• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.163-166
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between elapsed time after semen preservation on the changes of bacteria and semen quality. Semen was diluted with BTS(Beltsville Thawing Solution) extender without antibiotic for 7 days and sperm parameter and fertility were measured. Sperm motility was measured by CASA and total bacteria number was counted after 22~24 hr incubation from counting agar plate in which sperm dilute to $10{\sim}10^6$ in 0.9% saline solution and inoculate to agar. Acrosomal integrity was measured by Chlortetracycline (CTC) staining. CTC patterns were uniform fluorescence over the whole head (pattern F), characteristic of incapacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa; fluorescence-free band in the post-acrosomal region (pattern B), characteristic of capacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa; and almost no fluorescence over the whole head except for a thin band in the equatorial segment (pattern AR), characteristic of acrosome reacted spermatozoa. Total number of bacteria was significantly increased (p<0.0001) 3 days after preservation. Sperm motility, viability, and morphological abnormality on elapsed time after preservation were lower from 5 ($77.24{\pm}6.47$, p<0.001) and 7 days ($77.24{\pm}6.47$, p<0.001) after preservation compared to 1 ($15.71{\pm}7.18$) and 3 days($18.39{\pm}7.22$) after preservation, respectively. Sperm viability was significantly lower ($53.25{\pm}35.03$, p<0.0001) at 7 days after preservation. Morphological abnormality of sperm was lower (p<0.001) at 1 ($15.71{\pm}7.18$) and 3 ($18.39{\pm}7.22$) days compared to 5 ($21.84{\pm}7.91$) and 7 ($22.59{\pm}9.93$) days after preservation. Acrosomal integrity and capacitation rate (pattern F) were significantly lower (p<0.001) from 5 days after preservation. Based on the data we obtained from this study suggested that semen preserved more than 5 days without antibiotic would not recommend use for artificial insemination.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1998

To investigate the influences on semen parameters and fertilizing capacity of immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes and regional distribution of antisperm antibody (ASA) on the human sperm surface. Sixty-seven ASA-positive patients were compared with 96 ASA-negative donors. ASAs in semen showed significant negative effects on both semen parameters and fertilizing capacity; in those with ASAs in the sperm head and/or tail, the reductions were significant. In the head as well as the tail, there was close correlation between fertilizing capacity and both IgG and IgA. Both semen parameters and fertilizing capacity are significantly affected by the presence of ASA in semen. In particular, antibodies IgG to sperm head and/or tail, and antibodies IgA to sperm tail appeared to have a highly detrimental effect on fertilizing capacity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1387-1392
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• 2018

Objective: In a nucleus breeding scheme, the sire of dam's pathway plays an important role in producing genetic improvement. Selection proportion is the key parameter for predicting selection intensity, through truncating the normal distribution. Semen sexing using flow cytometry reduces the number of vials of sperm that can be obtained from a proved bull. In addition, a lower fertility of this kind of sperm is expected because of the lower sperm dosage in sex sorted semen. Both of these factors could affect the selection proportion in the sire of dam's pathway ($p_{SD}$). Methods: In the current study, through a deterministic simulation, effect of utilizing sex sorted semen on selection ($p_{SD}$) was investigated in three different strategies including 1: continuous use of sex sorted semen in heifers (CS), 2: the use of sex sorted semen for the first two (S2) and 3: the first (S1) inseminations followed by conventional semen. Results: Results indicated that the use of sex sorted semen has a negative impact on the sire of dams (SD) pathway due to increase in selection proportion. Consequently selection intensity was decreased by 10.24 to 20.57, 6.38 to 8.87 and 3.76 to 6.25 percent in the CS, S2, and S1 strategies, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the low effect of sexed semen on genetic improvement in dam pathways, it is necessary to consider the joint effect of using sex sorted semen on the sire and dams pathway to estimate about the real effect of sexed semen on genetic improvement in a nucleus breeding scheme.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2003

Objective: We investigated whether serum testosterone to estradiol ratio was decreased in infertile men and whether this condition can be corrected with oral aromatase inhibitor. Method: The serum testosterone to estradiol ratio of 26 men with testicular failure were compared with those of normal semen analysis parameter, 89 control reference group. All of 26 testicular failure group were diagnosed with the previous testicular biopsy. Then 46 men with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia were selected and treated with 1 mg of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole ($Arimidex^{(R)}$) orally once daily for 3 months. Testosterone to estradiol ratio and semen analyses were evaluated during anastrozole therapy. Results: The testosterone level of testicular failure group was significantly lower and the testosterone to estradiol ratio was more decreased than normal semen parameter group. Forty six on-anastrozole group had significantly lower testosterone (4.6 versus 5.7 ng/ml, p<0.01) and higher estradiol (15.9 versus 23.4 pg/ml, p<0.01) than pre-anastrozole group, resulting in a decreased testosterone to estradiol ratio ($0.21{\pm}0.07$ versus $0.39{\pm}0.15$, p<0.01). Semen analyses before and during anastrozole treatment revealed significant increases in sperm count (35.5 versus 52.2 million sperm per ml, p<0.01) and motility (22.9% versus 29.3%, p<0.01). Conclusions: We identified infertile men with testicular failure had hormonal changes characterized by a decreased serum testosterone to estradiol ratio. The ratio can be corrected with aromatase inhibitor, resulting in a significant improvement in semen parameters.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.143-147
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• 2015

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen Post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g. 35756 T>C) of Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. This study was conducted to evaluate the ESR1 gene as a positional controlling for motility and kinematic characteristics of post-thawed boar semen. To results, The g.35756 T>C SNP of ESR1 was significantly associated with frozen semen motility and kinematic characteristics. The g.35756 T>C SNP was high significantly associated with MOT, VCL, VSL and VAP (p<0.001). The SNP was also significantly associated with ALH (P<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that the g. 35756 T>C polymorphism in the intron 1 region of the porcine ESR1 gene could potentially be applied in frozen semen programs to improve MOT trait, but only after validation in other populations.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2015

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.158T>C) of phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. This study was conducted to evaluate the PLCz gene as a positional controlling for motility and kinematic characteristics of post-thawed boar semen. To results, The g.158 T>C SNP of PLCz was significantly associated with frozen semen motility and kinematic characteristics. g.158 T>C SNP was high significantly associated with MOT, VCL, VSL and VAP (p<0.0001, p=0.0002, p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz, may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.102-105
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• 2016

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare the semen parameters of two successive samples obtained within an interval of less than 60 minutes from patients planning to undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI) whose first samples exhibited low semen quality. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. On the day of IUI, the semen analysis of the samples initially presented by all patients met at least two of the following criteria: sperm concentration $<5{\times}10^6/mL$, total sperm count $<10{\times}10^6$, progressive sperm motility (a+b) in the native sample <30%, and total motile sperm count (TMSC) $<4{\times}10^6$. A successive semen sample was obtained no more than 60 minutes after the first sample. Results: Compared to the first sample, the second exhibited significantly (p<0.05) improved sperm concentration, TMSC, progressive motility, and vitality. Regarding TMSC, the most critical parameter on the day of IUI, 23 patients (71.8%) improved it, while nine (28.2%) displayed poorer outcomes. Conclusion: In defined cases, requesting a second successive ejaculate on the day of insemination may result in a high percentage of cases in an improvement of the quality of the sample.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and explore the relationship between semen parameters and SDF between 2 and 7 days of abstinence and a short abstinence period (within 4 hours) in oligozoospermic infertile patients. Methods: Two semen samples were collected from infertile oligozoospermic men (n=34) after an abstinence period of 2 to 7 days and within 4 hours, respectively. Sperm parameters were compared between the two abstinence duration groups, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, total motile sperm count (TMSC), morphology, and SDF. Results: The semen volume, concentration, and total sperm count were significantly decreased after 4 hours of abstinence than after 2 to 7 days of abstinence, with median differences of 1.2 mL (p<0.001), 2×10⁶/mL (p=0.011), and 9.6×10⁶/ejaculation (p<0.001), respectively. TMSC was significantly lower after a short abstinence, with a median difference of 4.24×10⁶/ejaculate (p<0.001). However, there were no significance differences in the percentage of motility, the SDF, and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology. Interestingly, volume, concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and SDF, but not TMSC, exhibited significant linear correlations between the two abstinence groups in univariate regression analysis, except for TMSC. Conclusion: In oligozoospermic men, the volume, concentration, and total sperm count were significantly lower after a short abstinence period, but without adverse effects on sperm motility and SDF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2007

Objective: To investigate whether semen parameters in infertile couples who undergone intrauterine insemination (IUI) change in the subsequent IUI cycle and the subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Methods: Fifty-three infertile couples who had failed to become pregnant after the first IUI cycle with computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) were included. After the first IUI, thirty-eight couples underwent the second IUI (Group 1), and fifteen underwent IVF-ET procedure (Group 2). All semen parameters including semen volume, concentration, motility and total motile sperm count were analyzed in the second IUI or IVF-ET procedure for comparison with the result of first IUI. Results: There were no significant differences in husband age, interval between the first and second procedure and cause of infertility. In Group 1, only sperm motility at the time of the latter IUI was significantly decreased when compared to the former IUI irrespective of the first semen parameters. In Group 2, sperm concentration, motility and total motile sperm count at the time of subsequent IVF were lower than the former IUI. By sub-analyses of Group 2, in the group of optimal semen parameter at IUI cycle, sperm concentration and total motile sperm count at the time of subsequent IVF were lower than the former IUI, while in the group of suboptimal semen parameter at IUI cycle, only sperm motility at the time of subsequent IVF were lower than the former IUI. Conclusion: The semen parameters in couples converted to IVF cycle were more adversely affected than those remained in IUI cycle. Further study on psychological stress should be necessary to explain the reason.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2015

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.358A>T) of cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. Also, CD9 gene was expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm-egg fusion, and was therefore selected as candidate gene for boar semen. This study was conducted to evaluate the pig SNP (g.358A>T) of CD9 gene as a positional controlling for semen parameters of post-thawed boar semen. To results, the g.358A>T SNP of the CD9 gene was significantly associated with the traits such as MOT, curve linear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Particularly, the g.358A>T SNP significantly has the highest association with MOT and animals with AA genotype (p<0.001). Therefore, we suggest that the g.358A>T in the intron 6 region of the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar Post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet.