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Ledezma-Torres R, Sánchez-Dávila F, Rodríguez-Miranda D, Luna-Palomera C, Grizelj J, Vázquez-Armijo J, López-Villalobos N. Sexual performance and semen quality of pubertal lambs treated with different weaning methods. Arch Anim Breed 2022; 65:259-265. [PMID: 36035875 PMCID: PMC9399914 DOI: 10.5194/aab-65-259-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the
weaning method on lamb stress, body weight, sexual behavior, and semen
quality of Saint Croix male lambs. The present study was carried out during
the late spring and summer of 2018 in the northeast of Mexico. Sixty male
lambs born as twins or triplets (3.2 ± 0.6 kg birth weight) and
weaned at 60 d of age (19.21 ± 1.8 kg weaning weight) were divided
into two weaning methods: complete separation from the dams (CS; the lambs
were moved to a pen that was at 500 m of distance from the dams) and
separation with contact from the dams (SCD); the lambs were physically
separated by a steel mesh that prevented the lambs from having the
possibility of sucking milk from their mothers, but they maintained
permanent visual and auditory contact. Cortisol levels were determined
3 d before and 7 d after weaning. Lambs were evaluated as 3-month-old lambs for sexual behavior and semen quality for 9 weeks. The
effects of the weaning method (M), week (W), and the interaction M × W were
significant on body weight and cortisol levels (P<0.001). The SCD
lambs had higher cortisol levels at 3, 5, and 7 d after weaning than CS
lambs (P<0.001). The CS lambs had higher body weight during the
first 4 weeks after weaning than SCD lambs (P<0.001). The weaning
method had no effect on scrotal circumference, sexual behavior, and semen
quality traits, except for progressive sperm motility, being better for the
lambs that were completely separated (P<0.05). The results from
this study show that complete separation of lambs and ewes at weaning is an
effective method to reduce lamb stress and improve lamb growth after
weaning, but it did not have long-term effects on sexual behavior and semen
quality of Saint Croix male lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Alejandro Ledezma-Torres
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria
y Zootecnia, Posgrado Conjunto FA-FMVZ, General Escobedo, CP
66050, Mexico
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Dávila
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Agronomía,
Posgrado Conjunto FA-FMVZ, Laboratorio de Reproducción Animal, Unidad
Académica Marín, Marín, CP 66700, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos Luna-Palomera
- Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Villahermosa, Tabasco, CP 86280, México
| | - Juraj Grizelj
- Universidad de Zagreb, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Nicolás López-Villalobos
- Universidad Autónoma del Estado de
México, Centro Universitario Temascaltepec, Temascaltepec,
CP 51300, Mexico
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North
4442, New Zealand
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Huang L, Hu H, Tao M, Wang Q, Li T, Yang X, Fan S, Zhao R, Wang S, Liu S. Elevated expression of inhibin α gene in sterile allotriploid crucian carp. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 312:113856. [PMID: 34302847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Inhibin and Activin, belong to the transforming growth factor β superfamily (TGF-β), which associate with the regulation of the reproductive process by the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. In this study, we reported the molecular cloning and tissue expression of inhibin α in allotriploid crucian carp and its parent- diploid red crucian carp. The full-length cDNA of inhibin α were respectively 1632 bp and 1642 bp in allotriploids and diploids, which both consisted of a 1044 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 347 amino acids. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that allotriploids and diploids had significant expression of inhibin α in testis and ovary, and the expression of inhibin α in the gonads of allotriploids was higher than that of diploids. The immunohistochemistry indicated that the ovarian development of allotriploids was abnormal, and the expression of Inhibin α in the ovary of allotriploids was higher than that of diploids. Results of co-immunoprecitation (co-IP) demonstrated that the Inhibin α and Activin βA, Inhibin α and Activin βB can form dimers. These findings suggested that the elevated expression of inhibin α and the competitive binding of Inhibin α subunit with Activin β subunits in allotriploids may be releted to the sterility of allotriploids. Furthermore, these results will facilitate the investigation of reproduction characteristics in allotriploids and provide theoretical basis for the study of polyploid breeding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Hong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Min Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Qiubei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Xiangqiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Siyu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Rurong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China
| | - Shi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, Hunan, PR China.
