Total Sperm Output Research Articles

Fertility preservation in males with cancer of trends, region development, and efficacy in mainland China from 16 regions Chinese sperm banks.

Male cancer survivors experience confusion about fertility following cancer treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate survivors' semen quality in different tumor type groups in China and to analyze the current situation and challenges of male cancer patients with sperm cryopreservation. This was a multicenter retrospective study of male patients with cancer who underwent sperm cryopreservation in 16 regions of the national sperm banks over an 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. The number of male cancer patients with sperm cryopreservation showed an overall upward trend. The development of male cancer fertility preservation (FP) in the eastern, central, and western regions of Chinese displayed imbalance. There are seven tumor types for sperm preservation in the top incidence ten tumor types, including lymphoma, leukemia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, sarcoma, thyroid cancer, and brain tumor. Moreover, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a high incidence rate in China, which is related to high sperm preservation rate, different from other countries. The most percentage of males receiving sperm cryopreservation in the testicular cancers (15-39years old) of China in 2020 was 5.55%, 1.29% in the lymphoma, and 0.39% in the leukemia. According to the type of cancer, a statistically significant lower pre-sperm density, total sperm output, and post-sperm density was observed in testicular cancers. It is worth noting that the prevalence of azoospermia 22.2% in leukemia patients attribute to urgent treatment before sperm cryopreservation. Disposition of cryopreserved sperm categories included continued storage (47.2%), discarded (9%), death (0.9%), and use (3.7%). This study provides the firstcomprehensive national statistical census and review of fertility preservation in male cancer patients with respect totrends, prevalence, and cancer types. The development of male cancer fertility preservation in China is imbalanced and percentage of males receiving sperm cryopreservation in the adolescent and young adult cancers was low. Sixteen human sperm banks from China analyze current problems and challenges, and then prioritize steps toward the achievement of the FP strategy framework for Healthy China 2030.

Influence of two collection frequency intervals on sperm quality of standard and miniature bull Terriers during short breeding periods: A clinical field study.

The quality of canine sperm can be influenced by many factors, such as breed, body weight, age, ejaculatory frequency, nutrition, and environment. In the UK, it is common practice for standard Bull Terriers (SBT) and miniature Bull Terriers (MBT) to require male donors during a short breeding period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of semen collection frequency on ejaculate volume and nine sperm parameters in SBT and MBT males, considering age and body condition score (BCS). Ejaculates from six adult SBTs and four MBTs were collected 5 times at two consecutive intervals (Time Series [TS]1, 24 h vs. TS2, 48 h), 1 week apart. Ejaculate volume, concentration, total output, viability (live sperm), subjective total motility, vigor, and total morphological defects, including head, midpiece, and tail defects of sperm, were evaluated. A multivariable mixed linear model for repeated measures was used to analyze the effects of semen collection frequency, age, breed, and BCS on ejaculate volume and sperm parameters. Semen collection frequency, age, and, to a lesser extent, breed, and BCS significantly affected sperm parameters. Semen collection frequency affected all sperm parameters (p < 0.05) but not ejaculate volume (p > 0.05). Total sperm output, sperm vigor, total motility, and tail defects decreased (p < 0.05) at the end of TS1. However, sperm parameters remained relatively constant (p > 0.05) in TS2 between semen collection sessions. Overall, poorer sperm parameters were observed in older dogs (aged 5-8 years) than in younger dogs (aged 4 years). MBT produced less (p < 0.001) ejaculate volume (3.2 ± 0.2 mL vs. 4.3 ± 0.2 mL: Least Squares Mean ± Standard Error of Mean), lower total sperm output (221.8 ± 19.2 × 106 vs. 348.6 ± 19.2 × 106) and lower total morphological defects (25.0 ± 1.1% vs. 31.3 ± 0.9%), and a higher percentage of live sperm (77.0 ± 1.4% vs. 71.7 ± 1.1%) than SBT. In addition, a BCS of 4 positively influenced (p < 0.05) viability, vigor, and total sperm motility. Despite differences in age, breed, and BCS, better sperm parameter values were observed in all semen collection sessions. However, intensive semen collection (TS1) appears to be less effective in maintaining good sperm quality. For breeding or artificial insemination purposes, a 48-h interval between collection sessions is recommended for both breeds. The results of this study could be used to further optimize assisted reproductive technologies in both breeds.

