Boar Seminal Microbiota in Relation to Sperm Quality under Tropical Environments

The present study was carried out to determine the seminal microbiota of boars and their correlation with sperm quality. A total of 17 ejaculates were collected from 17 Duroc boars and were classified according to sperm quality into two groups: low-quality (n = 8) and high-quality (n = 9). Each ejaculate was subjected to (i) semen evaluation, (ii) bacterial culture and MALDI-TOF identification, and (iii) 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. No difference in the total bacterial count, alpha diversity, and beta diversity between the high-quality group and the low-quality group was detected (p > 0.05). While Globicatella sanguinis was negatively correlated with sperm quality (

Nanotechnolgy in reproductive biotechnologies: colloid centrifguation for the diagnosis and treatment of fertility in animals

Nanotechnology is employed in sperm preparation for assisted reproduction in animals, in the form of colloid centrifugation using coated-silica nanoparticles. The sperm sample is layered on top of the colloid; robust spermatozoa pass through the colloid whereas less robust spermatozoa are retained the colloid/semen interface or within the colloid layer. This method appears to be one of the most suitable sperm preparation techniques for animal semen since it is possible to process large volumes of semen without losing too many spermatozoa, producing highly fertile samples. Robust spermatozoa, with good motility, intact membranes, an unreacted acrosome, and intact chromatin, can be separated from the rest of the ejaculate, thus enhancing fertility when used in reproductive biotechnologies. These spermatozoa tend to produce less hydrogen peroxide than unselected samples, thus enhancing their quality and extending their shelf-life in storage. Furthermore, sperm cryopreservation is enhanced by selection prior to freezing. Sperm samples for artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection can be prepared with this method. The method can also be used therapeutically, as an indicator of fertility, to treat fertility issues and for conservation breeding. Furthermore, spermatozoa can be separated from viruses and bacteria in the ejaculate, thus improving biosecurity and potentially reducing the use of antibiotics. The latter can contribute to slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance

Colloids: Applications in Sperm Preparation for Assisted Reproduction

Colloids have been used for several decades to prepare spermatozoa for assisted reproduction, initially for in vitro fertilization but, with the development of scaled‐up techniques, increasingly for artificial insemination and cryopreservation as well. The colloids usually consist of coated silica particles. Using colloid centrifugation, it is possible to select sperm subpopulations consisting of motile spermatozoa with intact membranes, stable DNA and normal morphology and to separate them from the rest of the ejaculate. This review explains why different protocols for colloid centrifugation are needed for different species, as well as species‐specific colloid formulations, to match the physical characteristics of the semen. The advantages and disadvantages of sperm preparation by this technique will be outlined. An emerging area of interest is the ability to separate spermatozoa from the bacteria that contaminate semen during collection. Thus, colloid centrifugation represents an alternative to using antibiotics in semen extenders. Since there is a worldwide movement to restrict the use of antibiotics, the possibility of physically removing the bacteria is of considerable interest. Moreover, it may be possible to use colloids to reduce viruses in semen. Transmission of viruses through semen is an emerging problem as more and more viruses are being identified that can potentially be spread in this manner

Animal Welfare Assessment Protocols for Bulls in Artificial Insemination Centers: Requirements, Principles, and Criteria

During the last 70 years, the bull semen industry has been trying to maximize reproduction efficiency to meet demands. Changes in public attitudes towards the conditions under which domestic animals are kept have led to questions being raised about animal husbandry and its impact on animal welfare. Protocols for bull welfare assessment in artificial insemination centers and how welfare disturbances can reflect on bull productivity have not previously been taken into consideration. Welfare is important for the bull industry because, apart from the known consequences of stress on reproductive parameters and performance, stress can also influence the onset of puberty and cause other health problems. Therefore, it would be useful to have an early indicator of an incipient welfare problem so that countermeasures could be taken in time to prevent such long-term effects on the animals. Different protocols have been developed for specific animal species and production groups/systems based on their biology, husbandry, management, and breeding, and care guidelines formulated. Different housing conditions, poor feeding during rearing and production, as well as poor health status have all been shown to affect bulls negatively and are reflected in sperm quality and animal fertility.Animal welfare is a complex subject; as such, it requires a multidimensional approach with the main aim of providing the animals with the "five freedoms". The violations of any one of these freedoms could have an influence on animal wellbeing on different levels. Over the years, many welfare quality protocols were developed in the EU thanks to the Welfare Quality((R)) project. Unfortunately, there is a lack of such summarized information about bull welfare assessment in artificial insemination stations or about how disturbed welfare can be reflected in their productivity. Animal reproduction is the basis for the production of meat and milk; therefore, factors contributing to reduced fertility in bulls are not only indicators of animal welfare but also have implications for human health and the environment. Optimizing the reproductive efficiency of bulls at an early age can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this review, welfare quality assessment will be evaluated for these production animals using reproduction efficiency as a key area, focusing on stress as a main effect of poor animal welfare and, thereby, reduced fertility. We will address various welfare aspects and possible changes in resources or management to improve outcomes

