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Palacios P, Peláez G, Soria M, Méndez S, Galarza-Álvarez L, Dorado J, Santiago-Moreno J, Galarza DA. l-carnitine enhances the kinematics and protects the sperm membranes of chilled and frozen-thawed Peruvian Paso horse spermatozoa. Cryobiology 2024; 115:104884. [PMID: 38460835 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2024.104884] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
l-carnitine (LC) transports fatty acids to the mitochondria for energy production, reducing lipid availability for peroxidation through β-oxidation. This research examines the effect of LC supplementation to two skimmed milk-based extenders on the cryosurvival of chilled (5°C) and frozen-thawed Peruvian Paso horse spermatozoa .An initial experiment determined the optimal LC concentration (0, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mM) when added to INRA-96® and UHT (skimmed milk + 6% egg yolk) extenders, using nine ejaculates from three stallions chilled for up to 96 h. Subsequently, the effect of 25 mM LC supplementation (the optimal concentration) on chilling (INRA-96) and freezing (INRA-Freeze®) extenders was evaluated using eight pooled samples from sixteen ejaculates (2 ejaculates/pool) from four stallions. Results indicated that all LC concentrations produced significantly higher values (P<0.05) for kinematic variables (total [TM] and progressive motilities, curvilinear [VCL] and straight-line [VSL] velocity, and beat-cross frequency [BCF]), and the integrity of plasma/acrosome membranes (IPIA) compared to non-supplemented chilled sperm samples for up to 96 h with both extenders. Moreover, the use of 25 mM LC was more efficient (P<0.05) in preserving the post-chilled values of velocity, BCF, and IPIA for the long term than lower LC concentrations (1-10 mM). Post-thaw values of total motility, the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and IPIA were significantly improved (P<0.05) when INRA-Freeze extender was supplemented with 25 mM LC. In conclusion, supplementation of l-carnitine to skimmed milk-based extenders enhanced kinematic variables and protected the membrane integrity in chilled and frozen-thawed Peruvian Paso horse spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Palacios
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, EC010205, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Gabriela Peláez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, EC010205, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Manuel Soria
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, EC010205, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Silvana Méndez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, EC010205, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Luis Galarza-Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, EC010205, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Jesús Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014, Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Diego A Galarza
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, EC010205, Cuenca, Ecuador.
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2
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Neuman NM, Orzołek A, Steiner-Bogdaszewska Ż, Dziekońska A. Changes in the Morphology and Antioxidant Status of European Red Deer Sperm Stored in the Epididymides and in a Liquid State. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1653. [PMID: 38891701 PMCID: PMC11171189 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the motility, morphology, and antioxidant status of European red deer sperm stored in a liquid state (variant I) and in the epididymides (variant II). Spermatozoa were harvested post-mortem from the cauda epididymis. Sperm samples in both variants were stored for up to six days (D6) at 5 °C. Spermatozoa were assessed for motility, viability, morphology, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione peroxidase, GPx; catalase, CAT), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA, content). Sperm samples were analyzed on storage days 0, 2, 4, and 6 (D0-D6). Storage time and storage method significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the examined variables. On D2, a decrease in motility and acrosomal integrity was observed in both storage variants, whereas a decrease in viability and an increase in MDA content were noted in spermatozoa stored in the epididymides. On D4, higher values of SOD and GPx activity and MDA content were noted in variant I than in variant II. Catalase activity was very low. GPx is the key enzyme that participates in the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in sperm cells. Spermatozoa stored in a liquid state were characterized by higher motility and viability, improved morphology and antioxidant status than those stored in the epididymides; therefore, liquid storage is more recommended for short-term preservation of epididymal spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta M. Neuman
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (N.M.N.); (A.O.)
| | - Aleksandra Orzołek
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (N.M.N.); (A.O.)
| | - Żaneta Steiner-Bogdaszewska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Research Station in Kosewo Górne, 11-700 Mrągowo, Poland;
| | - Anna Dziekońska
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (N.M.N.); (A.O.)
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3
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Spanner EA, de Graaf SP, Rickard JP. Factors affecting the success of laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 264:107453. [PMID: 38547814 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107453] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Successful artificial breeding underpins rapid genetic and production gains in animal agriculture. In sheep, artificial insemination with frozen semen is performed via intrauterine laparoscopy as frozen-thawed spermatozoa do not traverse the cervix in sufficient numbers for high fertility and transcervical insemination is anatomically impossible in most ewes. Historically, laparoscopic artificial insemination has always been considered reasonably successful, but recent anecdotal reports of poor fertility place it at risk of warning adoption. Understanding the male, female and environmental factors that influence the fertility of sheep is warranted if the success of artificial insemination is to be improved and genetic progress maximised for the sheep industry. This review details the current practice of laparoscopic AI in sheep. It explores the effects of semen quantity and quality, the ewe, her preparation, and environmental conditions, on the fertility obtained following laparoscopic artificial insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Spanner
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - S P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - J P Rickard
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia
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4
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Lamar SK, Nelson NJ, Ormsby DK. Characterization of sperm and implications for male fertility in the last of the Rhynchocephalians. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad071. [PMID: 37663926 PMCID: PMC10470484 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Managing a species of conservation concern can be best achieved when there is information on the reproductive physiology of both sexes available; however, many species lack this critical, baseline information. One such species, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), is the last surviving member of one of the four reptile orders (Rhynchocephalia) and is the only reptile known to lack a male intromittent organ. Culturally and evolutionarily significant, the conservation of this species is a global priority for the maintenance of biodiversity. In light of this, we characterized the morphology, viability and swim speed of mature tuatara sperm for the first time. We found that tuatara sperm are filiform and bear the remarkably conserved three-part sperm structure seen across the animal kingdom. Tuatara sperm are long (mean total length 166 μm), with an approximate head:midpiece:tail ratio of 15:1:17. While tuatara sperm are capable of high levels of within-mating viability (94.53%), the mean viability across all samples was 58.80%. Finally, tuatara sperm had a mean curvilinear velocity swim speed (μ × s - 1) of 82.28. At the population level, there were no differences in viability or mean swim speed between sperm collected from a male's first mating of a season and repeat matings; however, the maximum sperm swim speed increased in observed repeated matings relative to first matings. Interestingly, faster sperm samples had shorter midpieces, but had greater viability and longer head and tail sections. This work expands our understanding of male reproductive characteristics and their variation to a new order, provides wild references for the assessment of captive individuals, lays the groundwork for potential assisted reproductive techniques and highlights variation in male reproductive potential as an important factor for consideration in future conservation programs for this unique species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Lamar
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Level 2 Te Toki a Rata Building, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington, Level 2 Te Toki a Rata Building, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Nicola J Nelson
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Level 2 Te Toki a Rata Building, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington, Level 2 Te Toki a Rata Building, New Zealand
| | - Diane K Ormsby
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Level 2 Te Toki a Rata Building, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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Jurado-Campos A, Soria-Meneses PJ, Arenas-Moreira M, Alonso-Moreno C, Rodríguez-Robledo V, Soler AJ, Garde JJ, Del Rocío Fernández-Santos M. Minimizing sperm oxidative stress using nanotechnology for breeding programs in rams. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:106. [PMID: 37559077 PMCID: PMC10413538 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00907-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artificial insemination (AI) is a routine breeding technology in animal reproduction. Nevertheless, the temperature-sensitive nature and short fertile lifespan of ram sperm samples hamper its use in AI. In this sense, nanotechnology is an interesting tool to improve sperm protection due to the development of nanomaterials for AI, which could be used as delivery vehicles. In this work, we explored the feasibility of vitamin E nanoemulsion (NE) for improving sperm quality during transport. RESULTS With the aim of evaluating this proposal, ejaculates of 7 mature rams of Manchega breed were collected by artificial vagina and extended to 60 × 106 spz/mL in Andromed®. Samples containing control and NE (12 mmol/L) with and without exogenous oxidative stress (100 µmol/L Fe2+/ascorbate) were stored at 22 and 15 ºC and motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/PI), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) monitored during 96 h. Our results show that NE could be used to maintain ram spermatozoa during transport at 15 and 22 ºC for up to 96 h, with no appreciable loss of kinematic and physiological characteristics of freshly collected samples. CONCLUSIONS The storage of ram spermatozoa in liquid form for 2-5 d with vitamin E nanoemulsions may lead more flexibility to breeders in AI programs. In view of the potential and high versatility of these nanodevices, further studies are being carried out to assess the proposed sperm preservation medium on fertility after artificial insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Arenas-Moreira
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica Y Bioquímica-Centro de Innovación en Química Avanzada (ORFEO-CINQA), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008, Albacete, Spain
- Centro Regional de Investigación Biomédicas, Unidad nanoDrug, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - Carlos Alonso-Moreno
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica Y Bioquímica-Centro de Innovación en Química Avanzada (ORFEO-CINQA), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008, Albacete, Spain
- Centro Regional de Investigación Biomédicas, Unidad nanoDrug, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02008, Albacete, Spain
| | - Virginia Rodríguez-Robledo
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Campus Universitario, S/N, 02071, Albacete, Spain
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ana Josefa Soler
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Campus Universitario, S/N, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - José Julián Garde
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Campus Universitario, S/N, 02071, Albacete, Spain
| | - María Del Rocío Fernández-Santos
- SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Campus Universitario, S/N, 02071, Albacete, Spain.
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, 02071, Albacete, Spain.
