101
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Broekhuijse M, Šoštarić E, Feitsma H, Gadella B. The value of microscopic semen motility assessment at collection for a commercial artificial insemination center, a retrospective study on factors explaining variation in pig fertility. Theriogenology 2012; 77:1466-1479.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Revised: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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102
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Dyck MK, Foxcroft GR, Novak S, Ruiz-Sanchez A, Patterson J, Dixon WT. Biological markers of boar fertility. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 46 Suppl 2:55-8. [PMID: 21884279 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01837.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The semen evaluation techniques used in most commercial artificial insemination centers, which includes sperm motility and morphology measurements, provides a very conservative estimate of the relative fertility of individual boars. As well, differences in relative boar fertility are masked by the widespread use of pooled semen for commercial artificial insemination (AI) in many countries. Furthermore, the relatively high sperm numbers used in commercial AI practice usually compensate for reduced fertility, as can be seen in some boars when lower numbers of sperm are used for AI. The increased efficiency of pork production should involve enhanced use of boars with strong reproductive efficiency and the highest genetic merit for important production traits. Given that the current measures of semen quality are not always indicative of fertility and reproductive performance in boars, accurate and predictive genetic and protein markers are still needed. Recently, significant efforts have been made to identify reliable markers that allow for the identification and exclusion of sires with reduced reproductive efficiency. This paper reviews the current status of proteomic and genomic markers of fertility in boars in relation to other livestock species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Dyck
- Swine Reproduction-Development Program, Swine Research & Technology Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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103
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PARK YJ, MOHAMED ESA, OH SA, YOON SJ, KWON WS, KIM HR, LEE MS, LEE K, PANG MG. Sperm Penetration Assay as an Indicator of Bull Fertility. J Reprod Dev 2012; 58:461-6. [DOI: 10.1262/jrd.11-067h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yoo-Jin PARK
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, School of Bioresource & Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
| | - El-Sayed A. MOHAMED
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, School of Bioresource & Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
| | - Shin-Ae OH
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, School of Bioresource & Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
| | - Sung-Jae YOON
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, School of Bioresource & Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
| | - Woo-Sung KWON
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, School of Bioresource & Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
| | - Heung-Ruil KIM
- Dairy Cattle Improvement Center, National Agricultural Co-operative Federation, Gyeonggi-Do 412-030, Korea
| | - Myeung-Sik LEE
- National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Association, Kangwon-Do 232-950, Korea
| | - Kichoon LEE
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, OH 43210, USA
| | - Myung-Geol PANG
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, School of Bioresource & Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
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104
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Yániz JL, Mateos JA, Santolaria P. Tris buffer improves fluorescence yield of ram spermatozoa when evaluating membrane integrity. Microsc Res Tech 2011; 75:520-3. [DOI: 10.1002/jemt.21086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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105
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The relationship between ram sperm head morphometry and fertility depends on the procedures of acquisition and analysis used. Theriogenology 2011; 76:1313-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2011] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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106
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Hossain MS, Johannisson A, Siqueira AP, Wallgren M, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Spermatozoa in the sperm-peak-fraction of the boar ejaculate show a lower flow of Ca2+ under capacitation conditions post-thaw which might account for their higher membrane stability after cryopreservation. Anim Reprod Sci 2011; 128:37-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Revised: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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107
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Foster M, Love C, Varner D, Brinsko S, Hinrichs K, Teague S, LaCaze K, Blanchard T. Comparison of methods for assessing integrity of equine sperm membranes. Theriogenology 2011; 76:334-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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108
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Anjum MR, Sainath SB, Suneetha Y, Reddy PS. Lead acetate induced reproductive and paternal mediated developmental toxicity in rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2011; 74:793-799. [PMID: 21112632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Revised: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/31/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Lead was administered orally to adult male rats at exposure level of 273 or 819 mg/L (0.05% or 0.15% lead acetate, respectively) for 45 days via drinking water. At the end of the exposure period, control and experimental males were mated with untreated females. Of the females mated with treated males, 73.3% in the 0.05% group and 53.33% in the 0.15% group showed copulatory plugs. Significant decrease in number of implantations and pre- and post-implantation loss was also observed in females mated with treated males. Significant decrease in the weight of the reproductive organs, reduction in epididymal sperm count, motile sperm and viable sperm were observed in lead-exposed rats indicating decreased sperm production and deteriorated sperm quality. Significant decrease in serum testosterone levels were also observed in treated rats indicating decreased steroidogenesis. The decreased serum testosterone levels and deteriorated sperm quality might be responsible for the suppressed reproduction in rats after exposure to lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Reshma Anjum
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India
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109
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Hossain MS, Johannisson A, Wallgren M, Nagy S, Siqueira AP, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Flow cytometry for the assessment of animal sperm integrity and functionality: state of the art. Asian J Androl 2011; 13:406-19. [PMID: 21478895 PMCID: PMC3739346 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2011.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Flow cytometry is now a recognized methodology within animal spermatology, and has moved from being a research tool to become routine in the assessment of animal semen destined to breeding. The availability of 'bench-top' flow cytometers and of newer and versatile markers for cell structure and function had allowed the instrumentation to measure more sperm parameters, from viability to reactiveness when exposed to exogenous stimuli, and to increase our capabilities to sort spermatozoa for potential fertilizing capacity, or chromosomal sex. The present review summarizes the state of the art regarding flow cytometry applied to animal andrology, albeit keeping an open comparative intent. It critically evaluates the present and future capabilities of flow cytometry for the diagnostics of potential fertility and for the development of current reproductive technologies such as sperm freezing, sperm selection and sperm sorting. The flow cytometry methods will probably further revolutionize our understanding of the sperm physiology and their functionality, and will undoubtedly extend its application in isolating many uncharacterized features of spermatozoa. However, continuous follow-up of the methods is a necessity owing to technical developments and the complexity of mapping spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sharoare Hossain
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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110
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Sudano MJ, Crespilho AM, Fernandes CB, Junior AM, Papa FO, Rodrigues J, Machado R, Landim-Alvarenga FDC. Use of bayesian inference to correlate in vitro embryo production and in vivo fertility in zebu bulls. Vet Med Int 2011; 2011:436381. [PMID: 21547211 PMCID: PMC3087428 DOI: 10.4061/2011/436381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 02/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to test in vitro embryo production (IVP) as a tool to estimate fertility performance in zebu bulls using Bayesian inference statistics. Oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro using sperm cells from three different Zebu bulls (V, T, and G). The three bulls presented similar results with regard to pronuclear formation and blastocyst formation rates. However, the cleavage rates were different between bulls. The estimated conception rates based on combined data of cleavage and blastocyst formation were very similar to the true conception rates observed for the same bulls after a fixed-time artificial insemination program. Moreover, even when we used cleavage rate data only or blastocyst formation data only, the estimated conception rates were still close to the true conception rates. We conclude that Bayesian inference is an effective statistical procedure to estimate in vivo bull fertility using data from IVP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus José Sudano
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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111
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Time trends, environmental factors and genetic basis of semen traits collected in Holstein bulls under commercial conditions. Anim Reprod Sci 2011; 124:28-38. [PMID: 21377297 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Revised: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 02/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The fact that results of artificial insemination (AI) are declining in highly selected dairy cattle populations has added a renewed interest to the evaluation of male fertility. Data from 42,348 ejaculates collected from 1990 to 2007 on 502 Holstein bulls were analysed in a Bayesian framework to provide estimates of the evolution of semen traits routinely collected in AI centres throughout the last decades of intense selection for production traits and estimate genetic parameters. The traits under consideration were volume (VOL), concentration (CONC), number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (NESPZ), mass motility score (MM), individual motility (IM), and post-thawing motility (PTM). The environmental factors studied were year-season and week of collection, which account for changes in environmental and technical conditions along time, age at collection, ejaculate order, time from previous collection (TPC) and time between collection and freezing (TCF) (only for PTM). Bull's inbreeding coefficient (Fi), bull's permanent environmental and additive genetic effects were also considered. The use of reduced models was evaluated using the Bayes factor. For all the systematic effects tested, strong or very strong evidence in favour of including the effect in the model was obtained, except for Fi for motility traits and TCF for PTM. No systematic time trends for environment or bull effects were observed, except for PTM, which showed an increasing environmental trend, associated with improvements in freezing-thawing protocols. Heritability estimates were moderate (0.16-0.22), except for IM, which presented a low value (0.07). Genetic correlations among motilities and between motilities and CONC were large and positive [0.38-0.87], VOL showed a negative correlation with CONC (-0.13) but with ample HPD 95%. The magnitude of heritabilities would allow an efficient selection if required and grants the use of these traits as indicators of the sperm viability component of bulls breeding soundness.
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112
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Head morphometric changes in cryopreserved ram spermatozoa are related to sexual maturity. Theriogenology 2011; 75:473-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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113
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Selvaraju S, Nandi S, Gupta PSP, Ravindra JP. Effects of Heavy Metals and Pesticides on Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Spermatozoa Functions In Vitro. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46:807-13. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01745.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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114
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Neagu V, García BM, Rodríguez AM, Ferrusola CO, Bolaños JG, Fernández LG, Tapia J, Peña F. Determination of glutation peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in canine seminal plasma and its relation with sperm quality and lipid peroxidation post thaw. Theriogenology 2011; 75:10-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2010] [Revised: 06/30/2010] [Accepted: 07/01/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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115
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Morrell JM, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Johannisson A. Single layer centrifugation of stallion spermatozoa consistently selects the most robust spermatozoa from the rest of the ejaculate in a large sample size. Equine Vet J 2010; 42:579-85. [PMID: 20840572 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00101.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY An improvement in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation (SLC) has been seen in previous studies using small sample sizes (for example, n = 10 stallions). There is a need to investigate whether this improvement is repeatable over several breeding seasons with a larger number of stallions (n ≥ 30 stallions). OBJECTIVE To make a retrospective analysis of the results of SLC performed on more than 250 sperm samples (176 ejaculates) from 31 stallions in 3 consecutive breeding seasons. METHODS Sperm quality (motility, proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa and the proportion of spermatozoa with undamaged chromatin) was assessed before and after SLC. RESULTS All parameters of sperm quality examined were significantly better in sperm samples after SLC than in their unselected counterparts (P<0.001 for each parameter). The yield of spermatozoa obtained after SLC was influenced by the type of extender used and also by the concentration of spermatozoa in the original ejaculate, with fewer spermatozoa being recovered when the loading dose contained a high concentration of spermatozoa. The optimal concentration was approximately 100 × 10⁶/ml. Sperm concentration in the samples loaded on to the colloid influenced the sperm yield while the type of semen extender affected sperm quality and survival. Furthermore, the scaled-up SLC method was found to be suitable for use with a range of ejaculates, with similar sperm kinematics being observed for standard and scaled-up preparations. CONCLUSIONS SLC consistently improved the quality of stallion sperm samples from a large number of ejaculates. The method could be scaled-up, allowing larger volumes of ejaculate to be processed easily from a wide range of stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Morrell
- Department of Reproduction, Division of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
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116
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The effect of sperm and cryoprotectant concentration on the freezing success of sex sorted ram sperm for in vitro fertilization. Theriogenology 2010; 74:786-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2010] [Revised: 04/05/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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117
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The value of the percentage of motile sperm in predicting a significant portion of the fertility variation of frozen-thawed buck semen. Theriogenology 2010; 74:1197-206. [PMID: 20615534 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2009] [Revised: 05/10/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Prediction of the future fertility of a given ejaculate with a simple laboratory test is still considered a real issue in domestic mammal breeding. This study showed that a subjective assessment of the percentage of motile spermatozoa, measured 120 min after thawing (mob120), can predict a significant part (∼50%) of the variation of the future fertility of buck ejaculates. The predictive model was calculated using a calibration data set composed of 40 ejaculates from four Alpine and six Saanen bucks. A fertility trial using split ejaculates was conducted in order to estimate ejaculate fertility. Taken into account were the herd within breed factor and the year, month, and inseminator factors. On average, one ejaculate was used to inseminate two females per herd in 10 different herds. This calibration set allowed us to choose the mob120 variable among a set of laboratory tests: mitochondrial activity, acrosomal status, membrane integrity, osmotic resistance test assessed by flow cytometry, velocity and motion characteristics assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis, visually assessed percentage of motile, and motility score measured 5 and 120 min after thawing. For the calibration step, the best model used the logarithm of mob120 and gave a correlation coefficient of 0.71 between the field fertility and the predicted fertility and a standard error of 0.17. We tested this model on 3 different validation data sets adding up to 95 ejaculates that were all different from those of the calibration data set. The correlation coefficients between field fertility and predicted fertility were always significant and the bias corrected standard error ranged from 0.15 to 0.18 on these validation data sets. A Monte Carlo simulation showed that about 20% of the fertility variation remained to be explained.
