Acrosin activity negatively influences the cumulative live birth rate in patients undergoing IVF treatment.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is acrosin activity related to cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) over 1 year after IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment or both? DESIGN: Retrospective monocentric cohort study of 5704 couples who started IVF/ICSI treatments between 2016 and 2021. Acrosin activity was determined by a modified Kennedy method using a commercial kit. Patients were divided into two groups according to their acrosin activity: below 25 µIU/106 spermatozoa; and an acrosin activity 25 µIU/106 spermatozoa or above. Primary outcome was the CLBR, defined as an ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth that had arisen from all embryo transfers carried out within 1 year after the first ovum retrieval. Both conservative and optimistic methods were used for estimating CLBRs. RESULTS: The CLBRs of patients with an acrosin activity below 25 µIU/106 spermatozoa were found to be significantly lower than those of patients with an acrosin activity 25 µIU/106 spermatozoa or above by conservative (48.5% versus 55.4%, P = 0.02) and optimistic (63.7% versus 70.3%, P = 0.047) methods after adjusting for confounders. When acrosin activity was regarded as a continuous variable, significant negative relationships between acrosin activity and CLBR were identified in subgroups: young couples (men and women aged younger than 30 years) and couples from whom no more than 10 eggs were retrieved. CONCLUSION: Low acrosin activity levels were correlated with decreasing CLBRs over 1 year. These findings suggest that acrosin activity can be used as a predictor for CLBRs before starting IVF/ICSI treatment to enhance the effectiveness of counselling.

Low acrosin activity is associated with decreased Spam1/acrosin expression and GSH deficiency-caused premature acrosome release of human sperm cells.

Low acrosin activity (LAA) is associated with sperm function anomaly and poor outcomes of in vitro fertilization. In this study, we confirm that 993 semen samples with LAA had a reduced sperm motility and low in vitro fertilization rate in comparison with 1332 normal controls (NC). Proteomic comparison between 11 LAA and 11 NC sperm samples identified 35 upregulated and 99 downregulated proteins in the LAA group. Indeed, proteomic data showed that acrosome enzymes Spam1 and Acrosin were among the downregulated proteins in the LAA group, which was validated by quantitative PCR and immunefluorescent staining of sperm cells. The KEEG pathway analysis revealed a deficiency of GSH and Gln biosynthesis in LAA sperm cells. Immunofluorescent staining of sperms and quantitative PCR verified downregulation of GLUL and GCLC, the key enzymes for GSH and Gln biosynthesis. Moreover, the results of ELISA assay confirmed low levels of GSH and Gln in LAA sperm cells. Mechanistic studies showed that addition of 10 mM H2O2 to semen samples led to a significant reduction of acrosin activity and sperm motility, most possibly by triggering premature acrosome release. In contrast, the presence of 20 mM GSH blocked the oxidative effects of H2O2. Since GSH counteracts the oxidative stress and Gln participates in TCA cycling, their deficiency may affect the redox balance as well as energy production of sperm cells. These findings shed new light on the pathological mechanisms of infertility associated with LAA. Male infertility patients could benefit from GSH supplement by improvement of acrosin activity and other sperm functions.

ACROSIN deficiency causes total fertilization failure in humans by preventing the sperm from penetrating the zona pellucida.

