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Lacalle E, Fernández-Alegre E, Gómez-Giménez B, Álvarez-Rodríguez M, Martín-Fernández B, Soriano-Úbeda C, Martínez-Pastor F. Application of Flow Cytometry Using Advanced Chromatin Analyses for Assessing Changes in Sperm Structure and DNA Integrity in a Porcine Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1953. [PMID: 38396632 PMCID: PMC10888687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromatin status is critical for sperm fertility and reflects spermatogenic success. We tested a multivariate approach for studying pig sperm chromatin structure to capture its complexity with a set of quick and simple techniques, going beyond the usual assessment of DNA damage. Sperm doses from 36 boars (3 ejaculates/boar) were stored at 17 °C and analyzed on days 0 and 11. Analyses were: CASA (motility) and flow cytometry to assess sperm functionality and chromatin structure by SCSA (%DFI, DNA fragmentation; %HDS, chromatin maturity), monobromobimane (mBBr, tiol status/disulfide bridges between protamines), chromomycin A3 (CMA3, protamination), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG, DNA oxidative damage). Data were analyzed using linear models for the effects of boar and storage, correlations, and multivariate analysis as hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). Storage reduced sperm quality parameters, mainly motility, with no critical oxidative stress increases, while chromatin status worsened slightly (%DFI and 8-oxo-dG increased while mBBr MFI-median fluorescence intensity-and disulfide bridge levels decreased). Boar significantly affected most chromatin variables except CMA3; storage also affected most variables except %HDS. At day 0, sperm chromatin variables clustered closely, except for CMA3, and %HDS and 8-oxo-dG correlated with many variables (notably, mBBr). After storage, the relation between %HDS and 8-oxo-dG remained, but correlations among other variables disappeared, and mBBr variables clustered separately. The PCA suggested a considerable influence of mBBr on sample variance, especially regarding storage, with SCSA and 8-oxo-dG affecting between-sample variability. Overall, CMA3 was the least informative, in contrast with results in other species. The combination of DNA fragmentation, DNA oxidation, chromatin compaction, and tiol status seems a good candidate for obtaining a complete picture of pig sperm nucleus status. It raises many questions for future molecular studies and deserves further research to establish its usefulness as a fertility predictor in multivariate models. The usefulness of CMA3 should be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estíbaliz Lacalle
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (E.L.); (B.M.-F.)
- Bianor Biotech SL, 24071 León, Spain
| | | | - Belén Gómez-Giménez
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (E.L.); (B.M.-F.)
| | - Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Spanish Scientific Research Council (INIA-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Beatriz Martín-Fernández
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (E.L.); (B.M.-F.)
- Department of Molecular Biology (Cell Biology), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Cristina Soriano-Úbeda
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy (Animal Medicine and Surgery), University of León, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - Felipe Martínez-Pastor
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (E.L.); (B.M.-F.)
