Establishment of semen collection technique using electroejaculator and semen cryopreservation of Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809)

Background and Aim: The Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas Cuvier, 1809) is a subspecies of Panthera pardus spp., spread across the African and Asian regions. Information on reproductive aspects is crucial for wild animals, including the Javan leopard. In this study, we aimed to develop electroejaculator (EE) techniques and evaluate cryopreservation success in Javan leopard semen. Materials and Methods: The semen of four adult Javan leopards was collected once a week using EE. Placement of the EE probe in the rectum was performed after ultrasound imaging (ultrasonography) to determine the prostate body location. The semen obtained was then evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. Three Javan leopards were used for cryopreservation. The ejaculate was divided into two parts [i.e., one part diluted with AndroMed® (Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) and the other part with Steridyl® (Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany)] at a 1:1 ratio immediately after collection and evaluation. The semen was then packed in a 0.25 mL MiniStraw® (Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) then equilibrated at 4°C for 2 h. After equilibration, the straw was then frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. Frozen semen was then stored in containers until further evaluation. Results: The results showed that ejaculation response occurred at all levels of stimulation, while erections did not always occur. The fastest ejaculation and erection occurred at the fourth voltage. The macroscopic evaluation showed that the semen volume was 0.80±0.26 mL, cloudy white, pH 7.44±0.14, and with watery semen consistency. The microscopic evaluation showed that the sperm motility was 66.98±0.39%, with sperm viability of 75.6±1.79%. Sperm concentration was 62.17±46.95×106 mL–1 with a total concentration of 42.14±23.51×106 cells. Normal sperm morphology is only 40.72±6.26%. Conclusion: This study concluded that the development of a semen collection technique using an EE preceded by imaging of the EE probe location using ultrasound was effective for the ejaculation of Javan leopards. The characteristics of the semen of the Javan leopard showed moderate semen volume, sperm motility, and viability. Javan leopard showed low sperm concentration and normal sperm morphology.

Semen and Spermatozoa Characteristics in Alcohol Users and Non-Users

Introduction: Increasing infertility rate worldwide raises research to investigate plausible reason health community. To find out the characteristics of semen and spermatozoa in alcohol users and compare these characteristics with that of non-users of alcohol. Methodology: The data on alcohol use and semen analysis were obtained from case records of patients reported to the Department of Andrology & Reproductive Medicine of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year from January 2018 to December 2018. The semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology in alcohol users were compared with non-users. Results: A total of 231 patients had reported to the Department of Andrology & Reproductive Medicine during the study period. Among them 81 (35.06%) were alcohol users and 150 (64.94%) alcohol non-users. Analysis of their semen reports revealed that the difference in semen volume and sperm morphology was not found to be statistically significant, but the sperm concentration and progressive motility of spermatozoa showed significant reduction in alcohol users compared to non – users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The semen volume and sperm quality were found to be low in alcohol users. Among the spermatozoa characteristics, sperm concentration and motility were significantly reduced in alcohol users.

Is there a relationship between serum vitamin D and semen parameters? A cross-sectional sample of the Iranian infertile men

Background Recent studies suggest that serum vitamin D may be associated with semen parameters. In the present cross-sectional study, we attempted to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and semen parameters among Iranian sub-fertile men. Results A total of 350 infertile men recruited for this cross-sectional study using a simple random sampling method with a mean age of 34.77 years old, body mass index of 26.67 kg/m2, serum vitamin D of 20.17 ng/ml, semen volume of 3.82 mL, sperm count of 44.48 (106/mL), sperm total motility of 38.10 %, and morphologically normal sperm of 7.0 %. After controlling for potential confounders, serum vitamin D was positively associated with semen volume (β = 0.63, 95 % CI: 0.06, 1.20), sperm count (β = 14.40, 95 % CI: 4.56, 24.25), sperm total motility (β = 18.12, 95 % CI: 12.37, 23.86), and sperm normal morphology (β = 1.95, 95 % CI: 1.07, 2.83). Conclusions The present findings suggest that higher serum vitamin D levels are positively associated with higher semen volume, sperm count, sperm total motility, and normal morphology rate. These findings, however, do not specify a cause-and-effect relationship, and there is a need for further research in this area to understand whether vitamin D supplementation can improve semen parameters.

Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The novel beta-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected millions of people globally with high risk among males than females. However, the effect of COVID-19 andrology is still a subject of dispute. We planned to analyze the overall consequences of COVID-19 on semen parameters and male sex hormones. Main text Systematic search was performed on MEDLINE and Scopus database until 11 June 2021. We included observational studies, which reported mean ± standard deviation of the semen parameters and serum sex hormones of those reproductive-aged males recovered from COVID-19 and controls who did not suffered from COVID-19. We used Random-effect model to pool the studies, as heterogeneity was present. The Q test and I2 evaluated heterogeneity. All articles were assessed with their quality and publication bias. We assessed 966 articles for eligibility and found seven eligible studies. These 7 studies included 934 participants with mean age 37.34 ± 10.5 years. Random-effect model meta-analysis showed that men who recovered from COVID-19 had semen parameters less than those who had not suffered from COVID-19. The overall mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)] in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm number, and progressive sperm motility was − 0.20 (− 0.45, 0.05) ml, − 16.59 (− 34.82, 1.65) millions/ml, − 45.44 (− 84.56, − 6.31) millions per ejaculate, − 1.73 (− 8.20, 4.75) percentage respectively. Considering sex hormones, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels were higher among those recovered with a significant MD (95% CI) of 3.47 (1.59, 5.35)U l−1 and 3.21 (1.71, 4.72)ng ml−1 respectively. Conclusion We found that COVID-19 affects both semen parameters and sexual hormones. However, the mechanism for testicular involvement remains doubtful. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42021259445

Effect of Acacia mearnsii Tannin Extract Supplementation on Reproductive Performance and Oxidative Status of South African Mutton Merino Rams

We investigated the supplementation effects of Acacia mearnsii tannin extract (TE) and encapsulated tannin extract (ETE) on reproductive performance and oxidative status of South African Mutton Merino rams. We also observed the season effect on the testicular measurements. Thirty rams were divided into five groups: 0.0 g TE (control), 1.5 g TE, 3 g TE, 1.5 g ETE, and 3 g ETE supplemented daily for 16 weeks transiting from autumn to winter. Bodyweight and testicular measurements were recorded biweekly. Semen and blood samples were collected weekly during the last five weeks of supplementation. Results showed that the increase in the ETE from 1.5 to 3 g increased the testicular length and sperm concentration, as well as decreased the percentages of low and non-progressive spermatozoa (p<0.05). Simultaneously,the increase in the TE from 1.5 to 3 g decreased semen volume and elevated the percentage of abnormal sperm (p<0.05). The results suggest that the encapsulation of TE affords the maximum benefit of the TE on the sperm quality. Treatments did not affect the hormonal and oxidative status. Testicular measurements were significantly higher in autumn compared to winter. The plasma level of cortisol significantly correlates negatively with sperm motility, viability, and acrosome integrity.

Semen Parameters Are Seriously Affected in Acephalic Spermatozoa Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome on sperm quality in semen with different proportions of headless sperm.Design: Case control study.Setting: Andrology Laboratory.Patient(s): A total of 391 patients with headless sperm and 400 prenatal examination patients with no headless sperm who underwent semen analysis at the andrology laboratory.Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): The correlation of the proportion of headless sperm in semen with semen parameters.Result(s): All semen parameters except the semen volume were negatively (P<0.05) correlated with the proportion of headless sperm in the semen. The semen samples were divided into three groups based on the proportion of headless sperm (PHS) as follows: 0<PHS≤10% (n=249, group A), 10<PHS≤20% (n=71, group B) and PHS>20% (n=71, group C). Nearly all semen parameters were significantly lower in group B and group C than in the control group (P<0.05). However, in group A, only the vitality and motility parameters were lower than those of the control group.Conclusion(s): Semen samples containing headless sperm tend to have lower semen parameters than samples without headless sperm. Increases in the proportion of headless sperm in semen samples are associated with decreases in semen quality.

