Dependence of the frequency of sperm defects and dimensions on sperm motility in ejaculates of Polish Landrace boars

An attempt was made to determine the dependence of the frequency of sperm defects and dimensions on sperm motility in ejaculates of Polish Landrace boars. The study was conducted on 393 ejaculates collected from 33 Polish Landrace boars. Ejaculates were grouped according to the percentage of sperm with progressive motility, distinguishing ejaculates in which the percentage of motile sperm was 70% and 80%. In each ejaculate, the frequency of morphological changes in the sperm was determined and morphometric measurements of the sperm were made. Ejaculates with a higher proportion of sperm with progressive motility were found to contain more sperm. The ejaculate volume and sperm concentration in the ejaculate were not found to be directly associated with sperm motility. The frequency of primary defects was linked to sperm motility. Ejaculates with higher sperm motility contained fewer sperm with primary defects. The frequency of minor morphological changes, however, shows no significant dependence on sperm motility in the ejaculate. The primary morphological sperm defects most often found in ejaculates are a proximal droplet and the Dag defect. Both of these morphological forms are more common in ejaculates with lower sperm motility. The most common secondary sperm defects include sperm with a simple bent tail, sperm with a free normal head, and sperm with a distal droplet. These defects were not found to depend on sperm motility in the ejaculate. Sperm cells in ejaculates with greater sperm motility had slightly larger dimensions than sperm in ejaculates with lower sperm motility. Ejaculates with higher sperm motility are preferable for use in practice, not only because more insemination portions can be prepared from them, but also due to the lower frequency of primary defects.

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113 Effect of antioxidants on motility and fertility of liquid-stored bovine sperm

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv32n2ab113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 183

Author(s):

Y. Honkawa ◽

T. Fujikawa ◽

N. Miura ◽

C. Kubota

Keyword(s):

Embryo Development ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Frozen Storage ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

P Value ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Bovine Sperm ◽

Liquid Storage

It is difficult to maintain sperm in liquid storage for a long time, compared with permanent frozen storage in liquid nitrogen. Antioxidants have been reported to improve the quality and fertility of liquid-stored semen. In this study, we investigated whether antioxidants can extend the motility and fertility of frozen-thawed sperm in liquid storage. Frozen-thawed semen from one Japanese black bull (one ejaculate) was diluted in Tris-citrate-fructose (TCF) diluent with 10% (v/v) egg yolk to a sperm concentration of 1×107 spermmL−1. The antioxidants β-mercaptoethanol (βMe) and glutathione (GSH) were added independently, at various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5mM) to sperm suspensions, and these preparations were compared with Control (no added antioxidant). Sperm suspensions were packaged in centrifuge tubes and placed at 17°C in air and monitored daily until sperm motility had stopped (up to 14 days). Sperm motility was analysed by the Sperm Motility Analysis System (SMAS; Ditect Co. Ltd), and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (straight-line velocity (VSL) of >25μm s−1; Grade A classified by WHO manual), compared with that recorded on Day 0 (100%), was determined each day. For evaluation of fertilizing ability, after incubation in liquid storage for 0, 3, 5, and 7 days, sperm were used for IVF with invitro-matured oocytes (30 oocytes per treatment, three replicates). Embryo development was recorded as the proportion of embryos that reached blastocyst by 8 days after IVF. Data for motility were analysed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey test, and embryo development using chi-squared test. A P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. At 7 days, the percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly higher for 0.5, 1, and 5mM βMe than for Control (30.8%, 48.1%, and 50.3%, vs. 0%, respectively). Treatments with 1 and 5mM βMe maintained some sperm progressive motility for 14 days (9.5% and 14.5%). Treatment with GSH showed the same trend at 7 days (32.2%, 36.3%, and 13.7% for 0.5, 1, and 5mM, vs. 0% for Control); 1 and 5mM GSH maintained sperm progressive motility over 10 days (24.8% and 4.4%). In both antioxidant treatments, embryo development was achieved with sperm stored for up to 5 days (Day 0 vs. Day 5 for 0.1mM βMe: 17.6% vs. 13.8%; for 1.0mM GSH: 26.0% vs. 6.7%; for Control: 17.6% vs. 0%). In this study, antioxidants extended both motility and fertility of frozen-thawed bovine sperm in liquid storage. This result suggests the possibility of application to AI using liquid-stored bovine semen.

