Interaction Between Hyaluronic Acid Semi‐Interpenetrated Hydrogel with Bull Spermatozoa: Studies of Sperm Attachment–Release and Sperm Quality

Abstract

The study of living systems in contact with biocompatible synthetic hydrogels is developing. The authors’ group is the first to propose use of polymeric materials to accomplish sperm selection process by attachment of bull sperm to hydrogel surfaces, this being a crucial step for successful assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Surfaces based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels (PNIPAM) and ionic and neutral copolymers are synthetized. Their physicochemical properties in aqueous and culture medium are related to the percentage of attachment and subsequent release of bull spermatozoa from the hydrogel surface. High attaching capacity (30–45%) of sperm on cationic and neutral surfaces is mainly observed, however, sperm detachment from the hydrogel using traditional induction processes (i.e., sperm capacitation) is not significant. Therefore, PNIPAM‐co‐20%‐N‐Tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl acrylamide (PNIPAM‐HMA) hydrogel surface is semi‐interpenetrated with hyaluronic acid (HA). In this case, 50% of spermatozoa are attached to PNIPAM‐HMA‐HA hydrogel and after treatment with hyaluronidase, 47% of them are released. Collected sperm show acceptable characteristics of progressive motility (70% with score 4 for vigor), high viability, and cytoplasmic membrane integrity. Noteworthy, the study of the interaction of hydrogel surface/spermatozoa can be extended to human and other mammalian species, in order to provide advanced alternatives for gamete selection for ARTs.

Sperm-fluid-cell interplays in the bovine oviduct: glycosaminoglycans modulate sperm binding to the isthmic reservoir

“…Sperm-OEC interactions may be modulated by glycosaminoglycans (GAG). There is evidence from in vitro studies that bull and human sperm bind to HA 14 , 15 , 32 . Although existing data are scarce and rather old, HA and HS have previously been reported as the two most abundant GAGs in the OF of post-pubertal cows, accounting for 39 and 26% of the total amounts of GAG, respectively 12 .…”

“…It has previously been shown that HA-binding proteins are present at the surface of bovine oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) 11 and on bull spermatozoa 13 . Motile bull spermatozoa have also been shown to be capable of binding to HA in vitro 14 , 15 . Therefore, HA is a good candidate for regulating sperm binding to the isthmic reservoir in cattle.…”

Sperm-fluid-cell interplays in the bovine oviduct: glycosaminoglycans modulate sperm binding to the isthmic reservoir

“…There is evidence from in vitro studies that bull and human sperm bind to HA 14,15,34 . Although existing data are scarce and rather old, HA and HS have previously been reported as the two most abundant GAGs in the OF of post-pubertal cows, accounting for 39 and 26% of the total amounts of GAG, respectively 12 .…”

Cross-Linked Polymeric Gels and Nanocomposites: New Materials and Phenomena Enabling Technological Applications

“…Semi-interpenetration of hyaluronic acid in polyacrylamide hydrogels promotes cell adhesion of live spermatozoids while releasing dead ones. In that way, improvements in bovine sperm quality can be obtained [46]. Moreover, selection of bull sperm cells can be achieved [48].…”