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Bolarin A, Berndtson J, Tejerina F, Cobos S, Pomarino C, D'Alessio F, Blackburn H, Kaeoket K. Boar semen cryopreservation: State of the art, and international trade vision. Anim Reprod Sci 2024:107496. [PMID: 38763787 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107496] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Biosecurity is a major concern in the global pig production. The separation in time of semen collection, processing and insemination in the pig farm is a few days for chilled semen but it can be indefinite when using cryopreserved semen. Field fertility results of boar cryopreserved semen are close to chilled semen, which makes it a valuable resource for the establishment of semen genebanks, long-distance semen trade, and the implementation of other technologies such as the sex-sorted semen. But cryopreserved semen is far from being routine in pig farms. The most recent research efforts to facilitate its implementation include the use of additives before freezing, or in the thawing extender. Long-term preserved semen trade is a biosecurity challenge. To harmonize international trade of germplasm, the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) established a regulatory framework for all member countries. The present paper aims to review the latest advances of boar semen cryopreservation with special focus on the benefits of its inclusion as a routine tool in the pig industry. We also review recently reported field fertility results of cryopreserved semen, its international trade compared to chilled semen, and the regulatory framework involved. Boar cryopreserved semen is a valuable tool to control biosecurity risk, implement other technologies, and facilitate international trade. Research already demonstrated good field fertility results, but it still represents less than 0.1 % of the international trade. As boar cryopreserved semen gets closer to implementation, the correspondent authorities are reviewing the trade rules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - F Tejerina
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. General Sub-directorate of Livestock Inputs, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Cobos
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. General Sub-directorate of Health Agreements and Border Control, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Pomarino
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. General Sub-directorate of Animal Health and Hygiene and Traceability, Madrid, Spain
| | - F D'Alessio
- World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Paris, France
| | - H Blackburn
- USDA-ARS, National Animal Germplasm Program, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - K Kaeoket
- Semen Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon-Pathom 73170, Thailand
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Pytlík J, Ducháček J, Codl R, Georgijevič Savvulidi F, Vrhel M, Stádník L. Effect of Different Equilibration Times and Freezing Rates on Bull Spermatozoa Cryotolerance. ACTA UNIVERSITATIS AGRICULTURAE ET SILVICULTURAE MENDELIANAE BRUNENSIS 2023. [DOI: 10.11118/actaun.2023.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
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Maside C, Recuero S, Salas-Huetos A, Ribas-Maynou J, Yeste M. Animal board invited review: An update on the methods for semen quality evaluation in swine - from farm to the lab. Animal 2023; 17:100720. [PMID: 36801527 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pig breeding is mainly conducted through artificial insemination with liquid-stored semen. It is, therefore, crucial to ensure that sperm quality is over the standard thresholds, as reduced sperm motility, morphology or plasma membrane integrity are associated with reduced farrowing rates and litter sizes. This work aims to summarise the methods utilised in farms and research laboratories to evaluate sperm quality in pigs. The conventional spermiogram consists in the assessment of sperm concentration, motility and morphology, which are the most estimated variables in farms. Yet, while the determination of these sperm parameters is enough for farms to prepare seminal doses, other tests, usually carried out in specialised laboratories, may be required when boar studs exhibit a decreased reproductive performance. These methods include the evaluation of functional sperm parameters, such as plasma membrane integrity and fluidity, intracellular levels of calcium and reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial activity, and acrosome integrity, using fluorescent probes and flow cytometry. Furthermore, sperm chromatin condensation and DNA integrity, despite not being routinely assessed, may also help determine the causes of reduced fertilising capacity. Sperm DNA integrity can be evaluated through direct (Comet, transferase deoxynucleotide nick end labelling (TUNEL) and its in situ nick variant) or indirect tests (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay, Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test), whereas chromatin condensation can be determined with Chromomycin A3. Considering the high degree of chromatin packaging in pig sperm, which only have protamine 1, growing evidence suggests that complete decondensation of that chromatin is needed before DNA fragmentation through TUNEL or Comet can be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Maside
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sandra Recuero
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Consorcio CIBER, M.P., Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), ES-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Marc Yeste
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), ES-08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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Advances in sperm cryopreservation in farm animals: Cattle, horse, pig and sheep. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106904. [PMID: 34887155 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is one of the most important procedures in the development of biotechnologies for assisted reproduction. In some farm animals, the use of cryopreserved sperm has so many benefits for which relevance has become more evident in recent decades. Values for post-thaw sperm quality, however, are variable among species and within individuals of the same species. There is no standardized methodology for each of the stages of the cryopreservation procedure (andrological examination, semen collection, dilution, centrifugation, resuspension of the pellet with the freezing medium, packaging, freezing and post-thaw sperm evaluation), which also contributes to differences among studies. Cryotolerance markers of sperm and seminal plasma (SP) have been evaluated for prediction of ejaculate freezability. In addition, in previous research, there has been a focus on supplementing cryopreservation media with different substances, such as enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In most studies, inclusion of these substances have led to improved post-thaw sperm quality and fertilizing capacity as a result of minimizing the adverse effects on sperm structure and function. Another approach is the use of different cryoprotectants. The aim with this review article is to provide an update on sperm cryopreservation in farm animals. The main detrimental effects of cryopreservation are described, including the negative repercussion on reproductive performance. Furthermore, the potential use of molecular biomarkers to predict sperm cryotolerance is discussed, as well as the addition of substances that can mitigate the harmful impact of freezing and thawing on sperm.
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Selige C, Quirino M, Schröter F, Aepli M, Schulze M. Effect of pasteurized egg yolk on the quality of cryopreserved boar semen. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1152-1155. [PMID: 34169592 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13977] [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: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Egg yolk (EY, control) is an essential ingredient of diluents for boar semen cryopreservation. Pasteurized egg yolk (PEY) reduces hygienic risks in processing and is easier to standardize. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of PEY (treatment) on frozen-thawed boar semen. In a split-sample approach (n = 13 boars), it could be shown that there is neither an influence (p > .05) on post-thawing motility (PTM: 5, 30 and 120 min) nor on morphologically intact sperm, percentage of acrosome defects and membrane fluidity using a PEY extender compared to the control. Mitochondrial activity (p = .043), membrane integrity (p = .015) and PTM 300 min (p = .023) were slightly affected in the treatment group. Overall, sperm quality was at a high level in both experimental groups. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of PEY on the fertilizing capacity of boar ejaculates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monike Quirino
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernau, Germany.,Animal Medicine Department, Swine Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Filip Schröter
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School "Theodor-Fontane", Faculty of Health Brandenburg, Bernau, Germany
| | | | - Martin Schulze
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernau, Germany
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Effects of different equilibration times at 5 °C on boar sperm cryotolerance. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 219:106547. [PMID: 32828392 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Equilibration time (ET) is the period during which sperm cells are in contact with cooling/freezing media components at a temperature of 5 °C, providing a proper osmotic balance between the intra- and extra-cellular milieu. The present study aimed to determine the ET (0, 2, and 4 h) that results in greater post-thaw sperm quality and functions. Based on the post-thaw sperm membrane integrity and motility ratios, 20 ejaculates collected from five boars were classified as having good (GFE, n = 5) or poor (PFE, n = 15) freezing capacity. Ratios of post-thaw sperm with intact plasma membrane and acrosome were similar between ET (0 h: 37.02 % ± 2.85 %; 2 h: 34.59 % ± 7.12 %; 4 h: 37.87 % ± 4.44 %) in GFE samples. In PFE, ratios of sperm with intact plasma membrane and acrosome at post-thaw were greater (P < 0.05) after an ET of 2 h than after an ET of 0 h (2 h: 26.16 % ± 1.54 % and 0 h: 16.74 % ± 1.59 %). Also, ratios of post-thaw sperm with relatively lesser membrane lipids disorder were greater (P < 0.05) after an ET of 2 h than for other ET in both GFE (2 h: 21.97 % ± 4.24 % and 0 h: 16.63 % ± 2.38 %) and PFE (2 h: 16.65 % ± 1.40 % and 0 h: 13.23 % ± 1.25 %) samples. In conclusion, an ET of 2 h results in greater sperm cryotolerance in both GFE and PFE samples, which suggests that modifying the freezing protocol lead to an increase post-thaw sperm function and survival.
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