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Nonprotein thiols and disulfides in rat epididymal spermatozoa and epididymal fluid: role of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase in sperm maturation.

Sperm thiol oxidation during sperm maturation is important for sperm component stabilization, the acquisition of sperm motility, and fertilizing ability. A correct degree of oxidation is required, since spermatozoa are very susceptible to oxidative damage. The pathways involved in physiologic sperm thiol oxidation in the epididymis are not completely understood. The nonprotein thiol glutathione (GSH), in addition to playing a major role as an antioxidant and in eliminating toxic compounds, has been implicated in prooxidation processes in various cells, via gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GT)-dependent catabolism. Little information is available on the dynamics of nonprotein thiols (NPSHs) and disulfides (NPSSNPs) in spermatozoa and epididymal fluid (EF) during sperm passage in the epididymis. It is not clear whether NPSHs and NPSSNPs are involved in sperm protein thiol (PSH) oxidation or whether GSH catabolism in the epididymis can serve as a pathway for sperm PSH oxidation. In the present study, we used the thiol fluorescence labeling agent monobromobimane to analyze NPSHs and nonprotein disulfides (NPSSRs) (R, nonprotein or protein) in spermatozoa and EF in the rat caput and cauda epididymis. NPSH levels are shown to be significantly higher in the caput than in the cauda (spermatozoa and fluid). GSH in the caput lumen is subject to high gamma-GT activity. A marked loss of sperm GSH and a shift to an oxidized state (resulting in a significantly higher concentration of glutathione disulfides [GSSRs] than GSH) occur during the passage of spermatozoa from the caput to the cauda epididymis. Caput EF and extracellular NPSSNPs induce sperm thiol oxidation. The results suggest that epididymal NPSH/NPSSNP participates in sperm PSH oxidation and that some reactions of GSH in the gamma-GT pathway (in the epididymis) provide oxidizing power, leading to physiologic sperm thiol oxidation.

Animals↗

The fine structure of nuclei during sperm maturation in the locust.

1. In the heads of maturing sperm of a locust the chromatin becomes arranged in a highly regular manner so as to produce many parallel lines about 60 A thick in longitudinal section and contiguous polygons in transverse section. 2. This configuration appears after fixation in osmium tetroxide, formaldehyde, or acetic acid; intermediate stages in its development are illustrated. 3. These electron micrographs are interpreted to mean that, during sperm maturation, the chromatin becomes formed into sheets and then into tubes running parallel with the long axis. 4. In the mature sperm head we have been unable so far to detect this structure. This may be because the chromatin becomes so compact during the shrinkage of the nucleus which occurs during formation of the mature sperm.

Animals↗

The role of the human epididymis in sperm maturation and sperm storage as reflected in the consequences of epididymovasostomy.

Epididymovasostomy has been used for examination of the role of particular regions of the epididymis in sperm maturation and storage, as reflected in fertility and in the motility, structural, and surface character, and also the number of the spermatozoa ejaculated. Human spermatozoa need be exposed only to the environment in the caput before passing into the vas deferens, in order to complete their maturation. However, the chance of pregnancy appears greater where the anastomosis is lower. Among the sperm characteristics examined, only motility was affected by the level of anastomosis, and there was a trend to higher numbers where the anastomosis was established beyond the upper caput. The storage function of the cauda is discussed in light of the finding that epididymovasostomy patients sometimes ejaculate sperm numbers seen in normal men.

Ejaculation↗

Mammalian selenoprotein thioredoxin-glutathione reductase. Roles in disulfide bond formation and sperm maturation.

Thioredoxin reductases (TRs) are important redox regulatory enzymes, which control the redox state of thioredoxins. Mammals have cytosolic and mitochondrial TRs, which contain an essential selenocysteine residue and reduce cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxins. In addition, thioredoxin/glutathione reductase (TGR) was identified, which is a fusion of an N-terminal glutaredoxin domain and the TR module. Here we show that TGR is expressed at low levels in various tissues but accumulates in testes after puberty. The protein is particularly abundant in elongating spermatids at the site of mitochondrial sheath formation but is absent in mature sperm. We found that TGR can catalyze isomerization of protein and interprotein disulfide bonds and localized this function to its thiol domain. TGR targets include proteins that form structural components of the sperm, including glutathione peroxidase GPx4/PHGPx. Together, TGR and GPx4 can serve as a novel disulfide bond formation system. Both enzymes contain a catalytic selenocysteine consistent with the role of selenium in male reproduction.

