1
|
Raes A, Athanasiou G, Azari-Dolatabad N, Sadeghi H, Gonzalez Andueza S, Arcos JL, Cerquides J, Chaitanya Pavani K, Opsomer G, Bogado Pascottini O, Smits K, Angel-Velez D, Van Soom A. Manual versus deep learning measurements to evaluate cumulus expansion of bovine oocytes and its relationship with embryo development in vitro. Comput Biol Med 2024; 168:107785. [PMID: 38056209 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107785] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Cumulus expansion is an important indicator of oocyte maturation and has been suggested to be indicative of greater oocyte developmental capacity. Although multiple methods have been described to assess cumulus expansion, none of them is considered a gold standard. Additionally, these methods are subjective and time-consuming. In this manuscript, the reliability of three cumulus expansion measurement methods was assessed, and a deep learning model was created to automatically perform the measurement. Cumulus expansion of 232 cumulus-oocyte complexes was evaluated by three independent observers using three methods: (1) measurement of the cumulus area, (2) measurement of three distances between the zona pellucida and outer cumulus, and (3) scoring cumulus expansion on a 5-point Likert scale. The reliability of the methods was calculated in terms of intraclass-correlation coefficients (ICC) for both inter- and intra-observer agreements. The area method resulted in the best overall inter-observer agreement with an ICC of 0.89 versus 0.54 and 0.30 for the 3-distance and scoring methods, respectively. Therefore, the area method served as the base to create a deep learning model, AI-xpansion, which reaches a human-level performance in terms of average rank, bias and variance. To evaluate the accuracy of the methods, the results of cumulus expansion calculations were linked to embryonic development. Cumulus expansion had increased significantly in oocytes that achieved successful embryo development when measured by AI-xpansion, the area- or 3-distance method, while this was not the case for the scoring method. Measuring the area is the most reliable method to manually evaluate cumulus expansion, whilst deep learning automatically performs the calculation with human-level precision and high accuracy and could therefore be a valuable prospective tool for embryologists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Raes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Georgios Athanasiou
- Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA-CSIC), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Computer Science, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Nima Azari-Dolatabad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hafez Sadeghi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Sebastian Gonzalez Andueza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Josep Lluis Arcos
- Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA-CSIC), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jesus Cerquides
- Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA-CSIC), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Krishna Chaitanya Pavani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Geert Opsomer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Daniel Angel-Velez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Research Group in Animal Sciences-INCA-CES, Universidad CES, Medellin, 050021, Colombia
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morse-Wolfe B, Bleach E, Kershaw C. An Investigation of Equine Sperm Quality Following Cryopreservation at Low Sperm Concentration and Repeated Freeze-Thawing. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 120:104167. [PMID: 36464028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104167] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Stallion spermatozoa are typically cryopreserved at 200 to 300 million sperm/ml; however recent advances such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) requires only one spermatozoon, wasting many, after thawing a whole straw. Cryopreserving at concentrations less than the current standard or refreezing thawed spermatozoa could maximize the use of genetically valuable animals and reduce waste. This investigation aimed to identify if lowering the sperm concentration for cryopreservation affected post-thaw quality after one and two freeze-thaw cycles. Nine ejaculates were collected from three fertile, "good freezer" stallions (post-thaw motility ≥35%) for experiment 1. Each ejaculate was split into eight treatments: five, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 million sperm/ml and cryopreserved. Post-thaw: motility, viability, acrosome integrity and oxidative stress were assessed. Experiment 2, straws from experiment 1 (300 million sperm/ml) were thawed, diluted to 20 million sperm/ml or left undiluted (control) and refrozen. Post-thaw motility and viability were assessed. In experiment 1 sperm concentration did not affect post-thaw total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM) or viability at 50 to 400 million sperm/ml (P > .05). Whilst sperm concentrations of five to 20 million/ml did differ (post-thaw TM and PM). Both refreezing and reducing spermatozoa concentration, decreased TM, PM and viability (P < .05) after two freeze-thaw cycles. These results suggest cryopreserving at sperm concentrations as low as 50 million/ml maintains spermatozoa quality in good freezer stallions. Spermatozoa maintained some motility and viability when initially cryopreserved at 20 million sperm/ml and after two freeze-thaw cycles but research should investigate more optimal conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Morse-Wolfe
- Animal Science Department, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, Newport, UK; Stallion AI Services Ltd, Chapelfield Stud, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK.
| | - Emma Bleach
- Agriculture and Environment Department, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, Newport, UK.
| | - Claire Kershaw
- Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare Department, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, Newport, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Catalán J, Martínez-Rodero I, Yánez-Ortiz I, Mateo-Otero Y, Bragulat AF, Nolis P, Carluccio A, Yeste M, Miró J. Metabolic profiling of preovulatory follicular fluid in jennies. Res Vet Sci 2022; 153:127-136. [PMID: 36356420 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Follicular fluid is formed from the transudation of theca and granulosa cells in the growing follicular antrum. Its main function is to provide an optimal intrafollicular microenvironment to modulate oocyte maturation. The aim of this study was to determine the metabolomic profile of preovulatory follicular fluid (PFF) in jennies. For this purpose, PFF was collected from 10 follicles of five jennies in heat. Then, PFF samples were analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (2D 1H/13C HSQC). Our study revealed the presence of at least 27 metabolites in the PFF of jennies (including common amino acids, carboxylic acids, amino acid derivatives, alcohols, saccharides, fatty acids, and lactams): 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetate, alanine, betaine, citrate, creatine, creatine phosphate, creatinine, ethanol, formate, glucose, glutamine, glycerol, glycine, hippurate, isoleucine, lactate, leucine, lysine, methanol, phenylalanine, proline, pyruvate, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and τ-methylhistidine. The metabolites found here have an important role in the oocyte development and maturation, since the PFF surrounds the follicle and provides it with the needed nutrients. Our results indicate a unique metabolic profile of the jennies PFF, as it differs from those previously observed in the PFF of the mare, a phylogenetically close species that is taken as a reference for establishing reproductive biotechnology techniques in donkeys. The metabolites found here also differ from those described in the TCM-199 medium enriched with fetal bovine serum (FBS), which is the most used medium for in vitro oocyte maturation in equids. These differences would suggest that the established conditions for in vitro maturation used so far may not be suitable for donkeys. By providing the metabolic composition of jenny PFF, this study could help understand the physiology of oocyte maturation as a first step to establish in vitro reproductive techniques in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Catalán
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, ES-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d'Accio, IT-64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Iris Martínez-Rodero
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, ES-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iván Yánez-Ortiz
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, ES-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Ana Flores Bragulat
- Equine Production Laboratory, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Río Cuarto, AR- X5800 Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pau Nolis
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, ES-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Augusto Carluccio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d'Accio, IT-64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), ES-08010 Barcelona, Spain..
