Treatment of sperm with extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate improves the in vitro fertility rate of inbred and genetically modified mice with low fertility

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most important techniques used for assisted reproduction in mouse colony management. As with natural mating, where mice have varying fertility indices, fertility rates of genetically modified (GM) [transgenic (Tg), knock out (KO) and congenic (Cg)] mice are influenced by their genetic background. Lines of GM mice that have poor fertility have a concomitant poor IVF outcome. Treatment of mouse sperm with extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATPe) enhanced in vitro fertilization rates in outbred and hybrid mice. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of using extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate-treated sperm for IVF of inbred wild type, and genetically modified mouse lines, for which standard IVF did not work well. The IVF was performed using the GM mice on C57BL/10SnJ, C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ and NFS/N background strains and wild type (WT) mice such as C57BL/6N, BALB/cAnN, and B6129SF1 strains. Oocytes from superovulated females were fertilized in vitro with sperm from the same background strain, and either treated or not treated with ATPe. The ATPe treatment enhanced IVF outcome in most of the GM and some WT strains, as indicated by the percentage of embryos that progressed to the two-cell stage. There was no marked difference between ATPe treated and control groups for the development rate of two-cell embryos to blastocysts in culture, or in the number of pups born after transfer of two-cell embryos into recipient females. The observed improvement of the IVF results following ATPe treatment of transgenic and KO mouse sperm were a potential solution for improving the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques used for rederivation or for gamete banking.     

Thermodynamics of the hydrolysis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate to adenosine 5'-diphosphate

The enthalpy of hydrolysis of the enzyme-catalyzed (heavy meromyosin) conversion of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate has been investigated using heat-conduction microcalorimetry. Enthalpies of reaction were measured as a function of ionic strength (0.05-0.66 mol kg-1), pH (6.4-8.8), and temperature (25-37 degrees C) in Tris/HCl buffer. The measured enthalpies were adjusted for the effects of proton ionization and metal ion binding, protonation and interaction with the Tris buffer, and ionic strength effects to obtain a value of delta H0 = -20.5 +/- 0.4 kJ mol-1 at 25 degrees C for the process, ATP4-(aq) + H2O(l) = ADP3-(aq) + HPO2-4(aq) + H+(aq) where aq is aqueous and l is liquid. Heat measurements carried out at different temperatures lead to a value of delta C0p = -237 +/- 30 J mol-1 K-1 for the above process.     

5’-三磷酸腺苷结晶热力学

5’-三磷酸腺苷（5’-ATP）是重要的生物活性物质,其结晶过程困难,是研究的热点。分别采用静态法和激光法测定了5’-ATP在不同温度的乙醇-水体系中的溶解度和介稳区宽度,并用溶解度模型——肌方程回归了溶解度数据,得到的溶解度关联方程为λ=19．034 3exp（-12．799w）,h：614．053exp（11．3106w）。研究表明．5’-ATP的溶解度随着温度的升高而升高,随着乙醇与水体积比r的升高而下降;其介稳区宽度随着温度的升高略有增大,随着乙醇与水体积比r的升高明显减小。这为5＇-三磷酸腺苷工业结晶装置及生产线的设计、工程放大和工业结晶生产操作提供了理论依据。     

Signaling pathways for modulation of mouse sperm motility by adenosine and catecholamine agonists

Capacitation of mammalian sperm, including alterations in flagellar motility, is presumably modulated by chemical signals encountered in the female reproductive tract. This work investigates signaling pathways for adenosine and catecholamine agonists that stimulate sperm kinetic activity. We show that 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine and isoproterenol robustly accelerate flagellar beat frequency with EC50s near 10 and 0.05 microM, respectively. The several-fold acceleration is maximal by 60 sec. Although extracellular Ca2+ is required for agonist action on the flagellar beat, agonist treatment does not elevate sperm cytosolic [Ca2+] but does increase cAMP content. Acceleration does not require the conventional transmembrane adenylyl cyclase ADCY3, since it persists in sperm of ADCY3 knockout mice and in wild-type sperm in the presence of the inhibitors of conventional adenylyl cyclases SQ-22536, MDL-12330A, or 2', 5'-dideoxyadenosine. In contrast, the acceleration by these agents is absent in sperm that lack the predominant atypical adenylyl cyclase, SACY. Responses to these agonists are also absent in sperm from mice lacking the sperm-specific Calpha2 catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PRKACA). Agonist responses also are strongly suppressed in wild-type sperm by the protein kinase inhibitor H-89. These results show that adenosine and catecholamine analogs activate sperm motility by mechanisms that require extracellular Ca2+, the atypical sperm adenylyl cyclase, cAMP, and protein kinase A.     

