Previous voltage clamp studies have demonstrated the modulation of sperm Ca 2+ activated K + (KCa) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by angiotensin II (Ang II) and extracellular ATP via AT 1 receptor and ...Previous voltage clamp studies have demonstrated the modulation of sperm Ca 2+ activated K + (KCa) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by angiotensin II (Ang II) and extracellular ATP via AT 1 receptor and P 2U receptor, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of KCa channels in receptor regulated sperm motility of the rat using a computer aided sperm analysis system, HTM IVOS, in conjunction with Ca 2+ mobilizing agents, receptor agonists/antagonists and KCa channels blockers. The percentage of motile sperm was increased by ionomycin (0.5 μmol/L), which could be inhibited by K + channel blockers, tetraethylammonium (TEA 1 μmol/L ) or charybdotoxin (ChTX, 300 nmol/L) indicating the presence of KCa channels. Ang II, at low concentration, 10 nmol/L, was found to increase motility, however, at higher concentration, 1 μmol/L, percentage of motility was found to be suppressed. Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Ang II could be reversed by losartan, a specific antagonist of AT 1 receptors, but not AT 2 antagonist PD123177, indicating the involvement of AT 1 but not AT2 receptor in mediating both effects. ChTX also abolished both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Ang II, suggesting the involvement of KCa channels. The percentage of motility was also enhanced by extracellular ATP, a factor known to be involved in sperm activation. The ATP enhanced sperm motility was mimicked by UTP, and inhibited by ChTX and reactive blue, an antagonist of P 2 receptor, indicating the involvement of both P 2U and KCa channels. RT PCR study was also conducted to confirm the expression of KCa channels, AT 1 receptors and P 2U receptor, but not AT 2 receptor, in rat caudal epididymal sperm. The present findings suggest an important role of KCa channels in the regulation of sperm motility by AT 1 and P 2U receptors.展开更多
Mouse sp56 is considered as one of the candidates for mouse zona pellucida 3 (mZP3) receptor. Up to date, its homologue has only been cloned from guinea pig. namely AM67. Based on the cDNA sequence of mouse sp56, we d...Mouse sp56 is considered as one of the candidates for mouse zona pellucida 3 (mZP3) receptor. Up to date, its homologue has only been cloned from guinea pig. namely AM67. Based on the cDNA sequence of mouse sp56, we designed a pair of primer to amplify its homologue from rat testis cDNA. Using RT-PCR, two fragments of 743 bp and 938 bp were amplified. The PCR products show very high homology to mouse sp56. However, the 743 bp product completely lacks one of the seven Sushi domains of mouse sp56. Using the 743 bp product as the probe to detect the expression profile of sp56 in rat tissues, Northern blot shows that a -2.0 kb mRNA expresses specifically in testis. Employed the RACE method, two full cDNA sequences of rat sp56 were obtained. A Mr -42 KD band was detected in denatured and non-reducing protein sample of rat testis and sperm with anti-mouse sp56 monoclonal antibody by Western blot method. Rat sp56 was localized on rat sperm head by the indirect immunofluorescence method. Rat sp56 immunoreactivity was detected from the early pachytene spermatocytes and throughout the spermatogenesis. Its cloning will further our understanding of the mechanism of the sperrn-egg recognition and binding.展开更多
Spermatogenesis is an androgen-regulated process that depends on the action of androgen receptor （AR）. Sperm production may be affected in men treated for testicular cancer （TC）, and it is important to identify th...Spermatogenesis is an androgen-regulated process that depends on the action of androgen receptor （AR）. Sperm production may be affected in men treated for testicular cancer （TC）, and it is important to identify the factors influencing the timing of spermatogenesis recovery following cancer treatment. It is known that the CAG and GGN repeat numbers affect the activity of the AR; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate if the CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the AR gene predict recovery of sperm production after TC treatment. TC patients （n = 130） delivered ejaculates at the following time points： postorchiectomy and at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months posttherapy （TO, T6, T12, T24, T36, and T60）. The CAG lengths were categorized into three groups, 〈22 CAG, 22-23 CAG, and 〉23 CAG, and the GGN tracts were also categorized into three groups, 〈23 GGN, 23 GGN, and 〉23 GGN. At T12, men with 22-23 CAG presented with a statistically significantly （P = 0.045） lower sperm concentration than those with other CAG numbers （8.4 × 10^6 ml^-1 vs 16 × 10^6 ml^-1; 95% CI： 1.01-2.65）. This association was robust to omitting adjustment for treatment type and sperm concentration at TO （P= 0.021; 3.7× 10^6 ml^-1 vs 10 × 10^6 ml^-1; 95% CI： 1.13-4.90）. The same trends were observed for total sperm number. The least active AR variant seems to be associated with a more rapid recovery of spermatogenesis. This finding adds to our understanding of the biology of postcancer therapy recovery of fertility in males and has clinical implications.展开更多
