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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 35793

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Dr. Anna Wysokińska

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Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, 08110 Siedlce, Poland
Interests: reproduction animals; andrology; spermatozoa; semen quality
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I invite you to submit original research papers and review articles concerning different aspects of different animal species semen evaluation. Sperm quality is essential for successful fertilization and proper development of the embryo. Problems in animal reproduction lead to the search for more precise methods of semen evaluation. Precise semen diagnostics is necessary in predicting male fertility and is important in optimizing their fertilization ability both in natural conditions and in assisted reproductive technology. In terms of improving semen preservation techniques, proper semen diagnostics is extremely important. Spermatozoa are cells with a specific structure, not found in other animal cells, and exhibit great morphological variability. They belong to the most diverse types of cells and are very sensitive to various factors. The aim of this special issue is to present the latest scientific achievements in the application of advanced techniques in the evaluation of animal semen, including a careful analysis of sperm cell structures.

Dr. Anna Wysokińska
Guest Editor

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Keywords

sperm analysis
semen
sperm quality
fertility
biology of reproduction
artifical insemination

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 174 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment

by Anna Wysokińska

Animals 2022, 12(21), 2905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212905 - 23 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3089

Abstract

Semen quality is of fundamental importance for successful conception and embryonic development [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

12 pages, 2993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Zearalenone-Induced Ferroptosis on Mice Spermatogenesis

by Yajing Li, Zhendong Zhu, Haixiang Cui, Kexin Ding, Yong Zhao, Xiangping Ma, Adedeji Olufemi Adetunji and Lingjiang Min

Animals 2022, 12(21), 3026; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12213026 - 3 Nov 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2742

Abstract

Male reproductive health is critically worsening around the world. It has been reported that the mycotoxin ZEA causes reproductive toxicity to domestic animals and affects spermatogenesis, thereby inhibiting male reproductive function. Ferroptosis is a newly identified type of programmed cell death that is different from apoptosis and it depends on iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Whether ferroptosis is linked to ZEA’s detrimental effect on spermatogenesis needs to be further explored. This study clarifies ferroptosis’s involvement in ZEA-induced damage on spermatogenesis. The reproductive injury model used in this study was induced by gavaging male mice in the ZEA treatment group with 30 μg/kg of ZEA for five weeks. Results show that ZEA treatment reduced mouse sperm motility and concentration, destroyed the structure of the seminiferous tubules of the testis, damaged the antioxidant defense system, and blocked spermatogenesis. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) inhibition of ferroptosis partially alleviated ZEA-induced oligozoospermia in mice. In addition, ZEA treatment was found to activate a signaling pathway associated with ferroptosis in mouse testis. ZEA also downregulated the expression of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4, and decreased the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4, resulting in the accumulation of lipid peroxides and an increase in the level of 4-HNE protein in the testis. Importantly, these changes were accompanied by an increase in the relative contents of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation are the causes of ferroptosis in spermatogenic cells, leading to a decrease in sperm motility and concentration. While the administration of Fer-1 at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg also increased the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins by upregulating Nrf2 expression, reducing iron accumulation, and reversing ZEA-induced ferroptosis, Fer-1 at 1.5 mg/kg had the best repairing effect for all parameters. In conclusion, ZEA-induced ferroptosis may be mediated by a notable reduction in Nrf2, SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression levels. Overall, ferroptosis is a novel therapeutic target for mitigating ZEA-induced reproductive toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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12 pages, 1842 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carboxylated ε-Poly-L-Lysine Supplementation of the Freezing Extender Improves the Post-Thawing Boar Sperm Quality

by Weijing Zhang, Yajing Li and Zhendong Zhu

Animals 2022, 12(13), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131726 - 4 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2542

Abstract

Frozen boar sperm is used on a minimal scale in consequence of the cryo-injuries induced by biochemical and physical modifications during the freezing and thawing processes. The present study investigates whether the addition of carboxylated ε-poly-L-lysine (CPLL) to the freezing medium could improve post-thaw boar sperm quality or not. Boar sperm was diluted with freezing medium contained different doses of carboxylated ε-poly-L-lysine (0, 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%; v/v). The motility patterns, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, NADH-CoQ activity, ATP level, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and antioxidant defense system, as well as apoptosis in post-thaw boar sperm, were measured. It was observed that 0.25% CPLL treatment significantly improved the post-thaw boar sperm total motility, progressive motility, straight-linear velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity. Interestingly, the addition of CPLL also significantly increased the post-thaw sperm mitochondrial membrane potential, NADH-CoQ activity, and ATP level. Moreover, post-thaw boar sperm catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were increased with the addition of CPLL from 0.125% to 0.5% concentration levels. Furthermore, reduction of post-thaw sperm MDA level and apoptosis in 0.25% CPLL treatment was also observed. Those observations suggested that the addition of 0.25% CPLL to the freezing medium increased post-thaw boar sperm quality by protecting sperm mitochondrial function and antioxidant defense system. These findings provided novel insights that CPLL can be used as an efficient cryoprotectant to improve the post-thaw boar sperm quality during cryopreservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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11 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mass Sperm Motility Is Correlated to Sperm Motility as Measured by Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) Technology in Farmed Ostriches

by Pfunzo T. Muvhali, Maud Bonato, Irek A. Malecki and Schalk W. P. Cloete

Animals 2022, 12(9), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091104 - 25 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2669

Abstract

Semen analyses have gained momentum in various livestock industries. However, in farmed ostriches, semen analysis is still in its experimental stage, and males are not screened for sperm quality before breeding. This study investigated the correlations between computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) technology and the traditional, yet affordable, mass sperm motility score. Semen was collected from nine South African Black ostrich males (mean age ± SD: 5.25 ± 1.21 years), using the dummy female method for 5 consecutive days monthly, for 8 months. Mass sperm motility scores were recorded on a scale of 1–5 (1: little to no sperm movement; 5: rapid sperm movement). The CASA traits recorded were: total motility (MOT), progressive motility (PMOT), curve–linear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), and beat-cross frequency (BCF). The results revealed positive correlations between mass sperm motility and PMOT, MOT, VCL, and VAP ranging from 0.34 to 0.59 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, negative correlations were recorded between mass sperm motility and LIN, STR, and BCF, with correlations ranging from −0.20 to −0.39 (p < 0.0001). VSL, ALH, and WOB were not correlated to mass sperm motility (p > 0.05). Ostrich farmers may thus be able to evaluate sperm motility reliably and potentially select breeding males by using the affordable mass sperm motility scoring method. Determining the correlation between these methods and fertility after artificial insemination or natural mating is however needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

14 pages, 1527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Chilling Injury in Boar Spermatozoa by Kinematic Patterns and Competitive Sperm-Oviduct Binding In Vitro

by Heiko Henning, Jennifer Franz, Julia Batz-Schott, Xuyen Le Thi and Dagmar Waberski

Animals 2022, 12(6), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060712 - 11 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2358

Abstract

Sensitive detection of chilling injury in boar spermatozoa is required to evaluate novel hypothermic preservation concepts. The study’s aim was to examine whether analyses of motility patterns and sperm binding in a competitive oviduct explant assay (cOEA) sensitively detect chilling-induced alterations in sperm function. Semen samples (n = seven boars) were split into four subsamples by dilution either in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) or Androstar^® Plus and stored at 5 °C or 17 °C. Storage temperature had a significant effect on the distribution of spermatozoa in seven major kinematic clusters. The effect size of chilling at 5 °C as estimated by Cramer’s V was higher (p < 0.05) in the BTS medium (0.21) compared to AndroStar^® Plus (0.11). Spermatozoa extended in Androstar^® Plus had higher relative binding capacity compared to sperm in BTS (p < 0.05). Binding indices correlated with the percentage of viable, acrosome-intact (r = 0.62) and motile spermatozoa (r = 0.72, both p < 0.001). The cluster size of sperm with slow, vigorous movement was negatively correlated with sperm-oviduct binding (r = −0.43, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the cluster analysis of sperm kinematics and competitive sperm oviduct binding in vitro present meaningful biological tests to assess novel concepts for hypothermic semen preservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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12 pages, 1653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Semen Quality of Jeju Black Cattle (JBC) to Select Bulls Optimal for Breeding and Establish Freezing Conditions Suitable for JBC Sperm

by Jae-Wook Yoon, Seung-Eun Lee, Won-Jae Kim, Dae-Cheol Kim, Cheol-Ho Hyun, Shin-Ji Lee, Hyo-Jin Park, So-Hee Kim, Seung-Hwan Oh, Do-Geon Lee, Da-Bin Pyeon, Eun-Young Kim and Se-Pill Park

Animals 2022, 12(5), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050535 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4082

