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Purohit PB, Gupta JP, Chaudhari JD, Bhatt TM, Pawar MM, Patel PA, Prajapati MN. Unravelling the impact of heat stress on daughter pregnancy rate in Mehsana buffalo through innovative breeding interventions. J Therm Biol 2024; 123:103922. [PMID: 39029334 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Heat stress profoundly affects the reproductive success of buffaloes, which are vital for the dairy industry due to their unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, necessitating careful evaluation under such conditions. Hence, this guided our search for quantifying heat stress' impact on Mehsana buffaloes using the best THI model and evaluating sires' performance. Fertility records (days open converted to daughter pregnancy rate) were collected in the span of over 24 years, w.e.f. 1989 to 2012. Finally, 3070 records of first lactation cows, daughters of 117 sires from DURDA, Gujarat, India, were used in the analysis. Meteorological data were retrieved from IMD, Pune, to understand the relationship between daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) and heat stress indicators. Several heat stress models were compared based on R2, adjusted R2, AIC, and BIC values, and the impact of heat stress was quantified. The year was classified into different heat stress zones, viz., Non heat stress zone (NHSZ), Heat stress zone (HSZ), and critical heat stress zone (CHSZ), drawing from the findings of DPR and THI. The THI 4th model based on dry and wet bulb temperature was identified as the best-fit model, and DPR significantly changed (P < 0.01) by 1.14% per unit change in THI value based on the month of calving. The average EBVs of the sires for DPR were found to be 20.78% (NHSZ), 38.09% (HSZ), and 39.08% (CHSZ) using BLUP-SM and 20.78% (NHSZ), 37.30% (HSZ), and 38.87% (HSZ) using BLUP-AM. Subsequently, the optimum sire for each of the zones was prioritized. It is noteworthy that bulls that performed better in NHSZ did not perform as well in HSZ and CHSZ, and vice versa. This supports the possibility of evaluating bulls independently in each heat stress zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- P B Purohit
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.
| | - Jay Prakash Gupta
- Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University (BASU), Patna, 800014, India.
| | - J D Chaudhari
- Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardarkrushinagar, Kamdhenu University (Erstwhile Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University), India.
| | - T M Bhatt
- Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardarkrushinagar, Kamdhenu University (Erstwhile Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University), India.
| | - M M Pawar
- Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sardarkrushinagar, Kamdhenu University (Erstwhile Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University), Gujarat, 385506, India.
| | - P A Patel
- Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Mehsana, 384002, India.
| | - M N Prajapati
- Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Mehsana, 384002, India.
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Li X, Bruckmann A, Dresselhaus T, Begcy K. Heat stress at the bicellular stage inhibits sperm cell development and transport into pollen tubes. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:2111-2128. [PMID: 38366643 PMCID: PMC11213256 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
For successful double fertilization in flowering plants (angiosperms), pollen tubes deliver 2 nonmotile sperm cells toward female gametes (egg and central cell, respectively). Heatwaves, especially during the reproduction period, threaten male gametophyte (pollen) development, resulting in severe yield losses. Using maize (Zea mays) as a crop and grass model system, we found strong seed set reduction when moderate heat stress was applied for 2 d during the uni- and bicellular stages of pollen development. We show that heat stress accelerates pollen development and impairs pollen germination capabilities when applied at the unicellular stage. Heat stress at the bicellular stage impairs sperm cell development and transport into pollen tubes. To understand the course of the latter defects, we used marker lines and analyzed the transcriptomes of isolated sperm cells. Heat stress affected the expression of genes associated with transcription, RNA processing and translation, DNA replication, and the cell cycle. This included the genes encoding centromeric histone 3 (CENH3) and α-tubulin. Most genes that were misregulated encode proteins involved in the transition from metaphase to anaphase during pollen mitosis II. Heat stress also activated spindle assembly check point and meta- to anaphase transition genes in sperm cells. In summary, misregulation of the identified genes during heat stress at the bicellular stage results in sperm cell development and transport defects ultimately leading to sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingli Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Bruckmann
- Department for Biochemistry I, Biochemistry Centre, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dresselhaus
- Department of Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Begcy
- Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611, USA
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Liczbińska G, Antosik S, Brabec M, Tomczyk AM. Ambient temperature-related sex ratio at birth in historical urban populations: the example of the city of Poznań, 1848-1900. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14001. [PMID: 38890431 PMCID: PMC11189407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64799-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examines whether exposure to ambient temperature in nineteenth-century urban space affected the ratio of boys to girls at birth. Furthermore, we investigate the details of temperature effects timing upon sex ratio at birth. The research included 66,009 individual births, aggregated in subsequent months of births for the years 1847-1900, i.e. 33,922 boys and 32,087 girls. The statistical modelling of the probability of a girl being born is based on logistic GAM with penalized splines and automatically selected complexity. Our research emphasizes the significant effect of temperature in the year of conception: the higher the temperature was, the smaller probability of a girl being born was observed. There were also several significant temperature lags before conception and during pregnancy. Our findings indicate that in the past, ambient temperature, similar to psychological stress, hunger, malnutrition, and social and economic factors, influenced the viability of a foetus. Research on the effects of climate on the sex ratio in historical populations may allow for a better understanding of the relationship between environmental factors and reproduction, especially concerning historical populations since due to some cultural limitations, they were more prone to stronger environmental stressors than currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grażyna Liczbińska
