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Dierberger H, Pieper L, Jung M, Schulze M. Vibration emissions affect the quality of liquid-preserved AI doses in stallions. Theriogenology 2024; 218:1-7. [PMID: 38280300 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.018] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) with liquid-preserved stallion semen is a widely used reproductive technology. As the demand for AI doses of high-class stallions is transnational, they are frequently exposed to long-distance transport. Since recent studies in boars indicated that vibration emissions caused by transport negatively affected sperm quality in vitro, this study questioned whether sperm quality in stallions is similarly impaired. Furthermore, we investigated stallion and extender-related differences in the spermatozoa's resistance to transport-related quality loss. Stallion ejaculates (n = 30) were collected at a German AI center, split in half, and subsequently diluted to a final sperm concentration of 50 × 106 sperm/mL using the semen extenders EquiPlus or Gent (both Minitüb GmbH, Germany). Four 12 mL aliquots of each sample were filled in plastic syringes according to a split-sample design and exposed to vibration (Displacement index Di = 3.0 ± 0.1) at 5 °C for 0 h (control), 3 h, 6 h or 9 h. All samples were stored for four days at 5 °C after transport simulation and analyzed for total sperm motility, thermo-resistance, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity determined by flow cytometry as well as the pH. After calculating generalized linear mixed models for each sperm quality trait, a negative impact of the duration of transport simulation could be shown on total sperm motility (P = 0.001), thermo-resistance (P = 0.030), and the pH (P = 0.001). Simulated transport for 6 h and 9 h diminished sperm quality (P ≤ 0.01), with 9 h reducing thermo-resistance by 5 ± 2.2% points (PP) for EquiPlus and sperm motility by 2.2 ± 1.7 PP for Gent compared to the control group. In contrast, samples exposed to vibration for 3 h showed no decline in sperm quality (P > 0.05). The individual stallion influenced every semen trait (P < 0.05) and transport-related losses in sperm thermo-resistance of up to 15.9 PP were demonstrated. Furthermore, EquiPlus was superior to Gent in all semen assessments (P < 0.001). We conclude that in vitro sperm quality is impaired by vibration. As the quality loss depends on the transport time, we recommend keeping shipping time as short as possible especially for spermatozoa of stallions that are susceptible to vibration-induced sperm quality loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Dierberger
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
| | - Laura Pieper
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
| | - Markus Jung
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
| | - Martin Schulze
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany.
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2
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Gloria A, Henning H, Di Francesco L, Contri A. Osmotic tolerance of rabbit spermatozoa is affected by extender composition and temperature. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 229:106763. [PMID: 33975265 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sperm osmotic adaptability to anisosmotic conditions is important for sperm epididymal maturation, motility activation at ejaculation, and female tract colonization, or for conducting technological procedures such as cryopreservation. Several factors affect this adaptability, including the fluid composition that contributes to water flow dynamics, and the temperature at which osmotic stress is initiated. This study was designed to investigate the effect of medium composition (electrolyte- or sugar-based extender) and temperature (25 and 5 °C) on rabbit sperm adaptability to anisosmotic conditions. Rabbit spermatozoa, therefore, were diluted at both temperatures (25 and 5 °C) in electrolyte- or sugar-based media at increasing osmotic conditions (100 to 1,000 mOsm/kg), and values for sperm variables (sperm kinetics, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential) were estimated as endpoints. Sperm kinetics seemed to be more sensitive to osmotic stress than membrane integrity or mitochondrial function. The effect of moderate hypoosmotic stress did not differ when there was use of sugar- and electrolyte-based extenders at 25 °C (P > 0.05). In hyper-tonic conditions at 25 °C, the sugar-based extender was more effective in protecting sperm membrane integrity and mitochondrial function (P < 0.05). The lesser temperature made the differences more relevant because of the detrimental effect of hyperosmotic stress was more evident in the electrolyte-based extender at 5 °C (P < 0.05). The results from this study indicated rabbit spermatozoa have different adaptability to anisosmotic conditions induced by sugar- and electrolyte-based media and that the temperature at which the osmotic stress is initiated affects the cellular response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Gloria
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d'Accio, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Heiko Henning
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Höltystrasse 10, Neustadt am Rübenberge, 31535, Germany
| | - Lucia Di Francesco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d'Accio, Teramo, 64100, Italy
| | - Alberto Contri
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Teramo, via Balzarini 1, Teramo, 64100, Italy.
