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Arshad J, Parrish JJ, Awan MA, Rakha BA, Waseem M, Ahmad MS, Iqbal S, Akhter S. Prediction of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull fertility through Fourier harmonic analysis of sperm. Theriogenology 2024; 225:162-171. [PMID: 38805998 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.033] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Fourier harmonic analysis (FHA) is a robust method for identification of minute changes in sperm nuclear shape that are indicative of reduced fertility. The current study was designed to develop a fertility prediction model for Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls through FHA of sperm. In experiment I, FHA technique was standardized, average sperm nuclear perimeter was measured and sperm nuclear shape plot of buffalo bull was constructed. Sperm of buffalo bulls (n = 10) were stained with YOYO-1 and Hoechst-33342 to differentiate live and dead, and digital images were captured using phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy. The images were analyzed by ImageJ software and 100 sperm/bull were evaluated. The results are described as mean ± SEM values of mean harmonic amplitude (mharm), skewness harmonic amplitude (skharm), kurtosis harmonic amplitude (kurharm) and variance harmonic amplitude (varharm) at Fourier frequencies 0-5 along with the cartesian and polar coordinate plots of buffalo bull sperm. In experiment II, a fertility prediction model was developed based on FHA of buffalo bull sperm. Semen samples of low (n = 6), medium (n = 3) and high (n = 8) fertility bulls were investigated for FHA of sperm and harmonic amplitudes (HA) were generated. Firstly, to determine if live and dead sperm population have unique nuclear shape distribution; the mean, skewness, kurtosis and variance HA 0-5 of 1700 live and 1294 dead spermatozoa of 17 bulls were evaluated. T-test signified a difference in the mharm0 (2.363 ± 0.01 vs. 2.439 ± 0.02), skharm0 (-0.0002 ± 0.07 vs. -0.266 ± 0.09), kurharm0 (-0.156 ± 0.07 vs. 0.260 ± 0.18), kurharm2 (0.142 ± 0.11 vs. 1.031 ± 0.32) and varharm4 (0.109 ± 0.00 vs. 0.082 ± 0.00) of live vs. dead sperm population (p < 0.05). Therefore, 100 live sperm/bull were further evaluated for mean, skewness, kurtosis and variance HA 0-5 values among high (n = 6) and low-fertility (n = 6) groups. Results of T-test showed higher values of mharm2 (0.739 ± 0.01 vs. 0.686 ± 0.00), mharm4 (0.105 ± 0.001 vs. 0.007 ± 0.001), and skharm0 (0.214 ± 0.109 vs. -0.244 ± 0.097) in high vs. low-fertility group (p < 0.05). In next step, five significantly different combinations of discriminant measures between high and low-fertility groups were obtained by discriminant analysis. In conclusion, mharm4, skharm0 and varharm2 correctly identified 91.7 % of bulls into their respective fertility groups, and upon cross validation the value of the canonical correlation was 0.928.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javeria Arshad
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, Pir Mehr Ali Shah- Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - John J Parrish
- Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Muhammad Amjad Awan
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, Pir Mehr Ali Shah- Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Allah Rakha
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, Pir Mehr Ali Shah- Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Sheeraz Ahmad
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah- Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Iqbal
- Livestock Breeding Services Authority, Government of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shamim Akhter
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, Pir Mehr Ali Shah- Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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Jia YL, Wu YB, Yu L, Zheng Y, Yang TT, Wang YY, Zhou B, Zhang L, Li FP. Normal sperm head morphometric reference values in fertile Asian males. Asian J Androl 2024; 26:315-320. [PMID: 38048168 PMCID: PMC11156450 DOI: 10.4103/aja202356] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm head morphology is crucial for male factor infertility diagnosis and assessment of male reproductive potential. Several criteria are available to analyze sperm head morphology, but they are limited by poor methodology comparability and population applicability. This study aimed to explore comprehensive and new normal morphometric reference values for spermatozoa heads in fertile Asian males. An automated sperm morphology analysis system captured 23 152 stained spermatozoa from confirmed fertile males. Of these samples, 1856 sperm head images were annotated by three experienced laboratory technicians as "normal". We employed 14 novel morphometric features to describe sperm head size (head length, head width, length/width ratio, and girth), shape (ellipse intersection over union, girth intersection over union, short-axis symmetry, and long-axis symmetry), area (head, acrosome, postacrosomal areas, and acrosome area ratio), and degrees of acrosome and nuclear uniformity. This straight-forward method for the morphometric analysis of sperm by accurate visual measurements is clinically applicable. The measured parameters present valuable information to establish morphometric reference intervals for normal sperm heads in fertile Asian males. The presented detailed measurement data will be valuable for interlaboratory comparisons and technician training. In vitro fertilization and andrology laboratory technicians can use these parameters to perform objective morphology evaluation when assessing male fertilization potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Lin Jia
- Laboratory of Andrology, West China Second University Hospital Human Sperm Bank, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Ying-Bi Wu
- Laboratory of Andrology, West China Second University Hospital Human Sperm Bank, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Lin Yu
