1
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Prochowska S, Napierkowska S, Czech B, Niżański W. Feline sperm head morphometry in relation to male pedigree and fertility. Theriogenology 2023; 208:119-125. [PMID: 37311263 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.06.006] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis is an advanced tool which allows to precise measure sperm head parameters like length, width, area, and perimeter. On the basis of these and calculated parameters, morphometric subpopulations of spermatozoa can be distinguished. In many species, the distribution of subpopulation within the ejaculate is related to male fertility. There is no information about such a relation for domestic cats; therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether spermatozoa from non-pedigree and purebred domestic cats differ in morphometric parameters. The second aim was to check if there is a relationship between sperm morphometry and fertility. Urethral semen was collected from 27 tomcats, divided into three study groups: non-pedigree cats of unknown fertility, purebred infertile cats and purebred fertile cats. The morphometric assessment was performed by CASMA, followed by principal component analysis and clustering. The results revealed huge intra- and inter-individual variation in sperm head morphometric parameters and three sperm-head morphometric subpopulations were identified in feline semen. Neither mean values of morphometric parameters nor the distribution of spermatozoa between morphometric subpopulations differ between non-pedigree cats of unknown fertility and purebred infertile and fertile cats. We hypothesize that other factors, especially abnormalities of the midpiece and tail, and overall worse quality of the semen of infertile males could have masked the effect of subtle changes in the sperm head morphometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Prochowska
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Skarlet Napierkowska
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Bartosz Czech
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Department of Genetics, Biostatistics Group, ul. Kożuchowska 7, 51-631, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Eberhardt M, Prochowska S, Partyka A, Bielas W, Van Soom A, Olech W, Niżański W. The morphology, morphometry and functionality of fresh and cryopreserved wisent (Bison bonasus) epididymal spermatozoa. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13866. [PMID: 37620548 PMCID: PMC10449768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40798-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epididymal spermatozoa obtained post mortem are considered a valuable source of genetic material which is often irrevocably lost. This makes these gametes constitute a key element in protection and restitution programs. The wisent (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758) is a species that survived in zoos after extinction from its natural habitat. This resulted in a narrowing of the genetic pool of the whole population, which is at present derived from only 12 ancestors. Currently, wisent protection programs are aimed at preserving the genetic diversity by establishing a germplasm bank. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the morphology, morphometry and functionality of wisent epididymal spermatozoa and evaluate the effectiveness of their cryopreservation in extender based on Tris buffer and chicken egg yolk. The median total number of spermatozoa obtained from one individual was 1985.0 × 106 (62.5 × 106-7452.0 × 106). These gametes were characterized by median: 40.0% (0.5-70.0%) subjective motility, 69.8% (32.5-90.0%) viability and 54.3% (10.5-83.3%) normal morphology. The sperm head had a median size of 5.0 μm (3.5-6.7 μm) width, 8.5 μm (6.4-11.3 μm) length and 36.9 μm2 (23.7-48.6 μm2) surface area. The viable population of the obtained gametes was characterized by median values 53.2% (4.5-80.3%) of intact sperm membrane, 50.8 (26.0-76.6%) of intact acrosome, 0.4% (0-98.7%) of fragmented chromatin, 5.9% (0.0-88.8%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 42.1% (8.3-63.7%) without lipid peroxidation. The viable population of the frozen/thawed gametes was characterized by median values: 18.4% (2.4-57.9%) of intact sperm membrane, 35.1 (11.9-56.7%) of intact acrosome, 0.07% (0-89.2%) of fragmented chromatin, 12.8% (0.0-49.7%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 16.3% (2.2-53.6%) without lipid peroxidation. Due to the material originating from a relatively large number of wild individuals, the research presented here contributed to the description of certain species standards for the assessment of wisent epididymal spermatozoa. The presented effect of cryopreservation on these gametes justifies the use of an extender based on Tris buffer with the addition of chicken egg yolk. The obtained effects are satisfactory from the point of view of preserving valuable genetic material and their use in ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eberhardt
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Prochowska
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Partyka
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wiesław Bielas
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8 St., 02-786, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tvrdá E, Petrovičová M, Ďuračka M, Benko F, Slanina T, Galovičová L, Kačániová M. Short-Term Storage of Rooster Ejaculates: Sperm Quality and Bacterial Profile Differences in Selected Commercial Extenders. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1284. [PMID: 37627704 PMCID: PMC10451222 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081284] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial contamination of semen has become an important contributor to the reduced shelf life of insemination doses in the poultry industry, which is why antibiotics (ATBs) are an important component of semen extenders. Due to a global rise in antimicrobial resistance, the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of selected commercially available semen extenders to prevent possible bacterial contamination of rooster ejaculates. Two selected extenders free from or containing 31.2 µg/mL kanamycin (KAN) were used to process semen samples from 63 healthy Lohmann Brown roosters. Phosphate-buffered saline without ATBs was used as a control. The extended samples were stored at 4 °C for 24 h. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity and the oxidative profile of each extended sample were assessed following 2 h and 24 h of storage. Furthermore, selective media were used to quantify the bacterial load and specific bacterial species were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The results indicate that semen extenders enriched with KAN ensured a significantly higher preservation of sperm quality in comparison to their KAN-free counterparts. Bacterial load was significantly decreased in diluents supplemented with ATBs (p ≤ 0.001); however, KAN alone was not effective enough to eradicate all bacteria since several Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Micrococcus luteus were retrieved from samples extended in KAN-supplemented commercial extenders. As such, we may suggest that more focus should be devoted to the selection of an optimal combination and dose of antibiotics for poultry extenders, which should be accompanied by a more frequent bacteriological screening of native as well as extended poultry semen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tvrdá
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Petrovičová
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine (2. LF UK), Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Filip Benko
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (F.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Tomáš Slanina
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (F.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Lucia Galovičová
- Institute of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (L.G.); (M.K.)
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Institute of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (L.G.); (M.K.)
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bezerra LGP, Silva AM, Jurema AP, Dantas MRT, Pereira AG, Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Changes in Sperm Morphology, Morphometry, and Motility from the Epididymis to the Vas Deferens in Rheas ( Rhea americana, Linnaeus, 1758). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13091483. [PMID: 37174520 PMCID: PMC10177575 DOI: 10.3390/ani13091483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective was to characterize morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural changes in rhea spermatozoa between the epididymis and the vas deferens. Sperm samples were collected from the reproductive tracts of seven adult individuals and evaluated for sperm characteristics using brightfield microscopy as well as ultrastructural features using scanning electron microscopy (SM). Mean sperm count tended to increase in the vas deferens (378.0 ± 135.0 × 106) compared to the epididymis (201.0 ± 77.4 × 106). Percentages of motile sperm grew from 37.0 ± 4.9% in the epididymis to 58.5 ± 7.7% in the vas deferens. The proportion of normal spermatozoa was 75.6 ± 1.8% and most common defects were bent tails (9.7 ± 0.9%). However, these proportions were not different between epididymis and vas deferens. SM analysis revealed further features of rhea spermatozoa. Normal rhea spermatozoa were threadlike with an acrosome (0.95 ± 0.0 µm), head (7.53 ± 0.01 µm), midpiece (2.08 ± 0.01 µm), and tail (30.7 ± 0.06 µm). Lengths of sperm acrosome, head, midpiece, and tail were longer in the vas deferens compared to the epididymis. Our findings suggest that rhea spermatozoa undergo a maturation process during the passage from the epididymis to the vas deferens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana G P Bezerra
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Andréia M Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Artur P Jurema
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Maiko R T Dantas
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Ana G Pereira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Moacir F Oliveira
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC 20008, USA
| | - Alexandre R Silva
- Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró 59625-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fausto AM, Taddei AR, Batocco F, Belardinelli MC, Carcupino M, Schiavone A, Saia S, Castillo A, Marzoni M. Raptors bred in captivity: semen characteristics and assisted reproduction outcome in goshawk ( Accipiter gentilis). PeerJ 2023; 11:e15094. [PMID: 36974138 PMCID: PMC10039655 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15094] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Three sexually mature goshawks reared in captivity and imprinted on humans to express reproductive behavior according to the cooperative method were studied for three consecutive breeding seasons to assess the quality of their sperm. The following parameters were analyzed: ejaculate volume and sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphology. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and motility fluctuated along the reproductive season, revealing the greatest quality of the reproductive material at full springtime (i.e., April). Motility of the sperm collected in March strongly reduced with age, contrary to samples collected in April or May. Sperm viability was not influenced by either age or month of collection within each season. Ultrastructural investigations provided information on normal sperm morphology for the first time in this species. The morphological categories of sperm defects in fresh semen, present at low percentages, are also described. Functional analyses (perivitelline membrane assay and artificial inseminations) confirmed the good quality of the semen obtained using the cooperative method. The reported data provide the basis for further studies aimed at developing protocols to improve the outcome of artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation in the goshawk as well as other bird of prey species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Taddei
- Center of Large Equipments, Section of Electron Microscopy, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federica Batocco
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Marcella Carcupino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Achille Schiavone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Sergio Saia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Evaluation of rooster semen quality using CBB dye based staining method. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL REPRODUCTION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.12750/jarb.37.1.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
|
8
|
Abstract
Membrane-bound organelles provide physical and functional compartmentalization of biological processes in eukaryotic cells. The characteristic shape and internal organization of these organelles is determined by a combination of multiple internal and external factors. The maintenance of the shape of nucleus, which houses the genetic material within a double membrane bilayer, is crucial for a seamless spatio-temporal control over nuclear and cellular functions. Dynamic morphological changes in the shape of nucleus facilitate various biological processes. Chromatin packaging, nuclear and cytosolic protein organization, and nuclear membrane lipid homeostasis are critical determinants of overall nuclear morphology. As such, a multitude of molecular players and pathways act together to regulate the nuclear shape. Here, we review the known mechanisms governing nuclear shape in various unicellular and multicellular organisms, including the non-spherical nuclei and non-lamin-related structural determinants. The review also touches upon cellular consequences of aberrant nuclear morphologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Deolal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Krishnaveni Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Millán de la Blanca MG, Martínez-Nevado E, Castaño C, García J, Bernal B, Toledano-Díaz A, Esteso MC, Bóveda P, Martínez-Fresneda L, López-Sebastián A, Santiago-Moreno J. Sperm Cryopreservation in American Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus Ruber): Influence of Cryoprotectants and Seminal Plasma Removal. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:203. [PMID: 33467758 PMCID: PMC7829904 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The American flamingo is a useful model for the development of successful semen cryopreservation procedures to be applied to threatened related species from the family Phoenicopteridae, and to permit genetic material banking. Current study sought to develop effective sperm cryopreservation protocols through examining the influences of two permeating cryoprotectants and the seminal plasma removal. During two consecutive years (April), semen samples were collected and frozen from American flamingos. In the first year, the effect of two permeating cryoprotectants, DMA (dimethylacetamide) (6%) or Me2SO (dimethylsulphoxide) (8%), on frozen-thawed sperm variables were compared in 21 males. No differences were seen between DMA and Me2SO for sperm motility, sperm viability, and DNA fragmentation after thawing. In the second year, the role of seminal plasma on sperm cryoresistance was investigated in 31 flamingos. Sperm samples were cryopreserved with and without seminal plasma, using Me2SO (8%) as a cryoprotectant. The results showed that samples with seminal plasma had higher values than samples without seminal plasma for the following sperm variables: Straight line velocity (22.40 µm/s vs. 16.64 µm/s), wobble (75.83% vs. 69.40%), (p < 0.05), linearity (62.73% vs. 52.01%) and straightness (82.38% vs. 73.79%) (p < 0.01); but acrosome integrity was lower (55.56% vs. 66.88%) (p < 0.05). The cryoresistance ratio (CR) was greater in samples frozen with seminal plasma than without seminal plasma for CR-progressive motility (138.72 vs. 54.59), CR-curvilinear velocity (105.98 vs. 89.32), CR-straight line velocity (152.77 vs. 112.58), CR-average path velocity (122.48 vs. 98.12), CR-wobble (111.75 vs. 102.04) (p < 0.05), CR-linearity (139.41 vs. 113.18), and CR-straightness (124.02 vs. 109.97) (p < 0.01). This research demonstrated that there were not differences between Me2SO and DMA to successful freezing sperm of flamingos; seminal plasma removal did not provide a benefit for sperm cryopreservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Gemma Millán de la Blanca
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | | | - Cristina Castaño
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Juncal García
- Zoo-Aquarium Madrid, 28011 Madrid, Spain; (E.M.-N.); (J.G.)