Animals↗

Changes in porcine sperm lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes during sperm maturation.

The changes in sperm lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-lactate: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) activity and the relative occurrence of LDH isoenzymes during sperm maturation were studied using pubertal German improved Landrace boars. The LDH of spermatozoa liberated from the testis, caput epididymis, proximal and distal corpus epididymidis and cauda epididymidis was spectrophotometrically quantified while the LDH isoenzymes were separated on fine cellulose acetate membrane strips with the Sartorius Sartophor system. The LDH content of sperm dropped drastically as they moved from the testis to the caput epididymidis. Thereafter, only little and insignificant changes were observed. Testicular sperm was composed more of the fastest anodically-migrating isoenzyme (LDH1) while with sperm maturation, the least or slowest migrating isoenzymes (LDH4 and 5) became progressively more dominant. This loss in LDH content in sperm and the shifts in the LDH isoenzyme patterns indicate that the development of sperm during maturation is dependent on a delicate balance between lactate and pyruvate, such that the cathodic isoenzymes involved in the anaerobic energy-supplying metabolic processes are sufficiently available for sperm activity and survival.

Animals↗

Binding and inactivation of the germ cell-specific protein phosphatase PP1gamma2 by sds22 during epididymal sperm maturation.

Testis- and sperm-specific protein phosphatase, PP1gamma2, is a key enzyme regulating sperm function. Its activity decreases during sperm maturation in the epididymis. Inhibition of PP1gamma2 leads to motility initiation and stimulation. Our laboratory is focused on identifying mechanisms responsible for the decline in PP1gamma2 activity during sperm motility initiation in the epididymis. Previously, using immuno-affinity chromatography, we showed that a mammalian homologue of yeast sds22 is bound to PP1gamma2 in motile caudal spermatozoa (Huang Z, et al. Biol Reprod 2002; 67:1936-1942). The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) stoichiometry of PP1gamma2-sds22 binding and 2) whether PP1gamma2 in immotile caput epididymal spermatozoa is bound to sds22. The enzyme from caudal and caput sperm extracts was purified by column chromatography. Immunoreactive PP1gamma2 and sds22 from both caudal and caput spermatozoa were found in the flow-through fraction of a DEAE-cellulose column. However, PP1gamma2 from caudal spermatozoa was inactive, whereas in caput spermatozoa it was active. The DEAE-cellulose flow-through fractions were next passed through a SP-sepharose column. Caudal sperm sds22 and PP1gamma2 coeluted in the gradient fraction. In contrast, caput sperm sds22 and PP1gamma2 were separated in the flow-through and gradient fractions, respectively. Further purification through a Superose 6 column showed that PP1gamma2-sds22 complex from caudal sperm was 88 kDa in size. Caput sperm sds22 and PP1gamma2 eluted at 60 kDa and 39 kDa, respectively. SDS-PAGE of these purified fractions revealed that in caudal sperm, the 88-kDa species is composed of sds22 (43 kDa) and PP1gamma2 (39 kDa), suggesting a 1:1 complex between these two proteins. PP1gamma2 bound to sds22 in this complex was inactive. Caput sperm sds22 eluting as a 60-kDa species was found to be associated with a 17-kDa protein (p17). This suggests that dissociation of sds22 from p17 or some other posttranslational modification of sds22 is required for its binding and inactivation of PP1gamma2. Studies are currently underway to determine the mechanisms responsible for development of sds22 binding to PP1gamma2 during epididymal sperm maturation.

Animals↗

Functional processing of fertilin: evidence for a critical role of proteolysis in sperm maturation and activation.