Motility and fertilizing capability of cryopreserved Acipenser ruthenus L. sperm

Motility before and after cryopreservation of Acipenser ruthenus sperm was determined by computer-assisted sperm motion analysis (CASA). In addition, fertility of fresh and frozen/ thawed sperm was tested by in vitro fertilization. Sperm of A. ruthenus was successfully cryopreserved by 1/1 (v/v) dilution with ethylene glycol in final concentrations from 12.5% to 20%. Stepwise cooling using a programmable freezer and fast thawing in a water bath (40°C) for 3 s and 5 s, respectively, resulted in motility rates of 10% to 28% and fry yields of 44% to 94% compared to controls (fresh sperm). With fresh material, different sperm to egg ratios varying from 10³: 1 to 10⁶: 1 gave similar fertilization rates of more than 90%. Using this cryopreservation method the establishment of sperm banks for endangered sturgeon species and the development of a fertility test for seasonally independent testing seem to be possible.     

Potassium ions modulate expression of mouse sperm fertilizing ability, acrosome reaction and hyperactivated motility in vitro

In K+-free medium, epididymal sperm suspensions, whether washed free of epididymally-derived K+ or not, were unable to penetrate washed cumulus masses; some penetration of zona-free eggs was obtained with unwashed sperm suspensions, while washed samples were generally non-fertilizing. Within 5 min of K+ introduction, however, spermatozoa were able to fertilize intact eggs rapidly and synchronously, indicating that K+ was not required for capacitation. Measurements of extracellular K+ concentrations in these experiments indicate that 0.1-0.15 mM-K+ is sufficient to support sperm: egg fusion, but concentrations greater than 0.15 mM are required for penetration of cumulus-intact eggs. When medium of normal osmolality (318 mosmol) but elevated K+/Na+ ratio (27.7 mM/125 mM) was compared with control medium (2.7/150), the former promoted lower rates of penetration after both 30 and 120 min preincubation (8 and 10%, respectively) than those obtained with control medium (45 and 95%). Upon reduction to the ratio in control media, however, the fertilizing potential of these suspensions was equivalent to control samples: relatively slow and asynchronous penetration after 30 min preincubation (50%) and rapid, synchronous penetration after 120 min (92%). Thus there was no evidence of a shortening of sperm capacitation time, but rather a suppression of fertilizing potential in the presence of elevated K+. Uterine sperm samples recovered shortly after mating gave similar results when tested in these media 30 and 120 min after release from the male tract. Preincubation of epididymal samples in high K+ (27.7 mM) hyperosmolal media (368 mosmol) for 30 min significantly shortened sperm capacitation as shown by rapid penetration of intact eggs (94%) after reduction in osmolality, but this appeared to be a non-specific effect; high Na+ (175 mM) hyperosmolal medium had a similar effect (98% of eggs fertilized). Acrosome loss and hyperactivated motility were significantly lower in media with very low or very high K+ concentrations but, after alteration to control medium values, increased to levels similar to those obtained with control samples. It is proposed that the relatively high K+ concentrations found in female tract fluids (approximately 20-30 mM) may serve to modulate fertilizing potential of spermatozoa in vivo.     

Interactions between the mitochondrial adenosinetriphosphatase and periodate-oxidized adenosine 5'-triphosphate, an affinity label for adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding sites

Periodate-oxidized ATP (o-ATP) was prepared as an affinity label of nucleotide binding sites on the chloroform-released ox heart mitochondrial ATPase. In the presence of MgSO4, o-ATP is a substrate for the ATPase. It can act as a reversible, competitive inhibitor of ATPase activity and can also induce an irreversible inhibition of ATPase activity. In parallel with the irreversible inhibition, covalent incorporation of [3H]o-ATP occurs. ATPase has about 1.05 mol of o-ATP bound per mol of ATPase when the enzyme is 50% inhibited. Most of the covalently bound o-ATP is associated with the alpha and beta subunits and is equally distributed between them. The incorporation of o-ATP into the ATPase is reduced, and the irreversible inhibition induced by o-ATP can be prevented totally by MgADP, MgATP, EDTA/ATP, or EDTA. The location, number, and the functional significance of the o-ATP binding sites are discussed. o-ATP can decompose to form an adenosine-containing compound and the tripolyphosphate anion in a beta-elimination reaction mechanism. The structures of the adenine-containing compound and its borohydride reduction product were determined. The adenine-containing elimination product inhibited the mitochondrial ATPase activity at a rate greater than that observed with o-ATP. The nature and mechanism of the inhibition of ATPase activity exerted by o-ATP and the elimination product were examined. The significance of the beta-elimination reaction to the use of periodate-oxidized nucleotides as affinity labels of nucleotide binding sites on other proteins is discussed.     