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PSIII-1 Influence of prenatal or postnatal exposure to gossypol from cottonseed meal on semen quality in commercial boars: a preliminary study on feral hog control

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.522 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 284-285

Author(s):

Randi F Benefield ◽

Richard A Mudarra ◽

Tsung-Cheng Cheng Tsai ◽

Christopher R Hansen ◽

Charles V Maxwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cottonseed Meal ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Cells ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Postnatal Exposure ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Feral Hog ◽

Chi Square Analysis

Abstract The objective was to examine the influence of prenatal (Experiment 1) or postnatal (Experiment 2) exposure to gossypol from cottonseed meal (CSM) on semen quality in commercial boars. In Experiment 1, pregnant sows (n = 5) were fed a diet containing 0% (n = 1), 0.04% (n = 2), or 0.08% (n = 2) gossypol between d 56 and 86 of gestation. Boars (n = 11) born to sows in each treatment group (0% gossypol n = 3; 0.04% gossypol n = 4; 0.08% gossypol n = 4) were fed a common diet without CSM, and semen was collected at 269±2 d of age using a live sow in estrus. In Experiment 2, boars (n = 21) were fed a diet containing 0%, 0.02%, or 0.04% gossypol between 63±1 and 105±1 d of age (Initial BW: 19.85±0.43 kg). After the treatment period, boars were fed a common diet without CSM, and semen was collected at 238±7 d of age using a breeding dummy. Sperm cell concentration, percentage of motile sperm cells, and percentage of progressively motile sperm cells were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment as a fixed effect in Experiment 1 and 2 and dam as a random effect in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, semen was not successfully collected from every boar; therefore, chi-square analysis was used to assess semen collection status between treatment groups using the FREQ procedure of SAS. In Experiment 1, there was no difference in sperm concentration (P = 0.45), percent motility (P = 0.71), or percent progressive motility (P = 0.27) between treatment groups. In Experiment 2, there was no difference in sperm concentration (P = 0.72), percent motility (P = 0.17), or percent progressive motility (P = 0.87) between treatment groups. No difference was observed in boar collection status between treatment groups (P = 0.77). In conclusion, prenatal or postnatal exposure to gossypol from CSM did not influence semen quality in commercial boars.

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From Spermiogram to Bio-Functional Sperm Parameters: When and Why Request Them?

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9020406 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 406 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rosita A. Condorelli ◽

Aldo E. Calogero ◽

Giorgio I. Russo ◽

Sandro La Vignera

Keyword(s):

Normal Form ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Sperm Parameter ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Chromatin Compactness

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate whether infertile patients may benefit from the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters in addition to the conventional semen analysis. To accomplish this, we evaluated the correlation between conventional and bio-functional sperm parameters based on their percentile distribution in search of a potential threshold of these latter that associates with conventional sperm parameter abnormalities. The study was conducted on 577 unselected patients with infertility lasting at least 12 months. We identified cut-off values according to the median of the population for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), number of alive spermatozoa, and chromatin abnormality. High MMP (HMMP) (≥46.25%) was associated with sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility, and normal form. Low MMP (LMMP) (≥36.5%) was found to be associated with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, and normal form. The number of alive spermatozoa (≥71.7%) was associated with sperm concentration and progressive motility whereas abnormal chromatin compactness (≥21.10%) was associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility. The data would suggest that, for every increase in the percentile category of sperm concentration, the risk of finding an HMMP≤46.25 is reduced by 0.4 and by 0.66 for a total sperm count. This risk is also reduced by 0.60 for every increase in the percentile category of sperm progressive motility and by 0.71 for total sperm motility. Each increment of percentile category of the following sperm parameter was followed by a decrease in the risk of finding an LMMP≤36.5: sperm concentration 1.66, total sperm count 1.28, sperm progressive motility 1.27, total sperm motility 1.76, and normal form 1.73. Lastly, the data showed that, for every increase in the percentile category of total sperm count, the risk of finding an abnormal chromatin compactness ≤21.10 is reduced by 1.25 (1.04–1.51, p < 0.05) and an increase of total sperm motility is associated with a reduced risk by 1.44 (1.12–1.85, p < 0.05). Results suggest a correlation between bio-functional and conventional sperm parameters that impact the sperm fertilizing potential. Therefore, the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters by flow cytometry may be useful to explain some cases of idiopathic male infertility.

