scholarly journals In vivo exposure to 17β-estradiol triggers premature sperm capacitation in cauda epididymis

Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Ded ◽  
Natasa Sebkova ◽  
Martina Cerna ◽  
Fatima Elzeinova ◽  
Pavla Dostalova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Epididymal Sperm ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
17Β Estradiol

Estrogens play a crucial role in spermatogenesis and estrogen receptor α knock-out male mice are infertile. It has been demonstrated that estrogens significantly increase the speed of capacitation in vitro; however this may lead to the reduction of reproductive potential due to the decreased ability of these sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction. To date the in vivo effect of estrogens on the ability of sperm to capacitate has not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we exposed mice (n=24) to 17β-estradiol (E2) at the concentration of 20 ng/ml either during puberty from the fourth to seventh week of age (n=8), or continuously from birth for a period of 12 weeks (n=8) at which age the animals from both groups were killed. The capacitation status of epididymal and testicular sperm was analysed by tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) antibody (immunofluorescence and western blot) and chlortetracycline (CTC) assay. According to our results, in vivo exposure to increased E2 concentrations caused premature sperm capacitation in the epididymis. The effect of E2, however, seems reversible because after the termination of the exposure premature epididymal sperm capacitation is decreased in animals treated during puberty. Furthermore the changes in epididymal sperm capacitation status detected by TyrP and CTC positively correlate with plasma levels of E2 and the expression of the estrogen-dependent trefoil factor 1 (Tff1) gene in testicular tissue. Therefore, our data implicate that in vivo exposure to E2 under specific conditions leads to the premature capacitation of mouse sperm in epididymis with a potential negative impact on the sperm reproductive fitness in the female reproductive tract.

scholarly journals Seminal vesicle proteins SVS3 and SVS4 facilitate SVS2 effect on sperm capacitation

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoya Araki ◽  
Natsuko Kawano ◽  
Woojin Kang ◽  
Kenji Miyado ◽  
Kaoru Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Vesicle ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Sperm Membrane ◽  
Vesicle Secretion ◽  
Mammalian Spermatozoa

Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability in the female reproductive tract (sperm capacitation). On the other hand, seminal vesicle secretion, which is a major component of seminal plasma, inhibits the initiation of sperm capacitation (capacitation inhibition) and reduces the fertility of the capacitated spermatozoa (decapacitation). There are seven major proteins involved in murine seminal vesicle secretion (SVS1-7), and we have previously shown that SVS2 acts as both a capacitation inhibitor and a decapacitation factor, and is indispensable forin vivofertilization. However, the effects of SVSs other than SVS2 on the sperm have not been elucidated. Since mouseSvs2–Svs6genes evolved by gene duplication belong to the same gene family, it is possible that SVSs other than SVS2 also have some effects on sperm capacitation. In this study, we examined the effects of SVS3 and SVS4 on sperm capacitation. Our results showed that both SVS3 and SVS4 are able to bind to spermatozoa, but SVS3 alone showed no effects on sperm capacitation. On the other hand, SVS4 acted as a capacitation inhibitor, although it did not show decapacitation abilities. Interestingly, SVS3 showed an affinity for SVS2 and it facilitated the effects of SVS2. Interaction of SVS2 and spermatozoa is mediated by the ganglioside GM1 in the sperm membrane; however, both SVS3 and SVS4 had weaker affinities for GM1 than SVS2. Therefore, we suggest that separate processes may cause capacitation inhibition and decapacitation, and SVS3 and SVS4 act on sperm capacitation cooperatively with SVS2.

scholarly journals CatSperζ regulates the structural continuity of sperm Ca2+ signaling domains and is required for normal fertility

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Ju Chung ◽  
Kiyoshi Miki ◽  
Doory Kim ◽  
Sang-Hee Shim ◽  
Huanan F Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Targeted Disruption ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Male Subfertility ◽  
Epididymal Spermatozoa ◽  
Mammalian Female ◽  
Signaling Domains

