scholarly journals Assessing coral sperm motility

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas Zuchowicz ◽  
Jonathan Daly ◽  
Jessica Bouwmeester ◽  
Claire Lager ◽  
E. Michael Henley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
Cryopreserved Sperm ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

AbstractThe declining reproductive viability of corals threatens their ability to adapt to changing ocean conditions. It is vital that we monitor this viability quantitatively and comparatively. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems offer in-depth analysis used regularly for domestic and wildlife species, but not yet for coral. This study proposes quality control procedures and CASA settings that are effective for coral sperm analysis. To resolve disparities between CASA measurements and evaluations by eye, two negative effects on motility had to be resolved, slide adhesion (procedural) and sperm dilution (biological). We showed that the addition of bovine serum albumin, or caffeine, or both to fresh sperm reduced adhesion in the CASA cassettes, improved motility and motile sperm concentration (P < 0.0001), yet these additions did not affect measurements of total sperm concentration. Diluting coral sperm reduced sperm motility (P = 0.039), especially from heat-stressed corals. We found CASA concentration counts comparable to haemocytometer and flow cytometer measures (P = 0.54). We also found that motile sperm per egg is a useful predictor of fertilisation success, using cryopreserved sperm. Standard measurements of coral reproductive characteristics inform our understanding of the impacts of climate change on reef populations; this study provides a benchmark to begin this comparative work.

Computer assisted sperm analysis of fresh and frozen-thawed buffalo semen and their interrelationship

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Patel ◽  
A. J. Dhami
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Head Displacement ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Buffalo Semen ◽  
Live Sperm ◽  
Fresh Semen

Sixty semen ejaculates from 10 mature bulls, 5 each of Jafarabadi and Mehsana breed, were studied for sperm motility and velocity parameters of fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). The mean values of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa observed in fresh semen of Jafarabadi and Mehsana bulls (79.77±1.62 and 61.80±1.85, and 78.90±1.22 and 61.37±1.58%) were highly significantly (P<0.01) reduced (51.20±1.57 and 33.20±1.45, and 52.10±1.70 and 34.30±1.54 %, respectively) in post-thawed semen. The average path velocity, straight line velocity and curvilinear velocity (μm/sec) of spermatozoa of Jafarabadi and Mehsana bulls noted in fresh semen were also reduced highly significantly (P<0.01) in frozen-thawed semen. Among the other velocity parameters, amplitude of lateral head displacement (μm), elongation (%) and medium motile sperm (%) increased, while beat-cross frequency (Hz), straightness (%), linearity (%), sperm area (μm<sup>2</sup>) and rapidly motile sperm (%) decreased significantly in post-thawed sperms when compared with the fresh sperm of both Jafarabadi and Mehsana bulls. The initial motility and live sperm per cent were significantly correlated with CASA traits of fresh and frozen-thawed semen, and all the sperm motility and velocity traits of fresh and frozen-thawed semen assessed by CASA were significantly interrelated among both the breeds. The interrelationships were stronger in Mehsana bulls as compared to Jafarabadi bulls.

scholarly journals Technical Note: The use of iSperm technology for on-farm measurement of equine sperm motility and concentration

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1513-1520
Author(s):  
Christa R Moraes ◽  
Erin E Runcan ◽  
Bryan Blawut ◽  
Marco A Coutinho da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Velocity Measurements ◽  
Perfect Agreement ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
On Farm

Abstract The iSperm is a newly released semen analysis tool from Aidmics Biotechnology Co. LTD, which allows an iPad Mini to be transformed into a handheld microscope with objective semen analysis software for equine available through the Apple Store (version 4.5.2). The aim of this study was to compare iSperm values for sperm motility and sperm concentration to current acceptable methods for semen analysis and to determine the agreement with these methods using statistical methods. Two ejaculates from each of five Standardbred stallions were used to compare sperm motility (computer-assisted semen analysis [CASA] vs. iSperm) and concentration (NucleoCounter SP-100 [NC] vs. hemocytometer vs. iSperm). Data were analyzed by first testing for the differences between the means of each method using a linear mixed-effects model. The agreement between the two continuous measurements for each method was then investigated by computing Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), with a value of 1 indicating perfect agreement between methods. Results are reported as the CCC with the associated 95% confidence interval in parentheses. Means for both total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) were equal between CASA and iSperm values (P = 0.0741 and P = 0.725, respectively). However, means for all velocity measurements were significantly different between CASA and iSperm readings (P &lt; 0.001). For concentration, means were equal between NC and iSperm values (P = 0.748) and for hemocytometer and iSperm values (P = 0.953). The CCC for TM was 0.871 (0.788, 0.923) and for PM was 0.916 (0.847, 0.955) indicating good agreement between methods. Low levels of agreement were observed for all velocity measurements. Finally, the CCC for concentration compared by iSperm and NC was 0.970 (0.949, 0.982) and for iSperm and hemocytometer it was 0.962 (0.934, 0.978), both close to the line of perfect concordance. Although more work is needed to improve the iSperm software for velocity measurements to be acceptable by research standards, in its present form the iSperm will introduce a low-cost and affordable method for on-farm semen analysis (TM, PM, concentration) for breeders and veterinarians. As a result, more farms will have access to accurate sperm analysis tools which will help to standardize semen processing procedures leading to better overall quality of semen used for artificial insemination.