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Weighted single-step GWAS identified candidate genes associated with semen traits in a Duroc boar population

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-019-6164-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ning Gao ◽

Yilong Chen ◽

Xiaohong Liu ◽

Yunxiang Zhao ◽

Lin Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Snp Array ◽

Single Step ◽

Sperm Cells ◽

Phenotypic Variance ◽

Morphological Abnormalities ◽

Genetic Variances ◽

Progressive Motility

Abstract Background In the pig production industry, artificial insemination (AI) plays an important role in enlarging the beneficial impact of elite boars. Understanding the genetic architecture and detecting genetic markers associated with semen traits can help in improving genetic selection for such traits and accelerate genetic progress. In this study, we utilized a weighted single-step genome-wide association study (wssGWAS) procedure to detect genetic regions and further candidate genes associated with semen traits in a Duroc boar population. Overall, the full pedigree consists of 5284 pigs (12 generations), of which 2693 boars have semen data (143,113 ejaculations) and 1733 pigs were genotyped with 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Results Results show that the most significant genetic regions (0.4 Mb windows) explained approximately 2%~ 6% of the total genetic variances for the studied traits. Totally, the identified significant windows (windows explaining more than 1% of total genetic variances) explained 28.29, 35.31, 41.98, and 20.60% of genetic variances (not phenotypic variance) for number of sperm cells, sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, and total morphological abnormalities, respectively. Several genes that have been previously reported to be associated with mammal spermiogenesis, testes functioning, and male fertility were detected and treated as candidate genes for the traits of interest: Number of sperm cells, TDRD5, QSOX1, BLK, TIMP3, THRA, CSF3, and ZPBP1; Sperm motility, PPP2R2B, NEK2, NDRG, ADAM7, SKP2, and RNASET2; Sperm progressive motility, SH2B1, BLK, LAMB1, VPS4A, SPAG9, LCN2, and DNM1; Total morphological abnormalities, GHR, SELENOP, SLC16A5, SLC9A3R1, and DNAI2. Conclusions In conclusion, candidate genes associated with Duroc boars’ semen traits, including the number of sperm cells, sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, and total morphological abnormalities, were identified using wssGWAS. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis indicate that the identified candidate genes were enriched in biological processes and functional terms may be involved into spermiogenesis, testes functioning, and male fertility.

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EVALUATION OF SEMEN FROM YOUNG BEEF BULLS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas68-046 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 347-352

Author(s):

H. B. Jeffery ◽

R. T. Berg ◽

R. M. Gratz

Keyword(s):

Volume Concentration ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Progeny Test ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Beef Bulls ◽

One Year

Semen was collected over a 30-day period from 18 yearling beef bulls, nine Herefords and nine hybrids. Average age at the start of the test was 380 ± 20 days. A total of 112 attempted collections resulted in 94 samples. Fifty percent of ejaculates were considered acceptable for freezing from Herefords and 79% from hybrids, respectively. The hybrid bulls produced significantly more semen per ejaculate (3.3 vs. 2.2 ml), higher sperm concentration (1092 × 106 vs. 657 × 106 per ml), higher sperm numbers per ejaculate (3,834 × 106 vs. 1,499 × 106) and higher total motile sperm per ejaculate (1,999 × 106 vs. 669 × 106). Bull-within-breed variance was significant for semen volume, concentration, initial motility and progressive motility. Progressive motility was in favor of semen from the hybrid bulls but was not statistically significant (48% vs. 36%). It is suggested that the superiority of the hybrid bulls was related to earlier onset of puberty. The trial also suggests that useable semen for progeny test purposes can be obtained soon after bulls reach one year of age.

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Incidence and impact of hyperviscosity on sperm parameters of Malawian men seeking assisted reproduction

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v20i1.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Fanuel Lampiao ◽

Joseph Chisaka

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Volume Concentration ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Infertility Treatment ◽

Normal Morphology ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Accessory Sex Glands ◽

Semen Volume

Background: Seminal hyperviscosity has been shown to be associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hyperviscosity in semen of Malawian males seeking infertility treatment. Methods: A total of 120 men visiting our laboratory for fertility assessment donated semen samples. The semen samples were assessed for hyperviscosity, volume, concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology. Results: Out of the 120 samples analyzed, 34 samples were hyperviscous representing 28.3%. No significant statistical differ- ence in semen volume between samples with normal viscosity compared to those with hyperviscosity (p>0.05). Sperm concen- tration, progressive motility, total motility, viability, and normal morphology were significantly higher in the normal viscosity group when compared to the abnormal viscocity group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hyperviscosity affects a significant number of men in Malawi and may be the cause of decreased fertility as it was associated with poor sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology. Keywords: Viscosity; sperm motility; accessory sex glands; infertility; semen; semen analysis; spermatozoa.

