|
Earlier evolutionary dead-ends, now the creators of a reproductive strategy: the origin and reproduction of the all-male water frog lineage Pelophylax esculentus
Doležálková, Marie ; Choleva, Lukáš (advisor) ; Mikulíček, Peter (referee) ; Kratochvíl, Lukáš (referee)
Asexual modes of reproduction are usually based on the principle of copying (cloning) DNA from the female and passing it on to the offspring. For most asexually reproducing vertebrates the progeny develop from an unreduced and often unfertilised egg. This is driven by the mechanisms of parthenogenetic and gynogenetic reproduction. While in the former the clonal germ cell develops spontaneously and separately, in the latter a sexual partner is needed to activate the cleavage of the ovum, although without the fusion of the sperm and egg. Therefore in both cases there is no fertilization and the clonal progeny consist solely of daughters, hence the majority of previous studies have only focused on asexual female lineages. However, on rare occasions asexual clonal males can arise when the right fertilization occurs. Whilst these offspring are usually infertile, fertile diploid asexual males have been discovered in just three genera of hybrid origin in vertebrates. One of these unique cases is the European water frog complex of the genus Pelophylax, whose distribution includes the Czech Republic. In areas around the upper Odra River populations of hybrid males were recently discovered who form stable all-male lineages, similar to those formed by asexual females. The results of this study show that males produce...
|
|
Changes in the expression of selected testicular genes in mice
Valášková, Eliška ; Margaryan, Hasmik ; Žatecká, Eva ; Pěknicová, Jana
The decrease in population fertility has become a major concern in many developed countries. Recent studies show that infertility is affecting an estimated 15% of all couples (World Health Organization, WHO, 2010). Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of cases. Male infertility is caused by a number of factors, such as genetic background, various environmental factors and disease. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a serious health problem on its own, is also suspected to be a contributing factor to male infertility. The aim of this project was to analyze the cellular, molecular and genetic effects of diabetic environment on spermatogenesis and sperm quality and to determine the impact of DM on the in vivo reproduction, using the mouse model (Mus musculus) inbred FVB. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. We used our knowledge and tools (unique monoclonal antibodies developed by our group) to determine the status of reproductive organs, anogenital distance, and the quality of sperms. Genetic analysis was performed by a quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). We tested selected genes which are expressed in testicular tissue and thus can influence process of spermatogenesis and consequently the sperm quality. Our preliminary data strongly suggest that DM impairs male fertility. We have found significant changes in the body and reproductive organ weight of mice with DM. We have identified qualitative and quantitative changes in the expression of proteins in epididymal fluid and sperms. We have also detected an increased number of apoptotic cells in sperm of diabetic mice compared to the control group. To our knowledge, there is no study assessing the correlation between DM and “unexplained infertility”. In view of this, it is essential to analyze the effects of DM on male fertility, sperm quality, and reproduction parameters.
|
|
Effect of diabetes mellitus on reproductive parameters in mice
Margaryan, Hasmik ; Elzeinová, Fatima ; Kubátová, Alena ; Strolená, Eva ; Pěknicová, Jana
The decrease in population fertility has become a major concern in many developed countries. Recent studies show that infertility is affecting an estimated 15% of all couples (World Health Organization, WHO, 2010). Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of cases. Male infertility is caused by a number of factors, such as genetic background, various environmental factors and disease. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a serious health problem on its own, is also suspected to be a contributing factor to male infertility. The aim of this project was to analyze the cellular, molecular and genetic effects of diabetic environment on spermatogenesis and sperm quality and to determine the impact of DM on the in vivo reproduction, using the mouse model (Mus musculus) inbred FVB. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. We used our knowledge and tools (unique monoclonal antibodies developed by our group) to determine the status of reproductive organs, anogenital distance, and the quality of sperms. Genetic analysis was performed by a quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). We tested selected genes which are expressed in testicular tissue and thus can influence process of spermatogenesis and consequently the sperm quality. Our preliminary data strongly suggest that DM impairs male fertility. We have found significant changes in the body and reproductive organ weight of mice with DM. We have identified qualitative and quantitative changes in the expression of proteins in epididymal fluid and sperms. We have also detected an increased number of apoptotic cells in sperm of diabetic mice compared to the control group. To our knowledge, there is no study assessing the correlation between DM and “unexplained infertility”. In view of this, it is essential to analyze the effects of DM on male fertility, sperm quality, and reproduction parameters.
|
|
Developmental defects of reproductive system in selected species of mammals
Vedralová, Petra ; Chmelíková, Eva (advisor) ; Krejčířová, Romana (referee)
Genital organs of males and females provide the reproduction and survival of the species. If the gonads or efferent tract are formed abnormally or missing, reproductive anomalies arise. Then development of female or male gametes are not normal and fertilization and pregnancy or sexual act can not be performed. It is in all livestock but also in all mammals.
