Nitric Oxide: Key Features in Spermatozoa

Staicu, Florentin-Daniel; Parra, Carmen Matas

doi:10.5772/67551

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 90 publications

(118 reference statements)

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“…Constitutive isoforms, neural (nNOS) and endothelial (eNOS), were detected by Western blotting but not the inducible form (iNOS). Both nNOS and eNOS had previously been identified in spermatozoa from other species, such as human, mouse, bull, boar, stallion and cat, but the inducible form (iNOS) was only detected in some of them (reviewed by [36]). At least in somatic cells, the iNOS should not be expressed without the presence of a stimulus such as inflammation, lipopolysaccharides or cytokines [35,[37][38][39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Melatonin Exert Its Effect on Ram Sperm Capacitation Through Nitric Oxide Synthase Regulation?

Miguel-Jiménez

Carvajal‐Serna

Calvo

et al. 2020

IJMS

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Nitric oxide (NO·), synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), is involved in sperm functionality. NOS isoforms have been detected in spermatozoa from different species, and an increment in NOS activity during capacitation has been reported. This work aims to determine the presence and localization of NOS isoforms in ram spermatozoa and analyse their possible changes during in vitro capacitation. Likewise, we investigated the effect of melatonin on the expression and localization of NOS and NO· levels in capacitated ram spermatozoa. Western blot analysis revealed protein bands associated with neuronal NOS (nNOS) and epithelial NOS (eNOS) but not with inducible NOS (iNOS). However, the three isoforms were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI), and their immunotypes varied over in vitro capacitation with cAMP-elevating agents. NO· levels (evaluated by DAF-2-DA/PI staining) increased after in vitro capacitation, and the presence of L-arginine in the capacitating medium raised NO· production and enhanced the acrosome reaction. Incubation in capacitating conditions with a high-cAMP medium with melatonin modified the NOS distribution evaluated by IFI, but no differences in Western blotting were observed. Melatonin did not alter NO· levels in capacitating conditions, so we could infer that its role in ram sperm capacitation would not be mediated through NO· metabolism.All isoforms of this enzyme have been described in human [17][18][19], bovine [20,21], murine [22] and boar [9] spermatozoa, among others. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that NOS activity increases during in vitro capacitation in human sperm [5]. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no previous studies identifying any NOS isoforms in ram spermatozoa.In mammals, melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in response to light stimulus, and, apart from other functions, it modulates the secretion and synthesis of gonadotropic hormones via the hypothalamic-pituitary axis [23]. Thus, melatonin regulates reproductive seasonality in some species, such as ovine. Apart from pineal melatonin, this molecule is synthetized in other tissues and organs, including those in the male reproductive tract, as we recently demonstrated in ram [24]. Melatonin is also present in reproductive fluids such as seminal plasma [25] or follicular fluid [26]. This could explain how melatonin affects ram sperm functionality directly, modulating processes such as capacitation and decreasing apoptosic markers and oxidative stress [27]. The antioxidant capacity of melatonin in ram spermatozoa could be the reason for its antiapoptotic action, since high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead to cell death [28][29][30][31]. The ROS include superoxide anion (O 2 -), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), hydroxyl (OH) and nitric oxide (NO·) (also included in the reactive nitrogen species, RNS). All these molecules play an important role in sperm capacitation (reviewed by [32]).Melatonin can modulate NOS activity and, consequently, the nitric oxide in somat...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Melatonin Exert Its Effect on Ram Sperm Capacitation Through Nitric Oxide Synthase Regulation?

Miguel-Jiménez

Carvajal‐Serna

Calvo

et al. 2020

IJMS

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“…Man nNOS Head, tail [26] eNOS Head [22] Mouse nNOS, iNOS, eNOS n/a [27] Bull nNOS Head, tail [21] eNOS Head Boar nNOS Head [23] iNOS Head, tail eNOS Head Stallion nNOS, eNOS n/a [28] Tomcat nNOS, iNOS, eNOS Tail, cytoplasmic droplet [24] This table was adapted from Staicu and Matas Parra [19] and modified for the purpose of this review. n/a, not available; NOS, nitric oxide synthase; nNOS, neuronal NOS; iNOS, inducible NOS; eNOS, endothelial NOS.…”

Section: Nos Isoform Localization Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Substantial information is available regarding the role of NO in crucial sperm processes prior to fertilization, such as capacitation, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction, and zona pellucida binding [19,[40][41][42]. Furthermore, the role of NO has been widely investigated during semen handling and storage [43,44].…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Action Of No In Spermatozoamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the role of NO has been widely investigated during semen handling and storage [43,44]. So far, three main pathways of NO within the sperm cell have been established [19].…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Action Of No In Spermatozoamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, shear stress in the vasculature leads to activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways resulting in phosphorylation and activation of eNOS [15]. All three NOS isoforms have been described in the sperm cells of several mammalian species (Table 1) [19]. Interestingly, the pattern of NOS distribution in sperm cells seems to differ across species; for instance, eNOS is localized in the flagellum of human [20], but not bull [21], spermatozoa.…”

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The Roles of NO and H2S in Sperm Biology: Recent Advances and New Perspectives

Kadlec

Ros-Santaella

Pintus

2020

IJMS

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After being historically considered as noxious agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are now listed as gasotransmitters, gaseous molecules that play a key role in a variety of cellular functions. Both NO and H2S are endogenously produced, enzymatically or non-enzymatically, and interact with each other in a range of cells and tissues. In spite of the great advances achieved in recent decades in other biological systems, knowledge about H2S function and interactions with NO in sperm biology is in its infancy. Here, we aim to provide an update on the importance of these molecules in the physiology of the male gamete. Special emphasis is given to the most recent advances in the metabolism, mechanisms of action, and effects (both physiological and pathophysiological) of these gasotransmitters. This manuscript also illustrates the physiological implications of NO and H2S observed in other cell types, which might be important for sperm function. The relevance of these gasotransmitters to several signaling pathways within sperm cells highlights their potential use for the improvement and successful application of assisted reproductive technologies.

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