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Riveros JAN, Pereira IC, Teixeira ACB, Diniz JHW, Borges AM, Díaz JFG, Beletti ME, Oliveira LZ. Sperm head morphometry and chromatin alterations in bulls with different conception rates. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 255:107275. [PMID: 37311270 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107275] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this investigation was to analyze timed-AI conception rates (CRs) of different sires in light of their conventional semen quality parameters, sperm head morphometry, and chromatin alterations. Semen was collected in the field from six Angus bulls and used for the timed-AI of 890 suckled multiparous Nellore cows at a single farm. Semen batches were evaluated on the following in vitro parameters: sperm motility, concentration, and morphology, sperm head morphometry, and chromatin alteration types. The overall CR was 49% and Bulls 1 (43%) and 2 (40%) presented reduced (P < 0.05) pregnancies per AI compared to Bull 6 (61%), even though no differences were observed between their conventional semen quality parameters. Bull 1, however, presented higher (P = 0.0001) shape factor, smaller (P = 0.0025) antero-posterior symmetry, and elevated (P = 0.0141) Fourier 1 parameter, whereas Bull 2 exhibited a higher (P = 0.0023) percentage of chromatin alteration along the central axis of the sperm head. In conclusion, bulls with varying CRs may present sperm head morphometric differences and/or chromatin alterations while not presenting differences in conventional in vitro semen quality parameters. Although further studies are needed to elucidate the concrete implications of chromatin alterations on field fertility, sperm morphometric differences and chromatin alterations may be at least partially causative of the lower pregnancies per timed-AI of certain sires.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Andrés Nivia Riveros
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Cristina Pereira
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Bahia Teixeira
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Juliana Horta Wilke Diniz
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Alan Maia Borges
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Juan Felipe García Díaz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, National University of Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Marcelo Emílio Beletti
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Leticia Zoccolaro Oliveira
- Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
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Capra E, Turri F, Lazzari B, Biffani S, Lange Consiglio A, Ajmone Marsan P, Stella A, Pizzi F. CpG DNA methylation changes during epididymal sperm maturation in bulls. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:20. [PMID: 37254160 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00495-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During epididymal transit spermatozoa acquire specific morphological features which enhance their ability to swim in a progressive manner and interact with the oocytes. At the same time, sperm cells undergo specific molecular rearrangements essential for the fertilizing sperm to drive a correct embryo development. To assess epigenetic sperm changes during epididymal maturation, the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis sperm tracts were isolated from eight bulls and characterized for different sperm quality parameters and for CpG DNA methylation using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS) able to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in higher CpG density regions. RESULTS Caput sperm showed significant variation in motility and sperm kinetics variables, whereas spermatozoa collected from the corpus presented morphology variation and significant alterations in variables related to acrosome integrity. A total of 57,583 methylated regions were identified across the eight bulls, showing a significantly diverse distribution for sperm collected in the three epididymal regions. Differential methylation was observed between caput vs corpus (n = 11,434), corpus vs cauda (n = 12,372) and caput vs cauda (n = 2790). During epididymal transit a high proportion of the epigenome was remodeled, showing several regions in which methylation decreases from caput to corpus and increases from corpus to cauda. CONCLUSIONS Specific CpG DNA methylation changes in sperm isolated from the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis tracts are likely to refine the sperm epigenome during sperm maturation, potentially impacting sperm fertilization ability and spatial organization of the genome during early embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Capra
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - F Turri
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - B Lazzari
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - S Biffani
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - A Lange Consiglio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - P Ajmone Marsan
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Technology-DIANA, and Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Research Center on Sustainable Dairy Production-CREI, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122, Piacenza, Italy
| | - A Stella
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - F Pizzi
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council IBBA CNR, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Oliveira LBT, Butolo JEG, Butolo EAF, Reis RS, Travençolo BAN, Beletti ME. L-arginine supplementation minimizes aging-induced changes in the sperm chromatin of roosters. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102805. [PMID: 37302332 PMCID: PMC10276278 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102805] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine is the main amino acid that constitutes the sperm protamine of roosters, named galline, which complexes with sperm DNA, allowing high compaction of its chromatin. Arginine supplementation has positive effects on semen quality in aged roosters, but this supplementation is not known to limit the progressive worsening of sperm chromatin compaction. This work aimed to verify whether L-arginine supplementation in the feed improve or maintain sperm chromatin quality since aging in roosters is usually accompanied by worsening chromatin quality. Four groups of 52-wk-old Ross AP95 lineage roosters were used, of which 6 semen samples per group were evaluated, totaling 24 samples. Another 24 samples, 6 per group, were evaluated after 6 wk of supplementation when one group was not supplemented (control) and the other 3 were supplemented with 1.15 kg (treatment 1), 2.17 kg (treatment 2), and 3.18 kg (treatment 3) of L-arginine/ton of feed. Computer image analysis of semen smears stained with toluidine blue pH 4.0 was used for sperm chromatin evaluation. Sperm chromatin was evaluated for compaction heterogeneity and compaction intensity by percentage decompaction relative to standard heads and by integrated optical density (IOD), which was used for the first time to identify sperm chromatin changes. Sperm head morphology was also evaluated by means of area and length. The IOD proved to be more efficient in identifying changes in rooster sperm chromatin compaction than the percentual decompaction. In general, chromatin compaction was positively influenced by the supplementation with L-arginine, being better in the supplementation with the highest levels tested. This was corroborated by the smaller average of the variables referring to the size of the spermatozoa heads of the animals that received feed with a higher content of L-arginine, since better compacted heads naturally tend to be smaller. Finally, arginine supplementation was able to limit or even improve sperm chromatin decompaction during the experimental period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rogério Silva Reis
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, 38400902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Emílio Beletti
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, 38400902 Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Salman A, Fernández-Alegre E, Francisco-Vázquez R, Gómez-Martín R, Fernández-Fernández A, Areán-Dablanca H, Domínguez JC, González-Montaña JR, Caamaño JN, Martínez-Pastor F. Extension of the equilibration period up to 24 h maintains the post-thawing quality of Holstein bull semen frozen with OPTIXcell®. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 250:107209. [PMID: 36889162 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107209] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Semen cryopreservation in bovine livestock is well established, but logistics often require deviations from standard protocols. Extending the equilibration time to the following day is convenient in many situations. To improve our knowledge of the effects of this modification, we studied the post-thawing and post-incubation (4 h, 38 °C) sperm quality after freezing with 4 or 24-h extension in the OPTIXcell extender by using an ample panel of analyses: CASA for motility; flow cytometry for viability, physiology, oxidative stress, and chromatin parameters (DNA fragmentation, chromatin compaction, and thiol groups status); and spectrometry for malondialdehyde production. Semen was obtained from 12 Holstein bulls. The 24-h equilibration time showed few significant effects, with only a tiny decrease in progressive motility and a positive impact on chromatin structure. The incubation removed some of these effects, with the pattern for chromatin compaction remaining the same. No detrimental oxidative stress or increase in apoptotic or capacitation markers was detected. Additionally, the individual bull interacted with the effects of the incubation and the equilibration, especially regarding the chromatin status. Whereas this interaction did not critically affect sperm quality, it could be relevant in practice. Bull fertility as non-return rates (NRR56) was associated with some sperm parameters (especially with an improved chromatin structure) but not in the 4-h post-thawing analysis. Our study supports that extending the equilibration time by at least 24-h is feasible for bull semen freezing with the OPTIXcell extender.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Juan Carlos Domínguez
- INDEGSAL, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, Universidad de León, Spain
| | - J Ramiro González-Montaña
- INDEGSAL, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, Universidad de León, Spain
| | - J Néstor Caamaño
- Selección y Reproducción Animal-SERIDA, Principado de Asturias, Gijón, Spain
| | - Felipe Martínez-Pastor
- INDEGSAL, Universidad de León, León, Spain; Department of Molecular Biology (Cell Biology), Universidad de León, León, Spain.
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Diniz J, Riveros J, Teixeira A, Pereira I, Borges A, Monteiro G, Peres R, Rocha L, Beletti M, Oliveira L. In vitro sperm characteristics and in vivo fertility of sex-sorted and conventional semen in suckled Nelore cows at a traditional schedule for timed-AI with estrus detection. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess in vitro sperm characteristics and pregnancies/AI (P/AI) of conventional and sex-sorted semen at timed-AI of suckled, multiparous Nelore cows. All cows (n=348) were submitted to a traditional estradiol/progesterone(P4)-based protocol. At 48h after P4-device removal, the estrous behavior was recorded, and AI was performed with conventional or sex-sorted semen from two bulls. The following sperm assessments were performed: CASA, Hyposmotic Test, sperm morphometry and chromatin structure by TB staining. P/AI were reduced (P<0.001) for sex-sorted compared to conventional semen in cows expressing estrus (27vs47%) or not (11vs.37%). Membrane integrity (Bull1: 30.3±9.6 vs. 52.3±12.4%, P=0.01; Bull2: 24.5±3.0 vs. 48.7±1.6%, P=0.006) and sperm concentration (Bull1: 23.2±0.6 vs. 43.0±0.8x10⁶sperm/mL, P<0.001; Bull2: 25.1±2.8 vs. 42.1±0.7x10⁶sperm/mL; P<0.001) were reduced in sex-sorted compared to conventional semen, for both bulls. Total and progressive motility were reduced in sex-sorted semen for Bull1 (TM: 49.7±15.9 vs. 94.9±1.9%, P=0.007; PM: 16.7±3.4 vs. 44.1±13.2%, P=0.009) and no differences were detected for Bull2 (TM: 45.0±17.5 vs. 68.2±19.1%, P=0.098; PM: 12.8±4.7 vs. 30.0±13.0%, P=0.065). Sperm ellipticity from sex-sorted was lower than conventional semen for Bull2 (0.306±0.01 vs. 0.342±0.02, P=0.02) and no difference was detected for Bull1 (0.332±0.01 vs. 0.330±0.01, P=0.55). Reduced in vivo fertility was observed for sex-sorted semen, regardless of estrous behavior. In vitro sperm quality of sex-sorted semen was compromised for both bulls, but differently affected for each sire.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - A.M. Borges
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - L.O. Rocha
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil
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In Silico Identification of lncRNAs Regulating Sperm Motility in the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo L.). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147642. [PMID: 35887003 PMCID: PMC9324027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts not translated into proteins with a length of more than 200 bp. LncRNAs are considered an important factor in the regulation of countless biological processes, mainly through the regulation of gene expression and interactions with proteins. However, the detailed mechanism of interaction as well as functions of lncRNAs are still unclear and therefore constitute a serious research challenge. In this study, for the first time, potential mechanisms of lncRNA regulation of processes related to sperm motility in turkey were investigated and described. Customized bioinformatics analysis was used to detect and identify lncRNAs, and their correlations with differentially expressed genes and proteins were also investigated. Results revealed the expression of 863 new/unknown lncRNAs in ductus deferens, testes and epididymis of turkeys. Moreover, potential relationships of the lncRNAs with the coding mRNAs and their products were identified in turkey reproductive tissues. The results obtained from the OMICS study may be useful in describing and characterizing the way that lncRNAs regulate genes and proteins as well as signaling pathways related to sperm motility.
