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Hernández-Avilés C, Ramírez-Agámez L, Varner DD, Love CC. Factors affecting the analysis and interpretation of sperm quality in frozen/thawed stallion semen. Theriogenology 2024; 218:35-44. [PMID: 38295678 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.039] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In the current study, we examined: 1) the agreement (bias) between fluorescence-based methods (NucleoCounter-SP100 [NC] vs. flow cytometry [FC]) for determining the viability (VIAB) of frozen/thawed stallion sperm; 2) the agreement between post-thaw sperm total motility (TMOT) and VIAB; 3) whether a difference between TMOT and VIAB [VIAB - TMOT] in frozen/thawed stallion sperm could be explained by the level of lipid peroxidation in viable sperm (VLPP); 4) the repeatability of post-thaw analysis of sperm quality; and 5) the effect of final post-thaw semen dilution (10, 30, or 50 x 106 sperm/mL) on sperm motion characteristics. Post-thaw VIAB was similar between NC and FC (P > 0.05), and the agreement between these two methods was high (bias: 1 to -3). The agreement between post-thaw TMOT and VIAB decreased as the pre-freeze percentages of morphologically normal sperm and DNA quality decreased: bias - 4 to - 25. The bias between [VIAB - TMOT] and VLPP ranged from - 5 to 7. Differences in post-thaw sperm quality (TMOT, PMOT, VIAB, and sperm concentration) were not observed when analyzing one or three straws per ejaculate (P > 0.05). There was no effect of post-thaw sperm concentration (i.e., 10 vs. 30 vs. 50 x 106 sperm/mL) on sperm motion characteristics (P > 0.05). This study reports factors other than post-thaw sperm motility that warrant further consideration when analyzing frozen/thawed stallion sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Hernández-Avilés
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA.
| | - Luisa Ramírez-Agámez
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA
| | - Charles C Love
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4475, USA
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Al-Kass Z, Morrell JM. Freezing Stallion Semen-What Do We Need to Focus on for the Future? Vet Sci 2024; 11:65. [PMID: 38393083 PMCID: PMC10893461 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) is used frequently in the breeding of sport horses, apart from Thoroughbreds. Most AIs are carried out with cooled semen rather than frozen semen because of the difficulties in identifying a protocol that is suitable for freezing most ejaculates and the necessity to inseminate close to ovulation because of the short life of the thawed spermatozoa. More widespread use of frozen semen would improve biosecurity, allow greater choice of stallions, and offer more flexibility when managing deliveries of semen to the stud. It would even decrease the amount of antibiotics used in semen extenders, since the volume of frozen semen is smaller than when cooled semen is inseminated. However, there is considerable variability in the cryosurvival of spermatozoa from different stallions, leading to the classification of stallions as good or bad freezers. Improvements could be made at the level of stallion nutrition, the semen collection regimen, the extender, the removal of seminal plasma, and the cooling protocol, among others. Stallion sperm membranes are highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation, but research on antioxidants has failed to identify an additive that would benefit all stallions. In the future, biomarkers for sperm freezability could be used as an aid in identifying suitable ejaculates for cryopreservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyad Al-Kass
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq
| | - Jane M. Morrell
- Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
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3
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Vigolo V, Gautier C, Ertl R, Aurich C, Falomo ME. Protamine 2 and phospholipase C zeta 1 are possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of male subfertility in frozen-thawed stallion semen. Theriogenology 2024; 215:343-350. [PMID: 38142472 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.12.012] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Subfertility is one of the main issues in horse breeding and the study of mRNAs in sperm might help in elucidating the reasons that lead to this diagnosis. The present study aims at assessing the differences in the expression of 10 potential candidate genes in stallions of different fertility. Frozen-thawed semen of 29 stallions was included. Each sample was classified into two groups according to pregnancy rates (PR) achieved with this semen: "good fertility" (GF; n = 17; PR ≥ 30 %) or "poor fertility" (PF; n = 12; PR <20 %). All stallions underwent a breeding soundness examination (BSE) before semen production and were only included into the semen cryopreservation program when raw semen characteristics at BSE met minimal requirements. Semen was cryopreserved following European Union regulations and all stallions met the respective health requirements. Each sample was assessed for concentration (NucleoCounter SP-100), motility (CASA), membrane functionality (SYBR-14/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1), morphology (SpermacStain), acrosome integrity (SpermacStain), membrane integrity (HOS test) and chromatin integrity (Aniline blue). Sperm RNAs were extracted using the Direct-zol RNA Miniprep Kit (Zymo Research) and RT-qPCR was performed for each target gene. ACTB and RPL32 were included as reference genes (RGs) for normalization. For each variable of each group, mean, standard deviation and SEM were calculated. The difference in gene expression levels between the GF and PF group were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation. Significant results were considered with p < 0.05. Sperm quality parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups except for concentration, that was significantly higher in GF (p = 0.043). In GF a positive correlation was identified for PRM1/PRM2 with r = +0.6, while PRM1/ACR (r = -0.495), PRM2/ZPBP (r = -0.645) and CRISP3/ACR (r = -0.551) were inversely correlated. In PF direct correlations were registered for PRM1/PRM2 (r = +0.629), PRM1/PRM3 (r = +0.657), PRM2/SPA17 (r = +0.685), SPA17/PLCZ1 (r = +0.786) and PRM3/ACR (r = +0.627). In the total sample (GF + PF), positive correlations were detected for PRM1/PRM2 (r = +0.625), PRM1/PRM3 (r = +0.368); PRM2/SPA17 (r = +0.465), SPA17/PLCZ1 (r = +0.637) and PLCZ1/ZAN (r = +0.587). Only two of the genes considered were differentially expressed in the 2 groups: PRM2 and PLCZ1, that were significantly (p < 0.05) overexpressed in the GF group. Stallions frozen-thawed semen with higher expression levels of PRM2 and PLCZ1 are more likely to belong to animals with a good pregnancy rate. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of sperm transcripts in male subfertility in stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Vigolo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy; Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Camille Gautier
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Ertl
- VetCore Facility for Research, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maria Elena Falomo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Università di Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
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Díaz Rojas E, Carrillo Moreno DI, Contreras Villarreal V, Arellano Rodríguez F, Alvarado Espino AS, Ángel García O. Effect of nutraceutical supplementation on semen quality in stallions. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2600-2605. [PMID: 37817488 PMCID: PMC10650371 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1289] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of reproductive biotechnologies in equine practice has shown that some stallions are subfertile, so ways to improve fertility have been sought. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nutraceutical supplementation on improving semen quality in Quarter Horse stallions. METHODS Semen from six Quarter Horse stallions was assessed for 4 months every 20 days using the computer-assisted semen analysis system. They were evaluated for 60 days before supplementation; then, the same stallions were re-evaluated for 60 days with nutraceutical supplementation (30 g/day). RESULTS Volume showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) with nutraceuticals. Sperm concentration (10x6 ) was significantly higher with supplementation (339.4 ± 17.5 sperm/mL) than without supplementation (224.6 ± 19.9). Sperm abnormalities (%) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower with supplementation (14.3 ± 0.6) than without supplementation (19.1 ± 0.4). Sperm kinematic parameters, total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), rectilinear velocity (VSL), the velocity of the trajectory (VAP) and curvilinear velocity (VCL), were significantly better with supplementation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Based on the results, it is concluded that nutraceutical supplementation improved semen parameters in Quarter Horse stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Díaz Rojas
- Ciencias en Producción AgropecuariaUniversidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio NarroTorreónCoahuilaMexico
| | - Dalia I. Carrillo Moreno
- Departamento de Producción AnimalUniversidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio NarroTorreónCoahuilaMexico
| | | | | | - Alan S. Alvarado Espino
- Departamento de Producción AnimalUniversidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio NarroTorreónCoahuilaMexico
| | - Oscar Ángel García
- Departamento de Ciencias Médico VeterinariasUniversidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio NarroTorreónCoahuilaMexico
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Gonçalves AR, Telo da Gama L, Antunes L, Guimarães H, Bliebernicht M, Duarte JC, Cosinha C, Duarte Rego B, Ferro da Costa P, Guimarães T, Rocha A, Bettencourt E. Impact of inbreeding and genetic parameter estimates for seminal traits in Lusitano horses. Theriogenology 2023; 208:43-51. [PMID: 37295289 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.05.011] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to establish baseline information for seminal traits in Lusitano stallions, to assess the impact of inbreeding, interval between collections and age on semen quality during the breeding and non-breeding seasons, and to estimate the corresponding genetic parameters. A total of 2129 ejaculates by 146 Lusitano stallions used for artificial insemination, obtained from four equine reproduction centers distributed throughout Portugal, over a period of 14 years (2008-2021), were included in the study. The seminal traits analyzed, and the corresponding means and standard deviations, were gel-free volume (56.95 ± 28.76 mL), concentration (186.48 ± 104.68 × 106), motility (64.1 ± 16.9%), total number of spermatozoa (TNS) (9.271 ± 4.956 × 109) and total number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate (TNMS) (5.897 ± 3.587 × 109). These results are in the normal range of values described for other breeds. In the stallions analyzed, the mean value for the inbreeding coefficient was 7.93 ± 5.29%, and for age it was 12.70 ± 6.83 years. A significant decline in sperm concentration, motility, TNS, and TNMS was observed as inbreeding increased. The season also influenced sperm concentration, motility, TNS and TNMS, with the highest values observed during the breeding season. When considering the impact of age on Lusitano seminal parameters, results showed a nonlinear relationship, with a positive effect until 18 years of age for volume, motility, TNS and TNMS and a negative effect after this age, with a slow decrease. However, age had a markedly negative effect on sperm concentration. The interval between semen collections only affected (P < 0.05) sperm motility, with a regression coefficient of +1.89 ± 2.17% per additional day. Genetic parameters were estimated with an Animal Model, and the estimated heritability (repeatability) was 0.27 (0.35) for volume, 0.02 (0.38) for sperm concentration, 0.24 (0.44) for motility, 0.29 (0.39) for TNS and 0.41 (0.41) for TNMS. These results suggest that it is possible to improve semen quality by selection and that the properties of semen produced by a stallion tend to remain consistent throughout its lifetime. Furthermore, the impact of inbreeding should be taken into consideration when selecting Lusitano stallions for fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Gonçalves