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3
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Tharasanit T, Tiptanavattana N, Oravetdilok K, Tuangsintanakul T, Sirithanyakul P, Tanvetthayanont P. Optimal concentration of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitor improved sperm membrane functionality and fertilizing ability of cryopreserved-thawed feline sperm. Theriogenology 2019; 144:27-32. [PMID: 31887653 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation induces irreversible loss of viability and fertilizing ability. This study aimed at examining the effects of Rho-associated, coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitor on quality of frozen-thawed feline sperm. Ejaculated semen from individual cats (n = 6) was examined for the expression of LIMK1 and LIMK2 mediated ROCK cascade. The effects of ROCK inhibitor during cooling and cryopreservation on sperm quality and fertilizing ability were also examined. Feline sperm were treated with different concentrations of ROCK inhibitor (10, 20 and 40 μM) during cooling at 4 °C and cryopreservation. Sperm cooled and conventionally cryopreserved without ROCK inhibitor (0 μM) served as a control group. The ROCK cascade was confirmed in feline sperm as they expressed mRNA of LIMK1 and LIMK2 genes. Cryopreservation significantly reduced sperm quality in terms of viability (91.63 ± 3.96 vs. 60.11 ± 8.93), progressive motility (91.67 ± 3.54 vs. 46.67 ± 8.66) and acrosome integrity (93.49 ± 3.64 vs. 63.81 ± 5.31) for fresh and frozen-thawed sperm, respectively (p < 0.05). The positive effects of ROCK inhibitor on sperm quality were pronounced at 1 and 3 h post-thaw. ROCK inhibitor at 10 μM significantly improved sperm motility and membrane functionality compared to those observed in a control group (0 μM) (p < 0.05). In vitro fertilization revealed that supplement ROCK inhibitor at 10 μM during cryopreservation significantly improved in vitro fertilizing ability of the frozen-thawed sperm (p < 0.05). However, it did not subsequently increase morula and blastocyst rates (p > 0.05). Increased concentrations of ROCK inhibitor to 20 and 40 μM did not further improve the quality of frozen-thawed sperm. In conclusion, an optimal concentration (10 μM) of the ROCK inhibitor added into cooling medium could improve post-thaw sperm quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theerawat Tharasanit
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; The Research and Development Center for Livestock Production Technology, The Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Narong Tiptanavattana
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Krittin Oravetdilok
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Tiraporn Tuangsintanakul
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Pisit Sirithanyakul
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Potsawat Tanvetthayanont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
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4
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Ondřej Š, Jiří Š, Jan B, Pavla MP, Lucie T, Doležalová M, Petra F, Luděk S, Radko R. Low Density Lipoprotein - important player in increasing cryoprotective efficiency of soybean lecithin-based bull semen extenders. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:267-276. [PMID: 33224286 PMCID: PMC7673600 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2018-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, considering cryopreservation of bull semen, there is no clear consensus over the comparability of cryoprotective efficacy of extenders with soybean lecithin and those based on egg yolk. The objective of this study was to prove the use of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) extracted from hen-egg yolk as an enhancing factor for soybean lecithin-based extenders. In total, 35 ejaculates of (seven bulls x five ejaculates per bull) were collected and cryopreserved at a commercial insemination centre. The effect of the LDL addition to the extenders AndroMed® and Bioxcell® was tested in a 6% (v/v) concentration on spermatozoa after thawing. Modified extender composition effects were assessed on sperm functional parameters motility, plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential and acrosomal integrity after thawing by CASA, flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy, respectively. Based on kinematic parameters determined from CASA, k-means cluster analysis was used to classify individual spermatozoon into specific subpopulations (fast, medium fast and slow). A subpopulation of fast spermatozoa was increased in the presence of LDL in both selected extenders (P < 0.05). Moreover, the positive effect of LDL on sperm motility was confirmed by decreasing the percentage of sperm in slow subpopulation (P < 0.05). The effect of LDL addition on the incidence of spermatozoa with intact plasma membrane was not demonstrated in any case of extender used (P > 0.05). The percentage of sperm with intact acrosome was improved when LDL was added to Bioxcell® extender (P < 0.05). On the other hand, addition of LDL to AndroMed® extender improved mitochondrial intactness after thawing (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that adding LDL to selected soybean lecithin-based extenders considerably ameliorated the functional parameters of spermatozoa after thawing and thus this lipoprotein could represent an improving agent for soybean lecithin-based extender for bull semen cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šimoník Ondřej
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, v.v.i., Biocev, Průmyslová, Czech Republic
| | - Šichtař Jiří
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Beran Jan
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Zootechnical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Maňásková-Postlerová Pavla
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, v.v.i., Biocev, Průmyslová, Czech Republic
| | - Tůmová Lucie
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Doležalová
