Junaid Kashir1,2,3. 1. College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. jkashir@alfaisal.edu. 2. School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. jkashir@alfaisal.edu. 3. Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. jkashir@alfaisal.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Oocyte activation is a fundamental event at mammalian fertilization. In mammals, this process is initiated by a series of characteristic calcium (Ca2+) oscillations, induced by a sperm-specific phospholipase C (PLC) termed PLCzeta (PLCζ). Dysfunction/reduction/deletion of PLCζ is associated with forms of male infertility where the sperm is unable to initiate Ca2+ oscillations and oocyte activation, specifically in cases of fertilization failure. This review article aims to systematically summarize recent advancements and controversies in the field to update expanding clinical associations between PLCζ and various male factor conditions. This article also discusses how such associations may potentially underlie defective embryogenesis and recurrent implantation failure following fertility treatments, alongside potential diagnostic and therapeutic PLCζ approaches, aiming to direct future research efforts to utilize such knowledge clinically. METHODS: An extensive literature search was performed using literature databases (PubMed/MEDLINE/Web of Knowledge) focusing on phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta; PLCζ), oocyte activation, and calcium oscillations, as well as specific male factor conditions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Defective PLCζ or PLCζ-induced Ca2+ release can be linked to multiple forms of male infertility including abnormal sperm parameters and morphology, sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation, and abnormal embryogenesis/pregnancies. Such sperm exhibit absent/reduced levels, and abnormal localization patterns of PLCζ within the sperm head. CONCLUSIONS: Defective PLCζ and abnormal patterns of Ca2+ release are increasingly suspected a significant causative factor underlying abnormalities or insufficiencies in Ca2+ oscillation-driven early embryogenic events. Such cases could potentially strongly benefit from relevant therapeutic and diagnostic applications of PLCζ, or even alternative mechanisms, following further focused research efforts.
PURPOSE: Oocyte activation is a fundamental event at mammalian fertilization. In mammals, this process is initiated by a series of characteristic calcium (Ca2+) oscillations, induced by a sperm-specific phospholipase C (PLC) termed PLCzeta (PLCζ). Dysfunction/reduction/deletion of PLCζ is associated with forms of male infertility where the sperm is unable to initiate Ca2+ oscillations and oocyte activation, specifically in cases of fertilization failure. This review article aims to systematically summarize recent advancements and controversies in the field to update expanding clinical associations between PLCζ and various male factor conditions. This article also discusses how such associations may potentially underlie defective embryogenesis and recurrent implantation failure following fertility treatments, alongside potential diagnostic and therapeutic PLCζ approaches, aiming to direct future research efforts to utilize such knowledge clinically. METHODS: An extensive literature search was performed using literature databases (PubMed/MEDLINE/Web of Knowledge) focusing on phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta; PLCζ), oocyte activation, and calcium oscillations, as well as specific male factor conditions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Defective PLCζ or PLCζ-induced Ca2+ release can be linked to multiple forms of male infertility including abnormal sperm parameters and morphology, sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation, and abnormal embryogenesis/pregnancies. Such sperm exhibit absent/reduced levels, and abnormal localization patterns of PLCζ within the sperm head. CONCLUSIONS: Defective PLCζ and abnormal patterns of Ca2+ release are increasingly suspected a significant causative factor underlying abnormalities or insufficiencies in Ca2+ oscillation-driven early embryogenic events. Such cases could potentially strongly benefit from relevant therapeutic and diagnostic applications of PLCζ, or even alternative mechanisms, following further focused research efforts.
Authors: Marie-José Pelinck; Annemieke Hoek; Arnold H M Simons; Maas Jan Heineman; Janny van Echten-Arends; Eus G J M Arts Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2009-05-12 Impact factor: 7.329
Authors: N Sermondade; E Hafhouf; C Dupont; S Bechoua; C Palacios; F Eustache; C Poncelet; B Benzacken; R Lévy; C Sifer Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2011-08-19 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Michelle M Denomme; Blair R McCallie; Jason C Parks; William B Schoolcraft; Mandy G Katz-Jaffe Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2017-12-01 Impact factor: 6.918