Name: isolation and in vitro activation of caenorhabditis elegans sperm
Uploaded: 2011-01-31T19:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm at JoVE.com

We thank Samuel Ward, Diane C. Shakes and Gregory Nelson for pioneering this technique. We thank Pavan Kadandale and Brian Geldziler for videos showing activated spermatozoa; members of the Singson lab for helpful discussions; CGC for strains and NIH for supporting us through grant (R01HD054681).

1) Enrichment of male population
<ol>
	<li>Depending on the experimental need, large numbers of males can be obtained by employing one of the following strategies:
		<ol>
			<li>large population of wild type males can be obtained by crossing 5 wild type males and 1 hermaphrodite on a small lawn of OP50 seeded at the center of NGM plate. Roughly 50% of the succeeding generation will be wild type males.</li>
			<li>him-5(e1490) or him-8(e1489) hermaphrodites throw large number of males...

<ol>
	<li>Kimble, J., Crittenden, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controls+of+germline+stem+cells,+entry+into+meiosis,+and+the+Sperm/Oocyte+decision+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Controls of germline stem cells, entry into meiosis, and the Sperm/Oocyte decision in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology. 23, 405-433 (2007).</li><li>Lhernault, S. W., Roberts, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Methods in Cell Biology. , 273-301 (1995).</li><li>Hodgkin, J., Horvitz, H., Brenner, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nondisjunction+Mutants+of+the+Nematode+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Nondisjunction Mutants of the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 91, 67-94 (1979).</li><li>Altun, Z. F., Hall, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Introduction+to+male+C.+elegans+anatomy.">Introduction to male C. elegans anatomy.</a> WormAtlas. , (2008).</li><li>Shakes, D., Ward, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Initiation+of+spermiogenesis+in+C.+elegans:+a+pharmacological+and+genetic+analysis.">Initiation of spermiogenesis in C. elegans: a pharmacological and genetic analysis.</a> Dev Biol. 134, 189-200 (1989).</li><li>Nelson, G. A., Ward, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vesicle+fusion,+pseudopod+extension+and+amoeboid+motility+are+induced+in+nematode+spermatids+by+the+ionophore+monensin.">Vesicle fusion, pseudopod extension and amoeboid motility are induced in nematode spermatids by the ionophore monensin.</a> Cell. 19, 457-464 (1980).</li><li>L'Hernault, S. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+genetics+and+cell+biology+of+spermatogenesis+in+the+nematode+C.+elegans.">The genetics and cell biology of spermatogenesis in the nematode C. elegans.</a> Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 306, 59-65 (2009).</li><li>Chatterjee, I., Richmond, A., Putiri, E., Shakes, D., Singson, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Caenorhabditis+elegans+spe-38+gene+encodes+a+novel+four-pass+integral+membrane+protein+required+for+sperm+function+at+fertilization.">The Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene encodes a novel four-pass integral membrane protein required for sperm function at fertilization.</a> Development. 132, 2795-2808 (2005).</li><li>Xu, X., Sternberg, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+C.+elegans+sperm+TRP+protein+required+for+sperm-egg+interactions+during+fertilization.">A C. elegans sperm TRP protein required for sperm-egg interactions during fertilization.</a> Cell. 114, 285-297 (2003).</li><li>Nelson, G., Roberts, T., Ward, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Caenorhabditis+elegans+spermatozoan+locomotion:+amoeboid+movement+with+almost+no+actin.">Caenorhabditis elegans spermatozoan locomotion: amoeboid movement with almost no actin.</a> J Cell Biol. 92, 121-131 (1982).</li><li>Machaca, K., DeFelice, L. J., L'Hernault, S. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+chloride+channel+localizes+to+Caenorhabditis+elegans+spermatids+and+chloride+channel+blockers+induce+spermatid+differentiation.">A novel chloride channel localizes to Caenorhabditis elegans spermatids and chloride channel blockers induce spermatid differentiation.</a> Dev Biol. 176, 1-16 (1996).</li><li>LaMunyon, C., Ward, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessing+the+viability+of+mutant+and+manipulated+sperm+by+artificial+insemination+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Assessing the viability of mutant and manipulated sperm by artificial insemination of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 138, 689-692 (1994).</li></ol>

In addition to analyzing Spe mutants, this protocol has other important applications, such as analyzing sperm morphology with aging. Spermatids and spermatozoa isolated using this protocol can be used in other downstream experiments such as, immunostaining of wild type and mutant sperm8, 9, motility of sperm on slides10, physiological measurements9, 11, or even artificial insemination12.

