• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2023

In this study, an experiment was conducted in order to determine what cryopreservatives (CPVs) were more effective in supporting the motility and viability of sperm from experimental animals. The sperm of mice, rats, beagle dogs, and rabbits were frozen using different CPVs, including DMSO, TYB, and Sperm CryoProtec. The results from freezing the sperm of each laboratory animal in Sperm CryoProtec showed a high level of sperm motility and viability in sperm samples from mice, rats, and beagle dogs melted at the end of the first week. For rabbits, a high level of motility was observed in sperm thawed during the first week, whereas a high level of viability was observed in sperm thawed during the second week. The results of analysis of sperm motility and viability using different CPVs according to laboratory animals showed a significantly higher level of sperm motility (26.28%) and viability (36.20%) for mice in Sperm CryoProtec and the lowest levels of motility and viability were observed in DMSO (p < 0.05). Significantly higher levels of motility (27.94%) and viability (37.94%) were observed for rats in Sperm CryoProtec compared with TYB, which showed the lowest levels of motility and viability (p < 0.05). The study findings described above suggest that the selection of appropriate cryopreservatives is required for each experimental animal. This is because there are differences in the levels of sperm motility and viability of experimental animals depending on the CPVs that are typically used for freezing human sperm, including Sperm CryoProtec and TYB.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2017

Antioxidants have been added to cryoprotectant or in vitro culture medium for sperm to reduce the detrimental damage, such as reactive oxygen species. However, curcumin, an antioxidant, shows dual effect on the viability and progressive motility of bovine sperm exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Low concentration of curcumin increases sperm viability and progressive motility, whereas high concentration of curcumin reduces them. This study was performed to identify whether TREK-1 channel is related to low sperm viability and motility induced by high concentration of curcumin. Curcumin reduced TREK-1 channel activity in a dose-dependent manner. TREK-1 channel was expressed in sperm obtained from Korean native bull. Treatment with TREK-1 channel blockers, such as curcumin, fluoxetine, $GdCl_3$, and spadin, significantly reduced sperm viability and motility (p < 0.05). However, TREK-1 channel activators showed different effect; linoleic acid showed an increase in sperm viability and motility, and wogonin did not affect them. These results show that TREK-1 channel is involved in the regulation of sperm viability and motility. In particular, high concentration of curcumin might reduce sperm viability and progressive motility of Korean native bull through blockage of TREK-1 channel.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.406-410
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• 2017

Curcumin is known as a natural antioxidant, decreasing oxidative stress in animal cells. Generally, oxidative stress induces reactive oxygen species in sperm and leads to decreased sperm characteristics in pigs. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of curcumin on sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity and plasma membrane integrity in pigs. Curcumin (0, 5 and $10{\mu}M$) was treated in boar semen, which were incubated for 9 hours in $37^{\circ}C$. Then, motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, plasma membrane integrity of sperm was analyzed every 3 hours. In the results, sperm motility was significantly increased by $5{\mu}M$ curcumin after 3 and 9 hours after incubation, and viability was significantly higher in $5{\mu}M$ curcumin treatment at 3 hours (P<0.05). Similarly, sperm mitochondrial activity and plasma membrane integrity were significantly increased by $5{\mu}M$ curcumin at 3, 6 and 9 hours after incubation (P<0.05). There results suggest that curcumin improve sperm characteristics such as motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, and plasma membrane integrity, and may exert a positive effect on sperm fertility in pigs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 1996

The aim of this study is to elucidate sperm chemotaxis and to set up the optirnal condition for selection of motile and capacitated sperm from hovine frozen-semen. Thus, the effects of semen-washing after thawing, concentrations of progesterone (P4) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and sperm-washing frequency on sperm selection were examined. For evaluating their effects, number, viability and acrosome reaction of sperm swim-up seperated from semen, which were incubated for 30 minutes at 36$^{\circ}C$ in the M2 solution containing P4 and BSA, were investigated. For frozen-semen just after thawing, sperm recovery and viability were not significantly different between P4-treated and -untreated semen. However, washing frozen-semen decreased the number of sperm and increased the viability of sperm that were recovered from semen treated with P4. Progesterone affected the recovery rate, the viability and the acrosome-reaction rate of sperm recovered from washed frozen-semen. Especially, number of motile and capacitated sperm were highest in semen treated with 50$\mu$g /ml among 0, 20, 50 and 100$\mu$g /ml of P4 concentrations. BSA affected the recovery rate and the viability of sperm recovered from washed frozen-semen that were treated with 50$\mu$g /ml of P4. Especially, the percentage of viable sperm were highest in semen treated with 4mg /ml among 0, 2, 4, and 6mg /ml of BSA concentrations. Repeatedly sperm-washing did not affect the recovery rate and the viability of sperm recovered from washed frozen-semen that were treated with 50$\mu$g /ml of P4 and 4mg /ml of BSA In conclusion, using progesterone and BSA could efficiently make the selection of motile and capacitated sperm from washed frozen-semen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.494-498
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• 2008

MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) reduction assay is a method that validates the viability of an active cell. Dehydrogenase in mitochondria converts yellow colored insoluble tetrazolium salt to purple colored water-soluble formazan. Sperm also have mitochondria in the midpiece, therefore sperm viability could be evaluated by MTT reduction assay. Several studies have already demonstrated the capability of application of the MTT reduction assay to sperm of several species in Hepes-BSA buffer. Because most liquid semen was diluted in extender like BTS (Beltsville Thawing Solution), Modena or Androhep when it is used or transferred, semen needed another dilution in Hepes-BSA buffer to assess sperm viability. In this study, we evaluated boar sperm viability especially in BTS extended semen and compared the efficiency of this test with eosin-nigrosin staining. We used the fresh BTS extended semen from a local A.I center. Semen sample was diluted to $3.0{\times}10^7$ sperms/ml in BTS. The rates of formazan production were measured in 96-well microtiter plates immediately and 1h after incubation at $17^{\circ}C$ using a spectrophotometer at wave length 560 nm. Simultaneously, split samples of the same semen were tested, using eosin-nigrosin staining to compare the efficiency of the MTT assay of sperm viability in BTS. The correlation between the results of these tests was calculated using Student-t test and ANOVA. The results revealed a strong correlation between the results of MTT reduction rate and the results that were simultaneously determined by eosin-nigrosin staining at 1 h. In conclusion, the MTT reduction test was an effective and simple method to validate sperm viability and it could be used as a simple tool to evaluate sperm viability in the local A.I center and laboratory.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2000

These experiments were conducted to examine the effects of theophylline, pentoxifylline and heparin on frozen-thawed Hanwoo sperm for enhancing motility and viability of sperm. Frozen-thawed semen collected from one bull was treated in TALP(tyrode-albuminlactate-pyruvate) containing varous concentrations of theophylline and pentoxifylline. After incubated at 5% CO2 in air atmosphere for 6 hours, the motility of sperm after the treatments was characterized by CASA(computer aided semen analysis) system. When monitored notility(MOT) and curvilinear velocity(VCL), theophylline and pentoxifylline exerted their optimal action at the concentration of 30 mM and 3 mM, respectively. No difference of sperm motility was observed when the sperm was treated with both substances compared with a single treatment of each substance. Comparison was then made for evaluating the effect of theophylline and / or pentoxiophylline on the motility and viability of significant treatment effects of each substance, high MOT and VCL values were detected in sperm treated with theophylline. In the case of sperm viability examined by an eosin-nigrosin staining, however, a significant decrease was found after the combined treatment of theophylline+pentoxyphilline than after the treatment with heparin alone or no treatment(P<0.05). In conclusion, theophylline, pentoxiphylline or heparin can be used for enhancing the motional characteristics and viability of frozen thawed Hanwoo semen. Considering characteristics of these substances, theophyline may be useful in the artificial insemination system, which requires vigorous sperm motility. While, heparin supporting sperm viability in vitro can be effectively used for improving in vitro-fertilization system.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2002

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of season on semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration in Yorkshire boars. There were no significant differences in the semen volume and sperm concentration on Yorkshire boars among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, the pH of sperm-rich and sperm-poor fractions in winter season was higher than in spring, summer and autumn season in Yorkshlre boars. Sperm motiliy and normal acrosome of raw semen in Yorkshire 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 Yorkshire were higher in spring than summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, we found out that serum testosterone concentrations were very important role for frozen-thawed sperm viability in Yorkshire boars.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 1999

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of osmolarity of thawing diluents, seminal plasma added in thawing diluents on the sperm viability and the effects of thawing temperature, the temparature of the thawing diluents on the sperm viability and acrosomal morphology of boar spermatozoa by the straw method. The result obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The sperm viablilty after thawing of the frozen semen was shown greater in the high osmolarity(392~492mOsm) than low osmolarity(300mOsm) in thawing diluent. The added levels of seminal plasma in thawing diluent did not affect the viability of frozen-thawed boar semen. 2. In terms of thawing temperature, the sperm viability was shown higher in the frozen semen thawed at 5$0^{\circ}C$ for one min. (p<0.01) than those thawed at 2$0^{\circ}C$ or 37$^{\circ}C$ for one min. The sperm viability was not significant at the diluent temparature of 2$0^{\circ}C$or 37$^{\circ}C$ after thawing: but the sperm viability was higher in thawing diluent at 2$0^{\circ}C$ than in that at 37$^{\circ}C$. However, the effects of thawing temperature and diluent solution on normal acrosomal rate were not significant. 3. Cleavage rates of oocytes fertilized with frozen semen were 46.4% and 43.3%, respectively, which were thawed at 5$0^{\circ}C$ for one min. and then diluted in mBTS medium at 2$0^{\circ}C$or 37$^{\circ}C$. To sum up, the sperm viability was shown greater at the high of thawing diluents of frozen boar semen. In terms of thawing conditions, the sperm viability was shown greater, when semen was thawed at a high temperature for a short time and then diluted at the same temperature as that in the straw.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 1995

