• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.213-217
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of bacterial contamination on elapsed time after preservation on boar semen. Known numbers of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were inoculated to freshly ejaculated semen and sperm parameters such as viability, motility, agglutination, acrosome integrity and hypo-osmotic swelling test were performed during 7 days of liquid preservation. Semen samples were prepared using antibiotic free BTS extender and 4 different levels of E. coli were treated to semen with following concentrations; 3,000, 5,000, 7,000, 10,000 CFU/ml of sperms. Semen samples were preserved at $17^{\circ}C$ for 7 days in semen storage until analyzed. Aliquots were subjected to measure the sperm viability, motility and agglutination using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system, acrosome integrity was performed using chlortetracycline (CTC) staining method and hypo-osmotic swelling test was performed using hypotonic solution from day 1 (day of semen collection) to 7. Detrimental effects on sperm motility and viability were observed 3 days after preservation at the level of 5,000 CFU/ml (p<0.05). Percentage of sperm abnormality was higher (p<0.05) in over 5,000 CFU/ml groups. Sperm agglutination rate was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups of 5,000 and 7,000 CFU/ml. The rate of acrosome reacted sperm was higher as preservation time goes in all the samples but the pattern was clearly higher among E. coli contaminated groups (p<0.05). The sperm membrane integrity in terms of hypo-osmotic test, E. coli affects little compared to other sperm parameters. The deleterious effects observed due to the bacterial contamination in semen suggest that importance of hygiene protocol to minimize the bacterial contamination during semen collection and processing.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2024

Objective: While sperm freezing (cryopreservation) is an effective method for preserving fertility, it can potentially harm the structure and function of sperm due to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to assess the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and selenium oxide nanoparticles (SeONPs) on various sperm functional parameters, including motility, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), acrosome membrane integrity (ACi), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 Albino Wistar rats. These samples were then divided into six groups: fresh, cryopreservation control, and groups supplemented with SeONPs (1, 2, 5 ㎍/mL) and ZnONPs (0.1, 1, 10 ㎍/mL). Results: Statistical analysis revealed that all concentrations of SeONPs increased total motility and progressive reduction of MDA levels compared to the cryopreservation control group (p<0.05). However, supplementation with ZnONPs did not affect these parameters (p>0.05). Conversely, supplements of 1 and 2 ㎍/mL SeONPs and 1 ㎍/mL ZnONPs contributed to the improvement of PMI and ACi (p<0.05). Yet, no significant change was observed in MMP with any concentration of SeONPs and ZnONPs compared to the cryopreservation control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that optimal concentrations of SeONPs may enhance sperm parameters during the freezing process.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.265-271
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• 2011

This study was undertaken to find out the effect of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on cold shock and membrane cholesterol quantity of sperm during the freezing process in miniature pigs. For this study, semen ejaculated from PWG M-type miniature pig was diluted that freezing solution (with egg yolk group) and m-Modena B (without egg yolk group) treated with 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mM MBCD before freezing process. The diluted semen was monitored sperm ability at room temperature, after cooled until $5^{\circ}C$ and after forzen-thawed for cold shock test of spermatozoa. Also, membrane cholesterol of sperm was extracted by folch solution at the same time sperm ability was assessed for viability and acrosomal status. The membrane cholesterol quantity was measured by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method. The result, viability and acrosome integrity in semen diluted without egg yolk groups were decreased at all temperature range by increasing of MBCD concentration. In particular, sperm of egg yolk group was showed that significantly higher viability and lower acrosome damage when treated with 5 mM MBCD (p<0.05). The results of TLC experiment, cholesterol amounts were increased with MBCD cocentration in egg yolk, and decreased with MBCD concentration in m-Modena B. In cryopreservation efficiency, there was no significant difference at viability, and acrosomal state of sperm in 5 mM MBCD concentration was significantly lower in acrosome damage than other groups (p<0.05). Therefore, the addition MBCD in egg yolk was protected spermatozoa from cold shock injury. This protective effect of MBCD may be due to addition of sperm membrane cholesterol.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to establish a selection process for high quality sperm in bovine semen using sperm separation by magnetic activation (MACS). For this, semen from 21 Nellore bulls was collected using an artificial vagina. To guarantee the presence of pathologies in the ejaculate, animals previously declassified in four consecutive spermiogram were used. Semen was analyzed in five statuses: (1) fresh semen (fresh); (2) density gradient centrifugation (DGC), percoll column; (3) non-apoptotic fraction after separation by MACS (MAC); (4) apoptotic fraction from the separation (MACPOOR); and (5) MAC followed by DGC (MACDGC). Using a computerized analysis system (CASA), motility was measured. The sperm morphology was evaluated by phase contrast, and the supravital test was completed with eosin/nigrosin staining. For DGC, 20 × 10⁶ cells were used in a gradient of 90% and 45% percoll. MACS used 10 × 10⁶ cells with 20 μL of nanoparticles attached to annexin V, and filtered through the MiniMACS magnetic separation column. Membrane integrity was assessed with SYBR-14/IP and mitochondrial potential with JC-1 by flow cytometry. Processing sperm by MACDGC, was more effective in obtaining samples with high quality sperm, verified by the total of abnormalities in the samples: 35.04 ± 2.29%, 21.50 ± 1.47%, 17.30 ± 1.10%, 30.68 ± 1.94% and 10.50 ± 1.46%, respectively for fresh, DGC, MAC, MACPOOR, and MACDGC. The subpopulation of non-apoptotic sperm had a high number of live cells (82.65%), membrane integrity (56.60%) and mitochondrial potential (83.98%) (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that this nanotechnological method, that uses nanoparticles, is efficient in the production of high-quality semen samples for assisted reproduction procedures in cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.283-290
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• 2012

제주흑우의 동결 정액 제조시 동결 보존액에 첨가한 taurine과 hypotaurine은 동결 융해 후 정자의 운동성, 생존성 그리고 정자막 온전성을 개선시키는 것을 알 수 있었다. Taurine과 hypotaurine의 첨가는 유의적으로 높은 운동성, 생존성을 보였으며(p<0.05), 특히 hypotaurine은 다른 실험구에 비하여 유의적으로 높은 정자막 온전성을 나타냈다(p<0.05). 뿐만 아니라, hypotaurine은 유의적으로 높은 F pattern 비율을 유지하였으며(p<0.05), 이들 항산화물질을 첨가한 실험구에서는 대조구에 비하여 유의적으로 낮은 AR pattern을 나타내어(p<0.05) 동결로 기인된 수정능획득 유사 상태 정자의 비율을 유의적으로 감소시켜 조기 첨체반응 비율을 감소시켰다. 정자의 난자내 침투능력에 있어서 모든 처리구에서 대조구보다 높은 웅성전핵 형성율과 SFI를 나타냈으며, hypotaurine의 처리는 가장 높은 침투능력을 나타냈으나 처리구간의 유의적 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구결과는 멸실위험의 토종가축 생식세포 및 유전자원 보존과 토종가축 육성을 위한 번식 증대를 위한 제주흑우 동결정액 제조에 중요한 이용 방법이 될 것이며, 동결 융해 후 정자의 기능 개선을 위한 다양한 희석제 및 첨가제를 활용한 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.357-360
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• 2022

Excretory-secretory products (ESP) of T. vaginalis have been shown to inhibit sperm motility, viability, and functional integrity, leading to a decreased fertilization rate in vitro. This study investigated whether T. vaginalis induce apoptosis and ultrastructural changes of sperm using flow cytometry and electron microscopy. Incubation of sperm with T. vaginalis ESP increased phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Transmission electron microscopy of sperm incubated with ESP revealed abnormal features such as distorted heads, broken necks, and acrosomes exocytosis. This is the first report that demonstrates a direct impact of T. vaginalis ESP on sperm apoptosis and architecture in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.791-796
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• 2014

Cryopreservation of epididymal sperm is an effective technique to preserve genetic materials of domestic cats and wild felids when they unexpectedly die. However, this technique inevitably causes detrimental changes of cryopreserved-thawed spermatozoa, for example, by physical damage and excessive oxidative stress. L-carnitine is an antioxidant that has been used to improve sperm motility in humans and domestic animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on cat epididymal sperm quality following cryopreservation and thawing. After routine castration, cauda epididymides were collected from 60 cat testes. The epididymal spermatozoa from 3 cauda epididymides were pooled as 1 replicate. Spermatozoa samples (16 replicates) were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 4 groups: 0 mM L-carnitine (control), 12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM L-carnitine. The sperm aliquots were then equilibrated and conventionally frozen. After thawing, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated. The 25 mM L-carnitine significantly improved sperm motility compared with a control group (p<0.05), although this was not significantly different among other concentrations. In conclusion, supplementation of 25 mM L-carnitine in freezing extender improves cauda epididymal spermatozoa motility. The effects of L-carnitine on the levels of oxidative stress during freezing and thawing remains to be examined.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.442-448
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• 2013

