Preservation and evaluation of semen for artificial insemination

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Gillan ◽  
W. M. Chis Maxwell ◽  
Gareth Evans
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Functional Condition ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Altered State ◽  
And Function ◽  
Improved Methods

Many years of research have been devoted to improving the fertility of preserved semen of small ruminants. There have been few significant advances in preservation in recent times, but considerable knowledge has been gained on the effect of preservation on the structure and function of spermatozoa. It has become evident that preservation greatly affects many sperm attributes, such as motility, respiratory activity, membrane status and DNA quality. Consequently, viability is reduced, transport in the female reproductive tract is inhibited, the timing of fertilisation is altered and embryo development is affected following insemination of preserved, compared to fresh spermatozoa. A greater understanding of their functional condition may lead to the development of methods of preventing these alterations or to improved methods of using the preserved spermatozoa for artificial insemination in their altered state.

scholarly journals Zinc: A Necessary Ion for Mammalian Sperm Fertilization Competency

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 4097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Kerns ◽  
Michal Zigo ◽  
Peter Sutovsky
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Zinc Supplementation ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sperm Maturation ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Human Reproductive ◽  
Semen Processing ◽  
New Research ◽  
And Function

The importance of zinc for male fertility only emerged recently, being propelled in part by consumer interest in nutritional supplements containing ionic trace minerals. Here, we review the properties, biological roles and cellular mechanisms that are relevant to zinc function in the male reproductive system, survey available peer-reviewed data on nutritional zinc supplementation for fertility improvement in livestock animals and infertility therapy in men, and discuss the recently discovered signaling pathways involving zinc in sperm maturation and fertilization. Emphasis is on the zinc-interacting sperm proteome and its involvement in the regulation of sperm structure and function, from spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation to sperm interactions with the female reproductive tract, capacitation, fertilization, and embryo development. Merits of dietary zinc supplementation and zinc inclusion into semen processing media are considered with livestock artificial insemination (AI) and human assisted reproductive therapy (ART) in mind. Collectively, the currently available data underline the importance of zinc ions for male fertility, which could be harnessed to improve human reproductive health and reproductive efficiency in agriculturally important livestock species. Further research will advance the field of sperm and fertilization biology, provide new research tools, and ultimately optimize semen processing procedures for human infertility therapy and livestock AI.

scholarly journals Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca vas deferens. Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo G. Aisen ◽  
Wilfredo Huanca López ◽  
Manuel G. Pérez Durand ◽  
Edita Torres Mamani ◽  
Juan C. Villanueva Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Sperm Cells ◽  
South American Camelids ◽  
Thawing Process

The viscous seminal plasma (SP) is currently a major impediment to the handling of ejaculate and the development of some biotechnologies in South American camelids. The vas deferens-collected spermatozoa of alpacas is a useful technique to avoid this problem. On the other hand, SP contains a large protein component that has been implicated in the function of spermatozoa within the female reproductive tract. In this sense, the low fertility achieved using transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa in alpacas could be improved by adding SP. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the whole SP on some in vitro parameters of alpaca spermatozoa after the freezing-thawing-process and the fertility after artificial insemination. It would contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between thawed sperm cells and SP. Spermatozoa were obtained by surgically diverted vas deferens. The samples were diluted with a Tris-based extender, packaged in straws, and frozen. At thawing, each straw was divided into two post-thawing conditions: with the addition of 10% of PBS (control) or with 10% SP (treatment). The sperm cells were evaluated using dynamic parameters, sperm cell morphology, and morphometry. Fertility was assessed by an artificial insemination trial. All in vitro parameters were analyzed by ANOVA. A heterogeneity test was scheduled for the fertility trial. After the freezing-thawing process, motility and plasma membrane functionality was improved when SP was added. No differences were found for post-thaw viability between the control and treatment samples. The percentage of normal cells was higher with SP at post-thawing, and a decrease of the presence of bent tailed spermatozoa with a droplet in the SP group was observed. The length of the head spermatozoa was 3.4% higher in the samples with PBS compared to those in which SP was added. Females pregnant at day 25 post-insemination were 0/12 (with SP inside the straw) and 1/10 (without SP inside the straw). In conclusion, the presence of 10% SP at post-thawing improves sperm cells' motility, functionality, and morphology, indicating that it would be beneficial to improve the frozen-thawed alpaca's physiology spermatozoa. More fertility trials must be developed to increase this knowledge.

scholarly journals Effects of GnRH, PGF2α and oxytocin treatments on conception rate at the time of artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 279-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gümen ◽  
A. Keskin ◽  
G. Yilmazbas-Mecitoglu ◽  
E. Karakaya ◽  
S. Cevik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Prostaglandin F ◽  
And Control

In several studies, hormones such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandins and oxytocin were used to increase pregnancy rate by inducing ovulation and improving the sperm transport in the female reproductive tract in lactating dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of GnRH, prostaglandin F<sub>2&alpha;</sub> (PGF<sub>2&alpha;</sub>) and oxytocin treatments at the time of artificial insemination (AI) after spontaneous oestrus on the conception rate (CR) of lactating dairy cows. Oestrus was detected by visual observations by experienced personnel. All cows (n = 430, 308 Holstein-Frisian and 122 Swedish-Red dairy cows) were inseminated based on the am/pm rule by veterinarians of the farm. After AI, cows were alternately assigned to one of the four treatment groups: (1) GnRH (n = 113); (2) PGF<sub>2&alpha;</sub> (n = 106);<br />(3) oxytocin (n = 106) and (4) non-treated control (n = 105). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 28&ndash;34 and 58&ndash;64 days post-insemination by transrectal ultrasonography. Conception rates on days 28&ndash;34 and 58&ndash;64 were not different among GnRH (46.0%; 52/113 and 44.3%; 50/113), PGF<sub>2&alpha;</sub> (37.7%; 40/106 and 35.9%; 38/106) and control (49.5%; 52/105 and 47.6%; 50/105) groups. However, conception rates were lower (P = 0.02) in oxytocin (31.1%; 33/106 and 30.2%; 32/106) than in GnRH and control groups on days 28&ndash;34 and 58&ndash;64. Other covariant factors, such as milk production, days in milk (DIM), breed, parity, service number did not affect the conception rate. Thus, there were no beneficial effects of treatments with GnRH and PGF2&alpha; at the time of AI, and oxytocin had an adverse effect on CR in lactating dairy cows in this study.

scholarly journals The role of micro-RNAs in the female reproductive tract

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 559-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren B Nothnick
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Micro Rna ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation ◽  
Micro Rnas ◽  
And Function

Proper development and function of the female reproductive tract are essential for successful reproduction. Regulation of the differentiated functions of the organs that make up the female reproductive tract is well established to occur at multiple levels including transcription, translation, and posttranslational modifications. Micro-RNA (miRNA)-mediated posttranscriptional gene regulation has emerged as a fundamental mechanism controlling normal tissue development and function. Emerging evidence indicates that miRNAs are expressed within the organs of the female reproductive tract where they function to regulate cellular pathways necessary for proper function of these organs. In this review, the functional significance of miRNAs in the development and function of the organs of the female reproductive tract is discussed. Initial discussion focuses on the role of miRNAs in the development of the organs of the female reproductive tract highlighting recent studies that clearly demonstrate that mice with disrupted Dicer1 expression are sterile, fail to develop uterine glands, and have muted estrogen responsiveness. Next, emphasis moves to discussion on our current knowledge on the characterization of miRNA expression in each of the organs of the female reproductive tract. When possible, information is presented and discussed with respect to regulation, function, and/or functional targets of these miRNA within each specific organ of the female reproductive tract.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial peptides and pregnancy

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 725-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Frew ◽  
Sarah J Stock
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Pregnant Female ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Small Proteins ◽  
And Function

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins produced by epithelial surfaces and inflammatory cells, which have broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. They are known to be important in a number of infectious and inflammatory conditions and have been shown to be present in a number of sites throughout the female reproductive tract. Inflammation and infection are associated with a number of complications of pregnancy including preterm labor, and AMPs may play a key role in maintaining and protecting pregnancy. The aim of this review is to describe the expression and function of AMPs in the pregnant female reproductive tract and their relation to preterm labor.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document