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Llavanera M, Ribas-Maynou J, Delgado-Bermúdez A, Recuero S, Muiño R, Hidalgo CO, Tamargo C, Bonet S, Mateo-Otero Y, Yeste M. Sperm chromatin condensation as an in vivo fertility biomarker in bulls: a flow cytometry approach. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2021; 12:115. [PMID: 34749810 PMCID: PMC8576882 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-021-00634-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic selection in cattle has been directed to increase milk production. This, coupled to the fact that the vast majority of bovine artificial inseminations (AI) are performed using cryopreserved sperm, have led to a reduction of fertility rates over the years. Thus, seeking sensitive and specific sperm biomarkers able to predict fertility rates is of vital importance to improve cattle reproductive efficiency. In humans, sperm chromatin condensation evaluated through chromomycin A3 (CMA3) has recently been purported to be a powerful biomarker for sperm functional status and male infertility. The objectives of the present study were: a) to set up a flow cytometry method for simultaneously evaluating chromatin condensation and sperm viability, and b) to test whether this parameter could be used as a predictor of in vivo fertility in bulls. The study included pools of three independent cryopreserved ejaculates per bull from 25 Holstein males. Reproductive outcomes of each sire were determined by non-return rates, which were used to classify bulls into two groups (highly fertile and subfertile). Results Chromatin condensation status of bovine sperm was evaluated through the combination of CMA3 and Yo-Pro-1 staining and flow cytometry. Sperm quality parameters (morphology, viability, total and progressive motility) were also assessed. Pearson correlation coefficients and ROC curves were calculated to assess their capacity to predict in vivo fertility. Sperm morphology, viability and total motility presented an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.54, 0.64 and 0.68, respectively (P > 0.05), and thus were not able to discriminate between fertile and subfertile individuals. Alternatively, while the percentage of progressively motile sperm showed a significant predictive value, with an AUC of 0.73 (P = 0.05), CMA3/Yo-Pro-1 staining even depicted superior results for the prediction of in vivo fertility in bulls. Specifically, the percentage of viable sperm with poor chromatin condensation showed better accuracy and precision to predict in vivo fertility, with an AUC of 0.78 (P = 0.02). Conclusions Chromatin condensation evaluated through CMA3/Yo-Pro-1 and flow cytometry is defined here as a more powerful tool than conventional sperm parameters to predict bull in vivo fertility, with a potential ability to maximising the efficiency of dairy breeding industry. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-021-00634-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Llavanera
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain. .,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.
| | - Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sandra Recuero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Muiño
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, ES-15705, Lugo, Spain
| | - Carlos O Hidalgo
- Department of Animal Selection and Reproduction, The Regional Agri-Food Research and Development Service of Asturias (SERIDA), E-33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Carolina Tamargo
- Department of Animal Selection and Reproduction, The Regional Agri-Food Research and Development Service of Asturias (SERIDA), E-33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Sergi Bonet
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Campany, 69, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.,Department of Biology, Unit of Cell Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
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Lone SA, Mohanty TK, Bhakat M, Paray AR, Yadav HP, Singh A, Sinha R, Baithalu RK, Rahim A, Kumar R, Kumar P, Shah N. Modification of French mini-straw plug position for cryopreservation of small doses of bull sperm. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 218:106485. [PMID: 32507265 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Greater than optimal diluting of semen for producing a large number of doses containing relatively small numbers of sperm can lead to compromised quality of sperm, post-thawing. In the present study the French mini-straw plug position was modified and the effect of re-positioning was evaluated on the quality of sperm after thawing subsequent to cryopreservation of small doses of sperm. Four types of mini-straws were used based on the position of cotton plug including no plug displacement (Type 1; Manufacturers location for plug-placement in 0.25 mL French mini-straws), and Type II, III, and IV with re-positioning the cotton plug being 2.5, 5, and 7.5 cm, respectively, further from the manufacturer's placement location. Each ejaculate was proportioned into four Aliquots (I, II, III, and IV) and diluted to 80, 60, 40, and 20, million sperm/mL, respectively. Aliquot I was placed in all types of straws, while Aliquots II, III, IV were placed only in Type I straws. Semen straws were equilibrated, cryopreserved and sperm kinetic and functional variables were evaluated post-thawing. The results indicate that in Aliquots III and IV there were lesser (P < 0.05) values for sperm kinetic and function variables compared with sperm from Aliquot I (i.e., unmodified mini-straw). In conclusion, cryopreservation of small doses of sperm in modified French mini-straws resulted in acceptable values for kinetic and function variables, post-thawing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabir Ahmad Lone
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
| | - Tushar Kumar Mohanty
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.
