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Effect of zearalenone on reproductive parameters and the expression of selected genes in mice.
Dvořáková, Eva ; Pěknicová, Jana (advisor) ; Nedvídek, Josef (referee)
A number of chemicals may have a negative impact on the environment and wildlife. Endocrine disruptors (EDs), which can mimic estrogen, interfere with natural hormones in organism and can have a negative effect on the reproductive system. Such substances include zearalenone (ZEA) - mycotoxin, produced by the fungi Fusarium. Despite the non-steriodal structure of its molecule, ZEA and its derivates possess potent estrogenic activity. The influence of ZEA on reproductive parameters and changes in expression of selected genes were tested in the outbred line of mice. This study showed significant effects of ZEA on number of reproductive performances. This effect was observed at lower examined dose, to which are humans normally exposed, and at higher doses, both showed changes in the tested parameters.
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Study of differential potential of spermatogonial stem cells via transplantation in vertebrates
Kodedová, Barbora ; Krylov, Vladimír (advisor) ; Pšenička, Martin (referee)
Spermatogonia, or spermatogonial stem cells are necessary to maintain male fertility. In the complex process of ongoing spermatogenesis in the testes these pluripotent stem cells proliferate and differentiate into sperm cells. In 1994 the first spermatogonial transplantation technique was described in rodents to allow the study of male germ cells. The following series of studies of intra- and inter-species transmission of testicular tissue revealed the regenerative capacity of transplanted spermatogonial stem cells and their possible usage. Recently, spermatogonia transplantation systems are developed in many vertebrates making it possible to study the development of sperm as well as artificial production of male and female gametes derived from germ cell donors. The differentiation potential of spermatogonial stem cells enabled the creation of transgenic organisms by genetic manipulation of isolated spermatogonia and subsequent transplantation into a suitable recipient. Spermatogonial transplantation in the future may find their application in regenerative medicine, the treatment of disorders of spermatogenesis, or serve to preservation of genetic stock of endangered species.
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Analysis of chromosomal aberrations in sperm by fluorescence in situ hybridization
Bendová, Petra ; Diblík, Jan (advisor) ; Novotná, Drahuše (referee)
The presented bachelor work is focused on the determination of frequency chromosomally abnormal sperm in the semen of healthy men (donors) with normal karyotype (46, XY). The important process, which plays an irreplaceable role in the development of numerical aberrations of chromosomes or structural abnormalities in the segregation of the gametes, is meiosis. Therefore, I devote much attention on meiosis in the theoretical part. The theoretical part is focused on the process of pre mature sperm (spermatogenesis), and the consequences of fertilize the oocyte by aneuploid sperm. In my work I present an overview of numerical abnormalities in autosomes and gonosomes and their frequency and distribution of gametes in healthy men. I also focused on the distribution and a brief description of structural aberrations affecting chromosomes and not least I paid attention on method of multicolor interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization, which in combination with sperm chromatin dekondenzation become irreplaceable and valuable research tool for rapid analysis of chromosomal abnormalities in large sperm samples. The experimental part of bachelor work deals with monitoring the frequency of selected numerical abnormalities in sperm samples of five donors aged 23 to 30 years with the use of I-FISH (fluorescence in situ...
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The role of cohesin genes in the meiosis of male house mouse
Šebestová, Lenka ; Trachtulec, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Král, Jiří (referee)
Cohesin genes play an important role in cell division. They ensure proper chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. This study is focused on the role of cohesin genes during meiosis in male house mouse (Mus musculus). At first, this study introduces key processes of mammalian meiosis. Next, the structure of cohesin complex is described; it consists of a heterodimer SMC proteins - SMC3 and SMC1α or SMC1β, which are enclosed to the ring by cleavable subunit RAD21, RAD21L or REC8. Fourth subunit - a STAG protein (STAG1, STAG2 or STAG3) associates with the cleavable subunit. Meiotic function of specific cohesin proteins (SMC1β, RAD21L, REC8 and STAG3) as deduced from the phenotypes of the deficiencies of their genes in male mouse is depicted. All these four genes are necessary for many processes during meiosis, - e.q. sister chromatid cohesion maintenance, synapsis and recombination. STAG3, SMC1β, and REC8 are necessary for centromeric cohesion. STAG3 and RAD21L are important for the assembly of the remaining cohesin subunits. The most important phenotype of deficiency of all four genes is the complete meiotic arrest in male prophase I. Therefore, cohesin research is important for the investigation of the causes of sterility in mammals. key words: cohesin, meiosis, spermatogenesis, mouse,...
