The effect of the method of adding ethylene glycol to turkey ejaculate on the quality of cryopreserved sperm

Ethylene glycol at concentrations of 8 + 8, 4 + 12 or 0 + 16% was added to the ejaculate of the White Broad-Breasted turkey-stags by the method of (ejaculate : diluent) 1 : (1 + 1), 1 : (1 + 1/4 + 1/4 + 2/4) or 1 : (1 + 1/15 + 1/15 + 1/15 + 2/15 + + 4/15 + 6/15) at temperatures of 25, 15 or 5 degrees C. The dissolved ejaculate was equilibrated for 15 minutes, three minutes it was left to freeze in liquid nitrogen vapours and 24 hours it was stored at a temperature of -196 degrees C. Motility, percentage of live spermatozoa and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were evaluated after sample thawing at 15 degrees C. The quality of cryo-preserved spermatozoa of stags was most effectively influenced by the addition of ethylene glycol to ejaculate at the concentration of 0 + 16% by the method of 1 : (1 + 1/15 + 1/15 + + 1/15 + 2/15 + 4/15 + 6/15) at the temperature of 25 degrees C.     

Utilisation of a sperm quality analyser to evaluate sperm quantity and quality of turkey breeders

1. A relatively new instrument known as a Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA) offers a rapid assessment of sperm quality and quantity by providing a sperm quality index (SQI). The SQA measures a combination of the intensity of sperm activity and motile concentration by determining the number and amplitude of sperm movements per second in a capillary tube as detected through light beam interference. 2. Because the SQA has not been tested for its potential use in turkeys, the objective was to determine if the SQA could accurately respond to changes in turkey sperm concentration, viability, and motility in semen collected from turkey breeders. 3. The effect of varying concentrations of sperm on SQI values was evaluated by diluting replicate pools of semen from 4 different aged turkey breeder flocks with saline. Results from all 4 flocks showed that semen dilutions greater than 20-fold resulted in a linear decline in SQI values. 4. Additional in vitro analysis evaluated the effects of turkey sperm viability on the SQI under conditions of constant sperm concentration. Incubated, live sperm was mixed in various proportions with thawed, dead sperm to determine changes in viability. Increased proportions of dead sperm caused a decline in the SQI. 5. To assess sperm motility, turkey semen was incubated under either aerobic (motile) or anaerobic (immotile) conditions. Varied amounts of immotile and motile sperm samples were mixed. A linear increase in the SQI was observed as per cent motile sperm increased. 6. These results indicate that the SQA can respond to differences in turkey sperm concentration, viability, and motility using in vitro analyses.     

饲料形状和质量对火鸡生产性能的影响

Aviagen Turkeys 公司(以下简称“ATL”)提供了获得不同火鸡品种目标性能所需的营养规范指南,然而为了使火鸡对饲料营养密度做出积极反应,它们需要定期消耗所需的饲料量来达到这一目标。     

聚维酮碘对常温保存猪精子质量的影响

通过在猪鲜精和17℃保存精液中添加聚维酮碘(PVP-Ⅰ),探讨其杀灭精液有害细菌的效果和对精子质量的影响,从而达到阻断病原菌垂直传播的目的。保存后不同时间时取样精液接种和培养,用细菌菌落计数的方法检测精液中细菌菌落总数,并用MicroScanA/S4细菌鉴定仪鉴定细菌种类。采用计算机辅助精液分析仪(CASA)检测精子活率、活力,低渗肿胀法(HOST)检测质膜完整性线粒体膜电位检测试剂盒(JC-1)测线粒体活性和考马斯亮蓝染色检测精子顶体完整性。结果显示,用PVP-Ⅰ消毒猪精液时,在0～0.27g/L随着PVP-Ⅰ质量浓度的增加杀菌效果越好。精液中添加0.20g/L和0.27g/L PVP-Ⅰ能杀死棒状杆菌、大肠杆菌、不动杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌、白色念珠菌、链球菌(作用1h),但不能杀死变形杆菌。在猪精液稀释液中添加质量浓度0～0.20g/L的PVP-Ⅰ对17℃保存猪精子质量无影响。结果表明,聚维酮碘在质量浓度0.20g/L能杀死猪精液中的棒状杆菌、大肠杆菌、不动杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌、白色念珠菌、链球菌,并且对17℃保存猪精子质量常规指标(活率、活力、线粒体活性、质膜完整性和顶体完整性)无影响。     

