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Núñez-Montero K, Leal K, Rojas-Villalta D, Castro M, Larronde C, Wagenknecht L, Contreras MJ. 16s gene metagenomic characterization in healthy stallion semen. Res Vet Sci 2024; 176:105354. [PMID: 38981836 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105354] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Studies on the bacterial composition of seminal samples have primarily focused on species isolated from semen and their effects on fertility and reproductive health. Culture-independent techniques, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics, have revolutionized our ability to identify unculturable bacteria, which comprise >90% of the microbiome. These techniques allow for comprehensive analysis of microbial communities in seminal samples, shedding light on their interactions and roles. In this study, we characterized the taxonomic diversity of seminal microbial communities in healthy stallions using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Semen samples were collected from four stallions during the reproductive season, and DNA was extracted for sequencing. The results revealed a diverse array of bacterial taxa, with Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria being predominant phyla. At the family and genus levels, significant variations were observed among individuals, with individual variability in microbial richness and diversity standing out. Moreover, each stallion showed a distinct microbial fingerprint, indicating the presence of a characteristic microbial core for each stallion. These results underscore the importance of considering individual microbial profiles in understanding reproductive health and fertility outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kattia Núñez-Montero
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4810101, Chile
| | - Karla Leal
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4810101, Chile
| | - Dorian Rojas-Villalta
- Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Biology, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago 30101, Costa Rica
| | - Macarena Castro
- Doctorado en Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4810101, Chile
| | - Carolina Larronde
- Facultad de La Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4810101, Chile
| | | | - María José Contreras
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4810101, Chile.
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Hu X, Li J, Xin S, Ouyang Q, Li J, Zhu L, Hu J, He H, Liu H, Li L, Hu S, Wang J. Genome sequencing of drake semen micobiome with correlation with their compositions, sources and potential mechanisms affecting semen quality. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103533. [PMID: 38359770 PMCID: PMC10878113 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103533] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) technology has greatly promoted the development of the chicken industry. Recently, AI technology has also begun to be used in the duck industry, but there are some problems. Numerous researchers have shown that microbes colonizing in semen can degrade semen quality, and AI can increase the harmful microbial load in hen's reproductive tract. Different from the degraded external genitalia of roosters, drakes have well-developed external genitalia, which may cause drake semen to be more susceptible to microbial contamination. However, information on the compositions, sources, and effects of semen microbes on semen quality remains unknown in drakes. In the current study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect microbial communities in drake semen, environmental swabs, cloacal swabs, and the spermaduct after quantifying the semen quality of drakes to investigate the effects of microbes in the environment, cloaca, and spermaduct on semen microbiota and the relationships between semen microbes and semen quality. Taxonomic analysis showed that the microbes in the semen, environment, cloaca, and spermaduct samples were all classified into 4 phyla and 25 genera. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla. Phyllobacterium only existed in the environment, while Marinococcus did not exist in the cloaca. Of the 24 genera present in semen: Brachybacterium, Brochothrix, Chryseobacterium, Kocuria, Marinococcus, Micrococcus, Rothia, Salinicoccus, and Staphylococcus originated from the environment; Achromobacter, Aerococcus, Corynebacterium, Desemzia, Enterococcus, Jeotgalicoccus, Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, and Turicibacter originated from the cloaca; and Agrobacterium, Carnobacterium, Chelativorans, Devosia, Halomonas, and Oceanicaulis originated from the spermaduct. In addition, K-means clustering analysis showed that semen samples could be divided into 2 clusters based on microbial compositions, and compared with cluster 1, the counts of Chelativorans (P < 0.05), Devosia (P < 0.01), Halomonas (P < 0.05), and Oceanicaulis (P < 0.05) were higher in cluster 2, while the sperm viability (P < 0.05), total sperm number (P < 0.01), and semen quality factor (SQF) (P < 0.01) were lower in cluster 2. Furthermore, functional prediction analysis of microbes showed that the activities of starch and sucrose metabolism, phosphotransferase system, ABC transporters, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, and quorum sensing pathways between cluster 1 and cluster 2 were significantly different (P < 0.05). Overall, environmental/cloacal microbes resulted in semen contamination, and microbes from the Chelativorans, Devosia, Halomonas, and Oceanicaulis genera may have negative effects on semen quality in drakes by affecting the activities of starch and sucrose metabolism, phosphotransferase system, ABC transporters, and quorum sensing pathways that are associated with carbohydrate metabolism. These data will provide a basis for developing strategies to prevent microbial contamination of drake semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jie Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Shuai Xin
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Qingyuan Ouyang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jialu Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Lipeng Zhu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Hua He
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Shenqiang Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Campus, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China.
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Malaluang P, Wagner LH, Cojkic A, Spergser J, Aurich C, Morrell JM. Reduced bacterial load in stallion semen by modified single layer centrifugation or sperm washing. Theriogenology 2024; 216:111-117. [PMID: 38171197 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.12.034] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The presence of bacteria poses a significant challenge to the quality of stallion semen used in artificial insemination. The bacterial content of insemination doses arises from various sources, such as the healthy stallion, environment, and collection equipment, and is implicated in fertility problems as well as reduced sperm quality during storage. The conventional approach of adding antibiotics to semen extenders raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance and potential negative effects on sperm characteristics, and may not be effective in inhibiting all bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine whether an innovative alternative to antibiotic usage - centrifugation through a single layer of a low density colloid (SLC) - could reduce the bacterial load in stallion semen, and to compare sperm characteristics in samples arising from this procedure, or simple extension of the ejaculate in semen extender, or from sperm washing, i.e. adding extender and then centrifuging the sample to allow the removal of most of the seminal plasma and extender. Eighteen semen samples were collected from six stallions. The semen samples were split and extended prior to washing or SLC, or received no further treatment other than extension. After preparation aliquots from each type of sample were sent for bacteriological examination; the remaining samples were stored for up to 72 h, with daily checks on sperm quality. The low density colloid SLC outperformed sperm washing or extension for bacterial reduction, effectively removing several bacterial species. The bacterial load in the samples was as follows: extended semen, 16 ± 6.7 × 105; washed, 5.8 ± 2.0 × 105; SLC, 2.3 ± 0.88 × 105, p < 0.0001. In addition, SLC completely removed some bacterial species, such as Staphylococcus xylosus. Although there is no selection for robust spermatozoa with the low density colloid, sperm motility, membrane integrity, and DNA fragmentation were not different to washed sperm samples. These findings suggest that SLC with a low density colloid offers a promising method for reducing bacterial contamination in stallion semen without resorting to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pongpreecha Malaluang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007, Uppsala, Sweden; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, 40000, Thailand
| | - Lisa Helène Wagner
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandar Cojkic
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joachim Spergser
- Institute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jane M Morrell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Cooke CG, Gibb Z, Grupen CG, Schemann K, Deshpande N, Harnett JE. The semen microbiome of miniature pony stallions. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23117. [PMID: 38331564 DOI: 10.1071/rd23117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known about the microbial composition of stallion semen. AIMS To describe the microbiota detected in equine semen of healthy miniature pony stallions. METHODS Semen specimens were collected using a Missouri artificial vagina at a single time point. PacBio (Pacific Biosciences) genomic DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on these specimens, following which next-generation microbiome bioinformatics platform QIIME2 was used to process fastq files and analyse the amplicon data. The data were categorised into genus, family, class, order and phylum. KEY RESULTS Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla predominated (76%), followed by Proteobacteria (15%). Bacteroidales, Clostridiales and Cardiobacteriales predominated the microbial rank of order (86%). Class was mainly composed of Bacteroidia, Clostridia and Gammaproteobacteria (87%), while family was mainly composed of Porphyromonadaceae , Family_XI and Cardiobacteriaceae (62%). At the level of genus, 80% of the abundance was composed of seven genera, namely Porphyromonas, Suttonella, Peptoniphilus, Fastidiosipila, Ezakiella, Petrimonas and an unknown taxon. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that specific microbiota may be characteristic of healthy miniature pony stallions' semen with some inter-individual variations observed. IMPLICATIONS Larger equine studies involving fertile and infertile subjects could be informed by this study and could explore the relationship of the semen microbiome to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Giselle Cooke
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Christopher G Grupen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Kathrin Schemann
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nandan Deshpande
- Sydney Informatics Hub, Core Research Facilities, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Joanna E Harnett
