scholarly journals Effect of temperature and time after collection on buck sperm quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Hahn ◽  
Klaus Failing ◽  
Axel Wehrend

Abstract Background Different parameters are assessed as part of the semen analysis but a standard protocol for evaluation of goat semen is still missing. The aim of this study was to analyse two different factors affecting buck sperm quality in the post-collection period prior to adding the extender. Here we examined the effects of two handling temperatures (20 °C, 37 °C) and various examination time points (3–30 min) after semen collection. Results Examination time point had a significant influence on raw sperm viability (p < 0.05), motility (p < 0.05) and on semen pH (p < 0.05). The two different handling temperatures had no significant effect on sperm viability (p > 0.05), motility (p > 0.05), with the exception of fast moving sperm (p = 0.04), or on semen pH (p > 0.05). Conclusion Examination time point was identified as factor strongly influencing raw peacock buck semen after collection. Raw goat semen can tolerate room temperatures for at least 10 min without impacting overall semen quality. In order to obtain comparable results, semen samples should always be examined within 10 min after collection.

Author(s):  
Angela H Cliff ◽  
J H Dunne ◽  
P R English ◽  
J S M Hutchinson ◽  
O Macpherson

It is well established that high environmental temperature can have adverse effects on sperm concentration and the normality of sperm in the boar. Induced abnormalities include reduced motility, abnormal heads, proximal droplets, coiled and bent tails and abnormal acrosomes (Malmgren and Larsson, 1989). While all stages of spermatogenesis can be adversely affected, the primary spermatocytes are most vulnerable to these influences. Since spermatogenesis occurs over 45 days, any adverse effects of elevated ambient temperature can affect sperm quality for around 6 weeks. The maximum period of infertility appears around weeks 3 and 4 after heat stress. Reduced levels of testosterone and sometimes of LH following heat stress are implicated in these adverse effects. There is evidence that boars subjected to high constant temperature (30°C), which have become acclimatised to such, are affected less in terms of sperm output and quality (Cameron and Blackshaw, 1980) than when boars are subject to sudden major increases in temperature from fairly low levels (15 to 30 C) e.g. during the summer months (Antonyuk et al, 1983). There also appears to be large differences between boars in their ability to adapt to exposure to high environmental temperature by minimising temperature rise and avoiding adverse effects on semen quality (Cameron and Blackshaw, 1980). These workers found that boars prone to heat stress show an acute rise in body temperature in response to elevated environmental temperature and this sudden rise has a more adverse effect on semen quality than the length of exposure to the elevated temperature. There appears to be little information available on the reasons for such important between boar differences. This study was carried out to determine rectal temperature responses of boars to varying summer temperature in an intensive pig enterprise in Scotland and to attempt to determine some of the factors associated with ‘high’ and ‘low’ responding boars.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
A. Vetokh ◽  
A. Tadzhieva ◽  
B. Iolchiev ◽  
N. Volkova ◽  
V. Bagirov

The results of AI depend on many factors, with the quality of semen being one of the most important. Not all male hybrids can meet the requirements for semen quality, because they often have reduced fertility following cryopreservation. Thus, it is necessary to improve semen processing before use in AI. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using the “swim-up” flotation method to improve sperm quality of hybrid males of the Ovis genus. Semen from interspecific hybrid rams (1/4 Argali×3/4 Romanov, n=15; 1/8 Argali×7/8 Romanov, n=15) was freshly obtained, frozen–thawed, and processed by the swim-up method. Evaluation of sperm motility was determined using computer-assisted semen analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS vs.15.0 (ANOVA and t-test; SPSS Inc.). Semen was collected during the breeding season (October–December) via artificial vagina. Assessment of acrosome integrity was determined using differential staining with a Diachem diff-quick kit (NPF ABRIS+). The degree of sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using the acridine-orange test. The sperm freezing/thawing cycle was accompanied by sperm damage and an increase in the proportion of immobile sperm from 10 to 58%, with non-progressive movement increasing from 9 to 19.3%. The number of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology doubled, and the DNA fragmentation index increased from 16 to 26%. Use of the swim-up procedure allowed us to sort progressively motile spermatozoa. The content of progressively motile spermatozoa in the samples obtained from the supernatant was 86%, which was 2.3 times higher than in frozen–thawed sperm (P≤0,01). The obtained results show the effective use of the swim-up procedure to determine the quality of semen in hybrid rams. These studies were carried out with financial support from the Russian Science Foundation, grant No. 18-16-00079 and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
Blanca Sebastián-Abad ◽  
Pedro José Llamas-López ◽  
Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez

During boar semen processing and distribution, maximizing the work protocols in the laboratories becomes essential for the conservation of seminal doses. One of the recent implementations in the boar studs to improve efficiency has been semi-automatic semen collection systems, which do not allow to discard fractions of the ejaculate. The objective of this work was to evaluate the dilution method and vibrations (simulating delivery transport) effect on sperm quality (motility, viability, morphology, thermo-resistance test) according to the fraction of ejaculate collected. Two different fractions of the ejaculate were obtained [rich fraction (RF); total fractions (TF)] from six boars, and two dilution methods applied [pouring the extender over the semen (control; ES); pouring the semen over the extender (reverse; SE)]. The seminal doses (2000 × 106 sperm/50 mL) were preserved for 5 days. The results showed that the fraction collected affects sperm quality (better total and progressive motility, and faster sperm in TF; p < 0.05) regardless of the dilution method applied. However, these differences diminished after submitting the semen to the thermo-resistance test, with only differences in sperm viability being observed (p < 0.05). When seminal doses were subjected to vibrations, the sperm viability was more affected in the TF than in the RF group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, using the TF ejaculate leads to comparable results to the RF in sperm quality during storage regardless of the dilution method applied. However, the vibrations of seminal doses are more affected in doses prepared with TF than with RF, although more factors should be included to approach the real conditions during transport.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Richard Michael Blay ◽  
Abigail Duah Pinamang ◽  
Augustine E. Sagoe ◽  
Ewurama Dedea Ampadu Owusu ◽  
Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney ◽  
...  

Introduction. Male infertility is known to contribute about half of all infertility cases. In Ghana, the prevalence of male infertility is higher (15.8%) than in females (11.8%). Sperm quality is associated with the likelihood of pregnancy and known to be the cause of male fertility problems 90% of the time. Exposure to certain environmental factors reduces semen quality in men. The study examined the effects of environmental and lifestyle factors on semen quality in Ghanaian men. Materials and Methods. This was a cross-sectional study involving 80 apparent healthy adult males in their reproductive age. Participants were males referred to the laboratory (Immunology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital) for semen analysis test and/or culture and sensitivity. Participants were made to fill out a questionnaire which entailed selected environmental factors (accidents or trauma, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and heat) and lifestyle habits (including alcohol consumption, smoking, and whether participants sat more or less than 4 hours per day). Semen samples were then collected by masturbation into sterile containers and analysed in accordance with WHO guidance for semen analysis within 60 minutes after ejaculation and collection. Results. About 69% of participants had semen pH within the normal range compared to 15% whose pH were lower than 7.2. There was a significantly high number of immotile sperm cells ( p value = 0.017) in participants who sat for more than 4 hours as compared to those that sat for less than 4 hours in a day. Active sperm motility and viability showed significant increase ( p value = 0.002 and 0.009, respectively) in participants who kept their cell phones in their side pockets. Smoking produced a twofold decrease in sperm count as smokers had a significantly lower sperm count ( 12.28 ± 10.95 × 10 6 /ml) compared to the smoke-free ( 23.85 ± 22.14 × 10 6 /ml). For exposure to STDs, no significant differences were recorded among study groups concerning semen quality. Conclusion. Sperm quality in Ghanaian men is associated with lifestyle habits. Smoking and sitting for long hours influenced sperm motility and count, respectively. Knowledge of the factors that influence sperm quality in this geographical region can contribute to informed decisions on effective management of infertility in Ghanaian men.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
D. Le Bourhis ◽  
S. Camugli ◽  
P. Salvetti ◽  
L. Schibler ◽  
E. Schmitt

