Review
Cell Biology
Hitoshi Sawada, Takako Saito
Summary: Fertilization is a crucial process for creating new organisms with genetic diversity in terrestrial organisms. In animals, spermatozoa need to be activated and attracted to the eggs, undergo acrosome reaction, and penetrate through the egg coat. In hermaphrodites like ascidians, there is also a self/nonself recognition process.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Chenglu Wang, Fangyu Wang, Min Zheng, Ruifang Wu, Tianyun Yang, Xiaopan Chen, Jing Shu
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of sperm proteasome activity on fertilization and embryo development after IVF. The results showed that sperm proteasome activity was positively correlated with fertilization rate in vitro and 2PN rate, and the high fertilization rate group had significantly higher levels of sperm proteasome activity.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Katerina Turner, Nisha Solanki, Hassan O. Salouha, Tomer Avidor-Reiss
Summary: The sperm competition theory predicts that sperm evolve through a cascade of changes, including morphological diversification. A study on fish species found that internally fertilizing fish are more likely to evolve sperm with atypical centriolar composition compared to externally fertilizing fish. This finding supports the sperm competition theory.
Article
Cell Biology
Damien B. Wilburn, Christy L. Kunkel, Richard C. Feldhoff, Pamela W. Feldhoff, Brian C. Searle
Summary: Reproductive proteins in amphibians, particularly salamanders, evolve rapidly and exhibit significant diversity. This study provides the first detailed molecular characterization of gametes from two salamander species, revealing the expression of genes common to vertebrate gametes and the presence of salamander-specific courtship pheromones in the testis transcripts. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that these proteins evolved at distinct evolutionary time points. Overall, this research sheds light on the evolution and reproduction of salamanders.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Fenglei Gao, Ping Wang, Kai Wang, Yushan Fan, Yuming Chen, Yun Chen, Chao Ye, Meiying Feng, Li Li, Shouquan Zhang, Hengxi Wei
Summary: The study found that CRISP2 protein is specifically expressed in the testis and sperm of adult boars, and is associated with sperm fertilizing ability and boar fertility. Further mechanistic studies are needed to fully understand the role of CRISP2 in boar reproduction.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoon Hee Jung, Hsiao-Lin Wang, Daniel Ruiz, Brianna J. Bixler, Hannah Linsenbaum, Jian-Feng Xiang, Samantha Forestier, Andrew M. Shafik, Peng Jin, Victor G. Corces
Summary: This study demonstrates that exposure of pregnant mice to bisphenol A (BPA) can lead to transgenerational transmission of obesity in F2 progeny up to the F6 generation. Chromatin accessibility analysis reveals alterations near binding motifs for CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) at two cis-regulatory elements of the Fto gene, which correlate with the transmission of obesity. The interaction between these cis-regulatory elements and the Irx3 and Irx5 genes, involved in the differentiation of appetite-controlling neurons, is increased in sperm of obese mice. Deletion of the CTCF site in Fto results in mice that have normal food intake and fail to become obese when ancestrally exposed to BPA.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yena Jung, Hyewon Bang, Young-Hyun Kim, Na-Eun Park, Young-Ho Park, Chaeli Park, Sang-Rae Lee, Jeong-Woong Lee, Bong-Seok Song, Ji-Su Kim, Bo-Woong Sim, Dong-Won Seol, Gabbine Wee, Sunhyung Kim, Sun-Uk Kim, Ekyune Kim
Summary: The study investigated the functional role of VSIG1 in spermatogenesis and fertilization by knocking out VSIG1 in mouse embryos using CRISPR/Cas9. Results showed that the lack of VSIG1 did not impact spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice, suggesting it may not play essential roles in these processes. Further investigations are needed to understand the importance and molecular mechanism of VSIG1 in tissues of other species.
Article
Cell Biology
Mirjam I. Binner, Anna Kogan, Karin Panser, Alexander Schleiffer, Victoria E. Deneke, Andrea Pauli
Summary: Fertilization is a crucial process in sexual reproduction, but the molecular mechanisms behind it are still unclear. A study on zebrafish reveals that Spaca6, a conserved protein, is essential for sperm-egg binding and fusion. The research also uncovers a previously unknown dependence of Dcst2 expression on Spaca6 in sperm.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Andrology
Marc Torra-Massana, Meritxell Jodar, Montserrat Barragan, Ada Soler-Ventura, David Delgado-Duenas, Amelia Rodriguez, Rafael Oliva, Rita Vassena
Summary: This study conducted the first proteomic analysis of spermatozoa from patients who experienced fertilization failure after ICSI, revealing significant alterations in protein content in the FF group, mainly related to mitochondrial proteins. Novel stable-protein pair analysis indicated that specific mitochondrial proteins lost correlations in specific FF samples, highlighting mitochondrial deregulations in FF patients.
Review
Cell Biology
Soledad N. Gonzalez, Valeria Sulzyk, Mariana Weigel Munoz, Patricia S. Cuasnicu
Summary: Studies on the CRISP protein family in mammalian fertilization have provided insights into their essential roles in gamete interaction and male fertility. Knockout experiments with different CRISP genes revealed their involvement in both gamete interaction and subsequent processes such as sperm transport and early embryo development within the female reproductive tract.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(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)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Daiji Kiyozumi, Masahito Ikawa
Summary: Proteolysis is not only involved in degrading unnecessary proteins, but also plays pivotal roles in regulating various biological processes by activating and inactivating proteins. Abnormalities in proteolysis can cause diseases, and recent studies have shown that proteolysis is also important in reproductive processes.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amanda B. Gillis, Emmet L. Guy, Andrew J. Kouba, Peter J. Allen, Ruth M. Marcec-Greaves, Carrie K. Kouba
Summary: This study aimed to characterize tiger salamander sperm motility and determine the effect of temperature on it. Results showed that sperm stored at 0 degrees Celsius had higher motility initially but decreased rapidly over time. There were differences in motility between milt and spermic urine, and near freezing temperatures were beneficial for sperm longevity.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Francis Jackson de Oliveira Paludo, Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt Pasquali, Amanda Rodrigues de Vargas, Iara Bezerra de Oliveira, Luzia Valberligia Batista Goncalves, Daniel Pens Gelain, Jose Claudio Fonseca Moreira
Summary: This study focused on the impact of SOD2 polymorphism on sperm motility and vigor, finding that the Val16Ala polymorphism could alter the activity of superoxide dismutase in sperm, affecting sperm physiology and postfertilization processes.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ban Sato, Jiwoo Kim, Kazunori Morohoshi, Woojin Kang, Kenji Miyado, Fuminori Tsuruta, Natsuko Kawano, Tomoki Chiba
Summary: PA200 and ECPAS proteins work together during spermatogenesis and are crucial for male fertility.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karl Kerns, Momal Sharif, Michal Zigo, Wei Xu, Lauren E. Hamilton, Miriam Sutovsky, Mark Ellersieck, Erma Z. Drobnis, Nicolai Bovin, Richard Oko, David Miller, Peter Sutovsky
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fernando Benavides, Peter Sutovsky, Veronica Lopez, Chelsey Kennedy, Luisa Echevarria
Article
Reproductive Biology
Jiude Mao, Michal Zigo, Dalen Zuidema, Miriam Sutovsky, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: NEDL2 is present in mammalian gametes, zygotes, and preimplantation embryos, and may be involved in processes such as sperm DNA decondensation and male pronuclear formation.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Lucie Tumova, Michal Zigo, Peter Sutovsky, Marketa Sedmikova, Pavla Postlerova
Summary: The interaction between sperm and the zona pellucida (ZP) is crucial for successful fertilization in mammals, involving the binding of sperm surface ligands to complementary carbohydrates of ZP. Understanding the mechanisms of sperm-ZP interaction is critical for diagnosing infertility and improving assisted reproductive therapies/technologies.
