scholarly journals Effect of two freezing extenders on characteristic of fresh and frozen-thawed semen in endangered Old Kladruber stallions – A pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 227-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Šichtař ◽  
A. Nehasilová ◽  
O. Šimoník ◽  
F. Bubeníčková

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different extenders on sperm characteristic before equilibration and post-thaw in the endangered Old Kladruber stallions. Also, the response of individual stallions to the extenders used was tested. Semen was collected from six stallions every other day within one week. After centrifugation of the collected sperm-rich fraction, the supernatant was removed and sperm pellets were divided to two aliquots; these were diluted either with Gent (Minitube, Germany) or privately manufactured lactose-EDTA-egg yolk extender (Lact). Three cryopreserved insemination doses (IDs) from each extender (Gent and Lact) were prepared for each stallion from one collection (108 samples from six stallions in total). As a parameter of quality, the motility (computer assisted sperm analysis), viability (fluorescence staining), and morphology (eosin/nigrosine staining) were evaluated after dilution with freezing extenders (fresh) and after thawing (frozen-thawed). The different effects of chosen extenders on the quality of fresh semen were only manifested in higher kinematic parameters of sperm when the Lact extender was used. However, in frozen-thawed samples, the Gent extender yielded significantly better results in all of the evaluated parameters. The representation of sperm subpopulation was significantly influenced by extender in fresh as well as frozen-thawed samples; moreover, we found a significant effect of freezing on the distribution of these subpopulations. The response of individual stallions to chosen extenders was evident in the different quality of fresh as well as frozen-thawed IDs; Gent extender yielded better frozen-thawed IDs. Based on our results, among others describing quality parameters of ejaculate in endangered Old Kladruber stallions, we can recommend using Gent extender for the production of frozen-thawed IDs.  

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ortiz ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
D. Acha ◽  
M. J. Gálvez ◽  
M. Urbano ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to determine whether colloid single-layer centrifugation (SLC) improves post-thaw donkey sperm quality and if this potential enhancement is related to ejaculate freezability. Semen from Andalusian donkeys was frozen following a standard protocol. SLC was performed on frozen–thawed semen and post-thaw sperm parameters were compared with uncentrifuged samples. Sperm quality was estimated by integrating in a single value sperm motility (assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis), morphology and viability (evaluated under brightfield or fluorescence microscopy). Sperm freezability was calculated as the relationship between sperm quality obtained before freezing and after thawing. Ejaculates were classified into low, medium and high freezability groups using the 25th and 75th percentiles as thresholds. All sperm parameters were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in SLC-selected samples in comparison to uncentrifuged frozen–thawed semen and several kinematic parameters were even higher than those obtained in fresh semen. The increment of sperm parameters after SLC selection was correlated with ejaculate freezability, obtaining the highest values after SLC in semen samples with low freezability. We concluded that, based on the sperm-quality parameters evaluated, SLC can be a suitable procedure to improve post-thaw sperm quality of cryopreserved donkey semen, in particular for those ejaculates with low freezability.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2619
Author(s):  
Margarida Fernandes ◽  
Pablo Rodríguez Hernández ◽  
João Simões ◽  
João Pedro Barbas

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of three semen extenders (S-EXT) on 22 spermatozoa (SPZ) parameters (subjective and computer-assisted sperm analysis evaluations), before and after semen cryopreservation throughout different months of the breeding season in the Portuguese Merino breed. According to the multivariable model, the SPZ viability (alive %), kinetics subjective individual motility, total motility, total progressive motility and its subpopulations, and beat cross frequency) were higher in the egg yolk-based S-EXT improved by Estação Zootécnica National (Portugal) than in Ovixcell® or Andromed® extenders. All the differences were only observed in thawed semen, except for total motility and total progressive motility, in which Ovixcell® also showed the poorest results on fresh semen. An interaction effect between S-EXT and semen processing was observed on 72.3% (17/22) of the evaluated parameters, evidencing a variable cryoprotective action between S-EXT. The SPZ viability was poorer in the onset of the breeding season (end of April/early May) than in the previous middle breeding season (November/early December), suggesting the influence of a short anoestrous season on ejaculate quality, even though the volume and SPZ concentration of the ejaculates remained stable throughout the experiment. Additionally, S-EXT x semen processing x month interaction effect on 59.1% (13/22) of the evaluated parameters evidenced the importance of SPZ time collection in a natural environment to cryopreserve ram’s semen. We concluded that, overall, the egg yolk-based S-EXT provided a greater value to the cryopreservation of Merino rams´ semen. Nevertheless, the causes of the interaction effect between S-EXT, semen processing and/or month on several SPZ parameters should be addressed, including SPZ molecular research in new studies, in order to improve egg yolk-based as well as in egg yolk-free-based S-EXT.


