• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.626-635
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• 2009

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Butylated Hydroxy Anisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT), Pentoxifylline (PTX), Theophylline (TPY) and Theobromine (TBR) on cold protection ability of Murrah buffalo semen at room ($22-25^{\circ}C$) and refrigerated temperature ($4-7^{\circ}C$). Each semen sample was divided into six parts of equal volume and sperm concentration; the first was kept as a control and the remaining five were treated with BHA, BHT, PTX, TPY or TBR. Sperm motility, abnormal spermatozoa, live-dead count, hypo-osmotic swelling and acrosomal integrity were studied at room and refrigerated temperature for various incubation periods viz.; 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h at room and 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h at refrigerated temperature. Significant improvement in sperm motility, live-dead count, hypo-osmotic swelling and acrosomal integrity were observed in BHT, PTX and TPY fortified extender at room and refrigerated temperature for various incubation periods. From the present study it could be concluded that cold protection ability of buffalo semen can be improved through the addition of BHT followed by PTX and TPY.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2009

The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine (X) and xanthine oxidase system (XO) on sperm function and DNA fragmentation in porcine spermatozoa. ROS were produced by a combination of $1,000{\mu}M$ X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) (200 U/ml) and catalase (CAT) (500 U/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without antioxidants at $37^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ incubator. Ca-ionophore-induced acrosome reaction, the proportion of swollen spermatozoa under hypo-osmotic condition, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, and the proportion of DNA fragmentation were determined after 2 hours incubation. The action of ROS on porcine spermatozoa resulted in decreased Ca-ionophore-induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, increased the formation of malondialdehyde, and the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation(p<0.05). The toxic effects caused by ROS were completely alleviated by CAT in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD did not serve the same scavenger effect as CAT. To conclude, the ROS can cause significant damage to porcine sperm functions and characteristics, which can be minimized by the use of antioxidants.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2008

Production of transgenic animals for studying specific gene has been limited due to a low efficiency, lack of skilled researchers and the need for expensive equipment. Currently, the boar spermatozoa as a vector to deliver exogenous DNA into the oocyte were used to improve the efficiency of transfection rate. In this study, we revealed that the optimal conditions for DNA uptake in spermatozoa by liposome were to 90 min of incubation, $17^{\circ}C$, $10^5$ spermatozoa, 4 ng/ml of exogenous DNA and 0.5% (v/v) liposome, without damage to fertility. In addition, the developmental rate to the blastocyst stage of embryo in control group was significantly higher than those embryos with exogenous DNA and liposome, whereas there were no significant differences in embryo development between the liposome and type of DNA. The transfection rates of embryo using treated spermatozoa with both liposome and circular DNA were higher than those using linear DNA. These findings raise the possibility thattreated spermatozoa with liposome/DNA complexes could be used in in vitro fertilization, and the exogenous DNA transferred into the oocytes. Taken together, we demonstrated that liposome a vector for the uptake of exogenous DNA in boar spermatozoa could improve the efficiency of sperm-mediated gene transfer in creating transgenic pig and the other domestic transgenic animals.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2008

