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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1987

Effect of semen treatments and age of tom on fertility of unstored semen and semen held 18 hours.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of semen dilution, semen extender, and age of tom on the fertility of unstored semen and semen stored for 18 h at 5 C. In Experiment 1, semen was diluted 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 with Beltsville poultry semen extender (BPSE) #2. In Experiment 2, semen was diluted 1:1 with either Lake's extender, BPSE #2, or BPSE #1. In Experiment 3, the fertility of semen from males 30 to 45-wk-old (first reproductive cycle) was compared to semen from males 51 to 66-wk-old (second reproductive cycle). Identical experiments were conducted in the fall-winter (F-W) and in the spring-summer (S-S). All hens were inseminated with 250 million spermatozoa per dose three times prior to egg production, then weekly for 15 wk. Egg fertility was determined after 7 days of incubation. In all experiments there was a significant interaction between holding time and treatment (semen dilution ratio, semen extender, or age of tom). Fertility of stored semen diluted 1:2 in Experiment 1 was lower than stored semen diluted 2:1 or 1:1 regardless of time of year (season) the experiment was conducted. Fertility was affected by a significant interaction between season and semen dilution ratio. Fertility of semen from males in F-W was higher than semen from males in S-S (Experiment 1). Semen fertility was unaffected by season when comparisons were made between semen extenders (Experiment 2) or age of tom (Experiment 3). Fertility was affected by a significant interaction between season x holding time x age of tom.

Aging↗

PubMed1989

A survey of the concentration of 19-OH F1 alpha/F2 alpha prostaglandins in the semen of fertile, infertile and vasectomized men and their stability in both liquid semen and semen stains.

The levels of 19-hydroxy-prostaglandins F1 alpha/F2 alpha (PG F) in the semen of 19 vasectomized, 44 infertile and 8 fertile men were determined using a simple RIA technique. The mean concentrations observed in this survey were 45 micrograms/ml, 49.5 micrograms/ml and 59 micrograms/ml, respectively. No significant difference was recorded between the vasectomized and infertile groups; there were too few fertile samples available to undertake a meaningful statistical comparison. No reduction was observed in the levels of this PG in a liquid semen sample retained at room temperature over a 4 week period in the presence of a bacteriostat (sodium azide). However, a 30% reduction in the levels of 19-OH PG F occurred over the same time period when aliquots of the same semen sample were retained at either room temperature or at 4 degrees C without azide. Finally, no reduction was observed in the concentration of 19-OH PG F in a series of 10-microliters semen stains stored over a period of 6 weeks at room temperature.

Dinoprost↗

PubMed1998

Association between culturable human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in semen and HIV-1 RNA levels in semen and blood: evidence for compartmentalization of HIV-1 between semen and blood.

Both qualitative and quantitative virologic measurements were compared between blood and genital compartments for 128 men infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to address several controversial issues concerning HIV-1 shedding in semen and to obtain further information about the distribution of virus between these two compartments. Evidence for viral compartmentalization was suggested by earlier studies that noted the poor correlation between blood and seminal virus load, phenotype, and genotype. Further support for this viral compartmentalization was based on the following observations between semen and blood: lack of association between culturability of virus in semen and viral RNA level in blood, discordant distribution of viral phenotypes, discordant viral RNA levels, a weak correlation between viral RNA level in semen and CD4 cell count in blood, differences in the biologic variability of viral RNA levels, and differences in the virus load response to antiretroviral therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Manual semen collection from a Grevy's zebra stallion (Equus grevyi), onset of sperm production, semen characteristics, and cryopreservation of semen, with a comparison to the sperm production from a Grant's Zebra stallion (Equus burchelli boehmi).

A manual technique was used to collect representative ejaculates from an unrestrained Grevy's zebra stallion beginning at 13 mo of age to determine the onset of sperm production, to calculate the number of spermatozoa produced per ejaculate, and to determine any seasonality associated with sperm production. Spermatozoa first appeared in the ejaculate at 31 mo of age. By 48 mo of age the zebra was producing up to 40 billion spermatozoa per ejaculate. Progressive sperm motility ranged from 75 to 95%. Gel-free semen volume averaged 75 to 120 ml/ejaculate. Gel volume ranged from 0 to 1100 ml/ejaculate. Semen was frozen in 2 different extenders in 0.5-ml PVC straws. The post-thaw motility of cryopreserved spermatozoa ranged from 30 to 70%. A domestic horse mare became pregnant on the first cycle after insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa from this zebra. Sperm production data obtained from semen collections made on a Grant's Zebra stallion from 3 to 8 yr of age is presented for comparison of the 2 species.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Fertility in dogs in relation to semen quality and the time and site of insemination with fresh and frozen semen.

In this study 470 bitches were inseminated; 405 with fresh semen into the cranial vagina and 65 with frozen semen transcervically into the uterus. The pregnancy rate was 65.7% with fresh semen and 41.5% with frozen. When corrected for stage of oestrus at the time of insemination and for semen quality the pregnancy rate was 83.8% with fresh semen and 69.3% with frozen semen. The pregnancy rate improved with an increase in the number of inseminations. Inseminations with fresh semen before the time of ovulation (less than 17.3 nmol progesterone/l) were often successful. With frozen semen the peripheral plasma level of progesterone at the time of insemination was greater than 30 nmol/l in all but 1 of the bitches that became pregnant. This difference is assumed to be attributable to a longer survival time of several days for fresh semen than for frozen-thawed semen. Cytological scoring was a satisfactory method for determining the stage of oestrus when using fresh semen, but more precise methods are needed when using frozen semen. Semen quality was difficult to correlate with fertility. Pregnancies were obtained with fresh semen of inferior quality, although the litter size was smaller. With frozen semen no pregnancies resulted when the semen quality was poor. Litter size was estimated to be 21.5% smaller in bitches inseminated with fresh semen compared with naturally mated bitches. Litter size in bitches inseminated with frozen semen was 23.3% smaller than in bitches inseminated with fresh semen. Puppy deaths occurred in 35.5% of the litters in this study. The overall puppy death rate during the first 3 weeks of life was 11.9%. Although not statistically significant, there was a tendency for bitches treated with antibiotics at the time of mating or during early pregnancy to have a higher pregnancy rate and a larger litter size. There was also a tendency for breed differences in pregnancy rate, although not significant.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Detection of Campylobacter or Salmonella in turkey semen and the ability of poultry semen extenders to reduce their concentrations.

Campylobacter and Salmonella are the most commonly reported pathogens causing foodborne illness in the United States. In turkeys, the potential that semen used for artificial insemination is contaminated with these foodborne pathogens has not been investigated. Because semen on turkey farms is pooled and then used to inseminate multiple hens, contaminated semen could easily spread these bacteria throughout entire flocks via artificial insemination. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine if semen from commercial turkey farms contained these foodborne pathogens and 2) if present, evaluate the efficacy of semen extenders to reduce or eliminate Campylobacter and Salmonella from semen. Semen was collected from randomized pools of ejaculates from 10 to 30 toms per farm from 6 flocks over a 7-wk period and, on occasion, was found to contain Campylobacter, Salmonella, or both. To evaluate the efficacy of semen extenders to reduce or eliminate pathogens, pooled ejaculates were challenged with Campylobacter or Salmonella and treated with commercial poultry extenders containing various concentrations of antibiotics or an antibiotic combination previously demonstrated to remove Campylobacter from mammalian semen. Results demonstrate that commercial turkey semen may contain Campylobacter or Salmonella, and the semen extenders tested either did not reduce the bacteria or reduced but did not eliminate these bacteria from semen. We concluded that semen may be a potential vehicle for Campylobacter transfer to hens, and, if this is true, development of a method for eliminating pathogens in semen before insemination could reduce the risk of colonization.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Microscopic and flow cytometric semen assessment of Dutch AI-bucks: effect of semen processing procedures and their correlation to fertility.

This study was done to determine the effects of processing techniques on the quality of semen from Dutch AI-bucks with the view on improving pregnancy rates after artificial insemination (AI) with liquid or frozen-thawed semen. Motility of spermatozoa was estimated under a microscope whereas the percentage live spermatozoa and the percentage live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes were determined by means of flow cytometry. Aspects of semen processing that were investigated are storage temperature of liquid semen (i), the effect of glycerol on liquid-stored semen (ii), removal of seminal plasma (iii) and type of extender (iv). The correlation between semen quality and fertility rates in inseminated does was also investigated. The percentage motile spermatozoa in semen stored in liquid form for 72 h progressively declined over time, irrespective of whether storage occurred at 4 or 18 degrees C. The percentage motile spermatozoa in semen stored at 18 degrees C was similar to that in semen stored at 4 degrees C if stored for 24 h but lower if stored for 48 h. Goats differ in the sensitivity of their spermatozoa to the deleterious effects of glycerol. Neither the removal of seminal plasma nor the type of extender had any effect on semen quality before freezing but semen frozen in a Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) buffer with egg yolk without removal of the seminal plasma had better quality after thawing than semen frozen in another diluent or after removal of seminal plasma. Remarkably no significant correlation between fertility and membrane integrity of spermatozoa could be found. Thus, although integrity assays for spermatozoa are useful to asses resistance to semen handling, the validity of these assays for predicting fertility is questioned.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Semen quality after thawing: correlation with fertility and fresh semen quality in dogs.

Fifty-four semen samples from five dogs were evaluated both, fresh and after thawing. Some of these semen samples were mixed with autologous prostatic fluid after thawing and used to inseminate each of nine bitches 4-7 times intravaginally. All bitches conceived and the mean number (+/- SD) of conceptuses, number of corpora lutea and ratio between conceptuses and corpora lutea (implantation rate) were 5.7 +/- 2.8, 9.4 +/- 1.1 and 0.63 +/- 0.34, respectively. The mean incidence of normal sperm morphology and progressively motile spermatozoa for all semen samples were 71.5 +/- 13.5% and 74.4 +/- 7.1%, respectively, in fresh semen and 52.0 +/- 18.5% and 53.4 +/- 12.6% in frozen-thawed semen. Extension rate was 1:3 for all semen samples and the mean sperm concentration after thawing was 12.08 +/- 6.66 x 10(7) ml-1. The only semen quality variables after thawing that were correlated with implantation rate were the number of spermatozoa inseminated on day-2 and number of progressively motile spermatozoa inseminated on day-2 (where day 0 is the day of onset of dioestrus as determined by cytology) (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient > 0.7, n = 9, P < 0.05). This study suggests that it is essential that frozen-thawed semen is inseminated on day-2 and that an insemination dose of 10-11 x 10(7) progressively motile frozen-thawed spermatozoa is adequate to achieve a mean implantation rate of 75% or higher. The incidence of either proximal or distal cytoplasmic droplets in fresh semen was negatively correlated with motility after thawing in three of five dogs (Spearman's rank correlation < -0.5, n = 6-17, P < 0.05). Neither the percentage spermatozoa with normal morphology in fresh semen nor the percentage progressively motile spermatozoa in fresh semen nor the concentration of spermatozoa after thawing were correlated with motility after thawing. Fresh semen quality, with the exception of the incidence of retained cytoplasmic droplets, has little value in predicting the progressive motility after thawing in frozen dog semen.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Semen dilution prior to analysis influences the ability of the sperm quality analyzer to predict fertility whether inseminating with a constant number of sperm or a constant volume of semen.