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.


Respuestas ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
Leonardo Hernández-Corredor ◽  
Alexander Nivia-Osuna ◽  
Daniel Hernández-Villamizar ◽  
Jorge Alexander Rubio-Parada ◽  
Armando Quintero-Moreno

 El estudio evaluó la motilidad espermática y su efecto postdescongelación en semen caprino, en dos medios comerciales (Andromed® y TwoStep®) y diferentes protocolos de congelación (medio completo, con adicción del 10% de yema de huevo, semen centrifugado y sobrenadante seminal), se utilizaron machos de la raza alpina de la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña, el semen fue colectado con electroeyaculador, una vez los medios terminados y parte de los contenidos seminales enteros o centrifugados mezclados, se estabilizó por 2 horas, se envasó en pajillas de 0,5 cc y se congela en vapores de nitrógeno por 10 minutos, las pajillas se llevaron al laboratorio de Andrología de la Universidad del Zulia y por medio del sistema C.A.S.A.(Computer Assisted Sperm Análisis) se evaluaron los parámetros de motilidad como velocidad curvilínea (VCL), velocidad rectilínea (VSL), velocidad lineal (VAP), índice de linealidad (LIN), índice de rectitud (STR), índice de oscilación (ALH), Amplitud media del desplazamiento lateral de la cabeza del espermatozoide (BCF), los datos fueron analizados por medio del procedimiento GLM de SAS versión 9.0; los mejores índices de motilidad (VCL, ALH, BCF) fueron expresados enel tratamiento de contenido seminal centrifugado en medio Andromed®. (p≤0,001))La mejor progresividad espermática (VSL,LIN,STR)se presentó el tratamiento de Semen completo de caprino, criopreservado en medio comercial TwoStep®. ABSTRACT  The study evaluated the effect sperm motility and sperm post-thawing in goats, two commercial means (Andromed ® and Two Step ®) and different freezing protocols (complete medium with 10% addition of the egg yolk, semen centrifuged supernatant and seminal ), we used males of the Alpine race of the University Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña, semen was collected with electroejaculator once finished media and part of the whole and centrifuged seminal contents mixed, stabilized by two hours, packed in 0.5 cc straws and frozen in nitrogen vapor for 10 min, the straws were taken to the laboratory of Andrology at the University of Zulia and through CASA system (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis) were evaluated motility parameters such as curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), linear velocity (VAP), linearity index (LIN), straightness index (STR) Oscillation Index (ALH ) average amplitude of the lateral displacement of the sperm head (BCF), the data were analyzed by the GLM procedure of SAS version 9.0, the highest rates of motility (VCL, ALH, BCF) were expressed in the treatment of seminal content centrifugation Andromed ® medium. (p ≤ 0.001)) The best progressive sperm (VSL, LIN, STR) will present the full Semen treatment goats, cryopreserved at Two Step ® commercial medium.Keywords: semen, buck, Andromed, Two step.


Zygote ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Maya-Soriano ◽  
E. Taberner ◽  
M. Sabés-Alsina ◽  
M. Piles ◽  
M. Lopez-Bejar

