Abstract
Currently, the assessment of sperm function in a raw or processed semen sample is not able to reliably predict sperm ability to withstand freezing and thawing procedures and in vivo fertility and/or assisted reproductive biotechnologies (ART) outcome. The aim of the present study was to investigate which parameters among a battery of analyses could predict subsequent spermatozoa in vitro fertilization ability and hence blastocyst output in a goat model. Ejaculates were obtained by artificial vagina from 3 adult goats (Capra hircus) aged 2 years (A, B and C). In order to assess the predictive value of viability, computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) motility parameters and ATP intracellular concentration before and after thawing and of DNA integrity after thawing on subsequent embryo output after an in vitro fertility test, a logistic regression analysis was used. Individual differences in semen parameters were evident for semen viability after thawing and DNA integrity. Results of IVF test showed that spermatozoa collected from A and B lead to higher cleavage rates (0 < 0.01) and blastocysts output (p < 0.05) compared with C. Logistic regression analysis model explained a deviance of 72% (p < 0.0001), directly related with the mean percentage of rapid spermatozoa in fresh semen (p < 0.01), semen viability after thawing (p < 0.01), and with two of the three comet parameters considered, i.e tail DNA percentage and comet length (p < 0.0001). DNA integrity alone had a high predictive value on IVF outcome with frozen/thawed semen (deviance explained: 57%). The model proposed here represents one of the many possible ways to explain differences found in embryo output following IVF with different semen donors and may represent a useful tool to select the most suitable donors for semen cryopreservation.
Highlights
IntroductionEnergy metabolism is a key factor supporting sperm function
During the last decade several molecular and cellular markers have been proposed as tools to evaluate sperm fertility in vitro in raw or processed semen samples, but with highly variable results [reviewed in Refs. [1,2]].Energy metabolism is a key factor supporting sperm function
In order to assess the predictive value of viability, computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) motility parameters and ATP intracellular concentration before and after thawing and of DNA integrity after thawing on subsequent embryo output after an in vitro fertility test, a logistic regression analysis was used
Summary
Energy metabolism is a key factor supporting sperm function. ATP production supports multiple cellular activities and biochemical events required for successful fertilization to occur, such as capacitation [5,6], acrosome reaction [7] and motility [3]. Sperm oxygen consumption has been correlated with bull fertility and measurement of total ATP formation has been proposed as a test for bull fertilizing ability after freezing and thawing [8]. ATP values correlated positively with sperm viability both before and after cryopreservation [9]. Sperm metabolic activity, measured by mitochondrial function in frozen/thawed samples, has been positively correlated with in vivo fertility in stallions [10] and bulls [11]
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