Fertilin is a sperm surface protein with an essential role in fertilization. It is required for the migration of spermatozoa through the oviduct, for binding to the zona pellucida, and for efficient binding to the egg plasma membrane. Fertilin consists of two subunits, fertilin alpha and beta, both of which belong to the metalloprotease-disintegrin protein family (ADAMs). Fertilin alpha and beta are made as larger precursors that are processed proteolytically at different stages of sperm maturation in the testis and epididymis. Fertilin alpha is processed first, most likely by a pro-protein convertase in the secretory pathway of testicular cells. Fertilin beta is processed later, while spermatozoa are in transit through the epididymis. The processing of fertilin beta in the epididymis correlates with the acquisition of fertilization competence in spermatozoa, exposes an epitope that has a role in sperm-egg interactions, and triggers the relocalization of fertilin from the whole sperm head to the posterior head. These findings indicate that the proteolytic processing of fertilin and perhaps also other sperm proteins plays an important role in sperm maturation and activation in the epididymis. Further evaluation of the functional significance of proteolysis for sperm maturation should lead to new and exciting insights into the mechanism of sperm maturation, and may also uncover the cause of certain types of male infertility. The identification of the responsible proteases could provide novel targets for contraceptive drugs.

ADAM Proteins↗

Effects of PNU157706, a dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, on rat epididymal sperm maturation and fertility.

Sperm entering the epididymis gain progressive motility and fertilizing ability in a process termed maturation. The functional dependence of the epididymis on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is well established, yet few studies have examined the consequences on the epididymis of inhibiting DHT formation. We have shown that inhibition of both isoforms of 5alpha-reductase (types 1 and 2), the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, has pronounced effects on epididymal gene expression. In the present study, we investigate whether inhibiting 5alpha-reductase has consequences on epididymal sperm maturation. Rats were treated with vehicle or 10 mg/kg/day PNU157706, a dual-type inhibitor, for 28 days. Fertility and several key facets of sperm maturation were analyzed. Changes in sperm motility were assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Changes in sperm morphology were assessed by CASA and electron microscopy. The motility of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis of treated animals showed a significant decrease in both the percentage of motile and progressively motile sperm as well as altered motion parameters. The morphology of cauda epididymal spermatozoa was also adversely affected by the treatment; the most prominent effect was a markedly elevated proportion of sperm that retained their cytoplasmic droplet. Matings with treated males resulted in fewer successful pregnancies and a higher rate of preimplantation loss. Progeny outcome was unaffected. The compromised sperm motility and morphology likely contribute to the subfertility of inhibitor-treated rats. Our results indicate a role for dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitors in further studies of epididymal physiology and as a potential component of a male contraceptive.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

5-Methyldeoxycytidine monophosphate deaminase and 5-methylcytidyl-DNA deaminase activities are present in human mature sperm cells.

Human mature sperm cells have a high nuclease and 5-methyldeoxycytidine monophosphate (5-mdCMP) deaminase activity. The deaminase converts the nuclease degradation product 5-mdCMP into dTMP which is further cleaved into thymine and the abasic sugar-phosphate. Both 5-methylcytidine 5' and 3' monophosphates are good substrates for the deaminase. 5-methylcytidine is not a good deaminase substrate and 5-methylcytosine (5mC) is not a substrate. A purified fraction of the deaminase free of nucleases deaminates 5mC present in intact methylated double-stranded DNA. 5-mdCMP deaminase co-purifies on SDS-PAGE with dCMP deaminase and has an apparent molecular weight of 25 kDa. The enzyme requires no divalent cations and has a Km of 1.4 x 10(-7) M for 5-mdCMP and a Vmax of 7 x 10(-11) mol/h/microg protein. The possible biological implications of the deaminase's activities in the present system are discussed.

Aminohydrolases↗

Epididymal SPAM1 is a marker for sperm maturation in the mouse.