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Folková Petra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Stádník Luděk
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rajmon Radko
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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5
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Hernández-Avilés C, Gómez-Romero M, Buitrago-Horta R, Lozano-Márquez H, Jiménez-Escobar C, Zambrano-Varón J. Evaluation of Post-Thaw Sperm Function and Integrity Parameters Under Different Freezing Regimens in Colombian Paso Fino Stallions. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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6
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Tsikis G, Reynaud K, Ferchaud S, Druart X. Seminal plasma differentially alters the resistance of dog, ram and boar spermatozoa to hypotonic stress. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 193:1-8. [PMID: 29706418 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
During ejaculation and the deposition in the female genital tract, spermatozoa undergo hypo-osmotic stress and need to withstand it for optimal fertility. Resistance to hypo-osmotic stress may be affected by the interaction of the spermatozoa with seminal fluid components. The hypo-osmotic resistance of epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa from dogs, rams and boars was assessed by flow cytometric measurement of sperm viability after incubation in NaCl solutions with osmolalities ranging from 0 to 300 mmol/kg. The hypotonic resistance of epididymal spermatozoa was greater than those of ejaculated spermatozoa in all three species. Among species comparison revealed that ejaculated spermatozoa from dogs were much more resistant than those from rams and boars as 80.4 ± 5.3%, 56.7 ± 4.7 and 9.6 ± 3.6% of live spermatozoa were observed following exposure to an osmolality of 90 mmol/kg in dogs, rams and boars respectively. This can be explained by the fact that dog, ram and boar differ markedly in composition of the seminal plasma owing to the presence (ram, boar) or absence (dog) of seminal vesicles. Hypotonic resistance of epididymal and ejaculated dog spermatozoa was similar whereas ram and boar spermatozoa showed a marked drop in resistance after ejaculation. The in vitro incubation of boar epididymal spermatozoa with raw seminal plasma or the seminal plasma protein fraction induced a similar loss of resistance, suggesting that seminal proteins are involved in the lack of resistance to hypotonic stress of boar ejaculated spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Tsikis
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37000 Tours, France; IFCE, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
| | - Karine Reynaud
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37000 Tours, France; IFCE, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Stéphane Ferchaud
- INRA, GenESI, UE 1372 Génétique, expérimentations et systèmes innovants, F-86480 Rouillé, France
| | - Xavier Druart
- INRA, UMR 85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; CNRS, UMR7247, F-37380 Nouzilly, France; Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37000 Tours, France; IFCE, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, F-37380 Nouzilly, France
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7
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De Oliveira RA, Budik S, Aurich C. Influence of partial or total replacement of glycerol by alternative cryoprotectants in Ghent freezing extender on post-thaw sperm quality in stallions. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 52:715-721. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- RA De Oliveira
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer; Vetmeduni Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - S Budik
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer; Vetmeduni Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - C Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer; Vetmeduni Vienna; Vienna Austria
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8
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Ertmer F, Oldenhof H, Schütze S, Rohn K, Wolkers WF, Sieme H. Induced sub-lethal oxidative damage affects osmotic tolerance and cryosurvival of spermatozoa. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:1739-1750. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
If the physiological balance between production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is shifted towards production of ROS this may result in accumulation of cell damage over time. In this study stallion spermatozoa were incubated with xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X–XO) to artificially generate defined levels of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide resulting in sub-lethal oxidative damage. The effects of X–XO treatment on various sperm characteristics were studied. Special emphasis was placed on sperm osmotic tolerance pre-freeze and its correlation with cryosurvival, given that cryopreservation exposes cells to osmotic stress. ROS accumulation occurred predominantly in the sperm midpiece region, where the mitochondria are located. Exposing spermatozoa to increasing X–XO concentrations resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in sperm motility. Percentages of plasma membrane-intact spermatozoa were not affected, whereas stability of membranes towards hypotonic stress decreased with increasing levels of induced oxidative stress. Infrared spectroscopic studies showed that X–XO treatment does not alter sperm membrane phase behaviour. Spermatozoa exposed to higher oxidative stress levels pre-freeze exhibited reduced cryosurvival. Centrifugation processing and addition of catalase were found to have little beneficial effect. Taken together, these results show that treatment of spermatozoa with X–XO resulted in different levels of intracellular ROS, which decreased sperm osmotic tolerance and cryosurvival.