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Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation within mouse spermatogenesis
Homolka, David ; Jansa, Petr (advisor) ; Kubelka, Michal (referee) ; Pěknicová, Jana (referee)
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) is an essential epigenetic process, which transcriptionally silences X and Y chromosomes during spermatogenesis. It is accompanied by substantial chromatin remodeling resulting in a formation of so called sex or XY body, which is a characteristic of male pachytene spermatocytes. In spite of MSCI indispensability for male fertility, its biological role and molecular nature still remain rather unclear. However, the described link between chromosomal asynapsis and transcriptional silencing demonstrated that MSCI is tightly associated with the asynapsis of largely non-homologous sex chromosomes and is a specific form of more general mechanism called meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC). The essential role of MSCI was demonstrated using mouse models, such as carriers of X- autosome translocations, where anomalous synapsis of sex chromosomes leads to impairment of MSCI and male sterility. Intriguingly, the exclusive spermatogenic arrest is a hallmark of not only X-autosome translocations but even various autosomal rearrangements, including autosomal translocations, inversions, or other structural mutations. Because the rearranged autosomes often intimately associate with the sex body, it...
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Targeted next generation sequencing of candidate genes responsible for impaired spermatogenesis and male infertility
Daňková, Michaela ; Liška, František (advisor) ; Holá, Dana (referee)
Infertility is a widespread health problem, caused by the male factor in about half of all cases, and in about a half of the infertile men the cause is unknown. In a significant number of these men, genetic etiology is assumed. Current routine methods of laboratory diagnostics, which include karyotype examination, exclusion of mutations in the CFTR gene, and Y chromosome microdeletions, do not usually reveal the cause of infertility. That is why researchers' efforts aim at detecting mutations in other genes that are causing male infertility. In recent years, animal models have been used to identify many genes necessary for fertility. Based on these findings, 12 candidate genes have been selected (CAPZA3, CDC14B, CDC42, CNTROB, CSNK2A2, GOPC, HOOK1, HRB, OAZ3, ODF1, RIMBP3, SPATA16) that are essential for spermatogenesis. Mouse or rat mutants in these genes are primarily associated with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, since they are involved in sperm morphogenesis. However, the phenotype spectrum may comprise also azoospermia. The purpose of the thesis was to determine the sequence of the afore mentioned genes in infertile men with impaired spermatogenesis and to reveal presence or absence of pathogenic mutations in these genes, using cDNA and genomic DNA from peripheral blood. The candidate genes were...
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Male infertility and DNA germ cell breaks affected by the epigenetic factor PRDM9
Kusari, Fitore ; Trachtulec, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Děd, Lukáš (referee) ; Liška, František (referee)
DNA-binding histone-3-lysine-4,36-trimethyltransferase PRDM9 specifies meiotic recombination hotspots in mice, rats and humans. Interallelic variation at the Prdm9 locus plays a role in hybrid male sterility. Sterile mouse F1 hybrid male offspring from the PWD × C57BL/6J (B6) cross exhibit meiosis breakdown reminiscent of that observed in Prdm9-deficient B6 sterile mice. However, reciprocal (B6 × PWD)F1 hybrids and some rodent models lacking PRDM9, i.e., PWD and SHR rat males execute meiotic recombination, produce sperm, raising the possibility that PRDM9's role may extend beyond meiosis. Here I demonstrate that PRDM9 is important for post- meiotic male gamete development and release. Unlike their parents, (B6 × PWD)F1 generated spermatozoa of lower quantity and motility but higher percentage of deformations, thus resembling oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) (semi)sterile men. Histopathological and (ultra)structural analysis revealed compromised spermiogenesis characterized by acrosome detachment and aberrant nucleus elongation in (B6 × PWD)F1 hybrids. Consequently, F1 spermatozoa had malformed acrosomes and nuclear DNA breaks with elevated base oxidation. While deletion of one Prdm9 copy improved sperm phenotypes in (B6 × PWD)F1, copy number gains of the surrounding genes had the opposite effect....