STUDY QUESTION: Does a homozygous nonsense mutation in ACR lead to total fertilization failure (TFF) resulting in male infertility in humans? SUMMARY ANSWER: A novel homozygous nonsense mutation of ACR (c.167G>A, p.Trp56X) was identified in two infertile brothers and shown to cause human TFF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: ACROSIN, encoded by ACR, is a major acrosomal enzyme expressed only in the acrosome of the sperm head. Inhibition of acrosin prevents sperm penetration of the zona pellucida (ZP) in several species, including humans. Acr-knockout in hamsters causes male infertility with completely blocked fertilization. Of note, there are no reports of ACR mutations associated with TFF in humans. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used for the identification of pathogenic genes for male factor TFF in eight involved couples. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Data from eight infertile couples who had experienced TFF during their IVF or ICSI attempts were collected. Functional assays were used to verify the pathogenicity of the potential genetic factors identified by WES. Subzonal insemination (SUZI) and IVF assays were performed to determine the exact pathogenesis of TFF caused by deficiencies in ACROSIN. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A novel homozygous nonsense mutation in ACR, c.167G>A, p.Trp56X, was identified in two additional primary infertile brothers whose parents were first cousins. This rare mutation caused ACROSIN deficiency and acrosomal ultrastructural defects in the affected sperm. Spermatozoa lacking ACROSIN were unable to penetrate the ZP, rather than hampering sperm binding, disrupting gamete fusion, or preventing oocyte activation. These findings were supported by the fertilization success of SUZI and ICSI attempts, as well as the normal expression of ACTL7A and PLCζ in the mutant sperm, suggesting that ICSI without remedial assisted oocyte activation is an optimal treatment for ARCOSIN-deficient TFF. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The absence of another independent pedigree to support our argument is a limitation of this study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The findings expand our understanding of the genes involved in human TFF, providing information for appropriate genetic counseling and fertility guidance for these patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 82201803, 81901541, 82271639, and 32000584), University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province (GXXT-2019-044), and the Nonprofit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (grant no. 2019PT310002). The authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Characterization of acrosin and acrosin binding protein as novel CRISP2 interacting proteins in boar spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported that cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 is involved in high molecular weight complexes in boar spermatozoa. These cysteine-rich secretory protein 2protein complexes are formed at the last phase of sperm formation in the testis and play a role in sperm shaping and functioning. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 interacting partners. These binding partner interactions were investigated under different conditions, namely, non-capacitating conditions, after the induction of in vitro sperm capacitation and subsequently during an ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incubated pig sperm samples were subjected to protein extraction. Extracted proteins were subjected to blue native gel electrophoresis and native immunoblots. Immunoreactive gel bands were excised and subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis for protein identification. Protein extracts were also subjected to CRISP2 immunoprecipitation and analyzed by LC-MS for protein identification. The most prominent cystein-rich secretory protein 2 interacting proteins that appeared in both independent LC-MS analyses were studied with a functional in situ proximity interaction assay to validate their property to interact with cystein-rich secretory protein 2 in pig sperm. RESULTS: Blue native gel electrophoresis and native immunoblots revealed that cystein-rich secretory protein 2 was present within a ∼150 kDa protein complex under all three conditions. Interrogation of cystein-rich secretory-protein 2-immunoreactive bands from blue native gels as well as cystein-rich secretory protein 2 immunoprecipitated products using mass spectrometry consistently revealed that, beyond cystein-rich secretory protein 2, acrosin and acrosin binding protein were among the most abundant interacting proteins and did interact under all three conditions. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting indicated that cystein-rich secretory protein 2 interacted with pro-acrosin (∼53 kDa) and Aacrosin binding protein under all three conditions and additionally to acrosin (∼35 kDa) after capacitation and the acrosome reaction. The colocalization of these interacting proteins with cystein-rich secretory protein 2 was assessed via in situ proximity ligation assays. The colocalization signal of cystein-rich secretory protein 2 and acrosin in the acrosome seemed dispersed after capacitation but was consistently present in the sperm tail under all conditions. The fluorescent foci of cystein-rich secretory protein 2 and acrsin binding protein colocalization appeared to be redistributed within the sperm head from the anterior acrosome to the post-acrosomal sheath region upon capacitation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CRISP2 may act as a scaffold for protein complex formation and dissociation to ensure the correct positioning of proteins required for the acrosome reaction and zona pellucida penetration.