| | - Mukesh Bhakat
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), Livestock Production and Management (LPM), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Adil Rasool Paray
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), Livestock Production and Management (LPM), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Hanuman Prasad Yadav
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Ajeet Singh
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Ranjana Sinha
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), Livestock Production and Management (LPM), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Rubina Kumari Baithalu
- Animal Biotechnology Center (ABTC), Animal Reproduction, Gynecology & Obstetrics, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Abdul Rahim
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Buffalo Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Nadeem Shah
- Artificial Breeding Research Center (ABRC), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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Karan P, Mohanty TK, Kumaresan A, Bhakat M, Baithalu RK, Verma K, Kumar S, Das Gupta M, Saraf KK, Gahlot SC. Improvement in sperm functional competence through modified low‐dose packaging in French mini straws of bull semen. Andrologia 2018; 50:e13003. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- P. Karan
- Artificial Breeding Research Centre ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - T. K. Mohanty
- Artificial Breeding Research Centre ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - A. Kumaresan
- Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - M. Bhakat
- Artificial Breeding Research Centre ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - R. K. Baithalu
- Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - K. Verma
- Artificial Breeding Research Centre ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - S. Kumar
- Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - M. Das Gupta
- Artificial Breeding Research Centre ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - K. K. Saraf
- Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
| | - S. C. Gahlot
- Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics ICAR‐National Dairy Research Institute Karnal Haryana India
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Harstine BR, Utt MD, DeJarnette JM. Review: Integrating a semen quality control program and sire fertility at a large artificial insemination organization. Animal 2018; 12:s63-s74. [PMID: 29467056 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118000319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The technology available to assess sperm population characteristics has advanced greatly in recent years. Large artificial insemination (AI) organizations that sell bovine semen utilize many of these technologies not only for novel research purposes, but also to make decisions regarding whether to sell or discard the product. Within an AI organization, the acquisition, interpretation and utilization of semen quality data is often performed by a quality control department. In general, quality control decisions regarding semen sales are often founded on the linkages established between semen quality and field fertility. Although no one individual sperm bioassay has been successful in predicting sire fertility, many correlations to various in vivo fertility measures have been reported. The most powerful techniques currently available to evaluate semen are high-throughput and include computer-assisted sperm analysis and various flow cytometric analyses that quantify attributes of fluorescently stained cells. However, all techniques measuring biological parameters are subject to the principles of precision, accuracy and repeatability. Understanding the limitations of repeatability in laboratory analyses is important in a quality control and quality assurance program. Hence, AI organizations that acquire sizeable data sets pertaining to sperm quality and sire fertility are well-positioned to examine and comment on data collection and interpretation. This is especially true for sire fertility, where the population of AI sires has been highly selected for fertility. In the December 2017 sire conception rate report by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, 93% of all Holstein sires (n=2062) possessed fertility deviations within 3% of the breed average. Regardless of the reporting system, estimates of sire fertility should be based on an appropriate number of services per sire. Many users impose unrealistic expectations of the predictive value of these assessments due to a lack of understanding for the inherent lack of precision in binomial data gathered from field sources. Basic statistical principles warn us of the importance of experimental design, balanced treatments, sampling bias, appropriate models and appropriate interpretation of results with consideration for sample size and statistical power. Overall, this review seeks to describe and connect the use of sperm in vitro bioassays, the reporting of AI sire fertility, and the management decisions surrounding the implementation of a semen quality control program.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Harstine
