Review
Reproductive Biology
Ryuzo Yanagimachi
Summary: Significant progress has been made in the analysis and manipulation of mammalian gametes and fertilization processes over the past 60 years. However, there are still many intriguing aspects that require further exploration. Mammalian fertilization is a complex process that involves the meeting of eggs and sperm at the right time and position within the female reproductive tract. In this review, the author discusses various aspects of mammalian fertilization, highlights their laboratory's contributions to the field, and addresses remaining enigmas and mysteries.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Costanza Cimini, Fadl Moussa, Angela Taraschi, Marina Ramal-Sanchez, Alessia Colosimo, Giulia Capacchietti, Samia Mokh, Luca Valbonetti, Israiel Tagaram, Nicola Bernabo, Barbara Barboni
Summary: This study investigated the impact of oviductal epithelial cells and progesterone hormone on sperm fertilizing ability using an in vitro fertilization (IVF) swine model. The results showed that pre-treated oviductal epithelial cells with 100 ng/mL progesterone promoted sperm capacitation and increased the fertilizing ability without hormone addition at the time of fertilization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Costanza Cimini, Marina Ramal-Sanchez, Angela Taraschi, Flavio Della Pelle, Annalisa Scroccarello, Ramses Belda-Perez, Luca Valbonetti, Paola Lanuti, Marco Marchisio, Mario D'Atri, Claudio Ortolani, Stefano Papa, Giulia Capacchietti, Nicola Bernabo, Dario Compagnone, Barbara Barboni
Summary: Nowadays, there is a growing adoption of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) techniques. A promising strategy is the use of non-physiological materials and naturally derived compounds for advanced sperm preparation methods. The study showed that MoS2/Catechin nanoflakes and catechin (CT) did not have any negative effects on sperm capacitation, while adding a specific concentration of CT increased the fertilizing ability of sperm in an IVF assay. These findings suggest that catechins and new materials obtained using natural or bio compounds could enhance current sperm capacitation strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Pol Fernandez-Lopez, Joan Garriga, Isabel Casas, Marc Yeste, Frederic Bartumeus
Summary: Understanding the relationship between sperm motility and fertility is important for both evolutionary and practical purposes. This study characterizes pig sperm motility using t-SNE, a method that reveals a hierarchical organization of sperm motility across individuals and enables accurate fertility predictions. The findings suggest that high-speed and straight-lined motion are positively correlated with fertility and are more important than other sources of variability. The study proposes the use of embedding methods and Bayesian inference frameworks to better understand the relationship between fertility and sperm motility in animals, including humans.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Seyed Omidreza Mousavi, Roudabeh Mohammadi, Fatemehsadat Amjadi, Zahra Zandieh, Samaneh Aghajanpour, Khashayar Aflatoonian, Marjan Sabbaghian, Maryam Eslami, Tahereh Madani, Reza Aflatoonian
Summary: This study demonstrates that sperm interaction with fallopian tube epithelial cells leads to significant changes in the expression of certain cytokines and growth factors, with some genes showing increased expression and others decreased expression. Panther pathway analysis revealed different signaling pathways involved, with the inflammation signaling pathway containing the most genes.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Maria Milagros Giaccagli, Matias Daniel Gomez-Elias, Jael Dafne Herzfeld, Clara Isabel Marin-Briggiler, Patricia Sara Cuasnicu, Debora Juana Cohen, Vanina Gabriela Da Ros
Summary: The study investigated the role of mitochondrial activity in sperm fertilizing ability during capacitation in mice, finding that MMP increase depends on capacitation and H89-sensitive events, high MMP is associated with sperm motility, and mitochondrial function is needed mainly for zona pellucida penetration. Additionally, mitochondrial activity is fundamental for sperm function in fertilization.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hedvika Rimnacova, Jiri Moravec, Miriama Stiavnicka, Jirina Havrankova, Ladan Monsef, Petr Hosek, Sarka Prokesova, Tereza Zalmanova, Tereza Fenclova, Jaroslav Petr, Milena Kralickova, Jan Nevoral
Summary: Research found that H2S and its production by enzymes such as cystathionine gamma-lyase, cystathionine beta-synthase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, are present in sperm. These H2S molecules can react with proteins in the sperm, leading to persulfidation and maintaining the signaling pathway, which is essential for sperm viability.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ludmila Curci, Guillermo Carvajal, Valeria Sulzyk, Soledad Natalia Gonzalez, Patricia S. Cuasnicu
Summary: Inactivation of the sperm CatSper channel affects sperm fertilizing ability and function, but does not impact in vitro fertilization. Exposure to HC prior to fertilization significantly reduces in vivo fertilization, indicating the potential for developing a non-hormonal contraceptive by blocking CatSper activity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Joao C. Ribeiro, Raquel L. L. Bernardino, Ana Goncalves, Alberto Barros, Giuseppe Calamita, Marco G. G. Alves, Pedro F. F. Oliveira
Summary: Osmoregulation is essential for sperm function, and aquaglyceroporins play a crucial role in glycerol permeability, which is important for sperm motility. AQP7 is especially significant in glycerol transport, and its impairment may lead to reduced sperm motility in asthenozoospermic individuals.
