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PubMed1989

Protamine 3'-untranslated sequences regulate temporal translational control and subcellular localization of growth hormone in spermatids of transgenic mice.

Although the mouse protamine 1 gene (mP1) is first transcribed in round spermatids, its mRNA is not translated until about 1 week later in elongating spermatids. To determine what mP1 sequences are important for its transcriptional and translational regulation, we have constructed fusions between mP1 and the human growth hormone (hGH) structural gene and analyzed their expression in transgenic mice. We show that mP1 sequences 5' to the start of transcription are sufficient to confer spermatid-specific expression on the hGH gene. We also show that 156 nucleotides of mP1 3'-untranslated sequence is sufficient to confer mP1-like translational regulation on the hGH mRNA. Interestingly, the subcellular localization of hGH was dependent on the time during spermiogenesis that it was made. Synthesis of hGH in early round spermatids resulted in localization in the acrosome, whereas synthesis in late elongating spermatids resulted in intracellular, but not acrosomal, localization.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1990

Glutathione-dependent defence mechanisms in isolated round spermatids from the rat.

The different mechanisms for glutathione-dependent inactivation of a number of oxidizing compounds and other xenobiotics were studied using isolated round spermatids from rats. For the estimation of cellular GSH a flow cytometric assay was used. The cells were exposed to the oxidizing compounds cumene hydroperoxide and diamide, to study the activity of the GSH redox cycle. Incubation of the isolated cells with these compounds showed that the cells had a limited capacity to withstand the oxidative stress associated with their inactivation. The GSH level of the spermatids was maintained during 18 h of incubation in the presence of low concentrations of cumene hydroperoxide and diamide, whereas spermatids exposed to higher concentrations showed a loss of both GSH and ATP. No partial loss of GSH from individual cells was observed. Diethyl maleate and 1,2-epoxy-p-(nitrophenoxy)propane (ENPP) were used to study the effect of glutathione S-transferase-catalysed GSH conjugation on the GSH content of spermatids. Exposure of the cells to low concentrations of diethyl maleate and ENPP resulted in a decrease in GSH content. The flow cytometric analysis showed that this was a partial loss of GSH from all cells, rather than GSH depletion in a part of the cell population. This diminution of the cellular GSH pool, however, did not affect the ATP content and viability of the cells. The present results indicate that spermatids can utilize GSH-dependent defence mechanisms against a number of model compounds.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1987

Nuclear basic protein transition during sperm differentiation. Amino acid sequence of a spermatid-specific protein from the dog-fish Scylliorhinus caniculus.

During dog-fish spermatogenesis, chromatin undergoes a continuous processing which involves two basic protein transitions: the first from somatic-type histones to spermatid-specific proteins and the second leading to protamines. Two spermatid-specific proteins S1 and S2 were isolated from nuclei of spermatid-enriched testis zone and the amino acid sequence of S1 has been determined. S1 contains 87 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 11179 Da. It is mainly characterized by a high content of basic residues (45%) and the presence of one residue of cysteine. Its primary structure shows that the N-terminal half is highly basic while the hydrophobic residues are preferentially localized in the C-terminal region. Three forms of S1 are present in testis which correspond to di-, mono- and nonphosphorylated molecules. This spermatid-specific protein shares no common structural feature with either histones and dog-fish protamines or rat spermatid-specific protein which has been previously described.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Metabolism of round spermatids: kinetic properties of pyruvate kinase.

Round spermatids (steps 1-8) were isolated from rat testes and kinetic properties of pyruvate (PK) in their extract were examined. A plot of PK activity against phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) or ADP concentration appeared sigmoidal. Km values for PEP and ADP were 0.12 and 0.29 mM, respectively. However, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) stimulated the enzyme markedly by increasing its affinity for PEP. FBP (0.35 microM) was required for 50% activation of PK, when the PK activity was measured at 25 microM PEP and 0.2 mM ADP. In contrast, ATP (Ki = 6.5 mM) inhibited the PK activity. On the other hand, in the presence of 5 mM glucose, the level of FBP in spermatids increased markedly, while that of ATP declined rapidly. The level of ADP remained constant. When the activity of PK in spermatid extract was measured at intracellular levels of FBP, ADP and ATP, it was maximum. The results suggest that PK becomes probably fully activated when glucose is metabolized in the glycolytic pathway of spermatids. It seems unlikely that PK is the rate-limiting step in glycolysis of spermatids.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1991

Spermatids are regulators of Sertoli cell function.

