Decline In Motility Research Articles

Environmental Heat Stress Decreases Sperm Motility by Disrupting the Diurnal Rhythms of Rumen Microbes and Metabolites in Hu Rams.

Heat stress (HS) has become a common stressor, owing to the increasing frequency of extreme high-temperature weather triggered by global warming, which has seriously affected the reproductive capacity of important livestock such as sheep. However, little is known about whether HS reduces sperm motility by inducing circadian rhythm disorders in rumen microorganisms and metabolites in sheep. In this study, the year-round reproduction of two-year-old Hu rams was selected, and the samples were collected in May and July 2022 at average environmental temperatures between 18.71 °C and 33.58 °C, respectively. The experiment revealed that the mean temperature-humidity index was 86.34 in July, indicating that Hu rams suffered from HS. Our research revealed that HS significantly decreased sperm motility in Hu rams. Microbiome analysis further revealed that HS reshaped the composition and circadian rhythm of rumen microorganisms, leading to the circadian disruption of microorganisms that drive cortisol and testosterone synthesis. Serum indicators further confirmed that HS significantly increased the concentrations of cortisol during the daytime and decreased the testosterone concentration at the highest body temperature. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that the circadian rhythm of rumen fluid metabolites in the HS group was enriched by the cortisol and steroid synthesis pathways. Moreover, HS downregulated metabolites, such as kaempferol and L-tryptophan in rumen fluid and seminal plasma, which are associated with promotion of spermatogenesis and sperm motility; furthermore, these metabolites were found to be strongly positively correlated with Veillonellaceae_UCG_001. Overall, this study revealed the relationship between the HS-induced circadian rhythm disruption of rumen microorganisms and metabolites and sperm motility decline. Our findings provide a new perspective for further interventions in enhancing sheep sperm motility with regard to the circadian time scale.

Effects and mechanisms of sciadonic acid on colonic transit function through regulating 5-HT4/cAMP/PKA/AQP4 signaling pathway in STC model mice

Torreya grandis (T. grandis) oil has been reported to alleviate symptoms of slow transit constipation (STC). However, the impact of sciadonic acid (SA), a distinctive fatty acid found in T. grandis oil, on the pathological progression of STC remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SA on STC and uncover the underlying mechanisms. The STC model was established by feeding Balb/c mice with loperamide. After 2 weeks of intervention, SA significantly improved weight loss and intestinal motility decline induced by STC, along with enhancing plasma indices and reducing colon pathological damage. SA effectively reversed the STC-induced decrease in the 5-HT4/cAMP/PKA/AQP4 signaling pathway genes and expression. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis demonstrated that SA mitigated the imbalance of the intestinal microbiota induced by STC, by reducing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) and increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia. In conclusion, SA intervention alleviated colonic dysfunction in STC mice. The activation of the SA-mediated 5-HT4/cAMP/PKA/AQP4 signaling pathway may serve as a potential target for STC treatment. These findings suggest that SA holds promise as a treatment option for STC and could potentially be extended to other related gut diseases for further investigation.

Butein Increases Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Lifespan with Positive Effects on the Risk of Age-Related Diseases in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Butein is a flavonoid found in many plants, including dahlia, butea, and coreopsis, and has both antioxidant and sirtuin-activating activities. In light of the postulated role of free radicals in aging, we examined the effects of butein on aging and on genetic or nutritional models of age-related diseases in Caenorhabditis elegans. Butein showed radical scavenging activity and increased resistance to oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. The mean lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans was significantly increased by butein, from 22.7 days in the untreated control to 25.0 days in the butein-treated group. However, the lifespan-extending effect of butein was accompanied by reduced production of progeny as a trade-off. Moreover, the age-related decline in motility was delayed by butein supplementation. Genetic analysis showed that the lifespan-extending effect of butein required the autophagic protein BEC-1 and the transcription factor DAF-16 to regulate stress response and aging. At the genetic level, expression of the DAF-16 downstream target genes hsp-16.2 and sod-3 was induced in butein-treated worms. Butein additionally exhibited a preventive effect in models of age-related diseases. In an Alzheimer's disease model, butein treatment significantly delayed the paralysis caused by accumulation of amyloid-beta in muscle, which requires SKN-1, not DAF-16. In a high-glucose-diet model of diabetes mellitus, butein markedly improved survival, requiring both SKN-1 and DAF-16. In a Parkinson's disease model, dopaminergic neurodegeneration was completely inhibited by butein supplementation and the accumulation of α-synuclein was significantly reduced. These findings suggest the use of butein as a novel nutraceutical compound for aging and age-related diseases.

