• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-323
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• 2017

Preconceptual sex selection is still a highly debatable process whereby X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa are isolated prior to fertilization of the oocyte. Although various separation techniques are available, none can guarantee 100% accuracy. The aim of this study was to separate X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa using methods based on the viability difference between the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. A total of 18 experimental semen samples were used, written consent was obtained from all donors and results were analysed in a blinded fashion. Spermatozoa were exposed to different pH values (5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5), increased temperatures ($37^{\circ}C$, $41^{\circ}C$, and $45^{\circ}C$) and ROS level ($50{\mu}M$, $750{\mu}M$, and $1,000{\mu}M$). The live and dead cell separation was done through a modified swim-up technique. Changes in the sex-chromosome ratio of samples were established by double-label fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) before and after processing. The results indicated successful enrichment of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa upon incubation in acidic media, increased temperatures, and elevated $H_2O_2$. This study demonstrated the potential role for exploring the physiological differences between X-and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in the development of preconceptual gender selection.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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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.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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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.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2011

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization of porcine immature oocytes on the embryo development of blastocysts or hatched blastocysts and the number of cells according to the in vitro fertilization conditions. In the in vitro fertilization of in vitro matured porcine oocytes, there were no significant differences between treatment groups regarding fertilization rate, blastocyst rate, and embryo development of hatched blastocysts according to the storage periods of liquid sperm of 24, 48, and 72 hours. The embryo development rate of hatched blastocysts after the fertilization according to different spermatozoa concentrations ($0.4{\times}10^5$, $1.2{\times}10^5$, and $3.6{\times}10^5$ cells/ml) showed the highest rate in the group with a spermatozoa concentration of $1.2{\times}10^5$ cells/ml; in particular, this rate was significantly higher than that in the $0.4{\times}10^5$ cells/ml group (p<0.05). The total number of blastocysts cells as well as trophectoderms (TE) that developed in each treatment group were also significantly higher in the $1.2{\times}10^5$ cells/ml group than in any other groups (p<0.05). In contrast, the embryo development rate of blastocysts according to different co-incubation periods of sperm and oocyte (1, 3, and 6 hr) was high in the 6-hour group; in particular, the rate was significantly higher than that of the I-hour group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the total number of oocytes cells and TEs that developed was significantly higher in the 6-hour group than any other group (p<0.05). In this study, the most effective treatment conditions for porcine embryo development and high cell number were found to be as follows: a sperm storage period of less than 72 hours, a spermatozoa concentration of $1.2{\times}10^5$ cells/ml, and a 6-hour co-incubation period for sperm and ooocyte.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.393-403
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• 2000

Objective: To investigate the effects of ROS on kinematic parameters in human spermatozoa. To verify the changes in above parameters, human spermatozoa were incubated with xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X-XO), $H_2O_2$, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or lymphocyte. Otherwise, spemlatozoa were incubated under low $O_2 (5%) condition. Methods: CASA was employed to analyze sperm motion parameters. Results: Under $H_2O_2 treatment, all kinematic parameters of spermatozoa were dramatically increased during 30 min, but gradually decreased thereafter. Under the low concentration of $H_2O_2 (125 ${\mu}M$ and 250 ${\mu}M$), the movement velocity (VAP, VCL, VSL) decreased, but forward movement increased. Under the 1mM $H_2O_2, sperm showed reduced kinematic parameters except during first 30 min of incubation. In the cases of X-XO and SNP treatment, the movement velocity increased but the forward movement reduced. After incubation for 3 hr treatment, the kinematic parameters gradually decreased in high concentration of X-XO. However these parameters maintained or increased in low concentration of X-XO. There was no obvious changes in the above parameters in the high concentration of SNP. In the presence of high concentration of lymphocytes, all parameters decreased. Under the 5% $O_2 condition, the parameters of the movement velocity and movement pattern increased, but forward movement decreased. Taken togethers, it suggested that ROS increased the movement velocity but decreased the forward movement and lateral head replacement. $H_2O_2, X-XO, SNP and lymphocyte treatment significantly increased capacitated spermatozoa within I h of incubation. There was no significant difference in capacitation between low- and high $O_2 group. Conclusion: The early onset of capacitation in the presence of ROS suggest that ROS might be a positive regulator of sperm capacitation and hyperactivation. These results demonstrate that low concentration ROS facilitates the movement velocity but high concentration ROS was inhibitory.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.256-256
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• 2004

