Improvement of the frozen boar semen quality by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and L-cysteine supplementation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid and L-cysteine supplementation on qualities of cryopreserved boar semen. A total of 30 ejaculates from 10 Yorkshire boars were included in the study. The semen was cryopreserved in lactose egg yolk base extender containing different concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (fish oil) or/and L-cysteine : 0 mg and 0 mM (Control), 290 mg and 0 mM (Treatment I), 290 mg and 5 mM (Treatment II) and 290 mg and 10 mM (Treatment III). Post thawing semen qualities (sperm motility, motility patterns, sperm viability, acrosomal integrity, functional plasma membrane integrity and DNA damage) were assessed. The results show that sperm motility and sperm viability were significantly improved by supplementing of docosahexaenoic acid and/or L-cysteine, or their combination if compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The improvement of sperm parameters after supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid or/and Lcysteine, or their combination was more pronounced in the poor freezability sperm rather than at the good one. In poor freezability sperm, the supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid and/or 10 mmol/l Lcysteine resulted with higher sperm motility (34.7 vs. 22.3%, P < 0.001), sperm viability (45.0 vs. 28.1%, P < 0.05) and acrosomal integrity (46.9 vs. 36.2%, P < 0.05) if compared to the control. In conclusion, the supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid, alone or in combination with L-cysteine significantly enhanced the sperm motility, sperm viability and acrosomal integrity of boar sperm after cryopreservation

L-carnitine Supplemented Extender Improves Cryopreserved-thawed Cat Epididymal Sperm Motility

Cryopreservation of epididymal sperm is an effective technique to preserve genetic materials of domestic cats and wild felids when they unexpectedly die. However, this technique inevitably causes detrimental changes of cryopreserved-thawed spermatozoa, for example, by physical damage and excessive oxidative stress. L-carnitine is an antioxidant that has been used to improve sperm motility in humans and domestic animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on cat epididymal sperm quality following cryopreservation and thawing. After routine castration, cauda epididymides were collected from 60 cat testes. The epididymal spermatozoa from 3 cauda epididymides were pooled as 1 replicate. Spermatozoa samples (16 replicates) were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 4 groups: 0 mM L-carnitine (control), 12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM L-carnitine. The sperm aliquots were then equilibrated and conventionally frozen. After thawing, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated. The 25 mM L-carnitine significantly improved sperm motility compared with a control group (p<0.05), although this was not significantly different among other concentrations. In conclusion, supplementation of 25 mM L-carnitine in freezing extender improves cauda epididymal spermatozoa motility. The effects of L-carnitine on the levels of oxidative stress during freezing and thawing remains to be examined

A review of the human vs. porcine female genital tract and associated immune system in the perspective of using minipigs as a model of human genital Chlamydia infection

International audienceAbstractSexually transmitted diseases constitute major health issues and their prevention and treatment continue to challenge the health care systems worldwide. Animal models are essential for a deeper understanding of the diseases and the development of safe and protective vaccines. Currently a good predictive non-rodent model is needed for the study of genital chlamydia in women. The pig has become an increasingly popular model for human diseases due to its close similarities to humans. The aim of this review is to compare the porcine and human female genital tract and associated immune system in the perspective of genital Chlamydia infection. The comparison of women and sows has shown that despite some gross anatomical differences, the structures and proportion of layers undergoing cyclic alterations are very similar. Reproductive hormonal cycles are closely related, only showing a slight difference in cycle length and source of luteolysing hormone. The epithelium and functional layers of the endometrium show similar cyclic changes. The immune system in pigs is very similar to that of humans, even though pigs have a higher percentage of CD4+/CD8+ double positive T cells. The genital immune system is also very similar in terms of the cyclic fluctuations in the mucosal antibody levels, but differs slightly regarding immune cell infiltration in the genital mucosa - predominantly due to the influx of neutrophils in the porcine endometrium during estrus. The vaginal flora in Göttingen Minipigs is not dominated by lactobacilli as in humans. The vaginal pH is around 7 in Göttingen Minipigs, compared to the more acidic vaginal pH around 3.5–5 in women. This review reveals important similarities between the human and porcine female reproductive tracts and proposes the pig as an advantageous supplementary model of human genital Chlamydia infection