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Gautier C, Aurich J, Melchert M, Wagner LH, Kaps M, Okada CTC, Ertl R, Walter I, Aurich C. Endocrine changes induced by GnRH immunisation and subsequent early re-stimulation of testicular function with a GnRH agonist in stallions. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23185. [PMID: 38237640 DOI: 10.1071/rd23185] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Resumption of testicular function after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunisation varies among individual animals and some stallions regain fertility only after a prolonged time. AIMS This study evaluated endocrine effects of GnRH immunisation and early subsequent re-stimulation with a GnRH agonist. We hypothesised that GnRH agonist treatment advances resumption of normal endocrine function in GnRH-vaccinated stallions. METHODS Shetland stallions were assigned to an experimental and a control group (n =6 each). Experimental stallions were GnRH-immunised twice, 4weeks apart. Each experimental stallion was hemicastrated together with an age-matched control animal when testosterone concentration decreased below 0.3ng/mL. Three weeks later, daily treatment with the GnRH agonist buserelin was initiated (4μg/day for 4weeks followed by 8μg/day). The remaining testicle was removed when testosterone concentration exceeded 0.5ng/mL in vaccinated stallions. Blood was collected for LH, FSH, oestradiol and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) analyses, and testicular and epididymal tissue were conserved for real-time qPCR and histology. KEY RESULTS GnRH vaccination reduced blood concentrations of LH and FSH, with a structural deterioration of testicular tissue and disruption of spermatogenesis. Daily buserelin treatment for approximately 60days partially restored gonadotropin secretion and induced a recovery of the functional organisation of the testicular tissue with effective spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Endocrine testicular function can be restored in GnRH-vaccinated stallions by daily low-dose buserelin treatment. The buserelin treatment protocol may potentially be improved regarding the dose, interval and duration. IMPLICATIONS Daily buserelin treatment can be recommended for treatment of GnRH-vaccinated stallions with prolonged inhibition of testicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Gautier
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Maria Melchert
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Lisa-Hélène Wagner
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Martim Kaps
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Carolina T C Okada
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Reinhard Ertl
- VetCore Facility for Research, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Ingrid Walter
- VetCore Facility for Research, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria; and Institute of Morphology, Department of Pathobiology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
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An Update on Semen Physiology, Technologies, and Selection Techniques for the Advancement of In Vitro Equine Embryo Production: Section I. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113248. [PMID: 34827983 PMCID: PMC8614440 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113248] [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: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Male fertility is often estimated by simple sperm assessment, and therefore, it is crucial to establish species-specific baselines for normal sperm parameters. In this paper, sperm physiology, function, and common abnormalities in stallions will be reviewed. Abstract As the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and in vitro embryo production (IVP) expand in the equine industry, it has become necessary to further our understanding of semen physiology as it applies to overall fertility. This segment of our two-section review will focus on normal sperm parameters, beginning with development and extending through the basic morphology of mature spermatozoa, as well as common issues with male factor infertility in IVP. Ultimately, the relevance of sperm parameters to overall male factor fertility in equine IVP will be assessed.
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Cappai MG, Taras A, Cossu I, Cherchi R, Dimauro C, Accioni F, Boatto G, Deroma M, Spanu E, Gatta D, Dall'Aglio C, Pinna W. Effects of Dietary Zn/Se and α-Tocopherol Supplementation on Metabolic Milieu, Haemogram and Semen Traits of Breeding Stallions. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:3287-3296. [PMID: 33098077 PMCID: PMC8257538 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02447-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Trace element status and metabolic milieu are sometimes overlooked in common veterinary clinical practice across animal species. The evaluation of requirements of trace elements, in fact, may be useful to prevent the perturbation of tissue-specific metabolic impair. In particular, essential trace elements in the diet play key roles within sub-cellular metabolic patterns with macro effects at the systemic level, like blood cell stability and semen quality. This effect was studied in breeding stallions, in which semen quality and haemogram are important for reproduction. A case-control feeding trial involved 40 stallions (age: 8-21 years; body weight, BW: 510-531 kg) of one stud centre, allotted to two experimental groups (n = 20 control, CON vs. n = 20 supplemented, SUPPL100), following a matched-pairs approach based on age. Supplemented stallions (SUPPL100) received a mixed mineral and vitamin supplement of Zn/Se and α-tocopherol (α-TOH) (100 g/day stallion) to compound feed, fed as control diet to horses of the control group (CON). Horses resulted deficient in circulating α-TOH and Zn at the start, though clinically healthy. After supplementation, different plasmatic levels of α-TOH, Zn and Se were found between groups. Circulating basophils (BASO) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were affected by the dietary treatment (p < 0.05). Plasmatic Se affected monocyte count, haematocrit, mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin concentration. Semen traits were not affected by the dietary treatment per se, except for mobile/progressive sperm cells (%) of stallions aged > 13 years marginal circulating levels of α-TOH (p = 0.04). Ameliorating the micromineral status showed to improve the haemogram of stallions in view of circulating levels of Cu. Semen quality appeared to be strongly dependent on animal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Cappai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna No. 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Andrea Taras
- Department of Equine Breeding and Reproduction Research, Autonomous Region of Sardinia, 4th of Lucrezia Borgia Square, 07040, Ozieri, Italy
| | - Ignazio Cossu
- Department of Equine Breeding and Reproduction Research, Autonomous Region of Sardinia, 4th of Lucrezia Borgia Square, 07040, Ozieri, Italy
| | - Raffaele Cherchi
- Department of Equine Breeding and Reproduction Research, Autonomous Region of Sardinia, 4th of Lucrezia Borgia Square, 07040, Ozieri, Italy
| | - Corrado Dimauro
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, viale Italia no 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca Accioni
- Department of Pharmacy and Chemistry, University of Sassari, Via Muroni No. 23, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Boatto
- Department of Pharmacy and Chemistry, University of Sassari, Via Muroni No. 23, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mario Deroma
- Laboratory of Mineralogy, Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia No. 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Emanuela Spanu
- Laboratory of Mineralogy, Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia No. 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Domenico Gatta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via delle Piagge No. 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Dall'Aglio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo No. 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Walter Pinna
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna No. 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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DNA fragmentation and morphometric studies in sperm of stallions supplemented with maca ( Lepidium meyenii). ZYGOTE 2021; 29:325-330. [PMID: 33563356 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199420000751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The reproductive performances of livestock play an essential role in the economic management of the farm. The improvement of semen quantity and quality through the use of food supplements that lack substances which are forbidden in animal feeding, or that may have detrimental effects, is an important goal. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that has been used for centuries in the Andes for nutrition and fertility enhancement in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of food supplementation of stallions with maca during the breeding season on spermatozoa parameters such as DNA fragmentation and shape, which are two predictive indexes of spermatozoa functionality. For this purpose, ejaculate volume, semen gel-free volume, sperm concentration and motility, total sperm count, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm head parameters (length, width, perimeter, area, shape factor, roughness) were measured in four stallions. Maca food supplementation in stallions during breeding reduced the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA, increased significantly sperm concentration and exerted an elongation of the spermatozoa head, a condition that is believed to improve spermatozoa functionality, suggesting that food supplementation of maca could be useful in horse breeding during the breeding season.
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Papa PDM, Guasti PN, De Vita B, Nakazato NG, Maia L, Freitas Dell'Aqua CDP, Scheeren VFDC, Segabinazzi LGTM, de Andrade Junior LRP, Silva LFMC, Araújo EAB, Oliveira SN, Papa FO, Landim-Alvarenga FDC, Alvarenga MA. Clinical safety of intratesticular transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow multipotent stromal cells in stallions. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:429-437. [PMID: 31916315 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although stem cell therapy is a promising alternative for treatment of degenerative diseases, there are just few reports on the use of stem cells therapy in horse's reproductive system. This study aims to evaluate the effect of intratesticular injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in healthy stallions, and its outcome on seminal parameters and fertility. In Experiment 1, 24 stallions were divided into treatment group (TG) and control group (CG). In the TG, an intratesticular application of MSC was performed, and in the CG, only PBS was used. Measurements of testicular volume, surface temperature and Doppler ultrasonography were performed 24 and 48 hr after treatments. Fifteen days after application, the testicles were removed and submitted to histological analysis. In Experiment 2, 3 fertile stallions received similarly treatment with MSCs. Physical examination and sperm analysis were performed weekly during 60 days after treatment, and at the end, semen from one of them was used for artificial inseminations of 6 healthy mares. In Experiment 1, clinical examinations showed no signals of acute inflammation on both groups according to the analysed variables (p > .05). Also, no signal of chronic inflammation was observed on histological evaluation. In Experiment 2, stallions presented no physical alterations or changes in sperm parameters, and a satisfactory fertility rate (83%; 5/6) was observed after AI. The results support the hypothesis that intratesticular application of bone marrow MSCs is a safe procedure, and this could be a promising alternative to treat testicular degenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia de Mello Papa
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Nascimento Guasti
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Bruna De Vita
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Nathalia Genú Nakazato
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Leandro Maia
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Camila de Paula Freitas Dell'Aqua
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Verônica Flores da Cunha Scheeren
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Roberto Pena de Andrade Junior
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Mercês Chaves Silva
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Endrigo Adonis Braga Araújo
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Sidnei Nunes Oliveira
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Frederico Ozanam Papa
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Fernanda da Cruz Landim-Alvarenga
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Alvarenga
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
