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Diaz-Miranda EA, Penitente-Filho JM, Gomez-Leon VE, Neto TM, Guimarães SF, Siqueira JB, Guimarães JD. Selection based on the Breeding Soundness Evaluation is associated with the improvement of the reproductive quality of young Nellore bulls. Theriogenology 2024; 226:369-377. [PMID: 38970923 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.06.032] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is the best methodology to estimate the fertility potential of future bulls and performing indirect selection for their fertility. However, the outcome of the BSE is influenced by several factors, including genetics, environment, and BSE guidelines. Herein, in this retrospective study, our first aim was to characterize the reasons for failure in 46,566 BSE from 2-year-old beef Bos indicus bulls (Nellore) born from 1997 to 2018. Our second aim was to determine whether or not BSE was associated with reproductive potential improvement of the bulls over the years. Due to changes in the BSE criteria, we used the same dataset, but only bulls born from 2002 to 2018 were included resulting in 35,856 BSE. For the second aim, the effect of the year and farm were included in the model of the multivariate logistic regression. We also determined if the main reasons for BSE failure decreased over time. Bulls were classified as approved (satisfactory potential breeders and qualified for natural breeding service) and not approved (deferred and unsatisfactory potential breeders). The reasons for BSE failure in Nellore bulls were poor semen quality (53.1 %) and physical defects (46.9 %), with the main physical defect being testis abnormalities (19.7 %). The overall percentage of bulls approved each year was 87.1 %, with no improvement over the years of study. However, the percentage of approved bulls at the first BSE increased over the years (P < 0.05). This increase was evident by a reduction in the difference between the overall percentage of the bulls approved vs the percentage of bulls approved at the first BSE. Furthermore, there was an increase in the percentage of bulls classified as satisfactory potential breeders in the BSE and an evident decrease in the percentage of bulls qualified only for natural breeding service (P < 0.05). In addition, an increase of the scrotal circumference (SC) of the herd was found (P < 0.05). These results indicate the overall quality of the bulls improved over the years. To associate and identify the main sperm abnormalities, 3461 not approved bulls were clustered. The most frequent defects were strongly coiled tail spermatozoa, proximal droplets, and acrosomal defects. Overall, there was no change in the frequency of bulls not approved by the sperm morphology nor the frequency of the main sperm abnormalities over the years. Nevertheless, the frequency of the defects remained very low, implying they were controlled. Additionally, abnormalities in the testis decreased over the years and was associated with the increase in the SC of the herd and a decrease of culled bulls due to low SC. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that there is an association between implementation and use of BSE with improvements in the reproductive quality of future generation bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Andres Diaz-Miranda
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | | | - Victor E Gomez-Leon
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | | | - Jeanne Broch Siqueira
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal Dos Vales Do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Bollwein H, Malama E. Review: Evaluation of bull fertility. Functional and molecular approaches. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100795. [PMID: 37567681 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
With the term "assisted reproduction technologies" in modern cattle farming, one could imply the collection of techniques that aim at the optimal use of bovine gametes to produce animals of high genetic value in a time- and cost-efficient manner. The accurate characterisation of sperm quality plays a critical role for the efficiency of several assisted reproduction-related procedures, such as sperm processing, in vitro embryo production and artificial insemination. Bull fertility is ultimately a collective projection of the ability of a series of ejaculates to endure sperm processing stress, and achieve fertilisation of the oocyte and production of a viable and well-developing embryo. In this concept, the assessment of sperm functional and molecular characteristics is key to bull fertility diagnostics and prognostics. Among others, functional features linked to sperm plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA integrity are usually assessed as a measure of the ability of sperm to express the phenotypes that will allow them to maintain their homeostasis and orchestrate-in a strict temporal manner-the course of events that will enable the delivery of their