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Effects of age, size and season on cryotolerance of dog semen - A retrospective analysis. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 236:106912. [PMID: 34971871 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In a retrospective analysis of 508 ejaculates from 297 dogs, efficiency of semen cryopreservation and effects of age, season and dog size on characteristics of fresh and cryopreserved semen were evaluated. Volume of the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction increased to 10 years of age, decreased in 10 and 11-year old dogs (P < 0.001) but did not differ among seasons. Total sperm count was less in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (P < 0.001). The percentage of progressively motile, membrane-intact and morphologically normal spermatozoa before cryopreservation was least in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (P < 0.001). Cryopreservation resulted in less progressively motile spermatozoa (P < 0.001) with this being most pronounced in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (cryopreservation x age P = 0.004). The cryopreservation-induced decrease in morphologically normal spermatozoa (P < 0.001) was not affected by dog body weight. Number of cryopreserved AI doses differed among age groups (P < 0.001) and was less in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (median 1.5) compared with younger dogs (6-7 years, median 4.3). When ejaculates were grouped by a threshold of ≥ 35% progressively motile spermatozoa after freezing-thawing, 86.5% of all ejaculates were greater the threshold but this percentage decreased to 66% in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (P < 0.001). In conclusion, sperm cryotolerance is consistent for much of a dog´s lifespan but decreases after a certain age. Dog semen can be cryopreserved successfully throughout the year. Post-thaw semen characteristics were not different among cryopreserved ejaculates obtained from dogs differing in body weight.
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Gautier C, Scarlet D, Ertl R, Walter I, Wulf M, Nagel C, Aurich J, Aurich C. Expression of enzymes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in the stallion testis and epididymis. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:851-861. [PMID: 32527375 DOI: 10.1071/rd19342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to characterise key enzymes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthesis in the testis and epididymis collected from 2-year-old healthy warmblood stallions (n=10). The mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase, the Δ9-, Δ6-, Δ5- and Δ4-desaturases and elongases 6, 5 and 2 (encoded by the fatty acid synthase (FASN), the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), the fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), the delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1 (DEGS1), ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6(ELOVL6), ELOVL fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5), ELOVL fatty acid elongase 2 (ELOVL2) genes respectively) was determined in equine testis and epididymis. All enzymes were present in testicular tissue and along the epididymis, but mRNA expression differed among localisations. The protein localisation of FADS1, FADS2 and ELOVL5 was determined by immunohistochemistry. In the testes, FADS1 was expressed in the germinal cells and ELOVL5 was expressed in germinal and Leydig cells; FADS2 was not detected. In the epididymis, FADS1 and FADS2 were expressed in the principal and basal cells, whereas ELOVL5 was found only in the principal cells of the caput. All three enzymes were present in epididymal vesicles secreted by an apocrine mechanism. These results suggest active PUFA metabolism during spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation in stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Gautier
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dragos Scarlet
- Gynecology, Obstetrics and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Ertl
- Vetcore Facility for Research, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Walter
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuela Wulf
- Graf Lehndorff Institute, Vetmeduni Vienna, Hauptgestüt 10, 16845 Neustadt (Dosse), Germany
| | - Christina Nagel
- Graf Lehndorff Institute, Vetmeduni Vienna, Hauptgestüt 10, 16845 Neustadt (Dosse), Germany
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Gynecology, Obstetrics and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; and Corresponding author.
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Ruiz AJ, Tibary A, Heaton RA, Hargreaves IP, Leadon DP, Bayly WM. Effects of Feeding Coenzyme Q10-Ubiquinol on Plasma Coenzyme Q10 Concentrations and Semen Quality in Stallions. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 96:103303. [PMID: 33349408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) serves as an antioxidant and energy source for spermatozoa when added to stallion semen before cooling or freezing, the effects of feeding CoQ10 on semen quality have not been studied. We assessed the effects of daily oral ingestion of CoQ10-ubiquinol by stallions on their plasma CoQ10 concentrations and semen quality. Seven mature Andalusian stallions ate 1g ubiquinol/day for 4 weeks followed by a 4-week washout period. Four horses initially completed an additional 4-week control period without ubiquinol. Blood was sampled weekly for determination of plasma CoQ10 concentrations. Ejaculates were collected every two weeks and assessed for total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), and viability (V) after cooling for 24hours (T1), immediate cryopreservation (T2), and cryopreservation after 24hours cooling (T3). Ingesting ubiquinol resulted in an increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration (P < .001). Two weeks of CoQ10-ubiquinol resulted in improved V with all treatments (T1: P = .007; T2: P = .05; T3: P = .01) and PM with T3 (P = .04). In five stallions, TM and PM were also improved for T1 (P = .01 and P = .02, respectively) and TM increased with T2 (P = .03). Overall, semen quality parameters increased within the first 2 weeks of supplementation, plateaued at the end of the 4-week supplementation period and persisted after discontinuing ubiquinol until the end of the sampling period (8 weeks). Feeding 1 g CoQ10-ubiquinol for 4 weeks to breeding stallions improved semen quality after cooling and freezing in 5 of 7 stallions. This could be important for improving reproductive efficiency in stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin J Ruiz
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Ahmed Tibary
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | | | | | | | - Warwick M Bayly
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
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Castro R, Morales P, Parraguez VH. Post-thawing Sperm Quality in Chilean Purebred Stallions: Effect of Age and Seasonality. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 92:103170. [PMID: 32797792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we investigated the influence of age and seasonality on sperm motility and DNA fragmentation in post-thawing semen from Chilean Purebred Stallions (CPS), a horse breed presenting the oldest genealogy record in South America with an interesting reproductive industry. Despite that semen from aged CPS is frozen all year round, there is a lack of studies characterizing the breed semen freezability in accordance with age and seasonality. Twenty fertile CPS were grouped into the young group, the middle group, and the aged group. Ten ejaculates from each stallion were obtained by using an artificial vagina during summer (December) and winter (July) and directly frozen. Subsequently, the frozen semen was thawed and analyzed by a computer-assisted semen analysis and flow cytometer assessing progressive motility, mean velocity, and DNA fragmentation spermatozoa. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson's correlation were used to determine statistical differences among groups and correlation among variables (P ≤ .05). Both spermatozoa motility traits decreased progressively in accordance with age and seasonality, showing the lowest values in the aged group during winter and the highest values in the young group during summer. Deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation increased significantly in accordance with age and seasonality being highest in the aged group during winter and lowest in the young group during summer. Post-thawing sperm quality showed a negative correlation with the age of the stallions and a positive correlation with the normal sperm morphology before freezing. These results allow the conclusion that age and seasonality are important factors that need to be considered during the selection of CPS for reproductive programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Castro
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Chile.
| | - Pamela Morales
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Chile
| | - Victor H Parraguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Aurich J, Kuhl J, Tichy A, Aurich C. Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061033. [PMID: 32545785 PMCID: PMC7341245 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be determined to what extent such differences are affected by breed. In this study, post-thaw semen quality in stallions presented for semen cryopreservation was analysed retrospectively (1012 ejaculates from 134 stallions of 5 breeds). The percentage of frozen-thawed ejaculates acceptable for artificial insemination (AI) and the number of insemination doses per cryopreserved ejaculate was calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed sperm motility in raw semen as the most important explanatory variable for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates with a post-thaw quality acceptable for AI. Of the other variables included into the model, stallion age was the most important parameter with more acceptable ejaculates in younger than in older stallions. Logistic regression also showed more acceptable frozen-thawed ejaculates in Arab stallions versus Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Icelandic horses. The analysis thus demonstrates differences in the percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates among horse breeds. Season was a less relevant explanatory variable for percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates. Logistic regression revealed total sperm count as the most important variable determining the number of cryopreserved semen doses obtained per acceptable ejaculate. In conclusion, logistic regression analysis revealed stallion age and breed as explanatory variables for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates acceptable for AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Aurich
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Juliane Kuhl
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Alexander Tichy
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Department for Biomedical Science, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