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118
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Analysis of selected sperm by density gradient centrifugation might aid in the estimation of in vivo fertility of thawed ram spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2010; 74:979-88. [PMID: 20580077 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 04/26/2010] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of selecting a sperm subpopulation by means of a discontinuous density gradient centrifugation (DGC) on the quality of ram thawed semen, and the relationships between sperm parameters assessed in unselected and in selected sperm samples with in vivo fertility after intrauterine artificial insemination (IUI) using unselected sperm samples. Semen samples from twenty males were collected by artificial vagina and cryopreserved following a standard protocol. After thawing, unselected sperm samples were used in an in vivo fertility trial and sperm motility (subjective and objective, assessed by means of CASA) and membrane and acrosomal integrities (microscopy) were evaluated on unselected and selected sperm samples. In addition, plasmalemma integrity (YO-PRO-1/PI), membrane fluidity (Merocyanine 540/YO-PRO-1), mitochondrial activity (Mitotracker Deep Red/YO-PRO-1), and DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) assessed by Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) were evaluated by flow cytometry before and after sperm processing using DGC. Results showed that DGC improved all sperm parameters significantly, except the %DFI, which increased after the selection procedure. No relationships were found between sperm parameters evaluated in unselected sperm samples and in vivo fertility. However, we found a positive correlation between spermatozoa with high membrane fluidity within the viable sperm population (VIABMerocyanine+) evaluated in selected sperm samples and in vivo fertility (r = 0.370, P = 0.019). In conclusion, our results suggest that selected spermatozoa represent a sperm subpopulation different to the unselected one that could be related with the in vivo fertility.
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119
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Oh SA, Park YJ, You YA, Mohamed EA, Pang MG. Capacitation status of stored boar spermatozoa is related to litter size of sows. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 121:131-8. [PMID: 20573460 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Revised: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 05/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Semen parameters can be considered useful predictors of sperm fertility. The objective of this study was to address the question of whether differences in in vivo fertility after the use of different ejaculates could be predicted using sperm kinematics, capacitation status, and sperm penetration ability under commercial pig production conditions. The percentage of capacitated sperm, as assessed by chlortetracycline (CTC) staining, was positively correlated with litter size (p<0.01). Our data suggest that litter size increases in proportion to the number of capacitated spermatozoa. When all semen parameters (kinematics, sperm capacitation status, and sperm penetration ability) and litter size were included in a multiple linear regression analysis, significant associations were found between the percentage of capacitated sperm (B-type), the sperm fertility index as assessed by a sperm penetration assay (SPA), and litter size. This relationship between capacitated sperm and litter size, however, was more predictive for smaller litter groups than larger ones. We found that the percentage of B-type sperm was significantly correlated with historic average litter size. However, there was no significant correlation between the percentage of B-type sperm and historic farrowing rates. To determine the normal range for B-type sperm, the lower limits were established as 30% for small litters (<8 piglets) and 35% for large litters. The overall accuracy of the assay was 92% and 83% for small and large litters, respectively. These results indicate that capacitation status as measured by CTC staining is a useful predictor of sperm fertility, equivalent to SPA. Moreover, original capacitation status exhibited better predictive ability for small litters than for large ones. Therefore, subfertile boars can be identified primarily by capacitation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Oh
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Ansung, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
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120
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Martínez-Pastor F, Mata-Campuzano M, Álvarez-Rodríguez M, Álvarez M, Anel L, De Paz P. Probes and Techniques for Sperm Evaluation by Flow Cytometry. Reprod Domest Anim 2010; 45 Suppl 2:67-78. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01622.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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121
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Freezing dog semen in presence of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene improves postthaw sperm membrane integrity. Theriogenology 2010; 73:645-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2009] [Revised: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 10/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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122
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Yeste M, Briz M, Pinart E, Sancho S, Bussalleu E, Bonet S. The osmotic tolerance of boar spermatozoa and its usefulness as sperm quality parameter. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 119:265-74. [PMID: 20227204 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2009] [Revised: 01/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Predicting the fertility outcome of ejaculates is very important in the field of porcine reproduction. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of different osmotic treatments on boar spermatozoa and to correlate them with fertility and prolificacy, assessed as non-return rates within 60 days (NRR(60d)) of the first inseminations, and litter size (LS), respectively. Sperm samples (n=100) from one hundred healthy Piétrain boars were used to assess 48 treatments combining different osmolalities (ranged between 100 and 4000 mOsm kg(-1)), different compounds used to prepare anisotonic solutions, and two different modalities: return and non-return to isotonic conditions. Sperm quality was evaluated before and after applying the treatments on the basis of analyses of sperm viability, motility, morphology and percentages of acrosome-intact spermatozoa. Statistical analyses were performed using a one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test, linear regression analyses (Pearson correlation and multiple regression) and Jackknife cross-validation. Although three conventional parameters: sperm viability, sperm morphology and the percentages of acrosome-intact spermatozoa were significantly correlated with NRR(60d) and with LS, their respective osmotic tolerance parameters (defined for each parameter and treatment regarding with negative control) presented a higher Pearson coefficient with both fertility and prolificacy in three treatments (150 mOsm kg(-1) with non-return to isotonic conditions, 200 mOsm kg(-1) with return and 500 mOsm kg(-1) using sodium citrate and non-return to isotonic conditions). We conclude that osmotic resistance in sperm viability, sperm morphology and acrosome-intactness in the treatments mentioned above could be assessed along with classical parameters to better predict the fertilising ability of a given ejaculate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction, Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi s/n, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
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123
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Kim SH, Yu DH, Kim YJ. Effects of cryopreservation on phosphatidylserine translocation, intracellular hydrogen peroxide, and DNA integrity in canine sperm. Theriogenology 2010; 73:282-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2009] [Revised: 09/07/2009] [Accepted: 09/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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124
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Sutkeviciene N, Riskeviciene V, Januskauskas A, Zilinskas H, Andersson M. Assessment of sperm quality traits in relation to fertility in boar semen. Acta Vet Scand 2009; 51:53. [PMID: 20015377 PMCID: PMC2801498 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-51-53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies have been published where sperm plasma membrane integrity correlated to fertility. In this study we describe a simple fluorometer-based assay where we monitored the fluorescence intensity of artificially membrane-ruptured spermatozoa with a fixed time staining with fluorescent DNA dyes. Methods Membrane-impermeant fluorescent dyes Hoechst 33258 (H258) and propidium iodide (PI) were used to measure the fluorescence of the nucleus in artificially membrane ruptured spermatozoa and membrane-permeant dye Hoechst 33342 (H342) was used to measure fluorescence of intact spermatozoa. The concentration of spermatozoa in insemination doses varied from 31.2 × 106/ml to 50 × 106/ml and the average value was 35 × 106/ml. Each boar was represented by three consecutive ejaculates, collected at weekly intervals. Nonreturn rate within 60 days of first insemination (NR %) and litter size (total number of piglets born) of multiparous farrowings were used as fertility measures. Results Sperm fluorescence intensity of H258 and H342, but not the fluorescence intensity of PI-stained spermatozoa correlated significantly with the litter size of multiparous farrowings, values being r = - 0.68 (P < 0.01) for H258, r = - 0.69 (P < 0.01) for H342 and r = - 0.38, (P = 0.11) for PI. Conclusions The increase in fluorescence values of membrane-ruptured H258 and unruptured H342-stained spermatozoa in boar AI doses can be associated with smaller litter size after AI. This finding indicates that the fluorescence properties of the sperm nucleus could be used to select for AI doses with greater fertilizing potential.
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125
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Kozdrowski R. The effect of trehalose on post-thaw viability and fertility of European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) spermatozoa. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 116:326-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2008] [Revised: 01/14/2009] [Accepted: 02/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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126
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Oh SA, You YA, Park YJ, Pang MG. The sperm penetration assay predicts the litter size in pigs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 33:604-12. [PMID: 19538520 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2009.00976.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The prediction of sperm fertility is of paramount importance for breeding animals. Multiple laboratory approaches have been developed for this purpose, but they have yielded equivocal results. The objective of this study was to develop and standardize to a method for predicting fertility in vivo in boars using the in vitro penetration assay. To increase the sensitivity and reduce false-negative results of the assay, each step in the procedure was standardized and quality control was applied. Maximum penetration of hamster zona-free oocytes and immature porcine oocytes was obtained using heparin-treated sperm cells. Hamster zona-free oocytes showed a significantly higher penetration than immature porcine oocytes. To eliminate interassay variability, two frozen bull semen samples were applied. All possible variables related to the female were excluded. The SPA (sperm penetration assay using zona-free oocytes) result showed significant correlation with historic average litter size but had no significant correlation with farrowing rates. To determine the normal range for the SPA, lower limits of the sperm fertility index were established as 1.2 for the small litter sizes (<8 piglets) and 2.5 for the large litter sizes. The overall accuracy was 92 and 96% respectively, for the small and large litter sizes. Our laboratory has standardized the procedure for the SPA, resulting in greatly increased sensitivities for small and large litter sizes. The protocol increases the ability to discriminate between good and poor fertility groups and it was highly effective at ranking 24 boars by litter size into large and small litter groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ae Oh
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, Ansung, Gyeonggi-Do 456-756, Korea
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127
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Gamboa S, Machado-Faria M, Ramalho-Santos J. Seminal traits, suitability for semen preservation and fertility in the native Portuguese horse breeds Puro Sangue Lusitano and Sorraia: Implications for stallion classification and assisted reproduction. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 113:102-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2007] [Revised: 05/28/2008] [Accepted: 06/05/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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128
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Bissonnette N, Lévesque-Sergerie JP, Thibault C, Boissonneault G. Spermatozoal transcriptome profiling for bull sperm motility: a potential tool to evaluate semen quality. Reproduction 2009; 138:65-80. [PMID: 19423662 DOI: 10.1530/rep-08-0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Regarding bull fertility, establishing an association between in vitro findings and field fertility requires a multi-parametric approach that measures the integrity of various structures and dynamic functions, such as motion characteristics, among others. The heterogeneous RNA pattern of spermatozoa could be used in genomic analysis for evaluating both spermatogenesis and fertility potential of semen, mainly because of the static status of the transcriptome of this particular differentiated cell. In a previous study, we determined that some spermatozoal transcripts identified by PCR-based cDNA subtraction are associated with non-return rate, a field fertility index. In the present study, the microarray technology was used in conjunction with differential RNA transcript extraction. We have shown that among these genes, some transcripts are also associated with the motility status of a population of sperm cells fractionated from the same ejaculate. We highlighted a systematic data analysis and validation scheme important for the identification of significant transcripts in this context. With such an approach, we found that transcripts encoding a serine/threonine testis-specific protein kinase (TSSK6) and a metalloproteinase non coding RNA (ADAM5P) are associated with high-motility status (P<0.001), also confirmed by quantitative PCR (P=0.0075). This association was found only when transcripts were extracted using the hot-TRIzol protocol, whereas the cold-TRIzol RNA extract comprised mitochondrial transcripts. These results demonstrate that some transcripts previously identified in association with field fertility are also found associated with in vitro motility provided that a stringent RNA extraction protocol is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Bissonnette
- Dairy and Swine Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Road, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 1Z3, Canada.
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129
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Dorado J, Hidalgo M, Muñoz A, Rodríguez I. Assessment of goat semen freezability according to the spermatozoa characteristics from fresh and frozen samples. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 112:150-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2007] [Revised: 03/27/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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130
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García-Álvarez O, Maroto-Morales A, Martínez-Pastor F, Fernández-Santos M, Esteso M, Pérez-Guzmán M, Soler A. Heterologous in vitro fertilization is a good procedure to assess the fertility of thawed ram spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2009; 71:643-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2008] [Revised: 08/01/2008] [Accepted: 09/12/2008] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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131
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Dhali A, Anchamparuthy VM, Butler SP, Pearson RE, Gwazdauskas FC. In vitro development of bovine embryos cultured with stem cell factor or insulin-like growth factor-I following IVF with semen of two bulls having different field fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2009; 116:188-95. [PMID: 19261398 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2008] [Revised: 01/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The usefulness of IVF as a potential tool to evaluate the field fertility of bulls is equivocal and growth factor addition to culture media research is needed to delineate components needed for providing defined environments for embryos. The overall aim was to evaluate the in vitro development of embryos derived using a serum supplemented and serum-free production systems and semen from two bulls of different field fertility. The study was conducted to determine the combinatorial effect of stem cell factor (SCF) and/or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in culture on subsequent embryo development in cattle. Oocytes were aspirated separately from >or=3 to <3mm follicles to test different follicle size populations and were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with LH, FSH, estradiol and BSA (Fraction V). Matured oocytes were fertilized in BSA supplemented synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF)-IVF medium. Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 8d (in humidified 5% CO(2) at 38.5 degrees C) in BSA supplemented SOF-in vitro culture (IVC) medium. SOF-IVC medium was supplemented with fetal bovine serum (4%), IGF-I (100ng/mL), SCF (50ng/mL) or IGF-I (100ng/mL)+SCF (50ng/mL). The development competence of embryos did not differ between the bulls and among the culture environments. Nevertheless, there was an effect of follicle size on cleavage rate (P<0.05) and a greater cleavage rate resulted from oocytes aspirated from >or=3mm follicles (71.0+/-1.5%) compared to those collected from <3mm follicles (64.8+/-1.6%). The overall cleavage rate (%); blastocyst formation (%); and expanded/hatched blastocyst formation (%) were 68.2+/-1.5 and 67.7+/-1.7; 29.4+/-1.4 and 28.6+/-1.5; and 18.6+/-1.2 and 18.5+/-1.1, respectively, for the bull of above and below average field fertility. The results indicate that follicle size for oocyte aspiration is effective for determining IVC success and that IVF may not discriminate among bulls of different field fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dhali
- Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2070 Litton Reaves, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0315, USA
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132
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Selvaraju S, Ghosh J, Ravindra JP. Prognostic Value of Various Spermatological Attributes as Predictors of Zona Binding and Zona Penetration of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Semen. Reprod Domest Anim 2009; 44:6-11. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00979.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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133
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Gil M, Almiñana C, Roca J, Vázquez J, Martínez E. Boar semen variability and its effects on IVF efficiency. Theriogenology 2008; 70:1260-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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134
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Ortega-Ferrusola C, García BM, Gallardo-Bolaños JM, González-Fernández L, Rodríguez-Martinez H, Tapia JA, Peña FJ. Apoptotic markers can be used to forecast the freezeability of stallion spermatozoa. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 114:393-403. [PMID: 19019584 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2007] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to identify valuable markers for potential freezeability of the equine spermatozoa, three ejaculates were collected from five Andalusian stallions and frozen using a standard protocol. Before freezing, three apoptotic cell markers were studied by flow cytometry (early changes in sperm membranes, mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase activity). Post-thaw, spermatozoa were again evaluated for these parameters. Sperm kinematics using CASA were also studied before and after freezing and thawing. Receiving operating system curves were used to evaluate the relative value of the apoptotic markers herein studied, as forecast for potential freezeability. From all parameters studied, the outcome of JC-1 (as proportion of spermatozoa showing simultaneously orange and green fluorescence) had the highest diagnostic power. For potentially bad freezers (less than 25% of intact spermatozoa post-thaw), the significant area under the ROC-curve was 0.985, with a 100% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity for a cut off value of 55.7.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ortega-Ferrusola
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Laboratory of Spermatology University of Extremadura, Avd de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, Spain
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135
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Muiño-Blanco T, Pérez-Pé R, Cebrián-Pérez JA. Seminal Plasma Proteins and Sperm Resistance to Stress. Reprod Domest Anim 2008; 43 Suppl 4:18-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01228.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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136
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Defoin L, Granados A, Donnay I. Analysing Motility Parameters on Fresh Bull Semen Could Help to Predict Resistance to Freezing: A Preliminary Study. Reprod Domest Anim 2008; 43:606-11. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00964.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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137
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Abstract
The "predictors of useable semen" used in most commercial AI centers provide a very conservative estimate of the relative fertility of individual boars. Furthermore, the relatively high sperm numbers used in commercial AI practice (usually >3 x10(9) total sperm per dose of extended semen) usually compensate for reduced fertility, as can be demonstrated in some boars when lower numbers of sperm are used for AI. Differences in relative boar fertility are also masked by the widespread use of pooled semen for commercial AI in many countries. However, the need to continually improve the efficiency of pork production, suggests that commercial AI practice should involve increased use of boars with the highest genetic merit for important production traits. Necessarily, this must be linked to the use of fewer sperm per AI dose, fewer inseminations per sow bred, and hence more sows bred by these superior sires. In turn, this requires improved techniques for evaluating semen characteristics directly related to the fertilization process, such as IVM-IVF assays, analysis of seminal plasma protein markers, more discriminatory tests of sperm motility and morphology, with the goal of identifying high-index boars whose fertility is sustained when low numbers of sperm are used for AI. This paper reviews the current status of laboratory-based boar semen evaluation techniques that meet these criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R Foxcroft
- Swine Research & Technology Centre, University of Alberta, Canada.