N-acetylcysteine alleviated tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate-induced sperm motility decline and functional dysfunction in mice through reversing oxidative stress and DNA damage

The decline in male fertility caused by environmental pollutants has attracted worldwide attention nowadays. Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) is a chlorine-containing organophosphorus flame retardant applied in many consumer products and has multiple side effects on health. However, whether TCPP impairs spermatogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we found that TCPP reduced the sperm motility and blastocyst formation, inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in mice testes and spermatocyte cell line GC-2. Moreover, TCPP induced imbalance of oxidant and anti-oxidant, DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, thus induced abnormal spermatogenesis. In this process, p53 signaling pathway was activated and N-acetylcysteine treatment partially alleviated the side effects of TCPP, including decrease of sperm motility, activation of p53 signaling pathway and DNA damage. Finally, our study verified that TCPP elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis in human semen samples. Overall, ROS mediated TCPP-induced germ cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis, which finally led to the decline of sperm motility.

Lactococcus kimchii extends lifespan and alleviates motility decline in Caenorhabditis elegans through ins-20, an insulin-like peptide gene.

Lactococcus kimchii is isolated from commercial kimchi, which is a traditional Korean fermented food. This study was conducted to evaluate the probiotic effects of L. kimchii. Caenorhabditis elegans was fed L. kimchii, and its longevity, motility, and gene expression were examined. When fed a 1:1 mixture of Escherichia coli OP50 and L. kimchii (OP+LK), C. elegans had a significantly longer lifespan and increased locomotion than when it was fed OP alone. There was no significant difference in brood size between the OP+LK and OP groups, suggesting that these effects occurred in a dietary restriction-independent manner. RNA sequencing and Gene Ontology analysis showed that the expression of ins-20, an insulin-like peptide and agonist of the insulin receptor, was significantly upregulated in the OP+LK group. The ins-20 mutation annulled the effects of OP+LK on lifespan extension and motility. In addition, OP+LK failed to extend the lifespan of C. elegans deficient in daf-2, a receptor for the insulin-like signaling pathway. These results suggest that L. kimchii extends the lifespan and alleviates motility decline in C. elegans through the insulin signaling pathway, highlighting the potential of using L. kimchii as a beneficial bacterium for probiotics and postbiotics.

Tangeretin Supplementation Mitigates the Aging Toxicity Induced by Dietary Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure with Aberrant Proteostasis and Heat Shock Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a common food contaminant that can impair organismal aging. Tangeretin (TAN) may mitigate aging toxicities as a dietary supplement. This study used Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to BaP on aging and to determine whether TAN supplementation could alleviate BaP-induced toxicity. Early life exposure to BaP (10 μM) significantly inhibited growth by 5%, and exposure to 0.1 to 10 μM BaP impaired C. elegans motility, resulting in a 3.4-6.5% reduction in motility. Chronic exposure to BaP (10 μM) age-dependently aggravated aberrant protein aggregation (7% increase) and shortened the median lifespan of the worms from 20 to 16 days. In addition, BaP worsened the age-dependent decline in motility and pharyngeal pumping, as well as the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, exposure to BaP resulted in significantly higher relative transcript levels of approximately 1.8-2.0-fold for the hsp-16.1, hsp-16.2, hsp-16.49, and hsp-70 genes. Stressed worms exposed to BaP exhibited significantly lower survival under heat stress. Dietary TAN supplementation alleviated the BaP-induced decline in motility, pumping, and poly-Q accumulation and restored heat shock proteins' transcript levels. Our findings suggest that chronic BaP exposure adversely affects aging and that TAN exposure mitigates the BaP-induced aging toxicity.

Heat Stress as a Barrier to Successful Reproduction and Potential Alleviation Strategies in Cattle.

In recent decades, the adverse effects of global warming on all living beings have been unanimously recognized across the world. A high environmental temperature that increases the respiration and rectal temperature of cattle is called heat stress (HS), and it can affect both male and female reproductive functions. For successful reproduction and fertilization, mature and healthy oocytes are crucial; however, HS reduces the developmental competence of oocytes, which compromises reproduction. HS disturbs the hormonal balance that plays a crucial role in successful reproduction, particularly in reducing the luteinizing hormone and progesterone levels, which leads to severe problems such as poor follicle development with a poor-quality oocyte and problems related to maturity, silent estrus, abnormal or weak embryo development, and pregnancy loss, resulting in a declining reproduction rate and losses for the cattle industry. Lactating cattle are particularly susceptible to HS and, hence, their reproduction rate is substantially reduced. Additionally, bulls are also affected by HS; during summer, semen quality and sperm motility decline, leading to compromised reproduction. In summer, the conception rate is reduced by 20-30% worldwide. Although various techniques, such as the provision of water sprinklers, shade, and air conditioning, are used during summer, these methods are insufficient to recover the normal reproduction rate and, therefore, special attention is needed to improve reproductive efficiency and minimize the detrimental effect of HS on cattle during summer. The application of advanced reproductive technologies such as the production of embryos in vitro, cryopreservation during the hot season, embryo transfer, and timed artificial insemination may minimize the detrimental effects of HS on livestock reproduction and recover the losses in the cattle industry.

Evaluation of long-term cryostorage on sperm function and fertility of brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)

Cryopreservation of fish semen is a valuable technique for reproductive management in aquaculture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term storage in liquid nitrogen on post-thaw sperm functional parameters of brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus). Samples were cryopreserved in a simple freezing medium (10 % DMSO + 0.3 M Glucose), sperm quality parameters were assessed at different storage periods (one month, one year, 2 years and 3 years). Our results indicated that cryostorage periods had a significant effect on the quality of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Compared with fresh semen, cryopreserved sample was characterized by an overall decline in motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP content and increased level of lipid peroxidation with the storage time going on. For the analyzed quality parameters, there were no significant differences in storage time cryopreserved over one month. After 3 years of storage, frozen sperm still showed relatively high total motility, viability and MMP (all over 80 %), yielding acceptable fertilizing capacity close to that of fresh sperm. Therefore, it can be concluded that brown-marbled grouper sperm could be effectively cryopreserved for at least 3 years. The results of this study would be helpful to optimize gamete management in routine hatchery practices.

Effects of Fisetin, a Plant-Derived Flavonoid, on Response to Oxidative Stress, Aging, and Age-Related Diseases in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Fisetin (3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a flavonoid abundant in various fruits and vegetables, including apple, strawberry, and onion, shows several beneficial effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. The free radical theory of aging suggests that age-related accumulation of oxidative damage is the major cause of aging and that decreasing cellular oxidative stress can regulate aging. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with fisetin on the stress response, aging, and age-related diseases. Fisetin reduced the cellular ROS levels and increased the resistance to oxidative stress. However, the response to UV irradiation was not affected by fisetin. Both the mean and maximum lifespans were significantly extended by fisetin; lifespan extension by fisetin was accompanied by reduced fertility as a trade-off. Age-related decline in motility was also delayed by supplementation with fisetin. Amyloid beta-induced toxicity was markedly decreased by fisetin, which required DAF-16 and SKN-1. Reduced motility induced by a high-glucose diet was completely recovered by supplementation with fisetin, which was dependent on SKN-1. Using a Parkinson's disease model, we showed that degeneration of dopaminergic neurons was significantly inhibited by treatment with fisetin. Genetic analysis revealed that lifespan extension by fisetin was mediated by DAF-16-induced stress response and autophagy. These findings support the free radical theory of aging and suggest that fisetin can be a strong candidate for use in novel anti-aging anti-oxidant nutraceuticals.