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3
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Rehman A, Ahmad E, Sattar A, Riaz A, Khan JA, Naseer Z, Akhtar MF, Abbas M, Shi Z. Long term effects of immunization against inhibin on fresh and post-thawed semen quality and sperm kinematics during low and peak breeding seasons in Beetal bucks. Small Rumin Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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4
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Rosales Nieto CA, Ferguson MB, Briegel JR, Hedger MP, Martin GB, Thompson AN. Pre-pubertal growth, muscle and fat accumulation in male and female sheep-Relationships with metabolic hormone concentrations, timing of puberty and reproductive outcomes. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:1596-1603. [PMID: 31549426 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic homeostasis is aligned with changes in growth and body composition, through processes mediated by circulating metabolites and metabolic hormones, and is eventually linked to reproductive success. In the present study with sheep, we determined the relationships among phenotypic and genotypic rates of growth, muscle and fat accumulation, and the circulating concentrations of metabolic and tested for relationships with the timing of puberty and subsequent reproductive outcomes. We used 64 females and 62 males with known phenotypic values for depth of eye muscle (EMD) and fat (FAT) and known Australian Sheep Breeding Values at post-weaning age for live weight (PWT), depth of eye muscle (PEMD) and depth of fat (PFAT). Blood plasma sampled every 20 min for 8 hr via was assayed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin, leptin, ghrelin, follistatin, glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). In males, PWT was positively related to the concentrations of GH, follistatin and glucose, whereas FAT and PFAT were positively related to IGF-I concentrations (p < .01). Testosterone concentration was negatively related to muscle variables (p < .001) and to PFAT (p < .05). In females, the only significant relationship detected was the positive link between EMD and insulin concentrations (p < .05). Reproductive variables were only measured in females. Live weight at first oestrus was related positively to insulin concentration and negatively to GH concentration (p < .05). No other relationships with reproductive variables were significant. The relationships that were detected suggest subtle differences between the sexes in the way their metabolic homeostasis responds to changes in the rates of growth, and muscle and fat accumulation, perhaps due to interference by testosterone in the males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A Rosales Nieto
- CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.,Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia, South Perth, WA, Australia.,UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Campo Experimental San Luis, San Luis Potosi, México
| | - Mark B Ferguson
- CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.,Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia, South Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Jan R Briegel
- Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia, South Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Vic, Australia
| | - Graeme B Martin
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew N Thompson
- CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.,Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia, South Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
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Abecia JA, Gave M, García AI, Casao A, Carvaja-lSerna M, Palacios C, Keller M, Chemineau P, Delgadillo JA. Long days in winter or the presence of adult sexually active rams did not influence the timing of puberty of autumn-born Rasa Aragonesa ram-lambs. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1613321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José A. Abecia
- Departamento de Producción Animal, IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Marianne Gave
- Departamento de Producción Animal, IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana I. García
- Departamento de Producción Animal, IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Adriana Casao
- Departamento de Producción Animal, IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Palacios
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, UMR INRA, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, Nouzilly, France
| | - Matthieu Keller
- Departamento de Construcción y Agronomía, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ambientales, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Philippe Chemineau
- Departamento de Construcción y Agronomía, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Ambientales, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José A. Delgadillo
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Caprina, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Periférico Raúl López Sánchez y Carretera a Santa Fe, Torreón, Mexico
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6
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Zarkawi M, Al-Daker AMB. Body weight and reproductive parameters in fast and weak growing Awassi ram lambs during different age stages. Trop Anim Health Prod 2015; 48:223-7. [PMID: 26477031 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-015-0929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study was carried out on 30 Syrian Awassi ram lambs around 3 months of age. Lambs were divided equally in 2 groups as fast growing (FG) and weak growing (WG) lambs to identify body weight and reproductive parameters in each group during different age stages. Blood samples were collected to determine testosterone and leptin concentrations using radioimmunoassay. At puberty, average body weight and age of FG and WG lambs was 52.4 and 43.1 kg, and 225.9 and 248.0 days, respectively, with a significant (P < 0.05) difference between them in both parameters. Testosterone concentration was very low at 3 months of age (below 1.0 nmol L(-1)) and increased with advancing age with a sharp increase occurring at 7 months of age and at puberty, averages were 12.58 and 11.86 nmol L(-1) for FG and WG groups, respectively, with no significant (P > 0.05) differences. At puberty, average leptin concentration was 3.16 and 2.98 ng mL(-1) for FG and WG groups, respectively, with no significant (P > 0.05) difference.