- Department of Molecular Biology (Cell Biology), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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Cheredath A, Uppangala S, Jijo A, Lakshmi RV, Gowda GAN, Kalthur G, Adiga SK. Use of sensitivity-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryogenically cooled micro-coil probe in identifying human sperm intracellular metabolites. Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 35:661-668. [PMID: 37643634 DOI: 10.1071/rd22246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The clinical value of human sperm metabolites has not been established due to the technical complexity in detecting these metabolites when sperm numbers are low. AIMS To detect endogenous intracellular metabolites in fresh and post-thaw human spermatozoa using 800MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryo-probe. METHODS Processed spermatozoa from 25 normozoospermic ejaculates were subjected to extraction of intracellular metabolites and then profiled by sensitivity-enhanced NMR spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryogenically cooled micro-coil probe. In parallel, some of the processed sperm fractions were subjected to freeze-thawing and were then analysed for intracellular metabolites. KEY RESULTS Twenty-three metabolites were profiled from only 1.25million sperm cells. Comparison of the metabolomic signature of pre-freeze and post-thaw sperm cells did not show significant changes in the levels of metabolites. CONCLUSIONS Sensitivity-enhanced NMR spectroscopy equipped with a 1.7-mm cryogenically cooled micro-coil probe is a potential tool for identifying intracellular metabolites when sperm number is low. IMPLICATIONS Use of sensitivity-enhanced NMR spectroscopy opens up the opportunity to test for endogenous metabolites in samples with a limited number of spermatozoa, to understand the patho-physiology of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathi Cheredath
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - Shubhashree Uppangala
- Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - Ameya Jijo
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - R Vani Lakshmi
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - G A Nagana Gowda
- Northwest Metabolomics Research Centre, Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
| | - Satish Kumar Adiga
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576 104, India
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Moura AR, Santos AR, Losano JDA, Siqueira AFP, Hamilton TRS, Zanella R, Caires KC, Simões R. Evaluation of sperm and hormonal assessments in Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus bulls. ZYGOTE 2023; 31:507-516. [PMID: 37492001 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199423000278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Wagyu bulls are known to have a highly exacerbated libido, as shown by the intense sexual interest of young calves. Therefore we believe that Wagyu male animals have specialized Sertoli and Leydig cells that are directly involved with the sexual precocity in this breed as mature bulls have a small scrotal circumference. This study aimed to evaluate whether there were differences in the hormone and sperm characteristics of Wagyu bulls compared with the same characteristics of subspecies Bos indicus and Bos taurus sires. Frozen-thawed semen from Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus sires were analyzed for sperm kinetics (computer-assisted sperm analysis), plasma membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial activity, lipid peroxidation and hormone [luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone] serum concentration. The results showed that Wagyu had lower total motility and an increased number of sperm with no motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from those breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations. We concluded that Wagyu sires had lower total motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from these breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation, or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Moura
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A R Santos
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - J D A Losano
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, USA
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A F P Siqueira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - T R S Hamilton
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - R Zanella
- Escola de Ciências Agrárias Inovação e Negócios, Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em BioExperimentação, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - K C Caires
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii, USA
| | - R Simões
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Narud B, Khezri A, Zeremichael TT, Eriksen AL, Grevle IS, Nordborg A, Klinkenberg G, Wilson RC, Kommisrud E. Sperm quality parameters, fertilizing potential, metabolites, and DNA methylation in cold-stored and cryopreserved milt from Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.). Front Genet 2023; 14:1199681. [PMID: 37693310 PMCID: PMC10483119 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1199681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cold storage and freezing/thawing of milt may affect sperm functionality and the subsequent fertilization ability of milt. This study aimed to investigate sperm quality parameters and fertilization potential of Atlantic salmon milt, stored cold and subsequently cryopreserved, using different storage conditions. The objective was also to assess if analysis of milt metabolites and sperm DNA methylation