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Liao Z, Yan C, Wang J, Zhang N, Yang H, Lin C, Zhang H, Wang W, Li W. A clinical consensus-compliant deep learning approach to quantitatively evaluate human in vitro fertilization early embryonic development with optical microscope images. Artif Intell Med 2024; 149:102773. [PMID: 38462274 DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2024.102773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The selection of embryos is a key for the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, automatic quality assessment on human IVF embryos with optical microscope images is still challenging. In this study, we developed a clinical consensus-compliant deep learning approach, named Esava (Embryo Segmentation and Viability Assessment), to quantitatively evaluate the development of IVF embryos using optical microscope images. In total 551 optical microscope images of human IVF embryos of day-2 to day-3 were collected, preprocessed, and annotated. Using the Faster R-CNN model as baseline, our Esava model was constructed, refined, trained, and validated for precise and robust blastomere detection. A novel algorithm Crowd-NMS was proposed and employed in Esava to enhance the object detection and to precisely quantify the embryonic cells and their size uniformity. Additionally, an innovative GrabCut-based unsupervised module was integrated for the segmentation of blastomeres and embryos. Independently tested on 94 embryo images for blastomere detection, Esava obtained the high rates of 0.9940, 0.9121, and 0.9531 for precision, recall, and mAP respectively, and gained significant advances compared with previous computational methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated the consistency between Esava and three experienced embryologists. Another test on 51 extra images demonstrated that Esava surpassed other tools significantly, achieving the highest average precision 0.9025. Moreover, it also accurately identified the borders of blastomeres with mIoU over 0.88 on the independent testing dataset. Esava is compliant with the Istanbul clinical consensus and compatible to senior embryologists. Taken together, Esava improves the accuracy and efficiency of embryonic development assessment with optical microscope images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaowen Liao
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaoyu Yan
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ningfeng Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Medical Big Data Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenghao Lin
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyue Zhang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Weizhong Li
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Center for Precision Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Nagy S, Kovacs B, Johannisson A. Evaluation of domestic animal sperm head morphology via flow cytometric DNA labelling and pulse shape analysis using bull and stallion spermatozoa as model species. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:1569-1575. [PMID: 37706243 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to test a rapid, robust flow cytometric technique for the detection of sperm head abnormalities of domestic bulls and stallions. The so-called PulSA approach detects the pulse profiles of propidium-iodide labelled spermatozoa. In the first experiment, species-specific threshold values were established on sperm samples that were tested for sperm head abnormalities with a classic visual morphology analysis. In the second experiment, serial mixtures of bull and stallion spermatozoa mimicking different percentages of sperm head abnormalities were analysed. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed a clear separation between the normal and mixed samples. The PulSA approach may be a useful tool in identifying sub- or infertile breeding males as well as in studying the evolutionary aspects of sperm morphology and morphometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabolcs Nagy
- Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Sciences, Keszthely, Hungary
| | - Barnabas Kovacs
- Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Sciences, Keszthely, Hungary
| | - Anders Johannisson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Dierberger H, Pieper L, Jung M, Schulze M. Rotation of liquid-preserved artificial insemination doses on roller benches affects sperm quality during storage in stallions. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:1413-1419. [PMID: 37596825 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate stallion semen handling is of great importance in equine artificial insemination (AI) industry. Optimal treatment of AI doses is aiming for best sperm preservation by excluding strong environmental influences and adding media that favour sperm survival. One method widely used in stallion sperm handling is the rotation of liquid-preserved semen samples on roller benches during storage. As previous studies in boars give rise to the fact that rotation should not be considered beneficial for spermatozoa anymore, the present study investigated the influence of continuous rotation of diluted stallion AI portions on sperm quality. Ejaculates (n = 15) were collected at a German AI centre and diluted with the two extenders EquiPlus and Gent (Minitüb GmbH) to a final concentration of 50 × 106 sperm/mL. Afterwards, samples were placed separately on roller benches at 5°C in the dark, obtaining a rotation frequency of 5 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 36 rpm for four consecutive days following a split-sample design. Both groups were analysed daily in comparison to a control group (0 rpm) with an extended spectrum of spermatological methods including computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. Statistical analyses were based on the calculation of generalized linear mixed models for each sperm parameter. The research revealed a decrease in sperm quality parameters of rotated samples compared to non-rotated control groups, visible in total sperm motility (p < .001), decreased thermo-resistance (p < .01) and a drop in pH (p < .001). Interestingly, no differences (p > .05) were detected between rotation frequencies of 5 and 36 rpm. We conclude that the fertilizing capacity of stallion semen was negatively affected by rotation during storage in vitro, irrespective of the rotation frequency. Further studies need to investigate whether field fertility in horses is similarly affected by semen rotation on roller benches in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dierberger
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernau, Germany
| | - L Pieper
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernau, Germany
| | - M Jung
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernau, Germany
| | - M Schulze
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernau, Germany
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4
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Rai S, Sundaramoorthy N, Mahalaxmi S, Purushothaman PV. Bioburden assessment of necrotic teeth disinfected with sodium hypochlorite, diode laser, and photodynamic therapy using flow cytometry-a randomized double-blinded clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci 2023; 38:216. [PMID: 37735303 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-023-03877-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the disinfecting potential of sodium hypochlorite, diode laser, and photodynamic therapy in non-vital teeth with or without periapical rarefaction. Forty-five patients with the diagnosis of pulp necrosis with apical rarefaction were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 15) based on the disinfection protocol. Access cavities were prepared and pre-instrumentation microbial samples were taken using a paper point. Working length determination followed by cleaning and shaping with rotary files was performed. The canals were lubricated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) during instrumentation and finally rinsed with copious amounts of saline. Canals in group 1 were irrigated with 5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl, those in group 2 received irradiation with 808-nm diode laser (30 s, 7W), and those in group 3 were soaked with methylene blue photosensitizer (5 min) before irradiation with 660-nm diode laser (3 min). Post-disinfection microbial samples were collected using a paper point. Pre- and post-disinfection live bacterial counts were analyzed using a flow cytometer. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Student's t-test. Comparison of pre-instrumentation mean live bacterial count showed no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean live bacterial count post-disinfection was 41.07%, 46.99%, and 34.45% in groups 1-3 respectively. A significant reduction in the bacterial count was seen following disinfection in all the groups (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that both diode laser and photodynamic therapy were equally effective as 5.25% NaOCl in reducing the bioburden in root canals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2018/03/012667.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadhana Rai
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Dental College, Bharathi Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai, 600089, India
| | - Nagarathinam Sundaramoorthy
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Dental College, Bharathi Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai, 600089, India
| | - Sekar Mahalaxmi
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Dental College, Bharathi Salai, Ramapuram, Chennai, 600089, India.
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Kalo D, Mendelson P, Komsky-Elbaz A, Voet H, Roth Z. The Effect of Mycotoxins and Their Mixtures on Bovine Spermatozoa Characteristics. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:556. [PMID: 37755982 PMCID: PMC10534433 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing concern about the effects of mycotoxins on mammalian reproduction. Although the effects of single mycotoxins have been well documented, the impact of their mixtures on spermatozoon quality is less known. Here, frozen-thawed semen (n = 6 bulls) was in-vitro-cultured (2 h) without (control) or with (i) a single mycotoxin [zearalenone (ZEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), toxin 2 (T2), and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)] in a dose-response manner; (ii) binary mixtures (OTA + T2, OTA + ZEN, OTA + DAS, ZEN + T2, DAS + T2 and ZEN + DAS); or (iii) ternary mixtures (OTA + DAS + T2, OTA + ZEN + T2, and ZEN + DAS + T2). Then, the spermatozoa quality was characterized according to its plasma- and acrosome-membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidation status by a flow cytometer. Exposure to single mycotoxins or binary mixtures did not affect the spermatozoa characteristics. However, exposure to the ternary mixtures, OTA + DAS + T2 and OTA + ZEN + T2, reduced (p < 0.05) the mitochondrial membrane potential relative to the control. In addition, OTA + ZEN + T2 increased (p < 0.05) the proportion of spermatozoa with reactive oxygen species relative to the control. The most suggested interaction effect between the mycotoxins was found to be an additive one. A synergistic interaction, mainly regarding the oxidation status of the spermatozoa, was also found between the mycotoxins. The current study sheds light on the potential risk of exposing spermatozoa to a mycotoxin mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Paz Mendelson
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Alisa Komsky-Elbaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Hillary Voet
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Management, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Zvi Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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Eberhardt M, Prochowska S, Partyka A, Bielas W, Van Soom A, Olech W, Niżański W. The morphology, morphometry and functionality of fresh and cryopreserved wisent (Bison bonasus) epididymal spermatozoa. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13866. [PMID: 37620548 PMCID: PMC10449768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40798-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epididymal spermatozoa obtained post mortem are considered a valuable source of genetic material which is often irrevocably lost. This makes these gametes constitute a key element in protection and restitution programs. The wisent (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758) is a species that survived in zoos after extinction from its natural habitat. This resulted in a narrowing of the genetic pool of the whole population, which is at present derived from only 12 ancestors. Currently, wisent protection programs are aimed at preserving the genetic diversity by establishing a germplasm bank. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the morphology, morphometry and functionality of wisent epididymal spermatozoa and evaluate the effectiveness of their cryopreservation in extender based on Tris buffer and chicken egg yolk. The median total number of spermatozoa obtained from one individual was 1985.0 × 106 (62.5 × 106-7452.0 × 106). These gametes were characterized by median: 40.0% (0.5-70.0%) subjective motility, 69.8% (32.5-90.0%) viability and 54.3% (10.5-83.3%) normal morphology. The sperm head had a median size of 5.0 μm (3.5-6.7 μm) width, 8.5 μm (6.4-11.3 μm) length and 36.9 μm2 (23.7-48.6 μm2) surface area. The viable population of the obtained gametes was characterized by median values 53.2% (4.5-80.3%) of intact sperm membrane, 50.8 (26.0-76.6%) of intact acrosome, 0.4% (0-98.7%) of fragmented chromatin, 5.9% (0.0-88.8%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 42.1% (8.3-63.7%) without lipid peroxidation. The viable population of the frozen/thawed gametes was characterized by median values: 18.4% (2.4-57.9%) of intact sperm membrane, 35.1 (11.9-56.7%) of intact acrosome, 0.07% (0-89.2%) of fragmented chromatin, 12.8% (0.0-49.7%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 16.3% (2.2-53.6%) without lipid peroxidation. Due to the material originating from a relatively large number of wild individuals, the research presented here contributed to the description of certain species standards for the assessment of wisent epididymal spermatozoa. The presented effect of cryopreservation on these gametes justifies the use of an extender based on Tris buffer with the addition of chicken egg yolk. The obtained effects are satisfactory from the point of view of preserving valuable genetic material and their use in ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eberhardt
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Prochowska
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Partyka
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wiesław Bielas
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8 St., 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
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Bremer J, Heringstad B, Morrell JM, Kommisrud E. Novel interpretation of sperm stress test and morphology for maturity assessment of young Norwegian Red bulls. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 253:107261. [PMID: 37267747 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of genomic selection significantly reduces the age of dairy bulls entering semen production compared to progeny testing. The study aimed to identify early indicators that could be used for screening bulls during their performance testing period and could give us insight into their future semen production performance, acceptance for the AI station, and prediction of their future fertility. The study population consisted of 142 young Norwegian Red bulls enrolled at the performance test station, followed until we received semen production data, semen doses, and, subsequently, non-return rates (NR56) from the AI station. A range of semen quality parameters were measured with computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry from ejaculates collected from 65 bulls (9-13 months). The population morphometry of normal spermatozoa was examined, showing that Norwegian Red bulls at 10 months of age have homogenous sperm morphometry. Norwegian Red bulls could be separated into 3 clusters according to their sperm's reaction patterns to stress test and cryopreservation. Results of semi-automated morphology assessment of young Norwegian Red bulls showed that 42% of bulls rejected for the AI station and 18% of bulls accepted had ejaculates with abnormal morphology scores. For the youngest age group at 10 months, the mean (SD) proportion of spermatozoa with normal morphology was 77.5% (10.6). Using novel interpretation of sperm stress test combined with sperm morphology analysis and consecutive cryopreservation at a young age allowed identification of the candidate's sperm quality status. This could help breeding companies introduce young bulls earlier to the AI stations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Bremer
- Department of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway.