| | - Jordi Miró
- Unit of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, ES-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Angel-Velez D, De Coster T, Azari-Dolatabad N, Fernandez-Montoro A, Benedetti C, Bogado Pascottini O, Woelders H, Van Soom A, Smits K. New Alternative Mixtures of Cryoprotectants for Equine Immature Oocyte Vitrification. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113077. [PMID: 34827809 PMCID: PMC8614364 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oocyte cryopreservation allows female gametes to be conserved for long periods, which would be of benefit for mares of high genetic merit, but its efficiency is not satisfactory yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize a vitrification protocol for equine oocytes using a systematic approach. We performed a side-by-side comparison of different cryoprotective agents (CPAs) during the vitrification and warming of equine oocytes. In the first experiment, a fixed mixture of CPAs that enter the oocyte was used, and three sugars were compared, which cannot penetrate the oocyte but provide protection through an osmotic effect. In the second experiment, one sugar from the first experiment was selected to compare three mixtures of CPAs that enter the oocyte. Overall, the embryo development was reduced after oocyte cryopreservation when compared to fresh oocytes. Yet, we were able to produce embryos with all six cryoprotective agent mixtures, and we identified one promising combination of cryoprotectants, consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and galactose, that resulted in blastocyst rates in the same range as the fresh control group. Abstract Equine oocyte vitrification would benefit the growing in vitro embryo production programs, but further optimization of the protocol is necessary to reach clinical efficiency. Therefore, we aimed to perform a direct comparison of non-permeating and permeating cryoprotective agents (CPAs) during the vitrification and warming of equine immature oocytes. In the first experiment, cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were vitrified comparing sucrose, trehalose, and galactose in combination with ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In the second experiment, the COCs were vitrified using three mixtures of permeating CPAs in a 50:50 volume ratio (ethylene glycol-dimethyl sulfoxide (ED), propylene glycol-ethylene glycol (PE), and propylene glycol-dimethyl sulfoxide (PD)) with galactose and warmed in different galactose concentrations (0.3 or 0.5 mol/L). Overall, all the treatments supported blastocyst formation, but the developmental rates were lower for all the vitrified groups in the first (4.3 to 7.6%) and the second (3.5 to 9.4%) experiment compared to the control (26.5 and 34.2%, respectively; p < 0.01). In the first experiment, the maturation was not affected by vitrification. The sucrose exhibited lower cleavage than the control (p = 0.02). Although the galactose tended to have lower maturation than trehalose (p = 0.060) and control (p = 0.069), the highest numerical cleavage and blastocyst rates were obtained with this CPA. In the second experiment, the maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were similar between the treatments. Compared to the control, only the ED reached similar maturation (p = 0.02) and PE similar cleavage (p = 0.1). The galactose concentration during warming did not affect the maturation, cleavage, or blastocyst rates (p > 0.1), but the PE-0.3 exhibited the highest blastocyst rate (15.1%) among the treatments, being the only one comparable to the control (34.2%). As such, PE–galactose provides a valuable option for equine immature oocyte vitrification and should be considered for the future optimization of the protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Angel-Velez
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Research Group in Animal Sciences—INCA-CES, Universidad CES, Medellin 050021, Colombia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +32-4-5614-4543
| | - Tine De Coster
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Nima Azari-Dolatabad
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Andrea Fernandez-Montoro
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Camilla Benedetti
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Henri Woelders
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
De Coster T, Velez DA, Van Soom A, Woelders H, Smits K. Cryopreservation of equine oocytes: looking into the crystal ball. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:453-467. [PMID: 32172776 DOI: 10.1071/rd19229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Invitro embryo production has evolved rapidly in the horse over the past decade, but blastocyst rates from vitrified equine oocytes remain quite poor and further research is needed to warrant application. Oocyte vitrification is affected by several technical and biological factors. In the horse, short exposure of immature oocytes to the combination of permeating and non-permeating cryoprotective agents has been associated with the best results so far. High cooling and warming rates are also crucial and can be obtained by using minimal volumes and open cryodevices. Vitrification of invivo-matured oocytes has yielded better results, but is less practical. The presence of the corona radiata seems to partially protect those factors that are necessary for the construction of the normal spindle and for chromosome alignment, but multiple layers of cumulus cells may impair permeation of cryoprotective agents. In addition to the spindle, the oolemma and mitochondria are also particularly sensitive to vitrification damage, which should be minimised in future vitrification procedures. This review presents promising protocols and novel strategies in equine oocyte vitrification, with a focus on blastocyst development and foal production as most reliable outcome parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tine De Coster
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; and Corresponding authors. ;
| | - Daniel Angel Velez
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; and Corresponding authors. ;
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Henri Woelders
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Agnieszka N, Joanna K, Wojciech W, Adam O. In vitro maturation of equine oocytes followed by two vitrification protocols and subjected to either intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or parthenogenic activation. Theriogenology 2021; 162:42-48. [PMID: 33444915 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was determine the viability and developmental competence of equine oocytes after IVM and vitrification using the Rapid-I method, as part of an effort to develop an effective equine oocyte vitrification protocol. Equine oocytes were collected by scraping ovarian follicles of slaughtered mares. A total of 1052 ovaries were used in this study, from which 3135 oocytes were obtained. Of the 2853 oocytes retrieved, 2557 underwent in vitro maturation for approximately 36 h. After in vitro culture, 1202 oocytes (47%) had a first polar body. To evaluate the toxicity of the solutions (Experiment I), oocytes were exposed to vitrification media without cryopreservation. Of all the experimental groups evaluated, the best results were obtained for IVM oocytes exposed to EquiproVitKit media (IVM + TOX EquiVitKit), with a viability rate of 69.5%. In the Experiment II, oocytes, either freshly collected from the ovary or after in vitro maturation (IVM), were vitrified using either the EquiPro VitKit or an in-house medium containing 18% Ficoll, 40% ethylene glycol and 0.3 M sucrose. Oocytes were stained with fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide to evaluate viability. In vitro matured oocytes vitrified using EquiproVitKit media (IVM + VIT EquiVitKit) had a cryosurvival rate of 63%. In the last part of the study (Experiment III), vitrified IVM oocytes were activated by 7.5 μM ionomycin in TCM-199 for 5 min TCM 199 (5 min) combined with 2 mM 6-DMAP in TCM-99 with 10% FBS (4.5 h) or in vitro fertilized using ICSI. Development of potential embryos after activation in TCM-199 medium, showed a cleavage rate was 10.2%, compared to 22.5% of oocytes cultured in G1/G2 medium. ICSI of vitrified IVM oocytes resulted in 20% embryo development to the 16-cell stage, compared to 33.3% in the control. The vitrification of oocytes after IVM by Rapid-I method is a good way to preserve genetic material in horses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nowak Agnieszka
- University of Agriculture in Krakow, Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Kochan Joanna
- University of Agriculture in Krakow, Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| | - Witarski Wojciech
- National Research Institute of Animal Production, Department of Animal Molecular Biology, Ul. Krakowska 1, 32-083, Balice Near Krakow, Poland
| | - Okólski Adam
- University of Agriculture in Krakow, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine UJ-UR, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gambini A, Duque Rodríguez M, Rodríguez MB, Briski O, Flores Bragulat AP, Demergassi N, Losinno L, Salamone DF. Horse ooplasm supports in vitro preimplantation development of zebra ICSI and SCNT embryos without compromising YAP1 and SOX2 expression pattern. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238948. [PMID: 32915925 PMCID: PMC7485800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Several equids have gone extinct and many extant equids are currently considered vulnerable to critically endangered. This work aimed to evaluate whether domestic horse oocytes support preimplantation development of zebra embryos obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI, zebroid) and cloning, and to study the Hippo signaling pathway during the lineage specification of trophectoderm cells and inner cell mass cells. We first showed that zebra and horse sperm cells induce porcine oocyte activation and recruit maternal SMARCA4 during pronuclear formation. SMARCA4 recruitment showed to be independent of the genetic background of the injected sperm. No differences were found in blastocyst rate of ICSI hybrid (zebra spermatozoon into horse egg) embryos relative to the homospecific horse control group. Interestingly, zebra cloned blastocyst rate was significantly higher at day 8. Moreover, most ICSI and cloned horse and zebra blastocysts showed a similar expression pattern of SOX2 and nuclear YAP1 with the majority of the nuclei positive for YAP1, and most SOX2+ nuclei negative for YAP1. Here we demonstrated that horse oocytes support zebra preimplantation development of both, ICSI and cloned embryos, without compromising development to blastocyst, blastocyst cell number neither the expression of SOX2 and YAP1. Our results support the use of domestic horse oocytes as a model to study in vitro zebra embryos on behalf of preservation of valuable genetic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Gambini
- Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Producción Equina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| | - Matteo Duque Rodríguez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Rodríguez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Olinda Briski
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana P. Flores Bragulat
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Cátedra de Producción Equina, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Río IV, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Luis Losinno
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Cátedra de Producción Equina, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Río IV, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Daniel F. Salamone
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kumar P, Mehta JS, Ravi SK, Dedar RK, Purohit GN, Legha RA, Tripathi BN, Talluri TR. Cholesterol Loaded Cyclodextrin Supplementation Enhances the Cholesterol-to-Phospholipid Ratio and Diminishes Oxidative Stress in Jack Spermatozoa During Cryopreservation. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 94:103237. [PMID: 33077064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103237] [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: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted with the hypothesis that addition of cholesterol to the extender would stabilize the sperm membranes by increasing the cholesterol-to-phospholipid (C:P) ratio and would result in an improved post-thaw semen quality and reduce oxidative stress in the jack (Martina franca) semen. Forty-eight ejaculates from six jacks were collected and analyzed for the present study. The freshly collected semen sample of each jack stallion was divided into five equal fractions after addition of the primary extender without cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) (C) and with 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mg/mL CLC to obtain 120 × 106 sperm/mL spermatozoa concentration. The semen was cryopreserved using customized freezing protocols. Evaluation of seminal parameters, the C:P ratio, and the oxidative status of jack spermatozoa was analyzed at all stages of cryopreservation. The oxidative status in the jack semen was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity levels. The results indicated that the mean percent values for various seminal quality parameters and the oxidative parameters were found to be significantly higher (P < .05) in CLC-treated groups with the highest values for 2 mg of CLC/120 × 106 spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the supplementation of CLC before cryopreservation has significantly reduced the oxidative stress and also increased the C:P ratio during semen cryopreservation process. Furthermore, a reduction in lipid peroxidation levels, reduced damage to the sperm plasma and acrosome membranes and improvement in the post-thaw sperm integrity as well as stability were recorded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pramod Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - Jitendra Singh Mehta
- Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar Ravi
- Animal Science Division, ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, India
| | - Ramesh Kumar Dedar
- Equine Production Campus, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - Govind Narayan Purohit
- Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ram Avtar Legha
- Equine Production Campus, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Thirumala Rao Talluri
