scholarly journals Relationship between the Length of Sperm Tail Mitochondrial Sheath and Fertility Traits in Boars Used for Artificial Insemination

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1033
Author(s):  
Karl Kerns ◽  
Jennifer Jankovitz ◽  
Julie Robinson ◽  
Amanda Minton ◽  
Chris Kuster ◽  
...  

The length of sperm tail midpiece, occupied by the mitochondrial sheath (MS), has been correlated with reproductive traits of mice, fish, and birds; however, it is not known whether such a correlation exists in higher order species such as domestic pigs. As the mitochondria provide for sperm motility and generate the fertility-affecting reactive oxygen species (ROS), we hypothesized that MS length correlates with boar semen parameters and artificial insemination (AI) fertility. Sperm samples collected from 57 boars and used for single sire AI were labeled with ProteoStat Aggresome probe (AGG; Enzo Life Sciences) for MS imaging by epifluorescence microscopy and image-based flow cytometry (IBFC). The mean boar MS length was 7.26 ± 0.2 µm, ranging from 6.94 ± 0.18 µm to 7.65 ± 0.31 µm. The absolute longest MS measured was 9.19 µm and the shortest was 5.83 µm. Boars in the high tertile of MS length had significantly higher conception rate (CR; p = 0.05) and sperm parameters. Boars within the high tertile of average number piglets born per litter had significantly shorter MS and more varied MS length than boars in the low tertile (p = 0.04). MS length data correlated with conventional sperm parameters including percent viable and intact acrosomes (p = 0.03), basal:induced oxidation ratio (measure of intracellular ROS levels; p = 0.02) and Comp DNA (chromatin integrity; p = 0.06) along with many flow cytometric AGG parameters in IBFC. Sperm head AGG intensity median absolute deviation had a negative correlation with total born (r = −0.423 p = 0.004). These data reveal a complex relationship between sperm MS length and aggresome abundance to sperm parameters and boar reproductive success in AI service.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. e2034
Author(s):  
Shabnam Zarei Moradi ◽  
Seyed Abdolhamid Angaji ◽  
Mitra Salehi ◽  
Mehrdad Hashemi

Background: Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) in testicular tissue is one reason for the worldwide increase in male infertility. In the present study, we assessed the effects of curcumin and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) on sperm parameters in rats with I/R damage. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight adult male rats were divided into two groups (n=24 per group): control and torsion/detorsion. The control and torsion/detorsion groups were divided into four subgroups include sham, Fe3O4 NPs, curcumin, and Fe3O4 NPs+curcumin. After the rats were sacrificed, semen was collected from their epididymal tissues to assess sperm viability, motility, concentration, and morphology. Results: Curcumin significantly improved viability, motility, and normal sperm morphology in rats with I/R damage compared to the control group; however, it did not have a significant effect on sperm concentration (P<0.001). Fe3O4 NPs alone decreased all sperm parameters in the control and I/R rats (P<0.001). However, concomitant administration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with curcumin significantly improved sperm parameters in rats with I/R damage (P<0.001). Conclusion: The increase in all semen parameters in the experimental groups with concomitant use of Fe3O4 NPs plus curcumin indicated that green synthesis of NPs could be recommended for future clinical studies.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 242-242
Author(s):  
Dora Bachir ◽  
Francois Lionnet ◽  
Justine Gellen Dautremer ◽  
Katia Stankovic ◽  
Anoosha Habibi ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 242 Introduction Hydroxyurea (HU) has proved its efficacy in reducing vaso-occlusive events in patients with SCD and increasing life expectancy. However, effects on fertility in adult males represent a major issue for acceptance and adherence, as HU has been reported to impair spermatogenesis through direct cytotoxic effects and hypogonadism. There are only limited data in the literature in this field and mainly retrospective. Patients and methods 49 adult patients aged 20–52 years with homozygous SCD eligible for first line HU treatment were enrolled after informed consent between June 2010 and April 2012 in this prospective study: HYDREP.The main objective was to compare at Day 0 and 180 of HU treatment the semen parameters according to the WHO (1999) criteria(volume, sperm concentration, viability, forward motility and morphology ). Vaso-occlusive events and other complications, number of transfusions during the 6 months preceding and following HU initiation were recorded. Hematological, biochemical, hormonal parameters, HU dosage were recorded at Day 0, Day 90 and 180. HU was begun at 15mg/Kg dose (Platt *) and modulated following haematological tolerance and renal function. Results and discussion Preliminary results concern the 24/49 patients, who complete the 6 months protocol. A statistically significant impairment in all sperm parameters was observed, after a 6 months HU therapy, with great variations between individuals, which are to be explained by complementary tests. These preliminary deleterious findings must be interpreted with caution as in our experience 1) spermatogenesis may recover after drug withdrawal 2) Repeated vaso-occlusive events are also potentially deleterious on fertility (Berthaut **)and 3)this study must be completed with a survey on effective fertility seen in men treated with HU. Thus, regarding to the great benefit offered by HU on prognosis allowing a real “life project” in young symptomatic adults with SCD, it is worth providing each patient of the most accurate information on fertility as an essential prerequisite for their adhesion to HU treatment. Conclusion Sperm cryopreservation is advised before beginning a treatment with HU. Prospective follow up studies of HU male cohort regarding fertility are warranted. Health education has a major role to play to increase HU compliance especially in view of these results. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senka Imamovic Kumalic ◽  
Bojana Pinter

Infertility affects 50 to 80 million people worldwide. Male factor is a cause of infertility in almost half of cases, mainly due to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). With common diagnostic methods no cause can be found in approximately 30% of cases of male infertility due to OAT and these are considered idiopathic. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in male infertility and are proved to be higher in infertile men; antioxidants could oppose their effect. The aim of this paper was to review the literature on clinical trials in the period from year 2000 to year 2013 studying the effects of various types of antioxidant supplements on basic and other sperm parameters and pregnancy rates in subfertile males with idiopathic OAT. The majority of studies were randomized and placebo controlled and confirmed beneficial effect of antioxidants on at least one of the semen parameters; the biggest effect was determined on sperm motility. In many of these trials combinations of more antioxidants were assessed. The optimal dosages of one or more antioxidants were not defined. We concluded that antioxidants play an important role in protecting semen from ROS and can improve basic sperm parameters in case of idiopathic OAT.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
Igor A. Korneyev ◽  
Ruslan D. Zasseev ◽  
Ol'ga B. Pashina ◽  
Ali E. Mamedov ◽  
Al'bert M. Dogov ◽  
...  

Introduction. The concept of seasonal variability of sperm parameters is controversial. However, it should be considered during medical evaluation and solicitation of sperm donors. Aim. To evaluate seasonal variability of sperm parameters from anonymous sperm donors in a reproductive medicine center. Materials and methods. A retrospective study of 1252 semen samples from 39 sperm donors (mean age 27.1 ± 3.9 years) in a reproductive medicine center in Saint Petersburg during the period from October 1, 2015 to October 1, 2017 was performed according to WHO 2010 recommendations. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, progressive motility, and number of progressively motile sperm were analyzed. Results. Individual variability in semen parameters was high. The mean ejaculate volume in the summer months was higher than in the autumn, winter, and spring (t = 3.65, p < 0.001; t = 4.18, p < 0.0001; t = 1.92, p = 0.056 respectively). The lowest volume (2.83 ± 1.32 ml) was registered in January. The mean sperm concentration in summer was lower than in autumn, winter, and spring (t = 3.65, p < 0.001; t = 4.18, p < 0.0001; t = 1.92, p = 0.056 respectively). It was higher in winter than in spring and autumn (t = 2.54, p = 0.012; t = 1.72, p = 0.082 respectively). The highest mean sperm concentration was registered in January and the lowest in July (157.2 ± 46.6 and 131.9 ± 44.0 million sperm per ml, respectively). No significant seasonal differences were found in total sperm number, progressive motility, or number of progressively motile sperm (p > 0.1). Conclusions. The study suggests there is both individual and seasonal variability in sperm donors’ semen parameters. As several semen samples are needed to rate semen quality, we recommend that semen analysis for a potential sperm donor be performed in the summer months.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benhong GU ◽  
Shangren WANG ◽  
Feng LIU ◽  
Yuxuan SONG ◽  
Jun LI ◽  
...  

