144 Dynamic of Sperm Subpopulations in Red Deer Capacitated Samples

An ejaculate is a mixture of sperm subpopulations (SP) with varying motility characteristics. Moreover, males with high percentages of fast and linear-moving sperm have high rates of fertility (Ramón et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 89, 110). The objective was to assess dynamics, over time, of SP of capacitated red deer sperm. Thawed sperm were selected with 45/90% Percoll, diluted at 10 × 106 sperm mL−1 in SOF plus 10% oestrous sheep serum and incubated for 2 h at 38.5°C under 5% CO2. Sperm motility was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis at 1, 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min and 24 h. Sperm were classified as described previously (Martínez-Pastor et al. 2005 Biol. Reprod. 72, 316-327) and the evolution of SP during capacitation was characterised with piece-wise regression that identified change points. Five sperm SP were identified based on velocity according to an actual path (VCL), velocity according to a straight path (VSL), velocity according to the average, smoothed path (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), amplitude of lateral displacement of sperm head (ALH), and frequency of the flagellar beat (BCF). Sperm in SP1 were fast, linear sperm with high ALH; they corresponded to capacitated sperm. In contrast, SP5 were slow, non-linear sperm, with low ALH (Table 1). The dynamics of each SP differed over time was different along the time. Percentages of SP1, SP4, and SP3 were significantly decreased at 60, 90, and 100 min, whereas percentages of SP2 and SP5 did not change over time. This study was consistent with previous reports that kinematic sperm characteristics change over time. Table 1.Sperm subpopulations (SP) based on kinematic end points.

Download Full-text

Correlation between the sperm characteristics evaluated by a computerized system (CASA) and the reproductive performance of sows

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v9i6.3389 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e09963389

Author(s):

Emanuelle Maria Gottardi ◽

Thaisa Campos Marques ◽

Karen Martins Leão ◽

Francisco Ribeiro de Araújo Neto ◽

Leidiane Gonçalves Fernandes

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Head Displacement ◽

Sperm Characteristics ◽

Flagellar Beat ◽

Straight Line ◽

Computerized System ◽

Farrowing Rate

Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems have been one the most used tools to evaluate sperm kinetics. The objective of this research was to estimate the correlation between sperm motility characteristics evaluated by CASA during 72 hours of cooling with the farrowing rate (FR) and total number of piglets born (TNB) after artificial insemination. Multiparous sows (n=464) were inseminated with semen from seven boars (19.6 ± 1.3 ejaculates/male). Sperm motility parameters were determined immediately after dilution and after 24, 48 and 72 hours of cooling at 15°C: total motility (TM-%), progressive motility (PM-%), curvilinear velocity (VCL-μm/s), straight line velocity (VSL-μm/s), average path velocity (VAP-µm/s), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH-µm), flagellar beat cross frequency (BCF-Hz), straightness (STR-%) and linearity (LIN-%). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to analyze the data and the comparison of the means of the sperm characteristics between the boars was done by Tukey’s test at 5% probability. TM and PM at time zero (T0) were significant and had a moderate to high correlation with FR and TNB. After 72 hours of refrigeration, the semen quality was reduced and showed a significant and low correlation of the TM and PM with these same parameters. The boar presenting the lowest value of TM and PM after dilution obtained lower FR and TNB. In conclusion, computer-assisted semen analysis soon after dilution can be used to predict fertility of boars.

Download Full-text

Using a Multi-Level Process Comparison for Process Change Analysis in Cancer Pathways

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17197210 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (19) ◽

pp. 7210

Author(s):

Angelina Prima Kurniati ◽

Ciarán McInerney ◽

Kieran Zucker ◽

Geoff Hall ◽

David Hogg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Process Model ◽

Middle Level ◽

Change Points ◽

Process Change ◽

Levels Of Abstraction ◽

Change Analysis ◽

Change Over Time ◽

Process Comparison ◽

Cancer Pathways ◽

Over Time

The area of process change over time is a particular concern in healthcare, where patterns of care emerge and evolve in response to individual patient needs. We propose a structured approach to analyse process change over time that is suitable for the complex domain of healthcare. Our approach applies a qualitative process comparison at three levels of abstraction: a holistic perspective (process model), a middle-level perspective (trace), and a fine-grained detail (activity). Our aim was to detect change points, localise and characterise the change, and unravel/understand the process evolution. We illustrate the approach using a case study of cancer pathways in Leeds where we found evidence of change points identified at multiple levels. In this paper, we extend our study by analysing the miners used in process discovery and providing a deeper analysis of the activity of investigation in trace and activity levels. In the experiment, we show that this qualitative approach provides a useful understanding of process change over time. Examining change at three levels provides confirmatory evidence of process change where perspectives agree, while contradictory evidence can lead to focused discussions with domain experts. This approach should be of interest to others dealing with processes that undergo complex change over time.

Download Full-text

Change Over Time in Linguistic Acculturation: A Comparison Between Cuban and Non-Cuban Hispanic Immigrants

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1073 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 334-335

Author(s):

David Chiriboga ◽

Nan Sook Park ◽

Yuri Jang ◽

Victor Molinari

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Sampling Frame ◽

Language Preference ◽

Change Over Time ◽

Linguistic Acculturation ◽

The Waves ◽

First Interview ◽

Over Time

Abstract While acculturation and its implications for mental health have received extensive attention in studies with older immigrant populations, change over time in acculturation less so. This paper examines change over a two-year period in levels of linguistic acculturation among Cuban (n = 186) and non-Cuban Hispanic (n = 116) immigrants living in Florida. Data came from the waves of the Survey of Older Floridian (SOF), conducted using a statewide sampling frame based on population densities, with a computer-assisted telephone interview strategy. Calls were initiated through random digit dialing, and a follow-up interview was added approximately two years later. Measures included six acculturation items, one dealing with the participant’s language preference for the interview itself and five items dealing with language ability and usage. Results indicated that non-Cuban Hispanics were significantly more acculturated than Cuban Hispanics, and that at least 75% of Wave 2 acculturation was accounted for by Wave 1 status. After controlling for initial levels of acculturation, those who at first interview reported more economic problems and those reporting fewer depressive symptoms were more acculturated at follow-up. It was concluded that while linguistic acculturation is relatively stable, interventions to increase acculturation have implications for mental health service utilization.

Download Full-text