This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01-HD093827 and R03-HD090304 (A.J.T).

All animal procedures were performed under the guidelines and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Cornell University (#2002-0095). 8-10 weeks old AcroSensE mice2 were used for the present study. Requests for information on the availability of the AcroSensE mice can be submitted to the corresponding author.
1. Sperm collection and washing
<ol>
	<li>Collect cauda epididymal sperm (more details on this procedure are provided in...

Combining Imaging with a Stimulant Delivery System to Study Live Mouse Sperm

<ol>
	<li>Austin, C. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Observations+on+the+penetration+of+the+sperm+in+the+mammalian+egg.">Observations on the penetration of the sperm in the mammalian egg.</a> Aust J Sci Res B. 4 (4), 581-596 (1951).</li><li>Cohen, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+genetically+targeted+sensor+reveals+spatial+and+temporal+dynamics+of+acrosomal+calcium+and+sperm+acrosome+exocytosis.">A genetically targeted sensor reveals spatial and temporal dynamics of acrosomal calcium and sperm acrosome exocytosis.</a> J Biol Chem. 298 (5), 101868 (2022).</li><li>Cohen, R., Mukai, C., Travis, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipid+regulation+of+acrosome+exocytosis.">Lipid regulation of acrosome exocytosis.</a> Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol. 220, 107-127 (2016).</li><li>Harper, C. V., Cummerson, J. A., White, M. R., Publicover, S. J., Johnson, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+resolution+of+acrosomal+exocytosis+in+human+sperm.">Dynamic resolution of acrosomal exocytosis in human sperm.</a> J Cell Sci. 121, 2130-2135 (2008).</li><li>Sosa, C. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kinetics+of+human+sperm+acrosomal+exocytosis).">Kinetics of human sperm acrosomal exocytosis).</a> Mol Hum Reprod. 21 (3), 244-254 (2015).</li><li>Balestrini, P. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seeing+is+believing:+Current+methods+to+observe+sperm+acrosomal+exocytosis+in+real+time.">Seeing is believing: Current methods to observe sperm acrosomal exocytosis in real time.</a> Mol Reprod Dev. 87 (12), 1188-1198 (2020).</li><li>Nakanishi, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-time+observation+of+acrosomal+dispersal+from+mouse+sperm+using+GFP+as+a+marker+protein.">Real-time observation of acrosomal dispersal from mouse sperm using GFP as a marker protein.</a> FEBS Lett. 449 (2-3), 277-283 (1999).</li><li>Kim, K. S., Gerton, G. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+release+of+soluble+and+matrix+components:+evidence+for+intermediate+states+of+secretion+during+spontaneous+acrosomal+exocytosis+in+mouse+sperm.">Differential release of soluble and matrix components: evidence for intermediate states of secretion during spontaneous acrosomal exocytosis in mouse sperm.</a> Dev Biol. 264 (1), 141-152 (2003).</li><li>Hasuwa, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transgenic+mouse+sperm+that+have+green+acrosome+and+red+mitochondria+allow+visualization+of+sperm+and+their+acrosome+reaction+in+vivo.">Transgenic mouse sperm that have green acrosome and red mitochondria allow visualization of sperm and their acrosome reaction in vivo.</a> Experimental animals / Japanese Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 59 (1), 105-107 (2010).</li><li>Henderson, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Low-Affinity+GCaMP3+Variant+(GCaMPer)+for+imaging+the+endoplasmic+reticulum+calcium+store.">A Low-Affinity GCaMP3 Variant (GCaMPer) for imaging the endoplasmic reticulum calcium store.</a> PloS one. 10 (10), 0139273 (2015).</li><li>Travis, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+relationships+between+capacitation-dependent+cell+signaling+and+compartmentalized+metabolic+pathways+in+murine+spermatozoa.">Functional relationships between capacitation-dependent cell signaling and compartmentalized metabolic pathways in murine spermatozoa.</a> J Biol Chem. 276 (10), 7630-7636 (2001).</li><li>Cohen, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipid+modulation+of+calcium+flux+through+CaV2.3+regulates+acrosome+exocytosis+and+fertilization.">Lipid modulation of calcium flux through CaV2.3 regulates acrosome exocytosis and fertilization.</a> Dev Cell. 28 (3), 310-321 (2014).</li><li>Sanchez-Cardenas, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acrosome+reaction+and+Ca(2)(+)+imaging+in+single+human+spermatozoa:+new+regulatory+roles+of+[Ca(2)(+)]i.">Acrosome reaction and Ca(2)(+) imaging in single human spermatozoa: new regulatory roles of [Ca(2)(+)]i.</a> Biol Reprod. 91 (2), 67 (2014).</li></ol>