Developmental disorders of reproductive system are usually inherited and they are passed from parents to offspring. Defects may occur at the chromosomal, gonadal or phenotypic level.
Monosomy and trisomy are serious disorders of chromosomal sex and they cause infertility of affected individual. Sex reversal is included among the defects of gonadal sex. Anomalies of phenotypic sex are hermaphroditism and pseudohermaphroditism. Hypoplasia of the ovaries and testes and frequent cryptorchidism belong to defects of the gonads. The most common anomalies of the efferent genital tract are aplasia of Müllerian and Wolffian ducts, hypospadia and diphallia.
Developmental defects are grave. Because of them the reproduction is not successful or even impossible. Animals in testing or breeding with disorders are excluded from breeding programme to defects not get among descendants.
The occurrence of genital tract defects causes reproductive disorders and infertility. It is linked closely with the economy mainly in livestock. So the breeding is lossy. Breeding is healthier and more successful if methods for describing are improved and selection is realized.
|
|
Infertility and ethical aspects of assisted reproduction.
VALEČKOVÁ, Lucie
This work deals with infertility and the ethical aspects of assisted reproduction. Theoretic part is devoted to male and female infertility, its causes, the methods and issues of assisted reproduction, which are ethically unacceptable as shledávány, where some are tolerated under certain conditions. The practical part of this thesis are examined attitudes of infertile couples and the public on the ethical aspects of assisted reproduction.
|
|
Flow cytometry (FCM) sperm assessment In normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using monoclonal antibodies against sperm proteins
Čapková, Jana ; Kubátová, Alena ; Děd, Lukáš ; Teplá, O. ; Pěknicová, Jana
Recent studies have shown that infertility affects an estimated 15% of all couples. Male infertility is the primary or contributing cause in 60% of these cases. Consequently, application of methods of assisted reproduction is increasing. These methods would benefit from extended evaluation of the sperm quality. For this purpose, we analyzed sperm proteins in men with normal spermiograms and with asthenozoospermia. Ejaculates of both groups were tested with a set of well-characterized monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to human sperm. No statistically significant differences were found between normospermics and asthenospermics in the expression of sperm surface proteins clusterin, evaluated by Hs-3 MoAb, and semenogelin, evaluated by Hs-9 MoAb. On the other hand, flow cytometry revealed quantitative differences between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men in GAPDHS (glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase human sperm-specific glycolytic enzyme), evaluated by Hs-8 MoAb, VCP (valosin-containing protein), detected with Hs-14 MoAb, and PRKAR2A (cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II – alpha regulatory subunit) detected by MoAb Hs-36. Asthenozoospermic men displayed significantly reduced expression of intra-acrosomal proteins with a likely decrease in sperm quality, and thus a negative impact on successful reproduction.
|
|
Diabetes mellitus negatively affects male reproductive parameters in vivo
Valášková, Eliška ; Žatecká, Eva ; Pavlínková, Gabriela ; Bohuslavová, Romana ; Dorosh, Andriy ; Elzeinová, Fatima ; Kubátová, Alena ; Margaryan, Hasmik ; Pěknicová, Jana
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of couples in reproductive age suffer from infertility problems, and up to 60% of cases are caused by male factor. This could be caused by genetic background, environmental factors and various diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the impact of DM on male fertility is not fully understood. . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DM on reproductive parameters and sperm quality, using mouse model. DM (type 1) was induced by Streptozotocin in FVB inbred mouse strain. Mice with blood sugar levels higher than 13.9 mmol/L were considered diabetic. After 4 weeks of diabetes exposure, diabetic males were bred with wild type females and transgenerational effect of DM was assessed. Selected morphological, cellular, and molecular parameters of diabetic males and their male offspring were compared to appropriate controls. There was an increased in sperm fragmentation and abnormalities of sperm morphology in diabetic mice in both generations. An increased staining with apoptotic marker annexin V was also detected in the diabetic groups. Furthermore, a presence of protamines as major sperm nuclear proteins was analysed. Protamine 1 to protamine 2 ratio (P1/P2), a marker of male fertility, was altered in sperms of experimental diabetic animals in both generations. Our findings indicate that DM type 1 negatively affects sperm quality and P1/P2 ratio and this negative effect is transmitted to the progeny
|
|
Flow cytometry used in study of man`s infertility.