Sperm adhesion molecule 1 (SPAM1), is a glycosyl phoshatidylinositol-linked sperm membrane protein that is dually expressed in testis and epididymis. Epididymal SPAM1 is secreted in all three regions of the epididymis in all mammalian species studied, including humans. It shares the same molecular mass and neutral hyaluronidase activity as the testicular and sperm isoforms that are responsible for the penetration of the cumulus during fertilization. Using wild-type (W/T) sperm and those from mice homozygous for either a null (Spam1-/-) or mutant Spam1 allele, which results in decreased mRNA and protein, we demonstrate that sperm binding of epididymal SPAM1 occurs in vitro after exposure to W/T sperm-free epididymal luminal fluid (ELF). Binding or adsorption that occurred after incubation at room temperature or 32 degrees C was detected immunocytochemically and confirmed quantitatively using flow cytometry. The localization of SPAM1 on the plasma membrane of Spam1-null sperm mimicked that seen in the W/T. The remarkable increase in binding on W/T caudal sperm indicates that they are not fully saturated with SPAM1 during storage, and suggests that uptake of epididymal SPAM1 in vivo augments testicular SPAM1. Spam1-null sperm exposed to W/T ELF for 45-60 min during in vitro capacitation to allow epididymal SPAM1 binding showed a highly significant (P < 0.001) increase in cumulus penetration after 6-7 h compared to those incubated in ELF from null males. Similarly, the number of cumulus-free oocytes was also highly significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that for sperm capacitated in W/T SPAM1-antibody-inhibited ELF. Because epididymal SPAM1 uptake significantly increases cumulus penetration, we conclude that it is a marker of sperm maturation.

Animals↗

Goat sperm membrane: lectin-binding sites of sperm surface and lectin affinity chromatography of the mature sperm membrane antigens.

The cell surface glycoproteins of goat epididymal maturing spermatozoa have been investigated using lectins as surface probes that interact with specific sugars with high affinity. Concanavalin A (ConA) and wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA) showed high affinity for mature cauda epididymal sperm agglutination, whereas RCA2, kidney beans lectin and peanut agglutinin caused much lower or little agglutination of the cells. The mature sperm exhibited markedly higher efficacy than the immature caput epididymal sperm for binding both ConA and WGA, as evidenced by sperm agglutination and the binding of the fluorescence isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. FITC-ConA binds uniformly to the entire mature sperm surface whereas FITC-WGA binds to the acrosomal cap region of the head. The FITC-RCA2 mainly labelled the posterior head of mature cauda sperm. However, no WGA-specific glycoprotein receptors could be detected in sperm plasma membrane (PM) by WGA-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The data implied that the epididymal sperm maturation is associated with a marked increase in the ConA/WGA receptors and that WGA receptors may be glycolipids rather than glycoproteins. Analysis of the ConA receptors of cauda sperm PM identified by ConA-Sepharose affinity chromatography and subsequent resolution in SDS-PAGE demonstrated the presence of five glycopolypeptides of different concentrations (98, 96, 43, 27 and 17 kDa) of goat sperm membrane. The immunoblot of these ConA-specific glycopeptides with anti-sperm membrane antiserum showed that 98- and 96-kDa receptors are immunoresponsive.

Agglutination↗

Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase: a regulator of forward motility initiation during epididymal sperm maturation.

The concentrations of cAMP, cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, and the effect of theophylline in vitro on the forward motility (FM) of maturing goat epididymal sperm have been analyzed. cAMP levels increase slowly during transit of the cells from the caput to the proximal cauda, although they acquired a minimal degree of forward progression. The last phase of sperm transit (proximal to distal cauda) was associated with a concomitant sharp rise in the level of both cAMP as well as flagellar motility. PDE activity progressively decreased (approximately threefold) during epididymal maturation, being minimal in mature cauda sperm. Theophylline (30 mM), a specific inhibitor of PDE, markedly activated (10-fold or greater) motility of the sperm derived from proximal-corpus, mid-corpus, distal-corpus, and proximal-cauda epididymides. FM of the native mature caudal sperm was similar to that of the theophylline-treated proximal-cauda sperm. The terminal stage of sperm maturity (proximal to distal cauda) was associated with a markedly reduced level of theophylline-dependent motility activation (approximately 50%). The data are consistent with the view that PDE plays an important role in the initiation of motility during epididymal sperm maturation.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Sperm maturation and the formation of sperm pairs in the epididymis of the opossum, Didelphis virginiana.

Didelphis spermatozoa released from different levels of the epididymis exhibit a series of changes that reflect events involved in the process of their maturation. Their progression through the duct is accompanied by a rotation of the sperm head on the axis of the tail, by an eccentric movement of the cytoplasmic droplet to the anterior region of the midpiece from where it is discarded, by appearance in the posterior midpiece of regular submembranous electron-dense ridges, and by visible condensation of the mitochondrial cristae and matrix. The latter seems to correlate generally with onset of the ability for progressive motility acquired by most spermatozoa as they reach the lower corpus epididymidis. This phase is associated also with the beginnings of the pairing by the acrosomal surface that characterizes mature spermatozoa of New World marsupials. Use of lectins and cationized ferric colloid as affinity markers served to reveal changes occurring also in the character of the sperm head and tail surface prior to pairing. This investigation strengthens the idea gained from previous study of an Australian marsupial, Trichosurus, that the complexity of sperm maturation in the epididymis of Metatheria is broadly comparable to that observed in most eutherian mammals.

Animals↗

Effects of ethanol treatment on epididymal secretory products and sperm maturation in albino rats.

Alcoholics are often associated with fertility disturbances with low sperm count and impaired sperm motility. Spermatozoa attains forward motility and fertilizing capacity during their transit through the epididymis. Epididymal secretory products form a suitable microenvironment, which favors sperm maturation. To study the effects of ethanol on epididymal sperm maturation, ethanol (3 g/kg body weight as 25%, v/v) was given by gastric intubation twice daily for 30 days, and in another group, rats given treatment for 30 days were withdrawn of treatment for a further period of 30 days to assess the reversibility of ethanol-induced changes. Serum and epididymidal testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), epididymidal tissue and sperm carnitine, acetyl carnitine, glycerylphosphoryl choline (GPC), and sialic acid were studied along with epididymidal sperm count and cauda epididymidal sperm motility. Ethanol treatment significantly reduced the epididymal tissue/sperm carnitine, acetyl carnitine, GPC, and sialic acid, suggesting its adverse effect on these secretory products. Impaired cauda epididymidal sperm motility and fertility (in vivo) of ethanol-treated rats imply the defective sperm maturation. All these changes were reverted back to normalcy after withdrawal of ethanol treatment, indicating the transient effects of ethanol. In conclusion, it is evident that ethanol has an adverse effect on sperm maturation, which may be affected due to the decrease in serum/epididymal testosterone and DHT level and epididymal secretory products.

Acetylcarnitine↗

Immunofluorescence antigen localization on boar sperm plasma membranes: monoclonal antibodies reveal apparent new domains and apparent redistribution of surface antigens during sperm maturation and at ejaculation.

Purified boar sperm plasma membranes (PM) and PM proteins were used as antigens to produce 58 monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens. Fluorescence labelling (biotin-avidin-FITC) was used to determine the distribution of antigens in caput and cauda epididymal and in ejaculated spermatozoa with hybridoma supernatants and/or 1:100 diluted ascites fluid after subcloning. Sixteen areas (subdomains) of apparent restricted antigen mobility were identified and significant differences in the localization of most antigens in caput, cauda, and ejaculated PM were recognized. While localization patterns were highly reproducible with a given protocol for sample preparation and immunolabelling, localization patterns were markedly affected by changes in protocols. Fluorescence patterns were affected by the manner in which sperm were labelled (live sperm or sperm labelled at various steps), by washing, and by temperature or by addition of seminal plasma. These results indicate that the dynamic properties of the sperm PM or the surrounding fluids can easily mask or unmask or reconfigure binding sites for highly site-specific monoclonal antibodies and that antigen distribution is probably under-estimated when these labelling techniques are used. Such changes in the accessibility of antigenic sites to monoclonal antibodies limited determining the extent of distribution of a given antigen on epididymal sperm. However, the reproducibility of patterns when a given protocol is used and the large number of antibodies (39/42) displaying marked differences in localization on caput, cauda, and ejaculated PM suggest that changes in the organization of the PM constituents, whether by addition or subtraction of antigen or through configurational changes in proteins, are a major consequence of sperm maturation in the epididymis.

