Sperm motility parameters of Barbus barbus callensis throughout the reproduction season: Computer aided semen analysis and gametes motility duration

The present study investigated the existing relationship between computer assisted semen motility parameters and gametes motility duration, known to express semen quality and fertilizing capacity in fish. The objective was particularly to identify computer aided semen analysis (CASA) parameters that could be used as potential fertility predictors. Semen samples were collected from the beginning to the end of the spawning season of Barbus barbus callensis, a freshwater fish abundantly distributed throughout North Africa. Semen was simultaneously analyzed using optical microscopy including semen motility duration (SMD) measurement, by the aid of a computer-assisted semen analyzer. The measured CASA parameters were: straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), beat cross frequency (BCF), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity and straightness. The results showed that motility duration evolved in a similar manner as several CASA parameters. Significant correlation coefficients expressed these relationships with r = 0.74, 0.32, 0.16 and 0.45 for VSL, VAP, VCL and BCF, respectively. No correlations were observed when studying relationships between motility duration, STR, LIN and ALH, with r = 0.08, 0.06 and 0.006, respectively. The present results showed that CASA motility parameters are strongly related to motility duration. VSL was revealed as the main parameter being highly correlated to motility duration (r = 0.74). This quantitatively and objectively measured parameter is revealed to be a useful indicator of semen quality and could serve as a potential indicator of fertility outputs in fish

THE INTEREST OF HYPEROSMOLAR EXTENDERS IN ROOSTER SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION

The aim of the present study was to investigate thepotential benefit of hyperosmolar extender during the freezing-thawing process in rooster sperm. The goal was to minimize the amount of intracellular water and reduce the impact of intracellular icecrystal during the freezing process. A total of five 45-week old Hubbard commercial broilers were subjected to bi-weekly semen collections. Collected sperm was pooled and divided in three aliquots. The control aliquot was diluted with Tris-extender without further supplementation at 300 mOsm (Control). The two (2) other aliquots were diluted with Trisextender at 300 mOsm containing vitamin E (Vit E) or with Tris-extender without Vitamin E but at osmolarity of 450 mOsm (Hyper). After incubation at 22 °C for 15 min, all aliquots were cooled and then frozen in liquid nitrogen. A Computer Aided Semen Analysis (CASA) was used to investigate the impact on different motility parameters. After thawing, Hyperosmolar (Hyper) and vitamin E extenders showed the highest values in terms of sperm motility preservation. Hyperosmolar extender (Hyper) showed particularly the highest values in terms of VSL velocities and progressive motile spermatozoa, known as indicators of sperm quality. In conclusion, the present results revealed that a significant impact was observed when using extenders at osmolarity of 450 mOsmin rooster sperm, in the same manner and even better then when using vitamin E. The positive impact is probably related to the reduction of intracellular ice formation

Characterization of the Hamra sheep breed in western Algeria

editorial reviewedThe present work is a part of a National Research Project (PNR Algeria 2022) dedicated to the development of the Hamra sheep breed in his cradle western Algeria. The aim of this study is to characterize the morphology, growth and reproductive performance of this ovine breed. A sample of 15 rams and 30 ewes were used for the morphological characterization versus a total of 1,328 head for the growth and reproduction performance carried out at the technical livestock institute in Saida area located in the western Algeria. Hamra sheep breed is small compared to other Algerian breeds. It has a dark brown (mahogany) head and legs, a blackish-blue tongue, white wool, spiral horns, and a fine, medium-length tail. Total body length is 124.5 cm for males and 110.5 cm for females, with a trunk length of 78.6 cm for males and 67.7 cm for females. Depth, width and circumference of chest are respectively 40.3 cm; 30 cm; 116.4 cm for males, and 34.2 cm; 22 cm; 99.8 cm for females. Growth monitoring showed an average birth weight of 3 to 3.6kg, depending on sex (male or female) and litter size (single or double). Live weights reached an average of 17.9kg for males and 16.2kg for females at 90th day of age. The ewes' reproductive performances are as follows: 82.2% for fertility, 97% for fecundity and 118% for prolificacy at birth and weaning. In conclusion, the Hamra breed has shown promise performances in terms of growth, but its butchering potential needs more assessments. Further studies are required to establish a conservation strategy becoming urgent by the uncontrolled introduction of genetics from other sheep breeds.PNR- Algérie12. Responsible consumption and productio

