公猪精子活力和形态对受精能力的重要性

公猪的精子活力和形态评定是人工授精站的日常基本工作。本文综述了精子活力和形态评定方法的实质性进展,以及精子形态与受精能力之间的相关性。精子形态是除活力之外一个重要的受精能力关联参数,在人工授精中需要被充分考虑。     

Evaluation of the motility of boar sperm using computer technics

The motility of the spermatozoa of a normally fertile boar was measured by means of the Cellsoft Computer Automated Semen Analyzer. The following values were obtained for the chosen parameters: average speed of motion (V) 20.842 microns per second, average linearity (L) 4.960, average amplitude of lateral deflection of the head (LPH) 0.90 microns, frequency of average path intersection (FPD) 11.44 s. There were 46 spermatozoa with circular motion (27.71% of motile sperms). The majority of the spermatozoa (52%) moved at the rate of 10 to 20 microns.s-1, and linearity was most frequently in classes 3 to 4 (16%). The Semen Analyzer has brought progress in the evaluation of sperm motility; hence, the apparatus should be recommended for use in State Animal Enterprises and their A.I. stations.     

A preliminary study on using autologous and heterologous boar sperm supernatant from freezing processes as post-thawing solution: its effect on sperm motility

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of post-thawing dilution with autologous and heterologous sperm supernatant on motility of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. During the cryopreservation, sperm supernatant (a combination of seminal plasma and semen extender, 50% v/v) or seminal plasma from nine boars (Duroc, Large White, and Landrace; three in each) was collected by centrifugation and stored frozen until use as post-thawing solution. Sperm pellets were further processed and cryopreserved using control-rate freezer and was thawed at 50°C for 12 s. After thawing, frozen thawed semen samples were diluted with seminal plasma (group A), supernatant from Landrace (group B), supernatant from Large White (group C), supernatant from Duroc (group D), and Modena™ semen extender (group E). Post-thawing motility was evaluated using a phase-contrast microscope after thawing at 1, 10, 20, and 30 min. The present results show that at 1 min, a significantly higher percentage (P ≤ 0.001) of progressive motility was found in groups B (53.3%) and C (53.9%) than the other groups. At 10 min, the highest (P ≤ 0.001) progressive motility was found in groups B (65%) and C (61%). At 20 and 30 min, a significantly higher percentage (P ≤ 0.001) of progressive motility was found in groups B (58.9%), C (53.5%), and D (45.6%) than groups A (3.9%) and E (20.6%). It can be stated that supernatant from the freezing processes (consisting of seminal plasma and Modena™, 50% v/v) had a beneficial effect on post-thawing progressive motility of frozen boar semen.     

猪0.5 mL细管冻精不同解冻方法精子质量的研究

利用计算机辅助精子分析系统(CASA)结合顶体完整率(NAR)的检查,研究了长白猪0.5 m L细管冻精4种解冻程序后精液的质量,综合评价不同解冻方法。结果表明:1)精子冷冻-解冻后在曲线速度(VCL)、直线速度(VSL)、平均路径速度(VAP)、直线性(LIN)、前向性(STR)、鞭打频率(BCF)以及A+B类精子比例的检测性状上降低,差异极显著(P0.01);精子头侧摆幅度(ALH)也显著减小(P0.05),活率(Motile rate)变化差异不显著(P0.05);2)四组解冻程序中,38℃20 s解冻组的活率(Motile rate,MR)、VSL、VCL、STR、A+B精子比例指标均极显著(P0.01)优于42℃20 s、50℃15 s、62℃5 s解冻组,VAP、LIN与NAR差异不显著(P0.05);3)Topsis综合评价的结果表明38℃20 s组在孵育2 h、4 h、6 h之后检测性状优于其他解冻组。由此推论,虽然解冻后精子在运动参数发生较大变化,但是38℃20 s的解冻效果优于其他解冻条件。     

Influence of boars on the relationship between fertility and post thawing sperm quality of deep frozen boar spermatozoa.

The possibility of selecting boars for deep freezing of spermatozoa was evaluated by tests of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. 20 of 31 ejaculates were used for artificial insemination of 37 gilts. Boar seminal plasma and OLEP were used as thawing diluents. The thermoresistance test and the extracellular concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) were used as indicators of fertility. Spermatozoa from 4 boars were utilized. 1 of the boars appeared to be of superior fertility, while the spermatozoa from another was infertile. The latter animal had been used for fresh artificial insemination trials, and had shown higher pregnancy rates than the average. Samples from this boar exhibited the lowest degree of motility after 3 hours storage at 37 degrees C, the greatest relative decrease of motility during the thermoresistance test, the greatest release of ASAT after thawing by OLEP, and greatest relative release of ASAT. These variations were statistically significant (p less than .05). The results show that there is a possibility of detecting boars with spermatozoa with potential low freezability.     

Capacitation and capacitation-like sperm surface changes induced by handling boar semen

Since it has been well recognized that reproductive technologies, such as cryopreservation and sex-sorting, have a detrimental impact on sperm quality. These procedures cause sperm membrane destabilization which resembles that of capacitation. The pathways of this complex biochemical event are slowly unravelling, including the vital role of coating and decoating factors on the sperm surface. Characterization of these factors is leading to the development of novel surface manipulation techniques to stabilize the sperm membrane during handling. The possible application of these for assisted pig reproduction is discussed.     

Metformin blocks mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibits sperm motility in fresh and refrigerated boar spermatozoa

Metformin is clinically used to treat diabetes. Given its role‐impacting metabolism, metformin has been also added to semen cryopreservation media showing specie‐dependent effects. We aimed to investigate metformin effects in both fresh (38.5°C for 2, 24 hr) and refrigerated (17°C for 10 days) boar spermatozoa. Metformin (2 hr) does not affect fresh sperm viability, membrane lipid organization nor acrosome integrity. However, metformin (24 hr) blocks sperm ΔΨm and significantly reduces % motile spermatozoa (65%), % progressive spermatozoa (50%), % rapid (100%), velocities VCL (69%), VSL (86%), VAP (78%) and motility coefficients. Metformin‐including extender does not modify sperm viability, membrane lipid organization or acrosome integrity. Furthermore, it significantly reduces high ΔΨ‐population spermatozoa at refrigeration day 4. Metformin also significantly reduces sperm motility during refrigeration. Summarizing, metformin inhibits both boar sperm ΔΨ and motility in any sperm condition studied: fresh and refrigerated. These findings dissuade metformin as an additive to improve boar sperm quality.     

New strategies of boar sperm cryopreservation: Development of novel freezing and thawing methods with a focus on the roles of seminal plasma

Cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa offers an effective means of long‐term storage of important genetic material. Many researchers have investigated how to improve reproductive performance by artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved boar spermatozoa. Recently, we and other groups reported that high conception rates (70–80%) can be achieved by AI with frozen‐thawed boar spermatozoa using a modified temperature program during freezing, or a novel cryopreservation extender to improve sperm quality (including sperm survivability, motility, membrane status and fertilization ability) after thawing, or a novel sperm infusion method, deep intra uterine insemination. However, these techniques have not yet been used for commercial pig production. The variation in sperm freezability among boars or among ejaculations in an identical boar is one of the main reasons for this problem. In our previous study, it was revealed that some components of seminal plasma have a negative effect on the freezability of boar sperm. One of these factors is bacteria‐released endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS). LPS binds to Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) expressed on the sperm surface, resulting in induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, seminal plasma suppresses cryo‐capacitation induced by thawing stress. On the basis of these findings, we designed a novel protocol of AI using frozen‐thawed boar sperm.     

The addition of calcium ion chelator,EGTA to thawing solution improves fertilizing ability in frozen–thawed boar sperm

In our previous study, seminal plasma effectively suppressed the induction of sperm to capacitation‐like status and acrosome loss during the thawing process. However, because boar seminal plasma is contaminated with various kinds of bacteria and/or viruses, it is necessary to develop a thawing solution without animal‐derived materials. In this study, we focused on the increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) in sperm after thawing and the negative effects of sperm qualities. After thawing, the fluorescent intensity of [Ca²⁺]_i indicator, Fluo‐3/AM, and the level of phosphorylated tyrosine residue of protein were increased in the sperm. Next, we investigated whether the addition of Ca²⁺ chelators (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid (EGTA)) improved post‐thawed sperm motility. When the frozen–thawed sperm were treated with 6 mmol/L EDTA + 6 mmol/L EGTA, sperm motility was significantly increased as compared with control (6 mmol/L EDTA alone) at all incubation periods (P < 0.05). The combinational treatment significantly suppressed the elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i and the tyrosine phosphorylation, which improved the acrosomal status and fertilizing ability in vitro. Furthermore, when the thawing method was applied for artificial insemination, the fertilization rate was significantly higher than control (P < 0.05, 33% vs. 82%). Thus, we conclude that the addition of EDTA + EGTA to thawing solution is a beneficial tool for artificial insemination using frozen–thawed boar sperm.     

不同冷冻保护液和解冻温度对猪精液冷冻效果的影响

在BF5稀释液中分别添加不同水平的牛血清白蛋白(BSA)(0.5,1,1.5 g/L)、二甲基乙酰胺(DMA)(0.5%,1%,1.5%)、甲基-β-环糊精载胆固醇(CLC)(1,2.5,5 g/L),对成年健康猪精液进行冷冻保存,于不同温度(37,50,70℃)解冻后分别检测冷冻后精子的活率、活力、质膜完整性、项体完整率、线粒体活性.结果显示,0.5 g/L BSA组冷冻后精子活力、质膜完整率、顶体完整率和线粒体活性均高于其他组,但差异不显著(P0.05).1% DMA组冷冻后精子活率和活力显著优于1.5%DMA组(P＜0.05),同时也高于对照组(3%甘油)冻后精子活率和活力,但差异不显著.不同质量浓度CLC组冷冻后精子的活率、活力、质膜完整性和线粒体活性与对照组相比差异不显著.50℃和70℃解冻组精子的活率和线粒体活性显著高于37℃解冻组的精子;50℃解冻组精子的活力和质膜完整率显著高于其他2组.因此,在猪精液冷冻稀释液中,用DMA可以代替甘油作为渗透性保护剂,且以1%DMA,50℃解冻最佳.     

Combined effect of apigenin and ferulic acid on frozen‐thawed boar sperm quality

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of apigenin (AP) and ferulic acid (FA) on boar sperm during cryopreservation. AP and FA were both demonstrated to be high‐efficiency antioxidants and had not previously been used to protect sperm from cryodamage. As boar sperm is sensitive to oxidative stress, suitable antioxidants are still needed for improving frozen‐thawed sperm quality. With this purpose, semen samples coming from five boars were used in this study. Ejaculates of five boars were mixed and split into 16 aliquots, in which different doses of AP and FA were added separately or together. The motility, the plasma membrane integrity, the mitochondrial activity, the acrosomal integrity, the antioxidase activities and the malondialdehyde concentration of the frozen‐thawed boar sperm were assessed. The results suggested that both AP and FA significantly improved the frozen‐thawed boar sperm quality in all these aspects when they were added to the freezing extender separately, while the highest improvement was recorded when the extender was supplemented with 0.1 mmol/L AP plus 0.15 mmol/L FA. These findings demonstrated that supplementation of freezing extender with both AP and FA had a combined, beneficial effect on frozen‐thawed boar sperm.     

氢化可的松对保存过程中猪精子的影响

动物长期处于应激状态会影响其生育能力。应激对雄性动物生殖影响的研究多在体内进行,但在体外研究甚少,因此本试验在体外添加糖皮质激素研究其对猪精子各项生理指标的影响。试验首先在液态保存中分别添加不同质量浓度的氢化可的松(0.1,0.25,0.5,10.0,50.0 mg/L),检测其对猪精子活力的影响。结果显示,从0.25 mg/L应激质量浓度氢化可的松开始精子活力逐渐下降且均低于对照组(P<0.05)。之后通过蛋白质印迹法在射出的猪精子中证明存在糖皮质激素受体(glucocorticoid receptor,GR)。免疫荧光检测表明GR主要在精子顶体后区及尾部中段表达。精子保存第5天时,氢化可的松+米非司酮处理组精子活力显著高于氢化可的松单独处理组(P<0.05)。随后又检测了长期(5 d)处于应激质量浓度氢化可的松作用下,精子DNA碎裂(DFI)、线粒体膜电位(MMP)、精子凋亡水平。结果表明,精子DFI增加,线粒体功能下降,凋亡比例增加,而这些作用可以被米非司酮拮抗。因此表明氢化可的松可能是通过与其受体GR结合干扰线粒体功能而影响猪精子。     

Effect of cryoprotectants and thawing temperatures on chicken sperm quality

There is need for standardization of freezing–thawing protocol for rooster semen to minimize variability among results. Therefore, we aimed to compare effect of four different permeating cryoprotectants and two thawing temperatures (37 vs. 5°C) on sperm post‐thaw motility and to analyse combined effect of the best permeating cryoprotectant (P‐CPA) with one of four non‐permeating cryoprotectants (N‐CPA) on post‐thaw quality of rooster semen evaluated in vitro. Pooled semen from Ross PM3 rooster heavy line was diluted in Kobidil extender and frozen in cryoprotectant solution containing 6% dimethylacetamide, 7.5% dimethylformamide, 9% N‐methylacetamide or 8% ethylene glycol (EG) in liquid nitrogen vapours. To determine the best thawing rate, straws were thawed either at 37 or 5°C. Furthermore, samples were frozen in the presence of the best N‐CPA either with 0.75 mol/L ficoll, 0.2 mol/L sucrose, 0.2 mol/L trehalose or 0.05 mol/L glycine. Sperm motility, membrane destabilization and viability were analysed to compare different freezing–thawing conditions. In addition, morphology and ultrastructure analysis were performed to compare fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm quality. Our results indicate that the combination of EG and the thawing at 5°C improves (p ≤ .05) sperm post‐thaw motility. Moreover, ficoll addition to EG‐based freezing extender provided additional beneficial effect (p ≤ .05) on progressive movement and apoptosis incidence. Further work should evaluate different N‐CPA concentrations to improve freezing protocol. In addition, fertility evaluation and testing on different chicken lines are needed in order to contribute to animal genetic resources bank.     

Cryopreservation of Black Bengal buck semen: Effects of diluents and freezing on sperm motility and morphology

Semen from Black Bengal bucks was collected to establish a cooling protocol (to −196°C) for buck semen preservation, and to study the effect of freezing on sperm motility and morphology. Semen was diluted with diluents (Triladyl & Tris) and cryoprotectants, filled into straws, sealed, cooled (to 5°C) and equilibrated. After dilution, motility ranged from 75.00% to 76.67% and from 73.33% to 80.00% in Triladyl and Tris diluents, respectively. Motility of sperm after cooling to 5°C in Triladyl and Tris diluents ranged from 65.00% to 66.67% and from 63.33% to 70.00%, respectively. After equilibration in straws, the semen was subjected to a freezing protocol in a computer-controlled biofreezer CL-3000 (cooling at 10°C per minute, from 5°C to −80°C) and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility of re-thawed semen varied from 38.33% to 43.33% and from 6.00% to−6.67% in Triladyl and Tris diluents, respectively. Sperm morphology of re-thawed semen was studied and head damage or cryoinjury was found in 2–3% of sperm in Triladyl diluents and 3–6% in Tris diluents. Whether the differences of sperm motility and head damage reflect fertility after artificial insemination is yet unknown and needs to be studied further.     

The acrosin system of bull, boar and ram sperm]

Described in this paper is a technique by which to separate the components of the sperma acrosin system. Included in the method are extraction of all components by means of acetic acid, separation of acrosin inhibitors on Sephadex G 100 as well as biochemical determination of proacrosin and acrosin. While species-related peculiarities were of minor importance, alterations were found to occur to the acrosin system in response to deep-freeze preservation of bull, boar, and ram sperma. Those alterations grew manifest primarily through decline in total acrosin activity and shifting of the proacrosin-acrosin ratio in the direction of proacrosin activation. Detachability of membrane-bound acrosin inhibitors was increased with significance, following in-vitro capacitation of bull sperma under heparin action.     

Qualitative changes and the fertilizing capacity of sperm after 6 years of preservation of boar semen

Sperm motility, acrosome morphology, changes determined by the vital-lethal test and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration in semen plasma were evaluated in the semen of four boars; the semen was stored for six years. No statistically significant changes in the percentage of motile spermatozoa were indicated when sperm motility was evaluated after four and six years of semen storage in liquid nitrogen. Neither did the fluctuation of the changes found on the basis of the vital-lethal test go beyond statistically insignificant values. After semen sample thawing in the BTS medium, the motility of spermatozoa was found to be somewhat higher than after thawing in the INRA-ITP medium, but after the termination of the thermoresistance test both media appeared to be equally effective. The AST level of the semen samples stored for four years was just slightly up on the initial values. After thawing in the BTS medium, AST level increased by 0.03 microcatal per litre of semen plasma, and in the INTRA-ITP medium by 0.06 microcatal per litre of semen plasma. The insemination of five sows with the semen stored for six years results in conception of two sows, i. e. 40%, and the average litter size was 7.5 piglets. It can be derived from the results that six years of boar semen storage in liquid nitrogen cause no further substantial changes in the structural and functional characteristics of spermatozoa.     

Antioxidant mechanisms and their benefit on post-thaw boar sperm quality

While being an important component of normal cellular function, excess levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause cell damage and death. The ability to protect sperm against oxidative damage is of particular importance in the artificial reproduction industry because of the increased production of ROS by the sperm cell during processing. This review discusses the formation of ROS and the use of antioxidants in protecting boar sperm against oxidative damage.