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Kilama J, Dahlen CR, Reynolds LP, Amat S. Contribution of the seminal microbiome to paternal programming. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:242-268. [PMID: 38696371 PMCID: PMC11327320 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae068] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease has primarily focused on maternal programming of offspring health. However, emerging evidence suggests that paternal factors, including the seminal microbiome, could potentially play important roles in shaping the developmental trajectory and long-term offspring health outcomes. Historically, the microbes present in the semen were regarded as inherently pathogenic agents. However, this dogma has recently been challenged by the discovery of a diverse commensal microbial community within the semen of healthy males. In addition, recent studies suggest that the transmission of semen-associated microbes into the female reproductive tract during mating has potentials to not only influence female fertility and embryo development but could also contribute to paternal programming in the offspring. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the seminal microbiota in both humans and animals followed by discussing their potential involvement in paternal programming of offspring health. We also propose and discuss potential mechanisms through which paternal influences are transmitted to offspring via the seminal microbiome. Overall, this review provides insights into the seminal microbiome-based paternal programing, which will expand our understanding of the potential paternal programming mechanisms which are currently focused primarily on the epigenetic modifications, oxidative stresses, and cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Kilama
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7520, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Samat Amat
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7520, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
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Cooke CG, Gibb Z, Grupen CG, Schemann K, Deshpande N, Harnett JE. The semen microbiome of miniature pony stallions. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23117. [PMID: 38331564 DOI: 10.1071/rd23117] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known about the microbial composition of stallion semen. AIMS To describe the microbiota detected in equine semen of healthy miniature pony stallions. METHODS Semen specimens were collected using a Missouri artificial vagina at a single time point. PacBio (Pacific Biosciences) genomic DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on these specimens, following which next-generation microbiome bioinformatics platform QIIME2 was used to process fastq files and analyse the amplicon data. The data were categorised into genus, family, class, order and phylum. KEY RESULTS Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla predominated (76%), followed by Proteobacteria (15%). Bacteroidales, Clostridiales and Cardiobacteriales predominated the microbial rank of order (86%). Class was mainly composed of Bacteroidia, Clostridia and Gammaproteobacteria (87%), while family was mainly composed of Porphyromonadaceae , Family_XI and Cardiobacteriaceae (62%). At the level of genus, 80% of the abundance was composed of seven genera, namely Porphyromonas, Suttonella, Peptoniphilus, Fastidiosipila, Ezakiella, Petrimonas and an unknown taxon. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that specific microbiota may be characteristic of healthy miniature pony stallions' semen with some inter-individual variations observed. IMPLICATIONS Larger equine studies involving fertile and infertile subjects could be informed by this study and could explore the relationship of the semen microbiome to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Giselle Cooke
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Christopher G Grupen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Kathrin Schemann
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nandan Deshpande
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Joanna E Harnett
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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3
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Zabala SM, Serres C, Montero N, Crespo F, Lorenzo PL, Pérez-Aguilera V, Galán C, Domínguez-Gimbernat M, Oliet A, Moreno S, González-Zorn B, Gutiérrez-Cepeda L. Strategies to Reduce the Use of Antibiotics in Fresh and Chilled Equine Semen. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:179. [PMID: 38254348 PMCID: PMC10812753 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The study assessed the impact of four equine semen processing techniques on sperm quality and microbial load immediately post-processing and after 48 h of refrigeration. The aim was to explore the potential reduction of prophylactic antibiotic usage in semen extenders. Semen from ten adult stallions was collected and processed under a strict hygiene protocol and divided into four aliquots: Simple Centrifugation with antibiotics (SC+), Simple Centrifugation (SC-), Single-Layer Colloidal Centrifugation (CC-), and Filtration (with SpermFilter®) (F-), all in extenders without antibiotics. Sperm motility, viability, and microbial load on three culture media were assessed. No significant differences were observed in the main in the sperm quality parameters among the four protocols post-processing and at 48 h (p < 0.05 or p < 0.1). Microbial loads in Columbia 5% Sheep Blood Agar and Schaedler vitamin K1 5% Sheep Blood Agar mediums were significantly higher (p < 0.10) for raw semen than for CS+, CC-, and F- post-processing. For Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium, the microbial load was significantly higher (p < 0.10) in raw semen compared to CS+ and F-. No significant differences (p < 0.10) were found in 48 h chilled samples. Regardless of antibiotic presence, the evaluated processing methods, when combined with rigorous hygiene measures, maintained semen quality and reduced microbial load to the same extent as a traditional protocol using antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Mercedes Zabala
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Colmenar Viejo a Guadalix de la Sierra, km 1, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 Madrid, Spain; (A.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Consuelo Serres
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Natalia Montero
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.); (B.G.-Z.)