Testicular biometry and certain aspects of epididymal semen of abattoir derived Murrah bull testes

The aim of this study to assess the biometric parameters of abattoir derived testicles of Murrah buffalo bull. Thirty-six pair of Murrah buffalo bull testicles were collected immediately after slaughter from different abattoir, packed in ice chest (4oC) and transferred to DFS Laboratory, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, UP, India. The tests were processed within six hours of collection. Various biometric parameters testes (testicular length, circumference, diameter, volume, and weight) epididymis (weight, length and width of caput and corpus as well as length and circumference of cauda) was measured. The epididymal semen was harvested and measured; Volume (0.43±0.02 to 0.52±0.05 ml), concentration (1708±105.2 to 1958±126.8 million/ml) and total sperm output (804.2±30.73 to 931.7±103.2 million) was estimated. All biometric parameters were significantly higher in left testicles than those of right contemporaries. Present findings suggest that aforementioned biometric parameters can be used to judge the normality of testis, furthermore, epididymal semen can be harvested from meritorious Murrah buffalo bulls with sudden or unexpected death.

DISTILLER’S DRIED GRAINS SUPPLEMENTED Wz3ITH ENZYME COCKTAIL AND YEAST AFFECT EGG QUALITY, REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD PROFILE OF BREEDING HENS

This experiment aimed to examine the influences of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in breeding hen’s nutrition (0, 10, and 20%, respectively) with or without enzyme cocktail blend and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SC) supplementation on the sustainability of eggs and semen quality, fertility and hatchability, and blood biochemistry. In total, 360, twenty weeks old indigenous Inshas breeding hens and 36 Inshas cocks (for natural mating) were used in the experiment. Inshas is a crossing breed that originated from mating Sinai and White Plymouth Rock breeds. Hens and cocks of all experimental groups had approximately similar initial body weights (1,560 ± 12.3 g) at the start of the experiment and were divided into 12 groups, each containing three replicates (10 hens + 1 cock). Moreover, 60 cocks were divided into 12 groups of five cocks each and housed individually in cages for semen quality estimation using the artificial collection technique. Increasing DDGS up to 20% in diets of breeding hens decreased (p≤0.05) eggshell thickness compared to 0 and 10% DDGS, but it elevated (p≤0.05) color of yolk and Haugh unit score during the storage period. Dietary treatments did not significantly affect the percentage fertility, hatchability, and abnormality of embryos and body weight of day-old chicks. Semen quality was not significantly affected by dietary DDGS. Yeast supplementation increased (p≤0.05) sperm concentration per ejaculate by 5.21% and total normal sperm/ejaculate and sperm concentration by 5.87%. Increasing DDGS levels up to 10% and 20% decreased blood plasma total cholesterol by about 4.1%. Enzyme cocktail supplementation increased (p≤0.05) blood plasma Ca by 5.4% of 20% DDGS diets, but other blood plasma parameters were unaffected. Enzyme cocktail addition to DDGS diets also decreased plasma cholesterol by 3.63%. Feeding a 10% and 20% DDGS diet increased (p≤0.05) plasma creatinine by 9.75% and decreased the uric acid/creatinine ratio by about 11.1%. In conclusion, corn DDGS could be included in dual-purpose breeding hen’s diet up to 20% without adverse effects on the sustainability of the quality of eggs and semen, fertility and hatchability, and blood biochemistry. Furthermore, enzyme cocktail at 500 gm/ton feed and yeast at 1 kg/ton feed supplementations significantly and similarly improved eggshell thickness by 1.44-1.72%, and yeast increased sperm concentration and total sperm output per ejaculate. Key words: Distillers dried grains with soluble; Breeding hens; Multi-enzymes; Yeast; Fertility; Hatchability; Semen quality.

Effect of dietary onion (Allium cepa L.) powder as an antioxidant on semen quality, blood biochemicals, and reproductive parameters, as well as immunological variables of rabbit bucks under severe heat stress.

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of onion (Allium cepa L.) powder on the immunological variables, redox state, and semen quality of rabbit bucks exposed to severe heat stress. Thirty-six mature bucks (7 months old) were divided into three groups consistingof 12 bucks each, namely group I, control; group II, 400 mg onion powder/kg diet; and group III, 800 mg onion powder/kg diet. The quality of semen was evaluated for volume, pH, motility, concentration, total sperm output, viability, and packed sperm volume. Blood samples were collected in the 12th week for estimation of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and erythrocytic indices. Serum proteins, glutamate oxaloacetate (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), urea, creatinine, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), immunoglobulins, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were measured. The temperature-humidity index (THI) obtained was within the range of 28.85-33.08 indicating severe heat stress. The results show that mass and individual motility, concentration, total sperm output, sperm viability, and packed sperm volume were higher (P < 0.05) in groups II and group III, with group III having the highest (P < 0.05) levels compared to group I. Compared to group I, groups II and III had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of RBC, MCV, MCH, FSH, LH, SOD, and catalase. The highest concentration (P < 0.05) of GPT was obtained in group III compared to other groups. The highest concentration of IgG (P < 0.05) was obtained in group II while the lowest was in group I. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with onion powder at 400 or 800 mg/kg diet improves semen quality, RBC, FSH, LH, SOD, catalase, and IgG while ameliorating the adverse effects of heat stress and improve the health and reproduction of rabbits.

