Sperm Interaction with the Female Reproductive Tract

Druart, Xavier

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02097.x

Cited by 27 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 68 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Results summarized in Table 2 indicate that the presence of BRET-QD (0, 1, or 5 nm) had no effect on the proportion of sperm cells with intact membranes. In light of these data, it can be suggested that the incorporation of BRET-QD may not interfere with the normal progression of spermatozoa in vivo and interactions with its utero-oviductal environment, including the oocyte [9,31]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of quantum dot nanoparticles for potential non-invasive bio-imaging of mammalian spermatozoa

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundVarious obstacles are encountered by mammalian spermatozoa during their journey through the female genital tract, and only few or none will reach the site of fertilization. Currently, there are limited technical approaches for non-invasive investigation of spermatozoa migration after insemination. As the knowledge surrounding sperm behavior throughout the female genital tract still remains elusive, the recent development of self-illuminating quantum dot nanoparticles may present a potential means for real-time in vitro and in vivo monitoring of spermatozoa.ResultsHere, we show the ability of boar spermatozoa to harmlessly interact and incorporate bioluminescent resonance energy transfer-conjugated quantum dot (BRET-QD) nanoparticles. The confocal microscope revealed in situ fluorescence of BRET-QD in the entire spermatozoon, while the ultra-structural analysis using the transmission electron microscope indicated BRET-QD localization on the sperm plasma membrane and intracellular compartment. In controlled-in vitro assays, bioluminescent imaging demonstrated that spermatozoa incubated with BRET-QD and luciferase substrate (coelenterazine) emit light (photons/sec) above the background, which confirmed the in situ fluorescence imaging. Most importantly, sperm motility, viability, and fertilizing potential were not affected by the BRET-QD incorporation when used at an appropriated ratio.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that pig spermatozoa can incorporate BRET-QD nanoparticles without affecting their motility and capacity to interact with the oocyte when used at an appropriated balance. We anticipate that our study will enable in-depth exploration of the male components of in vivo migration, fertilization, and embryonic development at the molecular level using this novel approach.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of quantum dot nanoparticles for potential non-invasive bio-imaging of mammalian spermatozoa

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…1995a,b; Kervancioglu et al. 2000; Suarez and Pacey 2006), where they are maintained alive until fertilization (Druart 2012). During spermatozoa transit through the female reproductive tract, spermatozoa encounter different environments with various mechanical properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During spermatozoa transit through the female reproductive tract, spermatozoa encounter different environments with various mechanical properties. Identification of the participants in the dialogue between spermatozoa and oviduct in vivo will require further research, and this will be important to properly elucidate the mechanisms by which spermatozoa survive in the female genital tract (Druart 2012). However, information of relationships between spermatozoa and oviduct is sparse in reptiles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

Chen

Zhang

Yuan

et al. 2015

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Spermatozoa are known to be stored within the female genital tract after mating in various species to optimize timing of reproductive events such as copulation, fertilization, and ovulation. The mechanism supporting long-term sperm storage is still unclear in turtles. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between the spermatozoa and oviduct in Chinese soft-shelled turtle by light and electron microscopy to reveal the potential cytological mechanism of long-term sperm storage. Spermatozoa were stored in isthmus, uterine, and vagina of the oviduct throughout the year, indicating long-term sperm storage in vivo. Sperm heads were always embedded among the cilia and even intercalated into the apical hollowness of the ciliated cells in the oviduct mucosal epithelium. The stored spermatozoa could also gather in the gland conduit. There was no lysosome distribution around the hollowness of the ciliated cell, suggesting that the ciliated cells of the oviduct can support the spermatozoa instead of phagocytosing them in the oviduct. Immune cells were sparse in the epithelium and lamina propria of oviduct, although few were found inside the blood vessel of mucosa, which may be an indication of immune tolerance during sperm storage in the oviduct of the soft-shelled turtle. These characteristics developed in the turtle benefited spermatozoa survival for a long time as extraneous cells in the oviduct of this species. These findings would help to improve the understanding of reproductive regularity and develop strategies of species conservation in the turtle. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle may be a potential model for uncovering the mechanism behind the sperm storage phenomenon.

show abstract

“…One of the most important functions is the selection process during the active sperm migration through the reproductive tract [Druart 2012]. This phenomenom is crucial and ensures the separation of potentially fertile sperm subpopulations [Marti et al 2011a;Marti et al 2012;Thilagavathi et al 2012].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative study of sperm washing and selection methods after cryopreservation and its influence on sperm subpopulational structure in a bovine model

García-Herreros

Leal

2014

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To cite this article: Manuel García-Herreros & Claudia L. V. Leal (2014) Comparative study of sperm washing and selection methods after cryopreservation and its influence on sperm subpopulational structure in a bovine model, Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 60:6, 338-347, DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2014 RESEARCH ARTICLEComparative study of sperm washing and selection methods after cryopreservation and its influence on sperm subpopulational structure in a bovine model AbstractThe effect of different sperm washing-selection methods on sperm morphometric characteristics as a study to detect differences in the subpopulational structure has been carried out in detail in a bovine model. Cryopreserved sperm samples from 5 bulls were thawed, pooled, and processed by TALP-washing centrifugation method (TWCM), selective Percoll discontinuous density-gradient centrifugation method (PDGM), and self-migration swim-up separation method (SUMM). Live-dead assay (SYBR-14/ethidium homodimer-1), chlortetracycline assay (CTC), and sperm motility were assessed, and aliquots of sperm were processed for automated sperm morphometry analysis (ASMA) simultaneously before (raw thawed sperm used as control, RTS) and after different sperm washing-selection techniques. Deleterious effects of different methods were evident, particularly on sperm membrane integrity (p50.05) and capacitation status (p50.05). Moreover, each cell was measured for four primary dimensional parameters, and three shape parameters. All sperm morphometric parameters evaluated were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate clustering analyses. PCA revealed two principal components for each sperm washing or separation method explaining more than the 91% of the variance. The number of subpopulations found was the same for all methods (four) except for PDGM (three). However, irrespective of the number of subpopulations defined by PCA and clustering analyses, the sperm subpopulational structure was found to be different and strongly influenced by the sperm selection procedure due to statistical differences found regarding the sperm biophysical changes induced by each method used (p50.001). It is concluded that different sperm washing-selection methods commonly used during IVF process, may lead to alterations in sperm morphometric characteristics, which might explain the different results seen after IVF, since an important influence of these methods on sperm subpopulational structure has been demonstrated.

show abstract

Sperm Interaction with the Female Reproductive Tract

Cited by 27 publications

References 68 publications

Application of quantum dot nanoparticles for potential non-invasive bio-imaging of mammalian spermatozoa

Application of quantum dot nanoparticles for potential non-invasive bio-imaging of mammalian spermatozoa

Sperm storage and spermatozoa interaction with epithelial cells in oviduct of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

Comparative study of sperm washing and selection methods after cryopreservation and its influence on sperm subpopulational structure in a bovine model

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About