• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.293-297
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• 2016

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility is an important parameter because the movement of sperm indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but the effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [total motile spermatozoa (MOT), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.558-565
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• 2008

Although the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa is greatly reduced after freezing, complete understanding of alterations induced by cryopreservation has not been elucidated. The present study evaluates the effects of cryopreservation on the $Ca^{2+}$ handling of boar spermatozoa using several sperm activators. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signals from single spermatozoa were measured using confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging of unfrozen samples and of other spermatozoa after having been frozen. Elevation of the external $K^{2+}$ concentration elicited a three times larger $Ca^{2+}$ increase in fresh spermatozoa than in cryopreserved spermatozoa. Caffeine elicited $Ca^{2+}$ transients with some oscillations in the fresh spermatozoa, but not in the thawed spermatozoa. Depletion of the $Ca^{2+}$ store with thapsigargin induced a rapid rise in $Ca^{2+}$ in the control but generated a smaller increase of $Ca^{2+}$ after thawing. Exposure to progesterone induced a biphasic rise of the $Ca^{2+}$ level in the fresh spermatozoa only. Sperm viability was reduced by cryopreservation. Resting $Ca^{2+}$ levels in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa were similar. Longer incubation (2.5 h) of thawed spermatozoa partly recovered the $Ca^{2+}$ response to the interventions. These results suggest that cryopreservation reduces the responsiveness of spermatozoa to depolarization, modulators of the internal $Ca^{2+}$ store and progesterone in terms of the $Ca^{2+}$ signal, thus providing a possible mechanism for reduced fertility observed in cryopreserved boar spermatozoa.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.19-23
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• 1997

This present study was carried out to examine the effect of maturation media and liquid boar semen on in vitro maturation and feritilization of pig oocytes. The results obtained were as follows : When the oocytes were cultured for 36∼42 hours in mTCM-199, Waymouth MB 725/1 and mTLP-PVA medium, the maturation rates were 90%, 92% and 88%, respectively. The sperm penetration rates of pig oocyte matured in vitro were 87%(mTCM-199), 90%(Waymouth MB 725/1) and 86%(mTLP-PVA), respectively. The rates of nuclear maturation and fertilization of pig oocytes among three different media did not differ. However, the rate of male pronucleus formation of pig oocytes was significantly higher in pig oocytes matured in Waymouth MB 725/1(91%) than oocytes matured in mTCM-199(66%) and mTLP-PVA(62%) medium (P<0.05). When the collected sperm-rich fraction without diluent was used fro in vitro fertilization in mTCM-199 fertilization medium, the fertilization rate was 87.9%. However, when the liquid boar semen diluted with B tschwiler diluent was used at day 3 and 5 after dilution, the fertilization rate was 40.8% and 0.0%, respectively.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.189-194
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• 2006

Sperm-mediated gene transfer(SMGT) can be used to transfer exogenous DNA into the oocyte at fertilization. The main objective of this study was to assess efficiency of transferring mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) fragment into boar spermatozoa in either presence or absence of liposome and quality of transfected spermatozoa. The mtDNA of chicken liver was isolated and purified by phenol and alkaline lysis extraction, and it was inserted to plasmid. The genome of transfected spermatozoa treated with DNase I was purified by alkaline lysis, and then amplified by the PCR analysis. After electrophoresis, DNA quantitation of each well was calculated by comparison of the band intensity with standard. As a result, exogenous DNA was composed of mtDNA fragment(1.2 kb) and plasmid(2.7 kb). On the other hand, efficiency of transfection by liposome($9.0{\pm}0.34ng/{\mu}l$) in SMGT was higher than that by DNA solution($6.9{\pm}0.53ng/{\mu}l$). However, there was no significant difference. Transfering exogenous DNA into spermatozoa was completed within 90 min of incubation. In another experiment, there were significant (p<0.05) differences between transfected spermatozoa using both DNA solution and DNA/liposome completes with unheated spermatozoa for viability ($70.8{\pm}1.80$ and $68.0{\pm}2.16%$ vs. $83.3{\pm}1.69%$, respectively) and motility($78.7{\pm}1.59$ and $79.3{\pm}2.14%$ vs. $86.7{\pm}1.59%$, respectively). This study indicates that exogenous mtDNA can be efficiently transferred into boar spermatozoa regardless of the presence of liposome, and transfected spermatozoa can also use insemination and in vitro fertilization to generate transgenic pig.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.160-164
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• 2006