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARy） is a member of the PPARs, which are transcription factors of the steroid receptor superfamily. PPARy acts as an important molecule for regulating energy homeo...Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARy） is a member of the PPARs, which are transcription factors of the steroid receptor superfamily. PPARy acts as an important molecule for regulating energy homeostasis, modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis, and is reciprocally regulated by HPG. In the human, PPARγprotein is highly expressed in ejaculated spermatozoa, implying a possible role of PPARγ signaling in regulating sperm energy dissipation. PPARγ protein is also expressed in Sertoli cells and germ cells （spermatocytes）. Its activation can be induced during capacitation and the acrosome reaction. This mini-review will focus on how PPARy signaling may affect fertility and sperm quality and the potential reversibility of these adverse effects.展开更多
Cattle can efficiently perform de novo generation of glucose through hepatic gluconeogenesis to meet post-weaning glucose demand.Substantial evidence points to cattle and non-ruminant animals being characterized by ph...Cattle can efficiently perform de novo generation of glucose through hepatic gluconeogenesis to meet post-weaning glucose demand.Substantial evidence points to cattle and non-ruminant animals being characterized by phylogenetic features in terms of their differing capacity for hepatic gluconeogenesis,a process that is highly efficient in cattle yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear.Here we used a variety of transcriptome data,as well as tissue and cell-based methods to uncover the mechanisms of high-efficiency hepatic gluconeogenesis in cattle.We showed that cattle can efficiently convert propionate into pyruvate,at least partly,via high expression of acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 1(ACSS1),propionyl-CoA carboxylase alpha chain(PCCA),methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase(MCEE),methylmalonyl-CoA mutase(MMUT),and succinate-CoA ligase(SUCLG2)genes in the liver(P<0.01).Moreover,higher expression of the rate-limiting enzymes of gluconeogenesis,such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PCK)and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase(FBP),ensures the efficient operation of hepatic gluconeogenesis in cattle(P<0.01).Mechanistically,we found that cattle liver exhibits highly active mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1),and the expressions of PCCA,MMUT,SUCLG2,PCK,and FBP genes are regulated by the activation of mTORC1(P<0.001).Finally,our results showed that mTORC1 promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1a(PGC-1a)dependent manner.Collectively,our results not only revealed an important mechanism responsible for the quantitative differences in the efficiency of hepatic gluconeogenesis in cattle versus non-ruminant animals,but also established that mTORC1 is indeed involved in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis through PGC-1a.These results provide a novel potential insight into promoting hepatic gluconeogenesis through activated mTORC1 in both ruminants and mammals.展开更多
[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze the polymorphism of the growth hormone receptor （GHR） in improved hybrid yellow cattle group from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia Autonomous Region,so as to provide technologic...[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze the polymorphism of the growth hormone receptor （GHR） in improved hybrid yellow cattle group from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia Autonomous Region,so as to provide technological basis for hybrid improvement. [Method] Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms （PCR-RFLP） technology was carried out to examine polymorphisms of GHR gene of 70 individuals. [Result] The target fragment of 338 bp was amplified. The PCR product digested by restriction enzyme Alu I showed polymorphisms. The frequencies of the two genotypes （AA,BB） were 75.71% （53 individuals） and 24.29% （17 individuals）,respectively. [Conclusion] Two genotypes of GHR gene were detected in improved hybrid yellow cattle groups from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia.展开更多
