178 MODELLING THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED TESTICULAR TEMPERATURE OF HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BULLS IN A MODERATE CLIMATE ON REJECTION RATES OF EJACULATES IN SEMEN PROCESSING

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. J. Frijters ◽  
M. B. Rahman ◽  
J. W. J. Schouten-Noordman ◽  
L. Vandaele ◽  
A. van Soom

Heat stress can cause bulls to start producing sub- or even infertile semen. This is usually not noticed immediately during quality control while processing semen. Sometimes, a heat period is already over before an increase of rejection ejaculates is noticed in the laboratory. This delayed effect, but also because a heat period is often not discrete or clear-cut, makes it difficult to relate heat stress with semen quality. The recent study of Rahman et al. (Theriogenology, in press) is therefore of interest, given that heat stress was mimicked by elevation of testicular temperature (∼2°C, 48 h) of 2 Holstein Friesian bulls in a controlled experiment. Analyses of semen, collected 1 week before until 9 weeks after the experiment, revealed that specific stages in spermatogenesis, meiosis and spermiogenesis are susceptible to heat stress. During these stages, the percentages of morphologically normal, progressive motile and membrane-intact cells reduced by approximately 33, 25 and 20%, respectively. The objective of this study was to model how these reductions would affect rejection rates for these parameters in a moderate climate, such as the Netherlands. The standards of the 3 evaluated quality parameters, which are used by many AI stations, are per ejaculate more than 75% morphologically normal cells, more than 35% progressive motile and 50% membrane intact cells after thawing. Normal rejection rates were determined from original scores of at least 2 years from 2 AI stations (CRV, the Netherlands). That is, 11 453 morphology scores of fresh semen, 10 805 progressive motility and 3741 membrane integrity scores of thawed semen from 2065, 492 and 1488 bulls, respectively. To estimate rejection rates as if ejaculates were affected by heat stress, each morphology, progressive motility and membrane integrity score was reduced by 33, 25 and 20%, respectively. Normal vs estimated heat stress rejection rates, based on original and modeled scores, respectively, were 50 vs 100% for morphology, 2 vs 17% for progressive motility and 9 vs 61% for membrane integrity. Rahman showed that already a short period of heat stress can lead to reduced sperm quality for over a month. This study indicates that this effect can be very important for AI stations. In the case of progressive motility, which in the Netherlands is scored for each ejaculate, the estimated higher rejection rate of 17% could lead to a considerable increase of production costs. Membrane integrity is occasionally scored (when requested for export of semen), but morphology is always scored when bulls start to produce semen until ejaculates are produced in succession with more than 75% normal cells. High rejection rates for morphology are typical when bulls (∼11 months old) start, but this decreases quickly for most bulls to 0% within a few months as they mature. When these young bulls suffer heat stress before production, it is possible that the rejection rate will stay at 100% for a long time. When this is suspected, a prolonged test period should be considered to avoid wrongful culling of bulls.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmud Al Reyad ◽  
Md Abid Hasan Sarker ◽  
Md Elias Uddin ◽  
Raihan Habib ◽  
Md Harun Ur Rashid

The aim of this research was to observe the effect of heat stress on milk yield and milk compositions of Holstein Friesian crossbred (HF) dairy cows. To fulfill the objectives, a total of 9 Holstein Friesian crossbred cows were selected for this study. Green grasses (German, Para) were supplied adlibitum and concentrate feeds (mixture of wheat bran, rice polish, mustard oil cake, di-calcium phosphate and salt) were supplied at the rate of 2.0 kg/day/cow. Management practices for all the cows were similar following the BAU Dairy farm practices. Data were collected on milk yield (l/h/d), relative humidity (%) and barn temperature (0C). The obtained temperature humidity index (THI) of July, August, September and October were 84.95, 81.99, 81.40 and 79.57, respectively. The highest THI was found in July which indicated higher heat stress during this month. A significant difference (p<0.05) in milk yield of cows was found among different months of July to October. The highest milk yield (6.10±0.50 l/h/d) was found in October among observed months. The compositions of milk such as total solids (TS), solids-not-fat (SNF), fat, protein, lactose, and ash also differed significantly (p<0.01). The highest values (%) of TS, SNF, fat, protein, lactose and ash content of milk were found in October as 12.63, 8.80, 3.83, 3.69, 4.39 and 0.72, respectively and lowest values (%) were in July as 12.20, 8.50, 3.71, 3.50, 4.30 and 0.69, respectively due to the high THI value. From these results, it is concluded that heat stress has strong effect on milk yield and milk composition of HF cows in Bangladesh. Management strategies are needed to minimize heat stress and attain optimal dairy animal performance.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 190-195


