Seminal plasma composition and its relationship with physical spermatological parameters of Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) semen: with emphasis on sperm motility

In this research, the mineral and organic composition of the seminal plasma, physical spermatological parameters and their physiological relationships were investigated in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The seminal plasma contained 98.14±5.23 mM L^?1 (Na⁺), 380.85±25.95 mM L^?1 (K⁺), 30.25±4.96 mg dL^?1 (Ca²⁺), 19.16±1.70 mEq L^?1 (Mg²⁺), 1.36±0.11 mg dL^?1 glucose, 0.37±0.08 g dL^?1 total protein, 12.02±1.18 mg dL^?1 cholesterol, 14.85±1.50 mg dL^?1 triglyceride and 43.5±9.56 mg dL^?1 urea. The following spermatological parameters were found: sperm volume 14.44±1.16 mL, sperm motility 80.60±1.55%, movement duration 67.68±4.32 s, density 15.43±0.72 × 10⁹ mL^?1, total density 337.43+45.86 × 10⁹ and pH 7.24±0.17. The Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions correlated negatively with spermatozoa motility (r=?0.453, P>0.05 and r=?0.192, P>0.05) respectively. The K⁺ ion correlated positively with spermatozoa motility (r=0.545, P>0.05). But a statistically significant correlation was not observed between sperm motility and seminal plasma parameters. The following correlations were observed between mineral and organic components. The Mg²⁺ was positively correlated with glucose and cholesterol (r=0.692, P<0.05 and r=0.680, P<0.05) respectively. A highly significant positive relationship was also found between Mg²⁺ and total protein (r=0.837, P<0.01). On the other hand, a significantly negative relationship was found between Ca²⁺ and triglyceride (r=?0.639, P<0.05). These parameters should be considered when developing procedures for either artificial fertilization or for cryopreservation of grass carp sperm.     

微量元素对乳用公牛精液品质的影响

在原日粮的基础上，每头公牛每1d添加微量元素锌、碘和硒，可显著提高精子活力和精子顶体完整率，特别是原精活力提高了10．99％，营养剂对降低原精畸形率和提高精量也有一定的益处，但对原精密度反而有所下降。还需要进一步研究改进。     

双峰驼精清及其活性组分凝集素寡糖的初步研究

应用植物血凝素与寡糖结构相同或相似的糖复合物专一凝集的原理与方法,结合小鼠排卵试验,间接观察了公驼精清及其经ＤＥ－５２离子交换层析和高效液相层析提取分离的活性组分的蛋白组成。结果表明,公驼精清内糖蛋白含有２种以上的寡糖,其内的活性组分及诱导排卵因子与所试植物血凝素不发生反应     

不同蛋白质水平下种公猪精液品质与血液生化指标的相关性研究

通过对成年健康大约克公猪饲喂不同能量、蛋白质含量的饲料,研究不同能量、蛋白质含量条件下血液生化指标(包括内分泌激素和其他血液指标)与精液品质的相关性。结果表明:在本次试验中,能量对精液品质和血液生化指标的影响差异不显著(P>0.05);hTsh浓度与精子活率存在相关性且受蛋白质水平的影响;ALB浓度与精子密度的相关系数随着蛋白质水平的升高约有下降,但它与精子畸形率的相关系数却上升。     

Organic zinc and copper supplementation on antioxidant protective mechanism and their correlation with sperm functional characteristics in goats

Trace minerals feeding had significant effects on sperm production and fertility with better absorption and proper utilization within the body for optimum reproductive function. Several studies have shown that more influenced trace elements in the diets of animals are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Bucks showing deficiency of this mineral might affect the quality of semen production which in turn would affect the fertility. This experiment was thus designed to test the effects of organic Cu and Zn supplementation on antioxidants enzyme activities and sperm functional attributes in fresh semen of bucks. Forty bucks (n = 40, Aged 5 months) were assigned to ten groups of four animals in each group, supplemented (for a period of 8 months) with different levels of organic Zn: 20 mg (T2), 40 mg (T3) and 60 mg (T4), organic Cu: 12.5 mg (T5), 25 mg (T6), 37.5 mg (T7) and combined organic Zn and Cu: 20 + 12.5 mg (T8), 40 + 25 mg (T9), 60 + 37.5 mg (T10), respectively, per kg dry matter and no additional mineral diet (control; T1). One hundred and sixty semen samples were collected through electro‐ejaculator and analysed for sperm quantity, quality, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity and correlated with the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities in seminal plasma. The results indicated organic Cu and zinc supplemented bucks produced more sperm cells, had higher sperm concentrations, maintained higher (p < .01) sperm livability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, more motility and velocity. The increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress and lowered lipid peroxidation were positively correlated (p < .05) with the sperm functional attributes. In conclusion, organic Cu and Zn supplement to male goats showed protective roles against oxidative damage and maintained better fresh semen characteristics.     

