New insights into epididymal biology and function

Cornwall, Gail A.

doi:10.1093/humupd/dmn055

Cited by 509 publications

(520 citation statements)

References 140 publications

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“…Our preliminary results using epididymal sperm indicated that the currents we recorded in testicular sperm in this work were similar. Initially, total whole-cell currents were recorded using the following solutions: external solution (in mM): 118 Na-MetSO 4 CHO Cell TRPM8 Flexstation II Assay. CRISP4 CRISP domain antagonism of TRPM8 was tested in CHO cells expressing HA-tagged TRPM8 using a fluorometric plate assay.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Male fertility is dependent upon successful spermatogenesis within the testis and two phases of posttesticular sperm maturation, known as epididymal maturation and capacitation (2). Epididymal maturation involves, among other processes, protein absorption onto the sperm membrane, and the establishment of ionic gradients (3,4). Capacitation normally occurs in the female reproductive tract and broadly involves the shedding of proteins, membrane reorganization, changes in ion permeability, and the activation of signal transduction pathways.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cysteine-rich secretory protein 4 is an inhibitor of transient receptor potential M8 with a role in establishing sperm function

Gibbs¹,

Orta

Reddy³

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

110

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The cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) are a group of four proteins in the mouse that are expressed abundantly in the male reproductive tract, and to a lesser extent in other tissues. Analysis of reptile CRISPs and mouse CRISP2 has shown that CRISPs can regulate cellular homeostasis via ion channels. With the exception of the ability of CRISP2 to regulate ryanodine receptors, the in vivo targets of mammalian CRISPs function are unknown. In this study, we have characterized the ion channel regulatory activity of epididymal CRISP4 using electrophysiology, cell assays, and mouse models. Through patch-clamping of testicular sperm, the CRISP4 CRISP domain was shown to inhibit the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel TRPM8. These data were confirmed using a stably transfected CHO cell line. TRPM8 is a major cold receptor in the body, but is found in other tissues, including the testis and on the tail and head of mouse and human sperm. Functional assays using sperm from wild-type mice showed that TRPM8 activation significantly reduced the number of sperm undergoing the progesteroneinduced acrosome reaction following capacitation, and that this response was reversed by the coaddition of CRISP4. In accordance, sperm from Crisp4 null mice had a compromised ability to undergo to the progesterone-induced acrosome reaction. Collectively, these data identify CRISP4 as an endogenous regulator of TRPM8 with a role in normal sperm function.cysteine-rich secretory proteins | antigen 5 | pathogenesis-related 1 | epididymal maturation | fertility

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 4 is an inhibitor of transient receptor potential M8 with a role in establishing sperm function

Gibbs¹,

Orta

Reddy³

et al. 2011

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

110

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…(r = 0.48 to 0.57). In the present study, correlations between testosterone and gonad size are likely related to the dependence of testis growth and epididymal development upon androgens (AMANN; WALKER, 1983;CORNWALL, 2009;CHENG et al, 2010;ROBAIRE;HAMZEH, 2011) but these correlations were more significant for GnRH-stimulated than for basal testosterone. As well established, testosterone is dependent on both GnRH and LH, and its secretion occurs in pulses (BRIDGES et al, 1993;BAGU et al, 2006).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 48%

“…Our findings suggest that the development of epididymis is closely linked to that of the gonad and to events of spermatogenesis. In fact, studies have pointed out that epididymal function not only depends on androgens but also on the influence of luminal components (such as growth factors) from the testis (ABE; TAKANO; ITO, 1984;CORNWALL, 2009 The number of tubules with either round, elongate or mature spermatids quantified at 30 mo. was correlated with sperm progressive motility and vigor evaluated from 25 to 29 mo.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testis size, peripheral concentrations of testosterone, semen criteria and Sertoli and germ cell numbers in Nelore bulls

et al. 2014

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A study was conducted to evaluate the associations among testis size, testosterone concentrations, semen parameters and aspects of spermatogenesis in Nelore bulls (n = 28). Testis size was measured from 10 to 29 months of age. Bulls were treated with GnRH (12 to 21 months) and semen samples also collected from 25 to 29 months. At 30 months, animals were slaughtered. Correlations were significant when p < 0.05. Basal testosterone was highest at 18 months, suggesting that bulls reached puberty at this age. At 30 months, seminiferous tubules represented 77.9 ± 3.8 % of the testicular parenchyma and there were 33.6 ± 8.4 round spermatids/A1 spermatogonium/tubule section, indicating a 47.5% degeneration rate during spermatogenesis. At 30 months, heavier testis correlated with Sertoli cell numbers/testis (r = 0.77), and round spermatids/tubule section, Sertoli cell and A1 spermatogonium (r = 0.50 -0.60). Scrotal circumference (SC) taken between 10 and 29 months correlated with the percentage of tubules with spermatids (r = 0.42 -0.59) and number of A1 spermatogonium and round spermatids/Sertoli cell (r = 0.49 -0.68). Epididymal weight was related to Sertoli cell numbers/testis, and round spermatids/ Sertoli cell and A1 spermatogonium (r = 0.51 -0.61). GnRH-stimulated testosterone from 17 to 21 months correlated with SC between 14 and 29 months (r = 0.48 -0.60), testis and epididymal weights (r = 0.41 -0.64) and with parameters of spermatogenesis (r = 0.44 -0.58). Additionally, sperm motility and vigor from 25 to 29 months correlated with the number of tubules with spermatids (r = 0.42 -0.59) and GnRH-stimulated testosterone at 12, 13 and 18 months (r = 0.46 -0.57). In conclusion, testis size during and after the period of pronounced increases in testosterone is an indicator of quantitative parameters of spermatogenesis of post-pubertal bulls. Key words: Nelore, sperm motility, spermatogenesis, testis, testosterone ResumoConduziu-se o presente estudo com o objetivo de avaliar as associações entre biometria testicular, testosterona, parâmetros seminais e aspectos da espermatogênese em touros Nelore (n = 28). Avaliou- se os testículos dos 10 aos 29 meses de idade. Os touros foram tratados com GnRH (12 a 21 meses) e amostras de sêmen coletadas (25 a 29 meses). Aos 30 meses, os animais foram abatidos. Correlações foram consideradas significativas quando p < 0.05. Concentrações elevadas de testosterona basal ocorreram aos 18 meses, indicativo da puberdade dos touros. Aos 30 meses, os túbulos seminíferos representaram 77,9 ± 3,8% do parênquima testicular e quantificou-se 33,6 ± 8,4 espermátides arredondadas/espermatogônia A1/secção tubular, referente a 47,5% de degeneração celular durante a espermatogênese. Aos 30 meses, peso testicular correlacionou-se com o número de células de Sertoli/ testículo (r = 0,77) e espermátides arredondadas/seção tubular, célula de Sertoli e espermatogônia A1 (r = 0,50 -0,60). A circunferência escrotal (CE) entre 10 e 29 meses correlacionou-se com a percentagem de túbulos com espermátide...

