Semen Quality Research Articles

Cadmium-Induced Adverse Alteration of Reproductive Parameters and Testicular Histoarchitecture of Wistar Rats: Protective Role of Palmitic Acid

Cadmium (Cd) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and adversely affecting reproductive organs and functions. Conversely, palmitic acid (PA) is a free radical scavenger naturally found in palm oil and consumed in diets. This study investigated the protective role of PA against cadmium-induced adverse alteration of male Wistar rats’ reproductive parameters. Twenty mature male Wistar rats were grouped into four (n=5/group): 0.2 mL of 10% Tween 80 (Control); 2 mg/kg bw-Cd; 2 mg/kg bw - Cd+200 mg/kg bw PA; and 200 mg/kg bw PA. PA was given via oral route daily for thirty days, while a single dose of Cd was intraperitoneally given. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); testicular concentrations of magnesium, calcium, zinc, and cadmium; epididymal sperm parameters (morphology, motility, viability, and counts) were evaluated, and the testicular histoarchitecture was assessed using standard techniques. Data obtained were statistically analysed and compared using ANOVA at p < 0.05. In comparison to the control group, Cd exposure significantly decreased serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels; testicular magnesium, calcium and zinc; sperm motility, viability and counts. In addition, cadmium exposure resulted in abnormal sperm morphology and distorted testicular histoarchitecture. The co-administration of Cd and PA in group 3 showed significant reversal of the adverse effect of Cd on reproductive hormones, electrolytes, sperm parameters and testicular histomorphology. Hence, palmitic acid exhibits a protective effect against cadmium-induced adverse alterations of reproductive parameters and testicular histoarchitecture in Wistar rats.

Combinatorial Library-Screened Array for Rapid Clinical Sperm Quality Assessment.

Nonspecific interactions are ubiquitous and important in biology; however, they are rarely valued or employed in the field of clinical disease diagnosis. Relying on nonspecific cross-interactions, sensor arrays have shown great potential in distinguishing mixtures or nuanced compounds. However, developing generic strategies for constructing effective arrays tailored to compositionally complicated and highly individualized clinical biospecimens remains challenging. Here, we introduce a combinatorial chemistry-screened array strategy, leveraging four-component Ugi reactions to achieve the rapid synthesis of hundreds of structurally diverse sensing elements. Moreover, effective sensor arrays can thus be built by rapidly screening sensors against diverse analytes. Next, we demonstrate the practical applicability of this array by clinical sperm quality assessment, given the current lack of well-established clinical rapid detection techniques. A library of 192 structurally diverse sensor elements was synthesized. Following screening, a pruned 14-element array was successfully constructed, achieving 94.2% accuracy in distinguishing between healthy individuals and four types of abnormal sperm samples from patients within 1 min. This universal strategy avoids complex sensor design and greatly improves the efficiency of sensor array construction, offering a new way of designing effective arrays.

Dietary supplementation of Astragalus polysaccharide or its nanoparticles enhances testicular hemodynamics, echotexture, scrotal circumference, concentration of testosterone, estradiol, nitric oxide, and total antioxidant capacity, and semen quality in mature Ossimi rams

This study investigated, for the first time, the potential role of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and APS nanoparticles on testicular blood flow (TBF) and semen quality in Ossimi rams. Fifteen sexually mature Ossimi rams were allocated randomly into two treated groups that orally administered either nano APS (2 g/ram/day; n = 5) or APS (20 g/ram/day; n = 5) for four weeks and a control group (n = 5). The nano-emulsion was prepared by adding corn oil to the APS solution, sonicated, centrifuged at 20,000 rpm, then washed 3–4 times, and vacuum dried overnight at 40 °C. The antioxidant activity of APS and APS nano-emulsion was evaluated in vitro. Blood collection and ultrasonographic assessment of the testes and supratesticular arteries (STAs) were conducted immediately before treatment (W0) and once weekly for 6 successive weeks after APS and nano APS administration (W1-W6). Serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations were determined by ELISA kits, while nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured spectrophotometrically. Moreover, semen collection and evaluation of some sperm parameters were performed once a week. Results revealed decreases (P < 0.05) in the Doppler indices (resistive index; RI, pulsatility index; PI, and systolic/diastolic; S/D) of the testicular arteries at most time points of the study in the nano APS and APS groups. Pixel intensity (PIX) and integrated density (IND) of testicular parenchyma were significantly reduced (P ˂ 0.05) in the treated groups compared to the control one. T, E2, NO, and TAC concentrations increased (P < 0.05) in the treated groups compared to the control one. Increases (P < 0.05) were noticed in the mass motility, progressive motility %, live sperm %, and membrane integrity % in nano APS and APS groups, compared to the control. Rams in the nano APS group had significantly higher (P < 0.05) sperm cell concentration than the control one. In conclusion, this study extrapolated that the dietary administration of APS and its nanoparticles can improve TBF, testicular echotexture, sperm characteristics, and the concentration of serum T, E2, NO, and TAC with a more significant effect in the APS nanoparticles compared with APS. So, it could be recommended as a dietary supplementation (2 g/ram/day) for enhancing the reproductive performance of rams.