Effect of the essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) on rooster sperm motility during 4°C short-term storage

Aim : This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) essential oil on rooster sperm motility during 4°C short-term storage. Materials and Methods : R. officinalis essential oil was analyzed using gas chromato graphy coupled to mass spectrometry to identify the active components. 10 of 45-week-old Hubbard commercial broilers were subjected to biweekly semen collections during 3 weeks. At each collection, sperm was pooled and divided into four aliquots and then diluted with Tris extender supplemented with 870, 87, or 8.7 μg/ml of R. officinalis essential oil, identified as treatments R, R5, and R10, respectively. Tris-based extender without any supplementation was considered as a control group. Diluted sperm was then stored at 4°C in the refrigerator and analyzed at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Different semen parameters were measured including total motility, progressive motility, gametes velocities (straight line velocity [VSL], curvilinear velocity [VCL], and average path velocity [VAP]), amplitude of the lateral head displacement [ALH], and beat- cross frequency [BCF]. Results : The phytochemical analysis of R. officinalis essential oil revealed the presence of 25 active components including seven major molecules: Camphor (18.88%), camphene (5.17%), 1,8-cineole (7.85%), β-thujene (13.66%), α-thujene (4.87%), chrysanthenone (12.05%), and β-cubenene (7.97%). The results showed a beneficial effect of R. officinalis essential oil on sperm cells motility, particularly when using the lowest concentrations, 8.7 and 87 μg/ml. Progressive motility and gametes velocities (VCL, VSL, and VAP), materializing the quality of gametes motility, showed highly statistically significant values (p<0.01) in 8.7 and 87 μg/ml treatments, especially from 6 h of storage at 4°C. Conversely, the highest concentration (870 μg/ml) showed harmful effects with a total spermicidal activity after 24 h of storage. Conclusion : The current results revealed the positive impact of R. officinalis essential oil on rooster sperm at 4°C short-term storage probably through fighting against oxidative stress and cold shock damages

Fertility after vaginal or uterine deposition of dog semen frozen in a Tris extender with or without Equex STM Paste

Twenty-five bitches were artificially inseminated with semen that was frozen-thawed using an egg yolk-Tris-glucose-citrate extender containing 5% glycerol with, or without the addition of 0.5% Equex STM Paste. Semen was collected on 2 occasions from 11 dogs, pooled, and evaluated for sperm motility, morphology and plasma membrane integrity. Each pool was then divided in 2 parts, diluted with 1 of the 2 extenders, and frozen in 0.5-mL straws. In the bitches, plasma progesterone was assayed daily during late proestrus and estrus. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed twice on Days 3 and 5 after the estimated LH peak. For each insemination, 200x10(6) spermatozoa were used. Ten bitches were inseminated with semen frozen without Equex: In 5 females, semen was deposited transcervically into the uterus with the aid of a fiberoptic endoscope and a urethral catheter, while the remaining 5 bitches were inseminated in the cranial vagina using a Norwegian catheter. Fifteen bitches were inseminated with semen frozen-thawed with Equex: Two groups of 5 bitches were inseminated according to the techniques described above, while 5 bitches were inseminated vaginally using the Osiris catheter. Pregnancy was diagnosed and the number of fetuses counted by ultrasound examination. Postthaw, spermatozoa frozen with Equex tended to have higher total and progressive motility and to survive longer in vitro than when the extender without Equex was used. Spermatozoal concentration, age of the bitches, duration of heat and estrus, and progesterone concentration at LH peak and at the first and second Al did not differ among the 5 groups. The overall pregnancy rate of 84% (21/25) was close to what can be expected from well controlled natural matings. For both freezing extenders tested, 5/5 bitches were pregnant after uterine deposition of semen and 4/5 were pregnant when semen was deposited in the anterior vagina using the Norwegian catheter. With the Osiris catheter, 3/5 inseminations resulted in a pregnancy. No significant differences in pregnancy rate or number of fetuses were found between groups, site of deposition or freezing extender. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc