Time to match; when do homologous chromosomes become closer?

In most eukaryotes, pairing of homologous chromosomes is an essential feature of meiosis that ensures homologous recombination and segregation. However, when the pairing process begins, it is still under investigation. Contrasting data exists in Mus musculus, since both leptotene DSB-dependent and preleptotene DSB-independent mechanisms have been described. To unravel this contention, we examined homologous pairing in pre-meiotic and meiotic Mus musculus cells using a three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization-based protocol, which enables the analysis of the entire karyotype using DNA painting probes. Our data establishes in an unambiguously manner that 73.83% of homologous chromosomes are already paired at premeiotic stages (spermatogonia-early preleptotene spermatocytes). The percentage of paired homologous chromosomes increases to 84.60% at mid-preleptotene-zygotene stage, reaching 100% at pachytene stage. Importantly, our results demonstrate a high percentage of homologous pairing observed before the onset of meiosis; this pairing does not occur randomly, as the percentage was higher than that observed in somatic cells (19.47%) and between nonhomologous chromosomes (41.1%). Finally, we have also observed that premeiotic homologous pairing is asynchronous and independent of the chromosome size, GC content, or presence of NOR regions.

Chromosomal positioning in spermatogenic cells is influenced by chromosomal factors associated with gene activity, bouquet formation and meiotic sex chromosome inactivation.

Chromosome territoriality is not random along the cell cycle and it is mainly governed by intrinsic chromosome factors and gene expression patterns. Conversely, very few studies have explored the factors that determine chromosome territoriality and its influencing factors during meiosis. In this study, we analysed chromosome positioning in murine spermatogenic cells using three-dimensionally fluorescence in situ hybridization-based methodology, which allows the analysis of the entire karyotype. The main objective of the study was to decipher chromosome positioning in a radial axis (all analysed germ-cell nuclei) and longitudinal axis (only spermatozoa) and to identify the chromosomal factors that regulate such an arrangement. Results demonstrated that the radial positioning of chromosomes during spermatogenesis was cell-type specific and influenced by chromosomal factors associated to gene activity. Chromosomes with specific features that enhance transcription (high GC content, high gene density and high numbers of predicted expressed genes) were preferentially observed in the inner part of the nucleus in virtually all cell types. Moreover, the position of the sex chromosomes was influenced by their transcriptional status, from the periphery of the nucleus when its activity was repressed (pachytene) to a more internal position when it is partially activated (spermatid). At pachytene, chromosome positioning was also influenced by chromosome size due to the bouquet formation. Longitudinal chromosome positioning in the sperm nucleus was not random either, suggesting the importance of ordered longitudinal positioning for the release and activation of the paternal genome after fertilisation.

The RNA content of human sperm reflects prior events in spermatogenesis and potential post-fertilization effects.

Transcriptome analyses using high-throughput methodologies allow a deeper understanding of biological functions in different cell types/tissues. The present study provides an RNA-seq profiling of human sperm mRNAs and lncRNAs (messenger and long non-coding RNAs) in a well-characterized population of fertile individuals. Sperm RNA was extracted from twelve ejaculate samples under strict quality controls. Poly(A)-transcripts were sequenced and aligned to the human genome. mRNAs and lncRNAs were classified according to their mean expression values (FPKM: Fragments Per Kilobase of transcript per Million mapped reads) and integrity. Gene Ontology analysis of the Expressed and Highly Expressed mRNAs showed an involvement in diverse reproduction processes, while the Ubiquitously Expressed and Highly Stable mRNAs were mainly involved in spermatogenesis. Transcription factor enrichment analyses revealed that the Highly Expressed and Ubiquitously Expressed sperm mRNAs were primarily regulated by zinc-fingers and spermatogenesis-related proteins. Regarding the Expressed lncRNAs, only one-third of their potential targets corresponded to Expressed mRNAs and were enriched in cell-cycle regulation processes. The remaining two-thirds were absent in sperm and were enriched in embryogenesis-related processes. A significant amount of post-testicular sperm mRNAs and lncRNAs was also detected. Even though our study is solely directed to the poly-A fraction of sperm transcripts, results indicate that both sperm mRNAs and lncRNAs constitute a footprint of previous spermatogenesis events and are configured to affect the first stages of embryo development.

Apoptosis mediated by phosphatidylserine externalization in the elimination of aneuploid germ cells during human spermatogenesis.

