Effect of cariporide on ram sperm pH regulation and motility: possible role of NHE1.

Sperm motility, a feature essential for in vivo fertilization, is influenced by intracellular pH (pHi) homeostasis. Several mechanisms are involved in pHi regulation, among which sodium-hydrogen exchangers (NHEs), a family of integral transmembrane proteins that catalyze the exchange of Na+ for H+ across lipid bilayers. A preliminary characterization of NHE activity and kinetic parameters, followed by analysis of the expression and localization of the protein in ram spermatozoa was performed. NHE activity showed an apparent Km for external Na+ of 17.61 mM. Immunoblotting revealed a molecular mass of 85 kDa. Immunolocalization pattern showed some species-specific aspects, such as positive labeling at the equatorial region of the sperm head. Cariporide, a selective NHE1 inhibitor, significantly reduced pHi recovery (85%). Similarly, exposure to cariporide significantly inhibited different motility parameters, including those related to sperm capacitation. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was not affected by cariporide, possibly due to the non-dramatic, although significant, drop in motility and velocity parameters or due to prolonged exposure during IVF, which may have caused progressive loss of its inhibitory effect. In conclusion, this is the first study documenting, in a large animal model (sheep) of well-known translational relevance, a direct functional role of NHE on sperm pHi and motility. The postulated specificity of cariporide toward isoform 1 of the Na+/H+ exchanger seems to suggest that NHE1 may contribute to the observed effects on sperm cell functionality.

Glycan profile of oviductal isthmus epithelium in normal and superovulated ewes.

Glycans of oviductal isthmus are implicated in sperm-isthmus interaction, sperm storage, survival, and capacitation. Isthmus morphology and glycoprotein production are controlled by sex steroids, which could be responsible for alterations of some reproductive events in the superovulated ewes (SE). In this study, the oviductal isthmus epithelium was evaluated in normal and in SE using morphologic and lectin histochemical analysis. The epithelium of normal isthmi was significantly taller in folds than in crypts, whereas it significantly decreased in the folds of SE. Nonciliated cells (NCs) from normal, showed apical blebs revealing apocrine secretory activity, which was missing in SE. The quantitative analysis of lectin staining revealed higher Con A, DBA, and PNA reactivity but lower affinity to KOH-sialidase- (Ks)WGA, GSA II, LTA, UEA I, SBA, GSA I-B4, RCA120, KsPNA, MAL II, SNA in control isthmi compared with superovulated ones. The NCs apical blebs showed terminal fucose (Fuc), N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), galactose (Gal), lactosamine, and O- and N-sialoglycans. In normal isthmi, the luminal surface of NCs and ciliated cells expressed Fuc, highly mannosilated N-glycans terminating with lactosamine as well as O-glycans ending with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and GalNAc. Moreover, NCs microvilli contained Gal and α2-3-linked sialic acids. In SE, the luminal surface lacked Gal and GalNAcα1, 3(LFucα1,2)Galß1,3/4GlcNAcß1, whereas it was enriched with Fuc in the folds and with α2-3sialo-mucins both in crypts and in folds. The apical surface showed additional O- and N-linked sialoglycans in NCs and αGal in the cilia, which expressed α2-6-linked sialic acid only in the folds. The cytoplasm of control NCs showed highly mannosilated N-glycans throughout the epithelium and GlcNAc in the folds. After superovulation treatment, NCs expressed cytoplasmic terminal Fuc, ßGalNAc, lactosamine, α2-3-, and α2-6-linked sialic acids in the folds. The cytoplasm of normal ciliated cells cells displayed a binding pattern similar to normal NCs except for the absence of higly mannosilated N-glycans in the folds, which appeared in superovulated samples. This study demonstrates glycan zone-specific distribution along the isthmus epithelium that is influenced by the superovulation treatment. Whether an alteration in the glycan distribution is implicated in the low-rate fertilization after natural mating of the superovulated sheep remains to be addressed.

Alcohol diluent provides the optimal formulation for calcium chloride non-surgical sterilization in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Surgical castration is widely used to sterilize male dogs, but has significant impacts on time to perform the operation, recovery of the animals as well as cost, which can limit population control programs. Previous research has shown intratesticular injection of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2) in saline to be a promising alternative to surgery. However, long-term azoospermia was not maintained at dosages low enough to avoid side effects. In the search for an optimized formulation, the current investigation is the first study on long-term sterilization effects of intratesticular injection of CaCl2 in either lidocaine solution or alcohol in dogs. CaCl2 at 20% concentration in lidocaine solution or alcohol was administered via intratesticular injection to groups of 21 dogs each. The treated animals were examined at 2, 6, and 12 months for sperm production, blood levels of testosterone, and side effects; at time zero and 12 months for testicular size and semen volume. The experimentally treated animals were compared to a control group receiving saline injection only. RESULTS: Testicles of dogs treated with CaCl2 in either diluent significantly decreased in size. After administration of CaCl2 in lidocaine solution, sterility was achieved for at least 12 months in 75% of treated dogs. However, optimal long-term contraceptive effectiveness was achieved with CaCl2 in alcohol, which resulted in azoospermia over the 12-month study period. Testosterone levels significantly decreased following treatment with CaCl2, and sexual activity disappeared. Although testosterone returned to baseline levels by 12 months for the group treated with CaCl2 in lidocaine, dogs injected with CaCl2 in alcohol had a 63.6% drop in testosterone level, which remained at the low end of physiological range throughout the study. No adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: A single, bilateral intratesticular injection of 20% CaCl2 in 95% ethanol was a reliable method for induction of sterilization in 18-28 kg male dogs in this study. The approach showed long-term efficacy and reduced sexual behavior. This chemical method of sterilization might provide an effective, efficient alternative to surgical castration that can have positive impacts on dog welfare.