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmy Mariana ◽  
Cece Sumantri ◽  
Dewi Apri Astuti ◽  
Anneke Anggraeni ◽  
Asep Gunawan

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of heat stress on thermoregulation, haematology, and productivity of Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cows raised in different elevations. A total of 63 HF in a normal lactation period were used in this study. The research was conducted for 3 months during dry season in three different areas, which were at Pondok Ranggon (97 m.a.s.l) which categorized as a lowland, Ciawi (576 m.a.s.l) which categorized as a lower-upland, and Lembang (1241 m.a.s.l) which categorized as an upland. Observation on microclimate aspects which includes environmental temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH) and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was done by recording each variable for every 2 hours starting from 08.00 to 16.00 WIB. The thermoregulation analysis was done based on the given physiological responses which consisted of the skin temperature (Ts), rectal temperature (Tr), body temperature (Tb), heart rate (Hr), respiratory rate (Rr), Heat Tolerance Coefficient (HTC), plasma cortisol level and haematological profile observation. The Ta, Rr, and THI measurements showed that in the lowland and lower-upland, the HF experienced moderate heat stress, while the HF raised in the upland area experienced less heat stress. The results showed that the dairy cows which raised in lowland had the highest HTC, Tr, Ts and Tb (P<0.05) and lowest Hr (P<0.05). All of the physiological and haematological parameters in the three study area showed a normal value.Furthermore, the erythrocyte, Hb and PVC concentration in a lowland raised HF were higher (P<0.05), while the plasma cortisol levels were not significantly different. The milk production of the observed dairy cows in different elevations was significantly different (P<0.05), with the highest milk yields, were found in the upland raised HF (13.1±3.52 kg), followed by the lower-upland (11.3±4.73 kg) and lowland (7.0±3.36 kg). In general, all of the HF raised in different land elevations was exposed to heat stress during dry seasons, even though the cows showed the ability to physiologically adapt and cope with the conditions. 


Author(s):  
K. G. Ambily ◽  
Malati Naik ◽  
Hiron M. Harshan ◽  
C. Jayakumar ◽  
M. P. Unnikrishnan ◽  
...  

Boar semen is voluminous and ejaculated as jets or fractions of pre-sperm, sperm rich (SRF) and post-sperm rich fractions. Recent studies have reported more resilient characteristics of sperm in initial portions of SRF towards cold shock and cryopreservation. The present study was conducted to assess the quality of specific fractions of SRF, namely, first 10mL of SRF (F1) and rest of SRF (F2) in Large white Yorkshire (LWY) boar semen. Ejaculates were collected using gloved-hand technique and were subjected to quality assessments of volume, pH, sperm progressive motility, concentration, plasma membrane integrity, abnormality, acrosome integrity and sperm membrane cholesterol. Upon statistical analysis, significant differences were noticed in volume, pH, sperm concentration and sperm membrane cholesterol between fractions of the ejaculate.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Garner ◽  
A. J. Chamberlain ◽  
C. Vander Jagt ◽  
T. T. T. Nguyen ◽  
B. A. Mason ◽  
...  

Abstract Heat stress in dairy cattle leads to reduction in feed intake and milk production as well as the induction of many physiological stress responses. The genes implicated in the response to heat stress in vivo are not well characterised. With the aim of identifying such genes, an experiment was conducted to perform differential gene expression in peripheral white blood cells and milk somatic cells in vivo in 6 Holstein Friesian cows in thermoneutral conditions and in 6 Holstein Friesian cows exposed to a short-term moderate heat challenge. RNA sequences from peripheral white blood cells and milk somatic cells were used to quantify full transcriptome gene expression. Genes commonly differentially expressed (DE) in both the peripheral white blood cells and in milk somatic cells were associated with the cellular stress response, apoptosis, oxidative stress and glucose metabolism. Genes DE in peripheral white blood cells of cows exposed to the heat challenge compared to the thermoneutral control were related to inflammation, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and the cardiovascular system. Genes DE in milk somatic cells compared to the thermoneutral control were involved in the response to stress, thermoregulation and vasodilation. These findings provide new insights into the cellular adaptations induced during the response to short term moderate heat stress in dairy cattle and identify potential candidate genes (BDKRB1 and SNORA19) for future research.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
M. Nichi ◽  
R. P. Bertolla ◽  
T. B. Soler ◽  
C. N. M. Cortada ◽  
R. M. Zuge ◽  
...  