SummaryThe generation of reactive oxygen species associated with cryopreservation could be responsible for mammalian sperm damage and the limitable value of stored semen in artificial insemination. The aim of this study was to assess several antioxidant agents supplemented in a commercial freezing extender (Gent B®) in order to improve post-thaw rabbit sperm quality. Ejaculates of 26 New Zealand White rabbit bucks were collected, evaluated and frozen using a conventional protocol. Antioxidant agents were tested at different concentrations: bovine serum albumin (BSA; 5, 30 or 60 mg/ml), retinol (RO; 50, 100 or 200 μM) and retinyl (RI; 0.282 or 2.82 μg/ml). Per cent viability, morphological abnormalities and intact acrosomes were determined using eosin–nigrosin staining. Motility and progressivity were analyzed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). In general, all sperm quality parameters were negatively affected by the cryopreservation process, the largest effect seen was for total motility. The addition of antioxidant agents did not improve thaw sperm quality. Furthermore, for RI groups a significant decrease in sperm quality parameters was recorded. In conclusion, rabbit sperm quality is negatively affected by the cryopreservation process. To our knowledge this report is the first using these antioxidants to supplement rabbit freezing extender. BSA and RO at concentrations used in the study did not improve sperm quality parameters after thawing, whereas RI supplementation appeared to be toxic. More studies are required to find the appropriate antioxidants necessary and their most effective concentrations to improve rabbit post-thaw sperm quality.


Author(s):  
Jiří Šichtař ◽  
Ondřej Šimoník ◽  
Petra Folková ◽  
Adéla Dokoupilová ◽  
Radko Rajmon ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of clarified egg yolk addition to semen extender, and the semen collection sequence on the quality of frozen-thawed semen in dogs. Semen was collected from 6 dogs in a time interval of 24 hours. As parameter of the quality of frozen-thawed (F-T) semen, the motility by computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and plasma membrane integrity by hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS) were evaluated. All kinematic parameters of sperm motility were higher in F-T samples containing the whole in comparison to the clarified egg yolk. The sequence of semen collection affected sperm movement characteristics of native as well as F-T semen, but it was not possible to determine whether the fresh semen from the 1st or 2nd collection is of higher quality. All motility parameters of sperms frozen with extender containing the whole egg yolk were significantly higher in the case of the 2nd collection. The situation was not so clear in the case of clarified egg yolk addition, but the velocity values were higher in F-T samples from the 2nd collection. In contrast to proven differences in motility, the effect of the addition of clarified egg yolk and the sequence of semen collection were not projected at all on the quality of plasma membrane of canine sperms evaluated by HOS test.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ortiz ◽  
J. Dorado ◽  
D. Acha ◽  
L. Ramirez ◽  
M. Urbano ◽  
...  

Single-layer centrifugation (SLC) with EquipureTM Bottom Layer has been used to enhance the quality of stallion semen samples; however, no studies have been performed on donkeys. The aim of this study was to determine if SLC with EquipureTM Bottom Layer improves kinematic parameters on frozen–thawed donkey sperm. Semen was collected from 4 Andalusian donkeys by artificial vagina. Three ejaculates from each donkey were centrifuged with EquiproTM, supernatant was removed, and pellet was re-extended in the freezing medium GentTM to a final concentration of 200 × 106 spermatozoa per milliliter. Sperm were slowly cooled to 5°C for 2 h, loaded in 0.5-mL plastic straws, and frozen in liquid-nitrogen vapors. After at least one week of storage, straws were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s. After thawing, semen samples were divided in 2 aliquots: aliquot 1 was used as such (control) and aliquot 2 was processed by SLC using EquipureTM Bottom Layer. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was performed, and sperm kinematics total motility (%), progressive motility (%), curvilinear velocity (VCL; µm s–1), velocity straight line (VSL; µm s–1), velocity average path (VAP; µm s–1), linearity (LIN; %), straightness (STR; %), wobble (WOB; %), lateral head displacement (ALH; µm), and beat cross frequency (BCF; Hz) were statistically compared using GLM model between frozen–thawed semen samples processed or not with EquipureTM. Results were expressed as mean ± standard error. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between SLC-selected and unselected semen for total motility (77.44 ± 5.83 v. 58.89 ± 6.07), progressive motility (76.88 ± 4.52 v. 56.59 ± 5.44), VCL (137.50 ± 0.75 v. 133.0 ± 0.99), LIN (69.43 ± 0.31 v. 68.23 ± 0.41), STR (78.45 ± 0.29 v. 76.90 ± 0.37), WOB (85.06 ± 0.18 v. 83.91 ± 0.26), ALH (2.76 ± 0.01 v. 2.44 ± 0.01), and BCF (9.13 ± 0.05 v. 8.53 ± 0.06), respectively. No significant differences were observed for VSL (102.89 ± 0.70 v. 104.32 ± 0.95) and VAP (123.21 ± 0.71 v. 121.50 ± 0.98). Most of the computer-assisted sperm analysis parameters used in the present study have been previously identified as reliable markers of sperm motility in relation to sperm quality and fertility. It has also been reported that VCL appears to be critical for the formation of the sperm reservoir and penetration of the zona pellucida. In addition, other variables improved in the SLC-selected samples have been described as measure of progressivity (LIN, STR) and spermatozoa vigor (BCF, ALH). These preliminary results suggest an additional option for improving sperm quality in donkey semen doses. In conclusion, SLC with EquipureTM can be used to enhance kinematic parameters on frozen–thawed donkey sperm.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
A. Tabarez ◽  
W. García ◽  
M. J. Palomo