| | - Bjørg Heringstad
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Jane M Morrell
- Department of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway; Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Kommisrud
- Department of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
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Du YQ, Shu CY, Zheng M, Xu WD, Sun Y, Shen L, Zhang C, Zhang YX, Wang QN, Li KQ, Chen BY, Hao K, Lyu JX, Wang Z. Truncating PICK1 Variant Identified in Azoospermia Affected Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Knockout Mice. Curr Med Sci 2023; 43:313-323. [PMID: 36971977 PMCID: PMC10040929 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2704-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) plays a critical role in vesicle trafficking, and its deficiency in sperm cells results in abnormal vesicle trafficking from Golgi to acrosome, which eventually disrupts acrosome formation and leads to male infertility. METHODS An azoospermia sample was filtered, and the laboratory detection and clinical phenotype indicated typical azoospermia in the patient. We sequenced all of the exons in the PICK1 gene and found that there was a novel homozygous variant in the PICK1 gene, c.364delA (p.Lys122SerfsX8), and this protein structure truncating variant seriously affected the biological function. Then we constructed a PICK1 knockout mouse model using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat cutting technology (CRISPRc). RESULTS The sperm from PICK1 knockout mice showed acrosome and nucleus abnormalities, as well as dysfunctional mitochondrial sheath formation. Both the total sperm and motility sperm counts were decreased in the PICK1 knockout mice compared to wild-type mice. Moreover, the mitochondrial dysfunction was verified in the mice. These defects in the male PICK1 knockout mice may have eventually led to complete infertility. CONCLUSION The c.364delA novel variant in the PICK1 gene associated with clinical infertility, and pathogenic variants in the PICK1 may cause azoospermia or asthenospermia by impairing mitochondrial function in both mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-qiang Du
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
| | - Chong-yi Shu
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
| | - Min Zheng
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
| | - Wei-de Xu
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
| | - Yue Sun
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
| | - Lu Shen
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
| | - Chen Zhang
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
| | - Yu-xin Zhang
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
| | - Qian-ni Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, No.903 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Hangzhou, 310000 China
| | - Kai-qiang Li
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
| | - Bing-yu Chen
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
| | - Ke Hao
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
| | - Jian-xin Lyu
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310059 China
| | - Zhen Wang
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014 China
- grid.268099.c0000 0001 0348 3990School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035 China
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310059 China
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Multiple flow cytometry analysis for assessing human sperm functional characteristics. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 117:108353. [PMID: 36804582 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Multiparametric analysis by flow cytometry solves one of the major problems in sperm evaluation, the inability to test multiple attributes simultaneously in a single cell, which would increase the precision to predict fertility potential since several sperm parameters are tested. The association of fluorochromes and compounds conjugated to fluorochromes in multiparametric sperm analysis is well-established in microscopy techniques. However, these techniques are subjective and limit the assessment in small cell numbers, thereby harming analytic accuracy. Therefore, the current study aimed to present new possibilities for assessing the integrity and stability of the sperm plasma membrane, acrosome status, mitochondrial potential, and superoxide anion production in the mitochondrial matrix in only 2 cytometric assays using cytometers equipped with 2 and 3 lasers. For this, human semen samples collected by masturbation and selected by the swim-up technique were divided into 3 treatments: T0 (flash-frozen semen), T50 (flash-frozen semen + fresh semen, V: V), and T100 (fresh semen) for the validation of the multiparametric protocols by flow cytometry. For both protocols, sperm percentage with positive stain for all fluorophores differed significantly between treatments. The determination coefficients presented values close to 1, which validated objective, sensitive, rapid, and reproducible methodologies. Therefore, we concluded that the results reflect the status of analyzed structure, enabling a more accurate diagnosis of male infertility that has become an increasingly prevalent worldwide setback due to exposure to a variety of environmental toxicants.
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Rosa JDL, Figueiredo TM, Barros JWF, Dos Santos DB, de Deus RS, Borges CS, Kempinas WDG, Klinefelter GR. SP22 sperm protein as a potential biomarker of fertility in humans: A preliminary study. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 117:108343. [PMID: 36781114 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples of reproductive age, and 50% of the cases are directly related to men. The evaluation of male fertility is based on analyses of routine seminal parameters and the use of more advanced techniques can help identify fertility biomarkers. SP22 sperm protein is considered a biomarker in murine species since its concentration is highly correlated with sperm fertility. As the role of this protein as a biomarker is already well-established in other species, we hypothesized that this same correlation could apply to human. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate possible correlations between SP22 concentration and sperm parameters in fertile and infertile men. For this, a study was carried out on 21 volunteers' seminal samples who were grouped according to fertility as fertile (n = 10) or infertile (n = 11). Conventional and functional sperm analyses, membrane protein extraction, quantification and immunolocalization of SP22 were performed. The infertile volunteers showed an increase in the percentage of sperm with abnormalities in head morphology and a decrease in the percentage of sperm with intact plasma membrane and damaged acrosomal membrane. Serum concentration of the hormone SHBG was also decreased in infertile volunteers. The damage to the plasma membrane was positively correlated with the superoxide anion production. Although none of the functional parameters were correlated with SP22 concentration, type D sperm motility was negatively correlated and type A+B sperm motility was positively correlated. This preliminary study opens new paths in the characterization of SP22 as a non-invasive biomarker for predicting fertility/infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane de Lima Rosa
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Thamiris Moreira Figueiredo
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge Willian Franco Barros
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Driéle Bretone Dos Santos
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ramão Souza de Deus
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cibele Santos Borges
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilma De Grava Kempinas
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gary Robert Klinefelter
- National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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11
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Seminal quality comparison of first and second cryopreserved ejaculates of Alpine kid goats by flow cytometry. ZYGOTE 2023; 31:62-69. [PMID: 36384918 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199422000533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Discarding the first ejaculate is recommended as an alternative for improving seminal quality after long sexual resting, especially when semen should be used for cryopreservation. However, when the males are not in sexual resting the necessity to discarding the first ejaculate is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to compare by flow cytometry the quality of the first and second ejaculates. Ten kids and uniform goats between 5 and 6 months of age were used in a completely randomized design. Semen collection was carried out every 4 days, until a total of five ejaculates per animal in each treatment was completed. The fresh and frozen semen collected were processed and analyzed using macroscopic and microscopic parameters, resistance test, hypo-osmotic medium test, and flow cytometry (FC). The FC parameters were production of reactive oxygen species, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, and lipid peroxidation of the plasma membrane. The ejaculates did not differ for the resistance test, the reactivity in the hypo-osmotic medium and for the macroscopic and microscopic seminal parameters, except for sperm volume and concentration. The first ejaculate had a higher percentage of minor and total defects. None of the FC parameters analyzed differed between the first and second ejaculates. The first and second ejaculates demonstrated similar seminal qualities, so for Alpine kid goats without a sexual resting period, discarding the first ejaculate it is not recommended.