胞外三磷酸腺苷通过一氧化氮调节镉诱导的氧化压力和细胞死亡

采用液体悬浮培养方法,研究胞外三磷酸腺苷(ATP)通过一氧化碳(NO)调节镉诱导对烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)悬浮细胞氧化压力和死亡水平的影响。结果显示,镉离子(Cd^2+)可以以剂量依赖的模式引起烟草悬浮细胞氧化压力和死亡水平的上升,而施加外源ATP可有效缓解Cd^2+诱导的氧化压力和细胞死亡。进一步研究发现,和外源ATP的缓解作用相似,NO的供体硝普钠(SNP)同样可以缓解Cd^2+诱导的氧化压力和细胞死亡水平的上升;且NO合成抑制剂(L-NAME)可部分解除外源ATP的缓解作用。研究结果表明外源ATP可通过NO调节镉诱导的氧化压力和细胞死亡。     

Metabolism of exogenous uridine 5'-triphosphate,adenosine 5'-triphosphate and pyrophosphate by alkylsulfatase-producing bacteria

• 1.1. The uptake and metabolism of β-P³²-labelled UTP, ATP and uniformly labelled PPi was studied using bacteria washed twice with and immediately resuspended in a medium containing 0.031 M PO³⁻₄.
• 2.2. Under these conditions, little P³²-labelled PO³⁻₄ was detected extracellularly when the cells were exposed for 2–5 min to 5 × 10⁻⁵ M concentrations of the above effectors.
• 3.3. Cells of both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas C₁₂B incorporated the P³²-label from all effectors under the above conditions.

     

Interaction between collagen and adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

A quantitative study was made of the adsorption of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) on collagen by following the change in the absorbance at 258 nm of ATP in the soaking solution. The amount of ATP adsorbed decreased exponentially with the increase of pH up to pH 8 and fell off more rapidly at higher pH values. At a given pH, when the concentration of ATP was increased, the amount of ATP adsorbed increased following the pattern of a Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption was independent of the cation present. The adsorption of adenosine 5′-diphosphate was essentially the same as that for ATP. For tendons deposited with calcium phosphate, the amount of ATP adsorbed decreased compared to natural tendons. The adsorption of ATP on collagen fibers inhibited the contraction caused by calcium chloride, calcium bromide, and lithium bromide. In solution, ATP had very little effect on the denaturation of acid-soluble collagen caused by calcium chloride.     

Regulation of bovine sperm motility and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate by adenosine and its analogues

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) is known to mediate mammalian sperm function. Progress in understanding the mechanism of the control of cAMP levels in mammalian sperm has been hampered, however, by an inability to identify a physiological regulator of adenylate cyclase. In this report we provide evidence that adenosine, 2'-deoxyadenosine, and a number of other adenosine analogues that activate adenylate cyclase in other tissues stimulate bovine caudal sperm motility, and we suggest that they do so through elevation of cAMP levels. We have demonstrated that these compounds elevate cAMP levels in and stimulate the motility of mature bovine caudal sperm in the same concentration range (20-300 microM). In addition, we report that these same nucleosides, under appropriate conditions, elevate cAMP levels and initiate motility in immature caput sperm. Adenosine analogue structure-activity relationships carried out with caudal sperm indicate that substitution at position 2 in the purine ring in the adenosine molecule leads to enhanced activity, while substitution at the N-6 amino group reduces potency. Nucleosides that do not stimulate motility in caudal sperm do not elevate cAMP levels. We postulate that adenosine is a physiological regulator of sperm motility and suggest that it and its analogues owe their action to elevation of cAMP levels.     

Thermodynamics of the disproportionation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate to adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate. I. Equilibrium model

The thermodynamic treatment of the disproportionation reaction of adenosine 5′-diphosphate to adenosine 5′-triphosphate and adenosine 5′-monophosphate is discussed in terms of an equilibrium model which includes the effects of the multiplicity of ionic and metal bound species and the presence of long range electrostatic and short range repulsive interactions. Calculated quantities include equilibrium constants, enthalpies, heat capacities, entropies, and the stoichiometry of the overall reaction. The matter of how these calculations can be made self-consistent with respect to both calculated values of the ionic strength and the molality of the free magnesium ion is discussed. The thermodynamic data involving proton and magnesium-ion binding data for the nucleotides involved in this reaction have been evaluated.     