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">	
		
		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Tuberculin syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
<td>309623</td>
<td>Syringe: 1 ml, needle: 27G X &frac12; in</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pap pen</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Zymed</td>
<td>00-8888</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>VWR VistaVision HistoBond Microscope Slides</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR International</td>
<td>16004-406</td>
<td>Dimension: 75X25X1mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cover glass</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR International</td>
<td>48366045</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Protease</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>P-6911</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

isolation and in vitro activation of caenorhabditis elegans sperm

Males and hermaphrodites are the two naturally found sexual forms in the nematode C. elegans. The amoeboid sperm are produced by both males and hermaphrodites. In the earlier phase of gametogenesis, the germ cells of hermaphrodites differentiate into limited number of sperm - around 300 - and are stored in a small 'bag' called the spermatheca. Later on, hermaphrodites continually produce oocytes1. In contrast, males produce exclusively sperm throughout their adulthood. The males produce so much sperm that it accounts for &gt;50% of the total cells in a typical adult worm2. Therefore, isolating sperm from males is easier than from that of hermaphrodites.
Only a small proportion of males are naturally generated due to spontaneous non-disjunction of X chromosome3. Crossing hermaphrodites with males or more conveniently, the introduction of mutations to give rise to Him (High Incidence of Males) phenotype are some of strategies through which one can enrich the male population3.
Males can be easily distinguished from hermaphrodites by observing the tail morphology4. Hermaphrodite's tail is pointed, whereas male tail is rounded with mating structures.
Cutting the tail releases vast number of spermatids stored inside the male reproductive tract. Dissection is performed under a stereo microscope using 27 gauge needles. Since spermatids are not physically connected with any other cells, hydraulic pressure expels internal contents of male body, including spermatids2.
Males are directly dissected on a small drop of 'Sperm Medium'. Spermatids are sensitive to alteration in the pH. Hence, HEPES, a compound with good buffering capacity is used in sperm media. Glucose and other salts present in sperm media help maintain osmotic pressure to maintain the integrity of sperm.
Post-meiotic differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is termed spermiogenesis or sperm activation. Shakes5, and Nelson6 previously showed that round spermatids can be induced to differentiate into spermatozoa by adding various activating compounds including Pronase E. Here we demonstrate in vitro spermiogenesis of C. elegans spermatids using Pronase E.
Successful spermiogenesis is pre-requisite for fertility and hence the mutants defective in spermiogenesis are sterile. Hitherto several mutants have been shown to be defective specifically in spermiogenesis process7. Abnormality found during in vitro activation of novel Spe (Spermatogenesis defective) mutants would help us discover additional players participating in this event.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm at JoVE.com

Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm

A protocol for isolating and activating spermatids from male C. elegans is described here. Cutting the posterior end of male releases spermatids. The spermatids can be activated by addition of protease.

Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm

Males and hermaphrodites are the two naturally found sexual forms in the nematode C. elegans. The amoeboid sperm are produced by both males and ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Solid Plate-based Dietary Restriction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Solid Plate-based Dietary Restriction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Reduction of food intake without malnutrition or starvation is known to increase lifespan and delay the onset of various age-related diseases in a wide ...

Time-lapse Microscopy of Early Embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Time-lapse Microscopy of Early Embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans has often been used as a model system in studies of early developmental processes.  The transparency of the 
embryos, the genetic ...

Vampiric Isolation of Extracellular Fluid from Caenorhabditis elegans

Vampiric Isolation of Extracellular Fluid from Caenorhabditis elegans

The genetically tractable model organism C. elegans has provided insights into a myriad of biological questions, enabled by its short generation time, ...

Basic Caenorhabditis elegans Methods: Synchronization and Observation

Basic Caenorhabditis elegans Methods: Synchronization and Observation

Research into the molecular and developmental biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was begun in the early seventies by Sydney Brenner and it has ...

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a powerful animal model to study the biology of lipids1-9. Prostaglandins are an important class of eicosanoids, ...

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans

Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans

Fatty acids are essential for numerous cellular functions. They serve as efficient energy storage molecules, make up the hydrophobic core of membranes, ...

Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans in Three Dimensions in the Laboratory

Cultivation of Caenorhabditis elegans in Three Dimensions in the Laboratory

The use of genetic model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans has led to seminal discoveries in biology over the last five decades. Most of what we ...

Combined Nucleotide and Protein Extractions in Caenorhabditis elegans

Combined Nucleotide and Protein Extractions in Caenorhabditis elegans

A single biological sample holds a plethora of information, and it is now common practice to simultaneously investigate several macromolecules to capture ...

Measurement of Oxygen Consumption Rates in Intact Caenorhabditis elegans

Measurement of Oxygen Consumption Rates in Intact Caenorhabditis elegans

Optimal mitochondrial function is critical for healthy cellular activity, particularly in cells that have high energy demands like those in the nervous ...

Purification and Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans Extracellular Vesicles

Purification and Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans Extracellular Vesicles

The secretion of small membrane-bound vesicles into the external environment is a fundamental physiological process of all cells. These extracellular ...