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Li Y, Hua Y, Xiang Z, Xu X, Zhang S, Wang X, An F, Ren Z, Wang K. Sperm collection and characteristics analysis of the critically endangered Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coae010. [PMID: 38957843 PMCID: PMC11217145 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a critically endangered species. However, there is a paucity of research on the male reproductive gamete biology of this species. The present study was the first to systematically analyse the sperm characterization of the Chinese pangolin, including semen collection, sperm morphometry and ultrastructure. The semen of five male Chinese pangolins was successfully collected using the electroejaculation method. CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) was used to assess semen quality and take images for sperm morphometric analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for sperm ultrastructure observation. The results showed that the semen of the Chinese pangolin was yellow to pale yellow in colour, viscous, with a fishy odour, and a slightly alkaline pH of between 7.7 and 7.9. The head defects were the main sperm defects; there were 13 kinds of head defects counted in this study. The total sperm length, head length, head width and tail length were 67.62 ± 0.21 μm, 10.47 ± 0.06 μm, 1.33 ± 0.006 μm and 57.16 ± 0.20 μm, respectively. SEM observed that the spermatozoa had a rod-shaped head with a distinct apical ridge, which was different from most mammals and similar to that in avians and reptiles. Interestingly, TEM found that the acrosome membrane of the Chinese pangolin had a double membrane structure rather than a multiple bi-lamellar membrane structure as reported by the previous study. Collectively, this study contributes to the development of artificial breeding efforts and assisted reproductive techniques for the Chinese pangolin, as well as providing technical support for research on germplasm conservation of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzheng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
- College of Life Sciences and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, PR China
| | - Yan Hua
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Zuofu Xiang
- College of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, PR China
| | - Xuelin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Sunxiya Zhang
- Department of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 201100, PR China
| | - Xianghe Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Fuyu An
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Zhenyu Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Kai Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
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Schmidt JK, Block LN, Jones KM, Hinkle HM, Mean KD, Bowman BD, Makulec AT, Golos TG. Atypical initial cleavage patterns minimally impact rhesus macaque in vitro embryo morphokinetics and embryo outgrowth development†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:812-820. [PMID: 37688580 PMCID: PMC10724467 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo morphokinetic analysis through time-lapse embryo imaging is envisioned as a method to improve selection of developmentally competent embryos. Morphokinetic analysis could be utilized to evaluate the effects of experimental manipulation on pre-implantation embryo development. The objectives of this study were to establish a normative morphokinetic database for in vitro fertilized rhesus macaque embryos and to assess the impact of atypical initial cleavage patterns on subsequent embryo development and formation of embryo outgrowths. The cleavage pattern and the timing of embryo developmental events were annotated retrospectively for unmanipulated in vitro fertilized rhesus macaque blastocysts produced over four breeding seasons. Approximately 50% of the blastocysts analyzed had an abnormal early cleavage event. The time to the initiation of embryo compaction and the time to completion of hatching was significantly delayed in blastocysts with an abnormal early cleavage event compared to blastocysts that had cleaved normally. Embryo hatching, attachment to an extracellular matrix, and growth during the implantation stage in vitro was not impacted by the initial cleavage pattern. These data establish normative morphokinetic parameters for in vitro fertilized rhesus macaque embryos and suggest that cleavage anomalies may not impact embryo implantation rates following embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey N Block
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Hayly M Hinkle
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Thaddeus G Golos
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Navanukraw P, Chotimanukul S, Kemthong T, Choowongkomon K, Chatdarong K. Impaired Testicular Function without Altering Testosterone Concentration Using an Anti-Follicular-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (Anti-FSHr) Single-Chain Variable Fragment (scFv) in Long-Tailed Macaques ( Macaca fascicularis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2282. [PMID: 37508065 PMCID: PMC10376863 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142282] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
FSHr antibodies have been shown to inhibit the differentiation of spermatogonia to primary spermatocytes, resulting in infertility without a pathological effect on reproductive organs. The aim of this study was to develop single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) against the follicular-stimulating hormone receptor (anti-FSHr) using phage-display technology and to evaluate the effects of intratesticular administration of the anti-FSHr scFv on testicular function and testosterone production. A phage clone against the extracellular domain of FSHr selected from a scFv phagemid library was analyzed for binding kinetics by surface plasmon resonance. Using ultrasound guidance, three adult macaques (M. fascicularis) were administered with 1 mL of 0.4 mg/mL anti-FSHr scFv (treatment) and 1 mL sterile phosphate buffer solution (control) into the left and right rete testis, respectively. Testicular appearance and volume, ejaculate quality, and serum testosterone levels were recorded on day 0 (before injection) and on days 7, 28, and 56 (after injection). Testicular tissue biopsies were performed on day 7 and day 56 to quantify the mRNA expressions of androgen binding protein (ABP), inhibin subunit beta B (IHBB), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). The results demonstrated that the anti-FSHr scFv molecule was calculated as 27 kDa with a dissociation constant (KD) of 1.03 µM. The volume of the anti-FSHr scFv-injected testicle was reduced on days 28 and 56 compared with day 0 (p < 0.05). Total sperm number was reduced from day 0 (36.4 × 106 cells) to day 56 (1.6 × 106 cells) (p < 0.05). The percentage of sperm motility decreased from day 0 (81.7 ± 1.0%) to day 7 (23.3 ± 1.9%), day 28 (41.7 ± 53.4%), and day 56 (8.3 ± 1.9%) (p < 0.05). Sperm viability on day 0 was 86.8 ± 0.5%, which reduced to 64.2 ± 1.5%, 67.1 ± 2.2%, and 9.3 ± 1.1% on days 7, 28, and 56, respectively (p < 0.05). The expression of ABP and VEGFA on days 7 (14.2- and 3.2-fold) and 56 (5.6- and 5.5-fold) was less in the scFv-treated testicle compared with the controls (p < 0.05). On day 56, the expression of IHBB was less (p < 0.05) in the treated testis (1.3-fold) compared with the controls. Serum testosterone levels were unchanged throughout the study period (p > 0.05). This study characterized the anti-FSHr scFv and demonstrated that treatment with anti-FSHr ameliorates testicular function without altering testosterone levels, offering a potential alternative contraceptive for the long-tailed macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pakpoom Navanukraw
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sroisuda Chotimanukul
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Taratorn Kemthong
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi 18110, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Kaywalee Chatdarong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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