Novel Advances in Aquaporin Water Channels in the Reproduction of Animals: Morpho-Functional Aspects

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 12980

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Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
Interests: MSCs from domestic animal species; MSCs physiology and behavior for translational regenerative medicine; migration and proliferation of MSCs and role of Aquaporin (AQPs); MSCs, conditioned medium and microenvironment in physiological condition
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Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: immunofluorescence; immunohistochemistry; receptors; spermatogenesis; hypothalamus; testis
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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: marine biology; cell biology; physiology

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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80100 Naples, Italy
Interests: PCR; western blot analysis; gene expression; immunofluorescence; immunohistochemistry; RNA isolation; molecular cell biology; protein expression; proteins; immunoprecipitation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channel proteins widely distributed in humans and animals where they facilitate the transport of water and small solutes inside and outside the cells. The presence of several AQPs reported in different districts of male and female reproductive tract of animals suggests their important role in water homeostasis in order to ensure normal male and female fertility. It is well-known that AQPs can influence different reproductive processes, e.g., spermatogenesis, oocyte transport, estrous cycle and hormonal secretion, completion of successful fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy and birth. Moreover, the study of the AQPs involvement in the mechanisms regulating reproductive functions by sexual hormones or by other factors (nutritional, toxicants, metabolic and environmental conditions) interfering with normal reproductive function, is extremely interesting for functional approaches that should be applied to laboratory, small animals and livestock species.

These findings are confirmed in reproductive disorders and aging where alterations in the expression, function or regulation of AQPs are associated with different cellular and tissue dysfunctions. This Special Issue welcomes original research and review papers addressing innovative morpho-functional aspects of AQPs, including expression, function and regulation in biology and medicine as well as their translational value in pharmacology, in biotechnological and clinical approaches. In detail, the Issue focuses the attention on the functional role of AQPs on the health and fertility preservation of animals including biomedical and livestock species as well as a possible involvement of these proteins in Veterinary Clinician.

We invite you to share your recent findings through this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Alessandra Pelagalli
Dr. Giovanna Liguori
Prof. Nicola Mirabella
Dr. Caterina Squillacioti
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • aquaporins
  • reproductive tract
  • morphology
  • estrous cycle
  • animal physiology
  • hormones
  • spermatogenesis
  • aging
  • fertility dysfunction
  • laboratory animals
  • animals
  • livestock species

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 2275 KiB  
Article
Aquaporins Are Differentially Regulated in Canine Cryptorchid Efferent Ductules and Epididymis
by Caterina Squillacioti, Nicola Mirabella, Giovanna Liguori, Giuseppe Germano and Alessandra Pelagalli
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061539 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3979
Abstract
The efferent ductules and the epididymis are parts of the male reproductive system where spermatozoa mature. Specialized epithelial cells in these ducts contribute to the transport of fluids produced by spermatozoa’s metabolic activity. Aquaporins (AQPs) have been demonstrated to be expressed in the [...] Read more.
The efferent ductules and the epididymis are parts of the male reproductive system where spermatozoa mature. Specialized epithelial cells in these ducts contribute to the transport of fluids produced by spermatozoa’s metabolic activity. Aquaporins (AQPs) have been demonstrated to be expressed in the spermatozoan membrane and testis epithelial cells, where they contribute to regulating spermatozoan volume and transit through environments of differing osmolality. Due to the lack of detailed literature regarding AQP expression in the canine male genital tract, the aim of this study was to investigate both the distribution and expression of AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 in the efferent ductules and epididymal regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) from normal and cryptorchid dogs by using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results show different patterns for the distribution and expression of the examined AQPs, with particular evidence of their upregulation in the caput and downregulation in the cauda region of the canine cryptorchid epididymis. These findings are associated with a modulation of Hsp70 and caspase-3 expression, suggesting the participation of AQPs in the luminal microenvironment modifications that are peculiar characteristics of this pathophysiological condition. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 35529 KiB  
Review
Relevance of Aquaporins for Gamete Function and Cryopreservation
by Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez, Jordi Ribas-Maynou and Marc Yeste
Animals 2022, 12(5), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050573 - 24 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3131
Abstract
The interaction between cells and the extracellular medium is of great importance, and drastic changes in extracellular solute concentrations drive water movement across the plasma membrane. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channels that allow the transport of water and small solutes [...] Read more.
The interaction between cells and the extracellular medium is of great importance, and drastic changes in extracellular solute concentrations drive water movement across the plasma membrane. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channels that allow the transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes. Different members of this family have been identified in gametes. In sperm, they are relevant to osmoadaptation after entering the female reproductive tract, which is crucial for sperm motility activation and capacitation and, thus, for their fertilizing ability. In addition, they are relevant during the cryopreservation process, since some members of this family are also permeable to glycerol, one of the most frequently used cryoprotective agents in livestock. Regarding oocytes, AQPs are very important in their maturation but also during cryopreservation. Further research to define the exact sets of AQPs that are present in oocytes from different species is needed, since the available literature envisages certain AQPs and their roles but does not provide complete information on the whole set of AQPs. This is of considerable importance because, in sperm, specific AQPs are known to compensate the role of non-functional members. Full article
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20 pages, 1216 KiB  
Review
Aquaporins and Animal Gamete Cryopreservation: Advances and Future Challenges
by João C. Ribeiro, David F. Carrageta, Raquel L. Bernardino, Marco G. Alves and Pedro F. Oliveira
Animals 2022, 12(3), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030359 - 2 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4087
Abstract
Cryopreservation is globally used as a method for long-term preservation, although freeze-thawing procedures may strongly impair the gamete function. The correct cryopreservation procedure is characterized by the balance between freezing rate and cryoprotective agents (CPAs), which minimizes cellular dehydration and intracellular ice formation. [...] Read more.
Cryopreservation is globally used as a method for long-term preservation, although freeze-thawing procedures may strongly impair the gamete function. The correct cryopreservation procedure is characterized by the balance between freezing rate and cryoprotective agents (CPAs), which minimizes cellular dehydration and intracellular ice formation. For this purpose, osmoregulation is a central process in cryopreservation. During cryopreservation, water and small solutes, including penetrating cryoprotective agents, cross the plasma membrane. Aquaporins (AQPs) constitute a family of channel proteins responsible for the transport of water, small solutes, and certain gases across biological membranes. Thirteen homologs of AQPs (AQP0-12) have been described. AQPs are widely distributed throughout the male and female reproductive systems, including the sperm and oocyte membrane. The composition of the male and female gamete membrane is of special interest for assisted reproductive techniques (ART), including cryopreservation. In this review, we detail the mechanisms involved in gamete cryopreservation, including the most used techniques and CPAs. In addition, the expression and function of AQPs in the male and female gametes are explored, highlighting the potential protective role of AQPs against damage induced during cryopreservation. Full article
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