scholarly journals Expression of the rhesus glycoproteins, ammonia transporter family members, RHCG and RHBG in male reproductive organs

Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Wook Lee ◽  
Jill W Verlander ◽  
Mary E Handlogten ◽  
Ki-Hwan Han ◽  
Paul S Cooke ◽  
...  

The rhesus glycoproteins, Rh B glycoprotein (RHBG) and Rh C glycoprotein (RHCG), are recently identified ammonia transporters. Rhcg expression is necessary for normal male fertility, but its specific cellular expression is unknown, and Rhbg has not been reported to be expressed in the male reproductive tract. This study sought to determine the specific cellular expression of Rhcg, to determine whether Rhbg is expressed in the male reproductive tract, and, if so, to determine which cells express Rhbg using real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Both Rhbg and Rhcg were expressed throughout the male reproductive tract. In the testis, high levels of Rhbg were expressed in Leydig cells, and Rhcg was expressed in spermatids during the later stages of their maturation (steps 13–16) in stages I–VIII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. In the epididymis, basolateral Rhbg was present in narrow cells in the initial segment, in principal cells in the upper corpus, and in clear cells throughout the epididymis. Apical Rhcg immunolabel was present in principal cells in the caput and upper corpus epididymidis and in clear cells in the middle and lower corpus and cauda epididymidis. In the vas deferens, apical Rhcg immunolabel and basolateral Rhbg immunolabel were present in some principal cells and colocalized with H+-ATPase immunolabel. We conclude that both Rhbg and Rhcg are highly expressed in specific cells in the male reproductive tract where they can contribute to multiple components of male fertility.

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Marsh ◽  
GE Heinsohn ◽  
TD Glover

The anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the dugong (Dugong dugon) is described. Each testis and its adjacent epididymis lie immediately caudal to the corresponding kidney. The seminal vesicles are large but there is no discrete prostate gland and the bulbo-urethral glands are also diffuse. Both qualitative and quantitative examination of the testes and epididymides of 59 males whose ages have been estimated from tusk dentinal growth layer counts indicate that the male dugong does not produce spermatozoa continuously, despite the absence of a distinct breeding season. Individual dugongs were observed with testes at all stages between complete quiescence and full spermatogenesis, and only 10 of the 40 mature males had fully spermatogenic testes and epididymides packed with spermatozoa. Androgenic and spermatogenic activity of the testes appeared to be in phase, but the testicular histology of some old males suggested that they may have been sterile for long periods.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18498-18506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Fujihara ◽  
Taichi Noda ◽  
Kiyonori Kobayashi ◽  
Asami Oji ◽  
Sumire Kobayashi ◽  
...  

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology enables researchers to efficiently generate and analyze genetically modified animals. We have taken advantage of this game-changing technology to uncover essential factors for fertility. In this study, we generated knockouts (KOs) of multiple male reproductive organ-specific genes and performed phenotypic screening of these null mutant mice to attempt to identify proteins essential for male fertility. We focused on making large deletions (dels) within 2 gene clusters encoding cystatin (CST) and prostate and testis expressed (PATE) proteins and individual gene mutations in 2 other gene families encoding glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain (GDPD) containing and lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly6)/Plaur domain (LYPD) containing proteins. These gene families were chosen because many of the genes demonstrate male reproductive tract-specific expression. AlthoughGdpd1andGdpd4mutant mice were fertile, disruptions ofCstandPategene clusters andLypd4resulted in male sterility or severe fertility defects secondary to impaired sperm migration through the oviduct. While absence of the epididymal protein families CST and PATE affect the localization of the sperm membrane protein A disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 3 (ADAM3), the sperm acrosomal membrane protein LYPD4 regulates sperm fertilizing ability via an ADAM3-independent pathway. Thus, use of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies has allowed us to quickly rule in and rule out proteins required for male fertility and expand our list of male-specific proteins that function in sperm migration through the oviduct.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vegim Zhaku ◽  
Ashok Agarwal ◽  
Sheqibe Beadini ◽  
Ralf Henkel ◽  
Renata Finelli ◽  
...  

Within the male reproductive system, oxidative stress (OS) has been identified as prevailing etiology of male infertility. The effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on male fertility depend on the dimensions, “modus operandi” of the ROS and the oxido-reduction potential (ORP) of the male reproductive tract. Hereupon, for an adequate response to OS, the cells of our body are endowed with a well-sophisticated system of defense in order to be protected. Various antioxidant enzymes and small molecular free radical scavengers, maintain the delicate balance between oxidants and reductants (antioxidants), crucial to cellular function and fertility. Therapeutic use of antioxidants is an optimal and coherent option in terms of mitigating OS and improving semen parameters. Therefore, recognizing and managing OS through either decreasing ROS levels or by increasing antioxidant force, appear to be a requesting approach in the management of male infertility. However, a clear defined attitude of the experts about the clinical efficacy of antioxidant therapy is still deprived. Prominently, antioxidant such as coenzyme Q10, vitamin C and E, lycopene, carnitine, zinc and selenium have been found useful in controlling the balance between ROS production and scavenging activities. In spite of that, healthy lifestyle, without smoke and alcohol, everyday exercise, reduction of psychological stress and quality well-designed meals, are habits that can overturn male infertility.


Author(s):  
S. K. Bhure ◽  
P. Harikrishna ◽  
J. Usharani ◽  
A. M. Shende ◽  
S. Harikumar

Regucalcin is a multifunctional protein having an important role in calcium homeostasis, L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis, anti-prolific, anti-apoptotic functions as well as detoxification of chemical warfare nerve agents. Recently, it has been localized to male reproductive tract of rat and human, and identified as an androgen-target gene. The literature suggests a possible role of regucalcin in male fertility. However, no detailed studies have been conducted on its role in male reproductive organs of domestic animals. As an initial step, we had cloned and expressed regucalcin in Pichia pastoris. The sequence analysis showed 100% homology with regucalcin of Bos tours both at nucleotide and amino acid level. The SDS-PAGE and Western blot studies of recombinant protein probed with anti-regucalcin monoclonal antibody showed a higher molecular weight (56 kDa) than the expected (35.5 kDa) that could be due to hyperglycosylation. The recombinant regucalcin and its antibodies can be used to study the detailed role of the protein in male reproduction.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Yoo-Jin Park ◽  
Myung-Geol Pang

Mitochondria are structurally and functionally distinct organelles that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), to provide energy to spermatozoa. They can also produce reactive oxidation species (ROS). While a moderate concentration of ROS is critical for tyrosine phosphorylation in cholesterol efflux, sperm–egg interaction, and fertilization, excessive ROS generation is associated with male infertility. Moreover, mitochondria participate in diverse processes ranging from spermatogenesis to fertilization to regulate male fertility. This review aimed to summarize the roles of mitochondria in male fertility depending on the sperm developmental stage (from male reproductive tract to female reproductive tract). Moreover, mitochondria are also involved in testosterone production, regulation of proton secretion into the lumen to maintain an acidic condition in the epididymis, and sperm DNA condensation during epididymal maturation. We also established the new signaling pathway using previous proteomic data associated with male fertility, to understand the overall role of mitochondria in male fertility. The pathway revealed that male infertility is associated with a loss of mitochondrial proteins in spermatozoa, which induces low sperm motility, reduces OXPHOS activity, and results in male infertility.


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