scholarly journals Comparison of three different media for freezing of epididymal sperm from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and influence of equilibration time on the post-thaw sperm quality

Author(s):  
F.C. Herold ◽  
K. De Haas ◽  
D. Cooper ◽  
B. Colenbrander ◽  
J.O. Nothling ◽  
...  

Assisted reproductive techniques might prove themselves useful tools in producing buffaloes free of specific diseases (BFSD), which are in demand in South Africa. Freezing protocols for African buffalo semen must not only result in good post-thaw qualities, but must also be practical. Epididymal sperm from six mature African buffalo bulls was collected, diluted with three different semen extenders and frozen. Pre-freezing equilibration times between 2 and 9 h were tested. Total and progressive motility, longevity and acrosomal integrity were measured and compared. The use of TriladylTM proved to result in better post-thaw parameters than the other two diluents. Equilibration times of between 4 and 9 h did not influence post-thaw sperm qualities significantly. For some of the treatments, exposure to semen extenders before freezing for less than 4 h resulted in inferior post-thaw semen parameters.

Author(s):  
Nethenzheni LP ◽  
◽  
Mphaphathi ML ◽  
Madzhie LR ◽  
Negota NC ◽  
...  

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of two extenders (Triladyl® and Bioxcell®) and the removal of seminal plasma on indigenous buck’s semen. Semen was collected from six indigenous bucks using an electro-ejaculator. Raw semen was pooled and randomly allocated into six groups as follows: (i) Raw non-washed, (ii) Raw washed, (iii) Triladyl®-washed, (iv) Triladyl®-non-washed, (v) Bioxcell®-washed and (vi) Bioxcell®-non-washed. Both the Triladyl® and Bioxcell® washed semen samples groups were diluted (1:4 v/v) with Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) then centrifuged at 1500x g for ten min and seminal plasma was removed. The groups were analysed for spermatozoa motility rates using Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA). The spermatozoa viability was assessed using Eosin-Nigrosin, acrosome integrity using Spermac, chromatin structure using Acridine Orange, and mitochondria using JC-1 staining solutions. Semen samples were diluted (1:4 v/v) as follows: Triladyl® (washed and non-washed) or Bioxcell® (washed and non-washed) and then equilibrated at 5°C for 2 hours. Equilibrated semen samples in 0.25 mL French straws were placed 5 cm above a Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) vapour for 10 min, and stored for one month. Frozen semen straws per treatment group were thawed at 37°C for 30 seconds. Significant differences among the mean values of semen parameters were determined by Tukey’s test using ANOVA, GLM procedure of SAS version 12.1 of 2010. The spermatozoa progressive motility rate in non-washed semen extended with Bioxcell® was significantly higher (89.6±7.5a) compared with that of non-washed Triladyl®, washed Bioxcell® and Triladyl® (P<0.05). Live spermatozoa percentage in washed semen extended with Triladyl® extender was reduced (27.7±17.1) significantly compared with the other groups (P<0.05). There was a lower percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential in non-washed and washed semen extended with Bioxcell® (39.5±23.2 and 37.9±28.6, respectively) compared with that of non-washed and washed semen extended with Triladyl® (P>0.05). The spermatozoa progressive motility rate in non-washed semen extended with Bioxcell® (58.5±10.0) extender was significantly higher compared with that of the other groups (P<0.05). There was a higher live and normal spermatozoa percentage in non-washed semen extended with Bioxcell® (45.7±21.2) compared with that of the other groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, Washing of seminal plasma in semen extended with Triladyl® was not essential, as it lowered viability, progressive motility and chromatin membrane integrity prior and post-cryopreservation. However, Bioxcell® extender was found to be more suitable for preserving spermatozoa during equilibration and freezing/thawing process of non-washed and washed buck semen.


2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-276
Author(s):  
Miroslava Mráčková ◽  
Lenka Vojtěchovská ◽  
Petra Andrlová ◽  
Šárka Krisová ◽  
Markéta Sedlinská

Two substances at two concentrations each were added to frozen-thawed stallion epididymal spermatozoa to improve motility indicators, which were assessed 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after thawing. Pentoxifylline was added at concentrations of 3.6 mM (1 mg/ml) and 7.18 mM (2 mg/ml). Both concentrations had a positive effect on total and progressive motility of spermatozoa throughout the study. The other substance, caffeine, was added at concentrations of 2 mM (0.4 mg/ml) and 5.5 mM (1 mg/ml). Both concentrations had a positive effect on total and progressive motility of spermatozoa only 30 and 60 min after thawing. Subsequently, 180 min after thawing, improvement was found only in total sperm motility.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Danielewicz ◽  
Katarzyna Przybyłowicz ◽  
Mariusz Przybyłowicz

The etiology of diminished sperm quality in about 30% of male infertility cases generally remains unexplained. Some studies have suggested that specific nutritional factors can affect semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between dietary patterns (DPs) and the risk of abnormal semen quality parameters in men. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 114 men aged 20–55 years from Poland. Semen parameters were assessed via computer-aided semen. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DPs were derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Two DPs were derived: Pro-healthy and Western. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of abnormal progressive motility was significantly higher in the middle (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.03–8.09) and upper (OR: 7.78, 95% CI: 1.52–15.06) tertiles of the Western DP. A trend for increased risk of the abnormal total count, progressive motility, and morphology (P-trend < 0.050) was found in Western DP. To conclude, the Western DP may increase the risk of abnormal semen parameters, whereas no association was found in the case of Pro-healthy DP. These findings stand in contrast to an increasing number of research findings indicating a positive relation between intake of healthy foods or diet and semen quality parameters. The results highlight the need to study whether modifications in diet and lifestyle factors improve semen quality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshanak Aboutorabi ◽  
Soudabeh Zamani ◽  
Yasaman Zarrin ◽  
Fatemeh Sadat Mostafavi

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a treatment of choice compared with other invasive and expensive techniques of assisted reproduction. Sperm quality is used to predict its outcome and success. Establishing threshold levels for sperm parameters is useful to avoid spending time and money to do other assisted reproductive techniques. This study was carried out to compare various semen parameters in a group of men eligible to participate in an IUI program with those of fertile men whose wives were pregnant at the time of the study. Two hundred and thirty-four semen samples were evaluated from subfertile men whose partners were candidates for IUI and 234 semen samples were evaluated from fertile men whose partners were pregnant less than 12 weeks. To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the main semen parameters, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used. Normal sperm morphology is more sensitive and specific compared with its progressive motility and concentration. No significant differences in various semen parameters of fertile men and those of the male partners of IUI candidates were observed. ROC analysis identified that sperm normal morphology using strict criteria may be a good indicator of fertility status in men. No significant difference in various semen parameters between the male partners of IUI candidates and the fertile men was seen. However, utilizing ROC curves, sperm morphology using strict criteria could be a good predictor of fertility.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 873-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.B.C. Lima ◽  
T.F.P. Silva ◽  
A. Aquino Cortez ◽  
J.N. Pinto ◽  
F.F. Magalhães ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We aimed to compare fresh sperm and sperm cooled to 4ºC that had been recovered from the epididymides of cats using powdered coconut water (ACP-117c) and Tris extenders. Sixty epididymides were divided into 6 groups: 10 fresh epididymides were recovered using Tris (T0h); 10 were kept at 4°C/2h and recovered using Tris (T2h); 10 were kept at 4°C/4h and recovered using Tris (T4h); 10 fresh were recovered using ACP-117c (A0h); 10 were kept at 4°C/2h and recovered using ACP-117c (A2h), and 10 were kept at 4°C/4h and recovered using ACP-117c (A4h). The testis-epididymis complexes (TEC) control were not cooled. The others were cooled at 4°C for 2 or 4h. The epididymis was separated and the sperm was recovered by the modified flotation method. Sperm kinetic parameters were evaluated by a computer-system analysis, and vigor, viability, concentration, membrane function and morphology of the sperm were assessed under a light microscope. The progressive motility with ACP-117c declined after 2h of cooling, but did not differ between fresh and 4h. The vigor and membrane function were higher in A4h than A0h. The vigor at T2h and T4h were decreased compared to T0h. T0h was higher than A0h for vigor and sperm membrane function. However, after 4h of cooling, ACP-117c maintained a higher percentage of living cells. Feline epididymal sperm quality can be maintained to the degree necessary for artificial breeding programs following cooling and ACP-117c may be successfully used to recover cat sperm that have been cooled for up to 4h.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed Shabana ◽  
Mohamed Teleb ◽  
Tamer Dawod ◽  
Ehab Elsayed ◽  
Esam Desoky ◽  
...  

Introduction: We aim to predict results of varicocelectomy on sperm density and progressive motility using preoperative clinical, laboratory and radiological data and to propose cut-off values for significant parameters.Methods: This prospective study was carried out between July 2011 and June 2014. We included 123 patients in our study. They were diagnosed with primary infertility with varicocele, were scheduled for varicocelectomy, and completed their follow-up. We excluded patients with azoospermia, total necrospermia, recurrent varicocele, and pituitary hormonal abnormalities. Varicocele was diagnosed and graded by physical examination and colour Doppler ultrasound. Semen analyses were completed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy was done in all cases. Patient demographics, pre- and postoperative clinical data (varicocele grade and semen parameters) were statistically analyzed.Results: The mean ± standard deviation of age, body mass index, and subfertility duration was 28.3 ± 7.4 years, 29.1 ± 2.7 kg/m2, and 21.9 ± 7.1 months, respectively. About 53% of our patients (n = 66) had bilateral varicocele, and unilateral disease was found in the other 57 (46.3%) cases. Varicocele grade I was diagnosed in 42 (34.1%) patients, while the other 81 (65.9%) patients had grade II or III. Higher grades of varicocele, preoperative total testosterone level, sperm density, and progressive motility had a statistically significant impact on the outcome of varicocelectomy in univariate testing. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that grade of preoperative varicocele (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6–6.3, p = 0.007) and sperm density (95% CI 2.7–1.6, p = 0.0035), and progressive motility (95% CI 1.1–2.3, p = 0.0123) are independent predictors of semen parameters improvement after varicocelectomy.Conclusion: The grade of the varicocele, sperm density, and progressive motility are major predictors of outcome in varicocelectomy. Cut-off values of >8 million/mL and >18% for sperm density and progressive motility, respectively, in men with varicocele grade II or III, indicate a successful outcome.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-460
Author(s):  
Houda Amor ◽  
Shelko Nyaz ◽  
Mohamad Eid Hammadeh

Objectives: The present study focused on tobacco smoke and its effect on semen parameters, sperm DNA quality (compaction and fragmentation) and clinical outcomes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) therapy Materials and Methods: The semen samples were divided according to smoking status into the following 2 groups, 98 heavy-smokers (G1) and 43 non-smokers (G2). Semen was prepared and purified using the PureSperm gradients according to the WHO guidelines 2010. Protamine deficiency (CMA3 positivity) was assessed by chromomycin CMA3 staining and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) by TUNEL assay. Results: The mean concentration and the total motility were significantly higher in G2 in comparison to G1 (P=0.014, and P=0.026 respectively) and the results were similar for the mean percent of the progressive motility and normal morphology (P=0.0001). CMA3+ and sDF in G2 were significantly lower in comparison to G1 (20.35 ± 13.34% vs. 33.30 ± 22.33%, P=0.001; 14.23 ± 13.07% vs. 26.68 ± 19.77%, P=0.0001). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the ICSI outcomes, except for the pregnancy rate, which was significantly higher in G2 than in G1 (0.60 ± 0.49% vs. 0.38 ± 0.48%; P=0.013). In G1, CMA3+ correlated negatively with sperm concentration (r=-0.233, P=0.021) but positively with sDF (r=0.484, P=0.0001). In G2, sDF correlated negatively with progressive motility and morphologically normal spermatozoa (r=-0.304, p=0.047; r=-0.361, P=0.017 respectively). Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that tobacco smoking altered sperm parameters and later affected the pregnancy results in ICSI therapy. CMA3 and TUNEL tests are therefore useful as a supplementary test before any ART treatment to ensure a good prognosis.