A novel approach to minimising acute equine endometritis that may help to prevent the development of the chronic state

One of the most commonly encountered challenges in equine breeding is endometritis, which can be difficult to resolve and causes considerable economic losses to the industry. It is a multifactorial condition, developing as an exaggerated form of the normal physiological response to breeding. Seminal plasma proteins, spermatozoa, bacteria and debris initiate an inflammatory response; the resulting fluid and neutrophils are then cleared from the uterus along with the debris. However, in some mares, the response is prolonged or exaggerated, with much fluid formation and neutrophil infiltration leading to acute endometritis. A bacterial cause has been implicated, although in some cases no pathogenic organisms can be isolated on culture. It has been postulated that any one of a variety of bacteria could be involved, or dysbiosis of the uterine microbiome could be responsible. Repeated episodes of acute endometritis may lead to the pathology associated with chronic endometritis, with mucociliary dysfunction, vascular degeneration and plasma cell infiltration. This review examines the information that is currently available about equine endometritis, particularly about the role of the inseminate in the uterus, and its current treatment. There are some promising lines of research into treatment or prevention that may help to resolve the issue

Women’s views on anxiety in pregnancy and the use of anxiety instruments: a qualitative study

Objective: To explore women’s experience of anxiety in pregnancy and views on the use of anxiety instruments in antenatal care. Background: Anxiety in pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, developmental and behavioural problems in infants and postnatal depression. Despite recommendations for routine psychological assessment in pregnancy the optimal methods to identify anxiety in pregnancy have not been confirmed. Methods: A qualitative study using two focus group discussions was undertaken. Focus group one included women in a community setting and focus group two included women in a hospital clinic setting who had received additional support for anxiety in pregnancy. Participants were women who had given birth within the past nine months and considered themselves to have been anxious during their pregnancy. Results: Three main themes were identified using template analysis: sources of support, administration of anxiety instruments and the use of instruments to prompt discussion. Women stated anxiety instruments could help them to identify their anxious feelings and prompt a discussion around those feelings. However they expressed concerns surrounding the administration of anxiety instruments and questioned how useful they would be in helping women access help and support. Conclusions: The introduction of anxiety instruments in antenatal care may present an opportunity to discuss women’s emotional health and anxieties. Providing women with sufficient time to discuss their anxious feelings, identified by such instruments, could facilitate access to additional support

Novel interpretation of sperm stress test and morphology for maturity assessment of young Norwegian Red bulls

The use of genomic selection significantly reduces the age of dairy bulls entering semen pro-duction compared to progeny testing. The study aimed to identify early indicators that could be used for screening bulls during their performance testing period and could give us insight into their future semen production performance, acceptance for the AI station, and prediction of their future fertility. The study population consisted of 142 young Norwegian Red bulls enrolled at the performance test station, followed until we received semen production data, semen doses, and, subsequently, non-return rates (NR56) from the AI station. A range of semen quality parameters were measured with computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry from ejaculates collected from 65 bulls (9-13 months). The population morphometry of normal spermatozoa was examined, showing that Norwegian Red bulls at 10 months of age have homogenous sperm morphometry. Norwegian Red bulls could be separated into 3 clusters according to their sperm's reaction patterns to stress test and cryopreservation. Results of semi-automated morphology assessment of young Norwegian Red bulls showed that 42% of bulls rejected for the AI station and 18% of bulls accepted had ejaculates with abnormal morphology scores. For the youngest age group at 10 months, the mean (SD) proportion of spermatozoa with normal morphology was 77.5% (10.6). Using novel interpretation of sperm stress test combined with sperm morphology analysis and consecutive cryopreservation at a young age allowed identification of the candi-date's sperm quality status. This could help breeding companies introduce young bulls earlier to the AI stations

Effect of Some Plant-Based Substances on Microbial Content and Sperm Quality Parameters of Bull Semen

The rapid emergence of antibacterial resistance requires alternatives to antibiotics to be found, including for semen preservation. One of the possible alternatives would be to use plant-based substances with known antimicrobial effects. The objective of this study was to test the antimicrobial effect of pomegranate powder, ginger, and curcumin extract in two concentrations on bull semen microbiota after exposure for <2 h and 24 h. An additional aim was to evaluate the effect of these substances on sperm quality parameters. The bacterial count in semen was low from the beginning; however, a reduction was present for all tested substances compared with control. A reduction in bacterial count in control samples was also observed with time. Curcumin at a concentration of 5%, reduced bacterial count by 32% and was the only substance that had a slight positive effect on sperm kinematics. The other substances were associated with a decline in sperm kinematics and viability. Neither concentration of curcumin had a deleterious effect on sperm viability parameters measured by flow cytometry. The results of this study indicate that curcumin extract at a concentration of 5% can reduce the bacterial count and does not have a negative influence on bull sperm quality