scholarly journals Correlation between bull fertility and sperm cell velocity parameters generated by computer-assisted semen analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ádám Nagy ◽  
Tassos Polichronopoulos ◽  
András Gáspárdy ◽  
László Solti ◽  
Sándor Cseh

Motility is one of the most important characteristics associated with the fertilising ability of spermatozoa indicating their viability and structural integrity. Therefore, the examination of motility constitutes an integral part of semen analysis. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) allows an accurate and objective assessment of different sperm motion characteristics with high repeatability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different kinematic (velocity) parameters of frozen/thawed bull semen and determine if any of them could be correlated with their fertilising capability after insemination based on the achieved pregnancy rate. Ejaculates from 10 bulls were collected and frozen. The kinematic/velocity parameters of spermatozoa were measured by CASA and compared to the pregnancy results of almost 9,000 females artificially inseminated (AI) with frozen semen of any of the 10 tested bulls. The data of the experiments are summarised mainly with a focus on the effects of individual velocities (curvilinear velocity: VCL, straight-line velocity: VSL, average path velocity: VAP) on fertility rather than on the influence of progressive motility as a whole. We conclude that VAP is the most useful semen motility characteristic which has clinical relevance in the prediction of fertility.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1506
Author(s):  
Hongtao Wang ◽  
Ping Lu ◽  
Chongshan Yuan ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Hongyu Liu ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of apigenin and astragalus polysaccharides on the cryopreservation of bovine semen. Apigenin, astragalus polysaccharides, or their combination were added to a frozen diluent of bovine semen. Afterwards, Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA), membrane functionality, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial integrity, CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, and ROS detection were conducted. The results showed that adding 0.2 mmol/L AP or 0.5 mg/mL APS could improve the quality of frozen sperm. Compared to 0.2 mmol/L AP alone, the combination of 0.2 mmol/L AP and 0.3 mg/mL APS significantly increased the total motility (TM), average path distance (DAP), straight line distance (DSL), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), wobble (WOB), and sperm CAT and SOD levels (p < 0.05), while reducing the ROS and MDA levels (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the addition of 0.2 mmol/L AP or 0.5 mg/mL APS alone has a protective effect on the freezing of bovine semen. Compared to the addition of 0.2 mmol/L AP, a combination of 0.2 mmol/L AP and 0.3 mg/mL APS could further improve the quality of frozen semen.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
M. E. Carini ◽  
R. Cavia ◽  
G. Larraburu ◽  
G. M. Brogliatti

Currently, cryopreservation process of fresh bull semen is carried out between 3 and 6 hours of refrigeration at 4°C post-collection (Hafez, 1989). However, it is sometimes difficult when the cryopreservation process is not available at the site of collection. The objective of this study was to determine seminal motility and viability in samples maintained at 4°C during 24 hours. A total of 98 ejaculates from 23 adult bulls (Angus, Brangus, Braford and Hereford) were collected and diluted in a semi-defined semen extender (Andromed, Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) and stored at 4°C. Parameters of velocity average path (VAP, µm/s), velocity straight line (VSL, μm/s), amplitude lateral head (ALH, μm), linearity (LIN, %), percentage of rapid cells (RAPID, %), percentage of slow and static cells (SL/ST, %), and viability (VIA, %) were determined by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA, HTM-ceros 12.1, Berkeley, CA, USA). Measurements were done at 6, 9, 12, and 24 h. The obtained results were analyzed statistically with one-way ANOVA and Dunnet Multiple Comparison Test and are summarized in Table 1. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the VAP, RAPID, or SL/ST during 24 h of storage at 4°C. Measurements were significantly different (P < 0.01) for VSL and VIA at 24 h. Measurements of ALH were increased from 12 h (P < 0.01) and consequently, LIN decreased at the same time (P < 0.01). These results suggest that there are no differences in velocity, except in VSL at the end of the storage time. The type of movement of the spermatozoa change, because ALH increases and the trajectory loses linearity. A decrease in viability suggests that from 24 h of storage, the membrane of the spermatozoa becomes more susceptible. More research needs to be done to evaluate the competence of this time-storage semen in the artificial insemination trial. Table 1. Parameters of motility and viability of semen maintained at 4°C during 24 h This research was supported by Centro Genético Bovino de EOLIA S.A.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
G. M. Brogliatti ◽  
G. Larraburu ◽  
R. Cavia ◽  
M. E. Carini