- Select Sires, Inc.,11740 U.S. 42 North,Plain City,OH 43064,USA
| | - M D Utt
- Select Sires, Inc.,11740 U.S. 42 North,Plain City,OH 43064,USA
| | - J M DeJarnette
- Select Sires, Inc.,11740 U.S. 42 North,Plain City,OH 43064,USA
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5
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Utt MD. Prediction of bull fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 169:37-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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6
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Richardson GF, Donald AW, Mackinnon CE. Comparison of different techniques to determine the percentage of intact acrosomes in frozen-thawed bull semen. Theriogenology 2012; 38:557-64. [PMID: 16727158 DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(92)90075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/1990] [Accepted: 06/01/1992] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-seven different batch dates of frozen bull semen from 26 bulls were used in this study. The semen was in 0.5-ml straws, and 23 of the batch dates were in whole milk extender while 4 were in egg yolk-tris extender. Straws from each batch of semen were incubated for 2 hours in a water bath at 37 degrees C. Following this, the percentage of progressive motility, the rate of motility, and the percentage of intact acrosomes were determined for each unfixed sample. Each batch of semen was fixed in 2 different solutions of 0.2% glutaraldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline (glutaraldehyde 1 and glutaraldehyde 2) and in 10% neutral buffered formol saline (formol saline). The percentage of intact acrosomes for each sample in these fixatives was determined at Day 0 and Day 7. There were no significant differences in the percentages of intact acrosomes among the unfixed samples and the samples in the 3 fixatives at Day 0. At Day 7, the samples in formol saline had a significantly higher percentage of intact acrosomes than those in glutaraldehyde 2. When the percentage of intact acrosomes for the unfixed samples at Day 0 was compared with the percentages of intact acrosomes for glutaraldehyde 1, glutaraldehyde 2, and formol saline at Day 7, only the percentage of intact acrosomes for formol saline was significantly higher than for the unfixed samples. Only one of the batches of semen in egg yolk-tris extender could be evaluated in formol saline because of a heavy precipitate that formed. There was a significant interaction between extender and storage. For the whole milk extender, the percentages of intact acrosomes at Day 7 were higher than for Day 0 for all the fixatives used. For the egg yolk-tris extender, the percentage of intact acrosomes decreased from Day 0 to Day 7. The correlations between the percentage of intact acrosomes for the unfixed samples and the post-incubation percentage of progressivé motility and rate of motility were 0.65 and 0.46, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Richardson
- Department of Health Management Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island 550 University Avenue Charlottetown, P.E.I., Canada, C1A 4P3
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Mogas T, Rigau T, Piedrafita J, Bonet S, Rodríguez-Gil JE. Effect of column filtration upon the quality parameters of fresh dog semen. Theriogenology 1998; 50:1171-89. [PMID: 10734433 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(98)00218-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
We filtered dog semen through various resin columns to obtain a quick, simple system for improving semen quality. Fresh ejaculates were filtered through columns with either glasswool or a chemically-inert polypropylene network disc. The columns were filled with Sephadex G-15 (nonionic resin), Sephadex A-50 (anionic-exchange resin), Sephadex C-50 (cationic-exchange resin) or a combination of Sephadex A-50 and C-50. Filtration through glasswool improved semen quality, with a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the percentage of viability and decrease in the percentage of altered acrosomes (P < 0.001) and total abnormalities (P < 0.001). Total motility was not modified, but curvilinear velocity or linearity of the movement were improved using the glasswool bed. The effect of the glasswool was so intense that it masked the effects of the filtration resins. Substitution of glasswool by polypropylene discs resulted in an unmasking of the effects of the resins, although the polypropylene exerted slight effects on semen. Elution of the spermatozoa through Sephadex G-15 or Sephadex C-50 resulted in a decrease of altered acrosomes. However, filtration through Sephadex A-50 increased viability and decreased the percentage of altered