Article
Andrology
Gabriela Hernandez-Silva, Aidee S. Lopez-Torres, Israel Maldonado-Rosas, Esperanza Mata-Martinez, Fernando Larrea, Victor Torres-Flores, Claudia L. Trevino, Mayel Chirinos
Summary: The study compared the functional differences between human sperm samples processed by swim-up and density gradient centrifugation, revealing significant variations in redox state, intracellular calcium oscillations, hyperactivation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and acrosome reaction. Sperm retrieved by density gradient centrifugation exhibited higher levels of hyperactivation and tyrosine phosphorylation compared to swim-up sperm, suggesting a greater degree of capacitation.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MENS HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Paula Maitan, Elizabeth G. Bromfield, Tom A. E. Stout, Bart M. Gadella, Bart Leemans
Summary: Conventional in vitro fertilization is not effective in equine gametes. The lack of optimized media for stallion sperm capacitation is the main reason for the failure of sperm penetration. The female reproductive tract provides an essential environment for successful fertilization. Identifying the fertilization supporting factors would greatly contribute to the development of equine in vitro fertilization media.
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sydney C. Vanderkooi, Yuewen Zhao, Patricia D. A. Lima, Frederick W. K. Kan
Summary: This study reveals that rHuOVGP1 may work with P4 to increase intracellular calcium concentration at the beginning of sperm capacitation, partly through CatSper channels, which leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins and enhancement of sperm capacitation.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Chih-Kuan Tung, Susan S. Suarez
Summary: The female reproductive tract plays multiple essential roles in the reproductive process, supporting the development and transport of fertilized eggs while protecting against invasive pathogens. Sperm are considered pusher microswimmers, propelled by pushing fluid, and their migration is influenced by the architecture and flow characteristics of the tract. The viscoelasticity of fluids in the tract improves sperm cooperation and prevents pathogen invasion.
Article
Cell Biology
Won-Ki Pang, Yoo-Jin Park, Myung-Geol Pang
Summary: This study investigated the potential of sperm RNA markers in assessing various aspects of sperm function and identified genes related to male fertility. The findings provide valuable insights into male infertility.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roland Abi Nahed, Magali Dhellemmes, Christine Payre, Emilie Le Blevec, Jean-Philippe Perrier, Sylviane Hennebicq, Jessica Escoffier, Pierre F. Ray, Corinne Loeuillet, Gerard Lambeau, Christophe Arnoult
Summary: The secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2G10) plays an important role in mouse fertilization by enhancing acrosome reaction and secretion, improving fertilization rate, and binding to PLA2R1 on gametes. It is shown that the catalytic activity and PLA2R1 binding of PLA2G10 both contribute to its profertility effect, and the study provides new insights into the complexity of PLA2G10's action in optimizing fertilization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Inga Laezer, Sergio E. Palma-Vera, Fan Liu, Marcus Frank, Nares Trakooljul, Andreas Vernunft, Jennifer Schoen, Shuai Chen
Article
Andrology
Marten Michaelis, Alexander Sobczak, Carolin Ludwig, Hana Marvanova, Martina Langhammer, Jennifer Schoen, Joachim M. Weitzel
Article
Developmental Biology
Martina Langhammer, Erika Wytrwat, Marten Michaelis, Jennifer Schoen, Armin Tuchscherer, Norbert Reinsch, Joachim M. Weitzel
Summary: This study compared the lifetime fecundities of two highly fertile mouse lines with an unselected control line and two lines selected for high body weight or high protein mass. The mouse lines selected for large litter size at first delivery showed significantly higher lifetime reproductive fitness levels, indicating their potential as valuable mouse models for investigating lifetime productivity and longevity in farm animals.
Article
Biology
Sergio E. Palma-Vera, Henry Reyer, Martina Langhammer, Norbert Reinsch, Lorena Derezanin, Joerns Fickel, Saber Qanbari, Joachim M. Weitzel, Soeren Franzenburg, Georg Hemmrich-Stanisak, Jennifer Schoen
Summary: This study provides a summary of the breeding history, phenotypic traits, and genomic characteristics of extreme mouse lines selected through long-term experiments. The selected lines resulted in extreme fertility, giant growth, and long-distance running traits. Whole genome sequencing revealed line-specific patterns of genetic variation and high levels of homozygosity within lines. Multiple candidate genes related to the selected traits were identified.