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Tam N, Kong RYC, Lai KP. Reproductive toxicity in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) due to embryonic exposure to PCB 28 or 4'-OH-PCB 65. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162401. [PMID: 36842578 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that juvenile or adult exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) induces alterations in reproductive functions (e.g., reduced fertilization rate) and behavior (e.g., reduced nest maintenance) in fish. Embryonic exposures to other endocrine disrupting chemicals have been reported to induce long-term reproductive toxicity in fish. However, the effects of embryonic exposure to PCBs or their metabolites, OH-PCBs, on long-term reproductive function in fish are unknown. In the present study, we used the marine medaka fish (Oryzias melastigma) as a model to assess the reproductive endpoints in response to embryonic exposure to either PCB 28 or 4'-OH-PCB 65. Our results showed that the sex ratio of marine medaka was feminized by exposure to 4'-OH-PCB 65. Fecundity was decreased in the medaka treated with either PCB 28 or 4'-OH-PCB 65, whereas the medaka from embryonic exposure to 4'-OH-PCB 65 additionally exhibited reduced fertilization and a reduction in the hatching success rate of offspring, as well as decreased sperm motility. Serum 11-KT concentrations were reduced in the PCB 28-treated medaka, and serum estradiol (E2)/testosterone (T) and E2/11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) ratios were decreased in the 4'-OH-PCB 65-treated medaka. To explain these observations at the molecular level, transcriptomic analysis of the gonads was performed. Bioinformatic analysis using Gene Ontology and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that genes involved in various pathways potentially involved in reproductive functions (e.g., steroid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis) were differentially expressed in the testes and ovaries of either PCB- or OH-PCB-treated medaka. Thus, the long-term reproductive toxicity in fish due to embryonic exposure to PCB or OH-PCB should be considered for environmental risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Tam
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Richard Yuen Chong Kong
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Keng Po Lai
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Integrative Omics, Guilin Medical University, Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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7
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Bahadi MA, Al-Badwi MA, Samara EM, Abdoun KA, Alhidary IA, Al-Haidary AA. Group-training of rams at puberty for artificial vagina-mediated semen collection and its influence on semen quality and sexual behavior. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20220051. [PMID: 37101423 PMCID: PMC10124154 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a paucity of information with respect to group-training for artificial vagina and its influence on semen characteristics and sexual behavior of young untrained rams. A total of 18 healthy Najdi rams (with an initial body weight of 40-45 Kg and 7-8 month-old) were consequently used herein to test the usefulness of group-training for artificial vagina-mediated semen collection during the breeding season. Rams were randomly segregated into three groups (n = 6 rams per protocol), and the whole experiment was lasted for 10 weeks. The 1st group was subjected to a training protocol where one untrained ram was placed for 20 min with a teaser ewe, while the 2nd group were subjected to a protocol where one untrained ram was placed for 20 min with one trained ram and a teaser ewe, whereas the 3rd group were subjected to a protocol where three untrained rams were placed for 20 min with one trained ram and a teaser ewe. The obtained results clearly (P < 0.05) showed that training young rams in group has increased their sperm concentration and sexual stimulation, shortened the period of their training time, and descriptively had a complete training efficiency. The sexual stimulation of young untrained rams was intensified by the competition between rams in the co-presence of a trained ram. Collectively, these data may suggest that group-training of rams at puberty is a better protocol for AV-mediated semen collection compared to individual training. Some shortcomings were noted herein, but research dealing with this subject may very well improve the reproductive performance of young untrained rams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majdi Ahmed Bahadi
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Abdo Al-Badwi
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author:
| | - Emad Mohammed Samara
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Ahmed Abdoun
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Abdullah Alhidary
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Abraham Al-Haidary
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Sperm morphology and performance in relation to postmating prezygotic isolation in two recently diverged passerine species. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22275. [PMID: 36566302 PMCID: PMC9789955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26101-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Divergence in sperm phenotype and female reproductive environment may be a common source of postmating prezygotic (PMPZ) isolation between species. However, compared to other reproductive barriers it has received much less attention. In this study, we examined sperm morphology and velocity in two hybridizing passerine species, the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and thrush nightingale (L. luscinia). In addition, we for the first time characterized a passerine female reproductive tract fluid proteome. We demonstrate that spermatozoa of the common nightingale have significantly longer and wider midpiece (proximal part of the flagellum containing mitochondria) and longer tail compared to spermatozoa of thrush nightingale. On the other hand, they have significantly shorter and narrower acrosome. Importantly, these differences did not have any effect on sperm velocity. Furthermore, the fluid from the reproductive tract of common nightingale females did not differentially affect velocity of conspecific and heterospecific sperm. Our results indicate that the observed changes in the flagellum and acrosome size are unlikely to contribute to PMPZ isolation through differential sperm velocity of conspecific and heterospecific sperm in the female reproductive tract. However, they could affect other postcopulatory processes, which might be involved in PMPZ isolation, such as sperm storage, longevity or sperm-egg interaction.
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9
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Lang D, Wang X, Liu C, Geng W, Irwin DM, Chen S, Li C, Yu L, Xiao H. Birth-and-death evolution of ribonuclease 9 genes in Cetartiodactyla. SCIENCE CHINA LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 66:1170-1182. [PMID: 36443512 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2195-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RNase9 plays a reproductive function and has been recognized as an important member of the ribonuclease (RNase) A superfamily, a gene family that is widely used as a model for molecular evolutionary studies. Here, we identified 178 RNase9 genes from 95 Cetartiodactyla species that represent all four lineages and 21 families of this clade. Unexpectedly, RNase9 experienced an evolutionary scenario of "birth and death" in Ruminantia, and expression analyses showed that duplicated RNase9A and RNase9B genes are expressed in reproductive tissues (epididymis, vas deferens or prostate). This expression pattern combined with the estimate that these genes duplicated during the middle Eocene, a time when Ruminantia become a successful lineage, suggests that the RNase9 gene duplication might have been advantageous for promoting sperm motility and male fertility as an adaptation to climate seasonality changes of this period. In contrast, all RNase9 genes were lost in the Cetacean lineage, which might be associated with their high levels of prostatic lesions and lower reproductive rates as adaptations to a fully aquatic environment and a balance to the demands of ocean resources. This study reveals a complex and intriguing evolutionary history and functional divergence for RNase9 in Cetartiodactyla, providing new insights into the evolution of the RNaseA superfamily and molecular mechanisms for organismal adaptations to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Datian Lang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- Biodiversity Research Center of Wumeng Mountain, Department of Agronomy and Life Science, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, 657000, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Chunbing Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Weihang Geng
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - David M Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Shanyuan Chen
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Chunqing Li
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
| | - Heng Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
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10
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Dziekońska A, Koziorowska-Gilun M, Kordan W, Neuman NM, Kotlarczyk AM, Korzekwa AJ. The Quality and Fertilizing Potential of Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus L.) Epididymal Spermatozoa Stored in a Liquid State. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314591. [PMID: 36498927 PMCID: PMC9741111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the quality and fertilizing potential of red deer epididymal spermatozoa stored in a liquid state for up to 11 days (D11). In Experiment 1, sperm quality was determined. In Experiment 2, the efficiency of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination (AI) of stored sperm were evaluated. An analysis of sperm quality on D5 of storage revealed a decrease (p < 0.05) in motility and morphology, and a higher proportion of apoptotic spermatozoa. On D1, D7 and D10, the total motility of sperm for IVF and AI was determined to be 82.6%, 71.0% and 64.8%, respectively. The results of IVF and AI demonstrated that the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa differs between days of storage. The percentage of blastocysts was higher when oocytes were fertilized on D1 (17.4 %) compared to D7 (8.5%) and D10 sperm (10.5%). Differences were noted in the pregnancy rates of inseminated hinds. The insemination with D1, D7 and D10 sperm led to live births (33% from D7 and D10). The results indicate that the quality of red deer epididymal spermatozoa remains satisfactory during ten days of storage in a liquid state, and that these spermatozoa maintain their fertility potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dziekońska
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Magdalena Koziorowska-Gilun
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Władysław Kordan
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Nicoletta M. Neuman
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Angelika M. Kotlarczyk
- Department of Biodiversity Protection, Institute of Animal, Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IAR & FR PAS), Tuwima 10 Str., 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna J. Korzekwa
- Department of Biodiversity Protection, Institute of Animal, Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IAR & FR PAS), Tuwima 10 Str., 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland
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11
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What is the importance of sperm subpopulations? Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 246:106844. [PMID: 34538510 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The study of sperm subpopulations spans three decades. The origin, meaning, and practical significance, however, are less clear. Current technology for assessing sperm morphology (CASA-Morph) and motility (CASA-Mot) has enabled the accurate evaluation of these features, and there are many options for data classification. Subpopulations could occur as a result of the stage of development of each spermatozoon in the subpopulation. Spermatogenesis might contribute to the production of these subpopulations. Insights from evolutionary biology and recent molecular research are indicative of the diversity among male gametes that could occur from unequal sharing of transcripts and other elements through cytoplasmic bridges between spermatids. Sperm cohorts exiting the gonads would contain different RNA and protein contents, affecting the spermatozoon physiology and associations with the surrounding environmental milieu. Subsequently, these differences could affect how spermatozoa interact with the environmental milieu (maturation, mixing with seminal plasma, and interacting with the environmental milieu, or female genital tract and female gamete). The emergence of sperm subpopulations as an outcome of evolution, related to the reproductive strategies of the species, genital tract structures, and copulatory and fertilization processes. This kind of approach in determining the importance of sperm subpopulations in fertilization capacity should have a practical impact for conducting reproductive technologies, inspiring and enabling new ways for the more efficient use of spermatozoa in the medical, animal breeding, and conservation fields. This manuscript is a contribution to the Special Issue in memory of Dr. Duane Garner.