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138
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Split-sample comparison of directional and liquid nitrogen vapour freezing method on post-thaw semen quality in white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum and Ceratotherium simum cottoni). Theriogenology 2008; 71:275-91. [PMID: 18775559 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2008] [Revised: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To increase the quality of cryopreserved sperm in white rhinoceros, the liquid nitrogen vapour (LN vapour) freezing and the multi-thermal gradient directional freezing methods were compared. Sixteen white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum sp.) were electro-ejaculated. Semen samples were diluted with cryoextender (Tris, lactose, egg-yolk, DMSO) and aliquoted into straws for LN vapour freezing, and glass hollow tubes for directional freezing. The sperm quality was evaluated before and after freezing by assessing the following parameters: motility, morphologic state, acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane function and integrity (i.e. sperm viability) as defined by the hypo-osmotic swelling. Directional freezing improved the sperm viability by 5.6% (p<0.005), progressive motility score by 34.7% and sperm motility index (SMI) by 8.1% (p<0.005) versus LN vapour freezing. When data was categorized into groups of low (<19%), moderate (20-39%) and high (>40%) percentages of morphologically normal, directional freezing (DF) resulted in 31.4% less abnormal acrosomes for the low quality group as well as 18.7% increase in intact acrosomes and 10.9% increase in motility for the high quality group compared to LN vapour freezing (LN) (p<0.01, p<0.03, p<0.01, respectively). LN showed a significant reduction in sperm head volume (5.7%, p<0.05) compared to the prefreeze; whereas, no significant reduction in head volume was demonstrated after DF. Several additives (xanthenuric acid, cytochalasin D, potassium, EDTA) to the basic cryoextender provided no significant improvement in spermatozoal survival after directional freezing. In conclusion, directional freezing proved to facilitate higher gamete survival compared to LN vapour freezing. This is especially effective in ejaculates of low sperm quality and is important in endangered species where high quality semen donors are often not accessible. These results suggest that directional freezing could be valuable particularly for species with limited freezability of spermatozoa.
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139
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Kastelic JP, Thundathil JC. Breeding Soundness Evaluation and Semen Analysis for Predicting Bull Fertility. Reprod Domest Anim 2008; 43 Suppl 2:368-73. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01186.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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140
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Use of image analysis to assess the plasma membrane integrity of ram spermatozoa in different diluents. Theriogenology 2008; 70:192-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2007] [Revised: 03/10/2008] [Accepted: 03/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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141
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Selvaraju S, Ravindra JP, Ghosh J, Gupta PSP, Suresh KP. Evaluation of sperm functional attributes in relation to in vitro sperm-zona pellucida binding ability and cleavage rate in assessing frozen thawed buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen quality. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 106:311-21. [PMID: 17576042 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Revised: 05/05/2007] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate sperm functional attributes in relation to in vitro sperm-zona binding ability and cleavage rate in assessing frozen thawed buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen quality. Frozen-thawed forty-eight ejaculates from eight Surti buffalo bulls (six ejaculates/bull) obtained by artificial vagina were used. Frozen semen from each bull was thawed, pooled, and subjected for sperm functional (six replicates) and in vitro fertilization (four replicates) tests. The progressive forward motility, plasmalemma functional integrity assessed by fluorogenic [6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA), and propidium iodide (PI)], hypoosmotic swelling (HOS), and hypoosmotic swelling-Giemsa (HOS-G) test, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm nuclear morphology, the number of sperm bound to zona and cleavage rate differed significantly (P<0.05) between bulls. When the animals were grouped based on cleavage rate (group I, >40% cleavage rate, n=5, and group II, <40% cleavage rate, n=3), in vitro fertility parameters and all the sperm functional attributes except sperm nuclear morphology differed significantly (P<0.05). The proportions of sperm with functional plasmalemma in the tail and intact acrosome assessed by HOS-G test (25.33, range: 17.48-40.27) were significantly (P<0.001) lower than the functional plasmalemma in the tail assessed by HOS test (39.80, range: 27.85-54.67). The number of sperm bound to zona had significant correlations with the mitochondrial membrane potential (r=0.90, P<0.01) and plasmalemma integrity (fluorogenic, r=0.74 and HOS, r=0.79, P<0.05) and HOS-G, r=0.87, P<0.01). The cleavage rate had significant (P<0.05) correlations with the mitochondrial membrane potential (r=0.70) and plasmalemma integrity measured by HOS-G test (r=0.68). The present study indicates that these attributes could represent important determinants of buffalo sperm quality influencing cleavage rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Selvaraju
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore 560 030, India.
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142
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O’ Meara C, Hanrahan J, Prathalingam N, Owen J, Donovan A, Fair S, Ward F, Wade M, Evans A, Lonergan P. Relationship between in vitro sperm functional tests and in vivo fertility of rams following cervical artificial insemination of ewes with frozen-thawed semen. Theriogenology 2008; 69:513-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2007] [Revised: 12/05/2007] [Accepted: 12/06/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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143
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Abstract
Thanks to the increasing use of flow cytometry in research in veterinary spermatology, many new membrane integrity assays have been developed over the past decade. These assays are important because of their superior ability to forecast fertility when compared with other tests, such as sperm motility. This major component of the sperm quality assessment has generated new investigations with the aim of developing tests that can detect membrane damage in a very early state. Using phospholipid transposition tests, early changes in membrane permeability and fluidity can be assessed in a large number of spermatozoa using fluorescent probes in combination with flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J Pena
- Department of Herd Health and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Avd de la Universidad s/n, Caceres 10071, Spain.
