The John Hughes Memorial Lecture: Aspects of Sperm Physiology—Oxidative Stress and the Functionality of Stallion Spermatozoa

Spermatozoa are vulnerable to oxidative attack because they contain an abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are susceptible to lipid peroxidation. In addition, functionally important proteins and DNA are also subject to oxidative modification and adduction by aldehydes, such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), generated as a consequence of the peroxidative process. The proteins adducted by 4HNE include elements of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, such as succinic acid dehydrogenase. The net result of such electrophilic attack is to stimulate generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a self-perpetuating lipid peroxidation–ROS generation cycle that ultimately triggers the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, leading to a rapid loss of motility and cell death. A major point of difference between apoptosis in spermatozoa and somatic cells is that in the former, nuclear DNA is located in a compartment (the head) separate from the mitochondria and most of the cytoplasm (the midpiece). As a result, nucleases activated and released in the midpiece during apoptosis cannot gain access to the DNA in the sperm head in order to cleave the DNA. However, the ROS generated during apoptosis can readily gain access to the sperm nucleus and generate oxidative base adducts, typically 8-hydroxy, 2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), which are converted into abasic sites by 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1), the only enzyme of the base excision repair pathway possessed by spermatozoa. These abasic sites subsequently become the foci of DNA fragmentation. Because defective sperm function and DNA damage are frequently associated with oxidative stress, there is a great deal of interest in the use of antioxidants in a therapeutic context. This presentation examines the fundamental relationships between oxidative stress and sperm function and considers the implications of recent findings for the management of sperm function and fertility in stallions.     

Age and growth of the Critically Endangered flapper skate,Dipturus intermedius

1. Knowledge of vital data such as growth and age at maturity is necessary to develop effective management strategies for endangered species. The Critically Endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) is the largest skate in the North Atlantic and growth information, necessary to assess key life-history traits, populations’ growth rates and anticipate their response to management measures, is still lacking.
2. While classical age estimation methods used in fish generally require the analysis of calcified structures, destructive methods are incompatible with conservation objectives for this species. Taking advantage of the high recreational value of the flapper skate, this study uses citizen-science data originating from photo-identification of trophy pictures and tag–recapture data supported by anglers to estimate growth in this Critically Endangered species. Using the growth increments measured between recapture events, an individual-based Von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted to the data using Bayesian inference.
3. The results confirm that the flapper skate is a long-lived species with ages estimated as >40 years for the largest individuals captured. Despite this longevity, the model reveals a relatively fast initial growth but relatively late ages at maturity and significant sex-related differences in both growth rate and maximum size.
4. These results suggest that population growth rate, and therefore recovery, might be much slower than previously reported. By using citizen science this study provides the necessary information to begin understanding population dynamics and monitor the recovery of an iconic Critically Endangered species.

     

The simmet lecture: new horizons on an old landscape--oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in the male germ line

Our ability to diagnose and treat male infertility is gradually improving in concert with advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning defective sperm function. In this context, one of the factors to emerge as a major causative agent in male infertility is oxidative stress. Spermatozoa are particularly susceptible to such stress because they are exceptionally rich in vulnerable substrates such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins and DNA. The lack of sperm cytoplasm also provides these cells with little capacity to protect themselves from oxidative attack or to effect any repair, should damage occur. Similarly, sperm chromatin is in a quasi-crystalline state and has very little capacity to respond to any DNA damage induced by oxidative attack. When the latter does occur, it appears to be initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the sperm mitochondria. These free radicals attack the lipids present in the sperm mitochondria generating electrophilic aldehydes, which bind to components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain stimulating yet more ROS production. The oxidative stress created via this self-propagating mechanism initiates an apoptotic cascade as a result of which the spermatozoa loose their capacity for fertilization and suffer damage to their DNA. Phosphatidylserine externalization is a late event in sperm apoptosis and may facilitate the silent phagocytosis of moribund cells in the female reproductive tract, that is, the phagocytosis of senescent spermatozoa without the accompanying generation of an inflammatory response. Encouragingly, the involvement of oxidative stress in the aetiology of male infertility has opened up new opportunities for therapeutic interventions involving the judicious administration of nucleophiles and other forms of antioxidants.     

An overview of beef cattle improvement programs in the United States

A periodic review of beef improvement programs is useful as a benchmark and as an opportunity to reevaluate industry direction. The history of improvement programs is reviewed with particular emphasis on recording organizations, program financing, and technological progress. The various breed associations have become the primary suppliers of performance programs, which are largely funded through registration income. Current practices are described from the aspects of traits recorded and delivery systems to collect, analyze, and distribute the data. The unique or innovative features of several breed made of the organization, technical, and educational challenges facing beef improvement. Although increased participation in genetic improvement programs is expected, substantial efforts are needed to serve adequately the needs of a changing beef cattle industry.     

Plasma amino acid response to graded levels of escape protein.

A trial was conducted to examine the potential of using plasma amino acid responses to graded levels of escape protein to determine limiting amino acids in cattle. Growing calves (n = 120; mean BW = 220 +/- 21 kg) were fed a basal diet of corncob:sorghum silage (61:39) and were individually supplemented with distillers' dried grains (DDG), heat-damaged DDG (H-DDG), feather meal (FTH), or urea. The urea supplement was mixed with DDG and H-DDG to allow 0, 20, 35, 50, 65, or 80% of the supplemental CP to come from distillers' protein and maintain an 11.5% CP diet. Urea supplement was mixed with FTH to allow 0, 22, 39, 56, 73, or 90% of the supplemental CP to come from FTH. Dietary CP ranged from 11.5% at the 0% level to 17.3% at the 90% level. Plasma concentration of most essential plasma amino acids responded (P less than .10) linearly and(or) quadratically to increased escape protein. The broken-line response of plasma methionine at low DDG intake suggested that methionine was limiting at low levels of escape protein. An initial decrease followed by a plateau fit by a broken line indicated that histidine became limiting in FTH diets, and lysine eventually became limiting for DDG, H-DDG, and FTH diets before maximum BW gain was reached. Results indicate that plasma amino acid responses may identify amino acids that become limiting with increasing escape protein.     

The diagnosis and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in young lambs

Abstract

Extract

In the course of some earlier experiments, it was observed that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in 2 hoggets was corrected by injection of hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B_12b) (E. D. Andrews, pers. comm., 1972). Since this form of therapy offered a convenient and effective means of treating young lambs suffering from vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, more detailed investigations were desirable. It has been known for some time that lambs on the cobalt-deficient area at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Kaitoke Farm lose condition after weaning. Abnormal amounts of methylmalonic acid (MMA) had been found in the urine of some of these lambs, indicating a state of vitamin B12 deficiency Andrews et al, (1970 Andrews, E. D., Hogan, K. G., Stephenson, B. J., White, D. A. and Elliott, D. C. 1970. Cobalt and thiabendazole live-weight responses in grazing sheep, and their relation to the urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid. N.Z. Jl agric. Res., 13: 950–965. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).