Kutová, Radka ; Drahošová, Marcela (referee) ; Jílek, Petr (advisor)
Background: Currently infertility of couples is a major problem, whereas the share of man and woman in infertility disorder is alike. It is important to discover the cause of infertility as soon as possible. The diagnostic possibilities of male infertility detection include the examination of sperm by flow cytometry and microscopic examination of semen. Aims: The aim of our work is to draw up an overview of the possible causes of male infertility and a summary of possible examination of semen using flow cytometry. Next aim is to evaluate the data measured by flow cytometry obtained from men over the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 at the Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, and determine interdependencies between the measured sperm parameters. Further, the work deals with the methodology optimization in examination of semen using flow cytometry. Methods: Determination of sperm parameters (sperm count and leukocyte count, sperm vitality, acrosom status and presence of intra-acrosomal protein) was performed using flow cytometer Cytomics FC 500 with CXP analytic software. The method used is based on the test SpermFlow from the company Exbio. Semen samples were obtained from 163 men. Results: Statistical analysis of our data set showed that men...
|
|
Fluorescent analysis of the differential protein expression in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic sperm samples
Děd, Lukáš ; Čapková, Jana ; Kubátová, Alena ; Teplá, O. ; Pěknicová, Jana
Asthenozoospermia is one of the main seminal pathologies underlying male infertility. Previous proteomic studies have demonstrated the significant differences in the protein profiles between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic sperm samples. Since these studies were primarily focused on the identification of differentially expressed proteins by mass spectrometry, we aimed to evaluate the ability of our diagnostic antibodies to detect the differential expression of selected protein markers by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry techniques. Therefore, we analyzed sperm samples from 30 men with normal and 30 men with astheno spermiograms, average by the panel of our diagnostic anti-human sperm (Hs) antibodies. Fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis revealed quantitative differences in the protein abundances between normo and astheno sperm samples, namely, in GAPDHs, evaluated with Hs-8 MoAb, VCP, evaluated with Hs-14 MoAb, and ATP synthase, evaluated with MoAb Hs-36. From the methodological point of view, we observed very high correlation between the data obtained by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry techniques and therefore both methods are useful for evaluation of protein differences associated with asthenozoospermia. From the clinical point of view, we observed the strong association of the low sperm motility in the sample with the expression of proteins, playing an important role in sperm energy metabolism (expected), but also with the expression of all tested intra-acrosomal proteins. These findings further demonstrate asthenozoospermia as a complex semen disorder frequently associated with other semen pathologies, which are not diagnosed by basic semen analysis, and the possibility to use monoclonal antibodies as a tool for diagnosis of protein associated sperm pathologies in the semen with the low sperm motility.
|
|
The Influence of eco-toxicological factors on spermatogenesis, morphology and function of mammalian sperm
Vašinová, Jitka ; Pěknicová, Jana (referee) ; Hortová, Kateřina (advisor)
An increasing infertility due to pathological changes on sperm has become a serious issue. A rising concentration of fluorides in the environment could be a potentially negative factor affecting the male fertility. Eco-toxicological effect of fluorides can be enhanced in the present of aluminium ions by forming fluoro-metallic complexes, analogues of phosphate groups that interfere with the activity of G-proteins and P-type ATPases, which are part of several signalling pathways during sperm maturation. The aim of this thesis was monitoring the effect of fluorides on mouse sperm capacitation in vitro, analysis of the effect of fluorides on male reproductive organ and on the level of mouse spermatogenesis. Fluorides were administered to mice through table water at the concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 100 ppm and at the same time we monitored their synergic action with aluminium at 10 ppm dose. The level of tyrosine phosphorylation in the sperm head was the main marker for successful capacitation in vitro. The results show that an oversized load of ions, to which mice were exposed, affected negatively spermatogenesis and ability of sperm to capacitate in vitro. Besides that, a multigenerational study in mice demonstrated that even low concentrations of aluminium fluorides can have a negative effect on...
|
guest ::
