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Bezerra LGP, Silva AM, Dantas MRT, dos Santos RP, Moreira SSJ, Pereira AG, de Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Development of assays for the characterization of sperm motility parameters, viability, and membrane integrity in the epididymis and vas deferens of the greater rhea ( Rhea americana). Anim Reprod 2024; 20:e20230113. [PMID: 38213765 PMCID: PMC10782801 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0113] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to (1) describe the kinematic parameters of spermatozoa (2) compare methods of evaluating sperm viability (3) validate assays of functionality and integrity of the sperm membrane and (4) evaluate possible changes between spermatozoa from the epididymis and the vas deferens of the greater rhea. Semen samples were recovered from 7 adult individuals. Sperm motility was characterized by adjusting the set-up for Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) to that new species. For sperm viability evaluation, smears of bromophenol blue and eosin-nigrosine dyes were used. Five solutions of different osmolarities were then tested for the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST). The combination of fluorescent probes (propidium iodide - IP and Hoechst 33342) was also used to assess plasma membrane integrity. Data were presented as mean ± SEM. Rhea spermatozoa from the vas deferens had an overall motility of 14.6 ± 2.5%. The bromophenol blue staining technique revealed that 64.6 ± 5.2% sperm were viable, while that proportion was 72.1 ± 2.5% using eosin-nigrosine. An average of 77.6 ± 4.8% of spermatozoa reacted to the HOST with distilled water at 0 mOsm/l. Fluorescent probes indicated that 65.3 ± 2.6% of spermatozoa had intact membranes. Interestingly, no statistical differences were observed between the parameters analyzed in the epididymal spermatozoa and the vas deferens. These new assays set reference values that can now be used to further exploration of sperm handling conditions and freezing protocols in rheas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Andréia Maria Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Maiko Roberto Tavares Dantas
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Romário Parente dos Santos
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Samara Sandy Jeronimo Moreira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Ana Glória Pereira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Moacir Franco de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, USA
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
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Bezerra LGP, Silva AM, Jurema AP, Dantas MRT, Pereira AG, Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Changes in Sperm Morphology, Morphometry, and Motility from the Epididymis to the Vas Deferens in Rheas ( Rhea americana, Linnaeus, 1758). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13091483. [PMID: 37174520 PMCID: PMC10177575 DOI: 10.3390/ani13091483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective was to characterize morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural changes in rhea spermatozoa between the epididymis and the vas deferens. Sperm samples were collected from the reproductive tracts of seven adult individuals and evaluated for sperm characteristics using brightfield microscopy as well as ultrastructural features using scanning electron microscopy (SM). Mean sperm count tended to increase in the vas deferens (378.0 ± 135.0 × 106) compared to the epididymis (201.0 ± 77.4 × 106). Percentages of motile sperm grew from 37.0 ± 4.9% in the epididymis to 58.5 ± 7.7% in the vas deferens. The proportion of normal spermatozoa was 75.6 ± 1.8% and most common defects were bent tails (9.7 ± 0.9%). However, these proportions were not different between epididymis and vas deferens. SM analysis revealed further features of rhea spermatozoa. Normal rhea spermatozoa were threadlike with an acrosome (0.95 ± 0.0 µm), head (7.53 ± 0.01 µm), midpiece (2.08 ± 0.01 µm), and tail (30.7 ± 0.06 µm). Lengths of sperm acrosome, head, midpiece, and tail were longer in the vas deferens compared to the epididymis. Our findings suggest that rhea spermatozoa undergo a maturation process during the passage from the epididymis to the vas deferens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana G P Bezerra
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Andréia M Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Artur P Jurema
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Maiko R T Dantas
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Ana G Pereira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Moacir F Oliveira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Alexandre R Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
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Tarmizi R, Keng Chee Y, Sipangkui S, Zainuddin ZZ, Fitri WN. The Comparison of Semen Collection in Electroejaculation, Rectal Massage and Combination of Both Methods in the Critically Endangered Malayan Pangolin, Manis javanica. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10111948. [PMID: 33113883 PMCID: PMC7690726 DOI: 10.3390/ani10111948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This article describes the semen characteristics from different collection methods between captive and confiscated Malayan pangolins, Manis javanica. Semen was collected from 15 pangolins; two captive and 13 confiscated individuals at the mean weight of 9.36 ± 1.94 kg. The three semen collection methods employed were electroejaculation, rectal massage and a combination of both techniques. The semen characteristics (mean ± standard deviation) of the Malayan pangolin are volume (73.75 ± 144.57 µL), pH (7.63 ± 0.53), spermatozoa concentration (997.19 ± 728.98 × 106 /mL), total motility (59.60% ± 30.00%), progressive motility (48.95% ± 30.93%), mass motility (3.50 ± 1.50) and live spermatozoa (80.25% ± 13.45%). There was no significant difference in semen characteristics between the three collection methods. The percentages of live spermatozoa were significantly different, suggesting better samples from captive compared to confiscated animals. However, there was no significant difference in spermatozoa kinetics between the captive and confiscated samples, suggesting the potential of utilizing confiscated individuals for gamete recovery to conserve the genetic pool of pangolins. All three methods of semen collection were successfully performed in pangolins and should be considered; however, electroejaculation remains the most consistent method of obtaining semen from the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Tarmizi
- Borneo Rhino Alliance, Sabah, Malaysia, c/o Faculty of Sciences and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (R.T.); (Y.K.C.); (Z.Z.Z.)