No authors have conflicts of interest to report related to this work.

Here, a microscopy-based method is described to utilize the newly generated AcroSensE mouse model for real-time, single-cell monitoring and analysis of the interplay between acrosomal calcium dynamics and intermediate steps leading to AE. Together with readily available genetic approaches, such as crossbreeding with other mouse genetic models or gene editing, this model and method provide a powerful system to study the role of various components and pathways that take part in sperm signaling pathways related to capacitat...

Sperm acquire the ability to fertilize during a process called capacitation1. One endpoint of this process is that the sperm acquire the ability to undergo AE. Over two decades of data support the presence of a complex, multi-step model of AE in mammalian sperm (summarized in2,3). However, studying AE in live sperm is challenging, and currently available methods to monitor this process with adequate resolution are cumbersome and require multiple preparation steps4, are limited to the detection of the final step of AE (e.g., using PNA5), are limited to measurements of changes in cytosolic calcium (in contrast to acrosomal calcium dynamics), or are limited to measurements of either cytosolic calcium dynamics or AE6.
To overcome some of the key limitations of real-time AE studies under physiological conditions and to enable investigation of the interplay between calcium dynamics and AE, a unique mouse model was generated. In this mouse model, a fusion protein composed of the genetically encoded Ca2+-sensor (GCaMP3) and mCherry is expressed and targeted to the acrosome using an acrosin promoter and signaling peptide2. The targeted dual GCaMP3-mCherry sensor enables simultaneous real-time measurements of calcium concentrations and the status of the acrosomal contents in live sperm under physiological conditions using microscopy and a single-cell stimulant delivery system (Figure 1). As a component of the acrosomal matrix, membrane fusion, and AE would result in the loss of the photostable and pH-insensitive mCherry fluorescence from the sperm, as this protein diffuses out of the acrosome vesicle. In this regard, the model&#39;s ability to reflect the timing and occurrence of AE is akin to the benefits of the acrosome-targeted GFP mouse line7,8,9.
The GCaMP3 variant used in this transgenic mouse line has an approximate KD of 400 &#181;M and a dynamic range for Ca2+ of 10-4-10-3 M10, which is suitable for this vesicle. We showed that this combination of features of GCaMP3 could reveal fusion pore formation between the plasma membrane and the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM)2. The fusion pore detection is a result of the pore size being too small to allow the AcroSensE protein to disperse out of the acrosome (via loss of acrosome content) while providing a membrane &#34;channel&#34; that enables the influx of Ca2+ ions into the acrosome lumen, leading to an increase in fluorescence intensity of the GCaMP3.
The bright, monomeric, non-calcium-sensitive fluorescent protein mCherry supports visualization of the acrosome while the GCaMP3 signal is faint (e.g., prior to Ca2+ binding, Figure 2), and importantly, it also allows for the identification of acrosome-intact sperm cells suitable for imaging.
The following protocol describes the utilization of the unique AcroSensE mouse model and the methods for microscopy used experimentally to study AE and sperm calcium dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>100x oil objective&#160;</td>
			<td>Olympus Japan</td>
			<td>UPlanApo,</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C0926</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>35 mm coverslip dish, 1.5 thickness</td>
			<td>MatTek Corp.&#160;</td>
			<td>P35G-1.5-20-C&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5 mL round-bottomed tube</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Borosilicate glass capilarries</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument Co. CA USA</td>
			<td>B200-156-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C4901</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus Japan</td>
			<td>Olympus FluoView&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G7528</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Graduated tip&#160;</td>
			<td>TipOne, USA Scientific</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H7006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ&#160;</td>
			<td>National Institutes of Health</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/plugins/index.html</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P9541</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lactic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G5889</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Live-Cell Microscope Incubation Systems&#160;</td>
			<td>TOKAI HIT Shizuoka, Japan</td>
			<td>Model STX</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M8266</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micropipette Puller&#160;</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument Co. CA USA</td>
			<td>Model P-97</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S3014</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S6297</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic transfer pipette&#160;</td>
			<td>FisherBrand&#160;</td>
			<td>13-711-6M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-D-lysine&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P7280</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pyruvic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>107360</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single cell delivery system</td>
			<td>Parker, Hauppauge, NY</td>
			<td>Picospritzer III</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

