New proteins identified in epididymal fluid from the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Dacheux, Jean‐Louis; Dacheux, Françoise; Labas, Valérie; Ecroyd, Heath; Nixon, Brett; Jones, Russell C.

doi:10.1071/rd09091

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However, there is considerable divergence between extreme mammalian classes such as eutherians and monotremes. For monotremes such as the platypus, the luminal protein composition in the epididymis is unique among mammals, with numerous species-specific proteins such as E-OR20 (a new lipocalin), SPARC, and PXN-FBPL (Dacheux et al 2009). …”

Section: Composition Identification and Origin Of The Luminal Epididmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation

2014

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Testicular spermatozoa acquire fertility only after 1 or 2 weeks of transit through the epididymis. At the end of this several meters long epididymal tubule, the male gamete is able to move, capacitate, migrate through the female tract, bind to the egg membrane and fuse to the oocyte to result in a viable embryo. All these sperm properties are acquired after sequential modifications occurring either at the level of the spermatozoon or in the epididymal surroundings. Over the last few decades, significant increases in the understanding of the composition of the male gamete and its surroundings have resulted from the use of new techniques such as genome sequencing, proteomics combined with high-sensitivity mass spectrometry, and gene-knockout approaches. This review reports and discusses the most relevant new results obtained in different species regarding the various cellular processes occurring at the sperm level, in particular, those related to the development of motility and egg binding during epididymal transit.

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Section: Composition Identification and Origin Of The Luminal Epididmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation

2014

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“…We have initiated such studies by analyzing micropuncture samples of luminal fluid collected along the epididymis of monotremes. Such analyses have revealed a proteomic profile of similar overall complexity to those documented from eutherians and marsupials (Dacheux et al, 2009). For instance, the resolution of platypus caudal epididymal proteins by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) resulted in the separation of at least 400 spots that could be detected by Coomassie blue staining.…”

Section: Protein Synthesis In the Monotreme Epididymismentioning

confidence: 74%

Monotremes Provide a Key to Understanding the Evolutionary Significance of Epididymal Sperm Maturation

Nixon

Ecroyd

Dacheux

et al. 2011

Journal of Andrology

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It has been widely accepted that mammalian spermatozoa are infertile when they leave the testes and require a period of maturation in both the epididymis and the female reproductive tract before acquiring the ability to fertilize an oocyte. However, the necessity for such a complex process of posttesticular sperm maturation appears to be unique to mammals because it is well established that these processes do not directly influence the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa of birds, reptiles, and other lower vertebrates. Because of their key evolutionary position and form of reproduction, we contend that monotremes (platypus and echidna) provide a unique model for resolving why these processes are necessary. In the present review, we examine evidence that the epididymal maturation of monotreme spermatozoa is far less complex than in other mammals. However, a unique feature of the monotreme epididymis lies in its ability to promote the formation of elaborate sperm bundles that serve to greatly enhance the cells' motility. It is suggested that this intriguing cooperative strategy used by monotreme sperm represents an early form of epididymal maturation that appears to have been elaborated upon during the evolution of higher mammals, possibly as an adaptation for sperm competition.

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“…1-D gels of micropuncture samples of luminal fluid collected along the epididymis of the echidna (Djakiew and Jones 1983) show a similar pattern of luminal fluid proteins collected from eutherians (Dacheux et al 2003) and marsupials (Chaturapanich et al 1992a). However, whereas clusterin is the most abundant epididymal protein in the eutheria that have been studied, including humans (Dacheux et al 2003(Dacheux et al , 2006Gatti et al 2004), the most abundant secreted protein in the platypus epididymis is lipocalin (see companion paper by Dacheux et al 2009); its homologues most closely resemble proteins in the reptilian epididymis (Morel et al 2000). Of particular interest are the proteins that are secreted by the epididymis and interact with spermatozoa to modify their function.…”

Section: Division Of Labour Along the Epididymismentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Our studies of the synthesis and secretion of proteins along the monotreme epididymis (see companion paper in this issue by Dacheux et al 2009) showed that at least two new proteins are secreted into the region of the duct where spermatozoa form into bundles. In the echidna these proteins have molecular masses of ∼60 000 Da and 76 000 Da (Jones et al 2007).…”

Section: Sperm Bundlesmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Hundreds of proteins are present in epididymal luminal fluid from eutherian mammals (see companion paper in this volume by Dacheux et al 2009). The duct mucosa secretes and reabsorbs proteins and some of the secreted proteins are then modified or may be reabsorbed downstream, and some proteins originate from spermatozoa.There is considerable evidence that the epididymal proteins are involved in sperm maturation including modifying the composition of the sperm membrane so that it can bind to an ovum and undergo capacitation.…”

Section: Division Of Labour Along the Epididymismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Testicular descent, sperm maturation and capacitation. Lessons from our most distant relatives, the monotremes

Ecroyd

Nixon

Dacheux

et al. 2009

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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The present review examines whether monotremes may help to resolve three questions relating to sperm production in mammals: why the testes descend into a scrotum in most mammals, why spermatozoa are infertile when they leave the testes and require a period of maturation in the specific milieu provided by the epididymides, and why ejaculated spermatozoa cannot immediately fertilise an ovum until they undergo capacitation within the female reproductive tract. Comparisons of monotremes with other mammals indicate that there is a need for considerable work on monotremes. It is hypothesised that testicular descent should be related to epididymal differentiation. Spermatozoa and ova from both groups share many of the proteins that are thought to be involved in gamete interaction, and although epididymal sperm maturation is significant it is probably less complex in monotremes than in other mammals. However, the monotreme epididymis is unique in forming spermatozoa into bundles of 100 with greatly enhanced motility compared with individual spermatozoa. Bundle formation involves a highly organised interaction with epididymal proteins, and the bundles persist during incubation in vitro, except in specialised medium, in which spermatozoa separate after 3 h incubation. It is suggested that this represents an early form of capacitation. Abstract. The present review examines whether monotremes may help to resolve three questions relating to sperm production in mammals: why the testes descend into a scrotum in most mammals, why spermatozoa are infertile when they leave the testes and require a period of maturation in the specific milieu provided by the epididymides, and why ejaculated spermatozoa cannot immediately fertilise an ovum until they undergo capacitation within the female reproductive tract. Comparisons of monotremes with other mammals indicate that there is a need for considerable work on monotremes. It is hypothesised that testicular descent should be related to epididymal differentiation. Spermatozoa and ova from both groups share many of the proteins that are thought to be involved in gamete interaction, and although epididymal sperm maturation is significant it is probably less complex in monotremes than in other mammals. However, the monotreme epididymis is unique in forming spermatozoa into bundles of 100 with greatly enhanced motility compared with individual spermatozoa. Bundle formation involves a highly organised interaction with epididymal proteins, and the bundles persist during incubation in vitro, except in specialised medium, in which spermatozoa separate after 2-3 h incubation. It is suggested that this represents an early form of capacitation.

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New proteins identified in epididymal fluid from the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation

New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation

Monotremes Provide a Key to Understanding the Evolutionary Significance of Epididymal Sperm Maturation

Testicular descent, sperm maturation and capacitation. Lessons from our most distant relatives, the monotremes

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