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Divar MR, Mogheiseh A, Mohammadi F, Mavalizadeh L. Effects of extender filtration and egg yolk concentration on canine semen cryopreservation. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:272-287. [PMID: 36264284 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The semen cooling and freezing extenders commonly contain the chicken egg yolk (EY) as the main sperm cryoprotectant. Besides its advantages, the EY has large lipoprotein granules that cause several physical and biological interferences. The previous studies have proposed several methods to resolve the problems with the EY-based semen extenders, including mechanical agitation, EY fractionation, replacing the EY with purified EY LDL, and ultrasonication. In the current research, we aimed to evaluate the syringe filtration (220 nm) of an EY-based canine semen freezing extender as a simple and cheap method to remove the EY granules. We also studied the possibility of re-aggregation of EY granules after cooling, freeze/thawing, and lyophilization/rehydration of the filtered extenders. Additionally, we compared the effects of the filtration on lipid profile, turbidity, EY particle size distribution, and osmolality of the EY-based extenders. Next, we examined the effects of filtered extenders containing different levels of EY (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) versus the control extender (20% EY, unfiltered) on post-thaw sperm quality traits. We collected the semen samples from seven clinically healthy mixed-breed adult dogs and pooled them for sperm freezing procedures. Samplings were repeated at least five times, independently. Our results indicated that the syringe filtration could remove the large EY particles and reduce the extender turbidity without affecting the lipid profile of the whole extender solution. The filtered extender supplemented with 25% (v/v) EY led to the best post-thaw canine spermatozoa quality markers. The frozen-thawed spermatozoa evaluations included motility parameters (computer-assisted semen analysis system), membrane and acrosome integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test, chlortetracycline binding assay), DNA fragmentation (sperm chromatin dispersion assay), membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA levels), apoptosis (Annexin V/propidium iodide assay), and fertility-associated sperm mRNA transcript abundance (protamine 2 and 3). In conclusion, the syringe filtration of the EY-based semen extenders was a simple and cheap method that could effectively remove large EY lipoprotein granules and possibly prevent EY-origin bacterial contamination of the final extender solution. The EY at 25% (v/v) concentration in the filtered extenders resulted in the highest canine spermatozoa cryo-tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Divar
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Asghar Mogheiseh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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13
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Aparicio IM, Rojo-Domínguez P, Castillejo-Rufo A, Peña FJ, Tapia JA. The Autophagy Marker LC3 Is Processed during the Sperm Capacitation and the Acrosome Reaction and Translocates to the Acrosome Where It Colocalizes with the Acrosomal Membranes in Horse Spermatozoa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020937. [PMID: 36674454 PMCID: PMC9862423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its importance in somatic cells and during spermatogenesis, little is known about the role that autophagy may play in ejaculated spermatozoa. Our aim was to investigate whether the molecular components of autophagy, such as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), are activated in stallion spermatozoa during the capacitation and acrosome reaction and if this activation could modulate these biological processes. To analyze the autophagy turnover, LC3I and LC3II proteins were assessed by western blotting, and the ratio between both proteins (LC3II/LC3I) was calculated. In somatic cells, this ratio indicates that autophagy has been activated and similar LC3 processing has been described in mammalian spermatozoa. The subcellular localization of autophagy-related proteins was assessed by immunofluorescence with specific antibodies that recognized Atg16, Beclin-1, and LC3. The colocalization of acrosomal membranes (PNA) and LC3 was studied by confocal microcopy, and the acrosome reacted cells were quantified by flow cytometry. The incubation of stallion sperm in capacitating conditions (BWW; 3 h) significantly increased LC3 processing. This increment was three to four times higher after the induction of the acrosome reaction in these cells. LC3 was mainly expressed in the head in mature ejaculated sperm showing a clear redistribution from the post-acrosomal region to the acrosome upon the incubation of sperm in capacitating conditions (BWW, 3 h). After the induction of the acrosome reaction, LC3 colocalized with the acrosome or the apical plasmalemma membranes in the head of the stallion spermatozoa. The inhibition or activation of autophagy-related pathways in the presence of autophagy activators (STF-62247) or inhibitors (E-64d, chloroquine) significantly increased LC3 processing and increased the percent of acrosome reacted cells, whereas 3-methyladenine almost completely inhibited LC3 processing and the acrosome reaction. In conclusion, we found that sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction could be regulated by autophagy components in sperm cells ex vivo by processes that might be independent of the intraluminal pH of the acrosome and dependent of LC3 lipidation. It can be speculated that, in stallion sperm, a form of noncanonical autophagy utilizes some components of autophagy machinery to facilitate the acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines M. Aparicio
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers (BICOMCEL), University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Patricia Rojo-Domínguez
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Alba Castillejo-Rufo
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers (BICOMCEL), University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Jose A. Tapia
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Pathology Biomarkers (BICOMCEL), University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
- Correspondence:
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14
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Savvulidi FG, Ptáček M, Málková A, Golovina E, Pytlík J, Janošíková M, Nagy S, Barbas JP, Stádník L, Savvulidi Vargová K. A Pilot Study on the Uptake of Propidium Iodide and YO-PRO-1 Iodide through the Pannexin Channels in Wallachian Frozen-Thawed Ram Spermatozoa. Folia Biol (Praha) 2023; 69:127-132. [PMID: 38410970 DOI: 10.14712/fb2023069040127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Propidium iodide (PI) and YO-PRO-1 (YPI) dyes are routinely used to determine sperm viability in many livestock species. It is commonly accepted that these dyes penetrate only sperm cells with damaged plasma membranes. Recently, however, the mechanism of dye uptake unrelated to damaged plasma membranes, but instead related to pannexin channels in dog and stallion sperm cells was demonstrated. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the role of pannexins in the uptake of PI and YPI dyes on Wallachian frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa by flow cytometry using probenecid, a specific inhibitor of pannexin channels. Additionally, the expression of pannexins in Wallachian sperm was evaluated directly (by qRT-PCR). The results demonstrate the active role of pannexin channels in the uptake of PI and YPI dyes on frozen-thawed Wallachian ram sperm. In conclusion, when using the PI or YPI exclusion assay to determine Wallachian frozen-thawed ram sperm viability, the danger of overestimating the number of spermatozoa with the damaged plasma membrane must be considered. The observed breed-specific, and more importantly, individual differences in gene expression as well as in dye uptake indicate the need for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipp Georgijevič Savvulidi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ptáček
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anežka Málková
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Golovina
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pytlík
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Janošíková
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Szabolcs Nagy
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Georgikon Campus, Keszthely, Hungary
| | - Joăo Pedro Barbas
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaçăo Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta da Fonte Boa, Vale de Santarém, Portugal
| | - Luděk Stádník
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karina Savvulidi Vargová
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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15
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Reis WVAD, Pereira RR, Vieira Junior M, Cunha CCTD, Acácio BR, Macedo GG, Costa-e-Silva EVD, Sampaio BFB. Impact of quercetin, carnosine, and ozone in the cryopreservation on Nellore (Bos indicus) semen. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20220048. [PMID: 37034117 PMCID: PMC10075187 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to reduce the effects of cryoinjury caused in bovine semen by cryopreservation. Ejaculates were collected from Nellore bulls and subjected to freezing in C (control), ozone (15, 30, and 60 µg mL-1 of ozone), quercetin (25, 50, and 100 µg mL-1 of quercetin), and carnosine groups (100, 200, and 300 ng mL-1 of carnosine). Samples were evaluated post-thaw (M0) and post-rapid thermoresistance test (M30) for sperm kinetics (total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear speed, linearity and amplitude of lateral head displacement) and cell structure viability (plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial potential, membrane fluidity, and lipid peroxidation). There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the control, quercetin, and carnosine-treated groups for the parameters evaluated at M0 and M30. In turn, supplementation with ozone resulted in lower values for sperm kinetics (P < 0.05) and lower mitochondrial potential at M30 (P < 0.05). Quercetin and carnosine at the concentrations used did not promote significant gains in frozen semen, nor did they demonstrate cytotoxicity. We expected to obtain positive results with the use of ozone. Nonetheless, the addition was harmful to the parameters of sperm kinetics, and its effect was not observed as a possible pro-antioxidant. We believe that the fact that the gas did not harm the sperm structure opens avenues for tests with lower dosages, since, by reducing its concentration, we could minimize the damage to sperm kinetics.
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16
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Llavanera M, Mislei B, Blanco-Prieto O, Baldassarro VA, Mateo-Otero Y, Spinaci M, Yeste M, Bucci D. Assessment of sperm mitochondrial activity by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy: a comparative study of mitochondrial fluorescent probes in bovine spermatozoa. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:679-688. [PMID: 35361313 DOI: 10.1071/rd21355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT While conventional semen analysis is a simple, time-saving, and economical means to evaluate sperm quality, it leaves biochemical and metabolic characteristics of spermatozoa aside. To address this issue, the use of fluorescent probes assessing functional sperm parameters, such as JC-1, DiOC6 (3) and MitoTracker, has increased over the last decades. Apparently contradictory observations have nevertheless fostered an ongoing debate on their sensitivity and ability to evaluate the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of sperm cells, thus warranting a re-examination of these probes. AIMS The present study aims to elucidate the suitability and sensitivity of each probe to evaluate the MMP of bovine spermatozoa by flow cytometry. METHODS Cryopreserved spermatozoa from ten bulls were thawed, stained with JC-1/SYTOXRed, DiOC6 (3)/propidium iodide (PI) or MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR)/PI, and evaluated with flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. KEY RESULTS DiOC6 (3), JC-1 and MTDR can be simultaneously co-stained with a viability marker. The results of the present study support the ability of DiOC6 (3)/PI and JC-1/SYTOXRed, but not that of MTDR/PI, to monitor the MMP of spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS JC-1/SYTOXRed assessed by flow cytometry was found to be the most sensitive and robust fluorescent probe to assess MMP. Moreover, DiOC6 (3)/PI could be a suitable alternative when the flow cytometer is not equipped with a red laser and/or an adequate optical filter. IMPLICATIONS Both DiOC6 (3) and JC-1, but not MTDR, could be used as probes to assess the mitochondrial membrane potential of bovine spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Llavanera
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; and Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; and Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Mislei
- National Institute of Artificial Insemination (AUB-INFA), University of Bologna, Via Gandolfi 16, Cadriano, IT-40057 Bologna, Italy
| | - Olga Blanco-Prieto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Vito Antonio Baldassarro
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy; and IRET Foundation, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 41/E, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; and Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; and Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcella Spinaci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marc Yeste
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; and Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Diego Bucci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, IT-40064 Bologna, Italy
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17
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Zuidema D, Kerns K, Sutovsky P. An Exploration of Current and Perspective Semen Analysis and Sperm Selection for Livestock Artificial Insemination. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3563. [PMID: 34944339 PMCID: PMC8698075 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination of livestock has been a staple technology for producers worldwide for over sixty years. This reproductive technology has allowed for the rapid improvement of livestock genetics, most notably in dairy cattle and pigs. This field has experienced continuous improvements over the last six decades. Though much work has been carried out to improve the efficiency of AI, there are still many areas which continue to experience improvement, including semen analysis procedures, sperm selection techniques, sperm sexing technologies, and semen storage methods. Additionally, the use of AI continues to grow in beef cattle, horses, and small ruminants as the technology continues to become more efficient and yield higher pregnancy rates. In this review, AI trends in the various livestock species as well as cutting edge improvements in the aforementioned areas will be discussed at length. Future work will continue to refine the protocols which are used for AI and continue to increase pregnancy rates within all livestock species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalen Zuidema
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.Z.); (K.K.)
| | - Karl Kerns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.Z.); (K.K.)
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.Z.); (K.K.)
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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18
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Ting-Yung K, Jin-Chywan G. Quality assessment of cryopreserved Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata) sperm through ultrastructural and flow cytometry analysis. Cryobiology 2021; 104:79-86. [PMID: 34537223 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.09.005] [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] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of cryopreservation on the quality of Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata) sperm, which were examined before and after freezing; sperm motility, fertilizing capacity, and ultrastructural morphology were analyzed. The motility percentage and fertilizing capacity of the cryopreserved sperm (mean ± standard error) were 16% ± 1% and 17% ± 8%, respectively. In the pre-freezing sperm, these were 58% ± 2% and 76% ± 4%, respectively. The sperm sustained substantial morphological and ultrastructural damage during cryopreservation. The morphological changes varied considerably in nature and extent, ranging from no apparent damage to virtual disintegration. Sperm were stained with fluorescent dyes to assess viability, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, acrosomal membrane integrity, oxidation level, and DNA compaction and examined through flow cytometry. The methods used for the flow cytometry assays were slightly modified from those used for evaluating the semen quality of livestock. Relative to the pre-freezing sperm, the frozen-thawed sperm exhibited lower acrosomal membrane integrity (acrosomal damage, 59.86 ± 5.29; P < 0.05) and substantially higher oxidation levels (free radicals, 60.06 ± 0.82; P < 0.003). Oxidation level was found to be the most sensitive indicator of cryodamage. Along with ultrastructural analysis, we used flow cytometry to measure the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of Portuguese oyster sperm before and after cryopreservation rapidly, objectively, and accurately. This is the first study to assess the quality of Portuguese oyster sperm through these methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Ting-Yung
- Livestock Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Gwo Jin-Chywan
- Department of Aquaculture, Taiwan National Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
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19
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Araujo MS, de Oliveira Henriques Paulo OL, Paulini F, de Souza Ramos Angrimani D, Tsunemi MH, de Paula Freitas Dell'Aqua C, Papa FO, de Souza FF. Seminal Plasma Does Not Influence Canine Semen Stored at 5°C for Long-Term Conservation. Biopreserv Biobank 2021; 20:149-162. [PMID: 34515526 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2021.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma has several components that protect the sperm cells and assist in the fertilization process. In contrast, the exact role carried out by seminal plasma during the cooling of canine semen remains controversial. Moreover, concerning the long estrus period, the possibility to store chilled semen at 5°C for more than 72 hours and maintain good sperm quality for additional inseminations could increase fertilization rates. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the seminal plasma influence on quality and oxidative stress of the extended canine semen stored at 5°C for 7 days. Three ejaculate pools from eight healthy dogs were collected by digital manipulation of the penis. The sperm kinetics, sperm vitality (eosin/nigrosin stain), integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, morphology, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production, mitochondrial potential, lipid peroxidation, and oxygen reactive species production (induced and spontaneous thiobarbituric acid [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS] assay) were evaluated every 48 hours (M0, M48, M96, and M168) until 7 days (168 hours) in cooled extended (TRIS egg yolk) semen of dogs at 5°C with (+SP) or without (-SP) autologous seminal plasma. No statistical difference was found for sperm kinetics in cooled samples with +SP and -SP during the experimental time period, except for the progressive motility of +SP samples that was higher at M48 than M96 (p = 0.023). The seminal plasma did not influence any other evaluated sperm characteristics. Finally, our results demonstrated that the presence or lack of seminal plasma during cooling the semen of dogs does not influence sperm quality at 5°C. Moreover, the components of the semen extender may contribute to maintaining good sperm quality and low reactive oxygen species production during the long period of the dog's semen cooling, even after semen centrifugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Silva Araujo
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Otávio Luís de Oliveira Henriques Paulo
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Paulini
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Daniel de Souza Ramos Angrimani
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miriam Harumi Tsunemi
- Department of Biostatistics, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Camila de Paula Freitas Dell'Aqua
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Frederico Ozanam Papa
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ferreira de Souza
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
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20
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Ibáñez-Arancibia E, Farías JG, Valdebenito I. Use of antioxidants and time of cold storage: effects over viability parameters and enzymatic levels in semen of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792). BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e245329. [PMID: 34378663 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.245329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cold storage of milt implies potentials alterations in its quality because the storage generates as main process, free radicals that produce spermatozoa membrane lipids damage with the consequent motility and fertilising capacity disruptions. To decrease the damage generated by free radicals the cells have antioxidant defences (proteins, enzymes, and low molecular weight substances). The objective of the present study evaluated the time storage effect and different antioxidants prepared in spermatic diluents on sperm viability of O. mykiss milt stored at 4°C. The two-way ANOVA denoted that the time storage and antioxidant influence have significant effects separated or combined on viability parameters (sperm motility and viability, proteins concentrations and superoxide dismutase enzymatic activity in seminal plasma). In contrast, only the storage time affected the fertilising capacity and catalase enzymatic activity in seminal plasma. The resulting analysis can conclude that the antioxidant presence improves the viability of cold stored milt, especially the transport conditions and the antioxidants allow the fecundity despite motility decrease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ibáñez-Arancibia
- PhD Program in Sciences mentioning Applied Molecular and Cell Biology, La Frontera University, Temuco, Chile.,Laboratory of Engineering, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry - LIBBA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, La Frontera University, Temuco, Chile.,Department of Agricultural and Aquaculture Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - J G Farías
- Laboratory of Engineering, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry - LIBBA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, La Frontera University, Temuco, Chile
| | - I Valdebenito
- Department of Agricultural and Aquaculture Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile.,Nucleus of Research in Food Production, Faculty of Natural Resources, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile
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21
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Perry VEA. The Role of Sperm Morphology Standards in the Laboratory Assessment of Bull Fertility in Australia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:672058. [PMID: 34124227 PMCID: PMC8187580 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.672058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of standardization in the laboratory assessment of semen questions the reliability of semen analysis, and makes meaningful interpretation of these evaluations impossible. We herein describe a standardization program for morphology assessment currently in place in Australia and outline the methods used, both for the categorization of the abnormalities, including newly described abnormalities, and those that permit standardized microscopic assessment between laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- V E A Perry
- Queensland Sperm Morphology Laboratory, Ruminant Reproduction Research Centre, Goondiwindi, QLD, Australia.,School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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22
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Espina-Ávila JA, Magaña-Monforte JG, Aké-Villanueva JR, Aké-López JR. Effect of the use of vitamin "E" in the diluent on the viability of ram sperm. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:330. [PMID: 34002255 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02764-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The sperm membrane is damaged in cryopreservation processes; this damage can be minimized using antioxidants such as vitamin E. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of vitamin "E" on the viability of ram sperm during preservation processes. Two experiments were carried out; in the first, 32 ejaculates were used, which after evaluation were divided into two aliquots for processing; the first received Triladyl + vitamin "E" (T + E), and the second received only Triladyl (T); these aliquots were cooled and stored at 5 °C for 24 h. The viability (sperm motility, integrity, and membrane permeability) was evaluated at 0 and 24 h after dilution. In the second experiment, the same procedure was performed as experiment 1, except that the samples were also frozen, and the viability was evaluated at zero and 48 h post-freezing. Dependent variables were analyzed using mixed models in a split plot design. In experiment 1, the integrity and permeability of the sperm membrane was better in the group: "T + E" (P <0.05). In experiment 2, the vitamin significantly improved (P <0.05) the sperm viability. It is concluded that the addition of vitamin "E" improves sperm viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alberto Espina-Ávila
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal y Mejoramiento Genético, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Juan Gabriel Magaña-Monforte
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal y Mejoramiento Genético, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
| | - Jesús Ricardo Aké-Villanueva
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal y Mejoramiento Genético, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Jesús Ricardo Aké-López
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal y Mejoramiento Genético, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
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23
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Flow-cytometric analysis of membrane integrity of stallion sperm in the face of agglutination: the "zombie sperm" dilemma. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2465-2480. [PMID: 33991296 PMCID: PMC8490572 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02134-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To define the effect of sperm agglutination, associated with incubation under capacitating conditions, on accuracy of membrane assessment via flow cytometry and to develop methods to mitigate that effect. METHODS Sperm motility was measured by CASA. Sperm were stained with PI-PSA or a novel method, LD-PSA, using fixable live/dead stain and cell dissociation treatment, before flow-cytometric analysis. Using LD-PSA, acrosome reaction and plasma membrane status were determined in equine sperm treated with 10 μm A23187 for 10 min, followed by 0, 1, or 2 h incubation in capacitating conditions. RESULTS Using PI-PSA, measured membrane integrity (MI; live sperm) was dramatically lower than was total motility (TMOT), indicating spurious results ("zombie sperm"). Sperm aggregates were largely of motile sperm. Loss of motility after A23187 treatment was associated with disaggregation and increased MI. On disaggregation using LD-PSA, MI rose, and MI then corresponded with TMOT. In equine sperm incubated after A23187 treatment, as the percentage of live acrosome-reacted sperm increased, TMOT decreased to near 0. CONCLUSION Flow cytometry assesses only individualized sperm; thus, agglutination of viable sperm alters recorded membrane integrity. As viable sperm become immotile, they individualize; therefore, factors that decrease motility, such as A23187, result in increased measured MI. Disaggregation before assessment allows more accurate determination of sperm membrane status; in this case we documented a mismatch between motility and live acrosome-reacted equine sperm that may relate to the poor repeatability of A23187 treatment for equine IVF. These findings are of profound value to future studies on sperm capacitation.
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24
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A new sperm selection criterion for cryopreservation of boar semen. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2020-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This study aimed to define potential markers that could determine the suitability of ejaculate for cryopreservation. Fresh semen from eleven boars (4–7 ejaculates/boar), regardless of their sperm motility, was subjected to a cryopreservation procedure. The sperm quality before and after freezing was assessed based on the sperm membrane permeability and acrosome integrity. The results showed that it was possible to effectively cryopreserve ejaculates below the accepted standards of 70–80% of fresh motile sperm and still obtain a high cryosurvival rate. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the percentage of viable sperm with apoptotic-like changes, viable sperm with reacted acrosomes, and the cryosurvival rate. The proposed markers for assessing the quality of fresh semen could be used to predict the success of cryopreservation procedures.
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25
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Olivera-Valle I, Latorre MC, Calvo M, Gaspar B, Gómez-Oro C, Collazos A, Breton A, Caballero-Campo P, Ardoy M, Asensio F, Sánchez-Mateos P, Pérez-Millan F, Relloso M. Vaginal neutrophils eliminate sperm by trogocytosis. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:2567-2578. [PMID: 33011783 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the vaginal polymorphonuclear (PMN) spermicidal mechanism to reduce the excess of sperm? SUMMARY ANSWER We show that PMNs are very efficient at killing sperm by a trogocytosis-dependent spermicidal activity independent of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Trogocytosis has been described as an active membrane exchange between immune cells with a regulatory purpose. Recently, trogocytosis has been reported as a mechanism which PMNs use to kill tumour cells or Trichomonas vaginalis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We used in vivo murine models and human ex vivo sperm and PMNs to investigate the early PMN-sperm response. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We set up a live/dead sperm detection system in the presence of PMNs to investigate in vivo and ex vivo PMN-spermicidal activity by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and computer-assisted sperm analysis (SCA). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We revealed that PMNs are highly efficient at killing sperm by way of a NETs-independent, contact-dependent and serine proteases-dependent engulfment mechanism. PMNs 'bite' sperm and quickly reduce sperm motility (within 5 min) and viability (within 20 min) after contact. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study was conducted using murine models and healthy human blood PMNs; whether it is relevant to human vaginal PMNs or to cases of infertility is unknown. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Vaginal PMNs attack and immobilize excess sperm in the vagina by trogocytosis because sperm are exogenous and may carry pathogens. Furthermore, this mechanism of sperm regulation has low mucosal impact and avoids an exacerbated inflammatory response that could lead to mucosal damage or infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was partially supported by Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ISCIII-FIS grants, PI16/00050, and PI19/00078, co-financed by ERDF (FEDER) Funds from the European Commission, 'A way of making Europe' and IiSGM intramural grant II-PI-MRC-2017. M.R. holds a Miguel Servet II contract (CPII14/00009). M.C.L. holds IiSGM intramural contract. There are no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Olivera-Valle
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M C Latorre
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Calvo
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Gaspar
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Servicio de Ginecología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Gómez-Oro
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Collazos
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Breton
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Servicio de Ginecología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Caballero-Campo
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M Ardoy
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Servicio de Ginecología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Asensio
- Animalario, Unidad de Medicina y Cirugía Experimental, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Sánchez-Mateos
- Laboratorio de Inmuno-oncología, Servicio de Inmunologia, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Pérez-Millan
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Servicio de Ginecología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Relloso
- Laboratorio de InmunoFisiología, Grupo Fisiopatología de la mujer, del embarazo, parto y puerperio, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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Tanga BM, Qamar AY, Raza S, Bang S, Fang X, Yoon K, Cho J. Semen evaluation: methodological advancements in sperm quality-specific fertility assessment - A review. Anim Biosci 2021; 34:1253-1270. [PMID: 33902175 PMCID: PMC8255896 DOI: 10.5713/ab.21.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of male fertility is based on the evaluation of sperm. Semen evaluation measures various sperm quality parameters as fertility indicators. However, semen evaluation has limitations, and it requires the advancement and application of strict quality control methods to interpret the results. This article reviews the recent advances in evaluating various sperm-specific quality characteristics and methodologies, with the help of different assays to assess sperm-fertility status. Sperm evaluation methods that include conventional microscopic methods, computer-assisted sperm analyzers (CASA), and flow cytometric analysis, provide precise information related to sperm morphology and function. Moreover, profiling fertility-related biomarkers in sperm or seminal plasma can be helpful in predicting fertility. Identification of different sperm proteins and diagnosis of DNA damage has positively contributed to the existing pool of knowledge about sperm physiology and molecular anomalies associated with different infertility issues in males. Advances in methods and sperm-specific evaluation has subsequently resulted in a better understanding of sperm biology that has improved the diagnosis and clinical management of male factor infertility. Accurate sperm evaluation is of paramount importance in the application of artificial insemination and assisted reproductive technology. However, no single test can precisely determine fertility; the selection of an appropriate test or a set of tests and parameters is required to accurately determine the fertility of specific animal species. Therefore, a need to further calibrate the CASA and advance the gene expression tests is recommended for faster and field-level applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bereket Molla Tanga
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmad Yar Qamar
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Sanan Raza
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, PakistanDepartment of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09016, Turkey
| | - Seonggyu Bang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Xun Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Kiyoung Yoon
- Department of Companion Animal, Shingu College, Seongnam 13174, Korea
| | - Jongki Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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27
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Al-Kass Z, Brown A, Johannisson A, Ntallaris T, Morrell JM. Variation among stallions in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:848-856. [PMID: 33706415 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although single layer centrifugation (SLC) selects robust spermatozoa from stallion semen, the effect of individual variation has not been studied in detail. The objective of this study was to determine the variation among stallions in the effects of SLC on sperm quality during cooled storage for up to 48 hr. Semen samples from seven stallions (18 ejaculates) were split, with one portion being used for SLC and the other serving as a control (CON). Sperm quality (kinematics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, membrane integrity (MI) and chromatin integrity) were analysed at 0, 24 and 48 hr using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. Sperm quality was better in SLC than in CON at all timepoints, especially chromatin integrity and MI (p < .0001 for both), and some categories of ROS production (e.g. proportion of live hydrogen peroxide negative spermatozoa, p < .0001), but the degree of improvement varied among stallions and type of ROS (p < .05-p < .0001). Total and progressive motility were also better in SLC samples than in CON at 24 and 48 hr (p < .0001), although the effect on sperm kinematics varied. The interaction of treatment, time and stallion was not significant. In conclusion, sperm quality was better in SLC samples than in CON, although there was considerable individual variation among stallions. The improvement in sperm quality, particularly in chromatin integrity, was clearly beneficial, and therefore the use of this technique would be warranted for all stallion semen samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyad Al-Kass
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Alexander Brown
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Johannisson
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Theodoros Ntallaris
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jane M Morrell
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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Raspa M, Putti S, Paoletti R, Barboni B, Ramal-Sanchez M, Lanuti P, Marchisio M, D'Atri M, Ortolani C, Papa S, Valbonetti L, Bernabo N, Scavizzi F. The impact of five years storage/biobanking at -80°C on mouse spermatozoa fertility, physiology, and function. Andrology 2021; 9:989-999. [PMID: 33427410 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously demonstrated how mouse spermatozoa can be efficiently stored for two years in a -80°C freezer, maintaining their ability to fertilize mouse eggs. OBJECTIVES The main objective here was to evaluate the effects of five years at -80°C compared to liquid nitrogen storage (LN2 , control condition) on mouse sperm viability, physiological parameters, and fertilization capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three different strains were used: C57BL/6N, C57BL/6J and CD1. Flow cytometry experiments were performed to analyze sperm viability (SYBR-14 + Propidium Iodide +Hoechst33342), the intracellular calcium concentration (Fluo 3-AM), the membrane lipid disorder (Merocyanine 540), and the mitochondrial activity (MitoTracker Red) in live spermatozoa. The in vitro fertilization (IVF) was used to evaluate the sperm fertilizing ability. RESULTS Flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentage of live cells are reduced in B6N and B6J, but not in CD1 mice. However, in the live population no differences in terms of intracellular calcium concentration, membrane lipid disorder, and mitochondrial activity were reported when comparing both biobanking methods. Spermatozoa stored at -80°C for 5 years successfully fertilized the eggs and developed mouse embryo normally both in culture and in vivo, generating live pups with no differences compared to control samples stored in LN2 . DISCUSSION Long-term mouse sperm storage at -80°C (five years) could be considered an ideal alternative to the most common LN2 approach, giving economical and logistic advantages. Moreover, the precise information originated from the flow cytometry analysis stands up this technique as an optimal strategy to evaluate the sperm quality and ranking. CONCLUSION It is demonstrated here the possibility to store mouse spermatozoa for up to five years in a -80°C freezer with no significant differences compared to the storage in LN2 in terms of fertilizing ability, sperm viability, intracellular calcium concentration, membrane lipid disorder, and mitochondrial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo (Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Putti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo (Rome, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marina Ramal-Sanchez
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Paola Lanuti
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center on Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Marchisio
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center on Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mario D'Atri
- Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino PU, Italy.,Sharp Solutions Software, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortolani
- Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino PU, Italy.,Sharp Solutions Software, Udine, Italy
| | - Stefano Papa
- Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino PU, Italy
| | - Luca Valbonetti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo (Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo (Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo (Rome, Italy
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29
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Liman MS, Franco V, Cardoso CL, Longobardi V, Gasparrini B, Wheeler MB, Rubessa M, Esposito G. Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Conjugated Linoleic Acids and Their Inclusion in Semen Extenders on Bovine Sperm Quality. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020483. [PMID: 33673045 PMCID: PMC7917996 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Suboptimal fertility in males accounts for about two-thirds of infertility cases, thus being of serious concern for the dairy industry, where optimal fertility is fundamental for farm profitability. Although genetic defects responsible for subfertility have been identified, the role of seminal compounds on fertility remain unclear. Feeding rumen-protected isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to dairy cows reportedly enhances circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. In breeding bulls, the IGF-I concentration in seminal plasma has been positively correlated with fertility rates. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary CLA supplementation and of their inclusion to the semen extender on bovine semen quality and freezability. Abstract Isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) enhances circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. Furthermore, fertility rate of breeding bulls is positively correlated to seminal plasma IGF-I concentration. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of dietary CLA supplementation and inclusion to the semen extender on bovine semen quality and freezability. Fourteen bulls, randomly assigned to control (CTL) and CLA (50 g/day) groups, were supplemented for 10 weeks. Samples were collected at Weeks −2 (before supplementation), 0, 4, 6 (during supplementation), 10, and 11 (after supplementation). Blood and seminal plasma were analyzed for IGF-I; the ejaculates were frozen in the following subgroups: CTL (no addition to semen extender), CLA c9, t11 (50 µM), CLA c9, t11 (100 µM), CLA t10, c12 (50 µM), CLA t10, c12 (100 µM), and CLA mix (50 µM each of CLA c9, t11 and CLA t10, c12). Sperm motility, morphology, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxidative species were assessed. CLA supplementation decreased ejaculates’ total volume, increased sperm concentration, beat cross frequency, and decreased oxidative stress; it also increased plasma and seminal plasma IGF-I levels compared to the CTL. The inclusion of CLA c9, t11 100 µM and CLA mixture in the extender increased live spermatozoa percentage post-thawing compared to other groups. Our results show a beneficial effect of CLA supplementation on semen quality; however, further studies evaluating fertilization rates are necessary to corroborate the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S. Liman
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa; (M.S.L.); (C.L.C.)
- Niger State Livestock and Fisheries Institute, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, 920001 Niger State, Nigeria
| | - Vittoria Franco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (V.F.); (V.L.); (B.G.)
| | - Claudia L. Cardoso
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa; (M.S.L.); (C.L.C.)
| | - Valentina Longobardi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (V.F.); (V.L.); (B.G.)
| | - Bianca Gasparrini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (V.F.); (V.L.); (B.G.)
| | - Matthew B. Wheeler
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (M.B.W.); (M.R.)
| | - Marcello Rubessa
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; (M.B.W.); (M.R.)
| | - Giulia Esposito
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pretoria, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa; (M.S.L.); (C.L.C.)
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, 7600 Stellenbosch, South Africa
- RUM&N Sas, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-328-973-509
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30
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Judycka S, Nynca J, Hliwa P, Ciereszko A. Characteristics and Cryopreservation of Semen of Sex-Reversed Females of Salmonid Fish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:964. [PMID: 33478050 PMCID: PMC7835994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex reversal has been used as a breeding strategy by salmonid fish to produce genetically and phenotypically single sex populations. Production of all-female fish has great importance for the creation of monosex female triploids of salmonid fish, which are valued for their sterility, lack of female maturation, and larger commercial size. Among salmonids, the majority of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production is based on all-female production with a high proportion of all-female triploid production in Europe. The main aim of this review is to present the recent knowledge regarding sex-reversed females (SRFs) of salmonid fish. We discuss the methods of sex reversal as well as their effects on the morphology and histology of the reproductive tract. We focus on the characteristics of SRF semen as well as the factors determining semen quality. The lower quality of SRF sperm compared to that of normal males has resulted in the need for the artificial maturation of semen. Most importantly, methods of semen storage-both short-term and long-term (cryopreservation)-that can improve hatchery operations are presented with the special emphasis on recent progress in development of efficient cryopreservation procedures and use of cryopreserved semen in hatchery practice. Moreover, we also address the emerging knowledge concerning the proteomic investigations of salmonid sperm, focusing primarily on the proteomic comparison of normal male and SRF testicular semen and presenting changes in SRF rainbow trout sperm proteome after in vitro incubation in artificial seminal plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Judycka
- Department of Gametes and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (J.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Joanna Nynca
- Department of Gametes and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (J.N.); (A.C.)
| | - Piotr Hliwa
- Department of Ichthyology and Aquaculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska St. 117A, 10-701 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Ciereszko
- Department of Gametes and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (J.N.); (A.C.)
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Mannosylated glycoconjugates on the surface of activated sperm in the giant freshwater prawn are crucial for sperm binding with the egg vitelline envelop. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 384:179-193. [PMID: 33427951 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03324-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The unusual morphology and poorly defined acrosome-like structure in the mature sperm of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii has led to difficulties in identifying the state of sperm activation. Mature distal vas deferens sperm (dVSp) can be activated by the calcium ionophore A23187 to show acrosome reaction-like enzymatic activities that increase their binding and penetration capabilities. However, these short-lived enzymatic activities limit their usefulness as a marker of sperm activation for further qualitative and quantitative analyses, leading to our examining the alterations in the exposure of sperm surface glycoconjugates both as markers of sperm activation and for their role in gamete interaction. Our results showed that after A23187 treatment, there was an increased exposure of mannosylated glycoconjugates on the sperm surface revealed by significant Concanavalin A (Con A) staining. Furthermore, sodium metaperiodate pre-treatment, Con A pre-incubation, or co-incubation with α-mannose monosaccharides all significantly reduced A23187-induced dVSp binding to the egg vitelline envelop, demonstrating the importance of sperm surface mannosylated glycoconjugates in the binding process. These same pre-treatments of sperm also resulted in the inhibition of the binding of soluble vitelline envelop proteins (MrVE) to both the sperm surface and to mannosylated dVSp protein bands. Therefore, the present study demonstrated the importance of the exposure of mannosylated glycoconjugates on the surface of activated dVSp, both as a reliable marker of sperm activation and as a binding factor in the gamete interaction process. Furthermore, these findings allow for a better understanding of the surface glycoconjugate-mediated interaction process between gametes in this species of prawn.
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Tetrazolium Salt WST-8 as a Novel and Reliable Chromogenic Indicator for the Assessment of Boar Semen Quality. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122293. [PMID: 33291566 PMCID: PMC7761879 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Good semen quality is an essential factor for breeding success when artificial insemination is performed. However, semen quality can not fully be evaluated by merely sperm viability or motility. Standard semen quality evaluation requires costly automated computer-assisted sperm analysis or specific and laborious labeling procedures before particular parameters can be assessed by flow cytometry. In the current study, we examined whether the 2-[2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl]-3-[4-nitrophenyl]-5-[2,4-disulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium (WST-8) assay, which is widely used in the cell biology field, can be applied to evaluate sperm viability, and moreover, whether the WST-8 reduction rate can correlate with multiple sperm parameters that are related to sperm quality. We demonstrated in this study that the WST-8 assay can be used as a rapid, affordable, and reliable method for the prediction of semen quality in boar. Abstract A tetrazolium salt, 2-[2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl]-3-[4-nitrophenyl]-5-[2,4-disulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium (WST-8), has been used widely to determine cell viability; however, its application in the field of reproduction is still limited due to this assay merely providing information regarding cell viability. The aim of this study was to correlate the WST-8 reduction rate with various sperm quality-related parameters (i.e., sperm viability, motility, progressive motility, acrosome integrity and mitochondria integrity) in order to provide a rapid, reliable and affordable assessment for boar semen quality evaluation. Using different ratios of active/damaged sperm cells, we first validated our sample preparations by standard flow cytometry and computer-assisted sperm analysis. Further analyses demonstrated that the most efficient experimental condition for obtaining a reliable prediction model was when sperm concentration reached 300 × 106 cells/mL with the semen/cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8®) ratio of 200/10 and incubated time of 20 min. Under this set up, the WST-8 reduction rate (differences on optic density reading value, ΔOD at 450 nm) and sperm parameters were highly correlated (p < 0.01) for all sperm parameters evaluated. In the case of limited semen samples, a minimal semen concentration at 150 × 106 cells/mL with the semen/CCK-8® ratio of 200/20 and incubation time for 30 min could still provide reliable prediction of sperm parameters using the WST-8 assay. Our data provide strong evidence for the first time that the WST-8 assay could be used to evaluate boar semen quality with great potential to be applied to different mammalian species.
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Henning HHW, Batz-Schott J, Grünther B, Le Thi X, Waberski D. Fluorescent labelling of boar spermatozoa for quantitative studies on competitive sperm-oviduct binding. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1520-1532. [PMID: 31072452 DOI: 10.1071/rd19081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Invitro sperm-oviduct binding assays enable assessment of the capacity of spermatozoa to form a 'reservoir' in the oviduct. Competitive approaches, such as experimental set-ups that test multiple males or semen samples simultaneously on the same tissue explants, are desirable because they reduce the likelihood of bias when using material from different females. Therefore, we established a fluorescent labelling technique that allows tagging and storage of spermatozoa before competitive studies of sperm-oviduct binding invitro. Fluorescent markers were tested for reliability and compatibility with parameters of boar spermatozoa viability. The addition of seminal plasma after density gradient centrifugation was essential to counteract centrifugation stress during the labelling procedure. It was demonstrated that sperm tagged with MitoTracker Green FM or MitoTracker Red FM can be successfully used in competitive sperm-oviduct binding studies. The assay was sensitive enough to indicate subtle effects of semen storage temperature on the ability of the spermatozoa to contribute to the female sperm reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko H W Henning
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany; and Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584CM Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Julia Batz-Schott
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Benita Grünther
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Xuyen Le Thi
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dagmar Waberski
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany; and Corresponding author.
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Conditioned Medium from Canine Amniotic Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improved Dog Sperm Post-Thaw Quality-Related Parameters. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101899. [PMID: 33081332 PMCID: PMC7603003 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives are used in clinical studies for their anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties. Their use in reproductive medicine is increasing as they have been proved to be beneficial for infertility treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells can secrete factors that influence biological processes in target tissues or cells; these factors are either directly secreted by the cells or mediated through their derivatives. Although the amniotic membrane is easy to obtain and is a good source of stem cells, clinical trials using amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells are still uncommon, especially in reproductive medicine or artificial reproductive technologies. The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of conditioned medium prepared from amniotic membrane-derived stem cells on dog sperm cryopreservation. Our results showed that 10% of the conditioned medium enhanced the quality-related parameters of frozen–thawed sperm cells because of the presence of antioxidants and growth factors in the medium, which probably protected spermatozoa during the freeze–thaw process. These results suggest that conditioned media prepared from amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells might have clinical applications in assisted reproductive technologies. Abstract This study investigated the effects of conditioned medium (CM) from canine amniotic membrane-derived MSCs (cAMSCs) on dog sperm cryopreservation. For this purpose, flow cytometry analysis was performed to characterize cAMSCs. The CM prepared from cAMSCs was subjected to proteomic analysis for the identification of proteins present in the medium. Sperm samples were treated with freezing medium supplemented with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of the CM, and kinetic parameters were evaluated after 4–6 h of chilling at 4 °C to select the best concentration before proceeding to cryopreservation. Quality-related parameters of frozen–thawed sperm were investigated, including motility; kinetic parameters; viability; integrity of the plasma membrane, chromatin, and acrosome; and mitochondrial activity. The results showed that 10% of the CM significantly enhanced motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, and membrane integrity (p < 0.05); however, the analysis of chromatin and acrosome integrity showed no significant differences between the treatment and control groups. Therefore, we concluded that the addition of 10% CM derived from cAMSC in the freezing medium protected dog sperm during the cryopreservation process.
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Langlade C, Buff S, Dias C, Commin L. Assessment of Optimized Frozen/Thawed Semen Samples in Canines with the New A-Kinase Anchor Protein 4 Precursor Biomarker. Biopreserv Biobank 2020; 18:409-414. [PMID: 32808823 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2020.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Optimizing thawing conditions are required to maximize recovery of semen capacities after cryopreservation. This study aimed to assess the effect of thawing procedures on motility recovery and maintenance of semen capacities over time. A fractional factorial design approach was used to reduce the number of repetitions and simultaneously analyze the different interactions. Thirty canine frozen semen samples were thawed under different thawing conditions. Motility and velocity parameters were recorded using a computer-assisted semen analyzer up to 6 hours after thawing. Ten quadratic models were found to be significant, with the most significant effects observed on the velocity parameters. Second, this study allowed us to evaluate the effect of the proAKAP4 marker on frozen/thawed semen, with regard to motility recovery. ProAKAP4 is the precursor of A-kinase anchor protein 4. It has been studied in several species as a marker to assess sperm quality. In our study, the expression of proAKAP4 was determined using flow cytometry. No correlation was found between post-thaw motility parameters and proAKAP4 levels. However, the effects of thawing temperature, incubation time, and straw size were significant and similar to those observed for velocity parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Langlade
- Biological Resource Center CryAnim, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Étoile, France
| | - Samuel Buff
- Biological Resource Center CryAnim, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Étoile, France
| | - Catia Dias
- Biological Resource Center CryAnim, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Étoile, France
| | - Loris Commin
- Biological Resource Center CryAnim, VetAgro Sup, Université de Lyon, Marcy l'Étoile, France
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Cheng H, Han M, Ding J, Wang F, Wang G, Shen L, Wang J, Zheng B, Meng Q, Wang W, Yang S, Li H. Importance of a semen analysis report for determining the relationship between SCSA sperm DNA fragmentation index and assisted reproductive technology pregnancy rate. Reprod Biol 2020; 20:460-464. [PMID: 32798137 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In the past, semen parameters have been the primary diagnostic criteria used to establish male infertility. However, with the exception of sperm motility, which is known to be linked to rates of in vitro fertilization success, these parameters are generally unreliable at accurately predicting the potential fertility of a couple. More recent research has suggested that sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) may be a more robust and reliable means of predicting assisted reproductive outcomes. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between sperm motility, sperm DFI, and rates of clinical pregnancy by analyzing data from 3000 couples dealing with infertility. Using the most recent semen analysis reports available from male partners in these couples, we assessed these parameters and found that the lower the sperm DFI value, the higher the rate of clinical pregnancy. When we assessed the correlation between sperm DFI, sperm motility, and clinical pregnancy, we observed a strong negative correlation between DFI and motility, but observed no significant relationship between sperm motility and pregnancy rates. These results thus indicate that the measurement of DFI via a sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) may be a valuable tool for analyzing semen in order to better predict and improve pregnancy rates in infertile couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Cheng
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Mutian Han
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Fuxin Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Gaigai Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Liyan Shen
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Jiaxiong Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Qingxia Meng
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Shenmin Yang
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, China.
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Yániz J, Alquézar-Baeta C, Yagüe-Martínez J, Alastruey-Benedé J, Palacín I, Boryshpolets S, Kholodnyy V, Gadêlha H, Pérez-Pe R. Expanding the Limits of Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis through the Development of Open Software. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E207. [PMID: 32764457 PMCID: PMC7464510 DOI: 10.3390/biology9080207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems can reduce errors occurring in manual analysis. However, commercial CASA systems are frequently not applicable at the forefront of challenging research endeavors. The development of open source software may offer important solutions for researchers working in related areas. Here, we present an example of this, with the development of three new modules for the OpenCASA software (hosted at Github). The first is the Chemotactic Sperm Accumulation Module, a powerful tool for studying sperm chemotactic behavior, analyzing the sperm accumulation in the direct vicinity of the stimuli. This module was validated by comparing fish sperm accumulation, with or without the influence of an attractant. The analysis clearly indicated cell accumulation in the treatment group, while the distribution of sperm was random in the control group. The second is the Sperm Functionality Module, based on the ability to recognize five sperm subpopulations according to their fluorescence patterns associated with the plasma membrane and acrosomal status. The last module is the Sperm Concentration Module, which expands the utilities of OpenCASA. These last two modules were validated, using bull sperm, by comparing them with visual counting by an observer. A high level of correlation was achieved in almost all the data, and a good agreement between both methods was obtained. With these newly developed modules, OpenCASA is consolidated as a powerful free and open-source tool that allows different aspects of sperm quality to be evaluated, with many potential applications for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Yániz
- BIOFITER Research Group, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, Institute of Environmental Sciences of Aragón (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, Spain; (J.Y.); (I.P.)
| | - Carlos Alquézar-Baeta
- Department of Mathematics, Institute of Mathematics and Applications (IUMA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Jorge Yagüe-Martínez
- Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering (DIIS), Aragón Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), Universidad de Zaragoza, María de Luna 3, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (J.Y.-M.); (J.A.-B.)
| | - Jesús Alastruey-Benedé
- Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering (DIIS), Aragón Institute for Engineering Research (I3A), Universidad de Zaragoza, María de Luna 3, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (J.Y.-M.); (J.A.-B.)
| | - Inmaculada Palacín
- BIOFITER Research Group, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, Institute of Environmental Sciences of Aragón (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, Spain; (J.Y.); (I.P.)
| | - Sergii Boryshpolets
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic; (S.B.); (V.K.); (H.G.)
| | - Vitaliy Kholodnyy
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic; (S.B.); (V.K.); (H.G.)
| | - Hermes Gadêlha
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic; (S.B.); (V.K.); (H.G.)
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, 75 Woodland Rd, Bristol BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Rosaura Pérez-Pe
- BIOFITER Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Institute of Environmental Sciences of Aragón (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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Catalán J, Llavanera M, Bonilla-Correal S, Papas M, Gacem S, Rodríguez-Gil JE, Yeste M, Miró J. Irradiating frozen-thawed stallion sperm with red-light increases their resilience to withstand post-thaw incubation at 38 °C. Theriogenology 2020; 157:85-95. [PMID: 32805646 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether red-light stimulation increases the longevity and resilience of cryopreserved stallion sperm to withstand post-thaw incubation for 120 min. Sixteen frozen straws of 0.5 mL from eight stallions were used. Samples were cryopreserved, thawed through incubation at 38 °C for 30 s and divided into the control and samples exposed to red-light using a triple LED photo-activation system (wavelength: 620-630 nm). Three irradiation protocols consisting of different light-dark-light intervals (1-1-1, 2-2-2 and 3-3-3 min) were tested. Sperm quality parameters were analyzed immediately after light-stimulation (0 min) and after 120 min of incubation at 38 °C. Sperm motility was evaluated using a Computerized Semen Analysis System (CASA), and flow cytometry and different fluorochromes were used to evaluate the integrity and lipid disorder of plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular levels of peroxides and superoxides. Irradiation significantly increased the percentages of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential (1-1-1 pattern) and the intracellular levels of peroxides (2-2-2 pattern) at 0 min. In addition, sperm kinematic parameters (2-2-2 and 3-3-3 patterns) and percentages of viable spermatozoa with low membrane lipid disorder (3-3-3 pattern) were significantly higher in irradiated samples than in the control at 120 min. Our results indicate that red-light stimulation could help increase the resilience of frozen-thawed stallion sperm to withstand post-thaw incubation at 38 °C for 120 min and that these effects rely on the irradiation pattern. Further research should evaluate whether light-stimulation could also have a positive on fertility rates after artificial insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Catalán
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Llavanera
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastián Bonilla-Correal
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Antonio Nariño University, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Marion Papas
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabrina Gacem
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan E Rodríguez-Gil
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Miró
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
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F. Riesco M, Anel-Lopez L, Neila-Montero M, Palacin-Martinez C, Montes-Garrido R, Alvarez M, de Paz P, Anel L. ProAKAP4 as Novel Molecular Marker of Sperm Quality in Ram: An Integrative Study in Fresh, Cooled and Cryopreserved Sperm. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1046. [PMID: 32674525 PMCID: PMC7408074 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To improve artificial insemination protocols in ovine species it is crucial to optimize sperm quality evaluation after preservation technologies. Emerging technologies based on novel biomolecules and related to redox balance and proteins involved in sperm motility such as ProAKAP4 could be successfully applied in ram sperm evaluation. In this work, a multiparametric analysis of fresh, cooled, and cryopreserved ram sperm was performed at different complexity levels. Samples were evaluated in terms of motility (total motility, progressive motility, and curvilinear velocity), viability, apoptosis, content of reactive oxygen species, oxidation‒reduction potential, and ProAKAP4 expression and concentration. As expected, cryopreserved samples showed a significant decrease of sperm quality (p < 0.05), evidencing different freezability classes among samples that were detected by ProAKAP4 analyses. However, in cooled sperm no differences were found concerning motility, viability, apoptosis, ROS content, and redox balance compared to fresh sperm that could explain the reported decrease in fertility rates. However, although the proportion of sperm ProAKAP4 positive-cells remained unaltered in cooled sperm compared to fresh control, the concentration of this protein significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in cooled samples. This altered protein level could contribute to the decrease in fertility rates of cooled samples detected by some authors. More importantly, ProAKAP4 can be established as a promising diagnostic parameter of sperm quality allowing us to optimize sperm conservation protocols and finally improve artificial insemination in ovine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta F. Riesco
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Cellular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis Anel-Lopez
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Marta Neila-Montero
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Cristina Palacin-Martinez
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Montes-Garrido
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Mercedes Alvarez
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Paulino de Paz
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Cellular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Luis Anel
- Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071 León, Spain; (M.F.R.); (M.N.-M.); (C.P.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (M.A.); (P.d.P.); (L.A.)
- Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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Kowalczyk A, Łukaszewicz E, Strzała T, Partyka A, Rosenberger J. Characteristics of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) semen analysed with flow cytometry combined with fertility results. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:984-991. [PMID: 32506759 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In order to increase the reproductive indices of capercaillie kept in closed breeding facilities, it is necessary to constantly expand the methods of better understanding the characteristics of sperm and their fertilizing potency. The aim of the study was to analyse selected features of capercaillie sperm using flow cytometry and their connection with fertility results. The study included five males, three of which were kept in a family group with eight females and two were kept alone. For sperm viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial potential and DNA defragmentation were assessed. Paternity analyses were performed in order to confirm the paternity of the individual and to link the evaluated semen traits with reproductive success. Analyses carried out in the flow cytometer showed any significant differences between males in sperm characteristics. In the semen of male No. 101, the father of all chicks from the analysed family group, 91.3% of live sperm, 91.5% with intact acrosome, 83.6% with active mitochondria and 2.0% with DNA defragmentation were observed. The average fertility rate was 71.0%, and chick hatchability was 100%. Using flow cytometry in the analysis of capercaillie semen and its connection with the results of natural mating, we were able to obtain deeper knowledge about new sperm characteristics that were not examined before and which in the future may be helpful in selecting males for the reproductive flocks and developing assisted reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Kowalczyk
- Division of Poultry Breeding, Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Łukaszewicz
- Division of Poultry Breeding, Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Strzała
- Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Univeristy of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Partyka
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Rosenberger
- Division of Poultry Breeding, Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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Barbăroșie C, Agarwal A, Henkel R. Diagnostic value of advanced semen analysis in evaluation of male infertility. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13625. [PMID: 32458468 DOI: 10.1111/and.13625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional semen analysis is the standard of care to initially evaluate the fertility status of a male patient. However, it has some limitations and among these are failure to correctly identify the aetiology underlying fertility problems, intra- and inter-observer variability and incomplete information about sperm function. Considering these drawbacks, advanced semen tests have been developed to assess male infertility, including sperm function tests, oxidative stress (OS) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) tests. This review illustrates the commonly utilised sperm function techniques, along with the assays used to assess SDF and OS and their diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cătălina Barbăroșie
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Bucci D, Spinaci M, Galeati G, Tamanini C. Different approaches for assessing sperm function. Anim Reprod 2020; 16:72-80. [PMID: 33299480 PMCID: PMC7720929 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Different approaches can be used to assess sperm function in different conditions, i.e. sperm storage, freezing-thawing or activation by induction of capacitation and acrosome reaction. In this review we will focus on the assays routinely performed in our laboratories, giving a literature support to critically analyse different approaches. In fact, researchers usually tend to look for the "one shot" parameter that could explain itself a specific process; it is our conviction that a multiparametric approach is still more valid, as some changes in sperm function are very complex and could be explained only by operating in different ways. Sperm motility, the most evident sperm characteristic, should be assessed by computer-aided sperm analysers that permit an objective evaluation of the motility and its kinematic parameters. Commercial and open source instruments are available and could be profitably used together with specific statistical approaches. The use of microscopy, and particularly fluorescent microscopy, could be a very useful tool to assess different parameters in sperm cells both by fluorophores that give indication of a determined function, and by immunolocalization of proteins, that permits the discover of new features or to explain particular sperm functions. The same substrates could be used also in flow cytometry: the difference is that it permits to study wider sperm populations (and their sub-population distribution). Flow cytometry is undergoing a very wide use in spermatology and technical and experimental rigor is needed to obtain reliable results. Metabolic assessment of sperm features, particularly energetic supply, ATP formation and other enzyme activities, could represent a very important challenge to acquire new information and complete/integrate those derived from other techniques. Finally, functional assays such as oocyte binding and in vitro fertilization, represent a very strong tool to assess sperm function in vitro, as they could evidence the functional intactness of some pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Bucci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcella Spinaci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Galeati
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Tamanini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Sicherle CC, de Souza FF, Freitas-Dell'Aqua CDP, Mothé GB, Padovani CR, Papa FO, Lopes MD. Effects of the cryopreservation process on dog sperm integrity. Anim Reprod 2020; 17:e20190081. [PMID: 32399067 PMCID: PMC7212748 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation has become an indispensable tool in reproductive biology. However, frozen/thawed semen has a short lifespan due to loss of sperm cell integrity. To better understand which sperm cell structures are compromised by the cryopreservation process and apoptosis markers, the sperm of five healthy mature dogs was analyzed in this study. Analysis was performed after collection, cooling, and thawing via computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) and evaluation of membrane fluidity and permeability, phosphatidylserine translocation (Annexin V), membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activity of the apoptotic markers caspases 3 and 7 by flow cytometry. Cryopreservation decreased total and progressive motility and the percentage of rapid sperm (P < 0.01). Damage to sperm cells was confirmed by Annexin V (P < 0.01), indicating that capacitation-like changes were induced by the cryopreservation procedures. An increase in sperm membrane fluidity was also noted in frozen/thawed samples (P < 0.01). Plasma and acrosomal cell membranes were affected (P < 0.01), with decreases in the subpopulation displaying high membrane potential (P < 0.01). Membrane LPO was increased in thawed sperm compared to cooled sperm (P < 0.05) but was not different from that in fresh sperm. No differences were observed in caspase 3 and 7 activity after cooling, freezing, or thawing. In conclusion, total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential suffered from the deleterious effects caused by cryopreservation, unlike the activity of caspases that remained stable during the freezing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Cecilia Sicherle
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Fabiana Ferreira de Souza
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Camila de Paula Freitas-Dell'Aqua
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Gabriele Barros Mothé
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Carlos Roberto Padovani
- Departamento de Bioestatística, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Frederico Ozanam Papa
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
| | - Maria Denise Lopes
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brasil
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Pereira VR, Pereira DR, de Melo Tavares Vieira KC, Ribas VP, Constantino CJL, Antunes PA, Favareto APA. Sperm quality of rats exposed to difenoconazole using classical parameters and surface-enhanced Raman scattering: classification performance by machine learning methods. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:35253-35265. [PMID: 31701422 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06407-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Difenoconazole is a fungicide extensively used in agriculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of difenoconazole fungicide on the sperm quality of rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control and exposed to 5 (D5), 10 (D10), or 50 mg-1 kg bw-1day (D50) of difenoconazole for 30 days, by gavage. Classical sperm parameters and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) were performed. Progressive motility, acrosomal integrity, and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were reduced in the D10 and D50 groups in comparison with the control group. Sperm viability was reduced only in the D50 group. Sperm number in the testis and caput/corpus epididymis and daily sperm production were reduced in the three exposed groups. SERS measurements showed changes in the spectra of spermatozoa from D50 group, suggesting DNA damage. In addition, machine learning (ML) methods were used to evaluate the performance of three classification algorithms (artificial neural network-ANN, K-nearest neighbors-K-NN, and support vector machine-SVM) in the identification task of the groups exposed to difenoconazole. The results obtained by ML algorithms were very promising with accuracy ≥ 90% and validated the hypothesis of the exposure to difenoconazole reduces sperm quality. In conclusion, exposure of rats to different doses of the fungicide difenoconazole may impair sperm quality, with a recognizable classification pattern of exposure groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Ribas Pereira
- Graduate Program in Environment and Regional Development, University of Western São Paulo - UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP. 19.067-175, Brazil
| | - Danillo Roberto Pereira
- Graduate Program in Environment and Regional Development, University of Western São Paulo - UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP. 19.067-175, Brazil
| | - Kátia Cristina de Melo Tavares Vieira
- Graduate Program in Environment and Regional Development, University of Western São Paulo - UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP. 19.067-175, Brazil
| | - Vitor Pereira Ribas
- College of Science, Letters and Education from Presidente Prudente - FACLEPP, University of Western São Paulo - UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP. 19.067-175, Brazil
| | - Carlos José Leopoldo Constantino
- School of Technology and Applied Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Alexandra Antunes
- College of Science, Letters and Education from Presidente Prudente - FACLEPP, University of Western São Paulo - UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP. 19.067-175, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Alves Favareto
- Graduate Program in Environment and Regional Development, University of Western São Paulo - UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, SP, CEP. 19.067-175, Brazil.
