Percentage Of Abnormal Sperm Research Articles

Progesterone and 6α-Methyl-17α-hydroxyprogesterone Acetate as Inhibitors of Spermatogenesis and Accessory Gland Function in the Ram

The effects of progesterone and 6alpha-methyl-17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) on spermatogenesis and accessory gland function were studied in 6 rams. Weekly semen collections were started 3 weeks prior to the injection of 50 mg progesterone every other day for 60 days in 3 of the rams and 100 mg of MAP/day for 60 days in the other 3 rams. Testicular biopsies were obtained 6 days after treatment. No protoplasmic droplets were observed pretreatment however sperm in both groups contained a protoplasmic droplet 3 weeks after beginning treatment. Semen volume in the progesterone- and MAP-treated rams decreased significantly (p less than .01) and (p less than .05) respectively from the 4th through the 18th week when compared with pretreatment volume. Semen fructose levels were significantly (p less than .01) lower by the 4th week in the progesterone-treated and 6th week in the MAP-treated rams. Total sperm output was significantly (p less than .01) lower from the 8th through the 19th week in the progesterone-treated and from the 9th through the 18th week in the MAP-treated rams while the percentage of abnormal sperm was significantly (p less than .01) greater for both treated groups from the 4th through the 21st week. The biopsies revealed Leydig cell atrophy and seminiferous tubules with sloughing and disorganization of germinal elements.

Influence of Incandescent Light on Reproductive and Physiological Responses of Bovine Bulls

Two Jersey, four Holstein, two Guernsey, and two Hereford bulls were divided at random into two groups to evaluate the effects of 14 hr of super-imposed incandescent light on semen characteristics and various blood constituents.Both initial progressive motility and concentration of sperm declined appreciably during the 20 wk following the first of May. However, the decline was significantly less for bulls exposed to supplementary artificial light. Methylene blue reduction time for ejaculates from light-treated bulls remained constant, whereas that for controls increased during the experimental period. There was no change in the volume of semen per ejaculate for either group during the experimental period. The percentage of abnormal sperm increased throughout the experimental period for both treated and control groups.There were no signifificant changes in either group, in hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte count, and leucocyte count. Protein-bound iodine was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treated group.

The effect of nutritional regimen on the potential semen production of rams

(1) Six mature grazing Merino rams were given either a low (LP) or high (HP) level of supplementary feeding for 6 weeks before being subjected to a period of intensive semen collection every 15 weeks for 18 months (six collection periods). At each collection period 16 opportunities for ejaculation were given daily to each ram over two series of 5 days, separated by 2 days' rest. Each ram was exposed to three LP and three HP pre-collection periods. Ejaculates were examined for semen characteristics and the 'reaction time' was recorded at each service. (2) The average daily sperm output for the six rams was 10.8 x l09. There were no significant differences between rams. (3) The high level of supplementary feeding (600 g total digestible nutrients (T.D.N.), 165 g crude protein per day) had a significant influence on sperm production as compared with a low level (310 g T.D.N., 45 g crude protein per day). The daily sperm output averaged 12.7 x 109 for the HP group and 8.8 x l09 for the LP group (P &lt; 0.001). (4) There was no significant effect of month of collection on total sperm production, although there was an effect on density. The percentage of abnormal sperm did vary significantly (P &lt; 0.001), and was highest (12.2%) in January (midsummer). Motility was generally good (mean 4.4 out of 5). Apparently significant differences emerged from the analysis, but are of doubtful biological significance in view of the relatively small absolute difference. (5) Sperm output showed an asymptotic decline in the two successive weeks of each series of collection and on successive days within weeks (P &lt; 0.001). (6) There were significant differences between month of collection in sexual drive (number of ejaculates and reaction time, P &lt; 0.001). It was most intense during autumn (April). (7) There were significant differences between rams in sexual drive (P &lt; 0.001). Sperm output of individual rams was not influenced remarkably by the number of ejaculates within the range of 130–160 over two 5-day series.

Effect of Abnormal Spermatozoa on Fertility and Hatchability in the Turkey

TURKEY spermatozoa lose their fertilizing ability in a short time after semen collection, although they maintain high motility for a considerable period of time. It has been observed (Saeki, 1960) that the percentage of one type of sperm abnormality, designated as a crooked-necked spermatozoa,3 was highly correlated (—0.77) with fertility in chickens. Furthermore, it was shown that when semen was diluted and stored there was a rapid increase in crooked-necked spermatozoa. Fertility studies indicated there was an inverse relationship between this increase in crooked-necked spermatozoa and fertility.In a sterile crossbred rooster, Sampson and Warren (1939) found a great number of abnormal spermatozoa. Allen and Champion (1955) reported a coefficient of correlation of —0.55 between the total percentage of defective spermatozoa and fertilizing capacity of the cockerel. However, Parker et al. (1942) reported no correlation between percentage of abnormal sperm and fertility in the chicken. In addition, they illustrated …

Studies on the artificial insemination of Merino sheep. III. The effect of frequent ejaculation on semen characteristics and fertilizing capacity

(1) Fifty-five ejaculates were collected from each of two Merino rams over a period of 5 days (11 per day per ram at intervals of 20 min). Ejaculates were examined for semen characteristics and for fertilizing capacity following artificial insemination, a total of 300 ewes being used. (2) Volume, density, and number of sperm declined on successive days, and in successive ejaculates within days (P &lt;0.001). Motility and percentage of abnormal sperm were not affected by frequent collection. (3) Fertility following insemination with a standard volume of diluted semen showed a significant linear decline with successive ejaculates, both within and between days of collection ( P &lt;0.01, &lt;0.001). (4) The decline in fertility could be accounted for entirely on the basis of sperm numbers. There was no evidence of a decline in the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa with frequent ejaculation. (5) There was a highly significant linear relationship between sperm numbers and lambing percentage, over the range of 28 to 128 X 106 sperm (27–118 x 106 normal; b = 0.27; r = 0.69; P &lt;0.01). (6) It is concluded that a dose of approximately 120–125 x l06 normal sperm is necessary for maximum fertility to artificial insemination; and that each 25 x 106 reduction down to a dose of 25 x 106 may be associated with a drop in lambing rate of about 13%.

The Influence of Semen Characteristics on Hatching Results of Chicken Eggs

THE problem of obtaining a high percentage of fertile eggs is of prime importance to both poultry farmers and hatcherymen. Fertility is considered as total actual reproductive capacity of the female and male expressed by their ability, when mated together, to produce individual offspring. It is a common experience that many females are occasionally sterile even with good males. However, the male plays the dominant part in fertility rather than the females (Munro, 1946). Fertility is influenced by genetical, physiological and social factors.Certain relationships between fertility and semen characteristics are found. There is significant negative correlation between the percentage of abnormal sperms and fertility (Raimo, 1943; and Sampson and Warren, 1939). Cocks are sterile when producing semen with high abnormal percentages over 25 percent (Sampson and Warren, 1939). Motility of sperms is positively correlated with fertility (Allen and Champion, 1955; Raimo, 1943; and Shaffner and Andrews, 1948). There is…

緬羊のFlushingに関する研究

This experiment was carried out to estimate the the flushing effects of eight kinds of concentrated feed produced in Japan such as barley, wheat, oat, sawa millet, corn, soyabean cake, wheat bran and “sansa” (sericultural byproduct), by using two healthy two-year-old-rams. Each tested feed stuff was added to the standard ration every 10 days, and the semen of test rams were collected by means of artificial vagina every 3 days. Volume, pH, and condition of semen, number, motility, and percentage of abnormality of spermatzoa were examined.The result of the comparative study concerning the experimental data of each tested period and standard period showed that there was no great difference in volume, pH, and condition of semen between the two periods, but were 1.8-10.8% decrease in percentage of abnormal sperms, 7.8-29.9% increase in motility of spermatozoa, and 11.1-48.3% increase in their number on the former case.Further, the testing of statistical hypothesis such as K. PEASON'S control chart method and R. A. FISHER'S significance test for sample, averages by F-distribution were tried on these data, and following results were obtained.(1) There was no distinctive difference in percentage of abnormal sperms, and their motility, but there was some difference in number of spermatazoa between each tested ration and standard ration, and tested ration each other.(2) The difference between results of the tested feeds and the standard ration was found in the increase of total number of spermatozoa.(3) The results of statistical examination upon the tested feed, among which the significant difference in increase of total number of spermatozoa observed, are as follows.

The Relation of Certain Semen-quality Tests to Breeding Efficiency and Characteristics of Semen from Low-fertility Bulls Before and After Hormone Injection

Summary Laboratory tests for semen quality including concentration, motility, fructolysis index, percentage dead sperm, and percentage abnormal sperm were investigated for their relationship to breeding efficiency. The two latter tests were most closely correlated to fertility, as measured by 30-60 day non-returns. A deficiency of follicle-stimulating hormone appears as one of the factors involved in the production of low-quality semen by certain related bulls. The luteinizing hormone and testosterone appeared to be secreted in normal amounts in these bulls. Factors other than the above are indicated to have been involved in poor-quality semen production by three inbred Holstein bulls.

The Effect of Vitamin A Deficiency on Reproduction in Dairy Bulls

Summary Typical deficiency symptoms (total blindness, incoordination, emaciation, and extremely low blood plasma carotene and vitamin A values) were made to appear in 12 dairy bulls at different ages by adjusting the vitamin A intake. Seven of the animals (all that were tested more than twice) were proved fertile by artificially inseminated cows. The semen used was usually obtained in an artificial vagina but it had to be collected by massage from the animals that would not mount. These bulls were also fertile. Generally the semen was low in concentration, had a high percentage of abnormal sperm, a high pH, and did not store well. When gross vitamin A deficiency symptoms appeared before the expected breeding age, the bulls failed to breed; when symptoms appeared at about the expected breeding age, the bulls frequently failed to breed shortly thereafter; but when the deficiency became apparent after they had started breeding, this capacity was maintained. At autopsy all the bulls were found to have cystic pituitary glands. The degree of damage to the anterior lobe varied, probably less than one-fifth normal tissue remaining in four bulls, —three of which incidentally were among those proved fertile. The animals exhibiting avitaminosis A earliest in life generally showed the greatest damage to this gland. The epithelium of the seminiferous tubules was found to have undergone degeneration—some extensively. This epithelium, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and the bones of the skull were the only tissues of several examined that had become altered. Four of the bulls were fed rations supplemented with small amounts of.carotene (8 to 11 micrograms per pound) after the appearance of avitaminosis A. This caused them to start breeding but the quality of the semen generally was not substantially improved. The testes of these animals were generally in better condition at autopsy than those of animals that did not get supplemented rations—giving evidence that carotene had brought about repair. The germinal epithelium of one vitamin A deficient bull whose ration was supplemented but whose feed consumption was restricted was badly damaged, indicating failure to regenerate. It is likely that gross vitamin A deficiency symptoms will appear before severe impairment to a bull's reproductive performance will occur.

Variations in Bull Semen and their Relation to Fertility

Summary 1. A study of the semen of ten bulls used in the University of Missouri dairy herd has been made and the semen properties compared with the bulls’ breeding records. 2. The property of the semen most nearly correlated with fertility was the time of survival with vigorous motility hi semen stored at 40° Fahrenheit. 3. Among the different bulls, other properties of the semen such as pH, concentration, volume, percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, and initial motility were not correlated with the bull's fertility or time of survival with good motility except in the case of one bull of poor fertility which produced semen very high in abnormalities and very low in initial motility. 4. Among separate ejaculates from the same bull initial motility was roughly correlated with viability in storage. 5. Wide variations in all properties of the semen were observed, among ejaculates of different bulls as well as among ejaculates of the same bull. 6. It is proposed that a bull's fertility should be rated from examinations of at least five semen samples collected over a period of at least two weeks, and that the suitability for use or storage of a sample of semen from a fertile bull can best be determined at time of collection by examination for motility.

Density of Suspension and Morphology of Sperm in Relation to Fertility in the Fowl

THE PROBLEMMOST of the critical work upon problems of fertility in the fowl has been done in the past few years. The recent discovery of a method of artificial insemination has been a great stimulus to investigations in this field.Studies on mammals have indicated that there is a relationship between sperm morphology and fertility. Moench and Holt (1933) report sterility in men showing abnormalities in more than 25 percent of the sperm. Williams and Savage (1927) found in the bull evidence of sterility where the percentage of abnormal sperm was above 17. McKenzie and Phillips (1934) have reported an association between poor fertility and morphologically-defective spermatozoa in rams and boars. The relationship of density of sperm suspension to fertility has been studied in fowl by Hutt (1929), and in the rabbit by Walton (1927).The purpose of this study was to determine whether evidence could be found for .