scholarly journals Effect of sperm concentration, medium osmolality and oocyte storage on artificial fertilisation success in a myobatrachid frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis)

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Edwards ◽  
M. J. Mahony ◽  
J. Clulow

The present study optimised artificial fertilisation and oocyte storage conditions in Limnodynastes tasmaniensis (Myobatrachidae). Data on general reproductive biology, the effect of sperm motility and concentration, medium osmolality and oocyte storage on artificial fertilisation success are presented. Egg number was most strongly correlated with bodyweight (r = 0.819). Sperm yield was correlated with testes weight (r = 0.827), which was strongly correlated with snout–vent length (r = 0.772). Optimal artificial fertilisation occurred in 0–7 mOsm kg–1 amphibian Ringer, similar to ranid, bufonid and hylid species. High fertilisation rates were achieved using spermatozoa with little forwards progressive motility at comparatively low concentrations (3 × 104 sperm cells mL–1) and with no relationship between percentage sperm motility and fertilisation success (correlation of fertilisation rate with sperm motility after activation: r = –0.145). Oocytes stored in 5 mOsm kg–1 solutions showed no significant decline in fertilisability after 2 h, showing that swelling of the jelly surrounding the eggs does not prevent sperm from fusing with the oocyte in this species. Fertilisability of oocytes was extended to > 4 h in medium to high osmolality solutions (124–271 mOsm kg–1). These data allow for the future use of L. tasmaniensis in developing assisted reproductive technology protocols for foam-nesting myobatrachid species, many of which are now threatened with extinction in the wild.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosita A. Condorelli ◽  
Aldo E. Calogero ◽  
Giorgio I. Russo ◽  
Sandro La Vignera

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate whether infertile patients may benefit from the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters in addition to the conventional semen analysis. To accomplish this, we evaluated the correlation between conventional and bio-functional sperm parameters based on their percentile distribution in search of a potential threshold of these latter that associates with conventional sperm parameter abnormalities. The study was conducted on 577 unselected patients with infertility lasting at least 12 months. We identified cut-off values according to the median of the population for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), number of alive spermatozoa, and chromatin abnormality. High MMP (HMMP) (≥46.25%) was associated with sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility, and normal form. Low MMP (LMMP) (≥36.5%) was found to be associated with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, and normal form. The number of alive spermatozoa (≥71.7%) was associated with sperm concentration and progressive motility whereas abnormal chromatin compactness (≥21.10%) was associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility. The data would suggest that, for every increase in the percentile category of sperm concentration, the risk of finding an HMMP≤46.25 is reduced by 0.4 and by 0.66 for a total sperm count. This risk is also reduced by 0.60 for every increase in the percentile category of sperm progressive motility and by 0.71 for total sperm motility. Each increment of percentile category of the following sperm parameter was followed by a decrease in the risk of finding an LMMP≤36.5: sperm concentration 1.66, total sperm count 1.28, sperm progressive motility 1.27, total sperm motility 1.76, and normal form 1.73. Lastly, the data showed that, for every increase in the percentile category of total sperm count, the risk of finding an abnormal chromatin compactness ≤21.10 is reduced by 1.25 (1.04–1.51, p < 0.05) and an increase of total sperm motility is associated with a reduced risk by 1.44 (1.12–1.85, p < 0.05). Results suggest a correlation between bio-functional and conventional sperm parameters that impact the sperm fertilizing potential. Therefore, the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters by flow cytometry may be useful to explain some cases of idiopathic male infertility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Fanuel Lampiao ◽  
Joseph Chisaka

Background: Seminal hyperviscosity has been shown to be associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hyperviscosity in semen of Malawian males seeking infertility treatment. Methods: A total of 120 men visiting our laboratory for fertility assessment donated semen samples. The semen samples were assessed for hyperviscosity, volume, concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology. Results: Out of the 120 samples analyzed, 34 samples were hyperviscous representing 28.3%. No significant statistical differ- ence in semen volume between samples with normal viscosity compared to those with hyperviscosity (p>0.05). Sperm concen- tration, progressive motility, total motility, viability, and normal morphology were significantly higher in the normal viscosity group when compared to the abnormal viscocity group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hyperviscosity affects a significant number of men in Malawi and may be the cause of decreased fertility as it was associated with poor sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology. Keywords: Viscosity; sperm motility; accessory sex glands; infertility; semen; semen analysis; spermatozoa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Y. Honkawa ◽  
T. Fujikawa ◽  
N. Miura ◽  
C. Kubota