Article
Developmental Biology
Carlo Schmitz, Seyedeh Zeynab Sadr, Hagen Koerschgen, Michael Kuske, Jennifer Schoen, Walter Stoecker, Willi Jahnen-Dechent, Julia Floehr
Summary: The elastic modulus of the zona pellucida can reflect the cleavage of ZP2 in oocytes, providing a new method for assessing oocyte fertility with increased sensitivity. This measurement can define the range of zona hardening and could potentially serve as a non-destructive marker-free method for evaluating individual oocyte quality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Coline Mahe, Regis Lavigne, Emmanuelle Com, Charles Pineau, Yann Locatelli, Aleksandra Maria Zlotkowska, Carmen Alminana, Guillaume Tsikis, Pascal Mermillod, Jennifer Schoen, Marie Saint-Dizier
Summary: Understanding the composition of oviduct fluid is crucial for understanding the microenvironment of sperm capacitation, fertilization, and early embryo development. This study analyzed the proteome of oviduct fluid samples from different regions, stages, and sides of the oviduct, and found that protein abundance was mainly influenced by the oviduct region, followed by the proximity of the ovulating ovary and the peri-ovulatory stage.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Annika Muller-Eigner, Adrian Sanz-Moreno, Irene de-Diego, Anuroop Venkateswaran Venkatasubramani, Martina Langhammer, Raffaele Gerlini, Birgit Rathkolb, Antonio Aguilar-Pimentel, Tanja Klein-Rodewald, Julia Calzada-Wack, Lore Becker, Sergio Palma-Vera, Benedikt Gille, Ignasi Forne, Axel Imhof, Chen Meng, Christina Ludwig, Franziska Koch, John T. Heiker, Angela Kuhla, Vanessa Caton, Julia Brenmoehl, Henry Reyer, Jennifer Schoen, Helmut Fuchs, Valerie Gailus-Durner, Andreas Hoeflich, Martin Hrabe de Angelis, Shahaf Peleg
Summary: This study further characterizes the non-inbred Titan (also known as DU6) mouse line, which could be a useful model for obesity research. The results suggest that Titan mice are metabolically unhealthy obese and short-lived, with line-specific patterns of genetic invariability corresponding to observed phenotypic traits. Dietary intervention can partially reverse the metabolic phenotype and extend the lifespan of Titan mice. Therefore, the Titan mouse line is a valuable resource for translational and interventional obesity research.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Susanne Eder, Karin Mueller, Shuai Chen, Jennifer Schoen
Summary: Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of feline reproduction is crucial for improving reproductive biotechnologies in endangered felids. This study successfully established a compartmentalized long-term culture system for feline oviduct epithelial cells, maintaining their differentiated state.
Article
Immunology
Khadijeh Ghasemian, Inge Broer, Jennifer Schoen, Nadine Kolp, Richard Killisch, Jana Huckauf
Summary: Contraceptive vaccines stimulate immune responses to molecules involved in reproduction. This study used a plant expression system to produce glycosylated mZP3 and evaluated its immunogenicity. The results showed that plant-produced mZP3 antigens, especially mZP3-3, exhibited high immunogenicity in mice.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Coline Mahe, Regis Lavigne, Emmanuelle Com, Charles Pineau, Aleksandra Maria Zlotkowska, Guillaume Tsikis, Pascal Mermillod, Jennifer Schoen, Marie Saint-Dizier
Summary: This study aimed to identify sperm-interacting proteins (SIPs) in bovine oviduct fluid and evaluate the effects of anatomical region (isthmus vs. ampulla) and time relative to ovulation (pre-ovulatory vs. post-ovulatory) on SIPs. A total of 245 SIPs were identified, with the highest number found in the pre-ovulatory isthmus. Functional analysis revealed their roles in stress response, cell motility regulation, fertilization, and early embryo development. These findings have implications for improving sperm conservation and in vitro fertilization.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Khadijeh Ghasemian, Inge Broer, Jennifer Schoen, Richard Killisch, Nadine Kolp, Armin Springer, Jana Huckauf
Summary: In this study, a short peptide from ZP3 protein was produced in Nicotiana benthamiana plants and shown to induce the production of antibodies in BALB/c mice. The antibodies generated were capable of binding to the native zona pellucida of wild mice. The results suggest that plants producing HBcAg-mZP3 VLPs could serve as immunogenic edible baits to reduce the fertility of wild mice through inducing cross-reactive antibodies to the zona pellucida.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Meret Schmidhauser, Susanne E. Ulbrich, Jennifer Schoen
Summary: In this study, differentiated in vitro models of both luminal and glandular epithelium of the porcine endometrium were successfully established using an air-liquid interface approach. These models provide opportunities to study the impact of embryonic signals, endocrine effectors, and reproductive toxins on both porcine endometrial epithelial cell types.
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2022)