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Sperm Quality (sperm + quality)
Terms modified by Sperm Quality Selected AbstractsEffects of Matrix Filtration of Low-Quality Boar Semen Doses on Sperm QualityREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2009E Bussalleu Contents The aim of this work was to develop a method to enhance the sperm parameters of ejaculates with low sperm quality from Piétrain boars. Seminal doses were filtered through columns of DEAE Sephadex (length 2.5 ± 0.5 cm), CM Sephadex (length 5 ± 0.5 cm), glass wool (length 2 ± 0.5 cm) or glass bead (length 10 ± 0.5 cm), with an exit flow rate of 1 ml/40 s in all cases. For each male, 10 ml of the sperm cell-rich fraction diluted at 1 : 6 were filtered. Sperm quality was assessed before and after filtration. Sperm morphology, sperm motility and sperm concentration were determined using the computer program sca® 2002 Production, and sperm viability was evaluated by fluorescence multistaining. Osmotic resistance test and hyperosmotic resistance test were used to determine the osmotic resistance of spermatozoa, whereas l -lactate production estimated the metabolic activity. Results showed a decrease of sperm concentration and osmotic resistance of spermatozoa after filtration in the four matrixes. However, an increase in the frequency of viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome after filtration in glass bead columns and an increase of morphologically normal spermatozoa after filtration in Sephadex CM-50, glass wool and glass bead columns were observed. Despite the decrease in the frequency of progressive motile spermatozoa, l -lactate production and mitochondrial sheath integrity maintained constant after filtration. Our findings indicate that column filtration is an effective method to enhance the sperm quality by selecting viable and morphologically normal spermatozoa without altering DNA, plasma membrane, mitochondrial sheath integrity or inducing premature acrosome reaction. [source] Effects of Constant, 9 and 16-h Light Cycles on Sperm Quality, Semen Storage Ability and Motile Sperm Subpopulations Structure of Boar SemenREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2006MM Rivera Contents This study was performed to test the effect that two separate, daily, constant-light regimes of both 9 and 16 h could have on the main parameters of boar-semen quality analysis, as well as on the motile sperm subpopulations structure and the ability of its conservation at 16°C. Results show that both luminous regimes have slight, specific effects on the main parameters of boar-semen quality analysis, as well as on the motile sperm subpopulations structure. Furthermore, the conservation ability at 16°C of boar semen was not significantly different between both photoperiods. When a temporal study was performed, results showed that semen quality and motility parameter changes were stabilized at nearly constant values from the second month of the study to the last month in both luminous regimes, indicating a rapid light-related effect on testicular function. Our results indicate that light regimes oscillating from 9 h daily to 16 h daily are of little importance in the control of boar-semen quality in a farming environment. [source] Studies on the Effect of Supplementing Boar Semen Cryopreservation Media with Different Avian Egg Yolk Types on in Vitro Post-thaw Sperm QualityREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2006R Bathgate Contents Fertility after insemination of cryopreserved boar semen is currently below that of fresh semen. In an attempt to improve the post-thaw motility and acrosome integrity of boar sperm, semen was frozen using an adapted Westendorf method in which the chicken egg yolk was replaced by either duck or quail egg yolk. The different composition of the yolk types, particularly the amount of cholesterol, fatty acids and phospholipids, were thought to potentially afford a greater level of protection to sperm against damage during freezing and thawing. Sperm frozen in medium containing chicken egg yolk displayed higher motility immediately after thawing, but there was no difference in the motility of sperm frozen with different types of egg yolk 3 or 6 h after thawing and maintenance at 37°C. Sperm frozen in media containing chicken or duck egg yolk had a higher proportion of intact acrosomes immediately after thawing than sperm frozen in medium containing quail egg yolk, but 6 h after thawing and maintenance at 37°C the sperm that had been frozen in medium containing chicken egg yolk had a higher proportion of intact acrosomes than the sperm frozen in media containing duck or quail egg yolk. Analysis of the composition of the different yolk types showed that the basic components of the yolks were similar, but the ratios of fatty acids and phospholipid classes differed. Duck egg yolk had more monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than chicken egg yolk, which had more MUFA than quail egg yolk. Duck egg yolk contained more phosphotidylinositol (PI) than chicken or quail egg yolks and quail egg yolk contained more phosphotidylserine than either chicken or duck egg yolks. The differences in post-thaw motility and acrosome integrity of boar sperm when frozen in media containing the different types of egg yolk may be due to the variation in composition. [source] Single layer centrifugation of stallion spermatozoa consistently selects the most robust spermatozoa from the rest of the ejaculate in a large sample sizeEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2010J. M. MORRELL Summary Reasons for performing study: An improvement in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation (SLC) has been seen in previous studies using small sample sizes (for example, n = 10 stallions). There is a need to investigate whether this improvement is repeatable over several breeding seasons with a larger number of stallions (n , 30 stallions). Objective: To make a retrospective analysis of the results of SLC performed on more than 250 sperm samples (176 ejaculates) from 31 stallions in 3 consecutive breeding seasons. Methods: Sperm quality (motility, proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa and the proportion of spermatozoa with undamaged chromatin) was assessed before and after SLC. Results: All parameters of sperm quality examined were significantly better in sperm samples after SLC than in their unselected counterparts (P<0.001 for each parameter). The yield of spermatozoa obtained after SLC was influenced by the type of extender used and also by the concentration of spermatozoa in the original ejaculate, with fewer spermatozoa being recovered when the loading dose contained a high concentration of spermatozoa. The optimal concentration was approximately 100 × 106/ml. Sperm concentration in the samples loaded on to the colloid influenced the sperm yield while the type of semen extender affected sperm quality and survival. Furthermore, the scaled-up SLC method was found to be suitable for use with a range of ejaculates, with similar sperm kinematics being observed for standard and scaled-up preparations. Conclusions: SLC consistently improved the quality of stallion sperm samples from a large number of ejaculates. The method could be scaled-up, allowing larger volumes of ejaculate to be processed easily from a wide range of stallions. [source] Update on medical treatment of ejaculatory disorders,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 6 2002A. KAMISCHKE Summary Among the treatment modalities for ejaculatory disorders pharmacological treatment is the least invasive option. In this review, medical treatments for retrograde ejaculation (RE) and anejaculation (AE) are discussed systematically. Thirty-six studies dealing with patients with RE and 40 with AE evaluated the use of medical treatment and were included in this review. In addition four articles dealing with prostatic massage in anejaculatory patients were considered. Sperm quality in patients with retrograde and AE is often impaired. In patients with RE no differences in response to medical treatment could be detected between the different underlying diagnoses. Compared with ephedrine, imipramine and chlorpheniramine + phenylpropanalamine showed significantly higher reversal rates, while differences between the other treatments were not significant. Regarding the reversal of AE, the alpha agonistic drugs were significantly inferior to treatment with parasympathetic drugs. Of the different alpha agonistic medical treatments for the reversal of AE, milodrin showed significantly better rates than imipramine (p = 0.008), pseudoephidrine (p = 0.02) and ephedrine (p = 0.044), while all other treatments were not significantly different (p = 0.4). In conclusion, medical treatment for reversal of RE offers a realistic chance of conceiving offspring naturally and should be the treatment modality of first choice. In contrast, in AE, medical treatment cannot be recommended generally as treatment of first choice as it shows low overall success rates compared with electrovibration stimulation and electroejaculation. Under consideration of the mostly uncontrolled design of the majority of studies published, controlled clinical trials comparing different treatment options appear urgently warranted. [source] Effect of Antioxidants During Bovine In Vitro Fertilization Procedures on Spermatozoa and Embryo DevelopmentREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2010FS Gonçalves Contents Increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) may cause cytotoxic damage to gametes, whereas small amounts of ROS favour sperm capacitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antioxidants [50 ,m,-mercaptoethanol (,-ME) and 50 ,m cysteamine (Cyst)] or a pro-oxidant (5 mm buthionine sulfoximine) on the quality and penetrability of spermatozoa into bovine oocytes and on the subsequent embryo development and quality when added during IVF. Sperm quality, evaluated by the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, and mitochondrial function, was diminished (p < 0.05) after 4-h culture in the presence of antioxidants. Oocyte penetration rates were similar between treatments (p > 0.05), but antioxidants adversely affected the normal pronuclear formation rates (p < 0.05). The incidence of polyspermy was high for ,-ME (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in cleavage rates between treatments (p > 0.05). However, the developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was adversely affected by Cyst treatment (p < 0.05). The quality of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage, evaluated by total, inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm cell numbers and ICM/total cell ratio was unaffected (p > 0.05) by treatments. The results indicate that ROS play a role in the fertilizing capacity in bovine spermatozoa, as well as in the interaction between the spermatozoa and the oocytes. It can be concluded that supplementation with antioxidants during IVF procedures impairs sperm quality, normal pronuclear formation and embryo development to the blastocyst stage. [source] Effects of Matrix Filtration of Low-Quality Boar Semen Doses on Sperm QualityREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2009E Bussalleu Contents The aim of this work was to develop a method to enhance the sperm parameters of ejaculates with low sperm quality from Piétrain boars. Seminal doses were filtered through columns of DEAE Sephadex (length 2.5 ± 0.5 cm), CM Sephadex (length 5 ± 0.5 cm), glass wool (length 2 ± 0.5 cm) or glass bead (length 10 ± 0.5 cm), with an exit flow rate of 1 ml/40 s in all cases. For each male, 10 ml of the sperm cell-rich fraction diluted at 1 : 6 were filtered. Sperm quality was assessed before and after filtration. Sperm morphology, sperm motility and sperm concentration were determined using the computer program sca® 2002 Production, and sperm viability was evaluated by fluorescence multistaining. Osmotic resistance test and hyperosmotic resistance test were used to determine the osmotic resistance of spermatozoa, whereas l -lactate production estimated the metabolic activity. Results showed a decrease of sperm concentration and osmotic resistance of spermatozoa after filtration in the four matrixes. However, an increase in the frequency of viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome after filtration in glass bead columns and an increase of morphologically normal spermatozoa after filtration in Sephadex CM-50, glass wool and glass bead columns were observed. Despite the decrease in the frequency of progressive motile spermatozoa, l -lactate production and mitochondrial sheath integrity maintained constant after filtration. Our findings indicate that column filtration is an effective method to enhance the sperm quality by selecting viable and morphologically normal spermatozoa without altering DNA, plasma membrane, mitochondrial sheath integrity or inducing premature acrosome reaction. [source] Sperm quality of Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus throughout the reproductive seasonAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Carlos Frederico Ceccon Lanes Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality of Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus throughout its reproductive season. Sperm was collected at the beginning, middle and end of the breeding period. Spermatozoa density was maximum at the beginning (12.7 ± 0.92 × 109 cells mL,1) and at the end (11.8 ± 0.39 × 109 cells mL,1) of the breeding season (P<0.05). Sperm production and the percentage of spermatozoa moving fast forward increased significantly towards the end of the breeding season (P<0.05). The mean duration of progressive motility of spermatozoa was around 10 min. No difference was observed during the reproductive season in the percentage of motile cells, pH, osmolality and K+, Cl, and Mg2+ concentrations in seminal plasma. The concentration of Na+ increased throughout the breeding season, reaching 174.62 ± 12.68 mmol L,1 at the end (P<0.05). There was a decline in the concentration of Ca2+ (12.31 ± 3.08 mmol L,1) in the middle of the breeding season, which coincided with the shortest motility duration of spermatozoa. The information reported in this study should help to improve management and optimize the development of protocols for short-term storage and cryopreservation of Brazilian flounder semen. [source] Antioxidants, showy males and sperm qualityECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 5 2001Jonathan D. Blount The fertility of males sometimes correlates with their ornamental display, but we do not have a mechanistic explanation to universally link these traits. We suggest that both sperm quality (fertility; integrity of DNA), and the substrates responsible for male ornamentation, may be vulnerable to free radical attack, which can be mitigated by antioxidants. Support for these ideas is at present weak, and requires validation in ecological contexts. We hypothesize that a link between ornamentation and sperm quality could arise if antioxidants are in limited supply, and the showiest males may be preferred because they are most likely to be fertile, or to provide sperm with undamaged genotypes that could give rise to fit offspring. [source] Metal concentrations, sperm motility, and RNA/DNA ratio in two echinoderm species from a highly contaminated fjord (the Sørfjord, Norway),ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2008Ana I. Catarino Abstract The present study evaluated the effects of field metal contamination on sperm motility and the RNA/DNA ratio in echinoderms. Populations of Asterias rubens and Echinus acutus that occur naturally along a contamination gradient of sediments by cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in a Norwegian fjord (the Sørfjord) were studied. Sperm motility, a measure of sperm quality, was quantified using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. The RNA/DNA ratio, a measure of protein synthesis, was assessed by a one-dye (ethidium bromide)/one-enzyme (RNase), 96-well microplate fluorometric assay. Although both species accumulate metals at high concentrations, neither sperm motility parameters in A. rubens nor the RNA/DNA ratio in both species were affected. The Sørfjord is still one of the most metal-contaminated marine sites in Europe, but even so, populations of A. rubens and E. acutus are able to endure under these conditions. [source] Single layer centrifugation of stallion spermatozoa consistently selects the most robust spermatozoa from the rest of the ejaculate in a large sample sizeEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2010J. M. MORRELL Summary Reasons for performing study: An improvement in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation (SLC) has been seen in previous studies using small sample sizes (for example, n = 10 stallions). There is a need to investigate whether this improvement is repeatable over several breeding seasons with a larger number of stallions (n , 30 stallions). Objective: To make a retrospective analysis of the results of SLC performed on more than 250 sperm samples (176 ejaculates) from 31 stallions in 3 consecutive breeding seasons. Methods: Sperm quality (motility, proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa and the proportion of spermatozoa with undamaged chromatin) was assessed before and after SLC. Results: All parameters of sperm quality examined were significantly better in sperm samples after SLC than in their unselected counterparts (P<0.001 for each parameter). The yield of spermatozoa obtained after SLC was influenced by the type of extender used and also by the concentration of spermatozoa in the original ejaculate, with fewer spermatozoa being recovered when the loading dose contained a high concentration of spermatozoa. The optimal concentration was approximately 100 × 106/ml. Sperm concentration in the samples loaded on to the colloid influenced the sperm yield while the type of semen extender affected sperm quality and survival. Furthermore, the scaled-up SLC method was found to be suitable for use with a range of ejaculates, with similar sperm kinematics being observed for standard and scaled-up preparations. Conclusions: SLC consistently improved the quality of stallion sperm samples from a large number of ejaculates. The method could be scaled-up, allowing larger volumes of ejaculate to be processed easily from a wide range of stallions. [source] Segmental testicular ischaemia: presentation, management and follow-upINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 5 2009D. Gianfrilli Summary Segmental infarction of the testis is a rare event. Less than 40 cases have been reported in the literature and its aetiology remains largely unknown. The diagnosis is challenging and its identification crucial as partial ischaemia is frequently confused with testicular tumours and unnecessarily treated with orchiectomy. The objectives of this study are to: (i) raise awareness of this rare condition, (ii) provide the distinctive clinical and radiological features enabling pre-operative diagnosis, (iii) promote appropriate screening of causative factors and (iv) propose an alternative management approach to avoid surgery and preserve fertility. We describe three cases of partial testicular ischaemia in men presenting with reduced sperm quality. The cases demonstrate the ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging appearance of testicular ischaemia. The surveillance strategy adopted for these lesions indicates that over 2 years of follow-up, marginal changes in the lesions can occur. Histology revealed that infiltration by stromal cells, leucocytes and macrophages is responsible for the remodelling of these lesions. Screening of risk factors for thromboembolism revealed that all patients carried a methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C,T (MTHFR) mutation in a gene involved in folate metabolism, and either borderline or elevated homocysteine levels. Distinctive features permit the pre-operative diagnosis of segmental testicular ischaemia. There are sufficient data to assert that a surveillance strategy is safe and feasible. We speculate that the defects in folate metabolism may pre-dispose individuals to the development of testicular infarction and infertility. [source] Intracytoplasmic sperm injection as a complement to gonadotrophin treatment in infertile men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadismINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2005BRANKO ZORN Summary In this study we sought to determine whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) could improve the efficacy of treatment with gonadotrophins in gonadotrophin-deficient men in terms of pregnancy. A series of six adult men (aged 26,47 years) with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) is reported: four men with prepubertal isolated idiopathic HH (IIHH) and two adult-onset HH, as part of hypopituitarism secondary to surgical treatment of a pituitary tumour. All were azoospermic. To restore spermatogenesis, all received hormonal treatment with intramuscular human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for 2 to 23 months. High basal serum inhibin B was predictive of rapid and complete recovery of spermatogenesis. In the two adult-onset HH, a natural pregnancy was achieved within 3 months. The four men with IIHH underwent ICSI because of poor sperm quality. ICSI using fresh or frozen-thawed ejaculated spermatozoa was performed after 6,23 months of gonadotrophin treatment. ICSI provided good clinical results in terms of fertilization and embryo quality, and resulted in three pregnancies that ended in three term deliveries. In men with oligozoospermia related to prepubertal IIHH, ICSI shortens the hormonal treatment and enhances the chances of pregnancy. [source] Comparison between computerized slow-stage and static liquid nitrogen vapour freezing methods with respect to the deleterious effect on chromatin and morphology of spermatozoa from fertile and subfertile menINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2001M. E. Hammadeh The purpose of this study was to determine the negative effects (cryodamage) on human spermatozoa after freeze-thawing and to determine whether freeze-thawing of spermatozoa with a programmed slow freezer is better than freezing with liquid nitrogen vapour (rapid freezing) with regard to alterations in sperm chromatin and morphology in semen from fertile (donor) and subfertile, IVF/ICSI, patients. Ninety-five semen samples were obtained either from patients attending our IVF unit for treatment (n=34) or from donors (n=25) with proven fertility and normal sperm quality according to WHO guidelines. Each semen sample was divided into two parts after liquefaction and addition of the cryoprotectant. The first part was frozen using a programmed biological freezer and the second part was frozen by means of liquid nitrogen vapour. Smears were made before the freezing and after the thawing procedure to assess morphology (strict criteria) and chromatin condensation (Acridine Orange test). The mean percentage of chromatin condensed spermatozoa in the samples from donors (control group) was 92.4 ± 8.4% before freezing and this decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) to 88.7 ± 11.2% after freeze-thawing with the computerized slow-stage freezer and to 87.2 ± 12.3% after using static liquid nitrogen vapour (p < 0.001). The corresponding values for semen obtained from patients was 78.9 ± 10.3% before freezing which decreased to 70.7 ± 10.8 and 68.5 ± 14.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the mean percentage of normal sperm morphology in the control group decreased from 26.3 ± 7.5% before freezing to 22.1 ± 6.4% (p < 0.0001) after thawing with the computerized slow-stage freezer and to 22.2 ± 6.6% (p < 0.0001) after the use of static liquid nitrogen vapour. In the patient group, the mean percentage of normal morphology decreased from 11.7 ± 6.1% after freezing with the biological freezer to 9.3 ± 5.6% and to 8.0 ± 4.9% after freezing with static liquid nitrogen vapour. This study demonstrates that chromatin packaging and morphology of human spermatozoa decrease significantly after the freeze-thawing procedure, not only after the use of static liquid nitrogen vapour but also after the use of a computerized slow-stage freezer. However, the chromatin of semen samples with normal semen parameters (donor sperm) withstand the freeze-thaw injury better than those with low quality semen samples. Therefore, the computerized slow stage freezer could be recommended for freezing of human spermatozoa, especially for subnormal semen samples, for example, ICSI and ICSI/TESE candidates and from patients with testicular tumours or Hodgkin's disease, in order to avoid further damage to the sperm chromatin structure. [source] Protein profile study in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) seminal plasma and its correlation with sperm qualityJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 5 2010D. S. Peñaranda Summary Along with sperm quality parameters, the protein profile of European eel seminal plasma was analyzed during induced spermiation (n = 56 samples). Motility, Percentage of live cells, spermatozoa head morphometry and concentration showed low values during the initial weeks of spermiation and maintained high levels throughout the rest of the experiment. The protein profile gradient by SDS-PAGE (4,15%) registered four important electrophoretic bands around 80, 40, 26 and 12 KDa. Three of them showed significant differences in concentration during treatment (80, 40 and 12 KDa), and all of them showed the highest value on the 8th week. Both 80 and 12 KDa bands increased until the 8th week, followed by a progressive decline. One possible explanation for