Male accessory sex gland secretions affect oocyte Ca2+ oscillations during in-vitro fertilization in golden hamsters

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of male accessory sex gland secretions on Ca 2⍣ oscillations of oocytes, epididymal or ejaculated spermatozoa recovered from uteri were used to inseminate oocytes. Ca 2⍣ oscillations were measured by Fura 2 fluorescence imaging (F340/F380). We showed that although Ca 2⍣ oscillations induced by ejaculated spermatozoa had a pattern similar to those induced by epididymal spermatozoa, the amplitude of the first Ca 2⍣ transient in the former group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) and the duration was significantly longer (P < 0.01). Oocytes inseminated with ejaculated spermatozoa recovered from uteri from males had ampullary glands or ventral prostates removed showed significantly lower Ca 2⍣ oscillations compared to the controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). Moreover, the relative area of the first Ca 2⍣ transient in treatment groups was significantly smaller than the control. In addition, a significantly higher percentage of oocytes (52%) inseminated by spermatozoa from males with all accessory sex glands removed showed non-oscillatory Ca 2⍣ transients, compared to the controls (5%, P < 0.05). These results indicate that accessory sex gland secretions can affect Ca 2⍣ oscillations. The differences between Ca 2⍣ oscillations induced by epididymal and uterine spermatozoa from males with all accessory sex glands removed suggest that uterine factors may also influence this process.

Effects of sperm DNA damage on the levels of RAD51 and p53 proteins in zygotes and 2-cell embryos sired by golden hamsters without the major accessory sex glands

“…In the present study both ssDNA and dsDNA damages in zygotic decondensed sperm nuclei in the TX treatment group indicated that sperm with DNA damage could still fertilize oocytes. This observation is in line with our previous conclusion that removal of male ASGs did not affect the ability of sperm to fertilize oocyte [30,42]. Moreover, Ahmadi and Ng [1] have reported that irradiated sperm were able to fertilize oocytes in vitro regardless of the extent of DNA damage.…”

Ablation of paternal accessory sex glands is detrimental to embryo development during implantation

“…Antigens from the ventral prostate gland have also been shown to specifically bind to sperm surface (Luo et al 1996). Incorporation of the modified sperm membrane at the time of fertilization may disturb functioning of signalling molecules such as calcium transients (Ying et al 1999b) or mobilization of transcription factors when the zygote is formed. Inadequate activation of factors like NFκB is known to regulate cell proliferation, with an effect that stretches the preimplantation phase (Nishikimi et all.…”

“…The rate of fertilization in vivo and in vitro, as demonstrated in the hamster, is not affected by the surgical treatment (Chow et al 1986;Ying et al 1999b). However, adverse effects after fertilization are found.…”

“…However, adverse effects after fertilization are found. Thus, Ying et al (1998Ying et al ( , 1999aYing et al ( , 1999b reported that removal of ASG could delay oocyte activation in terms of Ca 2+ oscillation, sperm nuclear decondensation, resumption of meiosis of the oocyte, pronuclear development and DNA synthesis in the first cell cycle. The cleavage rate of embryos monitored at 72 h p.c.…”

Embryos sired by males without accessory sex glands induce failure of uterine support: a study of VEGF, MMP and TGF expression in the golden hamster

“…Working with the in vivo golden hamster model, we find that sperm which are not exposed to the full complement of secretions from the accessory sex glands (ASG) or that of the ventral prostate gland alone have no problem penetrating the cumulus, zona and fusing with the ova (Ying et al 1999), and yet a significant number of zygotes so produced fail to develop to term. At the time of implantation, 5-7 days post coitum (dpc), a significant number of implanted embryos have lower cell proliferation rates, and more trophoblasts go into apoptosis.…”