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Hernández-Avilés C, Ramírez-Agámez L, Varner DD, Love CC. Factors affecting the analysis and interpretation of sperm quality in frozen/thawed stallion semen. Theriogenology 2024; 218:35-44. [PMID: 38295678 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.039] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In the current study, we examined: 1) the agreement (bias) between fluorescence-based methods (NucleoCounter-SP100 [NC] vs. flow cytometry [FC]) for determining the viability (VIAB) of frozen/thawed stallion sperm; 2) the agreement between post-thaw sperm total motility (TMOT) and VIAB; 3) whether a difference between TMOT and VIAB [VIAB - TMOT] in frozen/thawed stallion sperm could be explained by the level of lipid peroxidation in viable sperm (VLPP); 4) the repeatability of post-thaw analysis of sperm quality; and 5) the effect of final post-thaw semen dilution (10, 30, or 50 x 106 sperm/mL) on sperm motion characteristics. Post-thaw VIAB was similar between NC and FC (P > 0.05), and the agreement between these two methods was high (bias: 1 to -3). The agreement between post-thaw TMOT and VIAB decreased as the pre-freeze percentages of morphologically normal sperm and DNA quality decreased: bias - 4 to - 25. The bias between [VIAB - TMOT] and VLPP ranged from - 5 to 7. Differences in post-thaw sperm quality (TMOT, PMOT, VIAB, and sperm concentration) were not observed when analyzing one or three straws per ejaculate (P > 0.05). There was no effect of post-thaw sperm concentration (i.e., 10 vs. 30 vs. 50 x 106 sperm/mL) on sperm motion characteristics (P > 0.05). This study reports factors other than post-thaw sperm motility that warrant further consideration when analyzing frozen/thawed stallion sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Hernández-Avilés
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA.
| | - Luisa Ramírez-Agámez
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA
| | - Charles C Love
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA
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Determination of Ram ( Ovis aries) Sperm DNA Damage Due to Oxidative Stress: 8-OHdG Immunodetection Assay vs. SCSA ®. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233286. [PMID: 36496807 PMCID: PMC9737133 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional DNA analysis techniques can hardly detect DNA damage in ruminant spermatozoa due to high DNA compaction in these cells. Furthermore, these techniques cannot discriminate whether the damage is due to oxidative stress. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two techniques for determining DNA damage in ovine sperm when the source of that damage is oxidative stress. Semen samples from twenty Manchega rams (Ovis aries) were collected and cryopreserved. After thawing, the samples were subjected to different levels of oxidative stress, and DNA oxidation was quantified using an 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunodetection assay and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®). For this purpose, we evaluated five different concentrations of an oxidation solution (H2O2/FeSO4•7H2O) on ram sperm DNA. Our study with the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay shows that there are higher values for DNA oxidation in samples that were subjected to the highest oxidative stress (8 M H2O2/800 µM FeSO4•7H2O) and those that were not exposed to high oxidative stress, but these differences were not significant (p ≥ 0.05). The two SCSA® parameters considered, DNA fragmentation index (DFI %) and high DNA stainability (HDS %), showed significant differences between samples that were subjected to high concentrations of the oxidation agent and those that were not (p < 0.05). We can conclude that the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay and SCSA® detect DNA damage caused by oxidative stress in ovine sperm under high oxidative conditions; SCSA® is a more straightforward method with more accurate results. For these reasons, an oxidative-stress-specific assay such as 8-OHdG immunodetection is not needed to measure DNA damage caused by oxidative stress in ram sperm samples.
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Selected metabolites found in equine oviductal fluid do not modify the parameters associated to capacitation of the frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa in vitro. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 111:103875. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Neila-Montero M, Riesco MF, Alvarez M, Montes-Garrido R, Boixo JC, de Paz P, Anel-Lopez L, Anel L. Centrifugal force assessment in ram sperm: identifying species-specific impact. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:42. [PMID: 34736507 PMCID: PMC8567708 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00609-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Centrifugation is routinely employed in handling the ejaculates of some species, but it is not part of the commonly used protocols in ram. However, the development and implementation of new assisted reproductive technologies, alternative preservation models based on washing sperm from a cellular ageing-accelerating substance such as the seminal plasma, and basic studies in spermatology is associated with the use of centrifugation. This requires a specific evaluation of the centrifugation protocols considering the species-specific relationship with the potential damage produced by this procedure. No previous studies have determined the effect of different centrifugation forces on ram sperm. Therefore, we aimed to assess the performance of three centrifugal forces (600×g, 3000×g, and 6000×g for 10 min at room temperature) and their effects on ram sperm motility and functionality. Results Sperm motility and functionality parameters were assessed at 0 h and after 2 h of incubation at 37 °C. As expected, a higher cell packaging degree was obtained at high centrifugation forces (P ≤ 0.0001). Cell packaging was unstable at all centrifugal forces. Thus, there was a high cell resuspension rate after less than 2 min. Regarding sperm quality, there was a change in movement pattern of 3000×g and 6000×g centrifuged sperm after 2 h of incubation at 37 °C, characterized by an increase in rapid progressive motility, linearity, straightness, and beat frequency, and a decrease in medium progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, path velocity, and head lateral amplitude. Non-significant differences were obtained among the different treatments concerning the total viability. However, we observed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the percentage of viable apoptotic sperm in the samples centrifuged at 6000×g at 0 h. Conclusions Centrifugal forces equal to or greater than 3000×g induced some deleterious effects in ram sperm quality, and lower forces did not provide a successful cell packaging degree. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13028-021-00609-8.
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Jäkel H, Scheinpflug K, Mühldorfer K, Gianluppi R, Lucca MS, Mellagi APG, Bortolozzo FP, Waberski D. In vitro performance and in vivo fertility of antibiotic-free preserved boar semen stored at 5 °C. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2021; 12:9. [PMID: 33423688 PMCID: PMC7798330 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-020-00530-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypothermic preservation of boar semen is considered a potential method for omitting antibiotics from insemination doses, thereby contributing to the global antibiotic resistance defence strategy. The main challenges are chilling injury to spermatozoa and bacterial growth during semen storage leading to reduced fertility. OBJECTIVES To examine chilling injury and the number and type of bacteria in boar semen stored at 5 °C in the absence of antibiotics, and to assess the applicability of hypothermic semen storage under field conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS Boar ejaculates were extended with AndroStar® Premium, stored at 17 °C with and at 5 °C without antibiotics and tested for functional sperm parameters by flow cytometry. Raw semen and extended samples were investigated bacteriologically. Fertility was evaluated after once-daily inseminations of 194 sows in a field study. RESULTS Lethal sperm damage assessed by motility and membrane integrity was low throughout storage in both experimental groups. Sublethal chilling effects based on the decrease of viable spermatozoa with low membrane fluidity were higher (P < 0.05) up until 72 h in sperm stored at 5 °C compared to 17 °C but did not differ after 144 h. After 72 h, incubation in capacitating medium for 60 min induced a similar decrease in viable sperm with high mitochondria membrane potential and low cytosolic calcium in both groups. In semen stored at 5 °C, bacteria counts were below 103 CFU/mL and the bacteria spectrum was similar to that of raw semen. In 88% of 34 boars, cooled semen fulfilled the requirements for insemination. Fertility was high and did not differ (P > 0.05) between sow groups inseminated with semen stored antibiotic-free at 5 °C and semen stored at 17 °C with antibiotics. CONCLUSION Despite subtle chilling effects and low bacterial numbers, antibiotic-free hypothermic storage of boar semen offers the possibility to reduce the use of antibiotics in pig insemination. However, strict sanitary guidelines must be maintained and further evidence of efficiency under field conditions is considered desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Jäkel
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine of the Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathi Scheinpflug
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Mühldorfer
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rafael Gianluppi
- Animal Science Department, Swine Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Matheus Schardong Lucca
- Animal Science Department, Swine Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Gonçalves Mellagi
- Animal Science Department, Swine Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Fernando Pandolfo Bortolozzo
- Animal Science Department, Swine Sector, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Dagmar Waberski
- Unit of Reproductive Medicine of the Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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Jäkel H, Henning H, Luther AM, Rohn K, Waberski D. Assessment of chilling injury in hypothermic stored boar spermatozoa by multicolor flow cytometry. Cytometry A 2021; 99:1033-1041. [PMID: 33389786 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hypothermic storage of boar semen may allow antibiotic-free semen preservation but is limited due to chilling sensitivity of boar spermatozoa. Progress in this area requires sensitive tools to detect chilling injury. Therefore, multiparameter flow cytometry panels were evaluated to ascertain whether they are useful tools for identifying sublethal damage of sperm function at a single cell level, thus considering the high intrinsic sperm heterogeneity in a sample. The first fluorochrome panel consisted of Hoechst 33342 to identify DNA-containing events, Yo-Pro 1 to detect viability, merocyanine 540 to describe membrane fluidity, and PNA-Alexa Fluor™ 647 to identify acrosomic integrity. The second fluorochrome panel consisted of SiR700-DNA to identify DNA-containing events, JC-1 to characterize the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP), and Calbryte 630 to assess the intracellular calcium level. Extended boar semen was stored either at 17°C (control) or 5°C (chilled). It is shown that chilling increased membrane fluidity in the viable (Yo-Pro 1 negative) sperm population at 24 h (p < 0.05). At 144 h, the viable, acrosomic intact sperm population with low membrane fluidity was similar for both storage temperatures. Moreover, chilling reduced the main sperm population with high MMP, medium fluorescence for JC-1 monomer and low intracellular calcium level (p < 0.05). However, after in vitro sperm capacitation, this population did not differ between the two storage temperatures. Exemplary computational data visualization in t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) maps and moving radar plots revealed similar subpopulations as identified by three-dimensional stacked bar charts. In conclusion, sperm surviving an initial chilling injury withstand long-term storage and respond in a similar manner to capacitation conditions as sperm stored conventionally at 17°C. Multicolor flow cytometry is a valuable tool for detecting chilling-induced alterations of cell function in sperm subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Jäkel
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of the Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiko Henning
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie Luther
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of the Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karl Rohn
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dagmar Waberski
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of the Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Gonzalez-Castro RA, Amoroso-Sanches F, Stokes JE, Graham JK, Carnevale EM. Localisation of phospholipase Cζ1 (PLCZ1) and postacrosomal WW-binding protein (WBP2 N-terminal like) on equine spermatozoa and flow cytometry quantification of PLCZ1 and association with cleavage in vitro. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1778-1792. [PMID: 31597592 DOI: 10.1071/rd19217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Oocyte activation is initiated when a fertilising spermatozoon delivers sperm-borne oocyte-activating factor(s) into the oocyte cytoplasm. Candidates for oocyte activation include two proteins, phospholipase Cζ1 (PLCZ1) and postacrosomal WW-binding protein (PAWP; also known as WBP2 N-terminal like (WBP2NL)). We localised PLCZ1 and WBP2NL/PAWP in stallion spermatozoa and investigated the PLCZ1 content and sperm parameters as well as cleavage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). PLCZ1 was identified as 71-kDa protein in the acrosomal and postacrosomal regions, midpiece and principal piece of the tail. Anti-WBP2NL antibody identified two WBP2NL bands (~28 and ~32kDa) in the postacrosomal region, midpiece and principal piece of the tail. PLCZ1 and WBP2NL expression was positively correlated (P=0.04) in sperm heads. Flow cytometry evaluation of PLCZ1 revealed large variations in fluorescence intensity and the percentage of positively labelled spermatozoa among stallions. PLCZ1 expression was significantly higher in viable than non-viable spermatozoa, and DNA fragmentation was negatively correlated with PLCZ1 expression and the percentage of positively labelled spermatozoa (P<0.05). The use of equine sperm populations considered to have high versus low PLCZ1 content resulted in significantly higher cleavage rates after ICSI of bovine and equine oocytes, supporting the importance of PLCZ1 for oocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul A Gonzalez-Castro
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521, USA
| | - Fabio Amoroso-Sanches
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521, USA
| | - JoAnne E Stokes
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521, USA
| | - James K Graham
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521, USA
| | - Elaine M Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Rd, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521, USA; and Corresponding author.