- MED Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Luis Telo da Gama
- CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS). Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal; Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Luis Antunes
- Multivet, Serviços veterinários de Equinos e espécies pecuárias, Lda. Rua Professor Alfredo Reis n.º51, 7005-585, Évora, Portugal
| | - Helena Guimarães
- MED Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
| | | | | | - Cristina Cosinha
- LusoPecus, Rua da Fábrica 58C, 2135-144, Samora Correia, Portugal
| | | | | | - Tiago Guimarães
- Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal; ICBAS, Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Rocha
- Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal; ICBAS, Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisa Bettencourt
- MED Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
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Lechner D, Aurich J, Spergser J, Aurich C. Double semen collection at a 1-h interval in dogs decreases the bacterial contamination of canine ejaculates. Theriogenology 2023; 208:126-131. [PMID: 37315442 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Semen extenders usually contain antibiotics with the aim to minimize bacterial growth, but the indiscriminate use of antibiotics increases the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. A limiting factor of semen processing in dogs is the low total sperm count that limits the number of insemination doses that can be obtained from one ejaculate. Therefore, two ejaculates collected at a short interval can be combined to increase the number of AI doses. In this study, semen was collected from dogs either once or the same dogs (n = 28) were submitted to dual semen collection 1 h apart. All ejaculates were submitted to bacteriological analysis. We hypothesized that bacterial contamination of semen is low but that a dual semen collection might increase contamination. A sample for bacteriological examination was taken from raw semen immediately after semen collection. Bacteria including mycoplasmas were isolated using conventional cultivation procedures and isolates were identified to the species level by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry. In total, 22 bacterial species were identified in the 84 ejaculates with Mycoplasma cynos, Streptococcus canis and Canicola haemoglobinophilus being most frequent. Bacterial growth was sporadic in 16 and absent in 10 ejaculates. The overall bacterial growth was lower in the second than in the first ejaculate of dual semen collections (p < 0.05). The percentage of motile and membrane-intact spermatozoa in frozen-thawed ejaculates was not associated with the degree of bacterial contamination of raw semen. In conclusion, there was only limited microbial contamination in dog semen and the microorganisms isolated are considered part of the normal genital bacterial flora. Repeated semen collection reduced bacterial contamination in the second in comparison to the first ejaculate. The use of antibiotics in canine semen should be questioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Lechner
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
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Contreras MJ, Arias ME, Fuentes F, Muñoz E, Bernecic N, Fair S, Felmer R. Cellular and Molecular Consequences of Stallion Sperm Cryopreservation: Recent Approaches to Improve Sperm Survival. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 126:104499. [PMID: 37105416 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of stallion semen does not achieve the post-thaw quality or fertility results observed in other species like cattle. There are many reasons for this, but the membrane composition and intracellular changes in stallion sperm predispose them to low resistance to the cooling, freezing, and subsequent thawing process. Damage to the sperm results from different processes activated during cryopreservation, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and structural modifications in the sperm membrane that increase the deleterious effect on sperm. In addition, significant individual variability is observed among stallions in the ability of sperm to survive the freeze-thaw process. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics are making it possible to advance our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in the cryopreservation process, opening new possibilities for improvement. This review addresses the ongoing research on stallion semen cryopreservation, focusing on the cellular and molecular consequences of this procedure in stallions and discusses the new tools currently available to increase the tolerance of equine spermatozoa to freeze-thaw.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Contreras
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - María Elena Arias
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Department of Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Fernanda Fuentes
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Doctoral Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Erwin Muñoz
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Doctoral Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Naomi Bernecic
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, 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, Ireland
| | - Ricardo Felmer
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
