12 COMPUTER-ASSISTED SPERM ANALYSIS OF FRESH EPIDIDYMAL CAT SPERMATOZOA AND THE IMPACT OF COOLED STORAGE (4°C) ON SPERM QUALITY

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
M. Filliers ◽  
T. Rijsselaere ◽  
P. Bossaert ◽  
V. De Causmaecker ◽  
J. Dewulf ◽  
...  

Feline epididymal sperm is commonly used for in vitro fertilization. It also yields the opportunity to conserve genetic material from valuable males that suddenly die. Epididymal sperm quality parameters vary considerably among laboratories, implicating the need for objective evaluation methods. The aim of the present study was to describe reference values of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) parameters of fresh epididymal cat sperm and to assess the effect of prolonged cooled storage (4�C) on various sample characteristics. Epididymides obtained from tomcats after routine orchiectomy (2–4 pairs/replicate) were sliced to release spermatozoa. The sperm suspension was placed on a 2-layer gradient and, after centrifugation, the sperm pellet was recovered. In Experiment 1 (20 replicates), sperm motility parameters were assessed immediately after retrieval (T0) using the Hamilton Thorne analyzer Ceros 12.1 (HTR; Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). In Experiment 2, fresh (T0) sperm samples (4 replicates) were evaluated for motility parameters (HTR), acrosomal status (FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin staining), morphology (eosin/nigrosin (E/N) staining), and membrane integrity (E/N and SYBR�-14-propidium iodide staining; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, OR, USA). After addition (1:2) of a Tris-glucose-citrate diluent containing 20% egg yolk, samples were cooled and reassessed on Days 1 (T1), 3 (T3), 5 (T5), 7 (T7), and 10 (T10). Results were analyzed in a mixed linear model, with replicate as random factor and time as fixed effect (S-PLUS 7.0; Insightful Corp., Seattle, WA, USA). Results of Experiment 1 were as follows (mean � SD): motility (MOT): 80.8% � 23.5; progressive motility (PMOT): 69.9% � 23.2; velocity average pathway (VAP): 98.7 µm s–1 � 24.2; velocity straight line (VSL): 89.3 µm s–1 � 25.4; velocity curved line (VCL): 134.8 µm s–1 � 31.9; amplitude lateral head (ALH): 4.3 µm � 2.0; beat cross frequency (BCF): 34.6 Hz � 7.0; and straightness (STR): 89.6% � 6.6. In Experiment 2, MOT, PMOT, VAP, VSL, VCL, BCF, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa showed a decrease over time (P < 0.05) compared to fresh samples, starting from T1, T3, T5, T7, T5, T3, and T1, respectively. In contrast, STR, ALH, membrane integrity, and the percentage of acrosome-intact spermatozoa were not affected (P > 0.05) by cooled storage. To summarize, we have presented a set of reference values for CASA-parameters of fresh, epididymal cat spermatozoa. Cooled storage impaired most motility parameters and lowered the percentage of normal spermatozoa, but did not influence membrane integrity or acrosomal status. The effect of cooled storage on DNA fragmentation of sperm and its subsequent influence on in vitro embryo development require further investigation.

Zygote ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Elena Arias ◽  
Esther Sánchez-Villalba ◽  
Andrea Delgado ◽  
Ricardo Felmer

SummarySperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is based on the capacity of sperm to bind exogenous DNA and transfer it into the oocyte during fertilization. In bovines, the progress of this technology has been slow due to the poor reproducibility and efficiency of the production of transgenic embryos. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different sperm transfection systems on the quality and functional parameters of sperm. Additionally, the ability of sperm to bind and incorporate exogenous DNA was assessed. These analyses were carried out by flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy, and motility parameters were also evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Transfection was carried out using complexes of plasmid DNA with Lipofectamine, SuperFect and TurboFect for 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 h. The results showed that all of the transfection treatments promoted sperm binding and incorporation of exogenous DNA, similar to sperm incorporation of DNA alone, without affecting the viability. Nevertheless, the treatments and incubation times significantly affected the motility parameters, although no effect on the integrity of DNA or the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed. Additionally, we observed that transfection using SuperFect and TurboFect negatively affected the acrosome integrity, and TurboFect affected the mitochondrial membrane potential of sperm. In conclusion, we demonstrated binding and incorporation of exogenous DNA by sperm after transfection and confirmed the capacity of sperm to spontaneously incorporate exogenous DNA. These findings will allow the establishment of the most appropriate method [intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) orin vitrofertilization (IVF)] of generating transgenic embryos via SMGT based on the fertilization capacity of transfected sperm.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 429-434
Author(s):  
Zoltán Bokor ◽  
Balázs Csorbai ◽  
Levente Várkonyi ◽  
Zsolt Szári ◽  
Ferenc Fodor ◽  
...  

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.


Nanomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 1965-1980
Author(s):  
Teresa Vilanova-Perez ◽  
Celine Jones ◽  
Stefan Balint ◽  
Rebecca Dragovic ◽  
Michael L Dustin ◽  
...  

Aim: To investigate exosomes as a noninvasive delivery tool for mammalian sperm. Materials & Methods: Exosomes were isolated from HEK293T cells and co-incubated with boar sperm in vitro. Results: Internalized exosomes were detected within 10 min of co-incubation. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry demonstrated that even after 5-h of exposure to exosomes, there were no significant deleterious effects with regard to sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (p > 0.05), thus indicating that exosomes did not interfere with basic sperm function. Conclusion: HEK293T-derived exosomes interacted with boar sperm without affecting sperm function. Exosomes represent a versatile and promising research tool for studying sperm biology and provide new options for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.


2008 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1550-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Filliers ◽  
T. Rijsselaere ◽  
P. Bossaert ◽  
V. De Causmaecker ◽  
J. Dewulf ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
M. L. Perals ◽  
M. A. Gil ◽  
E. M. Garcia ◽  
J. Sanchez-Osorio ◽  
J. M. Vázquez ◽  
...  

Boars can be classified as good or bad sperm freezers according to their sperm cryosurvival. Different sperm selection techniques, such as PureSperm� (PS; MidAtlantic Diagnostics, Inc., Mount Laurel, NJ, USA), have been developed to improve functional competence of spermatozoa. The aim of this experimental study was to assess the ability of PS for improving the in vitro penetrating ability of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa from good and bad sperm freezers. The sperm-rich fractions from two boars, good (Boar A) and bad (Boar B) freezers, were extended in a lactose/eggyolk/ glycerol/Equex Stem (Noba Chemical Sales, Inc., Scituate, ME, USA) mixture (1 � 109 sperm mL–1), dispensed into 0.5-mL straws, and frozen using a programmable cell freezer. After thawing (1.200�C min–1), semen from each boar was split into two aliquots of 500 µL. One aliquot was used as the control. The second was placed into a tube of PS gradient (90%/45%) and centrifuged at 425g for 20 min; the pellet re-suspended in 1 mL of BTS and re-centrifuged at 320g for 10 min (PS sample). Control and PS samples were diluted in supplemented TCM-199 (TCMm; Roca et al. 1998 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 10, 479–485) at 200 � 106 sperm mL–1. Sperm survival (SV) was assessed afterTCMm dilution according to progressive sperm motility (PSM, %) using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system (ISAS�), and plasma and acrosome membrane integrity (PMI; %) by flow cytometry (SYBR�-14/PE-PNA/PI; Molecular Probes, Leiden, The Netherlands). A homologous in vitro penetration (hIVP) assay, using immature oocytes (20 oocytes/2 mL TCMm supplemented with caffeine and calcium lactate), was used to assess sperm penetrating ability (Martinez et al. 1993 Theriogenology 40, 547–557). A total of 960 immature oocytes were inseminated (200 � 103 sperm/oocyte) in 3 batches. After 18 h of co-incubation at 39�C under 5% CO2 in air, the oocytes were washed, mounted on slides, fixed with ethanol:acetic acid (3:1, v/v) for 48 h, stained with 1% lacmoid, and examined under a phase contrast microscope (�400). Oocytes with swollen or unswollen heads of sperm found in the vitellus were considered as penetrated. Sperm penetrability ability (SPA) was assessed according to penetration rate (PR) and the mean number of sperm per oocyte (S/O). Data were analyzed using a PROMIXED model and expressed as mean � SEM. Boar A showed better (P ≤ 0.01) results for both SV and SPA parameters than boar B, independent of sperm treatment. PureSperm improved (P ≤ 0.05) PSM and PMI in both boar A (control v. PS: 48.0 � 5.8 v. 66.5 � 3.6 and 63.1 � 7.7 v. 88.4 � 1.3, respectively) and boar B (12.3 � 1.2 v. 22.2 � 3.7 and 44.3 � 3.5 v. 58.7 � 7.0, respectively). However, no differences (P ≥ 0.05) were observed in PR and S/O in either boar A (71.2 � 3.4 v. 78.3 � 3.1 and 5.0 � 0.4 v. 5.2 � 0.4, respectively) or boar B (34.3 � 3.6 v. 37.3 � 3.9 and 1.5 � 0.1 v. 1.5 � 0.1, respectively). In conclusion, under our laboratory conditions, PureSperm selection improves sperm quality but not in vitro penetrating ability of frozen–thawed spermatozoa of both good and bad sperm freezers. This work was supported by CICYT (AGF2005-00760), Madrid, Spain.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1885
Author(s):  
José Néstor Caamaño ◽  
Carolina Tamargo ◽  
Inmaculada Parrilla ◽  
Felipe Martínez-Pastor ◽  
Lorena Padilla ◽  
...  