Male haploid cells through direct spherification.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain de novo male gametes capable of inducing full preimplantation blastocyst development using a novel three-dimensional (3D) culture system. DESIGN: Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were spherified by plunging in sodium alginate followed by calcium chloride, delineating a 3D environment that simulates the seminiferous tubule. As a control, mESCs cultured on two-dimensional plates were used. Plates and spheres containing mESCs from both methods were exposed to Activin-A, bFGF, and KSR followed by exposure to BMP4, LIF, SCF, and EGF to promote differentiation into male germ-like cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cells were assessed for VASA, DAZL, and BOULE on days 3 and 10. Cells were later injected into activated oocytes and monitored using time-lapse imaging on days 15, 22, 29, and 36. Control conceptuses generated using mature epididymal spermatozoa were also monitored via time-lapse imaging. RESULTS: On day 3, cells differentiated on plates expressed VASA at 1% and DAZL at 29%. In spheres, VASA was expressed at a rate of 15% and DAZL at a rate of 45% (P<.001). On day 10, cells differentiated on plates had VASA expression of 7%, DAZL of 23%, and BOULE of only 0.5%. Cells differentiated into spheres expressed VASA at a rate of 20%, DAZL at 43%, and BOULE at 10% (P<.001). Subsequent differentiation in spheres on day 3 exhibited a DAZL (expressed in spermatogonia) expression of 43% and a VASA (further spermatogenesis progression) expression of 15%. On day 10, DAZL and VASA expressions were reassessed and increased to 45% and 18%, respectively. BOULE, a marker expressed solely in postmeiotic spermatocytes, was expressed at 8%, whereas acrosin was expressed in spermatids at 2%. On day 15, VASA expression plateaued at 17%, BOULE peaked at 10%, and acrosin reached 5%. On day 22, expression of VASA increased to 19%, BOULE decreased to 8%, and acrosin peaked at 7%. On day 29, VASA expression peaked at 20%, BOULE dropped to 2%, and acrosin remained stable at 7%. On day 36, VASA expression remained at 13%, whereas BOULE and acrosin expression decreased to 0% and 1%, respectively. The control cohort attained 88.4% fertilization and 76.9% blastocyst rates. De novo gametes achieved fertilization rates of 35.0%, 61.1%, 81.8%, and 50.0% on days 15, 22, 29, and 36, respectively. Neogametes-generated blastocyst rates were 5.0%, 16.7%, 36.4%, and 8.3% for days 15, 22, 29, and 36, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our novel 3D differentiation model can generate functional gametes and is aimed at obviating the need for allogeneic/xenogeneic transplantation. The decreased overall marker expression and the reduced blastocyst development indicated that intrasphere germ cell differentiation correlated with the length of mouse spermatogenesis at approximately 30 days. Future experiments will be conducted to confirm the reproducibility of our findings and the eventual generation of offspring.

Immature rat testis sustained long-term development using an integrative model.

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation has been primarily performed using fresh donor tissue to study testicular development for about 20 years, and whether the cultured tissue would be a suitable donor is unclear. In this study, we combined testicular culture and xenotransplantation into an integrative model and explored whether immature testicular tissue would survive and continue to develop in this model. METHODS: In the new integrative model group, the testes of neonatal rats on postnatal day 8 (PND 8) were cultured for 4 days ex vivo and then were transplanted under the dorsal skin of castrated nude mice. The xenografted testes were resected on the 57th day after xenotransplantation and the testes of rats in the control group were harvested on PND 69. The survival state of testicular tissue was evaluated from morphological and functional perspectives including H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining of 8-OH-dG, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL assay, ultrastructural study, gene expression and protein analysis. RESULTS: (a) We found that complete spermatogenesis was established in the testes in the new integrative model group. Compared with the control in the same stage, the seminiferous epithelium in some tubules was a bit thinner and there were vacuoles in part of the tubules. Immunofluorescence staining revealed some ACROSIN-positive spermatids were present in seminiferous tubule of xenografted testes. TUNEL detection showed apoptotic cells and most of them were germ cells in the new integrative model group. 8-OH-dG immunohistochemistry showed strongly positive-stained in the seminiferous epithelium after xenotransplantation in comparison with the control group; (b) Compared with the control group, the expressions of FOXA3, DAZL, GFRα1, BOLL, SYCP3, CDC25A, LDHC, CREM and MKI67 in the new integrative model group were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), indicating that the testicular tissue was in an active differentiated and proliferative state; (c) Antioxidant gene detection showed that the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and SOD1 in the new integrative model group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and DNA methyltransferase gene detection showed that the expression of DNMT3B was significantly elevated as well (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new integrative model could maintain the viability of immature testicular tissue and sustain the long-term survival in vivo with complete spermatogenesis. However, testicular genes expression was altered, vacuolation and thin seminiferous epithelium were still apparent in this model, manifesting that oxidative damage may contribute to the testicular development lesion and it needs further study in order to optimize this model.

Insights into the influence of canine breed on proteomics of the spermatozoa and seminal plasma.

This study aimed to characterize the proteome of spermatozoa and seminal plasma of 4 purebred dogs (Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog). The ejaculate of 13 dogs was collected, and sperm characteristics were subjectively evaluated. Seminal plasma and sperm cells were separated and prepared individually for mass spectrometry. Data were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. A total of 162 proteins were identified, 47 in spermatozoa, 109 in seminal plasma, and 6 in both samples. Serum albumin in spermatozoa and tubulin alpha-3E chain, acrosin binding protein, and tubulin alpha-3 chain in plasma seminal were statistically relevant. Serum albumin and acrosin binding protein improve the sperm capacitation, acrosome reaction, and seminal quality. The tubulin family proteins are related to structural cell organization and flagella movement, and their presence in seminal plasma may be related to sample handling. According to cluster formation, a high association was observed among Bernese Mountain Dog and Great Dane, Golden Retriever, and Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog for sperm proteins. For seminal plasma proteins, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, and Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog were related. Further studies on breed-specific proteins in the semen of purebred dogs need to be performed to clarify its fertility roles. SIGNIFICANCE: For the first time spermatozoa proteins of dogs are described. The comparison of spermatozoa and seminal plasma proteins of four purebred dogs were performed. These results supporting that differences in semen protein profile of different canine breeds exist, which can improve the biotechnologies of reproduction in this species.

