• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.334-342
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• 2013

Proteases and protease inhibitors play key roles in most physiological processes, including cell migration, cell signaling, and cell surface and tissue remodeling. Among these, the matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) pathway is one of the most efficient biosynthetic pathways for controlling the activation of enzymes responsible for protein degradation. This also indicates the association of MMPs with the maturation of spermatozoa. In an attempt to investigate the effect of MMP activation and inhibitors in cultures with various hormones during sperm capacitation, we examined and monitored the localization and expression of MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-2 and TIMP-3), as well as their expression profiles. Matured spermatozoa were collected from cultures with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and Lutalyse at 1 h, 6 h, 18 h, and 24 h. ELISA detected the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 in all culture media, regardless of medium type (FSH-supplemented fertilization Brackett-Oliphant medium (FFBO), LH-supplemented FBO (LFBO), or Lutalyse-supplemented FBO (LuFBO)). TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 expression patterns decreased in LFBO and LuFBO. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in FBO and FFBO progressively increased from 1 h to 24 h but was not detected in LFBO and LuFBO. The localization and expression of TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 in sperm heads was also measured by immunofluorescence analysis. However, MMPs were not detected in the sperm heads. MMP and TIMP expression patterns differed according to the effect of various hormones. These findings suggest that MMPs have a role in sperm viability during capacitation. In conjunction with hormones, MMPs play a role in maintaining capacitation and fertilization by controlling extracellular matrix inhibitors of sperm.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.97-101
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• 2010

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is one of the artificial fertilization methods when only a few sperm are available for insemination, and an important tool for the preservation of genetic materials of endangered animal species, especially the male is infertile. Different from other species such as mice and pigs, the conventional ICSI method which uses spiked pipette for injection (Spike-ICSI) is exhibited low success rates in cattle because the bovinesperm head membrane is hard to break during injection procedure. We chose piezo-assisted ICSI (Piezo-ICSI) for the improvement of the injection procedure including sperm head membrane rupture and efficient puncture of the plasma membrane of the oocytes. In this experiment, we compared the efficacy of the bovine ICSI embryo production between the Piezo-ICSI and Spike-ICSI. The second polar body extrusion, pronuclear formation, cleavage and blastocyst formation were evaluated after implementation of two different ICSI techniques. The Piezo-ICSI tended to show comparably higher rates of the second polar body extrusion (41.7%), the pronuclei formation (42.9%) and the two-cell cleavage (41.4%) than Spike-ICSI does (33.3%, 28.6% and 23.5%, respectively) although there is no statistic significance between two groups. In addition, the blastocysts were only obtained from the Piezo-ICSI group (10.3%). Our finding shows that the Piezo-ICSI may be used as an artificial fertilization method in cattle when in vitro fertilization is not applicable.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.61-65
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of various discontinuous Percoll washing conditions on motile sperm recovery rate and motion kinematics. Frozen semen samples from 3 bulls (0.5 ml plastic straws, 6% glycerol in egg yolk-Tris-glycerol extender) were thawed in $37^{\circ}C$ water bath for 1 min. After thawing, the mixed semen samples were randomly allocated to 12 treatment groups. Briefly, the spermatozoa were centrifuged for three different time lengths (10, 20, and 30 min) at two gravities ($300{\times}g$ and $700{\times}g$) through two concentrations of discontinuous Percoll density gradient of 1 ml 90%: 1 ml 45% Percoll and 2 ml 90%: 2 ml 45% Percoll to remove extender, debris, and dead spermatozoa. Motile sperm recovery rate and motion kinematics were evaluated by computer assisted sperm analyzer using Makler counting chamber. Sperm motility (%) and motile sperm recovery rate showed similar pattern in all treatment groups. However, sperm motility (%) and motile sperm recovery rate were highest at $700{\times}g$ for 30 min through a discontionous Percoll density gradient of 1 ml 90%: 1 ml 45% Percoll. There were no significant differences in motion kinematics after various Percoll washings. These results suggest that force of centrifugation, centrifugation time, and Percoll volume significantly affect motile sperm recovery rate.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.117-125
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• 1998