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12
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Tourmente M, Sanchez-Rodriguez A, Roldan ERS. Effect of Motility Factors D-Penicillamine, Hypotaurine and Epinephrine on the Performance of Spermatozoa from Five Hamster Species. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:526. [PMID: 35453725 PMCID: PMC9032960 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Assessments of sperm performance are valuable tools for the analysis of sperm fertilizing potential and to understand determinants of male fertility. Hamster species constitute important animal models because they produce sperm cells in high quantities and of high quality. Sexual selection over evolutionary time in these species seems to have resulted in the largest mammalian spermatozoa, and high swimming and bioenergetic performances. Earlier studies showed that golden hamster sperm requires motility factors such as D-penicillamine, hypotaurine and epinephrine (PHE) to sustain survival over time, but it is unknown how they affect swimming kinetics or ATP levels and if other hamster species also require them. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of PHE on spermatozoa of five hamster species (Mesocricetus auratus, Cricetulus griseus, Phodopus campbelli, P. sungorus, P. roborovskii). In sperm incubated for up to 4 h without or with PHE, we assessed motility, viability, acrosome integrity, sperm velocity and trajectory, and ATP content. The results showed differences in the effect of PHE among species. They had a significant positive effect on the maintenance of sperm quality in M. auratus and C. griseus, whereas there was no consistent effect on spermatozoa of the Phodopus species. Differences between species may be the result of varying underlying regulatory mechanisms of sperm performance and may be important to understand how they relate to successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Tourmente
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Cordoba X5016GCA, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIByT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científica y Técnicas (CONICET), Cordoba X5016GCA, Argentina
| | - Ana Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain;
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13
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Teves ME, Roldan ERS. Sperm bauplan and function and underlying processes of sperm formation and selection. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:7-60. [PMID: 33880962 PMCID: PMC8812575 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spermatozoon is a highly differentiated and polarized cell, with two main structures: the head, containing a haploid nucleus and the acrosomal exocytotic granule, and the flagellum, which generates energy and propels the cell; both structures are connected by the neck. The sperm's main aim is to participate in fertilization, thus activating development. Despite this common bauplan and function, there is an enormous diversity in structure and performance of sperm cells. For example, mammalian spermatozoa may exhibit several head patterns and overall sperm lengths ranging from ∼30 to 350 µm. Mechanisms of transport in the female tract, preparation for fertilization, and recognition of and interaction with the oocyte also show considerable variation. There has been much interest in understanding the origin of this diversity, both in evolutionary terms and in relation to mechanisms underlying sperm differentiation in the testis. Here, relationships between sperm bauplan and function are examined at two levels: first, by analyzing the selective forces that drive changes in sperm structure and physiology to understand the adaptive values of this variation and impact on male reproductive success and second, by examining cellular and molecular mechanisms of sperm formation in the testis that may explain how differentiation can give rise to such a wide array of sperm forms and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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14
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The effects of female-male friendships on male postcopulatory levels of oxytocin and vasopressin, and sperm parameters in Macacaarctoides. Theriogenology 2022; 177:63-72. [PMID: 34666204 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.09.022] [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: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Male and female stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) form close relationships akin to human friendships. Oxytocin and vasopressin modulate these and other social relationships and reproductive behavior and physiology in various mammal species. Besides the behavioral effects of oxytocin, this hormone plays an essential role in the ejaculatory process, favoring sperm transport upward the female reproductive tract. Therefore, we investigated the influence of friendships on postcopulatory serum levels of oxytocin and vasopressin in the stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides). In addition, we searched for a correlation between this kind of social relationship and sperm transport in the vagina during the periovulatory and luteal phases. Six female and six male adult macaques having different friendship indices served as experimental animals. Allocated in 57 mating pairs combinations, these animals were allowed to copulate once in the luteal and periovulatory phases. Blood samples were collected from each animal finishing copulation to measure oxytocin and vasopressin. Afterward, we profoundly sedated the females and collected three semen samples from the vagina every 10 min to perform spermatobioscopies. Males' post-copulation oxytocin values increased along with the friendship index, while vasopressin behaves oppositely. Sperm concentration and immotile and motile sperm decreased from one sample to another as male-female closeness increased. Finally, in the periovulatory phase, only in the first vaginal sample, sperm velocities significantly increased with friendship indices. Our results showed that in stump-tailed macaques, heterosexual friendships promote higher postcopulatory oxytocin concentrations and better physiological conditions to males, which probably enhance reproductive success.
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Ayad BM, Oyeyipo IP, Van der Horst G, Du Plessis SS. Cementing the relationship between conventional and advanced semen parameters. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43043-021-00086-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Affordable conventional semen analysis remains a fundamental procedure to be performed routinely during the diagnosis of male infertility. Advanced semen analyses provide valuable clinical insights in treatment-related decision-making, but these are highly expensive and lack universal standardization. This study aimed at determining the relationship between conventional semen parameters, measured with assistance of computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and a set of advanced semen tests. Basic semen analysis (n = 124) was performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Sperm DNA fragmentation and intracellular superoxide (O2−•) levels were assessed by flow cytometry. Seminal plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity were measured by spectrophotometry. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
Semen pH correlated negatively with TBARS (p < 0.01). The proportions of total and progressively motile as well as rapid spermatozoa correlated positively with CAT activity (p < 0.05). Sperm viability correlated negatively with both O2−• (p < 0.05) and DNA fragmentation (p = 0.01), while normal morphology correlated negatively with O2−• levels (p < 0.05) and positively with CAT activity (p < 0.05). Straight-line velocity (VCL) and average-path velocity (VAP) correlated negatively with both O2−• (p < 0.01) and TBARS (p < 0.01). Amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) correlated negatively with O2−• (p < 0.01) and DNA fragmentation (p < 0.01), while its correlation with SOD activity was positive (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
The results obtained from this study support the validity of some CASA parameters as sensitive indicators of changes in sperm oxidative status and DNA integrity. Predicting advanced from conventional parameters through the building of linear regression models should be considered for future studies.
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16
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Reuland C, Simmons LW, Lüpold S, Fitzpatrick JL. Weapons Evolve Faster Than Sperm in Bovids and Cervids. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051062. [PMID: 33947050 PMCID: PMC8145498 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In polyandrous species, males face reproductive competition both before and after mating. Sexual selection thus shapes the evolution of both pre- and postcopulatory traits, creating competing demands on resource allocation to different reproductive episodes. Traits subject to strong selection exhibit accelerated rates of phenotypic divergence, and examining evolutionary rates may inform us about the relative importance and potential fitness consequences of investing in traits under either pre- or postcopulatory sexual selection. Here, we used a comparative approach to assess evolutionary rates of key competitive traits in two artiodactyl families, bovids (family Bovidae) and cervids (family Cervidae), where male–male competition can occur before and after mating. We quantified and compared evolutionary rates of male weaponry (horns and antlers), body size/mass, testes mass, and sperm morphometrics. We found that weapons evolve faster than sperm dimensions. In contrast, testes and body mass evolve at similar rates. These results suggest strong, but differential, selection on both pre- and postcopulatory traits in bovids and cervids. Furthermore, we documented distinct evolutionary rates among different sperm components, with sperm head and midpiece evolving faster than the flagellum. Finally, we demonstrate that, despite considerable differences in weapon development between bovids and cervids, the overall evolutionary patterns between these families were broadly consistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charel Reuland
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Leigh W. Simmons
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Stefan Lüpold
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - John L. Fitzpatrick
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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Reuland C, Culbert BM, Fernlund Isaksson E, Kahrl AF, Devigili A, Fitzpatrick JL. Male-male behavioral interactions drive social-dominance-mediated differences in ejaculate traits. Behav Ecol 2021; 32:168-177. [PMID: 33708008 PMCID: PMC7937186 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher social status is expected to result in fitness benefits as it secures access to potential mates. In promiscuous species, male reproductive success is also determined by an individual’s ability to compete for fertilization after mating by producing high-quality ejaculates. However, the complex relationship between a male’s investment in social status and ejaculates remains unclear. Here, we examine how male social status influences ejaculate quality under a range of social contexts in the pygmy halfbeak Dermogenys collettei, a small, group-living, internally fertilizing freshwater fish. We show that male social status influences ejaculate traits, both in the presence and absence of females. Dominant males produced faster swimming and more viable sperm, two key determinants of ejaculate quality, but only under conditions with frequent male–male behavioral interactions. When male–male interactions were experimentally reduced through the addition of a refuge, differences in ejaculate traits of dominant and subordinate males disappeared. Furthermore, dominant males were in a better condition, growing faster, and possessing larger livers, highlighting a possible condition dependence of competitive traits. Contrary to expectations, female presence or absence did not affect sperm swimming speed or testes mass. Together, these results suggest a positive relationship between social status and ejaculate quality in halfbeaks and highlight that the strength of behavioral interactions between males is a key driver of social-status-dependent differences in ejaculate traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charel Reuland
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18B, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brett M Culbert
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | | | - Ariel F Kahrl
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18B, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Devigili
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18B, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John L Fitzpatrick
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18B, Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Pintus E, Kadlec M, Karlasová B, Popelka M, Ros-Santaella JL. Spermatogenic Activity and Sperm Traits in Post-Pubertal and Adult Tomcats ( Felis catus): Implication of Intra-Male Variation in Sperm Size. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030624. [PMID: 33799826 PMCID: PMC7998732 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tomcats are considered to be adults at 1 year of age, although many reach sexual maturity at an earlier age. Nevertheless, we still know little about whether the spermatogenic activity and sperm quality of mature under one-year-old tomcats differ from those of tomcats that are over one-year-old. This study aims to evaluate the spermatogenic activity, sperm traits, and their relationships in mature tomcats at two different ages. Sixteen tomcats showing complete spermatogenesis and spermatozoa in their epididymal caudae were used and classified according to their age as post-pubertal (<1 year old) or adult (˃1 year old). Our results show that adult cats have higher epididymal sperm concentration and lower coefficient of variation in sperm head width and ellipticity than post-pubertal cats. However, they do not differ in their testicular and epididymal mass, spermatogenesis, and sperm traits such as motility, mitochondrial activity, morphology, morphometry, as well as plasma membrane, acrosome, and DNA integrity. Reduced intra-male variation of sperm head ellipticity is associated with higher testis mass, epididymis mass, and sperm concentration. Interestingly, low intra-male variation in sperm head size is associated with increased Sertoli cell function and reduced post-meiotic germ cell loss. These findings increase our knowledge about feline reproductive physiology and provide new insights into the functional significance of low intra-male variation in sperm size and shape in tomcats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Pintus
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence: (E.P.); (J.L.R.-S.); Tel.: +420-22438-2939 (E.P.); +420-22438-2935 (J.L.R.-S.)
