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Bezerra LGP, Oliveira REMD, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Collection, Handling, and Preservation of Wild Bird Semen: Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives. Biopreserv Biobank 2024; 22:191-210. [PMID: 37699234 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2023.0053] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Semen preservation is a significant biotechnology used to safeguard the genetic material of birds, especially those with declining populations, through biobanking. However, there are limited reports on the successful chilling or cryopreservation of wild bird semen. In general, these techniques are not yet well-established for several species of wild birds and pose several challenges such as the need for bird handling and training, contamination of semen samples, low volume of semen collected, and inefficient preservation protocols. To address these challenges and improve post-thawing outcomes, new possibilities are being investigated, including alternative collection methods to traditional digital massage, the use of antioxidants and enzymes in the medium for chilling or freezing, storage methods using different straws from the usual pellet, and slower freezing rates. This review aims to discuss the various aspects of applying semen preservation in wild birds to create germplasm banks, highlighting the primary results obtained and the challenges that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation (LCGA), Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Radan Elvis Matias de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Applied Animal Morphology, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation (LCGA), Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Brazil
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Jiang J, Hu D, Pei E. Integrated omics analysis reveals a correlation between gut microbiota and egg production in captive African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107448. [PMID: 38428346 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107448] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The egg production of captive African penguins differs considerably between individuals. An understanding of the physiological differences in African penguins with relatively greater and lesser egg production is meaningful for the captive breeding program of this endangered species. The objective of this study was to investigate differential microbial composition and metabolites in captive African penguins with different egg production. Fecal samples were collected from captive female African penguins during the breeding season. The results of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing showed that African penguins with different egg production had similar microbial diversities, whereas a significant difference was observed between their microbial community structure. African penguins with relatively greater egg production exhibited a higher relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Bradyrhizobiaceae, Bradyrhizobium and Bosea. Meanwhile, penguins with relatively lesser egg production had an increased proportion of Klebsiella and Plesiomonas. We further identified a total of 1858 metabolites in female African penguins by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Among these metabolites, 13 kinds of metabolites were found to be significantly differential between African penguins with different egg production. In addition, the correlation analysis revealed that the egg production had significant correlations with most of the differential microbial bacteria and metabolites. Our findings might aid in understanding the potential mechanism underlying the phenomenon of abnormal egg production in captive African penguins, and provide novel insights into the relationship between gut microbiota and reproduction in penguins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingle Jiang
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Di Hu
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Enle Pei
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China.
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Jiang J. Composition, Diversity and Sex-Related Differences in Intestinal Microbiota in Captive African Penguins ( Spheniscus demersus). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2106. [PMID: 37443905 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the microbial communities in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) could provide valuable information for saving this endangered species. The objective of this study was to investigate the composition, diversity and sex-related differences in the intestinal microbiota of captive African penguins. Fecal samples were collected from 21 captive adult African penguins reared in the same conditions at Shanghai Zoo. The results show that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the predominant bacteria in the intestinal microbiota of the captive African penguins. No difference was found in microbial diversity between female and male African penguins, as shown by their similar alpha and beta diversities. However, a notable sex-related difference was found between their microbial compositions. Female African penguins have a higher abundance of Pseudomonas and a lower abundance of Kocuria than males. A functional prediction indicates that the "mRNA surveillance pathway", "Polyketide sugar unit biosynthesis", "Wnt signaling pathway", "Lysosome" and "Cell cycle" pathways were significantly enriched in the microbiota of female African penguins. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the compositions and predicted functions of the intestinal microbiota are significantly different between the sexes. Our data suggest that the intestinal microbiota of female African penguins are more unstable than the intestinal microbiota of males in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingle Jiang
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China
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Freezing Protocol Optimization for Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Sperm under Field Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070869. [PMID: 35405858 PMCID: PMC8996857 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Creating germplasm banks of wild species, such as the Iberian red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) can be challenging. One of the main difficulties is the obtention and cryopreservation of good-quality reproductive cells when the spermatozoa are obtained from epididymides after death. To avoid a loss of seminal quality during transport, developing alternative methods for cooling and freezing sperm samples under field conditions is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different durations of equilibrium and different techniques of cooling and freezing on Iberian red deer epididymal sperm quality after thawing to optimize the processing conditions in this species. Three experiments were carried out: (I) evaluation of refrigeration in straws or tubes of 15 mL; (II) study of equilibration period (0, 30, 60, or 120 min); and (III) comparison of four freezing techniques (liquid nitrogen vapor in a tank (C), liquid nitrogen vapor in a polystyrene box (B), dry ice (DY), and placing straws on a solid metallic plate floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen (MP)). For all experiments, sperm motility and kinematic parameters, acrosomal integrity, sperm viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA integrity were evaluated after thawing. All statistical analyses were performed by GLM-ANOVA analysis. Samples refrigerated in straws showed higher values (p ≤ 0.05) for mitochondrial activity and lower values (p ≤ 0.05) for apoptotic cells. Moreover, the acrosome integrity showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between 0 and 120 min, but not between 30 and 60 min, of equilibration. Finally, no significant differences were found between freezing in liquid nitrogen vapors in a tank or in a box, although there was a low quality after thawing when the samples were cryopreserved in dry ice or by placing straws on a solid metallic plate floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen. In conclusion, under field conditions, it would be possible to refrigerate the sperm samples by storing them in straws with a 120 min equilibration period and freezing them in liquid nitrogen vapors in a tank or box.
