• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.355-365
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• 2016

The cryopreservation of sperm has become the subject of research for successful artificial insemination technologies. Antifreeze proteins (AFPs), one of the factors necessary for effective cryopreservation, are derived from certain Antarctic organisms. These proteins decrease the freezing point of water within these organisms to below the temperature of the surrounding seawater to protect the organism from cold shock. Accordingly, a recent study found that AFPs can increase the motility and viability of spermatozoa during cryopreservation. To evaluate this relationship, we performed cryopreservation of boar sperm with AFPs produced in the Arctic yeast Leucosporidium sp. AFP expression system at four concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, and $1{\mu}g/ml$) and evaluated motility using computer assisted sperm analysis. DNA damage to boar spermatozoa was measured by the comet assay, and sperm membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated by flow cytometry. The results showed that motility was positively affected by the addition of AFP at each concentration except $1{\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.001). Although cryopreservation with AFP decreased the viability of the boar sperm using, the tail DNA analyses showed that there was no significant difference between the control and the addition of 0.1 or $0.01{\mu}g/ml$ AFP. In addition, the percentage of live sperm with intact acrosomes showed the least significant difference between the control and $0.1{\mu}g/ml$ AFP (p<0.05), but increased with $1{\mu}g/ml$ AFP (p<0.001). Our results indicate that the addition of AFP during boar sperm cryopreservation can improve viability and acrosome integrity after thawing.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.33-37
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate effect of ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (ALA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) on viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondrial intact in frozen-thawed boar sperm. The boar semen was collected by gloved-hand method and cryopreserved using freezing extender containing 3 ng/mL ALA and/or $20\;{\mu}g/mL$ BSA. Cryo-preserved boar sperms were thawed in $37^{\circ}C$ water-bath for 45 sec to analysis. Viability, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial intact were analyzed using flow cytometry. In results, viability of frozen-thawed boar sperm was significantly higher in only ALA+BSA supplement group than control group (p<0.05), whereas there was no difference either in ALA or BSA supplement. However, acrosome reacted sperm in both of live and all sperm population were significantly decreased in all treatment groups than control (p<0.05). Interestingly, mitochondrial intact of boar sperm was enhanced in ALA and ALA+BSA groups compared with control (p<0.05). In this study, we showed that supplementation of ALA and BSA in freezing extender enhanced the sperm viability, mitochondrial intact and decrease acrosomal membrane damage. In conclusion, our findings suggest that quality of frozen-thawed sperm in mammalians could improve by using of ALA and BSA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.61-68
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of semen parameters in samples used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with fertilization and pregnancy rates in infertile couples. Methods: In this prospective study of Infertile couples with male factor infertility that had undergone ICSI, fractions of the same semen samples obtained for microinjection (to ensure the best predictability) were evaluated to determine the semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on the day of oocyte recovery. Results: In total, 120 couples completed the study and were subdivided into fertilized (n=87) and non-fertilized couples (n=33). The fertilized couples were further classified into pregnant (n=48) and non-pregnant (n=39) couples. Compared to non-fertilized and non-pregnant couples, fertilized and pregnant couples showed statistically significantly higher sperm viability and percentage of normal sperm morphology, as well as significantly lower sperm DFI values. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of data from the 120 ICSI cycles showed that sperm viability, normal sperm morphology percentages, and sperm DFI were significant prognostic indicators of fertilization at cutoff values of 40%, 7%, and 46%, respectively. A sperm DFI of 46% showed sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 90%, respectively, for predicting fertilization, and no clinical pregnancies occurred in couples with a sperm DFI above 46%. Conclusion: Semen parameters from the ICSI day sample, especially sperm viability, normal morphology, and DFI, had an impact on fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in ICSI cycles.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Objective: Sperm cryopreservation has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology, as it offers great potential for the treatment of some types of male infertility. However, cryopreservation may result in changes in membrane lipid composition and acrosome status, as well as reductions in sperm motility and viability. This study aimed to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation damage caused by conventional freezing using the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Methods: In total, 120 fresh human semen samples were frozen by conventional methods, using SpermFreeze Solution as a cryoprotectant. Routine semen analysis and a Halosperm test (using the Halosperm kit) were performed on each sample before freezing and after thawing. Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were compared between these groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in sperm progressive motility, viability, and normal morphology after conventional freezing (32.78%, 79.58%, and 3.87% vs. 16%, 55.99%, and 2.55%, respectively). The sperm head, midpiece, and tail defect rate increased slightly after freezing. Furthermore, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was significantly higher after thawing than before freezing (19.21% prior to freezing vs. 22.23% after thawing). Significant increases in the DFI after cryopreservation were observed in samples with both normal and abnormal motility and morphology, as well as in those with normal viability. Conclusion: Conventional freezing seems to damage some sperm parameters, in particular causing a reduction in sperm DNA integrity.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.296-301
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• 2017

We conducted a study to 1) determine the indicators of gonadal maturity in male and female Korean walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma for the purposes of artificial insemination; 2) establish the RNA/DNA ratio of mature eggs in this species; and 3) monitor the effect of refrigerated storage on egg viability and the motility of sperm collected from dead adult males. During the spawning season, the color of female gonads changed from orange to transparent, and that of male gonads changed from pale orange to milky white. The DNA content and RNA/DNA ratio of mature eggs were maintained without significant changes for approximately 6 h when eggs were preserved at $4^{\circ}C$. Sperm could be obtained from both milt and undiluted semen. Sperm obtained from milt ceased moving on the second day after isolation, while over 60% of sperm obtained from semen showed movement until the 13th day. Seven attempts were made to artificially inseminate mature eggs, of which two resulted in successful fertilization. The successful inseminations produced 94,000 and 5,000 fertilized eggs, respectively. This study shows that artificial insemination of walleye pollock is a viable strategy when natural propagation is not possible.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.79-84
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• 2001

본 연구는 Duroc 종모돈의 정액성상, 동결-융해후의 정자생존성 및 혈청 중 테스토스테론의 농도에 미치는 영향을 봄 (3~5월)과 여름 (6~8월)으로 나누어 실시한 바, 그 얻어진 결과는 다음과 같았다. 1. Duroc 종모돈의 정액량, pH, 정자농도는 봄과 여름철에 큰 차이가 없었다. 2. 봄철 및 여름철의 전체 정액량, 정자농후부분 그리고 정자희박부분에서 봄과 여름간의 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 3. 원정액 정자에서는 운동성 및 정상첨체에서 봄과 여름철간에 차이가 없었다. 그러나 동결-융해정자의 운동성 및 정상첨체는 봄철의 종모돈에서 생산한 정자가 여름철의 종모돈에서 생산한 정자보다 우수하였다. 4. 듀록 종모돈의 혈청 중 테스토스테론의 농도 변화는 봄과 여름에 각각 2.15 ng/$m\ell$과 0.65 ng/$m\ell$으로, 봄철 테스토스테론의 농도가 여름철의 농도 보다 높았다(P＜0.05). 5. 이상의 결과를 종합해 보면, 듀록 종모돈에 있어 정자의 내동성은 혈청 중 테스토스테른의 농도가 높을수록 우수한 것으로 나타났다.

• 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.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.356-361
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• 2016

During storage, boar spermatozoa undergo several changes including diminished motility and viability and accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the effects of green tea extract (GTE) supplementation in the Sui Dil extender on the sperm motility, viability, ROS and lipid peroxidation (LPO) of long-term preserved boar semen at $17^{\circ}C$. A total number of eight boars were used for this experiment. Pooled ejaculates were diluted to $20{\times}10^6sperm/ml$ in the Sui Dil extender containing 0 (control), 1, 10, 100 or 500 mg/l GTE and were preserved at $17^{\circ}C$ for 24, 72, 120 and 168 h, respectively. At each storage time, sperm motility and viability were estimated by microscopic examination and the fluorescent double stain $Fertilight^{(R)}$, respectively. Sperm ROS level and LPO were assessed using the 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate ($H_2DCFDA$)/propidium iodide (PI) and C11-BODIPY581/591/PI with flow cytometry, respectively. Compared to that of the 500 mg group, there were higher sperm motility and viability in the 1, 10 and 100 mg GTE groups during the preservation from 24 to 168 h (p < 0.05). The ROS levels of the 10 and 100 mg groups during the 168 h preservation were lower than those of the 0, 1 and 500 mg groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in LPO regardless of the preservation period or the GTE concentration. In conclusion, the optimal concentrations (10 and 100 mg/l) of GTE that led to lower ROS levels may be useful for liquid boar sperm preservation at $17^{\circ}C$ for a period of 168 h.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.203-209
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of the dilution ratio of Tris diluent, storage at 0℃, and long-distance transportation on the spermatozoa of Simmental cattle. It also validated the feasibility of the regional distribution of fresh semen. Methods: In experiment 1, semen was diluted at four dilution ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to determine the optimal dilution ratio of Tris diluent. In experiment 2, we assessed sperm viability, progressive motility (objectively assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer), and acrosome intactness in Tris dilutions kept at constant 0℃ for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. We compared them to Tianshan livestock dilutions (Commercial diluent). In experiment 3, semen was diluted using Tris diluent, and sperm quality was measured before and after long-distance transport. Artificial insemination of 177 Simmental heifers compared to 156 using Tianshan Livestock dilution. Results: The outcomes demonstrated that 1:9 was the ideal Tris diluent dilution ratio. The sperm viability, Progressive Motility, and acrosome integrity of both Tris and Tianshan dilutions preserved at 0℃ gradually decreased over time. sperm viability was above 50% for both dilutions on d 9, with a flat rate of decline. The decrease in acrosome integrity rate was faster for Tianshan livestock dilutions than for Tris dilutions when stored at 0℃ for 1 to 6 days. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in sperm viability between semen preserved in Tris diluent after long-distance transportation and semen preserved in resting condition. The conception rates for Tris dilution and Tianshan livestock dilution were 49.15% and 46.15% respectively, with no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: This shows that Tris diluent is a good long-term protectant. It has been observed that fresh semen can be successfully preserved for long-distance transport when stored under 0℃ conditions. Additionally, it is feasible to distribute semen regionally.