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9
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Barrier Battut I, Kempfer A, Becker J, Lebailly L, Camugli S, Chevrier L. Development of a new fertility prediction model for stallion semen, including flow cytometry. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1111-1131. [PMID: 27207472 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Several laboratories routinely use flow cytometry to evaluate stallion semen quality. However, objective and practical tools for the on-field interpretation of data concerning fertilizing potential are scarce. A panel of nine tests, evaluating a large number of compartments or functions of the spermatozoa: motility, morphology, viability, mitochondrial activity, oxidation level, acrosome integrity, DNA integrity, "organization" of the plasma membrane, and hypoosmotic resistance, was applied to a population of 43 stallions, 33 of which showing widely differing fertilities (19%-84% pregnancy rate per cycle [PRC]). Analyses were performed either within 2 hours after semen collection or after 24-hour storage at 4 °C in INRA96 extender, on three to six ejaculates for each stallion. The aim was to provide data on the distribution of values among said population, showing within-stallion and between-stallion variability, and to determine whether appropriate combinations of tests could evaluate the fertilizing potential of each stallion. Within-stallion repeatability, defined as intrastallion correlation (r = between-stallion variance/total variance) ranged between 0.29 and 0.84 for "conventional" variables (viability, morphology, and motility), and between 0.15 and 0.81 for "cytometric" variables. Those data suggested that analyzing six ejaculates would be adequate to characterize a stallion. For most variables, except those related to DNA integrity and some motility variables, results differed significantly between immediately performed analyses and analyses performed after 24 hours at 4 °C. Two "best-fit" combinations of variables were determined. Factorial discriminant analysis using a first combination of seven variables, including the polarization of mitochondria, acrosome integrity, DNA integrity, and hypoosmotic resistance, permitted exact determination of the fertility group for each stallion: fertile, that is, PRC higher than 55%; intermediate, that is, 45% < PRC less than 55%; or subfertile, that is, PRC less than 45%. Linear regression using another combination of 20 variables, including motility, viability, oxidation level, acrosome integrity, DNA integrity, and hypoosmotic resistance, accounted for 94.2% of the variability regarding fertility and was used to calculate a prediction of the PRC with a mean standard deviation of 3.1. The difference between the observed fertility and the calculated value ranged from -4.2 to 5.0. In conclusion, this study enabled to determine a new protocol for the evaluation of stallion semen, combining microscopical observation, computer-assisted motility analysis and flow cytometry, and providing a high level of fertility prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Kempfer
- I.F.C.E, E.S.C.E., la Jumenterie du Pin, Exmes, France
| | - J Becker
- I.F.C.E, E.S.C.E., la Jumenterie du Pin, Exmes, France
| | - L Lebailly
- I.F.C.E, E.S.C.E., la Jumenterie du Pin, Exmes, France
| | - S Camugli
- R&D Department, IMV Technologies, Saint Ouen sur Iton, France
| | - L Chevrier
- R&D Department, IMV Technologies, Saint Ouen sur Iton, France
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10
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Oldenhof H, Schütze S, Wolkers WF, Sieme H. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of sperm chromatin structure and DNA stability. Andrology 2016; 4:430-41. [PMID: 26916383 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Sperm chromatin structure and condensation determine accessibility for damage, and hence success of fertilization and development. The aim of this study was to reveal characteristic spectral features coinciding with abnormal sperm chromatin packing (i.e., DNA-protein interactions) and decreased fertility, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Chromatin structure in spermatozoa obtained from different stallions was investigated. Furthermore, spermatozoa were exposed to oxidative stress, or treated with thiol-oxidizing and disulfide-reducing agents, to alter chromatin structure and packing. Spectroscopic studies were corroborated with flow cytometric analyses using the DNA-intercalating fluorescent dye acridine orange. Decreased fertility of individuals correlated with increased abnormal sperm morphology and decreased stability toward induced DNA damage. Treatment with the disulfide reducing agent dithiothreitol resulted in increased sperm chromatin decondensation and DNA accessibility, similar as found for less mature epididymal spermatozoa. In situ infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed that characteristic bands arising from the DNA backbone (ν1230, ν1086, ν1051 cm(-1) ) changed in response to induced oxidative damage, water removal, and decondensation. This coincided with changes in the amide-I region (intensity at ν1620 vs. ν1640 cm(-1) ) denoting concomitant changes in protein secondary structure. Reduction in protein disulfide bonds resulted in a decreased value of the asymmetric to symmetric phosphate band intensity (ν1230/ν1086 cm(-1) ), suggesting that this band ratio is sensitive for the degree of chromatin condensation. Moreover, when analyzing spermatozoa from different individuals, it was found that the asymmetric/symmetric phosphate band ratio negatively correlated with the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Oldenhof
- Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Schütze
- Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,National Stud Lower Saxony, Celle, Germany
| | - W F Wolkers
- Institute of Multiphase Processes, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - H Sieme
- Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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11
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Sieme H, Oldenhof H, Wolkers WF. Sperm Membrane Behaviour during Cooling and Cryopreservation. Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 50 Suppl 3:20-6. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H Sieme
- Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine; University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover; Hannover Germany
| | - H Oldenhof
- Clinic for Horses - Unit for Reproductive Medicine; University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover; Hannover Germany
| | - WF Wolkers
- Institute of Multiphase Processes; Leibniz Universität Hannover; Hannover Germany
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