본 연구는 Percoll,Swim-up 그리고 Glass-wool 여과법의 세가지 정자분리 방법에 대한 정자 회수율, 생존율과 첨체반응율, 그리고 체외수정 후 배양시간에 따른 전핵형성율,수정란의 발달율과 세포할구수에 대한 효과를 조사하고자 실시하였다. 도축된 암소로 부터 채취한 난자를 22시간 체외배양 후 성숙된 난자를 체회수정시켰다. 수정 후 배양시간에 따라 존핵율을 조사하였으며 48시간에 분할율,192시간에 배반포기 발달율 및 세포할구수를 각각 비교 조사하였다. 정자의 첨체반응과 생존율은 처리군간에 차이가 없으나 회수율에 있어서 percoll 처리군이 다른 두 처리군보다 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.001).수정 후 배양시간별 전핵형성에 있어서도 percoll 처리군이 다른 두 처리군보다 빨리 진행됨을 볼 수 있다. 분할율에 있어서는 처리군간에 유의적 차이가 없으나.배반포기 발달율과 세포할구수에 있어서는 pecoll 처리군이 다른 두 처리군보다 유의적으로 높았다(P<0.05). 이상의 결과로 보아 percoll 처리에 대한 정자분리 방법은 정자 회수율이 높고 수정시 전핵형성 시간이 단축되어, 그 결과로 배반포기 발달율과 수정란의 세포할구수에 효과적임을 알 수 있었다.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.979-985
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• 2020

A wide range of techniques have been developed to separate X or Y- chromosome-bearing sperm. In particular, bovine semen sex-sorted by using flow cytometry based on differences in the amount of DNA between X and Y chromosome bearing sperm is used in dairy farms. The first piglets were produced using sex-sorted sperm 30 years ago. However, sexed sperm have not been commercially available in pigs because the flow cytometry technique is not capable of sorting the high number of sperm required for porcine artificial insemination (AI), and the prolonged exposure to an electrical filed might damage to the DNA in sperm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a boar sperm sorting method based on magnetic nanoparticles. A flow cytometer assay verified the efficacy of the magnetic nanoparticles (> 90% of sex-sorted sperm). In addition, a duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using sex chromosome specific genes including SRY (sex-determining region Y; male), ZFY (zinc finger protein Y-linked; male), and ZFX (zinc finger protein X-linked; female) showed that in vitro fertilized porcine embryos by X and Y-chromosome bearing sperm were 100% female (40/40) and 72% female (35/48), respectively, at 8-cell or morula stages, suggesting that the sex-sorted sperm were fertile. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the sex-sorted method based on magnetic nanoparticles can be utilized for porcine sex-sorted AI.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.1342-1351
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• 2001

Over the years, the embryo transfer industry has grown from the simple collection & transfer of embryos into an advanced field of embryo biotechnology. Currently a large demand exists for bovine oocytes and early embryos in both research and commercial settings. Bovine embryos can now be produced in-vitro. Primary oocytes collected from antral follicles of abattoir - obtained ovaries can be induced to undergo the maturation process. In-vitor maturation system, however must ensure that the resulting oocyte is capable of undergoing normal fertilization and yields a zygote competent of developing to term after embryo transfer. Sperm preparation for IVF has improved with the use of heparine. The use of co-culture system has proved beneficial in circumventing the developmental block in IVM/IVF bovine embryos.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2001