Previous studies have indicated that semen of heat-stressed bulls shows impaired mitochondrial activity and high levels of oxidative stress, which may cause structural damage to biomolecules, DNA, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, as well as other cellular components (Nichi et al. 2006 Theriogenology 66, 822–828). Disruption of the sperm mitochondria could have a potential damaging effect not only on an individual sperm cell but also on the surrounding cells, especially regarding the sperm membrane, possibly due to the release of a high amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in this environment (rich in electrons) that would then lead to oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, semen samples of 11 Simmental bulls kept in tropical environments were collected during the summer months. Semen was evaluated as follows: the 3-3′ diaminobenzidine stain (DAB) as an index of mitochondrial activity, the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) as an index of membrane integrity, measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as an index of lipid peroxidation, and measurement of the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. For correlation analysis, the Pearson test was used (variables were transformed when necessary), and for nonparametric variables, the Spearman rank test was used. A high positive correlation was found between sperm cells with highly active mitochondria (DAB class I) and the percentage of cells with intact membrane by HOST (r = 0.93; P < 0.05), and a negative correlation between the latter and the percentage of inactive mitochondria (r = –0.91; P < 0.05), indicating that the higher the percentage of cells showing impaired mitochondrial activity, the higher the percentage of cells with damaged membrane. There was also a positive correlation between TBARS and the percentage of cells with disrupted mitochondria (r = 0.86; P < 0.05), indicating that the higher the percentage of sperm with impaired mitochondrial activity, the higher the oxidative stress. No correlation existed between the enzymatic antioxidants and any of the variables studied. The results indicate that heat stress may lead to an increase in testicular ROS levels, overcoming the seminal antioxidant protection. This, in turn, may cause damage of the mitochondria and a subsequent release of more pro-oxidative substances, and an exponential increase of oxidative stress. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to more tailored antioxidant therapies in the future. The authors thank FAPESP for the scholarship and financial support.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Carretero ◽  
F. Fumuso ◽  
M. Miragaya ◽  
C. Herrera ◽  
S. Giuliano

In South American camelids, raw semen only presents sperm with oscillatory movements. Therefore, it is necessary to treat these cells to enable them to acquire progressive motility. The effects of raw seminal plasma (SP) on sperm movement patterns (oscillatory, progressive, and hyperactive) have apparently not yet been reported. The objective of this study was to determine effects of raw seminal plasma on sperm motility, viability, and acrosomal status in fresh llama semen. A total of 15 ejaculates were collected (electroejaculation) from 5 llamas (n = 5, r = 3). Each ejaculate was diluted 4 : 1 in 0.1% collagenase in HEPES-TALP (HT) medium and incubated 4 min at 37°C, with the objective of separating spermatozoa from SP. Immediately after incubation, each ejaculate was divided into 2 and centrifuged for 8 min at 800 × g. Pellets were resuspended in either HT or raw SP and maintained at 37°C until evaluation (at 0, 1.5, and 3 h). Sperm motility was evaluated using a phase contrast microscope and a warm stage. Propidium iodide and carboxyfluorescein diacetate were used for assessing membrane integrity (viability). Acrosomal status was evaluated with the Coomassie blue stain. A split-plot design was used with treatment as a factor, with 2 levels (HT and SP) and time as the other factor, with 3 levels (0, 1.5, and 3 h), and blocked by males. There was no significant interaction between treatments (HT and SP) and times (0, 1.5, and 3 h) for each of the seminal characteristics evaluated. Progressive sperm motility was observed after collagenase treatment in all samples. Progressive motility disappeared immediately after the addition of raw SP and showed only oscillatory movements. In contrast, samples incubated in HT maintained progressive motility and became hyperactive. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in total motility of sperm incubated in HT among incubation times (0 h: 30.8 ± 18.9%; 1.5 h: 26.5 ± 11.5%; and 3 h: 21.5 ± 13.5%). However, in samples incubated with SP, a decrease (P < 0.05) in total sperm motility was detected after 3 h of incubation (0 h: 16.5 ± 12.6%, 3 h: 2.3 ± 3.2%). Sperm viability was not different (P > 0.05) between treatments (HT and SP); samples incubated in HT retained 78.4% of the initial viability (32.8/41.8, 3 h/0 h), and samples incubated in SP retained 69.7% of their initial viability (24.4/35.0, 3 h/0 h). The percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes was not different (P > 0.05) between treatments (HT and SP); however, the percentage of sperm with intact acrosomes decreased after 3 h of incubation in both samples (HT and SP). Due to the presence of a high percentage of progressive and hyperactive motile sperm in samples incubated in HT and their absence in samples incubated in SP, we concluded that raw seminal plasma preserved oscillatory sperm motility. Further studies are needed to understand the effects of SP on South American camelid spermatozoa.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 101

Stallions affected by seminal vesiculitis present history of infertility or subfertility, ejaculatory disturbance, spread of sexually transmitted pathogens, and changes in semen characteristics, leading to reduced semen quality and longevity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the semen quality of stallions with seminal vesiculitis before and after local treatment. Five stallions with a mean age of 12.4 years diagnosed with seminal vesiculitis were used. The identification of the microorganism involved in the pathogenesis of seminal vesiculitis of each animal was performed by bacterial culture of the seminal vesicles flush with Ringer Lactate solution, performed in duplicate at 1-week intervals. After identification of bacteria was performed, there was susceptibility testing to antibiotic (antibiogram) and the appropriate antibiotic was chosen. The local treatment was performed by endoscopy for 10 consecutive days, and this consisted of flushing with Ringer Lactate solution, followed by infusion of the antibiotic selected. The semen analyses were performed before starting the local treatment for seminal vesiculitis (M0), after a week (M1), and after a month (M2) of therapy. Sperm kinetics were performed by computerized method – CASA for the following parameters: percentage of sperm with total motility, progressive motility, and rapid sperm. Analysis of plasma membrane integrity was performed by epi-fluorescence microscopy, using the combination of fluorescent probes carboxyfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Percentage of leukocytes was assessed through evaluation in light optical microscopy of semen smears stained with DiffQuick. The content of nitric oxide (NO) was determined by colourimetric Griess reaction by a spectrophotometer through the concentrations of nitrate (NO3–) and nitrite (NO2–). To perform the count of colony forming units per millilitre (CFU mL–1), an aliquot of 0.1 mL of semen was diluted in 9.9 mL of saline. A 0.1-mL aliquot of this sample was plated on Mueller-Hinton agar. The seeded plates were incubated, and the bacterial colonies were counted after 24 h. According to the performed dilution, total colonies identified corresponds to ×10 000 CFU mL–1. The data were analysed by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The values (mean ± standard error) of seminal parameters on M0, M1, and M2 were the following, respectively: sperm kinetics (total motility: 46.5 ± 5.13a; 75.1 ± 3.42b; 42.8 ± 5.28a; progressive motility: 19.3 ± 3.86a; 33.4 ± 2.39b; 16.5 ± 2.40a; rapid sperm: 22.2 ± 1.82a; 52.2 ± 5.65b; 22.1 ± 2.62a); plasma membrane integrity (47.5 ± 4.65a; 62.9 ± 5.41b; 39.1 ± 4.32a); percentage of leukocytes (35.2 ± 2.36a; 15.1 ± 2.55b; 36.1 ± 4.04a); CFU (119 980 × 103 ± 19 528.0 × 103a; 5375 × 103 ± 2453.7 × 103b; 65 850 × 103 ± 19 701.0 × 103ab) on fresh semen; and NO content (0.645 ± 0.172a, 0.117 ± 0.023b, 0.364 ± 0.110ab) on seminal plasma. The results demonstrate that local treatment after a week leads to an improvement in sperm quality; however, this was not maintained after 1 month of therapy, since the seminal parameters at this time are similar to pretreatment, which can be justified by recurrent disease.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Di Iorio ◽  
Giusy Rusco ◽  
Roberta Iampietro ◽  
Maria Antonietta Colonna ◽  
Luisa Zaniboni ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to find an effective cryopreservation protocol for turkey semen through the combined use of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and three non-permeant cryoprotectants (NP-CPAs), sucrose, trehalose, and Ficoll 70. In addition, the action of two dilution rates (1:2 and 1:4) were also investigated. Semen was processed according to two final dilution rates and the following treatments: Tselutin extender (TE)/DMSO (control), TE/DMSO + sucrose or trehalose 50, 100, 200, or 400 mM, and TE/DMSO + Ficoll 0.5, 0.75, 1, or 1.5 mM. In total 26 different combinations treatments were achieved. The diluted semen was filled up into straws and frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor. The post-thawing sperm quality was assessed by analyzing motility, membrane integrity, osmotic resistance, and DNA integrity. The results obtained revealed a significant effect of NP-CPA concentration on total and progressive motility, on most of the kinetic parameters, on membrane integrity and DNA integrity, while the post-thaw quality was less affected by dilution rate. The highest post-thaw quality for all sperm quality parameters assessed except curvilinear velocity (VCL) and DNA integrity were found in semen frozen with 1 mM Ficoll/1:4 (p < 0.05). Our findings provide an important contribution for the identification of a reference procedure for turkey semen cryopreservation, in order to create the first national avian semen cryobank.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 630-634
Author(s):  
Fazıla Atakan Erkal ◽  
Güzin Aykal ◽  
Hayriye Melek Yalçınkaya ◽  
Nihal Aksoy ◽  
Murat Özdemir