It is difficult to maintain sperm in liquid storage for a long time, compared with permanent frozen storage in liquid nitrogen. Antioxidants have been reported to improve the quality and fertility of liquid-stored semen. In this study, we investigated whether antioxidants can extend the motility and fertility of frozen-thawed sperm in liquid storage. Frozen-thawed semen from one Japanese black bull (one ejaculate) was diluted in Tris-citrate-fructose (TCF) diluent with 10% (v/v) egg yolk to a sperm concentration of 1×107 spermmL−1. The antioxidants β-mercaptoethanol (βMe) and glutathione (GSH) were added independently, at various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5mM) to sperm suspensions, and these preparations were compared with Control (no added antioxidant). Sperm suspensions were packaged in centrifuge tubes and placed at 17°C in air and monitored daily until sperm motility had stopped (up to 14 days). Sperm motility was analysed by the Sperm Motility Analysis System (SMAS; Ditect Co. Ltd), and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (straight-line velocity (VSL) of &gt;25μm s−1; Grade A classified by WHO manual), compared with that recorded on Day 0 (100%), was determined each day. For evaluation of fertilizing ability, after incubation in liquid storage for 0, 3, 5, and 7 days, sperm were used for IVF with invitro-matured oocytes (30 oocytes per treatment, three replicates). Embryo development was recorded as the proportion of embryos that reached blastocyst by 8 days after IVF. Data for motility were analysed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey test, and embryo development using chi-squared test. A P-value&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. At 7 days, the percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly higher for 0.5, 1, and 5mM βMe than for Control (30.8%, 48.1%, and 50.3%, vs. 0%, respectively). Treatments with 1 and 5mM βMe maintained some sperm progressive motility for 14 days (9.5% and 14.5%). Treatment with GSH showed the same trend at 7 days (32.2%, 36.3%, and 13.7% for 0.5, 1, and 5mM, vs. 0% for Control); 1 and 5mM GSH maintained sperm progressive motility over 10 days (24.8% and 4.4%). In both antioxidant treatments, embryo development was achieved with sperm stored for up to 5 days (Day 0 vs. Day 5 for 0.1mM βMe: 17.6% vs. 13.8%; for 1.0mM GSH: 26.0% vs. 6.7%; for Control: 17.6% vs. 0%). In this study, antioxidants extended both motility and fertility of frozen-thawed bovine sperm in liquid storage. This result suggests the possibility of application to AI using liquid-stored bovine semen.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-34
Author(s):  
Stanisław Kondracki ◽  
Maria Iwanina ◽  
Dariusz Kowalewski ◽  
Magdalena Bajena ◽  
Anna Wysokińska

The aim of the research was to determine the dependence of physical properties of boar ejaculates on the time interval between successive ejaculate collections. The material for the study comprised 1954 ejaculates collected manually from boars used for artificial insemination. For all ejaculates, the ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, and number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate were determined, and the number of insemination doses per ejaculate was calculated. The boars’ suitability for artificial insemination was evaluated taking into account the effect of the time passed between ejaculate collections. The ejaculate volume and the concentration and number of sperm in the ejaculate were shown to increase with the time elapsed since the previous ejaculate. The number of insemination doses obtained per ejaculate increased as well. Ejaculates with a high sperm count were obtained when the ejaculation frequency was no more than every 4 days. The percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility increased with the time elapsed since the collection of the previous ejaculate, but only up to 4 days. Further decreases in ejaculation frequency no longer resulted in increased sperm motility.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
M. M. Toishibekov ◽  
M. T. Jazkbayev ◽  
B. B. Molzhigitov

Computer-assisted sperm analysers have become the standard tool for evaluating sperm motility because they provide objective results for thousands of mammalian spermatozoa. Ram semen was collected using electro-ejaculation from 10 adult rams of Chingizskaya indigenous sheep breed. Motility was determined using computer-automated semen analysis (Hamilton Thorne Motility Analyzer, Beverly, MA, USA). Trehalose solution (0.375 M) was added to Tris-buffered saline solution to give the following trehalose extenders: 25, 50, 75, and 100% (vol:vol), and analysed for motility using computer-automated semen analysis. The sperm pellets were resuspended at 24°C in cooling extender – trehalose extenders of each concentration containing 5% egg yolk. The diluted semen was cooled to 5°C within 2 h. The semen was then further diluted 1 : 1 with freezing extender – each trehalose extender containing 1.5% glycerol to obtain a sperm concentration of 2.0 × 108 cells mL–1 – and then loaded into 0.5-mL straws. Straws were frozen using a programmable freezer with a freezing curve of 5°C to –5°C at 4°C per min, –5°C to –110°C at 25°C per min, and –110°C to –140°C at 35°C per min, and then the straws were plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Frozen samples were thawed in a 37°C water bath for 30 s and analysed for motility using computer-automated semen analysis. Statistical analyses were performed with a Student's test. The fresh semen samples showed the next results: motility 88.3 ± 2.4%, progressive motility 26.8 ± 6.9%, and progressive velocity 61.9 ± 4.2 μm s–1. Motility of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa was 63.6 ± 2.9% (25% trehalose), 55.6 ± 5.2% (50%), 32.4 ± 4.7% (75%), and 23.6 ± 3.2 (100%). Progressive motility was 15.6 ± 3.9% (25%), 13.7 ± 3.7% (50%), 4.5 ± 1.3% (75%), and 5.2 ± 1.3% (100%). Progressive velocity was 93.5 ± 8.3 μm s–1 (25%), 85.4 ± 8.1 μm s–1 (50%), 65.7 ± 6.1 μm s–1 (75%), 35.2 ± 3.3 μm s–1 (100%). Motility of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa significantly decreased with increasing concentrations of trehalose in the extender (P < 0.05). These preliminary studies showed that further research is needed of use trehalose for ram spermatozoa cryoconservation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stoja Jotanović ◽  
Milorad Sarajlić ◽  
Nenad Stojanović ◽  
Đorđe Savić ◽  
Ivan Stančić ◽  
...  

The aim of study was to examine the effect of the boar ejaculate collection frequency on the parameters of its quality. The research covered a three-year period, and four most common boar breeds in our area. A total of 1705 ejaculates were taken from Yorkshire boars, 1693 ejaculates from Landrace boars, 1106 ejaculates from Pietrain boars and 669 ejaculates from Duroc boars. Within each breed, groups were formed according to the frequency of ejaculate taking (once, twice, three, four, five, or six times a month). Evaluation of ejaculate quality was performed in a reprocentre laboratory, according to their quality standards. Quality parameters that have been determined were the volume of ejaculate, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, live sperm count, the number of doses per ejaculate and the overall assessment of ejaculate. Results of this study show that the volume and progressive motility increase with the increase of frequency in ejaculate taking, while the sperm concentration drops, except for the Pietrain boars. The best results were observed in ejaculates collected 5-6 times during the month. The highest mean volume of ejaculate was found in the Landrace boars (292.22 ml), in ejaculate taking frequency of five times per month. The highest average progressive sperm motility was 92% in the Yorkshire boars, on collection frequency of six times a month, while the highest concentration of spermatozoa was found in the Duroc boars in collection frequency of one taking per month (447.32 mil/ml). The results of this study indicate that the frequency of ejaculate taking affects the boar semen quality parameters.


The evaluation of sperm quality in the laboratory is essential to improve efficiency in assisted reproduction. As in other species, for the dog there are reports that prolonged contact of sperm with some components of seminal plasma is associated with decreased motility and sperm viability. Thus, the centrifugation is a technique widely used to concentrate the spermatozoa and eliminate the supernatant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of double layer centrifugation on the percentages of total sperm motility and progressive sperm motility of the dog’s semen submitted to the dilution, single layer centrifugation, cooling and storage at 5 °C for 24 and 48 hours. For this purpose, ejaculates of 30 healthy male dogs were evaluated, by taking into account the comparison among the conventional sperm parameters (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm motility and sperm progressive motility). The semen samples were examined in standard baseline condition of fresh semen (FS), after dilution (AD), after dilution and single layer centrifugation (SLC), after double layer centrifugation (DLC). According to the different time points, the semen samples were evaluated in baseline conditions, immediately after their collection at (T0), at 24 h (T24) and at 48 h (T48), to evaluate the effect of different treatments on the semen’s quality. Results showed a significant effect of double layer centrifugation on the improvement of total sperm motility and progressive sperm motility percentages of dogs. The use of cooling fresh semen soon after the double layer centrifugation will improve the semen quality up to 48h, with a special emphasis for the percentages of total sperm motility and sperm progressive motility, adding an alternative technical approach to reproductive performance in male breeding dogs.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 922
Author(s):  
Azrita Azrita ◽  
Hafrijal Syandri ◽  
Netti Aryani

