1
|
Sevilla F, Soler C, Araya-Zúñiga I, Barquero V, Roldan ERS, Valverde A. Are There Differences between Methods Used for the Objective Estimation of Boar Sperm Concentration and Motility? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101622. [PMID: 37238052 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101622] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination in the swine industry, as in other species, demands adequate semen handling and accurate evaluation for the preparation of seminal doses. Sperm concentration and motility estimates are part of the semen evaluation process and are considered important for maximizing the yield of doses for insemination. In this study, methods were examined for their accuracy in the estimation of boar sperm concentration and motility. Assessments of sperm concentration were carried out using iSperm®, ISAS® v1, Open CASA v2, and the Accuread® photometer. Analyses of sperm motility were performed with iSperm®, ISAS® v1, and Open CASA v2 systems. In this study, boar semen samples were collected from 10 healthy males from two genetic lines. There were no relevant differences between sire lines when sperm concentration was assessed. A Bayesian analysis was applied to the four methods used to assess sperm concentration to examine whether there are relevant differences between them. Results suggested differences in the four methods, with a probability of relevance (PR) of 0.86-1.00. The iSperm® method revealed higher concentration values within the highest posterior density region at 95% confidence interval (HPD95%) = 167.0, 224.2 M/mL, whereas Open CASA v2 showed the lowest values, with HPD95% = 99.3, 155.9 M/mL. The iSperm® demonstrated higher reliability in measuring sperm concentration compared to other methods or devices within the given range of confidence. ANOVAs revealed relevant differences in the three methods of motility estimation. Overall, differences in boar sperm concentration and motility estimates were found using various methods, but further studies are needed for better characterization of these differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Sevilla
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, School of Agronomy, San Carlos Campus, Alajuela 223-21002, Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Doctorate in Natural Sciences for Development (DOCINADE), San Carlos Campus, Alajuela 223-21002, Costa Rica
| | - Carles Soler
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Campus Burjassot, University of Valencia, C/Dr Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Ignacio Araya-Zúñiga
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, School of Agronomy, San Carlos Campus, Alajuela 223-21002, Costa Rica
| | - Vinicio Barquero
- Faculty of Agri-Food Sciences, Alfredo Volio Mata Experimental Station, University of Costa Rica, Cartago 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Eduardo R S Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anthony Valverde
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, School of Agronomy, San Carlos Campus, Alajuela 223-21002, Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
García-Molina A, Navarro N, Valverde A, Sadeghi S, Garrido N, Soler C. Optimization of human semen analysis using CASA-Mot technology. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:166-174. [PMID: 36803105 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2023.2170297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the optimal framerate (FR) and the use of different counting chambers for improving CASA-Mot technology use in Andrology. Images were captured at 500 fps, then segmented and analyzed in several ranges of FRs (from 25 to 250) to define the asymptotic point that as an optimal FR. This work was replicated using counting chambers based in capillarity (disposable) or drop displacement (reusable) to study their effects on the motility results and kinematic values of the samples under the different experimental conditions. The α value (asymptote corresponding to FRo) of the exponential curve was 150.23 fps, corresponding to a VCL of 130.58 mm/s, far from the value of 98.89 mm/s corresponding to 50 fps (the highest FR used by most current CASA-Mot systems). Our results have shown that, when using reusable counting chambers, type and depth have influence. In addition, different results were obtained depending on the area of image captured inside the different counting chamber types. To have reliable results in human sperm kinematic studies, almost 150 fps should be used for capturing and analyzing and differences between chambers should be considered by sampling from different areas, to obtain a representative value of the whole sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Almudena García-Molina
- Department of Reproductive Sciencies, Sperm Analysis Technologies (Spermtech), Buñol, Spain.,Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Nuria Navarro
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Anthony Valverde
- School of Agronomy, Institute of Technology, San Carlos Campus, Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Sara Sadeghi
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Carles Soler
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Calderón-Calderón J, Sevilla F, Roldan ERS, Barquero V, Valverde A. Influence of Fat-Soluble Vitamin Intramuscular Supplementation on Kinematic and Morphometric Sperm Parameters of Boar Ejaculates. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:908763. [PMID: 35903145 PMCID: PMC9315373 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.908763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ejaculate quality can be regarded as multifactorial, with nutrition being a factor that could directly influence sperm parameters. The present study aimed to evaluate seminal quality associated with seasonal fat-soluble vitamin supplementation of boars. Seven sexually mature boars were randomly allotted to one of the three groups, and fed one of the three supplementary diets for 32 weeks: (1) control treatment (COD), without supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins, (2) treatment containing 100% fat-soluble vitamin supplementation administered intramuscularly, which was based on fat soluble vitamin supplementation (A, D3, E) (FVD1), and (3) treatment containing 50% of fat-soluble vitamin supplementation (FVD12). Semen was collected at 7-day intervals. Semen samples were analyzed to assess several sperm parameters using the Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) ISAS®v1 system. Results showed that groups receiving FVD1 and FVD12 supplementation had an increased semen volume. The percentages of motile and progressively motile sperm were increased by FVD1 treatment. A statistically significant interaction between treatment and season was found in the percentage of motility and progressive motility (p < 0.05). Sperm concentrations showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatments. Velocity variables (VSL, VCL, and VAP) were higher (p < 0.05) in boars that received fat-soluble vitamin supplementation in comparison to controls receiving no supplementation. The FVD1 treatment presented spermatozoa with greater head size and more elongated heads (p < 0.05). Overall, the utilization of dietary fat-soluble vitamin supplementation significantly improved the semen quality of boar ejaculates. This highlights the importance of fat-soluble vitamin supplementation in sexually active boars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josué Calderón-Calderón
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, School of Agronomy, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Francisco Sevilla
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, School of Agronomy, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vinicio Barquero
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, School of Agronomy, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Faculty of Agri-Food Sciences, Alfredo Volio Mata Experimental Station, University of Costa Rica, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Anthony Valverde
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, School of Agronomy, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Alajuela, Costa Rica
- *Correspondence: Anthony Valverde
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Relationship between Fertility Traits and Kinematics in Clusters of Boar Ejaculates. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070595. [PMID: 34203288 PMCID: PMC8301001 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Swine reproduction efficiency is determined by the fertility potential of the sow and sperm quality. The objective of this study is to compare boar sperm motility and kinematic features to evaluate their relationships with reproductive success after artificial insemination (AI). In this study, the movement patterns of boar ejaculates were analyzed by a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)-Mot system, and the kinematic values of ejaculate clusters were assessed. The semen of the Pietrain boars showed more linear trajectory of the spermatozoa, while curvilinear velocity and oscillatory movement characterized the semen of the Duroc × Pietrain boars. The offspring of sows inseminated with Pietrain boars showed significantly lower number of stillbirths. In addition, ejaculate grouping into clusters did not have a predictive capacity on litter size variables. Nevertheless, the kinematic variables of the ejaculate 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 was to determine the relationship between kinematic parameters of boar spermatozoa and fertility rates of sow, as well as to assess the effect of sperm clusters on the fertility capacity of the ejaculate. Semen samples were collected from 11 sexually mature boars. Samples were analyzed by an ISAS®v1 CASA-Mot system for eight kinematic parameters. Ejaculate clusters were characterized using multivariate procedures, such as principal factors (PFs) analysis and clustering methods (the k-means model). Four different ejaculate clusters were identified from two kinematic PFs which involved linear trajectory and velocity. There were differences (p < 0.05) between the sperm kinematic variables by sire line. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between dam lines and ejaculate clusters in fertility variables. The discriminant ability of the different kinematics of sperm variables to predict litter size fertility was analyzed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and beat-cross frequency (BCF) showed significant, albeit limited, predictive capacity for litter size fertility variables (range: 0.55–0.58 area under curve, AUC). The kinematic analysis of the ejaculates in clusters did not have a predictive capacity for litter size variables.