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Borsatto KC, Alevi KCC, Oliveira J, Azeredo-Oliveira MTV. Cytotaxonomy of Dipetalogaster maxima Uhler, 1894 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae). BRAZ J BIOL 2019; 80:330-335. [PMID: 31721898 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.204384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Triatomini tribe consists of ten genera and is regarded as one of the most important tribes from epidemiological point of view. The genus Dipetalogaster Usinger, 1939 is composed only by the species Dipetalogaster maxima Uhler, 1894. This triatomine is exclusive of the Mexico and is a potential vector for Chagas disease. Besides the epidemiological importance, the insects of the Triatominae subfamily are important biological models for cytogenetic studies. Therefore, in order to contribute to the knowledge on the reproductive biology and assist in citotaxonomy of D. maxima, this study aimed to describe spermatogenesis, as well as confirm the karyotype and heterochromatic patterns of this Mexican triatomine species. The seminiferous tubules were torn, fixed to a cover slip and underwent the cytogenetic technique of Lacto-acetic orcein and C-banding. Through the cytogenetics analysis of testicular material D. maxima it was possible to confirm the karyotype (2n = 22), describe the stages of spermatogenesis and characterize the heterochromatic pattern (restricted to sex chromosome Y) of the species. D. maxima showed the same arrangement of heterochromatin described for Triatoma lecticularia (Stål, 1859) (a species that occur in United States of American and Mexico and is phylogenetically related with D. maxima), highlighting the importance of this analysis as an optimization tool to explore phylogenetic correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Borsatto
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas - IBILCE, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth, CEP 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - K C C Alevi
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas - FCFAR, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Rodovia Araraquara-Jaú, Km 1, CEP 14801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - J Oliveira
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas - FCFAR, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Rodovia Araraquara-Jaú, Km 1, CEP 14801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brasil
| | - M T V Azeredo-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas - IBILCE, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth, CEP 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil
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Madeira FF, Alevi KCC, Castro NFDC, Vilamaior PSL, da Rosa JA, Azeredo-Oliveira MTVD. Reproductive Aspects of Chagas Disease Vectors: Evidence of Transcriptional Activity during the Nucleolar Persistence Phenomenon in the Spermatogenesis of Triatomines. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 101:602-604. [PMID: 31359857 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The subfamily Triatominae currently consists of 154 species, most of them being of great importance for public health because they are considered potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. In addition to their epidemiological importance, these insects are considered important biological models for cell studies because they have peculiar characteristics in their cells, for example, persistence of the nucleolus during spermatogenesis. This phenomenon is characterized by the presence of the nucleolus or nucleolar corpuscles during all phases of meiosis. To date, all knowledge is restricted to the study of the presence/absence of the nucleolus during the triatomine meiosis, so the present work aimed to analyze if this persistent nucleolar material has transcriptional activity. Analysis of the meiotic metaphases of Rhodnius montenegrensis and Panstrongylus megistus by using fluorochrome acridine orange made it possible to characterize the presence of RNA in the nucleolar material. Thus, it was demonstrated, for the first time, that the persistent nucleolar material during triatomine meiosis is transcriptionally active, supporting the hypothesis of the relationship between nucleolar persistence during meiosis of these insects and the formation of the chromoid body, an organelle responsible for the support of all transcriptional activities during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Fernandez Madeira
- Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - João Aristeu da Rosa
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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Variance in Stallion Semen Quality among Equestrian Sporting Disciplines and Competition Levels. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9080485. [PMID: 31349660 PMCID: PMC6719077 DOI: 10.3390/ani9080485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite the increased demand for breeding stallions to be performing at elite levels of competition, little research has been conducted into how equestrian disciplines and competition level affect seminal quality. Using statistical analysis, we found that competing stallions have lower quality semen than non-competing stallions and competitive activity may have a greater negative impact on spermatogenesis than age. In addition, dressage stallions recorded improved semen characteristics when compared to show jumping and eventing stallions. Stallions at elite levels of competition recorded higher total sperm count and progressive motility compared to those competing at lower levels of competition. We suggest that appropriate management of the competition stallion may reduce the negative impacts which exercise can induce on semen quality. Abstract Most stallions within breeding programmes are expected to breed and compete concurrently. The exercising of stallions with regards to training regimes during the breeding season is a controversial subject. Daily exercise at low intensities is important for the mental and reproductive well-being of the stallion, however higher intensities of exercise, as seen in competing stallions, may have detrimental effects on seminal quality. To calculate if competition does affect semen quality, this study investigated the effect that equestrian discipline and timing of competition had on a range of stallion semen characteristics. This was a retrospective study that evaluated the seminal data of 1130 stallion semen collections from two UK based stud farms between 2009 and 2016. Competing stallion semen quality was significantly lower with regards to concentration (p < 0.05) and progressive motility (p < 0.05) than non-competing stallions. Semen volume was higher in competing stallions (p < 0.05) than non-competing stallions. There was a significant difference in seminal attributes among disciplines and competition levels (p < 0.05). The difference in semen quality among competing and non-competing stallions, as well as the difference among disciplines suggests endocrinological and physiological changes occur in relation to training intensity and competition.