| | - Francisco Crespo
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
- Centro Militar de Cría Caballar de Ávila (CCFAA), C/Arsenio Gutiérrez Palacios s/n, 05005 Ávila, Spain;
| | - Pedro Luis Lorenzo
- Physiology Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Verónica Pérez-Aguilera
- Centro Militar de Cría Caballar de Ávila (CCFAA), C/Arsenio Gutiérrez Palacios s/n, 05005 Ávila, Spain;
| | - Carmen Galán
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Mónica Domínguez-Gimbernat
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Agustín Oliet
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Colmenar Viejo a Guadalix de la Sierra, km 1, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 Madrid, Spain; (A.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Santiago Moreno
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Colmenar Viejo a Guadalix de la Sierra, km 1, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 Madrid, Spain; (A.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Bruno González-Zorn
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.); (B.G.-Z.)
| | - Luna Gutiérrez-Cepeda
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
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Tvrdá E, Petrovičová M, Ďuračka M, Benko F, Slanina T, Galovičová L, Kačániová M. Short-Term Storage of Rooster Ejaculates: Sperm Quality and Bacterial Profile Differences in Selected Commercial Extenders. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1284. [PMID: 37627704 PMCID: PMC10451222 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial contamination of semen has become an important contributor to the reduced shelf life of insemination doses in the poultry industry, which is why antibiotics (ATBs) are an important component of semen extenders. Due to a global rise in antimicrobial resistance, the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of selected commercially available semen extenders to prevent possible bacterial contamination of rooster ejaculates. Two selected extenders free from or containing 31.2 µg/mL kanamycin (KAN) were used to process semen samples from 63 healthy Lohmann Brown roosters. Phosphate-buffered saline without ATBs was used as a control. The extended samples were stored at 4 °C for 24 h. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity and the oxidative profile of each extended sample were assessed following 2 h and 24 h of storage. Furthermore, selective media were used to quantify the bacterial load and specific bacterial species were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The results indicate that semen extenders enriched with KAN ensured a significantly higher preservation of sperm quality in comparison to their KAN-free counterparts. Bacterial load was significantly decreased in diluents supplemented with ATBs (p ≤ 0.001); however, KAN alone was not effective enough to eradicate all bacteria since several Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Micrococcus luteus were retrieved from samples extended in KAN-supplemented commercial extenders. As such, we may suggest that more focus should be devoted to the selection of an optimal combination and dose of antibiotics for poultry extenders, which should be accompanied by a more frequent bacteriological screening of native as well as extended poultry semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tvrdá
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Petrovičová
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine (2. LF UK), Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Filip Benko
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (F.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Tomáš Slanina
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (F.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Lucia Galovičová
- Institute of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (L.G.); (M.K.)
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Institute of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (L.G.); (M.K.)