The association of hypertension and antihypertensive medications on semen parameters among men presenting for fertility evaluation.

Hypertension is a common medical condition and its prevalence increases with age. Therefore, more prospective fathers will present for fertility evaluation with this diagnosis. To determine if hypertension and antihypertensive medication use are associated with impaired semen parameters. We retrospectively reviewed men with and without hypertension at the time of their index semen analysis (SA) between 2002 and 2023. Demographics, medical comorbidities, and semen parameters were evaluated between cohorts. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were also used to determine the association of hypertension, and number and class of antihypertensive medications, and abnormal total motile sperm count (TMSC<20 million). Among 14,009 men, 10.1% (n=1410) had a diagnosis of hypertension. Hypertensive men had significantly lower ejaculate volume (2.8mL [interquartile range {IQR} 1.8-3.8] vs. 2.9mL [IQR 2.0-4.0], p<0.001) and sperm motility (58% [IQR 50-66] vs. 60% [52-68], p<0.001). Hypertension was also independently associated with abnormal TMSC (odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.40, p=0.008) on multivariable analysis. Among patients with hypertension, men with an active antihypertensive medication prescription at the time of index SA were older and had lower sperm motility (57% [IQR 47-64] vs. 59% [IQR 52-67], p=0.006), sperm morphology (5% [IQR 2-7] vs. 6% [3-12], p<0.001) and TMSC (48.9M [IQR 16.1-94.9] vs. 68.4M [25.0-124.9], p<0.001) compared to patients with no prior antihypertensive medication exposure. Multivariable analysis demonstrated no significant increased risk of abnormal TMSC between unexposed patients and those taking an antihypertensive medication. More than one in 10 men presenting for initial fertility evaluation had a diagnosis of hypertension. This diagnosis, as well as antihypertensive medication exposure, were associated with impaired semen parameters. Patients interested in future fertility should be counseled regarding lifestyle modifications to appropriately treat hypertension. Further studies are required to determine the impact of antihypertensive medications and adequate control of hypertension on semen quality.

Genetic parameters and parental and early-life effects of boar semen traits

BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and studying the influence of early-life and parental factors on the semen traits of boars. The dataset included measurements on 449,966 ejaculates evaluated using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system from 5692 artificial insemination (AI) boars. In total, we considered 16 semen traits measured on fresh semen and 6 sperm motility traits measured on semen after storage. Early-life effects included the dam’s parity, ages of the dam and sire, gestation length, litter size, litter sex ratio, number of piglets born alive, number of litter mates at weaning, rearing length, and weight gain. A repeatability model accounting for effects at collection was used to (1) estimate heritabilities and repeatabilities for semen traits and genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits, (2) test the significance of early-life effects, (3) quantify the contribution of exclusive dam and sire inheritances to the phenotypic variation, i.e., mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome, identified using a pedigree-based approach, and (4) quantify the contribution of maternal and paternal environment effects to the phenotypic variation of semen traits.ResultsWe reported heritabilities between 0.11 and 0.27 and repeatabilities between 0.20 and 0.65 for semen traits. Semen quality traits showed a skewed distribution, and their transformation significantly reduced their repeatability estimates. Motility traits measured after storage were genetically different from motility traits measured on fresh semen. Early-life had suggestive effects on a limited number of semen traits. Mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome did not explain a discerning proportion of the phenotypic variance and the effect of the paternal environment was also negligible. We estimated a significant maternal environment effect predominantly on sperm motility traits, explaining between 2.3 and 4.6% of the phenotypic variance. Including maternal environmental effects in the model reduced heritability estimates for sperm motility traits and total morphological abnormalities.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that trait transformation has a large effect on repeatability estimates of semen traits. Sperm motility traits measured on fresh semen are genetically different from sperm motility traits measured after storage. Early-life conditions can have an effect on later semen quantity and quality traits. Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome inheritances showed no effect on semen traits. Finally, we emphasize the importance of considering maternal effects when analysing semen traits, which results in lower heritability estimates.