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F. Riesco M, Anel-Lopez L, Neila-Montero M, Palacin-Martinez C, Montes-Garrido R, Alvarez M, de Paz P, Anel L. ProAKAP4 as Novel Molecular Marker of Sperm Quality in Ram: An Integrative Study in Fresh, Cooled and Cryopreserved Sperm. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1046. [PMID: 32674525 PMCID: PMC7408074 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To improve artificial insemination protocols in ovine species it is crucial to optimize sperm quality evaluation after preservation technologies. Emerging technologies based on novel biomolecules and related to redox balance and proteins involved in sperm motility such as ProAKAP4 could be successfully applied in ram sperm evaluation. In this work, a multiparametric analysis of fresh, cooled, and cryopreserved ram sperm was performed at different complexity levels. Samples were evaluated in terms of motility (total motility, progressive motility, and curvilinear velocity), viability, apoptosis, content of reactive oxygen species, oxidation‒reduction potential, and ProAKAP4 expression and concentration. As expected, cryopreserved samples showed a significant decrease of sperm quality (p < 0.05), evidencing different freezability classes among samples that were detected by ProAKAP4 analyses. However, in cooled sperm no differences were found concerning motility, viability, apoptosis, ROS content, and redox balance compared to fresh sperm that could explain the reported decrease in fertility rates. However, although the proportion of sperm ProAKAP4 positive-cells remained unaltered in cooled sperm compared to fresh control, the concentration of this protein significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in cooled samples. This altered protein level could contribute to the decrease in fertility rates of cooled samples detected by some authors. More importantly, ProAKAP4 can be established as a promising diagnostic parameter of sperm quality allowing us to optimize sperm conservation protocols and finally improve artificial insemination in ovine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta F. Riesco
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Cellular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis Anel-Lopez
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Marta Neila-Montero
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Cristina Palacin-Martinez
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Montes-Garrido
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Mercedes Alvarez
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Paulino de Paz
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Cellular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis Anel
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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Arando A, Delgado JV, Arrebola FA, León JM, Alcalá CJ, Pérez-Marín CC. Vitrification induces critical subcellular damages in ram spermatozoa. Cryobiology 2019; 87:52-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Peña FJ, Ortiz Rodriguez JM, Gil MC, Ortega Ferrusola C. Flow cytometry analysis of spermatozoa: Is it time for flow spermetry? Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53 Suppl 2:37-45. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - Jose M. Ortiz Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - María C. Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Spermatology; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
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Johannisson A, Figueiredo M, Al-Kass Z, Morrell J. Simultaneous evaluation of superoxide content and mitochondrial membrane potential in stallion semen samples provides additional information about sperm quality. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 192:290-297. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Varela E, Rey J, Plaza E, Muñoz de Propios P, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Álvarez M, Anel-López L, Anel L, De Paz P, Gil MC, Morrell JM, Ortega-Ferrusola C. How does the microbial load affect the quality of equine cool-stored semen? Theriogenology 2018; 114:212-220. [PMID: 29653389 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Contaminating bacteria present in stallion ejaculates may compromise sperm quality during storage. Different procedures have been used to reduce the load of microorganisms in semen and avoid bacterial growth during storage. The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate different techniques to eliminate bacteria in semen 2) to study the relationship between total microflora load (TML) and ROS production; and 3) to determine if TML affects the functionality of cool-stored sperm. Ejaculates from 11 stallions were split and processed in 3 ways: A. extended semen; B. conventional centrifuged semen, and C. Single layer centrifugation through Androcoll-E (SLC). All samples were preserved in INRA 96 at 5 °C for 72 h. Aliquots from native semen and from different treatments were taken for bacteriological analysis at T0, T24, T48 and T72h of storage and Total microbial load (TML: CFU (colony-forming units/ml) was calculated. The ROS production (dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate for H2O2, dihydroethidium for superoxide anion and CellROX deep red for total ROS), viability (YO-PRO-1-Ethidium) and lipid peroxidation (BODIPY-C11) were assessed by flow cytometry, and motility by CASA. The bacteria isolated were Corynebacterium spp, Arcanobacterium spp, Bacillus spp, Dermobacter, Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, Penicilium spp. TML of semen showed correlations with live sperm (r: -0.771), dead sperm (r: 0.580), H2O2 production (r: 0.740), and total ROS production (CellROX (+)) (r: -0.607), Total motility (r: 0.587), Progressive motility (r: -0.566), VCL (r: -0.664), VSL (r: -0,569), VAP (r: -0.534) (p ≤ 0.05). SLC removed 99.34% of the microbial load, which was assicated with a significanlty reduced H2O2 production (p ≤ 0.05). However, only samples treated with Androcoll-E had a higher total ROS production (CellROX +) (p ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that CellROX stain probably identifies superoxide production rather than H2O2 and this higher superoxide production may reflect an intense sperm functionality. The bacterial load increased the production of H2O2 in cool-stored semen which was associated with lower tolerance to refrigeration. SLC was the sperm processing technique that was most efficient at removing bacteria, reducing H2O2 production and selecting the most functional sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Varela