Multiple activation of mouse sperm motility

To investigate the activation mechanism of mouse sperm motility, the intact sperm in various activities were further investigated after demembranation. When dry sperm was diluted into sucrose solution, the sperm exhibited low motility with the swimming velocity of 13.5 ± 3.8 μm/s and the beat frequency of 1.5 ± 0.4 Hz. The demembranated sperm were immotile in the reactivation solution lacking cAMP. Meanwhile, when dry sperm was diluted into the solution containing either high concentration of NaCl or Ca²⁺, they exhibited the beat frequency of about 9 Hz. The demembranated ones exhibited the intermediate motility in the absence of cAMP. When dry sperm were diluted into the sucrose solution containing HCO₃, the sperm exhibited a vigorous motility with the swimming velocity of 181.2 ± 10.1 μm/s and the beat frequency of 11.3 ± 1.2 Hz. The demembranated sperm exhibited the high reactivation motility (90%) and flagellar beat frequency (9 Hz) in the absence of cAMP. These values were almost equivalent to those obtained in the demembranated sperm pretreated with sucrose or Ca²⁺ or NaCl and reactivated in the presence of cAMP. The activation induced by bicarbonate was considered complete in comparison with the activation by Ca²⁺ or NaCl. It was likely that the activation of mouse sperm motility took multiple states. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Thermodynamics of the disproportionation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate to adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate, II. Experimental data

High-pressure liquid-chromatography and microcalorimetry have been used to determine equilibrium constants and enthalpies of reaction for the disproportionation reaction of adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) to adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) andadenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP). Adenylate kinase was used to catalyze this reaction. The measurements were carried out over the temperature range 286 to 311 K, at ionic strengths varying from 0.06 to 0.33 mol kg⁻¹, over the pH range 6.04 to 8.87, and over the pMg range 2.22 to 7.16, where pMg = -log a(Mg²⁺). The equilibrium model developed by Goldberg and Tewari (see the previous paper in this issue) was used for the analysis of the measurements. Thus, for the reference reaction: 2 ADp³⁻ (ao) AMp²⁻ (ao)+ ATp⁻ (ao), K° = 0.225 ± 0.010, ΔG° = 3.70 +- 0.11 kJ mol ⁻¹, ΔH° = −1.5 ± 1. 5 kJ mol ⁻¹, °S ° = −17 ± 5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, and ACP_p°≈ = −46 J mo1l⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa. These results and the thermodynamic parameters for the auxiliary equilibria in solution have been used to model the thermodynamics of the disproportionation reaction over a wide range of temperature, pH, ionic strength, and magnesium ion morality. Under approximately physiological conditions (311.15 K, pH 6.94, [Mg²⁺] = 1.35 × 10⁻³ mol kg⁻¹, and I = 0.23 mol kg⁻¹) the apparent equilibrium constant (K_A′ = m(ΣAMP)m(ΣATP)/[ m(ΣADP)]²) for the overall disproportionation reaction is equal to 0.93 ± 0.02. Thermodynamic data on the disproportionation reaction and literature values for this apparent equilibrium constant in human red blood cells are used to calculate a morality of 1.94 × 10⁻⁴ mol kg⁻¹ for free magnesium ion in human red blood cells. The results are also discussed in relation to thermochemical cycles and compared with data on the hydrolysis of the guanosine phosphates.     

Egg jelly influences sperm motility in the externally fertilizing frog,Crinia georgiana

Recent in vitro fertilization studies have revealed female and male × female interaction effects on the probability of fertilization. These findings suggest a mechanism of cryptic female choice via sperm–egg interactions. The egg jelly of anuran amphibians contains proteins that facilitate the chemoattraction and binding of sperm for fertilization. Here we show that egg jelly also influences the onset of motility and swimming velocity of motile sperm in the frog Crinia georgiana. Moreover, we found significant among female variation in the effects of egg jelly on sperm motility. We discuss this finding with respect to male and female effects on nonrandom fertilization observed in this species.     

