Semen Quality Indices Research Articles

SEMEN QUALITY AND TESTOSTERONE CONCENTRATION IN MALE RABBITS FED CARICA PAPAYA LEAF MEAL

Unconventional feedstuff such as Carica papaya leaf remains a relatively cheap alternate ingredient in animal feed. However, its impact on reproductive indices in farm animals have not been extensively documented. This study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of Carica papaya leaf meal on libido, semen quality and testosterone concentration in rabbit bucks. Twenty- four mature male rabbits were used for this study. The bucks were randomly allotted into four groups (CLM0, CLM5, CLM10 and CLM15) with six rabbits each and fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150g of Carica papaya per kg of diet respectively for eight weeks. Libido score and semen quality was assessed weekly while serum levels of testosterone were measured at the end of the experiment using standard procedures. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Result showed that Carica papaya leaf meal had no significant effect on libido score, semen quality indices and testosterone concentration in the rabbit bucks. However, semen volume and sperm concentration were lower in bucks fed CLM diets. The highest libido score and testosterone concentration were recorded in rabbits fed 10% CLM while rabbits fed diets with no CLM had the highest semen volume and sperm concentration. Sperm concentration decreased with increasing CLM level. This implies that feedingadult male rabbits diets containing Carica papaya leaf meal may depress spermatogenic activities over a period as the dietary level increases.

The relationship between semen quality in male infertility clinic patients and bisphenol A：A Chinese cross-sectional study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a growing concern as an endocrine-disrupting chemical due to its adverse health effects. However, the association between BPA and sperm quality in adult human males remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the daily life exposure level of BPA and analyze its correlation with sperm quality in males. Patients who sought treatment in Chinese infertility clinics between May and October 2023 were selected as study subjects. We determined participants' serum BPA content using high-performance liquid chromatography. Sperm count and motility were assessed using a computer-aided sperm analysis system, while sperm morphology was analyzed using an improved Papanicolaou stain. A total of 405 participants, averaging 33.01 ± 5.44 years old, were included. We observed low semen quality among participants in infertility clinics. Principal component analysis was performed for each semen quality index, and three principal components reflecting sperm motility, count, and morphology were extracted. The participants' mean serum BPA level was 6.96 ng/mL. Negative correlations were observed between serum BPA content and total sperm count, sperm density, forward motility rate, and non-forward motility rate. A positive correlation was found between the non-motile sperm rate and the head deformity rate. Morphological abnormalities were the predominant adverse effects observed. Despite low daily life BPA exposure, long-term low-dose exposure in the general population may damage semen quality. This study provides a scientific basis for managing health risks associated with BPA exposure.

Impact of seasons and management factors on seminal attributes and frozen semen doses production in Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy bulls

Major problems with frozen semen doses (FSD) production from crossbred dairy bulls are high disposal rates due to unsatisfactory breeding soundness, sub-fertility, poor semen quality, and freezability. The study aims to evaluate, within the same genetic background of bulls, the identification of important non-genetic factors that could significantly influence semen characteristics and breeding ability. Bulls' category (FSD producer vs. no FSD producer) had significantly affected sperm and semen traits. Age significantly affected all semen attributes studied, and quality increased up to five years of age in FSD bulls, in contrast, only two years in Non-FSD bulls. The semen quality index (SQI) of Non-FSD bulls remained inferior lifelong, and five years old Non-FSD bulls SQI was even lesser than that of two years old FSD bulls. Seasons significantly influenced ejaculate characteristics, sperm productivity, and FSD production. Semen quality, sperm output, and FSD production were the highest during summer and lowest in rainy seasons. It was concluded that dependent on season, the age of the bull significantly influenced qualitative and quantitative attributes of semen; age-wise quality improvement was substantial in FSD but negligible in Non-FSD bulls after two years. The study recommended that germplasm harvest from crossbred bulls should be emphasized during the summer and winter seasons for more FSD production. Two-year-old bulls with SQI <50 should be culled immediately because their semen quality did not improve afterward. Adoption of stress amelioration during the rainy season might help increase semen quality and FSD production in crossbred bulls under tropical climatic conditions.

Semen characteristics of Nigerian roosters fed diets containing Curcuma longa powder

Semen quality is critical to avian reproduction and chiefly influenced by feeding. Improving the seminal features of local poultry with dietary technologies is significant to fortifying man’s deficient dietary resource. Hence, this study evaluated the semen quality indices of Nigerian roosters fed grower diets containing different levels of Curcuma longa powder (CLP) in a 70-day feeding trial. The experiment randomly placed test roosters (n = 36) into four distinct groups (T1-T4), having replications of 3 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The birds were fed ad libitum on grower feeds containing CLP inclusions according to groups, i.e., T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively had 0, 20, 35, and 50 g of CLP kg–1 feed. Routine vaccinations and prophylaxis was duly administered during experimentation. Semen collection and sampling for physical seminal features were conducted and analyzed. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) effects of dietary CLP on sperm concentration (SC), live spermatozoa (LS), and dead spermatozoa (DS) of the test roosters. High SC and LS of roosters fed on CLP diets were significantly different (p < 0.05) from control, just as DS of T1 was higher (p < 0.05) than CLP groups. Thus, placing Nigerian roosters on diets scented with up to 50 g of Curcuma longa powder per kilogram of feed improved their seminal characteristics.

Association of linear type pelvic traits with testicular characteristics and reproductive capability of breeding dairy bulls.

Associations of pelvic linear type traits (PLT) on production and reproduction of cows were widely documented; in contrast, importance of PLT on bulls' reproductive ability, semen quality, semen cryo-preservability, frozen semen doses (FSD) production etc. was inadequately reported. The present study was conducted on Frieswal bulls (N=378, age: 6-91months, m) to assess age-wise growth dynamics of pelvic dimensions, classifying age into 6 groups (6m, 7-12 m, 13-24 m, 25-36 m, 37-48 m, >48 m). Iso-age group bulls' (N=100; 25-36 m) records were analysed after classifying seasons (summer/rainy/winter) of semen collection, if pelvic morphometric traits had any practical associations with testicular traits, semen quality and FSD production or not. A discriminant function was developed based on PLT, which showed poor predictive ability to distinguish FSD/non-FSD category bulls. Age significantly influenced growth and dimensions of gonadal and external pelvic morphometry traits. The dimensions of PLT increased at higher rate up to 36 m age and thereafter enhancement became insignificant. Pelvic linear type traits were positively (p < .01) associated with testicular/scrotal traits. Among PLT studied, pelvic triangle area (PTA) was the strongest discriminating variable to distinguish between good and poor breeding bulls. Bulls of larger PTA (≥1000 cm2 ), at average 30 m age, produced relatively inferior-quality semen, viz. lower volume (-3%), sperm concentration (-48 × 106 /mL), motility, semen quality index, total sperm counts/ejaculate (-601 × 106 ), motile sperm counts/ejaculate (-474 × 106 ) and total post-thaw motile sperm counts (-226 106 ), than bulls of lesser PTA (<1000 cm2 ). It was concluded that external PTA could be a useful addition to the bulls' breeding soundness evaluation.

Preliminary study of virtual touch tissue imaging quantification in diffuse testicular diseases of male infertility

Objective To explore the preliminary application method and diagnostic value of virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) in diffuse testicular diseases of male infertility. A total of 70 male examiners in our hospital from June 2019 to March 2020 were selected as the research objects. According to whether the subjects are sick (testicular microlithiasis, varicocele), all subjects are divided into three groups: normal group, testicular microlithiasis group, and varicocele group. Whether there is a difference between the groups, and analyze whether there is a correlation between the index reflecting the quality of the semen and the testicular shear wave velocity. The measurement of different positions in the testis will affect the magnitude of the shear wave velocity (P < 0.05). The shear wave velocities of the testes of different diseases are obviously different from the normal side. At the same time, postural changes will have a certain impact on the shear wave velocities of both testes (all P < 0.05). There is a certain correlation between the testicular shear wave velocity and the conventional semen quality index (total sperm motility (P < 0.05)) of the subjects. Acoustic palpation tissue imaging quantitative technology can be applied to the diagnosis of male testes and testicular-related diseases (especially diffuse testicular diseases), and is more suitable for male infertility, which can provide clinical diagnosis and treatment options certain imaging basis.

Effects of Sargassum virgatum extracts on the testicular measurements, genomic DNA and antioxidant enzymes in irradiated rats

Background Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are primarily responsible for the development of male infertility after exposure to γ-irradiation. The present work aimed to assess the ameliorative and therapeutic roles of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the edible seaweed Sargassum virgatum (S. virgatum) on spermatogenesis and infertility in γ-irradiated Wistar rats. Materials and methods Induction of infertility was performed by exposing the rats to 137Cs-gamma rays, using a single dose of 3.5 Gy. γ-irradiated rats were given the S. virgatum ethanolic (S. virgatum-EtOH) and aqueous extracts intraperitoneally on a daily base for two consecutive weeks at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) for each seaweed extract. Morphometric data of the testes, semen quality indices, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation were assessed. The results obtained were taken during two-time intervals of 15 and 60 days from the commencement of the algal treatments. In vitro antioxidant assays and polyphenolic compounds of S. virgatum were characterized. Results Significant negative changes in the semen quality and morphometric data of the testes, as well as remarkable DNA fragmentation, were detected in the irradiated rats compared to the control. The levels of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx) were also significantly diminished. Nonetheless, treatments of γ-irradiated rats with the S. virgatum-EtOH and aqueous extracts significantly improved the above-mentioned enzymes, in addition to noteworthy amendments in the dimensions of the testes, the semen quality, as well as the DNA structure. Conclusions The ameliorative potency of S. virgatum to cure γ-irradiation-induced male infertility, particularly 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract for 60 days, is the result of the consistent therapeutic interventions of its potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic polyphenols, particularly protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic, cinnamic and gentisic acids, as well as the flavonoids catechin, hesperidin, rutin and quercetin. Besides its high-value nutraceutical importance, S. virgatum could be a natural candidate for developing well-accepted radioprotectant products capable of treating γ-irradiation-induced male infertility.

English

The effect of three strains of Lactobacillus based probiotics on the growth performance and semen quality of toms was conducted in a thirty-four week study. Eighty day-old (d 1) poults were randomly divided into 4 groups, replicated twice with 10 birds per replicate and assigned to four treatments; T1 (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp Bulgaricus), T2 (Lactobacillus acidophilus), T3 (Lactobacillus sporogens) and T4 (control), in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Results showed significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in the birds&rsquo; mean values for average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and final body weight. Birds on T2 had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher final body weight than other treatment groups. Toms on T4 had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher values for feed conversion ratio than birds on probiotic treatment with T2 recording the least value. However, the effect of treatments on the semen physical characteristics of the birds were also found to be significant (P&lt;0.05). The birds on probiotic treatment recorded higher values for the semen quality indices under study than the control group, with T2 having the highest values. It was thus concluded that of the three strains of Lactobacillus based probiotics used in the current study, T2 (L. acidophilus) improved the growth performance and semen quality of local toms. &nbsp; Key words: Artificial insemination, direct-fed microbial, growth, nutrition, turkey production.

Supplementation of vitamin A to local chicken diets in tropical environment enhances seminal quality and blood testosterone concentration.

There is insufficient information on the role of micronutrient supplementation on the productivity of local breeder cocks in a tropical environment. The target of this research, thus, was to deduce the impact of dietary vitamin A incorporation on semen traits and testosterone concentration of local breeder cocks in a tropical environment. One hundred twenty-eight-matured Nigerian local breeder cocks aged 10-12months were alloted to 4 groups (n = 32): a control group (A) was fed experimental diet supplemented with vitamin A at 0IU/kg feed and supplemented groups (B-D) fed commercial poultry diet supplemented with vitamin A at 250, 500 and 750IU/kg feed for 16weeks. Every group was replicated 4 times with 16 birds in every a replicate. A quadratic typed optimization function was employed to determine the optimum vitamin A supplementation that statistically improved serum testosterone and semen quality indices in local breeder cocks. Semen profiling and serum testosterone concentration were analysed at week 4 (pre-supplementation period), and thereafter at weeks 4, 8 and 12 (supplementation period). Serum testosterone and semen quality indices at pre-supplementation period were similar (p < 0.05) among the groups. Birds on 500IU vitamin A/kg diet produced sperm with highest (p < 0.05) active motile cells and normal morphology compared to birds on the other 3 diets. Local breeder cocks fed diets having 500 and 750IU vitamin A/kg diet produced sperm with lowest (p < 0.05) sluggish motile cells compared with those fed the control diet. Semen pH, volume, sperm concentration (SC), acrosome morphology defects and serum testosterone concentration were not affected by vitamin A supplementation. The result of the quadratic optimization model revealed that sluggish motile sperm (Y = 41.098-10.230x + 0.903x2; r2 = 0.943, p = 0.039) and normal sperm morphology (Y = 82.665 + 8.834x - 1.500x2; r2 = 0.965, p = 0.001) was optimized (p < 0.05) at 5664 and 2945IU/kg feed, respectively. However, other parameters estimated were not significantly influenced. It is concluded that vitamin A supplementation enhanced sperm quality in local breeder cocks.

Correlation between Testicular Hemodynamic and Semen Quality Indices in Clinical Varicocele Patients in Pakistan.

Varicocele, a vascular event, is associated with infertility due to testicular damage that causes abnormal spermatogenesis in males. The goal of this study is to ascertain the diagnostic significance of scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) by measuring peak systolic value (PSV) and resistive index (RI) of the arteries supplying blood to the testis and their association with semen quality attributes. Sixty prospective patients (age: 20-50 years) undergoing microsurgical varicocelectomy at a teaching hospital were included in the study. Semen parameters and CDUS were recorded and testicular blood flow was determined as PSV and RI of subcapsular artery and intraparenchymal artery of the testes. Nonparametric statistics was applied to test the correlation/association of the semen quality with the PSV, RI, and other variables. Results revealed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.28; p < 0.05) between progressive motility of spermatozoa and resistive index of the intraparenchymal arterial blood flow. Furthermore, it was noticed that the progressive motility of spermatozoa was tended to be negatively correlated (r = -0.236) with resistive index of subcapsular arterial blood flow. In conclusion, this study has revealed that progressive motility of sperms has correlation with the intraparenchymal blood flow of testes. The progressive motility of sperms could be correlated with RI of testicular blood flow. The apparent lack of association between diameter of varicocele vein and semen quality signifies the need of investigating some other factors that may be involved in pathogenicity of varicocele. The diagnostic value of CDUS may be carefully interpreted and clinically correlated in assessment of severity of varicocele.

Effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on seminal quality indices and fertility rate in broiler breeder roosters

ABSTRACT 1. Decreased semen quality is an underlying contributor to age-related subfertility in broiler breeder roosters. This study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin (derived from turmeric) supplementation as an antioxidant source on semen quality and fertility in broiler breeder roosters. 2. Twenty-eight Ross 308 roosters were randomly allotted to four groups with seven birds in each and were fed a standard diet supplemented with different levels of curcumin at 0 (C0), 10 (C10), 20 (C20) and 30 (C30) mg/bird per day from 48 through to 61 weeks of age. Body weight and semen quality traits were evaluated on a weekly basis and seminal concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of antioxidation status were quantified at one-week intervals during the first 11 weeks of the trial (48–59 weeks of age). Semen samples from last 2 weeks (60 and 61 weeks of age) were used to artificially inseminate to assess the sperm-egg penetration (SP) in perivitelline membrane and fertility rates. 3. Except for body weight and ejaculate volume, other characteristics, including semen concentration, total sperm production, progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity were linearly improved by the increasing levels of curcumin supplementation (P < 0.01). However, dietary curcumin levels were linearly and quadratically associated with decreased seminal concentration of MDA (P < 0.01 and P < 0.03), percentage of abnormal sperm (P < 0.01 and P < 0.07) and increased plasma membrane functionality (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04), respectively. The SP holes in perivitelline membrane were increased in a linear and quadratic manner in response to increasing levels of curcumin (P < 0.01). Moreover, fertility rate was linearly improved (P < 0.01) as the dosage of curcumin increased, and resulted in 8, 12 and 14% improvements in the birds fed C10, C20 and C30, compared to C0, respectively. 4. In conclusion, the results showed that increasing levels of dietary supplementation of curcumin was associated with beneficial effects on semen quality indices and fertility rate in aged broiler breeder roosters.

Antibiotics, Penicillin and Sreptomycin improve semen quality indices of endangered Caspian brown trout,Salmo trutta caspius(Kessler, 1870) duringin vitroshort-term storage

In this study, we examined the effects of 500 IU mL−1 penicillin + 500 μg mL−1 streptomycin sulphate on semen quality indices of endangered caspian brown during 12 days short-term storage at 4°C. Twenty-four millilitre semen samples with good quality were considered for the experiment. The semen samples were then stored in the presence and absence of 500 IU mL−1 penicillin + 500 μg mL−1 streptomycin sulphate. The semen quality parameters including percentage and duration of sperm motility were measured 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after storage. In the antibiotic receiving group, the values of percentage and duration of sperm motility reduced 3 and 6 days after storage respectively and reduced to lowest levels at day 12. In the antibiotic-free group, the duration and percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly after 3 days of storage and reached to lowest values at day 12. Also, percentage and duration of sperm motility in each storage time were significantly higher in the antibiotic receiving group than in the antibiotic-free group. The overall values of percentage and duration of sperm motility for all storage periods were higher in the antibiotic receiving group than in the antibiotic-free group. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that 500 IU mL−1 penicillin + 500 μg mL−1 streptomycin sulphate improves the viability of caspian brown trout during short-term storage.

Commercial extenders and freezing curves for the preservation of sperm cells of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

During the reproductive season of the white-tailed deer, 36 diluted semen samples from deer were evaluated before freezing, and at the time of thawing. The samples were obtained by electro ejaculation from three sedated deer with a mixture of Zoletil® and xylazine hydrochloride. Samples were diluted with three commercial extenders Biladyl®, Trilady® and Bioxcell® and frozen by applying two freezing curves, the one used for sheep and goat, and the recommended for deer semen. The response variable was the Semen Quality Index for Deer (SQID%) obtained from the estimation of the percentage of gross motility, progressive motility, alive sperms, normal sperms and sperm concentration. The results of the statistical analysis showed differences (p = 0.0301) between the extenders before freezing, resulting Bioxcell® with greater SQID (60.77%), while for Triladyl® and Biladil® rates were 48.39% and 33.01%, respectively. As for the evaluated freezing curves, no differences were found (p = 0.5502) between the recommended curve for deer semen and the curve used for sheep and goat semen. In the present study, the use of the SQID as response variable turned out to be useful in the assessment of diluents and freezing curves.

Seminal characteristics and artificial insemination of Chinese pheasants, Tragopan temminckii, Lophophorus impeyanus, and Lophophorus lhuysii

AbstractLong‐term conservation plans for endangered species of birds include the study of basic reproductive functions and the development of artificial reproductive techniques. This 6 year study of Chinese pheasants resulted in the description of seminal characteristics and the production of chicks from artificial insemination in each of three species. Semen was collected three times a week from February through June from two Temminck's tragopans (Tragopan temminckii), four Himalayan monals (Lophophorus impeyanus), and one Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii). Ejaculates were analyzed for volume, concentration, and motility; some were extended and used for artificial insemination (AI). A semen quality index (SQI) was calculated from all measured semen parameters to generate a single number to facilitate the comparison of males, years, and species. For all three species, insemination of fresh semen began the day a hen laid an egg and continued two or three times a week until the end of the study. Over all years, tragopan 2 produced semen with a higher SQI than tragopan 1. Variation within individual Himalayan monals was also recorded with SQIs ranging from a low of 10.8 for male 4 to a high of 25.8 for male 1. When all males were compared by species, the Chinese monal, collected only in 1 year, exhibited a higher SQI than the tragopans or the Himalayan monals. During one 54 day period, a single tragopan hen was inseminated twice, 28 days apart to assess the longevity of inseminated sperm in the female reproductive tract. Fertile eggs were laid for 21 days following the first insemination and for 26 days following the second insemination. AI of tragopans and Himalayan monals resulted in 100% hatchability; for Chinese monals, the figure was 57%. It is believed that this study represents the first report of successful artificial insemination in Himalayan and Chinese monals. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Improved diagnosis of male fertility potential via a combination of quantitative ultramorphology and routine semen analyses.

The aim of this study was to develop a new male fertility diagnostic profile based on quantitative ultramorphology parameters and to determine the contribution of this profile to the enhancement of the routine semen analysis index reported previously. Semen samples from 208 males of known fertility and suspected infertility were evaluated for the ultrafine structure of the following sperm cell organelles: acrosome, post-acrosomal lamina, nucleus, neck, axonema, mitochondrial and fibrous sheaths. For each of these organelles, four pathological states (agenesis, incomplete genesis, malformation and degradation) and an intact state were defined. A quantitative ultramorphology index based on the incidence of intact nucleus, acrosome and fibrous sheath malformations enabled high accuracy in the classification (97% sensitivity and 90% specificity) of 74% of the cases. A combined semen quality index based on a proportional combination of the semen analysis and quantitative ultramorphology indices was found to increase the percentage of cases classified correctly to 80%. It was proposed that semen specimens of males whose fertility status cannot be predicted clearly using routine semen analysis should be fixed and sent for quantitative ultramorphology analysis to specialized laboratories so that their fertility potential can be determined more accurately using the semen quality index.