Aim： To analyze factors influencing the efficacy of hormonal suppression of spermatogenesis for male contraception. Methods： A nested case-control study was conducted, involving 43 subjects, who did not achieve azoo...Aim： To analyze factors influencing the efficacy of hormonal suppression of spermatogenesis for male contraception. Methods： A nested case-control study was conducted, involving 43 subjects, who did not achieve azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia when given monthly injections of 500 mg testosterone undecanoate （TU）, defined as partial suppressors compared with 855 subjects who had suppressed spermatogenesis （complete suppressors）. Sperm density, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone （LH） and follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） concentrations at the baseline and the suppression phase were compared between partial and complete suppressors. Polymorphisms of androgen receptor （AR） and three single nucleotide variants and their haplotypes of FSH receptor （FSHR） genes determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and DNA sequencing technique were compared between 29 partial and 34 complete suppressors. Results： Baseline serum LH level was higher and serum LH as well as FSH level during the suppression phase was less suppressed in partial suppressors. Additionally, in a logistic regression analysis larger testis volume, higher serum FSH concentrations alone, or interaction of serum LH, FSH, testosterone and sperm concentrations were associated with degree of suppression. The distribution of polymorphisms of AR or FSH receptor genes did not differ between partial and complete suppressors. In cases with incomplete FSH suppression （FSH 〉 0.2 IU/L）, the chances of reaching azoospermia were 1.5 times higher in the subjects with more than 22 CAG triplet repeats. Conclusion： Partial suppression of spermatogenesis induced by 500 mg TU monthly injections is weakly influenced by hormonal and clinical features but not polymorphism in AR and FSHR genes.展开更多
Since its discovery nearly thirty years ago, platelet-activating factor has emerged as one of the more important lipidmediators known. Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholi...Since its discovery nearly thirty years ago, platelet-activating factor has emerged as one of the more important lipidmediators known. Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) exists en-dogenously as a mixture of molecular species with structural variants of the alkyl moiety. PAF is a novel potent signal-ing phospholipid that has unique pleiotropic biological properties in addition to platelet activation. PAF also plays a sig-nificant role in reproduction. PAF content in squirrel monkey sperm is significantly higher during the breeding seasonthan the non-breeding season. PAF content in human sperm has a positive correlation with seminal parameters and preg-nancy outcomes. High-fertility boars have significantly more PAF in their sperm than low-fertility boars. The enzymes(lyso-PAF-acetyltransferase and PAF-acetylhydrolase) necessary for PAF activation and deactivation are present insperm. PAF-acetylhydrolase may act as a 'decapacitation factor'. Removal of this enzyme during capacitation maypromote PAF synthesis increasing motility and fertilization. PAF also plays a significant role in the fertilization process,enhancing the fertilization rates of oocytes. Enhanced embryo development has also been reported in oocytes fertilizedwith PAF-treated sperm. PAF antagonists inhibit sperm motility, acrosome reaction, and fertilization, thus suggestingthe presence of receptors for PAF. The PAF-receptor is present on sperm, with altered transcript levels and distributionpatterns on abnormal cells. Whereas the exact mechanism of PAF in sperm function and reproduction is uncertain, itsimportance in normal fertility is substantial. The reproductive significance of PAF activity in sperm and fertility plus therole of PAF in the establishment of pregnancy requires further study.展开更多
Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） is essential for initiating the innate response to lipopolysaccharide （LPS） from Gram-negative bacteria by acting as a signal transducting receptor. In order to help in investigating TL...Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） is essential for initiating the innate response to lipopolysaccharide （LPS） from Gram-negative bacteria by acting as a signal transducting receptor. In order to help in investigating TLR4 as a candidate disease-resistance gene in cows, we isolated the cDNA （GenBank accession no. DQ839566） by RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） experiments and analyzed the sequence characters by bioinformatics. The results showed that cattle TLR4 gene about 3 739 bp contains an open reading frame of 2 526 bp encoded 841 amino acids （aa）, 470 bp 5′ untranslated region （UTR）, and 743 bp 3′ UTR. Tissue expression profile by RT-PCR indicated that TLR4 gene expresses in mammary glands, liver, muscle, duodenum, fats, uterus, kidneys, hearts, lungs, pancreas, and ovary. TLR4 protein domain predicted by bioinformatics consists of signal peptide, transmembrane helices domain, 3 sorts of leucine-rich repeat domains （LRR, LRR-TYP, and LRRCT）, and a toll-interleukinl-resistance domain （TIR）. Leucine-rich repeat domains were related with recognizing a broad of pathogen-associated molecular patterns （PAMP） from pathogen, and TIR domain for downstream signaling transduction was most conservative （98% identify） than other domains after alignment of protein from ovine, porcine, human, and mouse. In addition, a 470 bp 5′-flanking region sequence was amplified by PCR, and 15 putative DNA binding sites were predicted, but this sequence lacks TATA box, CCAAT character, and GC-rich regions.展开更多
