Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tao Li, Yunjin Bai, Yiting Jiang, Kehua Jiang, Ye Tian, Jiang Gu, Fa Sun
Summary: Circadian rhythm disturbances, such as night shiftwork, insufficient sleep, and poor sleep quality, have been found to impair sperm quality and increase the risk of male infertility. However, there is a lack of research on the impacts of light, body temperature, and circadian/circannual rhythms. Understanding how circadian disturbances regulate male fertility is important for improving infertility.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ferran Barrachina, Kiera Ottino, Maia Lina Elizagaray, Maria Gracia Gervasi, Leona J. Tu, Styliani Markoulaki, Raul G. Spallanzani, Diane Capen, Dennis Brown, Maria Agustina Battistone
Summary: Regulatory T cells play a crucial role in maintaining the tolerogenic state of the testis and epididymis. Depletion of Tregs leads to autoimmune orchitis and epididymitis, affecting sperm production and leading to fertility defects. Understanding these immunoregulatory mechanisms could aid in the development of new treatments for male infertility and immunocontraception.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Robert E. Brannigan, Richard J. Fantus, Joshua A. Halpern
Summary: Cancer and oncologic therapies can adversely impact male reproductive potential, leading to infertility. Fertility preservation has become a key issue in survivorship, but remains a challenge for certain groups such as prepubertal boys and men who cannot produce sperm. Experimental approaches offer hope for additional pathways in successful fertility preservation care for these patients.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan Tesarik, Raquel Mendoza-Tesarik
Summary: Mitochondria in human sperm and oocytes play important roles in human fertility and infertility. Sperm mitochondria are involved in providing energy for sperm movement, capacitation, and fusion with oocytes, while oocyte mitochondria are essential for oocyte meiotic division and calcium metabolism. Abnormalities in these mitochondria can lead to aneuploidy in oocytes and embryos, as well as hereditary diseases in offspring. Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA abnormalities can also contribute to ovarian aging. Mitochondrial substitution therapy and mitochondrial DNA editing are being explored as potential treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Andrology
Yasushi Yumura, Teppei Takeshima, Mitsuru Komeya, Jurii Karibe, Shinnosuke Kuroda, Tomoki Saito
Summary: With advances in cancer treatment, male infertility has become a significant concern for young cancer survivors, with 15% to 30% experiencing loss of fertility potential. The impairment of spermatogenesis caused by cytotoxic therapy can be temporary or permanent, depending on the drugs used and the radiation dose. Fertility preservation (FP) programs, including cryopreservation of semen or testicular biopsy, are being promoted to prevent spermatogenesis failure. Collaboration between reproductive medicine specialists and oncologists is crucial for the development of FP.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MENS HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fang-Hao Yang, Xiao-Lei Dong, Guo-Xiang Liu, Lei Teng, Lin Wang, Feng Zhu, Feng-Hua Xu, Yi-Fan Yang, Can Cao, Guang Chen, Bing Li
Summary: This study demonstrates that C-phycocyanin can protect GC-1 spg cells and the reproductive system of male mice from injury, and it has antioxidant and inhibitory effects on the necroptotic signaling pathway. Therefore, C-phycocyanin could serve as a promising reproductive system protective agent.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita I. Pacheco, Maria I. Cristo, Sandra I. Anjo, Andreia F. Silva, Maria Ines Sousa, Renata S. Tavares, Ana Paula Sousa, Teresa Almeida Santos, Mariana Moura-Ramos, Francisco Caramelo, Bruno Manadas, Joao Ramalho-Santos, Sandra Gomes Amaral
Summary: The global trend of rising (male) infertility is concerning. This study aimed to understand unknown origin male infertility (UOMI) by evaluating the male gamete. The study found that idiopathic (ID) patients had the worst sperm functional profile, while unexplained male infertility (UMI) patients were similar to controls. Proteomic analysis identified several differentially expressed proteins in ID and UMI samples. SACA4 and LAMB2 were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing ID and UMI patients.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Leah Calvert, Mark P. Green, Geoffry N. De Iuliis, Matthew D. Dun, Brett D. Turner, Bradley O. Clarke, Andrew L. Eamens, Shaun D. Roman, Brett Nixon