Abstract Male infertility may be caused by genetic and/or environmental factors that impair spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. High-altitude (HA) hypoxic environments represent one of the most serious challenges faced by humans that reside in these areas. To assess the influence of the plateau environment on semen parameters, 2,798 males, including 1,111 native Tibetans and 1,687 Han Chinese individuals living in the plains(HCILP) who underwent pre-pregnancy checkups, were enrolled in this study. The semen samples of males were evaluated to determine conventional sperm parameters, sperm morphology, and sperm movement. Reproductive endocrine hormones (REHs) were detected in 474 males, including 221 Tibetans and 253 HCILP. Due to recurrent abortions in partners, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of 133 native Tibetans and 393 HCILP individuals was further compared. Luteinizing hormone (LH) (4.94 ± 2.12 vs. 3.29 ± 1.43 U/L), prolactin (11.34 ± 3.87 vs. 8.97 ± 3.48 nmol/L), E2/T (0.22 ± 0.11 vs 0.11 ± 0.05), median total sperm motility (61.20% vs. 51.56%), and DFI (23.11% vs. 7.22%) were higher in males from plateau areas while median progressive motility (PR) (35.60% vs. 41.12%), total number of PR sperms (51.61 vs. 59.63 mil/ejaculate), percentage of normal form sperms (3.70% vs. 6.00%), curvilinear velocity (36.10 vs. 48.97 μm/s), straight-line (rectilinear) velocity (14.70 vs. 31.52 μm/s), estradiol (103.82 ± 45.92 vs. 146.01 ± 39.73 pmol/L), progesterone (0.29 ± 0.27 vs. 2.22 ± 0.84 nmol/L), testosterone (4.90 ± 1.96 vs. 14.36 ± 5.24 nmol/L), and testosterone secretion index (ratio of testosterone to LH) (33.45 ± 22.86 vs 145.78 ± 73.41) were lower than those in males from the plains. There was no difference in median total sperm number (157.76 vs. 151.65 mil/mL), sperm concentration (52.40 vs. 51.79 mil/mL), volume (3.10 vs. 3.10 mL), total normal form sperms (5.91 vs. 6.58 mil/ejaculate, p50), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (4.13 ± 2.55 U/L vs 3.82 ± 2.35 U/L) between the two groups of males. The REH and sperm parameters of males from HA hypoxic environments were adaptively altered. Although the total number of PR sperm decreased and DFI increased, the Tibetan population that lives at HAs has been found to grown continuously and rapidly. These results supplement prior findings regarding the impact of HA on male reproductive function.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Albrecht ◽  
R. Cavia ◽  
G. Larraburu ◽  
F. Garcia Migliaro ◽  
G. Brogliatti

The latest entry in the field of semen evaluation is computer assisted semen analysis (CASA). Heterospermic insemination has been used to increase pregnancy rates from low fertile bulls. The objective of this study was to evaluate, with the aid of CASA, heterospermic semen characteristics and pregnancy rates using different concentrations of bull semen in a timed artificial insemination protocol. Semen was collected from two bulls of known fertility by artificial vagina and all CASA motility parameters were evaluated individually and combined. Straws were filled using a semi-defined semen extender (Andromed, Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) as follows: single bull A and single bull B (12 × 106 of progressive motile cells after thawing); Mixed bull semen: A + B (12 × 106 of progressive motile cells after thawing) and Supermix bull semen: A + B (28 × 106 of progressive motile cells after thawing). All cows received a P4 intravaginal device (DIB, Syntex, Argentina) and 2 mg of EB i.m. (Syntex) on Day 0, 500 mg cloprostenol (Estroplan, Syntex) at the time of DIB removal (Day 8), and 1 mg EB i.m. on Day 9. Fixed-time insemination (FTAI) was performed at 52 to 56 h after DIB removal. A total of 249 cows were randomly allocated to be inseminated with bulls A and B (n = 76), with Mixed A + B (n = 87), and with Supermixed A+B at a high concentration (n = 86) by a single inseminator. Pregnancy rates were evaluated at 38 days after insemination by transrectal ultrasonography. Means and standard deviations or each characteristic were calculated, compared, and statistically analyzed. The following sperm motility parameters were determined with the Ceros 12.1 sperm analyzer (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Inc., Beverly, MA, USA) on at least 1000 spermatozoa: velocity average path (VAP), velocity straight line (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), amplitude lateral head (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN), and percentage of rapid or static cells. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in VAP, VSL, VCL, ALH, STR, or LIN. There was a numerically higher percentage of rapid cells in the Supermix semen. Pregnancy rate from bulls A and B was 61% and from Mixed A + B 60%, while that from Supermixed A + B was 69%. Results from the analysis indicate that semen concentration is an important element to be considered in a timed artificial insemination program. Numerically higher pregnancy rates were obtained with double semen concentration in the straw. More research is required to evaluate the interaction between different breeds within a timed artificial insemination program. This research was supported by Centro Genético Bovino de EOLIA sa and Syntex sa Argentina.


