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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330489
Title: Incorporation of nanoparticles within mammalian spermatozoa using in vitro capacitation

Author
item DURFEY, CASEY - Mississippi State University
item MYLES, LEAH - Tuskegee University
item PLESS, SCOTT - Mississippi State University
item WILLARD, SCOTT - Mississippi State University
item RYAN, PETER - Mississippi State University
item FEUGANG, JEAN - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Journal of Nanobiotechnology (Biomed Central Open Access)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/5/2015
Publication Date: 10/15/2015
Citation: Durfey, C.L., Myles, L.T., Pless, S.H., Willard, S.T., Ryan, P.L., Feugang, J.M. 2015. Incorporation of nanoparticles within mammalian spermatozoa using in vitro capacitation. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (Biomed Central Open Access). P. 20.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There is still much unknown about the journey of spermatozoa within the female genital tract. Recent studies have investigated mammalian spermatozoa labeling with fluorescent quantum dot nanoparticles (QD) for non-invasive imaging. Furthermore, the incorporation of these QD within the spermatozoa may also be possible through induced-capacitation for enhanced intracellular imaging. Here, mature boar spermatozoa were suspended in modified Tris-Buffered Medium containing BSA fraction-V (mTBM-BSA), supplemented or not with QD, QD+Caffeine, or QD+Heparin (n=4 replicates). After 30 and 60 minutes incubation at 37-38oC, samples were analyzed for sperm motility to evaluate induced-capacitation (Caffeine and Heparin). Samples were assessed for fluorescence and bioluminescence signal emissions and imaged with a Transmission Electron Microscope for intracellular localization of QD. Significantly increased sperm motility in the presence of caffeine after 30 minutes and velocity characteristics after 30 and 60 minutes were found. Strong bioluminescence signals were present in all QD-labeled spermatozoa, but were not observed in the control group (mTBM-BSA). Results confirm the non-toxicity effect of QD on sperm motility and QD were able to cross the sperm plasma membranes during caffeine and heparin incubations. Data suggest promising applications for future non-invasive molecular imaging.