• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.184-189
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• 2007

In order to investigate the enhancement effects of low dose radiation on biological activation, this study applied low dose X-ray to the whole body of male rats to find out whether hormesis is induced in male germ cells. Total 36 Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats as experimental animal were subdivided into 6 groups(in 6 rats per group) such as control, 10 mGy, 20 mGy, 50 mGy, 100 mGy and 200 mGy radiation group All the groups showed slightly increasing number of sperms per 0.1g semen ($14.216{\times}10^6,\;13.901{\times}10^6,\;14.153{\times}10^6,\;13.831{\times}10^6,\;14.137{\times}10^6,\;14.677{\times}10^6$ respectively), and the motility of sperms amounted to 50.9%, 49.5%, 55.1%, 54.3%, 48.0% and 52.2% respectively. Particularly, compared to the control, the other 5 groups showed higher male hormone level, and the microscopic observations of testicle tissues showed no vacuolization in seminiferous tubules and testis cells. In the results of this experiment, no harmful effect was observed on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for which the dose of radiation was controlled as regulated legally by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. However, as these results were obtained from a limited number of animals, we cannot maintain that the same effect will be observed in the human body. Therefore, there should be further research on the effect on other animals and ultimately on the human body.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of amides as a cryoprotectant for semen cryopreservation in Korean Jeju Black Bull. The semen was cryopreserved with extenders containing 5% dimethyl acetamide (DMA), 5% dimethyl formamide (DMF), 5% methyl formamide (MF) or 7% glycerol. Post-thawed sperm were evaluated for sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity. Post-thawed sperm motility was significantly higher (p<0.05) in glycerol and DMF ($64.00%{\pm}9.62$ and $59.00%{\pm}5.48$, respectively) than DMA and MF ($50.00%{\pm}3.24$ and $44.00%{\pm}4.18$, respectively). Sperm viability wassignificantly higher (p<0.05) in glycerol and DMF ($58.25%{\pm}7.35$ and $53.05%{\pm}3.77$, respectively) than others. However, for sperm motility and viability, there were no differences among glycerol and DMF. Also, swelling sperm ratio by hypo-osmetic selling test (HOST) was significantly increased (p<0.05) in glycerol and DMF treatments ($45.12%{\pm}25.08$ and $44.95%{\pm}8.58$, respectively). The percentage of capacitated sperm assessed by CTC staining, F pattern was lower (p<0.05) in DMF than others. B pattern was increased (p<0.05) in DMA, DMF and MF when compared with glycerol. AR pattern ratio was decreased (p<0.05) in glycerol and DMF when compared with DMA and MF. These results suggested that amides performed better and could be used as a cryoprotectant for semen freezing of Korean Jeju Black Bull.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.377-383
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to examine effect of ethylene glycol for semen cryopreservation in Korean Jeju Black Bull. The semen was cryopreserved with extenders containing cryoprotectants (7% glycerol and 3%, 5%, 7% ethylene glycol) and packed to 0.5 ml straws. The semen straws were located above 3 cm of liquid nitrogen for 5 min, 5 cm for 10 min and 8 cm for 10 min. And then frozen straw was plunged into $LN_2$. Post-thawed sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity were significantly higher in 5% ethylene glycol ($72.5{\pm}5.00%$, $54.88{\pm}0.66%$ and $46.00{\pm}2.40%$; p<0.05). Motility and viability were similar between 7% glycerol and 5% ethylene glycol. However, the membrane integrity was significantly higher in 5% ethylene glycol ($34.69{\pm}4.64%$ vs $46.00{\pm}2.40%$; p<0.05). The viability and membrane integrity were significantly higher in 5 cm for 10 min and 8 cm for 10 min than 3 cm for 5 min (viability: $55.81{\pm}2.94$, $55.19{\pm}3.34$ vs $47.94{\pm}3.48%$; p<0.05 and membrane integrity: $44.94{\pm}3.51$, $46.06{\pm}2.25$ vs $40.38{\pm}1.03%$; p<0.05). The percentage of capacitated sperm assessed by CTC staining, percentage of F pattern was higher in 7% glycerol, 5% and 7% ethylene glycerol, and AR pattern was significantly higher in 3% ethylene glycol. F pattern was significantly increased in 5 cm for 10 min and 8 cm for 10 min (p<0.05), but AR pattern was significantly increased in 3 cm for 5 min (p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2017

This study examined factors affecting the analysis of motility of chicken semen. The viability of spermatozoa was estimated using varying dilution ratios and supplementation with BSA or fatty acid free (FAF)-BSA as protein sources in semen diluent. Fresh semen was examined after preparing dilutions in beltsvile poultry semen extender (BPSE) of 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32 at $25^{\circ}C$. The motility of incubated semen at each dilution was observed at 3 min (89.9%, 69.9% and 53.2%), 30 min (86.7%, 71.4% and 51.7%), 1 h (89.5%, 74.0% and 53.5%) and 3 h (78.5%, 66.5% and 45.7%), respectively. The addition of BSA or FAF-BSA to BPSE diluent significantly increased the viability of semen in 1/32 dilution with results of 53.2% (control), 84.8% (BSA) and 92.9% (FAF-BSA) (p<0.05). This phenomenon was also observed in the dilution of frozen semen, where FAF-BSA treatment increased the viability of thawed semen from 17.6% to 34.0% in a 1/8 dilution (p<0.05). When the protein sources were used in the dilution, the survival rates of diluted chicken semen were also increased with time lapse. These results show that FAF-BSA may act to protect chicken semen and is suitable as a basic component of chicken semen diluent for the method of analyzing rooster semen after freezing.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.275-289
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to develop an in vitro assessment of sperm fertilizing capacity of bulls and investigate the factors influencing sperm function and characteristics of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa. in vitro fertilization (IVF), the evaluation of motility and normal morphology, HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test), Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, luminol and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence for the measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the measurement of malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and the evaluation of DNA fragmentation using the method of 747-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) by flow cytometry were performed in frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa. Correlations between the rates of fertilization, blastocyst formation after IVF and the values of respective assays were investigated. 1. IVF rate and blastocyst formation rate averaged 64.4% and 34.3% for spermatozoa from high -fertility bull group and averaged 18.5% and 6.2% for spermatozoa from low-fertility bull group, respectively. There were significantly different between two bull groups. Sperm motility and percentage acrosome reaction averaged 79.0% and 66.2% for spermatozoa from high-fertility bull group and averaged 40.7% and 22.9% for spermatozoa from low-fertility bull group, respectivitely. There were not different between two bull groups. 2. Luminol depenent chemiluminescence, LPO and DNA fragementation averaged 6.4, 2.0 nmol and 2.6% from spermatozoa from high-fertility bull group and averaged 6.5, 3.1 nmol and 7.4% for spermatozoa from low-fertility bull group, respectively. There were significantly different between two bull groups. There was no significant difference in lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence between two bull groups. 3. Fertilization rate was positively correlated with motility and the rate of Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, but negatively correlated with the frequency of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, the rate of LPO, and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. There was no correlation between fertilization rate and the percentage of swollen spermatozoa, normal morphology, and the frequency of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. 4. Blastocyst formation rate was positively correlated with the rate of Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, but negatively correlated with the frequency of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, the rate of LPO, and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. There was no correlation between blastocyst formation rate and motility, the percentage of swollen spermatozoa, normal morphology, and the frequency of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. In conclusion, these data suggest that ROS significantly impact semen quality. The assays of this study may provide a basis fur improving in vitro assessment of sperm fertilizing capacity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.442-448
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• 2013

The aim of the present study was to develop glycerol-free TRIS extender using glucose for dog sperm cryopreservation. We determined the appropriate concentration of glucose in glycerol-free TRIS and the exposure time in glycerol-free TRIS containing 0.3 M glucose at $4^{\circ}C$. Ejaculates of six dog sperm were cooled in glycerol-free TRIS through $4^{\circ}C$ for 100 min, cooled at $4^{\circ}C$ in TRIS with different glucose concentrations 0 M, 0.04 M, 0.1 M, 0.2 M and 0.3 M, respectively for 30 min followed by cryopreservation. After thawing at $37^{\circ}C$ for 25 sec, membrane and acrosome integrities of dog sperm were evaluated. In addition, the effect of exposure time (10, 30, 50 and 70 min) of sperm to glycerol-free TRIS containing 0.3 M glucose at $4^{\circ}C$ on progressive motility, viability, and DNA integrity following sperm cryopreservation was studied. Membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were assessed by 6-carboxyfluoresceindiacetate (6-CFDA)/propidium iodide (PI) fluorescent staining and Pisum sativum agglutinin conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate, respectively. DNA integrity was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, using flow cytometry. Sperm frozen in glycerol-free TRIS supplemented with 0.2 M or 0.3 M glucose have an intact plasma membrane (CFDA+/PI-) after cryopreservation than sperm frozen in the extenders with lower glucose concentrations (p<0.05). Acrosome integrity was significantly higher in the 0.3 M group than less than 0.1 M groups (p<0.05). The sperm DNA fragmentation index did not differ according to exposure time, although progressive motility was significantly higher in the 50 min exposure group than the other groups (p<0.05). These results indicate that cryopreservation of dog sperm is feasible and yields more motile sperm following freezing and thawing in glycerol-free TRIS containing 0.3 M glucose with the exposure time for 50 min at $4^{\circ}C$.