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Del Prete C, Tafuri S, Ciani F, Pasolini MP, Ciotola F, Albarella S, Carotenuto D, Peretti V, Cocchia N. Influences of dietary supplementation withLepidium meyenii(Maca) on stallion sperm production and on preservation of sperm quality during storage at 5 °C. Andrology 2018; 6:351-361. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Del Prete
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - S. Tafuri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - F. Ciani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - M. P. Pasolini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - F. Ciotola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - S. Albarella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - D. Carotenuto
- UNMSM; Universidad Nacional Mayor San Marcos; Lima Peru
| | - V. Peretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
| | - N. Cocchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions; University of Naples ‘Federico II’; Naples Italy
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Ujvari S, Gerber V, Sieme H, Fouché N, Burger D. Effect of Pergolide Therapy on Semen Parameters in a Stallion With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ogo FM, Lion Siervo GEM, Staurengo‐Ferrari L, Oliveira Mendes L, Luchetta NR, Vieira HR, Fattori V, Verri WA, Scarano WR, Fernandes GSA. Bisphenol A Exposure Impairs Epididymal Development during the Peripubertal Period of Rats: Inflammatory Profile and Tissue Changes. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2017; 122:262-270. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Mithie Ogo
- Department of General Biology Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
- Department of Pathological Sciences Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
| | - Glaucia Eloisa Munhoz Lion Siervo
- Department of General Biology Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
- Department of Pathological Sciences Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
| | - Larissa Staurengo‐Ferrari
- Department of General Biology Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Mendes
- Department of Morphology Institute of Biosciences UNESP – Paulista State University Botucatu Brazil
| | - Nicla Renata Luchetta
- Department of General Biology Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
| | - Henrique Rodrigues Vieira
- Department of General Biology Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
| | - Victor Fattori
- Department of Pathological Sciences Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
| | - Waldiceu Aparecido Verri
- Department of Pathological Sciences Biological Sciences Center State University of Londrina – UEL Londrina Brazil
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Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation Improves the Quality of Stallion Cryopreserved Semen. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Sperm Mitochondrial Function is Affected by Stallion Age and Predicts Post-Thaw Motility. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Burger D, Dolivo G, Marti E, Sieme H, Wedekind C. Female major histocompatibility complex type affects male testosterone levels and sperm number in the horse (Equus caballus). Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20150407. [PMID: 25904670 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Odours of vertebrates often contain information about the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and are used in kin recognition, mate choice or female investment in pregnancy. It is, however, still unclear whether MHC-linked signals can also affect male reproductive strategies. We used horses (Equus caballus) to study this question under experimental conditions. Twelve stallions were individually exposed either to an unfamiliar MHC-similar mare and then to an unfamiliar MHC-dissimilar mare, or vice versa. Each exposure lasted over a period of four weeks. Peripheral blood testosterone levels were determined weekly. Three ejaculates each were collected in the week after exposure to both mares (i.e. in the ninth week) to determine mean sperm number and sperm velocity. We found high testosterone levels when stallions were kept close to MHC-dissimilar mares and significantly lower ones when kept close to MHC-similar mares. Mean sperm number per ejaculate (but not sperm velocity) was positively correlated to mean testosterone levels and also affected by the order of presentation of mares: sperm numbers were higher if MHC-dissimilar mares were presented last than if MHC-similar mares were presented last. We conclude that MHC-linked signals influence testosterone secretion and semen characteristics, two indicators of male reproductive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Burger
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, Avenches, Switzerland
| | - G Dolivo
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, Avenches, Switzerland
| | - E Marti
- Department of Clinical Research, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - H Sieme
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine-Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - C Wedekind
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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15
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Herrera-Luna CV, Scarlet D, Walter I, Aurich C. Effect of stallion age on the expression of LH and FSH receptors and aromatase P450 in equine male reproductive tissues. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:2016-2026. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to characterise receptors for LH and FSH (LHR and FSHR, respectively) and aromatase in epididymal and testicular tissue from stallions of different ages (prepubertal, young, mature and old). Gene and protein expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR), immunohistochemistry and multiple immunofluorescence labelling. There were no differences in LHR mRNA expression in epididymal and testicular parenchyma in stallions of different age. In contrast, expression of FSHR and CYP19A1 in caput, corpus and cauda epididymis and in testicular parenchyma increased with age (P < 0.001). Immunolabelling for LHR, FSHR and aromatase was influenced by puberty. In postpubertal stallions, positive staining for LHR and aromatase was detected in Leydig cells, whereas protein expression of FSHR was present in Sertoli cells and primary spermatocytes. In prepubertal colts, staining for LHR, FSHR and aromatase was detected in seminiferous tubules. In epididymal tissue, aromatase was present in the cauda epididymis only, regardless of age. In conclusion, the results highlight the significance of gonadotropin action and oestrogen production for the maturation of male reproductive tissue in the horse. The presence of FSHR in the seminiferous tubules suggests effects of FSH on spermatogenesis in this species. The importance of oestrogen production for maintenance of testicular function in stallions was confirmed.
