scholarly journals Sperm quality assessments for endangered razorback suckers Xyrauchen texanus

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill A Jenkins ◽  
Bruce E Eilts ◽  
Amy M Guitreau ◽  
Chester R Figiel ◽  
Rassa O Draugelis-Dale ◽  
...  

Flow cytometry (FCM) and computer-assisted sperm motion analysis (CASA) methods were developed and validated for use with endangered razorback suckersXyrauchen texanuscollected (n=64) during the 2006 spawning season. Sperm motility could be activated within osmolality ranges noted during milt collections (here 167–343 mOsm/kg). We hypothesized that sperm quality of milt collected into isoosmotic (302 mOsm/kg) or hyperosmotic (500 mOsm/kg) Hanks' balanced salt solution would not differ. Pre-freeze viabilities were similar between osmolalities (79%±6 (s.e.m.) and 76%±7); however, post-thaw values were greater in hyperosmotic buffer (27%±3 and 12%±2;P=0.0065), as was mitochondrial membrane potential (33%±4 and 13%±2;P=0.0048). Visual estimates of pre-freeze motility correlated with total (r=0.7589; range 23–82%) and progressive motility (r=0.7449) by CASA and were associated with greater viability (r=0.5985;P<0.0001). Count (FCM) was negatively correlated with post-thaw viability (r=−0.83;P=0.0116) and mitochondrial function (r=−0.91;P=0.0016). By FCM-based assessments of DNA integrity, whereby increased fluorochrome binding indicated more fragmentation, higher levels were negatively correlated with count (r=−0.77;P<0.0001) and pre-freeze viabilities (r=−0.66;P=0.0004). Fragmentation was higher in isotonic buffer (P=0.0234). To increase reproductive capacity of natural populations, the strategy and protocols developed can serve as a template for use with other imperiled fish species, biomonitoring, and genome banking.

Author(s):  
K. G. Ambily ◽  
Malati Naik ◽  
Hiron M. Harshan ◽  
C. Jayakumar ◽  
M. P. Unnikrishnan ◽  
...  

Boar semen is voluminous and ejaculated as jets or fractions of pre-sperm, sperm rich (SRF) and post-sperm rich fractions. Recent studies have reported more resilient characteristics of sperm in initial portions of SRF towards cold shock and cryopreservation. The present study was conducted to assess the quality of specific fractions of SRF, namely, first 10mL of SRF (F1) and rest of SRF (F2) in Large white Yorkshire (LWY) boar semen. Ejaculates were collected using gloved-hand technique and were subjected to quality assessments of volume, pH, sperm progressive motility, concentration, plasma membrane integrity, abnormality, acrosome integrity and sperm membrane cholesterol. Upon statistical analysis, significant differences were noticed in volume, pH, sperm concentration and sperm membrane cholesterol between fractions of the ejaculate.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanling Zhao ◽  
Yaomei Wang ◽  
Feipeng Guo ◽  
Bo Lu ◽  
Jiale Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Tibetan pigs (TP) exhibit heritable adaptations to their hypoxic environments as a result of natural selection. Whereas, what candidate proteins affecting the sperm quality of boar on plateaus has not been clearly investigated yet. Methods: In this study, to reveal the candidate proteins affecting the quality of spermatozoa from boar on plateaus, we analyzed the sperm quality by Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, compared the sperm proteomes between TP and Yorkshire pigs (YP) raised at high altitudes using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) in combination with the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomic method, and confirmed the relative expression levels of the four proteins by western blot. Results: The sperm quality of the TP was superior to that of the YP on plateaus. Of 1,555 quantified proteins, 318 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the DEPs were predominantly associated with the sorbitol metabolic process, removal of superoxide radicals, cellular response to superoxide, response to superoxide and regulation of the mitotic spindle assembly. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were mainly enriched in pathways involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and estrogen signaling. And based on the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we identified 8 candidate proteins (FN1, EGF, HSP90B1, CFL1, GPX4, NDUFA6, VDAC2, and CP) that might play important roles that affect the sperm quality of boar on plateaus. Moreover, the relative expression levels of the proteins (CFL1, EGF, FN1, and GPX4) were confirmed by western blot. Conclusions: Our results reveal 8 candidate proteins (FN1, EGF, HSP90B1, CFL1, GPX4, NDUFA6, VDAC2, and CP) affecting the sperm quality of boar on plateaus, providing a reference for studies on improving sperm quality and the molecular breeding of boar on plateaus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
A. Vetokh ◽  
A. Tadzhieva ◽  
B. Iolchiev ◽  
N. Volkova ◽  
V. Bagirov