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Marti-Colombas M, Sánchez-Calabuig M, Castaño C, Toledano-Díaz A, Martínez-Nevado E, López-Goya A, Santiago-Moreno J. Optimization of semen cryopreservation in black-footed (Spheniscus demersus) and gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) penguins using dimethylacetamide and dimethylsulfoxide. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 237:106933. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.106933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Millán de la Blanca MG, Martínez-Nevado E, Castaño C, García J, Bernal B, Toledano-Díaz A, Esteso MC, Bóveda P, Martínez-Fresneda L, López-Sebastián A, Santiago-Moreno J. Sperm Cryopreservation in American Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus Ruber): Influence of Cryoprotectants and Seminal Plasma Removal. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:203. [PMID: 33467758 PMCID: PMC7829904 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The American flamingo is a useful model for the development of successful semen cryopreservation procedures to be applied to threatened related species from the family Phoenicopteridae, and to permit genetic material banking. Current study sought to develop effective sperm cryopreservation protocols through examining the influences of two permeating cryoprotectants and the seminal plasma removal. During two consecutive years (April), semen samples were collected and frozen from American flamingos. In the first year, the effect of two permeating cryoprotectants, DMA (dimethylacetamide) (6%) or Me2SO (dimethylsulphoxide) (8%), on frozen-thawed sperm variables were compared in 21 males. No differences were seen between DMA and Me2SO for sperm motility, sperm viability, and DNA fragmentation after thawing. In the second year, the role of seminal plasma on sperm cryoresistance was investigated in 31 flamingos. Sperm samples were cryopreserved with and without seminal plasma, using Me2SO (8%) as a cryoprotectant. The results showed that samples with seminal plasma had higher values than samples without seminal plasma for the following sperm variables: Straight line velocity (22.40 µm/s vs. 16.64 µm/s), wobble (75.83% vs. 69.40%), (p < 0.05), linearity (62.73% vs. 52.01%) and straightness (82.38% vs. 73.79%) (p < 0.01); but acrosome integrity was lower (55.56% vs. 66.88%) (p < 0.05). The cryoresistance ratio (CR) was greater in samples frozen with seminal plasma than without seminal plasma for CR-progressive motility (138.72 vs. 54.59), CR-curvilinear velocity (105.98 vs. 89.32), CR-straight line velocity (152.77 vs. 112.58), CR-average path velocity (122.48 vs. 98.12), CR-wobble (111.75 vs. 102.04) (p < 0.05), CR-linearity (139.41 vs. 113.18), and CR-straightness (124.02 vs. 109.97) (p < 0.01). This research demonstrated that there were not differences between Me2SO and DMA to successful freezing sperm of flamingos; seminal plasma removal did not provide a benefit for sperm cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gemma Millán de la Blanca
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | | | - Cristina Castaño
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Juncal García
- Zoo-Aquarium Madrid, 28011 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.-N.); (J.G.)
| | - Berenice Bernal
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Adolfo Toledano-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Milagros Cristina Esteso
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Paula Bóveda
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Lucía Martínez-Fresneda
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Antonio López-Sebastián
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Julián Santiago-Moreno
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
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Cardoso B, Sánchez-Ajofrín I, Castaño C, García-Álvarez O, Esteso MC, Maroto-Morales A, Iniesta-Cuerda M, Garde JJ, Santiago-Moreno J, Soler AJ. Optimization of Sperm Cryopreservation Protocol for Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10040691. [PMID: 32316152 PMCID: PMC7222757 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation is a complex process that needs to be adapted to wild and domestic avian species to ensure proper efficiency. Because of its accessibility, the peregrine falcon may be used as a good model for studying other raptor species. To find the most optimal cryopreservation protocol for peregrine falcon ejaculates, sperm parameters such as motility, viability, DNA fragmentation, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity were analyzed under different conditions by varying the freezing method (slow freezing in straws vs. ultrarapid freezing in pellets), thawing conditions (37 °C for 30 s vs. 5 °C for 1 min), type of cryoprotectant (DMA vs. DMSO), and concentration of DMSO (4% vs. 8%). Results show that slow cryopreservation in straws yielded greater percentages (p < 0.05) of motile spermatozoa (22.5% ± 4.4% vs. 0.0% ± 4.1%), viable spermatozoa with intact acrosomes (84.6% ± 4.3% vs. 77.4% ± 4.3%), and spermatozoa with active mitochondria (41.0% ± 6.7% vs.12.8% ± 6.7%), compared with those obtained by the ultrarapid freezing in pellets. However, no differences were found between different thawing conditions. Moreover, all sperm motility parameters were greater (p < 0.05) when DMSO was used during freezing compared with DMA, although the use of 3% and 8% DMSO produced similar results. In conclusion, these results represent important progress in the study of falcon semen cryopreservation protocol, highlighting the crucial steps of the process and the most suitable conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Cardoso
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Irene Sánchez-Ajofrín
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristina Castaño
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (M.C.E.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Olga García-Álvarez
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
| | | | - Alejandro Maroto-Morales
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
| | - María Iniesta-Cuerda
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
| | - José Julián Garde
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Julián Santiago-Moreno
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.C.); (M.C.E.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Ana Josefa Soler
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), ETSIAM, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (B.C.); (O.G.-Á.); (A.M.-M.); (M.I.-C.); (J.J.G.); (A.J.S.)
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