| | - Martin Kadlec
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Barbora Karlasová
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (B.K.)
- Veterinary Surgery Doskar, Podhorská 16, 150 00 Prague 5-Motol, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Popelka
- Veterinary Clinic MyVet, Budějovická 81, 252 42 Jesenice, Czech Republic;
| | - José Luis Ros-Santaella
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence: (E.P.); (J.L.R.-S.); Tel.: +420-22438-2939 (E.P.); +420-22438-2935 (J.L.R.-S.)
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19
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Douhard M, Geffroy B. Males can adjust offspring sex ratio in an adaptive fashion through different mechanisms. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000264. [PMID: 33594712 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Sex allocation research has primarily focused on offspring sex-ratio adjustment by mothers. Yet, fathers also benefit from producing more of the sex with greater fitness returns. Here, we review the state-of-the art in the study of male-driven sex allocation and, counter to the current paradigm, we propose that males can adaptively influence offspring sex ratio through a wide variety of mechanisms. This includes differential production and motility of X- versus Y-bearing sperms in mammals, variation in seminal fluid composition in haplo-diploid invertebrates, and epigenetic mechanisms in some fish and lizards exhibiting environmental sex determination. Conflicts of interest between mothers and fathers over offspring sex ratios can emerge, although many more studies are needed in this area. While many studies of sex allocation have focused on adaptive explanations with little attention to mechanisms, and vice versa, the integration of these two topics is essential for understanding male-driven sex allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Douhard
- Laboratoire de Biométrie & Biologie Evolutive, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Benjamin Geffroy
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, Ifremer, CNRS, IRD, Palavas-Les-Flots, France
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20
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Luther I, Maree L, Kotze A, Hildebrandt T, Göritz F, Hermes R, van der Horst G. Sperm motility, kinematics, morphometry and morphology over two seasons in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana). Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:425-438. [PMID: 31972123 DOI: 10.1071/rd19182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to address the lack of information on quantitative semen and sperm characteristics of free-ranging African elephants. Nineteen ejaculates were collected from 12 elephant bulls by means of electroejaculation in spring (Season 1, end of dry season, n=7) and in autumn (Season 2, end of rainy season, n=12). While most elephant cows are in oestrus in the rainy season, it is not evident whether sperm quality also improves during this period. Semen samples were assessed using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), brightfield microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Seasonal differences and individual variation in sperm quality of bulls were apparent, with ejaculates collected during Season 2 revealing higher percentages for total motility, progressive motility, rapid-swimming spermatozoa and kinematic parameters compared with Season 1 (P<0.05). Although normal sperm morphology percentage was similar over the two seasons, more sperm tail defects were found in Season 2 (P<0.05). The baseline reference data and multivariate sperm parameter associations reported in this study can be used to predict elephant bull sperm quality and potential to fertilise. It is clear that CASA can detect subtle differences in sperm quality of African elephant ejaculates and should be the approach for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Luther
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; and National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; and GEOsperm, Wildlife Reproduction and Biotechnology, PO Box 3300, Brits, 0250, South Africa
| | - Liana Maree
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; and National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotze
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; and Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Thomas Hildebrandt
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Göritz
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Hermes
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerhard van der Horst
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa; and National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; and Corresponding author.
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21
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Yang Y, Zhang W, Wang S, Zhang H, Zhang Y. Response of male reproductive function to environmental heavy metal pollution in a free-living passerine bird, Passer montanus. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 747:141402. [PMID: 32771794 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals affect male reproductive function by impairing reproductive organs, disturbing reproductive hormone levels or directly affecting sperm quality. However, little attention has been given to the effect of environmental heavy metals on reproductive function in wild male birds. The present study investigated the alterations of reproductive function in male tree sparrows (Passer montanus) exposed to environments contaminated by heavy metals in terms of testis parameters, reproductive hormone levels and sperm movement characteristics. Two plots, Baiyin (BY, mainly polluted by copper, zinc, lead and cadmium) and Liujiaxia (LJX, a relatively unpolluted area) were selected as sampling sites. The results showed that tree sparrows from BY (1) accumulated higher levels of cadmium in the testes, (2) showed lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde level, with higher total antioxidant capacity and apoptosis level in the testes, (3) showed higher plasma levels of estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH), and (4) had better sperm movement performance. Additionally, we found that testis size, SOD activity in testes and LH levels were decisive factors in sperm movement performance in tree sparrows. Heavy metal concentrations in testes negatively correlated with testis size, SOD activity in testes, and estrogen levels in tree sparrows. The present study indicates that heavy metals accumulating in testes of tree sparrows adversely affected some key indicators of male reproductive function. However, testicular function, reproductive hormone levels and sperm quality showed adaptive responses that tended to partially compensate for the negative effects in the heavy metal polluted area. This study further indicated that the regulation of testicular function and reproductive hormone levels was the main factor for better sperm quality in tree sparrows exposed to environments contaminated by heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Wenya Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Shengnan Wang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Huijie Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China.
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22
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Martinez G, Garcia C. Sexual selection and sperm diversity in primates. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110974. [PMID: 32926966 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Many aspects of primate sperm physiology and reproductive behavior have been influenced by sexual selection, especially in taxa exposed to sperm competition where females mate with multiple partners. Primate sperm diversity reflects therefore the evolutionary divergences of the different primate species and the impact of a combination of variables exerting selection pressures on sperm form, function, and competition. Thereby, mating systems, life cycle or ecological variables are some of the important factors driving sperm diversity and explaining variation in terms of sperm morphology, parameters or male sexual characters. Here, we address primate sperm diversity through a compilation of all data available in the literature concerning primate sperm parameters and relationships between them. We also review the factors that can influence primate sperm diversity (e.g. mating systems, trade-off between investments in precopulatory and postcopulatory sexual traits, male and female sexual behaviors, seasonality, social constraints, testosterone levels), and discuss also their relevance to our understanding of human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Martinez
- Hôpital Couple-Enfant, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, UM de Génétique Chromosomique, F-38000, Grenoble, France; Genetic Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, F-38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Cécile Garcia
- UMR 7206 Eco-anthropologie, CNRS - MNHN - Université de Paris, Musée de l'Homme, 75016, Paris, France.