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144
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Shahiduzzaman AKM, Linde-Forsberg C. Induced immotility during long-term storage at +5°C does not prolong survival of dog spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2007; 68:920-33. [PMID: 17714772 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2007] [Revised: 07/15/2007] [Accepted: 07/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether the immotility induced by the CLONE chilled semen extender prolongs the lifespan of dog spermatozoa stored at 5 degrees C, compared with a Tris-egg yolk-glucose (TG) extender, which maintains motility. Pooled semen was split in four aliquots, centrifuged, and the four sperm pellets mixed with TG extender; with the CLONE chilled semen (CL) extender; with TG extender mixed with an activator (TG+A(TG)); or with the CLONE extender mixed with the CLONE activator (CL+A(CL)). Samples were stored at 5 degrees C for 23 days and examined 12 times for sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, glucose consumption, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI). The experiment was performed in triplicate. Glucose consumption was not significantly different between extenders until the period 15-23 days, when it was higher in CL and CL+A(CL) than in TG (P=0.0055) and TG+A(TG) (P=0.0010). No breakdown of DNA chromatin (P>0.05) occurred until day 14. Spermatozoa preserved in TG or TG+A(TG) showed better values for all the different parameters throughout the experiment compared with sperm subjected to CL or CL+A(CL). In conclusion, the immotility induced by the CLONE chilled semen extender during long-term cold storage at 5 degrees C did not prolong the lifespan of spermatozoa compared with the lifespan following storage in Tris-egg yolk-glucose. In addition, our results indicate that good quality dog semen may possibly be stored for up to 14 days in TG extender at 5 degrees C, with retained fertilizing capacity. In vivo studies should, however, be performed to further support this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K M Shahiduzzaman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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145
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Hermansson U, Axnér E, Holst BS. Application of a zona pellucida binding assay (ZBA) in the domestic cat benefits from the use of in vitro matured oocytes. Acta Vet Scand 2007; 49:28. [PMID: 17908298 PMCID: PMC2092430 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-49-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2006] [Accepted: 10/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zona pellucida binding assays (ZBAs) have proven useful in determining the fertilising ability of spermatozoa in several species. Most ZBAs use fresh or salt-stored oocytes collected from fresh ovaries but because ovaries are not easy to obtain on a regular basis, chilled and frozen-thawed ovaries have been tested, with varying results. The present study tested the hypothesis that cat spermatozoa, either fresh or frozen-thawed, can bind to homologous zona pellucida of oocytes retrieved from frozen-thawed queen ovaries to a similar extent as they can bind to the zona pellucida of fresh, in vitro matured oocytes. Methods Ovaries were collected from queens after routine ovario-hysterectomy and either stored in NaCl at -20°C until use (treatment animals), or used fresh (controls). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were retrieved by ovarian slicing from either source and used directly (immature oocytes from frozen-thawed ovaries; treatment animals) or after in vitro maturation (IVM) (fresh ovaries; controls) for 24 hours in TCM 199, supplemented with 1 IU hCG/mL and 0.5 IU eCG/mL and 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA). The oocytes were incubated for 4 hours in 5% CO2 in air at 38°C and 100% humidity in the presence of 5 × 106 fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa/mL. Representative samples of oocytes were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results Both fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa bound to the in vitro matured zona pellucida but significantly fewer, or no, spermatozoa bound to frozen-thawed, immature zona pellucida (P < 0.001). Also, more fresh spermatozoa than frozen-thawed spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida (P < 0.001). The zona pellucida surface differed in morphology (SEM), with in vitro matured oocytes showing a dense surface with few fenestrations in contrast to their frozen-thawed, immature counterparts, where fenestrations were conspicuously larger. Conclusion In conclusion, under the conditions of the present study, immature oocytes recovered from ovaries frozen immersed in NaCl at -20°C are less suitable for use in feline ZBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Hermansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Axnér
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bodil Ström Holst
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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146
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Núñez-Martinez I, Moran JM, Peña FJ. Identification of sperm morphometric subpopulations in the canine
ejaculate: do they reflect different subpopulations in sperm chromatin
integrity? ZYGOTE 2007; 15:257-66. [PMID: 17637107 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199407004248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SummaryA statistical approach using sequentially principal component analysis (PCA)
clustering and discriminant analysis was developed to disclose morphometric
sperm subpopulations. In addition, we used a similar approach to disclose
subpopulations of spermatozoa with different degrees of DNA fragmentation. It is
widely accepted that sperm morphology is a strong indicator of semen quality and
since the sperm head mainly comprises the sperm DNA, it has been proposed that
subtle changes in sperm head morphology may be related to abnormal DNA content.
Semen from four mongrel dogs (five replicates per dog) were used to investigate
DNA quality by means of the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), and for
computerized sperm morphometry (ASMA). Each sperm head was measured for nine
primary parameters: head area (A), head perimeter (P), head length (L), head
width (W), acrosome area (%), midpiece width (w), midpiece area (a), distance
(d) between the major axes of the head and midpiece, angle (θ) of
divergence of the midpiece from the head axis; and four parameters of head
shape: FUN1 (L/W), FUN2 (4π A/P2),
FUN3 ((L – W)/(L + W)) and FUN 4 (π
LW/4A). The data matrix consisted of 2361 observations, (morphometric
analysis on individual spermatozoa) and 63 815 observations for the DNA
integrity. The PCA analysis revealed five variables with Eigen values over 1,
representing more than 79% of the cumulative variance. The morphometric data
revealed five sperm subpopulations, while the DNA data gave six subpopulations
of spermatozoa with different DNA integrity. Significant differences were found
in the percentage of spermatozoa falling in each cluster among dogs (p < 0.05). Linear regression models
including sperm head shape factors 2, 3 and 4 predicted the amount of denatured
DNA within each individual spermatozoon (p
< 0.001). We conclude that the ASMA analysis can be considered a
powerful tool to improve the spermiogram.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Núñez-Martinez
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Section of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Herd Health and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Avd de la Universidad s/n 10071 Cáceres, Spain