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7
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Damián JP, Beracochea F, Hötzel MJ, Banchero G, Ungerfeld R. Reproductive and sexual behaviour development of dam or artificially reared male lambs. Physiol Behav 2015; 147:47-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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8
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Recabarren MP, Rojas-Garcia PP, Einspanier R, Padmanabhan V, Sir-Petermann T, Recabarren SE. Pituitary and testis responsiveness of young male sheep exposed to testosterone excess during fetal development. Reproduction 2013; 145:567-76. [PMID: 23579187 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to excess testosterone induces reproductive disturbances in both female and male sheep. In females, it alters the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. In males, prenatal testosterone excess reduces sperm count and motility. Focusing on males, this study tested whether pituitary LH responsiveness to GNRH is increased in prenatal testosterone-exposed males and whether testicular function is compromised in the testosterone-exposed males. Control males (n=6) and males born to ewes exposed to twice weekly injections of 30 mg testosterone propionate from days 30 to 90 and of 40 mg testosterone propionate from days 90 to 120 of gestation (n=6) were studied at 20 and 30 weeks of age. Pituitary and testicular responsiveness was tested by administering a GNRH analog (leuprolide acetate). To complement the analyses, the mRNA expression of LH receptor (LHR) and that of steroidogenic enzymes were determined in testicular tissue. Basal LH and testosterone concentrations were higher in the testosterone-exposed-males. While LH response to the GNRH analog was higher in the testosterone-exposed males than in the control males, testosterone responses did not differ between the treatment groups. The testosterone:LH ratio was higher in the control males than in the testosterone-exposed males of 30 weeks of age, suggestive of reduced Leydig cell sensitivity to LH in the testosterone-exposed males. The expression of LHR mRNA was lower in the testosterone-exposed males, but the mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes did not differ between the groups. These findings indicate that prenatal testosterone excess has opposing effects at the pituitary and testicular levels, namely increased pituitary sensitivity to GNRH at the level of pituitary and decreased sensitivity of the testes to LH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica P Recabarren
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán CP 3812120, Chile
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Burns BM, Corbet NJ, Corbet DH, Crisp JM, Venus BK, Johnston DJ, Li Y, McGowan MR, Holroyd RG. Male traits and herd reproductive capability in tropical beef cattle. 1. Experimental design and animal measures. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/an12162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Research into the genetics of whole herd profitability has been a focus of the Beef Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies over the past decade and it has been identified that measures of male reproduction may offer a potential indirect means of selecting for improved female reproduction. This paper describes the experimental design and provides a descriptive analysis of an array of male traits in Brahman and Tropical Composite genotypes managed under the medium to high stress, semi-extensive to extensive production systems of northern Australia. A total of 1639 Brahman and 2424 Tropical Composite bulls with known pedigrees, bred and raised in northern Australia, were evaluated for a comprehensive range of productive and reproductive traits. These included blood hormonal traits (luteinising hormone, inhibin and insulin-like growth factor-I); growth and carcass traits (liveweight, body condition score, ultrasound scanned 12–13th rib fat, rump P8 fat, eye muscle area and hip height); adaptation traits (flight time and rectal temperature); and a bull breeding soundness evaluation (leg and hoof conformation, sheath score, length of everted prepuce, penile anatomy, scrotal circumference, semen mass activity, sperm motility and sperm morphology). Large phenotypic variation was evident for most traits, with complete overlap between genotypes, indicating that there is likely to be a significant opportunity to improve bull fertility traits through management and bull selection.