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ СЕКСИРОВАННОЙ СПЕРМЫ В МОЛОЧНОМ СКОТОВОДСТВЕ

The state and level of reproduction, including cattle, in modern changing conditions indicates the need to revise the main directions in the work on artificial insemination. The problems that have arisen due to the reduced integration of foreign technologies into our livestock farming and the artificial restriction of access to innovative technologies dictate the need for a careful assessment of existing problems and the search for opportunities to solve them. It is necessary to restore and create our own production base with the introduction of existing developments and the development of foreign experience in the field of artificial insemination to obtain offspring with a certain given sex. An integrated approach is needed to solve emerging problems. This is not only the provision of adequate feeding and exercise for reared heifers, bringing them to the anatomical and physiological parameters for insemination at 13–14 months, but also the development of a more advanced - accelerated technology for separating X- and Y-sperm with minimal negative effects that reduce quality indicators. It is important to understand the properties of sexed sperm obtained by various technological methods; there is also a need for methods for assessing it at different stages in the separation process and the effectiveness of insemination, taking into account the influence of various external negative production factors during use. Possible methods for assessing and separating viable sperm from those unsuitable for use, before preparation and after separation, are considered. Possible directions for the development of technology are reflected, taking into account existing scientific domestic and foreign developments. Available information is provided on the technological stages of the already used process of sexing the sperm of farm animals and its production evaluation. The features of using such sperm to obtain high fertility of animals in industrial animal husbandry are highlighted.

Enhancement of Semen Cryopreservation from Native Thai Bulls Through Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Supplementation

Cryopreservation of native Thai bull semen often results in significant post-thaw quality reduction, underscoring the need for effective cryoprotective strategies. This study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) as an antioxidant supplementation by incorporating four MOLE concentrations (0–1.5% [w/v]) into a standard semen extender, followed by cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen vapor freezing. Data were analyzed using a randomized complete block design with Tukey’s post hoc test (p &lt; 0.05). Post-thaw analysis of semen revealed that 1 mg/mL MOLE significantly enhanced total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, sperm viability, and sperm plasma membrane integrity compared to the control and other MOLE concentrations (p &lt; 0.05). This concentration also improved the amplitude of lateral head displacement and curvilinear velocity and reduced malondialdehyde levels in semen samples (p &lt; 0.05), indicating reduced lipid peroxidation. Higher MOLE concentrations negatively impacted semen quality. In conclusion, supplementation with 1 mg/mL MOLE markedly improved post-thaw semen quality and reduced lipid peroxidation, suggesting its potential as an antioxidant for enhancing reproductive outcomes in native Thai bulls.

Cryopreserved sperm does not affect larval ontogeny and quality in Rhamdia quelen.

Fish sperm cryopreservation is an important technique for optimizing juvenile production in aquaculture stations and laboratories and contributing to the conservation of endangered species. Despite its benefits, the cryopreservation process can cause cellular damage, affecting spermatozoa quality and offspring viability. This study aimed to evaluate the larval development of jundiá Rhamdia quelen originating from cryopreserved sperm. Larvae were obtained from artificial reproduction using oocyte samples from four females combined with fresh (Control) or cryopreserved/thawed sperm. The semen was diluted in the cryoprotective solution (1:3 ratio) consisting of skimmed milk powder (5%), methanol (10%), and fructose (5%), and was packaged into 0.25mL straws. The straws were then stored and cooled in liquid nitrogen vapor for 18h. The straws were individually warmed in a water bath at 25°C for 10s to thaw the samples. The experiments were performed in triplicates. Sperm quality, fertilization, hatching, and larval development were evaluated. After larval hatching, six larval collections were performed (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25days after hatching), and 15 larvae were sampled per collection per treatment. Cryopreservation reduced sperm motility (70.48 ± 7.70 fresh to 41.36 ± 4.80 cryopreserved semen), progressivity (3874 fresh to 2505 cryopreserved semen), and beat cross frequency (55.83 ± 155 fresh to 50.22 ± 190 cryopreserved semen). Increased the percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology and increased most sperm pathologies. Furthermore, the fertilization rate was lower in the cryopreserved group (63.1 ± 18, and 83.72 ± 7.59 for fresh semen), while hatching was not different between groups (65.3 ± 18.05 fresh, 48.89 ± 21.77 cryopreserved semen) Otherwise, the initial larval development morphology showed no difference in the appearance of structures such as the presence of the vitelline structure, pigmentation pattern, development of the anal pore, embryonic membrane, eye, barbells, notochord flexion, and fin rays, for both treatments. There was no significant difference in the frequency of structures between larvae from fresh and cryopreserved/thawed sperm, revealing a similar developmental pattern in both treatments. In conclusion, the cryopreservation protocol affects sperm quality; however, those sperm able to fertilize the oocytes originate normal larvae with regular larval development of R. quelen up to 25days old.