The effect of cooling to different subzero temperatures on dog sperm cryosurvival

The objective was to assess the effect of cooling to different subzero temperatures around ice formation (?5°C) on dog sperm cryosurvival and plasma membrane fluidity. Semen was centrifuged, and sperm were resuspended in a Tris‐egg yolk medium (3% glycerol). Diluted sperm were cooled from 22 to 5°C, and then, a Tris‐egg yolk medium containing 7% glycerol was added (final concentration of 5% glycerol and 200 × 10⁶ cells/ml). Sperm were packaged in 0.5‐ml plastic straws, and equilibration was done 16 hr at 5°C before freezing. I. Straws (n = 47) at 5°C were exposed to nitrogen vapours to determine the freezing point. II. Other straws (from different ejaculates) processed as mentioned, were further cooled to ?3, ?5 or ?7°C and immediately rewarmed in a water bath at 37°C. Motility, plasma membrane functionality and acrosome integrity were assessed. III. Other straws (from different ejaculates) processed as mentioned were further cooled to ?3 or ?5°C, frozen over nitrogen vapours and stored in liquid nitrogen for one month. Straws were thawed in a water bath at 38°C for 30 s. Motility, plasma membrane functionality, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, capacitation status and plasma membrane fluidity were assessed. Ice nucleation temperature was ?14.3 ± 2.05°C (mean ± SD); cooling to +5, ?3, ?5 and ?7°C, without freezing, produces no differences on sperm quality between target temperatures; cooling to +5, ?3, and ?5°C produced no differences on sperm survival and plasma membrane fluidity after freeze–thawing. In conclusion, cooling of dog spermatozoa to different subzero temperatures did not improve sperm cryosurvival and had no effect on plasma membrane fluidity after thawing.     

The effect of enrofloxacin on sperm quality in male mice

Current study was designed to evaluate toxic effects of enrofloxacin on male mice reproductive system. In the treatment group enrofloxacin was administered subcutaneously to male mice at a fixed dose of 150 mg/kg once daily for 15 days, whereas saline solution was given in the same regimen in the control group for the same period. Mice were sacrificed on day 15 and analyzed for sperm quality. In addition to routine examination of sperm material, spermatogenetic activity and organization of each animal were graded according to Johnsen's scoring to assess the spermatogenesis relying on seminiferous tubule cross-section scores. A significant decrease in both epididymal sperm count and sperm motility besides abnormal spermatozoa rate were observed in enrofloxacin group compared to controls (P < 0.01, for all). Johnsen's score in control mice were better than those in treatment group (P < 0.01). These results suggested that a fixed 150 mg/kg dose of enrofloxacin would lead disruption of spermatogenesis in the testes causing deterioration of motility and content of sperms as well as morphological abnormalities.     

Field testing the influence of sperm competition based on sperm mobility in breeder turkey toms

1. Commercial reproduction of turkeys relies on pooling of semen from multiple males for inseminations. Understanding how sperm characteristics influence paternity under commercial breeding conditions is important to improving production efficiency. 2. The objective of this study was to evaluate progeny production of individual toms following commercial practices of pooling semen to determine if sperm mobility influences progeny production in field conditions. 3. A total of 104 toms were evaluated for sperm mobility. A subset of 10 toms were housed together and semen was collected, pooled and used to inseminate hens (n = 28). Hens were inseminated at 30 weeks of age and weekly thereafter. 4. Ejaculates from each tom were evaluated on two separate days for sperm mobility. Semen from each tom was diluted and layered upon 6% (wt/vol) Accudenz solution. The sperm suspension was incubated at 41 degrees C for 5 min and absorbance was measured with a spectrophotometer. 5. Toms were ranked by absorbance and categorised as high or low if mobility score was +/- 1 SD from the flock mean (average). 6. For parentage determination, DNA was extracted from tom, hen and poult blood. Poult parentage (n = 276) was determined at one day of age or at 14 weeks by analysis of marker genotypes that were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of genomic DNA with selected microsatellite markers. 7. Sperm mobility differed across males with absorbance values ranging from 0.147 to 0.366. 8. Findings demonstrate differences in poult production among individual toms when semen from multiple males was pooled and inseminated. Toms classified as high, average and low produced 55, 41 and 4% of the offspring, respectively. 9. It appears that sperm mobility is a trait that influences sperm competition among toms under field conditions where sperm numbers inseminated from individual toms are not controlled or constant and that toms with low sperm mobility produce few offspring.     