signatures could be applicable to further elucidate sperm quality and fertilization following preservation. Milt samples were collected from eight mature Atlantic salmon males and stored for 4 days at 2°C and 8°C. Samples were taken on day one of storage at 2°C and on day four of storage at 2°C and 8°C. Storage for 4 days at 8°C is expected to be detrimental to sperm quality, and was included to create contrasts. Correspondingly, aliquots of cold-stored milt were prepared for cryopreservation, resulting in a total of six experimental conditions. Samples from all six experimental conditions were used in fertilization trials and analyzed for sperm viability, motility, ATP content, DNA fragmentation index, and High DNA stainability. In addition, milt samples from four of the males were analyzed for targeted metabolites and DNA methylation signatures by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. The fertilization trials were performed using sperm:egg ratios of 75 × 103 and 500 × 103, respectively. Storage duration, temperature, and cryopreservation of cold-stored milt influenced several sperm quality parameters, metabolites, and DNA methylation signatures. The total motility, progressive motility, ATP, and velocity parameters were the sperm parameters with the strongest correlation to fertilization rates (p < 0.01). Several metabolites were correlated with fertility rates in both cold-stored and cryopreserved samples (p < 0.05). The fertilizing capacity of cold-stored milt was significantly reduced after 4 days of storage at 8°C, while corresponding cryopreserved milt showed reduced fertilization at both storage temperatures (2°C and 8°C) (p < 0.05). The results indicate that cryopreservation of milt stored for 1 day does not compromise either fertilization ability or DNA methylation signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Narud
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | - Abdolrahman Khezri
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | - Teklu T. Zeremichael
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert C. Wilson
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | - Elisabeth Kommisrud
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
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Donnellan EM, Perrier JP, Keogh K, Štiavnická M, Collins CM, Dunleavy EM, Sellem E, Bernecic NC, Lonergan P, Kenny DA, Fair S. Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs in spermatozoa of bulls of varying fertility. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:993561. [PMID: 36277068 PMCID: PMC9581129 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.993561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bulls used in artificial insemination, with apparently normal semen quality, can vary significantly in their field fertility. This study aimed to characterize the transcriptome of spermatozoa from high (HF) and low (LF) fertility bulls at the mRNA and miRNA level in order to identify potential novel markers of fertility. Holstein-Friesian bulls were assigned to either the HF or LF group (n = 10 per group) based on an adjusted national fertility index from a minimum of 500 inseminations. Total RNA was extracted from a pool of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from three different ejaculates per bull, following which mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq were performed. Six mRNAs and 13 miRNAs were found differentially expressed (P < 0.05, FC > 1.5) between HF and LF bulls. Of particular interest, the gene pathways targeted by the 13 differentially expressed miRNAs were related to embryonic development and gene expression regulation. Previous studies reported that disruptions to protamine 1 mRNA (PRM1) had deleterious consequences for sperm chromatin structure and fertilizing ability. Notably, PRM1 exhibited a higher expression in spermatozoa from LF than HF bulls. In contrast, Western Blot analysis revealed a decrease in PRM1 protein abundance for spermatozoa from LF bulls; this was not associated with increased protamine deficiency (measured by the degree of chromatin compaction) or DNA fragmentation, as assessed by flow cytometry analyses. However, protamine deficiency was positively and moderately correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation, irrespective of fertility group. This study has identified potential biomarkers that could be used for improving semen quality assessments of bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eimear M. Donnellan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jean-Philippe Perrier
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Ireland
| | - Miriam Štiavnická
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | | | - Elaine M. Dunleavy
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Eli Sellem
- ALLICE, Innovation and Development, Paris, France
| | - Naomi C. Bernecic
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland,*Correspondence: Sean Fair