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Vigolo V, Gautier C, Falomo ME, Aurich C. Selection of frozen-thawed stallion semen by microfluidic technology. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58:443-449. [PMID: 36510754 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The use of microfluidic technology is increasing in artificial reproduction technologies: With a small amount of semen, it allows for the selection of sperm with the best characteristics of kinetics, morphology and chromatin integrity. The ZyMot Multi (850 μl) is the most popular device of ZyMot Fertility Inc. To date, it was proven to be a valid instrument for sperm selection for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in men. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of the ZyMot Multi (850 μl) for stallion semen. Frozen-thawed semen from 15 stallions that were previously classified as being of 'good fertility' (GF; n = 8; pregnancy rate ≥ 40%) and 'poor fertility' (PF; n = 7; pregnancy rate < 20%), respectively, was used. Each ejaculate was assessed before and after microfluid recovery for kinetics (CASA), membrane integrity (MI) (SYBR14/PI), membrane functionality (MF) (HOS test), acrosome integrity (Spermac Stain Kit), morphology (Spermac stain kit), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (JC-1) and chromatin integrity (aniline blue staining). Sperm concentration was reduced after sperm recovery in both groups, but more markedly in frozen-thawed semen of PF stallions (p < .05). Microfluid recovery increased total motility, MI, MF and MMP. While there was a significant increase in the percentage of progressively motile sperm after sperm microfluid recovery, there was a decrease in DAP, DSL, VAP, VSL, LIN, WOB and ALH (p < .05). A slight increase (p < .05) was detected in beat-cross frequency. The present results suggest that the ZyMot Multi (850 μl) device selects a specific sperm population from any stallion ejaculate with motile sperm and could therefore be a valid tool for in vitro testing with the aim to predict the fertility of frozen-thawed stallion semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Vigolo
- Department for Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Università di Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Camille Gautier
- Department for Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Elena Falomo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Università di Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Christine Aurich
- Department for Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Gutiérrez-Cepeda L, Crespo F, Blazquez JC, Serres C. Optimization of the Equine-Sperm Freeze Test in Purebred Spanish Horses by Incorporating Colloidal Centrifugation. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030382. [PMID: 36766271 PMCID: PMC9913238 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Purebred Spanish Horse, according to our clinical experience, is characterized by having a high number of stallions that do not meet the international commercial recommendations for equine-sperm cryopreservation. This means that artificial insemination with frozen semen from these stallions is less widespread than in other breeds. In this study, we investigated if the incorporation of single-layer colloidal centrifugation prior to cryopreservation in clinical conditions could increase the number of ejaculates of Purebred Spanish stallions suitable for this processing, observing the influence of centrifugation and freezing extender protocol on post-thawed sperm motility. Using colloidal centrifugation, the percentage of ejaculates available to be frozen was increased from 35% (6/17) to 71% (12/17), doubling the number of samples that could have been subjected to cryopreservation. We only found significant differences in linearity (LIN) and lateral head displacement (ALH) after 5 min of incubation at 37 °C between colloidal and simple centrifugation processing techniques. No significant differences were found between the two different colloidal protocols in any of the variables considered. Colloidal centrifugation allowed us to obtain, from worse fresh-quality ejaculates, thawed sperm doses with similar quality to that of good-quality ejaculates. BotuCrio® produced, in general, higher motility parameters and its characteristics than the other extenders analyzed, with significant differences found in comparison to Inra-Freeze® and Lac-Edta in both total (MOT) and progressive motility (PMOT) when using colloidal centrifugation and only in PMOT when applying simple centrifugation. Colloidal centrifugation optimized the efficiency of cryopreservation, as it allowed us to increase the number of ejaculates of Purebred Spanish Horses suitable to be frozen. Including these semen processing techniques in the freeze test could help to optimize equine-sperm cryopreservation protocols, especially when dealing with individuals or breeds for which initially low sperm quality prevents or limits their inclusion in sperm cryopreservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna Gutiérrez-Cepeda
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Francisco Crespo
- Centro Militar de Cría Caballar (CCFAA), C/Arsenio Gutiérrez Palacios s/n, 05005 Ávila, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Blazquez
- Centro Militar de Cría Caballar (CCFAA), C/Arsenio Gutiérrez Palacios s/n, 05005 Ávila, Spain
| | - Consuelo Serres
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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10
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van Heule M, Verstraete M, Blockx Z, De Blende P, Dini P, Daels P. Slow cooling is beneficial for storage of frozen-thawed equine spermatozoa. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 118:104132. [PMID: 36182047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cooled storage of semen after thawing can expand the use of frozen semen, providing the possibility of thawing and evaluating the semen at the storage site and subsequently shipping the semen. Our objectives were (1) to examine the motility and viability of frozen-thawed semen after cooled storage and (2) to compare two cooled-storage protocols for frozen-thawed semen. The samples (n=31) were either placed immediately in a passive cooling box for 8 or 24h (CB) or placed in a refrigerator at 4°C for 30 minutes and then transferred to a passive cooling box (REF). Total and progressive motility were similar at T0 and T8-REF and at T0.5 and T8.5-REF. However, a significant reduction was observed in total motility (-8.12%) between T0 and T8-CB, and in total (-9.96%) and progressive motility (-8.52%) between T0.5 and T8.5-CB (p<0.05). A significant reduction was also observed in total and progressive motility between T0 and T24, and between T0.5 and T24.5 for both storage protocols (CB and REF). Viability was lower in T8.5-CB (-11.87%), in T8.5-REF (-9.65%), in T24.5-CB (-13.52%), and in T24.5-REF (-12.32%) compared to T0.5 (p<0.05). Our results demonstrate that sperm motility and viability decrease during cooled storage. However, storing the samples at 4°C for 30 minutes before placing the semen in a passive cooling box could mitigate the adverse effect of cooling during short-term storage (8hr). Additionally, we observed individual variation between samples indicating that this protocol might not be suitable for all stallions. Our data shows that slow cooling and storage of frozen-thawed semen is a valid alternative that allows the expansion of frozen semen in breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machteld van Heule
- Department of Morphology, Medical Imaging, Orthopaedics, Physiotherapy and Nutrition Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Margo Verstraete
- Department of Morphology, Medical Imaging, Orthopaedics, Physiotherapy and Nutrition Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Zoé Blockx
- Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Integrated Veterinary Research Unit (URVI), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Peter De Blende
- Equine Reproduction Center De Morette, Edingsesteenweg 239, B-1730 Asse, Belgium
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Peter Daels
- Department of Morphology, Medical Imaging, Orthopaedics, Physiotherapy and Nutrition Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Seminal Plasma Antioxidants Are Related to Sperm Cryotolerance in the Horse. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071279. [PMID: 35883774 PMCID: PMC9311553 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione peroxidase, GPX; catalase, CAT; and paraoxonase type 1, PON1) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (measured in terms of: Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, TEAC; cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity, CUPRAC; and ferric-reducing ability of plasma, FRAP), as well as the oxidative stress index (OSI) in seminal plasma (SP) with the resilience of horse sperm to freeze-thawing. Twenty-one ejaculates (one per individual) were collected and split into two aliquots: the first was used to harvest the SP and assess the activity levels of antioxidants and the OSI, and the second one was cryopreserved. The following post-thaw sperm quality parameters were evaluated: sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and plasma membrane lipid disorder. Based on post-thaw total motility (TM) and plasma membrane integrity (SYBR14+/PI−), ejaculates were hierarchically (p < 0.001) clustered into two groups of good (GFE) and poor (PFE) freezability. The SP activity levels of PON1, SOD, and TEAC were higher (p < 0.05) in GFE than in PFE, showing a positive relationship (p < 0.05) with some sperm motility parameters and with plasma membrane (PON1 and TEAC) and acrosome (SOD and TEAC) integrity. In contrast, OSI was higher (p < 0.05) in the SP of PFE than in that of GFE, and was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) to some sperm motility parameters and to plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, and positively (p < 0.05) to the percentage of viable sperm with high plasma membrane lipid disorder. In conclusion, enzymatic (PON1 and SOD) and non-enzymatic (TEAC) antioxidants of SP are related to horse sperm cryotolerance. In addition, our results suggest that PON1 could be one of the main antioxidant enzymes involved in the control of ROS in this species. Further investigation is needed to confirm the potential use of these SP-antioxidants and OSI to predict sperm cryotolerance in horses.
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12
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Effects of age, size and season on cryotolerance of dog semen - A retrospective analysis. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 236:106912. [PMID: 34971871 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In a retrospective analysis of 508 ejaculates from 297 dogs, efficiency of semen cryopreservation and effects of age, season and dog size on characteristics of fresh and cryopreserved semen were evaluated. Volume of the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction increased to 10 years of age, decreased in 10 and 11-year old dogs (P < 0.001) but did not differ among seasons. Total sperm count was less in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (P < 0.001). The percentage of progressively motile, membrane-intact and morphologically normal spermatozoa before cryopreservation was least in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (P < 0.001). Cryopreservation resulted in less progressively motile spermatozoa (P < 0.001) with this being most pronounced in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (cryopreservation x age P = 0.004). The cryopreservation-induced decrease in morphologically normal spermatozoa (P < 0.001) was not affected by dog body weight. Number of cryopreserved AI doses differed among age groups (P < 0.001) and was less in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (median 1.5) compared with younger dogs (6-7 years, median 4.3). When ejaculates were grouped by a threshold of ≥ 35% progressively motile spermatozoa after freezing-thawing, 86.5% of all ejaculates were greater the threshold but this percentage decreased to 66% in 10 and 11-year-old dogs (P < 0.001). In conclusion, sperm cryotolerance is consistent for much of a dog´s lifespan but decreases after a certain age. Dog semen can be cryopreserved successfully throughout the year. Post-thaw semen characteristics were not different among cryopreserved ejaculates obtained from dogs differing in body weight.