Acrosome↗

An epididymis-specific beta-defensin is important for the initiation of sperm maturation.

Although the role of the epididymis, a male accessory sex organ, in sperm maturation has been established for nearly four decades, the maturation process itself has not been linked to a specific molecule of epididymal origin. Here we show that Bin1b, a rat epididymis-specific beta-defensin with antimicrobial activity, can bind to the sperm head in different regions of the epididymis with varied binding patterns. In addition, Bin1b-expressing cells, either of epididymal origin or from a Bin1b-transfected cell line, can induce progressive sperm motility in immotile immature sperm. This induction of motility is mediated by the Bin1b-induced uptake of Ca(2+), a mechanism that has a less prominent role in maintaining motility in mature sperm. In vivo antisense experiments show that suppressed expression of Bin1b results in reduced binding of Bin1b to caput sperm and in considerable attenuation of sperm motility and progressive movement. Thus, beta-defensin is important for the acquisition of sperm motility and the initiation of sperm maturation.

Animals↗

Activation of endogenous nucleases in mature sperm cells upon interaction with exogenous DNA.

Mature sperm cells, either of epididymal origin or ejaculated and depleted of seminal fluid, are spontaneously able to bind exogenous DNA molecules which are subsequently internalized into sperm nuclei. Southern blot analysis showed that the internalized DNA was specifically cleaved by sperm endonucleases and showed typical fragmentation patterns of localized hypersensitivity. Nucleases were activated in response to the internalization of exogenous DNA by sperm cells and their activity increased with the DNA concentration. Nuclease activation was efficient in epididymal sperm cells, while being drastically reduced in ejaculated washed spermatozoa. Nucleases were Ca++ dependent, and were, respectively, inhibited and activated by preincubating sperm cells with Aurintricarboxylic Acid (ATA) and Ca++ Ionophore A23187, which are known to, respectively, inhibit and activate apoptosis in somatic cells. Moreover, nuclease activation also caused a partial degradation of the sperm endogenous chromosomal DNA; cleaved DNA fragments were released from the sperm cells to the medium. Taken together, these results suggest that a metabolically active process similar to apoptosis is triggered in the nuclei of mature sperm cells upon interaction with exogenous DNA.

Animals↗

Deficiency of fucosidase results in acrosomal dysgenesis and impaired sperm maturation.

Although a variety of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases have been implicated in spermatogenesis and posttesticular sperm maturation, the biological role of these enzymes in these processes is largely unknown. We describe reproductive sequelae in a cohort of male dogs suffering from fucosidosis, a heritable lysosomal storage disorder caused by a severe deficiency of alpha-L-fucosidase. There was a reduction in the total number of sperm in the ejaculate. Only 3-5% of sperm were motile. None of the sperm were found to be morphologically normal. The predominant morphological defects observed were malformed acrosomes (56%) and retained proximal cytoplasmic droplets (92%), indicating that spermiogenesis and sperm maturation were impaired. The cytoplasm of all cellular components of the testis and excurrent ducts were vacuolated. The vacuolation resulted from enlargement of lysosomes caused by accumulation of compounds that are otherwise cleaved/degraded when lysosomal hydrolases are present normally. It is possible that impairment in spermatogenesis, particularly morphogenesis of the acrosome, is due to physical damage caused by anomalous enlargement of lysosomes. Although an unambiguous causal relationship could not be established, it is evident from the available information that the derangement in events associated with epididymal sperm maturation, namely acquisition of motility and shedding of the cytoplasmic droplet, is likely due to lack of fucosidase leading to impaired sperm membrane modification. This heritable condition in dogs may serve as a spontaneously occurring knock-out model for further elucidating the role of alpha-L-fucosidase in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation.

Acrosome↗