acrosomes and total abnormalities. Combined filtration through Sephadex A-50 and C-50 yielded the combined results observed with the resins individually. Ultrastructural imaging of the interaction between spermatozoa and the beds and resins showed that the cells were loosely deposited upon the glasswool fibers and the Sephadex G-15 particles, whereas close interaction was observed between spermatozoa and Sephadex A-50 and C-50 particles. The whole of the sperm cell bound to C-50 particles, whereas spermatozoa were specifically bonded to A-50 particles in the apical region of the head and in segments of the tail, which were periodically distributed. The data suggest that filtration through glasswool or an anionic resin-exchange can significantly improve dog semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Mogas
- Departament de Patologia i de Producció Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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Anzar M, Graham EF. Effect of filtration on post-thaw quality of bull semen. Theriogenology 1995; 43:439-49. [PMID: 16727636 DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(94)00037-u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/1993] [Accepted: 10/28/1994] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Semen from 4 Holstein bulls was diluted in 4 different extenders, filtered with Sephadex ion-exchange column, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility, progressive motility, path velocity, progressive velocity and the percentage of normal acrosomes of filtered and nonfiltered semen were recorded before and after freezing. Semen characteristics were significantly influenced by extender, filtration and freezing. Before and after freezing, motility measurements and the percentage of normal acrosomes were higher (P < 0.001) in filtered than in nonfiltered spermatozoa. Post-thaw recovery rate of motile spermatozoa was higher in filtered semen than nonfiltered (68 vs 39%, P < 0.0001). The reduction in motility, progressive motility and the percentage of normal acrosomes during freezing and thawing processes were significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in filtered semen (34, 34 and 4%, respectively) than nonfiltered (59, 54 and 15%, respectively). Post-thaw viability of spermatozoa was significantly affected by extender, filtration and time (P < 0.0001). Immediate (0 h) post-thaw motility of nonfiltered semen (29%) was similar to 4-h post-thaw motility of filtered semen (25%; P > 0.05). In conclusion, bull spermatozoa recovered by Sephadex ion-exchange filtration showed better post-thaw viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Anzar
- Division of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
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Blach EL, Amann RP, Bowen RA, Sawyer HR, Hermenet MJ. Use of a monoclonal antibody to evaluate integrity of the plasma membrane of stallion sperm. GAMETE RESEARCH 1988; 21:233-41. [PMID: 3073116 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1120210305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm that a monoclonal antibody (F79.3E2; class IgG1 kappa) was specifically localized to an antigen in the acrosomal ground substance of stallion sperm. This antibody was used to develop and validate an indirect immunofluorescent procedure to evaluate integrity of the plasma-acrosomal membranes of stallion sperm. The concept was that primary monoclonal antibody would be "shielded" from its acrosomal antigen by an intact plasma membrane. Conversely, sperm with damaged plasma-acrosomal membranes would exhibit green acrosomal fluorescence when viewed with an epifluorescence microscope. A lipophilic counterstain (red fluorescence) was used to insure that all sperm were visualized. Sperm in fresh-extended or frozen-thawed semen were incubated with hybridoma supernatant containing monoclonal antibody for 30 min at 37 degrees C, then a second antibody (rabbit anti-mouse IgG-FITC) was added for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Unbound antibody was removed by dilution and centrifugation. Sperm were resuspended in phosphate-buffered saline containing Evan's blue as a counterstain. All sperm fluoresced bright red, regardless of the status of cell membranes, except that in cells with damaged plasma-acrosomal membranes, the green fluorescence associated with antibody was overriding for the rostral portion. By counting fluorescent and nonfluorescent "acrosomes", the percentage of sperm with intact plasma-acrosomal membranes was easily determined. Evaluation of five mixtures of undamaged and damaged sperm by this procedure gave a correlation of 0.91 between the percentage of damaged sperm in a mixture and the percentage of sperm with a fluorescent acrosome. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variability were less than 6%.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Blach
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523
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