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Raad G, Fakih F, Bazzi M, Massaad V, Nasrallah E, Yarkiner Z, Mourad Y, Khater DA, Balech R, Saliba C, Serdarogullari M, Fakih C. Lactobacillus plantarum secretions may exert a cryoprotective effect on human sperm motility: A prospective in vitro study. Andrology 2023; 11:1437-1450. [PMID: 36960890 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13433] [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: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Semen cryopreservation is a widely used procedure for fertility preservation, despite some level of cryodamage that may occur in spermatozoa after thawing. However, there is some evidence that lactobacilli, one of the bacteria found in semen, might benefit sperm quality. OBJECTIVES This study aims to determine whether the addition of Lactobacillus plantarum secretions to sperm freezing medium has an impact on sperm motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a prospective auto-controlled study. It was conducted on 30 raw semen samples from 30 infertile men attending a fertility center for semen analysis. Before freezing, all the samples were analyzed for motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation percentages. Each sample was then divided equally into three aliquots. Cryopreservation was performed on each aliquot using one of the following three media: without Lactobacillus plantarum secretions (control group) or with 107 or 108 colony-forming units/mL Lactobacillus plantarum secretions. Sperm motility, morphology, and DNA integrity were evaluated after the cryopreservation media were added and after semen thawing. RESULTS The results of this study indicated that after thawing, no statistically significant decrease in progressive motility and non-progressive percentages were detected in the sperm freezing medium supplemented with 108 colony-forming units/mL Lactobacillus plantarum secretions than the fresh raw semen. Moreover, multivariate linear regression model analyses showed that the progressive motility (p = 0.02), non-progressive motility (p = 0.016), and non-motile spermatozoa (p = 0.012) percentages were significantly decreased in the freezing medium (without Lactobacillus plantarum secretions) compared to the fresh raw semen. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that Lactobacillus plantarum secretions had a cryoprotective effect on sperm motility when added to the sperm freezing medium. Furthermore, Lactobacillus plantarum secretions were found to protect sperm DNA integrity more effectively than the freezing medium without Lactobacillus plantarum secretions in non-normozoospermia group. Cryopreservation procedures must therefore be optimized to minimize any iatrogenically induced sperm DNA damage, given the correlation between sperm DNA damage and increased mutation loads in progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Raad
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fadi Fakih
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwa Bazzi
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Vinal Massaad
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Zalihe Yarkiner
- Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Northern Cyprus via Mersin, Cyprus International University, Turkey
| | - Youmna Mourad
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Rita Balech
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Munevver Serdarogullari
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Northern Cyprus via Mersin, Faculty of Medicine, Cyprus International University, Turkey
| | - Chadi Fakih
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Contreras MJ, Núñez-Montero K, Bruna P, García M, Leal K, Barrientos L, Weber H. Bacteria and Boar Semen Storage: Progress and Challenges. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121796. [PMID: 36551453 PMCID: PMC9774694 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine breeding today is based on artificial insemination with chilled semen. This is stored at 5 °C with antibiotic supplementation to avoid bacteriospermia. There are many negative consequences on sperm quality and functionality as a result of bacterial contamination, as well as on the health of the sow. Nowadays, various techniques are being developed to reduce the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and thus avoid the generation of antibiotic resistance genes. This review aims to inform about the bacterial contamination consequences of storing liquid semen from boar and to provide an update on current methods and alternatives to antibiotic use in cold storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Contreras
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Medioambiente, Universidad de La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Kattia Núñez-Montero
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Biology, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago 30101, Costa Rica
| | - Pablo Bruna
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Matías García
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Karla Leal
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
| | - Leticia Barrientos
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (H.W.)
| | - Helga Weber
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Center of Excellence in Traslational Medicine (CEMT), Universidad de La Frontera, Av. Alemania 0458, Temuco 01145, Chile
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (H.W.)
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A pilot RNA-seq study in 40 pietrain ejaculates to characterize the porcine sperm microbiome. Theriogenology 2020; 157:525-533. [PMID: 32971422 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The microbiome plays a key role in homeostasis and health and it has been also linked to fertility and semen quality in several animal species including swine. Despite the more than likely importance of sperm bacteria on the boar's reproductive ability and the dissemination of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, the high throughput characterization of the swine sperm microbiome remains scarce. We carried RNA-seq on 40 ejaculates each from a different Pietrain boar and found that a proportion of the sequencing reads did not map to the Sus scrofa genome. The current study aimed at using these reads not belonging to pig to carry a pilot study to profile the boar sperm bacterial population and its relation with 7 semen quality traits. We found that the boar sperm contains a broad population of bacteria. The most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria (39.1%), Firmicutes (27.5%), Actinobacteria (14.9%) and Bacteroidetes (5.7%). The predominant species contaminated sperm after ejaculation from soil, faeces and water sources (Bacillus megaterium, Brachybacterium faecium, Bacillus coagulans). Some potential pathogens were also found but at relatively low levels (Escherichia coli, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium botulinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis). We also identified 3 potential antibiotic resistant genes from E. coli against chloramphenicol, Neisseria meningitidis against spectinomycin and Staphylococcus aureus against linezolid. None of these genes were highly abundant. Finally, we classified the ejaculates into categories according to their bacterial features and semen quality parameters and identified two categories that significantly differed for 5 semen quality traits and 13 bacterial features including the genera Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas and Rhodobacter. Our results show that boar semen contains a bacterial community, including potential pathogens and putative antibiotic resistance genes, and that these bacteria may affect its reproductive performance.
