Seminal plasma proteins protect flow-sorted ram spermatozoa from freeze - thaw damage

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Leahy ◽  
J. I. Marti ◽  
G. Evans ◽  
W. M. C. Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Weight Fraction ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Spermatozoa Motility ◽  
Functional Integrity

Seminal plasma improves the functional integrity of compromised ram spermatozoa but has been reported to be toxic to sorted spermatozoa. The present study attempted to clarify this paradoxical effect and improve the functional integrity of spermatozoa following sorting and cryopreservation. The in vitro function of sorted spermatozoa (motility characteristics and membrane integrity) was examined after supplementation with differing concentrations and protein fractions of seminal plasma at various stages of the sorting and freezing process. For all experiments, spermatozoa (two males, n = four ejaculates per male) were processed through a high-speed flow cytometer before cryopreservation, thawing and incubation for 6 h (37°C). Supplementation of crude seminal plasma (CP), its low molecular weight fraction (LP; <10 kDa) or protein-rich fraction (SPP; >10 kDa), immediately before freezing improved the functional integrity of sorted spermatozoa compared with no supplementation (control), whereas supplementation after thawing had no effect for CP and LP. The protective effect of seminal plasma was not altered by increasing the amount of protein supplementation. No toxic effect of CP, SPP or LP was evident even when supplemented at high protein concentrations. It is concluded that seminal plasma protein, if added to ram spermatozoa after sorting and before freezing, can improve post-thaw sperm quality and consequently the efficiency of sorting. This effect is most likely related to protection of the spermatozoa during freeze–thawing.

scholarly journals The Re-Addition of Seminal Plasma after Thawing Does Not Improve Buck Sperm Quality Parameters

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3452
Author(s):  
Uchechi Linda Ohaneje ◽  
Uchebuchi Ike Osuagwuh ◽  
Manuel Alvarez-Rodríguez ◽  
Iván Yánez-Ortiz ◽  
Abigail Tabarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Vitro Fertilization

In order to achieve a higher post-thaw buck sperm quality, an approach in the thawing protocol of cryopreserved sperm doses under in vitro capacitation conditions mimicking the in vivo female environment was studied. Therefore, functional and kinetic characteristics of buck thawed sperm from males of different ages, the season of collection, and melatonin implanted males in the non-breeding season were assessed after 3 h of incubation in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) media with 20% of buck seminal plasma (SP). Previously, fresh ejaculates were collected via artificial vagina from eight males of the Cabra Blanca de Rasquera breed during two consecutive years in breeding and non-breeding periods. Prior to semen collection in non-breeding seasons, males were split into two groups: one group was implanted with melatonin, while the other was not. In each group, semen samples were pooled, centrifuged, and diluted in an extender containing 15% powdered egg yolk and 5% glycerol before freezing. After thawing, sperm were washed and incubated in three different media: (a) control media (modified phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (b) IVF commercial media, and (c) IVF media + 20% SP. Sperm motility was evaluated by CASA, while plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondria activity, and DNA fragmentation were analysed by flow cytometer at 0 h and after 3 h incubation. A significant reduction in motility, mitochondrial activity, plasma, and acrosome membrane integrity were observed after incubation in the presence of SP, although similar to that observed in IVF media alone. DNA integrity was not affected under in vitro capacitation conditions, regardless of SP addition. In conclusion, the addition of SP failed to improve post-thaw buck sperm quality under in vitro conditions irrespective of male age, the season of collection, and melatonin implant.

scholarly journals Macro- and microelements in serum and seminal plasma as biomarkers for bull sperm cryotolerance

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Zakošek Pipan ◽  
Petra Zrimšek ◽  
Breda Jakovac Strajn ◽  
Katarina Pavšič Vrtač ◽  
Tanja Knific ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Freezing And Thawing ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Bull Semen ◽  
Bull Sperm ◽  
Fresh Semen

ABSTRACT Background Wide variation in fertility rates is observed when using frozen bull semen, even when the bulls have met quality standards for semen production. Therefore, a simple and reliable test to assess the freezing potential of bull semen based on the analysis of fresh semen or blood would be of great value. Attention is now turning to assessment of seminal plasma components such as proteins and elements. In the present study, the concentrations of macro- and microelements in fresh bull semen plasma and in serum and their correlation with quality characteristics of fresh semen and with semen quality after freezing and thawing were determined. Ejaculates were collected from 30 mature bulls, and semen volume, concentration, sperm motility, morphology, tail membrane integrity, plasma membrane permeability and DNA fragmentation were determined on the day of collection and after freezing and thawing. The concentrations of macroelements (Na, Mg, K and Ca) and microelements (Cu, Fe, Zn and Se) were determined in the seminal plasma and serum. The semen samples were classified into satisfactory and unsatisfactory groups according to the fresh semen quality. Results Zinc and Se levels measured in serum were associated with almost all fresh and frozen-thawed semen quality characteristics, while Fe levels were associated only with acrosomal defects in fresh semen. Zinc and Fe levels in fresh seminal plasma were associated with various quality characteristics of fresh and frozen-thawed semen, while Se level in fresh seminal plasma was not associated with any of the semen quality characteristics. Conclusions Microelements were shown to be useful as biomarkers involved in the analysis of bull sperm quality and could be used as an additional tool to predict bull semen quality after freezing and thawing. Our results confirm that the analysis of Zn and Se levels in serum and Zn, Cu and Fe levels in fresh seminal plasma can provide information to discriminate between bull semen samples with spermatozoa with high or low cryotolerance.

scholarly journals Validation of the Turkey Semen Cryopreservation by Evaluating the Effect of Two Diluents and the Inseminating Doses

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329
Author(s):  
Michele Di Iorio ◽  
Giusy Rusco ◽  
Roberta Iampietro ◽  
Lucia Maiuro ◽  
Achille Schiavone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
In Vivo Test ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Fertilizing Ability ◽  
Vitro Analysis ◽  
Hatching Rates

This study was designed to test the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved turkey semen, and here, two experiments were performed: an in vitro analysis to assess the effects of Tselutin and Lake diluents and an in vivo test to determine the fertility and hatching rates by also studying the feat of three insemination doses (250, 400 and 600 × 106 sperm/hen). Pooled semen samples were diluted with Tselutin or Lake extender which contained 20% of dimethylsulfoxide and 1 mM of Ficoll at final sperm concentration of 3 × 109 sperm/mL. Thereafter, semen was packaged into straws and frozen on liquid nitrogen. The post-thaw sperm quality was evaluated considering motility (computer-aided sperm analysis—CASA system) and membrane integrity (flow cytometry). Significantly higher values of progressive motility and some kinetic parameters in semen frozen with Lake were found. When we compared the extenders in vivo, no significant effects were detected, whilst sperm concentration significantly affected both fertility and hatching rates, with the best results obtained with the sperm concentration of 400 × 106 sperm/hen. From the results obtained, it emerged that the extender type only affected sperm motility characteristics, not the fertilizing ability of frozen-thawed semen, while inseminating dose markedly affected fertility and hatching rates.

scholarly journals Inhibitors of zinc-dependent metalloproteases hinder sperm passage through the cumulus oophorus during porcine fertilization in vitro

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (6) ◽  
pp. 687-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Beek ◽  
H Nauwynck ◽  
D Maes ◽  
A Van Soom
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Fertilization In Vitro ◽  
Cumulus Oophorus ◽  
Sperm Penetration