PSXII-4 Estrus Synchronization and Artificial Insemination in Korean Black Goats Using Frozen-Thawed Semen

Abstract Korean black goat (Capra hircus coreanae) populations are dwindling and facing genetic erosion due to artificial insemination. Here, we introduced an estrus synchronization method for Korean black goats to enable crossbreeding with non-native breeds on small farms and investigated the application of estrus synchronization and artificial insemination in Korean black goats. Semen was obtained using electro-ejaculation and preserved using a conventional and simple freezing method. Pre- and post-freezing semen was analyzed using computer-assisted sperm analysis, as per the Food Standards Agency 2011 guidelines. The percentage of motile sperm in the electro-ejaculated samples declined significantly after freezing and thawing. However, this did not influence the artificial insemination results. In addition, the incubation period was positively correlated with sperm motility decline in the frozen-thawed sperm samples. Blood progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) concentrations were also analyzed to determine the optimal artificial insemination time in estrus-synchronized Korean black goats. The blood samples were collected from a jugular vein at approximately 0900 daily for 5 days. Subsequently, the serum was obtained using centrifugation and stored at -70°C until analysis. Although the P4 and E2 concentrations were generally unaffected by the estrous synchronization method, the controlled internal drug release + prostaglandin F2α + pregnant mare serum gonadotropin method yielded a 42.9% parturition rate after artificial insemination. In the present study, an offspring from an estrus-synchronized Korean black goat was successfully produced by artificial insemination using frozen-thawed semen. The successful cryopreservation of semen for artificial insemination was substantiated with sperm motility and pregnancy rates. In the future, additional studies of estrus synchronization for the artificial insemination of Korean black goats are needed. Our results are expected to significantly contribute to the Korean black goat breeding industry.

Molecular, behavioural and morphological comparisons of sperm adaptations in a fish with alternative reproductive tactics.

In species with alternative reproductive tactics, there is much empirical support that parasitically spawning males have larger testes and greater sperm numbers as an evolved response to a higher degree of sperm competition, but support for higher sperm performance (motility, longevity and speed) by such males is inconsistent. We used the sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus) to test whether sperm performance differed between breeding-coloured males (small testes, large mucus-filled sperm-duct glands; build nests lined with sperm-containing mucus, provide care) and parasitic sneaker-morph males (no breeding colouration, large testes, rudimentary sperm-duct glands; no nest, no care). We compared motility (per cent motile sperm), velocity, longevity of sperm, gene expression of testes and sperm morphometrics between the two morphs. We also tested if sperm-duct gland contents affected sperm performance. We found a clear difference in gene expression of testes between the male morphs with 109 transcripts differentially expressed between the morphs. Notably, several mucin genes were upregulated in breeding-coloured males and two ATP-related genes were upregulated in sneaker-morph males. There was a partial evidence of higher sperm velocity in sneaker-morph males, but no difference in sperm motility. Presence of sperm-duct gland contents significantly increased sperm velocity, and nonsignificantly tended to increase sperm motility, but equally so for the two morphs. The sand goby has remarkably long-lived sperm, with only small or no decline in motility and velocity over time (5 min vs. 22 h), but again, this was equally true for both morphs. Sperm length (head, flagella, total and flagella-to-head ratio) did not differ between morphs and did not correlate with sperm velocity for either morph. Thus, other than a clear difference in testes gene expression, we found only modest differences between the two male morphs, confirming previous findings that increased sperm performance as an adaptation to sperm competition is not a primary target of evolution.

Effcets of Synthetic Food Colourants on Spermatogenesis and Alteration in Cauda Epididymal Sperm Characteristics of Swiss Albino Mice

The present study examined effects of Azorubine (E122) and Amaranth (123) on male reproductive system of Swiss albino mice. Control (Group I, n=20) was treated with vehicle. Two treatment groups based on azorubine (Group II) and amaranth (Group III) treatment were designed with sub-groups for doses 1/2LD50 and 1/4LD50 (Group IIa, Group IIb, Group IIIa and Group IIIb) consisting of 20 animals each. Five animals from each group and sub-group were sacrificed at 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of administration. Body and testis weight were measured, along with cauda sperm characteristics and testicular histology. Level of reproductive hormones were also examined. Results showed significant deterioration of sperm characteristics after treatment with both dyes. Major types of sperm deformities noticed in azorubine and amaranth treated animals were broken tail, bend tail, cytoplasmic droplet, head-tail separation, coiled tail, and headless sperms. More than 30% decline in motility and abnormality was noted in animals treated with amaranth. Histological observation indicated cytotoxic damages in amaranth treated mice, while azorubine treated animals exhibited large scale disorganization of germ cells and interference in spermatogenesis. Conclusively, azorubine and amaranth at the doses used in this study were detrimental to spermatogenesis. Deformities found in the cauda epididymal sperms indicated consequential impact on the rate of fertility.