- Laboratory of Andrology, West China Second University Hospital Human Sperm Bank, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Laboratory of Andrology, West China Second University Hospital Human Sperm Bank, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Ting-Ting Yang
- Laboratory of Andrology, West China Second University Hospital Human Sperm Bank, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Yan-Yun Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Chengdu 610061, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610061, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Fu-Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610061, China
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Tanga BM, Qamar AY, Raza S, Bang S, Fang X, Yoon K, Cho J. Semen evaluation: methodological advancements in sperm quality-specific fertility assessment - A review. Anim Biosci 2021; 34:1253-1270. [PMID: 33902175 PMCID: PMC8255896 DOI: 10.5713/ab.21.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of male fertility is based on the evaluation of sperm. Semen evaluation measures various sperm quality parameters as fertility indicators. However, semen evaluation has limitations, and it requires the advancement and application of strict quality control methods to interpret the results. This article reviews the recent advances in evaluating various sperm-specific quality characteristics and methodologies, with the help of different assays to assess sperm-fertility status. Sperm evaluation methods that include conventional microscopic methods, computer-assisted sperm analyzers (CASA), and flow cytometric analysis, provide precise information related to sperm morphology and function. Moreover, profiling fertility-related biomarkers in sperm or seminal plasma can be helpful in predicting fertility. Identification of different sperm proteins and diagnosis of DNA damage has positively contributed to the existing pool of knowledge about sperm physiology and molecular anomalies associated with different infertility issues in males. Advances in methods and sperm-specific evaluation has subsequently resulted in a better understanding of sperm biology that has improved the diagnosis and clinical management of male factor infertility. Accurate sperm evaluation is of paramount importance in the application of artificial insemination and assisted reproductive technology. However, no single test can precisely determine fertility; the selection of an appropriate test or a set of tests and parameters is required to accurately determine the fertility of specific animal species. Therefore, a need to further calibrate the CASA and advance the gene expression tests is recommended for faster and field-level applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bereket Molla Tanga
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmad Yar Qamar
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Sanan Raza
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang 35200, Sub-campus University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, PakistanDepartment of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09016, Turkey
| | - Seonggyu Bang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Xun Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Kiyoung Yoon
- Department of Companion Animal, Shingu College, Seongnam 13174, Korea
| | - Jongki Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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Characterization of Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Sperm Based on Morphometric Traits. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050355. [PMID: 33922110 PMCID: PMC8143526 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Dolphins are one of the best adapted aquatic mammalians in captivity. While these animals can reproduce naturally in aquaria, many aspects related to their reproduction are still unknown. Their behavior, sociability with humans and ability to learn make dolphins ideal subjects for investigating their reproduction features for conservation programs aimed at this aquatic species and others. It is known that dolphins use a multi-male mating strategy, in which sperm competition could play a fundamental role. This study aims to characterize the shape and dimensions of dolphin sperm from two mature males and putatively classifies them into subpopulations. Moreover, the influence of sex hormone levels (testosterone) and refrigeration (temperature and storage period) with sperm dimension was evaluated. The results indicated that sperm dimensions and shape differed between the two males studied and that the sperm of both males could be classified into two subpopulations depending on their dimensions. Moreover, both testosterone levels and refrigeration were seen to influence sperm dimensions. This investigation provides new insights into sperm competition in dolphin species, and the results could be extrapolated to other endangered aquatic mammalian species. Abstract Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) males follow many reproductive strategies to ensure their paternity. However, little is known about the sperm traits, including morphometric features, that contribute to their reproductive success. Our aim was to study dolphin sperm morphometry (a total of 13 parameters) in two adult males to evaluate (i) presumptive sperm subpopulations, (ii) the correlation of sperm morphometry with testosterone levels and (iii) the effect of refrigerated storage on the sperm morphometry. Sperm populations were classified into four principal components (PCs) based on morphometry (>94% of cumulative variance). The PCs clustered into two different sperm subpopulations, which differed between males. Furthermore, the levels of serum testosterone were positively correlated with the length of the midpiece but negatively correlated with head width and the principal piece, flagellum and total sperm lengths. Most of the sperm morphometric parameters changed during the storage period (day 1 vs. day 7), but only the principal piece length was affected by the storage temperature (5 °C vs. 15 °C). This is the first study to identify dolphin sperm subpopulations based on morphometry and the influence of serum testosterone and refrigeration on sperm morphometry.