The effect of pressure on turkey breast skin

In an attempt to experimentally reproduce focal ulcerative dermatitis (FUD) in turkeys, pressures of 94, 136, and 240 mmHg were applied for 2, 4, or 6 hr daily for 4 consecutive days to unfeathered breast skin of six 9-week-old toms. No gross lesions occurred either immediately after treatment or during a 10-day post-treatment period, and no microscopic changes were present in the skin at the conclusion of the trial. These findings suggest that avian skin is resistant to pressure-induced decubital ulceration and that pressure is unlikely to be either the cause of or a significant contributor to FUD.     

The relationships between scrotal surface temperature,age and sperm quality in stallions

In horses, spermatogenesis normally occurs at an average intratesticular temperature of 35 °C; therefore, mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation are essential. Measuring the scrotal surface temperature by thermography is one of the methodologies used to evaluate the effectiveness of testicular thermoregulation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the control of scrotal surface temperature and sperm quality in horses of different ages. In total, 24 Quarter Horse stallions were divided into three groups: YS (young stallions), AS (adult stallions) and OS (old stallions). Initially, we calculated the testicular volume (TV) and evaluated various aspects of the semen (sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology) for all the animals. We also evaluated rectal temperature (RT), body surface temperature (BST,) and average scrotal surface temperature in the testicular region (SST) before (M0) and after sun exposure (M1). Differences were observed (p<0.05) between the RT and BST before and after sun exposure in all three groups. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in the SST values at these two time points, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation. The SST was similar (p>0.05) among all three groups. Based on these results, we conclude that fertile stallions of different age groups are able to maintain SST and measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer. We can also conclude that measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer is a practical and efficient tool for monitoring SST in horses.     

Effects of cooling rates on the quality of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) sperm

This study aims to investigate the effect of different cooling rates on the semen cryopreservation of curimba (Prochilodus lineatus). Nineteen ejaculates were obtained from adults males and cryopreserved at 15°C/min (CR15), 30°C/min (CR30) (controlled temperature inside and outside straw, speed was stable during freezing) and direct freezing in liquid nitrogen vapour (~35.6°C/min) (CRNV). The straws were thawed and seminal parameters evaluated. DNA fragmentation through the comet assay was assessed. A fresh sperm sample was not frozen and used for analyses. Data were submitted to an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were compared by Scott–Knott test (p < 0.05) using the R Software. Mean motility percentage was 100%, and motility duration was 39.5 ± 5.7 s for the fresh sperm (subjective analysis); 58.9 ± 8.0% and 24.5 ± 5.7 s for CR15; 64.8 ± 4.8% and 26.5 ± 7.1 s for CR30; and 50.1 ± 16% and 25.7 ± 4.7 s for CRNV, respectively. Motility percentages were higher and equal between CR15 and CR30 compared to CRNV (p < 0.05). Some sperm motion kinetics, namely average path velocity (VAP) and straight line velocity (VAS), were higher for CR30 (p < 0.05), while curvilinear velocity (VCL) and velocity progression (PRO) were lower for CRNV (p < 0.05). Straightness (STR) and wobble (WOB) were the same among treatments (p > 0.05). Sperm morphology results indicated higher means for total morphological sperm alterations in CRNV. All cooling rates caused sperm DNA fragmentation, although CR30 provided a less harmful effect. This is the first report for cryopreserved P. lineatus sperm preserved under different controlled cooling rates. The cooling rate of 30°C/min is indicated for the cryopreservation of this fish sperm as it led to the lowest detrimental spermatozoa effects.     

