• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2013

Sperm capacitation refers to polymerization of filamentous (F)-actin from globular (G)-actin. While the role of actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex in actin polymerization is well appreciated, the underlying mechanism(s) and its relationship with capacitation are poorly understood. Therefore, to evaluate the potential role of Arp2/3 complex on capacitation, bovine spermatozoa were incubated with multiple doses (1, 10 and $100{\mu}M$) of CK-636, an inhibitor of Arp2/3 complex with heparin. The cellular localization of the Arp2/3 complex in spermatozoa was identified by immunohistochemistry, whereas western blot was also applied to detect the protein tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins. Additionally, sperm motility and kinematic parameters were evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. CK-636 resulted in significant changes in the ratio of Arp2/3 complex localization between acrosome and equatorial region of the spermatozoa. Short-term exposure of spermatozoa to $100{\mu}M$ of CK-636 significantly decreased sperm motility, however a non-detectable effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation was observed during capacitation. On the basis of these results, we propose that Arp2/3 complex is associated with morphological changes during capacitation and compromised sperm motility.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2019

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on plasma and acrosomal membrane damages, mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, motility, and oxidative stress in frozen-thawed boar sperm. In previous our study, 3 ng/mL ALA had been shown protective effect during freezing process of boar sperm. Therefore, we used 3 ng/mL ALA in present study and ALA was combined with same molar ratio of BSA or MBCD (ALA+BSA and ALA+MBCD, respectively). To confirm the effect of two carrier proteins, same volume of BSA and MBCD without ALA were added during cryopreservation. Membrane damage, mitochondrial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were measured using flow cytometry, and movement of sperm tail as motility parameter and morphological abnormality were observed under light microscope. In results, all of sperm parameters were enhanced by ALA combined with BSA or MBCD compared to control groups (p<0.05). Mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, ROS and LPO levels in ALA+BSA or MBCD groups were no significant difference compared with ALA, BSA and MBCD treatment groups. On the other hand, plasma and acrosomal membrane intact, and sperm motility in ALA+MBCD group were higher than single treatment groups (p<0.05), whereas ALA+BSA did not differ. Our findings indicate that carrier proteins such as BSA and MBCD could improve the effect of ALA during cryopreservation of boar sperm, and treatment of ALA with carrier proteins enhance membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity through reduction of ROS-induced LPO.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.53-60
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• 2006

목 적: 보조생식술에서의 정자처리법으로서 인간 난포액을 이용한 swim-down 방법의 유용성을 확인해 보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 분당서울대학교병원 산부인과에서 불임평가 목적으로 정액검사를 시행할 때 정자무력증 (asthenozoospermia, sperm motility < 50%)을 보이는 12명의 남성을 대상으로 하였다. 이들에서 검사 후 남은 정액을 100% 인간 난포액을 이용한 swim-down법과 SpermGrad를 이용한 밀도차 분리법을 적용하여 각각 처리하고 컴퓨터 정액분석기를 이용하여 정액검사를 시행하였다. 결 과: 두 군 모두에서 운동성과 빠른 운동성 정자의 비율, VCL (curvilinear velocity), ALH (amplitude of lateral head displacement)치 및 과활동성 정자의 비율이 통계적으로 유의하게 상승하였고 LIN (mean linearity)치는 유의하게 감소하였다. 100% 인간 난포액을 이용한 swim-down법에서 정자의 운동성이 SpermGrad를 이용한 밀도차분리법에 비하여 유의하게 높게 나타났으며 ($81.2{\pm}4.7$ vs. $67.6{\pm}2.3$, p=0.02), 다른 변수들은 두 군에서 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결 론: 100% 인간 난포액을 이용한 swim-down법은 정자무력증을 보이는 경우 유용한 정자 처리법으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 1994