real-time imaging of acrosomal calcium dynamics and exocytosis in live mouse sperm

Acrosome exocytosis (AE), in which the sperm&#39;s single exocytotic vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane, is a complex, calcium-dependent process essential for fertilization. However, our understanding of how calcium signaling regulates AE is still incomplete. In particular, the interplay between intra-acrosomal calcium dynamics and the intermediate steps leading to AE is not well-defined. Here, we describe a method that provides spatial and temporal insights into acrosomal calcium dynamics and their relationship to membrane fusion and subsequent exocytosis of the acrosome vesicle. The method utilizes a novel transgenic mouse expressing an Acrosome-targeted Sensor for Exocytosis (AcroSensE). The sensor combines a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GCaMP) fused with mCherry. This fusion protein was specifically designed to enable the concurrent observation of acrosomal calcium dynamics and membrane fusion events. Real-time monitoring of acrosomal calcium dynamics and AE in live AcroSensE sperm is achieved using a combination of high frame-rate imaging and a stimulant delivery system that can target single sperm. This protocol also provides several examples of basic methods to quantify and analyze the raw data. Because the AcroSensE model is genetically encoded, its scientific significance can be augmented by using readily available genetic tools, such as crossbreeding with other mouse genetic models or gene-editing (CRISPR) based methods. With this strategy, the roles of additional signaling pathways in sperm capacitation and fertilization can be resolved. In summary, the method described here provides a convenient and effective tool to study calcium dynamics in a specific subcellular compartment-the sperm acrosome-and how those dynamics regulate the intermediate steps leading to membrane fusion and acrosome exocytosis.

Author Spotlight: A Live Cell Imaging Technique to Study Calcium Signaling and Acrosome Exocytosis in Mouse Sperm 

Real-Time Imaging of Acrosomal Calcium Dynamics and Exocytosis in Live Mouse Sperm

Our research goal is to better understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate sperm function, including the processes such as capacitation and fertilization. Specifically, we're exploring how membrane lipids activate calcium signaling and acrosome exocytosis. This protocol addresses the gap in our understanding of the interplay between capacitation, sperm activation, calcium signaling, and acrosome exocytosis.The advantages of this protocol include imaging sperm under physiological conditions, as well as its ability to simultaneously monitor both calcium signaling and acrosome exocytosis without the need for complicated preloading or standing procedures.

Figure 2 provides a simplified illustration showing the sequence of fluorescence changes expected following the successful stimulation of sperm. The top panel of Figure 2 illustrates the changes in GCaMP3 fluorescence intensity, where the signal is initially dim (baseline acrosomal calcium concentrations are lower than GCaMP3 KD), and upon the entry of calcium ions via fusion pores, the fluorescence increases in brightness. Finally, upon AE, there is a ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Live Cell Imaging Technique to Study Calcium Signaling and Acrosome Exocytosis in Mouse Sperm at JoVE.com

The AcroSensE mouse model and live cell imaging methods described here provide a new approach to studying calcium dynamics in the subcellular compartment of the sperm acrosome and how they regulate intermediate steps leading to membrane fusion and acrosome exocytosis.