- Equine Production Campus, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tscharke M, Kind K, Kelly J, Kleemann D, Len J. The Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor, Isobutyl-1-Methylxanthine Prevents the Sudden Drop in Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Concentration and Modulates Glucose Metabolism of Equine Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes Matured in Vitro. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 91:103112. [PMID: 32684257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous nuclear maturation of mammalian oocytes can occur when physically removed from the ovarian follicle during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), largely because of a decrease in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration. Modulation of oocyte cAMP during IVM by using phosphodiesterase inhibitors has been shown to maintain elevated oocyte cAMP concentrations and control meiotic resumption of bovine and ovine oocytes. This study determined the effect of inclusion of isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) during collection and the first 12 hours of incubation of equine oocytes on cAMP concentration and glucose metabolism of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Abattoir-derived COCs were collected in aspiration medium with (Asp-IBMX) or without (Asp) IBMX. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were then incubated for 12 hours in IVM medium with (Mat-IBMX) or without (Mat) IBMX, followed by additional 24 hours in Mat medium. The cAMP concentration, glucose consumption, lactate production, and metaphase II rates of the COCs were assessed. Cumulus-oocyte complexes aspirated into Asp-IBMX (62.2 ± 2.6 fmol per COC) medium had higher cAMP concentration than Asp (31.8 ± 2.8 fmol per COC) control group (P < .05). Likewise, at 12 hours of IVM, Mat-IBMX group (33.2 ± 2.1 fmol per COC) had higher cAMP concentration than the Mat group (7.68 ± 0.5 fmol per COC; P < .05). Glucose consumption and lactate production were lower during the first 12 hours of incubation in COCs cultured in Mat-IBMX (P < .05). Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine prevented the rapid drop in cAMP concentration and altered metabolism of glucose by the COC. Preventing the sudden drop in cAMP prevents the premature nuclear maturation of in vitro-matured oocytes causing poor developmental competence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Tscharke
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia
| | - Karen Kind
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jennifer Kelly
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Turretfield Research Centre, Rosedale, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dave Kleemann
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Turretfield Research Centre, Rosedale, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jose Len
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pereira BC, Ortiz I, Dorado JM, Diaz-Jimenez MA, Consuegra C, Gosalvez J, Hidalgo M. Effect of permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification on DNA fragmentation of equine oocyte-cumulus cells. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 54 Suppl 3:53-56. [PMID: 31512317 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13491] [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: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells could be used as an indicator of oocyte vitrification success as an indirect indicator of the quality of the oocyte. This study was designed to compare the DNA fragmentation of post-mortem equine cumulus cells before or after vitrification in the absence of permeable cryoprotectant agents. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs; n = 56) were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and subjected to in vitro maturation (42 hr/38.2°C/5%CO2 ) before (control group) or after a permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification method using 1 M sucrose (vitrification group). After in vitro maturation, COCs were denuded, and cumulus cells were washed and stored at -80°C until thawing. Cumulus cell samples were processed with the chromatin dispersion test (Ovoselect, Halotech DNA, Spain). Low, high and total DNA fragmentation percentages of cumulus cells were recorded and compared between the two groups by Student's t test. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM. The vitrified group resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05) percentages for low (16.81 ± 1.62 vs. 6.63 ± 0.77) and total (21.14 ± 1.84 vs. 12.76 ± 1.48) DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells. There were no significant differences between groups for high DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells. In conclusion, permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification of equine oocytes increased the total DNA fragmentation rate of cumulus cells but protected them against high DNA fragmentation rates. Further studies are needed to examine the relationship between DNA fragmentation of cumulus cells and the developmental competence of equine oocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blasa Carmen Pereira
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Isabel Ortiz
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Jesús Manuel Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Maria Angeles Diaz-Jimenez
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Cesar Consuegra
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Jaime Gosalvez
- Department of Biology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dordas-Perpinyà M, Pintart C, Terris H, Normandin L, Bruyas JF. Assessing the fertility of two mares cloned from the same founder animal. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 55:44-53. [PMID: 31688983 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two cloned mares, produced from the same sample of skin fibroblasts, were bred during four breeding seasons from their second year of age, as embryo donors, in exactly the same conditions, using the same stallions for both cloned mares. The aim of this study was to test the embryo donor potential of cloned mares and to compare the results obtained from two cloned mares of the same mare with other embryo donor mares (n = 31-39 per breeding season) at the same stud. For both cloned mares, 19 embryos were recovered by 43 collection attempts (44%) (7/22 for one; 12/21 for the other), 16 (84%) pregnancies (5/7 for one, 11/12 for the other) were obtained at day 14 post-ovulation (D14 ), and 12 (3/7 for one; 9/12 for the other) foals were born. One cloned mare was a less efficient donor mare than the other (p < .05), In control donor mares, 623 embryo collections were performed, with a recovery rate (80%-496/623) significantly higher than for cloned mares. The recovery rate in the subpopulation of 2-5-year-old control donor mares (same age of cloned mares) (89%-127/143) and The recovery rate in the subpopulation of 12 control mares bred with the seven same stallions as clones (55%-17/31), were both higher than for cloned mare (p < .05). The success rate of transfer was not different between embryos produced by cloned mares (84%-16/19) and those produced by control donor mares (79%-392/496). However, the foaling rate per embryo collection was significantly lower for cloned mares (28%-12/43) than for control donor mares (52% - 325/623) (p < .05).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cécile Pintart
- Theriogenology Unit, Nantes Veterinary College, Nantes cedex 03, France
