Role of androgens in survival of spermatozoa in epididymis of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

Chaturapanich, Ganyapong; Jones, R. C.; Clulow, John

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0950421

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…On the other hand, the features of that maturation are together consistent with the idea invoked for the eutherian situation that this pattern determined development of the regulated sperm storage in the marsupial cauda epididymidis. In turn, the presence of this latter function (Chaturapanich et al, 1992) accords with our evidence that marsupial sperm require capacitation in order to undergo the acrosome reaction, and with evolution of the scrotal state. However, because the scrotum is an androgen-independent structure that lies anterior to the penis (Renfree et al, 1995), it may have evolved independently in the marsupial line.…”

Section: The Bearing Of Marsupial Patternssupporting

confidence: 89%

Puzzles of mammalian fertilization and beyond

Bedford¹

2008

Int. J. Dev. Biol.

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A complexity imposed on the events of conception during the evolution of eutherian mammals is reflected not only in the placenta but also in a series of gamete-related novelties that involve the design of sperm and eggs, their interactions leading to fertilization, epididymal function, and even the scrotal state. While their functional significance has been difficult to determine, I suggest on the basis of present evidence that the genesis of these novel features relates ultimately to changes in the egg associated with nidation, that they imply a new fertilization strategy, and that most are causally linked -a major first 'domino' being the formidable zona pellucida. The eutherian zona pellucida stands out by virtue of an elastic resilience and thickness which allow it to stretch around the expanding blastocyst. However, this quality of the zona together with its relative protease-insensitivity creates a physical challenge which appears to have determined the design of the sperm head, its behaviour at fertilization, and indirectly even the pattern of sperm maturation in the epididymis. In turn, that pattern appears to have evoked the development of the sperm storage function of the cauda region, with both sperm capacitation and the scrotal state as ultimate legacies of this. Coincidentally, the vulnerability of the small yolkless egg to polyspermy appears to have selected for a unique parsimonious pattern of sperm transport in the Fallopian tube, and possibly for the role of the cumulus oophorus as a sperm sequestering device. These ideas are supported generally by evidence from marsupials, as well as by the deviant patterns seen in some insectivorous mammals.

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Section: The Bearing Of Marsupial Patternssupporting

confidence: 89%

Puzzles of mammalian fertilization and beyond

Bedford¹

2008

Int. J. Dev. Biol.

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“…Furthermore, the fact that only spermatozoa from the upper oviduct seem able to react and fertilise (Rodger & Bedford, 1982a ;Bedford & Breed, 1994 ;Mate et al, 2000) indicates a need for capacitation in marsupials, consistent with there being a regulated sperm storage function in the epididymis. Marsupials display an androgen-regulated sperm storage function in the cauda (Chaturapanich, Jones & Clulow, 1992), and sometimes the same anatomical strategies for its preferential cooling (Cummins et al, 1986 ;Jones, 1989). However, the marsupial scrotum is an androgen-independent structure that lies anterior to the penis (Renfree, Harry & Shaw, 1995), and may have evolved independently in the marsupial line.…”

Section: (6 ) the Cumulus Oophorusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enigmas of mammalian gamete form and function

Bedford¹

2004

Biological Reviews

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The gametes of man and some other Eutheria have been manipulated successfully for practical reasons, but many gaps remain in our basic understanding of the way that they function. This situation stems not least from a failure to recognize the extent to which eutherian spermatozoa and eggs, and elements related to their operation, have come to differ from those of other groups. Novel features in the male that reflect this include a radical design of the sperm head with the acrosome seeming to function primarily in egg-coat binding rather than its lysis, a multifaceted post-testicular sperm maturation and an androgen/low-temperature-regulated system of sperm storage--both tied to the epididymis, a variable male accessory sex gland complex, and descent of the testis and epididymis to a scrotum. In the female, such novelties are represented in a need for sperm capacitation, in an unusual regulation of sperm transport within the oviduct, in the cumulus oophorus and character of the zona pellucida around the small egg, and in a unique configuration of gamete fusion. The collective evidence now suggests that many of these features reflect a new fertilisation strategy or its consequences, with most being causally linked. One initial 'domino' in this regard appears to be the small yolkless state of the egg and its intolerance for polyspermy, as determinants of the unusual mode of oviductal sperm transport and possibly the existence and form of the cumulus oophorus. However, a particularly influential first 'domino' appears to be the physical character of the eutherian zona pellucida. This differs from the egg coats of other animal groups by virtue of a resilient elasticity and thickness. These qualities allow this primary and often only coat to stretch and so persist during later expansion of the blastocyst, usually until close to implantation. At the same time, the dimensions, physical character, and particularly the relative protease-insensitivity of the zona appear to have had profound effects on sperm form and function and, more indirectly, on sperm-related events in the male and the female tract. Marsupials display some similarities and also some strikingly different features, against which the enigmas of the eutherian situation can be evaluated.

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“…It should be noted that the cauda is the region where the storage and nourishment of sperm takes place [29,35,36]. Transit of sperms through the epididymis is an obligatory requirement under normal conditions for the acquisition of forward motility and fertilizing capacity.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Demonstration of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor in Cauda Epididymis of Rat1

Dahia

Rao

2006

Biology of Reproduction

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FSH receptor has been shown to be specifically expressed only in the Sertoli cells in males. In one of our studies that consisted of deprival of endogenous FSH in immature rats and adult bonnet monkeys, atrophy of the epididymis was observed, cauda region being the most affected. Although epididymis is an androgen-dependent tissue, the changes in histology of the cauda region were observed without any associated change in the levels of testosterone in FSH-deprived animals. Considering this, it was of interest to evaluate the possibility of epididymis being a direct target for FSH action. In the present study, we have examined the expression of FSH receptor in the epididymis of rat and monkey. In the cauda region of rat epididymis, FSH receptor expression was demonstrated by RT-PCR and Northern and Western blot analyses. FSH receptor was found to be functional as observed by its ability to bind 125IoFSH, by an increase in cAMP production, and by BrdU incorporation following addition of FSH under in vitro conditions. These results suggest the possibility of a role for FSH in regulating the growth of the epididymis.

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Role of androgens in survival of spermatozoa in epididymis of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

Cited by 13 publications

References 27 publications

Puzzles of mammalian fertilization and beyond

Puzzles of mammalian fertilization and beyond

Enigmas of mammalian gamete form and function

Demonstration of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor in Cauda Epididymis of Rat1

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