BACKGROUND The precise composition of the human sperm plasma membrane, the molecular interactions that define domain specific functions, and the regulation of membrane associated proteins during the capacitation process, still remain to be fully understood. Here, we investigated the repertoire of calcium-regulated proteins associated with the human sperm plasma membrane. METHODS Surface speci...

BACKGROUND Sperm DNA is protected against fragmentation by a high degree of chromatin packaging. It has been demonstrated that proper chromatin packaging is important for boar fertility outcome. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying differences in sperm DNA fragmentation. Knowledge of sequence variation influencing this sperm parameter could be beneficial in selecti...

BACKGROUND Antibodies to human sperm are useful diagnostic reagents for detection of changes in sperm protein expression and their relationship with sperm defects and male infertility. The specificity of Hs-16 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and the localization and frequency of the occurrence of Hs-16-recognized protein on human spermatozoa were investigated. METHODS Samples from 30 fertile men wi...

An important parameter assessed during the semen analysis is the overall morphology, or shape of the sperm. Currently, the morphological analysis of sperm is done manually and is based on visual observation of at least 200 spermatozoa in a microscope followed by a classification stage based on strict criteria. But this method has led to incorrect results due to various factors such as different...

BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been demonstrated in the sperm of a large percentage of sexually active males and is associated with an impairment of sperm parameters, with a particular negative impact on sperm motility, suggesting a possible role in male infertility. Conventional sperm selection techniques have a low efficiency in removing HPV. METHODS Evaluation of sperm...

The classical idea about the function of the mammalian sperm chromatin is that it serves to transmit a highly protected and transcriptionally inactive paternal genome, largely condensed by protamines, to the next generation. In addition, recent sperm chromatin genome-wide dissection studies indicate the presence of a differential distribution of the genes and repetitive sequences in the protami...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the presence of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and evaluate its function in ejaculated spermatozoa. DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING Reproductive Research Center. PATIENT(S) Semen specimens from 18 healthy donors and 12 infertile males. INTERVENTION(S) Ejaculated spermatozoa were subjected to sperm fractionation with a double-layer density gradient, prot...

Although studies have demonstrated reasonable pregnancy rates in single-ovulating heifers inseminated with sexed sperm, it is not yet clear if sexed sperm can be successfully used in superovulated females. Therefore, the objective of this trial was to determine fertilization rate and embryo quality in superovulated heifers inseminated with frozen-thawed Xchromosome bearing sperm at 2 different ...

Sperm depletion in males can occur when polygynous species are intensively exploited under a male-biased management strategy. In fisheries involving crabs species, the effects of this type of management on the reproductive potential is far from being understood. This study tests whether male-biased management of the principal Chilean crab fishery is able to affect the potential capacity of Meta...