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Animals
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Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals
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Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 December 2024 | Viewed by 9825

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eduardo De Mercado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA-CSIC), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: animal reproduction; cryopreservation; lipid peroxidation; reactive oxygen species; antioxidant activity; oxidative stress biomarkers
Dr. Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: animal reproduction and related biotechnologies; -omics in gametes and reproductive tissues; cryopreservation and in vitro procedures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In contemporary livestock management, both the preservation and assessment of sperm quality hold paramount importance. The reproductive success of domestic animals directly impacts agricultural productivity, making it imperative to safeguard and optimize sperm quality. This Special Issue discusses the pivotal role of sperm conservation and quality determination in modern animal husbandry. Sperm conservation plays a vital role in maintaining genetic diversity and preventing the loss of valuable genetic traits. With the shrinking gene pool in many livestock species, preserving genetic material through cryopreservation and long-term storage is essential for sustaining breeds and adapting to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, an assessment of sperm quality is critical for maximizing reproductive efficiency. Quality assessment techniques, such as semen analysis and advanced molecular tools, allow breeders to identify and select superior sires for artificial insemination and selective breeding programs. By focusing on high-quality sperm, producers can enhance the genetic potential of their herds, leading to improved livestock performance and increased profitability. These practices ensure the preservation of genetic diversity, promote sustainable breeding strategies, and ultimately contribute to the success and resilience of livestock systems. As advancements in reproductive technologies continue to evolve, their integration into contemporary agriculture is still essential in order to meet growing global demands for animal products.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Eduardo De Mercado
Dr. Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • cryopreservation
  • sperm quality
  • genetic diversity
  • reproductive efficiency
  • livestock management

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 276 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Potential of Aloe vera Gel Supplementation in a Cooling Extender: A Breakthrough in Enhancing Rooster Sperm Quality and Fertility Ability
by Jutarat Pimpa, Supakorn Authaida, Wuttigrai Boonkum, Sarinya Rerkyusuke, Chalinee Janta and Vibuntita Chankitisakul
Animals 2024, 14(16), 2290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162290 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1191
Abstract
The cooling of semen storage at 5 °C from a Thai native rooster (Pradu Hang Dum), supplemented with herbs possessing antioxidant properties, provided limited research. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of Aloe vera (AV) gel supplementation at various levels on [...] Read more.
The cooling of semen storage at 5 °C from a Thai native rooster (Pradu Hang Dum), supplemented with herbs possessing antioxidant properties, provided limited research. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of Aloe vera (AV) gel supplementation at various levels on the quality of cooled semen and subsequent fertility after artificial insemination. Sixty-four chickens had semen pooled, diluted, and supplemented with different levels of AV gel (0% as control, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 10%, and 20%), and then stored for 72 h. In Experiment 1, semen quality, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and pH values were assessed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after storage. Experiment 2 assessed fertility potential using the most effective cooled storage semen from Experiment 1. Results showed a decrease in semen quality with prolonged storage time (p < 0.001). The highest semen quality was observed in the group supplemented with 1.0% AV gel (p < 0.001), whereas the lowest was noted in the 20% AV gel group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the 1.0% AV gel group exhibited the highest semen quality at 24, 48, and 72 h of storage. The evaluation of fertility and hatchability rates revealed a statistically significant improvement in fertility potential (p < 0.05) in the group supplemented with 1.0% AV gel. In summary, this study represents the first investigation of stored Thai native rooster semen using a semen extender supplemented with Aloe vera gel at 5 °C, demonstrating its efficacy for storage up to 72 h. The addition of 1% AV gel was recommended as an antioxidant supplementation during the semen storage process at 5 °C to enhance semen quality and fertility rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
20 pages, 7915 KiB  
Article
Positive In Vitro Effect of ROCK Pathway Inhibitor Y-27632 on Qualitative Characteristics of Goat Sperm Stored at Low Temperatures
by Yongjie Xu, Shixin Sun, Yu Fu, Lei Wang, Chunhuan Ren, Yinghui Ling, Zijun Zhang and Hongguo Cao
Animals 2024, 14(10), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101441 - 12 May 2024
Viewed by 1198
Abstract
Y-27632, as a cytoskeleton protector, is commonly used for low-temperature preservation of cells. Goat sperm are prone to damage to the cytoskeleton under low-temperature conditions, leading to a loss of sperm vitality. However, the Y-27632 small molecule has not yet been used in [...] Read more.
