Sperm Motility Research Articles

Effects of Gestational Exposure to Potassium Bromate as Food Additive on Reproductive and Immunological Parameters in Mouse Offspring

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is used as a food additive because of its high oxidizing characteristics, which have been linked to carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The study looked into how KBrO3 exposure during gestation affected the growth, reproductive performance, and immune cells of parental mice and their F1 generation. Thirty Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus) aged 27±3 days were collected from ICDDR'B in Dhaka, with 10 males and 20 females. When the mice reached 45 days of age, they were randomly separated into two groups, each with ten females and five males. Group A mice served as the untreated control, while group B mice were given KBrO3 at 400 mg/liter in drinking water. Body weights were obtained at 2-week intervals. The results revealed that KBrO3 reduced growth in both male and female parental mice. The KBrO3-treated group showed considerably reduced amounts of estradiol, testosterone, and T4 (P<0.01). Male mice treated with KBrO3 showed significant (P<0.05) reductions in sperm count and motility. The KBrO3-treated mice offspring weighed less and grew slowly. Neutrophil counts were somewhat higher in mice born in the KBrO3-treated group. The F1 offspring of mice in this group had decreased sperm count, motility, and testis weight (P<0.05). Testosterone and estradiol levels were lower in F1 mice born from the KBrO3 group than in F1 mice from the control group. The findings of the study suggested that KBrO3 may have multigenerational effects on growth and reproduction. However, more research on KBrO3 is required to get clear understanding of its mechanism. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 6(1): 109-116, 2024

Effect of Seminal Plasma on the Freezability of Boar Sperm

Background: Seminal plasma is an important component of semen and has a significant effect on sperm function. However, the relationship between seminal plasma and sperm freezing capacity has not been fully studied. Purpose: Exploring metabolites and proteins related to the boar sperm freezing capacity in seminal plasma, by metabolomic and proteomic approaches, and directly verifying the protective effect of seminal plasma on the cryopreservation of boar sperm using high and low freezability seminal plasma as base freezing extender. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 30 different boars, 11 high and 11 low freezing-resistant boars were selected after freezing 2~4 times, and seminal plasma was selected at the same time. Sperm motility and movement parameters were analyzed using a CASA system. Reproductive hormones (Testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, prolactin, prostaglandin F2α, luteinoid hormone) in seminal plasma were detected by ELISA. Analysis of proteins and metabolites in high and low freezing-resistant seminal plasma by proteomics and metabolomics techniques. Results: The six reproductive hormones tested were not significantly associated with sperm freezing resistance. A total of 13 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) and 38 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, while a total of 348 metabolites and 1000 proteins were identified. These DEMs were related to energy metabolism, drugs, or environmental pollutants, while the DEPs were mainly involved in the cytoskeletal dynamics and cell adhesion processes. There were 33 metabolites and 70 proteins significantly associated with mean progress motility (PM) at 10 min and 2 h after thawing. The 70 related proteins were associated with cell division and cycle regulation in gene ontology (GO) terms, as well as KEGG pathways, thermogeneration, and pyruvate metabolism. Using highly freezable boar SP as a base freezing extender made no difference from using lowly freezable boar SP, and both were not as good as the commercial control. Conclusion: There were significant differences in seminal plasma with different freezability, but the similarity was much greater than the difference. The protection effect of seminal plasma is not remarkable, and it does not exhibit superior cryoprotective properties compared to commercial semen cryoelongators. Significance: This study provides a deeper understanding of how seminal plasma composition affects sperm freezabilty. It provides potential biomarkers and targets for improving sperm cryopreservation techniques.

Seminal Characteristics of Short-term Stored Spermatozoa of Indigenous Aseel Chicken in Bangladesh