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Burns BM, Gazzola C, Holroyd RG, Crisp J, McGowan MR. Male Reproductive Traits and Their Relationship to Reproductive Traits in Their Female Progeny: A Systematic Review. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46:534-53. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01748.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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11
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Souza CEA, Araújo AA, Oliveira JTA, Lima Souza AC, Neiva JNM, Moura AA. Reproductive development of Santa Inês rams during the first year of life: body and testis growth, testosterone concentrations, sperm parameters, age at puberty and seminal plasma proteins. Reprod Domest Anim 2009; 45:644-53. [PMID: 19170953 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01322.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the reproductive development of the tropically adapted Santa Inês ram, the most common hair sheep in Brazil. From 8 to 48 weeks of age, 16 animals were evaluated for body and testis growth, semen parameters, testosterone concentrations and seminal plasma proteins, using two-dimensional SDS-PAGE. Animals were weaned at 30 days and kept in feedlots thereafter, receiving hay, concentrate (18% of crude protein) and mineral supplement. Body weight increased from 12.3 +/- 0.7 to 54.3 +/- 1.6 kg between 8 and 48 weeks (p < 0.05), but changes in thoracic perimeter and scrotal circumference were non-significant after 36 weeks (p > 0.05). The percentage of motile sperm increased slowly until 23 weeks and more rapidly after that age, but significant changes in progressive motility occurred after 25 weeks. Presence of abnormal sperm related inversely to age. Most significant changes in sperm concentration occurred between 38 and 44 weeks (0.38 +/- 0.05 to 1.14 +/- 0.24 x 10(9) cells/ml, p < 0.05) and testosterone reached its highest concentrations at 42 weeks, decreasing afterwards. Rams reached puberty at 28.2 +/- 0.8 weeks. The number of protein spots on seminal plasma gels was similar from 15 to 18 weeks (45 and 47 spots; p > 0.05), increased until 24 weeks (141 spots) and 28 weeks (170 spots; p < 0.05) and remained without significant (p > 0.05) changes from 28 to 48 weeks (186 +/- 10 spots). Furthermore, the intensity of selected spots on 2D maps increased (p < 0.05) between 15 and 28 weeks, which preceded or coincided with the main developmental changes in sperm motility and percentage of defective sperm in the ejaculates. These results will support future studies designed to characterize specific seminal plasma proteins whose expression relate to the development of testis, epididymis and accessory sex glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E A Souza
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil
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12
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Voge JL, Wheaton JE. Effects of immunization against two inhibin antigens on daily sperm production and hormone concentrations in ram lambs1. J Anim Sci 2007; 85:3249-55. [PMID: 17878277 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2007-0506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gonadal hormone inhibin regulates daily sperm production (DSP) indirectly through negative feedback control of FSH secretion and may also affect DSP via direct actions within the testis. Studies attempting to increase DSP through the immunization against inhibin have yielded equivocal results. The current study compared 2 inhibin antigens for effects on DSP and hormone secretion. Hampshire ram lambs (BW = 42 +/- 2 kg; age = 113 +/- 3 d) were assigned randomly to 3 groups: 1) control (n = 4); 2) alpha-peptide conjugate (PTC, n = 6); and 3) alpha-subunit (SUB, n = 6). Antigen PTC consisted of an alpha-inhibin, N-terminal, 25-amino acid peptide conjugated to ovalbumin. Antigen SUB was the complete inhibin alpha-subunit. Lambs were immunized on d 0 (June 19, 2006), 18, 38, and 63. Body weight was recorded on immunization days and scrotal circumference on d 63. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, 14, 18, 28, 35, 38, 49, 56, 63, and 70. Rams were slaughtered on d 71. Testes were weighed, and parenchyma was obtained for DSP determination. Plasma alpha-inhibin antibody titer and LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations were measured. alpha-Inhibin antibody titer was first detectable on d 14 in both PTC- and SUB-immunized ram lambs and generally increased thereafter. Mean DSP per gram of testis (DSP/g) was increased (P < 0.01) 26% in PTC- and SUB-immunized ram lambs over that in control ram lambs. Total DSP per ram lamb and testes weight did not differ among the 3 treatment groups. Variation in DSP per ram lamb and testes weight were greater (P = 0.05) in PTC- and SUB-immunized ram lambs than in control ram lambs. Plasma FSH concentrations were similar in PTC- and SUB-immunized ram lambs. Immunization against either alpha-inhibin antigen did not alter LH, testosterone, BW, or scrotal circumference. Findings indicate that 1) the 2 alpha-inhibin antigens increase DSP/g to similar extents; 2) alpha-inhibin antibody may act at least in part through an intratesticular mechanism because DSP/g was increased in some animals without concomitant increases in FSH; and 3) immunization against alpha-inhibin may affect testes weight by actions independent of those that regulate DSP/g.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Voge
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108-6014, USA
