Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
06:11
Monitoring Blood Glucose in Mouse Offspring After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Published on: May 17, 2024
Proper ubiquitination effect on the fertilisation outcome post-ICSI
M Eskandari-Shahraki1, M Tavalaee, M R Deemeh
1Department of Reproduction and Development, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.
Andrologia
|July 4, 2012
Summary
Sperm ubiquitination, a marker of sperm quality, correlates negatively with sperm concentration but positively with fertilization rates in individuals undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm insemination (ICSI). This suggests ubiquitination may indicate sperm capable of fertilization.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ubiquitin tags proteins for degradation and marks defective sperm during epididymal passage.
- Sperm ubiquitination is a potential biomarker for assessing sperm quality.
- Understanding sperm ubiquitination's role is crucial for male infertility research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sperm ubiquitination, protamine deficiency, semen parameters, and fertilization rates in infertile men undergoing ICSI.
- To determine if sperm ubiquitination can serve as a predictive marker for successful fertilization post-ICSI.
Main Methods:
- Collected and analyzed semen samples from 73 ICSI candidates according to WHO criteria.
- Assessed sperm ubiquitination using the sperm ubiquitin tag immunoassay (SUTI) with flow cytometry.
- Evaluated protamine deficiency via chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining and correlated findings with fertilization rates.
Main Results:
- Sperm ubiquitination intensity showed a significant negative correlation with sperm concentration (r = -0.255, P = 0.032).
- A significant positive correlation was observed between sperm ubiquitination intensity and post-ICSI fertilization rate (r = 0.384, P = 0.013).
- No correlation was found between protamine deficiency and sperm ubiquitination levels.
Conclusions:
- Sperm ubiquitination prior to capacitation may indicate defective spermatozoa.
- Higher sperm ubiquitination levels suggest a greater potential for fertilization.
- The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the epididymis influences sperm quality and fertilizing capacity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:38Fertilization
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...