Identified Candidate Genes of Semen Trait in Three Pig Breeds Through Weighted GWAS and Multi-Tissue Transcriptome Analysis

High-quality semen is an essential factor for the success of artificial insemination, and revealing the genetic structure of pig semen traits helps improve semen quality. This study aimed to identify candidate genes associated with semen traits in three pig breeds (Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire) through weighted GWAS and multi-tissue transcriptome analysis. In this study, to identify candidate genes associated with semen traits in Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire, we performed weighted GWAS in four traits (sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, sperm abnormality rate, and total sperm count) using 936 pigs and multi-tissue transcriptome analysis using 34 tissues RNA-seq data of 5457 pigs from FarmGTEx. It was found that 16, 9, and 12 significant SNPs associated with semen traits were identified in Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire, with corresponding 7, 5, and 7 candidate genes in these three breeds, respectively, which may be involved in mammal spermatogenesis, testicular function, and male fertility. Moreover, we not only found the same candidate gene DNAI2 as in previous studies but also found two new candidate genes PNLDC1 and RSPH3, which were identified simultaneously in both Landrace and Yorkshire. By integrating the GWAS and multi-tissue transcriptome analysis results, we found that candidate genes associated with semen traits of three pig breeds were highly expressed in the testis tissue. The three genotypes of rs320928244 had significant effects on the expression of the DYNLT1 gene in the testis tissue of Landrace. These results together showed that these candidate genes were mainly related to sperm motility defects. This study helps deepen the understanding of the genetic basis of semen traits and provides a theoretical foundation for improving the semen quality of Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds.

Leukocyte profiles in bull semen and their relationship with sperm quality parameters

The role of leukocytes in semen remains controversial, with both beneficial effects, such as the removal of microorganisms and abnormal sperm, and harmful effects, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduced fertility potential. Research on this topic in farm animals is limited. This study investigated correlations between differential leukocyte counts in bull semen and sperm parameters, both fresh and post-thaw. A total of 44 ejaculates from 36 adult bulls were collected using the artificial vagina method. Semen cytology was performed with Diff-Quick staining, and leukocytes were quantified under an optical microscope. Sperm parameters analyzed included ejaculate volume, motility (fresh and post-thaw), concentration, and morphology (major, minor, and total defects). Lymphocytes predominated (82%), followed by macrophages (13%), neutrophils (4%), and eosinophils (1%). Neutrophils showed weak negative correlations with major defects (r = -0.36, P = 0.027) and total defects (r = -0.328, P = 0.047), as well as a moderate negative correlation with post-thaw motility (r = -0.515, P = 0.0012) in Spearman’s correlation analysis. In contrast, lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils showed no significant correlations with sperm parameters. These findings suggest that among leukocyte populations, only neutrophils negatively impact sperm morphology in fresh semen and motility in thawed semen.