A comparative study of canine epididymal sperm collection techniques and cryopreservation

IntroductionAn optimized collection method and freezing protocol for preservation of epididymal spermatozoa remains a topic of interest to many scientists. The current study focused on the collection and preservation of canine epididymal spermatozoa. During the process of collection of canine epididymal spermatozoa, blood content can occur, which may affect sperm cryopreservation in a negative way. Here, we compared first two epididymal sperm collection techniques [epididymal mincing (EM) and single incision epididymal sperm aspiration (SESA)]; and next we tried to solve the issue of blood content using an erythrocyte lysis buffer (ELB).MethodsHence spermatozoa were collected after weighing the epididymides, either by EM or SESA, and sperm quality assessed prior to and post freezing (concentration, total sperm output (TSO), motility, viability and morphology). Next, new sperm samples were collected from eight epididymides by EM and subjected either to a standard freezing protocol or to an ELB treatment freezing protocol. Post-thaw sperm parameters (concentration, TSO, motility, viability and morphology), including intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The correlation between the weight of the epididymis and the TSO was evaluated based on the collection technique, and differences in sperm parameters were detected both within different collection techniques and between different pre-freezing treatment protocols.ResultsThere was a very strong correlation between the weight of the epididymis and the TSO for the EM technique (p = 0.002, R2 = 0.6), along with an increased sperm motility with EM compared to SESA (median 80%, inter-quartile range (IQR) 88–65 and median 67.5%, IQR 72.5–52.5, respectively; (p = 0.002). Post-thaw samples subjected to ELB treatment freezing protocol had lower motility and higher intracellular ROS compared to the standard freezing protocol (motility: median 56.25%, IQR 60–48.75 and median 70%, IQR 72.5–63, respectively; p = 0.01; ROS: median 78.5%, IQR 81.25–75.5 and median 70%, IQR 70.5–68.75, respectively; (p = 0.04).DiscussionThe results indicated that EM is a better technique to harvest epididymal spermatozoa despite the presence of some blood content. Furthermore, the ELB treatment should not be implemented to remove those red blood cells prior to cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa in dogs.

Mitigation of endogenous oxidative stress and improving growth, hemato-biochemical parameters, and reproductive performance of Zaraibi goat bucks by dietary supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris or/and vitamin C

This study was conducted to explore the effects of dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) or/and vitamin C (VC) on growth, hemato-biochemical parameters, oxidative and antioxidant status, reproductive hormones, and semen quality variables, and scrotal-testicular dimensions of Zaraibi goat bucks. Twenty sexually mature bucks (41.49 ± 0.91 kg BW) were randomly divided into 4 groups (5 bucks/group). The control group was fed the control diet, while the other three groups received a diet supplemented with VC (2 g/animal /day), CV (5 g/animal/day), and CV plus VC (the same levels), respectively, for 8 weeks (treatment period), and then semen was collected for 8 weeks. Results showed that dietary supplementation with CV-VC combination significantly increased the final body weight, weight gain, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, and lymphocytes; elevated serum total protein, globulin, testosterone, estradiol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase with a significant reduction in Malondialdehyde in serum and seminal plasma. Also, the CV-VC combination significantly improved the ejaculate volume, total sperm output, sperm concentration, and live sperm, and reduced reaction time and sperm abnormality of bucks. Either CV or VC given separately or in combination, at the chosen levels, had no detrimental effects on animal physiological responses with normal hepatic and renal functions. Therefore, the CV-VC combination could be safely utilized as a dietary supplement in buck’s diets to improve antioxidant defenses, scavenge free radicals, and potentiate buck’s reproductive activities under normal conditions.

