Fertility and uterine hemodynamic in cows after artificial insemination with semen assessed by fluorescent probes

Abstract

Fluorescent probes (propidium iodide, Hoechst 33342, fluorescein isothiocyanate–conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin, and 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide) were used to simultaneously evaluate the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes as well as mitochondrial membrane function in cryopreserved bovine semen and to verify its influence on fertility and postinsemination uterine vascularization. One hundred eighty-two Nellore cows were distributed for artificial insemination (AI) using semen batches separated according to the cell percentage presenting intact plasma membrane, intact acrosome, and high mitochondrial function (IPIAH): group G (44.5% IPIAH, n = 68), group M (23.0% IPIAH, n = 56), and group R (8.5% IPIAH, n = 58). The uterine hemodynamic was evaluated by Doppler sonogram in three periods: 30 hours before AI, 4 and 24 hours after AI were considered the resistance index and the uterine vascularization score. The pregnancy rate of group G (64.7%) was greater (P > 0.05) compared with group R (36.2%), but both did not differ from group M (50.0%). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of semen quality on uterine vascularization. Greater vascularization was noticed 4 hours after AI than 30 hours before and 24 hours after AI. Semen evaluation using fluorescent probes contributes to predicting fertilizing potential of semen. The use of semen with less percentage of IPIAH sperm does not alter uterine hemodynamic in cows.