Dataset Information

Identification of proAKAP4 concentration variations in dromedary sperm and their correlation with monthly semen parameters

ABSTRACT: ProAKAP4 is synthetized as a precursor polypeptide that must be converted into mature AKAP4 in living spermatozoa and is considered as a functional marker of spermatozoa. The gene is well-conserved in mammals although uncharacterized in Camelidae. In the present study, we investigate the expression metabolism of proAKAP4 and AKAP4 proteins and evaluate their seasonal dynamics relative to semen quality in dromedary camels. Semen parameters including volume and viscosity and characteristics of sperm including concentration, total production, total and progressive motility, vitality, acrosome integrity and morphological abnormalities were assessed in semen samples collected weekly from six camels during the rutting season, from November to April. Only total sperm production varied, peaking in January. Both the precursor proAKAP4 and AKAP4 proteins were investigated and shown to express biochemical properties similar to those described in other mammals. ProAKAP4 concentrations expressed in ng/10 million spermatozoa as assayed using a specific ELISA showed a strong positive correlation with ejaculate volume (P = 0.045), viscosity (P < 0.001) and sperm total motility (P = 0.049). Furthermore, their concentrations exhibited clear seasonal variations in camel semen. In conclusion, the assessment of proAKAP4 concentrations in camel sperm provides a novel parameter to assess sperm quality. Further studies should be performed to investigate proAKAP4 concentrations relative to fertility in Camelidae that may help to define the right time for mating and semen collection and increase the success of breeding programs.

Lay summary

Breeding related to the seasons/time of year in the camel has been reported in several studies. A better knowledge of semen quality during the breeding season would assist in determining the best period for mating in camels. However, conventional sperm parameters are held to be unsatisfactory because they cannot predict breeding potential. ProAKAP4 a sperm-specific protein has been described as a functional marker of sperm and a key fertility marker in several species but has not been described in camels. Motility or membrane integrity parameters of semen collected throughout the breeding season and also the presence of proAKAP4 protein were investigated. ProAKAP4 was identified for the first time in camels and their concentrations exhibited clear seasonal variations in camel semen showing strong correlations with ejaculate volume and total motility and viscosity. Further studies should be performed to investigate proAKAP4 concentrations relative to fertility in camels to define the right time for mating and increase the success of breeding programs.

SUBMITTER: Malo C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8801034 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Compared to its female counterpart, the microbiota of the male genital tract has not been studied extensively. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the bacterial composition of seminal fluid and its impact on sperm parameters. We hypothesized that a dysbiotic microbiota composition may have an influence on sperm quality. Semen samples of 26 men with normal spermiogram and 68 men with at least one abnormal spermiogram parameter were included in the study. Samples were stratified based on total sperm count, spermatozoa concentration, progressive motility, total motility and spermatozoa morphology. Microbiota profiling was performed using 16S rRNA gene amplicons sequencing and total bacterial load was determined using a panbacterial quantitative PCR. Semen samples broadly clustered into three microbiota profiles: Prevotella-enriched, Lactobacillus-enriched, and polymicrobial. Prevotella-enriched samples had the highest bacterial load (p < 0.05). Network analysis identified three main co-occurrence modules, among which two contained bacteria commonly found in the vaginal flora. Genera from the same module displayed similar oxygen requirements, arguing for the presence of different ecological niches for bacteria that colonize semen through the passage. Contrary to our hypothesis, shifts in overall microbiota composition (beta-diversity) did not correlate with spermiogram parameters. Similarly, we did not find any difference in microbial richness or diversity (alpha-diversity). Differential abundance testing, however, revealed three specific genera that were significantly enriched or depleted in some of the sperm quality groups (p < 0.05). Prevotella relative abundance was increased in samples with defective sperm motility while Staphylococcus was increased in the corresponding control group. In addition, we observed an increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus in samples with normal sperm morphology. Our study indicates that overall bacterial content of sperm might not play a major role in male infertility. Although no major shifts in microbiota composition or diversity were found, the differential abundance of specific bacterial genera in the sperm suggests that a small subset of microbes might impact the spermatozoal physiology during sperm transition, more specifically motility and morphology. Further studies are required to challenge this finding and develop potential strategies to induce the formation of a healthy seminal microbiota.