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
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Brito LFC, Loomis PR, Klohonatz KM, Althouse GC. Penicillin and amikacin mixture has bactericidal activity equivalent to gentamicin, tylosin, lincomycin and spectinomycin mixture in equine frozen semen. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:349-357. [PMID: 36369673 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14294] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Neat stallion semen can contain a variety of microorganisms, some of which may impair sperm quality and/or cause infection of the mares' reproductive tract. For this reason, antibiotics are commonly added to semen extenders. A combination of gentamicin, tylosin, lincomycin and spectinomycin (GTLS) has been recommended for use, but there are no reports on the use of this mixture in equine semen extender. Penicillin and amikacin (PA) are safe for preserving sperm quality while effectively controlling bacterial growth in equine cooled stored semen, but data on frozen semen are scarce. Therefore, a bioequivalence study was performed to assess the bactericidal activity of GTLS and PA in equine frozen semen. Nine mature, healthy stallions were used in the study. Split ejaculates were processed using media without antibiotics (Control) or with different antibiotics. For the GTLS group, centrifugation medium and freezing extender were prepared with gentamicin 250 μg/ml, tylosin 50 μg/ml, lincomycin 150 μg/ml and spectinomycin 300 μg/ml. For the PA group, the centrifugation medium was prepared with potassium penicillin G (PPG) 1200 units/ml and the freezing extender was prepared with PPG 1200 units/ml and amikacin 500 μg/ml. Semen processed in extenders without antibiotics had higher (p < .005) bacterial loads throughout all cryopreservation processing steps than semen samples processed using antibiotics. There were no differences in semen bacterial load after centrifugation, 15 and 30 min after final extension, and after thawing between GTLS and PA groups, but PA had faster (p < .05) kill-time kinetics than GTLS. Only minor differences in sperm kinetic parameters were observed among groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated bioequivalence between GTLS and PA in mitigating end-point bacterial loads. Prudent concentrations of the antibiotic mixtures evaluated in this study can be considered both effective and sperm-safe for equine frozen semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo F C Brito
- Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Kennett, USA
| | | | | | - Gary C Althouse
- Department of Clinical Studies - New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Kennett, USA
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Luecke SM, Webb EM, Dahlen CR, Reynolds LP, Amat S. Seminal and vagino-uterine microbiome and their individual and interactive effects on cattle fertility. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1029128. [PMID: 36425035 PMCID: PMC9679222 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1029128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive failure is a major economical drain on cow-calf operations across the globe. It can occur in both males and females and stem from prenatal and postnatal influences. Therefore, the cattle industry has been making efforts to improve fertility and the pregnancy rate in cattle herds as an attempt to maintain sustainability and profitability of cattle production. Despite the advancements made in genetic selection, nutrition, and the implementation of various reproductive technologies, fertility rates have not significantly improved in the past 50 years. This signifies a missing factor or factors in current reproductive management practices that influence successful fertilization and pregnancy. Emerging lines of evidence derived from human and other animals including cattle suggest that the microbial continuum along the male and female reproductive tracts are associated with male and female fertility-that is, fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy success-highlighting the potential for harnessing the male and female reproductive microbiome to improve fertility in cattle. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the recent studies on the bovine seminal and vagino-uterine microbiome and discuss individual and interactive roles of these microbial communities in defining cattle fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Luecke
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
| | - Emily M. Webb
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
| | - Carl R. Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
| | - Lawrence P. Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
| | - Samat Amat
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States
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Morrell JM, Rocha A. A Novel Approach to Minimising Acute Equine Endometritis That May Help to Prevent the Development of the Chronic State. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:799619. [PMID: 35071389 PMCID: PMC8770823 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.799619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most commonly encountered challenges in equine breeding is endometritis, which can be difficult to resolve and causes considerable economic losses to the industry. It is a multifactorial condition, developing as an exaggerated form of the normal physiological response to breeding. Seminal plasma proteins, spermatozoa, bacteria and debris initiate an inflammatory response; the resulting fluid and neutrophils are then cleared from the uterus along with the debris. However, in some mares, the response is prolonged or exaggerated, with much fluid formation and neutrophil infiltration leading to acute endometritis. A bacterial cause has been implicated, although in some cases no pathogenic organisms can be isolated on culture. It has been postulated that any one of a variety of bacteria could be involved, or dysbiosis of the uterine microbiome could be responsible. Repeated episodes of acute endometritis may lead to the pathology associated with chronic endometritis, with mucociliary dysfunction, vascular degeneration and plasma cell infiltration. This review examines the information that is currently available about equine endometritis, particularly about the role of the inseminate in the uterus, and its current treatment. There are some promising lines of research into treatment or prevention that may help to resolve the issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Morrell
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Rocha
- Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Identification of Bull Semen Microbiome by 16S Sequencing and Possible Relationships with Fertility. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122431. [PMID: 34946031 PMCID: PMC8705814 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reports on the use of 16S sequencing for the identification of bacteria in healthy animals are lacking. Bacterial contamination of bull semen can have a negative effect on the sperm quality. The aims of this study were threefold: to identify bacteria in the semen of healthy bulls using 16S sequencing; to investigate the differences in the bacterial community between individual bulls; and to establish if there was a relationship between the bacteria isolated and bull fertility. Semen from 18 bulls of known fertility was used for the DNA extraction and 16S sequencing; 107 bacterial genera were identified. The differences in the amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and the numbers of genera between bulls were noted. Negative correlations (p < 0.05) between several bacterial genera with Curvibacter, Rikenellaceae RC9-gut-group and Dyella spp. were seen. Other negatively correlated bacteria were Cutibacterium, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 and Staphylococcus, all within the top 20 genera. Two genera, W5053 and Lawsonella, were enriched in bulls of low fertility; this is the first time that these bacteria have been reported in bull semen samples. The majority of the bacteria were environmental organisms or were species originating from the mucous membranes of animals and humans. The results of this study indicate that differences in the seminal microbiota of healthy bulls occur and might be correlated with fertility.