Background:Goat milk is very similar to human milk in terms of its abundant nutrients and ease of digestion.To derive greater economic benefit,farmers require more female offspring(does);however,the buck-to-doe offspr...Background:Goat milk is very similar to human milk in terms of its abundant nutrients and ease of digestion.To derive greater economic benefit,farmers require more female offspring(does);however,the buck-to-doe offspring sex ratio is approximately 50%.At present,artificial insemination after the separation of X/Y sperm using flow cytometry is the primary means of controlling the sex of livestock offspring.However,flow cytometry has not been successfully utilised for the separation of X/Y sperm aimed at sexing control in dairy goats.Results:In this study,a novel,simple goat sperm sexing technology that activates the toll-like receptor 7/8(TLR7/8),thereby inhibiting X-sperm motility,was investigated.Our results showed that the TLR7/8 coding goat Xchromosome was expressed in approximately 50%of round spermatids in the testis and sperm,as measured from cross-sections of the epididymis and ejaculate,respectively.Importantly,TLR7/8 was located at the tail of the Xsperm.Upon TLR7/8 activation,phosphorylated forms of glycogen synthase kinaseα/β(GSK3α/β)and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)were detected in the X-sperm,causing reduced mitochondrial activity,ATP levels,and sperm motility.High-motility Y-sperm segregated to the upper layer and the low-motility X-sperm,to the lower layer.Following in vitro fertilisation using the TLR7/8-activated sperm from the lower layer,80.52±6.75%of the embryos were XX females.The TLR7/8-activated sperm were subsequently used for in vivo embryo production via the superovulatory response;nine embryos were collected from the uterus of two does that conceived.Eight of these were XX embryos,and one was an XY embryo.Conclusions:Our study reveals a novel TLR7/8 signalling mechanism that affects X-sperm motility via the GSK3α/β-hexokinase pathway;this technique could be used to facilitate the efficient production of sexed dairy goat embryos.展开更多
A membrane protein was isolated from mouse sperm heads that had undergone acrosomal reaction induced by C2+ ionophore, A 23187, which, with a molecular weight of 77.6 kd, shows capability to block egg-sperm fusion. As...A membrane protein was isolated from mouse sperm heads that had undergone acrosomal reaction induced by C2+ ionophore, A 23187, which, with a molecular weight of 77.6 kd, shows capability to block egg-sperm fusion. As revealed by analysis usintg isotopic markers, this protein is one of the chief membrane proteins of inner acrosomal membrane or the outer membrane of equatorial segment and Post-acrosomal region; treatment of mouse sperms with 0.6 μg/ml of the Purified protein for 30 minutes reduced the sperm-egg fusion index by 51%.The above results led us to the conclusion that the protein is an active participant in sperm-egg fusion. The possible existence of sperm receptor on egg plasma membrane was discussed.展开更多
基金Direct Grant of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to Dr. HC Chan
文摘Previous voltage clamp studies have demonstrated the modulation of sperm Ca 2+ activated K + (KCa) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by angiotensin II (Ang II) and extracellular ATP via AT 1 receptor and P 2U receptor, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of KCa channels in receptor regulated sperm motility of the rat using a computer aided sperm analysis system, HTM IVOS, in conjunction with Ca 2+ mobilizing agents, receptor agonists/antagonists and KCa channels blockers. The percentage of motile sperm was increased by ionomycin (0.5 μmol/L), which could be inhibited by K + channel blockers, tetraethylammonium (TEA 1 μmol/L ) or charybdotoxin (ChTX, 300 nmol/L) indicating the presence of KCa channels. Ang II, at low concentration, 10 nmol/L, was found to increase motility, however, at higher concentration, 1 μmol/L, percentage of motility was found to be suppressed. Both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Ang II could be reversed by losartan, a specific antagonist of AT 1 receptors, but not AT 2 antagonist PD123177, indicating the involvement of AT 1 but not AT2 receptor in mediating both effects. ChTX also abolished both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Ang II, suggesting the involvement of KCa channels. The percentage of motility was also enhanced by extracellular ATP, a factor known to be involved in sperm activation. The ATP enhanced sperm motility was mimicked by UTP, and inhibited by ChTX and reactive blue, an antagonist of P 2 receptor, indicating the involvement of both P 2U and KCa channels. RT PCR study was also conducted to confirm the expression of KCa channels, AT 1 receptors and P 2U receptor, but not AT 2 receptor, in rat caudal epididymal sperm. The present findings suggest an important role of KCa channels in the regulation of sperm motility by AT 1 and P 2U receptors.