Spermatids are major regulators of Sertoli cell function. Specific anatomical structures exist between spermatids and Sertoli cells. Their nature evolves during spermiogenesis and they are essential mediators in the interaction between these two cell types. Spermatids play a crucial role in Sertoli cell gene expression and secretory function at different ages. Early spermatid effect is partly mediated through the secretion of soluble factor(s). The influence of late spermatids on Sertoli cell secretion in the adult testis is conserved throughout evolution and may be mediated via their implication in the conformational changes on Sertoli cells that occur during spermatogenesis and through phagocytosis of the residual bodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The testis-specific high-mobility-group protein, a phosphorylation-dependent DNA-packaging factor of elongating and condensing spermatids.

Mammalian spermiogenesis is characterized by a striking restructuring of the spermatid chromatin caused by the replacement of nucleohistones with transition proteins and their subsequent replacement with nucleoprotamines. The onset of nuclear elongation and chromatin condensation in spermatids is accompanied by a general decrease in the transcriptional activity of the DNA. A recently identified testis-specific high-mobility-group (tsHMG) protein, similar to the human mitochondrial transcription factor I and to the linker-associated protein delta of Tetrahymena thermophila micronuclei, is thought to play a structural role in this process. We confirm by immunoblot analysis of fractionated germ cells that the presence of tsHMG is restricted to transcriptionally quiescent elongating and condensing spermatids. Purified recombinant tsHMG protein displays preferential binding to supercoiled plasmid DNA, which reversibly protects the DNA against the DNA-relaxing activity of eukaryotic topoisomerase I and also impairs the transcriptional activity of this template when assayed in vitro. The tsHMG protein can also introduce negative supercoils into a relaxed plasmid substrate in a topoisomerase I-dependent manner. We also show that the tsHMG protein is the substrate of a Ca2+-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) present in testis extracts of adult mice and demonstrate that phosphorylation by protein kinase C is required for both the DNA-binding and the topoisomerase I-dependent supercoiling activities of tsHMG. Our results support the hypothesis that the spermatid tsHMG protein is a topological factor (transition protein) that can modulate the activity of topoisomerase I. This activity could contribute to the important transition in chromatin structure which leads to the decrease in DNA metabolism observed at the early stages of spermatid elongation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Glycolytic component of rat spermatid energy and acid-base metabolism.

The impact of glycolysis on rat spermatid energy metabolism is made apparent by the simultaneous occurrence of the following three events upon glucose addition to the extracellular medium of a rat spermatid cell suspension: decrease in ATP content, exit of acid equivalents, and increased lactate production and efflux. In this work, we have studied the interrelations between these three phenomena. By measuring ATP content, net acid transport, lactate exit, oxygen consumption, intracellular pH, CO2 production, and glycolytic intermediates in the presence of glucose and glucose analogues, we conclude that 1) lactate production, decrease in ATP content, and acid equivalent exit are dependent on the metabolism of glucose up to different stages in glycolysis. 2) The decrease in ATP content is not directly related to the exit of acid equivalents from rat spermatids. 3) Glucose metabolism is a net ATP-consuming process at high intracellular ATP content but is a net ATP-producing process at low intracellular ATP concentration in rat spermatids. 4) Acid equivalent production arises from the metabolism of glucose beyond glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. 5) Lactic acid diffusion and/or lactate transport and CO2 production and exit could account for the glucose-dependent acid equivalent efflux in rat spermatids.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1995

Mouse oocytes injected with testicular spermatozoa or round spermatids can develop into normal offspring.