Y-27632, as a cytoskeleton protector, is commonly used for low-temperature preservation of cells. Goat sperm are prone to damage to the cytoskeleton under low-temperature conditions, leading to a loss of sperm vitality. However, the Y-27632 small molecule has not yet been used in research on low-temperature preservation of goat semen. This study aims to address the issue of low temperature-induced loss of sperm motility in goats by using Y-27632, and explore the regulation of Y-27632 on goat sperm metabolism. At a low temperature of 4 °C, different concentrations of Y-27632 were added to the sperm diluent. The regulation of Y-27632 on the quality of low temperature-preserved goat semen was evaluated by detecting goat sperm motility, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial activity, cholesterol levels, and metabolomics analysis. The results indicated that 20 µM Y-27632 significantly increased plasma membrane integrity (p < 0.05), and acrosome integrity (p < 0.05) and sperm motility (p < 0.05), increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.01), increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05), decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p < 0.01), and significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The levels of ATP, Ca2+, and TC in sperm increased (p < 0.01). Twenty metabolites with significant differences were identified, with six metabolic pathways having a significant impact, among which the D-glutamic acid and D-glutamine metabolic pathways had the most significant impact. The artificial insemination effect of goat semen treated with 20 μM Y-27632 was not significantly different from that of fresh semen. This study indicates that Y-27632 improves the quality of low-temperature preservation of sperm by protecting the sperm plasma membrane, enhancing sperm antioxidant capacity, regulating D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, and promoting the application of low-temperature preservation of semen in artificial insemination technology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
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19 pages, 2334 KiB  
Article
Proteomic Insights into Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa Proteins of Small-Spotted Catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula: Implications for Reproductive Conservation in Aquariums
by Marta Muñoz-Baquero, Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Ximo García-Domínguez, Jesús Valdés-Hernández, Daniel García-Párraga, Clara Marin, Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez and Francisco Marco-Jiménez
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091281 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
In the ex situ conservation of chondrichthyan species, successful reproduction in aquaria is essential. However, these species often exhibit reduced reproductive success under human care. A key aspect is that conventional sperm analyses do not provide insights into the functional competence of sperm. [...] Read more.
In the ex situ conservation of chondrichthyan species, successful reproduction in aquaria is essential. However, these species often exhibit reduced reproductive success under human care. A key aspect is that conventional sperm analyses do not provide insights into the functional competence of sperm. However, proteomics analysis enables a better understanding of male physiology, gaining relevance as a powerful tool for discovering protein biomarkers related to fertility. The present work aims to build the first proteome database for shark semen and to investigate the proteomic profiles of seminal plasma and spermatozoa from small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) related to the underlying adaptations to both natural and aquarium environments, thereby identifying the reproductive impact in aquarium specimens. A total of 305 seminal plasma and 535 spermatozoa proteins were identified. Among these, 89 proteins (29.2% of the seminal plasma set) were common to both spermatozoa and seminal plasma. In the seminal plasma, only adenosylhomocysteinase protein showed differential abundance (DAP) between wild and aquarium animals. With respect to the spermatozoa proteins, a total of 107 DAPs were found between groups. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the primary functional roles of these DAPs involved in oxidoreductase activity. Additionally, KEGG analysis indicated that these DAPs were primarily associated with metabolic pathways and carbon metabolism. In conclusion, we have successfully generated an initial proteome database for S. canicula seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Furthermore, we have identified protein variations, predominantly within spermatozoa, between aquarium and wild populations of S. canicula. These findings provide a foundation for future biomarker discovery in shark reproduction studies. However, additional research is required to determine whether these protein variations correlate with reproductive declines in captive sharks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
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16 pages, 1743 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Three Commercial Soy Lecithin-Based Semen Extenders and Two Spermatozoa Concentrations on the Quality of Pre-Freeze and Post-Thaw Ram Epididymal Spermatozoa
by Malam Abulbashar Mujitaba, Gabriella Kútvölgyi, Judit Radnai Szentpáli, Viktória Johanna Debnár, Alexandra Tokár, Nóra Vass and Szilárd Bodó
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081237 - 20 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1566
Abstract
There are limited studies on the factors affecting the success of ram epididymal spermatozoa (REPS) cryopreservation. On this note, the current study assessed the influence of three commercial soy lecithin-based semen extenders, AndroMed® (AND), BioXcell® (BIO), and OviXcell® (OVI), and [...] Read more.