[Pricking-reinforcing -reducing therapy improves semen quality and seminal plasma biochemical indexes in patients with varicocele infertility].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pricking-reinforcing -reducing therapy (PRRT) on the semen quality and seminal plasma biochemical indexes of varicocele (VC) infertility patients. METHODS: We randomly and equally assigned 160 patients with VC infertility into a PRRT and a control group, the former treated by PRRT and the latter with oral ShengjingCapsules. Before and after treatment, we obtained the semen parameters, sperm morphology, sperm survival rate, sperm acrosin activity, seminal plasma neutral α glucosidase and seminal plasma zinc in the patients and compared them between the two groups. RESULTS: Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the PRRT and control groups in sperm concentration (ï¼»16.81 ± 7.83ï¼½ vs ï¼»16.80 ± 7.54ï¼½ ×106 /ml, P > 0.05), total sperm count (ï¼»42.01 ± 19.57ï¼½ vs ï¼»41.99 ± 18.84ï¼½ ×106, P > 0.05), percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) (ï¼»15.37 ± 11.03ï¼½% vs ï¼»14.68 ± 10.27ï¼½%, P > 0.05) and morphologically normal sperm ( MNS) (1.62 ± 1.51ï¼½% vs ï¼»1.62 ± 1.13ï¼½%, P > 0.05), sperm survival rate (ï¼»28.11 ± 18.95ï¼½% vs ï¼»28.23±18.38ï¼½%, P > 0.05) and sperm acrosin activity (ï¼»28.11 ± 14.64ï¼½ vs ï¼»27.19 ± 14.07ï¼½ U/L, P > 0.05). After three months of treatment, all the patients showed evident increases in the above parameters (P < 0.05), even higher in the PRRT than in the control group, more significantly in sperm concentration (ï¼»38.88 ± 30.54ï¼½ vs ï¼»25.60 ± 14.71ï¼½ ×106 /ml, P < 0.05), PMS (ï¼»32.60 ± 12.46ï¼½% vs ï¼»27.67 ± 12.27ï¼½%, P < 0.05) and sperm acrosin activity (ï¼»65.74±31.81ï¼½ vs ï¼»67.94±17.95ï¼½ U/L, P < 0.05), though not significantly in total sperm count (97.20 ± 76.35ï¼½ vs ï¼»88.19 ± 39.56ï¼½ ×106, P > 0.05), MNS (ï¼»2.35 ± 1.83ï¼½% vs ï¼»1.87 ± 1.20ï¼½%, P > 0.05) and sperm survival rate (ï¼»61.44 ± 20.02ï¼½% vs ï¼»59.12 ± 22.48ï¼½%, P > 0.05). Compared with the baseline, after treatment, the patients in the PRRT group also exhibited elevated levels of neutral α-glucosidase (ï¼»14.42 ± 5.90ï¼½ vs ï¼»28.43 ± 19.76ï¼½ U/L, P < 0.05) and seminal plasma zinc (ï¼»2.11 ± 1.22ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.89 ± 1.23ï¼½ mmol/L, P < 0.05), and so did the controls (ï¼»14.44 ± 5.61ï¼½ vs ï¼»26.66 ± 17.69ï¼½ U/L , P < 0.05) and (ï¼»2.09 ± 1.10ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.82±1.08ï¼½ mmol/L, P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference, however, was observed between the two groups after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PRRT can significantly improve semen quality in patients with VC infertility, even more effective than ShengjingCapsules in improving sperm concentration, PMS, sperm survival rate, and sperm acrosin activity, which may be related to its effect of elevating the levels of seminal plasma neutral-α glucosidase and zinc providing sufficient energy for basic sperm metabolism, maturation, energy acquisition and motility.