Genomic imprinting occurs in both male and female gametes during gametogenesis, but the exact time when imprinting begins and ends is unknown. In the present study we injected nuclei of testicular spermatozoa and round spermatids into mature mouse oocytes to see whether these nuclei are able to participate in syngamy and normal embryonic development. If the injected oocytes develop into normal fertile offspring, imprinting in the male germ cells used must have been completed by the time of injection. Ninety-two percent of mouse oocytes injected with testicular spermatozoa survived and 94% of these were fertilized normally (extrusion of the second polar body and formation of male and female pronuclei). When 44 two-cell embryos so created were transferred to 5 foster mothers, 24 (54.5%) developed into normal offspring. Unlike testicular spermatozoa, round spermatids could not activate the oocytes, and therefore the oocytes had to be activated artificially either before or after spermatid injection. The highest rate (77%) of normal fertilization was obtained when the oocytes were first activated by electric current, then injected individually with a single spermatid nucleus. When 131 two-cell embryos were transferred to 15 foster mothers, 37 (28.2%) reached full term. All but two grew into healthy adults. Thus, it would appear that gametic imprinting in mouse spermatogenic cells is completed before spermiogenesis begins. Under the experimental conditions employed, spermatid nuclei were less efficient than testicular sperm nuclei in producing normal offspring, but perhaps this was due to technical rather than inherent problems.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control mechanisms coordinate the onset of spermatid differentiation with meiosis I in Drosophila.

The aly, can, mia and sa genes of Drosophila are essential in males both for the G2-meiosis I transition and for onset of spermatid differentiation. Function of all four genes is required for transcription in primary spermatocytes of a suite of spermatid differentiation genes. aly is also required for transcription of the cell cycle control genes cyclin B and twine in primary spermatocytes. In contrast can, mia and sa are required for accumulation of twine protein but not twine transcript. We propose that the can, mia and sa gene products act together or in a pathway to turn on transcription of spermatid differentiation genes, and that aly acts upstream of can, mia and sa to regulate spermatid differentiation. We also propose that control of translation or protein stability regulates entry into the first meiotic division. We suggest that a gene or genes transcribed under the control of can, mia and sa allow(s) accumulation of twine protein, thus coordinating meiotic division with onset of spermatid differentiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatid binding to Sertoli cells in vitro.

Spermatogenic cells differentiate in vivo while in continuous contact with the Sertoli cell. During differentiation, the spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells form a number of morphologically distinct stage-specific adhesions. We describe an in vitro assay system for studying the adhesion of spermatogenic cells to Sertoli cell monolayers. Mixed populations of spermatogenic cells or enriched fractions of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids were labelled with the vital dye, fluorescein diacetate, prior to their addition to Sertoli cell monolayers so that the adhesion of viable spermatogenic cells could be quantified. Using this assay system, the number of pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatid binding sites on the Sertoli cell monolayer were similar, but the kinetics of binding were different. Pachytene spermatocytes were able to inhibit significantly round spermatid binding, while round spermatids did not significantly inhibit pachytene spermatocyte binding. After coculture for 24-48 h, spermatocytes form junctional structures with Sertoli cells that are similar to desmosome-like junctions. These results suggest that pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids bind to Sertoli cells by different mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Microinsemination with first-wave round spermatids from immature male mice.

In several mammalian species, including mice, round spermatids have been used to produce normal offspring by means of microinsemination techniques. In this study, we examined whether mouse round spermatids retrieved from immature testes undergoing the first wave of spermatogenesis had acquired fertilizing ability comparable to cells from mature adults. Microinsemination with round spermatids was performed by direct injection into preactivated oocytes, as previously reported. About 60-85% of the successfully injected oocytes developed to the morula/blastocyst stage after 72 h in culture, irrespective of the age of the males (17-25 days old). After embryo transfer, normal pups were obtained from all age groups, including the day-17 group, the stage at which the first round spermatids appeared. A high correlation (r=0.90) was found between the birth rate and male age (P<0.01, Spearman rank correlation), indicating that the efficiency of producing offspring was dependent on the age of the donor males. Imprinted genes (H19, Igf2, Meg3, and Igf2r) were expressed from the correct parental alleles (maternal, paternal, maternal, and maternal, respectively) in all (n=12) day-9.5 fetuses derived from day-20 spermatids. These results clearly indicate that at least some first-wave spermatogenic cells have a normal haploid genome with the correct paternal imprint and are capable of supporting full-term embryo development, as do mature spermatozoa from adults. The use of male germ cells from immature animals may save time in the production of inbred/congenic strains and rescue male-factor infertility of early onset.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Monoclonal antibody TSd-1 is specific to elongating and matured spermatids in testis of common tree shrew (Tupaia glis).

