Acquisition of volume regulatory response of sperm upon maturation in the epididymis and the role of the cytoplasmic droplet

Cooper, Trevor G.; Yeung, Ching‐Hei

doi:10.1002/jemt.10314

Cited by 171 publications

(140 citation statements)

References 138 publications

(133 reference statements)

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“…Our findings may add SEPT7 to the list of sperm-maturity markers. The surplus cytoplasm is completely removed around the time of ejaculation via an unidentified mechanism [33]. Considering that Septin4 knockout mice also exhibit increased rates of immature sperm [7,8], SEPT4/7 may participate jointly in the regulation of the removal of the residual cytoplasm during sperm maturation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The expression pattern of SEPT7 correlates with sperm morphology

Chao

Lin

Kuo

et al. 2010

J Assist Reprod Genet

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Purpose To investigate the expression pattern of the SEPT7 protein during spermatogenesis and its potential role in sperm function. Methods We first investigated the expression pattern of SEPT7 during different steps of mouse spermiogenesis using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). IFA was also applied to study the expression pattern of SEPT7 in human ejaculated spermatozoa. Nine fertile men with normal semen parameters were used as the control group, and 21 infertile men with asthenozoospermia were recruited as the patient group. We assessed the frequency of the SEPT7 signal in the various morphological subgroups. Results In humans, the frequency of a defective SEPT7 signal was significantly increased in men with asthenozoospermia. The absence of a SEPT7 signal was more prevalent in sperm containing morphological defects of various types. Conclusions The expression pattern of SEPT7 suggested that this protein may be involved in the regulation of subcellular-compartment formation during spermiogenesis in the mouse. The absence of a SEPT7 signal correlated with multiple sperm defects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The expression pattern of SEPT7 correlates with sperm morphology

Chao

Lin

Kuo

et al. 2010

J Assist Reprod Genet

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“…Extracellular osmolality for posttesticular spermatozoa starts at 280-320 mmol kg −1 in the rete testis of various mammalian species, and reaches levels as high as 480 mmol kg −1 in the corpus region of the hamster epididymis (see Cooper and Yeung et al [13]). In man, there is no report on the osmolalities of epididymal fluid along the length, whereas that in the vas deferens is about 340 mmol kg −1 [14].…”

Section: Physiological Osmotic Challenges To Spermatozoa and Cell Volmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquaporins in spermatozoa and testicular germ cells: identification and potential role

Yeung¹

2010

Asian J Androl

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Mammalian spermatozoa have relatively high water permeability and swell readily, as in the hypo-osmotic swelling test used in the andrology clinic. Physiologically, spermatozoa experience changes in the osmolality of the surrounding fluids in both the male and the female tracts on their journey from the testis to the ovum. Sperm volume regulation in response to such osmotic challenges is important to maintain a stable cell size for the normal shape and function of the sperm tail. Alongside ion channels for the fluxes of osmolytes, water channels would be crucial for sperm volume regulation. In contrast to the deep knowledge and numerous studies on somatic cell aquaporins (AQPs), the understanding of sperm AQPs is limited. Among the 13 AQPs, convincing evidence for their presence in spermatozoa has been confined to AQP7, AQP8 and AQP11. Overall, current findings indicate a major role of AQP8 in water influx and efflux for sperm volume regulation, which is required for natural fertilization. The preliminary data suggestive of a role for AQP7 in sperm glycerol metabolism needs further substantiation. The association of AQP11 with the residual cytoplasm of elongated spermatids and the distal tail of spermatozoa supports the hypothesis of more than just a role in conferring water permeability and also in the turnover and recycling of surplus cellular components made redundant during spermiogenesis and spermiation. This would be crucial for the maintenance of a germinal epithelium functioning efficiently in the production of spermatozoa.

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“…There are internal changes in enzyme activity and the ability to express motility develops (although the sperm remain essentially immotile within the epididymis until after ejaculation). Another important feature is that during epididymal passage, the spermatozoa are exposed to a varying environment, characterized by high concentration of osmolytes (26,32). Finally, the mature spermatozoa accumulate in the cauda epididymidis where they are stored stable and immotile under hyperosmotic conditions until ejaculation (33).…”

Section: The Sperm's Life From Testis To Eggmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from their different chemical composition and pH when compared with cauda epididymal fluid, these fluids have a lower osmolality (similar to that of blood), and so sperm suffer osmotic shock at ejaculation (32).…”

Section: The Sperm's Life From Testis To Eggmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cytometric solutions in veterinary andrology: Developments, advantages, and limitations

Petrunkina

Harrison²

2011

Cytometry Pt A

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Cytometric methodologies are becoming increasingly important in veterinary andrology as means of assessing sperm function. However, as yet, flow cytometric techniques in veterinary andrology have not kept up in sophistication with those in other areas of biology and medicine. In this brief review, we consider the present state of cytometry in andrological procedures for evaluating the fertility of domestic animal sires. We outline the aspects of sperm physiology, paying particular attention to the changes that take place during the process known as capacitation, which prepares the sperm for interaction with the egg. We then examine briefly but critically the cytometric techniques that are currently in commercial use or are being established in research laboratories for testing sperm characteristics. Current limitations and potential developments in semen assessment are discussed. Recent research knowledge offers possibilities for applying more subtle flow cytometric approaches to distinguish different levels of fertilizing potential in semen samples. For example, linking field fertility data to multiparametric kinetic studies of sperm capacitational changes rather than ''single parameter-single time point'' estimations may reveal that slower rather than rapid changes indicate high fertility. Moreover, the development of multicolor flow cytometric procedures as a means of evaluating multiple functional parameters in individual cells would reduce the uncertainties always inherent in predicting fertility from in vitro sperm evaluation tests. ' 2011 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry Key terms fertility; sperm evaluation; heterogeneity; subpopulations; multicolour cytometry THE main focus of an andrological assessment in veterinary medicine is to ascertain the fertility of a potential sire. Although the most obvious and indeed frequently used general veterinary test is to quantify the number of offspring born to the sire, this is a lengthy and very expensive process. For ''accuracy,'' many inseminations must be carried out, and results must await gestation and birth. Obviously, therefore, development of rapid tests that can be carried out in the laboratory has for long been important. However, as research into the reproductive process has advanced, it has become clear that the life of the fertilizing sperm between its release from the testis and its fusion with the egg is far from simple. Moreover, the population of sperm ejaculated into the female has been revealed as being heterogeneous in functional ability, even if morphologically normal [c.f. reviews (1,2)]. As a result of these findings, tests are being developed to examine functional ability within a heterogeneously responding population (3-5).Given that a normal male ejaculate contains many millions of individual sperm cells, it is natural that these tests are based on cytometry. In this short review, we will outline and comment upon a range of modern and still-developing cytometric methodologies in use or potentially useful for sperm...

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Acquisition of volume regulatory response of sperm upon maturation in the epididymis and the role of the cytoplasmic droplet

Cited by 171 publications

References 138 publications

The expression pattern of SEPT7 correlates with sperm morphology

The expression pattern of SEPT7 correlates with sperm morphology

Aquaporins in spermatozoa and testicular germ cells: identification and potential role

Cytometric solutions in veterinary andrology: Developments, advantages, and limitations

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