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Szymon Antosik
- Doctoral School of Humanities, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marek Brabec
- Department of Statistical Modelling, Institute of Computer Science, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Arkadiusz M Tomczyk
- Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Faculty of Geographic and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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Cinar B, Bollwein H, Siuda M, Lautner M, Leiding C, Malama E. Impact of bull age, sperm processing, and microclimatic conditions on the viability and DNA integrity of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23219. [PMID: 38713807 DOI: 10.1071/rd23219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Context Seasonal microclimatic fluctuations can cause changes in sperm quality even in dairy bulls bred under temperate climate. These changes can vary between sires of different age and affect sperm freezability. Aims We aimed to evaluate the modulating effect of bull age and equilibration time before freezing on the seasonal pattern of sperm viability and DNA integrity post-thaw. Methods In the frame of systematic sperm quality control, we assessed the integrity of sperm plasma membrane and acrosome (PMAI) in 15,496 cryopreserved bovine batches, and the percentage of sperm with high DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) after 0h and 3h incubation at 38°C post-thaw (3h) in 3422 batches. Semen was equilibrated for 24h before freezing if collected on Monday or Wednesday and 72h if produced on Friday. We investigated the effect of season, bull age, equilibration, and temperature-humidity index (THI) on the day of semen collection on sperm traits using mixed-effects linear models. Key results PMAI and %DFI (0h and 3h) deteriorated with increasing THI. The effect of THI on %DFI was detected with a 30-day time lag. Seasonal fluctuations of sperm quality were similar between young, mature, and older sires. Prolonged equilibration did not affect PMAI but was linked to elevated %DFI (3h) in summer. Conclusions Extending equilibration from 24 to 72h is compatible with commercial standards of bovine sperm quality post-thaw; however, it could interfere with the seasonal pattern of the latter. Implications Systematic monitoring of bovine sperm quality enables the prompt detection of stress factors related to microclimate and semen processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Cinar
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Lautner
- Besamungsverein Neustadt a.d. Aisch e.V., Karl-Eibl-Straße 17-27, Neustadt a.d. Aisch 91413, Germany
| | - Claus Leiding
- Besamungsverein Neustadt a.d. Aisch e.V., Karl-Eibl-Straße 17-27, Neustadt a.d. Aisch 91413, Germany
| | - Eleni Malama
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
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Barragán AL, Avendaño-Reyes L, Mellado-Bosque M, Meza-Herrera CA, Vicente-Pérez R, Castañeda VJ, Díaz-Molina R, Macías-Cruz U. Seasonal heat stress compromises testicular thermoregulation and semen quality of Dorper rams raised in a desert climate. J Therm Biol 2023; 118:103737. [PMID: 37944301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Dorper rams are widely distributed throughout the world under different climatic conditions, however, little is known about their reproductive performance in desert regions. Ten Dorper rams were individually housed and exposed to thermoneutrality for 35 d in spring (23.6 ± 5.6 °C, mean ± SD) and outdoor heat stress (HS) for 35 d in summer (33.6 ± 2.0 °C) to evaluate the effect of seasonal HS on physiological responses, testicular biometry, and seminal quality under desert climatic conditions. Rectal temperature, respiration rate and coat surface temperatures in different body regions were measured every 7 d (0600, 1200, and 1800 h); also, testicular biometry was registered at 0600 h. Semen was collected via an artificial vagina 3 d after physiological variables were measured and seminal traits were evaluated. Rectal temperature, respiration rate and coat surface temperatures were higher (P < 0.01) at each hour of measurement in summer compared to spring. Overall, scrotal length and circumference, as well as testicular volume were higher (P < 0.01) in summer than in spring. Compared to spring conditions, summer HS caused lower (P ≤ 0.05) sperm concentration and viability combined with a higher percentage of sperm abnormalities without affecting ejaculate volume. Both mass and sperm motility were similar between seasons in the first two sampling weeks, and then decreased (P ≤ 0.03) due to summer HS. In conclusion, Dorper rams developed testicle hyperthermia and, consequently, showed poor semen quality due to the high environmental temperatures prevailing in desert regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra L Barragán
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Mexicali, Baja California, 21705, Mexico
| | - Leonel Avendaño-Reyes
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Mexicali, Baja California, 21705, Mexico
| | - Miguel Mellado-Bosque
- Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Departamento de Nutrición Animal, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25315, Mexico
| | - César A Meza-Herrera
- Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas, Bermejillo, Durango, 35230, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Vicente-Pérez
- Universidad de Guadalajara-CUCSUR, Departamento de Producción Agrícola, Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, 48900, Mexico
| | - Vielka J Castañeda
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Mexicali, Baja California, 21705, Mexico
| | - Raúl Díaz-Molina
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Facultad de Medicina, Mexicali, Baja California, 21100, Mexico
| | - Ulises Macías-Cruz
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Mexicali, Baja California, 21705, Mexico.