In order to improve sperm cryopreservation throughout the year and accelerate the process of preservation of this Catalonian goat breed in extinction danger, we proposed to assess the effect of melatonin implant application in Blanca de Rasquera males during spring on sperm head morphometry of fresh and thawed sperm. Therefore 8 bucks of 30 months old approximately were divided into 2 groups. In one of the groups, 2 melatonin implants (Melovine®, CEVA) were inserted into bucks 60 days before starting the collection of semen, and the other group was kept untreated. Briefly, fresh ejaculates from each group of 4 bucks were collected in spring, immediately mixed in equal quantities, and centrifuged twice (600 g for 10 min). Then the pellet was resuspended in a Tris-based medium containing 15% (v/v) of powdered egg yolk supplemented with 5% glycerol. Afterward, sperm samples were refrigerated at 5°C for 4 h before being frozen in LN vapour. Buck sperm head morphometry was analysed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (ISAS®) on fresh and thawed sperm previously stained with Diff Quick®. Data were analysed by GLM multivariate procedure (IBM SPSS, 2011; mean ± s.e., n = 6), showing significant differences among treatments in all the morphometric parameters except head perimeter and rugosity (Table 1). Our results suggest that melatonin application in bucks increases the ellipticity and elongation of fresh and thawed sperm, meanwhile the cryopreservation process reduces both parameters. Likewise melatonin implants increase significantly the head length only on thawed sperms as cryopreservation process increases the head width, area in sperms from implanted males and regularity only in sperms from nonimplanted bucks. These head changes on fresh and thawed sperm morphometry should be deeply investigated in order to know how they could affect sperm cryosurvival and fertility. Table 1.Effect of melatonin implant on Blanca de Rasquera bucks during spring on morphometry of fresh and thawed sperm This research was supported by INIA (RZ2009–00008–00–00), Generalitat de Catalunya (2009SGR0621 and CUR-DIUE), and FSE and Fundación Carolina.


Author(s):  
Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips ◽  
Francisco E Martín-Cano ◽  
José M Ortiz-Rodríguez ◽  
Antonio Silva-Rodríguez ◽  
Maria C Gil ◽  
...  

Abstract The identification of stallions and or ejaculates that will provide commercially acceptable quality post-thaw before cryopreservation is of great interest, avoiding wasting time and resources freezing ejaculates that will not achieve sufficient quality to be marketed. Our hypothesis was that after bioinformatic analysis, the study of the stallion sperm proteome can provide discriminant variables able to predict the post-thaw quality of the ejaculate. At least three ejaculates from 10 different stallions were frozen following a split sample design. Half of the ejaculate was analyzed as a fresh aliquot and the other half was frozen and then analyzed as a frozen-thawed aliquot. Computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry were used to analyze sperm quality. Detailed proteomic analysis was performed on fresh and frozen and thawed aliquots, and bioinformatic analysis was used to identify discriminant variables in fresh samples able to predict the outcome of cryopreservation. Those with a fold change &gt; 3, a P = 8.2e-04, and a q = 0.074 (equivalent to False discovery rate (FDR)) were selected, and the following proteins were identified in fresh samples as discriminant variables of good motility post-thaw: F6YTG8, K9K273, A0A3Q2I7V9, F7CE45, F6YU15, and F6SKR3. Other discriminant variables were also identified as predictors of good mitochondrial membrane potential and viability post-thaw. We concluded that proteomic approaches are a powerful tool to improve current sperm biotechnologies.


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