基金supported by the grant from National Key Basic Research Project,“973”(No.G199905592)
文摘Mouse sp56 is considered as one of the candidates for mouse zona pellucida 3 (mZP3) receptor. Up to date, its homologue has only been cloned from guinea pig. namely AM67. Based on the cDNA sequence of mouse sp56, we designed a pair of primer to amplify its homologue from rat testis cDNA. Using RT-PCR, two fragments of 743 bp and 938 bp were amplified. The PCR products show very high homology to mouse sp56. However, the 743 bp product completely lacks one of the seven Sushi domains of mouse sp56. Using the 743 bp product as the probe to detect the expression profile of sp56 in rat tissues, Northern blot shows that a -2.0 kb mRNA expresses specifically in testis. Employed the RACE method, two full cDNA sequences of rat sp56 were obtained. A Mr -42 KD band was detected in denatured and non-reducing protein sample of rat testis and sperm with anti-mouse sp56 monoclonal antibody by Western blot method. Rat sp56 was localized on rat sperm head by the indirect immunofluorescence method. Rat sp56 immunoreactivity was detected from the early pachytene spermatocytes and throughout the spermatogenesis. Its cloning will further our understanding of the mechanism of the sperrn-egg recognition and binding.
文摘Spermatogenesis is an androgen-regulated process that depends on the action of androgen receptor （AR）. Sperm production may be affected in men treated for testicular cancer （TC）, and it is important to identify the factors influencing the timing of spermatogenesis recovery following cancer treatment. It is known that the CAG and GGN repeat numbers affect the activity of the AR; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate if the CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the AR gene predict recovery of sperm production after TC treatment. TC patients （n = 130） delivered ejaculates at the following time points： postorchiectomy and at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months posttherapy （TO, T6, T12, T24, T36, and T60）. The CAG lengths were categorized into three groups, 〈22 CAG, 22-23 CAG, and 〉23 CAG, and the GGN tracts were also categorized into three groups, 〈23 GGN, 23 GGN, and 〉23 GGN. At T12, men with 22-23 CAG presented with a statistically significantly （P = 0.045） lower sperm concentration than those with other CAG numbers （8.4 × 10^6 ml^-1 vs 16 × 10^6 ml^-1; 95% CI： 1.01-2.65）. This association was robust to omitting adjustment for treatment type and sperm concentration at TO （P= 0.021; 3.7× 10^6 ml^-1 vs 10 × 10^6 ml^-1; 95% CI： 1.13-4.90）. The same trends were observed for total sperm number. The least active AR variant seems to be associated with a more rapid recovery of spermatogenesis. This finding adds to our understanding of the biology of postcancer therapy recovery of fertility in males and has clinical implications.
文摘Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARy） is a member of the PPARs, which are transcription factors of the steroid receptor superfamily. PPARy acts as an important molecule for regulating energy homeostasis, modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis, and is reciprocally regulated by HPG. In the human, PPARγprotein is highly expressed in ejaculated spermatozoa, implying a possible role of PPARγ signaling in regulating sperm energy dissipation. PPARγ protein is also expressed in Sertoli cells and germ cells （spermatocytes）. Its activation can be induced during capacitation and the acrosome reaction. This mini-review will focus on how PPARy signaling may affect fertility and sperm quality and the potential reversibility of these adverse effects.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,China(grant numbers 32070782,32072761)。
文摘Cattle can efficiently perform de novo generation of glucose through hepatic gluconeogenesis to meet post-weaning glucose demand.Substantial evidence points to cattle and non-ruminant animals being characterized by phylogenetic features in terms of their differing capacity for hepatic gluconeogenesis,a process that is highly efficient in cattle yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear.Here we used a variety of transcriptome data,as well as tissue and cell-based methods to uncover the mechanisms of high-efficiency hepatic gluconeogenesis in cattle.We showed that cattle can efficiently convert propionate into pyruvate,at least partly,via high expression of acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 1(ACSS1),propionyl-CoA carboxylase alpha chain(PCCA),methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase(MCEE),methylmalonyl-CoA mutase(MMUT),and succinate-CoA ligase(SUCLG2)genes in the liver(P<0.01).Moreover,higher expression of the rate-limiting enzymes of gluconeogenesis,such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PCK)and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase(FBP),ensures the efficient operation of hepatic gluconeogenesis in cattle(P<0.01).Mechanistically,we found that cattle liver exhibits highly active mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1),and the expressions of PCCA,MMUT,SUCLG2,PCK,and FBP genes are regulated by the activation of mTORC1(P<0.001).Finally,our results showed that mTORC1 promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1a(PGC-1a)dependent manner.Collectively,our results not only revealed an important mechanism responsible for the quantitative differences in the efficiency of hepatic gluconeogenesis in cattle versus non-ruminant animals,but also established that mTORC1 is indeed involved in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis through PGC-1a.These results provide a novel potential insight into promoting hepatic gluconeogenesis through activated mTORC1 in both ruminants and mammals.