genetic content to the oocyte upon fertilisation. Nevertheless, measures of sperm functionality are not always adequate indicators of bull fertility. Nowadays, advancements in the field of molecular biology have facilitated the profiling of several biomolecules in male gametes. The molecular profiling of bovine sperm offers a deeper insight into the mechanisms underlying sperm physiology and, thus, can reveal novel candidate markers for bull fertility prognosis. In this review, the importance of three organelles (the nucleus, the plasma membrane and the acrosome) for the characterisation of sperm fertilising capacity and bull fertility is discussed at functional and molecular levels. In particular, information about sperm head morphometry, chromatin structure, viability as well as the ability of sperm to capacitate and undergo the acrosome reaction are presented in relation to the cryotolerance of male gametes and bull fertility. Finally, major spermatozoal coding and non-coding RNAs, and proteins that are involved in the above-mentioned aspects of sperm functionality are also summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Department for Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - E Malama
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Department for Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Abril-Parreño L, Carthy TR, Keogh K, Štiavnická M, O'Meara C, Lonergan P, Kenny DA, Fair S. Genome-wide association study reveals candidate markers related to field fertility and semen quality traits in Holstein-Friesian bulls. Animal 2023; 17:100841. [PMID: 37224615 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro assessment of bull semen quality is routinely used in bull semen processing centres in order to ensure that semen destined to be used in the field has passed minimum standards. Despite these stringent quality control checks, individual bulls that pass the quality control checks can still vary in field fertility by up to 25%. A genome-wide association study was undertaken to determine genetic markers associated with prefreeze and post-thaw bull sperm quality traits as well as field fertility. Genome-wide association analysis was performed using a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) regression mixed linear model in WOMBAT. Genes within a 250 Kb span of a suggestive (P ≤ 1 × 10-5) SNP were considered as candidate genes. One SNP was associated with adjusted pregnancy rate, and 21 SNPs were associated across the seven semen quality traits (P ≤ 1 × 10-5). Functional candidate genes include SIPA1L2 which was associated with adjusted pregnancy rate. This encodes a Rap GTPase-activating protein involved in Rap1 signalling pathway and was previously found to play a role in the process of sperm differentiation. Gene ontology (GO) analysis also identified significantly enriched biological processes involved protein tyrosine kinase activity including genes such as DYRK1A, TEC and TXK that were associated with sperm motility prior to freezing. Another candidate gene associated with post-thaw sperm motility was FHDC1 which coordinates actin filament and microtubule dynamics. The induced 11 GO terms in the ejaculates rejected after freezing trait were related to ATPase, phosphatase and hydrolase activity. These results reveal novel specific genomic regions and candidate genes associated with economically important phenotypes such as field fertility and semen quality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Abril-Parreño
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Tara R Carthy
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Miriama Štiavnická
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Ciara O'Meara
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 WF59, Ireland
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 W6F6, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland.
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Donnellan EM, Perrier JP, Keogh K, Štiavnická M, Collins CM, Dunleavy EM, Sellem E, Bernecic NC, Lonergan P, Kenny DA, Fair S. Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs in spermatozoa of bulls of varying fertility. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:993561. [PMID: 36277068 PMCID: PMC9581129 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.993561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bulls used in artificial insemination, with apparently normal semen quality, can vary significantly in their field fertility. This study aimed to characterize the transcriptome of spermatozoa from high (HF) and low (LF) fertility bulls at the mRNA and miRNA level in order to identify potential novel markers of fertility. Holstein-Friesian bulls were assigned to either the HF or LF group (n = 10 per group) based on an adjusted national fertility index from a minimum of 500 inseminations. Total RNA was extracted from a pool of frozen-thawed spermatozoa from three different ejaculates per bull, following which mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq were performed. Six mRNAs and 13 miRNAs were found differentially expressed (P < 0.05, FC > 1.5) between HF and LF bulls. Of particular interest, the gene pathways targeted by the 13 differentially expressed miRNAs were related to embryonic development and gene expression regulation. Previous studies reported that disruptions to protamine 1 mRNA (PRM1) had deleterious consequences for sperm chromatin structure and fertilizing ability. Notably, PRM1 exhibited a higher expression in spermatozoa from LF than HF bulls. In contrast, Western Blot analysis revealed a decrease in PRM1 protein abundance for spermatozoa from LF bulls; this was not associated with increased protamine deficiency (measured by the degree of chromatin compaction) or DNA fragmentation, as assessed by flow cytometry analyses. However, protamine deficiency was positively and moderately correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation, irrespective of fertility group. This study has identified potential biomarkers that could be used for improving semen quality assessments of bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eimear M. Donnellan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jean-Philippe Perrier
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Ireland
| | - Miriam Štiavnická
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | | | - Elaine M. Dunleavy
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Eli Sellem
- ALLICE, Innovation and Development, Paris, France
| | - Naomi C. Bernecic
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland,*Correspondence: Sean Fair
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Nagaki CAP, Hamilton TRDS, Assumpção MEODÁ. What is known so far about bull sperm protamination: a review. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20210109. [DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Bernecic NC, Donnellan E, O'Callaghan E, Kupisiewicz K, O'Meara C, Weldon K, Lonergan P, Kenny DA, Fair S. Comprehensive functional analysis reveals that acrosome integrity and viability are key variables distinguishing artificial insemination bulls of varying fertility. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:11226-11241. [PMID: 34253371 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In vitro methods of assessing bull semen quality in artificial insemination (AI) centers are unable to consistently detect individuals of lower fertility, and attempts to reliably predict bull fertility are still ongoing. This highlights the need to identify robust biomarkers that can be readily measured in a practical setting and used to improve current predictions of bull fertility. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed a range of functional, morphological, and intracellular attributes in cryopreserved spermatozoa from a selected cohort of Holstein Friesian AI bulls classified as having either high or low fertility (n = 10 of each fertility phenotype; difference of 11.4% in adjusted pregnancy rate between groups). Here, spermatozoa were assessed for motility and kinematic parameters, morphology, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane lipid packing, viability (or membrane integrity), superoxide production, and DNA integrity. In addition, spermatozoa were used for in vitro fertilization to evaluate their capacity for fertilization and successful embryo development. The information collected from these assessments was then used to phenotypically profile the 2 groups of bulls of divergent fertility status as well as to develop a model to predict bull fertility. According to the results, acrosome integrity and viability were the only sperm attributes that were significantly different between high- and low-fertility bulls. Interestingly, although spermatozoa from low-fertility bulls, on average, had reduced viability and acrosome integrity, this response varied considerably from bull to bull. Principal component analysis revealed a sperm phenotypic profile that represented a high proportion of ejaculates from low-fertility bulls. This was constructed based on the collective influence of several sperm attributes, including the presence of cytoplasmic droplets and superoxide production. Finally, using the combined results as a basis for modeling, we developed a linear model that was able to explain 47% of the variation in bull field fertility in addition to a logistic predictive model that had a 90% chance of distinguishing between fertility groups. Taken together, we conclude that viability and acrosome integrity could serve as fertility biomarkers in the field and, when used alongside other sperm attributes, may be useful in detecting low-fertility bulls. However, the variable nature of low-fertility bulls suggests that additional, in-depth characterization of spermatozoa at a molecular level is required to further understand the etiology of low fertility in dairy bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C Bernecic
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland.