Project description:There has recently been an explosion of studies implicating the human microbiome in playing a critical role in many disease and wellness states. The etiology of abnormal semen analysis (SA) parameters is not identified in 30% of cases; investigations involving the semen microbiome may bridge this gap. Here, we explore the relationship between the semen microbiome and alterations of sperm parameters. We recruited men presenting for fertility evaluation or vasectomy consultation with proven biological paternity. SA and next generation sequencing was performed. Differential abundance testing using Analysis of composition of Microbiota with Bias Correction (ANCOM-BC) was performed along with canonical correlational analysis for microbial community profiling. Men with abnormal (N = 27) sperm motility showed a higher abundance of Lactobacillus iners compared to those with normal (N = 46) sperm motility (mean proportion 9.4% versus 2.6%, p = 0.046). This relationship persisted on canonical correlational analysis (r = 0.392, p = 0.011). Men with abnormal sperm concentration (N = 20) showed a higher abundance of Pseudomonas stutzeri (2.1% versus 1.0%, p = 0.024) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (0.9% versus 0.7%, p = 0.010), but a lower abundance of Pseudomonas putida (0.5% versus 0.8%, p = 0.020), compared to those with normal sperm concentration (N = 53). Major limitations are related to study design (cross-sectional, observational). Our results suggest that a small group of microorganisms may play a critical role in observed perturbations of SA parameters. Some of these microbes, most notably Lactobacillus iners, have been described extensively within other, fertility-related, contexts, whereas for others, this is the first report where they have potentially been implicated. Advances in our understanding of the semen microbiome may contribute to potentially new therapeutic avenues for correcting impairments in sperm parameters and improving male fertility.

Project description:BackgroundAltered sperm DNA methylation patterns of imprinted genes as well as certain spermatogenesis-related genes has been proposed as a possible mechanism of male subfertility. Some reports suggest that there is an elevated risk of congenital diseases, associated with imprinted genes, in children conceived via intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, due to the involvement of spermatozoa with aberrant imprinted genes obtained from infertile men.MethodsIn this study, the DNA methylation status of the promoter regions of six imprinted genes, namely potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 (KCNQ1), maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1), mesoderm specific transcript (MEST), and paternally expressed gene 3 (PEG3), were detected by a next generation sequencing-based multiple methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis of sperm samples obtained from 166 men who sought fertility evaluation in our Reproductive Medicine Center. Thereafter, the semen samples were classified into subgroups according to sperm motility and DNA integrity status.ResultsAs compared to the normozoospermic group, the samples of the asthenospermic group exhibited significant hypermethylation in two CpG sites of IGF-2 and significant hypomethylation in one CpG site of KCNQ1 as well as three CpG sites of MEST (P < 0.05). However, we did not observe any significant differences in the overall methylation levels of these six imprinted genes (P > 0.05). Additionally, we found that 111 of 323 CpG sites were hypomethylated in the group with DNA fragmentation index (DFI) ≥ 30% as compared to the group with DFI < 30% (P < 0.05). In this case, there were significant differences in the overall methylation levels of MEG3, IGF-2, MEST, and PEG3 (P < 0.05), but not in that of KCNQ1OT1 and KCNQ1 (P > 0.05). Hence, aberrant methylation patterns of imprinted genes were more prevalent in males with poor sperm quality, especially in those with severe sperm DNA damage.ConclusionIn conclusion, abnormal DNA methylation of some CpG sites of imprinted genes are associated with poor sperm quality, including asthenospermia and severe sperm DNA impairment.

Dataset Information

Identification of proAKAP4 concentration variations in dromedary sperm and their correlation with monthly semen parameters

Lay summary

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets