scholarly journals Testosterone and semen seasonality for the sand tiger shark Carcharias taurus†

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 876-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer T Wyffels ◽  
Robert George ◽  
Lance Adams ◽  
Cayman Adams ◽  
Tonya Clauss ◽  
...  

Abstract Understanding the fundamental reproductive biology of a species is the first step toward identifying parameters that are critical for reproduction and for the development of assisted reproductive techniques. Ejaculates were collected from aquarium (n = 24) and in situ (n = 34) sand tiger sharks Carcharias taurus. Volume, pH, osmolarity, sperm concentration, motility, status, morphology, and plasma membrane integrity were assessed for each ejaculate. Semen with the highest proportion of motile sperm was collected between April and June for both in situ and aquarium sand tiger sharks indicating a seasonal reproductive cycle. Overall, 17 of 30 semen samples collected from aquarium sharks from April through June contained motile sperm compared to 29 of 29 of in situ sharks, demonstrating semen quality differences between aquarium and in situ sharks. Sperm motility, status, morphology, and plasma membrane integrity were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for in situ compared to aquarium sand tiger sharks. Testosterone was measured by an enzyme immunoassay validated for the species. Testosterone concentration was seasonal for both aquarium and in situ sharks with highest concentrations measured in spring and lowest in summer. In situ sharks had higher (P < 0.05) testosterone concentration in spring than aquarium sharks. This study demonstrated annual reproduction with spring seasonality for male sand tiger sharks through marked seasonal differences in testosterone and semen production. Lower testosterone and poorer semen quality was observed in aquarium sharks likely contributing to the species’ limited reproductive success in aquariums.

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Kheradmand ◽  
Majid Taati ◽  
Homayoon Babaei

AbstractAlthough ghrelin acts as a modulator of feeding behavior and energy metabolism in the central nervous system, recent studies have implicated the peripheral actions of ghrelin in reproductive tissues. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on the motility, plasma membrane integrity and concentration of rat spermatozoa. 45-d male Wistar rats were scheduled for the study and were divided into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, 1 nmol of ghrelin was administered as sc injection for 10 consecutive days or vehicle (physiological saline) to the control rats. Sperm collection was achieved by killing of the rats on days 15, 25 and 50 after first injection. Total sperm motility and forward progressive movement did not exhibit significant difference during the experiment, although, there was a tendency for greater motion rate on d 15 and 25 in the treated rats compared to the control group. Plasma membrane integrity (HOS-reacted spermatozoa) was significantly higher in the treated animals, especially on day 15 as well as day 25, because of possible antioxidant properties of ghrelin. This value was statistically higher on day 15 than that of day 25 (P <0.05). Likewise, there was a significant correlation between the FPM (P <0.0001, r = 0.79) and TSM (P <0.01, r = 0.52) with the HOS test percentage in the treatment group. It was not observed statistically difference in the sperm concentration between groups during all of the experimental days. In conclusion, chronic administration of ghrelin (similar to induced by energy deficiency such as fasting) increased the integrity of sperm membrane, however, the sperm motility and concentration did not display any alterations.


Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Sancho ◽  
I Casas ◽  
H Ekwall ◽  
F Saravia ◽  
H Rodriguez-Martinez ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the effects of cooling, freezing and thawing on the plasma membrane integrity, kinetics and expression of two sugar transporters glucose transporter-3 and -5 (GLUT-3 and GLUT-5) in spermatozoa from Iberian boars. Semen samples were collected twice weekly from eight young, fertile Iberian boars of the ‘Entrepelado’ and ‘Lampiño’ breeds. The samples were suspended in a commercial extender and refrigerated to 17 °C for transport to the laboratory (step A), where they were further extended with a lactose–egg yolk-based extender and chilled to 5 °C (step B) prior to freezing in the presence of glycerol (3%). Spermatozoa were assessed for plasma membrane integrity and sperm motility at each of the steps, including post-thaw (step C). Aliquots were also prepared for immunocytochemical localisation of the sugar transporters (fixed and thin smears for transmission and scanning electron microscopy levels respectively) and for SDS–PAGE electrophoresis and subsequent western blotting, using the same antibodies (rabbit anti-GLUT-3 and anti-GLUT-5 polyclonal antibodies). The results showed lower percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa at step C in both breeds, while the percentage of live spermatozoa was significantly lower only in the ‘Entrepelado’ breed. The results obtained from electron microscopy clearly showed that Iberian boar spermatozoa expressed the hexose transporters, GLUT-3 and GLUT-5. The pattern of expression, in terms of location and concentration, was characteristic in each case but, in the case of isoform GLUT-5, it remained constant during the different steps of freezing–thawing protocol. These results indicate that cryopreservation affects the status of sperm cells of Iberian boars by altering the distribution of some membrane receptors and decreasing the percentage values of parameters linked to sperm quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (03) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
A. J. Dhami ◽  
Tapasvi M Patel ◽  
DV Chaudhari