Article
Developmental Biology
Momal Sharif, Karl Kerns, Peter Sutovsky, Nicolai Bovin, David J. Miller
Summary: Studies have shown that progesterone-induced sperm release requires active CatSper channels and proteasomal degradation, indicating that hyperactivation and proteolysis are vital parts of the mechanism for sperm movement.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lauren E. Hamilton, Morgan Lion, Luis Aguila, Joao Suzuki, Genevieve Acteau, Nicole Protopapas, Wei Xu, Peter Sutovsky, Mark Baker, Richard Oko
Summary: This study discovered the presence of core histones in the perinuclear theca (PT) of eutherian sperm, which are newly synthesized during spermiogenesis and play a role in chromatin remodeling of the male pronucleus post-fertilization. These histones are localized in specific sub-compartments of the PT and contribute to early embryonic development, highlighting their functional significance in reproductive processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Won-Hee Song, Dalen Zuidema, Young-Joo Yi, Michal Zigo, Zhibing Zhang, Miriam Sutovsky, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: The early events of post-fertilization sperm mitophagy observed in porcine zygote can be reconstituted in a cell-free system, providing a valuable tool for identifying additional molecules that regulate mitochondrial inheritance in mammals.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dalen Zuidema, Karl Kerns, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: Artificial insemination technology plays a crucial role in livestock production worldwide, allowing for rapid genetic improvement. Over the past six decades, continuous improvements have been made in areas such as semen analysis, sperm selection, sexing technologies, and semen storage methods. Future work will focus on refining protocols and increasing pregnancy rates in all livestock species.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mohammed S. Liman, Abubeker Hassen, Lyndy J. McGaw, Peter Sutovsky, Dietmar E. Holm
Summary: This review examined the impact of semen cryopreservation and tannins on sperm function, highlighting the role of tannins in combating reactive oxygen species and promoting successful fertilization. Additionally, the effects of tannin extract feed supplementation on male fertility were investigated, and the potential benefits of tannins as additives in semen extenders were explored.
Article
Biology
Michal Zigo, Karl Kerns, Sidharth Sen, Clement Essien, Richard Oko, Dong Xu, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: Zinc-interacting proteins in porcine sperm undergo changes during sperm maturation, particularly during sperm capacitation. These changes may be associated with Huntington's and Parkinson's disease pathways. The findings have implications for reproductive health, assisted reproductive therapy, and livestock breeding.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meghan Lawlor, Michal Zigo, Karl Kerns, In Ki Cho, Charles A. Easley, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: Huntington's Disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with motor dysfunction and cognitive deficits. It also leads to reduced fertility. Although there are pharmaceuticals to manage its symptoms, an effective treatment for the disease is yet to be approved. Identification of genes, diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic target pathways could help in early diagnosis and management of the disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Zigo, Karl Kerns, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: The present study focused on the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in sperm capacitation. High-resolution, quantitative LC-MS analysis revealed differentially expressed proteins associated with sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, metabolism, acrosomal exocytosis, and fertilization. Further investigation confirmed the involvement of specific proteins, such as CSE1L, PFDN4, and STK39, in sperm capacitation. This research provides insights into potential pharmacological mechanisms to modulate sperm fertilizing ability in animals and humans.
Article
Cell Biology
J. T. Soley, L. du Plessis, M. Sutovsky, P. Sutovsky
Summary: This paper provides the first detailed description of the spermiogenesis process in ostriches and one of the few in any avian species. The steps of spermiogenesis were observed and illustrated using light microscopy and supplemented with ultrastructural observations, PNA labeling, and immunocytochemical labeling. Eight steps were identified, showing similarities with non-passerine birds. However, fewer steps were observed during the development of round spermatids compared to other bird species. This research has implications for comparative reproduction, animal science, and evolutionary biology.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Dalen Zuidema, Alexis Jones, Won-Hee Song, Michal Zigo, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: The degradation of sperm-borne mitochondria after fertilization, known as post-fertilization sperm mitophagy, ensures exclusive maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA. This process involves the ubiquitin-proteasome system and other autophagic cofactors. The study used mass spectrometry and a porcine cell-free system to identify proteins involved in post-fertilization sperm mitophagy. The findings confirm the involvement of known determinants and provide a list of candidate cofactors for future studies.
Review
Andrology
George Anifandis, Helen G. Tempest, Rafael Oliva, Grace M. Swanson, Mara Simopoulou, Charles A. Easley, Michael Primig, Christina Messini, Paul J. Turek, Peter Sutovsky, Steve J. Ory, Stephen A. Krawetz
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health emergency, impacting 188 countries. The unique features of rapid spread and high mortality rate have led to an unprecedented global health crisis. The virus primarily affects the lungs but can also target other vital organs, with potential impacts on reproductive organs still unclear. The halt in reproductive services has highlighted the importance of diagnostic tests and research in supporting public health policies.
SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