Abstract Objective Vast majority of laboratory errors occurs in preanalytical phase and in vitro hemolysis is the most common among preanalytical errors. Automated serum index measurement is being used in routine biochemical analysis in Antalya Public Health Care Laboratory, since June 2014. Our aim in this study is to reveal the impact of serum index usage on rejected samples and rejected test rates due to hemolysis. Materials and methods Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL) spectral interference reagent and program have been used in our laboratory since June 2014. In the current study, the number of samples and tests that were rejected due to hemolysis in June–August 2014 were compared with those rejected in the same period of 2013. Results In 2014, the sample rejection rate was 2.53% and the rejected test rate was 0.48%. In 2013, the sample rejection rate was 0.56% and the rejected test rate was 0.55%. When compared two periods, statistically significant increase in rejected sample number due to hemolysis in 2014 is result of, visually undetectable hemolyzed samples previously can be identified by HIL method (p<0.05). Conclusion Usage of hemolysis index program in automated systems for detecting hemolysis was evaluated as a method which is standardized, semi-quantitative, with high reproducibility and allows test based rejection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 631
Author(s):  
Janislene Mach Trentin ◽  
Luiz Augusto Machado Centeno ◽  
Taison De Souza Balestrin ◽  
Thainá Minela ◽  
Guilherme Machado Zanatta ◽  
...  

The composition of semen diluents can modify its viability during cooling. The buffering effects of HEPES and sodium bicarbonate were evaluated considering the pH and sperm viability. The semen of seven adult Brazilian ponies was evaluated before and after cooling at 5oC for 24 h and 48 h. A non-buffered skim milk powder extender (C) and the same extender buffered with sodium bicarbonate (SB) and HEPES (H) were used. After dilution, semen (three ejaculates/pony) was centrifuged and the seminal plasma discarded. Sperm was then diluted with SB, H or C and its concentration adjusted to 50 x 106 sptz/mL. Progressive motility evaluated after dilution showed similar results with all extenders (71.42% (SB), 74.28% (H), and 74.52% (C)). Sperm motility was evaluated 24 h and 48 h after cooling for SB (44.76% and 25.23%), H (51.42% and 38.09%) and C (54.05% and 41.66%, respectively). Plasma membrane integrity was similar after exposure to the three extenders (62.71% (SB), 68.76% (H), and 69.23% (C)). Mitochondrial activity was higher in SB immediately after dilution (SB= 1.05nm, H= 0.81nm, C= 0.79nm), and after 24 h (0.83nm (SB), 0.73nm (H) and 0.64nm (C)). After 48 h, the mitochondrial activity decreased to 0.72nm (SB), 0.69nm (H), and 0.63nm (C) (P > 0.05). The pH, osmolarity and pH after 48 h of cooling of the diluted semen were higher in SB (8; 382; 7.9), intermediate in H (7.5; 362; 7.32) and lower in C (7.16; 350; 7.07). Lipid peroxidation and its induction were similar in all groups. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Duncan’s test was used to evaluate the significant differences (P < 0.05). Sodium bicarbonate reduced the progressive motility and increased the semen pH. The extender C was considered more appropriate for immediate use in artificial insemination. The non-buffered and HEPES-buffered extenders were considered appropriate for the cooling of equine semen for 48 h at 5°C.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document