Plasminogen activators (PAs) are serine protease that cleave plasminogen to form the active protease plasmin. PA/plasmin system playa role in mammalian fertilization and motility and acrosome reaction of sperm. The present study was undertaken to identify PAs in porcine gametes and investigate a possible role of plasminogen in in vitro fertilization in the pig. When boar spermatozoa were preincubated in a fertilization medium (mTBM) for 0, 2, 4 or 6 h, the activity of tPA-PAI ($110{\sim}117\;kDa$), tPA ($62{\sim}70\;kDa$), and uPA ($34{\sim}38\;kDa$) was observed in the sperm incubation medium and sperm sample. PA activities in the sperm incubation medium significantly (p<0.05) increased according to increasing incubation times, while PA activities in sperm significantly (p<0.05) decreased at the same times. In addition, the rate of acrosome reaction in spermatozoa increased by increasing culture times. When oocytes were separated from porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes at 0, 22 or 44 h of maturation culture, no PA activities were observed in cumulus free-oocyte just after aspiration from follicles. However, the activity of tPA-PAI ($108{\sim}113\;kDa$) and tPA ($75{\sim}83\;kDa$) was observed at 22 h of in vitro culture and significantly (p<0.05) increased as the duration of the culture increased. On the other hand, when porcine oocytes were activated by sperm penetration or calcium ionophore, plasminogen significantly (p<0.05) increased ZP dissolution time (sec) in activated oocytes by sperm penetration. These results suggest that supplementation of plasminogen to fertilization medium may playa positive role in the improvement of in vitro fertilization ability in the pig.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on DNA stability in human spermatozoa. To verify human spermatozoa were incubated with xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X 100$\mu$M-XO 50 mlU ~ 400 mIU), $H_2O_2$ (125 $\mu$M ~ 1 mM), sodium nitroprusside (SNP 0.1 $\mu$M ~ 100 $\mu$M) or lymphocyte. Otherwise, spermatozoa were incubated under low $O_2$ (5%) condition. Damage of sperm DNA was analyzed by single cell electrophoresis (Comet assay) and flow cytometry after acridine orange staining. In the presence of ROS, there was increase in DNA damage. The rate of DNA single strand breakage (9.0$\pm$1.0% ~ 46.0$\pm$4.6%) and DNA fragmentation (7.51$\pm$1.0% ~ 29.5$\pm$4.6%) were similar regardless of the kinds of ROS and exposure time. DNA damage in the lower $O_2$ condition (5%) was lower than ambient $O_2$ condition (20%). Taken together, it suggested that sperm DNA might be damaged by ROS. In the presence of ROS, increase in DNA damage and chromatin instability was obvious in spite of short exposure. Although present study reconfirmed that sperm incubation in the low concentration of ROS have the benefit m the induction of capacitation and Ah, the increase in DNA damage by ROS and possible genetic problem should be considered before the human trials.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 1986

This experiment was undertaken to examine the effects of HIS treatment on the motility and acrosome reaction of frozen bovine spermatozoa and to test their abilities to interact with zona-free hamster eggs in vitro. Also, in vitro results were compared with those of bull's fertility in AI. The frozen semen from four Holstein bulls were exposed to HIS-DM for 5 minutes after thawing and then preincubated for 60 minutes in DM prior to insemination. The hamster eggs were mounted, fixed and stained 6 hours after exposure to boving spermatozoa and examined under a phase-contrast microscope. 1. The sperm motility expressed as a mobility index dro, pp.d significantly from 60-75 to 12-24 after exposure to HIS-DM, but increased in 32 to 41 at insemination. Bull C showed a low motility index than those of the orher bulls. The percentage of acrosome reaction by staining procedure were increased by HIS-DM treatment but did not change during 7 hours incubation period in DM. 2. The overall percentage of hamster eggs interacting with bull spermatozoa was 56.3%, 58.3%, 66.6% and 70.0%, respectively. Although there was no significant difference among bulls in the penetration rate of spermatozoa into hamster eggs, high proportions of eggs interacted with spermatozoa from Bull C and D than those from Bull A and B. 3. The conception rates (60-90 day RP) resulting from AI were 62.5%, 67.5% and 70.9% for Bull A, B and C, respectively. These results were in good agreement with the invitro results that the proportions of bull sperm-egg interction were greater for Bull C than for Bull A and B.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1994

The occurrence and time course of capacitation, acrosomal loss, and hyperactivated motility require quantitative definition in order to characterize fertile human sperm. Recently the method has been developed to estimate the quality of spermatozoa by using kinematic parameters such as curvilinear velocity(VCL), average path velocity(VAP), linearity(LIN), straightness(STR), amplitude of lateral head displacement(ALH), and beat cross frequence(BCF) from Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). In this study, using the Hamilton Thorn motility analyzer HTM 2030(Hamilton Thorn Research, Beverly, MA), we attempted to identify the spermatozoa with hyperactivated motility (HA) objectively and to monitor hyperactivation of human spermatozoa during incubation in capacitating media and after treatment of calcium ionophore as compared with acrosome status. And we examined whether HA are related to the result of SPA. Semen samples obtained from 16 healthy men were prepared by swim up technique and preincubated in a capacitating media(modified BWW medium) for 5 hours and treated with calcium ionophore solution. The acrosome reaction was detected with PSA-FITC labelling of the acrosome and in vitro sperm ferilizing capacity was assessed by the zona free hamster ovum penetration assay (SPA). The incidence of hyperactivated sperm was 2.6% in fresh semen, 14.3% of the swim up population, 13.7% after 5h of incubation. Significant increase of percentage of hyperactivated sperm was observed after the incubation (p<0.05) but after treatment, no significant changes of percentage of hyperactivated sperm(l1.8%) in contrast to significant rise in the percentage of acrosome reacted cells. Correlation analysis failed to show any significant relationship between the percentage of sperm with HA and SPA score. In conclusion, although no direct correlations were found between the results of SPA and HA, hyperactivation of sperm is associated with capacitation and monitoring hyperactivated sperm will be expected as a method of evaluating the functional quality of sperm such as SPA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2000