基金Supported by Ningxia Science and Technology Program(5183003)Action Project for Scientific and Technological Personal to Service Enterprise (2009GJG30036)~~
文摘[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze the polymorphism of the growth hormone receptor （GHR） in improved hybrid yellow cattle group from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia Autonomous Region,so as to provide technological basis for hybrid improvement. [Method] Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms （PCR-RFLP） technology was carried out to examine polymorphisms of GHR gene of 70 individuals. [Result] The target fragment of 338 bp was amplified. The PCR product digested by restriction enzyme Alu I showed polymorphisms. The frequencies of the two genotypes （AA,BB） were 75.71% （53 individuals） and 24.29% （17 individuals）,respectively. [Conclusion] Two genotypes of GHR gene were detected in improved hybrid yellow cattle groups from Liupan Mountain area in Ningxia.
文摘Aim： To analyze factors influencing the efficacy of hormonal suppression of spermatogenesis for male contraception. Methods： A nested case-control study was conducted, involving 43 subjects, who did not achieve azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia when given monthly injections of 500 mg testosterone undecanoate （TU）, defined as partial suppressors compared with 855 subjects who had suppressed spermatogenesis （complete suppressors）. Sperm density, serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone （LH） and follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） concentrations at the baseline and the suppression phase were compared between partial and complete suppressors. Polymorphisms of androgen receptor （AR） and three single nucleotide variants and their haplotypes of FSH receptor （FSHR） genes determined by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and DNA sequencing technique were compared between 29 partial and 34 complete suppressors. Results： Baseline serum LH level was higher and serum LH as well as FSH level during the suppression phase was less suppressed in partial suppressors. Additionally, in a logistic regression analysis larger testis volume, higher serum FSH concentrations alone, or interaction of serum LH, FSH, testosterone and sperm concentrations were associated with degree of suppression. The distribution of polymorphisms of AR or FSH receptor genes did not differ between partial and complete suppressors. In cases with incomplete FSH suppression （FSH 〉 0.2 IU/L）, the chances of reaching azoospermia were 1.5 times higher in the subjects with more than 22 CAG triplet repeats. Conclusion： Partial suppression of spermatogenesis induced by 500 mg TU monthly injections is weakly influenced by hormonal and clinical features but not polymorphism in AR and FSHR genes.
文摘Since its discovery nearly thirty years ago, platelet-activating factor has emerged as one of the more important lipidmediators known. Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) exists en-dogenously as a mixture of molecular species with structural variants of the alkyl moiety. PAF is a novel potent signal-ing phospholipid that has unique pleiotropic biological properties in addition to platelet activation. PAF also plays a sig-nificant role in reproduction. PAF content in squirrel monkey sperm is significantly higher during the breeding seasonthan the non-breeding season. PAF content in human sperm has a positive correlation with seminal parameters and preg-nancy outcomes. High-fertility boars have significantly more PAF in their sperm than low-fertility boars. The enzymes(lyso-PAF-acetyltransferase and PAF-acetylhydrolase) necessary for PAF activation and deactivation are present insperm. PAF-acetylhydrolase may act as a 'decapacitation factor'. Removal of this enzyme during capacitation maypromote PAF synthesis increasing motility and fertilization. PAF also plays a significant role in the fertilization process,enhancing the fertilization rates of oocytes. Enhanced embryo development has also been reported in oocytes fertilizedwith PAF-treated sperm. PAF antagonists inhibit sperm motility, acrosome reaction, and fertilization, thus suggestingthe presence of receptors for PAF. The PAF-receptor is present on sperm, with altered transcript levels and distributionpatterns on abnormal cells. Whereas the exact mechanism of PAF in sperm function and reproduction is uncertain, itsimportance in normal fertility is substantial. The reproductive significance of PAF activity in sperm and fertility plus therole of PAF in the establishment of pregnancy requires further study.