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Neuhauser S, Bollwein H, Siuda M, Handler J. Effects of Different Freezing Protocols on Motility, Viability, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, Intracellular Calcium Level, and DNA Integrity of Cryopreserved Equine Epididymal Sperm. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 82:102801. [PMID: 31732114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different freezing procedures on sperm motion, viability, the acrosome status, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular calcium content, and DNA integrity on epididymal stallion sperm. Therefore, the sperm of 10 healthy stallions was harvested by retrograde flushing after testectomy, diluted with a semen extender containing defined milk proteins and a freezing extender containing egg yolk and glycerol and frozen according to 4 different protocols, using a programmable freezer and a floating rack performing a slow (processes 1 and 2) or a fast cooling rate (processes 3 and 4, respectively). Post-thaw total motility and slow sperm values were lower when using process 4 compared with processes 1 and 2 (P < .05) after 1 hour of incubation. Progressive motility was lower in process 4 compared with process 1 immediately after thawing and after 1 hour of incubation (P < .05). The amount of rapid sperm was lower when using process 4 compared with process 1 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, the amount of rapid sperm was lower when using process 4 compared with processes 1 and 2 (P < .05). Higher values for viable sperm were seen in processes 1 and 2 compared with process 4 (P < .05) after 1 hour of incubation. Immediately after thawing, more viable sperm with high MMP (hMMP) were observed when using process 3 compared with process 2 (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, a significantly higher amount of viable hMMP sperm were detected when using processes 1 and 2 compared with process 4 (P < .05). Process 2 yielded a lower percentage of sperm containing low calcium (lCa) than process 3 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, the lowest amount of lCa sperm was observed using process 4 (P < .05). The subpopulation of viable/hMMP/lCa sperm was higher when using process 3 compared with process 2 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, the lowest amount of this subpopulation was detected in process 4 (P < .05). The DNA integrity was similar in all groups. In conclusion, a slow cooling rate with a controlled rate freezer resulted in best sperm quality after thawing. Using a floating rack in nitrogen vapor as an alternative to a programmable freezer, equilibration in a cooled environment is advantageous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Equine Reproduction Unit, Freie Universität Berlin, Bad Saarow, Germany
| | - Heiner Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Handler
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Equine Reproduction Unit, Freie Universität Berlin, Bad Saarow, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Dorado J, Hidalgo M, Acha D, Ortiz I, Bottrel M, Azcona F, Carrasco JJ, Gómez-Arrones V, Demyda-Peyrás S. Cryopreservation of Andalusian donkey (Equus asinus) spermatozoa: Use of alternative energy sources in the freezing extender affects post-thaw sperm motility patterns but not DNA stability. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 208:106126. [PMID: 31405480 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106126] [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: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three sugars and Equex paste in a freezing extender for donkey sperm cryopreservation. Ejaculates (n = 18) were collected from six Andalusian donkeys of proven fertility were pooled (two ejaculates per pool) and cryopreserved using a freezing extender containing three different sugars (glucose, fructose and sorbitol), with or without the addition of Equex paste. Sperm quality was assessed before and after freezing-thawing for motility, morphology, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity. The use of sorbitol in the freezing extender improved total and progressive sperm motility (P < 0.05) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (P < 0.01), but it reduced the values for other sperm motility variables compared with glucose (P < 0.001). The use of fructose resulted in a reduction in values for most CASA variables (P < 0.05), whereas addition of Equex paste did not have any beneficial effect on values for these variables (P > 0.05). Glucose was more effective in maintaining sperm morphology (P < 0.05), while there was no beneficial effect with the addition of Equex paste (P > 0.05). Supplementation of fructose and Equex paste in the freezing extender decreased plasma membrane integrity (P < 0.05) as compared with glucose, but there were no differences between treatments for acrosome and DNA integrity (P > 0.05), even after 24 h of incubation. The use of different sugar sources in the extender could affect the in vitro post-thaw quality of cryopreserved donkey spermatozoa, with sorbitol being an interesting alternative for improving the sperm quality. Results of the present study indicate the use of Equex paste could negatively affect post-thaw outcomes for sperm viability in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
| | - M Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - D Acha
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - I Ortiz
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - M Bottrel
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - F Azcona
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP - CONICET LA PLATA), 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Department of Animal Production. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. National University of La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - J J Carrasco
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - V Gómez-Arrones
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - S Demyda-Peyrás
- IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando N. Dulout" (UNLP - CONICET LA PLATA), 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Department of Animal Production. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. National University of La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Neuhauser S, Bollwein H, Siuda M, Handler J. Comparison of the Effects of Five Semen Extenders on the Quality of Frozen-Thawed Equine Epididymal Sperm. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 79:1-8. [PMID: 31405486 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of epididymal sperm allows the saving of genetic material in case of unexpected death or emergency castration. The aim of the present study was the comparison of five different combinations of extenders commercially available for equine frozen semen processing for cryopreservation of epididymal sperm. Epididymal sperm were harvested from gonads of 10 healthy stallions after routine castration by retrograde flush technique. Then, samples were split and diluted with (1) INRA96 + INRA Freeze, (2) BotuSemen + BotuCRIO, (3) EquiPlus + Gent Freeze, (4) EquiPlus + EquiPlus Freeze, and (5) Gent + Gent Freeze. Extenders 1 and 2 showed higher values for total and progressive motility after thawing compared with extender 4 (P < .05). Extender 3 was in between 1 and 2 (P > .05), and extender 5 resulted in the lowest values (P < .05). The subpopulation of viable frozen-thawed sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential and low intracellular calcium content was higher using extender 1 compared with extenders 3, 4, and 5 (P < .05) and higher in extender 2 compared with extenders 4 and 5 immediately after thawing (P < .05). After 1 hour of incubation, this subpopulation yielded the highest values in extender 2 (P < .05). Immediately after thawing, extender 1 yielded higher values for percentage of DFI and mean DFI than extenders 3, 4, and 5 (P < .05). Following 1 hour of incubation after thawing, sperm processed with extender 1 resulted in the highest values for percentage of DFI and mean DFI (P < .05). Using extender 2, mean DFI values were lower than those in extender 1 and higher than the extenders 3, 4, and 5 (P < .05). The study revealed that according to the examined sperm quality parameters, freezing extenders (extender 1, extender 2) using low concentrations of glycerol either combined with or without methylformamide were beneficial for cryopreservation of stallion epididymal sperm. For processing of stallion epididymal sperm, an extender containing milk proteins (extenders 1-4) for initial dilution after sperm harvesting is preferable to an extender including egg yolk (extender 5).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Equine Reproduction Unit, Freie Universität Berlin, Bad Saarow, Germany