In this study, we report for the first time on a possible contribution of metalloproteases in sperm passage through the cumulus matrix in pigs. The presence of 20 μM 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-PHEN), inhibitor of zinc-dependent metalloproteases, strongly inhibited the degree of sperm penetration in cumulus-intact (CI), but not in cumulus-free (CF), porcine oocytes during IVF. The inhibitory effect of 1,10-PHEN was due to the chelation of metal ions as a non-chelating analog (1,7-PHEN) did not affect IVF rates. Furthermore, incubation with 1,10-PHEN did not affect sperm binding to the zona pellucida nor sperm motility, membrane integrity, or acrosomal status. These findings led to the assumption that 1,10-PHEN interacts with a sperm- or cumulus-derived metalloprotease. Metalloproteases are key players in physiological processes involving degradation or remodeling of extracellular matrix. In vivo, their proteolytic activity is regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMP1–TIMP4). We tested the effect of TIMP3 on fertilization parameters after porcine IVF. Similar to 1,10-PHEN, TIMP3 inhibited total fertilization rate of CI but not CF oocytes and did not influence sperm quality parameters. Although the inhibitory effect was stronger in CI oocytes, TIMP3 also reduced the degree of sperm penetration in CF oocytes, suggesting the involvement of a metalloprotease in a subsequent step during fertilization. In conclusion, our results indicate the involvement of TIMP3-sensitive, zinc-dependent metalloprotease activity in sperm passage through the cumulus oophorus in pigs. The results should provide the basis for further biochemical research toward the localization and identification of the metalloprotease involved.

scholarly journals Evaluation of sperm quality of Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus (Cope, 1860) (Serpentes, Dipsadidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-557
Author(s):  
A. C. Silva ◽  
A. S. Varela Junior ◽  
T. F. Cardoso ◽  
E. F. Silva ◽  
D. Loebmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Sperm Analysis ◽  
Pampa Region

Abstract Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus (Cope, 1860), is a species widely distributed in the Pampa Domain, occurring in Rio Grande do Sul, Argentina and Uruguay, mainlyin the pampa region. In the coastal region of southern Brazil this is serpent is considered one of the most abundant. The purpose of the present study is to describe the techniques of sperm evaluation in vitro for E. poecilogyrus sublineatus in the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After laparatomy the efferent vases were collected and the semen was diluted in 1ml Beltsville Thawing Solution. The characteristics of motility, membrane integrity, mitochondria, acrosome, DNA, cell viability and cellular functionality were evaluated. Fluorescent probes were used for the evaluation of sperm structure in epifluorescence microscope. With the techniques described, it was possible to identify intact and injured cells, enabling the determination of cell characteristics for the spring season (October and November). It was observed in the analyses that 80% of sperm cells were mobile and that 84.1 ± 8.0% of sperm membranes were intact. The standards found were of 48 ± 13.8% of intact acrosome, 73.6 ± 6.0 of perfect DNA and of 91.8 ± 4.0 of functional mitochondria. Thus, these values from the sperm analysis can be used as standards for the species Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus.

Viability and membrane integrity of spermatozoa after dilution and flow cytometric sorting in the presence or absence of seminal plasma

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
WM Maxwell ◽  
GR Welch ◽  
LA Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Holding Period ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
Collection Medium ◽  
Empty Tube ◽  
Flow Cytometric Sorting ◽  
Nucleic Acid Stain

Boar, bull and ram spermatozoa were examined after staining with the DNA-permeant Hoechst 33342 fluorochrome and flow cytometric sorting in the presence or absence of seminal plasma. Spermatozoa were assessed for viability with flow cytometry using the live cell nucleic acid stain SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI), and for membrane integrity using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum (FITC-PSA) and PI; motility and acrosome integrity were estimated by microscopy. Flow cytometric sorting was compared with pipette dilution of boar and bull spermatozoa into: (1) medium [boar: Test buffer containing 2% yolk (TY) or Beltsville thawing solution (BTS); bull: TY or HEPES buffer containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin (HEPES-BSA)] with or without 10% (v/v) seminal plasma; or (2) an empty tube containing no medium. Sorted spermatozoa were either not centrifuged or centrifuged before assessment during a 4-h holding period. The viability, motility and membrane integrity of boar, bull and ram spermatozoa centrifuged after sorting were also examined when seminal plasma was present or absent from the staining extender and/or the TY collection medium. The results indicate that the viability and membrane integrity of spermatozoa in vitro would be improved if: (1) seminal plasma (10%) was routinely included in the BTS and HEPES-BSA staining extenders for boar spermatozoa and ram spermatozoa, respectively, when used in preparation for flow cytometric sorting; and (2) 10% and 50% seminal plasma were included in the TY collection medium for boar or bull spermatozoa and ram spermatozoa respectively.