scholarly journals Semen quality of Colombian Creole as compared to commercial pig breeds

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Suárez Mesa ◽  
Joan Estany ◽  
Iang Schroniltgen Rondón-Barragán
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Rural Livelihood ◽  
Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis

Abstract Background Colombian Creole pigs are a valuable resource for rural livelihood and research. There are three officially recognized Creole breeds in Colombia (Zungo, ZU; Casco de Mula, CM; and San Pedreño, SP). The phenotypic characterization of these breeds is still very limited, including the reproductive performance of their boars, which is a key issue for developing conservation and dissemination strategies. The aim of this research was to assess the semen quality of Colombian Creole breeds as compared to commonly used international breeds. Results Seven boars for each Colombian Creole (ZU, CM, and SP) and international (Duroc, Belgian Landrace, and Pietrain) breeds were used in the experiment. Two doses of semen per boar were assessed in duplicate for sperm kinetics and membrane and acrosome integrity using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. On average, the Creole pigs, as compared to international breeds, showed lower (P<0.05) volumeof fluid ejaculated(185.5 mL vs 239.9 mL) as well as sperm concentration (340.5 vs to 395.4, in million sperm/mL), motility (90.9% vs 95.3%) and progressive motility (63.1% vs 67.2%). No relevant differences between breeds for sperm velocity traits were observed, but Creole pigs had lower (P<0.05) proportion of morphologic normal sperm (86.1% vs 90.6%) and of sperm with intact mitochondria plasma membrane and acrosome (76.8% vs 87.5%). Mitochondrial membrane potential did not differ between Creole and international breeds. These results mean that Creole breeds had 60.5% less normal and motile sperm per ejaculate than international breeds. Amongst Creole breeds, SP had larger ejaculates and ZU showed greater proportion of normal and motile sperm, but they did not differ for the amount of normal and motile sperm per ejaculate. Conclusion The semen of Colombian Creole pigs is acceptable but less abundant and rich in normal and motile spermatozoa than that collected from commercial breeds. This fact should be considered in developing recommendations for semen processing in Creole pigs. Findings provided here can give new impetus to the conservation and insemination of Creole pigs.

17 Increased inbreeding levels negatively affect sperm kinetics and motility in Purebred Spanish horses

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Y. Pirosanto ◽  
A. Molina ◽  
M. Valera ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
E. Terán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Inbreeding Coefficient ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Head Displacement

Reproductive performance is one of the key factors in livestock production. It is well known that reproductive traits are influenced by several genetic factors, such as the increase of individual inbreeding levels, which are associated with changes in sperm motility and shape in several species. In horses, the increase in inbreeding is a common problem because of the reduction in effective population size and the increase in selection intensity observed in several breeds. However, studies assessing the effect of high levels of inbreeding on the sperm quality of stallions are scarce. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of increased inbreeding levels and age on the sperm motility patterns of Purebred Spanish horses (PRE). We performed kinetic characterisation of 557 sperm samples of 82 PRE stallions aged between 3 and16 years, using computer-assisted sperm analysis (Androvision™, Minitube). We evaluated 5 parameters in 6 different fields per sample: curved line velocity (VCL, µm/s), velocity average path (VAP, µm/s), velocity straight line (VSL, µm/s), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, µm), and beat-cross frequency (BCF, Hz). We determined the pedigree-based inbreeding coefficient (Fped) based on ∼300,000 PRE pedigree records to evaluate the inbreeding effect. Individuals were separated into 2 groups: highly inbred (n=339) and lowly inbred (n=218) according to an F value of 12.5%. Differences between groups were analysed using a generalized linear model. The analysis did not show significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in the variables analysed with respect to the age of stallions. However, VAP, VCL, and AHL were lower in highly inbred than in lowly inbred animals (P&lt;0.05), suggesting less velocity and amplitude of head displacement. In the case of BCF, no significant differences (P&gt;0.05) were observed between the two study groups. In conclusion, age did not affect sperm quality parameters in the age group of stallions analysed. In addition, we demonstrated that high inbreeding coefficient reduced the mean velocity and trajectory pattern of spermatozoa in PRE.