This study was undertaken during the winter season on healthy mature Gir cattle and Murrah buffalo bulls (n=3 each). The semen samples (6 ejaculates/bull, total 36 ejaculates) collected in the morning using artificial vagina were evaluated for routine seminal attributes, including acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity. The samples were then diluted @ 100 million sperm/ml with tris fructose yolk glycerol extender without and with sericin @ 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% (w/v), filled in French mini-straws, and frozen in LN2 using biofreezer as per standard freezing protocol. Straws were thawed in water bath at 37°C for 30 sec and evaluated for post-thaw quality, viz., motility, viability, morphology, acrosome integrity and plasma membrane integrity (HOST). Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde - MDA production) and activities of enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assessed as oxidative markers in seminal plasma of freshly diluted and frozen-thawed semen samples. Sericn at 0.5% level significantly (p less than 0.01) improved the post-thaw sperm quality with reduced oxidative stress in both the species. The breed-wise correlation coefficients (r) among sperm quality attributes and oxidative markers were studied in fresh and frozen-thawed semen of each species, and also for fresh with frozen-thawed semen. The findings revealed significant interrelationships amongst most of the attributes of fresh as well as post-thawed semen and also of fresh semen attributes with those of cryopreserved semen including oxidative markers in both the species. Sperm motility estimation in fresh, pre-freeze and post-thawed semen was a legitimately good indicator of quality of spermatozoa at various steps of semen processing/freezing, and its fertilizing potential. Thus, the sperm motility, HOS test and either MDA or SOD/GPx activity alone may be used as valuable and practical tools for routine assessment of bovine semen quality considering significant correlations found between them.


Author(s):  
G Kadirvel ◽  
M K Kalita ◽  
Raju Kr Dewry ◽  
Ashok Kumar ◽  
Nripendra Mahanta ◽  
...  

Study was conducted to compare the semen quality and fertility of liquid stored semen for three days and frozen-thawed semen in the north-eastern region of India. For liquid semen, the semen ejaculates were extended in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) extender and preserved at 17°C for three days. For cryopreservation, semen was diluted Lactose-egg yolk-glycerol extender and frozen in straw using programmable freezer with freezing rate of 40°C/min from -6 to -140°C. The preserved evaluated for sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and fertility. The results revealed that the liquid stored semen has maintained the sperm motility and viability up to day 3 without significant reduction. Similarly the plasma membrane integrity did not differ significantly up to day 2, but it was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced on days 3 in liquid stored semen. After freezing and thawing, the mean sperm motility, viability and plasma membrane integrity were 58.25 ± 2.96%, 64.75 ± 2.47% and 47.06 ± 2.02%, respectively. These parameters were significantly (PP less than 0.01) lower as compared to the liquid stored semen from day 0 to day 3. After insemination with liquid semen, the farrowing rate was 77.7%, 80.76%, 73.07% and 69.8%, respectively from day 0, day1, day 2 and day 3. The pregnancy rate, farrowing rate and litter size did not differ significantly among different days of liquid storage. These parameters were significantly (PP less than 0.01) lower in frozen semen as compare to that of liquid stored semen. The study concluded that the liquid semen stored up to three days is more efficient than frozen-thawed semen in terms of preserving sperm quality and fertility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Kurnia Bagus Ariyanto ◽  
Lilis Khotijah ◽  
Dewi Apri Astuti ◽  
Raden Iis Arifiantini ◽  
Jean-Baptise Menassol