Genetic resource banks (GRB) preserve the genetic material of endangered, valuable individuals or genetically relevant breeds. Semen cryopreservation is a crucial technique to reach these goals. Thus, we aimed to assess the sperm parameters of semen doses from the native pig breed Gochu Asturcelta stored at the GRB of Principado de Asturias (GRB-PA, Gijón, Spain), focusing on intrinsic and extrinsic (boar, season) factors. Two straws per boar (n = 18, 8–71 months of age) were thawed, pooled, and assessed after 30 and 150 min at 37 °C by CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis system; motility and kinematic parameters) and flow cytometry (viability, acrosomal status, mitochondrial activity, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, and chromatin status). The effects of age, incubation, and season on post-thawing quality were determined using linear mixed-effects models. Parameters were on the range for commercial boar breeds, with chromatin status (SCSA: fragmentation and immaturity) being excellent. Incubation decreased sperm quality and functionality. The boar age did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05), but the between-boar variability was significant (p < 0.001). The season significantly affected many parameters (motility, kinematics, viability, acrosomal status, mitochondrial activity), especially after 150 min of incubation. In general, samples collected in spring and summer showed higher quality post-thawing, the lowest in winter. In conclusion, the sperm doses from the Gochu Asturcelta breed stored at the GRB-PA showed excellent chromatin status and acceptable characteristics after thawing. Therefore, boar and seasonal variability in this autochthonous breed could be relevant for cryobank management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 729-736
Author(s):  
J. Almeida ◽  
M.F. Brito ◽  
V.A.B. Becerra ◽  
B.P. Neves ◽  
P.A. Auler ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT This study investigated in vitro the efficacy of four different extenders (TES-TRIS and TRIS with LDL low-density lipoprotein at concentrations of 10 or 5%) on the longevity of buffalo sperm in the refrigeration process at 5ºC. Sperm motility was assessed every 24 hours up to 72 hours of incubation using computer assisted sperm analysis and sperm membrane integrity was examined by the hypoosmotic test (HOST) at T1, T24, T48 and T72 hours. Eleven buffaloes (1 ejaculate per buffalo) of the Murrah breed were used, ranging in age from 4 to 5 years. Immediately after collection, each ejaculate was fractionated into 4 aliquots, and each aliquot was diluted in one of four diluents to obtain 50x106SPTZ/mL. The samples were packed in 0.5mL straws and refrigerated (-0.25°C/min) to 5°C and maintained at this temperature until evaluation. Prior to evaluation the samples were heated at 37°C for 30 seconds. The statistical package used for analysis was STATA 12.0 "Statistical Analysis Software" and means were compared by the Friedman test (P<0.05). The results of sperm kinetics and HOST indicate that the TRIS diluent with 10% LDL could be a promising alternative for semen refrigeration at 5ºC, to be used in conventional and fixed time artificial insemination.


Zygote ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. B. Bezerra ◽  
Andréia M. Silva ◽  
Patrícia C Sousa ◽  
Lívia B. Campos ◽  
Érica C. G. Praxedes ◽  
...  

SummaryThe aim of this study was to establish a functional freezing–thawing protocol for epididymal sperm of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu L., 1758) by comparing different extenders. The epididymal sperm from 12 sexually mature males was recovered by retrograde flushing using Tris-based or coconut water-based (ACP®-116c) extenders. After initial evaluation, samples were diluted and frozen with the same extenders to which 20% egg yolk and 6% glycerol were added. After 2 weeks, thawing was performed at 37°C/60 s and sperm motility, vigour, morphology, functional membrane integrity, sperm viability, sperm plasma membrane integrity, and a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) were assessed. In addition, to evaluate the survival of frozen–thawed sperm, a thermal resistance test (TRT) was executed. Samples preserved using Tris were in better condition compared with those preserved using ACP®, showing higher values for most assessments performed, including CASA and the TRT (P<0.05). After determining Tris to be the better of the two extenders, additional samples were thawed using different thawing rates (37°C/60 s, 55°C/7 s, 70°C/8 s). Sperm thawed at 37°C/60 s had the greatest preservation (P<0.05) of viability (54.1 ± 5.9%) and functional membrane integrity (43.2 ± 5.4%), and had higher values for various CASA parameters. In conclusion, we suggest the use of a Tris-based extender added to egg yolk and glycerol for the cryopreservation of epididymal sperm obtained from collared peccaries. In order to achieve better post-thawing sperm quality, we suggest that samples should be thawed at 37°C/60 s.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329
Author(s):  
Michele Di Iorio ◽  
Giusy Rusco ◽  
Roberta Iampietro ◽  
Lucia Maiuro ◽  
Achille Schiavone ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-557
Author(s):  
A. C. Silva ◽  
A. S. Varela Junior ◽  
T. F. Cardoso ◽  
E. F. Silva ◽  
D. Loebmann ◽  
...  

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.


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