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Neuhauser S, Bollwein H, Siuda M, Handler J. Effects of Different Freezing Protocols on Motility, Viability, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, Intracellular Calcium Level, and DNA Integrity of Cryopreserved Equine Epididymal Sperm. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 82:102801. [PMID: 31732114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different freezing procedures on sperm motion, viability, the acrosome status, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular calcium content, and DNA integrity on epididymal stallion sperm. Therefore, the sperm of 10 healthy stallions was harvested by retrograde flushing after testectomy, diluted with a semen extender containing defined milk proteins and a freezing extender containing egg yolk and glycerol and frozen according to 4 different protocols, using a programmable freezer and a floating rack performing a slow (processes 1 and 2) or a fast cooling rate (processes 3 and 4, respectively). Post-thaw total motility and slow sperm values were lower when using process 4 compared with processes 1 and 2 (P < .05) after 1 hour of incubation. Progressive motility was lower in process 4 compared with process 1 immediately after thawing and after 1 hour of incubation (P < .05). The amount of rapid sperm was lower when using process 4 compared with process 1 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, the amount of rapid sperm was lower when using process 4 compared with processes 1 and 2 (P < .05). Higher values for viable sperm were seen in processes 1 and 2 compared with process 4 (P < .05) after 1 hour of incubation. Immediately after thawing, more viable sperm with high MMP (hMMP) were observed when using process 3 compared with process 2 (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, a significantly higher amount of viable hMMP sperm were detected when using processes 1 and 2 compared with process 4 (P < .05). Process 2 yielded a lower percentage of sperm containing low calcium (lCa) than process 3 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, the lowest amount of lCa sperm was observed using process 4 (P < .05). The subpopulation of viable/hMMP/lCa sperm was higher when using process 3 compared with process 2 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, the lowest amount of this subpopulation was detected in process 4 (P < .05). The DNA integrity was similar in all groups. In conclusion, a slow cooling rate with a controlled rate freezer resulted in best sperm quality after thawing. Using a floating rack in nitrogen vapor as an alternative to a programmable freezer, equilibration in a cooled environment is advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Equine Reproduction Unit, Freie Universität Berlin, Bad Saarow, Germany
| | - Heiner Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Handler
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Equine Reproduction Unit, Freie Universität Berlin, Bad Saarow, Germany.
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Bruinjé T, Ponce-Barajas P, Dourey A, Colazo M, Caldwell T, Wang Z, Miller S, Ambrose D. Morphology, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function in sperm of crossbred beef bulls selected for residual feed intake. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2018-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T.C. Bruinjé
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - P. Ponce-Barajas
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - A. Dourey
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - M.G. Colazo
- Livestock Research and Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6, Canada
| | - T. Caldwell
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Z. Wang
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - S.P. Miller
- Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - D.J. Ambrose
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
- Livestock Research and Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6, Canada
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47
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Elsayed HYA, Borroto ET, Pliego AB, Dibarrat JA, Ramirez FR, Chagoyán JCV, Salas NP, Diaz-Albiter H. Sperm Quality in Mouse After Exposure to Low Doses of TCDD. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:931-943. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190520090132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background:
In the last decade, the harmful use of dioxin has been demonstrated in human
health and in the whole environment. It is well known among scientists that 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachloro
dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental pollutant that causes endocrine disruption, which causes
male reproductive toxicity.
Objective:
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity effect of low doses of TCDD
in male CD1 mice.
Materials and Methods:
Three concentrations of TCDD (0.375, 0.75, 1.5 mg / kg) were analyzed and
the effects on spermatozoa were evaluated 10 days after oral administration of the product. As
bioindicators of TCDD toxicity, an exhaustive analysis of several spermatic parameters including
motility, vitality, count, morphology and viability, flow cytometry was used to determine the affected
sperm population by cytotoxicity and apoptosis. In addition, a morphometric analysis of testicles was
performed.
Results:
The results show that the body weight of the treated animals was reduced in medium and high
doses (0.75, 1.5 mg / kg) with respect to the control groups. In the groups treated with TCDD, the
abnormal head of the sperm increased by 52.5% more than the control group. Significant differences in
apoptosis were observed between the negative control and vehicle control, including the median dose
(0.75 mg / kg).
Conclusion:
It is concluded that at these low doses there was an impact on the quality of the mouse
sperm, adding an effect on apoptosis and cytotoxicity of sperm exposed to these doses of TCDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Yehia Anwar Elsayed
- Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Esvieta Tenorio Borroto
- Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Alberto Barbabosa Pliego
- Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Jorge Acosta Dibarrat
- Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | | | - Juan Carlos Vázquez Chagoyán
- Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Nazario Pescador Salas
- Centro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Hector Diaz-Albiter
- Universidad Tecnologica del Valla de Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
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Abstract
Spermatozoa must possess many attributes to fertilize an egg but few laboratory methods can assess all of these attributes simultaneously and objectively. Most laboratory methods used to assess the quality of semen in veterinary andrology can be inaccurate and time-consuming. Laboratory techniques which evaluate only one sperm attribute, often provide results that have a weak correlation with fertility. Therefore, semen used for artificial insemination should not be assessed based on the results of one method only but rather on the comprehensive results of several laboratory tests. Flow cytometry is a modern method of analysing diJ169fferent types of cells, including sperm cells. It is based on the scattering of light and fluorescence, the outcome of which yields results that are recorded and evaluated by computer technology which makes an objective assessment. Flow cytometry in combination with fluorescence microscopy and fluorescent probes provides a comprehensive, accurate, objective, and rapid analysis of the ejaculate. In a short time frame it allows us to test thousands of sperm for their structure and properties, even with a minimal amount of semen. This method enables the evaluation of several indicators simultaneously in a population of sperm as a whole or for each sperm individually. It informs us about the selected indicators of sperm quality in the sample by examining the membrane integrity, DNA, mitochondria, acrosome, oxidative stress, and other properties. Flow cytometry has become an important method of evaluating the functional and morphological properties of sperm and is used for research in veterinary science as well as for a routine assessment of the semen quality.
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Díaz-Miranda EA, Maitan PP, Machado TP, Camilo BS, Lima DA, Okano DS, Penitente-Filho JM, Machado-Neves M, de Oliveira LL, Guimarães SEF, da Costa EP, Guimarães JD. Disruption of bovine sperm functions in the presence of aplastic midpiece defect. Andrology 2019; 8:201-210. [PMID: 30908900 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bulls are of great importance in the productive chain and for this reason they should have a good semen quality. There is no doubt that sperm morphology is very important to bull fertility, although little is known about how exactly the abnormal morphologies may affect sperm functions. OBJECTIVES To detail the morphological description of the aplastic midpiece defect (AMD), as well as to understand its consequences for male fertility based on membrane and acrosome status, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA integrity parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS The bulls were divided into two groups: control, consisting of satisfactory potential breeders (n = 3); and AMD, consisting of unsatisfactory potential breeders with a high percentage of AMD (n = 3). Bulls were evaluated by the breeding soundness evaluation; five ejaculates were collected from each animal and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Spermatozoa from AMD group exhibited lower sperm motility and vigor (p < 0.05). In addition, it also exhibited lower mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.05), a higher percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation (p < 0.05), lower acrosome and plasma membrane integrity (p < 0.05), and higher lipid bilayer sperm membrane disorganization (p < 0.05) in comparison with control bulls. DISCUSSION These findings may be due to oxidative stress and a reduction of the energy production capacity in addition to an alteration in the structural composition of the sperm cell. Moreover, semen with a high percentage of AMD may also be undergoing apoptosis. CONCLUSION Bulls with a high percentage of AMD in their semen are not suitable for reproduction. Furthermore, it suggests there is a putative genetic basis for this sperm defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Díaz-Miranda
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - P P Maitan
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - T P Machado
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - B S Camilo
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - D A Lima
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - D S Okano
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - J M Penitente-Filho
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - M Machado-Neves
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - L L de Oliveira
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - S E F Guimarães
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - E P da Costa
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - J D Guimarães
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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El-Nattat WS, El-Sheshtawy RI. Semen quality of preserved buffalo semen extended in tris extender with processed yolk enriched with strawberry juice (Fragaria spp.). Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:1267-1271. [PMID: 30689156 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01829-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Strawberry fruit is rich in natural antioxidants supplemented as a preservative in semen extenders. There is little literature regarding its application in cattle bulls. So, the aim of the present study was to explore the impact of strawberry juice beside LDL derived from egg yolk on buffalo spermatozoa during cooling and cryopreservation. Collected semen was pooled to be divided in aliquots. Semen was diluted in tris-Citrate-Fructose-yolk low-density lipoprotein (TLCF) (control, 0% strawberry juice (SB)) and in six different concentrations (1-6%) of tris-LDL-strawberry diluent (TLSB) to ensure 60 million motile spermatozoa/mL. The cooled diluted semen in 0.25-mL polyvinyl French straws were processed and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (LN2). Extended semen was evaluated (motility %, alive %, abnormality %, and normal sperm membrane (HOST) %) in the preserved semen. Data output revealed that sperm motility of post-chilled spermatozoa improved on adding strawberry concentrations 3 and 4% in TLCF extender. In frozen semen, SB concentration 1 and 2% gave the best significance (P < 0.0014) sperm motility relative to the control. With respect to the alive sperm percent, the majority of the concentrations used showed significant higher alive sperm relative to the control. The sperm abnormalities was significant (P < 0.0001) lower in most of the supplemented concentrations relative to the control. HOST percentage was kept in every concentration. It could be concluded that enrichment of 1-4% strawberry juice in tris-LDL extender improved semen quality post-cooling and post-freezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid S El-Nattat
- Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt.
| | - Reda I El-Sheshtawy
- Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt
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