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Domain G, Ali Hassan H, Wydooghe E, Bogado Pascottini O, Johannisson A, Morrell JM, Niżański W, Van Soom A. Influence of Single Layer Centrifugation with Canicoll on Semen Freezability in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060714. [PMID: 35327111 PMCID: PMC8944562 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Freezing dog semen is not always possible due to low quality sperm or poor survival during freezing. In order to make this assisted reproductive technique available to a larger number of dogs, this study investigated the benefit of selecting the best spermatozoa before freezing using single layer centrifugation (SLC). The results indicated that this technique was effective in separating spermatozoa according to their quality, although this resulted in losing some good quality spermatozoa. After thawing, spermatozoa centrifuged by SLC were of better quality than after standard centrifugation. However, spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen did not survive freezing as well as spermatozoa from semen of optimal quality, even after SLC. Single layer centrifugation, therefore, makes it possible to obtain better quality spermatozoa after thawing but is not sufficient on its own to improve the inferior freezing ability of spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen. So far, eighteen pups were born after insemination with SLC-selected frozen-thawed semen, proving that these selected spermatozoa remain fertile. Abstract This study evaluated how semen selection by single layer centrifugation (SLC) with Canicoll affects semen freezability in dogs. A total of eighteen ejaculates, collected from dogs with optimal and suboptimal semen quality (optimal: normal morphology (NM) ≥ 80%, n = 9; suboptimal: NM between 60 and 79%, n = 9), were divided into two aliquots and subjected to standard centrifugation or SLC before cryopreservation. Motility, NM, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity were improved in fresh samples after SLC, regardless of semen quality, but at the expense of some good quality spermatozoa. After thawing, NM and membrane integrity were improved in SLC-selected semen in both semen qualities. Interestingly, MMP was also higher but only in optimal quality semen. Still, spermatozoa from suboptimal quality semen did not survive freezing to the same extent as spermatozoa from optimal quality semen, even after selecting superior spermatozoa. Semen selection with Canicoll is, therefore, an effective technique to isolate a subpopulation of high-quality spermatozoa and obtain sperm samples of better quality after thawing, but is not sufficient to improve the intrinsic inferior freezability of suboptimal quality semen. So far, eighteen pups were born after insemination with SLC-selected frozen-thawed semen, proving that these selected spermatozoa remain fertile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Domain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (H.A.H.); (E.W.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Hiba Ali Hassan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (H.A.H.); (E.W.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Eline Wydooghe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (H.A.H.); (E.W.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (H.A.H.); (E.W.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.)
- Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Anders Johannisson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 756-51 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.J.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Jane M. Morrell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 756-51 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.J.); (J.M.M.)
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, University of Environmental Science, Grundwaldzki Square 49, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (H.A.H.); (E.W.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.)
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Narud B, Khezri A, Nordborg A, Klinkenberg G, Zeremichael TT, Stenseth EB, Heringstad B, Kommisrud E, Myromslien FD. Semen quality parameters including metabolites, sperm production traits and fertility in young Norwegian Red AI bulls. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Association between Fatty Acid Composition, Cryotolerance and Fertility Competence of Progressively Motile Bovine Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102948. [PMID: 34679969 PMCID: PMC8532703 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
An association between progressive motility (PM) and spermatozoa fertility competence has been suggested. However, the mechanism that underlies PM is not clear enough. We examined physiological characteristics and fatty acid composition of fresh spermatozoa with high and low PM. Additional analysis of fatty acid composition and structural characteristics was performed on spermatozoa samples with high and low progressively motile spermatozoa's survival (PMSS), i.e., the ratio between the proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa after and before cryopreservation. Finally, a fertility field trial was conducted to examine the association between the number of PM spermatozoa within the insemination straw post thawing and conception rate. Analysis of fresh spermatozoa revealed a higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in ejaculates with low PM relative to those with high PM (p < 0.01). The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in low-PMSS fresh samples (p < 0.05) relative to their high-PMSS counterparts. Fresh samples with high-PMSS expressed a higher mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.05) and a higher proportion of viable cells that expressed reactive oxygen species (ROS; p < 0.05). Post-thawing evaluation revealed a reduced proportion of progressively motile sperm, with a prominent effect in samples with high PM relative to low PM, defined before freezing (p < 0.01). No differences in spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential or ROS level were found post-thawing. A fertility study revealed a positive correlation between the number of progressively motile spermatozoa within a standard insemination straw and conception rate (p < 0.05). Considering these, the bull PMSS is suggested to be taken into account at the time of straw preparation.
