【摘 要】
:
There is a fundamental body of evidence suggesting that activated apoptosis signaling in ejaculated human sperm negatively influences their fertilization potential. However, it is still controversial whether this apoptotic signaling is a relic of an abort
【机 构】
:
Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
论文部分内容阅读
There is a fundamental body of evidence suggesting that activated apoptosis signaling in ejaculated human sperm negatively influences their fertilization potential. However, it is still controversial whether this apoptotic signaling is a relic of an abortive apoptosis related to spermatogenesis or if it should be regarded as a functional preformed pathway in mature sperm leading to stereotypical morphological changes reflecting nuclear disassembly. To address this question, apoptosis was induced using betulinic acid in mature and immature ejaculated human sperm enriched by density gradient centrifugation. Execution of apoptosis was monitored by observing ultra-morphological changes via transmission electron microscopy. Typical morphological signs of apoptosis in somatic cells include plasma membrane blebbing with the formation of apoptotic bodies, impaired mitochondrial integrity, defects of the nuclear envelope, and nuclear fragmentation; these morphologies have also been observed in human sperm. In addition, these apoptotic characteristics were more frequent in immature sperm compared to mature sperm. Following betulinic acid treatment, apoptosis-related morphological changes were induced in mature sperm from healthy donors. This effect was much less pronounced in immature sperm. Moreover, in both fractions, the betulinic acid treatment increased the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm. The results of our ultra-morphological study prove the functional competence of apoptosis in mature ejaculated human sperm. The theory of a sole abortive process may be valid only for immature sperm. The induction of the acrosome reaction by stimulating apoptosis might shed light on the biological relevance of sperm apoptosis.
其他文献
The aim of this study is to evaluate the beneifts of laparoscopic Doppler ultrasound (LDU) application during laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV), and to compare the surgical outcomes and complications between LDU?assisted LV (LDU?LV) and conventional LV fo
Numerous approaches to the detection of novel biomarkers for male fertility have been proposed.As reviewed in the manuscript by Bieniek et al.1 analysis of seminal plasma has yielded numerous possible candidate biomarkers.Since semen analysis is a critica
Dear Editor,rnProstate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed male cancer in Western countries,and the number of PCa patients is also rapidly increasing in Japan.1,2 Simultaneously,androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has also been increasingly used
Dear Editor,rnDisorders of sex development (DSDs) are a group of conditions in which chromosomal,gonadal,or anatomical sex is atypical.1 DSD in genetic males (46,XY DSD) primarily results from impaired androgen production or action or perturbed genital mo
In this study,we investigated the feasibility of using autologous vein graft and platelet-derived growth factors to bridge transected cavernous nerve in a rat model.A short defect in the bilateral cavernous nerve was created and repaired with vein graft f
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in the world.Since androgen receptor (AR) signal plays key roles in the PCa progression,targeting androgens via the current androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the main therapeutic strategy for adv
Dear Editor,rnThe incidence of cryptorchidism is approximately 0.8% at 1 year of age and remains at this level throughout adulthood.One-third of these patients have bilaterally cryptorchid testes.1 Most patients with cryptorchidism have this condition cor