scholarly journals The Antibacterial and Antioxidant Roles of Buckwheat Honey (BH) in Liquid Preservation of Boar Semen

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Qun Lan ◽  
Yingyu Xie ◽  
Jiahua Pan ◽  
Qiaohui Chen ◽  
Tianfang Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Progressive Motility ◽  
Liquid Storage ◽  
Boar Semen

In the present study, we hypothesized that buckwheat honey (BH) should be regarded as a potential alternative to antibacterial and antioxidant agent in liquid storage of boar semen. To this end, boar semen was firstly studied for in vitro dose tolerability to BH by measuring sperm progressive motility. The optimum progressive motility of boar spermatozoa was observed in extender with 0.5% and 0.6% BH addition. Afterward, sperm quality parameters, bacterial profile and composition, total antioxidant (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of control, BH supplementation, antibiotics supplementation, and incorporated supplementation were compared during liquid storage period, to further investigate antibacterial and antioxidant properties of BH. The results showed that BH supplementation significantly improved sperm motility, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, inhibited opportunistic bacterial growth, and altered microbial compositions at the end of preservation. Additionally, T-AOC, SOD, and CAT levels were significantly higher in the BH supplementation group than those in the control and antibiotic supplementation group, whereas MDA level exhibited opposite change pattern. Importantly, BH addition to the extender was able to exert a synergistic effect in combination of antibiotic use. Our findings suggested that the appropriate concentrations (0.5% and 0.6%) of BH were added to the extender could act antibacterial and antioxidant roles in liquid preservation of boar semen.

113 EFFECT OF SPERM COATING ON THE QUALITY OF BOVINE FROZEN - THAWED SPERMATOZOA

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
M. Thys ◽  
A. Van Soom ◽  
J. Dewulf ◽  
T. Rijsselaere ◽  
A. de Kruif
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Freezing And Thawing ◽  
Bovine Sperm ◽  
Sperm Characteristics ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

The substantial decrease of sperm quality after cryopreservation remains an important issue in the artificial insemination industry. Sperm coating with Triladyl® (Minitübe, Tiefenbach, Germany) during ejaculation can preserve sperm characteristics and oocyte penetrating capacity of fresh bovine spermatozoa stored in egg yolk diluent for up to 6 days (De Pauw et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 1109–1122). Since collecting semen in a tube containing egg yolk-Tris extender (sperm coating) limits the period of contact between spermatozoa and seminal plasma, the present experiment was conducted to assess if this slightly adjusted method of sperm collection could also have a significant effect on bovine sperm quality after cryopreservation. Semen of five young Holstein Friesian bulls was collected by means of an artificial vagina connected to an empty tube (Group 1; five ejaculates per bull) or a tube containing 4 mL of an egg yolk-Tris extender (Groups 2 and 3; each five ejaculates per bull). The semen samples of Group 1 were conventionally diluted in straws (60 × 106 sperm/mL), frozen, and stored in liquid nitrogen. The samples of Group 3 were centrifuged, and after removing diluent and seminal plasma, the sperm pellet was conventionally diluted and processed. The samples of Group 2 were processed without removal of the supernatant. After thawing each ejaculate was analyzed for average path velocity (VAP), beat cross frequency (BCF), and progressive motility (PROG) using CASA (Minitübe, Tiefenbach, Germany). Furthermore, the membrane integrity of each sample was evaluated using fluorescent SYBR®–14/PI staining (BD Biosciences, Erembodegem, Belgium). All parameters were compared among the three groups of sperm using univariate analysis of variance (SPSS 12.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). No significant differences could be observed among the three groups for all of the evaluated sperm characteristics (Table 1). A significant effect of the bull could be determined for all analyzed parameters (P ≤ 0.02), except for the percentage of moribund cells. Nevertheless, the group-bull interaction was never statistically significant. Coating bovine sperm with an egg yolk-Tris extender during ejaculation cannot prevent the substantial deterioration of the spermatozoa that occurs during freezing and thawing since this method of sperm collection does not significantly influence the motility parameters or the membrane integrity after thawing. Table 1. VAP, BCF, PROG, and percentage of membrane-intact, dead, and moribund spermatozoa for the three groups of sperm This research was supported by IWT (no. IWT/020727).