Previous research has shown that the sperm quality index (SQI) is positively correlated with semen characteristics as well as fertility when broiler breeder semen is diluted 10-fold prior to analysis. However, research has not been conducted to establish if semen dilution rate affects the ability of the SQI to predict fertility when inseminating a constant number of sperm or a constant volume of semen. As a result, 3 experiments were undertaken. The objective of the first study was to determine if diluent, minimum essential media, or 0.85% saline affects the SQI. The second objective was to identify potential semen dilution rates for the SQI by obtaining the range in live sperm concentrations to which the SQI is most sensitive. The purpose of experiment 3 was to determine which semen dilution rate, 10-, 25-, 50-, 75-fold, or a constant concentration of 180 x 10(6) sperm/mL, yields an SQI that is most predictive of fertility. Once a week for 3 wk, 20 hens were individually inseminated with either 20 microL of 4-fold diluted semen or a constant 45 x 10(6) sperm from each of 29 broiler breeder males. To determine which semen dilution rate yielded an SQI that was most predictive of fertility, Pearson's correlation coefficients were obtained between the SQI at each dilution rate and fertility. There was no difference in the SQI due to diluent. Sperm quality index values declined logarithmically as live sperm concentration decreased. The SQI was most sensitive to live sperm concentrations from 11 to 232 x 10(6) sperm/mL. The SQI for semen diluted 10-fold was the best predictor of fertility when inseminating with a constant volume of 4-fold diluted semen (r = 0.71). When hens were inseminated with a constant 45 x 10(6) sperm/hen, the SQI for semen diluted 10- and 25-fold as well as to a constant concentration of 180 x 10(6) sperm/ mL was equally effective at predicting fertility (r = 0.59, 0.52, and 0.61, respectively). Apparently, the SQI is predictive of fertility when semen samples are diluted 10-fold prior to analysis regardless of insemination method used. Dilution beyond 10-fold appears to alter semen quality, rendering the SQI less accurate.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Relationship between semen cultures, leukospermia, and semen analysis in men undergoing fertility evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between semen cultures, semen Gram stains, leukospermia, and semen analysis parameters in asymptomatic men undergoing fertility evaluation. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTINGS: Infertility clinic at a university teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Two hundred ninety-nine asymptomatic men undergoing fertility evaluation. INTERVENTION(S): After an antibacterial skin preparation, all men gave semen specimens for culture, Gram stains, semen analysis, and assessment for leukospermia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A comparison of the presence or absence of bacteriospermia, the specific bacterial isolate, the quantity of bacteriospermia, the presence or absence of leukospermia, and semen analysis parameters. RESULT(S): The presence or absence of bacteriospermia or leukospermia did not correlate with each other. Leukospermia did not correlate with semen parameters. Staphylococcus species was the most common isolate (25.4% of all patients) and did not correlate with semen parameters or leukospermia. Streptococcus viridans (15.4% of all patients) and Enterococcus faecalis (7.4% of all patients) were the next most common isolates and were associated with statistically significantly poorer semen quality. CONCLUSION(S): Leukospermia is a poor marker for either bacteriospermia or impaired semen quality. Staphylococcus species are commonly isolated but appear to be innocuous. Streptococcus viridans and Enterococcus faecalis are associated with poorer semen quality and may warrant treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Secular and seasonal changes in semen quality among young Danish men: a statistical analysis of semen samples from 1927 donor candidates during 1977-1995.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether semen quality has changed during the years 1977-1995 in a group of unselected semen donor candidates, and to determine whether semen quality is subject to seasonal variation, by analysis of time- and season-related changes in semen quality using multiple regression and ANOVA. The study was based on analysis of the first semen sample delivered by 1927 semen donor candidates in Copenhagen during the period 1977-1995, with determination of semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percentage motile spermatozoa, and a semiquantitative sperm motility score. Multiple linear regression analysis with year, sexual abstinence and season as covariates showed a significant increase in mean sperm concentration from 53.0 x 10(6)/mL in 1977 to 72.7 x 10(6)/mL in 1995 (p < 0.0001) and in mean total sperm count from 166.0 x 10(6) to 227.6 x 10(6) (p < 0.0001). Mean semen volume and percentage motile spermatozoa did not change. Sperm motility deteriorated, as the spermatozoa in 74.2% of the samples were of excellent motility in 1977-1980 compared to only 41.9% in 1993-1995 (chi 2 = 130.0, p < 0.0001). Analysis of variance showed significant variation between seasons regarding sperm concentration (p < 0.0001) and total sperm count (p < 0.0001). Highest sperm counts were found in spring, with a mean concentration (95% C.I.) of 77.6 x 10(6)/mL (71.9-83.7), and lowest in summer, with a mean of 57.5 x 10(6)/mL (50.1-65.4). No other semen parameter varied with season. It is concluded that sperm counts increased, whereas sperm motility decreased, in a group of Danish semen donor candidates, from 1977 to 1995. Due to the retrospective design and the anonymity of the donors, we were unable to control for variation in donor age, and we cannot exclude the possibility that some donor candidates were selected by being accepted as donors by other semen donor services in Copenhagen. With these limitations in mind, we suggest our results should be interpreted cautiously and regarded as a contribution to the ongoing dispute on whether or not there is a continuous decrease in sperm quality. The seasonal variations found in sperm concentration and total sperm count were pronounced and were not attributable to seasonal differences in the length of sexual abstinence. Additionally, the same seasonal pattern was observed in five successive year-intervals. These findings strongly indicate that human testicular function is influenced by season, a phenomenon well known in many lower mammals.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Does human semen contain a functional haemostatic system? A possible role for Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor in fertility through semen liquefaction.