Toxic impacts of microplastics and tetrabromobisphenol A on the motility of marine microalgae and potential mechanisms of action

Microalgae are primary producers of most marine ecosystems, which are under the threat of emergent pollutants such as microplastics (MPs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). Although motility is critical for the survival and production of microalgae, the impacts of emergent pollutants on this important behavioural characteristic remain unknown. Therefore, the toxic effects of MPs and TBBPA, alone and in combination, on the motility of two microalgae, Platymonas subcordiformis and Dicrateria zhanjiangensis, were investigated in this study. In addition, the impacts of the pollutants on energy supply and oxidative stress status were also assessed to reveal potential underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that the motility (both velocity and mode of swimming) of these microalgae was significantly suppressed by the pollutant tested. Further analysis indicated that microalgae exposed to pollutants had a significantly lower intracellular content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which may be due to the disruption of photosynthesis and glycolysis. In addition, our data showed that the pollutants tested imposed significant oxidative stress on the microalgae, which may be another reason for the decline in motility observed. Moreover, the growth of microalgae was significantly inhibited by the pollutants tested, and coexposure to TBBPA and MPs was shown to be more toxic than single exposure. Data obtained indicate waterborne MPs and TBBPA may pose significant threat to marine microalgae and subsequently the health of the marine ecosystem.

An economical and highly adaptable optogenetics system for individual and population-level manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans

BackgroundOptogenetics allows the experimental manipulation of excitable cells by a light stimulus without the need for technically challenging and invasive procedures. The high degree of spatial, temporal, and intensity control that can be achieved with a light stimulus, combined with cell type-specific expression of light-sensitive ion channels, enables highly specific and precise stimulation of excitable cells. Optogenetic tools have therefore revolutionized the study of neuronal circuits in a number of models, including Caenorhabditis elegans. Despite the existence of several optogenetic systems that allow spatial and temporal photoactivation of light-sensitive actuators in C. elegans, their high costs and low flexibility have limited wide access to optogenetics. Here, we developed an inexpensive, easy-to-build, modular, and adjustable optogenetics device for use on different microscopes and worm trackers, which we called the OptoArm.ResultsThe OptoArm allows for single- and multiple-worm illumination and is adaptable in terms of light intensity, lighting profiles, and light color. We demonstrate OptoArm’s power in a population-based multi-parameter study on the contributions of motor circuit cells to age-related motility decline. We found that individual components of the neuromuscular system display different rates of age-dependent deterioration. The functional decline of cholinergic neurons mirrors motor decline, while GABAergic neurons and muscle cells are relatively age-resilient, suggesting that rate-limiting cells exist and determine neuronal circuit ageing.ConclusionWe have assembled an economical, reliable, and highly adaptable optogenetics system which can be deployed to address diverse biological questions. We provide a detailed description of the construction as well as technical and biological validation of our set-up. Importantly, use of the OptoArm is not limited to C. elegans and may benefit studies in multiple model organisms, making optogenetics more accessible to the broader research community.