| | - Eimear Donnellan
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Elena O'Callaghan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | | | - Ciara O'Meara
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, Unit K4, M7 Business Park, Naas, County Kildare, W91 WF59, Ireland
| | - Kaitlyn Weldon
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
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7
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Ojaghi M, Kastelic J, Thundathil JC. Testis-specific isoform of angiotensin-converting enzyme (tACE) as a candidate marker for bull fertility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:1584-1593. [PMID: 29898814 DOI: 10.1071/rd17300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Although a traditional bull breeding soundness evaluation is designed to identify bulls that are grossly abnormal, bulls classified as satisfactory potential breeders still vary in fertility, implying submicroscopic differences in sperm characteristics. Testis-specific isozyme of angiotensin-converting enzyme (tACE) is involved in the regulation of sperm function. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine tACE content, activity and localisation in bull spermatozoa and their associations with fertility. Semen from low-fertility (LF) and high-fertility (HF) Holstein bulls (n=20) with known FERTSOL rates, which represents the 56-day non-return rate, were used. There was greater tACE content (P<0.05) and tACE activity (P<0.01) in HF versus LF spermatozoa. Based on immunolocalisation, tACE was either in the acrosomal or postacrosomal region of the sperm head, with HF bulls having a higher proportion of spermatozoa with tACE in the acrosomal region than LF bulls (P<0.05). tACE content, activity, localisation to the acrosomal region and progressive motility were significantly correlated with fertility and, based on regression analysis, tACE content was predictive of fertility. tACE content and activity in semen were similar between yearling (10-13 months old) and mature (3-4 years old) bulls. Therefore, tACE has potential as a marker of field fertility in bulls at their earliest possible age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Ojaghi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, TRW 2D13, 3280 Hospital Dr, NW T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - John Kastelic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, TRW 2D13, 3280 Hospital Dr, NW T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Jacob C Thundathil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, TRW 2D13, 3280 Hospital Dr, NW T2N 4Z6, Canada
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8
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Karunakaran M, Gajare VC, Mandal A, Mondal M, Das SK, Ghosh MK, Rai S, Behera R. Electrophoretic profile of seminal proteins and their correlation with in vitro sperm characters in Black Bengal buck semen. Vet World 2019; 12:621-628. [PMID: 31327896 PMCID: PMC6584853 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.621-628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to study the electrophoretic properties of seminal plasma and sperm proteins of Black Bengal buck semen and their correlation with in vitro sperm characters and freezability. Materials and Methods: Semen ejaculates from nine Black Bengal bucks were collected by artificial vagina (n=20/buck). Ejaculates were evaluated for in vitro sperm characters and electrophoretic profile of seminal protein. In vitro sperm characters were evaluated immediately after collection, after completion of equilibration period, and after freeze-thawing. For seminal protein studies, seminal plasma proteins were precipitated by ice-cold ethanol method, and sperm proteins were extracted by Triton X detergent extraction method. Discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed to assess the molecular weight of seminal proteins. Correlation between in vitro sperm characters and protein bands was determined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and two-way ANOVA was applied to find the individual buck differences. Results: Significant difference (p<0.01) among the bucks was noticed in the in vitro sperm characters evaluated at all the three stages of semen evaluation such as immediately after collection, after completion of equilibration period, and post-freeze thawing. Progressive loss of sperm motility, membrane integrity, and other in vitro sperm characters were noticed during cryopreservation. A total of ten protein bands in the molecular weight ranging from 17 to 180 kDa were found in the SDS-PAGE of seminal plasma proteins, while nine bands of 17-134 kDa were observed in sperm proteins. Seminal plasma proteins of molecular weight 75, 62-49, 20, and 17 kDa and sperm proteins of 75, 20, and 17 kDa were present in all the nine bucks (100%) screened, and variation among the bucks was noticed for the presence of other proteins. Seminal plasma protein of 180-134 kDa showed a negative correlation with individual motility (−0.716) and functional membrane integrity of sperm cells (−0.724) in post-freeze–thaw analysis and 48 kDa protein had a positive correlation with individual motility (0.649) and functional membrane integrity of sperm cells (0.664) in post-thaw analysis. Sperm proteins of 63 kDa had a negative correlation (−0.616) with sperm concentration in neat semen. Conclusion: Variation among the bucks was noticed in the in vitro sperm characters and semen freezability. Correlation between seminal proteins and in vitro sperm characters and semen freezability had been found which might be useful as a tool to select breeding bucks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Karunakaran
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Vivek C Gajare
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Ajoy Mandal
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - Mohan Mondal
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - S K Das
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - M K Ghosh
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - S Rai
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - R Behera
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
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M K MA, Kumaresan A, Yadav S, Mohanty TK, Datta TK. Comparative proteomic analysis of high- and low-fertile buffalo bull spermatozoa for identification of fertility-associated proteins. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:786-794. [PMID: 30820981 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study identified few potential proteins in the spermatozoa of buffalo bulls that can be used as an aid in fertility determination through comparative proteomics. The sperm proteome of high-fertile buffalo bulls was compared with that of low-fertile buffalo bulls using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), and the differentially expressed proteins were identified through mass spectrometric method. The protein interaction network and the functional bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins were also carried out. In the spermatozoa of high-fertile bulls, 10 proteins were found overexpressed and 15 proteins were underexpressed at the level of twofold or more (p ≤ 0.05). The proteins overexpressed in high-fertile spermatozoa were PDZD8, GTF2F2, ZNF397, KIZ, LOH12CR1, ACRBP, PRSS37, CYP11B2, F13A1 and SPO11, whereas those overexpressed in low-fertile spermatozoa were MT1A, ATP5F1, CS, TCRB, PRODH2, HARS, IDH3A, SRPK3, Uncharacterized protein C9orf9 homolog isoform X4, TUBB2B, GPR4, PMP2, CTSL1, TPPP2 and EGFL6. The differential expression ranged from 2.0- to 6.1-fold between the two groups, where CYP11B2 was high abundant in high-fertile spermatozoa and MT1A was highly abundant in low-fertile spermatozoa. Most of the proteins overexpressed in low-fertile spermatozoa were related to energy metabolism and capacitation factors, pointing out the possible role of pre-mature capacitation and cryo-damages in reducing the fertility of cryopreserved buffalo spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Aslam M K
- Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Savita Yadav
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Tushar K Mohanty
- Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Tirtha K Datta
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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Muhammad Aslam M, Sharma VK, Pandey S, Kumaresan A, Srinivasan A, Datta T, Mohanty T, Yadav S. Identification of biomarker candidates for fertility in spermatozoa of crossbred bulls through comparative proteomics. Theriogenology 2018; 119:43-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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11
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Kumaresan A, Johannisson A, Bergqvist AS. Sperm function during incubation with oestrus oviductal fluid differs in bulls with different fertility. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:1096-1106. [PMID: 27112984 DOI: 10.1071/rd15474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa undergo several modifications in the oviduct before acquiring fertilising capacity. Although spermatozoa are exposed to similar conditions in the oviduct, the speed of the response varies with the male and the state of the spermatozoa. We hypothesised that spermatozoa from bulls with different fertility may differ in their ability to respond to oviductal fluid (ODF). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa from four bulls were incubated with oestrus oviductal fluid (OODF) for 6h. Sperm kinematics, tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphorylation patterns, capacitation and acrosome reaction were analysed at hourly intervals. The amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and straightness coefficient (STR) were higher (P<0.05) in bulls with higher fertility compared with those with lower fertility, at 1-4h of incubation. At 4h of incubation and onwards, spermatozoa from bulls with higher fertility showed a lower degree (P<0.05) of tyrosine phosphorylation and higher degree of capacitation and acrosome reaction. At least five tyrosine-phosphorylated sperm proteins were detected in all bulls. However, the expression of two phosphorylated sperm proteins (183 and 109 kDa) was upregulated in bulls with lower fertility. It may be concluded that cryopreserved spermatozoa from high- and low- fertile bulls differ in their ability to respond to OODF. This may help in developing tools for assessing fertility of bulls, once validated in more animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kumaresan
- Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Johannisson
- Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A-S Bergqvist
- Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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12
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Kumaresan A, Johannisson A, Al-Essawe EM, Morrell JM. Sperm viability, reactive oxygen species, and DNA fragmentation index combined can discriminate between above- and below-average fertility bulls. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:5824-5836. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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13
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Rajamanickam GD, Kroetsch T, Kastelic JP, Thundathil JC. Testis-specific isoform of Na/K-ATPase (ATP1A4) regulates sperm function and fertility in dairy bulls through potential mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species, calcium and actin polymerization. Andrology 2017; 5:814-823. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. D. Rajamanickam
- Department of Production Animal Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Calgary; Calgary AB Canada
| | | | - J. P. Kastelic