Author(s):  
Jaqueline Sudiman ◽  
Rini Widyastuti ◽  
Alkaustariyah Lubis ◽  
Tyagita Hartady ◽  
Mas Rizky Anggun Adipurna Syamsunarno ◽  
...  

This study aims to determine changes related to epididymal sperm parameters in mice given cogon grass root ethanol extract (CGREE). The experiment was carried out by dividing three groups of mice aged 4-week old (early pubertal), 8-week old (adult), and 24-week old (old) as control and treatment groups. The treatment groups were given 115 mg/kg body weight of CGREE for 14 days. The mice were sacrificed on day 15 to asses reproductive organ indexes and quality of the epididymal sperm. Index of epididymis and ductus deferens indices significantly reduced in the 4-week old treatment group compared to control (0.23 vs 0.33; 0.08 vs 0.16,  respectively), and vesical seminal significantly reduced in 8- week old treatment group compared to control (0.76  vs  0.68). The epididymal sperm quality significantly decreased in all treatment groups, but the sperm concentration in early pubertal group showed an increase. These results indicate that CGREE can enhance several semen parameters in prepubertal and adult mice but this effect is not apparent in old mice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 155798832093971
Author(s):  
Ludmila Osadchuk ◽  
Elena Tipisova ◽  
Maxim Kleshchev ◽  
Irina Gorenko ◽  
Alexander Osadchuk

Male populations in the European North of Russia have not previously been investigated for semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate semen parameters, reproductive hormone levels, and lipid levels in volunteers from the general urban population of the European North of Russia, to compare the data published for men from the neighboring Northern or Eastern European countries, and to evaluate associations between sperm quality and serum hormonal and lipid levels. Ninety-nine volunteers aged 23–63 years residing in the city of Archangelsk were enrolled in the study. All men had blood samples drawn and completed a questionnaire concerning their health status and lifestyle; 90 men delivered semen samples. The medians for semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and normal morphology were 3.0 ml, 42.12 million/ml, 43.8%, and 6.5%, respectively. Sperm parameters below normal threshold values were found in 38.9% of participants. It seems that the sperm quality in our study group was slightly worse than in men from Finland, Norway, Sweden, or Estonia, but very similar to that in men from Denmark or Poland. The significant negative correlations of luteinizing hormone levels and positive correlations of inhibin B levels with sperm concentration and progressive motility were revealed. Higher levels of luteinizing hormone and lower levels of inhibin B were found in participants with impaired compared to normal sperm quality. No reliable links were found between serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and semen parameters.


Derrida Today ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-36
Author(s):  
Grant Farred

‘The Final “Thank You”’ uses the work of Jacques Derrida and Friedrich Nietzsche to think the occasion of the 1995 rugby World Cup, hosted by the newly democratic South Africa. This paper deploys Nietzsche's Zarathustra to critique how a figure such as Nelson Mandela is understood as a ‘Superman’ or an ‘Overhuman’ in the moment of political transition. The philosophical focus of the paper, however, turns on the ‘thank yous’ exchanged by the white South African rugby captain, François Pienaar, and the black president at the event of the Springbok victory. It is the value, and the proximity and negation, of the ‘thank yous’ – the relation of one to the other – that constitutes the core of the article. 1


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