• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.245-266
• /
• 1984

As a fundamental study to increase the reproductive efficiency in cattle, highly motile sperm were separated and collected from raw semen, extended semen and frozen semen by different methods using various concentrations of bovine serum albumin or Tyrode's solution. Various characteristics and light microscopic and electron-microscopic morphology of sperm separated by different methods were compared. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The sperm separated from raw semen using bovine serum albumin showed significantly high value in motility, motile sperm count, percent of normal sperm and progressive motility, as compared with control sperm and revealed the highest sperm recovery rate when separated with 6% bovine serum albumin. 2. The sperm motility, percent of normal sperm and progressive motility of the highly motile sperm frozen after being separated from raw semen with bovine serum albumin, showed significantly high value than those of a control sperm and especially found the highest value when separated with 20% bovine serum albumin. 3. Light-microscopic percent of abnormality was significantly low in the prefrozen and postfrozen highly motile sperm separated with bovine serum albumin, as compared with control sperm. 4. Electron-microscopic finding of the highly motile sperm separated with bovine serum albumin showed low percent of deformity in the dilatation and vesiculation of cell membrane, in dilatation and density loss of acrosome than in those of control sperm. 5. It was impossible to separate the highly motile sperm from frozen semen with bovine serum albumin, but it was possible with Tyrode's solution. 6. Recovery rate of highly motile sperm from raw semen extended semen and frozen semen was the highest when the sperm pellet stood in Tyrde's solution for 80 minutes. 7. The highly motile sperm separated from raw semen, extended semen and frozen semen with Tyrode's solution showed significantly high value in motility, progressive motility and percent of normal sperm, as compared with control sperm. 8. Highly motile sperm, when separated from raw semen, extended semen and frozen semen with Tyrode's solution, showed significantly low percent of microscopic abnormality as compared with control sperm.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2019

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on plasma and acrosomal membrane damages, mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, motility, and oxidative stress in frozen-thawed boar sperm. In previous our study, 3 ng/mL ALA had been shown protective effect during freezing process of boar sperm. Therefore, we used 3 ng/mL ALA in present study and ALA was combined with same molar ratio of BSA or MBCD (ALA+BSA and ALA+MBCD, respectively). To confirm the effect of two carrier proteins, same volume of BSA and MBCD without ALA were added during cryopreservation. Membrane damage, mitochondrial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were measured using flow cytometry, and movement of sperm tail as motility parameter and morphological abnormality were observed under light microscope. In results, all of sperm parameters were enhanced by ALA combined with BSA or MBCD compared to control groups (p<0.05). Mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, ROS and LPO levels in ALA+BSA or MBCD groups were no significant difference compared with ALA, BSA and MBCD treatment groups. On the other hand, plasma and acrosomal membrane intact, and sperm motility in ALA+MBCD group were higher than single treatment groups (p<0.05), whereas ALA+BSA did not differ. Our findings indicate that carrier proteins such as BSA and MBCD could improve the effect of ALA during cryopreservation of boar sperm, and treatment of ALA with carrier proteins enhance membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity through reduction of ROS-induced LPO.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.263-266
• /
• 2010

Prediction of semen's fertilizing ability used in artificial insemination (AI) is one of very important factors on pig reproductive performance. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been used for indirect evaluation of sperm's fertilizing ability and it has been showed as highly correlated index. In swine industry, increasing interest in preservation of boar semen raises questions on the sperm motility from semen used in commercial AI centers. Mitochondria in sperm mid-piece generate the energy to support motility and could be an explanation of impaired fertility. Objective of this study was to suggest usable sperm motility to farms in measuring the effect of sperm motility and sperm abnormality on in vitro production of embryo in which sperm's fertilizing ability can be determined indirectly. Semen samples were provided from local AI center and used within 3 days after collection. Semen samples were divided by 4 different motile groups (>70%; 61~70%; 51~60%; <50%) using CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) on the days of IVF. Developmental rate to the blastocyst stage from over 61% motile sperm group showed significantly higher rate than below 60% motile sperm group ($16.5{\pm}0.7{\sim}18.4{\pm}0.8%$ vs $6.3{\pm}0.8{\sim}11.5{\pm}0.7%$, p<0.05). In experiment to determine the relationship between sperm motility and viability and abnormality, over 61% motile sperm groups showed significantly higher viability rate compared to below 60% motile sperm groups ($84.8{\pm}4.0{\sim}88.1{\pm}4.0%$ vs $69.1{\pm}4.0{\sim}74.2{\pm}4.0%$, p<0.05). On the other hand, morphological sperm abnormality showed significantly higher in over 70% motile sperm group ($10.2{\pm}2.2$ vs $16.0{\pm}2.2{\sim}21.0{\pm}2.2%$, p<0.05). In experiment to find the correlation between sperm motility of 4 different motile groups and amount of mitochondria, lower motility group also showed lower level of mitochondria (p<0.05). The mitochondria parameter used in this study showed another possibility to differentiate the sperm motility. Taken together, because below 60% motile semen used in AI reduce the fertility, AI centers should provide the over 60% motile sperm to the farms at the time of AI.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluated the efficiency of sperm cryosurvival using each extenders Triladyl and LEY containing egg yolk to the cryopreservation of separated sperm by percoll in miniature pig. The ejaculated semen from miniature pig was separated by 65% percoll and un-separated sperm as a control before freezing. The freezing of diluted semen added with Triladyl containing egg yolk and LEY solution (solution I: 11% Lactose or Triladyl + egg yolk; solution II: solution I + glycerol + OEP). Analysis of sperm ability was estimated by viability, capacitation acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CIC) the morphologic abnormality and hypoosmotic swelling test(HOST). The groups were designed that as separated sperm by Percoll with Triladyl(ST) or LEY(SL) for cryopreservation. And unseparated sperm with Triladyl(UT) or LEY(UL). As a results, the viability was higher significantly(p<0.05) in ST, SL, UT than UL extender. The morphologic abnormality was measured significantly (p<0.05) lower in ST than other extenders. The AR-patterned in CTC analysis was measured significantly(p<0.05) lower in SL and UL than other extenders. In conclusion, using Triladyl extender resulted in viability and morphology of separated sperm by percoll that were effective than using LEY extender, but it resulted in capacitation acrosome reaction was lower than using LEY extender.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.435-450
• /
• 1992

To evaluate the fertilizing capacity of domestic animal spermatozoa by hamster test, semen were collected from 15 boars(Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire) and 2 mixed dogs which had been proved to be fertile in the past then, the semen were preserved in BWW medium at $4^{\circ}C$ or $18^{\circ}C$ for about 20 hours and coincubated with zona-free hamster ova for 5 hours. The ova were stained by lacmoid and examined under phase contrast microscope to investigate the rates of sperm binding to the ova, penetration and formation of a male pronucleus, and the numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm per ovum. Both the semen preserved at $18^{\circ}C$ for about 20 hours and that treated by swim up procedure showed considerably higher rates of sperm binding and penetration as well as higher number of penetrated sperm than that preserved at $4^{\circ}C$ for about 20 hours, respectively(p<0.01). Motility of boar sperm at insemination was from 40 to 90% and no difference in hamster test was obtained according to different degree of sperm motility. Abnormality in morphology of boar sperm at insemination was from 6 to 45% and no difference in hamster test was obtained according to different degree of sperm abnormality. The sperm concentrations of $7{\times}10^7$ and $7{\times}10^6$ showed considerably higher rates of sperm binding and penetration as well as higher number of bound sperm than that of $7{\times}10^4$ (p<0.01) along with the same higher results than that of $7{\times}10^5$(0<0.05), respectively. Boar sperm showed considerably higher rates of sperm binding and penetration as well as higher numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm than dog sperm, when both semen were treated by BWW＋heparin medium and swim up procedure, respectively. These results indicated that fertile boar sperm showed considerably lower rates in the results of hamster test, when preserved at $4^{\circ}C$ for about 20 hours and in lower concentration of sperm than when preserved at $18^{\circ}C$ for about 20 hours and in higher concentration of sperm, respectively, and at the same time considerably higher results than fertile dog sperm, consequently to prove that hamster test would be of great value in assaying the fertilizing capacity of boar sperm.