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16
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Burger D, Dolivo G, Wedekind C. Ejaculate Characteristics Depend on Social Environment in the Horse (Equus caballus). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143185. [PMID: 26599821 PMCID: PMC4658062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm competition theory predicts semen characteristics to be affected by the social environment. We used the polygamous horse (Equus caballus) to experimentally study within-subject plasticity in response to different social environments. Stallions were sequentially exposed, over a period of 8 weeks each, to other stallions and then singly to mares, or vice versa (in adjacent boxes separated by grills). Ejaculates were collected to determine semen characteristics. Highest sperm numbers were found in stallions that were first exposed to other stallions and then to mares, while lowest sperm numbers were observed in stallions that had been exposed to mares but not yet to other stallions. One of three sperm velocity measures (curvilinear velocity) was consistently elevated in stallions that were first exposed to stallions and then to mares. Sperm number after exposure to mares and curvilinear sperm velocity after exposure to stallions were both positively correlated to average blood testosterone levels during the corresponding period of exposure. We conclude that ejaculate characteristics are plastic traits affected by the social environment in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Burger
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, Avenches, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Dolivo
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, Agroscope and University of Berne, Avenches, Switzerland
| | - Claus Wedekind
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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17
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Borgueti ADO, Alevi KCC, Silistino-Souza R, Rosa JAD, Azeredo-Oliveira MTVD. Immunofluorescence and ultrastructural analysis of the chromatoid body during spermatogenesis of Triatoma platensis and T. rubrovaria (Hemiptera, Triatominae). Micron 2015; 74:44-6. [PMID: 25939088 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study sought to analyze spermatogenesis in two species of triatomines (Triatoma rubrovaria and T. platensis) by focusing on the chromatoid body (CB) during three stages of spermatogenesis (spermatocytogenesis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis). The cytochemistry technique known as silver impregnation revealed nucleolar persistence. We suggest that this phenomenon is fundamental to the formation of the CB during spermatogenesis, as it allows for the nucleolus or nucleolar fragments to maintain their transcriptional activity during the entire meiosis phase and to apply all transcribed RNA to CB formation. The ultrastructural analysis of T. platensis and T. rubrovaria spermatids revealed the presence of the nucleolus within the spermatid nucleus, as well as the CB near the nuclear membrane. Immunofluorescence for fibrillarin revealed the presence of protein in both the nucleolus and the cytoplasm of spermatogonia. Based on these findings, we suggest that the formation of the CB begins during the first phase of spermatogenesis, or spermatocytogenesis. Furthermore, we also observed the presence of fibrillarin protein in the CB near the elongating spermatids. Unlike the spermatogonia, spermatids showed no fibrillarin markings in the nucleolar region, a finding which is consistent with the lack of post-meiotic transcriptional activity during triatomine spermiogenesis. Thus, this study suggests that the formation of the CB begins during spermatocytogenesis and is intensified by transcriptional activity when nucleolar persistence occurs in meiosis. Moreover, the findings are consistent with the absence of transcriptional activity in the nucleolus during spermiogenesis, and they demonstrate that all transcriptional activity during spermatid differentiation is supported by the CB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adauto de Oliveira Borgueti
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and the Exact Sciences, Sao Paulo State University-Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP/IBILCE), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and the Exact Sciences, Sao Paulo State University-Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP/IBILCE), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rosana Silistino-Souza
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and the Exact Sciences, Sao Paulo State University-Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP/IBILCE), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - João Aristeu da Rosa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University-Júlio de Mesquita Filho, (UNESP/FCFAR), Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
| | - Maria Tercília Vilela de Azeredo-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and the Exact Sciences, Sao Paulo State University-Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP/IBILCE), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Jung H, Song H, Yoon M. The KIT is a putative marker for differentiating spermatogonia in stallions. Anim Reprod Sci 2015; 152:39-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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19
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Campos JR, Breheny P, Araujo RR, Troedsson MH, Squires EL, Timoney PJ, Balasuriya UB. Semen quality of stallions challenged with the Kentucky 84 strain of equine arteritis virus. Theriogenology 2014; 82:1068-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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20
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Alevi KCC, da Rosa JA, de Azeredo-Oliveira MTV. Spermatogenesis in Triatoma melanica Neiva and Lent, 1941 (Hemiptera, Triatominae). JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2014; 39:231-233. [PMID: 24820580 DOI: 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2014.12094.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and the Exact Sciences, Sao Paulo State University - Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP/IBILCE), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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21