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23
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Roldan ERS, Teves ME. Understanding sperm physiology: Proximate and evolutionary explanations of sperm diversity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110980. [PMID: 32853744 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Much can be gained from the comprehensive study of a biological system. Based on what is known as Mayr's proximate-ultimate causation and the subsequent expansion to Tinbergen's four questions, biological traits can be understood by taking into account different approximations that try to explain mechanisms, development, adaptive significance or phylogeny. These, in principle, separate areas, can be integrated crossing boundaries, but bearing in mind that answers to one question would not explain a different query. Studies of sperm biology have, until now, not benefited much from this framework and potential integration. Proximate causes (particularly mechanisms) have been the subject of interest for reproductive biologists, and evolutionary explanations have been the domain of behavioural ecologists with interest in adaptive significance of traits in the context of post-copulatory sexual selection. This review will summarize opportunities for research in the different areas, focusing on sperm preparation for fertilization and suggesting possible integration within and between proximate and evolutionary studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Eugenia Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Iglesias-Carrasco M, Harrison L, Jennions MD, Head ML. Combined effects of rearing and testing temperatures on sperm traits. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:1715-1724. [PMID: 33070398 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Temperature experienced during early development can affect a range of adult life-history traits. Animals often show seemingly adaptive developmental plasticity-with animals reared at certain temperatures performing better as adults at those temperatures. The extent to which this type of adaptive response occurs in gonadal tissue that affects sperm traits is, however, poorly studied. We initially reared male mosquito fish (Gambusia holbrooki) at either 18°C or 30°C, and then measured their sperm reserves as adults. We also looked at the velocity of their sperm, at both the matched and mismatched temperatures. Although males reared at 30°C were larger than those initially reared at 18°C, there was no detectable effect of rearing temperature on absolute sperm number. Sperm swam faster at 30°C than 18°C regardless of the male's rearing temperature. Therefore, we found no evidence of adaptive developmental plasticity. Rearing temperature did, however, significantly influence the relationship between male body size and sperm velocity. Larger males had faster sperm when reared at the warmer temperature and slower sperm when reared at the cooler temperature. This suggests that rearing temperature could alter the relationship between pre-copulatory sexual selection and post-copulatory sexual selection as male size affects mating success. Finally, there was a positive correlation between velocities at the two test temperatures, suggesting that temperature experienced during sperm competition is unlikely to affect a male's relative fertilization success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Iglesias-Carrasco
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Lauren Harrison
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Megan L Head
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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25
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Shaliutina-Kolešová A, Ashtiani S, Xian M, Nian R. Seminal plasma fractions can protect common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sperm during cryopreservation. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2020; 46:1461-1468. [PMID: 32430645 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-020-00805-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of fractionated seminal plasma on characteristics of common carp Cyprinus carpio cryopreserved sperm. Nanosep® centrifugal devices yielded four seminal plasma fractions with different total protein content ranging in molecular weight from less than 17 to almost 74 kDa. Each protein fraction was added to semen extender medium prior to freezing. Spermatozoon motility characteristics and DNA integrity were analyzed in supplemented and non-supplemented cryopreserved samples. The cryopreservation process strongly affected the swim-up sperm quality. Treatment with fractions 1, 2, 3, and 4 was associated with significantly higher spermatozoon motility rate and curvilinear velocity than seen in extender only, with highest values obtained with fraction 4 (78.21 ± 2.41% and 168.05 ± 4.46 μm/s, respectively). Significantly less DNA damage, expressed as percent tail DNA (12.23 ± 1.27) and olive tail moment (0.68 ± 0.12), was recorded in fraction 4. The findings indicated that addition of fractionated seminal plasma to cryopreservation medium can preserve the quality of common carp sperm. The protective effect of each fraction varied, suggesting the presence of distinct components exerting different effects on cryopreserved sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Shaliutina-Kolešová
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic.
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, China.
| | - Saeed Ashtiani
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Mo Xian
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, China
| | - Rui Nian
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao, 266101, China.
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26
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Yang Y, Zhang H, Wang S, Yang W, Ding J, Zhang Y. Variation in sperm morphology and performance in tree sparrow (Passer montanus) under long-term environmental heavy metal pollution. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 197:110622. [PMID: 32311616 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sperm morphology and performance traits are key determinants of male fertilization success, particularly when females copulate with multiple males. Such sperm traits have been reported to be influenced by environmental pollutants in various animals; however, such studies remain rare in free-living birds exposed to heavy metal pollution. In the present study, we selected tree sparrow (Passer montanus) as the study object to explore the effect of long-term environmental heavy metal pollution on sperm morphology (assessed mainly by using the dimensions of different sperm components and the sperm abnormality rates) and sperm performance (indicated by sperm velocity), and to elucidate potential relationships between variations in sperm morphology and performance. Sperm ATP concentration was also assessed considering sperm morphology and performance could be linked via energy availability. According to our results, tree sparrows from heavy metal polluted area (1) accumulated cadmium at a higher level in their testes; (2) produced longer sperm with lower abnormality rates, in addition to sperm with longer flagella and smaller head/flagellum ratios; (3) their sperm swam faster compared to those from the relatively unpolluted area, while no differences were observed in sperm ATP concentrations. We also found that the levels of lead and cadmium in testes affected the sperm nucleus length, and the level of copper in testes was negatively related to the proportions of abnormal sperm. Furthermore, the present study showed that sperm velocity was negatively correlated with sperm head lengths, head/flagellum ratios and ATP concentrations. Our study results reveal that sperm morphology and performance in tree sparrows show positive variations to maximize male fertility ability under long-term environmental heavy metal pollution, where males increase sperm flagellum lengths to decrease head/flagellum ratios, as opposed to varying sperm energy production, to achieve higher sperm velocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Huijie Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Shengnan Wang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Wenzhi Yang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Jian Ding
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yingmei Zhang
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China.
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Hinkson KM, Poo S. Inbreeding depression in sperm quality in a critically endangered amphibian. Zoo Biol 2020; 39:197-204. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M. Hinkson
- Memphis Zoo, Department of Conservation and ResearchMemphis Zoological SocietyMemphis Tennessee
| | - Sinlan Poo
- Memphis Zoo, Department of Conservation and ResearchMemphis Zoological SocietyMemphis Tennessee
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28
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Ibanescu I, Siuda M, Bollwein H. Motile sperm subpopulations in bull semen using different clustering approaches - Associations with flow cytometric sperm characteristics and fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 215:106329. [PMID: 32216932 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There are sperm subpopulations (SPs) with different kinematic characteristics in various species, however, biological relevance of these SPs is still uncertain. The objective of the present study was to investigate associations of motile sperm SPs with sperm characteristics determined by evaluations with flow cytometry and assessment of bull fertility, using multiple approaches for sperm clustering. Semen from 24 bulls was evaluated concomitantly using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry before freezing and after thawing. Motile SPs were determined utilizing two acknowledged clustering methods (TwoStep and K-Means) and one customized method. With the customized method, there was utilization of mean values of sperm velocity and linearity as thresholds for direct assignment of motile spermatozoa into four SPs. Regardless of approach for identifying SPs, sperm quality, as determined using flow cytometry, was correlated particularly with the subpopulation (SP) of fast and linear spermatozoa immediately after thawing and with the SP of fast and nonlinear spermatozoa before freezing and 3 h after thawing. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between proportion of spermatozoa with fast and nonlinear movements before freezing and bull non-return to estrous rates. These results indicate that with different sperm SPs, there are different biological implications which can be evaluated to gain useful information concerning semen quality as determined using flow cytometry and fertility. Furthermore, determining SPs by assigning motile spermatozoa into clusters based on a combination of "below and "above" threshold values for sperm velocity and linearity might be considered a practical alternative to otherwise intricate clustering procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulian Ibanescu
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland; Besamungsverein Neustadt a. d. Aisch e.V., Karl-Eibl-Strasse 23, 91413, Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany.
| | - Mathias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Orbach DN, Rooke AC, Evans JP, Pitcher TE, Purchase CF. Assessing the potential for post-ejaculatory female choice in a polyandrous beach-spawning fish. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:449-459. [PMID: 31860764 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13579] [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: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In species with limited opportunities for pre-ejaculatory sexual selection (behavioural components), post-ejaculatory mechanisms may provide opportunities for mate choice after gametes have been released. Recent evidence from a range of taxa has revealed that cryptic female choice (i.e., female-mediated differential fertilization bias), through chemical cues released with or from eggs, can differentially regulate the swimming characteristics of sperm from various males and ultimately determine male fertilization success under sperm competition. We assessed the potential role that such female-modulated chemical cues play in influencing sperm swimming characteristics in beach-spawning capelin (Mallotus villosus), an externally fertilizing fish that mates as couples (one male and one female) or threesomes (two males and one female) with presumably limited opportunities for pre-ejaculatory sexual selection. We assayed sperm swimming characteristics under varying doses and donor origins of egg cues and also examined the possibility of assortative mating based on body size. We found mating groups were not associated by size, larger males did not produce better quality ejaculates, and egg cues (regardless of dosage or donor identity) did not influence sperm swimming characteristics. Our findings suggest that intersexual pre-ejaculatory sexual selection and cryptic female choice mediated by female chemical cues are poorly developed in capelin, possibly due to unique natural selection constraints on reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dara N Orbach
- Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA
| | - Anna C Rooke
- Department of Biology, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Jonathan P Evans