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
|
6
|
Valverde A, Castro-Morales O, Madrigal-Valverde M, Camacho M, Barquero V, Soler C, Roldan ERS. Sperm kinematic subpopulations of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248270. [PMID: 33690716 PMCID: PMC7942986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been very limited use of computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) to evaluate reptile sperm. The aim of this study was to examine sperm kinematic variables in American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) semen samples and to assess whether sperm subpopulations could be characterized. Eight ejaculates (two ejaculates/male) from four sexually mature captive crocodiles were obtained. An ISAS®v1 CASA-Mot system, with an image acquisition rate of 50 Hz, and ISAS®D4C20 counting chambers were used for sperm analyses. The percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa did not differ among animals (P > 0.05) but there was a significant animal effect with regards to kinematic variables (P < 0.05). Principal component (PC) analysis revealed that kinematic variables grouped into three components: PC1, related to velocity; PC2 to progressiveness and PC3 to oscillation. Subpopulation structure analysis identified four groups (P < 0.05), which represented, on average, 9.8%, 32.1%, 26.8%, and 31.3% of the total sperm population. Males differed in the proportion of sperm in each of the kinematic subpopulations. This new approach for the analysis of reptile sperm kinematic subpopulations, reflecting quantifiable parameters generated by CASA system technology, opens up possibilities for future assessments of crocodile sperm and will be useful in the future development of assisted reproduction for these species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Valverde
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, School of Agronomy, Cartago, Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | | | | | - Marlen Camacho
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, School of Agronomy, Cartago, Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Vinicio Barquero
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology, School of Agronomy, Cartago, Alajuela, Costa Rica
| | - Carles Soler
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Eduardo R. S. Roldan
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Palacin I, Santolaria P, Alquezar-Baeta C, Soler C, Silvestre MA, Yániz J. Relationship of sperm plasma membrane and acrosomal integrities with sperm morphometry in Bos taurus. Asian J Androl 2020; 22:578-582. [PMID: 32341212 PMCID: PMC7705972 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_2_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, sperm morphometric studies have assessed whole sperm populations without considering sperm function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of sperm membrane and acrosomal integrity with sperm morphometry in liquid semen samples collected from bulls. To this end, sperm morphometry was performed on cryopreserved semen samples from 16 bulls by a combination of fluorescent dyes, including Hoechst 33343, carboxyfluorescein diacetate, and propidium iodide. This allowed discrimination of different subpopulations on the basis of sperm membrane and acrosomal integrity and analysis of the morphometrics of the sperm head, nucleus, and acrosome using a specific plug-in module created on ImageJ. Acrosomal integrity was related to sperm morphometry as the heads of spermatozoa with a damaged acrosome were significantly smaller than those with a normal acrosome (P < 0.001). In the case of spermatozoa with an intact acrosome, those with a damaged plasma membrane had a larger sperm head and acrosome than spermatozoa with an intact plasma membrane (P < 0.001). No significant differences in the sperm head size were observed between sperm subpopulations without an acrosome or in the nuclear sperm morphometry of the different subpopulations. There was a positive correlation between the sperm motility values of the samples and the morphometric parameters for intact spermatozoa. These correlations were particularly strong for the morphometric parameters of the sperm acrosome. We conclude that there are clear differences in the sperm morphometry depending on the status of the sperm membrane and acrosome and this should be considered when performing this kind of analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Palacin
- BIOFITER Research Group, Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), Department of Animal Production and Food Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca 22071, Spain
| | - Pilar Santolaria
- BIOFITER Research Group, Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), Department of Animal Production and Food Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca 22071, Spain
| | | | - Carles Soler
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Miguel A Silvestre
- Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Jesús Yániz
- BIOFITER Research Group, Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), Department of Animal Production and Food Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca 22071, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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]
|
9
|
Soler C, Cooper TG. Foreword to Sperm morphometrics today and tomorrow special issue in Asian Journal of Andrology. Asian J Androl 2017; 18:815-818. [PMID: 27633908 PMCID: PMC5109868 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.187582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Early in his investigations, Leeuwenhoek (1670s)1 deduced that spermatozoa were alive and an integral part of semen, rather than artifacts or parasites. He eventually observed spermatozoa in the semen of men, dogs, horses, birds, fishes, amphibians, molluscs, and many insects, and concluded that they must be a universal feature of male reproduction. The huge differences in sperm form among species have been discussed in relation to evolutionary changes dictated by the egg and its investments.2 Spallanzani (1800s)1 was the first scientist to develop successful methods for artificial insemination, first with amphibians and later with dogs. With these experiments, he showed that physical contact between intact spermatozoa and ova was necessary to achieve the fertilization. Some years later (1820s), Prévost and Dumas1 performed the defining experiment to identify correctly the function of spermatozoa in reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carles Soler
- Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain.,Department of R+D, Proiser R+D, Science Park, University of València, 46980 Paterna, València, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|