To investigate effect of seeding on post-thaw motility and viability of canine spermatozoa, the semen from male dogs which had been proved to be fertile in the past were frozen and seeded during freezing process. Post-thaw motility and viability of canine sperm which were frozen and seeded were investigated according to different seeding temperatures of $-5^{\circ}C$, $-10^{\circ}C$, or $-l5^{\circ}C$ and also according to different concentration of glycerol of 2%, 5% and 10%. In addition, post-thaw motility of canine sperm frozen by direct freezing in a deep freezer or programmed freezing in a programmed cell freezer was investigated. Post-thaw motility of canine sperm was compared according to different seeding temperatures : The sperm seeded at $-5^{\circ}C$ showed considerably higher post-thaw motility than that of non-seeding, and that seeded at $-10^{\circ}C$, or $-l5^{\circ}C$, respectively, in 2% and 5% glycerol groups on both 2 and 7day after freezing(p<0.05). In 10% concentration of glycerol, the sperm seeded at each seeding temperature showed considerably higher post-thaw motility than that of non-seeding group on day 7 after freezing(p<0.01). Post-thaw viability of canine sperm was compared according to different seeding temperatures : The sperm seeded at $-5^{\circ}$ showed significantly higher post-thaw motility than that of non-seeding, and that seeded at $-10^{\circ}C$, or $-l5^{\circ}C$, in 5% and 10% glycerol groups on day 7 after freezing(p< 0.05). In comparison of post-thaw motility of canine sperm seeded according to different concentration of glycerol, 5% glycerol group and 10% glycerol group showed considerably higher post-thaw motility than 2% glycerol group without difference between those two groups in all seeding temperatures($-5^{\circ}C$, $-10^{\circ}C$ and $-l5^{\circ}C$) on day 2 and 7 after freezing(p<0.01). In comparison of post-thaw viability of canine sperm seeded according to different concentration of glycerol, 5% glycerol group and 10% glycerol group showed the same considerably higher post-thaw viability than 2% glycerol group on each thawing day(p<0.01). The canine sperm frozen and seeded by programmed freezing method showed considerably higher post-thaw motility than that frozen by direct freezing method in all different seeding temperatures($-5^{\circ}C$, $-10^{\circ}C$ and $-l5^{\circ}$). These results indicated that the higher post-thaw motility and viability was obtained in the spermatozoa seeded than that of non-seeding, that among different seeding temperatures of $-5^{\circ}C$, $-10^{\circ}C$ and $-l5^{\circ}C$, the sperm seeded at $-5^{\circ}C$ showed higher post-thaw motility and viability than the other temperatures, also among different concentrations fof glycerol of 2%, 5% and 10%, the sperm frozen and seeded in 5% and 10% concentration of glycerol showed higher post-thaw motility and viability than that in 2% of glycerol, and that the sperm frozen and seeded by programmed freezing method showed higher motility than that by direct freezing method.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 1992

Effects of caffeine, heparin and caffeine-heparin treatments for in vitro capacitation of Korean Native Cattle sperm on acrosorne reaction and viability were studied using the methods of Wells-Awa and Dual stain. The results were summerized as follows: 1. The acrosome reaction of sperm when treated with caffeine after 0 to 4 hrs of preincubation were 11.0~75.7% for Wells-Awa stain, and 14.3~75.55% for Dual stain. True acrosome reaction of sperm for Dual stain was 3.0~29.2%. The viability of sperm was 62. 2~27.2%. 2. The acrosome reaction of sperm when treated with heparin after 0 to 4 hrs of preincubation were 17.0~81.2% for Wells-Awa, and 14.3~75.5% for Dual Stain. True acrosome reaction of sperm for Dual stain was 1.5~26.6%. The viability of sperm was 58.6~35. 8%. 3. The acrosome reaction of sperm when treated with caffeine-heparin after 0 to 4 hrs of preincubation were 13.0~83.2% for Wells Awa, and 11.0~78.5% for Dual stain. True acrosome reaction of for Dual stain was 5.1~26.3%. The viability of sperm was 60.5~30.1%.