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da Silva WC, da Silva JAR, Camargo-Júnior RNC, da Silva ÉBR, dos Santos MRP, Viana RB, Silva AGME, da Silva CMG, Lourenço-Júnior JDB. Animal welfare and effects of per-female stress on male and cattle reproduction—A review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1083469. [PMID: 37065229 PMCID: PMC10102491 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1083469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermal stress causes severe effects on the wellbeing and reproduction of cattle, including changes in oogenesis and spermatogenesis, generating great concerns, which last for decades. In cattle, the occurrence of thermal stress is associated with a reduction in the production of spermatozoids and ovarian follicles, in addition to the increase of major and minor defects in gametes or in their intermediate stages. In bovine females able to reproduce, a reduction in the rate of estrus manifestation and an increase in embryonic mortality has been observed. Therefore, keeping animals on good welfare conditions, with water supply and in shaded areas can favor the improvement of different reproductive parameters. For all this, the present study aimed to gather, synthesize and argue recent studies related to animal welfare, focusing on the effects of thermal stress on the reproduction of cattle, aiming to support possible strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of thermal stress in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Welligton Conceição da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Welligton Conceição da Silva
| | | | - Raimundo Nonato Colares Camargo-Júnior
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rinaldo Batista Viana
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Institute of Animal Health and Production, Belém, Brazil
| | - André Guimarães Maciel e Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
| | - Cleidson Manoel Gomes da Silva
- Federal University of the South and Southeast of Pará (UNIFESSPA), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinguara, Pará, Brazil
| | - José de Brito Lourenço-Júnior
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
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De Toni L, Finocchi F, Jawich K, Ferlin A. Global warming and testis function: A challenging crosstalk in an equally challenging environmental scenario. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1104326. [PMID: 36726592 PMCID: PMC9885165 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1104326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution, accounting for both chemical and physical factors, is a major matter of concern due to its health consequences in both humans and animals. The release of greenhouse gases with the consequent increase in environmental temperature is acknowledged to have a major impact on the health of both animals and humans, in current and future generations. A large amount of evidence reports detrimental effects of acute heat stress on testis function, particularly on the spermatogenetic and steroidogenetic process, in both animal and human models, wich is largely related to the testis placement within the scrotal sac and outside the abdomen, warranting an overall scrotal temperature of 2°C-4°C lower than the core body temperature. This review will provide a thorough evaluation of environmental temperature's effect on testicular function. In particular, basic concepts of body thermoregulation will be discussed together with available data about the association between testis damage and heat stress exposure. In addition, the possible association between global warming and the secular decline of testis function will be critically evaluated in light of the available epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,*Correspondence: Luca De Toni,
| | - Federica Finocchi
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Kenda Jawich
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria,Department of Biochemistry, International University for Science and Technology, Daraa, Syria
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Abioja MO, Apuu S, Daramola JO, Wheto M, Akinjute OF. Semen quality and sperm characteristics in broiler breeder cockerels fed vitamin E during hot season. ACTA SCIENTIARUM: ANIMAL SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v44i1.56848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thirty-two Arbor Acres (AA) cockerels aged 27 weeks were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (VE) on the semen characteristics and sperm quality during hot season. The birds were fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150mg VE kg-1 feed. There were 4 replicates and two birds per replicate. Semen collection was done thrice a week for three weeks in all birds. Dietary vitamin E significantly (p < 0.05) increased the semen volume (SV) and number of sperm cells (NS) in AA cockerels. CONTROL birds (0.71 mL) had lower SV than birds fed 150 mg VE (0.94 mL). Birds on 100 and 150 mg VE recorded similar NS, which was higher than 0 and 50 mg VE groups. The least NS was in the CONTROL group. Sperm abnormality gradually (p < 0.05) decreased as dietary VE increased from 0 to 150 mg. Significant (p < 0.01) effect of dietary VE was recorded in percentage live sperm (PLS). Semen from cockerels on VE treatment had higher PLS than the CONTROL. In conclusion, it may be beneficial to supplement the broiler breeder cockerel diet with VE up to 150 mg kg-1 feed during hot season as it increased SV, NS and PLS and decreased sperm abnormality.
