Altered ultrastructure of mitochondrial membranes is strongly associated with unexplained asthenozoospermia

Pelliccione, Fiore; Micillo, A.; Cordeschi, Giuliana; D’Angeli, Anatolia; Necozione, Stefano; Gandini, L.; Lenzi, Andrea; Francavilla, Felice; Francavilla, Sandro

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.07.1086

Cited by 92 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Our hypothesis is substantiated by recent evidence that ultrastructurally altered midpiece mitochondria among other mitochondria with dilated intermembrane spaces are associated with human asthenozoospermia (Pelliccione et al 2011).…”

Section: Droplet Charging and Deflectionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Sex selection of sperm in farm animals: status report and developmental prospects

Rath¹,

Barcikowski²,

Graaf³

et al. 2013

Reproduction

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Pre-selection of spermatozoa based on the relative DNA difference between X-and Y-chromosome bearing populations by flow cytometry is an established method that has been introduced into commercial cattle production. Although several important improvements have increased the sort efficiency, the fertilising ability of sexed spermatozoa based on offspring per insemination is still behind farmers' expectations. The main stress factors, especially on mitochondria, that reduce the lifespan of spermatozoa are described, and new technical as well as biological solutions to maintain the natural sperm integrity and to increase the sorting efficiency are discussed. Among these methods are the identification of Y-chromosome bearing spermatozoa by bi-functionalised gold nanoparticles and triplex hybridisation in vivo as well as new laser-controlled deflection system that replaces the deflection of spermatozoa in the electrostatic field. Additionally, as well as a new nonsurgical transfer system of spermatozoa into the oviduct of cows has been developed and allows a significant reduction of spermatozoa per transfer. Altogether, the improvements made in the recent years will allow a broader use of sex-sorted spermatozoa even in those species that require more cells than cows and sheep.Reproduction (2013) 145 R15-R30

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Section: Droplet Charging and Deflectionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Sex selection of sperm in farm animals: status report and developmental prospects

Rath¹,

Barcikowski²,

Graaf³

et al. 2013

Reproduction

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“…First of all, defects in sperm mitochondrial ultrastructure seem to associate with decreased sperm motility in humans (Mundy et al 1995, Pelliccione et al 2011. At the molecular level, previous work has shown that deletions and other changes to mtDNA that influence cellular homoeostasis can result in reduced sperm functionality and male infertility, both in human patients (for review see St John et al (2005)) and in mice engineered to harbour a mutant mtDNA with a pathogenic 4696-bp deletion (Nakada et al 2006).…”

Section: Mitochondrial Functionality and Sperm Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitochondria functionality and sperm quality

Amaral¹,

Lourenço²,

Marques³

et al. 2013

Reproduction

433

332

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Although mitochondria are best known for being the eukaryotic cell powerhouses, these organelles participate in various cellular functions besides ATP production, such as calcium homoeostasis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. The aim of this review was to discuss the putative roles of mitochondria in mammalian sperm function and how they may relate to sperm quality and fertilisation ability, particularly in humans. Although paternal mitochondria are degraded inside the zygote, sperm mitochondrial functionality seems to be critical for fertilisation. Indeed, changes in mitochondrial integrity/functionality, namely defects in mitochondrial ultrastructure or in the mitochondrial genome, transcriptome or proteome, as well as low mitochondrial membrane potential or altered oxygen consumption, have been correlated with loss of sperm function (particularly with decreased motility). Results from genetically engineered mouse models also confirmed this trend. On the other hand, increasing evidence suggests that mitochondria derived ATP is not crucial for sperm motility and that glycolysis may be the main ATP supplier for this particular aspect of sperm function. However, there are contradictory data in the literature regarding sperm bioenergetics. The relevance of sperm mitochondria may thus be associated with their role in other physiological features, particularly with the production of ROS, which in controlled levels are needed for proper sperm function. Sperm mitochondria may also serve as intracellular Ca 2C stores, although their role in signalling is still unclear.

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“…TEM analysis has played a pivotal role in demonstrating the relationship between unexplained asthenozoospermia and defects in mitochondrial membranes [Pelliccione et al 2011]. The absence of mitochondria in the midpiece has been described by TEM and is generally a characteristic of the DFS sperm defect [Chemes and Rawe 2003].…”

Section: Midpiece Defectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of transmission electron microscopy analysis of spermatozoa: Diagnostic applications and basic research

Moretti

Sutera

Collodel

2016

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

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This review is aimed at discussing the role of ultrastructural studies on human spermatozoa and evaluating transmission electron microscopy as a diagnostic tool that can complete andrology protocols. It is clear that morphological sperm defects may explain decreased fertilizing potential and acquire particular value in the field of male infertility. Electron microscopy is the best method to identify systematic or monomorphic and non-systematic or polymorphic sperm defects. The systematic defects are characterized by a particular anomaly that affects the vast majority of spermatozoa in a semen sample, whereas a heterogeneous combination of head and tail defects found in variable percentages are typically non-systematic or polymorphic sperm defects. A correct diagnosis of these specific sperm alterations is important for choosing the male infertility's therapy and for deciding to turn to assisted reproduction techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) also represents a valuable method to explore the in vitro effects of different compounds (for example drugs with potential spermicidal activity) on the morphology of human spermatozoa. Finally, TEM used in combination with immunohistochemical techniques, integrates structural and functional aspects that provide a wide horizon in the understanding of sperm physiology and pathology.

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Altered ultrastructure of mitochondrial membranes is strongly associated with unexplained asthenozoospermia

Cited by 92 publications

References 35 publications

Sex selection of sperm in farm animals: status report and developmental prospects

Sex selection of sperm in farm animals: status report and developmental prospects

Mitochondria functionality and sperm quality

The importance of transmission electron microscopy analysis of spermatozoa: Diagnostic applications and basic research

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