Currently, boars selected for commercial use as AI sires are evaluated on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics. If AI sires were also evaluated and selected on semen production, it may be possible to reduce the number of boars required to service sows, thereby improving the productivity and profitability of the boar stud. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between production and semen traits in the boar: average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF) and muscle depth (MD) as production traits, and total sperm cells (TSC), total concentration (TC), volume collected (SV), number of extended doses (ND), and acceptance rate of ejaculates (AR) as semen traits. Semen collection records and performance data for 843 boars and two generations of pedigree data were provided by Smithfield Premium Genetics. Backfat thickness and MD were measured by real-time ultrasound. Genetic parameters were estimated from five four-trait and one five-trait animal models using MTDFREML. Average heritability estimates were 0.39 for ADG, 0.32 for BF, 0.15 for MD, and repeatability estimates were 0.38 for SV, 0.37 for TSC, 0.09 for TC, 0.39 for ND, and 0.16 for AR. Semen traits showed a strong negative genetic correlation with MD and positive genetic correlation with BF. Genetic correlations between semen traits and ADG were low. Therefore, current AI boar selection practices may be having a detrimental effect on semen production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.500-503
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of season influencing semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration in Duroc boars. There were no significant differences in the semen volume and sperm concentration of Duroc boars among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, the pH of sperm-rich and sperm-poor fractions in autumn and winter season was higher than in spring and summer season in Duroc boars. Sperm motility and normal acrosome of raw semen in Duroc boars did not differ significantly among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, motility and normal acrosome of frozen-thawed sperm were higher in spring season than in summer, autumn and winter. Serum testosterone concentrations in Duroc were higher in spring than summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, when serum testosterone concentrations were higher in seasons, frozen-thawed sperm viability in Duroc boars were higher.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2003

본 연구는 초임전 임신항원인자로 정소상체제거 및 정관절제 수퇘지를 종부하거나 무정자 정액을 사용하였을 때 미경산돈의 번식향상 효과를 조사하기 위하여 수행하였다. 임신항원인자의 주입에 따른 번식성적을 조사하기 위하여 7∼8개월령의 교잡종 미경산돈을 160두 공시하였다. 시험돈은 4개의 시험군으로 나누었으며, 처리는 A처리구는 정소상체제거 교배, B처리구는 무정자 정액, C 처리구는 정관절제 교배, D처리구는 무처리하여 각구당 40두를 배 치 하여 완전임의배치법으로 하였다. 미경산돈의 초임시 총산자수는 A, B, C 및 D 처리구가 각각 10.05, 10.44, 11.63 및 9.97두로 가장 많은 처리구는 정관절제교배구인 C처리구였다(P<0.05). 비경산돈의 생존산자수는 총산자수와 유사하였다. 특히 C처리구는 10.70두로 9.12 및 9.11 두인 A군과 무처리보다 많았다(P<0.05). 반면 정관절제군과 무정자 처리구간에는 총산자수 및 생존산자수에서 차이가 없었다. 한편 미경돈의 혈중 progesterone 농도는 교배후 6일에서 C처리구가 다른 처리구보다 유의성 있게 높았다. 그러나 8일 이후에는 다른 처 리구보나 낮았다. 한편 혈중 cortisol농도는 처리간에 통계적인 유의성이 없었다. 이상의 시험결과를 볼 때 임신전 정관절제 수퇘지나 무정자정액을 항원으로 주입으로 미경산돈의 산자수 증가에 의한 번식효율을 증진을 확인할 수 있었다. 미경산돈의 산자수 증가를 위한 항원으로 정관절제 수퇘지나 무정자정액을 자궁에 주입하는 방법이 효과가 있다고 할 수 있다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.229-235
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• 2017