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Nasiri R, Zarandi SM, Bayat M, Amini A. Design a protocol to investigate the effects of climate change in vivo. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113482. [PMID: 35609654 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Climate change has a variety of effects on communities and the environment, most of which have been directly addressed, such as floods, droughts, and fires. To date, the impacts of climate change on health in in vivo conditions have not been assessed, and no protocol has been developed in this regard. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to develop a protocol as well as design and build a pilot to deal with climate change in vivo to show the direct effects of climate change on health. For this purpose, twenty specialists, comprising ten experts active in field climate and 10 experts in field medicine and anatomy, have been consulted to design the proposed exposure protocol using the Delphi method. According to the prepared protocol, an exposure pilot was then designed and built, which provides the climatic conditions for animal exposure with a fully automatic HMI-PLC system. The results showed the average 12:12-h day/night temperature, humidity, and circadian cycle for three consecutive ten-year periods selected for exposure of 1-month-old male rats. The duration of the exposure period is four months, which is equivalent to a ten-year climatic period. This study is a framework and a starting point for examining the effects of climate change on in vivo conditions that have not yet been considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasul Nasiri
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Motesaddi Zarandi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Bayat
- Biology and Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abdollah Amini
- Biology and Anatomical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone counteracts the adverse effect of scrotal insulation on testicular functions in bucks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7869. [PMID: 35551262 PMCID: PMC9098548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11884-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This study determined the effects of scrotal insulation on testicular functions in bucks and evaluated the impact of exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration before scrotal insulation on sperm production and testicular vascular dynamics. Twelve bucks were randomly divided into three groups: scrotal-insulated animals without GnRH treatment (INS), scrotal-insulated animals treated previously with GnRH (GnRH + INS), and animals without insulation as controls (CON). Doppler ultrasonography was used to evaluate testicular vascular changes, and semen samples were collected to assess seminal parameters. Testicular samples were collected from slaughtered bucks at the end of the experiment for histological investigations and immunohistochemical analysis for caspase 3 (apoptotic marker), and a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; hypoxic marker) evaluation. Sperm motility drastically decreased (33%) in the INS group on day 8 compared with those in the GnRH + INS and CON groups (58% and 85%, respectively). Testicular blood flow significantly decreased for 3 and 2 weeks in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. The pulsatility index (PI) reached pretreatment values at 5 and 4 weeks after insulation in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. The resistance index (RI) values increased in both insulated groups for the first 2 weeks and decreased to control values 4 weeks after insulation. However, the maximum velocity (VP) started to increase reaching pretreatment values by the 5th and 3rd weeks after insulation in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. Histological investigations showed a marked reduction in lipid inclusions in Sertoli cells in the GnRH + INS group compared with those in the INS group. The distributions of both caspase 3 and VEGF decreased in the GnRH + INS group compared with those in the INS group. This study showed that the administration of a single dose of GnRH delayed the negative effects of scrotal insulation on different seminal traits and revealed the pivotal role of GnRH in compensating testicular insulation in bucks.
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11
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Heat stress and sperm production in the domestic cat. Theriogenology 2022; 187:182-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Impact of Heat Stress on Bovine Sperm Quality and Competence. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12080975. [PMID: 35454222 PMCID: PMC9027525 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming has negatively influenced animal production performance, in addition to animal well-being and welfare, consequently impairing the economic sustainability of the livestock industry. Heat stress impact on male fertility is complex and multifactorial, with the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa affected by several pathways. Among the most significative changes are the increase in and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing lipid peroxidation and motility impairment. The exposure of DNA during the cell division of spermatogenesis makes it vulnerable to both ROS and apoptotic enzymes, while the subsequent post-meiotic DNA condensation makes restoration impossible, harming later embryonic development. Mitochondria are also susceptible to the loss of membrane potential and electron leakage during oxidative phosphorylation, lowering their energy production capacity under heat stress. Although cells are equipped with defense mechanisms against heat stress, heat insults that are too intense lead to cell death. Heat shock proteins (HSP) belong to a thermostable and stress-induced protein family, which eliminate protein clusters and are essential to proteostasis under heat stress. This review focuses on effects of heat stress on sperm quality and on the mechanisms leading to defective sperm under heat stress.
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Garcia-Oliveros LN, Paes de Arruda R, Batissaco L, Guilger Gonzaga VH, Moreira Nogueira VJ, Florez-Rodriguez SA, Almeida FDS, Rodrigues Alves MB, Costa Pinto SC, Nichi M, Diego de Agostini Losano J, Vechiato Kawai GK, Carvalho Celeghini EC. Chronological characterization of sperm morpho-functional damage and recovery after testicular heat stress in Nellore bulls. J Therm Biol 2022; 106:103237. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Wang WWY, Gunderson AR. The Physiological and Evolutionary Ecology of Sperm Thermal Performance. Front Physiol 2022; 13:754830. [PMID: 35399284 PMCID: PMC8987524 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.754830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing anthropogenic climate change has increased attention on the ecological and evolutionary consequences of thermal variation. Most research in this field has focused on the physiology and behavior of diploid whole organisms. The thermal performance of haploid gamete stages directly tied to reproductive success has received comparatively little attention, especially in the context of the evolutionary ecology of wild (i.e., not domesticated) organisms. Here, we review evidence for the effects of temperature on sperm phenotypes, emphasizing data from wild organisms whenever possible. We find that temperature effects on sperm are pervasive, and that above normal temperatures in particular are detrimental. That said, there is evidence that sperm traits can evolve adaptively in response to temperature change, and that adaptive phenotypic plasticity in sperm traits is also possible. We place results in the context of thermal performance curves, and encourage this framework to be used as a guide for experimental design to maximize ecological relevance as well as the comparability of results across studies. We also highlight gaps in our understanding of sperm thermal performance that require attention to more fully understand thermal adaptation and the consequences of global change.