The monoclonal antibody (MAb), named TSd-1, specific to spermatogenic cells of the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis) was established and characterized using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. MAb TSd-1 reacted with elongating and matured spermatids in a stage-dependent manner. TSd-1 recognized a 94 kilodalton (kDa) peptide in the plasma membrane and cytosol. Additionally, an extremely weak 107 kDa band was detected only in the cytosol. The reactions were not detected in round spermatids. In elongating Stage VI spermatids, the plasma membrane and the granular structure within the cytoplasm were intensely positive, and most intense after the appearance of new round spermatids in the lower layer (Stage I). The reactions were observed neither in the other organs of the common tree shrew nor in the testes of other animals, indicating that TSd-1 antigen is specific to the spermatogenic cells of the common tree shrew, and may act on elongating or matured spermatids.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression of the spermatid-specific Hsp70 antigen is conserved in mammals including marsupials.

The anatomical location of testes in mammals ranges from a location close to that observed in the embryo to a lower position usually involving a pendant scrotum. In scrotal mammals, the abdominal position of the cryptorchid testis, which elevates its temperature, is detrimental to spermatogenesis and causes infertility. Spermatocytes are sensitive but late spermatids are relatively resistant to thermal stress suggesting that the latter might be protected in some way. In general, most organisms express Hsp70 proteins, which play a crucial role in the protection of cells against thermal stress. We have found previously that the Hsc70t protein, a member of the Hsp70 family of proteins, is constitutively expressed in the late spermatids of mice. Here, we have utilized immunohistochemistry with anti-mouse Hsc70t antiserum to examine the expression of the spermatid-specific Hsp70 antigen in the testes of several mammalian species with different degrees of testes migration. Our data indicate that the antigen is conserved in the mammals including marsupials. We also examined whether antigens of Hsp70-related proteins were expressed in non-mammalian vertebrates including not only homoiothermal but also poikilothermal animals. The spermatid-specific Hsp70 antigens were not detectable in the testes of the animals examined. From results of immunohistochemistry with BRM22 monoclonal antibody which reacts broadly with Hsp70 family proteins, however, we revealed constitutive expression of antigens of Hsp70-related proteins in spermatogenic cells of the vertebrates. These results suggest that the expression of spermatid-specific Hsp70 protein may be involved in the developmental pathway during spermiogenesis in mammals rather than in thermotolerance.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Multiple apoptotic caspase cascades are required in nonapoptotic roles for Drosophila spermatid individualization.

Spermatozoa are generated and mature within a germline syncytium. Differentiation of haploid syncytial spermatids into single motile sperm requires the encapsulation of each spermatid by an independent plasma membrane and the elimination of most sperm cytoplasm, a process known as individualization. Apoptosis is mediated by caspase family proteases. Many apoptotic cell deaths in Drosophila utilize the REAPER/HID/GRIM family proapoptotic proteins. These proteins promote cell death, at least in part, by disrupting interactions between the caspase inhibitor DIAP1 and the apical caspase DRONC, which is continually activated in many viable cells through interactions with ARK, the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian death-activating adaptor APAF-1. This leads to unrestrained activity of DRONC and other DIAP1-inhibitable caspases activated by DRONC. Here we demonstrate that ARK- and HID-dependent activation of DRONC occurs at sites of spermatid individualization and that all three proteins are required for this process. dFADD, the Drosophila homolog of mammalian FADD, an adaptor that mediates recruitment of apical caspases to ligand-bound death receptors, and its target caspase DREDD are also required. A third apoptotic caspase, DRICE, is activated throughout the length of individualizing spermatids in a process that requires the product of the driceless locus, which also participates in individualization. Our results demonstrate that multiple caspases and caspase regulators, likely acting at distinct points in time and space, are required for spermatid individualization, a nonapoptotic process.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Spermatids of prepubertal male rats are susceptible to carbendazim during early spermiogenesis.

The fungicide carbendazim, a male reproductive system toxicant, affects the adult testis, while prepubertal animals are assumed to be unsusceptible to the chemical. The present study was conducted to re-evaluate the susceptibility of rat prepubertal testis (25-30 days old) to carbendazim based on the incidence of spermatid abnormalities, including nuclear enlargement (megaspermatids) and binucleate round spermatids. In control prepubertal rats treated orally with corn oil vehicle alone, seminiferous tubules containing magno- and/or binucleate round spermatids were often observed in the groups at stages II-III, IV-V and VI-VII. At 3.0 days after treatment with carbendazim (100 mg/kg), seminiferous tubules containing spermatids with identical abnormalities were significantly increased, including groups at all stages. Significant increases were also observed at stages IV-V and VI-VII at day 4.5, and VI-VII at day 7.5. In contrast, the frequency of spermatids with these abnormalities was reduced in the groups at stages II-III and IV-V at day 7.5. These findings confirm that the prepubertal rat testis is susceptible to carbendazim during early spermiogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone stimulation of immature and mature Sertoli cells in vitro: inhibin and N-cadherin levels and round spermatid binding.