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Alevi KCC, da Costa Castro NF, Lima ACC, Ravazi A, Morielle-Souza A, de Oliveira J, da Rosa JA, de Azeredo Oliveira MTV. Nucleolar persistence during spermatogenesis of the genus Rhodnius (Hemiptera, Triatominae). Cell Biol Int 2014; 38:977-80. [PMID: 24797865 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Triatominae subfamily is comprised of 18 genera and six tribes. The tribe Rhodniini is comprised of two genera (Rhodnius and Psammolestes). Nucleolar persistence is defined by the presence of the nucleolus or nucleolar corpuscles during the meiotic metaphase. To date, this phenomenon has been described for 13 species of triatomine that are included in the genera Triatoma, Rhodnius, and Panstrongylus. Thus, because the phenomenon of nucleolar persistence has been described in only two species of the genus Rhodnius, we have analyzed the nucleolar behavior during spermatogenesis of eight species of the genus Rhodnius (R. colombiensis, R. montenegrensis, R. nasutus, R. neglectus, R. neivai, R. pictipes, R. prolixus, and R. robustus), with a focus on nucleolar persistence. By means of cytogenetic analysis with silver ions, nucleolar behavior during spermatogenesis is described in the eight species of Rhodnius analyzed. In all of them nucleolar behavior was similar and the phenomenon of nucleolar persistence was often observed. Therefore, we confirm nucleolar persistence as a peculiarity of the genus Rhodnius. However, it is emphasized that new cytogenetic analysis should be performed in the Triatominae subfamily, more specifically among the 15 genera that do not exhibit the nucleolar behavior described, in order to assess whether this phenomenon is truly a synapomorphy of these hematophagous insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi
- Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista-São José do Rio Preto, Rua Cristovão Colombo 2265, 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
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22
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Stage-dependent DAZL localization in stallion germ cells. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 147:32-8. [PMID: 24746554 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL) is used as a germ cell marker in several species, including mice, rats, pigs, rhesus monkeys, bulls, and humans. Our objectives with this study were to investigate DAZL expression in stallion germ cells by using immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry, and western blotting, and to determine the effects of reproductive stage and breeding season on the DAZL-positive cell population in seminiferous tubule cross sections. Testes were obtained during routine castration procedures at a large animal clinic and routine field service castration. The reproductive stage of the stallions was classified as pre-pubertal (<1 yr), pubertal (1-1.5 yr), post-pubertal (2-3 yr), or adult (4-8 yr). Using immunofluorescent staining, we showed that DAZL is localized to the cytoplasm of some, but not all, spermatogonia in pre-pubertal and pubertal horses. In the post-pubertal and adult testes, DAZL immunostaining was observed in spermatogonia proximal to the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules; however, few spermatogonia attached to the basement membrane were not immunolabeled. DAZL immunostaining was also observed in primary spermatocytes, but not in secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, or spermatozoa. DAZL protein was not detected in Leydig, Sertoli, or myoid cells of the testes at any reproductive stage. The immunocytochemistry analysis showed that DAZL immunolabeling was also localized to the cytoplasm of isolated germ cells such as spermatogonia or primary spermatocytes. We conclude that DAZL can be used as a marker of pre-meiotic germ cells in stallions.
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23
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Alevi KCC, Mendonça PP, Pereira NP, da Rosa JA, de Azeredo-Oliveira MTV. Is there post-meiotic transcriptional activity during hemipteran spermiogenesis? INVERTEBR REPROD DEV 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/07924259.2014.889767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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24
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Ligha AE, Bokolo B, Didia BC. Antifertility potentials of metronidazole in male Wistar rats. Pak J Biol Sci 2013; 15:224-30. [PMID: 24199456 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2012.224.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing concern about the decline in the quality of human sperm in recent years. Following reports by previous studies on the toxic effects of metronidazole on testicular functions, this study is designed to investigate further its direct effects on fertility potentials and that of the introduction of vitamin E and testosterone to metronidazole treated rats. A total of 105 adult male and 50 female Wistar rats weighing 170 +/- 10 g (70-90 day old) were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into a control and experimental groups. There were four major groups with 5 subgroups consisting of 5 rats each. Varying doses of metronidazole were used depending on the experiment. Experiment 1; animals were fed with 15 mg kg(-1) of metronidazole, experiment 2, fed with 30 mg kg(-1) of metronidazole, experiment 3, administered with 200 mg kg(-1) of metronidazole and experiment 4, fed with 400 mg kg(-1) of metronidazole. Each experimental group has 5 sub-groups. A: control, B: group fed with the experimental dose, C: experimental dose with vitamin E, D: experimental dose with testosterone, E: fed with experimental dose, vitamin E and testosterone and sub-group F, a reversal group which was left for 8 weeks after cessation of treatment. Parameters assessed were sperm count/motility, hormonal assay, Fertility test for control and treated rats were also carried out. Results showed that metronidazole at the therapeutic dose of 15 mg kg(-1) did not have significant negative effect on the parameters assessed. At the dose of 200 and 400 mg kg(-1), there was reduction in testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone while on the other hand, luteinizing hormone was increased mostly with 400 mg kg(-1) of metronidazole treatment. Body weight was also found to be significantly reduced in rats treated with 200 and 400 mg kg(-1) of metronidazole. The results of this study indicate that metronidazole administration (200 or 400 mg kg(-1)), for 8 weeks, caused a harmful effect on fertility potentials in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Ligha