| | - Berenice Bernal
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Adolfo Toledano-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Milagros Cristina Esteso
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Paula Bóveda
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Lucía Martínez-Fresneda
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Antonio López-Sebastián
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Julián Santiago-Moreno
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.M.d.l.B.); (C.C.); (B.B.); (A.T.-D.); (M.C.E.); (P.B.); (L.M.-F.); (A.L.-S.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Santiago-Moreno J, Blesbois E. Functional Aspects of Seminal Plasma in Bird Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5664. [PMID: 32784638 PMCID: PMC7460616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides an updated overview of the seminal plasma composition, and the role of metabolic and protein components on the sperm function of avian species. In addition, the implication of seminal plasma on assisted reproductive techniques of birds was discussed. The semen of birds usually has exceptionally high sperm concentration with relatively little seminal plasma, but this contributes to very fast changes in sperm metabolism and function. The biochemical characteristics and physiological roles of the various seminal plasma components in birds (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, hormones, and proteins) are poorly understood. Seminal plasma content of proteins has an action on most cellular functions: metabolism, immunity, oxido-reduction regulation, proteolysis, apoptosis, ion homeostasis, and antimicrobial defenses. The variable amount of many proteins is related to a different fertility capacity of poultry sperm. The role of seminal plasma on semen conservation (chilling and freezing) remains largely a matter of speculation, as both inhibitory and stimulating effects have been found. Whereas the presence of seminal plasma did not seem to affect the sperm survival after freezing-thawing, DNA fragmentation is lower in the absence of seminal plasma. The molecular basis of the influence of seminal plasma on sperm cryo-resistance was also discussed in the present review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisabeth Blesbois
- UMR-Reproduction Physiology and Behavior, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Tours University, 37380 Nouzilly, France;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
In most animals, sexual reproduction results in a 1:1 ratio of females to males. For several sectors of agriculture, for example, milk or egg production, only a single sex is needed. Biasing the sex ratio so that only offspring of the desired sex are produced has the potential to increase breeding efficiency. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Yosef et al [1] demonstrate a genetic approach to bias the sex ratio in mice by specifically disrupting essential genes in male embryos. Their approach is an important first step toward generating sex-ratio biasing applications for agriculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and BiophysicsBiotechnology InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
| | - David Zarkower
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Girndt A, Cockburn G, Sánchez-Tójar A, Løvlie H, Schroeder J. Method matters: Experimental evidence for shorter avian sperm in faecal compared to abdominal massage samples. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182853. [PMID: 28813481 PMCID: PMC5559096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds are model organisms in sperm biology. Previous work in zebra finches, suggested that sperm sampled from males' faeces and ejaculates do not differ in size. Here, we tested this assumption in a captive population of house sparrows, Passer domesticus. We compared sperm length in samples from three collection techniques: female dummy, faecal and abdominal massage samples. We found that sperm were significantly shorter in faecal than abdominal massage samples, which was explained by shorter heads and midpieces, but not flagella. This result might indicate that faecal sampled sperm could be less mature than sperm collected by abdominal massage. The female dummy method resulted in an insufficient number of experimental ejaculates because most males ignored it. In light of these results, we recommend using abdominal massage as a preferred method for avian sperm sampling. Where avian sperm cannot be collected by abdominal massage alone, we advise controlling for sperm sampling protocol statistically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antje Girndt
- Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, United Kingdom
- International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Glenn Cockburn
- Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alfredo Sánchez-Tójar
- Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, United Kingdom
- International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Organismal Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Hanne Løvlie
- IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Julia Schroeder
- Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
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
| |
Collapse
|