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15
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Nagaki CAP, Hamilton TRDS, Assumpção MEODÁ. What is known so far about bull sperm protamination: a review. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20210109. [DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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16
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Tekin K, İnanç ME, Özen D, Cil B, Olğaç KT, Yılmaz B, Taşdemir U, Tuncer PB, Büyükleblebici S, Daşkın A, Uysal O, Stelletta C. Use of Infrared Thermography during Ejaculation Process and Its Link with Semen Quality and Freezability in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113023. [PMID: 34827755 PMCID: PMC8614508 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Scientific attention to infrared technology has grown over the last decade. Remote and non-invasive monitoring techniques are of great importance in discovering ejaculation response and future trends because of their role in vascular flux regulation. However, detailed information about its use in andrology has yet to be fully explained. Therefore, we aimed to reveal information about the amount of sperm to be obtained by observing stress levels with non-invasive eye temperature measurement, and the relationship between various reproductive temperature patterns and parameters of the animal’s various physiological conditions such as age, body condition, total ejaculation time and testicular volume. Abstract This study aimed to describe the thermal variation of external reproductive tracts during ejaculation in relation to sperm quality in dogs. Forty-six adult fertile dogs were monitored using a thermal camera before, during and after the semen collection, taking into account penile and scrotal temperatures as reproductive thermal patterns while eye and perianal temperatures were recorded as complementary thermal patterns of behavioral response. The parameters were classified depending on age (≤4 years and >4 years), body weight (BW) (≤75 kg and >75 kg), sperm concentration (CON) (≤300 million and >300 million), total testicular volume (TTV) (≤600 cm3 and >600 cm3) and total ejaculation time (TET) (≤800 s and >800 s) of the animals from which semen was collected successfully. Heavier males (p < 0.05) that have more consistent testicles (p < 0.01) as well as quicker ejaculate responders (p < 0.001) and lower scrotal temperature had better semen (Δ motility) freezability. The lower eye temperature prior to the ejaculation (p < 0.01), lower scrotal temperature following ejaculation (p < 0.01), and conversely, higher penile temperature during the ejaculation (p < 0.001) had a higher sperm concentration. Furthermore, the sperm freezability was negatively correlated with total ejaculation time (r = −0.39, p < 0.05) and sperm abnormalities were lower in the ejaculate of dogs having a higher temperature of the scrotum, bulbus and penis. In conclusion, infrared monitoring throughout semen collection in dogs can provide information on behavioral reactions during human manipulation, as well as semen quality and testicular functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Tekin
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
| | - Muhammed Enes İnanç
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur 15030, Turkey;
| | - Doğukan Özen
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06560, Turkey;
| | - Beste Cil
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
| | - Kemal Tuna Olğaç
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
| | - Burak Yılmaz
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
| | - Umut Taşdemir
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aksaray University, Aksaray 68100, Turkey;
| | - Pürhan Barbaros Tuncer
- Technical Sciences Vocational School, Mersin University, Mersin 33110, Turkey; (P.B.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Serhat Büyükleblebici
- Technical Sciences Vocational School, Mersin University, Mersin 33110, Turkey; (P.B.T.); (S.B.)
| | - Ali Daşkın
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
| | - Ongun Uysal
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
| | - Calogero Stelletta
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 68100, Turkey; (K.T.); (B.C.); (K.T.O.); (B.Y.); (A.D.); (O.U.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence:
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17
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Pintus E, Ros-Santaella JL. Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproduction in Domestic and Wild Animals. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071154. [PMID: 34356386 PMCID: PMC8301082 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs when the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) overcome the antioxidant defenses of the organism, jeopardizing several biological functions, including reproduction. In the male reproductive system, oxidative stress not only impairs sperm fertility but also compromises offspring health and survival, inducing oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Although a clear link between oxidative stress and male fertility disorders has been demonstrated in humans and laboratory rodents, little information is available about the implications of impaired redox homeostasis in the male fertility of domestic and wild animals. Therefore, this review aims to provide an update regarding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are associated with oxidative stress in the male reproductive system and their impact on the reproductive performance of domestic and wild animals. The most recent strategies for palliating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on male fertility are reviewed together with their potential economic and ecological implications in the livestock industry and biodiversity conservation.