The Influence of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi Exposure Duration on Sperm Quality and Testicular Histopathology: An Exploration of Peroxidative Injury

Concerns have arisen about the impact of wireless technology on male fertility, particularly regarding the duration of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi radiation exposure. This study examines the influence of various exposure durations on sperm parameters and testicular histopathology, focusing on malondialdehyde as an oxidative stress marker. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were exposed for eight weeks, after which their sperm concentration, motility, and viability and testicular histopathology were assessed. Malondialdehyde levels were measured using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. One-way ANOVAs with Tukey’s post hoc tests were conducted for the sperm concentration, motility, and viability; the seminiferous epithelium height; and malondialdehyde. The Kruskal–Wallis H test was used for the Johnsen Score and seminiferous tubule diameter. The results indicated that 4 h of exposure to 2.45 GHz radiation induced oxidative stress and adversely affected sperm parameters and the testicular ultrastructure. Gradual recovery was observed at 8 h, with further improvement at 24 h, suggesting the activation of cell repair mechanisms. This was supported by significant changes in testicular organ coefficients, indicating potential recovery. Our findings suggest that Wi-Fi exposure reduces sperm fertility potential, with the body showing limited capacity for complete recovery from the damage.

The Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is present in pig sperm and modulates their physiology over liquid preservation

Liquid storage is the primary preservation method in the swine breeding industry because of its advantages over cryopreservation. Calcium (Ca2+), a key regulator of cell physiology, plays a crucial role during liquid preservation. Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPases (SERCA) belong to a family of P-type ATPases that regulate Ca2+ homeostasis within cells and have been previously described to play a function in the sperm of various mammalian species. Herein, we hypothesized that SERCA2 is present in pig sperm and is involved in the resilience of this cell to liquid preservation at 17 °C. For this purpose, sperm were incubated with different concentrations of thapsigargin (Thg; 0, 5, 25, and 50 µM) and stored at 17 °C for ten days. The presence and localization of SERCA2 were evaluated using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. On days 0, 4, and 10, sperm motility was assessed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system, and sperm viability, membrane lipid disorder, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and intracellular levels of Ca2+, superoxides and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated by flow cytometry. We localized SERCA2 in the acrosome and midpiece of pig sperm. Furthermore, inhibition of SERCA with Thg resulted in reduced sperm viability and membrane stability, and increased MMP, and Ca2+ and ROS levels. In conclusion, the activity of SERCA prevents the accumulation of intracellular Ca2+ in sperm, which is detrimental to sperm quality and function during liquid storage at 17 °C. We thus suggest that the function of SERCA is crucial for the preservation of pig semen.

Redox signaling regulation in human spermatozoa: a primary role of peroxiredoxins.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in mammalian spermatozoa. At high levels, they are detrimental to sperm function since they can promote oxidative stress that produces oxidation of protein, lipids, and sperm DNA. This oxidative damage is associated with male infertility. On the other hand, when ROS are produced at low levels, they participate in the redox signaling necessary for sperm capacitation. Capacitation-associated ROS are produced by the sperm oxidase, whose identity is still elusive, located in the plasma membrane of the spermatozoon. ROS, such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and peroxynitrite, activate protein kinases and inactivate protein phosphatases with the net increase of specific phosphorylation events. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs), antioxidant enzymes that fight against oxidative stress, regulate redox signaling during capacitation. Among them, PRDX6, which possesses peroxidase and calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) activities, is the primary regulator of redox signaling and the antioxidant response in human spermatozoa. The lysophosphatidic acid signaling is essential to maintain sperm viability by activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase (PI3K/AKT) pathway, and it is regulated by PRDX6 iPLA2, protein kinase C (PKC), and receptor-type protein tyrosine kinase. The understanding of redox signaling is crucial to pave the way for novel diagnostic tools and treatments of male infertility.

Physical activity and male reproductive function.

Fecundity is declining in humans, which is partly due to male infertility. Poor sperm parameters, the main contributors to male infertility, are associated with sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. Long periods of sedentary work lead to visceral adiposity and persistently elevated scrotal temperatures, which adversely affect spermatogenesis. Apart from increasing scrotal temperatures, excessive visceral adiposity exacerbates adipocyte dysfunction with increased pro-inflammatory adipokine release, like leptin. These, together with the increased scrotal temperature, are responsible for the poor sperm quality. The importance of regular physical activity in male fertility remains a matter of debate, as not all forms of exercises have been found to benefit sperm function. Sperm parameters are, nevertheless, somewhat better in active than in sedentary men. It now appears that low-to-moderate intensity exercises are more beneficial for male reproductive health than high-intensity exercises, which have a negative effect on spermatozoa. Low-to-moderate intensity exercises, in general, improve the overall organ-system function in the body, improve the management of body weight and oxidative stress, consequently improving sperm parameters. The detrimental effects of high-intensity exercises on spermatozoa result from disruption in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal-axis, raised testicular temperature and increased oxidative stress. It, therefore, seems that not all types of exercises are beneficial for male reproductive health. Although some low-to-moderate intensity exercises improve male reproductive function, there remains a need to identify the best form of low-to-moderate intensity exercises, particularly those that do not increase testicular temperature or oxidative stress, to help maintain normal body weight and male reproductive health.