There is already evidence that a few components of the haemostatic system exist in semen. If these comprise a functional system, they may have a role in seminal clotting and liquefaction processes and ultimately may influence fertility. What might be expected in semen as collected from fertility clinics i.e., after having both coagulated and subsequently liquefied is uncertain. It does however still contain significant amounts of Tissue Factor (TF) although its effect on semen quality remains poorly understood. The present study analyses semen for Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI). Measurements were made in seminal plasma, swim-up sperm and prostasomes and its relationship with conventional fertility parameters assessed. TFPI antigen levels in seminal plasma were measured in a total of 176 subjects using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These include sub-fertile (n=37), normally fertile (n=40), fertile sperm donor (n=34), vasectomized subjects (n=65) and in a further group defined by normality in several parameters derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) fertility criteria and termed "pooled normal semen parameters" (PNSP). For characterization studies, both TFPI activity and antigen were measured on whole semen, swim-up sperm and prostasome-rich fraction (n=5). TFPI levels were significantly higher in normal men as compared to sub-fertile (P<0.01) or vasectomized subjects (P<0.001). TFPI levels were even higher in the donor quality semen and the PNSP group. TFPI levels also correlated with semen liquefaction time, normal semen viscosity, sperm progression, percentage of motile sperm and sperm counts (density). In conclusion, the present finding substantiates the concept of an active clotting system in human semen. TFPI could regulate the activity of abundant TF, as it does elsewhere. Given a functional set of coagulation factors in semen, the TF/TFPI balance might impinge on its liquefaction and hence on global fertility.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of scrotal insulation on clusterin-positive cells in ram semen and their relationship to semen quality.

Scrotal contents of 2 rams were insulated for 96 hours and the fraction (as a percentage) of clusterin-positive cells (CPCs) and its relationship to semen quality was investigated. Semen collection was started 18 days before insulation and was terminated on day 78 and day 63 after insulation in animals 1 and 2, respectively. Sperm clusterin was localized by immunostaining with anti-bovine clusterin antibody (anti-bCAb) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated immunoglobulin G. Scrotal insulation led to deterioration of semen quality and increased the percentage of CPCs in both rams. Two types of sperm reactivity were observed: an extensive, intensive staining pattern (ESP); and a localized, less-intensive staining pattern (LSP). The percentage of ESP-CPCs began to increase from day 6 and reached 88.8% and 100% on day 15 after insulation in animals 1 and 2, respectively. The increase in CPCs coincided with the presence of a high percentage of teratoid forms (88.3%) in semen from animal 1, and detached heads (81.4%) in semen from animal 2. After normal semen production was restored on day 60 in animal 1, the percentages of ESP-CPCs and LSP-CPCs returned to preinsulation rates, whereas only the ESP-CPCs returned to normal in animal 2. A negative relationship was observed between ESP-CPCs and total sperm/ejaculate (r = -.62), motility (r = -.78), viability (r = -.68), and filtration rate (r = -.71) in semen from animal 1. Conversely, a positive relationship was seen between ESP-CPCs and total abnormal spermatozoa (r = .82). Similar results were obtained in semen from animal 2. CPCs were nearly completely absent in glass wool-Sephadex (GWS)-filtered semen, suggesting a role for clusterin in the process of trapping abnormal spermatozoa in the GWS filters. We conclude that aberrant spermatogenesis induced by scrotal insulation increases the percentage of CPCs in ram semen. We suggest that the percentage of CPCs in ram semen could be a useful marker in poor-quality ejaculates.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Chilled storage of semen from Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. II: effect of spermiation advancement, catheterization of semen, and production-scale application.