- Unit of Infection Diseases, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | - J Rey
- Unit of Infection Diseases, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | - E Plaza
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | | | - J M Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | - M Álvarez
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of León, León, Spain
| | - L Anel-López
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of León, León, Spain
| | - L Anel
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of León, León, Spain
| | - P De Paz
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, University of León, León, Spain
| | - M C Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain
| | - J M Morrell
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, SLU, Uppsala, Sweden
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A simple flow cytometry protocol to determine simultaneously live, dead and apoptotic stallion spermatozoa in fresh and frozen thawed samples. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 189:69-76. [PMID: 29258708 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa undergo apoptotic changes during the cryopreservation process. These changes, recently termed spermptosis, resemble the cryopreservation induced delayed onset of cell death observed after thawing of somatic cells. Due to its importance in cryobiology, methods to easily identify spermptotic cells are warranted. In this study, a well-validated method for identification of spermatozoa with caspase 3 activity was compared with use of the combination of Hoechst 33342 (H-42) and ethidium homodimer (Eth-1). Live, dead and apoptotic spermatozoa assessed with each method were compared using descriptive statistics and method agreement analysis. No differences were observed in the percentages of spermatozoa in each of the categories investigated with each method. Moreover the method agreement analysis indicated there were consistent findings using both methods The combination H-42/Eth-1 can be successfully used to determine apoptosis in addition to dead and live spermatozoa. Moreover the intensity of H-42 fluorescence (bright and dim populations) allows for distinguishing of live and dead sperm cells.
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14
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Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gil MC, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Anel L, Peña FJ, Martín-Muñoz P. Flow cytometry in Spermatology: A bright future ahead. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 52:921-931. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Ortega-Ferrusola
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery; University of León; León Spain
| | - MC Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology; Veterinary Teaching Hospital; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - H Rodríguez-Martínez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Faculty of Health Sciences Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - L Anel
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery; University of León; León Spain
| | - FJ Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology; Veterinary Teaching Hospital; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
| | - P Martín-Muñoz
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology; Veterinary Teaching Hospital; University of Extremadura; Cáceres Spain
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15
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Prediction of the fertility of stallion frozen-thawed semen using a combination of computer-assisted motility analysis, microscopical observation and flow cytometry. Theriogenology 2017; 97:186-200. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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16
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Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Anel-Lopez L, Martín-Muñoz P, Álvarez M, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Anel L, Rodríguez-Medina P, Peña FJ, Ortega Ferrusola C. Pulse Doppler ultrasound as a tool for the diagnosis of chronic testicular dysfunction in stallions. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175878. [PMID: 28558006 PMCID: PMC5448730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular function is particularly susceptible to vascular insult, resulting in a negative impact on sperm production and quality of the ejaculate. A prompt diagnosis of testicular dysfunction enables implementation of appropriate treatment, hence improving fertility forecasts for stallions. The present research aims to: (1) assess if Doppler ultrasonography is a good tool to diagnose stallions with testicular dysfunction; (2) to study the relationship between Doppler parameters of the testicular artery and those of sperm quality assessed by flow cytometry and (3) to establish cut off values to differentiate fertile stallions from those with pathologies causing testicular dysfunction. A total of 10 stallions (n: 7 healthy stallions and n: 3 sub-fertile stallions) were used in this study. Two ejaculates per stallion were collected and preserved at 5°C in a commercial extender. The semen was evaluated at T0, T24 and T48h by flow cytometry. Integrity and viability of sperm (YoPro®-1/EthD-1), mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker® Deep Red FM) and the DNA fragmentation index (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay) were assessed. Doppler parameters were measured at three different locations on the testicular artery (Supratesticular artery (SA); Capsular artery (CA) and Intratesticular artery (IA)). The Doppler parameters calculated were: Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), End Diastolic Velocity (EDV), Time Average Maximum Velocity (TAMV), Total Arterial Blood Flow (TABF) and TABF rate. The capsular artery was the most reliable location to carry out spectral Doppler assessment, since blood flow parameters of this artery were most closely correlated with sperm quality parameters. Significant differences in all the Doppler