Isolation and Extraction of as Ferulic Acid from Medicinally Active Andrographis Paniculata Plant and Synthesis of its Analogues

Ferulic acid has been shown to have biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombogenic and anticancer properties. Moreover, it decreases liver and serum cholesterol, increases sperm viability, and all of these advantages are advantageous for coronary heart disease. Apart from this, it exhibits great commercial potential in the food, health and cosmetic industries. Because ferulic acid is absorbed and metabolized by the human body, it has additional advantages. Thus, devised a plan to extract and isolate ferulic acid from Andrographis Paniculata based on the aforementioned features. Based on the properties of this, we have strategies to isolate the ferulic acid and synthesis of their analogues like ester and amide. Which were characterized by 1HNMR and GCMS.

Molecular mechanisms of libido influencing semen quality in geese through the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular-external genitalia axis.

Libido plays a crucial role in influencing semen quality, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. As a central axis in male goose reproduction, the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular-external genitalia (HPTE) axis may contribute to the regulation of this process. In this study, we established a rating scale for goose libido based on average number of massages to erection (ANM) and the erection type, and evaluated semen quality across the entire flock. Correlation analyses showed that ANM was negatively correlated with sperm concentration (SC), acrosome integrity (AI), and semen quality factor (SQF), while positively correlated with morphological abnormal sperm (MAS) (P < 0.01). A comparison of semen quality and testicular histology between high libido (HG) and low libido (LG) groups showed that SC and SQF were significantly higher and MAS was lower in HG (P < 0.05). The lumen diameter of seminiferous tubules (LD) (P < 0.01) and the number of Sertoli cells (Sc) (P < 0.05) were also significantly greater in HG. Further, the number of spermatogonia (Sg) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower, and spermatocyte (Sp) and elongated spermatid (Se) were significantly higher in HG (P < 0.05). Through transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), we identified 98, 163, 2,474 and 400 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus, pituitary, testis and external genitalia, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the term "male gonad development" was significantly enriched in the hypothalamus. Here, the expression of LHX9 was positively correlated with ANM, and negatively correlated with SC and SQF (P < 0.05). Additionally, WNT4 was positively correlated with ANM and MAS (P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with SC (P < 0.05), suggesting that LHX9 and WNT4 might serve as key upstream regulatory genes. Further analysis through Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) showed that the yellow module (R = 0.89, P = 7e-09) was strongly associated with testicular development, with genes predominantly involved in male reproductive process. Based on these findings, we screened genes significantly correlated with LHX9 and WNT4 from the yellow module (|Cor |≥0.6, P < 0.05). These genes were significantly enriched in 8 pathways, primarily associated with metabolic processes, including drug metabolism - other enzymes, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, metabolic pathways, pyrimidine metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, and riboflavin metabolism. Using the Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) algorithm in the CytoHubba plug-in, SYCP3, DDX4, STRA8, AMH, MEIOB, CDT1, BCL2, PRIM1, and DLGAP5 were identified as hub genes. In conclusion, within the HPTE axis, libido might influence metabolism-related signaling pathways (mainly involving genes such as SYCP3, DDX4, STRA8, AMH, MEIOB, CDT1, BCL2, PRIM1, and DLGAP5) through LHX9 and WNT4 to regulate the development of the seminiferous tubules and germ cell number, ultimately affecting SC and MAS in geese. These findings offer practical insights into libido rating and shed light on the mechanisms by which libido regulates semen quality, potentially aiding in the improvement of goose breeding capacity.

Impact of paternal high energy diets on semen quality and embryo development in cattle.

Highly anabolic diets and excessive body fat accumulation have been shown to negatively impact sperm biology in humans and murine biomedical models. Current research indicates that obesity is associated with decreased semen quality and represents a major contributor to male subfertility in humans. Male overnutrition is commonly observed in the beef cattle industry and the use of high energy diets during bull development has been shown to negatively impact semen quality. Most research efforts in bovine reproductive physiology have focused on understanding and optimizing female fertility. This emphasis is even more evident in research investigating the relationship between nutritional interventions and reproductive performance, which has limited the development of nutritional strategies that optimize fertility in bulls. Increasing our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that influence bull fertility will contribute to future increases in cattle reproductive and productive efficiency. Moreover, exploring the impact of overnutrition in bulls may offer valuable insight and help address diet-induced male subfertility in humans. Herein, we summarize the currently available literature evaluating the impact of highly anabolic diets on male fertility, with an emphasis in the bovine species. Literature summarized in the present review evaluates the impact of overnutrition on sperm biology, early embryonic development, and explores its potential to impact postnatal performance of the offspring.

A review: Breeding behavior and management strategies for improving reproductive efficiency in bulls.

This review focuses on bull breeding behaviors and management strategies to improve reproductive efficiency. Breeding soundness evaluations are utilized to classify a bull's physical ability and sperm quality, yet roughly 20 % of bulls fail to meet the minimum criteria. Furthermore, despite achieving the minimum criteria, few bulls in multi-sire breeding groups sire the majority of calves, indicating a need for better understanding of bull behavior that impact siring capacity, and thus, a bull's reproductive efficiency. Several factors influence bull libido such as age, breed, and environmental conditions. Although service capacity tests have been used to measure libido, standardization and repeatability, along with variability in age and breed, can be problematic. Management in collection facilities largely focuses on the pre-stimulation of bulls through behavioral cues for better sperm quality and quantity during collection, thus improving a bull's reproductive efficiency through fewer collections with increased breeding doses harvested. In management of multi-sire breeding groups, understanding social interactions, bull-to-female ratios, synchronization of females, and DNA testing to determine parentage, are techniques that can be utilized to improve reproductive efficiency. New research utilizing remote monitoring technology is being developed to better understand bull behavior without the constraints of direct observation. This technology may be used to predict siring capacity, better manage bulls based on social dynamics, and potentially detect lameness or injury in bulls that may impact siring capacity. A better understanding of developing management strategies of breeding behaviors should be further investigated to improve reproductive success of bulls.

Research note: Effects of L-carnitine and L-arginine on sperm quality and fertility potential of aged broiler breeder roosters.

This objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-carnitine (LC) and their mixture in the diet (at lower levels) on sperm quality in aging broiler breeder roosters. Thirty-two broiler breeder roosters of the Arian breed were kept at 50 wk of age after a 12-wk acclimatization period. The birds were divided into four treatments and eight replicates in a completely randomized design. Treatments included (1) control (CON), 2) diet supplemented with 150 mg LC per kg diet, (3) diet supplemented with 500 mg L-Arg per kg diet, and (4) diet supplemented with 75 mg LC + 250 mg L-Arg. The use of LC in the roosters' diet increased the concentration, percentages of total mobility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity and straight line velocity compared to the CON and L-Arg treatment (P < 0.05). The percentage of apoptosis was lower in the LC, L-Arg + LC and L-Arg groups than in the CON group (P < 0.05). In general, LC and the mixture of LC and L-Arg probably improve the sperm quality of aged cockerels through the supply of adenosine triphosphate, antioxidant effects, and the synthesis of nitric oxide.

Hormonal induction and seasonal variation in male reproductive viability of the Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad.

The Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) depends on both the rearing of wild-collected egg masses and a long-standing conservation breeding program (CBP), the latter of which heavily relies on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to support wild populations. Achieving consistent reproductive success in the CBP, however, remains a significant challenge. Natural breeding has not led to a sustained increase in reproductive capacity, prompting the exploration of exogenous hormone treatments as an alternative strategy. This study specifically examined male responses to the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a previously tested hormone, in combination with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A), either individually or together, to evaluate their effects on sperm induction and viability across different seasons. Insights into how hormone treatments and seasonality influence sperm acquisition can guide managers in improving breeding outcomes within ex situ populations by enhancing their understanding of reproductive health, applying hormone treatments at the optimal time of year, and determining the best timing for high quality sperm collection. These advancements can increase reproductive capacity and support long-term genetic management through biobanking. Results indicated that combining hCG and GnRH-A yielded the highest sperm quantity and quality, although further optimization of hormone dosages could improve outcomes. Seasonal factors significantly influenced hormonal efficacy, with variations in sperm concentration and quality observed across months.