| | - Heinrich Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Handler
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow, Equine Reproduction Unit, Freie Universität Berlin, Bad Saarow, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
A preliminary study on the use of jenny colostrum to improve quality in extenders for freezing donkey semen. Cryobiology 2019; 87:110-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
16
|
Douet C, Reigner F, Barrière P, Blard T, Deleuze S, Goudet G. First attempts for vitrification of immature oocytes in donkey (Equus asinus): Comparison of two vitrification methods. Theriogenology 2018; 126:261-265. [PMID: 30590248 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Most wild donkey breeds are severely threatened by poaching for meat, habitat loss, and competition with livestock for food resources. Moreover, due to the mechanization in agriculture and in transport, most domestic donkey breeds are at risk of extinction. Considering the importance of biodiversity and preservation of genetic resources, the creation of genetic banks for endangered donkey breeds is urgently needed. Cryopreservation of immature jennies oocytes would be an efficient tool to allow storage of female genetics. The aim of the present study was to establish conditions for immature donkey oocyte vitrification, using equine oocytes as a control. Asine and equine immature cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration and flushed to obtain oocytes surrounded by only corona radiata. Oocytes were vitrified after exposure to increasing concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol and sucrose as cryoprotectants in a solution of INRA-Freeze™ medium or TCM199-Hepes supplemented with bovine serum albumin. Oocytes were warmed in decreasing concentrations of sucrose and processed for in vitro maturation. The recovery rate was 48% for jennies oocytes (4.8 oocyte per female) and 42% for mares oocytes (3.5 oocyte per female). When oocytes were exposed to cryoprotectants in INRA-Freeze™ medium none of the jennies re-warmed oocytes matured, whereas 24% of the mares re-warmed oocytes reached metaphase II after in vitro maturation. When oocytes were exposed to cryoprotectants in TCM199-Hepes-BSA medium, 33% of the jennies re-warmed oocytes matured. In conclusion, we developed a method for the vitrification of immature oocytes from jennies that allows in vitro maturation of the vitrified-warmed asine oocytes. Their competence for fertilization and development has to be ascertain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Douet
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Deleuze
- Faculté de Médecine vétérinaire, Département des Sciences Cliniques-Clinique Equine, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ghylène Goudet
- PRC, INRA, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, 37380, Nouzilly, France.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Neuhauser S, Gösele P, Handler J. Combined Single-Straw Packaging of Cryopreserved Stallion Epididymal Sperm and Separated Homologous Seminal Plasma. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
18
|
Deleuze S, Douet C, Couty I, Moros-Nicolás C, Barrière P, Blard T, Reigner F, Magistrini M, Goudet G. Ovum Pick Up and In Vitro Maturation of Jennies Oocytes Toward the Setting Up of Efficient In Vitro Fertilization and In Vitro Embryos Culture Procedures in Donkey ( Equus asinus ). J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
19
|
|
20
|
Morris LHA. The development of in vitro embryo production in the horse. Equine Vet J 2018; 50:712-720. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
21
|
Acha D, Hidalgo M, Ortiz I, Gálvez MJ, Carrasco JJ, Gómez-Arrones V, Dorado J. Freezability of Andalusian donkey (Equus asinus) spermatozoa: effect of extenders and permeating cryoprotectants. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 28:1990-1998. [PMID: 26129907 DOI: 10.1071/rd14449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two semen extenders and four permeating cryoprotectants on post-thaw sperm quality of Andalusian donkeys. First, 32 ejaculates were pooled, split and frozen in either Gent B or INRA 96 with egg yolk and glycerol. Second, 12 pooled semen samples were simultaneously frozen in Gent B (glycerol) or Gent A containing ethylene glycol (EG; 1 or 1.5%) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 1.5 or 2%). Finally, nine pooled samples were simultaneously cryopreserved in Gent A containing 1% EG (as control), dimethylformamide (DMFA; 1 or 2.5%) or a combination of 1% EG and 1.5% DMFA. Gent B yielded a higher (P<0.01) post-thaw sperm motility than modified INRA96. EG 1% increased the sperm membrane integrity (P<0.001), whereas DMSO affected sperm motility and membrane integrity (P<0.001). DMFA 2.5% yielded higher (P<0.001) values for sperm motility and membrane integrity. We concluded that Gent B improves in vitro post-thaw sperm quality of donkey spermatozoa, but the replacement of glycerol with 1% EG or 2.5% DMFA increased sperm protection against cryodamage. The use of DMSO for freezing donkey semen was unsuccessful and a toxic effect is suspected. These extenders should be included in the pre-freeze test for each donkey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Acha
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales (Edif. Hospital Clínico Veterinario), Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - M Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales (Edif. Hospital Clínico Veterinario), Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - I Ortiz
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales (Edif. Hospital Clínico Veterinario), Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - M J Gálvez
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales (Edif. Hospital Clínico Veterinario), Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - J J Carrasco
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), Camino Santa Engracia, S/N (Estación Pecuaria), 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - V Gómez-Arrones
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), Camino Santa Engracia, S/N (Estación Pecuaria), 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | - J Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales (Edif. Hospital Clínico Veterinario), Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
The Effect of Four Different Commercial Semen Extenders on the Motility of Stallion Epididymal Sperm. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
23
|
Brom-de-Luna JG, Canesin HS, Wright G, Hinrichs K. Culture of somatic cells isolated from frozen-thawed equine semen using fluorescence-assisted cell sorting. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 190:10-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
24
|