these profiles is that, in the first weeks of treatment, proteins originated from blood plasma are accumulated in the seminal plasma, and from the 8th week some of these proteins are incorporated into the spermatic membranes. The 40 KDa protein band also increased during the first 8 weeks, but maintained high concentrations in the seminal plasma for the rest of the experiment. One result confirms the theory that the presence of proteins in the seminal plasma having a molecular weight lower than 50 KDa increased spermatozoa motility, since the 40 KDa band displayed significantly higher values coinciding with the high percentages of spermatozoa motility. Seminal plasma proteins seem to have an important role in spermatogenesis and spermatozoa movement, but further studies are necessary to discover the identity of these proteins and their precise functions. [source] Mammalian sperm quality and aromatase expressionMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 8 2009Serge Carreau Abstract In most mammalian species the aromatase is encoded by a single gene (cyp19), which contains 18 exons, 9 of them being translated. In adult rats, together with Leydig cells germ cells represent an additional source of estrogens. The amount of P450arom transcript is threefold higher in pachytene spermatocytes compared to younger cells (spermatogonia-preleptotene spermatocyte) or round spermatids; conversely, aromatase activity is more intense in haploid cells. In man besides Leydig cells, we have shown the presence of a biologically active aromatase and of estrogen receptors (ER, and ERß) in immature germ cells and ejaculated spermatozoa. Concerning aromatase, a 30% decrease of the amount of mRNA is observed in immotile compared to motile sperm fraction from the same sample; moreover, the aromatase activity is diminished. We have amplified aromatase mRNA by RT-real time PCR in spermatozoa from asthenospermic, teratospermic, and asthenoteratospermic men and recorded respectively 44, 52, and 67% decreases of the amount of transcripts as compared to controls. Statistical analyses between the sperm morphology and the aromatase/GAPDH ratio have revealed a high degree of correlation (r = ,0.64) with the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa (especially microcephaly and acrosome malformations). Alterations of sperm number and motility have been described in men genetically deficient in aromatase, which together with our data, suggest a likely role for aromatase/estrogens in the acquisition of sperm motility. Therefore besides gonadotrophins and testosterone, estrogens produced locally should be considered as a physiologically relevant hormone involved in the regulation of mammalian spermatogenesis. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Qualitative aspects of sperm stock in males and females from Eupelmus orientalis and Dinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) as revealed by dual fluorescencePHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2002David Damiens Abstract The quality of a sperm population can be characterized physiologically and its fecundity predicted by its viable : non-viable sperm ratio. To improve the knowledge of reproductive strategies in two ectoparasitoid hymenopteran species, Eupelmus orientalis Crawford (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) and Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), the assessment of sperm viability using the dual fluorescence staining procedure SYBR-14 : propidium iodide was developed. The aim of the study was to provide a comparative test in vitro applicable to both sexes to study the evolution of sperm quality at various stages of the reproductive processes. The reliability of propidium iodide to detect non-viable sperm (stained in red) was confirmed in both species on the basis of two stress tests (ethanol and Triton X-100) but our study also revealed that propidium iodide concentrations must be adequately adjusted for each single species. This experiment also demonstrated the physiological heterogeneity of sperm populations in E. orientalis and D. basalis males and females. In both species, 40% of the sperm in the seminal vesicles was found to be non-viable. By contrast with E. orientalis, the populations of non-viable sperm estimated from the seminal vesicles of D. basalis were found to be strongly different from those observed in the spermatheca. From the present results, the population of viable sperm detected in the spermatheca of females from both species proved a reliable predictor of fertilization achieved in ovipositing females. [source] Effect of Antioxidants During Bovine In Vitro Fertilization Procedures on Spermatozoa and Embryo DevelopmentREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2010FS Gonçalves Contents Increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) may cause cytotoxic damage to gametes, whereas small amounts of ROS favour sperm capacitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antioxidants [50 ,m,-mercaptoethanol (,-ME) and 50 ,m cysteamine (Cyst)] or a pro-oxidant (5 mm buthionine sulfoximine) on the quality and penetrability of spermatozoa into bovine oocytes and on the subsequent embryo development and quality when added during IVF. Sperm quality, evaluated by the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, and mitochondrial function, was diminished (p < 0.05) after 4-h culture in the presence of antioxidants. Oocyte penetration rates were similar between treatments (p > 0.05), but antioxidants adversely affected the normal pronuclear formation rates (p < 0.05). The incidence of polyspermy was high for ,-ME (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in cleavage rates between treatments (p > 0.05). However, the developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was adversely affected by Cyst treatment (p < 0.05). The quality of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage, evaluated by total, inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm cell numbers and ICM/total cell ratio was unaffected (p > 0.05) by treatments. The results indicate that ROS play a role in the fertilizing capacity in bovine spermatozoa, as well as in the interaction between the spermatozoa and the oocytes. It can be concluded that supplementation with antioxidants during IVF procedures impairs sperm quality, normal pronuclear formation and embryo development to the blastocyst stage. [source] Effects of Matrix Filtration of Low-Quality