68 DIFFERENCE IN THAWING CURVE OF STALLION FROZEN SEMEN DILUTED IN 2 EXTENDERS

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
C. P. Freitas-Dell'aqua ◽  
C. Ramires Neto ◽  
Y. F. R. Sancler-Silva ◽  
P. M. Papa ◽  
J. A. Dell'aqua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Freezing And Thawing ◽  
Becton Dickinson ◽  
Plasma Membrane Integrity ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Artificial Vagina

Commercial freeze extenders have different composition and ratio of cryoprotectors; freezing and thawing protocols are different for each extender. The aim of this experiment was to observe the effect of thawing curve in stallion frozen semen with 2 commercial extenders. Two ejaculates from each of 9 stallions of different breeds (Quarter Horses and Mangalarga Marchador) were used. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina, and the ejaculate was divided into 2 groups following the manufacture's protocol: group 1 (INRA), in which the semen was diluted 1 : 1 with the extender INRA 96TM (IMV, Paillette Crista, France) and group 2 (BC), in which the semen was diluted (1 : 1) with the extender Botu-SemenTM (Botupharma, Brazil). The samples of the 2 groups were centrifuged at 600 × g for 10 min, the supernatant was discarded, and the pellet was resuspended with INRA FreezeTM (group INRA, IMV) and with BotucrioTM (group BC, Botupharma) at the concentration of sperm 100 × 106 sperm mL–1. After this, the semen was packaged in 0.5-mL straws. For each group the freezing process was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. The straws were thawed in a water bath with 3 different thawing curves: 37°C for 30 s (37/30), 46°C for 20 s (46/20), and 75°C for 7 s (75/7) before analysis. The aim of these rates is to keep the semen in 37°C post-thaw. The sperm kinetic analysis was performed by computerized method (CASA, HTM-IVOS, IMV, USA) and the analysis of plasma membrane integrity by flow cytometer (BD LSR Fortessa, Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA, USA). Data of sperm kinetic and of plasma membrane integrity were compared among the 3 thawing curves for one extender using analysis of variance. Differences were considered significant at a probability level of 5%. No differences were observed in total motility (%, BC 37/30 = 72.8 ± 14.4; BC 46/20 = 70.0 ± 14.2; BC 75/7 = 70.3 ± 12.0 v. INRA 37/30 = 57.2 ± 19.1; INRA 46/20 = 50.0 ± 21.9; BC 75/7 = 58.8 ± 20.8), progressive motility (%, BC 37/30 = 36.9 ± 8.2; BC 46/20 = 34.4 ± 10.5; BC 75/7 = 33.6 ± 7.8 v. INRA 37/30 = 25.3 ± 12.7; INRA 46/20 = 21.9 ± 13.9; BC 75/7 = 28.9 ± 14.8), rapid sperm (%, BC 37/30 = 59.7 ± 16.4; BC 46/20 = 56.8 ± 17.1; BC 75/7 = 58.1 ± 14.9 v. INRA 37/30 = 38.3 ± 20.9; INRA 46/20 = 35.3 ± 22.9; BC 75/7 = 44.4 ± 23.8), and plasma membrane integrity (%, BC 37/30 = 49.1 ± 14.8; BC 46/20 = 43.1 ± 13.1; BC 75/7 = 46.7 ± 11.8 v. INRA 37/30 = 32.2 ± 10.7; INRA 46/20 = 29.6 ± 10.1; BC 75/7 = 37.4 ± 9.1) among the 3 thawing curves for INRA and BC groups. In this study, we can conclude there is no influence of the 3 tested thawing curves in sperm quality for stallion frozen semen with INRA Freeze and Botucrio extenders.

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