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Predictive Capacity of Boar Sperm Morphometry and Morphometric Sub-Populations on Reproductive Success after Artificial Insemination. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11040920. [PMID: 33805060 PMCID: PMC8064074 DOI: 10.3390/ani11040920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The efficiency of swine production measured as litter size influences the profitability of the pig industry. Furthermore, sow fertility potential depends in part on the boar semen quality and reproductive efficiency. The objective of this study is to compare boar sperm head size and morphometric features of shape to evaluate their relationships with reproductive success after artificial insemination (AI). A morphometric analysis of boar ejaculate reveals morphometrically separate sub-populations. The differences between sub-populations are displayed for sperm head size. In addition, sperm clustering into sub-populations did not have a predictive capacity on litter size variables. Nevertheless, the morphometric variables of the sperm may have a predictive, albeit reduced, capacity regarding litter size variables. The results of this study therefore open up possibilities for future assessments of fertility. Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the morphometric features of sperm head size and shape from the Pietrain line and the Duroc × Pietrain boar crossbred terminal lines, and to evaluate their relationship with reproductive success after artificial insemination of sows produced from crossbreeding the York, Landrace and Pietrain breeds. Semen samples were collected from 11 sexually mature boars. Only ejaculates with greater than 70% motility rate and <15% of abnormal sperm were used for artificial inseminations (AI) and included in the study. Samples were analyzed using an ISAS®v1 computer-assisted sperm analysis system for eight morphometric parameters of head shape and size (CASA-Morph). Sub-populations of morphometric ejaculates were characterized using multivariate procedures, such as principal component (PC) analysis and clustering methods (k-means model). Four different ejaculate sub-populations were identified from two PCs that involved the head shape and size of the spermatozoa. The discriminant ability of the different morphometric sperm variables to predict sow litter size was analyzed using a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Sperm head length, ellipticity, elongation, and regularity showed significant predictive capacity on litter size (0.59, 0.59, 0.60, and 0.56 area under curve (AUC), respectively). The morphometric sperm sub-populations were not related to sow litter size.
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Wysokińska A, Wójcik E, Chłopik A. Evaluation of the Morphometry of Sperm from the Epididymides of Dogs Using Different Staining Methods. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010227. [PMID: 33477639 PMCID: PMC7831496 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of sperm morphometry is an important criterion in the diagnosis of a male animal's suitability for breeding. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphometry of sperm from the epididymides of dogs subjected to routine castration using various staining methods. The study was carried out on semen collected from ten healthy dogs. Gonads were obtained from each dog during routine castration at a veterinary surgery. Then, the epididymides (caput, corpus, cauda) were isolated from the gonads, semen was collected from them and microscope slides were prepared. The slides for evaluation of sperm morphometry were prepared by four methods: DiffQuik, SpermBlue, eosin-nigrosin and eosin-gentian. A total of 2400 sperm were analyzed (240 sperm from the dog). The sperm collected from the caput and corpus of the epididymis were found to have larger heads and tails than those collected from the cauda of the epididymis. The staining method was shown to affect the morphometry of sperm taken from the epididymides of dogs. The staining methods differentiate the dimensions of the head of sperm in different parts of the epididymis but do not affect the length of the sperm tail. The occurrence of differences in the head dimensions of sperm may be linked to the use of different fixatives and chemical reagents in the staining procedure. Sperm stained by the EN method had the smallest head and tail dimensions. The greatest head area was noted in the sperm stained by the EG method. In the slides stained by the SB method, the sperm heads were relatively long but narrow. The methods used are suitable for the evaluation of sperm structure, and the possibility of using all four methods enables a full characterization of sperm collected from the caput, corpus and cauda of the epididymides of dogs.
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Hook KA, Fisher HS. Methodological considerations for examining the relationship between sperm morphology and motility. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:633-649. [PMID: 32415812 PMCID: PMC7329573 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cells of all taxa share a common goal to reach and fertilize an ovum, yet sperm are one of the most diverse cell types in nature. While the structural diversity of these cells is well recognized, the functional significance of variation in sperm design remains elusive. An important function of spermatozoa is a need to migrate toward the ova, often over long distances in a foreign environment, which may include a complex and hostile female reproductive tract. Several comparative and experimental studies have attempted to address the link between sperm morphology and motility, yet the conclusions drawn from these studies are often inconsistent, even within the same taxa. Much of what we know about the functional significance of sperm design in internally fertilizing species has been gleaned from in vitro studies, for which experimental parameters often vary among studies. We propose that discordant results from these studies are in part due to a lack of consistency of methods, conditions that do not replicate those of the female reproductive tract, and the overuse of simple linear measures of sperm shape. Within this review, we provide a toolkit for imaging, quantifying, and analyzing sperm morphology and movement patterns for in vitro studies and discuss emerging approaches. Results from studies linking morphology to motility enhance our understanding of the evolution of adaptive sperm traits and the mechanisms that regulate fertility, thus offering new insights into methods used in assisted reproductive technologies in animal science, conservation and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A. Hook
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, U.S.A
| | - Heidi S. Fisher
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, U.S.A
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Cucho H, López Y, Caldeira C, Valverde A, Ordóñez C, Soler C. Comparison of three different staining methods for the morphometric characterization of Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) sperm, using ISAS® CASA-Morph system. NOVA BIOLOGICA REPERTA 2019. [DOI: 10.29252/nbr.6.3.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Soler C, Cooper TG, Valverde A, Yániz JL. Afterword to Sperm morphometrics today and tomorrow special issue in Asian Journal of Andrology. Asian J Androl 2017; 18:895-897. [PMID: 27751989 PMCID: PMC5109882 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.188451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carles Soler
- Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.,Department of R+D, Proiser R+D, Science Park, University of València, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | | | - Anthony Valverde
- Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte S/N 22071 Huesca, Spain
| | - Jesús L Yániz
- Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte S/N 22071 Huesca, Spain
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