The occurrence and time course of capacitation, acrosomal loss, and hyperactivated motility require quantitative definition in order to characterize fertile human sperm. Recently the method has been developed to estimate the quality of spermatozoa by using kinematic parameters such as curvilinear velocity(VCL), average path velocity(VAP), linearity(LIN), straightness(STR), amplitude of lateral head displacement(ALH), and beat cross frequence(BCF) from Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). In this study, using the Hamilton Thorn motility analyzer HTM 2030(Hamilton Thorn Research, Beverly, MA), we attempted to identify the spermatozoa with hyperactivated motility (HA) objectively and to monitor hyperactivation of human spermatozoa during incubation in capacitating media and after treatment of calcium ionophore as compared with acrosome status. And we examined whether HA are related to the result of SPA. Semen samples obtained from 16 healthy men were prepared by swim up technique and preincubated in a capacitating media(modified BWW medium) for 5 hours and treated with calcium ionophore solution. The acrosome reaction was detected with PSA-FITC labelling of the acrosome and in vitro sperm ferilizing capacity was assessed by the zona free hamster ovum penetration assay (SPA). The incidence of hyperactivated sperm was 2.6% in fresh semen, 14.3% of the swim up population, 13.7% after 5h of incubation. Significant increase of percentage of hyperactivated sperm was observed after the incubation (p<0.05) but after treatment, no significant changes of percentage of hyperactivated sperm(l1.8%) in contrast to significant rise in the percentage of acrosome reacted cells. Correlation analysis failed to show any significant relationship between the percentage of sperm with HA and SPA score. In conclusion, although no direct correlations were found between the results of SPA and HA, hyperactivation of sperm is associated with capacitation and monitoring hyperactivated sperm will be expected as a method of evaluating the functional quality of sperm such as SPA.

• 약학회지
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.250-258
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• 2009

Male reproductive function seems to have deteriorated considerably in the past 4 to 5 decades. It was observed a significant decline in mean sperm counts from $113{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1940 to $66{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1990; a fall of $0.94{\times}10^6/ml/year$. We reported that Yacon tuber extracts have spermatogenic effects in rat. In the present study, we tested the spermatogenic effect of Yacon tuber extracts in healthy male volunteers. Subjects were assigned randomly to the control group and the Yacon ethanol extracts administered group (each 12 subjects). And, placebo or Yacon tuber extracts (100 ml) were administered two times daily, by oral for 3 months. Sperm numbers, biochemical parameters and hormone levels were recorded before starting administration, then every month. The Yacon tuber extracts administered group showed significant time dependant increases in according to administration period. Especially, the numbers of sperm increased by 54% after 3 months of administration. And, in Yacon tuber extracts administered group, testosterone and estradiol level were significantly higher than placebo group. On the other hands, Yacon tuber extracts didn't show any toxicity in glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function. The results of the present study suggest that Yacon tuber extract is a possible therapeutic for the treatment of sperm deficiency.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.321-326
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• 2018

In this study, two epididymal spermatozoa recovery methods in relation to sperm number, motility, viability and acrosome reaction were examined. Seven bulls were castrated and 7 testicles with epididymides were transferred to the laboratoy. Epididymis in each bull was randomly used for flushing and mincing methods with semen extender (Optixcell, IMV, France). The recovered spermatozoa with adjusted sperm concentration to $40{\times}10^6cells/mL$ was diluted with optixcell and cryopreserved. In experiment 1, the difference in the total number of spermatozoa using flushing and mincing methods was insignificant (2570.0 and $2505.2{\times}10^6cells/mL$, respectively). For experiment 2, the percentage of motile spermatozoa and motility parameters between flushing and mincing methods were studied through the use of sperm class analyzer after frozen-thawing. The percentage of total motile sperm between flushing and mincing methods was almost the same with $89.5{\pm}12.8$ and $91.4{\pm}7.9%$, respectively. The same is the case with experiment 3 wherein the viability and acrosomal integrity of frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa by flushing and mincing was insignificantly different. The results from the study showed that both flushing and mincing methods can be used for epididymal spermatozoa recovery in bull.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.87-92
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of melatonin and selenium in freezing extenders on frozen-thawed rat sperm. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 adult male Wistar albino rats. Following dilution, the samples were divided into six groups: four cryopreserved groups with 1 mM and 0.5 mM melatonin and selenium supplements, and two fresh and cryopreserved control groups. The rapid freezing technique was used to freeze the samples. Flow cytometry was used to assess plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA damage, while computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to assess motility. Results: Total motility was higher in the 1 mM melatonin supplementation group than in the cryopreserved control group (mean±standard error of the mean, 69.89±3.05 vs. 59.21±1.31; p≤0.05). The group with 1 mM selenium had the highest plasma membrane integrity (42.35%±1.01%). The cryopreserved group with 0.5 mM selenium had the highest mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas the cryopreserved control group had the lowest (45.92%±4.53% and 39.45%±3.52%, respectively). Conclusion: Cryopreservation of rat semen supplemented with 1 mM melatonin increased sperm motility after freeze-thawing, while supplementation with 0.5 mM selenium increased mitochondrial activity.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.259-267
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• 2022

Although pesticides are recognized as necessary substances to improve agricultural production, exposure to pesticides is known to have a direct or indirect adverse effect on the reproductive function of mammals. The present study examines the effects of mancozeb, a well-known fungicide, on the fertility capacity of spermatozoa. Boar spermatozoa exposed to varying concentrations of mancozeb (0.01 - 0.5 µM) were evaluated for motility, motion kinetic parameters, viability, acrosome integrity and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 30 min or 2 hrs of incubation. A significant reduction in the motility of spermatozoa was observed upon exposure to mancozeb. Similarly, there was a significant reduction of the motion kinematics of sperm treated with mancozeb as compared to untreated controls (p < 0.05). The sperm viability percentage and acrosome integrity also showed dose-dependent decreases upon exposure to mancozeb. High concentrations of mancozeb (0.2 - 0.5 µM) induced higher levels of intracellular ROS production, which resulted in the loss of the sperm membrane and decreased sperm motility due to oxidative stress. Taken together, the results here indicate that direct exposure to mancozeb affects the sperm fertility capacity. Hence, careful research that examines the interaction between reproduction and environmental toxins is crucial to prevent fertility disorders in animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.777-784
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• 2006

본 연구는 돼지에서 정자 SCSA와 정자 운동성 및 인공수정을 이용한 분만율과의 상관관계를 조사하기 위해 인공수정센터에서 정액 생산용으로 이용되고 있는 종모돈 중 개체별 정액을 이용한 인공수정 번식성적을 가지고 있는 종모돈 26두의 정액 성상 기록과 번식성적을 분석 하였고, 액상정액을 공시하여 정자운동성 분석과 SCSA를 실시하였다. 종모돈의 정액 채취 횟수에 따른 SCSA 분석은 종모돈 26두를 공시하여 정액을 8주간 6회 채취하여 공시하였다. 종모돈은 인공수정 분만율(80% 이상 ; 종모돈 7두, AI 256복, 8070% ; 종모돈 9두, AI 745복 및 70% 미만 ; 종모돈 10두, AI 293 복)에 따라 3개 군으로 구분 하였다. 액상 정액의 CASA 분석 결과는 분만율에 따른 종모돈 군 간에 유의적인 차이는 인정되지 않았다. 종모돈의 SCSA 결과는 분만율이 높을수록 COMP αt, %Red, %Peak R 및 %Mean R 값은 낮게 나타났고, 분만율이 가장 낮은 종모돈 군과 다른 두 군간에 유의적인 차이를 보였다(P<0.05). 종모돈 정액을 채취 차수에 따른 정액의 성상과 SCSA를 조사한 결과에서 채취 차수에 따른 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 종모돈의 인공수정 분만율과 SCSA 결과와의 상관관계는 COMP αt, SD αt, %Red, %Peak R, Mean R는 모두 부의 상관관계를 나타냈다. 이상의 결과에서 SCSA는 종모돈 정액의 수정 능력을 평가하고 예측하는데 유용한 방법으로 사료된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2004

본 연구는 mNCSU-23에서 체외성숙시킨 난자를 이용하여 돼지 체외수정시 적절한 배양액과 정자농도를 구명하고자 수행하였다. 정액은 액상정액을 이용하였고 체외수정배양액으로 mTBM과 mTLP-PVA, 정자농도는 운동정자수 5${\times}$$10^4$, 1${\times}$$10^{5}$ , 5${\times}$$10^{5}$ sperm/$m\ell$로 체외수정 한 다음 NCSU-23에서 체외발달을 유도한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 돼지 체외성숙란을 mTBM 또는 mTLP-PVA에서 운동정자수 1${\times}$$10^{5}$ sperm/$m\ell$로 체외수정시킨 다음 체외발달시킨 결과, 정자침투율, 웅성전핵형성율, 다정자수정발생율, 난분할율, 배반포 발달율 등 어느 것도 두 배양액간 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 2. 체외성숙란을 mTBM에서 운동정자수 5${\times}$$10^4$, 1${\times}$$10^{5}$ , 5${\times}$$10^{5}$ sperm/$m\ell$l로 체외수정시킨 다음 체외발달시킨 결과, 정자침투율, 웅성전 핵형성율, 다정자수정발생율 등은 모두 정자 농도간 유의적인 차이를 보였고(P<0.05), 난 분할율과 배 반포발달율은 5${\times}$$10^4$이 1${\times}$$10^{5}$ , 5${\times}$$10^{5}$ sperm/$m\ell$보다 유의 적으로 낮았으나(P<0.01), 1${\times}$$10^{5}$ 와 5${\times}$$10^{5}$ sperm/$m\ell$ 간에는 차이가 없었다. 따라서, 액상정액을 이용한 돼지 체외성숙란의 체외수정배양액으로 mTBM과 mTLP-PVA간 차이는 없으며, mTBM에서 체외수정시킬 때 정자농도는 운동정자수로 1${\times}$$10^{5}$ sperm/$m\ell$가 적절할 것으로 사료된다.