A dose-finding, long-term study on the use of calcium chloride in saline solution as a method of nonsurgical sterilization in dogs: evaluation of the most effective concentration with the lowest risk.

BACKGROUND: Canine overpopulation is a global issue with serious health and welfare implications. Nonsurgical methods of sterilization could yield positive impacts on this problem, but no long-term data on such methods are available. The objective of the current investigation was to determine the effects of intratesticular injections of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2) in saline in dogs over a one year period. Five concentrations (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 60%) of CaCl2 in saline were administered via intratesticular injection to groups of 10 dogs each. Total sperm count and motility, blood levels of testosterone, and side effects were examined at 0, 2, 6, and 12 months post-injection (PI). Testicular size and semen volume were examined at 0 and 12 months PI. RESULTS: Total sperm count, semen volume and testosterone showed significant dose-dependent decreases upon treatment with 10%-60% CaCl2 compared with either the control group (0% CaCl2) or baseline for each treatment group. Azoospermia was achieved for at least 12 months PI in 60% and 80% of treated dogs after administration of a 10% and 20% CaCl2, respectively. Treatment with 30% or 60% CaCl2 resulted in azoospermia in 100% of dogs, but more side effects were observed, while no side effects were noticed at lower doses. For each treatment group, testosterone levels had decreased an average of 35%-70% at 6 months following treatment. However, testosterone levels rebounded by the 12-month time point in all groups except the highest dosage group (60% CaCl2), which remained at the low end of physiological range throughout the study. Sperm motility dropped to zero or near zero in all dogs treated with CaCl2. Testicular size was significantly smaller at 12 months PI for all groups when compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: This first long-term study confirms reports of the efficacy of CaCl2 sterilization. However, at dosages free of adverse events, calcium chloride in saline may not provide permanent sterilization as previously believed. Future work should explore optimized solvents to increase the permanence of the well-tolerated 20% formulation.

Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on prostate volume and vascularity in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a pilot study in a canine model.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a result of urogenital aging. Recent studies suggest that an age-related impairment of the blood supply to the lower urinary tract plays a role in the development of BPH and thus may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of BPH. The canine prostate is a model for understanding abnormal growth of the human prostate gland. We studied the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in dogs to modify prostate blood flow and evaluated its effect on BPH. METHODS: PEMF (5 min, twice a day for 3 weeks) was performed on 20 dogs affected by BPH. Prostatic volume, Doppler assessment by ultrasonography, libido, semen quality, testosterone levels, and seminal plasma volume, composition and pH were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: The 3 weeks of PEMF produced a significant reduction in prostatic volume (average 57%) without any interference with semen quality, testosterone levels or libido. Doppler parameters showed a reduction of peripheral resistances and a progressive reduction throughout the trial of the systolic peak velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity, mean, and peak gradient of the blood flow in the dorsal branch of the prostatic artery. The pulsatility index and the resistance index did not vary significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of PEMF on BPH in dogs, with no side effects, suggests the suitability of this treatment in humans and supports the hypothesis that impairment of blood supply to the lower urinary tract may be a causative factor in the development of BPH.

Oocyte mitochondrial bioenergy potential and oxidative stress: within-/between-subject, in vivo versus in vitro maturation, and age-related variations in a sheep model.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze within-/between-subject, in vivo versus in vitro maturation (IVM), and age-related variations of mitochondrial (mt) bioenergy potential and oxidative status of metaphase II (MII) oocytes recovered from hormonally stimulated sheep. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Academic basic research laboratory. SUBJECT(S): Ten adult ewes. INTERVENTION(S): Estrus synchronization, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), ovariohysterectomy; follicular and oviductal oocyte retrieval; IVM of follicular oocytes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Mean ± SD, within-subject (CV(w)) and between-subject (CV(b)) variation coefficients of mt activity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mt/ROS colocalization in sheep oocytes from young and aged donors and matured in vivo (in vivo MIIs) or in vitro (IVM MIIs). RESULT(S): Within- and between-subject, in vivo versus IVM, and age-related variations of mt activity were observed in MII oocytes from hormonally stimulated donor sheep. ROS levels increased significantly in oocytes from aged donors. Mt-ROS colocalization was consistently higher in in vivo MIIs compared with IVM MIIs. Oviductal energy/antioxidant ability is influenced by COH. CONCLUSION(S): Oocyte energy/oxidative status is affected by within-/between-subject, in vivo versus IVM, and age-related variations. Mt/ROS colocalization is a reliable marker of in vivo MII oocytes.