parameters studied were observed between fertile and subfertile stallions (p ≤ 0.05). The principal components analysis assay determined that fertile stallions are characterized by high EDV, TAMV, TABF and TABF rate values (high vascular perfusion). In contrast, subfertile stallions tend to present high values of PI and RI (high vascular resistance). The ROC curves revealed that the best Doppler parameters to predict sperm quality in stallions were: Doppler velocities (PSV, EDV and TAMV), the diameter of the capsular artery and TABF parameters (tissue perfusion parameters). Cut off values were established using a Youden´s Index to identify fertile stallions from stallions with testicular dysfunction. Spectral Doppler ultrasound is a good predictive tool for sperm quality since correlations were determined among Doppler parameters and markers of sperm quality. Doppler ultrasonography could be a valuable diagnostic tool for use by clinical practitioners for the diagnosis of stallions with testicular dysfunction and could be a viable alternative to invasive procedures traditionally used for diagnosis of sub-fertility disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M. Ortiz-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Luis Anel-Lopez
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Patricia Martín-Muñoz
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Mercedes Álvarez
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Luis Anel
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, University of León, León, Spain
| | | | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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17
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Peña FJ, Ball BA, Squires EL. A New Method for Evaluating Stallion Sperm Viability and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Fixed Semen Samples. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2017; 94:302-311. [PMID: 28033647 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiparametric assessment of stallion sperm quality using flow cytometry can be a useful adjunct in semen evaluation; however, the availability of flow cytometers in veterinary practice is limited. The ability to preserve and transport sperm samples for later flow cytometric analysis using fixable probes would potentially facilitate this process. In the current study, we validated the combination of live/dead Zombie Green® (a fixable dye used to assess live and dead sperm) and MitoTracker Deep Red® (used to assess mitochondrial membrane potential). The assay was validated against classic, non-fixable, membrane assays (SYBR-14/PI). Our results demonstrated the feasibility of the assay. In conclusion, stained and fixed semen samples stored for 72 h obtained equivalent results to the exam on the same day; this new protocol shall facilitate the wider use of flow cytometry in stallion andrology in the future. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Peña
- Department of Animal Medicine, Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.,Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Kentucky
| | - B A Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Kentucky
| | - E L Squires
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Kentucky
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18
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Ortega-Ferrusola C, Anel-López L, Martín-Muñoz P, Ortíz-Rodríguez JM, Gil MC, Alvarez M, de Paz P, Ezquerra LJ, Masot AJ, Redondo E, Anel L, Peña FJ. Computational flow cytometry reveals that cryopreservation induces spermptosis but subpopulations of spermatozoa may experience capacitation-like changes. Reproduction 2016; 153:293-304. [PMID: 27965398 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The reduced lifespan of cryopreserved spermatozoa in the mare reproductive tract has been attributed to both capacitative and apoptotic changes. However, there is a lack of studies investigating both phenomena simultaneously. In order to improve our knowledge in this particular point, we studied in raw and frozen-thawed samples apoptotic and capacitative markers using a wide battery of test based in flow cytometry. Apoptotic markers evaluated were caspase 3 activity, externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), and mitochondrial membrane potential. Markers of changes resembling capacitation were membrane fluidity, tyrosine phosphorylation, and intracellular sodium. Conventional and computational flow cytometry using nonlinear dimensionally reduction techniques (t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE)) and automatic classification of cellular expression by nonlinear stochastic embedding (ACCENSE) were used. Most of the changes induced by cryopreservation were apoptotic, with increase in caspase 3 activation (P < 0.01), PS translocation to the outer membrane (P < 0.001), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.05), and increase in intracellular Na+ (P < 0.01). Average values of markers of capacitative changes were not affected by cryopreservation; however, the analysis of the phenotype of individual spermatozoa using computational flow cytometry revealed the presence of subpopulations of spermatozoa experiencing capacitative changes. For the first time advanced computational techniques were applied to the analysis of spermatozoa, and these techniques were able to disclose relevant information of the ejaculate that remained hidden using conventional flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L Anel-López
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery
| | - P Martín-Muñoz
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - J M Ortíz-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - M C Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - M Alvarez
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery
| | - P de Paz
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversity of León, León, Spain
| | - L J Ezquerra
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - A J Masot
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - E Redondo
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - L Anel
- Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery
| | - F J Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine SpermatologyVeterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
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