A method for in vitro storage of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. semen can facilitate seed production. The study aimed at determining the effect of male spermiation advancement on viability of chilled stored spermatozoa. The use of catheterization of semen from the sperm duct was examined. Also, large volumes of semen were stored under sub-optimal production-like conditions in order to determine the suitability of the method into practical use. Semen was collected from two broodstocks: natural photoperiod males, being at the first phase of the reproductive season and 3-month advanced photoperiod males, being at the end of the reproductive season. Semen samples were diluted 1:5 (v/v) with modified Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution supplemented with antibiotics, and stored in Ziploc bags filled with air. Sperm motility parameters, assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), were assessed weekly. Experimental and production-scale fertilization trials were performed. Sperm samples from natural photoperiod males showed significantly longer viability under in vitro storage conditions than sperm from advanced photoperiod males. In the natural photoperiod group, the decrease in spermatozoa motility, curvilinear velocity and straight-line velocity occurred on day 50, 14, and 28 of storage, respectively. Spermatozoa from one of five males were still motile on day 80 of storage, and fertilization rates and embryo survival rates obtained using semen stored for 70 days did not differ from control values and they were significantly higher than values obtained with the use of fresh semen of the same male, but being at the end of reproductive season. Catheterization of semen showed no advantage to stripping the semen without a catheter, even for samples stored undiluted for 1 day of collection, before dilution. Under sub-optimal conditions, spermatozoa stored in large volumes (10-100mL of diluted semen) without any special treatments except for weekly swirling, remained viable for more than 1 month. Production-scale fertilizations with samples stored for 5-21 days resulted in high survivals of embryos and hatchlings. Because of its simplicity and efficiency, the method shows a high potential for use in commercial Atlantic halibut farming. It has already been applied to a halibut breeding programme for the next reproductive season at our research station.

Air↗

PubMed1999

HIV-1 in semen: determination of proviral and viral titres compared to blood, and quantification of semen leukocyte populations.

This study was carried out to determine the relationship between proviral DNA and viral RNA titres in semen compared with blood. In addition, the association between semen leukocyte counts with detection frequency and absolute levels of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nucleic acids was also assessed. Paired samples of blood and semen were collected from a cohort of individuals with different blood CD4 cell counts, and whose anti-HIV therapy had not changed in the preceding 3 months. The cell-associated proviral DNA titres and cell-free plasma viral RNA titres were determined using nested primer polymerase chain reaction and NASBAtrade mark, respectively. In addition, leukocyte counts were determined by immunocytochemical and cytochemical staining of a subset of semen samples. HIV-1 proviral DNA was detected in 100% and 47%, and viral RNA was detected in 76% and 63%, of blood and semen samples tested, respectively. HIV-1 proviral DNA and viral RNA titres in blood were higher than in corresponding semen samples, although the difference observed in viral RNA titres was not statistically significant. Proviral DNA and viral RNA titres were correlated between the two body fluids, and within the semen, although some individuals had disparate semen and blood titres or detection rates, indicating genital tract compartmentalisation. In addition, detection of HIV-1 proviral DNA, but not of HIV RNA, in semen was associated with elevated semen leukocyte counts, although this latter finding requires verification in future studies of larger numbers of patients.

CD4 Lymphocyte Count↗

PubMed2006

Relative levels of semen platelet activating factor-receptor (PAFr) and ubiquitin in yearling bulls with high content of semen white blood cells: implications for breeding soundness evaluation.