- Correspondence:
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Greiser T, Sieme H, Martinsson G, Distl O. Breed and stallion effects on frozen-thawed semen in warmblood, light and quarter horses. Theriogenology 2019; 142:8-14. [PMID: 31561132 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to analyze systematic effects on semen quality traits from fresh and frozen-thawed semen collected in and outside season. A total of 4,681 reports on semen traits of 121 stallions representing Arabian, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and four warmblood breeds used for artificial insemination at the Lower Saxon National stud Celle were edited for analysis of gel-free volume, sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of motile sperm in fresh semen and in frozen-thawed semen progressive motility, DNA fragmentation index and non-viable sperm. Month, year, age, breed and stallions effects were analyzed with a linear mixed model procedure. Breed differences were significant for sperm concentration, total number of sperm, total motile sperm number and DNA fragmentation index. Hanoverian stallions showed significant higher least squares means for sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total motile sperm number in fresh semen, whereas Thoroughbred had significant higher least squares means for DNA fragmentation index. Stallions with an age of 2-6 years had significant lower least squares means in sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total motile sperm number and progressively motile sperm post-thawing than the other age groups. Month was significant for all semen traits but progressively motile sperm post-thawing. Month by age class interaction showed a significant influence. Inter-stallion variance accounted for 27-71% and the two-way stallion by month interaction for 2-7% of the total variance of semen quality traits. The largest proportion of inter-individual variance among stallions was obtained for the DNA fragmentation index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Greiser
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, 30559, Hannover, Germany; Unit of Reproductive Medicine-Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Sieme
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine-Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Ottmar Distl
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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Aurich C, Ortega Ferrusola C, Peña Vega FJ, Schrammel N, Morcuende D, Aurich J. Seasonal changes in the sperm fatty acid composition of Shetland pony stallions. Theriogenology 2017; 107:149-153. [PMID: 29154176 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Cryopreservation damages sperm membranes and they become less functional after thawing. We analysed the lipid composition of spermatozoa from Shetland stallions (n = 15) collected monthly from January to June and hypothesized that sperm lipid patterns change with season. In addition, one ejaculate per month was submitted to cryopreservation. Content of saturated palmytic and stearic acid decreased from January to March (p < 0.001) while content of the PUFA docosapentaenoic (p < 0.001) and arachidonic acid (p < 0.05) and total PUFA (p < 0.001) increased. Docosapentaenoic acid was the predominant PUFA in stallion spermatozoa. In conclusion, the sperm fatty acid composition of Shetland pony stallions undergoes seasonal changes, and PUFA content increases from the non-breeding to the breeding season. Seasonal differences in sperm fatty acids might in part explain seasonal differences in the resistance of equine spermatozoa to cryopreservation and cooled-storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department of Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Cristina Ortega Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Fernando Juan Peña Vega
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Nadine Schrammel
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department of Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - David Morcuende
- IPROCAR Research Inst., TECAL Research Group, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department of Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Seasonal changes of DNA fragmentation and quality of raw and cold-stored stallion spermatozoa. Theriogenology 2017; 99:98-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Effects of environmental temperature and season on hair coat characteristics, physiologic and reproductive parameters in Shetland pony stallions. Theriogenology 2017; 97:170-178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Ertmer F, Oldenhof H, Schütze S, Rohn K, Wolkers WF, Sieme H. Induced sub-lethal oxidative damage affects osmotic tolerance and cryosurvival of spermatozoa. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:1739-1750. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
If the physiological balance between production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is shifted towards production of ROS this may result in accumulation of cell damage over time. In this study stallion spermatozoa were incubated with xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X–XO) to artificially generate defined levels of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide resulting in sub-lethal oxidative damage. The effects of X–XO treatment on various sperm characteristics were studied. Special emphasis was placed on sperm osmotic tolerance pre-freeze and its correlation with cryosurvival, given that cryopreservation exposes cells to osmotic stress. ROS accumulation occurred predominantly in the sperm midpiece region, where the mitochondria are located. Exposing spermatozoa to increasing X–XO concentrations resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in sperm motility. Percentages of plasma membrane-intact spermatozoa were not affected, whereas stability of membranes towards hypotonic stress decreased with increasing levels of induced oxidative stress. Infrared spectroscopic studies showed that X–XO treatment does not alter sperm membrane phase behaviour. Spermatozoa exposed to higher oxidative stress levels pre-freeze exhibited reduced cryosurvival. Centrifugation processing and addition of catalase were found to have little beneficial effect. Taken together, these results show that treatment of spermatozoa with X–XO resulted in different levels of intracellular ROS, which decreased sperm osmotic tolerance and cryosurvival.
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