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13
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Vozaf J, Makarevich AV, Balazi A, Vasicek J, Svoradova A, Olexikova L, Chrenek P. Cryopreservation of ram semen: Manual versus programmable freezing and different lengths of equilibration. Anim Sci J 2021; 92:e13670. [PMID: 34951508 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to examine effects of the length of semen equilibration as well as two freezing techniques on ram sperm post-thaw quality. The ejaculates of Wallachian sheep rams (n = 12) were collected by an electro-ejaculation, equilibrated in a Triladyl® (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h) containing glycerol and egg yolk and frozen by programmable freezing (PF) or manual freezing (MF). After thawing, sperm samples were subjected to the motility (computer-assisted sperm analysis [CASA]), viability (SYBR-14/PI), and fertilizing ability (FA) (in vitro penetration/fertilization test on bovine oocytes) assays. It was found that the equilibration of 6 h (E-6) ensured higher post-thaw sperm motility and progressive movement compared with other lengths tested, irrespective of a freezing technique. The E-6 sperm viability did not differ between PF and MF but was lower (P < 0.05) than control. Sperm FA (E-6) was similar in PF (60.44%) and MF (62%) but slightly lower than in fresh (72.8%). Our data demonstrate that the use of MF was comparable with PF, which can be applied in the field conditions without need in a piece of cost-expensive equipment, which can greatly benefit the gene bank of animal genetic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Vozaf
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, Nitra, 949 76, Slovak Republic
| | - Alexander V Makarevich
- NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecka 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic
| | - Andrej Balazi
- NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecka 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic
| | - Jaromir Vasicek
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, Nitra, 949 76, Slovak Republic.,NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecka 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic
| | - Andrea Svoradova
- NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecka 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic.,Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1/1665, Brno, 613 00, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Olexikova
- NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecka 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Chrenek
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, Nitra, 949 76, Slovak Republic.,NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecka 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic
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14
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Gmel AI, Burger D, Neuditschko M. A Novel QTL and a Candidate Gene Are Associated with the Progressive Motility of Franches-Montagnes Stallion Spermatozoa after Thaw. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1501. [PMID: 34680896 PMCID: PMC8536120 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of frozen-thawed semen is an important reproduction tool to preserve the biodiversity of small, native horse breeds such as the Franches-Montagnes (FM). However, not all stallions produce cryotolerant semen with a progressive motility after thaw ≥ 35%. To improve our understanding of the genetic background of male fertility traits in both fresh and frozen-thawed semen, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on gel-free volume, sperm cell concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility in fresh and frozen-thawed semen from 109 FM stallions using 335,494 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We identified one significant (p < 1.69 × 10-7) quantitative trait locus (QTL) on ECA6 within the SCN8A gene for progressive motility after thaw, which was previously associated with progressive motility in boars. Homozygous stallions showed a substantial drop in progressive motility after thaw. This QTL could be used to identify cryointolerant stallions, avoiding the costly cryopreservation process. Further studies are needed to confirm whether this QTL is also present in other horse breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annik Imogen Gmel
- Animal GenoPhenomics, Agroscope, Route de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland;
- Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Burger
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine ISME, Agroscope and University of Bern, Les Longs Prés, 1580 Avenches, Switzerland;
| | - Markus Neuditschko
- Animal GenoPhenomics, Agroscope, Route de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland;
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15
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H HOUSSOU, F BOUZEBDAAFRI, Z BOUZEBDA, M BENIDIR, K BOUJAKJIA. Measurement of the reproductive efficiency of Arabian stallions intended for AI in Algeria. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v91i7.115895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive efficiency of Arabian stallions presented at CNIAAG and selected for an artificial insemination (AI) program. Ten Arabian stallions between 8 and 15 years of age were subjected to an analysis of the reproductive parameters. Assessment of sexual behaviour, testicular measurements and appreciation of semen quality collected with the help of artificial vagina was done. There was a significant correlation between the sexual behaviour, the spermatic parameters and the testicular parameters, especially between the number of mounts with the motility and the daily sperm ejaculated (DSP) (r=0.99). The testicular volume total and mounts was highly correlated to the average volume of ejaculate (73.33 ± 60.27 ml) and total Sperm concentration (billions) (r=0.99) which allowed us to produce 38 straws intended for the preservation. Based on the results, it is concluded that there is a positive correlation between (TSW) and motility, the various measurements of testis size were highly correlated with each other; and consequently to predict the fertility of the stallions from the testicular measurements.
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Lechner D, Aurich J, Schäfer-Somi S, Herbel J, Aurich C. Combined cryopreservation of canine ejaculates collected at a one-hour interval increases semen doses for artificial insemination without negative effects on post-thaw sperm characteristics. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1220-1226. [PMID: 34173282 PMCID: PMC8518732 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A limiting factor in canine artificial insemination (AI) is the low number of insemination doses obtained per ejaculate. In this study, semen was collected from dogs (n = 28) either once and frozen directly after collection or the same dogs were submitted to a dual semen collection with a 1‐hr interval and the two ejaculates were combined for cryopreservation. We hypothesized that combining two ejaculates increases semen doses per cryopreservation process without negative effects on semen characteristics. Total sperm count was lower in semen from a single semen collection in comparison with the combination of the first and second ejaculate of a dual semen collection (p < .001). The percentage of motile and membrane‐intact spermatozoa determined by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) in raw semen did not differ between single and combined dual ejaculates and was reduced (p < .001) by cryopreservation to the same extent in single (motility 73.7 ± 1.8%, membrane integrity 65.6 ± 2.2%) and combined dual ejaculates (motility 72.7 ± 2.3%, membrane integrity 64.6 ± 2.5%). The percentage of spermatozoa with morphological defects increased after cryopreservation (p < .001) but was similar in single and combined dual ejaculates. The CASA sperm velocity parameters decreased with cryopreservation (p < .001) but did not differ between single and combined dual ejaculates. The number of insemination doses increased from 2.7 ± 0.4 for single to 4.7 ± 0.8 for combined dual ejaculates (p < .01), based on 100 million motile spermatozoa per frozen‐thawed semen dose. In conclusion, combining two ejaculates collected at short interval for one cryopreservation process increases the number of AI doses without compromising semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Lechner