Abstract

To optimize the reproduction of Jeju black cattle (JBC), freezing conditions for sperm were established and sperm motility, vitality, morphology, and fertility were evaluated to select the optimal bull for breeding. Semen samples from five JBC bulls were individually mixed with freezing medium at a final concentration of 1 × 108 sperm/mL and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor at a height of 3 or 7 cm (referred to as 3 cm sperm and 7 cm sperm, respectively). When the freezing conditions were compared, the motility of 7 cm sperm was significantly higher than that of 3 cm sperm for the JBC-A bull. The motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and average path velocity of fresh and frozen–thawed sperm were the highest for the JBC-A bull. The vitalities of fresh and frozen–thawed sperm were the highest for the JBC-A/E and JBC-A bulls, respectively. The percentage of normal cells in fresh sperm was the highest for the JBC-D bull. The rates of the normal formation of two pronuclei and total sperm penetration were the highest in zygotes fertilized with sperm from the JBC-A bull. The sperm from the JBC-A bull had superior qualities and are thus the most appropriate choice for the preservation and reproduction of these endangered cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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10 pages, 390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrity of Sperm Cell Membrane in the Semen of Crossbred and Purebred Boars during Storage at 17 °C: Heterosis Effects

by Anna Wysokińska and Dorota Szablicka

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3373; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123373 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess changes in the integrity of sperm cell membranes during the storage of semen collected from Duroc × Pietrain crossbred boars and purebred boars of the component breeds. To compare the cell membrane integrity of sperm heads in crossbred and purebred boars, heterosis effects were estimated. The study was conducted on 48 ejaculates collected from Duroc × Pietrain crossbred boars and from purebred Duroc and Pietrain boars used for artificial insemination. Microscope slides were prepared from each ejaculate for the evaluation of the cell membrane integrity of the sperm, at 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after collection of the ejaculate. Diluted ejaculates were stored at 17 °C. Sperm membrane integrity was analysed by two methods: SYBR-14/PI and eosin–nigrosin. Our results showed that the cell membrane integrity of sperm heads changed with storage time, but the extent of the changes varied depending on the genetic group of boars. The semen of Duroc × Pietrain crossbreds was clearly seen to be less sensitive to storage conditions than that of boars of the parent breeds, which was confirmed by the calculated heterosis effects. The percentage of sperm with an intact cell membrane was higher in crossbred boars than in purebred boars (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, significantly fewer moribund sperm spermatozoa and spermatozoa with a damaged cell membrane were observed in crossbred boars (p ≤ 0.05). In the semen of purebred Duroc and Pietrain boars, the cell membrane integrity of the sperm should be assessed more often during storage than in the semen of Duroc × Pietrain crossbred boars. This study provides valuable information for the development and implementation of semen quality monitoring in crossbred boars and boars of the parent breeds during storage at 17 °C with respect to the cell membrane structure of sperm heads. The evaluation methods used effectively identify damage to the cell membranes of the sperm during semen storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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13 pages, 2623 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Taurine on Sperm Quality during Room Temperature Storage in Hu Sheep

by Liuming Zhang, Yanhu Wang, Tariq Sohail, Yan Kang, Haoyuan Niu, Xiaomei Sun, Dejun Ji and Yongjun Li

Animals 2021, 11(9), 2725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092725 - 18 Sep 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3274

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate whether the presence of Tau protected Hu sheep sperm from ROS stress during storage at room temperature. The semen was diluted with extender (Tris-based) at room temperature, supplemented with different concentrations of Tau (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, or 100 mM), and stored at 15 °C. Sperm quality parameters (sperm progressive motility, kinetic parameters, plasma membrane integrity rate, acrosome integrity rate, and MMP) and antioxidant parameters (ROS, MDA, SOD, CAT, and T-AOC) were evaluated during the preservation of semen. The addition of Tau, especially at a concentration of 20 mM, exerted positive effects on sperm quality parameters and antioxidant parameters compared to the sperm without Tau treatment (control group). The addition of Tau, especially at a concentration of 100 mM, exerted negative effects on sperm quality parameters and antioxidant parameters compared to the control group. Interestingly, the results indicated that the sperm acrosome integrity rate did not change during storage time. In conclusion, the addition of Tau to sperm preserved at room temperature can enhance the antioxidant ability of sperm, reduce the LPO on the 5th day, and improve the quality of semen preserved at room temperature. These results implied that Tau had potential to enhance Hu sheep sperm reproductive performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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14 pages, 2566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multiparametric Study of Antioxidant Effect on Ram Sperm Cryopreservation—From Field Trials to Research Bench

by Marta F. Riesco, Mercedes Alvarez, Luis Anel-Lopez, Marta Neila-Montero, Cristina Palacin-Martinez, Rafael Montes-Garrido, Juan Carlos Boixo, Paulino de Paz and Luis Anel