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 Effects of chilled storage and pH of activating solution on different motility parameters in burbot (Lota lota) sperm

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 429-434
Author(s):  
Zoltán Bokor ◽  
Balázs Csorbai ◽  
Levente Várkonyi ◽  
Zsolt Szári ◽  
Ferenc Fodor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Chilled Storage ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
H 26 ◽  
Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis ◽  
Motility Parameters ◽  
Activating Solution

The effects of a simple saline solution prepared using two different pH (4.4 and 8.5) on sperm motility in burbot were investigated. Results were recorded during a 96-hour chilled storage (4°C) in 24-hour intervals. Measurements were focused on the detailed characteristics of motility using 12 parameters obtained from the Computer-assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). Significantly higher progressive motility (pMOT), distance average path (DAP), distance curved line, distance straight line (DSL), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, and beat cross frequency (BCF) were observed with the activating solution buffered at pH 8.5 in comparison with pH 4.4. Already after 24 h a significant reduction was measured in pMOT (0 h: 49 ± 24%, 24 h: 12 ± 7%). Similar decreasing tendency was recorded only after 72 h in DAP (0 h: 26 ± 4 µm/s, 72 h: 19 ± 9 µm/s), DSL (0 h: 21 ± 5 µm/s, 72 h: 17 ± 8 µm/s), VAP (0 h: 59 ± 9 µm/s, 72 h: 43 ± 21 µm/s), and BCF (0 h: 28 ± 2 Hz, 72 h: 18 ± 10 Hz). The response of different investigated CASA parameters to different treatments varied in our experiments. According to our studies, numerous burbot sperm motility parameters are sensitive to chilled storage and to low pH of the activating solution. Our results could support the effective sperm quality assessment and successful artificial propagation process in burbot.

scholarly journals Effects of Astaxanthin on Miniature Pig Sperm Cryopreservation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunjoo Lee ◽  
Daeyoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Miniature Pig ◽  
Oxidation Stress ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Semen Parameter ◽  
Boar Sperm ◽  
Sperm Plasma Membrane

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of astaxanthin added to freezing buffer on semen parameters, total sperm oxidation stress after postthawing of boar sperm, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) which is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in sperm membrane. Varying concentrations of astaxanthin (0, 10, 50, 100, and 500 μM) were used in the freezing buffer during cryopreservation to protect the DNA of thawed miniature pig sperm. Semen parameter was measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) for sperm motility, and then ROS rate and oxidative stress of boar sperm were determined using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Sperm motility was higher (p<0.05) in the astaxanthin group than in the control group. Sperm motility and the number of progressive motile sperm were higher (p<0.05) in the astaxanthin 500 μM group than in the control group. In ROS evaluation, the astaxanthin group had lower intracellular O2 and H2O2 in viable sperm. Yo-Pro-I/HE and PI/H2DCFDA staining as revealed using flow cytometry was lower in astaxanthin groups than in the other groups. As a result, we found that astaxanthin could protect the sperm plasma membrane from free radicals and LPO during boar sperm postthawing.

Chlamydia trachomatis-induced death of human spermatozoa is caused primarily by lipopolysaccharide

2003 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hosseinzadeh ◽  
A.A. Pacey ◽  
A. Eley
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Probit Analysis ◽  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Osmotic Swelling ◽  
Potent Effect ◽  
Sperm Analysis