The effects of cryopreservation and cold storage on sperm subpopulation structure of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The objectives of this study were to identify the presence of different spermatozoa subpopulations (SPs) according to their kinematic characteristics in the sperm of common carp and to test the effects of cryopreservation and prolonged (6-day) storage at room temperature (RT; 23 °C) and 4 °C on spermatozoa motility and subsequently on SP dynamics. Two-step clustering analyses identified three motile SPs based on their kinematic properties: SP1 contained spermatozoa with low velocity and low/moderate STR/LIN values (slow non-linear SP); SP2 was comprised of spermatozoa with high velocities and high STR/LIN values (fast linear SP); SP3 was characterized with high VCL, and moderate LIN/STR (fast non-linear SP); and an additional SP0 was added comprising immotile spermatozoa. Total motility, progressive motility and VCL decreased after cryopreservation to approximately 50% of their value in fresh sperm, while the frequency of SPs characterized by high values of motility parameters declined in favor of those with low motility values and SP0. Motility values of fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa which were washed with fresh extender after thawing decreased significantly after 24 h of storage at RT and after 72 h of storage at 4 °C, while cryopreserved sperm which remained in the original cryomedium faced a steep decline in motility after only 2 h of storage. As subpopulation frequencies followed this dynamic, this indicates that cryopreserved sperm should be washed with fresh extender in order to obtain favorable sperm kinematic properties after freezing.

Effect of age on semen parameters

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of age on various semen parameters. Settings: Womens Center and Hospitals Pvt. Limited, Coimbatore. Design: Observational cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2021. Study subjects: Male partners of 366 infertile couples attending the infertility clinic at Womens Center, Coimbatore. Materials and methods: Semen samples collected by masturbation were evaluated for parameters such as volume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology as per the standard World Health Organization 2010 (5th edition) guidelines. Outcome measures: Comparison of volume, concentration, normal morphology, and motility in different age groups: <30, 30–35, 36–40, and >40 years. Results: No significant association of volume, concentration, and normal morphology with age was observed. However, there was a significant decline in motility with age. Conclusion: In the present study, motility was the only semen parameter that had a significant negative association, whereas all the other parameters did not exhibit any change with advancing age.

Association between lifestyle factors and semen parameters: An overview of systematic reviews

Infertility, defined as inability of a couple to conceive after a year of unprotected regular intercourse, with third of cases due to suboptimal sperm quality. There are modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors that can affect the quality and quantity of sperm and hence fertility. Several separate systematic reviews exist on this topic and clinicians are often faced with a plethora of reviews with variable quality giving conflicting advice. Therefore, we summarized the current available data by conducting a systematic review of systematic reviews on risk factors such as coffee/caffeine, body mass index (BMI)/obesity, cigarette smoking, and paternal age, on sperm parameters of count, motility, and morphology so that all evidences are present together, at one place. Embase, OVID MEDLINE(R), and Cochrane central database of systematic review were searched for relevant publications between 2010 and present. Search terms were: smoking, obesity, obese, BMI, caffeine, paternal age, advanced paternal age, male infertility, male fertility, sperm motility, sperm quality, and sperm analysis. Systematic reviews that met the criteria were retrieved and the relative reference lists were searched. All included studies were quality assessed using the AMSTAR checklist tool. Electronic and manual hand search yielded a total of 318 studies, of which 11 were excluded after removing duplicates and a further 286 excluded based on titles and abstract. Full-text screening of 21 articles, excluded 10 further studies. Eleven publications were finally included. Obesity and smoking were associated with decline in sperm count and morphology, age with decline in motility and morphology. Caffeine consumption was not associated with changes in any of the three parameters. Obesity and smoking are modifiable risk factors impacting on the semen parameters; caffeine consumption may not have any adverse effects on sperm parameters. This overview was limited by the quality of included reviews which in turn were limited by observational nature of the included studies, small numbers, and heterogeneity of the population. Further prospective data collection is needed to have good quality evidence. In conclusion, high BMI, smoking, and advanced paternal age were found to be associated with decline in one or more parameters of semen quality in males, albeit the evidence is of varying strength. Caffeine was not associated with any deterioration.

Intestinal Intussusception Associated with Cloacal Protusion in Trachemys scripta elegans