- Department of Anatomy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria
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25
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McCormick JD, Valdez R, Rakestraw PC, Varner DD, Blanchard TL, Cavinder CA, Sudderth AK, Kiser A, Love CC. Effect of surgical technique for unilateral orchiectomy on subsequent testicular function in Miniature Horse stallions. Equine Vet J 2012:100-4. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00639.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. D. McCormick
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - R. Valdez
- Department of Animal Science; College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - P. C. Rakestraw
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - D. D. Varner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - T. L. Blanchard
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - C. A. Cavinder
- Department of Animal Science; College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - A. K. Sudderth
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - A. Kiser
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
| | - C. C. Love
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Texas A&M University; Texas USA
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26
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Fayrer-Hosken R, Stanley A, Hill N, Heusner G, Christian M, De La Fuente R, Baumann C, Jones L. Effect of feeding fescue seed containing ergot alkaloid toxins on stallion spermatogenesis and sperm cells. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 47:1017-26. [PMID: 22524585 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The cellular effects of tall fescue grass-associated toxic ergot alkaloids on stallion sperm and colt testicular tissue were evaluated. This was a continuation of an initial experiment where the effects of toxic ergot alkaloids on the stallion spermiogram were investigated. The only spermiogram parameter in exposed stallions that was affected by the toxic ergot alkaloids was a decreased gel-free volume of the ejaculate. This study examined the effect of toxic ergot alkaloids on chilling and freezing of the stallion sperm cells. The effect of toxic ergot alkaloids on chilled extended sperm cells for 48 h at 5°C was to make the sperm cells less likely to undergo a calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction. The toxic ergot alkaloids had no effect on the freezability of sperm cells. However, if yearling colts were fed toxic ergot alkaloids, then the cytological analysis of meiotic chromosome synapsis revealed a significant increase in the proportion of pachytene spermatocytes showing unpaired sex chromosomes compared to control spermatocytes. There was little effect of ergot alkaloids on adult stallions, but there might be a significant effect on yearling colts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fayrer-Hosken
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Effect of pentoxifylline treatment on testicular perfusion and semen quality in Miniature horse stallions. Theriogenology 2011; 76:1027-35. [PMID: 21752455 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Revised: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on testicular perfusion and sperm production in stallions. In a preliminary study, six mature Miniature horse stallions were given 0, 8.5, or 17.0 mg/kg of PTX orally, twice daily, for 3 d. Total Arterial Blood Flow Rate (TABFR) was higher (P < 0.05) in all treated versus control stallions during and after treatment. Two months later (during the fall and winter), the same stallions received either 0 or 17 mg/kg of PTX orally, twice daily for 60 d. Resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI, respectively) decreased in PTX-treated stallions between Treatment 1 and Post-treatment periods. Arterial diameter, as well as Total Arterial Blood Flow (TABF), decreased in controls between Baseline and Treatment 1 (P < 0.05). A similar decrease in arterial diameter was delayed in Group TREATED, but reached significance during Post-treatment (P < 0.05), whereas TABF did not change in this group. Furthermore, TABFR had a transient tendency to increase during Treatment 1 (P < 0.1), whereas it steadily decreased in controls and reached significance in the Post-treatment period (P < 0.05). Both RI and PI were negatively correlated with end diastolic velocity (EDV) in both groups (P < 0.0001). There were positive correlations between RI and peak systolic velocity (PSV) in treated stallions during Treatment 1 (RI: r = 0.53, P = 0.021; PI: r = 0.59, P = 0.007). Also, there were negative correlations between Time Averaged Maximum Velocity (TAMAX) and Doppler indexes in treated stallions during Treatment 2 period (RI: r = -0.49, P = 0.006; PI: r = -0.47, P = 0.008), and during Post-treatment periods (RI: r = -0.40, P = 0.049; PI: r = -042, P = 0.039). Transient hydrocele occurred in all treated stallions (a potential complication of high-dose PTX). Semen end points were not significantly affected by PTX treatment. In conclusion, PTX delayed the seasonal decrease of testicular perfusion in stallions. Sperm quality and quantity were not significantly affected; perhaps they would have been enhanced by prolonged treatment.
