scholarly journals The dynamic relationship between polyandry and selfish genetic elements

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1613) ◽  
pp. 20120049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Wedell
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Genetic Elements ◽  
Selfish Genetic Elements ◽  
Dynamic Relationship ◽  
Male Carriers

Selfish genetic elements (SGEs) are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and bacteria, and make up a large part of the genome. They frequently target sperm to increase their transmission success, but these manipulations are often associated with reduced male fertility. Low fertility of SGE-carrying males is suggested to promote polyandry as a female strategy to bias paternity against male carriers. Support for this hypothesis is found in several taxa, where SGE-carrying males have reduced sperm competitive ability. In contrast, when SGEs give rise to reproductive incompatibilities between SGE-carrying males and females, polyandry is not necessarily favoured, irrespective of the detrimental impact on male fertility. This is due to the frequency-dependent nature of these incompatibilities, because they will decrease in the population as the frequency of SGEs increases. However, reduced fertility of SGE-carrying males can prevent the successful population invasion of SGEs. In addition, SGEs can directly influence male and female mating behaviour, mating rates and reproductive traits (e.g. female reproductive tract length and male sperm). This reveals a potent and dynamic interaction between SGEs and polyandry highlighting the potential to generate sexual selection and conflict, but also indicates that polyandry can promote harmony within the genome by undermining the spread of SGEs.

scholarly journals Zinc: A Necessary Ion for Mammalian Sperm Fertilization Competency

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 4097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Kerns ◽  
Michal Zigo ◽  
Peter Sutovsky
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Zinc Supplementation ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Maturation ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Human Reproductive ◽  
Semen Processing ◽  
New Research ◽  
And Function

The importance of zinc for male fertility only emerged recently, being propelled in part by consumer interest in nutritional supplements containing ionic trace minerals. Here, we review the properties, biological roles and cellular mechanisms that are relevant to zinc function in the male reproductive system, survey available peer-reviewed data on nutritional zinc supplementation for fertility improvement in livestock animals and infertility therapy in men, and discuss the recently discovered signaling pathways involving zinc in sperm maturation and fertilization. Emphasis is on the zinc-interacting sperm proteome and its involvement in the regulation of sperm structure and function, from spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation to sperm interactions with the female reproductive tract, capacitation, fertilization, and embryo development. Merits of dietary zinc supplementation and zinc inclusion into semen processing media are considered with livestock artificial insemination (AI) and human assisted reproductive therapy (ART) in mind. Collectively, the currently available data underline the importance of zinc ions for male fertility, which could be harnessed to improve human reproductive health and reproductive efficiency in agriculturally important livestock species. Further research will advance the field of sperm and fertilization biology, provide new research tools, and ultimately optimize semen processing procedures for human infertility therapy and livestock AI.

scholarly journals Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca vas deferens. Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo G. Aisen ◽  
Wilfredo Huanca López ◽  
Manuel G. Pérez Durand ◽  
Edita Torres Mamani ◽  
Juan C. Villanueva Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
Thawing Process

The viscous seminal plasma (SP) is currently a major impediment to the handling of ejaculate and the development of some biotechnologies in South American camelids. The vas deferens-collected spermatozoa of alpacas is a useful technique to avoid this problem. On the other hand, SP contains a large protein component that has been implicated in the function of spermatozoa within the female reproductive tract. In this sense, the low fertility achieved using transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa in alpacas could be improved by adding SP. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the whole SP on some in vitro parameters of alpaca spermatozoa after the freezing-thawing-process and the fertility after artificial insemination. It would contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between thawed sperm cells and SP. Spermatozoa were obtained by surgically diverted vas deferens. The samples were diluted with a Tris-based extender, packaged in straws, and frozen. At thawing, each straw was divided into two post-thawing conditions: with the addition of 10% of PBS (control) or with 10% SP (treatment). The sperm cells were evaluated using dynamic parameters, sperm cell morphology, and morphometry. Fertility was assessed by an artificial insemination trial. All in vitro parameters were analyzed by ANOVA. A heterogeneity test was scheduled for the fertility trial. After the freezing-thawing process, motility and plasma membrane functionality was improved when SP was added. No differences were found for post-thaw viability between the control and treatment samples. The percentage of normal cells was higher with SP at post-thawing, and a decrease of the presence of bent tailed spermatozoa with a droplet in the SP group was observed. The length of the head spermatozoa was 3.4% higher in the samples with PBS compared to those in which SP was added. Females pregnant at day 25 post-insemination were 0/12 (with SP inside the straw) and 1/10 (without SP inside the straw). In conclusion, the presence of 10% SP at post-thawing improves sperm cells' motility, functionality, and morphology, indicating that it would be beneficial to improve the frozen-thawed alpaca's physiology spermatozoa. More fertility trials must be developed to increase this knowledge.