The effect of immunosuppression on protective immunity of turkey poults against infection with turkey coronavirus

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of humoral and cellular immunities on turkeys infected with turkey coronavirus (TCV). Two trials were conducted with two separate hatches of turkey poults. Turkey's were experimentally immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A (CsA) or cyclophosphamide (CY) and infected with TCV. Prior to infection, treatment with CsA selectively suppressed T cell activity as revealed by 2-3 fold decreased (p < 0.1) lymphocyte proliferation responses to a T cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A). Treatment with CY mainly induced B cell deficiency as indicated by significant reductions (p < 0.05) in antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes 7 days after injection. Body weight gain of turkeys treated with CY was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of untreated turkeys at 9 days post-infection (PI). Turkeys treated with CY had 1-2 fold higher immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) scores for TCV antigens (p < 0.05) in the intestine than untreated turkeys at 9 or 14 days PI. These results suggested that humoral immunity against TCV infection may be important in turkeys.     

蛋氨酸碘对常温保存猪精液品质的影响

为探讨蛋氨酸碘杀灭病原菌的效果和对精子质量的影响,以达到阻断病原菌垂直传播的目的,本试验以大肠杆菌、沙门菌和金黄色葡萄球菌为试验菌株,通过肉汤二倍稀释法研究蛋氨酸碘的抑菌作用;利用不同浓度的蛋氨酸碘溶液处理猪精液,在保存后不同时间点取样进行精液接种和培养,用细菌菌落计数的方法检测细菌菌落总数,采用显微镜镜检法检测精子活力、精子快速染液染色检测顶体完整性和低渗肿胀法(HOST)检测质膜完整性。结果显示,蛋氨酸碘对大肠杆菌、沙门菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的最小抑菌浓度均为100μL/L;用蛋氨酸碘消毒猪精液时,在0~400μL/L随着蛋氨酸碘溶液体积浓度的增加杀菌效果越好,保存4、5、6 d时100、200、400μL/L处理组与对照组相比细菌菌落数低,且差异显著(P0.05);在猪精液稀释液中添加体积浓度0~100μL/L的蛋氨酸碘对17℃保存猪精子质量无影响,保存3、4、5、6 d时200、400μL/L的处理组与对照组相比,精子活力、质膜完整率和顶体完整率明显降低(P0.05)。表明蛋氨酸碘在体积浓度100μL/L能很好地抑制病原菌的生长,且对17℃保存猪精子质量常规指标(活力、质膜完整率和顶体完整率)无显著影响。     

The benefits of cooling boar semen in long‐term extenders prior to cryopreservation on sperm quality characteristics

This study investigated the effects of long‐term extenders on post‐thaw sperm quality characteristics following different holding times (HT) of boar semen at 17 and 10°C. Sperm‐rich fractions, collected from five boars, were diluted in Androhep^® Plus (AHP), Androstar^® Plus (ASP), Safecell^® Plus and TRIXcell^® Plus (TCP) extenders. The extended semen samples were held for 2 hr at 17°C (HT 1) and additionally for 24 hr at 10°C (HT 2), after they were evaluated and frozen. CASA sperm motility and motion patterns, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and normal apical ridge (NAR) acrosome integrity were assessed in the pre‐freeze and frozen‐thawed semen. The Vybrant Apoptosis Assay Kit was used to analyse the proportions of viable and plasma membrane apoptotic‐like changes in spermatozoa. Results indicated that boar variability, extender and HT significantly affected the sperm quality characteristics, particularly after freezing‐thawing. Differences in the pre‐freeze semen were more marked in the sperm motion patterns between the HTs. Pre‐freeze semen in HT 2 showed significantly higher VCL and VAP, whereas no marked effects were observed in the sperm membrane integrity and viability (YO‐PRO‐1^?/PI^?) among the extenders. Post‐thaw sperm TMOT and PMOT were significantly higher in the AHP and ASP extenders of HT 2 group, whereas VSL, VCL and VAP were markedly lower in the TCP extender. Furthermore, spermatozoa from the AHP‐ and ASP‐extended semen of HT 2 group were characterized by higher MMP, PMI and NAR acrosome integrity following freezing‐thawing. In most of the extenders, the incidence of frozen‐thawed spermatozoa with apoptotic‐like changes was greater in HT 1. The findings of this study indicate that holding of boar semen at 10°C for 24 hr in long‐term preservation extenders modulates post‐thaw sperm quality characteristics in an extender‐dependent manner. These results will further contribute to the improvement in the cryopreservation technology of boar semen.     

