A Putative, Ubiquitin-Dependent Epidermal Mechanism for the Recognition and Elimination of Defective Spermatozoa in the Mammalian Epididymis

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dominko T ; Moreno R ; Ramalho-Santos J ; Schatten G ; Simerly C ; Sutovsky P
• Description:
  The normal structure and function of sperm are prerequisites for successful fertilization and embryonic development, but little is known about how defective sperm are eliminated during mammalian spermatogenesis. Here, we describe a ubiquitin-dependent, sperm quality control mechanism that resides in the mammalian epididymis, the site of sperm maturation and storage. We used immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, western blotting and pulse-chase experiments to show that ubiquitin is secreted by the epididymal epithelium and binds to the surface of defective sperm. Most of the ubiquitinated sperm are subsequently phagocytosed by the epididymal epithelial cells. A portion of defective sperm escapes phagocytosis and can be found in the ejaculate. Cultured epididymal cells maintain their ability to produce ubiquitin and phagocytose the defective sperm, as well as the ubiquitin-coated microspheres, in vitro. The surprising phenomenon of cell-surface ubiquitination in defective sperm provides a possible mechanism for sperm quality control in mammals and a new marker of semen abnormalities in men and animals. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Safety Spermatogenesis Urogenital Diseases Urogenital System
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Spermatogenesis Epididymis Fertility Mammalian-cells Reproductive-system Reproductive-system-disorders Spermatozoa Ubiquitin
• ISSN:
  0021-9533
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Missouri ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  114
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20021887
• Citation:
  J Cell Sci 2001 May; 114(9):1665-1675
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Performing Organization:
  University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20000930
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Cell Science
• End Date:
  20020929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ae7bad265f10ea704fe69579744f8873ca8a319bbaf4a90e680881614ca47b225e3f8a8027b06c713af25b1a58f895cea2a321ca13b5fc432adb9bd9122b64d8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/198973/cdc_198973_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 682.92 KB ]