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Schäfer-Somi
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Herbel
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Gaitskell-Phillips G, Martín-Cano FE, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Silva-Rodríguez A, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Peña FJ. In Stallion Spermatozoa, Superoxide Dismutase (Cu-Zn) (SOD1) and the Aldo-Keto-Reductase Family 1 Member b (AKR1B1) Are the Proteins Most Significantly Reduced by Cryopreservation. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:2435-2446. [PMID: 33656888 PMCID: PMC8562871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although cryopreservation is widely used in animal breeding, the technique is still suboptimal. The population of spermatozoa surviving the procedure experiences changes attributed to alteration in their redox regulation. In order to expand our knowledge regarding this particular aspect, the proteome in fresh and frozen thawed aliquots of equine spermatozoa was studied to identify the proteins most severely affected by the procedure. If alteration of redox regulation is a major factor explaining cryodamage, proteins participating in redox regulation should be principally affected. Using a split sample design, 30 ejaculates from 10 different stallions were analyzed as fresh spermatozoa, and another aliquot from the same ejaculate was analyzed as a frozen thawed sample. The proteome was studied under both conditions using UHPLC-MS/MS and bioinformatic analysis conducted to identify discriminant variables between both conditions. Data are available through the ProteomeXchange Consortium with identifier PXD022236. The proteins most significantly reduced were Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B (p = 2.2 × 10-17) and Superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn) (p = 4.7 × 10-14). This is the first time that SOD1 has been identified as a discriminating variable using bioinformatic analysis, where it was one of the most highly significantly different proteins seen between fresh and frozen thawed semen. This finding strongly supports the theory that alteration in redox regulation and oxidative stress is a major factor involved in cryodamage and suggests that control of redox regulation should be a major target to improve current cryopreservation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E. Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M. Ortiz-Rodríguez
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Antonio Silva-Rodríguez
- Facility of Innovation and Analysis in Animal Source
Foodstuffs, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Maria C. Gil
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine
Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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18
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Gimeno BF, Bariani MV, Laiz-Quiroga L, Martínez-León E, Von-Meyeren M, Rey O, Mutto AÁ, Osycka-Salut CE. Effects of In Vitro Interactions of Oviduct Epithelial Cells with Frozen-Thawed Stallion Spermatozoa on Their Motility, Viability and Capacitation Status. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010074. [PMID: 33401609 PMCID: PMC7823615 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The use of assisted reproductive techniques, which involve the manipulation of sperm and oocytes in the laboratory, support owner production of valuable animals’ offspring. However, several limitations remain underlining the need to further optimize existing protocols as well as to develop new strategies. For example, the required conditions to make equine spermatozoa competent to fertilize an oocyte in vitro (IVF) have not been established. Therefore, our initial goal was to optimize different conditions associated with frozen equine sperm manipulations in order to improve their quality. We observed that simple factors such as sample concentration, incubation period and centrifugation time affect the sperm motility. Since in vivo fertilization involves the interaction between spermatozoa and epithelial cells in the mare’s oviductal tract, our next goal was to mimic this environment by establishing primary cultures of oviductal cells. Using this in vitro system, we were able to select a sperm population capable of fertilization. In short, this study provides a novel protocol that improves the yield of fertilization-capable sperm obtained from equine frozen spermatozoa. Abstract Cryopreservation by negatively affecting sperm quality decreases the efficiency of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs). Thus, we first evaluated sperm motility at different conditions for the manipulation of equine cryopreserved spermatozoa. Higher motility was observed when spermatozoa were incubated for 30 min at 30 × 106/mL compared to lower concentrations (p < 0.05) and when a short centrifugation at 200× g was performed (p < 0.05). Moreover, because sperm suitable for oocyte fertilization is released from oviduct epithelial cells (OECs), in response to the capacitation process, we established an in vitro OEC culture model to select a sperm population with potential fertilizing capacity in this species. We demonstrated E-cadherin and cytokeratin expression in cultures of OECs obtained. When sperm–OEC cocultures were performed, the attached spermatozoa were motile and presented an intact acrosome, suggesting a selection by the oviductal model. When co-cultures were incubated in capacitating conditions a greater number of alive (p < 0.05), capacitated (p < 0.05), with progressive motility (p < 0.05) and with the intact acrosome sperm population was observed (p < 0.05) suggesting that the sperm population released from OECs in vitro presents potential fertilizing capacity. Improvements in handling and selection of cryopreserved sperm would improve efficiencies in ARTs allowing the use of a population of higher-quality sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Florencia Gimeno
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías Reproductivas y Mejoramiento Genético Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Campus Miguelete, Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, CP 1650, Argentina; (B.F.G.); (M.V.B.); (L.L.-Q.); (M.V.-M.)
| | - María Victoria Bariani
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías Reproductivas y Mejoramiento Genético Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Campus Miguelete, Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, CP 1650, Argentina; (B.F.G.); (M.V.B.); (L.L.-Q.); (M.V.-M.)