scholarly journals The Vehicle Determines the Destination: The Significance of Seminal Plasma Factors for Male Fertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8499
Author(s):  
Fengli Wang ◽  
Weina Yang ◽  
Sijin Ouyang ◽  
Shuiqiao Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Biological Fluid ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Plasma Factors

Of all human infertility cases, up to 50% show contributing factors leading to defects in the male reproductive physiology. Seminal plasma (SP) is the biological fluid derived from the male accessory sex gland which carries spermatozoa passing throughout the male and female reproductive tract during ejaculation. It contains a complicated set of heterogeneous molecular structures, including proteins, cell-free nucleic acid (DNA, microRNA and LncRNA), and small-molecule metabolites as well as inorganic chemicals (ions). For a long time, the substantial significance of seminal plasma factors’ functions has been underestimated, which is restricted to spermatozoa transport and protection. Notably, significant advancements have been made in dissecting seminal plasma components, revealing new insights into multiple aspects of sperm function, as well as fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in recent years. In this review, we summarize the state-of-art discoveries regarding SP compositions and their implications in male fertility, particularly describing the novel understanding of seminal plasma components and related modifications using “omics” approaches and mainly focusing on proteome and RNA-seq data in the latest decade. Meanwhile, we highlighted the proposed mechanism of the regulation of SP molecules on immunomodulation in the female reproductive tract. Moreover, we also discussed the proteins investigated as non-invasive diagnosis biomarkers for male infertility in the clinic.

scholarly journals Contribution of the female reproductive tract to low fertility in postpartum lactating dairy cows

2010 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 1022-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Rizos ◽  
F. Carter ◽  
U. Besenfelder ◽  
V. Havlicek ◽  
P. Lonergan
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

scholarly journals Antioxidants Present in Reproductive Tract Fluids and Their Relevance for Fertility

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
João C. Ribeiro ◽  
Patrícia C. Braga ◽  
Ana D. Martins ◽  
Branca M. Silva ◽  
Marco G. Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Crucial Information ◽  
The Individual

Nowadays, infertility is classified as a disease of the reproductive system. Although it does not compromise the life of the individual, it can have detrimental effects on the physiological and psychological health of the couple. Male fertility evaluation is mainly focused on the analysis of sperm parameters. However, the ejaculated fluid is also composed of seminal plasma, and the study of this fluid can provide crucial information to help in the assessment of male fertility status. Total antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma has been positively correlated with the fertility of men. Moreover, evidence highlights to a similar importance as that of female reproductive tract fluid antioxidant capabilities and female fertility. Herein, we describe the functions of seminal plasma and female reproductive tract fluids, as well as their main antioxidant components and their relationships with fertility outcomes. Additionally, this review contains the most up to date information regarding the mechanisms of the interaction between the male and the female reproductive fluids and the importance of proper antioxidant capacity for fertilization.

scholarly journals LYPD4, mouse homolog of a human acrosome protein, is essential for sperm fertilizing ability and male fertility†

2020 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 1033-1044
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Liping Cheng ◽  
Wenjuan Xia ◽  
Xiaofei Liu ◽  
Yueshuai Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Human Fertilization ◽  
Sperm Migration

Abstract Fertilization is one of the fundamental biological processes, but so far, we still do not have a full understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism. We have identified a human acrosome protein, LY6/PLAUR domain containing 4 (LYPD4), expressed specifically in human testes and sperm, and conserved within mammals. Mouse Lypd4, also specific to the testis and sperm, is essential for male fertility. LYPD4 protein first appeared in round spermatids during acrosome biogenesis and became part of acrosomes during spermatogenesis and in mature sperm. Lypd4 knockout mice are infertile with normal sperm number and motility. Mutant sperm, however, failed to reach oviduct during sperm migration inside the female reproductive tract, leading to fertilization failure and infertility. In addition, Lypd4 mutant sperms were unable to fertilize denuded egg via IVF (in vitro fertilization) but could fertilize eggs within intact Cumulus-Oocyte Complex, supporting an additional role in sperm-zona interaction. Out of more than five thousand spermatozoa proteins identified by mass spectrometry analysis, only a small subset of proteins (26 proteins) was changed in the absence of LYPD4, revealing a whole proteome picture of mutant sperm defective in sperm migration and sperm-zona binding. ADAM3, a key component of fertilization complex, as well as other sperm ADAM proteins are significantly reduced. We hence propose that LYPD4 plays an essential role in mammalian fertilization, and further investigation of its function and its interaction with other sperm membrane complexes may yield insights into human fertilization and novel strategy to improve IVF success.