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and serum FSH, LH, estradiol-17β and testosterone concentrations between breeds and among seasons in boars. In all seasons, Yorkshire boars produced higher semen volume compared with Duroc boars, whereas sperm concentration did not differ significantly between Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Semen volume in spring was higher compared with summer, autumn and winter in both Duroc and Yorkshire boars, but sperm concentration did not differ significantly among seasons. Sperm motility and normal acrosome rate of frozen-thawed sperm produced in spring were higher than those in summer, autumn and winter in both Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Sperm motility of frozen-thawed sperm in Yorkshire boars was higher than that in Duroc boars regardless of seasons. However, normal acrosome rate did not differ significantly between Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Serum FSH concentration in Yorkshire boars was lower than that in Duroc boars in all seasons. However, there were no significant differences on serum FSH concentration of Duroc and Yorkshire boars among seasons. Serum LH and estradiol-17β concentrations did not differ significantly between Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Also, there were no significant differences in serum LH and estradiol-17β concentrations of Duroc and Yorkshire boars among seasons. Serum testosterone concentration in Yorkshire boars was higher than that in Duroc boars in all seasons. In both breeds, serum testosterone concentrations were higher in spring than in summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, when serum FSH concentrations were low, semen volumes were high, and when serum testosterone concentrations were high, sperm motility and normal acrosome rate of frozen-thawed sperm were high.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of Bisphenol A(BPA) and di-2 ethyhexyl phthalate (DEHP) as endocrine disrupters on sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and abnormality during in vitro incubation of boar semen. Semen were randomly divide into 24 groups and healed with different concentrations of BPA md DEHP($1{\sim}100{\mu}M$) for 3, 6 and 9 hrs, respectively. The percentages of sperm motility and viability decreased by treatment time with both BPA and DEHP, and obiously differ from the controls. The percentages of sperm motility and viability significantly decreased by incubation with both $100{\mu}M$ of BPA and DEHP compared to control and other treatment groups(p<0.05). Sperm membrane integrity was significantly reduced by incubation with 10 and $100{\mu}M$ of BPA and DEHP, respectively(p<0.05), but sperm abnormality were not significantly affect both BPA and DEHP. These results indicate that high concentration of BPA and DEHP($>10{\mu}M$ can affect noxiously the sperm characteristics.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.155-159
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate synthetic extender for semen cryopreservation of Jeju Native Black Bull. The semen was collected using an artificial vagina and transported to the laboratory. The semen was diluted 1:1 by Tris-Egg yolk extender and contrifuged in 1,500 rpm for 15 minutes. The supernatant was removed. The pellect was diluted to final sperm concentration of $2{\times}10^8/ml$ by doubling in every 30 minutes at $4^{\circ}C$ cold chamber. The semen was equilibrated for 4 hours at cold chamber and packed to 0.5 ml straw. The semen straws were located above 5 cm for 10 minutes. The height and duration affect the freezing speed by temperature. The frozen straw was plunged to $LN_2$. The presented straws were examined the viability and motility after thawed at $37^{\circ}C$ water bath. Frozen-thawed sperm were evaluated sperm viability, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. Post-thawed sperm viability has been significantly higher (p<0.05) in fresh sperm ($93.27{\pm}1.62%$) than frozen-thawed sperm ($73.34{\pm}3.27%$). However, there were no significant differences between fresh and frozen-thawed dead cell rate ($7.35{\pm}2.63$ vs, $13.71{\pm}2.85$). In sperm motility, between Triladyl and AndroMed Extender, there was no significant different ($72.86{\pm}2.83$ vs, $81.47{\pm}2.48$), similarly, the dead cell rates was similar ($18.41{\pm}3.42%$ and $17.26{\pm}4.25$). The results of our study suggest that AndroMed to the freezing extender showed more positive effect on the frozen-thawed spermatozoa in Jeju Native Black bull semen.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.405-410
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• 1998

Boar semen extender Kp (Hankook Life-Science, Korea) was newly formulated by authors. This study was carried out to investigate the optimal concentrations of EDTA, Tris and citrate buffers in the Kp extender (Basic Kp) on the pH change during storage. And then the motility of boar sperm with the Kp pH stabilized (Modified Kp) was compared with those of commercial products imported into Korea such as BTS (Mini-tube. Germany; BTSg), BTS (Tri-bio, USA; BTSa) and Modena (SGI, USA). The pH values of all extenders were increased gradually with the storage days. Especially, the initial pH of Basic Kp was higher than that of BTSg, BTSa and Modena, and also higher than physiological pH of boar sperm (6.8∼7.5). When Basic Kp was added with various concentrations of EDTA (0, 0.63, 1.25 ＆ 2.37g/L), Tris (0, 0.18, 0.35, 0.71 ＆ 1.42g/L) and Citrate (0, 0.75, 0.81, 1.00, 1.25 ＆ 1.50g/L) buffers for pH down-regulation and stabilization of pH, the group added with 1.25g EDTA, 1.42g Tris and 1.00g Citrate well maintained the neutral range of pH during storage (6.88 at day1 to 7.33 at day6 in Modified Kp), Especially, the concentrations of the buffers added in Modified Kp were lower, until 1/2∼1/4 ranges, than those in Modena and other extenders. The motility of frozen-thawed boar sperm diluted with Modified Kp was significantly higher than that of Basic Kp, BTSg, BTSa and Modena (87.0% vs. 55.0∼71.0% at day1; 13.3% vs. 0∼6.3% at day6), Conclusively, Modified Kp in this experiment was kept the favorable physiological conditions in spite of low concentrations of the buffers and motility of frozen-thawed boar sperm was obtained better than that of Basic Kp and other commercial products such as BTSg, BTSa and Modena.