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Stark-Dykema ER, Dulka EA, Gerlinger ER, Mueller JL. X-linked palindromic gene families 4930567H17Rik and Mageb5 are dispensable for male mouse fertility. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8554. [PMID: 35595785 PMCID: PMC9122934 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12433-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sex chromosomes are enriched for large, nearly-identical, palindromic sequences harboring genes expressed predominately in testicular germ cells. Discerning if individual palindrome-associated gene families are essential for male reproduction is difficult due to challenges in disrupting all copies of a gene family. Here we generate precise, independent, deletions to assess the reproductive roles of two X-linked palindromic gene families with spermatid-predominant expression, 4930567H17Rik and Mageb5. Sequence analyses reveals mouse 4930567H17Rik and Mageb5 are orthologs of human HSFX3 and MAGEB5, respectively, where 4930567H17Rik/HSFX3 is harbored in a palindrome in humans and mice, while Mageb5 is not. Additional sequence analyses show 4930567H17Rik and HSFX3 are rapidly diverging in rodents and primates, respectively. Mice lacking either 4930567H17Rik or Mageb5 gene families do not have detectable defects in male fertility, fecundity, spermatogenesis, or in gene regulation, but do show differences in sperm head morphology, suggesting a potential role in sperm function. We conclude that while all palindrome-associated gene families are not essential for male fertility, large palindromes influence the evolution of their associated gene families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan R Stark-Dykema
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Eden A Dulka
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Emma R Gerlinger
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jacob L Mueller
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Kern CH, Feitosa WB, Liu WS. The Dynamic of PRAMEY Isoforms in Testis and Epididymis Suggests Their Involvement in Spermatozoa Maturation. Front Genet 2022; 13:846345. [PMID: 35386283 PMCID: PMC8979061 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.846345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma, Y-linked (PRAMEY) is a cancer/testis antigen expressed predominantly in bovine spermatogenic cells, playing an important role in germ cell formation. To better understand PRAMEY’s function during spermatogenesis, we studied the dynamics of PRAMEY isoforms by Western blotting (WB) with PRAMEY-specific antibodies. The PRAMEY protein was assessed in the bovine testicular and epididymal spermatozoa, fluid and tissues, and as well as in ejaculated semen. The protein was further examined, at a subcellular level in sperm head and tail, as well as in the subcellular components, including the cytosol, nucleus, membrane, and mitochondria. RNA expression of PRAMEY was also evaluated in testis and epididymal tissues. Our WB results confirmed the previously reported four isoforms of PRAMEY (58, 30, 26, and 13 kDa) in the bovine testis and spermatozoa. We found that testicular spermatozoa expressed the 58 and 30 kDa isoforms. As spermatozoa migrated to the epididymis, they expressed two additional isoforms, 26 and 13 kDa. Similarly, the 58 and 30 kDa isoforms were detected only in the testis fluid, while all four isoforms were detected in fluid from the cauda epididymis. Tissue evaluation indicated a significantly higher expression of the 58 and 13 kDa isoforms in the cauda tissue when compared to both the testis and caput tissue (p < 0.05). These results indicated that testis samples (spermatozoa, fluid, and tissue) expressed predominantly the 58 and 30 kDa PRAMEY isoforms, suggesting their involvement in spermatogenesis. In contrast, the 26 kDa isoform was specific to epididymal sperm and the 13 kDa isoform was marked in samples derived from the cauda epididymis, suggesting their involvement in sperm maturation. Results from the sperm head and tail experiments indicated that the 13 kDa isoform increased 4-fold in sperm tails from caput to cauda, suggesting this isoform may have a significant role in tail function. Additionally, the 13 kDa isoform increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the cytosol during epididymal passage and tended to increase in other subcellular components. The expression of PRAMEY in the sperm subcellular components during epididymal maturation suggests the involvement of PRAMEY, especially the 13 kDa isoform, in sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandlar H Kern
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Weber B Feitosa
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Wan-Sheng Liu
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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