• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2000

This paper describes the magnetic orientation of the intact and demembranated bull sperm treated by DTT or heparin in a 5,400 G static field. Semen samples collected from four bulls (Japanese Black) were mixed to the same sperm density. One percentage triton X-100 was used to extract the plasma membrane. The intact and demembranated sperm suspensions were treated with 20, 200, 2,000 mM DTT, 100, 1,000 or 10,000 units heparin solutions at $4{^{\circ}C}$ for 6 days. The decondensation of the sperm nuclei treated by DTT or heparin was examined by measuring the sperm head area at 1, 3, and 6 days. After measuring the area, each sperm sample was exposed to a 5,400 G static magnetic field generated by Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets for 24 hours at room temperature. Results showed that the decondensation of bull sperm nuclei was not induced by the heparin treatment, however, incomplete decondensation was induced by the DTT treatment. During the magnetic orientation, bull sperms treated by DTT or heparin had low percentages of long axis perpendicular to the magnetic lines of force. However, different aspects were obtained for long axis perpendicular orientations following treatment of DTT or heparin. Through the DTT treatment, the decline of long axis perpendicularly oriented percentages was due to the increase of long axis parallel orientation with the head of the flat plane perpendicular to the magnetic lines of force, whereas, using the heparin treatment, the decline of long axis perpendicular orientation was due to the increment of long axis parallel orientation with the head of the flat plane parallel to the magnetic lines of force. Also, percentages of the head of the flat plane perpendicular were decreased by the heparin treatment. These findings suggest that maintaining the structure of protamine in the chromatin is necessary for the sperm head to orient with its flat plane perpendicular, and maintaining the disulfide bond in the chromatin is necessary for the long axis of sperm to orient perpendicularly.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

Oxidative stress is a critical factor affecting the quality and viability of sperm during boar semen storage. Oxidative stress is also a significant concern during the process of freezing semen. The process of semen storage involves exposing the sperm to various stressors, including temperature changes, cryoprotectants, and extended periods of incubation. In addition, oxidative stress can lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the sperm, resulting in oxidative damage to cellular components, such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. Striking a balance between ROS production and the antioxidant defense system is crucial for maintaining sperm viability and functionality during semen storage. Moreover, the prolonged storage of boar semen leads to an increase in ROS levels, which can impair sperm motility, membrane integrity, and DNA integrity. ROS-induced lipid peroxidation affects the fluidity and stability of sperm membranes, leading to decreased sperm motility. Moreover, oxidative damage to the DNA can result in DNA fragmentation, compromising the genetic integrity of the sperm. In conclusion, oxidative stress is a significant challenge in maintaining sperm quality during boar semen storage. Understanding the mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and their impacts on sperm function is crucial for developing effective strategies to minimize oxidative damage and improve sperm storage outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2009

Objectives: To determinate the optimal culture condition to maintain lifespan in human sperm, we evaluated the effect of different temperature on sperm motility and viability up to 5 days in normal specimens. Methods: Ejaculated semen samples with normal semen parameters were gently washed in HEPES buffered Tyrod's-Albumin-Lactate-Pyruvate (HTALP) media. Each 5 ml of HTALP + 0.3% albumin with $1{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml was incubated for 5 days in $37^{\circ}C$, $22^{\circ}C$, and $4^{\circ}C$. The sperm motility and kinematics were analyzed using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA), membrane integrity was assessed by hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), and capacitation status was evaluated by chlorotetracycline (CTC) fluorescence pattern. Each parameter was measured on day 1, 3, and 5, respectively. Results: The motility, viability and live/uncapacitated pattern were demonstrated significantly in temperature- and time-dependent difference (p<0.05). While the sperm cultured for 1 day in each temperature was not significantly different, the sperm cell kept in $22^{\circ}C$ after 3 days were preserved sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, and F pattern better than in other culture temperatures. Conclusions: HTALP can be used a basic medium for culture and longevity preservation, and sperm cell kept at $22^{\circ}C$ is beneficial for assisted reproductive techniques.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1001-1006
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPP) on the motility, mitochondrial integrity, acrosome integrity rate, and antioxidant ability of sheep sperm after preservation at 4℃. Methods: Semen from healthy adult rams were collected and divided into four groups with separate addition of 0, 200, 400, and 1,000 mg/L CPP. Sperm motility was analyzed using the Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis software after preservation at 4℃ for 24, 72, 120, and 168 h. Sperm acrosome integrity rate was analyzed by Giemsa staining at 24, 72, and 120 h, and mitochondrial membrane integrity was analyzed by Mito-Tracker Red CMXRos. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of spermatozoa were measured after 120 h of preservation. Results: The sperm viability and forward-moving sperm under 200 mg/L CPP were significantly higher than that in the control group at 72 h (61.28%±3.89% vs 52.83%±0.70%, 51.53%±4.06% vs 42.84%±1.14%), and 168 h (47.21%±0.85% vs 41.43%±0.37%, 38.68%±0.87% vs 31.68%±0.89%). The percentage of fast-moving sperm (15.03%±1.10% vs 11.39%±1.03%) and slow-moving sperm (23.63%±0.76% vs 20.29%±1.11%) in the 200 mg/L group was significantly higher than control group at 168 h. The mitochondrial membrane integrity of the sperm in the group with 200 mg/L CPP was significantly higher than those in the control group after storage at 4℃ for 120 h (74.76%±2.54% vs 65.67%±4.51%, p<0.05). The acrosome integrity rate in the group with 200 mg/L (87.66%±1.26%) and 400 mg/L (84.00%±2.95%) was significantly higher than those in the control group (80.65%±0.16%) after storage for 24 h (p<0.05). CPP also increased T-AOC and decreased the MDA concentration after preservation at 4℃ (p<0.05). Conclusion: Adding CPP could improve the T-AOC of sperm, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and facilitate semen preservation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.517-523
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• 2017

This study was to investigate the role of antioxidants on the characteristics of arsenite-damaged boar semen. Collected sperm was diluted with semen extender, and $100{\mu}M$ arsenite was used for sperm damage. Then melatonin, silymarin, curcumin, and vitamin E were applied for 3, 6, and 9 hr in arsenite-treated boar sperm. Sperm characteristics were then analyzed for motility, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and lipid peroxidation. In the results, sperm motility (control, $77.3{\pm}1.8%$) was decreased by arsenite ($33.3{\pm}1.5%$), while the antioxidant treatment groups (100 nM melatonin, $55.8{\pm}3.4%$; $2{\mu}M$ silymarin, $48.8{pm}3.4%$; $10{\mu}M$ curcumin, $53.9{\pm}2.8%$; and $500{\mu}M$ vitamin E, $54.5{\pm}3.1%$) showed increases compared to the arsenite group (p<0.05). $100{\mu}M$ arsenite decreased the sperm plasma membrane integrity ($24.5{\pm}1.6%$) and mitochondrial activity ($58.2{\pm}2.6%$), and increased lipid peroxidation ($5.3{\pm}0.2%$) at 3 hr (p<0.05). However, arsenite-treated samples with 100 nM melatonin, $2{\mu}M$ silymarin, $10{\mu}M$ curcumin, and $500{\mu}M$ vitamin E increased the plasma membrane integrity and mitochondria activity, and decreased lipid peroxidation compared to the arsenite-treated samples. In summary, arsenite may induce sperm damage and oxidation stress, while antioxidants such as melatonin, silymarin, curcumin, and vitamin E are useful for maintaining sperm characteristics. Therefore, antioxidants can protect sperm against damage by arsenite in fresh boar semen.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2011

This study was undertaken to find out the effect of cholesterol and serum albumin on sperm ability and lipid peroxidation levels period to the liquid storage of miniature pig sperm. Ejaculated semen from miniature pigs was collected by gloved-hand method into a pre-warmed ($37^{\circ}C$) thermos bottle, and extended with Modena solution {with and without BSA, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (-cholesterol) and cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (+cholesterol)}. Each semen was assessed for viability (SYBR-14/PI staining) and acrosome intactness, intensity and capacitation status by chlorotetracycline (CTC) staining at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days of storage. At for the effects of cholesterol and serum albumin on lipid peroxidation, semen were incubated with $H_2O_2$ ($10\;{\mu}M$), and lipid peroxidation level were measured by flow cytometry using the lipid peroxidation reporter probe $C_{11}-BODIPY^{581/591}$. The result, lipid peroxidation level in sperm added with cholesterol were lower in $10\;{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ compared to the added sperm with serum albumin. Also, added cholesterol to sperm had significant (p<0.05) higher viability when storage for 7 and 10 days and lower when 10 days of storage percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm (AR pattern) in acrosome state as say result compared to other treated groups. In conclusion, role of cholesterol during lipid storage in miniature pig spermatozoa was protected boar spermatozoa from lipid peroxidation prior to lipid storage. Addition serum albumin during lipid storage in sperm may be induce sperm membrane damage by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, addition of cholesterol to miniature pig sperm will be lead to extension of liquid storage periods.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2004

In the present study, attempts were made to cryopreserve sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina sperm in liquid nitrogen, to evaluate the effects of various cryoprotectants and freezing rates on motility, survival rate and fertilization rate of the post-thawing sperm, and the ultrastructural changes of sperm after cryopreservation were observed. The highest values of sperm motility (motility index: 3.3$\pm$0.37) and survival rate (72$\pm$3.5%) were obtained with 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and these values were significantly higher than those of sperm preserved with glycerol. Comparisons of motilities and survival rates between treatments of difference freezing rates showed that there was no difference between procedures (a) 5$0^{\circ}C$/min to -8$0^{\circ}C$ (motility index: 3.3$\pm$0.31 ; survival late 70$\pm$2.7%) and (b) 3$0^{\circ}C$/min to -8$0^{\circ}C$ (motility index: 3.1$\pm$0.29; survival rate 69$\pm$3.7%), while the results of (c) 1$0^{\circ}C$/min to -8$0^{\circ}C$ were significantly lower than the others (motility index: 2.2$\pm$0.33 ; survival rate 42$\pm$4.6%). There was no significant difference in fertilization rate between fresh sperm and sperm preserved with 15% DMSO as cryoprotectant and freezing rate (3$0^{\circ}C$/min to -8$0^{\circ}C$). Some ultrastructural changes of sperm, such as the detachment of plasma membrane, the destruction of mitochondria, and the flagellum rolling up head, were observed after cryopreservation. Morphological normality of the sperm in 15% DMSO frozen at the ratio of 5$0^{\circ}C$/min to -8$0^{\circ}C$ was better than the others.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2011

Cryopreservation protocols induce partially irreversible damage to mammalian sperm plasma membranes. Previous studies have indicated that adding cholesterol to the plasma membrane, as cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins, improves cryosurvival of sperm. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if treating sperm of Markhoz bucks with cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins (CLC) (0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg/ml diluted $240{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml) in Tris-citric acid-glucose diluents with and without egg yolk (containing 5% glycerol) would improve the post-thaw sperm quality. The motion characteristics were evaluated with a Computer Assisted System Analyzer (CASA); acrosome integrity and vitality were measured with the triple-stain technique. Samples were recovered before and after freezing by means of putting straws into $37^{\circ}C$ water for 30 sec and then parameters were assessed. The results showed that the treatments significantly affected motility, progressive motility, recovery rate, curvilinear velocity, beat cross frequency, live sperm with reacted acrosome, live sperm with unreacted acrosome, dead sperm with reacted acrosorne, and dead sperm with unreacted acrosome during freezing (p<0.05). However; no significant differences were found for average path velocity, straight line velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, straightness and linearity (p>0.05). The best results were observed for extender containing 2.25 mg/ml ($240{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml) CLC supplemented with 2.6% egg yolk. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate improved Markhoz sperm viability and motility following treatment in the presence of egg yolk.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.2
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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.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2017

We investigated the effect of ethylene glycol and antioxidants such as taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose with extenders during cryopreservation of Korean Jeju Black Bull spermatozoa. The cryopreservation of freshly collected spermatozoa was conducted with four different conditions. As a control, spermatozoa were cryopreserved with Tris egg-yolk extenders added 5% ethylene glycol (EG). Taurine (20 mM), hypotaurine (20 mM) and trehalose (20 mM) were individually added into tris egg-yolk extenders with 5% EG. After thawing of frozen spermatozoa with four different conditions, sperm viability, motility, acrosomal integrity, and membrane integrity were investigated. The significant (p < 0.05) improvement of sperm viability showed in all antioxidant treated thawed spermatozoa (taurine; $68.1%{\pm}4.4$, hypotaurine; $69.2%{\pm}6.7$ and trehalose; $68.0%{\pm}4.4$) when compared to control ($63.4%{\pm}5.6$). Neither positive nor detrimental effects of three antioxidants were shown sperm motility after thawing. The results of hypo-osmotic swelling test showed that the membrane integrity of taurine, hypotaurine or trehalose treated thawed spermatozoa ($64.1%{\pm}5.4$, $61.5%{\pm}3.7$ and $59.0%{\pm}4.0$, respectively) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher rate of the swollen sperm compared to control ($53.7%{\pm}9.7$). Hypotaurine treated frozen-thawed spermatozoa had siginificantly higher (p < 0.05) F pattern ratio than taurine, trehalose and control treated frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Trehalose added frozen-thawed spermatozoa had significantly higher (p < 0.05) acrosome reaction pattern ratio than taurine and hypotaurine added frozen-thawd spermatozoa. In this study, we found that antioxidants such taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose treatments during cryopreservation process could reduce damage of spermatozoa of Korean Jeju Black Bull and improved sperm capability of fertilization.