Salamone DF, Canel NG, Rodríguez MB. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in domestic and wild mammals. Reproduction 2017; 154:F111-F124. [PMID: 29196493 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has become a useful technique for clinical applications in the horse-breeding industry. However, both ICSI blastocyst and offspring production continues to be limited for most farm and wild species. This article reviews technical differences of ICSI performance among species, possible biological and methodological reasons for the variable efficiency and potential strategies to improve the outcomes. One of the major applications of ICSI in animal production is the reproduction of high-value specimens. Unfortunately, some domestic species like the bovine show low rates of pronuclei formation after sperm injection, which led to the development of various artificial activation protocols and sperm pre-treatments that are discussed in this article. The impact of ICSI technique on equine breeding programs is considered in detail, since in contrast to other species, its use for elite horse reproduction has increased in recent years. ICSI has also been used to produce genetically modified animals; however, despite numerous attempts in several domestic species, only transgenic pigs have been consistently produced. Finally, the ICSI is a promising tool for genetic rescue of endangered and wild species. In conclusion, while ICSI has become a consistent ART for some species, it needs further development for others. The low results obtained for some domestic species, the high training needed and the equipment required have limited this technique to the production of elite specimens or for research purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Salamone
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia G Canel
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Animal, Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICETBuenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ortiz-Escribano N, Bogado Pascottini O, Woelders H, Vandenberghe L, De Schauwer C, Govaere J, Van den Abbeel E, Vullers T, Ververs C, Roels K, Van De Velde M, Van Soom A, Smits K. An improved vitrification protocol for equine immature oocytes, resulting in a first live foal. Equine Vet J 2017; 50:391-397. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Ortiz-Escribano
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - O. Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - H. Woelders
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre; Wageningen UR Livestock Research; Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - L. Vandenberghe
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - C. De Schauwer
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - J. Govaere
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - E. Van den Abbeel
- Department for Reproductive Medicine; Ghent University Hospital; Ghent Belgium
| | - T. Vullers
- Animal Embryo Centre; Maria-Hoop the Netherlands
| | - C. Ververs
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - K. Roels
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - M. Van De Velde
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - A. Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| | - K. Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Ghent University; Merelbeke Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Exposure to follicular fluid during oocyte maturation and oviductal fluid during post-maturation does not improve in vitro embryo production in the horse. ZYGOTE 2017; 25:612-630. [DOI: 10.1017/s096719941700048x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
SummaryMost wild equids and many domestic horse breeds are at risk of extinction, so there is an urgent need for genome resource banking. Embryos cryopreservation allows the preservation of genetics from male and female and is the fastest method to restore a breed. In the equine, embryo production in vitro would allow the production of several embryos per cycle. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used to generate horse embryos, but it requires expensive equipment and expertise in micromanipulation, and blastocyst development rates remain low. No conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique for equine embryo production is available. The development of culture conditions able to mimic the maturation of the oocyte in preovulatory follicular fluid (pFF) and the post-maturation in oviductal fluid (OF) may improve embryo production in vitro. Our aim was to analyse the effect of in vitro maturation in pFF and incubation in OF on in vitro maturation of equine oocytes, fertilization using conventional IVF or ICSI, and embryo development after culture in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) or DMEM-F12. Oocytes collected from slaughtered mares or by ovum pick up were matured in vitro in pFF or semi-synthetic maturation medium (MM). The in vitro maturation, fertilization and development rates were not statistically different between pFF and MM. After in vitro maturation, oocytes were incubated with or without OF. Post-maturation in OF did not significantly improve the fertilization and development rates. Thus, in our study, exposure to physiological fluids for oocyte maturation and post-maturation does not improve in vitro embryo production in the horse.
Collapse
|
27
|
Moraes GDD, Curcio BDR, Nogueira CE, Pazinato FM, Finger IS, Silva AC, Varela Junior AS, Corcini CD. Estudo de ovários fetais equinos: uma abordagem histológica1. PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/s0100-736x2016001100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RESUMO: O estudo do desenvolvimento embriológico de órgãos reprodutivos representa uma ferramenta importante para a compreensão das particularidades da espécie equina, assim como ampliar os conhecimentos sobre o desenvolvimento de folículos antrais que podem ser utilizados para produção in vitro de embriões. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo descrever as alterações morfológicas de ovários fetais equinos ocorrentes durante o desenvolvimento gestacional. Foram utilizados fetos equinos provenientes de abatedouro. Imediatamente após o abate foi realizada medição da distância cefalococcígea para o cálculo da idade gestacional em dias (dias de gestação - DG) e dissecação dos fetos para a retirada e fixação dos ovários. Foram realizadas avaliações macroscópicas e histológicas pelas técnicas de Hematoxilina-eosina e PAS. Foram utilizados 19 fetos com idade de 50-269 dias de gestação, distribuídos em 9 grupos de DG. Na avaliação macroscópica foi observada diferença entre o volume dos ovários de acordo com a idade gestacional, sendo observado maior volume ovariano entre os dias 210 a 269 de desenvolvimento gestacional. Na avaliação histológica foi observado epitélio de revestimento cúbico e distinção entre as camadas cortical e medular nos ovários fetais a partir de 50-89 DG. As principais características identificadas foram à distinção morfológica entre as camadas cortical e medular nos ovários fetais equinos: os cordões ovígeros surgiram no intervalo de 150-179 DG; o córtex iniciada como uma camada delgada e por volta do 210º dia de gestação apresentou espessamento pelo aumento da quantidade de tecido conjuntivo rico em vasos sanguíneos, o qual se manteve até os estágios finais da gestação; a região medular adquiriu uniformidade estrutural por volta do 150º dia, mostrando células similares em tamanho e vasos sanguíneos de calibre maior. A partir desta etapa, as células medulares diminuíram em tamanho e feixes de tecido conjuntivo denso tornaram esta zona parcialmente dividida.