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Turri F, Capra E, Lazzari B, Cremonesi P, Stella A, Pizzi F. A Combined Flow Cytometric Semen Analysis and miRNA Profiling as a Tool to Discriminate Between High- and Low-Fertility Bulls. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:703101. [PMID: 34355036 PMCID: PMC8329915 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.703101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting bull fertility is one of the main challenges for the dairy breeding industry and artificial insemination (AI) centers. Semen evaluation performed in the AI center is not fully reliable to determine the level of bull fertility. Spermatozoa are rich in active miRNA. Specific sperm-borne miRNAs can be linked to fertility. The aim of our study is to propose a combined flow cytometric analysis and miRNA profiling of semen bulls with different fertility to identify markers that can be potentially used for the prediction of field fertility. Sperm functions were analyzed in frozen-thawed semen doses (CG: control group) and high-quality sperm (HQS) fraction collected from bulls with different field fertility levels (estimated relative conception rate or ERCR) by using advanced techniques, such as the computer-assisted semen analysis system, flow cytometry, and small RNA-sequencing. Fertility groups differ for total and progressive motility and in the abnormality degree of the chromatin structure (P < 0.05). A backward, stepwise, multiple regression analysis was applied to define a model with high relation between in vivo (e.g., ERCR) and in vitro (i.e., semen quality and DE-miRNA) fertility data. The analysis produced two models that accounted for more than 78% of the variation of ERCR (CG: R2 = 0.88; HQS: R2 = 0.78), identifying a suitable combination of parameters useful to predict bull fertility. The predictive equation on CG samples included eight variables: four kinetic parameters and four DNA integrity indicators. For the HQS fraction, the predictive equation included five variables: three kinetic parameters and two DNA integrity indicators. A significant relationship was observed between real and predicted fertility in CG (R2 = 0.88) and HQS fraction (R2 = 0.82). We identified 15 differentially expressed miRNAs between high- and low-fertility bulls, nine of which are known (miR-2285n, miR-378, miR-423-3p, miR-191, miR-2904, miR-378c, miR-431, miR-486, miR-2478) while the remaining are novel. The multidimensional preference analysis model partially separates bulls according to their fertility, clustering three semen quality variable groups relative to motility, DNA integrity, and viability. A positive association between field fertility, semen quality parameters, and specific miRNAs was revealed. The integrated approach could provide a model for bull selection in AI centers, increasing the reproductive efficiency of livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Turri
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Emanuele Capra
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Barbara Lazzari
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Paola Cremonesi
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Alessandra Stella
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
| | - Flavia Pizzi
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (IBBA-CNR), Lodi, Italy
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Bernecic NC, Donnellan E, O'Callaghan E, Kupisiewicz K, O'Meara C, Weldon K, Lonergan P, Kenny DA, Fair S. Comprehensive functional analysis reveals that acrosome integrity and viability are key variables distinguishing artificial insemination bulls of varying fertility. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:11226-11241. [PMID: 34253371 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In vitro methods of assessing bull semen quality in artificial insemination (AI) centers are unable to consistently detect individuals of lower fertility, and attempts to reliably predict bull fertility are still ongoing. This highlights the need to identify robust biomarkers that can be readily measured in a practical setting and used to improve current predictions of bull fertility. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed a range of functional, morphological, and intracellular attributes in cryopreserved spermatozoa from a selected cohort of Holstein Friesian AI bulls classified as having either high or low fertility (n = 10 of each fertility phenotype; difference of 11.4% in adjusted pregnancy rate between groups). Here, spermatozoa were assessed for motility and kinematic parameters, morphology, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane lipid packing, viability (or membrane integrity), superoxide production, and DNA integrity. In addition, spermatozoa were used for in vitro fertilization to evaluate their capacity for fertilization and successful embryo development. The information collected from these assessments was then used to phenotypically profile the 2 groups of bulls of divergent fertility status as well as to develop a model to predict bull fertility. According to the results, acrosome integrity and viability were the only sperm attributes that were significantly different between high- and low-fertility bulls. Interestingly, although spermatozoa from low-fertility bulls, on average, had reduced viability and acrosome integrity, this response varied considerably from bull to bull. Principal component analysis revealed a sperm phenotypic profile that represented a high proportion of ejaculates from low-fertility bulls. This was constructed based on the collective influence of several sperm attributes, including the presence of cytoplasmic droplets and superoxide production. Finally, using the combined results as a basis for modeling, we developed a linear model that was able to explain 47% of the variation in bull field fertility in addition to a logistic predictive model that had a 90% chance of distinguishing between fertility groups. Taken together, we conclude that viability and acrosome integrity could serve as fertility biomarkers in the field and, when used alongside other sperm attributes, may be useful in detecting low-fertility bulls. However, the variable nature of low-fertility bulls suggests that additional, in-depth characterization of spermatozoa at a molecular level is required to further understand the etiology of low fertility in dairy bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C Bernecic
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland.