- Department of Production Animal Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Calgary; Calgary AB Canada
| | - J. C. Thundathil
- Department of Production Animal Health; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Calgary; Calgary AB Canada
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14
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Kumar P, Saini M, Kumar D, Bharadwaj A, Yadav PS. Estimation of endogenous levels of osteopontin, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde in seminal plasma: Application for fertility assessment in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis
) bulls. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 52:221-226. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction; ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes; Hisar Haryana India
| | - M Saini
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction; ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes; Hisar Haryana India
| | - D Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction; ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes; Hisar Haryana India
| | - A Bharadwaj
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction; ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes; Hisar Haryana India
| | - PS Yadav
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction; ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes; Hisar Haryana India
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15
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Singh RK, Kumaresan A, Chhillar S, Rajak SK, Tripathi UK, Nayak S, Datta TK, Mohanty TK, Malhotra R. Identification of suitable combinations of in vitro sperm-function test for the prediction of fertility in buffalo bull. Theriogenology 2016; 86:2263-2271.e1. [PMID: 27555524 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study assessed sperm functional characteristics in the frozen-thawed semen of buffalo bulls and estimated their relationship with field fertility. Frozen semen samples from three different freezing operations each from nine Murrah buffalo bulls were used for the assessment of different sperm functions related to fertilizing potential. Bulls were classified into high (n = 2), medium (n = 5), and low (n = 2) fertile based on adjusted field fertility. The sperm functions estimated included membrane integrity using carboxyfluorescein diacetate-propidium iodide, acrosome reaction status using fluorescein isothiocyanate peanut agglutinine, status of apoptosis using Annexin-V, protamine deficiency using Chromomycin A3, membrane stability using Merocyanine 540 and lipid peroxidation status using 4, 4-difluoro-4-bora-3a, 4a-diaza-s-indacene. The relationship between the proportion of live acrosome-intact spermatozoa and fertility was positive and significant (r = 0.59; P = 0.001). The proportion of moribund spermatozoa showed a significantly negative correlation with fertility (r = -0.50; P = 0.008). Similarly, the relationship of spermatozoa with unstable membrane (r = -0.51; P = 0.007), necrotic (r = - 0.42; P = 0.028), early necrotic (r = -0.42; P = 0.031), and apoptotic spermatozoa (r = -0.39; P = 0.046) with bull fertility was negative and significant. The correlation between the protamine-deficient spermatozoa and fertility was negative, but not significant. Among different combinations of tests, live acrosome-intact spermatozoa and lipid peroxidation status of spermatozoa revealed high positive correlation with buffalo bull fertility (adjusted R2 = 0.73, C[p] = 0.80). These preliminary findings may help in developing tools for assessing fertility of buffalo bulls, once validated in more animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raushan K Singh
- Theriogenology Lab, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - A Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Lab, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
| | - Shivani Chhillar
- Theriogenology Lab, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Shailendra K Rajak
- Theriogenology Lab, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Utkarsh K Tripathi
- Theriogenology Lab, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Samiksha Nayak
- Theriogenology Lab, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - T K Datta
- Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - T K Mohanty
- Artificial Breeding Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - R Malhotra
- Dairy Economics, Statistics & Management Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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16
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Fertility management of bulls to improve beef cattle productivity. Theriogenology 2016; 86:397-405. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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17
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Karunakaran M, Devanathan TG. Evaluation of bull semen for fertility-associated protein, in vitro characters and fertility. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2015.1129343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Karunakaran
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | - T. G. Devanathan
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
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18
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Karunakaran M, Ratnakaran U, Naik PK, Chakurkar EB. Electrophoretic profile of boar seminal proteins. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2015.1091345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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Seminal plasma and serum fertility biomarkers in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Theriogenology 2015; 83:650-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Identification of putative fertility markers in seminal plasma of crossbred bulls through differential proteomics. Theriogenology 2014; 82:1254-62.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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21