Elementary bodies (EBs) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E are more toxic to sperm than those from serovar LGV. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was prepared from the EBs of both serovars and incubated with human spermatozoa at concentrations that matched the LPS concentration of EBs. The effects of EBs and LPS on sperm motility, viability and acrosomal status were then determined. Sperm motility was measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis and the hypo-osmotic swelling test was used to determine the proportion of dead cells. Acrosomal status was examined using a standard mAb assay. Over a 6 h incubation, LPS from both serovars resulted in a marked reduction in sperm motility (and a concomitant increase in the proportion of dead spermatozoa) in a manner similar to that seen in response to EBs of serovar E. In addition, when sperm were incubated with a range of doses of EBs and LPS, probit analysis revealed that the greater spermicidal effects of EBs from serovar E (when compared with serovar LGV) were not observed when sperm were incubated with LPS from the two serovars. This suggests that the more potent effect of EBs of serovar E cannot be explained entirely by differences in the composition of LPS. Interestingly, Escherichia coli LPS was required in doses 500 times more concentrated than chlamydial LPS in order to kill a similar proportion of sperm, suggesting that bacterial LPSs may differ in their spermicidal properties. However, that chlamydial LPS was spermicidal was demonstrated by the use of polymyxin B (a polycationic antibiotic known to neutralize LPS effects), confirming that the effects observed were primarily a result of LPS activity.

Artificial fertilisation in a terrestrial toadlet (Pseudophryne guentheri): effect of medium osmolality, sperm concentration and gamete storage

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee J. Silla
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Terrestrial Environment ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Fertilisation Success ◽  
Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis ◽  
Analysis System

Anurans exhibit a greater reproductive diversity than any other vertebrate order. However, studies investigating the effects of the external fertilisation environment on fertilisation success are limited to aquatic-breeding species. This study investigated the effects of fertilisation medium osmolality, sperm concentration and short-term oocyte storage on fertilisation success in a terrestrial-breeding anuran, Pseudophryne guentheri. Split-clutch experimental designs were used to determine optimal fertilisation conditions. To determine the effect of short-term sperm storage, sperm viability was assessed using fluorescence microscopy and percentage sperm motility and velocity quantified with a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. Fertilisation success was highest in media ranging in osmolality from 25 mOsm kg–1 to 100 mOsm kg–1, representing a broader range and higher optimal osmolality than previously reported for aquatic breeders. High rates of fertilisation (>75%) were achieved in relatively low sperm concentrations (2.5 × 104 mL–1). Oocytes stored in isotonic solutions (200 mOsm kg–1) retained fertilisation capacity (32%) after 8 h of storage, while sperm suspensions maintained motility (≥26%) for 13 days. Additional studies on terrestrial-breeding anurans will be required to ascertain whether the optimal fertilisation conditions reported reflect adaptations to achieve fertilisation in a terrestrial environment.

Swim-up of tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) spermatozoa in Biggers, Whitter and Whittingham (BWW) medium: maximisation of sperm motility, minimisation of impairment of sperm metabolism and induction of sperm hyperactivation

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minjie Lin ◽  
Xiyi Zhang ◽  
Ray N. Murdoch ◽  
R. John Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
First Record ◽  
Tammar Wallaby ◽  
The Other ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Rapid Induction ◽  
Marsupial Species ◽  
Accurate Quantification ◽  
Better Than

A variety of media were compared for their ability to sustain the motility of tammar wallaby spermatozoa over an 8-h period following swim–up from coagulated semen. The study demonstrated that a modified Tyrode’s solution, Biggers, Whitter and Whittingham medium (BWW) was significantly better than any of the other assessed media in supporting wallaby sperm motility. After 8 h of incubation in BWW, motility was maintained at 79.3 ± 9.3%, with 77.0 ± 10.4% rapid and 65.7 ± 8.7% progressively motile spermatozoa. By contrast, motility was <10% at the same 8-h time point in all of the other media assessed. After 2 h of incubation in BWW, tammar spermatozoa consumed more oxygen than their counterparts in PBS (52.0 ± 2.7 vs 75.0 ± 6.6 μL per 108 spermatozoa per 2 h; P < 0.001). Motility was not enhanced in any of these media by the addition of 5 mM N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, the major energy substrate in wallaby semen. However, addition of dibutyryl cAMP and pentoxifylline in BWW resulted in the extremely rapid induction of hyperactivated motility in the entire sperm population. This burst of hyperactivated motility was entirely dependent on calcium in BWW and significantly inhibited by calmidazolium, a calmodulin inhibitor. A set of computer-assisted sperm analysis parameters were identified that permitted the accurate quantification of hyperactivation rates in this species. This is the first comparative analysis of media for harvesting and incubating marsupial spermatozoa and the first record of hyperactivated motility in any marsupial species.

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