| | - Eimear Donnellan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Elena O'Callaghan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | | | - Ciara O'Meara
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, Unit K4, M7 Business Park, Naas, County Kildare, W91 WF59, Ireland
| | - Kaitlyn Weldon
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
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11
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Lombó M, Ruiz-Díaz S, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ. Sperm Metabolomics through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061669. [PMID: 34205204 PMCID: PMC8227655 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) is of special interest for the analysis of metabolites present in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. This metabolomic approach has been used to identify the presence of new biomarkers or their proportions in a non-invasive manner and is, therefore, an interesting tool for male fertility diagnosis. In this paper, we review current knowledge of the use of 1 H-NMR to examine sperm metabolomics in different species with special attention paid to humans and farm animals. We also describe the use of 1 H-NMR to establish a possible relationship between the mammalian diet and the presence of certain hydrophilic and lipophilic metabolites in spermatozoa. Abstract This report reviews current knowledge of sperm metabolomics analysis using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) with particular emphasis on human and farm animals. First, we present the benefits of NMR over other techniques to identify sperm metabolites and then describe the specific methodology required for NMR sperm analysis, stressing the importance of analyzing metabolites extracted from both the hydrophilic and lipophilic phases. This is followed by a description of advances produced to date in the use of NMR to diagnose infertility in humans and to identify metabolic differences among the sperm of mammalian herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore species. This last application of NMR mainly seeks to explore the possible use of lipids to fuel sperm physiology, contrary to previous theories that glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are the only sources of sperm energy. This review describes the use of NMR to identify sperm and seminal plasma metabolites as possible indicators of semen quality, and to examine the metabolites needed to maintain sperm motility, induce their capacitation, and consequently, to predict animal fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lombó
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
- Mistral Fertility Clinics S.L., Clínica Tambre, 28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - María-Jesús Sánchez-Calabuig
- Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 18, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.); (S.R.-D.); (A.G.-A.)
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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12
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Narud B, Khezri A, Zeremichael TT, Stenseth EB, Heringstad B, Johannisson A, Morrell JM, Collas P, Myromslien FD, Kommisrud E. Sperm chromatin integrity and DNA methylation in Norwegian Red bulls of contrasting fertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:187-200. [PMID: 33634579 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the complexity of chromatin integrity was investigated in frozen-thawed semen samples from 37 sires with contrasting fertility, expressed as 56-day non-return rates (NR56). Protamine deficiency, thiols, and disulfide bonds were assessed and compared with previously published data for DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS). In addition, in vitro embryo development and sperm DNA methylation were assessed using semen samples from 16 of these bulls. The percentages of DFI and HDS were negatively associated with NR56 and cleavage rate and positively associated with sperm protamine deficiency (p < 0.05). Significant differences in cleavage and blastocyst rates were observed between bulls of high and low NR56. However, once fertilization occurred, further development into blastocysts was not associated with NR56. The differential methylation analysis showed that spermatozoa from bulls of low NR56 were hypermethylated compared to bulls of high NR56. Pathway analysis showed that genes annotated to differentially methylated cytosines could participate in different biological pathways and have important biological roles related to bull fertility. In conclusion, sperm cells from Norwegian Red bulls of inferior fertility have less compact chromatin structure, higher levels of DNA damage, and are hypermethylated compared with bulls of superior fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Narud
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | - Abdolrahman Khezri
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | | | - Else-Berit Stenseth
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | - Bjørg Heringstad
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Anders Johannisson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jane M Morrell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Philippe Collas
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Elisabeth Kommisrud
- Department of Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
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