device

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1270-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Xie ◽  
Rui Ma ◽  
Chao Han ◽  
Kai Su ◽  
Qiufang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cumulus Cells ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Straight Channel ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Mammalian Sperm ◽  
Reaction Capability ◽  
Mammalian Female

BACKGROUND Sperm screening is an essential step in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The swim-up method, an assay for sperm motility, is used clinically to select the ideal sperm for subsequent manipulation. However, additional parameters, including acrosome reaction capability, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis, are also important indicators of mammalian sperm health. To monitor both sperm motility and chemotaxis simultaneously during sperm screening, we designed and constructed a microdevice comprising a straight channel connected with a bibranch channel that mimics the mammalian female reproductive tract. METHODS The width and length of the straight channel were optimized to select the motile sperms. We selectively cultured cumulus cells in the bibranch channel to generate a chemoattractant-forming chemical gradient. Sperm chemotaxis was represented by the ratio of the sperm swimming toward different branches. RESULTS The percentage of motile sperms improved from 58.5% (3.8%) to 82.6% (2.9%) by a straight channel 7 mm in length and 1 mm in width. About 10% of sperms were found to be chemotactically responsive in our experiment, which is consistent with previous studies. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we achieved the combined evaluation of both sperm motility and chemotaxis. The motile and chemotactically responsive sperms can easily be enriched on a lab-on-a-chip device to improve IVF outcome.

274 LYSOLECITHIN TREATMENT OF ELAND, BONGO, AND BOVINE SPERMATOZOA AND CLEAVAGE OF BOVINE OOCYTES AFTER INTERSPECIES INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
G. Wirtu ◽  
C. E. Pope ◽  
M. C. Gomez ◽  
R. A. MacLean ◽  
D. L. Paccamonti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Oocyte Activation ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Offspring Production ◽  
Embryonic Cleavage ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa ◽  
Bovine Oocytes

Compared to success rates in human, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is inefficient in ungulate species. Although factors such as injection of membrane-intact sperm and toxic effects of acrosome contents are suspected causes, the reasons for the inefficiency are unclear. A recent report in mice demonstrated that ICSI using spermatozoa treated with a physiological detergent, lysolecithin, improved oocyte activation, cleavage, and offspring production after embryo transfer (Morozumi K et al. 2006 PNAS 109, 17 661–17 666). The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of detergent treatment on motility and membrane integrity of frozen thawed eland, bongo and bovine spermatozoa and to examine sperm decondensation/embryonic cleavage following ICSI of in vitro-matured bovine oocytes. In experiment 1, sperm motility was observed on a warm microscope stage during exposure to 3 lecithin concentrations, 0.04, 0.02, and 0.01%, and the time at which 100% of the spermatozoa lost motility was recorded. In experiment 2, spermatozoa were exposed to 0.02% lecithin for 22 s, and the membrane integrity and acrosome status of spermatozoa were determined using a combined trypan blue-Giemsa staining (Nagy et al. 1999 Theriogenology 52, 1153–1159). In experiment 3, bovine oocytes were injected, using the piezo drill, with lecithin-treated (0.02%, immobilized) or untreated (piezo pulse immobilized) eland, bongo, or bovine spermatozoa and subsequently cultured for 2 days in CR1aa containing 3 mg mL–1 BSA. Each experiment was replicated at least 3 times. Lecithin induced time- and concentration-dependent loss of sperm motility. The average time to loss of motility in 100% of the spermatozoa at 0.04, 0.02, and 0.01% lecithin was 107, 222, and 344 s in bovine; 82, 135, and 179 s in eland; and 65, 115, and 158 in bongo, respectively. Data on membrane integrity (intact or nonintact) and acrosome status (reacted or nonreacted) of detergent-treated or control spermatozoa are shown in Table 1. Sperm head decondensation and embryonic cleavage were observed following homologous and interspecies (antelope into bovine) ICSI of lecithin-treated or control spermatozoa. In conclusion, lecithin treatment induced concentration and time-dependent loss of motility and was effective in damaging the sperm membrane and acrosome in eland, bongo, and domestic bulls. Eland and bongo spermatozoa underwent decondensation and activated bovine oocytes after interspecies ICSI. Table 1.

scholarly journals Serine protease inhibitor disrupts sperm motility leading to reduced fertility in female mice†