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Giesecke K, Sieme H, Distl O. Infertility and candidate gene markers for fertility in stallions: A review. Vet J 2010; 185:265-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2008] [Revised: 07/16/2009] [Accepted: 07/27/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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29
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Cai LY, Kato T, Nakayama M, Susa T, Murakami S, Izumi SI, Kato Y. HSV type 1 thymidine kinase protein accumulation in round spermatids induces male infertility by spermatogenesis disruption and apoptotic loss of germ cells. Reprod Toxicol 2009; 27:14-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2008.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Revised: 10/09/2008] [Accepted: 11/07/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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30
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Morte MI, Rodrigues AM, Soares D, Rodrigues AS, Gamboa S, Ramalho-Santos J. The quantification of lipid and protein oxidation in stallion spermatozoa and seminal plasma: Seasonal distinctions and correlations with DNA strand breaks, classical seminal parameters and stallion fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 106:36-47. [PMID: 17451892 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2006] [Revised: 03/06/2007] [Accepted: 03/23/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this work was to correlate oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage with classic semen parameters in spermatozoa and seminal plasma of fertile and subfertile stallions. Oxidation was measured in both lipids and proteins, using the thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assay and the DNPH carbonyl groups assay, respectively. Sperm DNA damage was monitored using the TUNEL assay. These parameters were monitored in samples obtained during the breeding and the non-breeding seasons. In general, fertile stallions showed better classical semen parameters, and those parameters improved from the non-breeding to the breeding season, although an increase in sperm production was accompanied by a decrease in the semen quality from subfertile stallions in the breeding season. In terms of oxidation levels we found that there were clear differences whether lipids or proteins were considered. In the breeding season there seemed to be a tendency towards normalizing lipid oxidation in spermatozoa and seminal plasma, and protein oxidation in the seminal plasma, of both fertile and subfertile animals. Thus, differences monitored in the non-breeding season were no longer visible. Interestingly, a higher level of protein oxidation was found in the sperm of fertile animals in the breeding season. Considering that there were positive correlations between sperm protein oxidation and sperm motility and vitality, these results suggests that the oxidation of semen proteins may be important for sperm function. On the other hand, lipid oxidation in the seminal plasma seemed to be a general indicator for sperm damage. In the non-breeding season positive correlations between lipid and protein oxidation levels in both sperm and seminal plasma and several defects in sperm function were found, but only for subfertile animals, thus suggesting that lipid and protein oxidation may aid in the identification of subfertile stallions during the non-breeding season. Levels of ROS production never seemed to result in compromised sperm DNA integrity, indicating that measurements were within physiological levels and/or that there is an efficient antioxidant activity in stallion sperm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Inês Morte
- Department of Zoology, Center for Neurocience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
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Siemieniuch MJ, Wocławek-Potocka I. Morphological features of the seminiferous epithelium in cat (Felis catus, L. 1758) testes. J Reprod Dev 2007; 53:1125-30. [PMID: 17615443 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.19053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the changes in the germinal epithelium in cats of different ages. Routine histological staining was applied to perform morphological and stereological examinations. The animals were divided into five groups according to age: under 8 months (n=28), 8-12 months (n=30), 12-36 months (n=33), 3-6 years (n=14) and older than 6 years (n=13). The appearance of the gonads of the males in the first group varied the most. The seminiferous tubules of the youngest cats consisted of a monolayer of supporting cells and a few spermatogonia. No tubular lumina were present, and the diameters of the seminiferous tubules reached 132.5 microm. We noted the typical arrangement of gametogenic cells with a tubule diameter of 191.83 microm in the second group. We observed multilayer germinal epithelia with the most significant production of gametes and a seminiferous tubule diameter of 202.61 microm in the third group. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules of the forth and fifth groups were 193.38 microm and 191.84 microm, respectively. The obtained data revealed that the most intensive morphological diversification of the seminiferous epithelium in cats occurs at about 7-8 months of age. The diameters of seminiferous tubules were highest in the third group of cats, and the activity of spermatogenesis of this group, expressed as the number of sperm per 10 mm(2), was also the most distinctive. The spermatogenesis process was most evident in cats between 12 and 36 months of age, which was also when the sperm concentration was highest per estimated surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta J Siemieniuch
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.
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Danek J. Effects of Flunixin Meglumine on Selected Clinicopathologic Variables, and Serum Testosterone Concentration in Stallions after Endotoxin Administration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 53:357-63. [PMID: 16922834 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2006.00839.x] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Four clinically normal stallions were infused intravenously with endotoxin (LPS) from Escherichia coli 055:B5 at a dose of 0.3 microg/kg b.w. and four stallions were treated with flunixin meglumine (FM) as a single intravenous injection at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg b.w., 5 min after the infusion of LPS. In response to endotoxin infusion, stallions' reaction was fever (increased rectal and scrotal skin temperature), increased heart rate (HR) and leucopenia. Administration of endotoxin also influenced the level of testosterone (decrease at 3-24 h and increase at 48-72 h after LPS administration) in the blood serum. FM treatment prevented an endotoxin-induced increase in rectal and scrotal skin temperature, HR, with no influence on the decrease of leucocytes. Administration of FM only had a significant effect on the latter changes (at 24-72 h) of serum testosterone concentration after addition of endotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Danek
- Department of Horse Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 85-090 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
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