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Sperm select penetration test reveals differences in sperm quality in strains with different Y chromosome genotype in
1Department of Genetics and Evolution, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
Abstract:
Mouse sperm penetration into a hyaluronic acid polymer (Sperm Select), hypoosmotic swelling in distilled water (water test), and eosin-Y staining were studied in sperm samples from males belonging to five inbred strains of mice (CBA, KE, KE-YCBA, B10.BR, and B10.BR-Ydel), which differ in the proportion of abnormal sperm heads and in efficiency of fertilization. Correlation coefficients, calculated from mean values for each strain, showed that Sperm Select penetration (to the depth of 1-2 cm) was significantly correlated with both sperm motility and fertilization efficiency, while correlation with the proportion of normal spermatozoa did not reach the level of significance. The indices of the water test and erosin Y staining were correlated with each other but not with Sperm Select penetration. In comparison with the B10.BR strain, its mutant strain B10.BR-Ydel, with a large deletion in the long arm of the Y chromosome and characterized by highly elevated proportion of abnormal sperm and low fertilization efficiency, showed lower values of the indices of all tests, suggesting that the partial deletion of the Y chromosome has affected various aspects of sperm morphology and function. On the other hand, for two consomic strains (KE and KE-YCBA with the Y chromosome introduced from the CBA strain), the difference in sperm morphology and fertilization rate was correlated with Sperm Select penetration but not with hypoosmotic swelling or eosin-Y staining; this suggests that only some aspects of sperm physiology are due to genetic differences between YKE and YCBA chromosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insights
Sperm Select penetration, a measure of sperm function, correlated with fertilization efficiency in mice. Other tests like the water test and eosin-Y staining showed different correlations, indicating varied impacts of Y chromosome deletions on sperm.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics
- Sperm Physiology
Background:
- Sperm quality is crucial for fertilization efficiency.
- Assessing sperm function requires reliable and correlated testing methods.
- Genetic factors, including Y chromosome variations, can influence sperm morphology and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between different sperm function tests and fertilization efficiency in inbred mouse strains.
- To evaluate the impact of Y chromosome deletions on sperm morphology and function.
- To determine the utility of Sperm Select, water test, and eosin-Y staining in assessing sperm quality.
Main Methods:
- Sperm samples from five inbred mouse strains were analyzed using Sperm Select penetration, hypoosmotic swelling (water test), and eosin-Y staining.
- Correlation coefficients were calculated between test results, sperm motility, fertilization efficiency, and proportion of normal spermatozoa.
- Comparisons were made between a control strain (B10.BR) and a Y chromosome deletion mutant (B10.BR-Ydel), as well as consomic strains (KE and KE-YCBA).
Main Results:
- Sperm Select penetration showed significant correlation with sperm motility and fertilization efficiency.
- The water test and eosin-Y staining were correlated with each other but not with Sperm Select penetration.
- The Y chromosome deletion mutant exhibited lower values across all tests, indicating impaired sperm morphology and function.
- Consomic strains showed differences in sperm morphology and fertilization rate correlated with Sperm Select penetration, but not other tests.
Conclusions:
- Sperm Select penetration is a valuable indicator of sperm motility and fertilization efficiency in mice.
- The water test and eosin-Y staining assess different aspects of sperm physiology compared to Sperm Select.
- Partial Y chromosome deletions can significantly impair sperm function and morphology.
- Genetic differences between Y chromosomes influence specific aspects of sperm physiology.