Background: The giant gourami sago strain (Osphronemus goramy Lacepède) has been approved in 2018 as a candidate for freshwater aquaculture in Indonesia. However, information on the species’ reproduction is minimal. This study analyzed the reproductive characteristics of the gourami sago strain broodfish to provide basic knowledge for a future hatchery development strategy. Methods: A total of 10 female and 10 male mature gourami sago strain broodfish were measured for body weight and length, and were evaluated for their reproductive characteristics.  Breeding fish were spawned naturally in a 2×1×0.6 m concrete pond with a male-female sex ratio of 1:1. Egg weight and diameter were measured in 25 eggs per female using, respectively, ACIS AD- 600i scales with 0.01 g accuracy, and a microscope (Labo model L-711) using Canon Digital Camera Software 3 . Semen was collected using plastic syringes in 3 mL aliquots, then placed in an insulated ice-cooled container, and analyzed within two hours of collection. Results: Average weights of female and male broodfish before spawning were 2180±159.78 g and 3060±134.99 g, respectively. The relative fecundity and egg diameter were 1029±36 eggs kg-1 and 2.42±0.05 mm, respectively. The hatching rate and embryo survival to an eyed-egg stage were respectively 76.40±2.27% and 94.76±0.42%.  Sperm characteristics showed that volume was 0.60±0.12 ml kg-1 and percentage of motile sperm was 70.04±2.27%. Female broodfish weight after spawning was strongly correlated with the weight before spawned (r2 = 0.999) and absolute fecundity was also strongly correlated with female broodfish weight before spawning (r2= 0.921). Sperm concentration was moderately correlated with sperm motility (r2 = 0.556) and duration of sperm motility (r2 = 0.502). Conclusions: The gourami sago strain broodfish has suitable reproductive characteristics for the development of hatcheries. Successful natural spawning should be followed by larval weaning and feeding technology to increase growth and survival.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 256 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bermúdez ◽  
M. A. Enciso ◽  
G. Rojas ◽  
R. Alvis ◽  
M. Valdivia

Chaetophractus nationi is an armadillo species that inhabits in the high Andes of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia at altitudes of over 3000 m. The main threats to this species are habitat loss and over-hunting; in the last 10 years it has been estimated that the population has declined by 30%. The species is categorized as Vulnerable (VU, A2d) by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Peruvian legislation (DS-034-2004-AG) and is listed in appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Chaetophractus nationi is 1 of 7 species of armadillos in which further studies on their reproductive biology and physiology are considered to be urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to determine the semen ejaculate values of C. nationi males in 2 opposite seasons. Six adult males of C. nationi belonging to the Huachipa Zoological Park (Lima, Peru) collection under the same captive conditions were used. Semen samples were collected coinciding with the Peruvian warm season (February) and cold season (June). The animals were chemically immobilized using ketamine (15 mg kg-1), xylazine (1 mg kg-1), and midazolam (0.4 mg kg-1) i.m. Semen was collected by an electroejaculation technique using commercial equipment (Eletrojet®, Eletrovet, São Paulo, Brazil) and a rectal probe specifically designed in Peru for the species. Progressive electrical stimulation from 2 to 6 V was applied in a protocol of 30 stimuli divided into 3 series: series 1, with 10 stimuli of 3 sec at 2 V; series 2, with 10 stimuli of 3 sec at 4 V; and series 3, with 10 stimuli of 3 sec at 6 V The results (mean ± SEM) for the warm season (26-28°C) were n = 6; volume = 80 ± 10.34 μL; pH = 8.2 ± 0.3; progressive motility = 77% ± 0.06; and sperm concentration/mL = 46.2 ± 2.9 × 106. The results (mean ± SEM) for the cold season (13-18°C) were n = 6; volume = 8.6 ± 2.27 μL; pH = 8.7 ± 0.18; and progressive motility = 80%. Sperm concentration could not be determined on the cold season samples because of the low volume collected. In summary, our results are suggestive of a seasonal pattern in semen characteristics of the Andean hairy armadillo that may be related to its reproductive activity in the wild. J. Pino and B. Shiga (UNMSM), for help with the rectal probe elaboration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Maria IWANINA ◽  
Stanisław KONDRACKI

An attempt was made to determine the dependence of the frequency of sperm defects and dimensions on sperm motility in ejaculates of Polish Landrace boars. The study was conducted on 393 ejaculates collected from 33 Polish Landrace boars. Ejaculates were grouped according to the percentage of sperm with progressive motility, distinguishing ejaculates in which the percentage of motile sperm was 70% and 80%. In each ejaculate, the frequency of morphological changes in the sperm was determined and morphometric measurements of the sperm were made. Ejaculates with a higher proportion of sperm with progressive motility were found to contain more sperm. The ejaculate volume and sperm concentration in the ejaculate were not found to be directly associated with sperm motility. The frequency of primary defects was linked to sperm motility. Ejaculates with higher sperm motility contained fewer sperm with primary defects. The frequency of minor morphological changes, however, shows no significant dependence on sperm motility in the ejaculate. The primary morphological sperm defects most often found in ejaculates are a proximal droplet and the Dag defect. Both of these morphological forms are more common in ejaculates with lower sperm motility. The most common secondary sperm defects include sperm with a simple bent tail, sperm with a free normal head, and sperm with a distal droplet. These defects were not found to depend on sperm motility in the ejaculate. Sperm cells in ejaculates with greater sperm motility had slightly larger dimensions than sperm in ejaculates with lower sperm motility. Ejaculates with higher sperm motility are preferable for use in practice, not only because more insemination portions can be prepared from them, but also due to the lower frequency of primary defects.


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