scholarly journals Validation of the Turkey Semen Cryopreservation by Evaluating the Effect of Two Diluents and the Inseminating Doses

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329
Author(s):  
Michele Di Iorio ◽  
Giusy Rusco ◽  
Roberta Iampietro ◽  
Lucia Maiuro ◽  
Achille Schiavone ◽  
...  

This study was designed to test the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved turkey semen, and here, two experiments were performed: an in vitro analysis to assess the effects of Tselutin and Lake diluents and an in vivo test to determine the fertility and hatching rates by also studying the feat of three insemination doses (250, 400 and 600 × 106 sperm/hen). Pooled semen samples were diluted with Tselutin or Lake extender which contained 20% of dimethylsulfoxide and 1 mM of Ficoll at final sperm concentration of 3 × 109 sperm/mL. Thereafter, semen was packaged into straws and frozen on liquid nitrogen. The post-thaw sperm quality was evaluated considering motility (computer-aided sperm analysis—CASA system) and membrane integrity (flow cytometry). Significantly higher values of progressive motility and some kinetic parameters in semen frozen with Lake were found. When we compared the extenders in vivo, no significant effects were detected, whilst sperm concentration significantly affected both fertility and hatching rates, with the best results obtained with the sperm concentration of 400 × 106 sperm/hen. From the results obtained, it emerged that the extender type only affected sperm motility characteristics, not the fertilizing ability of frozen-thawed semen, while inseminating dose markedly affected fertility and hatching rates.

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. O'Brien ◽  
T. R. Robeck

Research was conducted to develop sperm sorting and novel sperm preservation methodologies for sex predetermination in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) using artificial insemination. In Study 1, the effect of seminal plasma (SP), sperm concentration and freezing rate (FR) on in vitro sperm quality of liquid-stored, non-sorted spermatozoa was examined. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of prefreeze SP addition on post-thaw quality (progressive motility, kinetic rating, sperm motility index (SMI), viability and acrosome integrity). Post-thaw motility parameters and viability were higher (P < 0.05) for slow FR than fast FR samples. In Study 2 investigating the effects of liquid storage and sorting on sperm quality, motility and SMI after sorting and centrifugation were lower (P < 0.05) than those of the initial ejaculate. The sort rate for enrichment (91 ± 4% purity) of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa was 3400 ± 850 spermatozoa sex−1 s−1. In Study 3, compared with a modified straw method, directional freezing resulted in enhanced in vitro quality of sorted and non-sorted spermatozoa derived from liquid-stored semen (P < 0.05). In Study 4, endoscopic insemination of three dolphins with sorted, frozen–thawed X-bearing spermatozoa resulted in one conception and the birth of a female calf. High-purity sorting of dolphin spermatozoa, derived from liquid-stored semen, can be achieved with minimal loss of in vitro sperm quality and samples are functional in vivo.


Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (6) ◽  
pp. 687-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Beek ◽  
H Nauwynck ◽  
D Maes ◽  
A Van Soom

In this study, we report for the first time on a possible contribution of metalloproteases in sperm passage through the cumulus matrix in pigs. The presence of 20 μM 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-PHEN), inhibitor of zinc-dependent metalloproteases, strongly inhibited the degree of sperm penetration in cumulus-intact (CI), but not in cumulus-free (CF), porcine oocytes during IVF. The inhibitory effect of 1,10-PHEN was due to the chelation of metal ions as a non-chelating analog (1,7-PHEN) did not affect IVF rates. Furthermore, incubation with 1,10-PHEN did not affect sperm binding to the zona pellucida nor sperm motility, membrane integrity, or acrosomal status. These findings led to the assumption that 1,10-PHEN interacts with a sperm- or cumulus-derived metalloprotease. Metalloproteases are key players in physiological processes involving degradation or remodeling of extracellular matrix. In vivo, their proteolytic activity is regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMP1–TIMP4). We tested the effect of TIMP3 on fertilization parameters after porcine IVF. Similar to 1,10-PHEN, TIMP3 inhibited total fertilization rate of CI but not CF oocytes and did not influence sperm quality parameters. Although the inhibitory effect was stronger in CI oocytes, TIMP3 also reduced the degree of sperm penetration in CF oocytes, suggesting the involvement of a metalloprotease in a subsequent step during fertilization. In conclusion, our results indicate the involvement of TIMP3-sensitive, zinc-dependent metalloprotease activity in sperm passage through the cumulus oophorus in pigs. The results should provide the basis for further biochemical research toward the localization and identification of the metalloprotease involved.


2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-557
Author(s):  
A. C. Silva ◽  
A. S. Varela Junior ◽  
T. F. Cardoso ◽  
E. F. Silva ◽  
D. Loebmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus (Cope, 1860), is a species widely distributed in the Pampa Domain, occurring in Rio Grande do Sul, Argentina and Uruguay, mainlyin the pampa region. In the coastal region of southern Brazil this is serpent is considered one of the most abundant. The purpose of the present study is to describe the techniques of sperm evaluation in vitro for E. poecilogyrus sublineatus in the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. After laparatomy the efferent vases were collected and the semen was diluted in 1ml Beltsville Thawing Solution. The characteristics of motility, membrane integrity, mitochondria, acrosome, DNA, cell viability and cellular functionality were evaluated. Fluorescent probes were used for the evaluation of sperm structure in epifluorescence microscope. With the techniques described, it was possible to identify intact and injured cells, enabling the determination of cell characteristics for the spring season (October and November). It was observed in the analyses that 80% of sperm cells were mobile and that 84.1 ± 8.0% of sperm membranes were intact. The standards found were of 48 ± 13.8% of intact acrosome, 73.6 ± 6.0 of perfect DNA and of 91.8 ± 4.0 of functional mitochondria. Thus, these values from the sperm analysis can be used as standards for the species Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus sublineatus.


Author(s):  
María Milagros Giaccagli ◽  
Matías Daniel Gómez-Elías ◽  
Jael Dafne Herzfeld ◽  
Clara Isabel Marín-Briggiler ◽  
Patricia Sara Cuasnicú ◽  
...  

To become fully competent to fertilize an egg, mammalian sperm undergo a series of functional changes within the female tract, known as capacitation, that require an adequate supply and management of energy. However, the contribution of each ATP generating pathway to sustain the capacitation-associated changes remains unclear. Based on this, we investigated the role of mitochondrial activity in the acquisition of sperm fertilizing ability during capacitation in mice. For this purpose, the dynamics of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was studied by flow cytometry with the probe tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE). We observed a time-dependent increase in MMP only in capacitated sperm as well as a specific staining with the probe in the flagellar region where mitochondria are confined. The MMP rise was prevented when sperm were exposed to the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine (CCCP) or the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 during capacitation, indicating that MMP increase is dependent on capacitation and H89-sensitive events. Results showed that whereas nearly all motile sperm were TMRE positive, immotile cells were mostly TMRE negative, supporting an association between high MMP and sperm motility. Furthermore, CCCP treatment during capacitation did not affect PKA substrate and tyrosine phosphorylations but produced a decrease in hyperactivation measured by computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA), similar to that observed after H89 exposure. In addition, CCCP inhibited the in vitro sperm fertilizing ability without affecting cumulus penetration and gamete fusion, indicating that the hyperactivation supported by mitochondrial function is needed mainly for zona pellucida penetration. Finally, complementary in vivo fertilization experiments further demonstrated the fundamental role of mitochondrial activity for sperm function. Altogether, our results show the physiological relevance of mitochondrial functionality for sperm fertilization competence.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3452
Author(s):  
Uchechi Linda Ohaneje ◽  
Uchebuchi Ike Osuagwuh ◽  
Manuel Alvarez-Rodríguez ◽  
Iván Yánez-Ortiz ◽  
Abigail Tabarez ◽  
...  