Collapse
|
28
|
Establishment of conditions for ovum pick up and IVM of jennies oocytes toward the setting up of efficient IVF and in vitro embryos culture procedures in donkey (Equus asinus). Theriogenology 2016; 86:528-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
29
|
FSH supplementation to culture medium is beneficial for activation and survival of preantral follicles enclosed in equine ovarian tissue. Theriogenology 2016; 85:1106-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
30
|
Pukazhenthi BS. Saving wild ungulate diversity through enhanced management and sperm cryopreservation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:RD15412. [PMID: 27246462 DOI: 10.1071/rd15412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild ungulates throughout the world face the impending risk of extinction. Small founding population size, lack of interest in exhibiting wild ungulates and declining space in zoos are not sustaining ex situ populations. Animals managed in ex situ collections continue to experience >20% neonate loss globally. To ensure population sustainability there is a critical need to: (1) manage ungulates in large herds, increasing mate choice and reproductive efficiency; (2) improve husbandry and genetic management; and (3) develop consistent assisted reproductive technologies, including sperm cryopreservation and AI. Recently, new models in the management of ungulates have begun to emerge. Animal managers and researchers are also beginning to exploit advances in genomics to improve genetic management of their collections. Furthermore, the past decade has witnessed significant advances particularly in semen collection and cryopreservation in numerous species. Advances in gonadal tissue cryopreservation now offer additional opportunities to preserve male genomes. The new knowledge generated is enabling the creation of genetic (sperm) banks to rescue and enhance reproductive management of wild ungulates. The present paper reviews the threats to ungulate populations, the status and relevance of animal management and biomaterial banking efforts to ensure long-term survival of these charismatic species.
Collapse
|
31
|
Neuhauser S, Dörfel S, Handler J. Dose-dependent effects of homologous seminal plasma on motility and kinematic characteristics of post-thaw stallion epididymal spermatozoa. Andrology 2015; 3:536-43. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2014] [Revised: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Neuhauser
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow; Equine Reproduction Unit; Freie Universität Berlin; Bad Saarow Germany
| | - S. Dörfel
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow; Equine Reproduction Unit; Freie Universität Berlin; Bad Saarow Germany
| | - J. Handler
- Pferdezentrum Bad Saarow; Equine Reproduction Unit; Freie Universität Berlin; Bad Saarow Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Holt WV, Brown JL, Comizzoli P. Reproductive science as an essential component of conservation biology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 753:3-14. [PMID: 25091903 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter we argue that reproductive science in its broadest sense has never been more important in terms of its value to conservation biology, which itself is a synthetic and multidisciplinary topic. Over recent years the place of reproductive science in wildlife conservation has developed massively across a wide and integrated range of cutting edge topics. We now have unprecedented insight into the way that environmental change affects basic reproductive functions such as ovulation, sperm production, pregnancy and embryo development through previously unsuspected influences such as epigenetic modulation of the genome. Environmental change in its broadest sense alters the quality of foodstuffs that all animals need for reproductive success, changes the synchrony between breeding seasons and reproductive events, perturbs gonadal and embryo development through the presence of pollutants in the environment and drives species to adapt their behaviour and phenotype. In this book we explore many aspects of reproductive science and present wide ranging and up to date accounts of the scientific and technological advances that are currently enabling reproductive science to support conservation biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William V Holt
- Academic Department of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF, UK,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Comparison of the Effects of Four Freezing Methods on Motility Characteristics, Morphology, and Viability of Postthaw Stallion Epididymal Sperm. J Equine Vet Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|
34
|
Conclusions: Environmental Change, Wildlife Conservation and Reproduction. REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES IN ANIMAL CONSERVATION 2014; 753:503-14. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
35
|
Motility of Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Stallion Sperm from Three Segments of the Epididymal Cauda and the Effect of Post-Thaw Seminal Plasma Addition on Motility. J Equine Vet Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
36
|
Woelders H, Windig J, Hiemstra SJ. How developments in cryobiology, reproductive technologies and conservation genomics could shape gene banking strategies for (farm) animals. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 47 Suppl 4:264-73. [PMID: 22827380 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02085.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Many local breeds are currently at risk because of replacement by a limited number of specialized commercial breeds. Concurrently, for many breeds, allelic diversity within breeds declines because of inbreeding. Gene banking of germplasm may serve to secure the breeds and the alleles for any future use, for instance to recover a lost breed, to address new breeding goals, to support breeding schemes in small populations to minimize inbreeding, and for conservation genetics and genomics research. Developments in cryobiology and reproductive technology have generated several possibilities for preserving germplasm in farm animals. Furthermore, in some mammalian and bird species, gene banking of material is difficult or impossible, requiring development of new alternative methods or improvement of existing methods. Depending on the species, there are interesting possibilities or research developments in the use of epididymal spermatozoa, oocytes and embryos, ovarian and testicular tissue, primordial germ cells, and somatic cells for the conservation of genetic diversity in farm- and other animal species. Rapid developments in genomics research also provide new opportunities to optimize conservation and sampling strategies and to characterize genome-wide genetic variation. With regard to gene banks for farm animals, collaboration between European countries is being developed through a number of organizations, aimed at sharing knowledge and expertise between national programmes. It would be useful to explore further collaboration between countries, within the framework of a European gene banking strategy that should minimize costs of conservation and maximize opportunities for exploitation and sustainable use of genetic diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Woelders
- Wageningen UR, Centre for Genetic Resources, CGN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|