基金supported by the Key Technology R&D Program of China during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006BAD01A10, 2006BAD14B07, and2006BAD04A16)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(2006AA10Z197)
文摘Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） is essential for initiating the innate response to lipopolysaccharide （LPS） from Gram-negative bacteria by acting as a signal transducting receptor. In order to help in investigating TLR4 as a candidate disease-resistance gene in cows, we isolated the cDNA （GenBank accession no. DQ839566） by RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） experiments and analyzed the sequence characters by bioinformatics. The results showed that cattle TLR4 gene about 3 739 bp contains an open reading frame of 2 526 bp encoded 841 amino acids （aa）, 470 bp 5′ untranslated region （UTR）, and 743 bp 3′ UTR. Tissue expression profile by RT-PCR indicated that TLR4 gene expresses in mammary glands, liver, muscle, duodenum, fats, uterus, kidneys, hearts, lungs, pancreas, and ovary. TLR4 protein domain predicted by bioinformatics consists of signal peptide, transmembrane helices domain, 3 sorts of leucine-rich repeat domains （LRR, LRR-TYP, and LRRCT）, and a toll-interleukinl-resistance domain （TIR）. Leucine-rich repeat domains were related with recognizing a broad of pathogen-associated molecular patterns （PAMP） from pathogen, and TIR domain for downstream signaling transduction was most conservative （98% identify） than other domains after alignment of protein from ovine, porcine, human, and mouse. In addition, a 470 bp 5′-flanking region sequence was amplified by PCR, and 15 putative DNA binding sites were predicted, but this sequence lacks TATA box, CCAAT character, and GC-rich regions.
基金This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31672425)Shaanxi Province Key R&D Program(2018ZDXM-NY-043,2020ZDLNY02–04).
文摘Background:Goat milk is very similar to human milk in terms of its abundant nutrients and ease of digestion.To derive greater economic benefit,farmers require more female offspring(does);however,the buck-to-doe offspring sex ratio is approximately 50%.At present,artificial insemination after the separation of X/Y sperm using flow cytometry is the primary means of controlling the sex of livestock offspring.However,flow cytometry has not been successfully utilised for the separation of X/Y sperm aimed at sexing control in dairy goats.Results:In this study,a novel,simple goat sperm sexing technology that activates the toll-like receptor 7/8(TLR7/8),thereby inhibiting X-sperm motility,was investigated.Our results showed that the TLR7/8 coding goat Xchromosome was expressed in approximately 50%of round spermatids in the testis and sperm,as measured from cross-sections of the epididymis and ejaculate,respectively.Importantly,TLR7/8 was located at the tail of the Xsperm.Upon TLR7/8 activation,phosphorylated forms of glycogen synthase kinaseα/β(GSK3α/β)and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)were detected in the X-sperm,causing reduced mitochondrial activity,ATP levels,and sperm motility.High-motility Y-sperm segregated to the upper layer and the low-motility X-sperm,to the lower layer.Following in vitro fertilisation using the TLR7/8-activated sperm from the lower layer,80.52±6.75%of the embryos were XX females.The TLR7/8-activated sperm were subsequently used for in vivo embryo production via the superovulatory response;nine embryos were collected from the uterus of two does that conceived.Eight of these were XX embryos,and one was an XY embryo.Conclusions:Our study reveals a novel TLR7/8 signalling mechanism that affects X-sperm motility via the GSK3α/β-hexokinase pathway;this technique could be used to facilitate the efficient production of sexed dairy goat embryos.
文摘A membrane protein was isolated from mouse sperm heads that had undergone acrosomal reaction induced by C2+ ionophore, A 23187, which, with a molecular weight of 77.6 kd, shows capability to block egg-sperm fusion. As revealed by analysis usintg isotopic markers, this protein is one of the chief membrane proteins of inner acrosomal membrane or the outer membrane of equatorial segment and Post-acrosomal region; treatment of mouse sperms with 0.6 μg/ml of the Purified protein for 30 minutes reduced the sperm-egg fusion index by 51%.The above results led us to the conclusion that the protein is an active participant in sperm-egg fusion. The possible existence of sperm receptor on egg plasma membrane was discussed.