Immature rat testis sustained long-term development using an integrative model

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation has been primarily performed using fresh donor tissue to study testicular development for about 20 years, and whether the cultured tissue would be a suitable donor is unclear. In this study, we combined testicular culture and xenotransplantation into an integrative model and explored whether immature testicular tissue would survive and continue to develop in this model. METHODS: In the new integrative model group, the testes of neonatal rats on postnatal day 8 (PND 8) were cultured for 4 days ex vivo and then were transplanted under the dorsal skin of castrated nude mice. The xenografted testes were resected on the 57th day after xenotransplantation and the testes of rats in the control group were harvested on PND 69. The survival state of testicular tissue was evaluated from morphological and functional perspectives including H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining of 8-OH-dG, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL assay, ultrastructural study, gene expression and protein analysis. RESULTS: (a) We found that complete spermatogenesis was established in the testes in the new integrative model group. Compared with the control in the same stage, the seminiferous epithelium in some tubules was a bit thinner and there were vacuoles in part of the tubules. Immunofluorescence staining revealed some ACROSIN-positive spermatids were present in seminiferous tubule of xenografted testes. TUNEL detection showed apoptotic cells and most of them were germ cells in the new integrative model group. 8-OH-dG immunohistochemistry showed strongly positive-stained in the seminiferous epithelium after xenotransplantation in comparison with the control group; (b) Compared with the control group, the expressions of FOXA3, DAZL, GFRα1, BOLL, SYCP3, CDC25A, LDHC, CREM and MKI67 in the new integrative model group were significantly elevated (P < 0.05), indicating that the testicular tissue was in an active differentiated and proliferative state; (c) Antioxidant gene detection showed that the expression of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1 and SOD1 in the new integrative model group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and DNA methyltransferase gene detection showed that the expression of DNMT3B was significantly elevated as well (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new integrative model could maintain the viability of immature testicular tissue and sustain the long-term survival in vivo with complete spermatogenesis. However, testicular genes expression was altered, vacuolation and thin seminiferous epithelium were still apparent in this model, manifesting that oxidative damage may contribute to the testicular development lesion and it needs further study in order to optimize this model.

Acrosin is essential for sperm penetration through the zona pellucida in hamsters.

During natural fertilization, mammalian spermatozoa must pass through the zona pellucida before reaching the plasma membrane of the oocyte. It is assumed that this step involves partial lysis of the zona by sperm acrosomal enzymes, but there has been no unequivocal evidence to support this view. Here we present evidence that acrosin, an acrosomal serine protease, plays an essential role in sperm penetration of the zona. We generated acrosin-knockout (KO) hamsters, using an in vivo transfection CRISPR/Cas9 system. Homozygous mutant males were completely sterile. Acrosin-KO spermatozoa ascended the female genital tract and reached ovulated oocytes in the oviduct ampulla, but never fertilized them. In vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments revealed that mutant spermatozoa attached to the zona, but failed to penetrate it. When the zona pellucida was removed before IVF, all oocytes were fertilized. This indicates that in hamsters, acrosin plays an indispensable role in allowing fertilizing spermatozoa to penetrate the zona. This study also suggests that the KO hamster system would be a useful model for identifying new gene functions or analyzing human and animal disorders because of its technical facility and reproducibility.

Reduced semen quality in patients with testicular cancer seminoma is associated with alterations in the expression of sperm proteins.

Testicular cancer seminoma is one of the most common types of cancer among men of reproductive age. Patients with this condition usually present reduced semen quality, even before initiating cancer therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms by which testicular cancer seminoma affects male fertility are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in the sperm proteome of men with seminoma undergoing sperm banking before starting cancer therapy, in comparison to healthy proven fertile men (control group). A routine semen analysis was conducted before cryopreservation of the samples (n = 15 per group). Men with seminoma showed a decrease in sperm motility (P = 0.019), total motile count (P = 0.001), concentration (P = 0.003), and total sperm count (P = 0.001). Quantitative proteomic analysis identified 393 differentially expressed proteins between the study groups. Ten proteins involved in spermatogenesis, sperm function, binding of sperm to the oocyte, and fertilization were selected for validation by western blot. We confirmed the underexpression of heat shock-related 70 kDa protein 2 (P = 0.041), ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase core protein 2 (P = 0.026), and testis-specific sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-4 (P = 0.016), as well as the overexpression of angiotensin I converting enzyme (P = 0.005) in the seminoma group. The altered expression levels of these proteins are associated with spermatogenesis dysfunction, reduced sperm kinematics and motility, failure in capacitation and fertilization. The findings of this study may explain the decrease in the fertilizing ability of men with seminoma before starting cancer therapy.