There are limited studies on the factors affecting the success of ram epididymal spermatozoa (REPS) cryopreservation. On this note, the current study assessed the influence of three commercial soy lecithin-based semen extenders, AndroMed® (AND), BioXcell® (BIO), and OviXcell® (OVI), and two concentrations (400 × 106 vs. 200 × 106 spermatozoa/mL) on the pre-freeze and post-thaw quality of REPS. The REPS were retrieved from nine adult rams’ testes and diluted with each of the three extenders to both concentrations. Straws were frozen manually. Standard motility (SMP) and kinematic parameters (KPs) were assessed via a CASA, while spermatozoa viability, morphology, and acrosomal integrity were assessed via the Kovács–Foote staining technique. The concentration did not significantly affect the pre-freeze and post-thaw SMP and KPs of REPS. BIO and OVI had significantly higher pre-freeze and post-thaw BCFs, post-thaw VAP, and the percentage of all intact heads than AND. In contrast, AND had a significantly lower percentage of REPS with tail defects than BIO and OVI. The 400 × 106 spermatozoa/mL concentration resulted in a significantly higher percentage of all intact heads than the 200 × 106 spermatozoa/mL concentration. Freezing significantly increased tail defects and decreased the percentage of REPS with distal cytoplasmic droplets. The cryopreservation of REPS at the 400 × 106 spermatozoa/mL concentration is recommended. All three extenders must be optimized to preserve the viability, membrane integrity, and better normal morphology of REPS; the reason for increased tail abnormality after the freezing/thawing process needs to be studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
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13 pages, 2450 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Different Thawing Protocols on Iberian Boar Sperm Preserved for 10 Years at Different Liquid Nitrogen Levels
by Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez, Cristina Tomás-Almenar, Helena Nieto-Cristóbal and Eduardo de Mercado
Animals 2024, 14(6), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060914 - 15 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
The conservation of genetic resources in pig breeds, notably the Iberian pig, is crucial for genetic improvement and sustainable production. Prolonged storage in liquid nitrogen (LN2) is recognized for preserving genetic diversity, but potential adverse effects on seminal quality remain debated. [...] Read more.
The conservation of genetic resources in pig breeds, notably the Iberian pig, is crucial for genetic improvement and sustainable production. Prolonged storage in liquid nitrogen (LN2) is recognized for preserving genetic diversity, but potential adverse effects on seminal quality remain debated. This study aims to assess the impact of ten years of storage at different LN2 levels and to optimize thawing protocols for Iberian pig sperm. Sperm samples from 53 boars were cryopreserved and stored at varying LN2 levels and, a decade later, the samples were thawed at 37 °C for 20 s or at 70 °C for 8 s. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome status, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated in year 0 and year 10. Overall, no significant differences were observed in post-thaw sperm quality between storage levels in year 0 or year 10. But thawing at 70 °C 8 s showed significant improvements, particularly in samples that were always stored in LN2, in all analyzed parameters except fragmentation, which was not affected by cryostorage. This study suggests that the long-term preservation of Iberian pig sperm does not affect quality over time, regardless of whether the samples were fully submerged in LN2. Furthermore, it is determined that thawing at 70 °C for 8 s maximizes post-thaw sperm quality, especially in those samples stored constantly submerged in LN2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
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14 pages, 1094 KiB  
Article
Astaxanthin Improved the Quality of Hu Ram Semen by Increasing the Antioxidant Capacity and Mitochondrial Potential and Mitigating Free Radicals-Induced Oxidative Damage
by Tariq Sohail, Liuming Zhang, Xuyang Wang, Caiyu Jiang, Jian Wang, Xiaomei Sun and Yongjun Li
Animals 2024, 14(2), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020319 - 19 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1796
Abstract
The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of astaxanthin supplementations of semen extender on the quality of Hu ram semen after up to five days of preservation at 4 °C. Semen samples were collected from five healthy Hu rams using [...] Read more.
The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of astaxanthin supplementations of semen extender on the quality of Hu ram semen after up to five days of preservation at 4 °C. Semen samples were collected from five healthy Hu rams using an artificial vagina during breeding season (April to August 2023) and diluted with a basic extender supplemented with control (0), 1 µM, 2 µM, 3.5 µM, or 4.5 µM of AXT. Overall, 170 semen ejaculate samples (34 repetitions) from five healthy Hu rams were used in our research study. The results revealed that the addition of AXT (3.5 µM) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the sperm kinematic indexes (T.M%, P.M%, MAD%, STR%, and LIN %), sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, total antioxidant content (T-AOC), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of the Hu rams spermatozoa after up to five days of preservation at 4 °C. Contrary to that, the addition of the best concentration of AXT (3.5 µM) to the semen extender significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of Hu ram semen. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that the addition of a semen extender with AXT improves the quality of Hu ram spermatozoa by increasing the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). On the other hand, reducing free radicals induced oxidative (ROS) and per oxidative (MDA) damage to Hu ram semen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
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12 pages, 683 KiB  
Article
Punicalagin Protects Ram Sperm from Oxidative Stress by Enhancing Antioxidant Capacity and Mitochondrial Potential during Liquid Storage at 4 °C
by Liuming Zhang, Xuyang Wang, Tariq Sohail, Caiyu Jiang, Yuxuan Sun, Jian Wang, Xiaomei Sun and Yongjun Li
Animals 2024, 14(2), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020318 - 19 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of punicalagin, an antioxidant, on ram sperm quality. Semen samples were collected and pooled from five rams, then diluted using a Tris-based diluent containing various concentrations (0, 5, 15, 30 and 45 μM) [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of punicalagin, an antioxidant, on ram sperm quality. Semen samples were collected and pooled from five rams, then diluted using a Tris-based diluent containing various concentrations (0, 5, 15, 30 and 45 μM) of punicalagin. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured and analyzed during liquid storage at 4 °C. The results showed that the Tris-based solution containing punicalagin improved sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, TAC, SOD, CAT and MMP, and decreased ROS content and MDA content. At the same time, the semen sample diluted with the Tris-based solution supplemented with 30 μM punicalagin achieved the best effect. The sperm total motility, progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, TAC, SOD, CAT and MMP of the group supplemented with 30 μM punicalagin were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the other groups on the 5th day during the liquid storage at 4 °C. Meanwhile, the ROS content and MDA content were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those in the other groups. In conclusion, the optimal concentration of punicalagin in the Hu ram semen diluent was determined to be 30 μM. The results indicated that a diluent supplemented with punicalagin could enhance the quality of ram sperm preserved at 4 °C by increasing antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial potential and reducing oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation and Sperm Quality in Domestic Animals)
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