Cyclic FEE Peptide Improves Human Sperm Movement Parameters without Modification of Their Energy Metabolism

Cyclic fertilin peptide (cFEE: phenylalanine, glutamic acid; glutamic acid) improves gamete interaction in humans. We investigate whether it could be via improvement of sperm movement parameters and their mitochondrial ATP production. Sperm movement parameters were studied using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) in sperm samples from 38 patients with normal sperm in medium supplemented with cyclic fertilin against a control group. Sperm mitochondrial functions were studied using donor’s sperm, incubated or not with cFEE. It was evaluated by the measurement of their ATP production using bioluminescence, their respiration by high resolution oxygraphy, and of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) using potentiometric dyes and flow cytometry. cFEE significantly improved sperm movement parameters and percentage of hyperactivated sperm. Impact of inhibitors showed OXPHOS as the predominant energy source for sperm movement. However, cFEE had no significant impact on any of the analyzed mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters, suggesting that it could act via a more efficient use of its energy resources.

Semen Quality and Freezability Analyses in the Ejaculates of Two Poitou Donkeys in the Southern Hemisphere

The Baudet du Poitou is a vanishing donkey breed recognized for engendering robust working mules. In Chile, only two pure breed Poitou males exist, which belong to the Chilean army and are used for mule production. We performed an extensive sperm and seminal analysis of these two jackasses aged 3 and 6 years and investigated the use of a simple hypometabolic extender for sperm cryopreservation. Computer-assisted sperm analysis showed high motility, velocity, and linearity in sperm movement. The seminal plasma analysis revealed that sodium and chloride were the main electrolytes, and globulins were the main metabolites. Active and variable enzymatic activity was observed. New information is reported about gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, zinc, and magnesium concentrations in seminal plasma of Poitou donkeys. Ejaculates among jackasses showed some variability due to individual variability and different stages in sexual maturation according to age. The freezability index analysis based in viability, total motility and progressive motility with Botucrio extender (57.1 ± 11.0%; 56.6 ± 20.0%; and 22.6 ± 10.3%, respectively) were significantly higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively) than with HM-0 extender (42,6 ± 11.4%; 14.9 ± 5.1%; and 1.0 ± 2.5%, respectively). We report new information on Poitou donkey semen and cryopreservation in the Southern Hemisphere that could be useful in donkey breeding and conservation programs to develop strategies that improve the effectiveness of population management of this breed.

Effects of Age, Phase Variation and Pheromones on Male Sperm Storage in the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria

In general, sperm produced in the testis are moved into the seminal vesicle via the vas deferens in insects, where they are stored. How this sperm movement is controlled is less well understood in locusts or grasshoppers. In this study, the effects of age, phase variation and pheromones on male sperm storage were investigated in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål). In this locust, a pair of ducts, the vasa deferentia, connect the testes to a pair of the long, slender seminal vesicles that are folded approximately thirty times, and where the sperm are stored. We found that phase variation affected the level of sperm storage in the seminal vesicle. Moreover, adult males that detected pheromones emitted by mature adult males showed enhanced sperm storage compared with males that received the pheromones emitted from nymphs: The former, adult male pheromones are known to promote sexual maturation of immature adults of both sexes, whereas the latter, nymphal pheromones delay sexual maturation. Most mature adult males had much sperm in the vasa deferentia at all times examined, suggesting daily sperm movement from the testes to the seminal vesicles via the vasa deferentia. As adult males aged, sperm were accumulated from the proximal part to the distal end of the seminal vesicle. Many sperm remained in the seminal vesicle after mating. These results suggest that young or new sperm located near the proximal part of the seminal vesicle could be used for mating, whereas old sperm not used for mating are stored in the distal part of the seminal vesicle.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Young and Adult Bull (Bos taurus) Cryopreserved Semen