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke E Barton ◽  
Jenna K Rock ◽  
Anna M Willie ◽  
Emily A Harris ◽  
Ryan M Finnerty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Serine Protease ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Serine Protease Inhibitor ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Mice

Abstract Inhibition of the sperm transport process in the female reproductive tract could lead to infertility. We previously showed that a pan-serine protease inhibitor, 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF), blocked semen liquefaction in vivo and resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of sperm in the oviduct of female mice. In this study, we used a mouse model to test the efficacy of AEBSF as a reversible contraceptive, a sperm motility inhibitor, and a spermicide. Additionally, this study evaluated the toxicity of AEBSF on mouse vaginal tissues in vivo and human endocervical cells in vitro. We found that female mice treated with AEBSF had significantly less pups born per litter as well as fertilization rates in vivo compared to the vehicle control. We then showed that AEBSF reduced sperm motility and fertilization capability in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AEBSF also exhibited spermicidal effects. Lastly, AEBSF treatment in female mice for 10 min or 3 consecutive days did not alter vaginal cell viability in vivo, similar to that of the vehicle and non-treated controls. However, AEBSF decreased cell viability of human ectocervical (ECT) cell line in vitro, suggesting that cells in the lower reproductive tract in mice and humans responded differently to AEBSF. In summary, our study showed that AEBSF can be used as a prototype compound for the further development of novel non-hormonal contraceptives for women by targeting sperm transport in the female reproductive tract.

scholarly journals Size dependent inhibition of sperm motility by copper particles as a path towards reversible male contraception

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Purnesh Chattopadhyay ◽  
Veronika Magdanz ◽  
Konstantin Borchert ◽  
Dana Schwarz ◽  
Juliane Simmchen
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptive ◽  
Male Contraception ◽  
Copper Particles ◽  
Contraceptive Agents ◽  
Contraceptive Devices ◽  
Dependent Inhibition ◽  
Intrauterine Contraceptive ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa

Effective inhibition of sperm motility using a spermicide can be a promising approach in developing non-invasive male contraceptive agents. Copper is known to have contraceptive properties and has been used clinically for decades as intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) for contraception in females. Beyond that, the spermicidal use of copper has not been explored much further, even though its use could also subdue the harmful effects caused by the hormonal contraceptive agents on the environment. Herein, we study the size, concentration and time dependent in vitro inhibition of bovine spermatozoa by copper microparticles. The effectivity in inhibiting the sperm motility is correlated to the amount of Cu2+ ions released by the particles during incubation. The copper particles cause direct suppression of sperm cell motility upon incubation and thereby show potential as sperm inhibiting, hormone free candidate for male contraception beyond condoms.

scholarly journals Selection of highly fertilization-competent bovine spermatozoa through adhesion to the Fallopian tube epithelium in vitro

Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 251-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Gualtieri ◽  
R Talevi
Keyword(s):  
Fallopian Tube ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Monolayers ◽  
Sperm Suspension ◽  
Bovine Spermatozoa ◽  
Epithelial Cell Monolayers ◽  
In Vitro Adhesion ◽  
Selection Of

Mammalian spermatozoa undergo a marked reduction in number during their journey through the female reproductive tract. One of the checkpoints in the selection of fertilizing spermatozoa may be the transient adhesion to the Fallopian tube epithelium, an event previously shown to play a key role in sperm storage. Bovine spermatozoa adhering to the Fallopian tube epithelium in vitro may be synchronously released by sulphated glycoconjugates. In the present study, experiments were designed to quantify the number of spermatozoa selected through adhesion, and to compare the zona pellucida (ZP) binding and fertilization competence of the initial sperm suspension versus the bound and unbound sperm subpopulations. Results showed that: (1) a fraction accounting for about 30% of the initial sperm suspension was selected by in vitro adhesion to oviductal epithelial cell monolayers; (2) selected spermatozoa, collected after heparin-induced release, had a significantly superior ZP binding and fertilization competence (mean +/- SD: 110 +/- 28 bound spermatozoa per oocyte; % cleavage, mean +/- SEM: 89 +/- 4) compared with both the initial sperm suspension (45 +/- 10 bound spermatozoa per oocyte, P < 0.001; % cleavage: 69 +/- 3, P < 0.05) and the unselected subpopulation (30 +/- 4 bound spermatozoa per oocyte, P < 0.001; % cleavage: 58 +/- 3, P < 0.01). These findings support the hypothesis that binding to oviductal cells is not only beneficial for sperm survival but also represents a crucial step for the selection of spermatozoa endowed with superior fertilization competence.