Effect of bovine seminal plasma on bovine endometrial epithelial cells in culture

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of seminal plasma (SP) from bulls of known fertility on bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) in culture. The bEEC from passage 5, approximately 5.0–13 × 10⁵ cells per flask, were challenged with SP from bulls of high or low fertility (n = 3 and 2, respectively) or PBS (control), at 1% (75 μl) or 4% (300 μl) and were incubated for 72 hr (n = 13 per challenge). Total cell number and viability of bEEC after challenge with 1% SP from either high‐ or low‐fertility bulls (75H or 75L, respectively) did not differ from controls. In contrast, challenge with 4% of SP from high‐ or low‐fertility bulls (300H or 300L) negatively affected bEEC cell number and viability. Challenge with 300 L had a greater adverse effect than 300H. These results suggest that the negative effect of bovine SP on bEEC is both dose‐dependent and fertility‐dependent.     

Elongation Rate of Wheat Root Axes

The elongation rate of seminal root axes for two wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (one gene dwarf Sonalika RR-21 and three gene dwarf UP 301 ) grown in pots under three fluctuating soil water tension regimes of 0.3 to 0.8, 2.0 to 2.5 and 4.0 to 4.5 bars was measured throughout the growing period.
Two distinct peaks were observed for both genotypes. The first peak of highest elongation rate (25.0 to 35.5 mm day⁻¹) for both genotypes occurred during 22–28 days after planting which corresponds to the crown root initiation stage of the crop. The second lower peak (11.2 to 14.5 mm day⁻¹) occurred during 49–60 days after planting for Sonalika RR-21 but 60–72 days for UP 301. The time of occurrence of second peak corresponds to the stem elongation stage.
The elongation rate of root axes differed significantly for different stages and genotypes but when considered over the whole growing season, soil water tension regimes showed no effect. Over a period of 72 days from planting, average elongation rate ranged from 11.3 to 12.7 mm day⁻¹. The elongation rate of root axes bore no consistent relationship with either mean air or soil temperature at 5 and 15 cm depths that prevailed during crop growth period.     

双峰驼精清诱导排卵活性成分的DEAE—纤维素柱层析分离及其生物活性

选用DEAE－纤维素离子交换柱对双峰驼精清进行分离，各层析组分用于大鼠垂体组织体外培养，并给母驼肌注有活性的组分，以RIA法测定垂体组织培养液和母驼血浆中LH及FSH的浓度。结果表明，驼精清经DEAE－纤维素柱分离后可得到5个蛋白组分（L1－L5），其中L3在大鼠垂体培养时引起LH释放明显增加（P＜0．05），FSH则无明显变化。给卵巢上无大卵泡发育的母驼肌注有活性的组分L3，可引起血浆中LH明显升高，FSH也无变化。由此表明，L3在体内外试验中均具有引起LH释放的生物活性，它可能是诱导排卵的活性因子或其成分之一。     

Influence of Boar Seminal Plasma on the Distribution of Spermatozoa in the Genital Tract of Gilts

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate whether boar seminal plasma affects the transport of spermatozoa in the genital tract of oestrous pigs or not, with special reference to the sperm transport into the oviducts. Altogether 17 gilts were used in three experiments.Experiment I. In nine gilts one uterine horn was injected surgically with 10¹⁰ spermatozoa suspended in seminal plasma and the other uterine horn with 10¹⁰ spermatozoa suspended in TESNaK-glucose buffer solution. The sperm deposition was performed under general anaesthesia. The gilts were slaughtered 1–2 or 4–6 h after insemination. The genital tract was removed and the numbers of spermatozoa determined in oviducts and in uterine horns.Experiment II. The insemination doses were prepared exactly as in Experiment I. Approx. 24 h before insemination Polyvinylchloride cannulas were inserted into the uterine lumen of the horns, drawn via the midventral incision at linea alba subcutaneously to cutaneous incisions ventral to the vulva opening. One cannula was placed in each uterine horn. At standing heat the insemination doses were slowly injected through the cannulas. The gilts were slaughtered 1 h after insemination and the numbers of spermatozoa within the genital tract were counted.Experiment III. In three gilts under general anaesthesia the uterine horns were ligated 10 cm from the uterotubal junction. The semen doses (containing 2 × 10⁹ spermatozoa), prepared as in Experiment I, were deposited into the uterine horns anterior to the ligatures through a cannula. The gilts were slaughtered 1 h after insemination, and the numbers of spermatozoa within the oviducts and ligated part of the uterine horns were counted.In all three experiments more spermatozoa were, on average, recovered in the oviducts connected to uterine horns inseminated with spermatozoa suspended in seminal plasma. In Experiments I andII this was the case for 10 of 14 gilts and in Experiment III for all the three gilts. It is therefore suggested that boar seminal plasma pro¬motes sperm transport into the oviduct of oestrous pigs. The back¬ground mechanism for this is discussed.