Animals 2021, 11(2), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020283 - 23 Jan 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2924

Abstract

The optimization of sperm cryopreservation protocols in ram is a feasible tool to reinforce artificial insemination technologies considering the desirable application of sperm by vaginal/cervical or transcervical deposition. Cryopreservation provokes different types of damage on spermatozoa and many of these detrimental effects are triggered by redox deregulation. For this reason, the antioxidant supplementation in sperm cryopreservation protocols to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and to equilibrate redox status has been widely employed in different species. Despite this, more fertility trials are necessary to provide the definitive tool to ensure the antioxidant effectiveness on sperm quality. For this reason, in this work, we performed a multiparametric analysis of some previously tested antioxidants (crocin, GSH and Trolox) on ram sperm cryopreservation from field trials to sperm quality analyses focused on new strategies to measure redox balance. Attending to fertility trial, Trolox supplementation registered an improvement concerning to fertility (when we considered high fertility males) and multiple lambing frequency and other complementary and descriptive data related to lambing performance such as prolificacy and fecundity. This positive effect was more evident in multiple lambing frequency when we considered low fertility males than in global male analysis. In vitro analyses of sperm quality confirmed in vivo trials registering a positive effect on sperm viability and redox balance. In this study, we provided the definitive evidence that the role of trolox on redox balance maintenance has a direct effect on fertility parameters, such as prolificacy. The effectiveness of antioxidant treatments was tested, for the first time in ovine species, using an integrative and multiparametric approach combining in vivo and in vitro analyses and novel approaches, such as RedoxSYS. These types of strategies should be applied to improve sperm conservation methods and optimize AI technologies upgrading the correlation between in vitro and in vivo analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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Review

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16 pages, 2225 KiB

Open AccessReview

Origin, Migration, and Reproduction of Indigenous Domestic Animals with Special Reference to Their Sperm Quality

by Gerhard van der Horst and Liana Maree

Animals 2022, 12(5), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050657 - 5 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3370

Abstract

Indigenous domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens have a natural resistance to endo- and ecto-parasites and are tolerant in terms of harsh environmental conditions. These species orginated from the Fertile Cresent between 12,000 and 10,000 BP before migrating into surrounding continents. In view of limited information on the reproductive status of indigenous breeds, it is important to examine their semen characteristics in order to select males to improve livestock production. We have largely relied on existing literature but also our published and ongoing research on sperm quality assessment of several indigenous breeds. The sperm quality of these breeds is similar to current commercial breeds and has been quantified using cutting-edge methods. In this context, we have presented sperm functional tests which provide a better estimate of semen quality than just a standard semen analysis. Initial results suggest that the indigenous breeds have a high sperm quality and sperm functionality similar to currently farmed exotic or crossbreeds. In the long-term, the importance of preserving the favorable traits of these breeds is a priority in view of crossbreeding with existing good meat and milk producers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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Other

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13 pages, 2707 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Systematic Analysis of Breed, Methodological, and Geographical Impact on Equine Sperm Progressive Motility

by Jodie Perrett, Imogen Thea Harris, Christy Maddock, Mark Farnworth, Alison Z. Pyatt and Rebecca Nicole Sumner

Animals 2021, 11(11), 3088; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113088 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3259

Abstract

Over the past five decades, there has been increasing evidence to indicate global declines in human semen quality. Parallel adverse trends measured in male animals indicate a potential environmental aetiology. This study evaluated the progressive motility (PM) of stallion ejaculate through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 696 estimates of equine PM from 280 studies, which collected semen samples between the years 1990 and 2018, were collated for meta-analysis. The method of motility analysis, breed, season of collection, and geographical location were extracted. Simple linear regression determined temporal trends in stallion PM. Studies using microscopy estimated PM to be significantly greater compared to computer-automated methods (p ≤ 0.001). For Arabian breeds, PM was consistently higher than other breeds. Over time, there was a significant decline in PM for studies from Europe (n = 267) but a significant increase for studies from North America (n = 259). Temporal trends indicate the fertilising capacity of equine ejaculate has remained consistently high in the last three decades. That being so, variations observed suggest methodological, geographical, and individual stallion differences may significantly influence actual and reported stallion fertility potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)

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