Induction of sperm maturation in vitro in epididymal cell cultures of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii): disruption of motility initiation and sperm morphogenesis by inhibition of actin polymerization

Reproduction. 2002 Jul;124(1):107-17. doi: 10.1530/rep.0.1240107.

Abstract

A sperm-epididymal cell co-culture was shown to be capable of inducing the in vitro maturation of spermatozoa from a marsupial species, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). This system was able to maintain wallaby epididymal epithelial cells in vitro for more than 2 months. The system also enabled immature wallaby spermatozoa to differentiate from a T-shaped to a streamlined form, accompanied by the development of progressive motility after co-culture with epididymal cell monolayers that had been cultured for 7 days. The addition of inhibitors of actin polymerization (latrunculin A or B) to the co-culture system showed that wallaby sperm maturation was impaired by the interruption of actin organization within the immature spermatozoa. These results indicate that actin filaments play a significant role in sperm transformation during post-testicular maturation in marsupials. These observations also indicate that the marsupial co-culture system has the potential to greatly increase understanding of sperm-epididymal cell interactions and the mechanism of sperm maturation in these species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Epididymis / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Macropodidae / physiology*
  • Male
  • Polymers
  • Sperm Maturation*
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa / cytology
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology
  • Thiazolidines

Substances

  • Actins
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Polymers
  • Thiazoles
  • Thiazolidines
  • latrunculin B
  • latrunculin A