Multivariate analysis of male reproductive function in Inpp5b-/- mice reveals heterogeneity in defects in fertility, sperm-egg membrane interaction and proteolytic cleavage of sperm ADAMs

Mol Hum Reprod. 2010 Jul;16(7):492-505. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaq029. Epub 2010 Apr 19.

Abstract

Past work indicated that sperm from mice deficient in the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase Inpp5b have reduced ability to fertilize eggs in vitro and reduced epididymal proteolytic processing of the sperm protein A Disintegrin and A Metalloprotease 2 (ADAM2). On the basis of these data, our central working hypothesis was that reduced ADAM cleavage would correlate with reduced sperm-egg binding and fusion and in turn with reduced male fertility in Inpp5b(-/-) mice. Multiple endpoints of reproductive functions [mating trials, in vitro fertilization (IVF) assays and ADAM2 and ADAM3 cleavage] were investigated on a male-by-male basis, with pair-wise correlation analysis used to assess the relationships between these various parameters. Motile sperm from Inpp5b(-/-) mice showed significantly reduced fertilization of zona pellucida-free eggs due to reduced binding to the egg plasma membrane and subsequent fusion. Localization of a mouse sperm protein required for gamete fusion, IZUMO1, appears normal in Inpp5b-null sperm. To our surprise and differing from previous reports, we found that ADAM cleavage was only modestly impaired in numerous Inpp5b-null males and varied between individual animals. Performance in mating trials also differed from past reports. The pair-wise correlation analysis revealed that ADAM2 and ADAM3 cleavage was positively correlated, suggesting that processing of these proteins occurs by related/identical mechanisms, but otherwise, there were few correlations between the reproductive endpoints examined here. Nevertheless, this work provides detailed analysis of the Inpp5b(-/-) phenotype and also a blueprint for multivariate analysis to examine relationships between molecular characteristics and in vitro and in vivo physiological functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertilins
  • Fertility / genetics
  • Fertility / physiology*
  • Immunoglobulins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / genetics*
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions / genetics
  • Sperm-Ovum Interactions / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Izumo1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • ADAM Proteins
  • Adam2 protein, mouse
  • Adam3 protein, mouse
  • Fertilins