Objective: To evaluate silane-coated silica particles (Sil-select) as an alternative to polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated particles (Percoll) for gradient separation of spermatozoa, for use in assisted reproduction. Methods: 20 normal semen based on WHO criteria were included in this study. Recovery of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa after using two-layer Percoll and Sil-select gradient respectively was recorded. Motility, HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test) and the detection of malondialdehyde for LPO (lipid peroxidation) after 24 h of incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator were compared. Results: Percoll (78.5%) and Sil-select (79.1%) showed a significant increase in the motility compared to ejaculate (60.9%) but no difference between Percoll and Sil-select. Normal sperm morphology significantly increased after Percoll (57.6%) and Sil-select (53.7%) compared to ejaculate (35.8%) but no difference between Percoll and Sil-select. No differences in the recovery of motile spermatozoa and motility, HOST and the production of malondialdehyde after 24 h incubation were found when comparing the use of Percoll and Sil-select. Conclusion: Sil-select seems to be an attractive alternative to Percoll for sperm separation in assisted reproduction.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2011

Endocrine disruptors bind to hormone receptors on sperm membrane, therefore spermatozoa are potentially a useful model for examining estrogenic activities of endocrine disruptors. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two xenoestrogenic compounds [genistein (Gen) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP)] to those of two steroids [estrogen ($E_2$) and progesterone ($P_4$)] on boar sperm % motility and motion kinematics of in vitro. Porcine spermatozoa were incubated with various concentrations ($0.001{\sim}100\;{\mu}M$) of each chemical for 15 or 30 min, and then assessed % motility and sperm motion kinematics using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Each chemical decreased sperm % motility, and OP decreased VSL and VAP compared with untreated control(p<0.05). $E_2$ stimulated the motion kinematic changes except VCL. Moreover, Gen had effects on VCL and VAP alterations after 30 min incubation. In summary, since all chemicals studied effectively altered sperm % motility and motion kinematics, it was concluded that porcine spermatozoa could be a useful model for in vitro screening of potential endocrine disruptors.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.373-390
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• 1992

To assay the fertilizing capacity of domestic animal spermatozoa by hamster test, semen were collected from 13 boars(Duroc. Landrace and Yorkshire) which had been proved to be fertile in the past. then, were preserved in BWW medium or in raw state at 18$^{\circ}C$ or at room temperature. The preserved semen were given each different treatment according to the experimental design and coincubated with zona-free hamster ova for 5 hours. The ova were stained by lacmoid and examined under phase contrast microscope to investigate the rates of ova bound with sperm(sperm binding). ova penetrated by sperm(penetration) and formation of a male pronucleus(pronucleus formation) and also numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm per ovum. Between BWW and TBM medium for boar sperm. no difference in the results of hamster test was obtained. The boar spermatozoa in BWW medium, BWW with caffeine, BWW with heparin, and BWW with both caffeine and heparin showed no difference in the results of hamster test. The boar spermatozoa in BWW medium containing both calcium and RSA showed considerably higher rates of sperm binding, penetration and pronucleus formation as well as higher numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm than those not containing calcium with or without BSA( p<0.01) and also the same results higher than that containing calcium without BSA( p< 0.05). The boar spermatozoa irradiated by X-ray(70 KVP, 20mA) for 3 seconds. then, maintained at 18$^{\circ}C$ for 18 hours showed considerably lower rate of sperm binding than all the other groups including the control and X-ray groups irradiated by smaller dose or maintained for shorter period(p<0.01), and also showed lower number of bound sperm than the other groups(p<0.01, p<0.05). All the control groups of both raw and diluted sperm in BWM medium showed higher rates of sperm binding, penetration and pronucleus formation as well as higher number of penetrated sperm than all the X-ray groups irradiated for 3 seconds(70KVP, 20mA) and maintained for either 3 or 18 hours (p<0.01, p<0.05). At the same time the control groups of diluted sperm showed considerably higher rates of sperm penetration and pronucleus formation than the control group of raw sperm( p<0.01). These results indicates that fertile boar sperm showed considerably lower rates In the results of hamster test, when incubated in the medium without calcium and irradiated by X-ray than when incubated in the medium with calcium and not irradiated by X-ray, respectively, to prove consequently that hamster test would be of great value in assaying the fertilizing capacity of boar spermatozoa.