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Trevor E Pitcher
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Craig F Purchase
- Department of Biology, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
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30
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Fasel NJ, Kołodziej-Sobocińska M, Komar E, Zegarek M, Ruczyński I. Penis size and sperm quality, are all bats grey in the dark? Curr Zool 2019; 65:697-703. [PMID: 31857816 PMCID: PMC6911842 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Penises play a key role in sperm transport and in stimulating female genitals. This should impact post-copulatory competition, and expose penis characteristics to sexual selective pressures. Studies of male genitalia have repeatedly reported negative static allometries, which mean that, within species, large males have disproportionally small genitals when compared with smaller individuals. Males of some sperm-storing bat species may stand as an exception to such a pattern by arousing from hibernation to copulate with torpid females. The selection for large penises might take place, if a long organ provides advantages during post-copulatory competition and/or if females have evolved mechanisms allowing the choice of sire, relying on characters other than pre-copulatory traits (e.g., penis size). In this study, we measured dimensions of the erected penis in 4 sperm-storing bat species. Furthermore, we collected sperm and evaluated the link between penis dimensions and sperm velocity. Our results revealed steep allometric slopes of the erected penis length in Barbastella barbastellus and an inverse allometry of penis head width in Myotis nattereri. More detailed studies of copulatory behavior are urgently needed to explain the range of observed scaling relations. Furthermore, penis head width correlates with sperm velocity in Plecotus auritus. For this last species, we propose that penis shape might act as a marker of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Jean Fasel
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ewa Komar
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Marcin Zegarek
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Ruczyński
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
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31
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Vuarin P, Hingrat Y, Lesobre L, Jalme MS, Lacroix F, Sorci G. Sperm competition accentuates selection on ejaculate attributes. Biol Lett 2019; 15:20180889. [PMID: 30890070 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ejaculate attributes are important factors driving the probability of fertilizing eggs. When females mate with several males, competition between sperm to fertilize eggs should accentuate selection on ejaculate attributes. We tested this hypothesis in the North African houbara bustard ( Chlamydotis undulata undulata) by comparing the strength of selection acting on two ejaculate attributes when sperm from single males or sperm from different males were used for insemination. In agreement with the prediction, we found that selection on ejaculate attributes was stronger when sperm of different males competed for egg fertilization. These findings provide the first direct comparison of the strength of selection acting on ejaculate attributes under competitive and non-competitive fertilizations, confirming that sperm competition is a major selective force driving the evolution of ejaculate characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Vuarin
- 1 Emirates Center for Wildlife Propagation , 33250 Missour , Morocco.,2 Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté , 21000 Dijon , France
| | - Yves Hingrat
- 3 Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC , PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
| | - Loïc Lesobre
- 3 Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC , PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
| | - Michel Saint Jalme
- 4 Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, UMR 7204 MNHN CNRS-UPMC, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle , 75005 Paris , France
| | - Frédéric Lacroix
- 3 Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC , PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
| | - Gabriele Sorci
- 2 Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté , 21000 Dijon , France
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32
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Meniri M, Gohon F, Gning O, Glauser G, Vallat A, Fasel NJ, Helfenstein F. Experimental manipulation of reproductive tactics in Seba's short-tailed bats: consequences on sperm quality and oxidative status. Curr Zool 2019; 65:609-616. [PMID: 31857807 PMCID: PMC6911846 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoz011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To reproduce, males have to fertilize the female's eggs, sometimes in competition with ejaculates of other males. In species where males display alternative reproductive tactics, whereby territorial males secure mating and non-territorial males have to sneak copulations, the latter might be expected to invest relatively more resources towards sperm quality compared with the territorial males. Sperm cells are especially vulnerable to oxidative stress, which reduces male fertility. Therefore, antioxidant resources are expected to modulate sperm quality, and might be allocated differently between reproductive tactics. To test the link between reproductive tactics, redox profile and sperm quality, we experimentally induced changes in the reproductive tactics of 39 captive males Seba's short-tailed bats Carollia perspicillata. We monitored the blood and ejaculate oxidative balance, and the sperm quality before, 7 days and 21 days after the manipulation of reproductive tactic. Although ejaculates' oxidative damage was negatively related to sperm velocity, males exhibited similar blood and ejaculates redox profiles and similar sperm quality, regardless of their reproductive tactic. Possibly, these results arise as a consequence of some constraints having been lifted during the experiment. Our results also suggest that, in Seba's short-tailed bats, the expression of alternative reproductive tactics is not subjected to strong oxidative constraints. Furthermore, our results could reflect an absence of trade-off between pre- and post-copulatory traits in harem males, as they could be selected to invest both in female attraction and sperm quality, as a consequence of their inability to fully monopolize females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Meniri
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Florence Gohon
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ophélie Gning
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchatel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Armelle Vallat
- Neuchatel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Losdat S, Rojas Mora A, Bellut C, Chargé R, Falchi V, Glauser G, Vallat A, Helfenstein F. Social dominance, but not parasite load, affects sperm quality and sperm redox status in house sparrows. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.200675. [PMID: 31439651 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.200675] [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: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sperm performance is an important component of male reproductive success. However, sperm production is costly and males need to optimize their investment in sperm quality versus the somatic traits involved in mating success, e.g. their social status. As oxidative stress affects both sperm performance and somatic functions, it has been hypothesized to mediate such a trade-off. According to the oxidation-based soma/germline trade-off hypothesis, dominant males should favour the antioxidant protection of their somatic tissues, and subordinate males should favour the antioxidant protection of their sperm. We tested this hypothesis by experimentally infecting wild-caught house sparrows Passer domesticus with Coccidia Isopora sp., an internal parasite known to deplete antioxidant resources. We predicted that (i) increased parasite load affects sperm oxidative status and sperm performance and that (ii) males with experimentally high parasite load adjust the antioxidant protection of their soma versus their sperm according to their social status. Despite a 5400% increase in parasite load, sperm performance and somatic and spermatic oxidative status remained unaffected, irrespective of male social status. Nevertheless, males increased their sperm performance over time, a pattern mirrored by an increase in the antioxidant protection of their sperm. Moreover, males at the lower end of the hierarchy always produced sperm of lower velocity, suggesting that they were constrained and privileged their soma over their germline. To conclude, high parasite loads do not necessarily affect sperm performance and oxidative status. In contrast, social hierarchy and the relative investment in soma versus sperm antioxidant protection are determinants of sperm performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Losdat
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Alfonso Rojas Mora
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bellut
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Rémi Chargé
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Falchi
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Armelle Vallat
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Ceacero F, Komárková M, García AJ, Gallego L. Different maternal investment strategies for male and female calves in a polygynous mammal. Curr Zool 2019; 65:269-277. [PMID: 31263485 PMCID: PMC6595534 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal effects occur when the phenotype of the mother influences that of the young to the detriment of her survival, growth or fitness. The investment of the mother can be affected by maternal body condition and/or experience. Trivers-Willard Hypothesis (TWH) and Local Resource Competition Hypothesis (LRCH) are the main hypotheses used to explain bias in birth sex-ratios in mammals, as well as for sex-biased maternal investment. Both hypotheses suggest that a different amount of investment must be expected according to the sex of the young. However, recent studies suggest that these differences are not in quantity but in the strategies: mechanisms and objectives may differ for each sex. We studied how maternal characteristics (age, body mass, body condition, and dominance status) influence relevant aspects of the birth and early growth of the calf (birth date, birth body mass, body mass at weaning, and body condition at weaning) separately for each sex; and how that investment is mediated by milk production and composition (lactose, fat, and protein). One hundred eighty-eight newborns from 75 captive red deer hinds aged from 2 to 19 years were analyzed. The main differential investment observed was related to birth date: when producing a female, hinds give birth earlier in the season only if they have a good body condition; however, when gestating a male it is the older hinds those which deliver earlier. Subsequently, milk production and composition are correlated with birth body mass in female calves, but to weaning body mass in males. Thus, only hind body mass affects the weaning body mass of female calves, compared with age and hind body mass in males. These results suggest that while TWH fits the maternal investment strategy found for male calves, it is LRCH which correlates with the maternal investment patterns observed for females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ceacero
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Komárková
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 01 Praha - Uhříněves, Czech Republic
| | - Andrés J García
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas—Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha—Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, Ciudad Real, Spain
- Sección de Recursos Cinegéticos y Ganaderos, Instituto de Desarrollo Regional (IDR), Albacete, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, ETSIAM, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Albacete, Spain
| | - Laureano Gallego
- Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, ETSIAM, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Albacete, Spain
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35
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Schreiber E, Alfageme O, Garcia T, González N, Sirvent JJ, Torrente M, Gómez M, Domingo JL. Oral exposure of rats to dienestrol during gestation and lactation: Effects on the reproductive system of male offspring. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 128:193-201. [PMID: 30986439 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This study was aimed at determining whether dienestrol (DIES) affects reproduction in male offspring of rats following oral maternal exposure during gestation and lactation. Pregnant rats were treated from GD 6 to PND 21. Animals received 0 (control-vehicle), 0.75, 1.5, 3.12, 6.25, 12.5, 50, 75 μg/kg bw/d of DIES. A control group -without vehicle-was also included. High DIES concentrations caused abortions at 75 and 50 μg/kg bw/d, while at 12.5 μg/kg bw/d had still miscarriages. Ten male rats per group were kept alive until PND 90 to ensure sexual maturity. Body and organ weights, anogenital distance (AGD) at PNDs 21 and 90, biochemical and sperm parameters like motility, viability, morphology, spermatozoa and resistant spermatid counts, and histopathology for sexual organs and liver were determined. An increase in organ weight (liver and sexual organs) and a decrease in AGD due to vehicle were found. A reduction of sperm motility and viability, and an increase of abnormal sperm morphology were caused by DIES, which provoked a dose-dependent prostatitis. Maternal exposure to DIES induced toxicity on the reproductive system of the male offspring, which could affect the capacity of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elga Schreiber