ABSTRACT. Maggot Hermetia illucens (Maggot Black Soldier Fly, MBSF) is an alternative protein source besides soybean meal (SBM) which may be used as a feed for improving the quality of semen particularly in Garut rams to support prolific nature. The aims of this study were to analyzed and compare the impact of different protein sources in feed on semen quality of Garut rams, and to assess the prediction ability of Garut rams to serve ewe in small-scale breeders in West Java, Indonesia. This study was conducted using a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 4 replications, consisted of Brachiaria humidicola (BH) grass and T1 (concentrate contains 20% of SBM), T2 (concentrate contains 10% of SBM and 10% of MBSF), and T3 (concentrate contains 20% of MBSF). The parameters measured were feed consumption, semen quality (macroscopic and microscopic characteristics), also a potential ability of rams to serve ewe. The results showed there were no significant effect on protein consumption, semen volume, semen pH, semen color and consistency, sperm mass movement, sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, and prediction potential ability to serve ewe. However, the result showed a significant effect (P0.05) on sperm viability and sperm plasma membrane integrity. Sperm plasma membrane integrity of ram feed with T3 was better than T1 and T2 (P0.05). The prediction potential ability rams to serve ewes on MBSF treatment was 38 heads, while in T1 and T2 were 43 and 57 heads, respectively. In conclusion, MBSF can be an alternative source of protein besides SBM to improve the semen quality of Garut rams.  ABSTRAK. Maggot Hermetia illucens (Maggot Black Soldier Fly; MBSF) adalah sumber protein alternatif selain bungkil kedelai (SBM) yang dapat dipergunakan sebagai pakan untuk memperbaiki kualitas semen terutama pada domba Garut untuk mendukung sifat prolifik. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis dan membandingkan dampak pemberian sumber protein berbeda terhadap kualitas semen domba Garut dan untuk menilai kemampuan domba Garut pejantan dalam melayani betina pada peternakan rakyat di Jawa Barat, Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 3 perlakuan dan 4 ulangan yang terdiri dari rumput Brachiaria humidicola (BH) dan T1 (konsentrat mengandung 20% SBM), T2 (konsentrat mengandung 10% SBM dan 10% MBSF), dan T3 (konsentrat mengandung 20% MBSF). Parameter yang diukur adalah konsumsi pakan, karakteristik semen (makroskopis dan mikroskopis) serta potensi domba jantan melayani betina. Hasil Penelitian menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan signifikan pada konsumsi protein pakan, volume semen, pH semen, warna dan konsistensi semen, gerakan massa sperma, motilitas sperma, konsentrasi sperma, morfologi sperma, dan prediksi potensi pejantan dalam melayani betina. Namun, hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan (P0.05) pada viabilitas sperma dan membran plasma utuh sperma. Membran plasma utuh pada perlakuan T3 lebih baik dibandingkan perlakuan T1 dan T2 (P0.05). Prediksi potensi betina terlayani dari pejantan yang diberi pakan MBSF adalah 38 ekor, sedangkan yang diberi SBM dan kombinasinya adalah 43 dan 57 ekor. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah MBSF dapat menjadi alternatif sumber protein selain bungkil kedelai dalam memperbaiki kualitas sperma domba Garut.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bushra Allah Rakha ◽  
Muhammad Sajjad Ansari ◽  
Shamim Akhter ◽  
Elisabeth Blesbois