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Zabala SM, Serres C, Montero N, Crespo F, Lorenzo PL, Pérez-Aguilera V, Galán C, Domínguez-Gimbernat M, Oliet A, Moreno S, González-Zorn B, Gutiérrez-Cepeda L. Strategies to Reduce the Use of Antibiotics in Fresh and Chilled Equine Semen. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:179. [PMID: 38254348 PMCID: PMC10812753 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The study assessed the impact of four equine semen processing techniques on sperm quality and microbial load immediately post-processing and after 48 h of refrigeration. The aim was to explore the potential reduction of prophylactic antibiotic usage in semen extenders. Semen from ten adult stallions was collected and processed under a strict hygiene protocol and divided into four aliquots: Simple Centrifugation with antibiotics (SC+), Simple Centrifugation (SC-), Single-Layer Colloidal Centrifugation (CC-), and Filtration (with SpermFilter®) (F-), all in extenders without antibiotics. Sperm motility, viability, and microbial load on three culture media were assessed. No significant differences were observed in the main in the sperm quality parameters among the four protocols post-processing and at 48 h (p < 0.05 or p < 0.1). Microbial loads in Columbia 5% Sheep Blood Agar and Schaedler vitamin K1 5% Sheep Blood Agar mediums were significantly higher (p < 0.10) for raw semen than for CS+, CC-, and F- post-processing. For Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium, the microbial load was significantly higher (p < 0.10) in raw semen compared to CS+ and F-. No significant differences (p < 0.10) were found in 48 h chilled samples. Regardless of antibiotic presence, the evaluated processing methods, when combined with rigorous hygiene measures, maintained semen quality and reduced microbial load to the same extent as a traditional protocol using antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Mercedes Zabala
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Colmenar Viejo a Guadalix de la Sierra, km 1, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 Madrid, Spain; (A.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Consuelo Serres
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Natalia Montero
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.); (B.G.-Z.)
| | - Francisco Crespo
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
- Centro Militar de Cría Caballar de Ávila (CCFAA), C/Arsenio Gutiérrez Palacios s/n, 05005 Ávila, Spain;
| | - Pedro Luis Lorenzo
- Physiology Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Verónica Pérez-Aguilera
- Centro Militar de Cría Caballar de Ávila (CCFAA), C/Arsenio Gutiérrez Palacios s/n, 05005 Ávila, Spain;
| | - Carmen Galán
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Mónica Domínguez-Gimbernat
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Agustín Oliet
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Colmenar Viejo a Guadalix de la Sierra, km 1, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 Madrid, Spain; (A.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Santiago Moreno
- Animal Selection and Reproduction Center, Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Ctra. Colmenar Viejo a Guadalix de la Sierra, km 1, Colmenar Viejo, 28770 Madrid, Spain; (A.O.); (S.M.)
| | - Bruno González-Zorn
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.M.); (B.G.-Z.)
| | - Luna Gutiérrez-Cepeda
- Animal Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, UCM, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.M.Z.); (C.S.); (F.C.); (C.G.); (M.D.-G.)
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Sperm Quality and Fertility of Livestock Animals. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040604. [PMID: 36830389 PMCID: PMC9951638 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has focused on the understanding of the causes of subfertility observed in livestock species, evidencing that different factors could underlie this condition [...].
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Contreras MJ, Núñez-Montero K, Bruna P, Zárate A, Pezo F, García M, Leal K, Barrientos L. Mammals' sperm microbiome: current knowledge, challenges, and perspectives on metagenomics of seminal samples. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1167763. [PMID: 37138598 PMCID: PMC10149849 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1167763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial growth is highly detrimental to sperm quality and functionality. However, during the last few years, using sequencing techniques with a metagenomic approach, it has been possible to deepen the study of bacteria-sperm relationships and describe non-culturable species and synergistic and antagonistic relationships between the different species in mammalian animals. We compile the recent metagenomics studies performed on mammalian semen samples and provide updated evidence to understand the importance of the microbial communities in the results of sperm quality and sperm functionality of males, looking for future perspectives on how these technologies can collaborate in the development of andrological knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Contreras
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Kattia Núñez-Montero
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile
| | - Pablo Bruna
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ana Zárate
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Felipe Pezo
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile
| | - Matías García
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Karla Leal
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Leticia Barrientos
- Extreme Environments Biotechnology Lab, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- *Correspondence: Leticia Barrientos,
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