• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1716-1721
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to observe the effect of osmolality of glycerolated TEST-yolk glycerol extenders on post-thawing sperm kinematics of ram spermatozoa of the native Malpura breed maintained in a semi-arid tropical environment. Good quality semen obtained from adult rams was pooled, split and diluted to 1,000 million spermatozoa per ml in complete TEST-yolk-glycerol extenders of 900, 1,200, 1,500 and 1,800 mOsm/kg osmolality. Diluted semen samples were loaded in 0.25 ml straws and cooled down to $-125^{\circ}C$ freezing temperature at the rate of $-25^{\circ}C$ per minute under controlled conditions before plunging into liquid nitrogen for storage. The thawing of straws was performed at $50^{\circ}C$ in a water bath for 10 seconds and sperm kinematics of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa were assessed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis technique. Osmolality of diluent had no significant effect on post-thawing % motility, % rapid, % medium and % slow moving frozen-thawed spermatozoa but significantly (p< 0.05) affected the % linearity and % straightness. The post-thawing % motility and % rapid motile spermatozoa were highest in samples extended in diluent of 1,500 mOsm/kg osmolality and lowest in 900 mOsm/kg. The curvilinear velocity of spermatozoa was significantly (p<0.05) higher for samples extended in 1,800 mOsm/kg, compared to those in 900 and 1,200 mOsm/kg, but the effect was not significantly different to those extended in diluent of 1,500 mOsm/kg osmolality. The study indicated that ram spermatozoa could tolerate a wide osmolality range for dilution in the complete TEST-yolk-glycerol extender for their cryosurvival. The highest recovery of motile spermatozoa following thawing was achieved in samples extended in the TEST-yolk-glycerol diluent of 1,500 mOsm/kg osmolality.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2021

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the relationship of anthropometric and metabolic risk factors with seminal and sex steroidal hormone parameters in a screened population of healthy males. Methods: The participants were healthy young men without chronic or congenital diseases. The body composition parameters that we investigated were measured weight, height, and waist circumference (WC), as well as bioelectrical impedance analysis. Semen samples were analyzed for semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology, seminal pH, and liquefaction time. Biochemistry analysis, including glucose and lipid metabolism parameters, was conducted on fasting blood samples. Testicular volume was calculated separately for each testis using ultrasonography. Results: Body mass index exhibited an inverse association with total sperm count. WC showed negative correlations with numerous seminal parameters, including sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm morphology, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The basal metabolic rate was associated with seminal pH, liquefaction time, and sperm motility. WC, fat mass percentage, and triglyceride levels exhibited negative correlations with sex hormone binding globulin. The measures of glucose metabolism were associated with a greater number of seminal parameters than the measures of cholesterol metabolism. C-reactive protein levels were inversely associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count. Conclusion: Anthropometric and metabolic risk factors were found to predict semen quality and alterations in sex steroidal hormone levels.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of preservation period of porcine liquid semen on bacterial contamination and in vitro production of embryo. Extended liquid semen was prepared by three mixture of boar's ejaculates from each farm without antibiotics, and were kept in $17^{\circ}C$ semen preservation incubator until use. Sperm motility was significantly (p<0.05) decreased as semen preservation time goes by (78.7$\pm$2.4% for 1 day vs. 71.1$\pm$2.4 and 64.8$\pm$2.4% for 3 and 5 days of presentation, respectively). Quantitative of bacteria in semen was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 5 days ($57.8\pm105.2\times10^4$ Cfu) compared to 0 and 3 days ($32.1\pm76.8\times10^4$ and $26.9\pm46.6\times10^4$ Cfu, respectively) of preservation. In terms of development of in vitro fertilization of porcine embryos inseminated by preserved semen, the rate of normal fertilization (2PN) was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in 5 days (56.0$\pm$2.6%) compared to 1 and 3 days (66.0$\pm$2.7 and 64.0$\pm$2.7%, respectively) of preservation. Cleavage rate was also significantly (p<0.05) affected by preservation period (75.0$\pm$4% for 1 day, 70.0$\pm$0.3 and 71.0$\pm$0.3% for 3 and 5 days, respectively). The in vitro developmental rate of blastocyst stage embryo was significantly (p<0.05) affected by semen preservation period (15.0$\pm$1.0% for 1 day vs. 11.0$\pm$0.9 and 8.0$\pm$0.9% for 3 and 5 days, respectively). It is concluded that more than 3 days of liquid semen preservation without antibiotics increased the quantity of bacteria resulted in detrimental effect on sperm motility and decreased both normal insemination rate and the developmental rate of blastocyst stage embryo.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2007

Objective: To investigate whether semen parameters in infertile couples who undergone intrauterine insemination (IUI) change in the subsequent IUI cycle and the subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Methods: Fifty-three infertile couples who had failed to become pregnant after the first IUI cycle with computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) were included. After the first IUI, thirty-eight couples underwent the second IUI (Group 1), and fifteen underwent IVF-ET procedure (Group 2). All semen parameters including semen volume, concentration, motility and total motile sperm count were analyzed in the second IUI or IVF-ET procedure for comparison with the result of first IUI. Results: There were no significant differences in husband age, interval between the first and second procedure and cause of infertility. In Group 1, only sperm motility at the time of the latter IUI was significantly decreased when compared to the former IUI irrespective of the first semen parameters. In Group 2, sperm concentration, motility and total motile sperm count at the time of subsequent IVF were lower than the former IUI. By sub-analyses of Group 2, in the group of optimal semen parameter at IUI cycle, sperm concentration and total motile sperm count at the time of subsequent IVF were lower than the former IUI, while in the group of suboptimal semen parameter at IUI cycle, only sperm motility at the time of subsequent IVF were lower than the former IUI. Conclusion: The semen parameters in couples converted to IVF cycle were more adversely affected than those remained in IUI cycle. Further study on psychological stress should be necessary to explain the reason.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2020

Objective: Irregular patterns of marital cohabitation are a common problem in upper Egypt due to employment conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of irregular marital cohabitation on the quality of life and sexual function of infertile men. Methods: In total, 208 infertile men were included and divided into two groups. The first group included 134 infertile men with an irregular pattern of marital cohabitation and the second group included 74 infertile men with a regular pattern of marital cohabitation. All subjects were assessed through a clinical evaluation, conventional semen analysis, the fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, and the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PMEDT). Results: The two groups were compared in terms of conventional semen parameters, FertiQoL, IIEF-5 score, and PMEDT. Infertile men with an irregular pattern of marital cohabitation had significantly lower subscale and total FertiQoL and IIEF-5 scores. Additionally, they had significantly higher PMEDT scores. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation were more common in them than in infertile men with a regular pattern of marital cohabitation. Conclusion: Irregular patterns of marital cohabitation had an adverse effect on quality of life and sexual function in infertile men.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2021

Objective: Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in the etiology of unexplained male infertility. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that may improve semen quality and OS in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of CoQ10 on OS markers and sperm DNA damage in infertile patients with idiopathic OAT. Methods: This prospective controlled study included 50 patients with idiopathic OAT and 50 fertile men who served as controls. All patients underwent a comprehensive medical assessment. Patients and controls received 200 mg of oral CoQ10 once daily for 3 months. Semen and blood were collected and analyzed for sperm parameters, seminal CoQ10 levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and serum hormonal profile. Results: The administration of CoQ10 to patients with idiopathic OAT significantly improved sperm quality and seminal antioxidant status and significantly reduced total ROS and SDF levels compared to pretreatment values. Conclusion: CoQ10, at a dose of 200 mg/day for 3 months, may be a potential therapy for infertile patients with idiopathic OAT, as it improved sperm parameters and reduced OS and SDF in these patients.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2022

The acrosome cap allows sperm to penetrate the egg membrane and produce male pronuclei within female chicken eggs, facilitating successful fertilization. Given this, it is important to establish practical methods for evaluating the integrity of the acrosome cap and thus the quality of the rooster's sperm. There are several established methods for evaluating the acrosomes of mammalian sperm, but none of these methods are suitable for evaluating the acrosome status of rooster spermatozoa. Therefore, a simplified method for evaluating the rooster acrosome is needed. Here we evaluated the usefulness of CBB (coomassie brilliant blue) staining of the acrosome at concentrations of 0.04%, 0.08%, and 0.3% CBB solutions. Our data revealed a clear staining pattern for intact acrosome caps at 0.04% and 0.08% CBB but not at 0.3% CBB. This protocol revealed differences in acrosome integrity between fresh and frozen rooster sperm smears suggesting that CBB staining may facilitate easier semen evaluation in roosters. This protocol allows for the accurate differential staining of acrosome cap in rooster spermatozoa.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2024

Objective: Recently, oral antioxidants in combined forms have been used to treat men with idiopathic infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, arginine, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 on sperm quality parameters, DNA integrity, reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 420 men with infertility and idiopathic OAT who took an oral supplement of antioxidant SP-Power tablets twice daily for 6 months. Semen quality, reproductive hormones, and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after supplementation, using the World Health Organization 2021 guidelines. Results: No significant difference was observed in volume or the percentage of typical morphology during treatment. A significant improvement in sperm concentration was observed after supplementation (8.67±1.41, 12.17±1.91, and 19.01±0.86 at baseline, 3, and 6 months respectively, p<0.01). The total motility, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count also increased significantly (p<0.01), whereas the DFI decreased after 6 months. There was an increase in normal FSH levels and testosterone levels after 6 months of supplementation of antioxidant SP-Power but these differences were not statistically significant (p=not significant and p=0.06, respectively). Conclusion: Supplementation with SP-Power tablets improved sperm quality parameters, sperm DFI, some reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic OAT, which could be attributed to the supplement's synergistic antioxidant action. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of supplementation on oxidative stress markers.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 1993

The objective of this study was to produce calves derived from in vitro fertilization of in vitro matured follicular oocytes. Oocytes aspirated from small antral folicles of ovaries obtained at a local slaughter house were matured and fertilized in vitro. At l8hrs after insemination with Korean native cattle semen, oocytes were co-cultured for 6~7 days by utilizing co-culture system with bovine oviduct epithelial cell. After co-culture, good or excellent quality late morulae or early blastocysts were selected by morphological criteria under stereo microscope. Selected embryos were transferred to recipients on day 6 or 7 (estrus = day 0). Recipients were monitored by observation for estrus and rectal palpation after 60 days from embryo transfer. One of them went to term with the birth of a calf. This case is the first production of calf derived from in vitro fertilization in Korea.