Assessment of chosen semen characteristics of two colour morphs of the Arctic fox Alopex lagopus L.

The aim of the study was to evaluate semen quality in the two most popular colour morphs of the Arctic fox Alopex lagopus L., blue and white, based on ejaculate parameters, acrosin activity and analysis of sperm morphology. The research material consisted of ejaculates collected once by manual stimulation from 20 one-year-old male Arctic foxes (10 individuals of the blue morph and 10 of the white morph). Ejaculates were evaluated in terms of volume, sperm concentration, total number of spermatozoa and the percentage of spermatozoa with major and minor defects. The study revealed that male blue Arctic foxes produce ejaculates with much higher concentration (148.75 × 106 /ml) and total number of spermatozoa (98.16 × 106 ) compared to white Arctic foxes (42.88 × 106 /ml and 35.2 × 106 respectively). The level of acrosin activity from white foxes seemed to be higher compared to blue foxes but the difference was not statistically confirmed. Semen from Arctic foxes is characterized by high inter-individual variability in sperm morphology. The frequency of morphological changes in sperm from Arctic foxes does not significantly depend on ejaculate volume, sperm concentration or the total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, but is associated with acrosin activity.

The association between sperm head elongation and semen quality.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that sperm head shape may serve as an effective indicator of semen quality. However, there lacks research with large sample and quantitative measurement. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective study was to explore the association between sperm head elongation (Width/Length ratio) and routine semen parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2017, 63 866 semen samples were collected from male subjects at 18-60 years of age. Sperm head elongation and routine semen parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, etc.) were examined with computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems in order to evaluate the association between elongation and semen quality. RESULTS: Logistic and linear regression models showed that the value of elongation is negatively correlated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, and acrosin activity (all p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The results suggested that higher value of elongation is generally associated with higher risks of abnormality in semen quality. The importance of elongation may be explained by abnormal acrosin activity in the round-headed spermatozoa, which has been reported to cause failure of natural pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a new insight into the sperm head shape, which may be used as a complementary parameter in clinical semen examination and academic research.

The seminal acrosin-inhibitor ClTI1/SPINK2 is a fertility-associated marker in the chicken.

The seminal plasma is a very complex fluid, which surrounds sperm in semen. It contains numerous proteins including proteases and protease inhibitors that regulate proteolytic processes associated with protein activation and degradation. We previously identified a seminal protein, chicken liver trypsin inhibitor 1 (ClTI-1) over expressed in semen of roosters with high fertility, suggesting a role in male fertility. In the present study, we showed that ClTI-1 gene is actually SPINK2. Using normal healthy adult roosters, we showed that SPINK2 amount in seminal plasma was positively correlated with male fertility in chicken lines with highly contrasted genetic backgrounds (broiler and layer lines). Using affinity chromatography combined to mass spectrometry analysis and kinetic assays, we demonstrated for the first time that two chicken acrosin isoforms (acrosin and acrosin-like proteins) are the physiological serine protease targets of SPINK2 inhibitor. SPINK2 transcript was overexpressed all along the male tract, and the protein was present in the lumen as expected for secreted proteins. Altogether, these data emphasize the role of seminal SPINK2 Kazal-type inhibitor as an important actor of fertility in birds through its inhibitory action on acrosin isoforms proteins.

Fluoride Interferes with the Sperm Fertilizing Ability via Downregulated SPAM1, ACR, and PRSS21 Expression in Rat Epididymis.

Fluoride is a widespread environmental pollutant that can induce low sperm quality and fertilizing ability; however, the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the influence of fluoride on the sperm fertilizing ability via some key proteins in the epididymis. For this, 40 adult rats were assigned randomly into four groups. The control group was given distilled water, while the other three groups were given 25, 50, and 100 mg of NaF/L via drinking water for 56 days, respectively. After 1 day, epididymides were processed for sperm-egg binding, RNA extraction, western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis. Fluoride exposure reduced the ability of sperm to break down the egg cumulus cell layer. A further study revealed that fluoride altered the expression levels of genes and proteins related to acrosome reaction in vivo, including SPAM1, ACR, and PRSS21. However, fluoride only affected the expression of the ACR protein only in the epididymis but not in the testis. Fluoride also affected the expression levels of the membrane proteins CD9 and CD81 of epididymosomes in the epididymis. From the results, it can be concluded that fluoride exposure reduced the ability of sperm to break down the egg cumulus cell layer, which could be one of the reasons for decreased fertility ability in males treated with fluoride. These results provide some theoretical guidance and new ideas for treatments of low fertility, infertility, and other reproductive diseases.