| | - Lucía Laiz-Quiroga
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías Reproductivas y Mejoramiento Genético Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Campus Miguelete, Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, CP 1650, Argentina; (B.F.G.); (M.V.B.); (L.L.-Q.); (M.V.-M.)
| | - Eduardo Martínez-León
- Signaling and Cancer Laboratory, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), CP 1120, Argentina; (E.M.-L.); (O.R.)
| | - Micaela Von-Meyeren
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías Reproductivas y Mejoramiento Genético Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Campus Miguelete, Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, CP 1650, Argentina; (B.F.G.); (M.V.B.); (L.L.-Q.); (M.V.-M.)
| | - Osvaldo Rey
- Signaling and Cancer Laboratory, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), CP 1120, Argentina; (E.M.-L.); (O.R.)
| | - Adrián Ángel Mutto
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías Reproductivas y Mejoramiento Genético Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Campus Miguelete, Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, CP 1650, Argentina; (B.F.G.); (M.V.B.); (L.L.-Q.); (M.V.-M.)
- Correspondence: (A.Á.M.); (C.E.O.-S.)
| | - Claudia Elena Osycka-Salut
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías Reproductivas y Mejoramiento Genético Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM), Campus Miguelete, Avenida 25 de Mayo y Francia, San Martín, Buenos Aires, CP 1650, Argentina; (B.F.G.); (M.V.B.); (L.L.-Q.); (M.V.-M.)
- Correspondence: (A.Á.M.); (C.E.O.-S.)
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19
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Ruiz AJ, Tibary A, Heaton RA, Hargreaves IP, Leadon DP, Bayly WM. Effects of Feeding Coenzyme Q10-Ubiquinol on Plasma Coenzyme Q10 Concentrations and Semen Quality in Stallions. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 96:103303. [PMID: 33349408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) serves as an antioxidant and energy source for spermatozoa when added to stallion semen before cooling or freezing, the effects of feeding CoQ10 on semen quality have not been studied. We assessed the effects of daily oral ingestion of CoQ10-ubiquinol by stallions on their plasma CoQ10 concentrations and semen quality. Seven mature Andalusian stallions ate 1g ubiquinol/day for 4 weeks followed by a 4-week washout period. Four horses initially completed an additional 4-week control period without ubiquinol. Blood was sampled weekly for determination of plasma CoQ10 concentrations. Ejaculates were collected every two weeks and assessed for total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), and viability (V) after cooling for 24hours (T1), immediate cryopreservation (T2), and cryopreservation after 24hours cooling (T3). Ingesting ubiquinol resulted in an increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration (P < .001). Two weeks of CoQ10-ubiquinol resulted in improved V with all treatments (T1: P = .007; T2: P = .05; T3: P = .01) and PM with T3 (P = .04). In five stallions, TM and PM were also improved for T1 (P = .01 and P = .02, respectively) and TM increased with T2 (P = .03). Overall, semen quality parameters increased within the first 2 weeks of supplementation, plateaued at the end of the 4-week supplementation period and persisted after discontinuing ubiquinol until the end of the sampling period (8 weeks). Feeding 1 g CoQ10-ubiquinol for 4 weeks to breeding stallions improved semen quality after cooling and freezing in 5 of 7 stallions. This could be important for improving reproductive efficiency in stallions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin J Ruiz
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Ahmed Tibary
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | | | | | | | - Warwick M Bayly
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
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Toledano-Díaz A, Castaño C, Velázquez R, Bóveda P, López-Sebastián A, Martínez-Nevado E, Villaverde-Morcillo S, Esteso MC, Santiago-Moreno J. Cryopreservation of ferret (Mustela putorius furo) sperm collected by rectal massage and electroejaculation: Comparison of a decelerating and an accelerating freezing rate protocol. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:256-263. [PMID: 33040487 PMCID: PMC7840209 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) provides a good model for developing new reproductive technologies for use with threatened related species. Such technologies could also be used in the reproductive management of this pet species. The present work reports an improved freezing protocol for ferret sperm. Semen was collected by electroejaculation plus rectal massage (in an attempt to reduce the electrical stimulation necessary) from five adult male ferrets, and then subjected to one of two freezing protocols: (a) from 5 to −35°C at 40°C/min, then from −35 to −65°C at 17°C/min, and finally from −65 to −85°C at 3°C/min—a decelerating freezing rate; and (b) from 5 to − 10°C at 5°C/min, and then from −10 to −130°C at 60°C/min—an accelerating freezing rate. After thawing, the viability and acrosomal integrity of the sperm frozen via the two‐step accelerating method were better than those frozen via the three‐step decelerating method (43.3 ± 3.5% and 71.2 ± 3.4% compared with 29.7 ± 3.7% and 58.8 ± 3.4% respectively; p < .05). No differences were seen between the methods with respect to sperm motility variables; most sperm (>90%) remained static with both freezing methods. In conclusion, although the method with accelerating freezing rate was associated with better post‐thaw sperm viability and acrosome integrity values, neither of the two freezing methods tested provided adequate motility results after thawing. Combining rectal massage with electrical stimuli seemed to reduce the number of the latter required for successful sperm collection.
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