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

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.

The effect of IBMX and prolactin on functional status of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa

Purpose: investigate the effect of IBMX (activator of protein phosphorylation) and prolactin (PRL) on the functional state of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa using inhibitory analysis.Materials and methods. Frozen-thawed semen samples from 60 black-and-white bulls was used in the experiments. For capacitation, cells were incubated in Sp-TALP medium supplemented with 6 mg/ml bovine serum albumin and various compounds: an inductor of capacitation (IBMX at concentrations of 1 μM, 10 μM, 50 μM, 100 μM), hormone (PRL at concentrations of 1 ng, 10 ng, 50 ng, 100 ng) and inhibitors of protein kinases C (Ro 31-8220 at a concentration of 10 ng/ml) and protein kinase A (H-89 at a concentration of 10 μM). The incubation was carried out at 38°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2, 98% humidity for 4 hours. The functional status of the cells was determined by the chlortetracycline test.Results. It was shown that IBMX at all experimental concentrations did not affect the post-ejaculatory maturation (capacitation and acrosome reaction) of spermatozoa, while all concentrations of PRL (1-100 ng/ml) promoted the acrosome reaction in capacitated cells. In the presence of a protein kinase A inhibitor, there was a decrease in number of capacitated and an increase in number of acrosome-reactive spermatozoa under the action of IBMX at a concentration of 100 μM and no changes under the action of a protein kinase C inhibitor. Also, in case of protein kinase C inhibition the PRL-related stimulation of the acrosome reaction was canceled, while the usage of H-89 did not affect the functional status of spermatozoa, mediated by PRL. Thus, the influence of IBMX and PRL on the processes of post-ejaculatory maturation in thawed bovine spermatozoa was studied using the inhibitory analysis.Conclusion. At the capacital stage, all studied IBMX concentrations did not affect the ratio of deconved cells with various functional status. Prode also contributed to the passage of the acrosomous reaction in the rolled spermatozoa after defrosting. Inhibition of protein kinase A when incubating cells with IBMX has mediated the processes of acrosomal exocytosis in ripped cells and did not affect this process under the action of the PRR, while the protein kinase inhibitor C changed the ratio of cells with various functional status in the direction of increasing the percentage of cells at the rate of occasion I did not participate in intracellular action provided IBMX on deconved cells.

Assessment of Sperm Binding Capacity in the Tubal Reservoir Using a Bovine Ex Vivo Oviduct Culture and Fluorescence Microscopy

Sperm binding within the oviductal sperm reservoir plays an important role for reproductive success by enabling sperm survival and maintaining fertilizing capacity. To date, numerous in vitro technologies have been established to measure sperm binding capacity to cultured oviductal cells or oviductal explants. However, these methods do not accurately represent the microenvironment and complex multi-molecular nature of the oviduct. In this paper, we describe a novel protocol for assessing sperm binding capacity in the tubal sperm reservoir using an ex vivo oviduct culture in the bovine model. This protocol includes the staining of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa with the DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342, the co-incubation of stained sperm in closed segments of the oviduct and the visualization and quantification of bound spermatozoa by fluorescence microscopy. By generating overlays of multiple Z-stacks of randomly selected regions of interest (ROIs), spermatozoa bound in the sperm reservoir can be visualized and quantified within the 3D arrangement of the oviductal folds. This method, which is applicable to multiple species, can be used to assess individual sperm binding capacity in males for prognostic purposes as well as to assess the impact of diseases and medications on the formation of the sperm reservoir in the oviduct in humans and animals.

In vitro effect of ferrous sulphate on bovine spermatozoa motility parameters, viability and Annexin V-labeled membrane changes

The aim of this study was to assess the dose- and time-dependent in vitro effects of ferrous sulphate (FeSO4.7H2O) on the motility parameters, viability, structural and functional activity of bovine spermatozoa. Spermatozoa motility parameters were determined after exposure to concentrations (3.90, 7.80, 15.60, 31.20, 62.50, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μM) of FeSO4.7H2O using the SpermVisionTM CASA (Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer) system in different time periods. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the Annexin V-Fluos was applied to detect the membrane integrity of spermatozoa. The initial spermatozoa motility showed increased average values at all experimental concentrations compared to the control group (culture medium without FeSO4.7H2O). After 2 h, FeSO4.7H2O stimulated the overall percentage of spermatozoa motility at the concentrations of ≤ 125 μM. However, experimental administration of 250 μM of FeSO4.7H2O significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the spermatozoa motility but had no negative effect on the cell viability (P < 0.05) (Time 2 h). The lowest viability was noted after the addition of ≥ 500 μM of FeSO4.7H2O (P < 0.001). The concentrations of ≤ 62.50 μM of FeSO4.7H2O markedly stimulated (P < 0.001) spermatozoa activity after 24 h of exposure, while at high concentrations of ≥ 500 μM of FeSO4.7H2O the overall percentage of spermatozoa motility was significantly inhibited (P < 0.001) and it elicited cytotoxic action. Fluorescence analysis confirmed that spermatozoa incubated with higher concentrations (≥ 500 μM) of FeSO4.7H2O displayed apoptotic changes, as detected in head membrane (acrosomal part) and mitochondrial portion of spermatozoa. Moreover, the highest concentration and the longest time of exposure (1000 μM of FeSO4.7H2O; Time 6 h) induced even necrotic alterations to spermatozoa. These results suggest that high concentrations of FeSO4.7H2O are able to induce toxic effects on the structure and function of spermatozoa, while low concentrations may have the positive effect on the fertilization potential of spermatozoa.

Evaluation of viability indicators of bovine spermatozoa after exposure to silicon dimethylglycerolate using flow cytofluorimetry

Silicon and its dioxide (silica) demonstrate good biological compatibility and a wide range of physical and chemical properties, depending on the production and processing method. In particular, silicon dimethylglycerolate (SDMG) has transmucous and transcutaneous drug conductivity, and, as a hydrogel, may be of interest for the oocytes and embryos cultivation medium structuring and/or media for cryopreservation/thawing of gametes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of SDMG at concentrations of 0.2 % and 0.02 % on the transmembrane potential of mitochondria and cell viability of bovine spermatozoa. Methods. Sperm subpopulations were assessed for (non)viability indicators (disrupted transmembrane potential of mitochondria, externalization of phosphatidylserine and plasma membrane integrity loss) by flow cytometry with two sets of fluorescent probes. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was measured using 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6(3))/ethidium bromide, and externalization of phosphatidylserine – using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide pair. The results of this work indicate that SDMG in concentrations of 0.2 % and 0.02 % does not affect the transmembrane mitochondrial potential, externalization of phosphatidylserine or necrotic processes in the population of bovine spermatozoa. The scientific novelty. The data is obtained for the first time on the absence of cytotoxicity of SDMG for male gametes. Together with the shown positive effect of this compound on the morphological parameters and the state of nuclear chromatin of porcine oocytes after intrafollicular vitrification, it should be concluded that silicon-containing glycerohydrogels are of interest as a component of sperm cryopreservation/thawing media.