逆流式冷却器冷却效果与颗粒质量的研究

冷却系统是颗粒饲料生产工艺中一个极其重要的环节,本文通过调节料位器高度,研究其对冷却效果和颗粒质量的影响。随着料位高度增加,逆流式冷却器的压损随之增加,导致风量减小;冷却时间的延长,使得颗粒饲料冷却效果得以改善,颗粒冷却后的水分下降。但冷却风量减小给水分带来的负面影响低于冷却时间增加带来的正面影响,且冷却时间的变化对颗粒饲料粉化率无显著影响。     

Low‐mobility sperm phenotype in the domestic turkey: Impact on sperm morphometry and early embryonic death

The sperm mobility assay measures the ability of sperm to swim through a dense layer of Accudenz^®, and the sperm mobility phenotype has been shown to predict fertility and other sperm performance traits in roosters and turkeys. In this study, we examined turkey sperm morphometry and rates of early embryonic death associated with high‐ and low‐mobility semen. We also assessed whether the hypo‐osmotic stress test, which evaluates the structural integrity of the sperm plasma membrane, may be used as a faster and simpler assay for sperm mobility and viability. We confirmed previous work that found that high‐mobility sperm are faster and swim more linearly than low‐mobility sperm, and that mobility traits were repeatable within males. In contrast to previous studies, we did not find higher rates of fertility, but low‐mobility sperm was associated with higher rates of early embryonic death, though this trend was not significant. High‐mobility sperm had longer sperm heads, explained by longer nuclei, despite shorter acrosomes. Although these sperm were faster, midpiece length and flagellum length did not differ between high‐ and low‐mobility sperm. Finally, mobility was not found to be associated with sperm performance in the hypo‐osmotic stress test.     

The quality of cryopreserved sperm collected from feline caudal epididymides stored at room temperature

On the assumption that animals of wild feline species died in the field, caudal epididymal sperm were cryopreserved following storage of the feline epididymides at 20°C for 0-24 hr, and their qualities were observed. Compared to the qualities at 0 hr, no significant differences were noted following 12 hr of storage at 20°C. On comparison of the qualities between caudal sperm cryopreserved after 24 hr storage at 4°C and after 12 hr at 20°C followed by 12 hr storage at 4°C, no significant differences were noted. These findings suggest that the cryopreserved sperm collected from epididymides of dead animals might be useful for artificial insemination if cryopreservation was performed within 12 hr exposure to ambient temperature.     

The effect of light intensity on growth and development of turkey toms

1. The effect of light intensities from 10 to 700 lux on the performance of 5 to 18 week-old turkey males was studied in 2 trials. 2. Body weight of 18 week-old turkeys, in both experiments, was highest under the lowest light intensity This coincided with higher weight gain and lower food intake, which resulted in significantly better food conversion efficiency 3. Light intensity affected heart muscle weight but not weight of breast muscle, abdominal fat or testis as proportions of body weight. 4. The decline in plasma T3 concentration with age differed from other treatments at the low light intensity, which resulted in a significantly higher T3 concentration in turkeys exposed to 10 lux at the age of 10 to 15 weeks. 5. It is concluded that light intensity significantly affects food conversion efficiency in turkey males. This is likely to be related to differential investment of energy expenditure for maintenance.