Zygote ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seda Karabulut ◽  
Asuman Demiroğlu-Zergeroğlu ◽  
Elif Yılmaz ◽  
Pelin Kutlu ◽  
İlknur Keskin

SummaryThe negative effects of cryopreservation on sperm parameters are well documented but little information is known about molecular basis of the process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of sperm cryopreservation on main apoptotic signs including DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation and to determine if these effects vary according to sperm parameters. Sperm samples of 72 patients were cryopreserved. The patients were sub-grouped as normozoospermic or non-normozoospermic patients according to their semen parameters. DNA fragmentation rates and caspase-3 activation levels were analyzed before and after cryopreservation in both groups. Mean DNA fragmentation rate was increased significantly from 23.98% in neat semen samples to 27.34% after cryopreservation (P = 0.03). DNA fragmentation rates were slightly higher in non-normozoospermic patients compared with the normozoospermic patients in both the neat semen and after cryopreservation (23.25 and 24.71% vs. 26.32 and 28.36%, respectively) although the difference obtained were not statistically significant. An increasing trend for caspase-3 activations (0.093 vs. 0.116) was observed after cryopreservation but the differences were not statistically significant. Caspase-3 activation was found to be slightly higher in non-normozoospermic patients both in the neat semen and after cryopreservation compared with the normozoospermic patients but the differences were not statistically significant. Caspase-3 expression was also shown using immunocytochemistry in both fresh ejaculated sperm and thawed sperm after cryopreservation but at different localizations. The cryopreservation process had detrimental effects on sperm quality but the quality of the sperm samples was not adversely effective for the apoptotic markers including DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation patterns. In fact, it was the cryopreservation process itself that adversely effected the above apoptotic markers and apoptosis. It was concluded therefore that sperm cell cryopreservation triggers apoptosis after thawing and this process adversely affects semen parameters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Ghaed ◽  
Seyed Alireza Makian ◽  
Asaad Moradi ◽  
Robab Maghsoudi ◽  
Alireza Gandomi-Mohammadabadi

Objective: To estimate the duration of time required following varicocelectomy to wait for the improvements of semen parameters. Therefore, we characterized the changes with the time in sperm parameters in men after varicocelectomy. Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study we included consecutively observed men who underwent varicocelectomy between September 2017 and September 2018 in a referral academic hospital. Clinical data of the patients, as well as their semen parameters, were measured before surgery and at 3 and 6 months afterward. Results: In this study, a total of 100 men with average age of 29.5 ± 6.2 years were included. Mean sperm concentration and sperm motility significantly improved by 3 (p < 0.05), but not by 6 months following varicocelectomy. The semen volume and sperm with normal morphology were the same before and after surgery (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of semen parameters when comparing 6 months to 3 months postoperatively (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sperm parameters (concentration and motility) improve by 3 months after varicocelectomy without further improvements. Consequently, physicians should decide quickly after 3-month of varicocelectomy if surgery has been not helpful and then plan other therapies, like assisted reproductive technology (ART) for managing infertility in couples.


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