Comparative study of semen quality traits between Etawah grade and Senduro bucks

This study compared the semen quality traits between Etawah grade (EGB) and Senduro bucks (SB) raised in Singosari National Artificial Insemination Center, Indonesia. A total of 96 ejaculated semen were collected from three EGB and three SB with an average age of three years. The ejaculates were evaluated for semen volume (SV), spermatozoa concentration (SC), total spermatozoa (TS), spermatozoa motility (SM), post-thawing spermatozoa motility (PTSM), the recovery rate of spermatozoa motility (RRSM), and frozen semen production (FSP). Data of SV, SM, PTSM, and RRSM were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. While the data of SC, TS, and FSP were analyzed using an independent t-test. The results showed that SV, SM, PTSM, and RRSM were not significantly differed (P>0.05) between breeds. Whereas, SC, TS, and FSP of EGB were significantly higher (P<0.05) than SB. Therefore, it can be concluded that Etawah grade bucks can produce higher total spermatozoa and as a result higher frozen semen production for artificial insemination as compared to Senduro bucks.

Estimation of most probable producing ability of Bali cattle semen quality

This study aims to estimate the Most Probable Producing Ability (MPPA) values of semen quality in five Bali cattle bull that collected from January to October 2016 at Singosari AI Center. The semen quality parameter consists of semen volume (ml), motility (%), concentration (x106), and total sperm (x106/ml) observed in rainy and dry season. Data were analyzed using intraclass correlation to estimate the repeatability and MPPA values. The average of semen quality in rainy and dry seasons, respectively, in volume were 3.91-6.24 ml and 4.38-6.84 ml, motility was 46.31-70.00% and 48.26-70.45%, semen concentrations were 844.78-1059.02 × 106/ml and 1033.15-1260.16 × 106/ml, and total sperm were 3280.58-5964.50 × 106 and 4493.31-7206.96×106. In this study, dry season shows better semen quality parameter as well as the repeatability value, therefore the estimation of MPPA in dry season is more accurate compared to rainy season.

A Demographic Study of male infertility and Analysis of semen parameters

Infertility and problems of impaired fecundity have been a concern through ages and is also a significant clinical problem today, which affects 8–12% of couples worldwide. Of all infertility cases, approximately 40–50% is due to "male factor" infertility and as many as 2% of all men will exhibit suboptimal sperm parameters. It may be one or a combination of low sperm concentration, poor sperm motility, or abnormal morphology. Aim and objective: Demographic study of male infertility and assessment of abnormalities in semen parameters. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 702 males who came to test for infertility to Saveetha Medical College and hospital to evaluate the parameters of semen and male infertility causes. Methods and Material: The participants were divided into two categories and one group was evaluated through a questionnaire for occupation, personal habits, exposure, family history, and the other category was evaluated on lab findings of various parameters to check the yearly variation in parameters of semen. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics. Results: On the evaluation of parameters of semen in combination with a questionnaire to 44 patients, it shows that alcoholics and smokers have low semen volume, increase in liquefaction time and increase in viscosity is most commonly seen in youngsters like students and IT professional. Conclusion: In our study low semen volume, delayed liquefaction time and increase in viscosity is most commonly seen in youngsters like students and IT professional with a history of alcohol and smoking and stress

Antioxidant Vitamins and Carotenoids Intake and the Association With Poor Semen Quality: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Men Referring to an Italian Fertility Clinic

Several studies suggested that male's diet affects fertility. This cross-sectional analysis from a prospective cohort study aims to explore the relation between antioxidants intake and sperm parameters in sub-fertile couples referring to a Fertility center. Socio-demographic characteristics, health history, lifestyle habits, and diet information were obtained. A semen sample was analyzed to proceed with assisted reproduction. Three hundred and twenty-three men were enrolled: 19.1% had semen volume (SV) &lt; 1.5 mL, 31.4% sperm concentration (SC) &lt; 15.0 mil/mL, 26.8% sperm motility &lt; 32%, and 33.0% had total sperm count (TSC) &lt; 39.0 mil. Higher levels of α-carotene were associated to lower risk of low SC [4th vs. 1st quartile, adjusted OR (aOR) 0.43, 95% CI 0.20–0.91) and low TSC (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22–0.95). Higher intake of β-carotene was inversely associated with risk of low TSC. Lycopene intake was associated with higher risk for these conditions (aOR 2.46, 95%CI 1.01–5.98, SC), and (aOR 3.11, 95%CI 1.29–7.50, TSC). Risk of low semen volume was lower in men with higher level of vitamin D intake (aOR 0.25, 95%CI 0.09–0.66)]. Further research, especially, well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCT), is needed to understand how diet modifications may have a role in modulating male fertility and fecundability.