An Insight into Novel Sperm Cell Proteins as Bio-markers for Male Infertility: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naina Kumar ◽  
Namit Kant Singh

: Male infertility is rising now-a-days and accounts for major part of infertility cases worldwide. Novel tests are being developed for better detection and management of male infertility. Though there are many tests available for diagnosing male infertility like acrosome reaction rate, hemizona assay, in vivo or in vitro sperm penetration assay, sperm DNA damage tests, but semen analysis is most commonly used initial test for male infertility. It is usually associated with failure to detect cause in many cases, as seminal composition gets affected by a number of factors and can give false reports. Furthermore, it does not give any information about defects in capacitation, sperm Zona Pellucida interaction and sperm’s ability to fertilize oocytes. This results in failure of detection and delayed management of male infertility. Hence, the present review was conducted to identify various sperm proteins that play significant role in spermatogenesis, sperm motility, sperm-Zona Pellucida interaction and fertilization. These proteins can be used in future as markers of male infertility and will aid in better detection and management of male infertility. Methodology: Search for literature was made from 1970 to 2020 from various databases like PUBMED, SCOPUS, Google Scholar on sperm proteins and their role in male fertility using keywords: “sperm protein as bio-markers”, “novel sperm proteins as markers of infertility”, “Sperm proteins essential for capacitation, sperm motility and oocyte fertilization”. Inclusion criteria: All full-length research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analysis or abstracts on sperm proteins and male infertility published in English language in peer-reviewed journals were considered.

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lange-Consiglio ◽  
F. Cremonesi

In vitro fertilization has remained elusive in the horse, as evidenced by low sperm penetration rates when IVF has been attempted with in vivo- or in vitro-matured oocytes. It is likely that the low sperm penetration rates observed in IVF studies are due to the inability to appropriately capacitate or hyperactivate, or both, stallion sperm in the laboratory. The acquisition of hyperactivated sperm motility has been observed within the oviducts of mammals at the time of fertilization and is required for zona pellucida penetration in conjunction with the acrosome reaction (AR). Although the zona pellucida is considered the prime physiological inducer of AR, previous studies have shown a low incidence of AR in zona pellucida-bound stallion spermatozoa after 1 h of in vitro binding. This low incidence suggests that, besides the zona pellucida glycoproteins, another major factor might be responsible for AR. Protein-bound progesterone, present in equine follicular fluid (FF), has been demonstrated to induce AR in stallion spermatozoa. In this context, the aims of this study were (1) to hyperactivate stallion sperm in FF and (2) to verify whether this hyperactivation supports equine IVF. Pooled FF, aspirated from the preovulatory follicles of oestrous mares, was used and its progesterone concentration was determined by immune enzymatic assay. Spermatozoa from fertile stallions selected by a swim-up procedure were pre-incubated for 6 h in capacitating medium (modifed Whittens's medium (WM) supplemented with 25 mM NaHCO3 and 7 mg mL–1 of BSA) and then incubated for 6 h at 37°C in either FF or capacitating WM. Sperm motility was assayed by computer-assisted semen analysis, rates of AR were assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-PNA staining and rate of apoptosis was assessed by an annexin V test. For IVF, spermatozoa were incubated at 10 × 106 sperm mL–1 in capacitating WM for 6 h and then diluted to 1 × 106 sperm mL–1 in capacitating WM with or without 10% of FF. Five mature mare oocytes were transferred into droplets (100 μL) of the sperm suspensions covered with mineral oil and then incubated for 18 h at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in humidified air. After that, oocytes were transferred to an embryo culture medium (DMEM/F-12) for an additional 3 days. Data were analysed by ANOVA. Treatment of sperm with FF resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease of 3 motility variables indicative of hyperactivation: straight line velocity, straightness and linearity. The highest rate of AR (29.44%) and a lower rate of apoptosis (16.93%) were obtained after 4 h of incubation in follicular fluid. By coupling capacitating conditions with the induction of hyperactivation using follicular fluid, we have obtained reproducible percentages of 8-cell-stage embryos (18.56%) in our IVF experiments. Conversely, sperm incubated in capacitating conditions but not treated with FF did not fertilize (0%). It is concluded that mare FF does not impair sperm viability, stimulates equine sperm hyperactivation in vitro, induces the AR and supports equine IVF.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 507-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Pant ◽  
AB Pant ◽  
M. Shukla ◽  
N. Mathur ◽  
YK Gupta ◽  
...  