We report that the Gm7068 (CatSpere) and Tex40 (CatSperz) genes encode novel subunits of a 9-subunit CatSper ion channel complex. Targeted disruption of CatSperz reduces CatSper current and sperm rheotactic efficiency in mice, resulting in severe male subfertility. Normally distributed in linear quadrilateral nanodomains along the flagellum, the complex lacking CatSperζ is disrupted at ~0.8 μm intervals along the flagellum. This disruption renders the proximal flagellum inflexible and alters the 3D flagellar envelope, thus preventing sperm from reorienting against fluid flow in vitro and efficiently migrating in vivo. Ejaculated CatSperz-null sperm cells retrieved from the mated female uterus partially rescue in vitro fertilization (IVF) that failed with epididymal spermatozoa alone. Human CatSperε is quadrilaterally arranged along the flagella, similar to the CatSper complex in mouse sperm. We speculate that the newly identified CatSperζ subunit is a late evolutionary adaptation to maximize fertilization inside the mammalian female reproductive tract.

301 THE EFFECT OF EQUINE FOLICULLAR FLUID ON IN VITRO INDUCTION OF THE ACROSOME REACTION IN FROZEN - THAWED STALLION SPERMATOZOA

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 307
Author(s):  
D. S. Silva ◽  
P. Rodriguez ◽  
N. S. Arruda ◽  
R. Rodrigues ◽  
J. L. Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Contact Area ◽  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Acrosome Reaction ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Heparin Group ◽  
Fluorescent Stain ◽  
In Vitro Induction

The capacitation process occurs in vivo upon exposure of the spermatozoa through the female reproductive tract, but can be induced in vitro in the presence of several compounds. This study was conducted to assess the effect of heparin or equine follicular fluid on hyperactivated motility and in vitro induction acrosome reaction swim-up method with frozen-thawed stallion semen. Two hundred microliters of frozen-thawed equine semen was placed in a tube (45°C) to increase contact area and incubated at 37°C for 1 h. After incubation 800 μL of the supernatant was collected by centrifugation (500 × g, 10 min) to collect spermatozoa. The resulting pellet was resuspended in capacitation medium Fert-TALP supplemented with 5.0 μg mL-1 heparin or 100% follicular fluid and incubated for different times (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h) at 37°C. After incubation the hyperactivated motility and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa were evaluated. Hoechst stain was used to differentiate live and dead spermatozoa, and chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescent stain was used to assess the capacitation response of sperm; data were analyzed by ANOVA. The effect of equine follicular fluid resulted in improved percentage of spermatozoa with acrosome reaction at all times of incubation (60, 63, 57, 52, and 58%) but immediately after 3 h of incubation, the hyperactivated motility decreased in heparin group and follicular fluid (42 and 30%, respectively).

scholarly journals ESR1 Mutations Associated With Estrogen Insensitivity Syndrome Change Conformation of Ligand-Receptor Complex and Altered Transcriptome Profile

Endocrinology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 161 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Li ◽  
Katherine J Hamilton ◽  
Lalith Perera ◽  
Tianyuan Wang ◽  
Artiom Gruzdev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Α ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
Esr1 Gene ◽  
Esr1 Mutations

Abstract Estrogen insensitivity syndrome (EIS) arises from rare mutations in estrogen receptor-α (ERα, encoded by ESR1 gene) resulting in the inability of estrogen to exert its biological effects. Due to its rarity, mutations in ESR1 gene and the underlying molecular mechanisms of EIS have not been thoroughly studied. Here, we investigate known ESR1 mutants, Q375H and R394H, associated with EIS patients using in vitro and in vivo systems. Comparison of the transcriptome and deoxyribonucleic acid methylome from stable cell lines of both Q375H and R394H clinical mutants shows a differential profile compared with wild-type ERα, resulting in loss of estrogen responsiveness. Molecular dynamic simulation shows that both ESR1 mutations change the ERα conformation of the ligand-receptor complexes. Furthermore, we generated a mouse model Esr1-Q harboring the human mutation using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Female and male Esr1-Q mice are infertile and have similar phenotypes to αERKO mice. Overall phenotypes of the Esr1-Q mice correspond to those observed in the patient with Q375H. Finally, we explore the effects of a synthetic progestogen and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone inhibitor in the Esr1-Q mice for potentially reversing the impaired female reproductive tract function. These findings provide an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanistic consequences associated with EIS.