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Oscar Alfageme
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Tania Garcia
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Neus González
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Juan José Sirvent
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Margarita Torrente
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Research Center in Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mercedes Gómez
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
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Støstad HN, Rowe M, Johnsen A, Lifjeld JT. Sperm head abnormalities are more frequent in songbirds with more helical sperm: A possible trade-off in sperm evolution. J Evol Biol 2019; 32:666-674. [PMID: 30945783 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13446] [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: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sperm morphology varies enormously across the animal kingdom. Whilst knowledge of the factors that drive the evolution of interspecific variation in sperm morphology is accumulating, we currently have little understanding of factors that may constrain evolutionary change in sperm traits. We investigated whether susceptibility to sperm abnormalities could represent such a constraint in songbirds, a group characterized by a distinctive helical sperm head shape. Specifically, using 36 songbird species and data from light and scanning electron microscopy, we examined among-species correlations between the occurrence of sperm head abnormalities and sperm morphology, as well as the correlation between sperm head abnormalities and two indicators of sperm competition. We found that species with more helically shaped sperm heads (i.e., a wider helical membrane and more pronounced cell waveform) had a higher percentage of abnormal sperm heads than species with less helical sperm (i.e., relatively straight sperm) and that sperm head traits were better predictors of head abnormalities than total sperm length. In contrast, there was no correlation between sperm abnormalities and the level of sperm competition. Given that songbird species with more pronounced helical sperm have higher average sperm swimming speed, our results suggest an evolutionary trade-off between sperm performance and the structural integrity of the sperm head. As such, susceptibility to morphological abnormalities may constrain the evolution of helical sperm morphology in songbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissah Rowe
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Biosciences, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Johnsen
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan T Lifjeld
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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37
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Valverde A, Arnau S, García-Molina A, Bompart D, Campos M, Roldán ERS, Soler C. Dog sperm swimming parameters analysed by computer-assisted semen analysis of motility reveal major breed differences. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:795-803. [PMID: 30801867 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dogs have undergone an intensive artificial selection process ever since the beginning of their relationship with humans. As a consequence, a wide variety of well-defined breeds exist today. Due to the enormous variation in dog phenotypes and the unlikely chance of gene exchange between them, the question arises as to whether they should still be regarded as a single species or, perhaps, they be considered as different taxa that possess different reproductive traits. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize some male reproductive traits, focusing on kinematic characteristics of dog spermatozoa from several breeds. Thirty-seven dogs from the following breeds were used: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, Valencian Rat Hunting Dog, British Bulldog and Chihuahua. Semen samples were obtained via manual stimulation and diluted to a final sperm concentration of 50 million/ml, and they were subsequently analysed by the computer assisted semen analysis (CASA-Mot) ISAS® v1 system. Eight kinematic parameters were evaluated automatically. All parameters showed significant different values among breeds and among individuals within each breed. The fastest sperm cells were those of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and the slowest were recorded in Chihuahuas. The intra-male coefficient of variation (CV) was higher than the inter-male CV for all breeds with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier showing the lowest values. When taking into consideration the cells by animal and breed, discriminant analyses showed a high capability to predict the breed. Cluster analyses showed a hierarchical classification very close to that obtained after phylogenetic studies with genome markers. In conclusion, future workers on dog spermatozoa should bear in mind major differences between breeds and realize that results cannot be extrapolated from one to another. Because sperm characteristics are associated with breed diversity, dogs may represent a good model to examine changes in reproductive parameters associated with selection processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Valverde
- School of Agronomy, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Alajuela, Costa Rica.,Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Sandra Arnau
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | | | - Daznia Bompart
- R+D Department, Proiser R+D, S.L., University of Valencia, Paterna, Spain
| | - Marcos Campos
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, University Cardenal-Herrera-CEU, Valencia, Spain.,Global Veterinaria (Reprovalcan), València, Spain.,Clínica Veterinaria Sangüeso, València, Spain
| | - Eduardo Raúl S Roldán
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carles Soler
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain.,R+D Department, Proiser R+D, S.L., University of Valencia, Paterna, Spain
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38
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Kotenkova EV, Mal’tsev AN, Ambaryan AV. Experimental Analysis of the Reproductive Potential of House Mice (Mus musculus sensu lato, Rodentia, Muridae) in Transcaucasia and Other Regions. BIOL BULL+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s106235901808006x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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39
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du Plessis L, Bonato M, Durandt C, Cloete SWP, Soley JT. Sperm macrocephaly syndrome in the ostrich Struthio camelus: morphological characteristics and implications for motility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 31:712-723. [PMID: 30458919 DOI: 10.1071/rd18242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm macrocephaly syndrome (SMS) is characterised by a high percentage of spermatozoa with enlarged heads and multiple tails, and is related to infertility. Although this multiple sperm defect has been described in other mammalian species, little is known about this anomaly in birds. Morphological examination of semen from nine South African black ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) involved in an AI trial revealed the variable presence of spermatozoa with large heads and multiple tails. Ultrastructural features of the defect were similar to those reported in mammals except that the multiple tails were collectively bound within the plasmalemma. The tails were of similar length and structure to those of normal spermatozoa, and the heads were 1.6-fold longer, emphasising the uniformity of the anomaly across vertebrate species. Flow cytometry identified these cells as diploid and computer-aided sperm analysis revealed that they swim slower but straighter than normal spermatozoa, probably due to the increased drag of the large head and constrained movement of the merged multiple tails. The high incidence of this defect in one male ostrich indicates that, although rare, SMS can occur in birds and may potentially have an adverse effect on breeding programs, particularly for endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L du Plessis
- Electron Microscope Unit, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - M Bonato
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - C Durandt
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S W P Cloete
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - J T Soley
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Turani B, Aliko V, Faggio C. Allurin and egg jelly coat impact on in-vitro fertilization success of endangered Albanian water frog, Pelophylax shqipericus. Nat Prod Res 2018; 34:830-837. [PMID: 30445855 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1508147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian egg-jelly coat plays an important role in successful fertilization and development. Here, we ask whether proteins like allurin in the jelly coats of frog eggs might influence fertilization rate success. Using in vitro fertilization of Albanian water frog, Pelophylax shqipericus, we found that body cavity eggs or eggs deprived of jelly coat were not fertilized, compromising the success of in vitro fertilization procedure. When de-jellied eggs were inseminated with sperm suspension, the fertilization efficiency is dramatically decreased even inhibited, suggesting that the gel structure is one of the major factors in the achievement of fertilization in the frogs. Fertilization of de-jellied eggs with sperm pre-treated with egg jelly coat, restored the fertilization competency. Such a result suggests that egg jelly coat probably guides the sperm to the egg surface while maintaining the fertilization ability, contributing to a successful in vitro fertilization of Pelophylax shqipericus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blerta Turani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Valbona Aliko
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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41
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Rojas Mora A, Meniri M, Ciprietti S, Helfenstein F. Is sperm morphology functionally related to sperm swimming ability? A case study in a wild passerine bird with male hierarchies. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:142. [PMID: 30231935 PMCID: PMC6146611 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1260-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual selection continues after copulation via either sperm competition or cryptic female choice, and favors sperm traits that maximize sperm competitiveness. Both sperm swimming velocity and longevity are important determinants of the outcome of sperm competition. Theoretically, sperm morphology can influence sperm velocity at least in three different non-exclusive ways: (i) longer sperm may generate more propelling thrust, (ii) bigger midpieces may produce more energy, and/or (iii) larger flagella or mid-pieces relative to the head size may compensate for the drag forces around the head. A growing number of studies have investigated the relationship of sperm morphology with sperm performance, which remains equivocal at both the inter- and intra-specific levels. Here, we used House Sparrows to test the functional relationship between sperm morphology with sperm velocity and longevity. Based on a previous study showing that sperm swimming ability covaries with social rank, we predicted that —if a functional relationship exists—1) sperm morphology should differ across social ranks, and 2) correlations between sperm morphology and sperm velocity and/or sperm longevity should be constant across social ranks. Results We found no differences in sperm morphology across social ranks. Moreover, we found that sperm morphology may be correlated with sperm velocity, but such relationship varied across social ranks. This result contradicts the hypothesis of a functional relationship between sperm morphology and sperm performance. Finally, after experimentally manipulating social ranks, we observed that relationships between sperm morphology and sperm velocity and/or sperm longevity disappeared or changed direction. Conclusions We suggest that in species with internal fertilization, while sperm morphology is likely constrained by the morphology of the female sperm storage organs, selection may act upon physiological traits that enhance sperm performance. Hence, these two selection forces could decouple sperm performance from sperm morphology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-018-1260-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Rojas Mora
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland. .,Present Address: Laboratory of Ecology and Epidemiology of Parasites, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchatel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000, Neuchatel, Switzerland.
