Hydrogen Sulfide and/or Ammonia Reduces Spermatozoa Motility through AMPK/AKT Related Pathways

Abstract

A number of emerging studies suggest that air pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) may cause a decline in spermatozoa motility. The impact and underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. Boar spermatozoa (in vitro) and peripubertal male mice (in vivo) were exposed to H2S and/or NH3 to evaluate the impact on spermatozoa motility. Na2S and/or NH4Cl reduced the motility of boar spermatozoa in vitro. Na2S and/or NH4Cl disrupted multiple signaling pathways including decreasing Na+/K+ ATPase activity and protein kinase B (AKT) levels, activating Adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to diminish boar spermatozoa motility. The increase in ROS might have activated PTEN, which in turn diminished AKT activation. The ATP deficiency (indicated by reduction in Na+/K+ ATPase activity), transforming growth factor (TGFβ) activated kinase-1 (TAK1) activation, and AKT deactivation stimulated AMPK, which caused a decline in boar spermatozoa motility. Simultaneously, the deactivation of AKT might play some role in the reduction of boar spermatozoa motility. Furthermore, Na2S and/or NH4Cl declined the motility of mouse spermatozoa without affecting mouse body weight gain in vivo. Findings of the present study suggest that H2S and/or NH3 are adversely associated with spermatozoa motility.

Gestational exposure to low‐dose zearalenone disrupting offspring spermatogenesis might be through epigenetic modifications

“…The study was conducted in accordance with the Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology policy for experimental and clinical studies (detailed materials and methods in the Supplemental Information). This study was approved by the Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments of Qingdao Agricultural University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health . Mice were maintained under a light:dark cycle of 12:12 hours and at a temperature of 23°C and humidity of 50%‐70%, and the animals had free access to food (chow diet) and water .…”

“…Table S1 lists the primary antibodies. Testis sections (5 µm) were cut and subjected to antigen retrieval and immunostaining . Briefly, sections were first blocked with normal goat serum in PBS, followed by incubation (1:150 in PBS‐1% BSA) with primary antibodies at 4°C overnight.…”

Reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur species in human male fertility. A crossroad of cellular signaling and pathology

“…Specifically, it has been shown that NaHS treatment markedly decreased sperm motility, and moreover appeared to be toxic to human sperm . In addition a H 2 S donor, sodium sulfide (Na 2 S), has also been shown to reduce spermatozoa motility both in vitro and in vivo . The reason for this is in fact that some H 2 S donors release this gasotransmiter in concentrations that are supraphysiological and thus, unfavorable for sperm functions.…”

MicroRNA-21-Regulated Activation of the Akt Pathway Participates in the Protective Effects of H₂S against Liver Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8] We have previously reported that administration of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of H 2 S, attenuated the severity of liver injury in a rat model of hepatic I/R. 9) However, the underlying mechanisms accounting for the activities of H 2 S against hepatic I/R-induced injury remain unclear.…”

“…Several studies suggest that H 2 S may activate the Akt pathway, 5,8) which has been previously demonstrated to participate in the mechanisms of hepatic I/R-induced injury. 10,11) On the other hand, microRNA-21 (miR-21) serves as an activator for the Akt pathway by regulating the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), 12,13) and also exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.…”