It has been described that aneuploidies trigger cell cycle checkpoints leading to apoptosis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the presence of chromosomal abnormalities and apoptosis in germ cells and in Sertoli cells. Fourteen diagnostic testicular biopsies from infertile patients were processed following a sequential methodology, which included enzymatic disaggregation, apoptotic staining, cell sorting, cell fixation, and fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis. The chromosome constitution of germ cells (interphase pre-meiotic germ cells, meiotic figures, post-reductional germ cells, and spermatozoa) and Sertoli cells was evaluated in non-sorted and flow-sorted cell populations (apoptotic and viable). The mean percentage of aneuploidy was compared between the three fractions in each cell type using a Kruskal-Wallis test. If significant results were obtained, a two-by-two Chi-squared test was performed. There were significant differences between the apoptotic fraction and the viable and non-sorted fractions in the pre-meiotic germ cells (p < 0.01). In the remaining cell types, no association between the presence of aneuploidy and apoptotic processes was observed, even in the case of post-reductional germ cells in which we detected the highest rates of aneuploidy regardless of the fraction analyzed. From our data, it can be inferred that most of the aneuploid post-reductional germ cells are efficiently removed from the testicular epithelium without differentiating into spermatozoa. Our results suggest that the elimination of aneuploid testicular epithelial cells is triggered by different mechanisms. Accordingly, the cellular elimination of aneuploid germ cells beyond the blood-testis barrier does not involve phosphatidylserine externalization.

Hidden mosaicism in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome: implications for genetic reproductive counselling.

BACKGROUND: Most individuals with Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) are azoospermic but residual foci of spermatogenesis have been observed in some patients. However, no consistent predictive factors for testicular sperm extraction success have been established and mosaicism could be a factor to investigate. In this study, we have assessed the degree of mosaicism in somatic and germinal tissues in KS, the meiotic competence of 47,XXY germ cells and the aneuploidy rate of post-reductional cells. METHODS: Five patients with KS previously diagnosed as pure 47,XXY have been studied. Samples from four donors were processed as controls. The chromosome constitution of lymphocytes, buccal mucosa and testicular tissue was assessed by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosomes X, Y and 18. In meiotic figures, sex chromosome number and pairing was confirmed. RESULTS: 46,XY cell lines were observed in all patients and tissues analysed. The degree of mosaicism (mean ± SD) differed among tissues (lowest in lymphocytes: 4.8 ± 2.5%; highest in Sertoli cells: 42.3 ± 11.1%). Meiotic figures were found in three cases (KS1, KS2 and KS5), all of them showed an XY complement. Hyperhaploid post-reductional cells were found in all patients (range: 3.3-36.4%) and increased rates versus controls (P< 0.05) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of homogeneous KS based on lymphocyte karyotyping should be contrasted in other tissues. Mucosa cells could help to better approximate the degree of germ cell mosaicism. Our results indicate that 47,XXY germ cells are not meiotically competent. Increased post-reductional aneuploidy rate is related to meiotic errors in 46,XY cells. Appropriate genetic counselling is recommended in KS.

Meiotic abnormalities in infertile males.

Meiotic anomalies, as reviewed here, are synaptic chromosome abnormalities, limited to germ cells that cannot be detected through the study of the karyotype. Although the importance of synaptic errors has been underestimated for many years, their presence is related to many cases of human male infertility. Synaptic anomalies can be studied by immunostaining of synaptonemal complexes (SCs), but in this case their frequency is probably underestimated due to the phenomenon of synaptic adjustment. They can also be studied in classic meiotic preparations, which, from a clinical point of view, is still the best approach, especially if multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization is at hand to solve difficult cases. Sperm chromosome FISH studies also provide indirect evidence of their presence. Synaptic anomalies can affect the rate of recombination of all bivalents, produce achiasmate small univalents, partially achiasmate medium-sized or large bivalents, or affect all bivalents in the cell. The frequency is variable, interindividually and intraindividually. The baseline incidence of synaptic anomalies is 6-8%, which may be increased to 17.6% in males with a severe oligozoospermia, and to 27% in normozoospermic males with one or more previous IVF failures. The clinical consequences are the production of abnormal spermatozoa that will produce a higher number of chromosomally abnormal embryos. The indications for a meiotic study in testicular biopsy are provided.

Genetic analysis of sperm and implications of severe male infertility--a review.

The use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on decondensed sperm heads has allowed to analyse the chromosome constitution of spermatozoa in different populations. In controls, the mean incidence of disomy (including all chromosomes) is about 6.7 per cent; diploidy increases with age, and some individuals may show a special tendency to nondisjunction. Carriers of numerical sex chromosome anomalies show a low incidence of sex chromosome disomies (2.54-7.69 per cent), and the need to screen ICSI candidates for these conditions has to be reconsidered. Carriers of inversions produce from 0 to 54.3 per cent abnormal sperm. Carriers of Robertsonian translocations produce from 3.4 to 36.0 per cent abnormal sperm, and carriers of reciprocal translocations produce from 47.5 to 81.0 per cent abnormal spermatozoa. However, carriers of translocations usually produce more abnormal embryos than expected from these figures. This may be partly related to interchromosomal effects induced by some structural reorganizations. Males with oligoasthenozoospermia, low motility and/or high FSH concentrations show frequent synaptic anomalies, resulting in the production of aneuploid and diploid sperm. Testicular sperm show extremely high rates of chromosomal abnormalities. The risk of recurrent abortion is increased by the presence of chromosome abnormalities in sperm.