Boar Semen Doses on Sperm QualityREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2009E Bussalleu Contents The aim of this work was to develop a method to enhance the sperm parameters of ejaculates with low sperm quality from Piétrain boars. Seminal doses were filtered through columns of DEAE Sephadex (length 2.5 ± 0.5 cm), CM Sephadex (length 5 ± 0.5 cm), glass wool (length 2 ± 0.5 cm) or glass bead (length 10 ± 0.5 cm), with an exit flow rate of 1 ml/40 s in all cases. For each male, 10 ml of the sperm cell-rich fraction diluted at 1 : 6 were filtered. Sperm quality was assessed before and after filtration. Sperm morphology, sperm motility and sperm concentration were determined using the computer program sca® 2002 Production, and sperm viability was evaluated by fluorescence multistaining. Osmotic resistance test and hyperosmotic resistance test were used to determine the osmotic resistance of spermatozoa, whereas l -lactate production estimated the metabolic activity. Results showed a decrease of sperm concentration and osmotic resistance of spermatozoa after filtration in the four matrixes. However, an increase in the frequency of viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome after filtration in glass bead columns and an increase of morphologically normal spermatozoa after filtration in Sephadex CM-50, glass wool and glass bead columns were observed. Despite the decrease in the frequency of progressive motile spermatozoa, l -lactate production and mitochondrial sheath integrity maintained constant after filtration. Our findings indicate that column filtration is an effective method to enhance the sperm quality by selecting viable and morphologically normal spermatozoa without altering DNA, plasma membrane, mitochondrial sheath integrity or inducing premature acrosome reaction. [source] Effects of Ureaplasma urealyticum infection on the male reproductive system in experimental ratsANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2010Y. Wang Summary To study the effects of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection on the male reproductive system, the mechanism of infertility induced by Uu infection was investigated in experimental rats. Male Sprague,Dowley rats were infected with Uu4 (serotype 4) through repeated natural sexual intercourse for 8 weeks to establish infection. After 8 weeks, the blood samples of the animals were collected and analysed for cytokine production, and the animals were microdissected for the analysis of the reproductive system. Morphological study showed that spermatozoa exhibited curling and breaks in the rats infected at different dosages. Of the infected rats, 27.5% had both soft and hard calculi in the urinary tract, compared with 12% in the control groups. Uu infection resulted in a decline of sperm quality, eventually leading to the death of the spermatozoa. In the infected animals, the serum interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 levels increased significantly (P < 0.05), while tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma showed only modest changes. Our observations showed that Uu infection has an impact on sperm morphology, leading to the death of the spermatozoa. It is plausible that the morphological alterations of spermatozoa induced by Uu infection are one of the possible factors that contribute to male infertility. [source] Impact of chronic viral diseases on semen parametersANDROLOGIA, Issue 2 2010F. Lorusso Summary The aim of this study was to assess the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV) and B (HBV) virus infection on semen parameters. Semen samples were obtained from 27 HCV, 34 HIV, 30 HBV and 41 HCV-HIV-seropositive patients and compared with those of a control population of healthy seronegative subjects. Tests for detection of HIV, HCV and HBV were performed on seminal samples. The sperm concentration was significantly decreased in HCV- and HBV-seropositive males compared to that of controls (P < 0.001). The mean sperm motility (a + b) was significantly decreased in HCV- and HBV-seropositive (P < 0.001) and in HCV-HIV-seropositive subjects (P < 0.05) compared to that of controls. The sperm viability was significantly lower in HCV- and HBV-seropositive men than in controls (P < 0.001). The normal morphology was significantly reduced in HCV-seropositive and HBV-seropositive men (P < 0.05) with respect to that of controls (P < 0.05). The sperm concentration after sperm wash was significantly higher in controls than in HCV-, HIV-, HBV- and HIV-HCV-seropositive men (P < 0.001). We can conclude that HBV- and HCV-infected men have a significantly impaired sperm quality compared with that of controls. The reason for the better sperm quality in our series of HIV- and HCV-HIV-infected men is still under debate. Further investigations in a larger case series are warranted. [source] Assessment of sperm quality, DNA integrity and cryopreservation protocols in men diagnosed with testicular and systemic malignanciesANDROLOGIA, Issue 6 2009T. M. Said Summary Men diagnosed with malignancy are often referred for semen banking to preserve their fertility prior to cancer treatment. The chances of cancer patients for achieving future fecundity will be determined by the sperm quality including the integrity of the genomic material in the frozen samples. The objectives of this study were to compare the sperm quality and DNA integrity in men diagnosed with testicular and systemic malignancies before receiving treatment and to identify the optimum cryopreservation protocol for their samples including a remote semen collection option. In comparison with fertile donors, patients with testicular malignancies had significantly lower sperm concentration, while both testicular and systemic malignancy patients had significantly lower sperm motility and cryosurvival rates. In addition, the SCSA defined DNA fragmentation index was significantly higher in patients with testicular and systemic malignancies compared with fertile donors. It was noted that the extent of deterioration in sperm quality and DNA integrity seen in cancer patients did not reach the previously defined statistical threshold for impaired fertility. Freezing spermatozoa with the seminal plasma offers the highest protection against cryo-injury. Nevertheless, remote semen collection can still be used as it yields adequate results. [source] Sperm chromatin integrity in young men with no experiences of infertility and men from idiopathic infertility couplesANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2009R. Rybar Summary Damage to the genetic component of spermatozoa seems to play the main role in a majority of cases where current approaches fail to reveal the specific cause of male infertility. In this study, we compared semen quality in men assigned to two defined groups: men from couples with unexplained infertility , idiopathic infertility (A) and young men with no experiences of infertility (B). All samples were examined by standard ejaculate analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Sperm chromatin damage was significantly higher in men from group A than in those from group B. Similar results were obtained by comparison of men from group A (all men were normozoospermic) with normozoospermic men from group B. According to these results, we can suppose that chromatin disorders may be the causal factor of subfertility or infertility in some of these men. No evidence for a strong association between chromatin disorders and standard parameters of ejaculates was found. We failed to confirm a relationship between smoking and sperm quality in men from any of the investigated groups. SCSA is a method that facilitates the identification of infertile men who otherwise show normal semen variables. [source] Integrity of mitochondrial membrane potential reflects human sperm qualityANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2009J. A. Espinoza Summary The aim of this work was to evaluate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalisation and mitochondrial membrane potential integrity in the spermatozoa of healthy donors and outpatients who consulted for infertility and to correlate the results with the classic sperm parameters. For the evaluation of intracellular ROS levels, PS externalisation and mitochondrial membrane potential integrity, the fluorescent compounds dihydroethidium, annexin V-FITC and JC-1, respectively, were used and analysed by using flow cytometry. Conventional seminal analysis, including motility, viability, morphology, sperm count and volume, was performed according to the WHO criteria. The mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS results showed significant differences between the spermatozoa of individuals with a normal semen analysis and those of the group presenting abnormality in at least one of the sperm parameters. Mitochondrial membrane potential showed a significant and direct correlation with all the sperm parameters analysed. ROS were inversely correlated with motility, viability and morphology. PS externalisation, however, did not show any differences between the two groups, nor was it correlated with the sperm parameters examined. The evaluation of mitochondrial membrane potential integrity is a test that reflects sperm quality, which makes it highly recommendable to be applied as a complement to routine sperm analyses. [source] Influence of cigarette smoking on spermatozoa via seminal plasmaANDROLOGIA, Issue 4 2005M. Arabi Summary Numerous investigations have been conducted on the relationship between cigarette smoking and male infertility, however, the exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood in most of the cases. Few studies have indicated the direct effect of seminal plasma (SP) [in different dilutions with phosphate buffer solution (PBS)] from smokers (SM) on the sperm functional parameters from nonsmokers (non-SM). The aim of this study was to provide evidence that cigarette smoking affects male fertility via altering the sperm quality. Our results indicated that exposure of spermatozoa from the non-SM to the SP from the SM yielded a significant reduction in the sperm motility and acrosome reaction and an elevation in the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), in a certain time course. Exposure of spermatozoa from the SM to the SP from the non-SM or with PBS resulted in the nonsignificant improvement in the altered sperm functional parameters indicating removal of SM's SP and then subsequent reconstitution with physiological media could be of clinical significance in the various assisted reproductive technologies applied for SM. However, the detrimental effect of SM's SP on non-SM's spermatozoa was prominent. In addition, as spermatozoa in SM's SP are susceptible to peroxidative damages, men with such cells who wish to have children should especially benefit from quitting smoking. [source] Inflammatory-associated obstructions of the male reproductive tractANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2003G. R. Dohle MD Summary. A history of urogenital inflammation occurs in 5,12% of men attending infertility clinics. Usually, infection has a detrimental effect on sperm quality by reducing concentration and motility, and possibly affecting the number of morphological normal spermatozoa. In addition, infection may be the source of auto-antibodies against spermatozoa, found in about 8% of the infertile male population. In contrast to the situation in women, there is no clear evidence that male accessory gland infections can result in epididymal blockage or vassal obstruction, with the exception of genital tuberculosis. Although Chlamydia trachomatis is a well-documented source of chronic prostatitis, the infection does not seem to cause obstruction of the reproductive tract, as it does in women. If male urogenital infection causes obstruction it is most likely located at the level of the ejaculatory ducts. Chronic prostatitis has been proved to cause scarring of the prostatic and ejaculatory ducts, resulting in low seminal volume with low fructose and alpha-glucosidase. Many of these men present with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia, normal size testis and normal gonadotrophins. We performed an excisional testicular biopsy in all men presenting with <1 million spermatozoa per millilitre and found that 39 of 78 (50%) had a normal spermatogenesis. A history of male accessory genital infection was found in 12% of the men and 10% had abnormalities found on transrectal ultrasound of the prostate (like oedema, dilatation of the seminal vesicles and ejaculatory ducts) intraprostatic calcifications and dilatation of the periprostatic venous plexus. Ejaculatory duct obstruction is a common cause of male infertility and infections are present in at least 22,50% of these men. Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts may result in a significant improvement of the sperm quality and in spontaneous pregnancies in up to 25% of the couples. In case of failure sperm aspiration from the epididymis and intracytoplasmic sperm injection is the treatment of choice. [source] Better sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection with the side migration techniqueANDROLOGIA, Issue 6 2001A. Hinting Summary. The side migration technique (SMT) is a recent method for preparing very poor-quality semen samples to be used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In most centres, the washing swim-up and Percoll gradient columns techniques have been routinely used. The present study is aimed at comparing the quality of oligozoospermic semen samples selected after these three methods. All three methods were found to select better percentage motility, normal morphology, viability, functional integrity of plasma membrane and nuclear chromatin integrity compared with the original semen samples. Among the three methods, however, SMT yielded better sperm quality, including morphology, viability, membrane integrity and nuclear chromatin integrity. The results of this study and our experience have confirmed that SMT is an effective and physiological method to prepare sperm for ICSI. [source] Sperm ultramorphology as a pathophysiological indicator of spermatogenesis in males suffering from varicoceleANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2000M. Reichart Summary. Varicocele of spermatic veins is considered to be one of the major causes of male infertility associated with reduction of sperm quality. The pathophysiology of this condition is not yet completely understood. The aim of this study was to shed light on the pathophysiology of varicocele by identifying semen parameters, especially sperm ultramorphology, which improve following high ligation of the spermatic vein. Seventy-five males with diagnosed varicocele were included in this study. Semen parameters were assessed prospectively using light microscopy, semen biochemistry and sperm quantitative ultramorphological analysis, before high ligation and 3,9 months after high ligation. The control group consisted of twenty-five untreated varicocele patients who underwent two semen examinations within 3,9 months. No statistical difference in any of the examined variables was found between the two examinations in the control group. The treated patients exhibited a significant improvement in sperm density, progressive motility, percentage of normally formed spermatozoa, agenesis of sperm acrosome, chromatin condensation and incidence of amorphous heads compared with the pretreatment condition (P,0.01). In contradiction, no significant improvement was observed following treatment in any of the sperm tail subcellular organelles. It is concluded that varicocele may cause deleterious alterations in early spermatid head differentiation during spermiogenesis and that varicocele patients with a high incidence of sperm acrosome and nucleus malformations are appropriate candidates for varicocele correction. [source] Effect of varicocelectomy on seminal plasma transferrin values: a comparative clinical trialANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2000A. Kosar Summary. The possible effects of varicocele and of the varicocelectomy procedure on Sertoli cell function were investigated. Transferrin concentrations in seminal plasma in men with varicocele before and 3 months after the operation were evaluated. Concentrations were measured in 10 normozoospermic fertile men as a control group and 32 oligozoospermic men with varicocele. Also, sperm analysis before and 3 months after the operation was performed. The mean transferrin level in seminal plasma was 108.4 ± 17.5 ,g, ml,1 in normoozoospermic men and 58.1 ± 14.4 ,g ml,1 in patients with varicocele before the operation (P < 0.0001). Mean sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology ratio showed significant improvement 3 months after the operation (P < 0.0001). Although the mean transferrin level increased slightly (to 60.8 ± 16.2 , ml,1; P=0.2), there was a statistically significant correlation between the change in transferrin concentration and the change in sperm concentration after the operation (r=0.56, P=0.0008). These results showed that elevated transferrin secretion after the treatment seems to be associated with an increase in sperm concentration after varicocelectomy. The finding of improvements in seminal parameters after the operation but insignificant changes in seminal transferrin levels indicates that varicocelectomy results in a greater improvement in sperm quality than in Sertoli cell function., [source] Relationship of inbreeding with sperm quality and reproductive success in Mexican gray wolvesANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 3 2007C. Asa Abstract The ultimate goal of the Mexican gray wolf Canis lupus baileyi captive management program is reintroduction of healthy individuals into wild habitats. To this end, zoo population managers work to provide not only for the physical well-being but also for the genetic health of these animals. However, the very limited genetic founder base, exacerbated by breeding within three distinct lineages, resulted in very high coefficients of inbreeding. Because support for measurable levels of inbreeding depression in the captive wolf population, as defined by reductions in common fitness measures such as juvenile survival or reproductive success, has been weak, we investigated the potential effects on male reproductive capacity. We analyzed semen samples from wolves from all three lineages and compared them with samples from subsequent lineage crosses and from generic gray wolves. We not only found a significant effect of inbreeding on sperm quality but we related both inbreeding and sperm quality to reproductive success. Samples from male offspring of lineage crosses, with inbreeding coefficients of zero were similar in quality to those from generic gray wolves. However, samples from a limited number of offspring from back-crosses were of extremely poor quality. Although it is reassuring that sperm quality was so much improved in male offspring of lineage crosses, the concomitant reduction in inbreeding coefficient does not eliminate the potentially deleterious alleles. Our results demonstrate that sperm quality is an important indicator of fertility and reproductive success in Mexican wolves. In addition, our data lend further support to the presence of inbreeding depression in this taxon. [source] | ||||||||||||||||