Capacitation mechanisms, and the role of capacitation as seen in eutherian mammals

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Functional Heterogeneity ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Range Of Functions

Capacitation, the process whereby spermatozoa are rendered capable of interacting with and fertilizing the egg, was discovered more than 40 years ago. However, our understanding of it is still far from satisfactory. Several factors conspire to obfuscate studies of capacitation mechanisms: the inherent functional heterogeneity of sperm populations, the range of functions used as parameters of capacitation (whence the endpoint of the process has become conceptually uncertain), and the several profound differences between model in vitro fertilization (IVF) systems and the situation in vivo in the female reproductive tract. Recent investigations in the author's laboratory have shown that bicarbonate/CO2, an essential component for successful IVF, causes rapid changes in lipid architecture of the sperm plasma membrane and slower changes in surface coating. These changes are accompanied by membrane destabilization and cell death. Evidence suggests that bicarbonate's actions are mediated through cyclic nucleotide signalling. Of particular note is the heterogeneity in rate of response to bicarbonate shown by individual cells in the sperm populations. Taken together with other observations, the findings suggest that capacitation is a series of positive destabilizing events that eventually lead to cell death. The 'capacitated' state would then be a window of destabilization within which spermatozoa can undergo a zona-induced acrosome reaction and display hyperactivated motility. Further along the destabilization pathway, spontaneous acrosome reactions would occur before total membrane degeneration. In vivo, capacitation would be a conflict between destabilization and sperm survival. Concentrations of bicarbonate are maintained low in the cauda epididymidis, where sperm survive for long periods, and one may speculate that hormonal control of local bicarbonate/CO2 in oviducal 'storage' sites in the female tract could allow 'safe' sequestering of live spermatozoa until around the time of ovulation; the environment may then change to produce a 'capacitating' effect, whence, due to the inherent functional heterogeneity of the sequestered population, small numbers of capacitated spermatozoa are released sequentially. In this way, a succession of spermatozoa in the correct physiological state may be provided for the freshly ovulated egg.

scholarly journals Organs-On-Chip Models of the Female Reproductive System

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Mancini ◽  
Virginia Pensabene
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Toxicity Screening ◽  
Paracrine Signalling ◽  
On Chip

Microfluidic-based technology attracts great interest in cell biology and medicine, in virtue of the ability to better mimic the in vivo cell microenvironment compared to conventional macroscale cell culture platforms. Recent Organs-on-chip (OoC) models allow to reproduce in vitro tissue and organ-level functions of living organs and systems. These models have been applied for the study of specific functions of the female reproductive tract, which is composed of several organs interconnected through intricate endocrine pathways and communication mechanisms. To date, a disease and toxicology study of this system has been difficult to perform. Thus, there is a compelling need to develop innovative platforms for the generation of disease model and for performing drug toxicity/screening in vitro studies. This review is focused on the analysis of recently published OoC models that recreate pathological and physiological characteristics of the female reproductive organs and tissues. These models aim to be used to assess changes in metabolic activity of the specific cell types and the effect of exposure to hormonal treatment or chemical substances on some aspects of reproduction and fertility. We examined these models in terms of device specifications, operating procedures, accuracy for studying the biochemical and functional activity of living tissues and the paracrine signalling that occurs within the different tissues. These models represent a powerful tool for understanding important diseases and syndromes affecting women all around the world. Immediate adoption of these models will allow to clarify diseases, causes and adverse events occurring during pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, infertility or preterm birth, endometriosis and infertility.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Mutagenesis Identifies Factors Involved in Enterococcus faecalis Vaginal Adherence and Persistence

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norhan Alhajjar ◽  
Anushila Chatterjee ◽  
Brady L. Spencer ◽  
Lindsey R. Burcham ◽  
Julia L. E. Willett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Aerobic Vaginitis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vaginal Colonization ◽  
Vaginal Tract

ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium native to the gastrointestinal tract and an opportunistic pathogen of increasing clinical concern. E. faecalis also colonizes the female reproductive tract, and reports suggest vaginal colonization increases following antibiotic treatment or in patients with aerobic vaginitis. Currently, little is known about specific factors that promote E. faecalis vaginal colonization and subsequent infection. We modified an established mouse vaginal colonization model to explore E. faecalis vaginal carriage and demonstrate that both vancomycin-resistant and -sensitive strains colonize the murine vaginal tract. Following vaginal colonization, we observed E. faecalis in vaginal, cervical, and uterine tissue. A mutant lacking endocarditis- and biofilm-associated pili (Ebp) exhibited a decreased ability to associate with human vaginal and cervical cells in vitro but did not contribute to colonization in vivo. Thus, we screened a low-complexity transposon (Tn) mutant library to identify novel genes important for E. faecalis colonization and persistence in the vaginal tract. This screen revealed 383 mutants that were underrepresented during vaginal colonization at 1, 5, and 8 days postinoculation compared to growth in culture medium. We confirmed that mutants deficient in ethanolamine catabolism or in the type VII secretion system were attenuated in persisting during vaginal colonization. These results reveal the complex nature of vaginal colonization and suggest that multiple factors contribute to E. faecalis persistence in the reproductive tract.

scholarly journals Organoid systems to study the human female reproductive tract and pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lama Alzamil ◽  
Konstantina Nikolakopoulou ◽  
Margherita Y. Turco
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Opening Up

AbstractBoth the proper functioning of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and normal placental development are essential for women’s health, wellbeing, and pregnancy outcome. The study of the FRT in humans has been challenging due to limitations in the in vitro and in vivo tools available. Recent developments in 3D organoid technology that model the different regions of the FRT include organoids of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrium and cervix, as well as placental trophoblast. These models are opening up new avenues to investigate the normal biology and pathology of the FRT. In this review, we discuss the advances, potential, and limitations of organoid cultures of the human FRT.

scholarly journals Requirements for Germination of Clostridium sordellii Spores In Vitro

2009 ◽  
Vol 192 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norma Ramirez ◽  
Ernesto Abel-Santos
Keyword(s):  
Spore Germination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Clostridium Sordellii ◽  
Spore Activation ◽  
Ph Range

ABSTRACT Clostridium sordellii is a spore-forming, obligately anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium that can cause toxic shock syndrome after gynecological procedures. Although the incidence of C. sordellii infection is low, it is fatal in most cases. Since spore germination is believed to be the first step in the establishment of Bacilli and Clostridia infections, we analyzed the requirements for C. sordellii spore germination in vitro. Our data showed that C. sordellii spores require three structurally different amino acids and bicarbonate for maximum germination. Unlike the case for Bacilli species, d-alanine had no effect on C. sordellii spore germination. C. sordellii spores germinated only in a narrow pH range between 5.7 and 6.5. In contrast, C. sordellii spore germination was significantly less sensitive to temperature changes than that of the Bacilli. The analysis of the kinetics of C. sordellii spore germination showed strong allosteric behavior in the binding of l-phenylalanine and l-alanine but not in that of bicarbonate or l-arginine. By comparing germinant apparent binding affinities to their known in vivo concentrations, we postulated a mechanism for differential C. sordellii spore activation in the female reproductive tract.

Simvastatin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin pathway in uterine leiomyoma

Endocrinology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malak El Sabeh ◽  
Subbroto Kumar Saha ◽  
Sadia Afrin ◽  
Mostafa A Borahay
Keyword(s):  
Uterine Leiomyoma ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Therapeutic Effects

Abstract The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is upregulated in uterine leiomyomas, the most common benign tumors in the female reproductive tract. Simvastatin is an anti-hyperlipidemic drug, and previous in vitro and in vivo reports showed it may have therapeutic effects in treating leiomyomas. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of simvastatin on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in leiomyoma. We treated primary and immortalized human leiomyoma cells with simvastatin and examined its effects using RT-qPCR, Western Blotting, and immunocytochemistry. We also examined the effects using human leiomyoma tissues from an ongoing, randomized controlled trial where women with symptomatic leiomyoma received simvastatin (40mg) or placebo for 3 months prior to their surgery. The results of this study reveal that simvastatin significantly reduced the expression of Wnt4 and its co-receptor LRP5. After simvastatin treatment, levels of total β-catenin and its active form, non-phosphorylated β-catenin, were reduced in both cell types. Additionally, simvastatin reduced the expression of Wnt4 and total β-catenin, as well as non-phosphorylated β-catenin protein expression in response to estrogen and progesterone. Simvastatin also inhibited the expression of c-Myc, a downstream target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The effect of simvastatin on non-phosphorylated-β-catenin, the key regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, was recapitulated in human leiomyoma tissue. These results suggest that simvastatin may have a beneficial effect on uterine leiomyoma through suppressing the overactive Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

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