In order to achieve a higher post-thaw buck sperm quality, an approach in the thawing protocol of cryopreserved sperm doses under in vitro capacitation conditions mimicking the in vivo female environment was studied. Therefore, functional and kinetic characteristics of buck thawed sperm from males of different ages, the season of collection, and melatonin implanted males in the non-breeding season were assessed after 3 h of incubation in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) media with 20% of buck seminal plasma (SP). Previously, fresh ejaculates were collected via artificial vagina from eight males of the Cabra Blanca de Rasquera breed during two consecutive years in breeding and non-breeding periods. Prior to semen collection in non-breeding seasons, males were split into two groups: one group was implanted with melatonin, while the other was not. In each group, semen samples were pooled, centrifuged, and diluted in an extender containing 15% powdered egg yolk and 5% glycerol before freezing. After thawing, sperm were washed and incubated in three different media: (a) control media (modified phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (b) IVF commercial media, and (c) IVF media + 20% SP. Sperm motility was evaluated by CASA, while plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondria activity, and DNA fragmentation were analysed by flow cytometer at 0 h and after 3 h incubation. A significant reduction in motility, mitochondrial activity, plasma, and acrosome membrane integrity were observed after incubation in the presence of SP, although similar to that observed in IVF media alone. DNA integrity was not affected under in vitro capacitation conditions, regardless of SP addition. In conclusion, the addition of SP failed to improve post-thaw buck sperm quality under in vitro conditions irrespective of male age, the season of collection, and melatonin implant.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
M. Filliers ◽  
T. Rijsselaere ◽  
P. Bossaert ◽  
V. De Causmaecker ◽  
J. Dewulf ◽  
...  

Feline epididymal sperm is commonly used for in vitro fertilization. It also yields the opportunity to conserve genetic material from valuable males that suddenly die. Epididymal sperm quality parameters vary considerably among laboratories, implicating the need for objective evaluation methods. The aim of the present study was to describe reference values of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) parameters of fresh epididymal cat sperm and to assess the effect of prolonged cooled storage (4�C) on various sample characteristics. Epididymides obtained from tomcats after routine orchiectomy (2–4 pairs/replicate) were sliced to release spermatozoa. The sperm suspension was placed on a 2-layer gradient and, after centrifugation, the sperm pellet was recovered. In Experiment 1 (20 replicates), sperm motility parameters were assessed immediately after retrieval (T0) using the Hamilton Thorne analyzer Ceros 12.1 (HTR; Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). In Experiment 2, fresh (T0) sperm samples (4 replicates) were evaluated for motility parameters (HTR), acrosomal status (FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin staining), morphology (eosin/nigrosin (E/N) staining), and membrane integrity (E/N and SYBR�-14-propidium iodide staining; Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, OR, USA). After addition (1:2) of a Tris-glucose-citrate diluent containing 20% egg yolk, samples were cooled and reassessed on Days 1 (T1), 3 (T3), 5 (T5), 7 (T7), and 10 (T10). Results were analyzed in a mixed linear model, with replicate as random factor and time as fixed effect (S-PLUS 7.0; Insightful Corp., Seattle, WA, USA). Results of Experiment 1 were as follows (mean � SD): motility (MOT): 80.8% � 23.5; progressive motility (PMOT): 69.9% � 23.2; velocity average pathway (VAP): 98.7 µm s–1 � 24.2; velocity straight line (VSL): 89.3 µm s–1 � 25.4; velocity curved line (VCL): 134.8 µm s–1 � 31.9; amplitude lateral head (ALH): 4.3 µm � 2.0; beat cross frequency (BCF): 34.6 Hz � 7.0; and straightness (STR): 89.6% � 6.6. In Experiment 2, MOT, PMOT, VAP, VSL, VCL, BCF, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa showed a decrease over time (P < 0.05) compared to fresh samples, starting from T1, T3, T5, T7, T5, T3, and T1, respectively. In contrast, STR, ALH, membrane integrity, and the percentage of acrosome-intact spermatozoa were not affected (P > 0.05) by cooled storage. To summarize, we have presented a set of reference values for CASA-parameters of fresh, epididymal cat spermatozoa. Cooled storage impaired most motility parameters and lowered the percentage of normal spermatozoa, but did not influence membrane integrity or acrosomal status. The effect of cooled storage on DNA fragmentation of sperm and its subsequent influence on in vitro embryo development require further investigation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
M. L. Perals ◽  
M. A. Gil ◽  
E. M. Garcia ◽  
J. Sanchez-Osorio ◽  
J. M. Vázquez ◽  
...  

