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Barros CHSC, Santos RP, Machado WM, Santos MM, Souza-Junior JBF, Matarazzo SV, Nogueira-Filho SLG, das N Snoeck PP, Silva AR. Impact of environmental variables on some reproductive metrics of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) raised in Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 252:107230. [PMID: 37054632 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107230] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge on male reproductive physiology is essential for the development of effective conservation strategies. This study investigated the influence of environmental variables on certain reproductive metrics in white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) raised in the Atlantic Forest. After anesthetization, testicular and cauda epididymis biometry were evaluated in nine adult male individuals subjected to electroejaculation. Semen was evaluated for volume, pH, concentration, total number of sperm, sperm morphology, membrane integrity, and kinematic parameters. Concurrently, environmental variables were collected from the day before, for the previous 14 days (estimated for sperm maturation in epididymis), and the period of 51-55 days (corresponding to the spermatogenic cycle) before semen collection. Overall, it was observed that rainfall is the most important environmental variable influencing the reproductive parameters of white-lipped peccaries, being positively correlated with the amplitude of lateral sperm head displacement (ρ = 0.62, P < 0.05) and the appearance of proximal cytoplasmic droplets in sperm (ρ = 0.62, P < 0.05). In addition, the testicular biometry of the species is influenced by the set of environmental variables of air temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity (ρ ≥ 0.60, P < 0.05). On the other hand, epididymal biometric data showed numerous correlations between cauda epididymis metrics and sperm parameters (ρ = 0.68, P < 0.05). This information will be useful to improving conservation strategies for these animals, contributing to their management in captivity and to reintroduction programs, especially in the Atlantic Forest where the species is declining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celso H S C Barros
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (State University of Santa Cruz) - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Romário P Santos
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (Federal Rural University of the Semiarid Region) - UFERSA, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - William M Machado
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (State University of Santa Cruz) - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Mateus M Santos
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (Federal Rural University of the Semiarid Region) - UFERSA, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - João B F Souza-Junior
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (Federal Rural University of the Semiarid Region) - UFERSA, Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Soraia V Matarazzo
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (State University of Santa Cruz) - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Sérgio L G Nogueira-Filho
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (State University of Santa Cruz) - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Paola P das N Snoeck
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (State University of Santa Cruz) - UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Alexandre R Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (Federal Rural University of the Semiarid Region) - UFERSA, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
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Muvhali PT, Bonato M, Malecki IA, Cloete SWP. Mass Sperm Motility Is Correlated to Sperm Motility as Measured by Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) Technology in Farmed Ostriches. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091104. [PMID: 35565531 PMCID: PMC9102442 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen analyses have gained momentum in various livestock industries. However, in farmed ostriches, semen analysis is still in its experimental stage, and males are not screened for sperm quality before breeding. This study investigated the correlations between computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) technology and the traditional, yet affordable, mass sperm motility score. Semen was collected from nine South African Black ostrich males (mean age ± SD: 5.25 ± 1.21 years), using the dummy female method for 5 consecutive days monthly, for 8 months. Mass sperm motility scores were recorded on a scale of 1−5 (1: little to no sperm movement; 5: rapid sperm movement). The CASA traits recorded were: total motility (MOT), progressive motility (PMOT), curve−linear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), and beat-cross frequency (BCF). The results revealed positive correlations between mass sperm motility and PMOT, MOT, VCL, and VAP ranging from 0.34 to 0.59 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, negative correlations were recorded between mass sperm motility and LIN, STR, and BCF, with correlations ranging from −0.20 to −0.39 (p < 0.0001). VSL, ALH, and WOB were not correlated to mass sperm motility (p > 0.05). Ostrich farmers may thus be able to evaluate sperm motility reliably and potentially select breeding males by using the affordable mass sperm motility scoring method. Determining the correlation between these methods and fertility after artificial insemination or natural mating is however needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pfunzo T. Muvhali
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; (M.B.); (I.A.M.); (S.W.P.C.)
- Directorate Animal Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture Elsenburg, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-21-808-5229
| | - Maud Bonato
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; (M.B.); (I.A.M.); (S.W.P.C.)
| | - Irek A. Malecki
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; (M.B.); (I.A.M.); (S.W.P.C.)
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia
| | - Schalk W. P. Cloete
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; (M.B.); (I.A.M.); (S.W.P.C.)
- Directorate Animal Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture Elsenburg, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
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van der Horst G. Status of Sperm Functionality Assessment in Wildlife Species: From Fish to Primates. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1491. [PMID: 34064087 PMCID: PMC8224341 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: in order to propagate wildlife species (covering the whole spectrum from species suitable for aquaculture to endangered species), it is important to have a good understanding of the quality of their sperm, oocytes and embryos. While sperm quality analyses have mainly used manual assessment in the past, such manual estimations are subjective and largely unreliable. Accordingly, quantitative and cutting-edge approaches are required to assess the various aspects of sperm quality. The purpose of this investigation was to illustrate the latest technology used in quantitative evaluation of sperm quality and the required cut-off points to distinguish the differential grades of fertility potential in a wide range of vertebrate species. (2) Methods: computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) with an emphasis on sperm motility, 3D tracking and flagellar and sperm tracking analysis (FAST), as well as quantitative assessment of sperm morphology, vitality, acrosome status, fragmentation and many other complimentary technologies. (3) Results: Assessing sperm quality revealed a great deal of species specificity. For example, in freshwater fish like trout, sperm swam in a typical tight helical pattern, but in seawater species sperm motility was more progressive. In amphibian species, sperm velocity was slow, in contrast with some bird species (e.g., ostrich). Meanwhile, in African elephant and some antelope species, fast progressive sperm was evident. In most species, there was a high percentage of morphologically normal sperm, but generally, low percentages were observed for motility, vitality and normal morphology evident in monogamous species. (4) Conclusions: Sperm quality assessment using quantitative methodologies such as CASA motility, FAST analysis, morphology and vitality, as well as more progressive methodologies, assisted in better defining sperm quality-specifically, sperm functionality of high-quality sperm. This approach will assist in the propagation of wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard van der Horst
- Comparative Spermatology Laboratory, Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
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Hook KA, Fisher HS. Methodological considerations for examining the relationship between sperm morphology and motility. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:633-649. [PMID: 32415812 PMCID: PMC7329573 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cells of all taxa share a common goal to reach and fertilize an ovum, yet sperm are one of the most diverse cell types in nature. While the structural diversity of these cells is well recognized, the functional significance of variation in sperm design remains elusive. An important function of spermatozoa is a need to migrate toward the ova, often over long distances in a foreign environment, which may include a complex and hostile female reproductive tract. Several comparative and experimental studies have attempted to address the link between sperm morphology and motility, yet the conclusions drawn from these studies are often inconsistent, even within the same taxa. Much of what we know about the functional significance of sperm design in internally fertilizing species has been gleaned from in vitro studies, for which experimental parameters often vary among studies. We propose that discordant results from these studies are in part due to a lack of consistency of methods, conditions that do not replicate those of the female reproductive tract, and the overuse of simple linear measures of sperm shape. Within this review, we provide a toolkit for imaging, quantifying, and analyzing sperm morphology and movement patterns for in vitro studies and discuss emerging approaches. Results from studies linking morphology to motility enhance our understanding of the evolution of adaptive sperm traits and the mechanisms that regulate fertility, thus offering new insights into methods used in assisted reproductive technologies in animal science, conservation and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A. Hook
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, U.S.A
| | - Heidi S. Fisher
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, U.S.A
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