The purpose of this study is to look at the seminal characteristics of short-term stored spermatozoa (at 4°C) from indigenous Aseel chickens in Bangladesh. The abdominal massage technique was utilized to collect semen from adult Aseel chickens at 3-day intervals and microscopically analyze the semen quality. The semen was then diluted with egg yolk-citrate (EYC) extender and stored at 4°C. They were then evaluated at various storage times, including Day 0 (0 hours), Day 1 (24 hours), Day 2 (48 hours), Day 3 (72 hours), Day 4 (96 hours), and Day 5 (120 hours). The findings of the study revealed that as storage time progressed, sperm motility, live spermatozoa, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa decreased. Total motility percentage significantly (P<0.05) decreased with the extended storage time in case of all individual cock. Progressive motility percentage was significantly (P<0.05) decreased from Day 0 (57.4±3.21) to Day 5 (0.11±3.21). On the contrary, non-motile sperm percentage significantly increased in Day 5 (99.3±4.85) compared to Day 1 (21.9±4.85). On the other hand, live spermatozoa were significantly (P<0.05) higher (76.68±5.06%) on Day 0 (0 h) and gradually declined day after day and finally it was 0% on day 5 (120 h). Similarly, spermatozoa abnormalities were highest at Day 5 (11.29±1.69% head, 3.33±1.42% mid-piece and 7.26±1.66% tail) and head abnormalities were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the storage time. Therefore, this study concluded that the storage duration had a substantial impact on the quality of Aseel chicken sperm, which may be used for artificial insemination (AI). The outcomes of this study may be valuable for the conservation and enhancement of the indigenous Aseel chicken breed in Bangladesh through the use of AI. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 6(1): 65-72, 2024

Effects of the Interaction of Salinity and Rare Earth Elements on the Health of Mytilus galloprovincialis: The Case of Praseodymium and Europium

The growing use of products containing rare earth elements (REEs) may lead to higher environmental emissions of these elements, which can potentially enter aquatic systems. Praseodymium (Pr) and europium (Eu) are widely used REEs with various applications. However, their ecotoxicological impacts remain largely unexplored, with poorly understood risks to wildlife. Moreover, organisms also face environmental stressors like salinity fluctuations, and the nature of the interaction between salinity variations and contaminants is not yet clear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of salinity shifts on the impacts of Pr and Eu on adult mussels and the sperm of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis after 28 days and 30 min of exposure, respectively. To do so, biochemical and histopathological alterations were evaluated in adults, while biochemical and physiological changes were analysed in sperm. Additionally, the Integrated Biological Index (IBR) was calculated to understand the overall impact of each treatment. The results showed that adult mussels were most affected when exposed to the combination of high salinity and each element, which altered the behaviour of defence mechanisms causing redox imbalance and cellular damage. On the other hand, sperm demonstrated sensitivity to specific REE-salinity combinations, particularly Pr at lower salinity and Eu at higher salinity. These specific treatments elicited changes in sperm motility and velocity: Pr 20 led to a higher production of O2− and a decrease in velocity, while Eu 40 resulted in reduced motility and an increase in irregular movement. At both lower and higher salinity levels, exposure to Eu caused similar sensitivities in adults and sperm, reflected by comparable IBR scores. In contrast, Pr exposure induced greater alterations in sperm than in adult mussels at lower salinity, whereas the reverse was observed at higher salinity. These findings suggest that reproductive success and population dynamics could be modulated by interactions between salinity levels and REE pollution, highlighting the need for further investigation into how REEs and environmental factors interact. This study offers valuable insights to inform policymakers about the potential risks of REE contamination, emphasising the importance of implementing environmental regulations and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of these pollutants.

Swimming by Spinning: Spinning-Top Type Rotations Regularize Sperm Swimming Into Persistently Progressive Paths in 3D.

Sperm swimming is essential for reproduction, with movement strategies adapted to specific environments. Sperm navigate by modulating the symmetry of their flagellar beating, but how they swim forward with asymmetrical beats remains unclear. Current methods lack the ability to robustly detect the flagellar symmetry state in free-swimming spermatozoa, despite its importance in understanding sperm motility. This study uses numerical simulations to investigate the fluid mechanics of sperm swimming with asymmetrical flagellar beats. Results show that sperm rotation regularizes the swimming motion, allowing persistently progressive swimming even with asymmetrical flagellar beats. Crucially, 3D sperm head orientation, rather than the swimming path, provides critical insight into the flagellar symmetry state. Sperm rotations during swimming closely resemble spinning-top dynamics, with sperm head precession driven by the helical beating of the flagellum. These results may prove essential in future studies on the role of symmetry in microorganisms and artificial swimmers, as body orientation detection has been largely overlooked in favor of swimming path analysis. Altogether, this rotational mechanism provides a reliable solution for forward propulsion and navigation in nature, which would otherwise be challenging for flagella with brokensymmetry.