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Analysis of seasonal variability of sperm donors’ semen parameters

Urologicheskie vedomosti ◽

10.17816/uroved8328-35 ◽

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 ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variability ◽

Reproductive Medicine ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Sperm Number ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Sperm Donors ◽

The Mean

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.

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Application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) to improve cryopreservation of young bull semen

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2021-0059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Barbara Szczęśniak-Fabiańczyk ◽

Piotr Gogol ◽

Lechosław Gajda ◽

Zdzisław Smorąg

Keyword(s):

Hydrostatic Pressure ◽

High Hydrostatic Pressure ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Membrane Integrity ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Cell Membrane Integrity ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Bull Semen

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on quality of cryopreserved semen of young bulls. Semen for this study was collected from 8 bulls aged between 13 and 18 months at monthly intervals, from June to September. After collection, semen was diluted in a commercial Bioxcell® extender (one part at 1:1 and a second part to give a sperm concentration of 20 million/0.2 mL), filled into straws and treated with HHP at 30 MPa for 90 min. After HHP treatment, pre-diluted semen (1:1) was diluted to a sperm concentration 20 million/0.2 mL and filled into straws. In addition, part of the semen diluted to a concentration of 20 million/0.2 mL was not treated with HHP (control). All of it was held at +4°C and frozen in a freezer after 2.5-h equilibration. Semen was thawed in a water bath at 38°C and subjected to estimation of the percentage of motile sperm both subjectively and using a computer-assisted semen analyzer and cytometric assessment of sperm cell membrane integrity. Subjective motility and fast progressive motility were significantly higher with pre-diluted (1:1) and HHP treated semen compared to control (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in percentage of membrane-intact spermatozoa between control and experimental groups. Additionally, the influence of HHP on the sperm of individual bulls was assessed. In bull number 2, the HHP treatment after semen pre-dilution significantly improved progressive motility from 54.1 to 63.4 percent (P <0.05). In bull number 4, the HHP treatment after semen pre-dilution significantly improved subjective motility, rapid motility and progressive motility by 12.5, 16.8 and 16.3 percent, respectively (P<0.05). No effect was seen for 6 bulls. It is concluded that for some bulls, the application of HHP before semen freezing may improve the cryopreservation outcome. However, this requires further research in this area, also to determine the fertilizing capacity of bull semen exposed to high hydrostatic pressure.

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Effects of Sperm Parameters on Pregnancy Rate in Patients Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination

Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.21613/gorm.2020.1040 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Mehmet Solakhan ◽

Mustafa Demir

Keyword(s):

Intrauterine Insemination ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sperm Volume ◽

Infertile Couples

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effects of sperm parameters on the success of intrauterine insemination were investigated. STUDY DESIGN: The data from 309 infertile couples who were admitted between 2012-2018 without a female factor were analyzed retrospectively and included in the study. After the administration of gonadotropin and hCG (5000-10000 IU), single insemination was performed in 36-40 hours in all cycles. All couples underwent routine infertility screening. The relationship between sperm parameters (motility, morphology, sperm count), patient age, duration of infertility with intrauterine insemination success was evaluated.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean age and age related-parity. There was no statistically significant difference between male ages, liquefaction, and sperm volumes between the two groups (p=0.898, p=0.448, p=0.651). Before washing; There was a statistically significant difference between the sperm concentration, percentage of total motile sperm, percentage of progressive motility sperm, percentage of normal sperm morphology, and total sperm count between the two groups (p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001). After sperm washing; the results were similar to those obtained before washing. While statistically significant difference was observed between sperm volume and sperm concentrations (p=0.023, p=0.018), no significant difference was observed between the two groups in total sperm count (p=0.612).CONCLUSION: As a result, during the application of intrauterine insemination to infertile couples, total motile sperm count, progressive motility sperm count ratio and high sperm ratio with normal morphology used in order to increase pregnancy success can be considered as criteria that increase the chances of success.

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