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Gomendio M, Malo AF, Garde J, Roldan ERS. Sperm traits and male fertility in natural populations. Reproduction 2007; 134:19-29. [PMID: 17641085 DOI: 10.1530/rep-07-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Male fertility has seldom been studied in natural populations because it has been assumed that strong selection would result in uniformly high values among males, and therefore mating success has been equated with fertilisation success. In contrast, male fertility has received much attention in studies of domestic livestock, where economic benefits rely on improving productivity, and in human infertility studies, where the efficiency of treatments depends on understanding which ejaculate traits explain reproductive failures and predict success at assisted conception. Despite years of efforts, no conclusive results have been obtained, probably because such studies have focused on opposite extremes of the range with little variation: domestic livestock have often been subject to strong artificial selection for high fertility, and human patients requiring treatment have compromised fertility. Recent findings from natural populations of red deer have shown that males differ markedly in their fertility, and have revealed the degree of variation found in different semen traits, both between and within males. Fertility trials have shown that male fertility is determined mainly by sperm swimming speed and the proportion of normal sperm, when sperm numbers are kept constant. Sperm design exerts a strong influence on sperm swimming speed, with faster swimming sperm having elongated heads, shorter midpieces and a longer principal plus terminal pieces in relation to total flagellum length. Thus, the large inter-male variation in sperm design found among natural populations underlies differences in sperm swimming speed which, in turn, determine differences in male fertility rates. Secondary sexual characters are honest indicators of male fertility, so males with large and elaborated antlers have larger testes and faster swimming sperm. Testosterone does not seem to mediate the relationship between antler size and semen quality, since it is associated with sperm production, but not with sperm quality or antler size. Finally, more fertile males produce a greater proportion of sons, who will inherit the semen traits which will enhance their fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Gomendio
- Grupo de Ecología y Biología de la Reproducción, Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), c/Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
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148
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Koonjaenak S, Chanatinart V, Ekwall H, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Morphological features of spermatozoa of swamp buffalo AI bulls in Thailand. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 54:169-78. [PMID: 17493162 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00895.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The appearance and incidence of sperm abnormalities was studied in 115 ejaculates, collected periodically over 1 year covering all seasons from five mature, healthy swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls reared under tropical conditions and serving as the current source of semen for artificial insemination (AI) in Thailand. Light microscopy of stained smears was used to investigate sperm head shape morphology, while unstained wet smears were used to examine other sperm abnormalities. The most commonly found morphological aberrations were pear-shaped spermatozoa, knobbed acrosomes, proximal cytoplasmic droplets, simple bent tails and coiled tails under the head, whose ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy) corresponded to what has been found in other species of bovidae, including varieties of buffalo. The mean prevalence (as least squares mean +/- SEM) of sperm abnormalities was low (below 15%), corresponding to healthy spermiograms. The younger bulls (<10 years old, n = 3) had less abnormalities than the older ones (10.1 +/- 0.6% versus 14.1 +/- 0.8%, P < 0.001, n = 2), including abnormalities of sperm head shape (1.1 +/- 0.3% versus 3.6 +/- 0.3, P < 0.001), acrosome defects with knobbed acrosomes (1.1 +/- 0.2% versus 1.2 +/- 0.3%, P < 0.001), spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets (2.7 +/- 0.1% versus 1.4 +/- 0.2%, P < 0.001), defective mid-pieces (0.2 +/- 0.1% versus 0.3 +/- 0.1%) and abnormal sperm tails (3.1 +/- 0.3% versus 5.7 +/- 0.4%, P < 0.001). The within-bull effect of the year solely affected the incidence of pear-shaped spermatozoa while the incidences of abnormal contour, variable size of sperm head shapes, abnormal mid-piece and simple bent tail among bulls were affected by ejaculate (week of collection). Interaction between age and ejaculate affected only the prevalence of spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets. In conclusion, the types of defects encountered were similar to those found in other bovidae, with a very low prevalence over the year the AI sires were followed through.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Koonjaenak
- Division of Comparative Reproduction, Obstetrics and Udder Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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149
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Núñez-Martínez I, Moran JM, Peña FJ. Sperm indexes obtained using computer-assisted morphometry provide a forecast of the freezability of canine sperm. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 30:182-9. [PMID: 17376220 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2007.00743.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sperm morphometric indexes obtained after principal component analysis were used to investigate its value as diagnostic tests for freezability. Semen from six dogs was frozen-thawed following a standard protocol. Before freezing, computer-assisted analysis of sperm morphometry (CASMA) was performed. The principal component analysis (a statistical technique for simplifying a dataset, by reducing multidimensional datasets to lower dimensions for analysis) performed in the data obtained after the CASMA analysis gave four morphometric indexes. After thawing, ejaculates were evaluated for early changes in sperm membranes using the combination of two fluorescent probes, YO-PRO-1 and ethidium homodimer and flow cytometry. Significant differences in the percentages of intact membranes post-thaw were observed among dogs (p < 0.01). Significant non-parametric correlations were found between index 3 and the percentage of intact membranes after thawing (R = 0.432 p < 0.05). Receiving operating system curves demonstrate a good diagnostic value for indexes 2 and 3 in the prediction of freezability, with areas under the curve of 0.798 and 0.786, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Núñez-Martínez
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital Service of Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of Extremadura, Avd de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres, Spain
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150
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Koonjaenak S, Pongpeng P, Wirojwuthikul S, Johannisson A, Kunavongkrit A, Rodriguez-Martinez H. Seasonality affects post-thaw plasma membrane intactness and sperm velocities in spermatozoa from Thai AI swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Theriogenology 2007; 67:1424-35. [PMID: 17442385 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2006] [Revised: 02/20/2007] [Accepted: 02/25/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Altogether 218 frozen semen AI doses, prepared between 1980 and 1989 and also between 2003 and 2005 from 18 AI Thai swamp buffalo sires, were examined to determine whether seasonality affects post-thaw viability, as plasma membrane integrity (PMI, using SYBR-14/PI), plasma membrane stability (PMS, using Annexin-V/PI), or motility (Mot, using CASA). A thermoresistance test (38 degrees C for 60 min) was used to further analyze sperm survivability in vitro. All variables were compared over 3 seasons of the year (rainy: July-October; winter: November-February; and summer: March-June), with distinct ambient temperature and humidity. PMI (% of alive spermatozoa) was higher in winter (54.6%, P<0.001) than in the rainy (43.5%) or summer (46.7%) seasons. Outcomes of PMS (Annexin-V/PI assay) confirmed those of PMI, the highest PMS in spermatozoa processed in winter (55.7%, P<0.001). Spermatozoa depicting linear Mot post-thaw ranged from 48.2% to 48.8% across seasons (ns), proportions that decreased during incubation (33.5-37.9%), albeit without seasonal differences. The mean percentages of straight linear velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), or curvilinear velocity (VCL) were higher (P<0.05-0.001) in the rainy season than in winter or summer, while average lateral head displacement (ALH) was higher (P<0.05) in summer, differences maintained after incubation. In conclusion, post-thaw PMS and PMI, assessed by flow cytometry, were significantly better in sperm samples processed during winter than in samples processed during the other seasons of the year, a seasonal difference not picked up by CASA, probably due to the larger number of spermatozoa assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Koonjaenak
- Division of Comparative Reproduction, Obstetrics and Udder Health, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-75 007 Uppsala, Sweden
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