The age of the bull is widely accepted to influence the production of sperm, affecting the amount and quality of produced semen, which in turn impacts the results of cryopreservation. However, the exact influence of the maturation process on cryopreserved sperm, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process, are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in the proteome of thawed semen (spermatozoa and supernatant) collected from young and adult bulls (n = 6) using the 2D-DIGE approach. The quality of semen was assessed using a CASA system and flow cytometry. We found no significant age-related variation in semen quality, with the exception of the average path velocity of sperm movement, which was higher in adult bulls. Proteomic analysis indicated 15 spermatozoa proteins and 10 supernatant proteins with significant age-related changes. Our results suggest that semen from adult bulls is better equipped with proteins related to energy production, protection of spermatozoa against oxidative stress and fertilizing ability. Proteins increased in abundance in young bull spermatozoa were connected to the cytoskeleton and its development, which strongly suggests that developmental processes are still in progress. In conclusion, our results provide novel insight into the mechanism of the development of the male reproductive system of cattle.

A dynamic basal complex modulates mammalian sperm movement

Reproductive success depends on efficient sperm movement driven by axonemal dynein-mediated microtubule sliding. Models predict sliding at the base of the tail – the centriole – but such sliding has never been observed. Centrioles are ancient organelles with a conserved architecture; their rigidity is thought to restrict microtubule sliding. Here, we show that, in mammalian sperm, the atypical distal centriole (DC) and its surrounding atypical pericentriolar matrix form a dynamic basal complex (DBC) that facilitates a cascade of internal sliding deformations, coupling tail beating with asymmetric head kinking. During asymmetric tail beating, the DC’s right side and its surroundings slide ~300 nm rostrally relative to the left side. The deformation throughout the DBC is transmitted to the head-tail junction; thus, the head tilts to the left, generating a kinking motion. These findings suggest that the DBC evolved as a dynamic linker coupling sperm head and tail into a single self-coordinated system.

Analysis of major sperm proteins in two nematode species from two classes, Enoplus brevis (Enoplea, Enoplida) and Panagrellus redivivus (Chromadorea, Rhabditida), reveal similar localization, but less homology of protein sequences than expected for Nematoda phylum

Major sperm proteins (MSP) are a nematode-specific system of motor proteins required for amoeboid sperm movement. A number of MSP genes vary in different nematode species, but encoded protein sequences reveal high homology between these proteins. In fact, all studies of MSPs localization and functions are based exclusively on the representatives of the order Rhabditida belonging to the nematode class Chromadorea, while MSP-driven sperm movement in Enoplea, another major clade of the phylum Nematoda is still unconfirmed. In this study, we found out the presence of MSPs in the enoplean nematode Enoplus brevis (Enoplida) and compared MSP localization in sperm of this species with the chromadorean nematode Panagrellus redivivus (Rhabditida). Then, we analyzed the putative MSP sequences of both species. Our results indicate that MSPs are presented in E. brevis spermatozoa and form filamentous structures after sperm activation, which may be considered as the evidence of their motor functions similar to those in the spermatozoa of chromadorean nematodes. We found that E. brevis MSPs show lower homology to known proteins of rhabditids which species reveal hyper-conservatism in MSP protein sequences. It reflects evidently more distant evolutionary relationships of Enoplea and Chromadorea than exist within Rhabditida order. Our data denote necessity of reconsideration of view on MSP evolution within Nematoda.

A dynamic basal complex modulates mammalian sperm movement

Reproductive success depends on efficient sperm movement driven by dynein-mediated microtubule sliding in the axoneme 1-3. Models predict sliding at the base of the tail – the centriole – but such sliding has never been observed 4,5. Centrioles are evolutionarily-ancient organelles with a conserved architecture 6-8, and their rigidity is thought to restrict microtubule sliding 1. Here, we show that, in mammalian sperm, the atypical distal centriole (DC) and its surrounding atypical pericentriolar matrix 9,10 form a dynamic basal complex (DBC) that facilitates a cascade of internal sliding deformations, coupling tail beating with asymmetric head kinking. During asymmetric tail beating, the DC’s right side and its surroundings slide ~300 nm rostrally relative to the left side. This deformation is transmitted through the DBC to the head-tail junction; as a result, the head tilts to the left, generating a kinking motion. These findings suggest that the DBC evolved to act as a mechanotransducer, coupling sperm head and tail into a single self-coordinated system. The DBC may act as a morphological computer 11, regulating tail beating from external feedback imparted to the head during sperm navigation. We anticipate our findings will enable studies of coordinated motion in sperm and cilia in many contexts.