GALNTL5, which is restricted to mouse spermatids, impairs endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function through direct interaction with ER chaperone proteins

Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-like protein 5 (GALNTL5) was identified as a pp-GalNAc-T family gene. Nevertheless, GALNTL5 has no glycosyltransferase activity. In mice, Galntl5 expression is restricted to differentiating spermatids, and haploinsufficiency leads to immotile spermatozoa with an aberrant protein composition. Moreover, heterozygotic deletions of human GALNTL5 have been detected in patients diagnosed with asthenozoospermia (low sperm motility). Although these findings indicate that GALNTL5 is a functional molecule essential for mature sperm formation in mammals, the exact function of GALNTL5 in spermiogenesis remains unknown. To clarify this role, we established the mouse spermatocyte cell line GC-2spd(ts), which exhibits drug-inducible GALNTL5 expression. Interestingly, continuous GALNTL5 expression in the resultant cell lines caused apoptosis with cell shrinkage, and GALNTL5 was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and was associated with two ER-resident chaperone proteins, calnexin and BiP (GRP78). Calnexin recognized and strongly bound to the N-glycans on GALNTL5 molecules modified in the ER. In contrast, ER-resident BiP likely attached to GALNL5 regardless of its glycosylation. GALNTL5 expression abolished the binding between calnexin and misfolded substrate proteins, indicating that GALNTL5 directly blocks calnexin function. Furthermore, the interaction between GALNTL5 and calnexin decreased the level of BiP protein, and consequently also the expression levels of proteins that are resident in the ER, Golgi apparatus, and cytoplasm. These reduced protein levels were confirmed by loss of calnexin or BiP function in the GC-2spd(ts) cell line using siRNA knockdown. Further, sustained expression of GALNTL5 resulted in cell structure changes, including the position of the cis-Golgi apparatus and alterations in the ER network. These results strongly suggest that GALNTL5 contributes to alteration of the cell structure specific to differentiating spermatids by blocking ER function.

Assessing the outcomes of subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy: pulling technique compared to the conventional method.

The positive effect of varicocelectomy on sperm parameters (sperm morphology, concentration, motility) and fertility and pregnancy rates has been proven. Although various techniques have been defined for varicocele treatment, varicocelectomy with the pulling technique was first defined in 2017. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the effectiveness and reliability of subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy with the "pulling" technique and conventional subinguinal varicocelectomy. A total of841 patients who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy using the "pulling" or conventional technique between January 2015 and January 2024 were examined retrospectively. Patients with missing and/or inaccessible data, who were using empirical treatments, were excluded from the study. Demographic data, laboratory and imaging results, and peroperative and postoperative 3rd and 6th month semen analysis results of the remaining 231 patients were evaluated. The mean age of 231 patients who underwent varicocelectomy was 31.1 ± 5.5years. 202 of the patients (87.4%) were primary infertile. Conventional technique was applied to 124 (53.7%) of the 231 patients, while pulling technique was applied to 107 (46.3%) patients. No significant difference was found between the demographic and clinical data of the patients. The median number of ligated pampiniform plexus veins in the patient group who underwent pulling technique was statistically significantly less than that in the patient group that underwent the conventional method (4 vs 5, p = 0.03). In all patients who underwent varicocelectomy, semen volume, spermatozoa concentration, and progressive motile spermatozoa proportion increased significantly in the postoperative period (p = 0.002, p = 0.006, p = 0.001, respectively). No significant change was found in the proportion of spermatozoa with normal morphology (p = 0.617). The changes in semen analysis data from the preoperative period to the third and sixth postoperative months after varicocelectomy with conventional and pulling techniques were compared. No significant difference was found between the two techniques. Subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy with the "pulling" technique may be a safe and effective treatment option with fewer vein ligations compared to the standard surgical method.

The Motility of Mouse Spermatozoa Changes Differentially After 30-Minute Exposure Under Simulating Weightlessness and Hypergravity

Research into the mechanisms by which gravity influences spermatozoa has implications for maintaining the species in deep space exploration and may provide new approaches to reproductive technologies on Earth. Changes in the speed of mouse spermatozoa after 30 min exposure to simulated weightlessness (by 3D-clinostat) and 2 g hypergravity (by centrifugation) were studied using inhibitory analysis. Simulated microgravity after 30 min led to an increase in the speed of spermatozoa and against the background of an increase in the relative calcium content in the cytoplasm. This effect was prevented by the introduction of 6-(dimethylamino) purine, wortmannin, and calyculin A. Hypergravity led to a decrease in the speed of spermatozoa movement, which was prevented by sodium orthovanadate and calyculin A. At the same time, under microgravity conditions, there was a redistribution of proteins forming microfilament bundles between the membrane and cytoplasmic compartments and under hypergravity conditions—proteins forming networks. The obtained results indicate that even a short exposure of spermatozoa to altered gravity leads to the launch of mechanotransduction pathways in them and a change in motility.

Oxidation of thiol groups in membrane proteins inhibits the fertilization ability and motility of sperm by suppressing calcium influx.

The redox state of thiol groups derived from cysteine residues in proteins regulates cellular functions. Changes in the redox state of thiol groups in the epididymis are involved in sperm maturation. Furthermore, the redox state of thiol groups in proteins changes during the process of sperm capacitation. However, the effect of the redox state of thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins on the fertilization ability of sperm has not been studied. Therefore, in this study, we oxidized thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins using 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), which is a thiol-selective oxidizing agent, and examined the effect of oxidation of these thiol groups on the fertilization ability of sperm. Oocytes and sperm were obtained from C57BL/6J mice, and Jcl:ICR mice were used as recipients for embryo transfer. Oxidation of the thiol groups by DTNB decreased the in vitro fertilization rate, and removal of the zona pellucida recovered the fertilization rate. DTNB treatment decreased the amplitude of the lateral head, which is an indicator of hyperactivation, and suppressed an increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration, which is essential for hyperactivation. These findings suggest that oxidation of thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins can decrease the fertility of sperm by suppressing calcium ion influx and hyperactivation.

Novel homozygous SPAG17 variants cause human male infertility through multiple morphological abnormalities of spermatozoal flagella related to axonemal microtubule doublets.

Male infertility can result from impaired sperm motility caused by multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF). Distinct projections encircling the central microtubules of the spermatozoal axoneme play pivotal roles in flagellar bending and spermatozoal movement. Mammalian sperm-associated antigen 17 (SPAG17) encodes a conserved axonemal protein of cilia and flagella, forming part of the C1a projection of the central apparatus, with functions related to ciliary/flagellar motility, skeletal growth, and male fertility. This study investigated two novel homozygous SPAG17 mutations (M1: NM_206996.2, c.829+1G>T, p.Asp212_Glu276del; and M2: c.2120del, p.Leu707*) identified in four infertile patients from two consanguineous Pakistani families. These patients displayed the MMAF phenotype confirmed by Papanicolaou staining and scanning electron microscopy assays of spermatozoa. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of patients' spermatozoa also revealed a significant decrease in SPAG17 mRNA expression, and immunofluorescence staining showed the absence of SPAG17 protein signals along the flagella. However, no apparent ciliary-related symptoms or skeletal malformations were observed in the chest X-rays of any of the patients. Transmission electron microscopy of axoneme cross-sections from the patients showed incomplete C1a projection and a higher frequency of missing microtubule doublets 1 and 9 compared with those from fertile controls. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analyses of spermatogenesis-associated protein 17 (SPATA17), a component of the C1a projection, and sperm-associated antigen 6 (SPAG6), a marker of the spring layer, revealed disrupted expression of both proteins in the patients' spermatozoa. Altogether, these findings demonstrated that SPAG17 maintains the integrity of spermatozoal flagellar axoneme, expanding the phenotypic spectrum of SPAG17 mutations in humans.

Falling Sperm Counts in the Past 40 Years among Western Men: A Review Article

Background: Recently so many studies have documented a concerning decline in semen quality among men in Western countries over the past few decades. This decline, characterized by reduced sperm concentration, motility and morphology, has been linked to a range of potential factors. Lifestyle changes, such as increased obesity rates, sedentary lifestyle and exposure to environmental pollutants are believed to contribute significantly. Additionally, factors such as poor diet, high levels of stress and exposure to endocrine disrupting chemical may also play a role. This deterioration in semen quality raises a concern about male infertility. The purpose of this review is to address the main disorders of semen quality, its aetiologies and steps which are essential to overcome the issues. Further research is crucial to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of low quality semen on the reproductive health. J Com Med Col Teachers Asso July 2024; 28(2): 96-99

Non-invasive semen collection from rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrififus)

The main threats to the extinction of snakes are the loss and degradation of their natural habitat, mainly due to deforestation, urban expansion and fires. One of the ways of preserving snakes can be through the collection, analysis and cryopreservation of semen, and for collection, several techniques have been described, from compression and abdominal massage for ejaculation to the use of 1% lidocaine anesthetic solution for relaxation and direct access to the genital papilla. Therefore, the objective of the work was to revive the technique used in 1980, which consisted of abdominal massage and semen collection with the aid of a syringe. For the study, 5 snakes of the species Crotallus durissus terrificus (rattlesnake) were used, from APASS, in the city of Assis, state of São Paulo. The results obtained were an average seminal volume of 300 uL, with sperm motility of 68%, progressive motility: 3, sperm pathologies: 1, sperm concentration: 1.4 x 109 sptz/mL. Therefore, it is concluded that the non-invasive harvesting method using abdominal massage is still effective.

The Preventive Effect of Zinc Sulfate against Olanzapine-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Rats.

Male infertility is a complex and multifactorial clinical condition affecting a large population attributed to several factors, including perturbation in oxidative stress and the level of essential trace elements. Oxidative stress exerts multiple issues related to reproductive health, including male infertility, decreased sperm motility, sperm DNA damage, and an increased susceptibility to genetic disorders. Besides chemical toxins and food allergens in junk food items, many drugs can also lead to male infertility. Olanzapine (OLZ), a general antipsychotic drug, has also been reported to induce male fertility. A great deal of literature entails that supplementation of zinc can alleviate oxidative stress-related clinical complications, including male infertility. This study investigates the potential protective effects of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on OLZ-induced male infertility. In the present study, there were four treatment groups (n = 6): group 1 as control (without any treatment); group 2 treated with OLZ (10mg/kg) orally daily for 6weeks; groups 3 and 4 treated with 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg of ZnSO4 respectively in pre-exposed OLZ (10mg/kg) orally daily for 6weeks. After completion of the treatment, the biochemical analysis of serum and tissue samples demonstrated that group 2 had compromised levels of antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH)) as well as elevated levels of stress parameters (oxidized glutathione (GSSG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO)) as compared to the control by a significant extent (p ≤ 0.05). However, supplementation of ZnSO4 significantly corrected all these parameters in a dose-dependent way in groups 3 and 4 (p ≤ 0.05). Other health indicators, like taurine, enzyme Q10, phosphatidylcholine, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E, were also observed to improve prominently with the supplementation of ZnSO4. Intriguingly, all the fertility parameters (sperm motility, count and level of testosterone) were also found to be significantly enhanced with decreased sperm abnormalities in both the combination groups. The histological evaluation of the testis section also agreed with the biochemical analysis in this investigation. Therefore, the study strongly advocates that supplementation of Zn can ameliorate OLZ-induced male infertility to a significant extent.

The sitting men: A systematic review of spare and working time exposure to sedentariness in relation to semen parameters.

Over the past few decades, several studies have found that semen quality parameters have steadily declined over time. Many hypotheses have been made to explain this finding, among which a sedentary lifestyle has been investigated. To synthesize the current evidence, we performed a systematic review of published papers reporting on the relationship between sedentary habits and semen parameters. Embase and PubMed were systematically searched for papers published in English up to May 2023. We included all full-text observational papers that reported the relationship between sedentariness and semen parameters. Article selection adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Sixteen observational studies were ultimately included, six in healthy men and ten in men from Fertility Clinics. They encompassed a total of 13,509 men, with 9877 being healthy men and 3632 presenting at Fertility Clinics for initial assessment. In terms of semen volume, no association emerged in the six studies involving healthy men: however, results in men referring to fertility clinics mainly showed no association, with one indicating a decline and one higher volume. Twelve studies did not report differences in sperm concentration, while one study in men from Fertility Clinics and two in healthy men observed a decline in this parameter with increasing time spent on TV watching or sedentary posture in spare time. Total sperm count was found to be similar across groups of inactivity, except for one study that showed a significant decrease when men from Fertility Clinics spent more time watching TV. No significant differences were reported in sperm motility across all studies, with only one study, among those addressing sperm morphology, indicating a lower percentage of normal forms in men watching TV more than 3h per day. Finally, three studies conducted in men referring to Fertility Clinics analyzed the sperm DNA fragmentation index. Two of these studies found a higher DNA fragmentation index in men spending more time per day in a sitting posture. This review suggests a weak association between time spent sitting during spare time and sperm concentration, but the findings are inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research.

Zinc Attenuates Bisphenol A-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Male Mice by Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Apoptosis Through Improving Zinc Homeostasis.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a contaminant widely found in food packaging that can reduce sperm quality and impair male fertility. Zinc (Zn) is an important antioxidant involved in many important biological functions. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effect and mechanism of Zn on reproductive toxicity induced by BPA. Male ICR mice were divided into a control group, a BPA group and a BPA + Zn group. The results showed that the body weight, sperm count and sperm motility of the animals in the BPA group were significantly reduced, and testicular structure was damaged. BPA decreased the levels of serum total Zn, testis-free zinc, ADH and ALP, upregulated the expression of ZnT4 protein, and down-regulated the expression levels of ZIP8, ZIP14, ZnT1, MT and MTF1 protein, resulting in the imbalance of testicular Zn homeostasis. BPA down-regulates the antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px, and increases MDA, leading to oxidative stress. BPA up-regulates TF, TFR and STEAP3 and down-regulates SLC7A11, GPX4, FPN1 and FTH protein levels, resulting in abnormal iron metabolism and ferroptosis. BPA down-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, up-regulated pro-apoptotic markers Bax, caspase-9, caspase-8 and caspase-3, and induced apoptosis. BPA also increased the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2, but did not increase the phosphorylation of P38. Zn significantly increased body weight and sperm quality, improved testicular morphology, down-regulated p-JNK/JNK and p-ERK/ERK levels, improved oxidative stress, and reduced ferroptosis and apoptosis. In conclusion, Zn regulates Zn homeostasis and down-regulates the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and apoptosis, alleviating BPA-induced oxidative stress and ultimately improving male reproductive damage.

Semen Quality Correlation with Seminal Biochemistry and Enzymatic Profile of Barbari and Sirohi Bucks under Sub Tropical Environment

Background: The objective was to study the effect of seasonal variation on reproductive parameters, biochemical parameters and enzymes activity in relation to buck semen quality which would assist to produce good quality sperm doses for artificial insemination in goat farming. Methods: Four ejaculates fortnightly were collected from adult breeding Sirohi and Barbari bucks during summer and winter season by using artificial vagina for the study. Average meteorological data were recorded during the study. Reproductive parameters (scrotal temperature and scrotal circumference) were recorded and fresh semen samples were used for evaluation of sperm attributes (semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, mass motility, individual activity and live-dead sperm count). The seminal plasma was separated by from semen for estimation of different biochemical parameters (Total protein, Albumin, Total cholesterol and Calcium) and seminal enzymes activity (ALT, AST, ALP and LDH). Result: It was observed that sperm attributes and biochemical parameters were significantly (p less than 0.05) increased during winter as compared to summer season in both breed. No significant difference was observed for ALT in both breeds and seasons. Whereas, in summer AST activity was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than winter in both the breeds. In summer season ALP and LDH activity were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than winter in both the breeds. A positive correlation had observed with seminal biochemical parameters whereas a negative correlation with ALP and LDH. In conclusion, season influenced the semen quality in Barbari and Sirohi bucks and good quality semen produce during winter as compared to summer.

Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock

Melatonin, a pleiotropic hormone plays a vital role in enhancing livestock performance not only by regulating circadian rhythms but also by exhibiting antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and metabolic regulatory effects that collectively improve resilience, fertility, and productivity. Melatonin’s synthesis is predominantly influenced by light exposure, with increased production in darkness; however, factors such as diet and health status further modulate its levels. By helping animals adapt to environmental stressors, melatonin boosts immune responses, mitigates chronic illnesses, and optimizes production efficiency. Its regulatory influence extends to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, enhancing hormone secretion, synchronizing estrous cycles, and improving embryo viability. This results in improved reproductive outcomes through the protection of gametes, increased sperm motility, and enhanced oocyte quality, all of which benefit the fertilization process. Additionally, melatonin positively impacts productive performance, promoting muscle growth, development, and optimizing milk yield and composition through its interaction with metabolic and endocrine systems. As ongoing research continues to uncover its broader physiological effects, melatonin supplementation emerges as a promising approach to improving livestock welfare, productivity, and sustainability in modern animal husbandry.

Evaluation of carp sperm respiration: fluorometry with optochemical oxygen sensor versus polarography

The primary function of spermatozoa is to fertilize the oocyte, which depends on their motility and is directly associated with their metabolic state. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of spermatozoa reflects the respiratory capacity of sperm mitochondria under various physiological conditions and is an essential marker of sperm quality. We determined the OCR of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) sperm using two respirometry methods: the conventionally used polarographic method with a Clark-type electrode and fluorometric assay with an Oxo Dish optochemical oxygen sensor. The latter was used for the first time to evaluate spermatozoa oxygen consumption in various metabolic states (under different treatments) at different dilution rates. These two methods were compared using Bland–Altman analysis, and the applicability of the optochemical oxygen sensor for evaluating carp sperm oxygen consumption was discussed. Sperm motility and progressive velocity parameters were also assessed to evaluate the effect of sperm respiration under different metabolic states and dilution rates and preincubation period on the physiological status of spermatozoa. The comparison of these respirometry methods clearly shows that while the polarographic method allows immediate measurement of oxygen levels after adding a sperm sample, the optochemical oxygen sensor has a priority in the amount of data obtained due to simultaneous measurements of several samples (e.g., different males, different fish species, repetitions of the same sample or various experimental conditions), even at a later time after adding sperm to the measuring chamber. However, the compared methods are complementary, and the proposed methodology can be applied to other fish species.

Environmental Exposure to Per- and Polyfluorylalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Reproductive Outcomes in the General Population: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies

This Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) systematic review synthesized effects of background levels of per- and polyfluorylalkyl substance (PFAS) levels on reproductive health outcomes in the general public: fertility, preterm birth, miscarriage, ovarian health, menstruation, menopause, sperm health, and in utero fetal growth. The inclusion criteria included original research (or primary) studies, human subjects, and investigation of outcomes of interest following non-occupational exposures. It drew from four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO)) using a standardized search string for all studies published between 1 January 2017 and 13 April 2022. Risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted and reviewed by multiple reviewers. Each study was summarized under its outcome in terms of methodology and results and placed in context, with recommendations for future research. Of 1712 records identified, 30 were eligible, with a total of 27,901 participants (33 datasets, as three studies included multiple outcomes). There was no effect of background levels of PFAS on fertility. There were weakly to moderately increased odds of preterm birth with higher perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) levels; the same for miscarriage with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels. There was limited yet suggestive evidence for a link between PFAS and early menopause and primary ovarian insufficiency; menstrual cycle characteristics were inconsistent. PFAS moderately increased odds of PCOS- and endometriosis-related infertility, respectively. Sperm motility and DNA health were moderately impaired by multiple PFAS. Fetal growth findings were inconsistent. This review may be used to inform forthcoming drinking water standards and policy initiatives regarding PFAS compounds and drinking water. Future reviews would benefit from more recent studies. Larger studies in these areas are warranted. Future studies should plan large cohorts and open access data availability to capture small effects and serve the public. Funding: Great Lakes Water Authority (Detroit, MI), the Erb Family Foundation through Healthy Urban Waters at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), and Wayne State University CLEAR Superfund Research (NIH P42ES030991).

Probiotics Combined with Metformin Improves Sperm Parameters in Obese Male Mice through Modulation of Intestinal Microbiota Equilibrium.

The decline in sperm parameters among obese males has attracted significant scholarly interest. The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in obesity, and investigating the intestinal-reproductive axis may offer a novel molecular approach to addressing the decline in male sperm parameters caused by obesity. To clarify whether probiotics, either alone or in conjunction with metformin, can enhance sperm parameters in obese male mice and assess the underlying mechanisms involved.6-week-old male mice were constructed as obese models. Probiotics and metformin were used as intervention conditions. Changes in inflammatory factors and ROS content were detected by ELISA, morphological changes in testicular and colon tissues were observed by H&E staining, changes in intestinal microbiota abundance were detected by 16SrRNA gene sequencing, and changes in metabolites such as blood glucose, blood lipids, and lipopolysaccharide were detected by biochemical testing to investigate the mechanism of probiotics, metformin, and their combination to ameliorate reproductive impairment in obese male mice. Our results revealed that high-fat diet would result in reduced testicular spermatogenic tubule hierarchy, decreased spermatogenic cell counts, decreased sperm concentration and motility, and altered abundance of intestinal microbiota, whereas the combination of probiotics and metformin could restore high-fat-mediated pathophysiological alterations thereby ameliorating spermatogenic disorders in mice.The combination of probiotics and metformin can attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress, while enhancing androgen production to improve testicular spermatogenic function by re-construction intestinal microbiota equilibrium in HFD mice.