The results of AI depend on many factors, with the quality of semen being one of the most important. Not all male hybrids can meet the requirements for semen quality, because they often have reduced fertility following cryopreservation. Thus, it is necessary to improve semen processing before use in AI. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using the “swim-up” flotation method to improve sperm quality of hybrid males of the Ovis genus. Semen from interspecific hybrid rams (1/4 Argali×3/4 Romanov, n=15; 1/8 Argali×7/8 Romanov, n=15) was freshly obtained, frozen–thawed, and processed by the swim-up method. Evaluation of sperm motility was determined using computer-assisted semen analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS vs.15.0 (ANOVA and t-test; SPSS Inc.). Semen was collected during the breeding season (October–December) via artificial vagina. Assessment of acrosome integrity was determined using differential staining with a Diachem diff-quick kit (NPF ABRIS+). The degree of sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the acridine-orange test. The sperm freezing/thawing cycle was accompanied by sperm damage and an increase in the proportion of immobile sperm from 10 to 58%, with non-progressive movement increasing from 9 to 19.3%. The number of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology doubled, and the DNA fragmentation index increased from 16 to 26%. Use of the swim-up procedure allowed us to sort progressively motile spermatozoa. The content of progressively motile spermatozoa in the samples obtained from the supernatant was 86%, which was 2.3 times higher than in frozen–thawed sperm (P≤0,01). The obtained results show the effective use of the swim-up procedure to determine the quality of semen in hybrid rams. These studies were carried out with financial support from the Russian Science Foundation, grant No. 18-16-00079 and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Y. Pirosanto ◽  
M. Valera ◽  
A. Molina ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
S. Demyda-Peyrás

Inbreeding depression, a genetic condition produced by the mating of close-related individuals, has been associated with a reduction of fertility in several species. However, a loss in sperm quality was also associated with age. In horses, the few existing reports have described a tendency of both parameters to produce a negative effect on sperm quality. However, those reports were performed using a subjective evaluation of sperm motility. In the present study, a total of 692 ejaculates from 86 Pure Spanish stallions (PRE), aged between 3 and 22 years, were evaluated using a computer-assisted methodology to determine the effect of inbreeding in four semen parameters: free-gel volume (V), sperm concentration (C, by haemocytometer), and total (TM) and progressive (PM) sperm motility (by Spermvision sperm class analyser; Minitube). The inbreeding coefficient (F) was estimated using 300 000 PRE pedigree records approximately (minimum pedigree depth, eight equivalent complete generations; range, between 1 and 30.1%). Stallion, age, ejaculate, and season of semen collection were the variables included in the statistical model (general linear model), with ejaculate and season being the variables with a major effect (by variance components analysis). Our results showed that sperm concentration (r=−0.18; P&lt;0.0001) and volume (to a lesser extent) were reduced with advancing age, both showing a major decline after 15 years of age. To the contrary, sperm motility was not affected by age of the stallion. We also found a negative correlation between the inbreeding coefficient and ejaculate volume (r=−0.14; P&lt;0.001), with a marked decrease seen when F was between 7 and 20%. Also, a negative correlation was observed in PM (r=−0.08; P&lt;0.05), although to a lower extent. Conversely, C and TM were not affected by inbreeding depression (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that high levels of inbreeding can compromise severely the sperm quality of the PRE stallion, which, subsequently, may have a negative influence on fertility. Ongoing studies using genomic data will help to detect genetic variants associated with stallion semen quality and how it is influenced by inbreeding in specific genomic regions.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Di Iorio ◽  
Giusy Rusco ◽  
Roberta Iampietro ◽  
Maria Antonietta Colonna ◽  
Luisa Zaniboni ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to find an effective cryopreservation protocol for turkey semen through the combined use of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and three non-permeant cryoprotectants (NP-CPAs), sucrose, trehalose, and Ficoll 70. In addition, the action of two dilution rates (1:2 and 1:4) were also investigated. Semen was processed according to two final dilution rates and the following treatments: Tselutin extender (TE)/DMSO (control), TE/DMSO + sucrose or trehalose 50, 100, 200, or 400 mM, and TE/DMSO + Ficoll 0.5, 0.75, 1, or 1.5 mM. In total 26 different combinations treatments were achieved. The diluted semen was filled up into straws and frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor. The post-thawing sperm quality was assessed by analyzing motility, membrane integrity, osmotic resistance, and DNA integrity. The results obtained revealed a significant effect of NP-CPA concentration on total and progressive motility, on most of the kinetic parameters, on membrane integrity and DNA integrity, while the post-thaw quality was less affected by dilution rate. The highest post-thaw quality for all sperm quality parameters assessed except curvilinear velocity (VCL) and DNA integrity were found in semen frozen with 1 mM Ficoll/1:4 (p < 0.05). Our findings provide an important contribution for the identification of a reference procedure for turkey semen cryopreservation, in order to create the first national avian semen cryobank.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 3471
Author(s):  
Antonio Sergio Varela Junior ◽  
Estela Fernandes Silva ◽  
Tainã Figueiredo Cardoso ◽  
Érica Yokoyama Namba ◽  
Rodrigo Desessards Jardim ◽  
...  

<p class="Pa7">Cryopreservation of Curimba semen (Prochilodus lineatus) is ecological and commercial importance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations (2, 5, 8 and 11%) of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) diluted in Betsville Thawing Solution (BTS) on the quality of post-thaw semen Curimba. We analyzed the rate and period motility, sperm viability, membrane integrity and DNA, mitochondrial functionality, and fertilization and hatching rate. The plasma membrane and DNA integrity of a DMSO concentration of 11% obtained better results than the concentration of 5% (p &lt;0.05). However, treatment of 5% DMSO resulted in a longer latency and a higher fertilization rate and hatching, in other sperm quality equal to that of fresh semen. The results of this study indicate that 5% DMSO is ideal for cryopreservation of semen Curimba.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Monika Trzcińska ◽  
Magdalena Baryła

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the quality and fertilizing capacity of frozen-thawed (FT) boar semen. Semen from five boars (36 ejaculates) was resuspended in lactose-egg yolk-glycerol extender supplemented with 0 (control), 1.0 (R1), 1.5 (R2) or 2.0 mM BHT (R3). Sperm quality was assessed based on motility (CASA; TM: total motility; PM: progressive motility), phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation across the plasma membrane (Annexin-V-FLuos Staining Kit) and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL Assay). The FT semen was also used for intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) of synchronized gilts. The fertilizing capacity of the FT semen was assessed on the basis of the gilt insemination rate and the number of morphologically normal embryos. The quality of the preimplantation embryos was determined by observing a TUNEL-positive reaction. The highest percentage of progressive motile and viable spermatozoa was noted in extender R3 (74.8 ±4.4% and 63.7 ±5.8%), as compared with the control (38.3 ±2.8% and 36.1 ±2.6%). The addition of BHT to the extender did not increase early apoptotic changes in the frozen-thawed spermatozoa with respect to the control. Irrespective of the variant of the extender, cryopreservation and thawing did not induce fragmentation in the boar spermatozoa. The highest number of morphologically normal embryos from inseminated gilts was observed in the case of semen cryopreserved in extender supplemented with 1.5 mM BHT. No significant differences were observed in DNA fragmentation in the expanded blastocysts from gilts inseminated with FT semen cryopreserved in the extenders analysed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Szczęśniak-Fabiańczyk ◽  
Piotr Gogol ◽  
Lechosław Gajda ◽  
Zdzisław Smorąg

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on quality of cryopreserved semen of young bulls. Semen for this study was collected from 8 bulls aged between 13 and 18 months at monthly intervals, from June to September. After collection, semen was diluted in a commercial Bioxcell® extender (one part at 1:1 and a second part to give a sperm concentration of 20 million/0.2 mL), filled into straws and treated with HHP at 30 MPa for 90 min. After HHP treatment, pre-diluted semen (1:1) was diluted to a sperm concentration 20 million/0.2 mL and filled into straws. In addition, part of the semen diluted to a concentration of 20 million/0.2 mL was not treated with HHP (control). All of it was held at +4°C and frozen in a freezer after 2.5-h equilibration. Semen was thawed in a water bath at 38°C and subjected to estimation of the percentage of motile sperm both subjectively and using a computer-assisted semen analyzer and cytometric assessment of sperm cell membrane integrity. Subjective motility and fast progressive motility were significantly higher with pre-diluted (1:1) and HHP treated semen compared to control (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in percentage of membrane-intact spermatozoa between control and experimental groups. Additionally, the influence of HHP on the sperm of individual bulls was assessed. In bull number 2, the HHP treatment after semen pre-dilution significantly improved progressive motility from 54.1 to 63.4 percent (P <0.05). In bull number 4, the HHP treatment after semen pre-dilution significantly improved subjective motility, rapid motility and progressive motility by 12.5, 16.8 and 16.3 percent, respectively (P<0.05). No effect was seen for 6 bulls. It is concluded that for some bulls, the application of HHP before semen freezing may improve the cryopreservation outcome. However, this requires further research in this area, also to determine the fertilizing capacity of bull semen exposed to high hydrostatic pressure.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Abdel-Aziz Swelum ◽  
Islam M. Saadeldin ◽  
Hani Ba-Awadh ◽  
Mohsen G. Al-Mutary ◽  
Abdullah F. Moumen ◽  
...  

This study compared the efficiency of commercial egg yolk-free (AndroMed, OPTIXcell) and egg yolk-supplemented (Triladyl, Steridyl) Tris-based extenders for semen cryopreservation in seven adult dromedary camels. The camel-specific extender SHOTOR was used as control. The collected semen samples were evaluated and diluted with SHOTOR, Triladyl, Steridyl, AndroMed, or OPTIXcell. The diluted semen was gradually cooled and equilibrated for two hours before liquid nitrogen freezing. Semen was evaluated prior to freezing and after freeze-thawing cycles for motility, kinetics, vitality, abnormality, plasma membrane integrity, and DNA fragmentation using computer-assisted sperm analysis. In pre-freezing evaluation, progressive sperm motility was higher in SHOTOR-diluted samples (21.54 ± 1.83) than in samples diluted with Steridyl, OPTIXcell, or AndroMed (15.76 ± 1.80, 17.43 ± 1.10, and 13.27 ± 1.07, respectively). Moreover, Triladyl and SHOTOR resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) better sperm vitality and DNA integrity than all other diluents, but Triladyl resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) better plasma membrane integrity (87.77 ± 0.31) than SHOTOR (85.48 ± 0.58). In the post-thawing evaluation, Triladyl led to significantly (p < 0.05) higher sperm motility (38.63 ± 0.81%; p < 0.05) when compared to SHOTOR, Steridyl or AndroMed (35.09 ± 1.341%, 34.4 ± 0.84%, and 31.99 ± 1.48%, respectively), with OPTIXcell being the least efficient (28.39 ± 0.86%). Progressive sperm motility was the highest when using Triladyl. Post-thawing curvilinear, straight line and average path sperm velocities were highest with Triladyl and lowest with AndroMed. Triladyl led to the highest linearity coefficient and straightness sperm coefficient, while SHOTOR to the highest DNA and plasma membrane integrity. OPTIXcell and AndroMed resulted in poor post-thawing sperm vitality, while Steridyl was less efficient than Triladyl. The highest rate of sperm abnormalities was recorded with OPTIXcell and the lowest with SHOTOR or Triladyl. In conclusion, SHOTOR, Triladyl, Steridyl, AndroMed, and OPTIXcell can all be used for camel semen cryopreservation; however, SHOTOR and Triladyl provided the best post-thawing sperm quality. Based on our findings, Triladyl is the best commercially available extender for dromedary camel semen cryopreservation to date.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ortiz ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
D. Acha ◽  
L. Ramirez ◽  
M. Urbano ◽  
...  

Single-layer centrifugation (SLC) with EquipureTM Bottom Layer has been used to enhance the quality of stallion semen samples; however, no studies have been performed on donkeys. The aim of this study was to determine if SLC with EquipureTM Bottom Layer improves kinematic parameters on frozen–thawed donkey sperm. Semen was collected from 4 Andalusian donkeys by artificial vagina. Three ejaculates from each donkey were centrifuged with EquiproTM, supernatant was removed, and pellet was re-extended in the freezing medium GentTM to a final concentration of 200 × 106 spermatozoa per milliliter. Sperm were slowly cooled to 5°C for 2 h, loaded in 0.5-mL plastic straws, and frozen in liquid-nitrogen vapors. After at least one week of storage, straws were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s. After thawing, semen samples were divided in 2 aliquots: aliquot 1 was used as such (control) and aliquot 2 was processed by SLC using EquipureTM Bottom Layer. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was performed, and sperm kinematics total motility (%), progressive motility (%), curvilinear velocity (VCL; µm s–1), velocity straight line (VSL; µm s–1), velocity average path (VAP; µm s–1), linearity (LIN; %), straightness (STR; %), wobble (WOB; %), lateral head displacement (ALH; µm), and beat cross frequency (BCF; Hz) were statistically compared using GLM model between frozen–thawed semen samples processed or not with EquipureTM. Results were expressed as mean ± standard error. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between SLC-selected and unselected semen for total motility (77.44 ± 5.83 v. 58.89 ± 6.07), progressive motility (76.88 ± 4.52 v. 56.59 ± 5.44), VCL (137.50 ± 0.75 v. 133.0 ± 0.99), LIN (69.43 ± 0.31 v. 68.23 ± 0.41), STR (78.45 ± 0.29 v. 76.90 ± 0.37), WOB (85.06 ± 0.18 v. 83.91 ± 0.26), ALH (2.76 ± 0.01 v. 2.44 ± 0.01), and BCF (9.13 ± 0.05 v. 8.53 ± 0.06), respectively. No significant differences were observed for VSL (102.89 ± 0.70 v. 104.32 ± 0.95) and VAP (123.21 ± 0.71 v. 121.50 ± 0.98). Most of the computer-assisted sperm analysis parameters used in the present study have been previously identified as reliable markers of sperm motility in relation to sperm quality and fertility. It has also been reported that VCL appears to be critical for the formation of the sperm reservoir and penetration of the zona pellucida. In addition, other variables improved in the SLC-selected samples have been described as measure of progressivity (LIN, STR) and spermatozoa vigor (BCF, ALH). These preliminary results suggest an additional option for improving sperm quality in donkey semen doses. In conclusion, SLC with EquipureTM can be used to enhance kinematic parameters on frozen–thawed donkey sperm.


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