scholarly journals Review: Pengaruh Pakan Terhadap Kualitas Semen Ayam

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Cecep Hidayat ◽  
Soni Sopiyana ◽  
Rahman Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Poultry Breeding ◽  
Breeding Farms

ABSTRAKSemen adalah cairan yang dikeluarkan oleh organ kelamin ternak jantan yang secara normal diejakulasikan ke dalam saluran reproduksi ternak betina melalui kopulasi. Evaluasi semen merupakan alat utama untuk memprediksi kinerja  reproduksi ternak ayam  jantan. Evaluasi kualitas semen penting dilakukan untuk menyelesaikan salah satu masalah utama dalam peternakan pembibitan ayam, yaitu   rendahnya fertilitas.  Faktor terbesar dari sumber masalah tersebut terkait dengan rendahnya kualitas semen ayam. Kualitas semen ayam  lebih banyak dipengaruhi oleh faktor non genetik, seperti faktor pakan dan nutrisi. Tujuan dari penulisan makalah ini adalah untuk mengkaji hasil-hasil studi terkait pengaruh pakan terhadap kualitas semen ayam. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa faktor pakan sangat mempengaruhi kualitas semen ayam, terutama imbangan energi metabolis-protein dalam pakan ayam jantan sangat penting diatur untuk menjaga berat badan ayam jantan agar tidak terjadi kelebihan atau kekurangan berat badan yang sangat mempengaruhi kualitas semen ayam. Suplementasi suplemen dan imbuhan pakan menjadi upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan kualitas semen ayam. Jenis suplementasi yang dapat dilakukan dengan bahan sumber antioksidan, asam amino, mikromineral, bahan mengandung bioaktif tanaman, bahan sumber asam lemak dan probiotik. Disimpulkan bahwa faktor pakan sangat menentukan terhadap kualitas semen ayam.Kata kunci: ayam jantan, kualitas semen, pakanABSTRACTRooster semen is a liquid released by the genitals of the roosters which is normally ejaculated into the female reproductive tract during copulation. Semen evaluation is the main way to predict the reproductive performance of roosters. Semen quality evaluation is important to solve one of the main problems in poultry breeding farms, namely low fertility, whereas the biggest factor of this problem source is related to the poor of roosters’ semen quality. The quality of roosters semen is more influenced by non-genetic factors, such as feed and nutrition. The purpose of this paper was to examine the results of studies so far related to the effect of feed on the roosters’ semen quality. The results of the study indicated that the feed factor greatly influences the quality of roosters semen. The metabolic energy-protein balance in the rooster's feed was very important to regulate to maintain the weight of the rooster so as not to overweight and underweight because bodyweight greatly affects the quality of roosters semen. Supplementation of feed supplements and feed additives was an effort that can be done to improve the roosters semen quality. The kind of supplementation that could be done was supplementation of antioxidant sources, amino acids, microminerals, materials containing plant bioactive, fatty acid source ingredients, and probiotics. It was concluded that the feed factor was crucial to the quality of semen quality produced by the roosters.Keywords: feed, rooster, semen quality

scholarly journals GIV/Girdin, a Non-receptor Modulator for Gαi/s, Regulates Spatiotemporal Signaling during Sperm Capacitation and is Required for Male Fertility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sequoyah Reynoso ◽  
Vanessa Castillo ◽  
Gajanan Dattatray Katkar ◽  
Inmaculada Lopez-Sanchez ◽  
Sahar Taheri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Penetrating Peptides ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Receptor Modulator ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Shed Light

For a sperm to successfully fertilize an egg, it must first undergo capacitation in the female reproductive tract, and later undergo acrosomal reaction (AR) upon encountering an egg surrounded by its vestment. How premature AR is avoided despite rapid surges in signaling cascades during capacitation remains unknown. Using a combination of KO mice and cell-penetrating peptides, we show that GIV (CCDC88A), a guanine nucleotide-exchange modulator (GEM) for trimeric GTPases, is highly expressed in spermatocytes and is required for male fertility. GIV is rapidly phosphoregulated on key tyrosine and serine residues in human and murine spermatozoa. These phosphomodifications enable GIV-GEM to orchestrate two distinct compartmentalized signaling programs in the sperm tail and head; in the tail, GIV enhances PI3K→Akt signals, sperm motility and survival, whereas in the head it inhibits cAMP surge and premature AR. Furthermore, GIV transcripts are downregulated in the testis and semen of infertile men. These findings exemplify the spatiotemporally segregated signaling programs that support sperm capacitation and shed light on a hitherto unforeseen cause of infertility in men.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document