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18
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Khosravi A, Hasani A, Behnam P, Piryaei A, Pirani M, Aliaghaei A, Raee P, Abdi S, Fathabadi FF, Abdollahifar MA. An effective method for establishing animal models of azoospermia and oligospermia. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14095. [PMID: 33961697 DOI: 10.1111/and.14095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study aims to develop a validated animal model to predict successful spermatogenesis retrieval in azoospermia and oligospermia men. Thirty-two mice were equally divided into 4 groups: control, scrotal hyperthermia (15 times), scrotal hyperthermia group (10 times), scrotal hyperthermia group (5 times). In the scrotal hyperthermia groups, their scrotum exposed to water at a temperature of 43°C for 20 min every other day. Then, the mice were euthanised and sperm samples were collected for sperm parameters analysis, and blood samples were obtained for hormonal assay. The testis samples were taken for histopathology experiments, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot in order to examine the protein expression together with RNA extraction in order to examine the gene expression of germ cell markers. The results of sperm analysis and histopathology of testicular tissue as well as the results of gene expression and Western blot showed that hyperthermia can significantly impair spermatogenesis. In conclusion, we have developed a novel model of azoospermia and oligospermia in mouse, which uses a high temperature to suppress spermatogenesis process through demolition of germ cells subsequent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The model will contribute to understanding azoospermia in human, oligospermia pathophysiology and the development of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Khosravi
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Hasani
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paria Behnam
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Piryaei
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Pirani
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Aliaghaei
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pourya Raee
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shabnam Abdi
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomical Sciences & Cognitive Neuroscience, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fadaei Fathabadi
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Evans HC, Dinh TTN, Hardcastle ML, Gilmore AA, Ugur MR, Hitit M, Jousan FD, Nicodemus MC, Memili E. Advancing Semen Evaluation Using Lipidomics. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:601794. [PMID: 33937366 PMCID: PMC8085260 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.601794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing a deeper understanding of biological components of sperm is essential to improving cryopreservation techniques and reproductive technologies. To fully ascertain the functional determinants of fertility, lipidomic methods have come to the forefront. Lipidomics is the study of the lipid profile (lipidome) within a cell, tissue, or organism and provides a quantitative analysis of the lipid content in that sample. Sperm cells are composed of various lipids, each with their unique contribution to the overall function of the cell. Lipidomics has already been used to find new and exciting information regarding the fatty acid content of sperm cells from different species. While the applications of lipidomics are rapidly evolving, gaps in the knowledge base remain unresolved. Current limitations of lipidomics studies include the number of available samples to analyze and the total amount of cells within those samples needed to detect changes in the lipid profiles across different subjects. The information obtained through lipidomics research is essential to systems and cellular biology. This review provides a concise analysis of the most recent developments in lipidomic research. This scientific resource is important because these developments can be used to not only combat the reproductive challenges faced when using cryopreserved semen and artificial reproductive technologies in livestock such as cattle, but also other mammals, such as humans or endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly C. Evans
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Thu T. N. Dinh
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Madison L. Hardcastle
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Alicia A. Gilmore
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Muhammet R. Ugur
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
- Department of Animal Genetics, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Frank Dean Jousan
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Molly C. Nicodemus
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Erdogan Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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20
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Lin PH, Huang KH, Tian YF, Lin CH, Chao CM, Tang LY, Hsieh KL, Chang CP. Exertional heat stroke on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3539. [PMID: 33574487 PMCID: PMC7878509 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83121-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of exertional heat stroke (EHS) and testicular morphological changes affecting sperm quality, as well as the association of EHS and hypothalamic changes affecting sexual behavior, has yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of EHS on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats. Animals were exercised at higher room temperature (36 ℃ relative humidity 50%) to induce EHS, characterized by excessive hyperthermia, neurobehavioral deficits, hypothalamic cell damage, systemic inflammation, coagulopathy, and multiple organ injury. In particular, EHS animals had erectile dysfunction (as determined by measuring the changes of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial pressure in response to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves). Rats also displayed testicular temperature disruption, poorly differentiated seminiferous tubules, impaired sperm quality, and atrophy of interstitial Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and peri-tubular cells in the testicular tissues accompanied by no spermatozoa and broken cells with pyknosis in their seminal vesicle and prostatitis. These EHS effects were still observed after 3 days following EHS onset, at least. Our findings provide a greater understanding of the effect of experimentally induced EHS on masculine sexual behavior, fertility, stress hormones, and morphology of both testis and prostate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Da-An Women and Children Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Hua Huang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Address: No. 901, Zhonghua Rd, Yongkang District, Tainan, 710, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Feng Tian
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, 710, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsien Lin
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Address: No. 901, Zhonghua Rd, Yongkang District, Tainan, 710, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ming Chao
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Min-Hwei College of Health Care Management, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yu Tang
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Address: No. 901, Zhonghua Rd, Yongkang District, Tainan, 710, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Lin Hsieh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Address: No. 901, Zhonghua Rd, Yongkang District, Tainan, 710, Taiwan. .,Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Ping Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Address: No. 901, Zhonghua Rd, Yongkang District, Tainan, 710, Taiwan.