| | - Yap Keng Chee
- Borneo Rhino Alliance, Sabah, Malaysia, c/o Faculty of Sciences and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (R.T.); (Y.K.C.); (Z.Z.Z.)
| | - Symphorosa Sipangkui
- Sabah Wildlife Department, Tingkat 4, Blok B, Wisma MUIS, Kota Kinabalu 88100, Sabah, Malaysia;
| | - Zainal Zahari Zainuddin
- Borneo Rhino Alliance, Sabah, Malaysia, c/o Faculty of Sciences and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (R.T.); (Y.K.C.); (Z.Z.Z.)
| | - Wan-Nor Fitri
- Theriogenology and Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Seri Kembangan 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +06-8609-3908
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Mafunda PS, Maree L, Kotze A, van der Horst G. Sperm structure and sperm motility of the African and Rockhopper penguins with special reference to multiple axonemes of the flagellum. Theriogenology 2017; 99:1-9. [PMID: 28708488 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the semen of two penguin species from separate genera with reference to unique features in sperm structure using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Ejaculates from African penguin (n = 51) and Rockhopper penguin (n = 9) contained on average more than 60% motile spermatozoa and a sperm concentration of 3274 × 106/ml and 1423 × 106/ml, respectively. The percentage progressive motility was similar for the two species as well as all the kinematics parameters. The sperm morphology of these two penguin species is almost identical and largely resembles that of non-passerine birds in terms of the filiform head, small acrosome and mid-piece containing 13 spherical mitochondria, arranged around the proximal and distal centrioles in a single helix. Apart from a shorter mid-piece, penguin sperm morphometrics were similar to other non-passerine birds. The ultrastructure of the sperm principal piece revealed the typical 9 + 2 microtubular arrangement without any outer dense fibres. An unusual feature in both African and Rockhopper penguin spermatozoa was the occurrence of multiple axonemes contained in one plasmalemma in 4% of spermatozoa. These double, triple and quadruple axonemal arrangements have not been described previously albeit multiple tails were reported in other bird species. It is unclear whether such a unique structural feature will be of any advantage for sperm motility and might rather be a result of the absence of sperm competition. Multiple axonemes found in penguin flagella could be an apomorphism that distinguish them from other bird spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Siyambulela Mafunda
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa; Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Liana Maree
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa; Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotze
- Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa; Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Gerhard van der Horst
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa; Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Santiago-Moreno J, Esteso MC, Villaverde-Morcillo S, Toledano-Déaz A, Castaño C, Velázquez R, López-Sebastián A, Goya AL, Martínez JG. Recent advances in bird sperm morphometric analysis and its role in male gamete characterization and reproduction technologies. Asian J Androl 2017; 18:882-888. [PMID: 27678467 PMCID: PMC5109880 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.188660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Postcopulatory sexual selection through sperm competition may be an important evolutionary force affecting many reproductive traits, including sperm morphometrics. Environmental factors such as pollutants, pesticides, and climate change may affect different sperm traits, and thus reproduction, in sensitive bird species. Many sperm-handling processes used in assisted reproductive techniques may also affect the size of sperm cells. The accurately measured dimensions of sperm cell structures (especially the head) can thus be used as indicators of environmental influences, in improving our understanding of reproductive and evolutionary strategies, and for optimizing assisted reproductive techniques (e.g., sperm cryopreservation) for use with birds. Computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis (CASA-Morph) provides an accurate and reliable method for assessing sperm morphometry, reducing the problem of subjectivity associated with human visual assessment. Computerized systems have been standardized for use with semen from different mammalian species. Avian spermatozoa, however, are filiform, limiting their analysis with such systems, which were developed to examine the approximately spherical heads of mammalian sperm cells. To help overcome this, the standardization of staining techniques to be used in computer-assessed light microscopical methods is a priority. The present review discusses these points and describes the sperm morphometric characteristics of several wild and domestic bird species.
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Villaverde-Morcillo S, Esteso MC, Castaño C, Toledano Díaz A, López-Sebastián A, Campo JL, Santiago-Moreno J. Influence of Staining Method on the Values of Avian Sperm Head Morphometric Variables. Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 50:750-5. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Villaverde-Morcillo
- Veterinary Clinical and Research Services; Fieb Foundation; Tres Cantos Madrid Spain
| | - MC Esteso
- Department of Animal Reproduction; INIA; Madrid Spain
| | - C Castaño
- Department of Animal Reproduction; INIA; Madrid Spain
| | | | | | - JL Campo
- Department of Animal Breeding; INIA; Madrid Spain
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A morphological classification of sperm defects in the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 150:130-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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A re-evaluation of sperm ultrastructure in the emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae. Theriogenology 2014; 81:1073-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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