SensiTemp, a new in vitro maturation (IMV) bull straw concept, presents the advantage of colour changing while the straw is thawed. The colour of frozen straws is blue and straws start to become white when the temperature reaches 33°C, with a complete change of colour at 37°C. The objective of this study is to assess sperm quality after thawing of semen frozen in SensiTemp from 2 bulls, by analysing, in experiment 1, sperm motility and membrane integrity using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry (FC), and, in experiment 2, the in vitro embryo production (IVP) using IVP technologies [IVM, IVF, and in vitro culture (IVC)]. The ejaculates of 2 bulls, selected during preliminary experiments on high in vitro fertility, were harvested at CIA L’Aigle, France, and split ejaculates were frozen in experimental (SensiTemp) and conventional (control) straws. In experiment 1 after thawing semen from the 2 types of straws (5 pooled straws each; 2 replicates), motility was assessed using the IVOS CASA system (Hamilton Thorne Inc., Beverly, MA, USA) and membrane integrity was evaluated through FC with Cytosoft software (Millipore-Guava Technologies Inc., Hayward, CA, USA). In experiment 2, IVF was used to evaluate the non-toxicity of SensiTemp and control straws. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC; n = 1178; 4 replicates) collected from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured in IVM medium (TCM-199 with bicarbonate, Sigma-Aldrich, Saint Quentin Fallavier, France; 10 µg mL–1 FSH-LH, Reprobiol, Liège, Belgium; and 10% FCS, Thermo Fisher, Illkirch, France) for 22 h. After fertilization, presumptive zygotes of each group (SensiTemp and control for each bull) were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid medium (SOF, Minitube, Tiefenbach, Germany) with 1% estrous cow serum (ECS) and 0.6% BSA (Sigma-Aldrich, France) up to 8 days. All cultures were conducted at 38.5C in 5% CO2, and 5% O2. The cleavage and blastocysts rates were evaluated on Days 3 and 7, respectively, for each group. Embryo quality was recorded on Day 7 according to the IETS evaluation. Data from each bull were analysed separately using the chi-squared test (P < 0.05). In experiment 1, neither sperm motility from bull 1 (61.2 and 60.5%) and bull 2 (66.2 and 66.5%) nor membrane integrity from bull 1 (58.6 and 52.2%) and bull 2 (61.0 and 61.9%) were different between SensiTemp and control, respectively. Results from experiment 2 showed no difference (P > 0.05) in cleavage rate between SensiTemp and control for the 2 bulls: 92.1 and 91.7% for bull 1 and 94.2 and 94.6% for bull 2 respectively. The blastocysts rate on Day 7 did not differ (P > 0.05) among groups (47.5, 47.1 and 51.3, 50.4% for SensiTemp and control bull 1 and bull 2, respectively) nor the quality of embryos retrieved in the different groups: 25.4, 23.3, and 30.8, 29.6% in grade 1 embryo for SensiTemp and control bull 1 and bull 2, respectively. Those results demonstrate, in vitro, that the new SensiTemp straws were non-toxic and did not affect the semen quality after thawing nor did the SensiTemp straws affect the ability of sperm cells to fertilize oocytes and produce 8-day-old embryos.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julieta B Grosso ◽  
Luciana Zoff ◽  
Karina L Calvo ◽  
María Belén Maraval ◽  
Mariana Perez ◽  
...  

Abstract Decreased fertility is becoming an important social and medical problem and the male factor is involved in at least half of infertility cases. Since conventional semen analysis provides limited prediction of male fertility; in this work, we evaluated the potential use of seminal small RNAs (sRNA) as markers of semen quality in ART. Our bioinformatic analyses of available sRNA-seq databases showed that the most abundant sRNA species in seminal plasma of normozoospermic men are tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), a novel class of regulatory sRNAs. These molecules not only exert their function within cells but also are released into the extracellular environment where they could carry out signaling functions. To evaluate whether the assessment of seminal tRFs in normozoospermic men has a predictive value for the clinical outcome in ART, we performed a prospective study with couples who underwent ICSI cycles with donated oocytes. The results obtained demonstrated that levels of 5’tRF-Glu-CTC, 5’tRF-Lys-CTT, and 5’tRF-Gly-GCC are significantly elevated in seminal samples from cases with repeated failed ICSI cycles, suggesting a potential association between increased seminal tRFs and unexplained male infertility. Interestingly, these tRFs showed a negative association with seminal testosterone, highlighting their involvement in male endocrinology. Our findings also suggest that tRFs could play a role in modulating male reproductive function in response to physiological stress since they showed significant associations with the levels of sperm DNA fragmentation in couples that achieved pregnancy but not in cases with failed ICSI cycles where seminal cortisol levels correlate with sperm quality.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (01) ◽  
pp. 013-017
Author(s):  
Jahangir Sultan ◽  
Kokab Kokab ◽  
Muneer Ahmed