Rapid industrialization and urbanization release several chemicals such as phthalates into the environment and cause adverse effects on reproductive system, mainly endocrine disruption, testicular injury and decline in semen quality in humans. There are no reports in extrapolating of the epidemiological data with in vitro findings. Our study show the correlations between in vivo studies and in vitro data for the effect of phthalate esters. Healthy human males, in the age group 21 to 40 years, visiting Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU), Lucknow, as part of infertility investigation, were recruited as volunteers. Semen analysis was performed according to the WHO guidelines. Phthalate esters were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and cell viability by MTT assay. In the in vitro studies, sperms were exposed to highest concentration in semen samples (5—10 times higher) for a period ranging between 30 min and 96 hours. An inverse relationship with sperm motility in epidemiological studies was concurrent by significant dose-and time-dependent decrease in the sperm motility under in vitro environment after 12-hour exposure. Cytotoxicity was observed only with the highest concentration after 96 hours of exposure. There are a significant correlation between phthalate ester diethylhexyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate (DEHP and DBP) and sperm motility both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Additionally, in vitro experiments conducted not only adjunct to the existing in vivo data but also specify the effect of specific toxicants (DEHP and DBP) on sperm motility and viability. Results show the decrease in motility of sperms under in vitro conditions at the maximum range of in vivo measured levels and 5- or 10-folds higher to that found in human semen samples.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Campbell ◽  
I E Sucquart ◽  
A Whittaker ◽  
H J Sanganee ◽  
C L R Barratt ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does AZD5904, a myeloperoxidase inhibitor (MPOi), have any effect on human sperm function in vitro? SUMMARY ANSWER AZD5904 improves sperm function in an in vitro model of oxidative stress (OS) and potentially offers a novel treatment approach for male infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Male infertility is an underlying or contributory cause in half of all couples experiencing difficulties conceiving, yet there is currently no effective treatment or cure. OS is a common pathology in a significant proportion of infertile men. It can negatively affect sperm motility and the ability to fertilize a mature oocyte, as well as DNA integrity, and therefore represents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study included population-based samples from men (23–50 years) attending Ninewells Assisted Conception Unit, Dundee for diagnostic semen analysis, July 2017–September 2018. Semen samples (n = 47) from 45 patients were used. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Neutrophils activated using zymosan were incubated with prepared human spermatozoa for 2 h (T2) and 24 h (T24) to create an in vitro model of OS. Parallel samples were co-incubated with AZD5904, an MPOi, to examine its effects. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis at T2 and T24. Functional motility was assessed by sperm penetration assay. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There was no significant difference in total or progressive sperm motility between any treatment and control groups at T2 or T24. Nonetheless, significant positive effects on sperm function were observed with AZD5904, with 16/45 (35.6%) samples (with both normal and abnormal baseline semen analysis characteristics) displaying a ≥20% increase in sperm penetrated through viscous media (P < 0.003). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This was an in vitro study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Treatment with AZD5904 resulted in significant increased sperm penetration in one of three samples treated, which is likely to represent improvement in sperm function required for fertilization. We are now planning a clinical trial to validate these results and hope that this could represent a new treatment for male infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) AZD5904 was shared through the AstraZeneca Open Innovation program. The study was funded by AstraZeneca and sponsored by the University of Dundee. Additional funding was provided by Chief Scientist Office/NHS Research Scotland (S.J.M.d.S.). A.W. and H.J.S. are both full time employees of AstraZeneca. A.W. and H.J.S. are inventors on a patent filed by AstraZeneca titled MPOi for use in medicine which includes MPOi for use in the treatment of male infertility (WO 2019/016074 Al). S.J.M.d.S. is Associate Editor of Human Reproduction and Editorial Board member of Reproduction & Fertility. C.L.R.B. is Editor of RBMO and has received lecturing fees from Merck and Ferring and is on the Scientific Advisory Panel for Ohana BioSciences. C.L.R.B. was chair of the World Health Organization Expert Synthesis Group on Diagnosis of Male infertility (2012–2016). C.L.R.B. has a patent WO2013054111 A1 issued. The other authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.


1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M Avery

Male infertility, while having a variety of causes, is generally discussed in terms of semen parameters. While the World Health Organization (WHO) have been able io set limits for semen parameters below which a male can be considered subfertile (20 million/ml; >50% motility; >50% morphologically normal forms), it is well documented thatin vivoconceptions have been achieved where semen quality falls well outside these limits, and that infertile men may have normal semen parameters. Macleod and Gold in comparing 1000 fertile men and 1000 infertile men, found that significantly more infertile men had sperm densities below 20 million/ml, but also that 60% of infertile men had sperm densities of 60 million or more. Jouannet and Feneaux have shown that the conception ratein vivoonly apparently falls significantly at sperm concentrations of less than five million/ml. Although the cause of subnormal semen analysis is unknown in the majority of cases, there is no reason to suppose that abnormal semen parameters on their own are the cause of infertility. Rather the problem may be caused by failure of sufficient numbers of sperm traversing the female tract and reaching the oocyte. Unfortunately, lack of defined diagnoses lead to a lack of direct treatment for subnormal semen parameters. The development ofin vitrofertilization (IVF) resulted in a method that could be used to circumvent the problem since it requires relatively low numbers of sperm and these are placed in the immediate vicinity of the oocyte. It should also be pointed out that normal semen parameters do not imply fertility, since these parameters cannot directly identify dysfunction. IVF offers the advantage that sperm-oocyte interractions can be observed, and in cases of fertilization failure, the point at which sperm dysfunction manifests itself may potentially be identified – if not the nature of the dysfunction. Techniques have now been developed that may overcome certain types of dysfunction, using both biochemical and mechanical means.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Barbagallo ◽  
Sandro La Vignera ◽  
Rossella Cannarella ◽  
Antonio Aversa ◽  
Aldo E. Calogero ◽  
...  