Acrosome exocytosis (AE), in which the sperm&#39;s single exocytotic vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane, is a complex, calcium-dependent process ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

Collection and Washing of Sperm from the AcroSensE Mouse Model for Real-Time Imaging

Begin by collecting sperm from the cota epididymus, isolated from a transgenic model mouse expressing AcroSensE. Perform the sperm collection in a 3.5 centimeter tissue culture dish containing 0.5 milliliters of MW medium by allowing a 15 minute swim out procedure at 37 degrees Celsius. Then using fine forceps, carefully remove any epididymal tissue from the swim out collection dish.Transfer the medium containing the sperm into a 15 milliliter conical tube and using a swinging bucket rotor centrifuge the suspension at 100 G for one minute at room temperature. With the help of a plastic pipette, collect the MW supernatant containing the sperm while discarding any pellet of gross tissue debris and transfer it to a round bottom tube. Adjust the supernatant volume to one milliliter by adding 500 microliters of MW medium prewarmed to 37 degrees Celsius.Centrifuge this mixture at 400 G for eight minutes at room temperature in a round bottom tube. Then carefully remove the supernatant while leaving behind the loosely pelleted sperm. Using a large bore transfer pipe, re-suspend the sperm by gently tapping the tube manually known as finger flicking.Once the sperm are evenly re-suspended, transfer them into a new round bottom tube.

Setting up the Single Cell Stimulant Delivery System for Real-Time Monitoring of Live Mouse Sperm

To begin, pull borosilicate glass capillaries with an outer diameter of two millimeters and an inner diameter of 1.56 millimeters, following appropriate settings. Prior to filling the capillary before each experiment, use fine tweezers to break open the tip of the capillary. For loading the capillary, use the stimulating solution at three to five times the normal concentration of the stimulant required.With a thin plastic transfer pipette, slowly inject the stimulating solution into the capillary until 3/4 of its length is filled. Eliminate any air bubbles that may form during the filling process by gently flicking the capillary. Then, mount the filled capillary on the micromanipulator.Configure the single cell delivery system settings to provide a 10-second pulse at five psi. Connect the borosilicate capillary mounted on the micromanipulator to the single cell delivery system pipette holder. Apply a brief puff lasting two seconds at a pressure of 20 psi, while observing the capillary tip to confirm that the solution is being dispensed through the tip's end.The setup is now ready for use with microscopy for real-time imaging of a single mouse sperm.

Combining Microscopy with a Stimulant Delivery System to Monitor Live Sperm from an AcroSensE Model Mouse

Begin by coating the 35-millimeter coverslip dishes with Poly-D-Lysine, or PDL. To do so, dispense a 0.5 microliter droplet of PDL at the center of a coverslip dish. Using a 10-microliter graduated pipette, smear the PDL droplet across the coverslip.Allow the coated coverslip dish to dry at 37 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. For imaging the freshly collected sperm from a mouse model expressing AcroSensE, add 80 microliters of the prepared sperm suspension to the center of the PDL-coated coverslip dish. Then, slowly add three milliliters of supplemented, modified Whitten's base media pre-warmed to 37 degrees Celsius to the dish.Proceed to perform the imaging using a combination of a microscope with the single cell stimulant delivery setup. First, mount the dish containing the sperm on the microscope. Then, using the micromanipulator, position the capillary tip of the stimulant delivery system about 100 microns to the side and five to 10 microns above the plane of the cell of interest.Position the capillary within 100 microns from the sperm head. Next, start the imaging sequence on the microscope. Image sperm cells at a high frame rate, preferably greater than 10 frames per second.10 seconds after initiating the image acquisition, activate the single cell delivery system to deliver a 10-second puff of stimulant. Continue capturing images of cells for a duration of 10 to 15 minutes. In a similar manner, image multiple cells from a single dish according to the locations shown on the screen.

633 Views.  Cornell University.  The AcroSensE mouse model and live cell imaging methods described here provide a new approach to studying calcium dynamics in the subcellular compartment of the sperm acrosome and how they regulate intermediate steps leading to membrane fusion and acrosome exocytosis.

Combining Imaging with a Stimulant Delivery System to Study Live Mouse Sperm

Summary