Porcine oviductal extracellular vesicles interact with gametes and regulate sperm motility and survival.

Once in the female reproductive tract, spermatozoa undergo several modifications to acquire their complete fertilizing ability. Interactions between the oviductal fluid (OF) and gametes contribute to a successful fertilization. Recently, oviductal extracellular vesicles have been identified as an important part of the OF but their interactions with gametes are not fully understood. In the present study, we aim at determining the patterns of interactions between porcine oviductal extracellular vesicles (poEVs) and gametes (spermatozoa and oocytes). Moreover, we evaluate the effect of poEVs on sperm survival and motility to better understand the mechanisms by which poEVs modulate the processes leading to fertilization. Evaluation of poEVs uptake by spermatozoa showed that poEVs bind to spermatozoa in a time and dose dependent manner. Co-incubation of spermatozoa with poEVs (0.2 µg/µL) increased fresh and frozen sperm survival after 6 and 17 h, respectively. By contrast, poEVs supplementation reduced the total and progressive sperm motility after 2 h. Additionally, we demonstrated that poEVs interacted with the cumulus cells, zona pellucida (ZP) and oocyte, being able to cross the ZP. Besides, we showed that poEVs delivered their cargo into the oocyte, by the transfer of OVGP1 protein. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that poEVs are able to interact with both gametes. Besides, the findings from the present study showed that poEVs may participate in maintaining sperm viability and reducing motility, functions associated with the oviduct sperm reservoir. Although further investigations are needed, our results indicate that poEVs can be a potential tool to improve sperm life span during sperm handling and enhance IVF outcomes.

Opinions concerning pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and sex selection among gynecologist-obstetricians in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists on their technical knowledge of PGD as well as their views of PGD and sex selection (SS). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study, carried out during a Congress on Gynecology and Obstetrics. A self-report questionnaire was offered to all professionals registered to attend the Congress and answers of 723 physicians were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the participants, 436 (60.3%) were female and 287 (39.7%) were male; 517 (71.5%) had children. Regarding knowledge of PGD techniques, 63.2% had heard something about PGD and/or preconception SS. Concerning SS, physicians believed that SS is always the couple's choice (36.4%), should be the couple's choice only in specific situations (42.6%), or did not agree that SS should be a couple's choice (17.4%). A majority of the respondents were in favor of PGD and believed that pre-embryos with 6-8 cells are human life in potency. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a small percentage of gynecologists-obstetricians in Brazil had knowledge of PGD techniques, many of them recognized it to be a method to prevent genetic diseases and agreed with its use. The SS appears to be highly accepted for use in specific situations.