Introduction: The role of nutraceuticals in the treatment of male infertility, especially in the “idiopathic form”, remains the subject of significant debate. Many antioxidants improve sperm motility but the exact mechanism by which they act is still unclear. Although several studies have shown a correlation between sperm motility and mitochondrial function, the effects of antioxidant therapy on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) are poorly studied. The first aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidants on mitochondrial function and, consequently, on sperm motility in male infertile patients. Material and Methods: we performed a systematic search of all randomized controlled and uncontrolled studies available in the literature that reported sperm motility and MMP at baseline and after antioxidant administration in-vivo and in-vitro in patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Pubmed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Academic One Files, Google Scholar and Scopus databases were used. Results: Unexpectedly, among 353 articles retrieved, only one study met our inclusion criteria and showed a significant effect of myoinositol on both MMP and sperm motility. We then summarized the main knowledge on anatomy and metabolism of sperm mitochondria, techniques allowing to assess sperm mitochondria function and its relationships with low sperm motility. Finally, we paid special attention to the effect of antioxidant/prokinetic molecules for the treatment of asthenozoospermia. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review that has attempted to evaluate the effects of antioxidants on MMP and sperm motility. Although results are not conclusive due to the dearth of studies, the close relationship between mitochondria and sperm motility is clear. The investigation of this correlation could provide valuable information to be exploited in clinical practice for the treatment of male infertility.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Joana Santiago ◽  
Joana V. Silva ◽  
Manuel A. S. Santos ◽  
Margarida Fardilha

Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor present in epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, negatively disturbs the male reproductive system affecting male fertility. In vivo studies showed that BPA exposure has deleterious effects on spermatogenesis by disturbing the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and inducing oxidative stress in testis. This compound seems to disrupt hormone signalling even at low concentrations, modifying the levels of inhibin B, oestradiol, and testosterone. The adverse effects on seminal parameters are mainly supported by studies based on urinary BPA concentration, showing a negative association between BPA levels and sperm concentration, motility, and sperm DNA damage. Recent studies explored potential approaches to treat or prevent BPA-induced testicular toxicity and male infertility. Since the effect of BPA on testicular cells and spermatozoa is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species, most of the pharmacological approaches are based on the use of natural or synthetic antioxidants. In this review, we briefly describe the effects of BPA on male reproductive health and discuss the use of antioxidants to prevent or revert the BPA-induced toxicity and infertility in men.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 506
Author(s):  
Bernardo Romão ◽  
Ana Luísa Falcomer ◽  
Gabriela Palos ◽  
Sandra Cavalcante ◽  
Raquel Braz Assunção Botelho ◽  
...  

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the glycemic index (GI) of gluten-free bread (GFB) and its main ingredients. The systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, using seven electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, gray literature research with Google Scholar, and patents with Google Patent tool), from inception to November 2020. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria evaluating 132 GFB samples. Five articles tested GI in vivo, eleven in vitro; and two studies tested both methods. The analysis showed that 60.7% (95% CI: 40.2–78.1%) of the samples presented high glycemic indexes, evidencing a high glycemic profile for GFB. Only 18.2% (95% CI: 11.7–27.2%) of the bread samples presented in the studies were classified as a low GI. Meta-analysis presented moderate/low heterogenicity between studies (I2 = 61% and <1% for both high and low GIs) and reinforced the proportion of high GIs. Lower GIs were found in formulations based on Colocasia esculenta flour or enriched with fiber, yogurt and curd cheese, sourdough, psyllium, hydrocolloids, enzymes, fructans, and resistant starch, highlighting the efficacy of these ingredients to lower GFBs’ GI. GFB tends to present high GI, impacting the development of chronic diseases when consumed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Pugh ◽  
J.G. Thompson ◽  
K. Logan ◽  
H.R. Tervit

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Bailey ◽  
Amreena Suri ◽  
Pauline Chou ◽  
Tatiana Pundy ◽  
Samantha Gadd ◽  
...  

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in pediatrics, with rare occurrences of primary and metastatic tumors in the central nervous system (CNS). We previously reported the overexpression of the polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) in embryonal brain tumors. PLK4 has also been found to be overexpressed in a variety of peripheral adult tumors and recently in peripheral NB. Here, we investigated PLK4 expression in NBs of the CNS (CNS-NB) and validated our findings by performing a multi-platform transcriptomic meta-analysis using publicly available data. We evaluated the PLK4 expression by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) on the CNS-NB samples and compared the relative expression levels among other embryonal and non-embryonal brain tumors. The relative PLK4 expression levels of the NB samples were found to be significantly higher than the non-embryonal brain tumors (p-value < 0.0001 in both our samples and in public databases). Here, we expand upon our previous work that detected PLK4 overexpression in pediatric embryonal tumors to include CNS-NB. As we previously reported, inhibiting PLK4 in embryonal tumors led to decreased tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasion and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, and therefore PLK4 may be a potential new therapeutic approach to CNS-NB.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document