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Experimental Evidence Reveals Both Cross-Infection and Cross-Contamination Risk of Embryo Storage in Liquid Nitrogen Biobanks. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10040598. [PMID: 32244732 PMCID: PMC7222773 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study was conducted to demonstrate the potential hazards of cross-infection and cross-contamination of embryos during storage in liquid nitrogen biobanks. For the harmless and successful cryopreservation of embryos, the vitrification method must be chosen meticulously to guarantee not only a high post-thaw survival of embryos, but also to reduce the risk of disease transmission when those embryos are in storage for long periods. Abstract In recent decades, gamete and embryo cryopreservation have become routine procedures in livestock and human assisted reproduction. However, the safe storage of germplasm and the prevention of disease transmission continue to be potential hazards of disease transmission through embryo transfer. This study aimed to demonstrate the potential risk of cross-infection of embryos from contaminated liquid nitrogen, and cross-contamination of sterile liquid nitrogen from infected embryos in naked and closed devices. Additionally, we examined the effects of antibiotic-free media on culture development of infected embryos. The study was a laboratory-based analysis using rabbit as a model. Two experiments were performed to evaluate both cross-infection (liquid nitrogen to embryos) and cross-contamination (embryos to liquid nitrogen) of artificially inoculated Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Rapid cooling through vitrification was conducted on rabbit embryos, stored for a year, thawed, and cultured. In vivo produced late morulae–early blastocyst stages (72 h) embryos were used (n = 480). Embryos were cultured for 1 h in solutions with and without pathogens. Then, the embryos were vitrified and stored in naked and closed devices for one year in two liquid nitrogen biobanks (one pathogen-free and the other artificially contaminated). Embryos were warmed and cultured for a further 48 h, assessing the development and the presence of microorganism (chromogenic media, scanning electron microscopy). Embryos stored in naked devices in artificially contaminated liquid nitrogen became infected (12.5%), while none of the embryos stored in closed devices were infected. Meanwhile, storage of artificially infected embryos incurred liquid nitrogen biobank contamination (100%). Observations by scanning electron microscopy revealed that all the microorganisms were caught in the surface of embryos after the vitrification-thawed procedure. Nevertheless, embryos cultured in antibiotics and antimycotic medium developed to the hatched blastocyst stage, while artificially infected embryos cultured in antibiotic-free medium failed to develop. In conclusion, our findings support that both cross-contamination and cross-infection during embryo storage in liquid nitrogen biobanks are plausible. So, to ensure biosafety for the cryogenic storage, closed systems that avoid direct contact with liquid nitrogen must be used. Moreover, it seems essential to provide best practice guidelines for the cryogenic preservation and storage of gametes and embryos, to define appropriate quality and risk management procedures.
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Schulze M, Nitsche-Melkus E, Hensel B, Jung M, Jakop U. Antibiotics and their alternatives in Artificial Breeding in livestock. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 220:106284. [PMID: 32005501 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotics are mandatory components of semen extenders for the control of bacterial contamination and growth. The increasing rate of worldwide resistance to conventional antibiotics in semen preservation media requires the development of new antimicrobial alternatives. This review provides an update on this topic and also highlights the improvement of hygiene in Artificial Insemination centers in order to prevent the development of bacterial resistance. Ideas are shared on future diagnostic tools for bacterial contamination in Artificial Breeding. Finally, new methods to remove or reduce bacteria in semen will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schulze
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany.
| | - E Nitsche-Melkus
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
| | - B Hensel
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
| | - M Jung
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
| | - U Jakop
- Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow, Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany
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Abstract
The moment of the fertilization of an egg by a spermatozoon-the point of "sperm success"-is a key milestone in the biology of sexually reproducing species and is a fundamental requirement for offspring production. Fertilization also represents the culmination of a suite of sexually selected processes in both sexes and is commonly used as a landmark to measure reproductive success. Sperm success is heavily dependent upon interactions with other key aspects of male and female biology, with the immune system among the most important. The immune system is vital to maintaining health in both sexes; however, immune reactions can also have antagonistic effects on sperm success. The effects of immunity on sperm success are diverse, and may include trade-offs in the male between investment in the production or protection of sperm, as well as more direct, hostile, immune responses to sperm within the female, and potentially the male, reproductive tract. Here, we review current understanding of where the biology of immunity and sperm meet, and identify the gaps in our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Wigby
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Susan S Suarez
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences (SSS), Entomology (BPL), and Molecular Biology and Genetics (MFW), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Brian P Lazzaro
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences (SSS), Entomology (BPL), and Molecular Biology and Genetics (MFW), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Tommaso Pizzari
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana F Wolfner
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences (SSS), Entomology (BPL), and Molecular Biology and Genetics (MFW), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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In Vitro Effects of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia Essential Oil) and its Principal Component Terpinen-4-ol on Swine Spermatozoa. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061071. [PMID: 30893764 PMCID: PMC6471158 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing interest towards essential oils stems from their biological capabilities that include antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Such properties may be extremely useful in the reproductive field; nonetheless essential oils show toxic effects that can lead to cell disruption. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of tea tree oil (TTO) and its principal component terpinen-4-ol (TER) on the morpho-functional parameters of swine spermatozoa. Experimental samples were prepared by suspending 15 × 107 spermatozoa in 5 mL of medium with different concentrations of the above-mentioned compounds: from 0.2 to 2 mg/mL at an interval of 0.2 for TTO, while TER concentrations were adjusted according to its presence in TTO (41.5%). After 3 h incubation at 16 °C, samples were analyzed for pH, viability, acrosome status, and objective motility. The results highlighted a concentration-dependent effect of TTO with total motility as the most sensitive parameter. TER was better tolerated, and the most sensitive parameters were related to membrane integrity, suggesting a different pattern of interaction. The study confirms the importance of evaluating the effects of natural compounds on spermatozoa before exploiting their beneficial effects. Spermatozoa seem to be good candidates for preliminary toxicological screenings in the light of their peculiar properties.
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