P-051 Male cancer patient sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation: 11-year multicenter experience: 16 regions of the mainland China national sperm

Abstract Study question What is the current status of fertility preservation (FP) of male cancer utilization, efficacy and safety in China and what national trends could be observed? Summary answer In this national report on FP status of male cancer over a 11-year period, data on population and trends, region development of FP are analyzed. What is known already Cryopreservation of sperm, the current standard option to preserve male patient's fertility, is very advantageous for men suffering from cancer. Unfortunately, the data on population and trends, region development of fertility preservation (FP)of male cancer in mainland China is scarce. Study design, size, duration A multicenter retrospective study of male cancer patients who performed sperm cryopreservation from 16 regions of a national network of sperm banks over a 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. A total of 2270 men with cancer were referred to 16 human sperm banks for fertility preservation. Participants/materials, setting, methods This national survey was conducted through 16 provincial administrative sectors to sperm cryopreservation for Chinese male cancer. Sperm cryopreservation for male cancer is conducted in 16 human sperm banks, which done well in Sperm cryopreservation for male cancer. Cancer diagnoses were classified according to types, as Testicular tumors, Lymphomas, Leukemia, Colorectal tumors, Nasopharyngeal carcinomas, Sarcomas, Brain tumors, Extragonadal germ cell tumors, and with other cancers grouped together. Main results and the role of chance The number of male cancer patients with sperm cryopreservation showed an overall upward trend. Statistically significant mean yearly increases were observed for three most frequent types of cancer (testicular cancers, lymphoma, leukemia). The development of male cancer FP in the eastern, central, and western regions of Chinese mainland displayed imbalance. There are seven tumor types for sperm preservation in the top incidence ten tumor types, including lymphoma, leukemia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, sarcoma, thyroid cancer and brain tumor. Moreover, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a high incidence rate in China, which is related to high sperm preservation rate, different from others countries. The most percentage of males receiving sperm cryopreservation in the testicular cancers (15-39 years old) of China in 2020 was 5.55%, 1.29% in the lymphoma and 0.39% in the Leukemia. According to type of cancer, a statistically significant lower pre-sperm density, total sperm output and post-sperm density was observed in Testicular cancers. It's worth noting that the prevalence of azoospermia 22.2 % in Leukemia patients. Disposition of cryopreserved sperm categories included continued storage (47.2%), discarded (9%), death (0.9%), and use (3.7%). Up to 2020, 70 patients (3.7%) who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) used their cryopreserved semen. Limitations, reasons for caution The limitations of our study are the inability to follow-up couples who were naturally conceived. Another limitation is that not all clinical outcomes have been gated. Wider implications of the findings This study provides the most comprehensive national statistical census and review of fertility preservation in men cancer patients trends, quantity and cancer types. Our findings regarding patients’ characteristics and analysis of semen parameters and sperm usage rate. Trial registration number not applicable

Semen quality and seminal plasma metabolites in male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) under heat stress.

Heat stress causes infertility in male rabbits in summer. This study was conducted to determine the effects of heat stress on semen quality and seminal plasma metabolites of male rabbits. To achieve these objectives, the temperature and humidity index (THI) was used to determine the stress state of male rabbits during different months, thereby the rabbits were divided into heat stress and no heat stress groups. The quality of the semen and the biochemical indices of seminal plasma were then analyzed. Next the plasma metabolites of rabbits in both groups were evaluated using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS)/MS technique. Our results showed that the THI value of the rabbit housing in May was 20.94 (no heat stress). The THI value of the housing in August was 29.10 (heat stress group, n = 10). Compared with the non-heat stress group, the sperm motility, density, and pH in the heat stress group (n = 10) were significantly decreased (P < 0.01); the semen volume decreased significantly (P < 0.05); and the sperm malformation rate increased significantly (P < 0.01). The number of grade A sperm significantly decreased, while the numbers of B and C grade sperm significantly increased (P < 0.01). The total sperm output (TSO), total motile sperm (TMS), and total functional sperm fraction (TFSF) decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Heat stress protein 70 (HSP70) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the seminal plasma of rabbits in the heat stress group (n = 20) were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Seminal plasma testosterone (T), α-glucosidase (α-Glu), and fructose decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The concentrations of Mg2+ (P < 0.05), Na+ (P < 0.01), and K+ (P < 0.01) in metal ions were significantly decreased. These findings indicated that heat stress severely affected the quality of the male rabbit semen. Furthermore, UPLC-MS/MS technology was used to analyze the seminal plasma samples of rabbits in the heat stress group and non-heat stress group (n = 9 for each group). In total, 346 metabolites were identified, with variable importance in project (VIP) > 1.0, fold change (FC) > 1.5 or < 0.667, and P < 0.05 as the threshold. A total of 71 differential metabolites were matched, including stearic acid, betaine, arachidonic acid, L-malic acid, and indole. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of differential metabolites revealed 51 metabolic pathways, including synthesis and degradation of ketones, serine and threonine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and the citric acid cycle. Our study has shown that the sperm motility, sperm pH value, and sperm density of male rabbits decreased significantly under heat stress, and the sperm malformation rate increased significantly. Furthermore, the quality of semen was shown to deteriorate and the energy metabolism pathway was disturbed. These findings provide a theoretical reference for alleviating the adaptive heat stress in male rabbits.

Effect of genotypes on reaction time, refractory period, semen index and liquid stored semen quality of breeding bulls in Bangladesh

The present study was conducted with the aim to reveal the effect of genotypes on reaction time, refractory period, semen index and liquid stored (at 4oC) semen quality of breeding bulls in Bangladesh. Semen was collected twice a week from Holstein Friesian, Sahiwal and Brahman breeding bulls. Reaction time and refractory period were examined for the breeding bulls. Semen volume, sperm concentration and total spermatozoa/ejaculate were measured immediately after collection. It was revealed that genotype had a significant (P&lt;0.01) effect on semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output and refractory period but not in reaction time. From the point of view of semen index, semen quality of Holstein Friesian breeding bulls was superior to Sahiwal and Brahnman breeding bulls. Progressive motility, live and normal spermatozoa of fresh semen did not differ significantly but after dilution progressive motility differed significantly (P&lt;0.05) in different genotypes of breeding bulls. During preservation time (0 to 120 hours), progressive motility, normal and live spermatozoa changed significantly (P&lt;0.05) in each genotype with the progress of time. During 0 hour, 72 hours and 120 hours of preservation, progressive motility was found in Holstein Friesian (73.11±1.12%, 53.11±5.14%, 13.40±2.53%), Sahiwal (78.21±1.68%, 64.96±4.60%, 13.22±1.42%), and Brahman (75.21±1.68%, 54.86±4.40%, 16.96±4.42%), respectively. On the other hand, non-return rate was found insignificant (P&gt;0.05), where higher fertility was observed in Holstein Friesian bull (67.2%) followed by Sahiwal (63.7%) and Brahman bull (57.38%). In a nutshell, Holstein Friesian bull has better fresh, diluted and preserved semen quality than the other two genotypes and after the 3 days of preservation, semen quality in respect of progressive motility, normal and live spermatozoa drastically deteriorated. Therefore, it is recommended that preserved semen of different genotypes should be used for AI within 3 days of liquid semen preservation at 4oC.

Effects of exogenous oxytocin on the semen characteristics of the Indonesian wild cattle, banteng (Bos javanicus), collected by electroejaculation: Implications for semen collection techniques and genome resource banking

Developing protocols that maximize the total sperm output during a semen collection from an endangered species is essential for strategic genome resource banking practices. Exogenous oxytocin has been administered to domestic bovid species prior to semen collection to increase the total sperm count from a single collection. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that the administration of exogenous oxytocin prior to semen collection by electroejaculation (EEJ) would significantly increase the total sperm count of the ejaculate obtained from banteng. Banteng were administered exogenous oxytocin (50 i.u.) intravenously ∼10 min prior to EEJ. Ejaculates from 13 banteng (n = 6 oxytocin treated, n = 8 untreated) were assessed for volume, pH, osmolarity, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percentage of motile sperm, status (scale of 0–5; 0 = no forward progression, 5 = rapid straight forward progression). In banteng ejaculates, significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count between oxytocin treated (Mean± SEM; 17.5 ± 3.7 ml, 2,138 ± 883.9 × 106 sperm/ml, 32,070 ± 8,812 × 106 sperm), and untreated (9.1 ± 1.8 ml, 308.8 ± 69.3 × 106 sperm/ml, 2,702 ± 763.7 × 106 sperm) bulls. These findings indicate that administering oxytocin to banteng prior to semen collection significantly increases total sperm count, and if routinely used, would maximize the number of banteng spermatozoa available in a genome resource bank. Semen was observed on the prepuce prior to the start of the EEJ procedure in three of the oxytocin-treated banteng, indicating oxytocin may be a useful agent to administer prior to other semen collection techniques such as urethral catheterization.

Semen Characteristics and Blood Metabolites of Hi-Plus Buck Rabbits Fed on Microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata Meal during the Summer Season

Feeding tiny amounts of micro-algae meal to animals enhances animal physiology by improving immune response, disease resistance, and gut function, as well as enhancing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial protection, reproductive performance, feed conversion ratio, and weight gain. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of dietary microalgae meal (Nannochloropsis oculata) on physical semen quality, serum biochemical parameters, and oxidative status of Hi-Plus buck rabbits for 12 weeks during the summer. A total of 45, Hi-Plus buck rabbits aged 20-24 weeks were divided into three equally comparable experimental groups. Bucks in the first, second, and third groups were daily supplemented in their diets with 0% (control), 0.50% (T1), and 1.0% (T2) microalgae meal, respectively. Semen and blood samples were collected to evaluate semen quality traits and some serum biochemical constituents, and oxidative status, as well as serum triiodothyronine (T3) and testosterone (Ts) hormones concentrations. The obtained data revealed that dietary supplementation of Nannochloropsis oculata meal significantly improved most physical semen characteristics, including ejaculate volume, progressive sperm motility, semen pH value, sperm cell concentration, total sperm output, live sperm, and semen quality factor. Blood serum glucose, total proteins, and their fractions increased significantly in T1 and T2, compared with the control group, while total serum cholesterol and hepatic enzymes concentrations recorded a significant decrease in bucks supplemented with T1 and T2, compared with the control group. The total antioxidant capacity of serum significantly increased in both two levels of microalgae, compared with the control group. Serum T3 concentration significantly increased in both levels of dietary microalgae compared with the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Nannochloropsis oculata meal (1.0%) was advised to improve semen quality, serum constituents, and antioxidative status without any adverse effects on the liver and kidney functions of rabbits.

The use of machine learning methods to predict sperm quality in Holstein bulls

The aim of this study was to develop prediction models for total sperm motility, morphological abnormalities and sperm output based on 1,551 ejaculate records of 58 Holstein bulls. The data was collected from September 2019 to November 2020 in a single artificial insemination (AI) center located in Eastern Germany. Factors considered for the prediction models include barn climate conditions, semen collector, number of false mounts, libido, semen collection frequency, breed and age (10–74 months). In this study, the prediction models Lasso, Group Lasso and Gradient Boosting were evaluated. The best model for each sperm quality parameter was chosen using cross validation. The models were estimated with five algorithms for sperm motility and sperm morphology and three algorithms for the number of total sperm per ejaculate (sperm output). For sperm motility and morphology a binary classification algorithm was applied, reaching an accuracy of over 80% for all models. For sperm output, no such classification was used and the only variable selected by all three algorithms was age. Furthermore, for sperm morphology, climate variables were frequently selected. Additionally, network diagrams from Group Lasso show the interdependencies between the major variable groups influencing sperm motility and morphology. In conclusion, the implementation of such prediction tools could help AI centers to optimize management factors and stabilize bull semen production in the future.

Effect of Dietary Ginger Rhizome Powder Addition on Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Bucks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the addition of ginger rhizome powder (GRP) to the rabbit bucks ration on semen quality and semen plasma traits. A total of 28 male New Zealand rabbits (7- month- old), divided into four groups; the first treatment served as a control (Con; 0% ginger); the second, third, and fourth treatments were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% ginger powder in the diet, respectively. The results revealed no change in ejaculate volume, a significant increase in the mass sperm motility, sperm concentration, total sperm output, total motile sperm, live sperm, and Total functional sperm fraction. Dietary ginger reduced the reaction time, semen pH, and the percentage of abnormal sperm. Bucks that received 1.0% or 1.5% dietary ginger had a higher seminal plasma total proteins, albumin, globulin concentrations, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities. Conversely, seminal plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Practically, it can be concluded that ginger is a suitable supplement for improving semen quality and semen plasma in adult male rabbits.

Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone: A Potential Semen Quality Biomarker in Stud Dogs?

Simple SummaryAssessing semen quality in dogs requires experience and specialized equipment. Therefore, this study investigates the potential value of measuring the blood concentration of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a hormone produced by Sertoli cells, to predict semen quality in dogs. Forty-five healthy dogs were included in this study and their age as well as different semen parameters were correlated to blood AMH concentration. Moderate negative associations were found between AMH and semen motility and morphology indicating that high serum AMH may be a potential biomarker for identifying which dogs would require further semen investigation. Future research is however needed to confirm these preliminary results.Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been suggested to be involved in spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood serum AMH concentration and semen quality in dogs. Moreover, this study sought to find the optimal cut-off point value of serum AMH with the greatest sensitivity and specificity to predict semen quality. Forty-five clinically healthy dogs were included in the study and their age as well as the following semen parameters were determined and correlated to serum AMH concentration: total sperm output, normal morphology, plasma membrane integrity, total motility, progressive motility, and velocity parameters. Statistical analysis for correlations were performed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Moderate negative associations were found between serum AMH and semen total motility (r = −0.38, p = 0.01), progressive motility (r = −0.36, p = 0.01), and normal morphology (r = −0.36, p= 0.02). Based on these associations, an AMH concentration of 5.54 µg/L was found to be the optimal cut-off point value to obtain the greatest summation of sensitivity (86%) and specificity (63%) to predict semen quality. The serum AMH assay may therefore be a potential hormonal marker to predict which dogs would require further semen analysis. Future research is however needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Alkaline phosphatase in seminal plasma of sperm-rich fraction of semen in fertile and subfertile dogs

Twenty dogs presented for breeding soundness evaluation were selected for the presentstudy. Based on previous six month breeding history and semen quality, these animals weregrouped retrospectively into fertile (n=6) and subfertile (n=14) groups. Three semen collectionswere made from each of these dogs, two weeks apart. Semen evaluation parameters like volume,sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability, morphologically normal sperms, total spermoutput and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in the sperm-rich fraction were compared betweenthe two groups. The mean values for progressive motility, sperm concentration, total sperm outputand viability were 84.17 ± 1.54 per cent, 418.33 ± 36.64 million/mL, 645.11±98.43 million and84.92 ± 1.56 per cent, respectively, in the fertile group, while the values for these parameters were45.71 ± 3.47 per cent, 112.07 ± 24.36 million/mL, 190.24±32.45 million and 49.54 ± 2.35 percent, respectively in the subfertile group. The values were significantly higher in fertile group whencompared to subfertile group. The mean ALP (IU/L) was recorded as 168121.67 ± 22443.25 and 49605.86 ± 12669.68 IU/L, respectively in fertile and subfertile dogs. On statistical analysis, a highlysignificant difference (p˂0.01) was noticed between the groups. Though the concentration of ALPwas more than 40,000 IU/L (below which is the proposed cut off value for incomplete ejaculation) inall the dogs under the present study, it was significantly higher in fertile dogs, suggesting a possible relation to fertility.

Tramadol injection as dosage form -Induced deterioration in reproductive performance of male rabbits

Injections are usually more expensive than tablets, but they may be required less often since they are more concentrated, whereas a person may need to take a tablet more regularly, thus consuming a large volume. when we administer a drug via oral rout ,its meant to be absorbed by stomach or intestinal mucosa ,but its so happens that, gastric acid, food ,other drugs and many other factor come into the play and retarded the drug absorption ,metabolized in intestinal mucosal cells even before it can reach to liver or target tissue(first-pass metabolism)thus decrease the effective amount reaching to circulation, Now, a drug given through injection reaches circulation at cent percent level and show prompt action which is earnestly required at the moment ,it also decrease the dose and systemic side effects . also the tablets formulation contain the excipient like filler ,diluents for the purpose of long -term stabilization ,bulking up tablet formulations making concentration of drug less in tablets and need more dose to give the therapeutic action. Tramadol is a potent analgesic effective in the treatment of mild to severe pains. However, the use of the drug can pose a threat to other organs and systems. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of tramadol injection as dosage form on reproductive parameters in male rabbits. Tenth rabbits were randomly divided into two equal groups (each group five rabbits). The first group was used as a control. The second group was used to study the effect of tramadol (50 mg/kg body weight) for six weeks. Results obtained showed that tramadol significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased libido (by increasing the reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration ,total sperm output, sperm motility (%), total motile sperm per ejaculate (TMS), packed sperm volume (PSV), total functional sperm fraction (TFSF), normal and live sperm and semen initial fructose. While initial hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and dead and abnormal sperm were increased (P&lt;0.05). Live body weight (LBW) and relative weights of testes (RTW) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased in plasma of rabbits treated with tramadol compared with control. The study showed the harmful effects of tramadol on the reproductive performance on male rabbits. Keywords: Tramadol Injection; Rabbits; Semen; Testosterone

Impact of lighting regimes on reproductive performance and sperm ultrastructure in rabbit bucks under very severe heat stress conditions

Lighting regimen is an important part of animal reproductive performance and physiological parameters, which can minimize the effect of high ambient temperature on semen quality and fertility of animals. The potential application of different light regimes in improving blood biochemicals, antioxidants capacity, reproductive hormones, semen quality, sperm ultrastructure alterations and fertility of rabbit bucks exposed to high ambient temperature was evaluated. Fifty bucks were allocated into five groups (10/group) according the lighting regimes. Bucks in each group were exposed to one of the following daily light-dark cycle (16L: 8D, 14L: 10D, 12D:12L, 10L: 14D or 8L: 16D) for four months (June to September). The ambient temperature, relative humidity and temperature–humidity index values during the experimental period were 34.25 ± 0.18°C, 63.68 ± 0.75%, 32.01 ± 0.33, respectively, indicating that the experimental bucks were under very severe heat stress conditions. Bucks exposed to 10L: 14D and 8L: 16D light regimes had significantly lower (P < 0.05) feed intake, rectal temperature, respiration rate, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases activities, and malondialdehyde level compared with their counterparts. Melatonin, testosterone, FSH, LH, and total antioxidants capacity levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by decreasing photoperiod, being the maximum for 8L: 16D regime. Bucks exposed to 10L: 14D and 8L: 16D light regimes exhibited significant improvement in sexual desire, semen quality (including: ejaculate volume, sperm progressive motility, vitality, intact acrosome and membrane integrity, sperm concentration and total sperm output) and fertility.The results indicate that application of short light period (8L: 16D) can be used as alternative and beneficial strategy to rabbit producers during heat stress months for improving semen quality, antioxidative capacity and fertility of bucks.

Predicting sperm production of young dairy bulls using collection history and management factors

Selection of elite young dairy bulls by using genomic data shortened the generation interval and increased pressure to collect and market germplasm at an early age. The objectives of this study were (1) develop prediction models for daily, weekly, and monthly total sperm (TSp) production from collection history, health status, and management factors, and (2) assess the ability of these models to forecast future TSp production, as well as differences in prediction accuracy by seasonality or age of bull. Data consisted of 43,918 daily processing records from 1,037 Holstein and Jersey bulls between 10 and 28 mo of age at collection. Potential explanatory variables included year and season of collection, barn location, collection frequency, breed, scrotal circumference, TSp in previous months, health events, and age at arrival, first collection, and current collection. Linear regression, random forest (RF), Bayesian regularized neural network, model tree, multilayer perceptron neural network with multiple layers, and extreme learning machine were used to predict daily, weekly, and monthly TSp (R v3.5.1, https://www.r-project.org/). In the additive approach, all prior data were used for training; however, in the fixed-window approach, records from 3 previous months were used for age-based prediction, records from 4 previous months or 1 yr were used for the monthly date-based analyses, and records from 1 previous month or year were used for the weekly date-based analyses. Model performance was measured by root mean squared error (RMSE) and the correlation (r) between actual and predicted TSp in testing sets. In monthly analyses, RF with additive training performed best in age-based (RMSE = 13.6 billion cells, r = 0.93) and date-based (RMSE = 11.9, r = 0.94) prediction, compared with linear regression (age-based RMSE = 16.6, r = 0.89; date-based RMSE = 15.5, r = 0.90) and Bayesian regularized neural network (age-based RMSE = 14.1, r = 0.92). On average, RMSE was 0.93 or 0.14 billion cells greater with fixed 4-mo or 1-yr training windows, respectively, than in the additive analyses. The most important management variables affecting TSp were collection frequency, TSp in previous months, and age at collection. Results indicate RF models with additive training can predict TSp output of individual bulls with ≥85% accuracy up to 4 mo into the future. Spikes in accuracy were associated with sire summary times and company processing changes, and accuracy tended to stabilize when bulls reached 19 to 20 mo of age.

In Vivo Efficacy of TXCB, a Vietnamese Herbal Medicine Prescription, on Seminal Quality, Serum Testosterone, and Malondialdehyde Concentration in Rabbits

The efficacy of Truong Xuan Cao Bang (TXCB), a Vietnamese herbal medicine prescription, on the quality of semen, serum testosterone (TES), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in rabbits whose reproductive ability were impaired by fluconazole was investigated. Mature male rabbits were randomly assigned into control (G1), fluconazole (G2), fluconazole and 180 mg/kg/day (G3), and 360 mg/kg/day TXCB (G4) groups. The reaction time (RT), ejaculate volume (EV), sperm concentration (SC), total sperm output (TSO), total sperm motility (TSM), progressive sperm motility (PSM), nonprogressive sperm motility (NPSM), sperm immobility (SIM), dead sperm (DS), and abnormal sperm (AS) levels were determined after TXCB administration. After 60 days, G3 showed a significant increase in serum TES and a significant decrease in the concentrations of serum MDA (SMDA) and seminal plasma MDA (SPMDA) compared with G1, in addition to increase in EV, SC, TSO, TSM, PSM, and serum TES, and decrease in RT, SIM, DS, AS, SMDA, and SPMDA compared with G2. G4 showed a steep rise in EV, SC, and serum TES and a downturn in DS, SMDA, and SPMDA compared with G1, and, compared with G2, a significant increase in EV, SC, TSO, TSM, PSM, and serum TES and a significant decrease in RT, SIM, DS, AS, SMDA, and SPMDA. Taken together, TXCB rehabilitates and simultaneously enhances spermatogenesis in rabbits whose reproductive ability was impaired by fluconazole.