Summary: Per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used synthetic fluorinated chemicals that have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. PFAS exposure has been associated with negative reproductive outcomes in males, including testicular dysfunction and reduced semen quality. However, inconsistent findings have made it challenging to definitively link specific PFAS exposure to these health effects. Further research and the development of reliable biological models are needed to better understand the mechanisms of PFAS-mediated damage and mitigate the impact of PFAS contamination.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cankiz Mina Ardic, Sinem Ilgin, Merve Baysal, A. Burak Karaduman, Volkan Kilic, Gozde Aydogan-Kilic, Seyda Ucarcan, Ozlem Atli-Eklioglu
Summary: The research revealed that olanzapine had toxic effects on the reproductive system of rats, causing abnormalities in testicular structure, decreased normal sperm morphology, alterations in hormone levels, and oxidative stress in the testis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
John Charles Rotondo, Carmen Lanzillotti, Chiara Mazziotta, Mauro Tognon, Fernanda Martini
Summary: Research has shown a correlation between sperm DNA methylation and male infertility, with various genes displaying differential methylation patterns in impaired spermatogenesis and reproductive dysfunction. Specifically, DNA methylation defects in MEST and H19 within imprinted genes, as well as MTHFR within non-imprinted genes, have been linked to male infertility. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms affecting methylation in sperm and its impact on male infertility.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Ruoxi Zhang, Rui Kang, Daniel J. Klionsky, Daolin Tang
Summary: Ion exchange between intracellular and extracellular spaces is crucial for cell metabolism and signal transduction. Autophagy, as a lysosomal-dependent degradation pathway, regulates cellular homeostasis through recycling of components and is influenced by ion channels and transporters. ATG proteins are central to the formation of autophagy-related structures, while the regulation of autophagy in mammalian cells involves ion channels and transporters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
XueXia Liu, ZhiXin Wang, Fujun Liu
Summary: Mice treated with BPA exhibited decreased sperm quality, lower serum testosterone levels, and a sub-fertile phenotype, mainly due to impaired germ cell proliferation. BPA had a concentration-dependent inhibition effect on germ cell proliferation, leading to reduced male fertility.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily P. P. Evans, Jorien T. M. Scholten, Aldona Mzyk, Claudia Reyes-San-Martin, Arturo E. Llumbet, Thamir Hamoh, Eus G. J. M. Arts, Romana Schirhagl, Astrid E. P. Cantineau
Summary: Currently, 15% of couples are suffering from infertility, with 45-50% of cases attributed to male factors. Free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in the fertility process, while also serving important functions in sperm maturation. These ROS are influenced by lifestyle, age, and disease.
Review
Reproductive Biology
Shiqi Yi, Ying Feng, Yan Wang, Fang Ma
Summary: Sperm development and fertilization rely on protein translation and post-translational modifications, including sialylation. Damage to sperm sialylation can cause male infertility, emphasizing the importance of understanding this process. Investigating the characteristics of sperm sialylation can lead to better infertility detection and treatment methods.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Neil R. Norcross, Irene Georgiou, Zoe C. Johnston, Franz S. Gruber, Jason R. Swedlow, Kevin D. Read, Christopher LR. Barratt, Ian H. Gilbert
Summary: This article discusses the need for male contraceptives and explores the characteristics and potential development pathways of male contraceptives. It also examines various approaches to discovering male contraceptives and highlights potential targets discussed in the literature.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jae Yeon Hwang, Jamie Maziarz, Gunter P. Wagner, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: The study investigated the molecular evolution and conservation of the CatSper channel in eutherians and marsupials. It found that CatSper proteins evolve slowly in marsupials and demonstrated the expression and function of CatSper in the American marsupial gray short-tailed opossum. A conserved IQ-like motif in CatSper zeta interacts with the pH-tuned Ca2+ sensor EFCAB9 to regulate CatSper activity.