The in vitro response of Sertoli cells isolated from adult rat testes to testosterone (T) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment was investigated. Sertoli cells from >70-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated by a combined enzymatic treatment followed by the removal of the majority of contaminating germ cells with immobilized peanut agglutinin lectin. Sertoli cells were then cultured for 6-10 days, forming a confluent layer with a cell viability of >83% and 74-77% purity. The contaminating cells were peritubular cells (4-6%), pachytene spermatocytes (4-5%), round spermatids (<2%), elongated spermatids (<1%), and degenerating germ cells (14.8%). The proportion of degenerating germ cells decreased from 14.8% to 8.6% between days 6 and 10 in culture. After a prestimulation culture period of 4 days, FSH treatment over a 2-day period resulted in a dose-related increase of inhibin with a median effective dose (ED50) value of 36.7+/-20.4 ng/ml in comparison with an ED50 value of 4.4+/-0.9 ng/ml obtained with immature Sertoli cell cultures from 20-day-old rats. Mature Sertoli cells, in contrast to immature Sertoli cells, were unresponsive to combined FSH + T treatment for the production of the cell adhesion protein N-cadherin. FSH treatment promoted the in vitro binding of round spermatids isolated from adult testis to adult Sertoli cells in coculture. It is concluded that mature Sertoli cells in culture are responsive to FSH in terms of inhibin production and round-spermatid binding. The lack of an FSH + T-induced increase in N-cadherin or round spermatid binding is attributed to either a reduced sensitivity, or an alteration in the regulation of mature Sertoli cells by FSH + T.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Electron microscopic in situ hybridization study of simultaneous expression of TNP1 and PRM1 genes in human spermatids.

Nuclear changes in the basic nucleoprotein complement occur during human spermiogenesis. Somatic type histones are displaced by transition proteins which are replaced themselves by protamines, the major nuclear proteins found in late spermatids and spermatozoa nuclei. Digoxigenin or Biotin labeled probes, coding respectively for human transition protein 1 (TP1) and protamine 1 (HP1), were used for double EM in situ hybridization. Immunodetection of hybrids with specific antibodies coupled to colloidal gold particles of different size (10 nm and 15 nm) was performed on the same preparations. Quantitative analysis of the nuclear and cytoplasmic labeling densities for the mRNAs coding for TP1 and HP1 showed the presence of transcripts in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of round spermatids until the elongation phase. Transcripts accumulated in the spermatid cytoplasm without any particular cellular compartmentalization. At the end of the spermatid elongation phase, the disappearing of TP1 and HP1 transcripts may be related to the arrest of transcriptional activity while the deposition of transition proteins and protamines successively occurs within spermatid nuclei.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Isolation and identification of spermatids from mouse testis].

OBJECTIVES: To develop a simple and effective method by which spermatids can be isolated from mouse testis. METHODS: Combination of enzymatic digestion was used to prepare suspension of spermatogenic cells from adult mouse testis, and then a modified discontinuous Percoll gradient (15%, 22%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%) centrifugation method was introduced to isolate spermatids from the cellular suspension. The content of spermatids in each isolated fraction by Percoll method was determined by morphology (Wright-Giemsa staining) and flow cytometry analysis, and the viability of spermatogenic cells was assessed using Eosin Y exclusion test. RESULTS: More than 97% of the testicular cells remained their viability after enzymatic digestion. After Percoll centrifuged, six fractions were formed. In each isolated fraction, the 22% fraction contained mostly spermatids(mean 86.7%) and cell viability was more than 85.5%. While in the 30% fraction, immature spermatogenic cells were present, and more than 92% of the cells remained their viability. CONCLUSIONS: A large of relatively purified spermatids can be isolated from mouse testis by enzymatic digestion combined discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation method.

Animals↗