본 연구는 숫소 개체별, 정자의 형태, 정자의 전처리 및 난자의 투명대부착과 미부착별로 현미조작에 의해 난자의 세포질내 단일정자를 주입했을 때 웅성전핵 형성율과 체외발생율을 조사하였다. 1. 숫소 개체별 정자를 이용하여 ICSI를 하였을 때 웅성전핵 형성율은 각각 73.9∼87.0%였고 체외발생율은 33.3∼60.9%를 나타냈다. 2. 신선 및 동결정자와 미부절단 정자와 두부, 미부손상 정자를 이용하여 ICSI를 하였을 때 웅성전핵 형성율은 각각 82.0%, 78.0% 42.2%, 51.1%였고, 체외발생율은 56.0%, 42.0%, 17.8%, 22.2%로서 신선정자를 이용했을 때가 다른 처리군에 비해 높은 전핵형성율과 체외발생율을 나타냈다. 3. 정자를 heparin, BFF, His, Ca Ionophore, I + caffeine 액으로 처리후 ICSI를 하였을 때 전핵 형성율은 66.7∼82.2%였고, 체외발생율은 33.3∼60.6%로서 I + caffeine 처리법이 다른 처리군에 비해 높게 나타났다. 4. 투명대 부착 난자 및 미부착 난자로 ICSI를 하였을 때 전핵형성율은 각각 80.0%, 72.0%였고, 체외발생율은 46.0%, 36.0%로서, 토명대부착 난자가 투명대 미부착 난자에 비해 높은 웅성전핵 형성율과 체외발생율을 나타냈다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1411-1420
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of study was to investigate the effects of season and single layer centrifugation (SLC) before cryopreservation on post-thaw bull sperm quality in Thailand. Methods: Semen was collected from 6 bulls (Bos indicus) in summer, rainy season and winter 2014 through 2016. Semen characteristics, sperm morphology, sperm kinematics, viability, chromatin structure and mitochondrial membrane were evaluated. Meteorological data were available from the local meteorological station; Results: Season had an effect on semen characteristics in the raw ejaculate, with higher proportions of normal spermatozoa and lower abnormalities in winter than in the other two seasons. Sperm kinematics, viability, DNA fragmentation index, and mitochondrial membrane potential were not different between seasons. Sperm samples selected by SLC had greater normal morphology and a lower proportion with bent tails than controls and higher values of progressive motility (PRO), beat cross frequency, linearity, straightness, wobble (WOB), and lower values of slow motility, velocity average path (VAP), velocity curved line, and amplitude of lateral head displacement than controls. In addition, SLC-selection had a favorable effect on PRO, VAP, and WOB that differed among seasons. Conclusion: Our results suggested that these bulls were well adapted to their location, with season having an effect on sperm morphology. Moreover, SLC could be used prior to cryopreservation, regardless of season, to enhance normal morphology and kinematics of bull sperm samples without adversely affecting other parameters of sperm quality. However, there was considerable variation among bulls in DNA fragmentation index, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm viability. In addition, SLC had a positive effect on sperm morphology and sperm kinematics, which could be expected to influence fertility.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권9호
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• pp.1547-1553
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• 2018

Hyaluronidases are a family of enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, which is abundant in the extracellular matrix and cumulus oocyte complex. To investigate the activity of recombinant bovine sperm hyaluronidase 1 (SPAM1) and determine the effect of the Asn-X-Ser/Thr motif on its activity, the bovine SPAM1 open reading frame was cloned into the mammalian expression vector pCXN2 and then transfected to the HEK293 cell line. Expression of recombinant bovine hyaluronidase was estimated using a hyaluronidase activity assay with gel electrophoresis. Recombinant hyaluronidase could resolve highly polymeric hyaluronic acid and also caused dispersal of the cumulus cell layer. Comparative analysis with respect to enzyme activity was carried out for the glycosylated and deglycosylated bovine sperm hyaluronidase by N-glycosidase F treatment. Finally, mutagenesis analysis revealed that among the five potential N-linked glycosylation sites, only three contributed to significant inhibition of hyaluronic activity. Recombinant bovine SPAM1 has hyaluronan degradation and cumulus oocyte complex dispersion ability, and the N-linked oligosaccharides are important for enzyme activity, providing a foundation for the commercialization of hyaluronidase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.754-758
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• 2001

Bovine oocytes with compact and complete cumulus cells were cultured for up to 24h in TCM199 buffered with 25mmol/l hepes and supplemented with 10% FBS (fetal bovine serum), 1mg/ml $17{\beta}$-estradiol, 20IU/ml hCG(human chorionic gonadotropin). All of the oocytes were divided into at 6 groups depending upon incubation times (control, 0 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 16 hours, 18 hours). To all experimental media, $200{\mu}g/ml$ puromycin was added at different incubation times mentioned above. Following these culture times, in vitro insemination was conducted with frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa in medium BO (Brackett and Oliphant medium for in vitro insemination) with $10{\mu}g/ml$ BSA(bovine serum albumin) and 10 mg/ml heparin added. After 22h culture, the oocytes were fixed with acetic alcohol solution and stained with orcein acetic solution to evaluate sperm nuclear progression. Addition of puromycin after 0, 6 and 12 h of culture resulted in near of oocyte maturation at the M1 stage. Contrariwise, puromycin addition after 12 h of culture led to restoration of nuclear progression to M2 stage. On the one hand, puromycin affected the synthesis of Cyclin B protein that may be involved in the oocyte maturation and sperm capacitation for in vitro fertilization. The present study suggests the participation of protein synthesis, cyclin B, in the oocyte development from M1 to M2 stages in vitro.