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Satterlee DG, Castille SA, Fioretti WC. Active immunization of broiler breeder cockerels against chicken inhibin accelerates puberty and prevents age-induced testicular involution. Poult Sci 2006; 85:1087-94. [PMID: 16776479 DOI: 10.1093/ps/85.6.1087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Injection of quail and breeder hens with a recombinant protein antigen (MBP-cINA521)--a fusion of the bacterical maltose-binding protein (MBP) and a fragment of the alpha-subunit of chicken inhibin (cINA521)--accelerates puberty and enhances lay. Herein, the effects of this immunogen on reproductive responses in broiler breeder males were assessed. Cockerels were subcutaneously injected with 0 (vehicular controls), 1, 3, or 5 mg of MBP-cINA521 at 13 wk of age and with one-half of these dosages (boosters) at 18 wk. Bird subsamples were weighed, blood sampled, and killed at 24, 28, and 39 wk of age to assess age and vaccination effects on BW, testes weight (TWT), TWT relative to BW (RTWT), TWT > or = 20 g (TWT20; theoretical threshold TWT for maximum fertility), and plasma testosterone. Breeder males are sexually developing, reach peak sexual activity, and show age-related reproductive decline at these ages. Because vaccine gonadal effects at 24 wk appeared to be dramatic, the size of the left testis was also scored to see if size differences could be detected by mere visual inspection. Male fighting increasingly reduced sample sizes beyond 24 wk. Because mortality was unrelated to the treatments and to insure meaningful statistical comparisons, MBP-cINA521 data were pooled. Body weight (P < 0.04), testis score (P < 0.02), TWT (P < 0.03), RTWT (P = 0.06), and plasma testosterone (P = 0.08) were elevated in immunogen-treated males at 24 wk of age, and more (P < 0.05) MBP-cINA521-treated birds than controls achieved a TWT20 at this time. These variables did not differ by treatment at 28 wk. However, by 39 wk, treatment effects reemerged as follows: TWT (P < 0.04), RTWT (P = 0.06), and TWT20 (P < 0.01) were increased in vaccinated males who also showed nearly 3-fold higher levels of plasma testosterone. We conclude that immunoneutralization of inhibin accelerates puberty and retards age-related sexual senescence that typically occurs in broiler breeder males.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Satterlee
- Applied Animal Biotechnology Laboratories, Department of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
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14
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Medan MS, Watanabe G, Nagura Y, Fujita M, Taya K. Effect of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal concentrations and semen characteristics in Shiba bucks. Theriogenology 2006; 65:691-702. [PMID: 16024069 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2005] [Accepted: 06/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Active immunization against inhibin increased ovulation rate in females; in males, the effects of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal concentrations and sperm production need more investigation. To test the hypothesis that active immunization against inhibin increases FSH secretion and sperm output, the present study was undertaken to determine the effects of active immunization against inhibin on hormonal profile and sperm production in Shiba bucks. The bucks were actively immunized against inhibin alpha-subunit (immunized group, n=6) or Freund adjuvant (control group, n=5) four times, at 5-weeks intervals. Blood samples were collected twice-weekly and two successive ejaculates of semen were collected (with an artificial vagina) once-weekly. Plasma concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and sperm motility characteristics were measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). All inhibin-immunized bucks produced antibodies against inhibin. Relative to control bucks, in immunized bucks there were significant increases in plasma FSH concentrations and in sperm concentrations from 5 to 9 weeks and from 8 to 11 weeks, respectively, after primary immunization. However, plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone, semen volume, percentage of motile spermatozoa and motility parameters (straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity and linearity index) were similar in both groups. In conclusion, active immunization against inhibin alpha-subunit increased FSH secretions and enhanced sperm production in bucks, whereas LH and testosterone concentrations, semen volume and sperm motility parameters were unaffected. Active immunization against inhibin could be used to improve fertility in Shiba bucks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Medan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
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Phillips DJ. Activins, inhibins and follistatins in the large domestic species. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2005; 28:1-16. [PMID: 15620803 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2004.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2004] [Accepted: 05/31/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The activins and inhibins are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily and, along with follistatin, a high affinity binding protein of activin, form a group of interrelated factors originally isolated for their role in regulating the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Knowledge of their function, particularly that of activin, has expanded since being originally isolated, such that they are now regarded as important paracrine regulators in many cellular systems. This review summarizes the biology of these proteins as has been established in the large domestic animals. While the majority of data relate to the pituitary, ovary, uterus/placenta and testis, consideration is also given to emerging roles in inflammatory processes and in non-reproductive tissues or systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Phillips
- Center for Molecular Reproduction & Endocrinology, Monash Institute of Reproduction & Development, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.
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