Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously produced signaling molecule that belongs to the group of gasotransmitters along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). H2S plays a pivotal role in male reproductive processes. It is produced in various tissues and cells of the male reproductive system, including testicular tissue, Leydig and Sertoli cells, epididymis, seminal plasma, prostate, penile tissues, and sperm cells. This review aims to summarize the knowledge about the presence and effects of H2S in male reproductive tissues and outline possible therapeutic strategies in pathological conditions related to male fertility, e. g. spermatogenetic disorders and erectile dysfunction (ED). For instance, H2S supports spermatogenesis by maintaining the integrity of the blood-testicular barrier (BTB), stimulating testosterone production, and providing cytoprotective effects. In spermatozoa, H2S modulates sperm motility, promotes sperm maturation, capacitation, and acrosome reaction, and has significant cytoprotective effects. Given its vasorelaxant effects, it supports the erection of penile tissue. These findings suggest the importance and therapeutic potential of H2S in male reproduction, paving the way for further research and potential clinical applications.

• Klíčová slova
• antioxidant, erectile function, hydrogen sulfide, male reproduction, sperm, testes, vasorelaxation,
• MeSH
• erektilní dysfunkce farmakoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužská infertilita metabolismus   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• mužské pohlavní orgány metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• rozmnožování * účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• spermatogeneze * účinky léků   MeSH
• spermie účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• sulfan * metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• testis metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• sulfan * MeSH

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous signaling molecule produced in the body by three enzymes: cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST). H2S is crucial in various physiological processes associated with female mammalian reproduction. These include estrus cycle, oocyte maturation, oocyte aging, ovulation, embryo transport and early embryo development, the development of the placenta and fetal membranes, pregnancy, and the initiation of labor. Despite the confirmed presence of H2S-producing enzymes in all female reproductive tissues, as described in this review, the exact mechanisms of H2S action in these tissues remain in most cases unclear. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the knowledge about the presence and effects of H2S in these tissues and outline possible signaling pathways that mediate these effects. Understanding these pathways may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies in the field of women's health and perinatal medicine.

• Klíčová slova
• cystathionine beta synthase, cystathionine gamma lyase, early embryo development, female reproduction, gravidity, hydrogen sulfide, oocyte physiology, uterus,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Various recent studies dedicated to the role of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in somatic cells provide evidence for an interaction of the two gasotransmitters. In the case of male gametes, only the action of a single donor of each gasotransmitter has been investigated up until today. It has been demonstrated that, at low concentrations, both gasotransmitters alone exert a positive effect on sperm quality parameters. Moreover, the activity of gaseous cellular messengers may be affected by the presence of oxidative stress, an underlying condition of several male reproductive disorders. In this study, we explored the effect of the combination of two donors SNP and NaHS (NO and H2S donors, respectively) on boar spermatozoa under oxidative stress. We applied NaHS, SNP, and their combination (DD) at 100 nM concentration in boar spermatozoa samples treated with Fe2+/ascorbate system. After 90 min of incubation at 38 °C, we have observed that progressive motility (PMot) and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were improved (p < 0.05) in DD treatment compared to the Ctr sample under oxidative stress (CtrOX). Moreover, the PMot of DD treatment was higher (p < 0.05) than that of NaHS. Similar to NaHS, SNP treatment did not overcome the PMot and PMI of CtrOX. In conclusion, for the first time, we provide evidence that the combination of SNP and NaHS surmounts the effect of single-donor application in terms of PMot and PMI in porcine spermatozoa under oxidative stress.

• Klíčová slova
• boar spermatozoa, gasotransmitter interaction, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, oxidative stress,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of different cell types, but little is known about its role in sperm cells. Because of its reducing properties, we hypothesise that H2S protects spermatozoa against the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, a condition that is common to several male fertility disorders. This study aimed i) to determine the total antioxidant capacities of Na2S and GYY4137, which are fast- and slow-releasing H2S donors, respectively, and ii) to test whether H2S donors are able to protect spermatozoa against oxidative stress. We found that Na2S and GYY4137 show different antioxidant properties, with the total antioxidant capacity of Na2S being mostly unstable and even undetectable at 150 µM. Moreover, both H2S donors preserve sperm motility and reduce acrosome loss, although the effects were both dose and donor dependent. Within the range of concentrations tested (3-300 µM), GYY4137 showed positive effects on sperm motility, whereas Na2S was beneficial at the lowest concentration but detrimental at the highest. Our findings show that Na2S and GYY4137 have different antioxidant properties and suggest that both H2S donors might be used as in vitro therapeutic agents against oxidative stress in sperm cells, although the optimal therapeutic range differs between the compounds.

