Individual Sperm Motility Research Articles

TRIALS TO IMPROVE THE VIABILITY OF RABBIT SEMEN AT VARIABLE CONDITIONS OF PRESERVATION USING DIFFERENT DILUENTS

Ten sexually mature rabbit bucks of (NZW) were used in this study. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of some diluents and differents regimes of dilution and preservation on the viability of rabbit semen . Semen was collected by an artificial vagina and evaluated for volume (ml), individual motility (%); concentration of spermatozoa (ml × 106); percentage of alive spermatozoa and total abnormalities by conventional technique. Pooled semen sample was divided into three parts, the first part was extended in Tris – egg yolk (pH 6.9), the second part was extended in Tris-egg yolk (pH 7.5) and the third part was extended in sodium chloride (pH 7.0). Each part again was subdivided into three portions; the first portion was incubated at 37˚C. for 3 hr.; The second portion was kept at 5 oC. for 48 hr. and the third portion was frozen in French straws (0.25 ml.) and stored in liquid nitrogen ( -196˚C). Our results revealed that the percentage of alive spermatozoa displayed a significant increase (P<0.05) at 37 oC in sodium chloride extender than the other extenders, while there were no significant differences in individual sperm motility in the three extenders at 37 oC. .On the other hand the individual sperm motility signed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Tris-egg yolk extender with pH 6.9 than the other extenders at 5˚C. The post thawing motility was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Tris-egg yolk extended semen with pH 6.9 than the other extended semen. The extended semen with sodium chloride reported a highly significant percentage in acrosomal defects than the other extended semen with different pH.

Sperm Characteristics and DNA Integrity of Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Spermatozoa Frozen in the Presence of Enzymatic and Nonenzymatic Antioxidants

The main goal of this study was to investigate the potential protective effects of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants on cryopreservation injuries to red deer epididymal spermatozoa. In Experiment 1, the effects on sperm freezability of the enzymatic antioxidants catalase, superoxide dismutase, and a combination thereof were studied. In Experiment 2, sperm cryoresistance was evaluated when different nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), were added to the freezing extender. Sperm quality was judged in vitro by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility (SMI), viability, and acrosome (ie, spermatozoa with normal apical ridges; % NAR) and membrane (by means of the HOS test) integrity. To address fully these topics, we incorporated a new set of functional sperm tests for mitochondrial function, membrane phospholipid disorder, and sperm chromatin stability. Samples were evaluated after freezing and thawing, and after a 2-hour period of incubation at 37 degrees C. The present study demonstrates that the addition of enzymatic antioxidants to freezing extenders improves sperm viability after cooling, and improves sperm motility, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial status (P<.05) after thawing. After a 2-hour incubation period at 37 degrees C in the presence of enzymatic antioxidants, an improvement in membrane integrity (P<.05) was observed. However, when nonenzymatic antioxidants were present in the freezing diluents, no positive effects on thawed sperm parameters were noted. The chromatin stability test did not show significant differences between the treatments. We conclude that enzymatic antioxidants should be present in the early steps of cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa from red deer, so as to improve motility and acrosome integrity.

14 MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF ENDANGERED BERMEYA GOAT BREED SEMEN

The Bermeya goats are an endangered autochthonous breed distributed in the north of Spain. To ensure their genetic diversity and long-term survival, morphological and functional parameters of the semen must be known in order to preserve the current genetic stock in a germplasm bank. The aim of this work was to establish basic characteristics and post-thaw survival of Bermeya goat's semen obtained by electro-ejaculation, that is not well described in the literature. The semen was collected by electro-ejaculation from 7 bucks, 1 to 7 years old, twice per week, for 9 weeks (n = 83). Fresh semen was evaluated for volume (V), concentration (C), motility, morphology, functional integrity of the sperm (spz) membranes (hypoosmotic swelling test; HOST), and acrosome integrity rate (NAR). Individual and progressive sperm motility were analyzed by means of a computer-assisted sperm analysis system (CASA: SCA 2002�, Microptic, Barcelona, Spain) immediately after dilution with the extender at 37�C, and after cooling to 4�C; five fields per sample (diluted to 204 � 106 spz mL–1) were evaluated under a phase contrast microscope (100�). The NAR and morphological abnormalities of sperm head, midpiece, tail, and cytoplasmic droplets were determined by counting 100 spz under 1000�. For freezing, ejaculates with at least 80% motile spz were diluted at 32�C with Krebs-Ringer solution containing 20% egg yolk and 14% glycerol to a final concentration of 400 � 106 spz mL–1, cooled to 4�C for 90 min, aspirated into 0.25-mL plastic straws (IMV�, L'Aigle, France), frozen at 7 cm above liquid nitrogen (LN2) phase for 10 min, and then plunged into the LN2. Straws were thawed in a water bath at 39�C for 30 s for post-thaw survival analysis. Data were analyzed by the GLM and FREQ procedures (SAS; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and expressed as means � standard error. Fresh semen characteristics were: V = 1.7 � 0.1 mL; C = 2619 � 106 � 153 spz mL–1; total and progressive motility were 89.0 � 2.1% and 66.9 � 2.1%, respectively. Percentages of head abnormalities were 4.8 � 0.5; midpiece: 3.8 � 0.7; tail: 4.7 � 1.0; cytoplasmic droplets: 8.3 � 0.7; intact acrosome: 91.8 � 0.6; and membrane integrity: 49.2 � 2.1. At 4�C, the % of total motile spz was 62.6 � 1.6, and the post-thaw survival rate was 46.3 � 1.5. There were only individual differences (P &lt; 0.001) between bucks on sperm concentration, head abnormalities, and cytoplasmic droplets. In conclusion, our results indicate that semen quality is related to each individual animal and that electro-ejaculation allows collection of semen of satisfactory quality to use as fresh and for cryopreservation. However, the validity of our results for possible future sperm banking of endangered Bermeya goats semen must be confirmed by field trials.

Influence of Various Permeating Cryoprotectants on Freezability of Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Spermatozoa: Effects of Concentration and Temperature of Addition

With the aim of finding an ideal cryoprotectant (CPA) in a suitable concentration for red deer epididymal spermatozoa cryopreservation, we evaluated the effects of the 3 most commonly used CPAs, glycerol (GLY), ethylene glycol (EG), and propylene glycol (PG), on sperm cryoresistance. The aim of Experiment 1 was to evaluate the influence of 3 different final concentrations (3%, 6%, and 12%) of each CPA on sperm freezability. Sperm samples were diluted to a final sperm concentration of approximately 400 x 10(6) spermatozoa/mL with a Tris-citrate-fructose-EY extender (TCF) prior to freezing. Sperm cryosurvival was judged in vitro by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility (SMI), viability, and plasma membrane (by means of the HOS test) and acrosome (NAR) integrities. Thawed samples were incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 hours in the freezing medium. At the end of this incubation period, sperm suspensions were again assessed. Our results showed that 12% of any CPA was toxic to red deer epididymal spermatozoa membrane integrity (P < .05). Moreover, regardless of the level of CPA, results indicated that the cryoprotective effects on red deer epididymal spermatozoa of the 3 CPAs after thawing are in the following sequence: GLY > EG > PG (higher symbols mean P < .001). Furthermore, our results also showed an improvement in sperm parameters when the TCF diluent contained 6% of GLY. In Experiment 2 extenders were prepared using GLY 6%. This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of 2 different temperatures of GLY addition -22 degrees C (ambient temperature) and 5 degrees C- on sperm freezability. Our results showed a differential response (P < .05) of motility (SMI) to temperature of GLY addition before freezing, the best being 22 degrees C (81.94 +/- 2.4% vs 72.38 +/- 2.4%). Although there were no statistically significant differences (P > .05) between the 2 temperatures of GLY addition after thawing in terms of sperm quality, after 2 hours of incubation, results tended to be better when CPAs were added at 22 degrees C. In conclusion, our work showed the efficacy of a TCF diluent with 6% of GLY and its addition at 22 degrees C, as an alternative to the more common 3%-4% of GLY and addition at 5 degrees C, in red deer semen freezing protocols.