scholarly journals Swine sperm induces neutrophil extracellular traps that entangle sperm and embryos

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 160 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225
Author(s):  
Zhengkai Wei ◽  
Tingting Yu ◽  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Chaoqun Wang ◽  
Xiao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Extracellular Traps

Sperm motility, fertilization and embryo implantation are several important factors in reproduction. Except healthy state of sperm and embryo themselves, successful pregnancy is closely related to the status of female reproductive tract immune system. Increased immune cells in reproductive tract often leads to low sperm motility and low chance of embryo implantation, but the mechanisms remain not well clarified. The aim of this study is to investigate the direct effects of swine polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) on sperm or embryo in vitro and then try to clarify the molecular mechanisms undergoing the phenomenon. Swine sperm-triggered neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PMNs phagocytosis of sperms was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sperm-triggered NETs were quantitated by Pico Green®. Vital staining of the interaction between PMNs and embryo were observed by using confocal microscope. It was showed that PMNs were directly activated by sperm in the form of phagocytosis or casting NETs and that sperm-triggered-NETs formation was made up with DNA co-located with citrullinated histone 3 (citH3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In addition, the potential mechanism of NETs release was relevant to NADPH oxidase, ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Of great interest was that swine embryo was first found entangled in NETs in vitro, but the function and mechanism of this action in vivo fertilization still needed further investigation. In conclusion, this is the first report about swine sperm-induced NETs that entangle sperm and embryo, which might provide an entirely understanding of swine reproductive physiology and immunology.

scholarly journals Queen reproductive tract secretions enhance sperm motility in ants

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 20160722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanito Liberti ◽  
Boris Baer ◽  
Jacobus J. Boomsma
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Single Mating ◽  
Leaf Cutting ◽  
Acromyrmex Echinatior ◽  
Term Storage

Queens of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants store sperm of multiple males after a single mating flight, and never remate even though they may live for decades and lay tens of thousands of eggs. Sperm of different males are initially transferred to the bursa copulatrix and compete for access to the long-term storage organ of queens, but the factors determining storage success or failure have never been studied. We used in vitro experiments to show that reproductive tract secretions of Acromyrmex echinatior queens increase sperm swimming performance by at least 50% without discriminating between sperm of brothers and unrelated males. Indiscriminate female-induced sperm chemokinesis makes the likelihood of storage directly dependent on initial sperm viability and thus provides a simple mechanism to secure maximal possible reproductive success of queens, provided that initial sperm motility is an accurate predictor of viability during later egg fertilization.

scholarly journals Effects of miRNA-199a-5p on cell proliferation and apoptosis of uterine leiomyoma by targeting MED12

Open Medicine ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Yingyan Zhao ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
Sumei Fan
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Uterine Leiomyoma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Proliferation And Apoptosis

Abstract Background/aims Uterine leiomyoma (ULM) is a kind of gene-involved benign tumor, which is located in the front of female reproductive tract. It is one of the most common reproductive tract tumors in women, which leads to abnormal menstruation, repeated pregnancy loss, and other serious gynecological diseases. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted much more attention in the process of exploring the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the deregulated miRNAs had been reported to play important roles in ULM pathology. Methods In this study, we assessed the expression level of microRNA-199a-5p (miR-199a-5p) in human ULM by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. After that cell counting kit 8, colony formation, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine, flow cytometry, and Western blot analyses were performed to investigate the effects of miR-199a-5p on ULM cell proliferation and apoptosis. Results We confirmed that miR-199a-5p was significantly downregulated in human ULM. The results of function analyses showed that miR-199a-5p inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. Bioinformatics tool showed oncogene MED12 was one of the target genes of miR-199a-5p, which mediated the effect of miR-199a-5p on the ULM. Conclusion Our results showed that miR-199a-5p functioned as an antitumor factor in human ULM cells. These findings broaden the current findings on the function of miR-199a-5p into the ULM pathogenesis, and miR-199a-5p may serve as a prognosis and therapeutic target for the ULM and its related diseases.

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