• MeSH
• antioxidancia farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• morfoliny farmakologie   MeSH
• motilita spermií účinky léků   MeSH
• organothiofosforové sloučeniny farmakologie   MeSH
• oxidační stres účinky léků   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• spermie účinky léků   MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   MeSH
• sulfidy farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH
• GYY 4137 MeSH Prohlížeč
• morfoliny MeSH
• organothiofosforové sloučeniny MeSH
• sodium sulfide MeSH Prohlížeč
• sulfan MeSH
• sulfidy MeSH

After being historically considered as noxious agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are now listed as gasotransmitters, gaseous molecules that play a key role in a variety of cellular functions. Both NO and H2S are endogenously produced, enzymatically or non-enzymatically, and interact with each other in a range of cells and tissues. In spite of the great advances achieved in recent decades in other biological systems, knowledge about H2S function and interactions with NO in sperm biology is in its infancy. Here, we aim to provide an update on the importance of these molecules in the physiology of the male gamete. Special emphasis is given to the most recent advances in the metabolism, mechanisms of action, and effects (both physiological and pathophysiological) of these gasotransmitters. This manuscript also illustrates the physiological implications of NO and H2S observed in other cell types, which might be important for sperm function. The relevance of these gasotransmitters to several signaling pathways within sperm cells highlights their potential use for the improvement and successful application of assisted reproductive technologies.

• Klíčová slova
• gasotransmitters, hydrogen sulfide, interaction, metabolism, nitric oxide, spermatozoa,
• MeSH
• gasotransmitery chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oxid dusnatý metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• reaktivní formy dusíku chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• síra chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• spermie chemie   enzymologie   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gasotransmitery MeSH
• oxid dusnatý MeSH
• reaktivní formy dusíku MeSH
• síra MeSH
• sulfan MeSH

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is addressed in Xenopuslaevis oocytes. Three enzymes involved in H2S metabolism, cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, were detected in prophase I and metaphase II-arrested oocytes and drove an acceleration of oocyte meiosis resumption when inhibited. Moreover, meiosis resumption is associated with a significant decrease in endogenous H2S. On another hand, a dose-dependent inhibition was obtained using the H2S donor, NaHS (1 and 5 mM). NaHS impaired translation. NaHS did not induce the dissociation of the components of the M-phase promoting factor (MPF), cyclin B and Cdk1, nor directly impacted the MPF activity. However, the M-phase entry induced by microinjection of metaphase II MPF-containing cytoplasm was diminished, suggesting upstream components of the MPF auto-amplification loop were sensitive to H2S. Superoxide dismutase and catalase hindered the effects of NaHS, and this sensitivity was partially dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast to other species, no apoptosis was promoted. These results suggest a contribution of H2S signaling in the timing of amphibian oocytes meiosis resumption.

• Klíčová slova
• Xenopus laevis, cell cycle, hydrogen sulfide, meiosis, oocyte,
• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• cyklin B metabolismus   MeSH
• cystathionin-beta-synthasa antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• cystathionin-gama-lyasa antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• cytoplazma metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor podporující zrání metabolismus   MeSH
• fosfatasy cdc25 metabolismus   MeSH
• katalasa metabolismus   MeSH
• meióza účinky léků   MeSH
• metafáze účinky léků   MeSH
• oocyty chemie   enzymologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• profáze meiózy I účinky léků   MeSH
• proteinkinasy metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny Xenopus metabolismus   MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   MeSH
• sulfidy metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfurtransferasy antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• superoxiddismutasa metabolismus   MeSH
• viabilita buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• Xenopus laevis MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase MeSH Prohlížeč
• CDC25C protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• CDK1 protein, Xenopus MeSH Prohlížeč
• cyklin B MeSH
• cystathionin-beta-synthasa MeSH
• cystathionin-gama-lyasa MeSH
• faktor podporující zrání MeSH
• fosfatasy cdc25 MeSH
• katalasa MeSH
• proteinkinasy MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu MeSH
• proteiny Xenopus MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku MeSH
• sodium bisulfide MeSH Prohlížeč
• sulfan MeSH
• sulfidy MeSH
• sulfurtransferasy MeSH
• superoxiddismutasa MeSH