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of preservation of ovaries and oocytes with and without cumulus cells and incubation time on zona penetration by canine spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to produce in vitro fertilized oocytes and solute canine sterile. (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1991

This experiment was carried out to investigate ultrastructural changes that occurred in bovine epididymal spermatozoa during incubation in a BO medium supplemented with 5 mM caffeine. No structural changes were observed under electron microscope in the majority of non-incubated sperm(79.8%) keeping the membrane intact. Structural changes were however observed when spermatozoa were cultured in a BO medium supplemented with 5 mM caffeine, which were classified into 4 types, intact(29.4%), vesiculated(45.6%), acrosome lost(17.8%) and degenerated(7.2%) spermatozoa, respectively. These results indicated that : 1) vesiculation of spermatozoa membrane is normal acrosome reaction and acrosome lost of spermatozoa is dead one ; 2) caffeine can induce acrosome reaction of bovine epididymal spermatozoa.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.122-125
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• 2016

Phelligridin D (Phe D) is a compound isolated from Phellinus baumii, which is known for various biological activities. In this study, the authors examined the effect of Phe D on boar spermatozoa for its potential application in assisted reproductive technology for mammals. Sperm motility and deubiquitinylating activity significantly decreased when boar spermatozoa were incubated with Phe D (>$0.5{\mu}M$). The fluorescence intensities of dead sperm, and reactive oxygen species production increased after sperm incubation in the presence of Phe D. Although Phe D is associated with antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, sperm viability deteriorated after its addition. This could lead to fertilization failure, including that following artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. Phe D might have other biological functions in spermatozoa, and therefore requires additional studies in the future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.1196-1202
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• 2001

In boar spermatozoa, the head-to-head agglutinability changes in parallel with the development of the fertilizing ability. Namely, both abilities gradually increase in the distal caput and corpus epididymides, but are subsequently suppressed in the cauda epididymidis. It has been postulated that these changes of the agglutinability are controlled via sperm interaction with specific epididymal plasma factors including agglutination mediators (agglutinins) and inhibitors (anti-agglutinins). Expression of these abilities (sperm agglutination and capacitation) is hardly observed in spermatozoa immediately. after ejaculation, but it occurs during incubation in a capacitation medium. Recently, we have purified and characterized epididymal plasma anti-agglutinin for boar spermatozoa. Moreover, we have conducted a series of experiments to reveal biological significance and mechanism of the head-to-head agglutination and have accumulated data indicating that boar sperm agglutination is mediated by capacitation-supporting factors including calcium, bicarbonate and sterol acceptors. This review introduces our recent data and discusses a possible mechanism for suppression of the agglutinability in the distal epididymidis and relationship between agglutinability and fertilizing ability.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2000

Objective: The sperm acrosome reaction is a $Ca^{2+}$-dependent exocytotic event that is triggered by adhesion to the mammalian egg's zona pellucida. Previous studies suggested a role of $Ca^{2+}$ channels in acrosome reactions. This study was conducted to investigate the T-type calcium channel is operated in acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa. Method: Human semen samples were obtained from healthy donors with normal criteria. The spermatozoa were divided into five groups: Group 1 were non-treated as a control; Group 2 where spermatozoa were exposed to 5 ${\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}$ A23187 $(Ca^{2+}i)$; Group 3 where spermatozoa were exposed 5 ${\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}i$ and mibefradil; Group 4 where spermatozoa were exposed 5 ${\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}i$ and nifedipine, and Group 5 where spermatozoa were treated with 5 ${\mu}M$ $Ca^{2+}i$ and both of mibefradil and nifedipine. Spermatozoa in all groups were retrieved after incubation for 15 and 30 minutes at $37^{\circ}C$. After staining with PSA-FITC, fluorescence was observed under a fluorescence microscope, and AR was evaluated on a total>100 spermatozoa/side. Result and Conclusion: We observed on acrosome reaction inhibition rate in human spermatozoa the various of concentration of mibefradil, nifedipine. Maximum response was noted with 1.0 ${\mu}M$ mibefradil and the decrease of acrosome reaction inhibition rate 45%. Nifedipine in acrosome reaction inhibition rate was only about 25%. The $Ca^{2+}i$-induced AR of spermatozoa was significantly suppressed by mibefradil. Incidence of the suppression was depending on concentration of mibefradil. Results from the present study suggest that the human spermatozoa possess T-type channel. The observation that reversible inhibitor of T channels in male germ cells provides a new mechanism of contraceptive action.