개 정액 동결을 위한 glucose가 첨가된 glycerol-free TRIS 희석액을 개발하기 위해 glycerol-free TRIS내 알맞은 glucose의 양과 0.3 M glucose가 첨가된 glycerol-free TRIS내 정자의 적정 노출시간을 조사하였다. 여섯 마리의 수캐의 사출액을 0.04 M glucose가 첨가된 glycerol-free TRIS내에서 $4^{\circ}C$까지 100분 동안 냉각한 후 서로 다른 glucose농도 (0 M, 0,04 M, 0.1 M, 0.2 M, 0.3 M)의 glycerol-free TRIS에서 30분 동안 냉각하여 동결하였다. $37^{\circ}C$에서 25 초 동안 융해한 후 정자의 막 고유성과 첨단체 고유성을 검사하였다. 부가적으로 0.3 M glucose가 첨가된 glycerol-free TRIS내 정자의 적정 노출시간에 따른 정자의 동결 후 운동성, 생존성, DNA 고유성을 확인하였다. 막 고유성과 첨단체 고유성은 각각 6-carboxyfluoresceindiacetate(6-CFDA)/propidium iodide(PI) fluorescent staining와 Pisum sativum agglutinin conjugated-fluorescein isothiocyanate 방법에 의해 검사하였다. DNA 고유성은 terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling로 염색하여 flow cytometry로 검사하였다. 0.2 M 또는 0.3 M glucose가 첨가된 glycerol-free TRIS에서 동결된 정자가 낮은 농도의 glucose가 첨가된 희석액에서 동결된 정자보다 막 고유성이 높게 나타났으며(p<0.05), 첨단체 고유성은 0.3 M 군에서 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 운동성은 50 분 군에서 높게 나타났으나(p<0.05), DNA fragmentation index는 노출시간에 따라 차이가 없었다. 본 연구 결과 개정자가 0.3 M glucose가 첨가된 glycerol-free TRIS에서 $4^{\circ}C$, 50 분간 냉각 후 동결과 융해 후 더 높은 생존성을 나타냈다.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.259-267
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• 2022

Although pesticides are recognized as necessary substances to improve agricultural production, exposure to pesticides is known to have a direct or indirect adverse effect on the reproductive function of mammals. The present study examines the effects of mancozeb, a well-known fungicide, on the fertility capacity of spermatozoa. Boar spermatozoa exposed to varying concentrations of mancozeb (0.01 - 0.5 µM) were evaluated for motility, motion kinetic parameters, viability, acrosome integrity and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 30 min or 2 hrs of incubation. A significant reduction in the motility of spermatozoa was observed upon exposure to mancozeb. Similarly, there was a significant reduction of the motion kinematics of sperm treated with mancozeb as compared to untreated controls (p < 0.05). The sperm viability percentage and acrosome integrity also showed dose-dependent decreases upon exposure to mancozeb. High concentrations of mancozeb (0.2 - 0.5 µM) induced higher levels of intracellular ROS production, which resulted in the loss of the sperm membrane and decreased sperm motility due to oxidative stress. Taken together, the results here indicate that direct exposure to mancozeb affects the sperm fertility capacity. Hence, careful research that examines the interaction between reproduction and environmental toxins is crucial to prevent fertility disorders in animals.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.517-523
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• 2017

본 실험은 항산화제인 melatonin, silymarin, curcumin 및 vitamin E가 aresenite에 의해 손상된 돼지의 정자성상능력에 미치는 영향을 조사한 연구이다. 돼지정자는 채취 후 희석하여 실험에 이용하였으며, $100{\mu}M$ arsenite는 인위적으로 정자를 손상시키는데 사용하였다. 또한 100 nM melatonin, $2{\mu}M$ silymarin, $10{\mu}M$ curcumin 및 $500{\mu}M$ Vitamin E를 희석된 돼지정자에 첨가하여 3, 6 및 9시간 동안 배양 후 정자의 운동성, 원형질막 온전성, 미토콘드리아 기능성 및 원형질막 지질과산화를 검토하였다. 그 결과, 정자의 운동성 및 원형질막 온전성은 $100{\mu}M$ arsenite 처리구에서 유의적으로 감소하였으며, 항산화제 단독처리구는 유의적으로 증가하였다. 또한, arsenite에 의해 손상된 처리구는 항산화제에 의해 유의적으로 증가하였다(p<0.05). 정자의 미토콘드리아 기능성은 $100{\mu}M$ arsenite 처리구에서 유의적으로 감소하였고, 정자의 원형질막 지질과산화는 $100{\mu}M$ arsenite 처리구에서 유의적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났다(p<0.05). 결론적으로, arsenite의해 감소된 돼지정자의 운동성과 원형질막은 melatonin, silymarin, curcumin 및 vitamin E와 같은 항산화제에 의하여 예방될 수 있다고 판단되며, arsenite에 의해 감소된 정자의 수정능력은 항산화제에 의해 회복될 수 있을 것이라 생각된다.