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Medo J, Žiarovská J, Ďuračka M, Tvrdá E, Baňas Š, Gábor M, Kyseľ M, Kačániová M. Core Microbiome of Slovak Holstein Friesian Breeding Bulls' Semen. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113331. [PMID: 34828061 PMCID: PMC8614657 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial profile of semen collected from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls via a high-throughput sequencing approach for a 16S rRNA gene variability analysis. A total of 55 fresh semen samples of sexually mature breeding bulls were used in the study. They were gathered from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls at Slovak Biological Services in Nitra, Slovak Republic. To amplify the V4 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene, universal primers 515F and 806R enhanced by a 6 bp barcode identification sequence were used. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing strategy was used. Two microbial clusters were identified among the analyzed samples—the first cluster was based on Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, while the second cluster contained a high prevalence of Fusobacteria. Abstract Bacterial contamination of semen is an important factor connected to the health status of bulls that may significantly affect semen quality for artificial insemination. Moreover, some important bovine diseases may be transmitted through semen. Up to now, only a very limited number of complex studies describing the semen microbiome of bulls have been published, as many bacteria are hard to cultivate using traditional techniques. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing strategy allows for the reliable identification of bacterial profiles of bovine semen together with the detection of noncultivable bacterial species. Fresh samples from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls (n = 55) were examined for the natural variability in the present bacteria. Semen doses were selected randomly from Slovak Biological Services in Nitra, Slovak Republic. The most predominant phyla within the whole dataset were Firmicutes (31%), Proteobacteria (22%), Fusobacteria (18%), Actinobacteria (13%) and Bacteroidetes (12%). Samples of semen were divided into two separate clusters according to their microbiome compositions using a cording partition around a medoids analysis. Microbiomes of the first cluster (CL1) of samples (n = 20) were based on Actinobacteria (CL1 average = 25%; CL = 28%) and Firmicutes (CL1 = 38%; CL2 = 27%), while the second cluster (CL2; n = 35) contained samples characterized by a high prevalence of Fusobacteria (CL1 = 4%; CL2 = 26%). Some important indicator microbial groups were differentially distributed between the clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraj Medo
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Jana Žiarovská
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
- Correspondence:
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.Ď.); (E.T.); (Š.B.)
| | - Eva Tvrdá
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.Ď.); (E.T.); (Š.B.)
| | - Štefan Baňas
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.Ď.); (E.T.); (Š.B.)
| | - Michal Gábor
- Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Matúš Kyseľ
- Research Centre AgroBioTech, Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Genetic Technologies, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Institute of Horticulture, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
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10
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Topić Popović N, Kazazić SP, Bojanić K, Strunjak-Perović I, Čož-Rakovac R. Sample preparation and culture condition effects on MALDI-TOF MS identification of bacteria: A review. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2021. [PMID: 34642960 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is an excellent tool for bacterial identification. It allows high throughput, sensitive and specific applications in clinical diagnostics and environmental research. Currently, there is no optimal standardized protocol for sample preparation and culture conditions to profile bacteria. The performance of MALDI-TOF MS is affected by several variables, such as sample preparation, culture media and culture conditions, incubation time/growth stage, incubation temperature, high salt content, blood in the culture media, and others. This review thus aims to clarify why a uniformed protocol is not plausible, to assess the effects these factors have on MALDI-TOF MS identification score, and discuss possible optimizations for its methodology, in relation to specific bacterial representatives and strain requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Topić Popović
- Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Marine Bioprospecting-BioProCro, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Snježana P Kazazić
- Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Functional Proteomics, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Krunoslav Bojanić
- Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Marine Bioprospecting-BioProCro, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivančica Strunjak-Perović
- Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Marine Bioprospecting-BioProCro, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Rozelindra Čož-Rakovac
- Laboratory for Aquaculture Biotechnology, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Marine Bioprospecting-BioProCro, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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