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Montes-Garrido R, Riesco MF, Anel-Lopez L, Neila-Montero M, Palacin-Martinez C, Boixo JC, de Paz P, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Hassan MAA, Anel L, Alvarez M. Application of ultrasound technique to evaluate the testicular function and its correlation to the sperm quality after different collection frequency in rams. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1035036. [PMID: 36504850 PMCID: PMC9732105 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1035036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequency of semen collection is a crucial factor to consider in the rams performance inside breeding centers workout. To evaluate this factor, ram Breeding Soundness Evaluation could include sperm quality evaluation and new predictive and non-invasive tools such as ultrasound technique. In this work, an advanced ultrasonography technology, analyzing the testicular volume, echotexture, and vascular function, was used in three different frequencies of semen collection (abstinence frequency, AF; standard frequency, SF; and intensive frequency, IF). Semen samples were cooled (15°C, 6 h) and evaluated in terms of production, motility, viability, apoptosis, and content of reactive oxygen species. Correlation coefficients were calculated between ultrasonography measurements of echotexture and blood flow and sperm quality parameters. Our results showed an increase in the testicular echotexture when the frequency of semen collection was intensified. Doppler parameters (PSV, RI, PI, TABF) increased (P ≤ 0.05) when the frequency of semen collection was intensified. The sperm motility and functionality decreased in the samples of IF (P ≤ 0.05), evidencing the frequency of semen collection's influence. Moreover, moderate positive correlations were established among echotexture and different Doppler parameters with motility parameters in SF. Furthermore, the influence of abstinence days on AI success was analyzed in a field assay. The highest fertility rates were obtained when males had two to five abstinence days. To conclude, frequency of semen collection could be influenced in terms of semen quantity and sperm quality, showing changes in parenchyma echotexture and testicular vascularization. The standard semen collection frequency was the most adequate option. In addition, ultrasonography may be a predictive tool for estimating variations in the sperm quality of donor rams subjected to different frequencies of semen collection in reproduction centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Montes-Garrido
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Marta F. Riesco
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Celular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Luis Anel-Lopez
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain,*Correspondence: Luis Anel-Lopez
| | - Marta Neila-Montero
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Cristina Palacin-Martinez
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Boixo
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Paulino de Paz
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Celular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Mohamed A. A. Hassan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Luis Anel
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Mercedes Alvarez
- Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida – Universidad de León, Instituto de Desarrollo Ganadero y Sanidad Animal, University of León, León, Spain,Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
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Dorado J, Hidalgo M, Acha D, Ortiz I, Bottrel M, Azcona F, Carrasco JJ, Gómez-Arrones V, Demyda-Peyrás S. Cryopreservation of Andalusian donkey (Equus asinus) spermatozoa: Use of alternative energy sources in the freezing extender affects post-thaw sperm motility patterns but not DNA stability. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 208:106126. [PMID: 31405480 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three sugars and Equex paste in a freezing extender for donkey sperm cryopreservation. Ejaculates (n = 18) were collected from six Andalusian donkeys of proven fertility were pooled (two ejaculates per pool) and cryopreserved using a freezing extender containing three different sugars (glucose, fructose and sorbitol), with or without the addition of Equex paste. Sperm quality was assessed before and after freezing-thawing for motility, morphology, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity. The use of sorbitol in the freezing extender improved total and progressive sperm motility (P < 0.05) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (P < 0.01), but it reduced the values for other sperm motility variables compared with glucose (P < 0.001). The use of fructose resulted in a reduction in values for most CASA variables (P < 0.05), whereas addition of Equex paste did not have any beneficial effect on values for these variables (P > 0.05). Glucose was more effective in maintaining sperm morphology (P < 0.05), while there was no beneficial effect with the addition of Equex paste (P > 0.05). Supplementation of fructose and Equex paste in the freezing extender decreased plasma membrane integrity (P < 0.05) as compared with glucose, but there were no differences between treatments for acrosome and DNA integrity (P > 0.05), even after 24 h of incubation. The use of different sugar sources in the extender could affect the in vitro post-thaw quality of cryopreserved donkey spermatozoa, with sorbitol being an interesting alternative for improving the sperm quality. Results of the present study indicate the use of Equex paste could negatively affect post-thaw outcomes for sperm viability in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
| | - M Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - D Acha
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - I Ortiz
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - M Bottrel
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - F Azcona
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP - CONICET LA PLATA), 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Department of Animal Production. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. National University of La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - J J Carrasco
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - V Gómez-Arrones
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - S Demyda-Peyrás
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP - CONICET LA PLATA), 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Department of Animal Production. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. National University of La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
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Kiso WK, Selvaraj V, Nagashima J, Asano A, Brown JL, Schmitt DL, Leszyk J, Travis AJ, Pukazhenthi BS. Lactotransferrin in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) seminal plasma correlates with semen quality. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71033. [PMID: 23976974 PMCID: PMC3745378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) have highly variable ejaculate quality within individuals, greatly reducing the efficacy of artificial insemination and making it difficult to devise a sperm cryopreservation protocol for this endangered species. Because seminal plasma influences sperm function and physiology, including sperm motility, the objectives of this study were to characterize the chemistry and protein profiles of Asian elephant seminal plasma and to determine the relationships between seminal plasma components and semen quality. Ejaculates exhibiting good sperm motility (≥65%) expressed higher percentages of spermatozoa with normal morphology (80.3±13.0 vs. 44.9±30.8%) and positive Spermac staining (51.9±14.5 vs. 7.5±14.4%), in addition to higher total volume (135.1±89.6 vs. 88.8±73.1 ml) and lower sperm concentration (473.0±511.2 vs. 1313.8±764.7×106 cells ml−1) compared to ejaculates exhibiting poor sperm motility (≤10%; P<0.05). Comparison of seminal plasma from ejaculates with good versus poor sperm motility revealed significant differences in concentrations of creatine phosphokinase, alanine aminotransferase, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and glucose. These observations suggest seminal plasma influences semen quality in elephants. One- and two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis revealed largely similar compositional profiles of seminal plasma proteins between good and poor motility ejaculates. However, a protein of ∼80 kDa was abundant in 85% of ejaculates with good motility, and was absent in 90% of poor motility ejaculates (P<0.05). We used mass spectrometry to identify this protein as lactotransferrin, and immunoblot analysis to confirm this identification. Together, these findings lay a functional foundation for understanding the contributions of seminal plasma in the regulation of Asian elephant sperm motility, and for improving semen collection and storage in this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy K. Kiso
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Nagashima
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Asano
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Janine L. Brown
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Dennis L. Schmitt
- The William H. Darr School of Agriculture, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America
- The Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation, Polk City, Florida, United States of America
| | - John Leszyk
- University of Massachusetts Medical School Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Budhan S. Pukazhenthi
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
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