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21
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Butler ML, Hartman AR, Bormann JM, Weaber RL, Grieger DM, Rolf MM. Genetic parameter estimation for beef bull semen attributes. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6102585. [PMID: 33453111 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvements in bull reproductive performance are necessary to optimize the efficiency of cattle production. Female fertility has been enhanced through assisted reproductive technologies as well as genetic selection; however, improving beef bull fertility has been largely ignored. Phenotypes routinely collected at bull semen collection facilities are believed to affect fertility and provide the phenotypes necessary for a genetic evaluation. The first objective of this study was to determine the significant fixed effects for modeling beef bull fertility using data from bull semen collection facilities. The second objective was to estimate variance components, heritabilities, repeatabilities, and correlations between beef bull semen attributes. Beef bull fertility phenotypes including volume (VOL), concentration (CONC), number of spermatozoa (NSP), initial motility (IMot), post-thaw motility (PTMot), 3-h post-thaw motility (3HRPTMot), percentage of normal spermatozoa (%NORM), primary abnormalities (PRIM), and secondary abnormalities (SEC) were obtained from two bull semen collection facilities. A total of 1,819 Angus bulls with 50,624 collection records were analyzed. Of the fixed class and covariate effects tested, the significant class effects were collection location and collection day within year and the significant covariate effects included age at collection, days since previous collection, and cumulative comprehensive climate index (CCI). For this study, the CCI was calculated for a 75-d period including the 61-d spermatogenesis cycle and 14-d epididymal transit time. The 75 d prior to collection accounted for the environmental stress a bull may have experienced over the course of development of the spermatozoa, which was more significant than the CCI calculated for collection day or spermatogenesis start date. Pre-thaw beef bull semen traits had low heritability estimates of 0.11 ± 0.02 (VOL), 0.09 ± 0.02 (CONC), 0.08 ± 0.02 (NSP), and 0.12 ± 0.03 (IMot). Heritabilities of post-thaw beef bull semen attributes were more variable at 0.10 ± 0.02 (PTMot), 0.05 ± 0.04 (3HRPTMot), 0.10 ± 0.04 (%NORM), 0.03 ± 0.03 (PRIM), and 0.18 ± 0.04 (SEC). Correlations of breeding values for these traits with scrotal circumference (SC) expected progeny difference (EPD) are low. The low to moderate heritability estimates indicate that genetic improvement can be made in beef bull semen quality traits if new tools are developed to augment the scrotal circumference EPD that are currently available within the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison L Butler
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
| | - Ashley R Hartman
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
| | - Jennifer M Bormann
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
| | - Robert L Weaber
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
| | - David M Grieger
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
| | - Megan M Rolf
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
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22
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Gonçalves AA, Garcia AR, Rolim Filho ST, Silva JARD, Melo DND, Guimarães TC, Tavares HR, Silva TVG, Souza EBD, Santos SDSD, Ohashi OM. Scrotal thermoregulation and sequential sperm abnormalities in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) under short-term heat stress. J Therm Biol 2021; 96:102842. [PMID: 33627280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Heat stress reduces the reproductive capacity of bulls raised in tropical climate. However, the reestablishment of scrotal thermoregulation and the dynamics of sperm defects emergence after stress are not completely known in buffaloes. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term heat stress over scrotal thermoregulation and sperm attributes, relating them to spermatogenesis stages. Five buffalo bulls went through scrotal insulation during 48 h (from day 0 to day 2). Semen samples were collected every 7 days (from day -7 to day 49) and analyzed about the progressive motility, viability, and sperm morphology. Heat stress significantly destabilized scrotal thermoregulation (P < 0.001). Scrotal temperature was from 4.2 to 6.3 °C lower than the core body temperature, except on insulation days (P < 0.001), and returned to the basal condition five days after the removal of the stressing stimulus. More significant deleterious effects were observed in sperm morphology than in cell concentration, motility, and viability. The chronology of morphologic defects expression demonstrated tail defects (days 7-14), cytoplasmic droplets (days 14-28), and head defects (day 28), returning to pre-insulation condition 35 days after the thermal challenge. Thus, hyperthermia harmed more intensely spermatozoa in epididymal transit, elongated spermatids, and secondary spermatocytes. It is concluded that water buffalo bulls present a peculiar manifestation of sperm morphology after short-term stress, indicating an important difference related to the bovine species. Therefore, during the andrological evaluation of buffalo bulls, it is necessary to avoid the allometric extrapolation between these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldo Algaranhar Gonçalves
- Laboratory of in Vitro Fertilization, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rossetto Garcia
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Southeast Livestock, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Dayana Neves de Melo
- Institute of Health and Animal Production, Federal Rural University of Amazonia, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Thiago Castro Guimarães
- Laboratory of in Vitro Fertilization, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Héliton Ribeiro Tavares
- Laboratory of in Vitro Fertilization, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo Baia de Souza
- Laboratory of in Vitro Fertilization, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | | | - Otávio Mitio Ohashi
- Laboratory of in Vitro Fertilization, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
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23
