Factors affecting the response of working boars to changing environmental temperature

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 ◽  
pp. 140-140
Author(s):  
Angela H Cliff ◽  
J H Dunne ◽  
P R English ◽  
J S M Hutchinson ◽  
O Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
High Environmental Temperature ◽  
Sudden Rise ◽  
Sperm Output

It is well established that high environmental temperature can have adverse effects on sperm concentration and the normality of sperm in the boar. Induced abnormalities include reduced motility, abnormal heads, proximal droplets, coiled and bent tails and abnormal acrosomes (Malmgren and Larsson, 1989). While all stages of spermatogenesis can be adversely affected, the primary spermatocytes are most vulnerable to these influences. Since spermatogenesis occurs over 45 days, any adverse effects of elevated ambient temperature can affect sperm quality for around 6 weeks. The maximum period of infertility appears around weeks 3 and 4 after heat stress. Reduced levels of testosterone and sometimes of LH following heat stress are implicated in these adverse effects. There is evidence that boars subjected to high constant temperature (30°C), which have become acclimatised to such, are affected less in terms of sperm output and quality (Cameron and Blackshaw, 1980) than when boars are subject to sudden major increases in temperature from fairly low levels (15 to 30 C) e.g. during the summer months (Antonyuk et al, 1983). There also appears to be large differences between boars in their ability to adapt to exposure to high environmental temperature by minimising temperature rise and avoiding adverse effects on semen quality (Cameron and Blackshaw, 1980). These workers found that boars prone to heat stress show an acute rise in body temperature in response to elevated environmental temperature and this sudden rise has a more adverse effect on semen quality than the length of exposure to the elevated temperature. There appears to be little information available on the reasons for such important between boar differences. This study was carried out to determine rectal temperature responses of boars to varying summer temperature in an intensive pig enterprise in Scotland and to attempt to determine some of the factors associated with ‘high’ and ‘low’ responding boars.

scholarly journals Improvement of semen quality by nocturnal scrotal cooling and moderate behavioural change to reduce genital heat stress in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 595-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Jung ◽  
M Eberl ◽  
WB Schill
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Frequent Change ◽  
Scrotal Temperature ◽  
Air Stream ◽  
Grading Scale ◽  
Sperm Output

A questionnaire assessing factors that might cause an increase in scrotal temperature was completed by patients with reproducible oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of idiopathic nature or caused by varicocele. Evaluation by means of a grading scale revealed increased scrotal heat stress in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients compared with normozoospermic men (P < 0.01). In addition, long-term determination of 24 h scrotal temperature profiles showed that compared with semen donors, oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients frequently had scrotal temperatures above 35.5 degrees C despite the same environmental temperatures (P < 0.05). In 88% of cases, maximum scrotal temperatures were measured during rest or sleep phases, whereas minimum values were recorded during physical activity or frequent change of position. Nocturnal scrotal cooling by means of an air stream resulted in a decrease in scrotal temperature of approximately 1 degrees C. Furthermore, a highly significant increase in sperm concentration (P < 0.0001) and total sperm output (P < 0.0001) was achieved after nocturnal scrotal cooling for 12 weeks together with a moderate decrease in factors leading to genital heat stress. A significant improvement in sperm motility (P < 0.05) and sperm morphology (P < 0.05) was also observed, but this improvement was markedly less pronounced than the changes in sperm concentration. This study shows the importance of genital heat stress as a cofactor in fertility impairment in men and indicates nocturnal scrotal cooling as a therapeutic option.

scholarly journals The Association Between Race, Obesity, and Sperm Quality Among Men Attending a University Physician Practice in Washington, DC

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 155798832092598
Author(s):  
Nathan L. McCray ◽  
Heather A. Young ◽  
Michael S. Irwig ◽  
David Frankfurter ◽  
Arnold M. Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Physician Practice ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Men Of Color ◽  
Hispanic Men

A decades-long decline in sperm counts in Western countries has coincided with an increase in obesity rates, prompting study into their association. Few of these studies have incorporated men of color, the sperm health of whom is relatively unknown. The present exploratory study evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI), race, ethnicity, and sperm parameters among a diverse sample of U.S. men attending a Washington, DC physician practice. Semen samples were collected and processed at a single laboratory and sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and count were evaluated according to World Health Organization (WHO) 5th edition criteria. Multivariate models accounted for covariates related to sperm health. The study population ( n = 128) was largely obese (45.3%) or overweight (34.4%), and 36.0% were black or Hispanic. Black men had lower adjusted sperm concentration compared to white men (75.0 million/mL to 107.4 million/mL, p = .01) and were more likely to have oligozoospermia ( p = .01), asthenozoospermia ( p = .004), and low sperm count ( p < .0001). Hispanic men had higher adjusted sperm concentration compared to non-Hispanic men (124.5 million/mL to 62.1 million/mL, p = .007) and were less likely to have teratozoospermia ( p = .001). Obesity and BMI were associated with lower sperm motility and count in crude models only. Given the study’s sample size its findings should be interpreted with caution but align with the limited epidemiological literature to date that has evaluated racial and ethnic differences in semen quality. Heightened clinical research attention is needed to ensure men of color are included in representative numbers in studies of urologic and andrologic health.

23 Sperm quality of Pure Spanish stallions is affected by inbreeding coefficient and age

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Y. Pirosanto ◽  
M. Valera ◽  
A. Molina ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
S. Demyda-Peyrás
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Inbreeding Depression ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficient ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Computer Assisted

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.

scholarly journals Secular variations in sperm quality: fact or science fiction?

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Multigner ◽  
Alejandro Oliva
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Secular Variations

The debate concerning the possible degradation in human sperm quality began in the 1970s, was revived at the beginning of the 1990s and has continued to mobilize the scientific community ever since. After the meta-analysis by Carlsen et al. (1992) showing a decline in human semen quality over the last 50 years, several groups investigated the sperm characteristics of more or less homogeneous groups of men who had provided semen at the same center for 10 to 20 years. A significant decrease in sperm concentration was reported in some studies, but not in others. Meanwhile, there is an increasing number of reports suggesting that physical and chemical factors introduced and spread by human activity in the environment may have contributed to sperm decline. At the end of the 20th century the debate on declining semen quality is not closed. The lack of certainty and the serious consequences that such a decline would have on the fertility of human populations make this an important public health issue at the start of the 21st century. For this reason, intensive research should be developed in both fundamental and epidemiological domains, particularly in South America, where industrial and agricultural pollution pose a serious threat to the population.

scholarly journals The Association Between Abstinence Period and Semen Parameters: Results in Normal Samples and Different Sperm Pathology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Xie ◽  
Silvan Hämmerli ◽  
Kerstin Blickenstorfer ◽  
Brigitte Leeners
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Sexual Abstinence ◽  
Normal Morphology ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Total Motile Sperm Count ◽  
Abstinence Period

Abstract Purpose: The length of sexual abstinence seems to influence sperm quality. However, few data on the relevance of abstinence time in pathological sperm samples are available. With our study, we look for associations of abstinence length and semen quality. Methods: We studied semen samples from 4423 men undergoing fertility evaluation. Sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa, total motile sperm count, percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology, were compared after each day and 0-2, 3-7 and >7 days of abstinence. Results: We found that a longer abstinence time was related to higher sperm concentration in normal semen samples (P<0.001) and in semen samples with any sperm pathology (P<0.001, P=0.004) with the exception of oligozoospermia (P=0.125). Longer abstinence time was also associated with significantly reduced progressive motility in normal samples (P<0.001) and in cases of teratozoospermia (P<0.001). In normal samples a higher percentage of sperm were morphologically normal after a shorter abstinence period (P=0.03); in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) samples, this was the case after a longer abstinence period (P=0.013). Conclusion: A longer abstinence time is associated with higher sperm concentration, whereas sperm motility is optimal after shorter abstinence times; results on morphology are controversial. The recommendation on abstinence time needs to be adjusted in relation to the parameter that needs to be improved.

scholarly journals Effect of Heat Stress on Buck’s Adaptability and Semen Characteristics

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Rahman ◽  
MM Hossain ◽  
M Khan ◽  
MT Kamal ◽  
MA Hashem
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Measured Temperature ◽  
Semen Characteristics ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Severe Heat Stress

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress on adaptability and semen quality of buck. Almost similar 10 Black Bengal bucks were selected for the study at Artificial Insemination Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Prerequisite biological data were collected from each animal before keeping them sun heat and after 1 hour sun exposure. Different semen characteristics of each animal were measured. Temperature humidity index (THI) was 19.95 in the morning which indicate all the animals were in absence of heat stress and THI was 25.54 in the noon which indicate all the animals were in severe heat stress at noon. Buck 1 and buck 5 were more heat resistant (p<0.01), because their thermolysis capacity (TC) values were less than the others. There were no differences in tunica dartos index and semen characteristics among different bucks (p>0.05). Positive correlation between sperm motility and testis length (p<0.05), and negative correlation between sperm concentration and scrotal skin temperature (p<0.05) were found. From the study it can be concluded that all the bucks were in severe heat stress at noon time and TC can be used as an indicator for selection of buck for heat tolerance.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 9(1): 151-156 2016

scholarly journals Effect of temperature and time after collection on buck sperm quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Hahn ◽  
Klaus Failing ◽  
Axel Wehrend
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Semen Collection ◽  
Examination Time ◽  
Collection Period ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Background Different parameters are assessed as part of the semen analysis but a standard protocol for evaluation of goat semen is still missing. The aim of this study was to analyse two different factors affecting buck sperm quality in the post-collection period prior to adding the extender. Here we examined the effects of two handling temperatures (20 °C, 37 °C) and various examination time points (3–30 min) after semen collection. Results Examination time point had a significant influence on raw sperm viability (p < 0.05), motility (p < 0.05) and on semen pH (p < 0.05). The two different handling temperatures had no significant effect on sperm viability (p > 0.05), motility (p > 0.05), with the exception of fast moving sperm (p = 0.04), or on semen pH (p > 0.05). Conclusion Examination time point was identified as factor strongly influencing raw peacock buck semen after collection. Raw goat semen can tolerate room temperatures for at least 10 min without impacting overall semen quality. In order to obtain comparable results, semen samples should always be examined within 10 min after collection.

P–018 Observational study on the behaviour of the seminal sample in donors: seasonal variation according to parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Amoroch. Llanos ◽  
R Hernánde. Jornet ◽  
E Sellé. Soriano ◽  
E Martíne. Díaz-Jiménez ◽  
I.Pére Cano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Male Factor ◽  
Spanish Law ◽  
Sperm Donors ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Full Capacity ◽  
Autumn And Winter

Abstract Study question What is causing the decline in semen quality worldwide? Summary answer Our results indicated significant differences, finding a decrease in sperm concentration/mobility in summer compared to the other seasons, with greater differences being observed in spring. What is known already Infertility is an increasing global problem and it is estimated that approximately 15 to 20% of all couples experience it at some point in their reproductive life. Among all causes, the male factor is becoming increasingly important as seminal quality is steadily declining globally. Knowing that the spermatogenesis process is very sensible to temperature fluctuations we could focus on the ambient temperature as one of the causes. Study design, size, duration Taking into account that donors are selected for having an optimal seminal quality, a retrospective study (January 2006 /February 2020) was proposed at IVI Alicante from 160 seminal samples to determine whether environment actually affects spermatogenesis and semen quality. It was evaluated whether there is variation in donors in mobility/volume / concentration depending on the season and quarter of the year in which the sample was obtained; and relation to the age of the donor. Participants/materials, setting, methods The inclusion criteria were sperm donors between 18 and 35 years old, anonymously, with good physical health, full capacity to act, and with seminal samples with characteristics to survive sperm thawing, complying with the requirements according to Spanish law on ART 2006. Exclusion criteria were based mainly on poor sperm survival after thawing. The statistical analysis was performed with the R statistical software, version 4.0, linear and multiple regression, establishing significant differences when p &lt; 0.05. Main results and the role of chance The results indicated significant differences, finding in summer a decrease in concentration and sperm motility (p &lt; 0.05) compared to autumn and winter and obtaining the best quality in spring. The concentration and mobility decrease from 63.4 million sperm / ml and 49.6% in spring to 44.4 million (p = 0.009) and 39.9% mobility in summer (p = 0.0075). We found the same results comparing them by quarters, having 62.7 million / ml and 49.3% between April-June, up to 44.9 million (p = 0.003) and 39.3% mobility between July-September (p = 0.03), showing that July and September there is a decrease in both concentration and mobility. This association has not been significantly affected by age. Thus, we conclude that high temperatures affect seminal concentration and mobility. Limitations, reasons for caution More studies can be done to increase the number of donors and confirm our findings. Wider implications of the findings: According to other studies, carried out in Denmark, Israel and China, with different latitudes and temperature-humidity, the same trend has been observed in sperm quality, decreasing the quality in summer and being optimal in spring-winter, so the temperature could be a variable to take into account when studying semen. Trial registration number Not applicable for non clinical-trials

PSI-9 Evaluation of an Electronically-controlled Floor Cooling Pad on Semen Quality in Boars During Moderate Heat Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 222-223
Author(s):  
Hailey M Hedrick ◽  
Larissa K Shirley ◽  
Tyler Fields ◽  
Allan P Schinckel ◽  
Jay S Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Controlled Cooling ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Progressive Motility ◽  
Motion Parameters ◽  
Kinematic Motion

Abstract Heat stress (HS) decreases semen quality and production in boars. Therefore, the study objective was to evaluate the use of electronically-controlled cooling pads to reduce the negative effects of HS on semen quality. Boars (n=24) were randomly allotted to two treatment groups: boars housed on a non-functional cooling pad (CON) or pads flushing water every 8 minutes or when the pad reached 28.5°C (FLUSH). For 3 d, boars were subjected to cyclical HS (28 to 32°C; &gt;50% relative humidity). Semen was collected for 7 weeks (2 weeks prior to determine baseline semen parameters, the day after HS, and weekly for 4 weeks post HS), and evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, morphology, viability, and kinematic motion parameters. FLUSH boars had higher semen volumes compared to CON (P=0.011) without a corresponding increase in total sperm produced (P=0.852). Boars in FLUSH had higher motility in all weeks (87.0–90.8%) when compared to CON boars. FLUSH boars had higher motility starting in week 4 after HS compared to CON (P=0.017). No differences in progressive motility or kinematic motion parameters were found. There was a tendency for FLUSH boars to have a higher percent normal morphology compared to CON boars (83.1 vs 77.5%, P=0.083) resulting from decreased proximal and distal droplets in the FLUSH boars (P=0.029 and P=.0014, respectively). During week 2 post HS, there was a tendency for FLUSH boars to have a lower percentage of non-viable cells compared to all other weeks for FLUSH and CON boars (P=0.088). Cooling pads were effective at reducing the negative impacts of HS on semen volume, motility, and morphological abnormalities.

scholarly journals Adverse Effects of Heat Stress on the Intestinal Integrity and Function of Pigs and the Mitigation Capacity of Dietary Antioxidants: A Review

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1135
Author(s):  
Arth David Sol Valmoria Ortega ◽  
Csaba Szabó
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Nutritional Intervention ◽  
Intestinal Histology ◽  
Dietary Antioxidants ◽  
Intestinal Integrity ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Heat stress (HS) significantly affects the performance of pigs by its induced stressors such as inflammation, hypoxia and oxidative stress (OS), which mightily strain the intestinal integrity and function of pigs. As heat stress progresses, several mechanisms in the intestinal epithelium involved in the absorption of nutrients and its protective functions are altered. Changes in these mechanisms are mainly driven by cellular oxidative stress, which promotes disruption of intestinal homeostasis, leading to intestinal permeability, emphasizing intestinal histology and morphology with little possibility of recovering even after exposure to HS. Identification and understanding of these altered mechanisms are crucial for providing appropriate intervention strategies. Therefore, it is this papers’ objective to review the important components for intestinal integrity that are negatively affected by HS and its induced stressors. With due consideration to the amelioration of such effects through nutritional intervention, this work will also look into the capability of dietary antioxidants in mitigating such adverse effects and maintaining the intestine’s integrity and function upon the pigs’ exposure to high environmental temperature.

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