High content of the platelet activating factor (PAF) and its plasma membrane receptor (PAFr) in semen is thought to benefit fertility in farm animals and humans. We used flow cytometric, biochemical, and immunocytochemical analysis to examine PAFr levels alone (Trial 1, n = 156 bulls) or in a dual assay with sperm defect marker ubiquitin (UBI; Trial 2, n = 88 bulls), in semen samples from 160 yearling bulls undergoing Breeding Soundness Evaluations (BSE). In both trials, we observed increased PAFr levels in semen samples with high content of white blood cells (WBC). Consequently, PAFr levels within such semen samples correlated negatively with several subjective parameters of BSE, including palpation, satisfaction of evaluation, and scrotal circumference. Due to a high WBC content, increased semen sample dilution had to be applied for microscopic evaluation. There was a negative correlation between semen PAFr and conventional sperm morphology, while the increased levels of PAFr correlated positively with sperm UBI content. Immunofluorescence microcopy revealed high expression of PAFr on the surface of leukocytes and morphologically normal spermatozoa, while reduced immunoreactivity was observed in defective spermatozoa immunoreactive to anti-UBI antibodies. A single PAFr band of appropriate mass was observed in Western blots of ejaculated spermatozoa, while testicular and epididymal spermatozoa also displayed several larger bands indicative of posttranslational processing or modification. Collectively, these data suggest that high levels of semen PAFr in young bulls are indicative of semen contamination with WBC. In the future, objective protein marker-based semen analyses in young bulls will likely require additional parameters distinguishing between marker expression in the spermatozoa and in the contaminating WBC. While identification of high sperm PAFr levels may support fertility, this assay alone is not reliable, due to the expression of PAFr in WBC that contaminate semen samples.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Semen quality in relation to semen preservation.

A goal of research in laboratory evaluation of semen has been ultimately to predict the fertility achievable with use of that semen. This would permit evaluation of the male and ejaculate. For artificial insemination, semen viability becomes a measure of man's interaction with that semen in an effort to preserve its functional life. Man's efficiency in developing successful methods of semen preservation are, therefore, contingent upon the relationship of tests of semen quality and fertility. Problems discussed are those associated with identification of the most appropriate tests of spermatozoan viability important to fertility. These problems reside predominantly in poor repeatability of many tests (objectivity versus subjectivity), the interaction of semen quality and quantity in the inseminate, the effect of latent cell injury encountered in some systems of preservation (example frozen semen), and identification of viability traits of spermatozoa important to their retention and transport in the female reproductive tract as well as their ability to fertilize the egg and sustain embryogenesis. A case is established for the use of more than one viability test or semen trait for evaluating systems of semen preservation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of sperm concentration at semen collection and storage period of frozen semen on dairy cow conception.

The present study was based on data obtained from artificial inseminations (AIs) performed with cryopreserved semen from elite bulls used in the Norwegian breeding program. Semen was diluted to standardize the number of spermatozoa to 18 million per AI dose. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the net sperm concentration at semen collection and the storage period in liquid nitrogen have any effect on probability of conception in dairy cattle. We demonstrated that the natural range of sperm concentration at semen collection within some of the bulls was associated with the probability of conception. However, no primary trend among bulls was found on the effect of sperm concentration at semen collection. This appears to be due to differences among bulls in their response to the dilution ratio of seminal plasma to extender. The effect of storage time was investigated in semen that had been stored between 1000 days and 2400 days in AI straws in liquid nitrogen at the AI center. Our findings showed that use of semen with the longest storage period, i.e. 1951-2400 days, resulted in a more than one percentage point lower probability of conception than semen with a shorter storage period. In conclusion, the net sperm concentration at semen collection, which affects the dilution ratio of seminal plasma to extender, should be considered individually among bulls to achieve optimal reproductive performance. Furthermore, this study gives support to the idea that a measurable degree of damage to the spermatozoa could occur during the preservation time in liquid nitrogen.

Animals↗