Article
Cell Biology
Jae Yeon Hwang, Shoaib Nawaz, Jungmin Choi, Huafeng Wang, Shabir Hussain, Mehboob Nawaz, Francesc Lopez-Giraldez, Kyungjo Jeong, Weilai Dong, Jong-Nam Oh, Kaya Bilguvar, Shrikant Mane, Chang-Kyu Lee, Christopher Bystroff, Richard P. Lifton, Wasim Ahmad, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: A novel DNAH2 gene variant was found to be closely associated with asthenozoospermia, and in mouse experiments, it was confirmed that DNAH2 deficiency leads to male infertility and affects sperm flagella development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jae Yeon Hwang, Huafeng Wang, Yonggang Lu, Masahito Ikawa, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: In mammalian sperm cells, the regulation of spatiotemporal Ca2+ signaling relies on quadrilinear Ca2+ signaling nanodomains in the flagellar membrane. CatSpert, a C2 domain protein encoded by C2cd6, independently migrates to the flagella and serves as a major targeting component of the CatSper channel complex. CatSpert is essential for sperm hyperactivated motility and male fertility, and it targets the CatSper channel to the quadrilinear nanodomains in developing spermatids' flagella.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Wiesehoefer, Marc Wiesehoefer, Jaroslaw Thomas Dankert, Jean-Ju Chung, Nicola Edith von Ostau, Bernhard Bonaventura Singer, Gunther Wennemuth
Summary: The CatSper channel and its Ca2+ sensor EFCAB9 play a critical role in controlling the swim path chirality of sperm. Any changes to these channels result in a loss of chirality in the swim path of sperm.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huafeng Wang, Qianhui Dou, Kyung Jo Jeong, Jungmin Choi, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: This study reveals the important role of TXNRD3, a member of the thioredoxin reductase family, in sperm development and maturation. The deficiency of TXNRD3 impairs sperm morphology and motility, as well as mitochondrial ultrastructure and activity.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qianhui Dou, Anton A. Turanov, Marco Mariotti, Jae Yeon Hwang, Huafeng Wang, Sang -Goo Lee, Joao A. Paulo, Sun Hee Yim, Stephen P. Gygi, Jean-Ju Chung, Vadim N. Gladyshev
Summary: TXNRD3 plays a critical role in male reproduction by controlling spermatogenesis through thiol redox regulation.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanhe Zhao, Huafeng Wang, Caroline Wiesehoefer, Naman B. Shah, Evan Reetz, Jae Yeon Hwang, Xiaofang Huang, Tse-en Wang, Polina V. Lishko, Karen M. Davies, Gunther Wennemuth, Daniela Nicastro, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: The study visualizes the native in-cell 3D structure and higher-order organization of the CatSper calcium channels using cryo-electron tomography. The authors discover that the CatSper channels form long zigzag rows along the sperm tail and interact with other molecules. Moreover, the loss of EFCAB9-CATSPER zeta alters the architecture and interactions of the channels, disrupting flagellar movement in sperm.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kimberly N. Griffin, Benjamin William Walters, Haixin Li, Huafeng Wang, Giulia Biancon, Toma Tebaldi, Carolyn B. Kaya, Jean Kanyo, TuKiet T. Lam, Andy L. Cox, Stephanie Halene, Jean-Ju Chung, Bluma J. Lesch
Summary: Argonaute 2 (AGO2) is a protein critical for regulation of mRNA translation and has both cytoplasmic and nuclear functions. Using spermatogenic cells in mice as a model, it was found that AGO2 transiently binds to chromatin and nucleus-specific mRNA transcripts of genes required for sperm production. Knockout of Ago2 resulted in reduced protein levels, abnormal sperm morphology, decreased sperm count, and reduced viability of offspring.
Review
Physiology
Jae Yeon Hwang, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: CatSper, the flagellar-specific Ca2+ channel, is crucial for regulating the acquisition of fertilizing capability in mammalian sperm. This review summarizes key findings from 20 years of CatSper research and provides insights into recent progress and future prospects.