In the field of reproductive medicine, assessment of sperm motility is a key factor for achieving successful artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, or intracellular sperm injection. In this study, the motility of boar sperms was estimated using real-time imaging via confocal microscopy. To confirm this confocal imaging method, flagellar beats and whiplash-like movement angles were compared between fresh and low-temperature-preserved ($17^{\circ}C$ for 24 h) porcine sperms. Low-temperature preservation reduced the number of flagellar beats from $11.0{\pm}2.3beats/s$ (fresh sperm) to $5.7{\pm}1.8beats/s$ and increased the flagellar bending angle from $19.8^{\circ}{\pm}13.8^{\circ}$ (fresh) to $30.6^{\circ}{\pm}15.6^{\circ}$. These data suggest that sperm activity can be assessed using confocal microscopy. The observed motility patterns could be used to develop a sperm evaluation index and automated confocal microscopic sperm motility analysis techniques.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and nicotinic acid (NA) on sperm viability during liquid storage at $18^{\circ}C$ in miniature pigs. $10{\mu}M$ LC and 30 mM NA, combined LC and NA (LN) were treated in fresh semen for 3, 7, and 10 days. In results, sperm survival increased in NA- and LN-treated semen on 7 and 10 days (p<0.05), mitochondrial integrity of live sperm increased in LN-treated semen on 7 days (p<0.05), but not NA-treated semen. In addition, we examined the acrosome reaction of sperm in miniature pigs. LC and NA did not influence on acrosome reaction of boar sperm. In conclusion, LC and NA effectively maintained the viability and quality of sperm during long-term storage in miniature pigs, suggesting that the combined LN may be useful for improving the semen extender for long-term liquid storage in pigs.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

본 연구는 mTCM-199, mWaymouth MB 752/1 그리고 NCSU-23 성숙배지에서 성숙시킨 난포란을 mTBM 수정배지에서 액상정액의 정자를 이용하여 주입정자 농도별로 체외 수정시킴으로써 액상정액을 이용한 새로운 체외수정 방법을 개발하고자 실시하였다. 미성숙 난포란은 0.5 $m\ell$의 성숙배지에 각 well 당 30~40개씩 적하하였다. 액상정액 제조용 정액은 90% 이상의 운동성을 가진 농후정자부분을 사용하였으며 정액채취 후 2시간 동안에 22~24$^{\circ}C$의 실온까지 냉각시켰다. 실온까지 냉각한 정액은 BTS 희석액으로 2$\times$$10^{8}$ $m\ell$ 정자농도로 조정하여 100$m\ell$ 플라스틱병에 30 $m\ell$씩 주입하여 17$^{\circ}C$에서 5일 보관하였다. 5일 보관후 운동성이 70% 이상인 정자를 체외수정에 이용하였다. 38.5$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$, 95% 공기로 조절된 CO2 배양기에서 44시간 성숙 후 cumulus cell들이 제거된 성숙 난포란은 0.5 $m\ell$의 mTBM 수정배지에 30~40개씩 적하하고 최종정자농도를 1, 2, 4, 6 그리고 10$\times$$10^{6}$$m\ell$되도록하여 주입하고 6시간 동안 수정시켰다. 체외수정시킨 수정란들은 수정 후 6시간 동안 0.5$m\ell$의 NCSU-23 배양배지에서 배양한 후 정자침입율, 다정자침입율 그리고 웅성전핵 형성율을 조사하였다. mTCM-199, mWaymouth MB 752/1 그리고 NCSU­23 성숙배지에서 성숙시킨 난포란을 mTBM 수정배지에서 액상정 액으로 체외수정 한 결과 NCSU-23 성숙배지에서 성숙한 난포란이 웅성전핵형성율이 높았고 다정자침입율이 낮았다. NCSU-23 성숙배지에서 성숙한 난포란을 mTBM 수정배지에서 수정할 경우 최적정자농도는 2~4$\times$$10^{6}$$m\ell$이었으며, 정자침입율은 50.8~50.9%, 다정자침입율은 13.3~19.5% 그리고 웅성전핵형 성율은 43.9~45.4%였다. 결론적으로 NCSU-23 성숙배지에서 성숙되고 mTBM 수정배지에서 수정된 난포란은 mTCM-199이나 mWaymouth MB 752/1 성숙배지에서 성숙되고 mTBM 수정배지에서 수정된 난포란보다 우수한 체외수정 결과를 나타내었다. 17$^{\circ}C$에서 5일 동안 보존한 액상정액으로 NCSU-23 배지에서 성숙한 난포란을 체외수정하기 위한 최적정자농도는 2~4$\times$$10^{6}$$m\ell$이었다.