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Fantinato P, Geraldo ACAPDM, dos Santos TMDCL, Vilela RA, Tribucci AMDO, de Andrade AFC, Arruda RP, Titto EAL. Shade availability on pasture does not affect semen characteristics of Brahman bulls ( Bos taurus indicus). BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2021; 43:e003721. [PMID: 35749065 PMCID: PMC9179191 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular degeneration by heat is the leading cause of infertility in bulls. Beef cattle are generally farmed under hot and humid conditions, and consequently, the thermotolerance of each breed must be considered in their natural environment. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive characteristics of Brahman bulls maintained in the grazing system, with or without shadow availability. Ten Brahman bulls aging between 24 and 30 months were allocated in two different paddocks, with or without shadow availability. The heat tolerance test was performed on three non-consecutive typical summer days. The semen samples were collected at four times points in a 14 days interval. The climate conditions were monitored throughout the experiment; and clinical evaluation, testicular consistence and scrotal circumference were measured before every semen collection. In addition, semen was evaluated regarding volume, aspect, turbulence, motility, straight movement, sperm concentration, and morphological exam. The studied Brahman bulls showed a high thermolysis capacity, high heat tolerance, and no differences in semen quality were observed between groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Fantinato
- Veterinarian, Departamento de Zootecnia (ZAZ), Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA), Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Campus “Fernando Costa”, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
- Correspondence Paulo Fantinato Neto Departamento de Medicina Veterinária - ZMV, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA, Universidade de São Paulo - USP Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Campus “Fernando Costa” CEP 13635-900 - Pirassununga (SP), Brasil E-mail:
| | | | | | - Reíssa Alves Vilela
- Zootechnist, ZAZ, FZEA, USP. Campus “Fernando Costa”, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - André Furugen Cesar de Andrade
- Veterinarian, Departamento de Reprodução Animal (VRA), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ), USP. Campus “Fernando Costa”, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rubens Paes Arruda
- Veterinarian, DSc., VRA, FMVZ, USP. Campus “Fernando Costa”, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
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24
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Alves MBR, Arruda RPD, Batissaco L, Garcia-Oliveros LN, Gonzaga VHG, Nogueira VJM, Almeida FDS, Pinto SCC, Andrade GM, Perecin F, da Silveira JC, Celeghini ECC. Changes in miRNA levels of sperm and small extracellular vesicles of seminal plasma are associated with transient scrotal heat stress in bulls. Theriogenology 2020; 161:26-40. [PMID: 33278692 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Scrotal heat stress affects spermatogenesis and impairs male fertility by increasing sperm morphological abnormalities, oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. While sperm morpho-functional changes triggered by scrotal heat stress are well described, sperm molecular alterations remain unknown. Recently, spermatozoa were described as accumulating miRNAs during the last steps of spermatogenesis and through epididymis transit, mainly by communication with small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Herein, the aim was to investigate the impact of scrotal heat stress in miRNAs profile of sperm, as well as, seminal plasma sEVs. Six Nelore bulls (Bos indicus) were divided into two groups: Control (CON; n = 3) and Scrotal Heat Stress (SHS; n = 3; scrotal heat stressed during 96 h by scrotal bags). The day that the scrotal bags were removed from SHS group was considered as D0 (Day zero). Seminal plasma sEVs were isolated from semen samples collected seven days after heat stress (D+7) to evaluate sEVs diameter, concentration, and 380 miRNA levels. Sperm morpho-functional features and profile of 380 miRNAs were evaluated from semen collected 21 days after heat stress (D+21). As a control, sEVs and sperm were analyzed seven days before heat stress (D-7). Only semen parameters that were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among bulls on D-7 were addressed on D+7 and D+21. While no alterations in diameter and concentration were detected in sEVs on D+7 between CON and SHS groups, three sEVs-miRNAs (miR-23b-5p, -489 and -1248) were down-regulated in SHS bulls compared to CON on D+7; other three (miR-126-5p, -656 and -1307) displayed a tendency (0.05 < P < 0.10) to be altered. Sperm oxidative stress was higher, and the level of 21 sperm miRNAs was altered (18 down-, 3 up-regulated) in SHS bulls compared to CON on D+21. Functional analysis indicated that target genes involved in transcription activation, as well as cell proliferation and differentiation were related to the 18 down-regulated sperm miRNAs (miR-9-5p, -15a, -18a, -20b, -30a-5p, -30b-5p, -30d, -30e-5p -34b, -34c, -106b, -126-5p, -146a, -191, -192, -200b, -335 and -449a). Thus, the scrotal heat stress probably impacted testicular and epididymis functions by reducing the levels of a substantial proportion of sEVs and sperm miRNAs. Our findings suggest that miR-126-5p was possibly trafficked between sEVs and sperm and provide new insights on the mechanism by which sperm acquire miRNAs in the last stages of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Bianchi Rodrigues Alves
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Rubens Paes de Arruda
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Batissaco
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Laura Nataly Garcia-Oliveros
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Vitor Hugo Guilger Gonzaga
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Vinícius José Moreira Nogueira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Flávia Dos Santos Almeida
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Sâmara Cristine Costa Pinto
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Gabriella Mamede Andrade
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Perecin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Juliano Coelho da Silveira
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
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