The process of cryopreservation of bull semen in liquid nitrogen at −196°C is usually carried out after 3 to 6 h of refrigeration at 4°C post-collection. To guarantee the quality of the final product, the frozen straws are evaluated after cryopreservation. The seminal samples are usually stabilized during 48 h before being analyzed (Hafez, Reproduction and Artificial Insemination in Animals, 1989); this would retard the possible commercialization. The objective of the present study was to determine motility parameters and viability of semen doses stabilized by 1 h or more than 48 h in liquid nitrogen at −196°C. A total of 122 ejaculated from 23 different adult bulls (Angus, Brangus, Braford, and Hereford) were evaluated in an artificial insemination center between January and April 2005. The semen was diluted in a semi-defined semen extender (Andromed, Minitub, Germany) and frozen in an automatic freezer (Digicool, IMV, France). Parameters of velocity average path (VAP, μm/s), velocity straight line (VSL, µm/s), amplitude lateral head (ALH, µm), linearity (LIN, %), percentage of rapid cells (RAPID, %), and viability (VIA, %) were determined by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA, HTM-ceros 12.1, Berkeley, CA, USA). The obtained results were analyzed statistically with T Student and are summarized in Table 1. The results indicate that there is no difference in the velocity of the spermatozoa evaluated 1 h or 48 h post-frozen. There is no difference in VAP, VSL, movement of amplitude lateral head (ALH), or linearity (LIN). The percentage of viable spermatozoa was not affected in either group. Statistical analysis indicates that there is no difference (P > 0.05) in any of the evaluated parameters. The results demonstrate that spermatic motility and viability of frozen bull semen could be evaluated before 48 h post-frozen. This allows reduction of the time between freezing and evaluation and immediate availability of the bull straws. Table 1. Parameters of motility and viability at 1 h vs. 48 h of post-frozen stabilization time This research was supported by Centro Genético Bovino EOLIA S.A.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Brogliatti ◽  
F. Garcia Migliaro ◽  
R. Cavia ◽  
G. Larraburu ◽  
A. Albrecht

The latest entry in the field of semen evaluation is computer assisted semen analysis (CASA). Its greatest advantages are elimination of the subjective nature of routine semen evaluation and the addition of detailed motion analysis unquantifiable by visual examination. The objective of this study was to evaluate CASA motility parameters of fresh bull semen collected by artificial vagina (AV) or electroejaculation (EE) from a total of 56 beef different bulls. Semen samples from a total of 45 beef bulls were collected by AV from winter to the end of spring (740 collections), and from 11 beef bulls by EE (120 collections) in the same period. First and second AV collections were analyzed as individual data. EE collection was performed only one. Means and standard deviations for each characteristic were calculated, compared, and statistically analyzed. A sample of the collection was diluted 1:20 in a semi-defined semen extender (Andromed, Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) and held in a glass tube at 36°C for 5 min before analysis. The sample was loaded into 20-μm chambers, and six microscope fields from each chamber were analyzed. The following sperm motility parameters were determined with the Ceros 12.1 sperm analyzer (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Inc., Beverly, MA, USA) on at least 1000 spermatozoa:concentration (CONC), velocity average path (VAP), velocity straight line (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), amplitude lateral head (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN), and percentage of rapid or statics cells. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in VAP, VSL, VCL, ALH, STR, LIN, and the percentage of rapid and static cells of semen collected by AV or EE. The concentration (sperm/mL) of the AV-collected sperm was significantly higher than for the sperm collected by EE. Results from the analysis indicate that semen collected by artificial vagina have motility characteristics similar to those collected by electroejaculation. More research needs to be done to evaluate motility parameters of frozen/thawed semen collected by electroejaculation and by artificial vagina. This research was supported by Centro Genético Bovino de EOLIA sa Argentina.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Tamargo Miguel ◽  
S. S. Pérez-Garnelo ◽  
P. Beltrán Breña ◽  
A. T. Palasz ◽  
J. De la Fuente ◽  
...  

This experiment was designed to test the efficacy of 2 different preparation protocols of zwitteronic soyabean-origin lipids for the production of lipidsglycerol liposomes for use in bull semen cryopreservation. Lipids liposomes were prepared at 10% concentration in Tris buffer by 1. highpressure homogenization (Panda 2K, Parma, Italy) and then 8% glycerol were added, extender-1 (E-1); Lipids were homogenized together with glycerol, extender-2 (E-2). Bioxcell extender (E-3) was used as control. Semen was collected 3 times from 3 endangered Asturiana de la Monta�a bulls by the means of an artificial vagina. Ejaculates with at least 70% motility were processed further by a standard freezing protocol used in our AI station. Semen was diluted at 37�C with each of the 4 extenders to a concentration of 92 � 106 spermatozoa per mL, cooled to 4�C over 4 h, aspirated into 0.25-mL plastic straws (IMV Technologies, Aigle, France), frozen in a bio-freezer (IMV Technologies) in 3 steps from 4 to –140�C, and then plunged into liquid N2. Straws were thawed in a water bath at 37�C for 30 s. Sperm motility was analyzed microscopically immediately after collection, after dilution, and after 4, 24, 48, and 72 h of storage at 4�C. Post-thaw semen progressive motility was assessed microscopically, and sperm movement characteristics were analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) (SCA�, Microptic, Barcelona, Spain). Data were compared between extenders and bulls by 2-way ANOVA; percentages were transformed by arcsine transformation before ANOVA. Total and progressive sperm motility at 0 h after dilution ranged from 90 to 70% and was not different between extenders and bulls. There was no difference between bulls in total and progressive motility after 24 h of cold storage; however, both were significantly greater (P < 0.05) for Control (62.4 � 14.7 and 41.4 � 14.9) and E-1 (70.1 � 12 and 33.8 � 7.0) extenders than for the E-2 extender (22.5 � 17 and 1.2 � 1.3). Average post-thaw sperm motility was not different between bulls for either extender, but motility for Bioxcell (Control, 48.1 � 14.6%) and E-1 extenders (43.2 � 13.0%) were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than for E-2 extender (18.7 � 8.8%). There were no differences between bulls for all kinematic semen parameters: curvilinear (VCL), straight line (VSL), average path (VAP) velocities, linearity (LIN) and straightness (STR), evaluated by CASA before and after freezing; however, all were lower (P < 0.05) for the E-2 extender and not different between Control and E-1 extenders. Sperm movements derived from heads (VCL) and linearity of sperm(LIN), both closely related to field fertility, were in the range of 90.9 � 2.1 and 63.0 � 5.5 for E-3 (Control) extender; 99.1 � 3.4 and 49.4 � 3.5 for E-1; and 21.8 � 2.2 and 29.9 � 4.0 for E-2. In summary, zwitteronic soyabean lipid liposomes are an effective egg yolk substitute for the cryopreservation of Asturiana de la Monta�a bull semen; however, the homogenization protocol of the lipids-glycerol mixture must be improved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 115-115
Author(s):  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
Sarah R Underdahl ◽  
Matthew S Crouse ◽  
Kacie L McCarthy ◽  
Cierrah J Kassetas ◽  
...  

Abstract Fifteen mature beef bulls (BW = 800.4 ± 17.4 kg) were used in a 112-d experiment to evaluate effects of divergent planes of nutrition on motility and kinematic properties of fresh and frozen-thawed semen. Bulls were ranked by BW and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) managed on a positive plane of nutrition (POS, n = 8), or 2) managed on a negative plane of nutrition (NEG, n = 7). Bulls were fed a common diet, adjusted biweekly to achieve targeted weight loss or gain of 12.5% of original BW. On d 112, electroejaculation was used to collect 2 ejaculates from each bull, which were combined. An aliquot of fresh semen was evaluated via computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA; IVOS II, Hamilton Thorne, Beverly, MA, USA) for motility and kinematic properties. Remaining semen was extended and frozen. Frozen semen was thawed for 40 s and held in a heating block at 37°C, then evaluated via CASA at 0 and 3 h post-thaw. Data were analyzed in the MIXED procedure of SAS, with data for post-thaw analysis evaluated as repeated measures in time. Treatment did not influence ejaculate volume or concentration (P ≤ 0.19). In fresh ejaculates no impacts (P ≤ 0.29) of treatment were observed for motility or kinematic properties. In frozen-thawed ejaculates, however, bulls in the NEG treatment had greater (P ≤ 0.02) proportions of motile and progressively motile sperm compared with POS. In sperm classified as motile or progressively motile, NEG had greater (P ≤ 0.002) average path and straight line velocities, and greater (P ≤ 0.05) amplitude of lateral head displacement than POS. Treatment impacts observed in frozen, but not fresh, indicate that sperm metabolism, mitochondrial function, antioxidant capacity, or other factors may be influenced by plane of nutrition resulting in altered motility and kinematic properties.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Galarza ◽  
M. Ladrón de Guevara ◽  
P. Beltrán-Breña ◽  
M. J. Sánchez-Calabuig ◽  
A. López-Sebastián ◽  
...  

The use of cold-stored ram semen has been applied in sheep AI programs, because it preserves its fertilizing ability similar to fresh. Besides, the heterologous IVF has been successfully employed to assess semen fertilizing ability in several species. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the fertilizing ability of ram semen cold stored up to 48h at 5°C by assessing heterologous IVF using bovine oocytes. Fifteen pools of 3 normospermic Merino ram (2-7 years) ejaculates were collected using artificial vagina, diluted to 200×106 spermatozoa mL−1 with ultra-heat-treatment-based extender (skim milk-6% egg yolk) and cold stored up to 48h. In vitro matured zona-intact bovine oocytes were subjected to heterologous IVF using fresh semen (FS, n=707), semen cold stored to 24h (CS24, n=832) or semen cold stored to 48h (CS48, n=611). In parallel, homologous IVF (control, n=1356) and parthenogenesis (parth control non-fertilized oocytes, n=334) were performed. Ram non-selected and selected (BoviPure, Nidacon International, Mölndal, Sweden) semen parameters were evaluated by computer-assisted semen analysis. Sperm-oocyte interaction was assessed at 2.5h post-insemination (hpi) by evaluating the number of bound spermatozoa, whereas penetration and polyspermy were evaluated after 12 hpi. Presumptive zygotes were fixed and stained with Hoechst 33342 at 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 hpi to assess pronuclear formation using phase contrast and confocal microscopy. Cleavage rate was evaluated in all groups at 48 hpi. Data obtained from 5 replicates were analysed using one-way ANOVA. Data was expressed as mean±standard error of the mean. In terms of sperm storage time, non-selected semen showed a significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) for CS24 and CS48 compared with FS on progressive motility [SPM (%): 52.30±4.1 and 36.9±5.5v. 71.3±1.6] and straight-line velocity (mm s−1: 132.2±6.1 and 109.7±6.3v. 176.7±4.3), respectively. However, selected semen showed a decrease (P&lt;0.05) only for CS48 when compared with CS24 or FS on SPM (35.6±3.9v. 56.1±6.91 and 59.3±2.6) and straight-line velocity (83.5±4.4v. 105.3±6.5 and 110±2.0), respectively. No differences were observed between heterologous IVF groups in all parameters evaluated. Homologous IVF showed a higher percentage of penetration only when compared with heterologous FS group (44.4±6.8v.12.5±4.5%; P&lt;0.01). The polyspermy was higher in heterologous CS24 group when compared with homologous IVF (11.4±3.4v. 3.8±2.2; P&lt;0.05). The homologous IVF group, as expected, showed the higher percentage of pronuclear formation at 18 hpi compared with heterologous IVF with FS (67.3±5.8v. 35.2±5.6%), CS24 (72.1±4.5 v. 37.2±5.7%) and CS48 (63.0±6.0 v. 27.0±5.6%), respectively (P&lt;0.001). Likewise, cleavage rate was higher in homologous group compared with heterologous IVF and parthenogenetic groups for FS (78.3±2.6.8v. 46.3±3.2 and 7.0±2.3%), CS24 (78.4±2.6 v. 48.3±3.2 and 4.9±2.0%), and CS48 (78.4±3.3 v. 43.3±3.5 and 4.3±1.2%), respectively (P&lt;0.001). In conclusion, Merino ram semen cold stored up to 48h maintains its fertilization ability to the same extend as fresh and can be used for sheep crossbreeding programs.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cseh ◽  
T. Polichronopoulos ◽  
L. Solti

Sperm motility is clearly essential for fertilization both in vivo and in vitro. Motility is necessary for successful sperm transport, a step that is bypassed with in vitro fertilization. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the objective evaluation and characterization of sperm motility more than simply determining the total proportion of motile spermatozoa. The purpose of computerassisted semen analysis (CASA) is to provide values for sperm concentration and sperm motility more rapidly and accurately than those obtained with traditional semen analyses methods. The objective of our experiment was to investigate the effect of specific aspects of sperm movement, such as the velocity of progression and the actual pattern of movement, to the fertilizing capability of sperm. Frozen semen samples of 10 HF breeding bulls were used in the study. For the motility analyses, Medealab CASA system (Medealab, Germany, Ver. 4.1) was used, and the velocity parameter of VCL (curvalinear velocity, μms−1), VSL (straight line velocity, μms−1), and VAP (average path velocity, μms−1) were evaluated and compared with the Day 30 and 75 non−return rates (NR30 and NR75). For every sample, a total of 10 fields were examined for 8s using a disposable 20 micron capillary chamber (CellVision, USA) giving a total of 1165 to 2831 cells evaluated. Chi square analysis, analyses of variance and linear correlation coefficient was applied to the statistical evaluation and comparison of the results. Data are based on weighted values. From the same batch of the analyzed frozen semen, a total of 8099 females were inseminated in more than 100 farms with a total of 6590 animals being positive for pregnancy at Day 30 and 4525 animals at Day 75. Within the bulls, differences were found in the values of NR30 and NR75 (P&lt;0.05). Our data indicate very strong differences between the males’ NR30 and NR75 values (NR30: 65.6%±13.04 to 79.6%±11.17; P&lt;0.001 and NR75: 37.8%±10.38 to 58.3%±15.53; P&lt;0.001) reflecting the individual differences in the fertilizing capability of the males. All velocity parameters show very high correlation with strong significance both non−return rates but the best values belong to VAP (NR30 and NR75; P&lt;0.02). Our data indicate that the bulls with lower VCL (25.51±33.04 to 79.54±58.03), VSL (11.35±19.45 to 36.36±35.71), and VAP (12.67±19.06 to 41.75±34.45) values showed lower fertilization rates both at NR30 and NR75. Computer and video technologies have advanced rapidly in recent years; thus the capability and accuracy of the latest versions of CASA systems are considerably better and they give more information about the different motion characteristics of spermatozoa. Because of the vital role of sperm motility in the reproductive process, such systems will enable us to move into a new era of diagnostic andrology and predict the fertilizing capability of semen. Supported by NKFP-Grants 4/040/2001 and 4/031/2001.


Author(s):  
Farzad Moradpour

In this research, the goal of review was summarizing the current knowledge of the methods available to assess in vitro quality of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa also, a review on animal’s semen characteristics: fertility, reproduction and development after AI with that semen. Artificial insemination (AI) is the first generation reproductive biotechnology that has made a deep contribution to the genetics improvement in several animals. A fertile ejaculate must meet certain semen characteristics quality standards, such as: normal morphology, active energy metabolism, progressive motility, structural integrity and functionality of the membrane, penetration capacity and optimum transfer of genetic material. The percentage of total motile spermatozoa in normal canine ejaculates is between 70 to 90%. By the way, there are a lot of parameters that able to change on the composition and structure of various sperm plasma member domains, such as change temperature and sensitive to any theirs environments in vivo and vitro (tropical climates), season also nutrition. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) is primarily used to obtain accurate and objective kinetic sperm measurements that gives extensive information about the kinetic property of the ejaculate based on measurements of the individual sperm cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yara Suliman ◽  
Frank Becker ◽  
Armin Tuchscherer ◽  
Klaus Wimmers

Abstract. Horses are seasonal breeders with a natural breeding season beginning in spring and extending through midsummer. In this study, quantitative and qualitative parameters of chilled stallion semen were compared between fertile and subfertile stallions and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. Semen quality parameters compared included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, sperm morphology, and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)-derived sperm movement characteristics obtained from two groups of warmblood stallions (n=8; four fertile stallions and four subfertile stallions), which differ in the seasonal pregnancy rate 80 %–90 % (fertile) vs. 40 %–60 % (subfertile). A total of 64 ejaculates were collected from the stallions (n=8; four in the breeding season and four in the non-breeding season of each stallion). No significant differences in the semen quality parameters between the fertile and the subfertile stallions in the non-breeding season were observed. However, in the breeding season the proportion of morphologically normal sperm, total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were significantly higher in the fertile group (P<0.05) when compared with the subfertile group. In addition, a significant seasonal variation in the proportion of morphological normal sperm was found in the fertile group between the breeding and the non-breeding season (P<0.05). Moreover, significant seasonal variations (P<0.05) in CASA parameters of mean VAP, straight line velocity (VSL), and beat-cross frequency (BCF) were observed in the fertile and the subfertile stallions, which tended to be lower in the non-breeding season. In conclusion, differences between the fertile and the subfertile stallions were observed only in the breeding season, and a few of CASA-derived parameters seemed to be significantly lower during the non-breeding season in both the fertile and the subfertile stallions.


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