Mitochondrial functionality modifies human sperm acrosin activity, acrosome reaction capability and chromatin integrity.

STUDY QUESTION: In addition to sperm motility, which major biological characteristics of sperm fertility potential are associated with mitochondrial functionality? SUMMARY ANSWER: Sperm fertilization capacities, including acrosin activity, acrosome reaction (AR) capability and chromatin integrity, are related to the mitochondria functionality as evaluated by the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Correlative studies suggest a potential role of sperm MMP in predicting sperm fertilization ability and ensuring sperm motility. However, researches characterizing other determinants of sperm fertility potential according to MMP are lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The sperm MMP was examined in 627 young college students in the Male Reproductive Health in Chongqing College Students (MARHCS) cohort study in 2014. Among these participants, acrosin activity and chromatin integrity were measured in 378 and 604 subjects, respectively. These two determinants of sperm fertility potential were first compared among high-, moderate- and low-MMP groups in the college population. The effects of MMP collapse caused by carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on acrosin activity, AR, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and ATP content in human spermatozoa were evaluated in vitro. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The sperm MMP was evaluated by using JC-1 staining, acrosin activity was measured using a N-α-benzoyl-dl-arginine-para-nitroanilide HCl (BAPNA) substrate method, the integrity of chromatin represented by DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), AR was evaluated with chlortetracycline staining, and intracellular ROS production was evaluated with dihydroethidium. ATP concentration was determined with luciferase. Measurements were performed by spectrophotometry or flow cytometry. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Nonparametric analysis revealed significantly higher acrosin activity and a lower DFI in subjects with moderate or high MMP compared to those with low MMP. After adjustment for potential confounders, increases of 7.9 and 44.4% in sperm acrosin activity and deceases of 12.0 and 25.2% in the sperm DFI were found in the moderate- and high-MMP groups, respectively. The MMP dissipation induced by CCCP caused significant declines in acrosin activity and AR capacity and increased DFI in human spermatozoa. Moreover, sperm MMP dissipation induced ROS overproduction and decreased ATP content. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: We cannot exclude a contribution of leukocytes to ROS production and no size gating was used to exclude these cells from the FACS measurements. No simultaneous live-dead staining was done and a contribution of dead sperm to the MMP and acrosome assays cannot be excluded. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Mitochondrial functionality might be necessary to maintain sperm acrosin activity, AR and chromatin integrity. Tests of mitochondrial functionality should be developed and used independently of or in addition to conventional semen parameters in infertility diagnosis or risk-assessment processes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by the Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81630087) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81703254). None of the authors have any competing interests to declare.

Human sperm acrosomal status, acrosomal responsiveness, and acrosin are predictive of the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: A prospective cohort study.

The sperm acrosome reaction (AR) is a physiological secretory course of membrane fusion and hydrolytic enzymes, as well as matrix protein release, enabling spermatozoa to penetrate the egg surroundings. An instable acrosomal status before a specific stimulus, insufficient acrosomal responsiveness, or inadequate enzymatic activity of acrosomal content can be detrimental to male fertility. This prospective cohort study was designed to determine whether three human sperm acrosome evaluation parameters-including spontaneous AR rate, AR after calcium ionophore A23187 challenge (ARIC) rate, and modified Kennedy acrosin activity-can predict fertilization outcomes in vitro and are correlated with male characteristics. A total of 485 eligible couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy were included in two phases of this study. In a 'construction phase', three acrosome evaluation parameters were determined simultaneously in 132 cases, whereas in a 'validation phase', the spontaneous AR rate was determined in 353 cases. The results of the 'construction phase' revealed that the spontaneous AR rate was the only significant predictor of fertilization outcome (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.88, P = 0.003; adjusted OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.95, P = 0.03), and the cut-off value for total fertilization failure (TFF) prediction, determined by ROC curve analysis, was 9.91%; higher acrosin activity was shown to predict a higher fertilization rate only when patients were divided into groups (≥25 µIU/106 spermatozoa, 14-25 µIU/106 spermatozoa, <14 µIU/106 spermatozoa). The spontaneous AR rate was negatively correlated with sperm motility, forward progression motility, and normal morphology; modified Kennedy acrosin activity was positively correlated with normal morphology; and the ARIC rate was not correlated with any of the male characteristics. A similar result was obtained for the spontaneous AR rate in the 'validation phase', and the cut-off value in predicting TFF was calibrated for 9.52%. Clinically, patients can voluntarily choose spontaneous AR rate alone or in combination with modified Kennedy acrosin activity to predict TFF, and early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), half ICSI, or full ICSI should be considered in advance for men with spontaneous AR rates ≥9.52% or spontaneous AR rates ≥9.52% and AE activities <25 µIU/106 spermatozoa.