Objectives: Reports from many parts of the world suggest that chemical andphysical agents in the environment, introduced and spread by human activity may affect fertilityin men. The objective of this article is to highlight the environmental factors and their associationto male sperm quality and count as well. Materials and Methods: This study focusing onexposure to environmental factors affecting the semen quality of the workers working in differentfactories for a period of 5 to 7 years in Lahore. Results: The results from this study suggest thatthere are many environmental factors which may affect semen quality and sperm count. It isnecessary to prevent parental exposure to the agents associated with those hazards.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1459-1464
Author(s):  
Suwarak Wannaratana ◽  
Em-on Olanratmanee ◽  
Kuekaroon Charoenmuang ◽  
Thanvarath Boriharnthanawuth ◽  
Banpatee Tangtrongwanich ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Seasonal variations among geographical regions could influence pigeon semen quality differently. This study aimed to determine the seasonal effect on semen availability and quality of racing pigeons in Thailand to understand and improve breeding management in the country. Materials and Methods: Semen was collected from six fertile captive pigeons once a week during summer (March-June), monsoon (July-October), and winter (November-February) during 2019-2020. The success rate of semen collection and semen quality was determined in each season – by which changes in average temperature, humidity, and photoperiod were obtained. Results: Comparable success rates of semen collection were acquired among different seasons, while varied semen qualities were revealed. The percentages of total motility and progressive motility score of sperm were significantly lowest in summer (66.35±3.40 and 3.88±0.15, respectively) compared to monsoon (85.45±2.91 and 4.67±0.10, respectively) and winter (79.29±1.96 and 4.37±0.10, respectively), while its concentration (×109 sperm/mL) and outputs (×106 sperm) were significantly highest in winter (7.62±0.54 and 91.44±10.83, respectively) compared to summer (4.23±0.41 and 48.45±6.35, respectively) and monsoon (3.57±0.30 and 51.45±7.21, respectively). Besides, semen samples collected from birds housing at an average temperature of <29.5°C demonstrated better sperm motility sperm concentration and total sperm counts than those from at a higher temperature. Conclusion: Winter was regarded as the best season contributing the best semen quality, while summer was the worst. Due to the fluctuation of temperature during summer and winter, the seasonal temperature was implied as the major factor contributing to changes in sperm quality of racing pigeons in Thailand.


2009 ◽  
Vol 390 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashmil Emami ◽  
Andreas Scorilas ◽  
Antoninus Soosaipillai ◽  
Tammy Earle ◽  
Brendan Mullen ◽  
...  

Abstract Human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are a family of proteases, the majority of which are found in seminal plasma and have been implicated in semen liquefaction. Here, we examined the clinical value of seminal KLKs in the evaluation of semen quality and differential diagnosis and etiology of abnormal liquefaction and/or viscosity. KLK1–3, 5–8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 were analyzed, using highly specific ELISA assays. Samples were categorized into four clinical groups, according to their state of liquefaction and viscosity. Data were compared between the clinical groups and in association with other parameters of sperm quality, including number of motile sperms, straight line speed, sperm concentration, volume, pH, and patient age. Seminal KLKs were found to be differentially expressed in the four clinical groups. Combination of KLK2, 3, 13, and 14 and KLK1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, and 14 showed very strong discriminatory potential for semen liquefaction and viscosity, respectively. Liquefaction state was associated with several parameters of sperm motility. Finally, KLK14 was differentially expressed in asthenospermic cases. In conclusion, the expression level of several seminal plasma KLKs correlates with liquefaction and viscosity indicators of semen quality and may aid in their differential diagnosis and etiology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Collodel ◽  
Fabio Ferretti ◽  
Maurizio Masini ◽  
Giacomo Gualtieri ◽  
Elena Moretti

AbstractThe impact of male aging on male fertility has only recently become of interest to the scientific community. This study aims to assess the relationship between age and fertility among a sample of men, considering the individual and pathological characteristics. In this retrospective study data of semen analysis and medical history of 1294 Italian male patients were considered. Semen analysis was performed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy mathematically elaborated. A generalized linear model was used to explore the influence of male age on semen quality, considering as confounders wine consumption, smoking habits, presence of varicocele, consanguinity and positive semen bacteriological analysis and urethral swab. The mean age of the participants was 36.41 ± 6.379. Male aging without impact of confounders was correlated with a decrease in sperm concentration and motility and an increased in sperm necrosis. Sperm concentration and progressive motility were negatively related to the presence of confounders as wine consumption (sperm motility), urogenital infection (sperm concentration and motility), varicocele (sperm concentration) and consanguinity (sperm motility). Urogenital infection, varicocele and consanguinity positively correlated with sperm necrosis. The most important finding was the observation of a negative effect of male aging on sperm parameters such as concentration, motility, and viability. It is possible to hypothesize age-dependent changes of testicular environment, probably related to reactive oxygen species production. The demonstration, in a large sample of patients, that aging influences sperm quality strongly motivates further research focused on the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon and its effects on offspring fitness.


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