Semen cryopreservation protocols for wild avian species need to be optimised in order to achieve optimum post-thaw sperm quality and fertility. The present study was designed to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of different glycerol concentrations (11%, 15% and 20%) on post-thaw quality, recovery rates, absolute livability index and fertility of Indian Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) semen. Semen was collected from eight mature cocks and cryopreserved for storage at −196 °C. Frozen semen was thawed at 37 °C for 30 s and assessed for motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and acrosome integrity at 0, 2 and 4 h incubation at 37 °C. Percentages of motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and acrosome integrity were recorded higher (P<0.05) post-thaw at 0, 2 and 4 h at 37 °C with 20% glycerol compared to 15% and 11% glycerol. Likewise, recovery rates (%) of aforementioned parameters after cryopreservation and absolute livability index were observed highest (P<0.05) with 20% glycerol. By comparing values of R2 after multivariate regression analysis, least negative effects of hours of incubation were observed on semen quality in extenders with 20% glycerol followed by 15% and 11% glycerol. The fertility outcomes (number of fertile eggs, fertility [%], number of hatched chicks, percent hatch and hatchability of fertilised eggs) were recorded higher (P<0.05) with 20% glycerol followed by 15% and 11% glycerol. It is concluded that the concentration of 20% glycerol gives the best cryoprotection for quality and fertility of Indian Red Jungle Fowl semen.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 871 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Anzar ◽  
Z. Rasul ◽  
T. A. Ahmed ◽  
N. Ahmad

This is the first detailed report on the response of buffalo spermatozoa to low temperatures during freezing. The study determined the critical temperature zone for buffalo spermatozoa and developed a suitable freezing rate for this species. Semen from four Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls diluted in Tris-citric acid was frozen in a programmable freezer. Motion characteristics, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome morphology were determined at +4, 0, –5, –10, –20, –30, –40, –50, –80 and –196°C by removing semen straws from the freezer at exactly these temperatures and rewarming them at 37°C. The first statistical decline in sperm motility and lateral head displacement was observed at –40°C. For all other parameters, there was biphasic decline: for curvilinear velocity, at 0°C and –50°C; and for plasma membrane integrity and acrosome morphology, at –30°C and –50°C. In a second series of experiments, buffalo spermatozoa were frozen using slow (–10°C min–1), medium (–20°C min–1) or fast (–30°C min–1) freezing rates, between –10°C and –80°C. Freezing of buffalo spermatozoa at a rate of –30°C min–1 yielded higher post-thaw motion characteristics, plasma membrane integrity and normal acrosomes. In conclusion, different sperm characteristics respond differently at low temperatures and the freezing of buffalo spermatozoa at a higher rate ensures higher post-thaw semen quality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ata ◽  
O. Yildiz-Gulay ◽  
S. Güngör ◽  
A. Balic ◽  
M.S. Gulay

<p>The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) grows naturally in the Mediterranean region. The empiric use of carob cures for their aphrodisiac properties is very common in Turkey. Thus, the experiment was conducted to determine the effects of carob bean extracts on some reproductive parameters in male New Zealand White rabbits. During the adaptation period (stage 1), 6-8 mo old rabbits were trained in semen collection for 30 d. At the beginning of the treatment period (stage 2), rabbits were assigned randomly to 2 groups of 8 animals each. For a period of 49 d (1 spermatogenesis duration), one group was treated with a daily oral dose (10 mL) of carob extract and the other group received the corresponding volume of tap water. Semen was collected weekly. Semen samples taken at week 1 and 7 were analysed separately. At the beginning of stage 2, no differences were observed in the volume and pH of the ejaculate, sperm concentration, percentage of motility, percentage of live spermatozoa, percentage of sperm plasma membrane integrity, plasma concentration of testosterone, and seminal plasma protein levels between the control and carob extract treated animals. Similarly, at the end of stage 2, there were no differences in the volume and pH of the ejaculate, motility percentage, the percentage of live spermatozoa, percentage of sperm plasma membrane integrity, and the seminal plasma protein levels between the control and the carob extract treated animals. However, sperm concentration (P&lt;0.05), plasma concentration of testosterone (P&lt;0.05), and percentage of change in spermatozoa concentration (P&lt;0.02) between groups were affected at the end of stage 2. The data suggested that the use of carob cures prepared by boiling carob fruit could have beneficial influences on sperm concentration in rabbits.</p>


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