Freezing of Stallion Semen: In Vitro Evaluation of Motility and Acrosin Activity in Sperm Cells Cryopreserved Using Different Semen Extenders.

The work described here aimed to verify the efficiency of different extenders for cryopreservation of equine semen using sperm motility and acrosin activity as spermatic parameters. The semen was fractioned into two equal parts and resuspended in an 11% lactose solution in a 1:1 proportion, where it remained for 20 minutes at room temperature. The semen was centrifuged at 600 g for 10 minutes, and after the second centrifugation, each pellet received the freezing extender (Merck or Zorlesco) and was loaded into 4 mL straws. Each straw was placed in liquid nitrogen vapor steam for 15 minutes and further immersion in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for long-term storage. After thawing, semen samples were initially evaluated for sperm motility, both total and progressive, and acrosin activity. Moreover, semen was incubated at 37°C and further assessed at 60 and 120 minutes in a thermoresistance test (TRT) for sperm motility and acrosin activity. Immediately after thawing, both progressive and total motility, and acrosin activity were lower (p < 0.05) in thawed semen than in fresh semen. During the TRT, total sperm motility and acrosin activity after 60 minutes were lower (p < 0.05) than those obtained after thawing. Similarly, total sperm motility and acrosin activity were lower (p < 0.05) after 120 minutes than at 60 minutes of the TRT. The analysis of motility and acrosin activity allowed the conclusion that both extenders have a similar capacity to preserve the integrity of sperm cells subject to freezing and thawing.

A delayed sperm penetration of cumulus layers by disruption of acrosin gene in rats.

Acrosin, the trypsin-like serine protease in the sperm acrosome, was long viewed as a key enzyme required for zona pellucida penetration to fertilize eggs. However, gene disruption experiments in mice surprisingly showed that acrosin-disrupted males were fertile. Thus, the acrosin was considered to be not an essential enzyme for fertilization in mice. However, the involvement of acrosin in fertilization has been suggested in various species such as rat, bull, and pig. Moreover, it has been reported that serine protease (including acrosin) activity in mice is significantly weaker compared to other species, including rats. We analyzed the role of acrosin by disrupting the rat acrosin gene. It was found that, unlike in mice, acrosin was almost the sole source of serine protease in rat spermatozoa. Nevertheless, the acrosin-disrupted males were not infertile. However, the litter size from acrosin-disrupted males was decreased compared to heterozygous mutant rats. Further investigation using an in vitro fertilization system revealed that the acrosin-disrupted spermatozoa possessed an equal ability to penetrate the zona pellucida with wild-type spermatozoa, but the cumulus cell dispersal was slower compared to wild-type and heterozygous spermatozoa. This delay was presumed to be the cause of the small litter size of acrosin-disrupted male rats.

In vitro production of functional haploid sperm cells from male germ cells of Saanen dairy goat.

The dairy goat is an important economic animal. Studies on in vitro differentiation of dairy goat spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) could understand the molecular mechanisms for detecting mammalian sperm generation and innovative transgenetics. This study established an in vitro differentiation system for Saanen dairy goat SSCs. After 35 days incubation, single flagellum sperm-like cells with late round spermatid (Sa2) morphologically and the ability to express sperm-specific protein acrosin is detected. DNA ploid analysis showed that addition of testosterone to the culture system significantly improved the differentiation efficiency (P < 0.05) of haploid cells, and stimulated the post-meiotic gene (Tnp1, Tnp2 and Prm1) expression. A green fluorescent protein expressed in the morula was observed after transfection of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) vector with a round spermatid microinjection into the oocyte at metaphase II-stage. This study optimized activated method of the goat oocytes injected with round spermatids in vitro. This method increases the reconstructed embryonic development rate. These results suggest that testosterone boosts the efficiency of haploid cell differentiation in Saanen dairy goat testicular cells in the in vitro differentiation system. After optimization of activated and injection methods, fertility and embryonic were improved.