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The role of Fbxo38 ubiquitin ligase in mouse spermatogenesis
Zobalová, Eliška ; Čermák, Lukáš (advisor) ; Stopka, Pavel (referee)
Cullin-dependent ubiquitin ligases are responsible for the regulation of most cellular processes. Despite their mutated forms being the cause of many human diseases, their physiological roles are not sufficiently described. In the presented results, we focused on the physiological role of ubiquitin ligase SCFFBXO38 (SKP1-CULLIN1-FBXO38), whose mutated forms are responsible for the progression of distal neuropathy. Preparation of mouse model deficient in FBXO38 revealed that homozygous pups were born in a lower than expected ratio. Animals were growth-retarded, both at the level of the whole organism and individual organs, especially the liver and testes. Males with a deletion in the Fbxo38 gene had significantly lower reproductive capacity, which was associated with lower production of mature sperm and pathological changes in the structure of seminiferous tubules. We found that the FBXO38 protein is functionally expressed in Sertoli cells responsible for regulating spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubules integrity. Detailed analysis of spermatogenic populations revealed a defect at the level of spermatocyte differentiation. The dynamics of this differentiation depend on the hematotesticular barrier functional integrity formed by the intercellular junctions of Sertoli cells. We confirmed that the...
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Gametogenesis and Fertilization in Humans
Crhová, Michaela ; Pavlasová, Lenka (advisor) ; Ehler, Edvard (referee)
This bachelor thesis summarises the topic of gametogenesis and fertilization in humans. A search in available literature was performed. The thesis concisely describes the cell cycle and cell division. The main focus is on meiosis, a reductional division that takes the lead part in sexual reproduction. The process of this division is described in detail, and also the mechanism that creates variability of protected cells is described. The product of meiosis is gametes, also known as germ cells. Production of these cells is a key moment in sexual reproduction. This thesis approaches this topic in the context of evolutionary biology and explains its importance in the survival of species on Earth. The main topic of the thesis is the production and maturing of human germ cells. This process is called gametogenesis. This thesis provides a cohesive description of the reproduction system of both sexes and describes the gradual maturing of the germ cells in gonads. The structure of both gametes, egg, and sperm is described with emphasis on the parts of these cells that take part in the process of fertilization. Female reproductive cycles are depicted, and their connection is explained. In contrast to this periodicity, the male continual maturing is also explained. This thesis compares the main differences in...
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The Impact of Selected Endocrine Disruptors on Human Spermatogenesis
Vítků, Jana ; Hill, Martin (advisor) ; Pohanka, Michal (referee) ; Lapčík, Oldřich (referee)
Steroid hormones in testis play an important role in spermatogenesis, maintenance of the male reproductive tract, production of semen and the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics and libido. They are also discussed as a target for substances called endocrine disruptors (EDs). No complex study was conducted on evaluation of relationships between EDs and steroid spectrum in 2 biological fluids; seminal plasma and plasma. The aim of the PhD. thesis was to develop and validate a method for determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and steroid spectrum in plasma and seminal plasma and to shed more light into mechanisms of ED action and effects of BPA and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Two new liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry methods for determination of BPA and 11 steroids in plasma and seminal plasma were developed and validated. The methods were used for estimation of analyte concentrations in 191 men with a different degree of fertility. Concurrently, the levels of six congeners of PCBs, gonadotropins, selenium and zinc in plasma were estimated. Partial correlations adjusted for age and BMI were calculated to evaluate relationships between these analytes. Seminal BPA, but not plasma BPA, was negatively associated with sperm concentration...
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