Background: Gastrointestinal dysfunction in reptiles is a common condition seen in animal medicine, and is often caused by inappropriate husbandry. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a surgical procedure for enterectomy of the small intestines, performed as treatment for an intussusception with cloacal protrusion that occurred in a red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) kept as a pet.Case: A 20-year-old red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) was taken into medical care after the owner’s observation of a cloacal protrusion that had started 72 h previously. During physical examination the protrusion was noted as an intestinal segment of approximately 5 cm, which was not reducible. Complementary examinations, including radiography and hematological profiling, were performed and revealed no significant findings; therefore, it was decided that an exploratory celiotomy would be conducted. The patient was referred to the surgical unit for the procedure and underwent surgical anesthesia. After appropriate antisepsis of the surgical area, a plastron osteotomy was performed using a previously sterilized oscillatory saw at a 45º angulation. The celomatic membrane was subsequently incised to enable both cavity and intestinal inspection allowing observation of the intussusception in the small intestine of the animal with the intussuscept segment protruding through the cloaca. The intussusception was undone, and an enterectomy was performed to remove the unviable intestine, using intestinal resection and subsequent anastomosis with simple interrupted sutures using 4-0 nylon, followed by intestinal reposition in the cavity. The celomatic membrane was closed using continuous suture with 4-0 nylon. The plastron fragment was then repositioned with the aid of eight cerclage fixations using 2-0 stainless steel wire. It was subsequently covered in self-polymerizing resin acrylic in order to promote impermeability and to protect the surgical wound. During the recovery period, supportive treatment and analgesia and antibiotic therapy were performed. The patient’s first defecation was observed five days after the procedure, and gastrointestinal tract functions returned to normal after four weeks. In six weeks, the patient was discharged.Discussion: In this case, exploratory celiotomy was performed due to the extension of the necrotic areas of the protruded mucosa. Plastron osteotomy is generally indicated because of the possibility of wide organ exposure. During the long healing period of reptiles, a surgical wound can be a gateway for pathogens that lead to postoperative surgical complications. As such, the use of acrylic resin in the present case was to create a protective barrier that would offer more resistance and impermeability. End-to-end enterectomy, in this instance, proved to be an efficient treatment for the small intestines cloacal protrusion, just as it was for the intussusception that preceded it. The probable cause of this case of intussusception was not well defined, and reptiles kept as pets have several diseases that can affect the gastrointestinal tract. The environment temperature also strongly influences gastrointestinal tract functions, which can lead to motility decline and imbalance of the intestinal flora, followed by the production of gases and toxins by microorganisms responsible for dysfunctions. Inadequate temperature management was the suspected main cause of intussusception in this case, as the patient was kept without access to sunlight or a heating source. In conclusion, the enterectomy with subsequent anastomosis that we performed was successful in the treatment of cloacal protruded intussusception of the small intestines in this red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Effect of vitamin C in egg yolk extender on sperm motility of chilled stored bull semen

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin C in chicken and quail egg yolk extender on sperm motility in chilled stored bull semen. Semen was collected from the bull with the aid of artificial vagina and six types of extenders were prepared using chicken and quail egg yolk with each extender divided into three aliquots having 0, 3 and 6 mg/mL Vitamin C levels. Bottles containing the diluted semen using the chicken and quail egg yolk °extenders were stored in a refrigerator at 5C over a period of three days and monitored or evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The result showed that there was a general decline in motility of semen as storage time increases, although samples with 6mg/mL Vitamin C levels had better results. It can be concluded that adding Vitamin C in chicken and quail egg yolk 0extender maintained motility of chilled semen even at 72 hours of preservation at 5C.

Mutation in histone deacetylase HDA-3 leads to shortened locomotor healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Some genes are essential for survival, while other genes play modulatory roles on health and survival. Genes that play modulatory roles may promote an organism’s survival and health by fine-tuning physiological processes. An unbiased search for genes that alter an organism’s ability to maintain aspects of health may uncover modulators of lifespan and healthspan. From an unbiased screen for Caenorhabditis elegans mutants that show a progressive decline in motility, we aimed to identify genes that play a modulatory role in maintenance of locomotor healthspan. Here we report the involvement of hda-3, encoding a class I histone deacetylase, as a genetic factor that contributes in the maintenance of general health and locomotion in C. elegans. We identified a missense mutation in HDA-3 as the causative mutation in one of the isolated strains that show a progressive decline in maximum velocity and travel distance. From transcriptome analysis, we found a cluster of genes on Chromosome II carrying BATH domains that were downregulated by hda-3. Furthermore, downregulation of individual bath genes leads to significant decline in motility. Our study identifies genetic factors that modulate the maintenance of locomotor healthspan and may reveal potential targets for delaying age-related locomotor decline.