Functional Significance of the Sperm Head Morphometric Size and Shape for Determining Freezability in Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Sperm Samples

In the present study, computer-automated sperm head morphometry of epididymal samples was used to determine if sperm head area and shape are useful measurements for separating "good" and "bad" Iberian red deer freezers. A microscope slide was prepared from single diluted sperm fresh samples collected from 38 mature stags. Slides were air-dried and stained with Hemacolor. The sperm head area and shape (length/width) for a minimum of 145 sperm heads were determined for each male by means of the Sperm-Class Analyser. The remainder of each sample was frozen. After thawing, sperm cryosurvival was judged in vitro by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility and of plasma membrane and acrosome integrities. All sperm parameters evaluated at thawing were placed in a statistical database and a multivariate cluster analysis performed. Mean sperm parameters of the 2 clusters generated ("bad" and "good" freezers) were compared by ANOVA. Our results show that sperm quality at thawing for all sperm parameters evaluated was significantly higher (P < .01) for "good" freezers than for the "bad" ones (sperm motility index: 67.4 +/- 2.0 vs 57.1 +/- 2.8; NAR: 67.1 +/- 2.5 vs 54.5 +/- 3.5; viability: 68.8 +/- 2.0 vs 60.1 +/- 2.8; HOST: 71.3 +/- 2.2 vs 63.1 +/- 3.1). Additionally, differences (P < .01) in epididymal sperm head area and shape were found between "good" and "bad" freezers before freezing, with the smallest overall sperm head dimensions found in the "good" freezers group (area: 32.04 microm2 vs 34.42 microm2). Thus, the lower the sperm head area in the fresh samples, the greater the sperm cryoresistance. Our results show that the 2 groups of males also differ in sperm head shape in fresh samples (good: 1.96 vs poor: 1.72; P < .01). It is possible that sperm head area and shape influence total sperm volume, thus causing differences in heat exchange as well as in movements of water, ions, and cryoprotectants and, in turn, on sperm freezability.

Cryopreservation of Iberian red deer ( Cervus elaphus hispanicus) epididymal spermatozoa: Effects of egg yolk, glycerol and cooling rate

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of egg yolk (EY), glycerol, and cooling rate on the cryosurvival of red deer epididymal spermatozoa. The aim of Experiment 1 was to examine the effects of two EY types (clarified EY, CE, prepared by centrifugation, and whole EY, WE), and four EY concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20%) on cryosurvival of red deer epididymal spermatozoa. Sperm samples were diluted to a final sperm concentration of ∼200 × 10 6 spermatozoa/ml with a Tris-citrate-fructose-EY extender (TCF) prior to freezing. Sperm cryosurvival was judged in vitro by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility, viability and of plasma membrane (by means of the HOS test) and acrosome (NAR) integrities. Cryopreservation of red deer epididymal spermatozoa frozen in a clarified EY extender, and with a 20% EY resulted in more vigorous post-thaw and post-incubation motilities ( P < 0.0001). Moreover, our results showed that regardless of the egg yolk concentration tested, the best sperm quality was obtained with the use of CE. Therefore, the objective of Experiment 2 was to explore the post-thaw effects of four clarified egg yolk concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20%), two final glycerol concentrations (3 and 6%), and two cooling rates from 22 to 5 °C (slow: 0.23 °C/min; rapid: 4.2 °C/min) on red deer epididymal spermatozoa. At thawing, the effects of CE and glycerol concentrations, and cooling rate, all independently affected post-thaw sperm quality, while there were no effects of interactions on post-thawing sperm quality. Therefore, we studied each variable separately. Differences ( P < 0.05) for most of the semen parameters evaluated were found between the two final glycerol concentrations tested, with the high values after thawing found with the use of 6% glycerol (58.8 ± 1.4 versus 46.2 ± 1.4, for sperm motility). Moreover, the cooling rate did not have an effect on the semen characteristics, except for NAR ( P < 0.05), with the high values after thawing found with the use of the rapid protocol (64.5 ± 1.4 versus 59.9 ± 1.4). In conclusion, the use of 20% CE and 6% glycerol in combination with a rapid cooling rate, significantly improved red deer epididymal spermatozoa freezability.

POST-THAW VIABILITY OF EUROPEAN BISON (BISON BONASUS) SEMEN FROZEN WITH EXTENDERS CONTAINING EGG YOLK OR LIPIDS OF PLANT ORIGIN AND EXAMINED WITH A HETEROLOGOUS IN VITRO FERTILIZATION ASSAY

Basic characteristics of European bison (Bison bonasus) semen were described and the efficacies of two extenders-Triladyl, containing egg yolk, and a synthetic extender, containing soybean lipids-were tested for semen cryopreservation. Seven ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation from a 10-yr-old, European bison bull. Each ejaculate was diluted at 37 degrees C to a final concentration of 200 x 10(6) sperm/ml with Triladyl or the synthetic extender. Extended semen samples were frozen according to a standard bull semen freezing protocol. After 2 wk of storage, one straw from each extender and ejaculate was thawed, and postthaw quality was evaluated by individual sperm motility and movement rate, numbers of sperm morphologic abnormalities and intact acrosomes, functional integrity of the sperm membranes determined by hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), viability (live-dead, eosin-nigrosin stain), and a heterologous in vitro sperm penetration assay (SPA). A total of 600 in vitro-matured bovine oocytes were inseminated with 1 X 10(6) spermatozoa of Holstein semen frozen-thawed in Triladyl (control) or of European bison semen frozen in Triladyl or the synthetic extender. Nuclear status of the oocytes was determined after 18 h of sperm-oocyte coincubation. Extender had no effect on any evaluated parameters of semen after dilution and cooling (4 hr at 5 degrees C) or in postthaw individual motility, quality of movement, and sperm morphology. However, significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes, intact membranes (HOST), and viable sperm (P < 0.01) were in semen frozen in Triladyl than in the synthetic extender. Mean values for heterologous SPA for bull (control) and for bison semen frozen in the synthetic extender were very much alike-63.3+/-10.6% and 63.1 +/- 15.9%, respectively; bison semen frozen in Triladyl was lower, 43.0+/-24.2% but not significantly different. Cumulative results from a variety of viability assays of diluted/cooled and frozen-thawed semen, including the heterologous SPA, suggest that European bison semen can be successfully frozen in both extenders tested in this study.

Effects of Egg Yolk and Cooling Rate on the Survival of Refrigerated Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Spermatozoa

Egg yolk is a common component to sperm refrigeration for most of the deer species, the role of which is to protect sperm membranes against cold shock. In addition, there have been many studies of conservation of ejaculated semen from stags, but few have been reported for epididymal spermatozoa. This work was designed to investigate the combined effects of cooling rates (slow: 0.23 degrees C/min vs rapid: 4.2 degrees C/min) from room temperature to 5 degrees C, and egg-yolk concentration (0, 5 or 20%) in the extender on the survival of Iberian red deer epididymal spermatozoa refrigerated at 5 degrees C. Heterospermic sperm samples were diluted to a final sperm concentration approximately 400x10(6) sperm/ml with a Tris-citrate-fructose (TCF)-egg-yolk diluent. Sperm quality was in vitro judged by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility [sperm motility index (SMI)], and of plasma membrane (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and acrosome (NAR) integrities. Our results first showed that the presence of egg yolk in the extender significantly improves (p=0.01) the viability and sperm motility after sperm dilution. In addition, acrosome and plasma membrane integrities post-refrigeration did not differ significantly between cooling procedures; however, the SMI differed significantly between cooling procedures (slow: 46.6% vs rapid: 50.0%; p=0.01). Our results also showed that sperm quality was significantly (p<0.01) affected by the combined effects of egg-yolk concentration and cooling procedure, being rapid cooling with 20% of egg yolk the most suitable combination for epididymal sperm refrigeration. In conclusion, egg-yolk improved red deer epididymal spermatozoa characteristics after dilution. Rapid cooling protocol using TCF with 20% egg-yolk significantly improved sperm motility of red deer epididymal spermatozoa after cooling.

The use of a newly designed nonabsorbable polymeric stent in reconstructing the vas deferens: a feasibility study in New Zealand white rabbits

To investigate the use of a newly designed stent in the reconstruction of the vas deferens. In 26 New Zealand White rabbits, 13 conventional one-layer microscopic reconstructions were compared with 13 stented reconstructions of the vas deferens. The newly designed nonabsorbable polymeric stent was shaped to facilitate the rejoining of the two loose ends of the vas deferens, using a central ridge to prevent migration. Semen was collected before and after surgery, using an artificial vaginal system (26 samples before and 115 after surgery). The individual and average total sperm count, motility and progressive motile sperm density (PMSD), were compared after surgery for both groups. After the final semen analysis, rabbits were killed and patency was assessed histologically at the site of the anastomosis. After an initial decline the mean total sperm count increased in both groups. The increase was significantly larger (P = 0.05) in the stented rabbits. The mean motility and PMSD showed no significant differences between both groups (P = 0.11 and 0.71, respectively). Histological examination of the anastomosed area showed partial obstruction (>50% narrowing of the original lumen) in five of the 13 conventionally treated rabbits, with no strictures in the stented group. Despite the narrowing in the conventional group the patency rates were not affected. The mean (range) operating time for the conventional and stented groups was 132 (99-168) and 98 (62-113) min, respectively (P < 0.001). The total sperm counts, motility and PMSD showed no or little difference after surgery between the conventional and stented rabbits. The stented reconstruction was easy, had no secondary stricturing and reduced the operating time.

Effects of thawing procedure on postthawed in vitro viability and in vivo fertility of red deer epididymal spermatozoa cryopreserved at -196 degrees C.

In this study, we have determined the effects of individual factor and thawing procedure on in vitro viability and in vivo fertility of frozen-thawed red deer epididymal spermatozoa. The spermatozoa that were collected from 13 Iberian deer stags were diluted at room temperature in a Triladyl-20% egg yolk medium and frozen in nitrogen vapors. In the first experimental series, sperm samples were collected from 10 mature stags. For thawing, the frozen straws were subjected to 3 different procedures: I (37 degrees C for 20 seconds), II (60 degrees C for 8 seconds) and III (70 degrees C for 5 seconds). Sperm cryosurvival was judged in vitro by microscopic assessments of individual sperm motility (SM) and of plasma membrane and acrosome (NAR) integrities. Statistically significant variations were found (P <.05) between stags for most of the seminal parameters evaluated. The thawing procedure did not have an effect on the seminal characteristics evaluated after this process, except for SM (P <.05), with the best overall recovery rates after freezing and thawing found with the use of protocol I. Our results also show a differential resistance to return to isosmotic conditions of spermatozoa thawed using the different thawing protocols. In the second experimental series (insemination artificial trial), with spermatozoa from 3 stags, results of fertility were statistically higher (69.7% vs 42.4%, P =.014) when spermatozoa were thawed at 37 degrees C for 20 seconds than were warmed at 60 degrees C for 8 seconds. Therefore, thawing protocol I, which provides slow thawing rates, was the most beneficial for epididymal spermatozoa thawing of the cervid subspecies analyzed in this study. In summary, high in vitro survival and in vivo fertility of frozen-thawed deer epididymal spermatozoa were dependent on warming rates, but each stag exhibited its own sensitivity to cryopreservation.

Semen collection, cryopreservation and artificial insemination in the dromedary camel

Collection of semen with a bovine artificial vagina (AV) was attempted with each of 14 camels over a period of 2 years. Semen samples were evaluated, extended and cryopreserved. Frozen thawed semen, diluted cooled semen or whole semen was used to inseminate some female camels which were induced to ovulate with hCG. Males ejaculated semen into the AV in 74.6% collection attempts. The male copulated for at least 200 s in 62.9% attempts. The remaining copulations were of shorter duration. Similarly, 49.3% ejaculates were at least 3 ml of semen. Libido and donation of semen improved from December onwards and reached a peak after mid January with peak performance persisting until April. It declined during May. The majority of camels had lost libido and refuse to donate semen by the end of May. Camel semen is in gel form. While 35.9% of 203 semen samples exhibited no individual sperm motility, 28.5% exhibited low to fair grade individual sperm motility and only 35.4% exhibited >50% sperm motility. Differences existed between animals ( P<0.01) and months ( P<0.05) of collection, while effect of copulation time was not significant. Mass motility was not observed in camel semen. Individual sperm motility develops after liquefaction of semen. Addition of caffeine but not chymotrypsin improved the individual motility. The mean live percent sperm count and normal acrosome were 73.3±1.0 and 92.0±0.5, respectively. Only 51.1% of 45 semen samples with pre-freeze motility of >50% and 25% of 16 semen samples from low pre-freeze motility group with an overall success of 44.2% of 61 semen samples were successfully preserved. Wide variation was observed in the freezability of semen from different males. Attempts to impregnate female camels with liquid semen, frozen thawed semen and whole semen after hCG induced ovulation resulted in 0/10, 1/13 and 4/10 pregnancies.

Semen quality and presence of cytokines in seminal fluid of bull ejaculates

It has been postulated that cytokines play an immunoregulatory role in human semen. The presence and levels of various cytokines, namely the interleukins 6, 10 (IL-6 and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were investigated in the seminal plasma of six fertile crossbred bulls ( Bos taurus× Bos indicus), using specific enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine levels were related to the semen quality of these bulls. A direct significant correlation between the level of IL-10 and individual sperm motility ( r=0.84, P<0.036) was observed. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were inversely correlated ( r=−0.93, P<0.006) and likewise in the same way an inverse correlation between the level of IL-6 and TNFα was observed ( r=−0.84, P<0.037). These results confirm that cytokines are present in bull semen as has been demonstrated in human semen.

Semen collection, examination and spermiogram in ostriches.

The level of fertility in the male ostrich exerts considerable influence on the efficiency of the fertilization procedure, and thus also on reproductive performance. The determination of the reproductive capacity is of particular interest with regard to the selection of single individuals for optimizing reproduction ratios. Although the breeding and raising of ostriches has become increasingly important in many countries, little research has been completed on reproductive parameters and factors that may possibly influence them. This study presents observations made concerning the quantity and quality of sperm as found in the spermatological testing of 411 ejaculate samples taken from male ostriches on two farms in Namibia. The semen volume varied between 0.1 and 1.5 ml (mean, 0.64 ml). Normal ejaculate colours ranged from white to ivory; the consistency ranged from thin creamy to viscous. The measured pH values lay between 6.4 and 8.0 (mean, 7.3). Microscopic investigations revealed sperm concentrations of 8.9-78.1 million/microl and individual sperm motility from 42 to 96% (mean, 78%). No mass motility was detectable in 42% of the ejaculates; weak mass motility was found in 46%, and clear mass movements were to be found in only 12% of samples. Regarding the morphology of the sperm, 5 to 26% were abnormal (mean, 17%) and 4 to 28% (mean, 20%) were dead. Seasonal patterns of sperm concentration and the influence of frequency of semen collection were investigated in a group of 56 healthy male ostriches. Peak sperm concentrations were found at the beginning of the breeding season in spring; the lowest values were found at the end of the breeding season in autumn. The highest quality ejaculate was obtained from those males whose semen was collected once a week. The results of this study provide fundamental data for the establishment of minimum quality requirements for ostrich sperm to be met by individuals receiving certification as breeding animals and for the selection of suitable males for use in artificial insemination.

Sperm mobility: phenotype in roosters (Gallus domesticus) determinedby concentration of motile sperm and straight line velocity.

Previous research demonstrated that sperm mobility, i.e., the net movement of a sperm population, is a quantitative trait of the domestic fowl. However, the cellular basis for this trait was unknown. In the present work, individual motile sperm were evaluated with a Hobson SpermTracker in order to identify one or more properties of motile sperm that could account for variation in sperm mobility observed among males. A method was validated for assessing sperm motion over an erythrocyte monolayer at body temperature. A small-scale experiment with roosters from the tails and center of a normal distribution of sperm mobility phenotypes (n = 33 roosters) demonstrated that straight line velocity (VSL) and motile concentration were critical to expression of phenotype. The importance of these variables was confirmed with a large-scale experiment using a representative subpopulation (n = 100 roosters). VSL of individual sperm at 41 degrees C ranged between 5 and 100 microm/sec. VSL averaged 32, 39, and 40 microm/sec for low, average, and high sperm mobility phenotypes. Sperm were diluted to 1.2 x 10(6)/ml for motion analysis. Mean motile concentrations were 0.52, 0.84, and 0.95 x 10(6)/ml for low, average, and high sperm mobility phenotypes. Motile concentration was correlated with sperm mobility (r = 0.71). VSL appeared to have an additive effect as it was correlated with straightness of sperm cell trajectory (r = 0.79).

Growth hormone gene polymorphism and reproductive performance of ai bulls

Relationships between the growth hormone gene RFLP polymorphism and bull sperm characteristics were the objects of the present study. DNA was extracted from blood or sperm samples collected from 113 AI bulls and submitted for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by digestion with Alu I restriction enzyme. The bGH genotypes were visualized on 10% polyacrylamide gel. The analyzed population of AI bulls consisted of dairy (Holstein Fresian [HF]crossbred [HF x Polish Black and White]) and beef breeds (Limousine, Charolaise, Piemontese, Angus and Hereford). The frequency of the Leu allele was 0.86 among dairy bulls and 0.38 in beef bulls (0.14 and 0.62 for the Val allele, respectively). Eight sperm characteristics and Day 60 non-return rates (NRR) were analyzed. The 3 genotype groups (LL, W and LV) and the effect of production type (dairy or beef) on sperm characteristics were considered. None of the traits showed significant variability in relation to the bGH genotype, although a tendency was observed for LL bulls to have a lower ejaculate volume and VV bulls higher NRR. Moreover some statistically significant associations with production type were noticed: beef bulls were superior in sperm concentration and non-return rate, whereas dairy bulls excelled in individual fresh sperm motility.

A clinical and ultrasonographic study of the testes and related structures of goats and rams after unilateral vasectomy

The semen quality, plasma testosterone concentrations and ultrasonographic changes were studied for up to 20 weeks after the unilateral vasectomy of two adult goats and two rams, and the gross and histological changes were examined post mortem. An intact ram and an intact goat served as controls. There was a marked decrease in the sperm concentration and the total numbers of sperm per ejaculate in both species. However, there seemed to be no effect on ejaculatory volume, mass motility and individual motile sperm, percentages of dead and abnormal sperm and plasma concentrations of testosterone. Ultrasonographically, the epididymal tail lost its characteristic heterogeneous texture and appeared enlarged. Anechoic masses, representing sperm granulomata, were visible within the epididymal tail of both the rams, and the epididymal head of one of the goats and at the cut end of the vas deferens in the other. They were observed as early as four to six weeks after surgery and their nature was confirmed post mortem. The sequential ultrasonographic changes in the testis and the epididymis are described.

EFFECT OF STRAIN AND TERPERATURE ON SOME SEMENAL CHACTERISTICS OF LOCAL TURKEY MALRS

This study was conducted at the turkey farm of the College of Agriculture, Salahaddin University, by using (7) black and (10) red local turkey males to study the effect of strain and environmental temperature on some semen characteristics (Semen volume, colour, pH, Individual and mass sperm motility, live and abmormal sperm percentage, and aperm concentration in cu. ml. and in ejaculate, and to study the relation between paire of characters under study. Analysis of voriance showed that strain had a signifiant effect (p&lt;0.05) only on mass sperm motility and sperm concentration in cu ml traits. Tnviromental temperature showed a significant effect (p&lt;0.01) on all traits accept for pH and live sperm percentage traits which had no significnt effect. Interation between strain and environmental temperature showed asignificant effect (p&lt;0.05) on Indvidual sperm motility, abnormal sperm percentage and sperm concentation in cu. ml. traits. correlation Coefficients between pairs of traits were negative and significant (p&lt;0.01, p&lt;0.05) in most traits, accept those of percent abnormal sperms and pH traits which showed a negative, significant and not significant correlation coefficient, with most traits in study.