A dynamic basal complex modulates mammalian sperm movement

Reproductive success depends on efficient sperm movement driven by dynein-mediated microtubule sliding in the axoneme 1-3. Models predict sliding at the base of the tail – the centriole – but such sliding has never been observed 4,5. Centrioles are evolutionarily-ancient organelles with a conserved architecture 6-8, and their rigidity is thought to restrict microtubule sliding 1. Here, we show that, in mammalian sperm, the atypical distal centriole (DC) and its surrounding atypical pericentriolar matrix 9,10 form a dynamic basal complex (DBC) that facilitates a cascade of internal sliding deformations, coupling tail beating with asymmetric head kinking. During asymmetric tail beating, the DC’s right side and its surroundings slide ~300 nm rostrally relative to the left side. This deformation is transmitted through the DBC to the head-tail junction; as a result, the head tilts to the left, generating a kinking motion. These findings suggest that the DBC evolved to act as a mechanotransducer, coupling sperm head and tail into a single self-coordinated system. The DBC may act as a morphological computer 11, regulating tail beating from external feedback imparted to the head during sperm navigation. We anticipate our findings will enable studies of coordinated motion in sperm and cilia in many contexts.

A dynamic basal complex modulates mammalian sperm movement

Reproductive success depends on efficient sperm movement driven by dynein-mediated microtubule sliding in the axoneme 1-3. Models predict sliding at the base of the tail – the centriole – but such sliding has never been observed 4,5. Centrioles are evolutionarily-ancient organelles with a conserved architecture 6-8, and their rigidity is thought to restrict microtubule sliding 1. Here, we show that, in mammalian sperm, the atypical distal centriole (DC) and its surrounding atypical pericentriolar matrix 9,10 form a dynamic basal complex (DBC) that facilitates a cascade of internal sliding deformations, coupling tail beating with asymmetric head kinking. During asymmetric tail beating, the DC’s right side and its surroundings slide ~300 nm rostrally relative to the left side. This deformation is transmitted through the DBC to the head-tail junction; as a result, the head tilts to the left, generating a kinking motion. These findings suggest that the DBC evolved to act as a mechanotransducer, coupling sperm head and tail into a single self-coordinated system. The DBC may act as a morphological computer 11, regulating tail beating from external feedback imparted to the head during sperm navigation. We anticipate our findings will enable studies of coordinated motion in sperm and cilia in many contexts.

Spermatogenesis Stimulation and Sperms' Activation by Direct and Gradual Electrical Shocks on Testis in Infertile Males

Background: Up to 15% of couples are infertile. In up to half of these couples, male infertility plays a role. Male infertility is caused by low sperm production, irregular sperm function, or blockages preventing the sperm delivery. Illnesses, accidents, chronic health issues, lifestyle choices and other factors can play a role in causing infertility among men.Methodology: It is a randomized controlled, single-blind clinical trial was conducted among 90 participants who have been diagnosed with (Oligospermia, Hypospermia, Asthenozoospermia or Necrozoospermia). Of a sample obtained by masturbation all the participants underwent a semen examination of their semen count, volume and motility. Then they got a small device, the device gives up to 5 milliamps of electrical shock. A final checkup for all was performed after the fourth months, and the data was collected and compared between (before and after) semen analysis.Results: The findings indicate an improvement in the count, volume and motility of the sperms after being shocked electrically in comparison with the control group. By using ANOVA-test, there were a statistically significant differences between the first seminal analysis result with each of the other results independently while it was not with the control group. Conclusion: Many treatments are available for infertility and other therapies and drugs and some of them are complicated and difficult to use. This painless and healthy way of enhancing sperm movement and count can be used by the male himself conveniently and at home to improve his chance of fertilizing an ovum.Trial registration: NCT, NCT04173052. Registered 21 November 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04173052