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Verma A, Rajput S, De S, Kumar R, Chakravarty AK, Datta TK. Genome-wide profiling of sperm DNA methylation in relation to buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull fertility. Theriogenology 2014; 82:750-9.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 06/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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22
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Kastelic JP. Male involvement in fertility and factors affecting semen quality in bulls. Anim Front 2013. [DOI: 10.2527/af.2013-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John P. Kastelic
- Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
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23
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Kastelic JP, Thundathil JC. Breeding Soundness Evaluation and Semen Analysis for Predicting Bull Fertility. Reprod Domest Anim 2008; 43 Suppl 2:368-73. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01186.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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24
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Aggarwal RAK, Ahlawat SPS, Kumar Y, Panwar PS, Singh K, Bhargava M. Biometry of frozen–thawed sperm from eight breeds of Indian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Theriogenology 2007; 68:682-6. [PMID: 17573105 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2006] [Accepted: 03/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sperm morphometry, in combination with other objective traits, can be useful for developing a fertility index. The objective of the present study was to measure various biometric end points of frozen-thawed sperm from eight breeds of Indian buffaloes (Murrah, Surti, Tarai, Mehsana, Jaffrabadi, Bhadawari, Pandharpuri and Nili-Ravi). The sperm head of Pandharpuri buffaloes had the greatest length (10.21 microm), width (6.05 microm), area (52.31 microm(2)) and perimeter (31.86 microm). The ratio of sperm width to length was also greatest (0.61) in Pandharpuri as well as in two other breeds, viz. Nili-Ravi and Jaffrabadi. Murrah had the smallest sperm head width (4.75 microm), area (41.65 microm(2)) and perimeter (29.17 microm), but its sperm tail was longest (57.02 microm), along with that of Jaffrabadi buffaloes (56.96 microm). Based on mean values of sperm tail length, mid piece length and its width the eight buffalo breeds were categorized into three, four and five groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis and clustering put six breeds (Surti, Tarai, Mehsana, Jaffrabadi, Bhadawari and Nili-Ravi) in one cluster, whereas Murrah and Pandharpuri appeared as separate entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A K Aggarwal
- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India.
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25
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Cortes CJ, Codelia VA, Manosalva I, de Lange J, De Los Reyes M, Moreno RD. Proacrosin/acrosin quantification as an indicator of acrosomal integrity in fresh and frozen dog spermatozoa. Anim Reprod Sci 2006; 93:165-75. [PMID: 16169165 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2005] [Accepted: 08/01/2005] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The scope of the present study was to evaluate the presence and activation of proacrosin/acrosin as a tool to determine the acrosomal status of fresh and frozen/thawed dog spermatozoa. Monoclonal antibody C5F11, directed against human acrosin, cross-reacted with dog spermatozoa and labeled the acrosome of both fresh and frozen/thawed dog spermatozoa. Frozen/thawed spermatozoa had a lesser proportion of labeled spermatozoa than fresh spermatozoa (P<0.05). When live spermatozoa were labeled with soybean trypsin inhibitor conjugated with Alexa 488 (SBTI-Alexa 488), the proportion of acrosome-labeled fresh spermatozoa was less than frozen/thawed spermatozoa (P<0.05). By using Western blots and enzymatic activity, frozen/thawed spermatozoa had a greater proportion of active acrosin than fresh spermatozoa. In addition, beta 1,4-galactosyl-transferase (GalT), a plasma membrane bound protein, remained attached to frozen/thawed spermatozoa. Proacrosin is activated during freezing/thawing of dog spermatozoa, and that proacrosin/acrosin may be a good indicator of acrosomal integrity of frozen/thawed spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza J Cortes
- Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
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26
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Abstract
The potential fertility of bulls can be evaluated in the field by assessment of mating ability and physical examination. Both methods are useful for screening out low fertility bulls, although neither allows precise determination of the pregnancy rates that bulls actually achieve. Observations of coitus, libido testing and service capacity testing are the main methods of assessing mating ability in the field and, although not reliable for virgin bulls, are widely used for older bulls. Of the traits that are assessed during physical examination, those most closely correlated with fertility are scrotal circumference and the semen quality parameters of motility and morphology. Whilst these methods allow reasonable accuracy in determining the fertility potential of an individual bull, they do not take into account other managemental constraint to bulls' fertility. Although these are reasonable well understood for beef herds, the managemental factors that affect the performance of natural service sires in dairy herds are poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Parkinson
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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