| | - Magali Meniri
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Ciprietti
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland
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42
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Xin M, Tučková V, Rodina M, Kholodnyy V, Dadras H, Boryshpolets S, Shaliutina-Kolešová A, Linhart O. Effects of antifreeze proteins on cryopreserved sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) sperm motility variables and fertilization capacity. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 196:143-149. [PMID: 30078737 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effect of antifreeze proteins on sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus sperm motility variables and fertilization rate were investigated after cryopreservation. Two types of antifreeze proteins (AFPI or AFPIII) were used at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/mL. The motility variables of fresh and cryopreserved sperm with and without addition of antifreeze proteins were evaluated by the Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA). The fertilization rate using about 200,000 spermatozoa per egg was evaluated after 54 h incubation at 17 °C during the early stage of organogenesis. The motility, curvilinear velocity and straight-line velocity of fresh sperm was 93 ± 5%, 128 ± 13 μm/s and 89 ± 9 μm/s, respectively. There was a significant decrease of sperm motility rate between fresh sperm and cryopreserved sperm with/without addition of antifreeze proteins. The greatest motility among thawed samples was in the sperm cryopreserved with 10 μg/mL of AFPI (56 ± 20%), however, these data were not different compared to the sperm without antifreeze proteins (49 ± 14%). No statistical variations were detected in curvilinear velocity nor straight-line velocity. The fertilization rate with fresh sperm was 67 ± 7%. No significant differences were detected in fertilization rate between fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa with/without addition of antifreeze proteins, except the sperm cryopreserved with 100 μg/mL of AFPIII (39 ± 14%). Thus, it is concluded that addition of antifreeze proteins to cryopreservation medium do not improve nor have toxicity effects on the quality and fertilization capacity of sterlet sperm after thawing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Xin
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic; Sino-Czech Joint Laboratory for Fish Conservation and Biotechnology, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Vladimíra Tučková
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Rodina
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Vitaliy Kholodnyy
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Hadiseh Dadras
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Sergii Boryshpolets
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Shaliutina-Kolešová
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic
| | - Otomar Linhart
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 38925 Vodnany, Czech Republic; Sino-Czech Joint Laboratory for Fish Conservation and Biotechnology, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, China
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43
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Maltsev AN, Ambaryan AV, Kotenkova EV. Evaluation of the Fertility of Ecologically Different Forms of House Mice and Hybrids of the Superspecies Complex Mus musculus sensu lato (Rodentia: Muridae). BIOL BULL+ 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359017100089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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44
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Losdat S, Germain RR, Nietlisbach P, Arcese P, Reid JM. No evidence of inbreeding depression in sperm performance traits in wild song sparrows. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:1842-1852. [PMID: 29435258 PMCID: PMC5792576 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding is widely hypothesized to shape mating systems and population persistence, but such effects will depend on which traits show inbreeding depression. Population and evolutionary consequences could be substantial if inbreeding decreases sperm performance and hence decreases male fertilization success and female fertility. However, the magnitude of inbreeding depression in sperm performance traits has rarely been estimated in wild populations experiencing natural variation in inbreeding. Further, the hypothesis that inbreeding could increase within-ejaculate variation in sperm traits and thereby further affect male fertilization success has not been explicitly tested. We used a wild pedigreed song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) population, where frequent extrapair copulations likely create strong postcopulatory competition for fertilization success, to quantify effects of male coefficient of inbreeding (f) on key sperm performance traits. We found no evidence of inbreeding depression in sperm motility, longevity, or velocity, and the within-ejaculate variance in sperm velocity did not increase with male f. Contrary to inferences from highly inbred captive and experimental populations, our results imply that moderate inbreeding will not necessarily constrain sperm performance in wild populations. Consequently, the widely observed individual-level and population-level inbreeding depression in male and female fitness may not stem from reduced sperm performance in inbred males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Losdat
- Institute of Biological and Environmental SciencesSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenScotland
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of NeuchâtelNeuchâtelSwitzerland
| | - Ryan R. Germain
- Institute of Biological and Environmental SciencesSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenScotland
| | - Pirmin Nietlisbach
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Peter Arcese
- Department of Forest and Conservation SciencesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Jane M. Reid
- Institute of Biological and Environmental SciencesSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenScotland
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45
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Bartlett MJ, Steeves TE, Gemmell NJ, Rosengrave PC. Sperm competition risk drives rapid ejaculate adjustments mediated by seminal fluid. eLife 2017; 6:e28811. [PMID: 29084621 PMCID: PMC5669631 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In many species, males can make rapid adjustments to ejaculate performance in response to sperm competition risk; however, the mechanisms behind these changes are not understood. Here, we manipulate male social status in an externally fertilising fish, chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and find that in less than 48 hr, males can upregulate sperm velocity when faced with an increased risk of sperm competition. Using a series of in vitro sperm manipulation and competition experiments, we show that rapid changes in sperm velocity are mediated by seminal fluid and the effect of seminal fluid on sperm velocity directly impacts paternity share and therefore reproductive success. These combined findings, completely consistent with sperm competition theory, provide unequivocal evidence that sperm competition risk drives plastic adjustment of ejaculate quality, that seminal fluid harbours the mechanism for the rapid adjustment of sperm velocity and that fitness benefits accrue to males from such adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Bartlett
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Tammy E Steeves
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of AnatomyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
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Kirschner S, Rodenkirch R. Assessment of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine combination as anesthesia for semen collection and evaluation of semen quality in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 184:196-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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47
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Garcia T, Schreiber E, Kumar V, Prasad R, Sirvent JJ, Domingo JL, Gómez M. Effects on the reproductive system of young male rats of subcutaneous exposure to n-butylparaben. Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 106:47-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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48
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Lehnert SJ, Butts IAE, Flannery EW, Peters KM, Heath DD, Pitcher TE. Effects of ovarian fluid and genetic differences on sperm performance and fertilization success of alternative reproductive tactics in Chinook salmon. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:1236-1245. [PMID: 28387056 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In many species, sperm velocity affects variation in the outcome of male competitive fertilization success. In fishes, ovarian fluid (OF) released with the eggs can increase male sperm velocity and potentially facilitate cryptic female choice for males of specific phenotypes and/or genotypes. Therefore, to investigate the effect of OF on fertilization success, we measured sperm velocity and conducted in vitro competitive fertilizations with paired Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) males representing two alternative reproductive tactics, jacks (small sneaker males) and hooknoses (large guarding males), in the presence of river water alone and OF mixed with river water. To determine the effect of genetic differences on fertilization success, we genotyped fish at neutral (microsatellites) and functional [major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II ß1] markers. We found that when sperm were competed in river water, jacks sired significantly more offspring than hooknoses; however, in OF, there was no difference in paternity between the tactics. Sperm velocity was significantly correlated with paternity success in river water, but not in ovarian fluid. Paternity success in OF, but not in river water alone, was correlated with genetic relatedness between male and female, where males that were less related to the female attained greater paternity. We found no relationship between MHC II ß1 divergence between mates and paternity success in water or OF. Our results indicate that OF can influence the outcome of sperm competition in Chinook salmon, where OF provides both male tactics with fertilization opportunities, which may in part explain what maintains both tactics in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Lehnert
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - I A E Butts
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - E W Flannery
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - K M Peters
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - D D Heath
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - T E Pitcher
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
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Anel-López L, Garcia-Álvarez O, Maroto-Morales A, Tarantini T, Del Olmo D, Ortiz JA, Martinez EA, Roca J, Vazquez JM, Garde JJ, Parrilla I. Optimization of protocols for Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) sperm handling before sex sorting by flow cytometry. Theriogenology 2017; 92:129-136. [PMID: 28237327 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Currently, sperm reproductive biotechnologies such as sex sorting and cryopreservation are undoubtedly valuable tools for improving the economic and biological efficiency of red deer production systems. In this context, and because of the particular characteristics of this species (extensive exploitation typically far from laboratory facilities), a key goal is to optimize the design of an adequate handling protocol of sperm samples before samples are subjected to sex sorting and cryopreservation procedures to obtain better outputs from the application of these technologies. The main aim of this paper was to design an adequate protocol for Iberian red deer sperm handling before sex sorting by flow cytometry to obtain optimal yields when sex sorting is used in this species. Semen samples from 11 adult males were obtained by electroejaculation during the breeding season. In this study, we tested different protocols for the handling of Iberian red deer spermatozoa before sorting by using different concentrations of sperm (400 or 800 × 106) and adding or not Hoechst 33342 before the transport of samples to the sorting facilities. Based on the results, the most adequate method used to handle samples before sorting was transportation at a high sperm concentration (800 × 106/mL) without Hoechst 33342. These transportation conditions in combination with Hoechst 33342 staining at 5.2 μL/mL once at the flow cytometry laboratory resulted in better (P < 0.05) sorting efficiency (99.9% of the samples showing split) than both, those samples transported at 400 × 106sperm/mL (between 51.2 and 55.2% of the samples showing split) and those samples stained before transport at a sperm concentration of 400 × 106sperm/mL (between 15.4 and 75.7% of the samples showing split). Sorting rates and sperm quality after sorting and cryopreservation was not affected (P > 0.05) by sperm handling before sorting. Moreover, the sorting yields were compatible with the practical application of these reproductive biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tatiana Tarantini
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - David Del Olmo
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Maria Vazquez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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Maroto-Morales A, García-Álvarez O, Ramón M, Martínez-Pastor F, Fernández-Santos MR, Soler AJ, Garde JJ. Current status and potential of morphometric sperm analysis. Asian J Androl 2017; 18:863-870. [PMID: 27678465 PMCID: PMC5109877 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.187581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The spermatozoon is the most diverse cell type known and this diversity is considered to reflect differences in sperm function. How the diversity in sperm morphology arose during speciation and what role the different specializations play in sperm function, however, remain incompletely characterized. This work reviews the hypotheses proposed to explain sperm morphological evolution, with a focus on some aspects of sperm morphometric evaluation; the ability of morphometrics to predict sperm cryoresistance and male fertility is also discussed. For this, the evaluation of patterns of change of sperm head morphometry throughout a process, instead of the study of the morphometric characteristics of the sperm head at different stages, allows a better identification of the males with different sperm cryoconservation ability. These new approaches, together with more studies employing a greater number of individuals, are needed to obtain novel results concerning the role of sperm morphometry on sperm function. Future studies should aim at understanding the causes of sperm design diversity and the mechanisms that generate them, giving increased attention to other sperm structures besides the sperm head. The implementation of scientific and technological advances could benefit the simultaneous examination of sperm phenotype and sperm function, demonstrating that sperm morphometry could be a useful tool for sperm assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga García-Álvarez
- SaBio IREC (CSIC - UCLM - JCCM), Albacete, Spain.,Biomedical Center, Medical Faculty in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Manuel Ramón
- Regional Center of Animal Selection and Reproduction (CERSYRA) JCCM, Valdepeñas, Spain
| | - Felipe Martínez-Pastor
- Institute for Animal Health and Cattle Development, University of León, León, Spain.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain
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