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

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 2009

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the bacteria eliminated sperm by percoll gradient method on sperm quality and embryo cleavage in vitro in pig. The semen of miniature pig collected by gloved-hand method pre-warmed ($37^{\circ}C$) in thermos bottle, and separated by 65% percoll. Analysis of sperm ability was estimated by examining viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CTC) and the abnormality. Also, fertility of sperm was monitored with cleavage rate of embryo after IVF using separated and un-separated sperm by percoll. The result, viability of separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($83.6{\pm}$2.0 vs $59.0{\pm}4.4%$) than un-separated sperm. The results of CTC analysis showed the percentage of F- and B-patterned separated sperm was higher in separated that than un-separated sperm. On the contrary, the percentage of AR-patterned form unseparaed sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($13.6{\pm}0.8$ vs $8.1{\pm}0.6%$) than separated sperm. Also, abnormality of un-separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($2.2{\pm}0.4$ vs $16.8{\pm}2.8%$) than separated sperm. However, the cleavage rates of embryo using separated sperm by percoll and un-separated sperm had not significantly difference on 2 cell stage(9.25 vs 11.88%), 4 cell stage(26.76 vs 24.51%) and >4 cell stage(63.99 vs 63.61%) at 48h of IVF. Therefore, the sperm separated by percoll method showed improvement in sperm quality than un-separated sperm in miniature pig.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.449-454
• /
• 1992

Eight healthy Holstein bulls, 4-6 years old were used to study the effect of season of the year on the incidence of the morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Semen was collected twice a week by A. V. over one-year period. The percentage of total abnormal spermatozoa was $14.1{\pm}0.5$. Ejaculates collected during hot summer season had significantly higher incidence of abnormal spermatozoa than those collected during winter time. Warm spring had moderate semen abnormality. In addition to its effect on the total number of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, season affected significantly the primary as well as the secondary types of abnormalities. The differences between incidence of primary and secondary types of abnormalities were not significant for all seasons and seasons pooled together. The ratio between the total forms of abnormality in the head, mid-piece and tail of spermatozoa was as 1:1.5:1. Head and mid-piece had defected more during summer compared with both winter and spring. There was no variation in tail abnormalities due to season. The significant effect of season on head was observed by large, pyriform, free and detached heads, while that on mid-piece was by swollen, coiled mid-pieces and protoplasmic droplets.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.943-947
• /
• 2016

The objective of this study was to see if fairly simple magnetic nano-particle treatment enhances boar semen qualities. Boar semen samples were prepared from the swine AI center and samples were divided by 4 different motility groups (1, >90%; 2. 80~90%; 3. 70~80%; 4. <70%) using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) evaluation. Boar semen was extended using BTS extender and same number of magnetic nano-particles as total number of spermatozoa in each sample was treated for 20 min and collected for 5 min at room temperature. Sperm qualities such as motility and viability were evaluated by the CASA before and after treatment. Sperm abnormality and degree of agglutination were also evaluated under the microscopic examination before and after treatment. There were significant changes (p<0.05) on sperm motility from all 4 different groups in the average of 7.11% after treatment. The enhancement of sperm motility changes was more clear in the groups of lower sperm motile groups (<70% and 70~80%; 19.12±1.08% and 5.67±0.71%, p<0.05). The sperm motility character in terms of curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP) and linearity (LIN, %) showed also similar pattern but motility enhancement wear more clear in below 70% motile group. Average sperm viability was increased to 4% by magnetic nano-particles (p<0.05). The percentage of sperm abnormality was also reduced significantly (p<0.05) to the range of 3.7~4.5% before after treatment. The degree of sperm agglutination was also reduced in lower motility groups by the magnetic nano-particle purification.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2002

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has been widely used fur both human infertility and basic research. However, the high incidence of chromosomal abnormality is severe problem in cattle. Various oocyte activation stimuli, therefore, were compared by assessment of developmental capacity and chromosome analysis. Motile sperm selected by Percoll-density gradient were treated with 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) and injected into an oocyte matured fur 24 h. Eggs were then allocated into 5 treatment groups. Group 1 (control), sperm injection was performed without any further activation stimuli to the oocytes. Group 2 (handled control), sham injection was performed without sperm. In Group 3, oocytes exposed to 5 (M ionomycin for 5 min at 39(C. Group 4. ionomycine + 1.9 mM demethylaminopurine (DMAP, 3 h) and Group 5, ionomycine + 3 h culture in Ml99 + DMAP. Cleavage and the later development rate in Groups 1, 2 and 3 were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those in Groups 4 and 5. The incidence of chromosomal abnormality in the embryos treated directly with DMAP after ionomycine was relatively higher than in the embryo of Group 3 h, delayed DMAP treatment. From this results DMAP caused to be arrested the release of the 2nd polar body, resulting in changes of chromosomal pattern. Therefore, the time interval between ionomycin and DMAP is a crucial role in bovine ICSI.