Boars can be classified as good or bad sperm freezers according to their sperm cryosurvival. Different sperm selection techniques, such as PureSperm� (PS; MidAtlantic Diagnostics, Inc., Mount Laurel, NJ, USA), have been developed to improve functional competence of spermatozoa. The aim of this experimental study was to assess the ability of PS for improving the in vitro penetrating ability of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa from good and bad sperm freezers. The sperm-rich fractions from two boars, good (Boar A) and bad (Boar B) freezers, were extended in a lactose/eggyolk/ glycerol/Equex Stem (Noba Chemical Sales, Inc., Scituate, ME, USA) mixture (1 � 109 sperm mL–1), dispensed into 0.5-mL straws, and frozen using a programmable cell freezer. After thawing (1.200�C min–1), semen from each boar was split into two aliquots of 500 µL. One aliquot was used as the control. The second was placed into a tube of PS gradient (90%/45%) and centrifuged at 425g for 20 min; the pellet re-suspended in 1 mL of BTS and re-centrifuged at 320g for 10 min (PS sample). Control and PS samples were diluted in supplemented TCM-199 (TCMm; Roca et al. 1998 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 10, 479–485) at 200 � 106 sperm mL–1. Sperm survival (SV) was assessed afterTCMm dilution according to progressive sperm motility (PSM, %) using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system (ISAS�), and plasma and acrosome membrane integrity (PMI; %) by flow cytometry (SYBR�-14/PE-PNA/PI; Molecular Probes, Leiden, The Netherlands). A homologous in vitro penetration (hIVP) assay, using immature oocytes (20 oocytes/2 mL TCMm supplemented with caffeine and calcium lactate), was used to assess sperm penetrating ability (Martinez et al. 1993 Theriogenology 40, 547–557). A total of 960 immature oocytes were inseminated (200 � 103 sperm/oocyte) in 3 batches. After 18 h of co-incubation at 39�C under 5% CO2 in air, the oocytes were washed, mounted on slides, fixed with ethanol:acetic acid (3:1, v/v) for 48 h, stained with 1% lacmoid, and examined under a phase contrast microscope (�400). Oocytes with swollen or unswollen heads of sperm found in the vitellus were considered as penetrated. Sperm penetrability ability (SPA) was assessed according to penetration rate (PR) and the mean number of sperm per oocyte (S/O). Data were analyzed using a PROMIXED model and expressed as mean � SEM. Boar A showed better (P ≤ 0.01) results for both SV and SPA parameters than boar B, independent of sperm treatment. PureSperm improved (P ≤ 0.05) PSM and PMI in both boar A (control v. PS: 48.0 � 5.8 v. 66.5 � 3.6 and 63.1 � 7.7 v. 88.4 � 1.3, respectively) and boar B (12.3 � 1.2 v. 22.2 � 3.7 and 44.3 � 3.5 v. 58.7 � 7.0, respectively). However, no differences (P ≥ 0.05) were observed in PR and S/O in either boar A (71.2 � 3.4 v. 78.3 � 3.1 and 5.0 � 0.4 v. 5.2 � 0.4, respectively) or boar B (34.3 � 3.6 v. 37.3 � 3.9 and 1.5 � 0.1 v. 1.5 � 0.1, respectively). In conclusion, under our laboratory conditions, PureSperm selection improves sperm quality but not in vitro penetrating ability of frozen–thawed spermatozoa of both good and bad sperm freezers. This work was supported by CICYT (AGF2005-00760), Madrid, Spain.


Zygote ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Li ◽  
D. Kalo ◽  
Y. Zeron ◽  
Z. Roth

SummaryWe examined the association between progressive motility of spermatozoa andin vitrofertilization (IVF) competence of bovine ejaculates. Fresh semen was evaluated using a computerized sperm quality analyzer for bulls using progressive motility as the primary parameter. Ejaculates with high progressive motility (HPM; >81%) were compared with those with low progressive motility (LPM; <62%). Semen concentration and sperm velocity were lower (P< 0.05) in HPM versus LPM ejaculates. Volume and motile sperm concentration did not differ between groups (P> 0.05). Examination of sperm morphology revealed a higher proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology (P< 0.01) in LPM versus HPM ejaculates, the predominant abnormal feature being a bent tail (P< 0.05). Sperm viability, acrosome integrity and DNA fragmentation did not differ between HPM and LPM samples. Mitochondrial membrane potential was higher (P< 0.01) in HPM versus LPM semen. Zinc concentrations in the seminal plasma correlated with progressive motility (R2= 0.463,P= 0.03). In addition, representative ejaculates from HPM and LPM groups were cryopreserved in straws and used for IVF. The proportions of embryos cleaved to 2- and 4-cell stages (88.1 ± 1.1 versus 80.5 ± 1.7,P= 0.001) and developed to blastocysts (33.5 ± 1.6 versus 23.5 ± 2.2,P= 0.026) were higher for HPM than LPM semen. The total cell number of embryos and blastocyst apoptotic index did not differ between groups. Although sperm progressive motility is associated with IVF competence, further examination is required to determine whether progressive motility can serve as a predictor of semen fertilization capacityin vivo.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
M. Sabes-Alsina ◽  
M. Wallgren ◽  
Y. Sjunesson ◽  
N. Lundeheim ◽  
M. López-Béjar ◽  
...  

Previous research indicated that the season during which oocytes are harvested affects quality of in vitro-produced embryos (Gupta et al. 2016 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 164, 162). In our own studies, sperm kinematics, membrane integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial potential and reactive oxygen species were affected by season of semen collection (Sabés-Alsina et al. 2017 Vet. Rec. 180, 251). The aim of this study was to investigate effect of season of semen collection on in vitro fertilizing ability and embryo development of the same sperm samples from the sperm quality study, using lower than normal sperm doses to detect small differences between groups (Ward et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 1575). Frozen semen was available from 8 Holstein bulls kept outdoors in northern Spain, collected during winter, spring and summer. Bovine ovaries, Holstein and Swedish Red breeds, were obtained from an abattoir in spring. Oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro with a low dose of frozen-thawed sperm (sperm:oocyte ratio 2500:1). After fertilization, presumptive embryos were evaluated at 44h for cleavage and on Day 8 for blastocyst development. Number of sperm binding to the zona pellucida and number of nuclei in developing blastocysts were assessed after staining with Hoechst 33342. There were 2 or 3 replicates per bull. For 555 oocytes inseminated, cleavage rates for winter, spring and summer semen collections were 42, 49 and 47%, respectively; blastocyst rates were 7, 12 and 8%; blastocyst cell numbers were 8.7, 10.2 and 7.8; and mean number of sperm bound was 0.70, 0.63 and 0.50. Although there were no differences (P&gt;0.05) due to season of semen collection for any of these end points, individual bulls had considerable variation in cleavage rate. In conclusion, despite previously published differences in sperm quality with season from these bulls, ability of frozen-thawed sperm to fertilize bovine oocytes and initial embryo development in vitro were not affected by season of semen collection, at least for oocytes collected in spring. However, bull-to-bull variation in cleavage rate was high. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and FEDER (AGL2016-79802-P). M. Sabes-Alsina was supported by a PIF from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and by the STS of the Epiconcept COST Action; J. M. Morrell was funded by the Swedish Research Council for the environment, agricultural sciences and spatial planning (FORMAS; 221-2010-1241) and the Swedish Farmers’ Association (SLF; 1330039).


Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Tae Kim ◽  
Kelle H Moley

The objective of this study was to determine whether sperm quality, fertilization capacity, and subsequent embryo development are altered in diabetic male mice and whether differences in facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT; now known as solute carrier family 2, SLC2A) expression in the testis and sperm exist. Using two type 1 diabetic mouse models, SLC2A expression in the testis and sperm was determined by western immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining. To address sperm quality and fertilization capacity, computer-assisted sperm analysis andin vitrofertilization were performed. SLC2A1, SLC2A3, and SLC2A5 did not change in expression in the testes or sperm between diabetic and non-diabetic mice. SLC2A8 and SLC2A9b were less expressed in the testes of both diabetic models versus controls. SLC2A9a was not expressed in the Akita testis or sperm when compared with strain-matched controls. 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B) expression was significantly decreased in the Leydig cells from the diabetic mice. Sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower in both the diabetics when compared with the control. These parameters normalized in Akita diabetic males treated with insulin. In addition, fertilization rates were significantly lower in the Akita group (17.9%) and the streptozotocin (STZ)-injected male group (43.6%) when compared with the normal group (88.8%). Interestingly, of the fertilized zygotes, embryo developmental rates to the blastocyst stage were lower in both diabetic models (7.1% Akita and 50.0% STZ) when compared with controls (71.7%). Male diabetes may cause male subfertility by altering steroidogenesis, sperm motility, and SLC2A expression. This is the first study to link a paternal metabolic abnormality to a sperm effect on cell division and subsequent embryonic development.


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