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“…La maturation post-testiculaire des spermatozoïdes recouvre un ensemble de processus complexes qui vont progressivement modifier structurellement et fonctionnellement les gamètes en transit et ainsi leur conférer leurs aptitudes fécondantes, c'est-à-dire l'expression de leur motilité et la capacité à reconnaître la zone pellucide de l'ovule et à fusionner avec ce dernier. L'épithélium composite pseudostratifié du tubule épididymaire assure ces rôles essentiellement grâce à ses multiples activités de sécrétion et de réabsorption qui changent localement et séquentiellement la composition du fluide épididymaire dans lequel baignent les gamètes (pour une revue récente voir [4]). Une expérience simple qui illustre l'importance de ce tissu dans la fertilité mâle chez les mammifères consiste à tester les capacités fécondantes de gamètes prélevés dans différentes régions du tubule Un couple sur six dans le monde consulte en raison de difficultés à concevoir.…”

unclassified

Protection post-testiculaire des gamètes mâles contre les dommages radicalaires

2012

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> Lorsqu'ils quittent le testicule, les spermatozoïdes sont fonctionnellement immatures et disposent de moyens de défense intrinsèques limités. Ils deviendront mobiles et fécondants après leur descente et leur maturation progressive dans le tubule épididymaire. L'épididyme assure aussi la survie et la protection des gamètes mâles pendant cette phase de maturation posttesticulaire et pendant la période de stockage entre deux éjaculations. Parmi les agressions communes auxquelles les spermatozoïdes sont soumis, le stress oxydant occupe une place particulière et ambiguë. Les événements de la maturation épididymaire requièrent un certain niveau d'oxydation alors que le gamète mâle y est, par ailleurs, particulièrement sensible. Un équi-libre très fin entre oxydation ménagée bénéfique et stress oxydant délétère est ainsi maintenu dans l'environnement épididymaire. Les enzymes antioxydantes de la famille des peroxydases à glutathion à activité thiol peroxydase jouent un rôle clé dans le contrôle de cet équilibre. < Fonctions de l'épididyme dans la maturation et la protection des spermatozoïdes L'épididyme est un organe accolé au testicule, formé d'un très long tubule, fortement contourné, qui met en communication le testicule en amont via le rete testis et les canaux efférents avec le canal déférent en aval. C'est un dérivé du mésonéphros embryonnaire apparu chez les amniotes (reptiles, oiseaux, mammifères) qui atteint son plein déve-loppement chez les mammifères. Chez ces derniers, l'épididyme est impliqué dans le transport et la maturation des spermatozoïdes ainsi que, dans sa partie terminale (queue ou cauda), dans le stockage des spermatozoïdes entre deux éjaculations [1][2][3] (Figure 1). La maturation post-testiculaire des spermatozoïdes recouvre un ensemble de processus complexes qui vont progressivement modifier structurellement et fonctionnellement les gamètes en transit et ainsi leur conférer leurs aptitudes fécondantes, c'est-à-dire l'expression de leur motilité et la capacité à reconnaître la zone pellucide de l'ovule et à fusionner avec ce dernier. L'épithélium composite pseudostratifié du tubule épididymaire assure ces rôles essentiellement grâce à ses multiples activités de sécrétion et de réabsorption qui changent localement et séquentiellement la composition du fluide épididymaire dans lequel baignent les gamètes (pour une revue récente voir [4]). Une expérience simple qui illustre l'importance de ce tissu dans la fertilité mâle chez les mammifères consiste à tester les capacités fécondantes de gamètes prélevés dans différentes régions du tubule Un couple sur six dans le monde consulte en raison de difficultés à concevoir. Quand on retrace les origines de ces infertilités, un tiers mettent en cause les deux partenaires, un tiers sont uniquement d'origine féminine et un tiers uniquement d'origine masculine. Dans ce dernier groupe, il apparaît que, dans 50 % des cas, l'infertilité mâle est associée à un défaut de la spermatogenèse testiculaire. Pour l'autre moitié de ces infertilités mâles idiopathiques...

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New insights into epididymal biology and function

Cited by 509 publications

References 140 publications

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 4 is an inhibitor of transient receptor potential M8 with a role in establishing sperm function

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 4 is an inhibitor of transient receptor potential M8 with a role in establishing sperm function

Testis size, peripheral concentrations of testosterone, semen criteria and Sertoli and germ cell numbers in Nelore bulls

Protection post-testiculaire des gamètes mâles contre les dommages radicalaires

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