Inhibition of adenosine-metabolizing enzymes modulates mouse sperm fertilizing ability: A changing role for endogenously generated adenosine during capacitation

The effect of inhibiting adenosine-metabolizing enzymes on sperm fertilizing ability was studied to investigate a possible role for endogenously generated adenosine in the regulation of capacitation. The compounds used have been shown to be effective inhibitors of the relevant enzymes in similarly incubated mouse sperm suspensions. Inhibition of 5′-nucleotidase activity with α,β-methylene adenosine 5′-diphosphate (AMPCP), to reduce available endogenous adenosine, caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the fertilizing ability of partially capacitated spermatozoa, which was significant with 100 and 250 μM AMPCP. Conversely, inhibition of adenosine deaminase with 100 nM coformycin, to increase available endogenous adenosine, promoted the fertilizing ability of partially capacitated spermatozoa when the fertilization rate of control suspensions was low. However, coformycin had no effect on sperm suspensions with moderate fertilizing ability, and it inhibited fertilizing ability when added to capacitated spermatozoa. These data are consistent with a promotion of the early stages of capacitation by endogenously generated adenosine and suggest that sensitivity to adenosine changes as capacitation proceeds. Because the majority of adenosine-metabolizing enzyme activity resides in or is directed toward the extracellular compartment in such suspensions, these effects of adenosine may be mediated at the outer surface of the cell. By interacting with receptors on adenylate cyclase, externally produced adenosine could modulate intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), thereby influencing fertilizing ability.     

Calorimetric analysis of aspartate transcarbamylase from Escherichia coli: binding of cytosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

The binding of CTP and ATP to aspartate transcarbamylase at pH 7.8 and 8.5 at 25 degrees has been investigated by equilibrium dialysis and flow microcalorimetry. The binding isotherms for CTP at both pH 7.8 and 8.5 and ATP AT PH 8.5 can be fit by a model which assumes three tight, three moderately tight, and six weak binding sites. The binding isotherms for ATP at pH 7.8 are best fit by a model which assumes six tight and six weaker sites. Both finite differenceH binding and finite differenceS binding are negative for both nucleotides at both pH values, so that the binding is enthalpy driven. For both nucleotides, finite differenceH is the same for the first two classes of binding sites, implying that the difference in the dissociation constants of these two classes of sites is the result of entropic effects. Direct pH measurements and calorimetric measurements in two buffers with very different heats of ionization (Tris and Hepes) indicate that the binding of both nucleotides is accompanied by the binding of protons. In the pH range 6.7-8.4, the number of moles of protons bound per mole of nucleotide increases as the pH decreases.     

Analysis of the chromosome complement in outbred mouse sperm fertilizing in vitro

The chromosome complements in a population of mouse sperm from random-bred ICR donors were analyzed at first-cleavage metaphase after in vitro fertilization (IVF) of oocytes from females of the same strain. The sperm were aged as donations occurred within an average of 31 days, either since last mating or at arrival at the animal facility in the case of virgin males. Of a total of 598 sperm complements studied from 22 sexually mature males aged 10–26 weeks old, there was one diploid complement (0.17%). The frequencies of hyperhaploidy and structural aberrations that were studied in 338 complements were 4.4% and 3.6%, respectively, giving an overall frequency of 8.0%. The hyperhaploid complements consisted of n + 1, n + 2, n + 3, and n + 7 counts, while the structural abnormalities were of the chromosome type and included large and small fragments and a possible translocation. This is the highest frequency of sperm chromosome abnormalities reported for mouse sperm obtained from males under physiological conditions and fertilized in vitro or in vivo. Sperm aging, strain, and/or technique differences are among the factors that may be responsible for this high frequency. Since the 8.0% frequency of hyperhaploidy and structural abnormalities is similar to the frequency reported for human sperm after IVF, the outbred murine in vitro fertilization system may be a useful model to study the origin of human sperm chromosome abnormalities.     

Probing of sulfhydryl groups in the adenosine 5'-diphosphate/adenosine 5'-triphosphate carrier by maleimide spin-labels

Binding of spin-labeled maleimides to the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier was investigated both in mitochondria and in the detergent-solubilized carrier protein. In mitochondria, spin-label binding to the carrier was evaluated by preincubation with the inhibitor carboxyatractyloside. The membrane sidedness of SH groups in the carrier molecule was determined by chemical reduction of nitroxides on the cytosolic membrane surface by Fe2+ or by pretreatment of the mitochondria with impermeant SH reagents. These experiments suggest that each subunit of the dimeric carrier incorporates one spin-labeled maleimide. Roughly half of the carrier-bound spin-labels were found on either side of the mitochondrial membrane. The detergent-solubilized carrier protein was labeled with a series of maleimide derivatives containing a spacer of increasing length between the maleimide and nitroxide moieties. A total spin-label binding of 2-3 mol/mol of protein dimer, depending on the spin-label length, was found. The electron spin resonance spectra of the spin-labeled protein invariably showed strongly and weakly immobilized components. Increasing the distance of the nitroxide from the maleimide ring resulted in a strong increase of the contribution of the weakly immobilized component. These observations led to the conclusions that the geometrical constraint of spin-label mobility changes at a distance of about 10 A from the maleimide binding site.