Effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on post-thaw quality, kinematics and in vivo fertility of fertile and subfertile buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa.

This study investigated the effect of adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in semen extender prior cryopreservation on post-thaw quality, kinematics, and in vivo fertility of fertile and subfertile buffalo spermatozoa. Eleven buffalo bulls were classified based on their conception rate (CR) into fertile (n = 8, CR > 55%) and subfertile (n = 3, CR < 35%) groups. Ejaculates were collected with artificial vagina, pooled, and dispensed into 6 aliquots, diluted with Tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender supplemented with different proportions of PRP [0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%] followed by cryopreservation using standard procedures. Post-thaw sperm quality, kinematics, antioxidant activity, cryosurvival rate, and in vivo fertility were compared between fertile and subfertile groups and among proportions of PRP within each group. The results showed that 15% PRP greatly (P < 0.001) improved sperm characteristics, average path velocity, and curvilinear velocity of the subfertile group. Interestingly, 5%, 10%, and 15% PRP greatly (P < 0.001) reduced malondialdehyde content and improved enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and total antioxidant capacity in fertile and subfertile groups. However, these three proportions of PRP significantly (P < 0.001) improved the cryosurvival rate of the subfertile group; only 15% PRP greatly improved CR of subfertile (60.83% vs. 34.17%) animals to be comparable with that of fertile ones treated with 5 (59.17%) and 10% (60.83%) PRP. In conclusion, adding 15% PRP to semen extender before cryopreservation is recommended to improve post-thaw quality, antioxidant activity, and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen particularly of the subfertile animals.

Fertility-associated biochemical components in seminal plasma and serum of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls.

The present study looks for components in seminal plasma (SP) and/or serum that are closely related to in vivo fertility of buffalo bulls. Fourteen healthy mature buffalo bulls were classified according to their in vivo fertility into fertile (n = 10) and subfertile (n = 4) groups. Semen and serum samples were collected from all animals for 12 replicates. The collected ejaculates were examined for sperm characteristics before being centrifuged to collect SP for hormonal (FSH, LH, testosterone, and IGF-1), biochemical [total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), fructose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)] and proteomic (SDS-PAGE) analyses. Likewise, serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, IGF-1, glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL were determined. All sperm characteristics and the majority of sperm kinematics were (P < 0.01) different between fertile and subfertile groups. Seminal and serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and IGF-1 were higher (P < 0.01) in the fertile group, but only seminal fructose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL were higher (P < 0.01) in the fertile group. Moreover, the fertile group had greater TAC, CAT, GPx, and NO, but the subfertile group had greater MDA. Protein bands of 14, 15, 26, 30, and 55 kDa were larger and denser in the SP of the fertile group but were smaller and faint to absent in that of the subfertile group. Also, the protein fractions of detected protein bands demonstrated a substantial influence of fertility on those of 16, 26, 30, and 55 kDa. In conclusion, sperm characteristics and kinematics with serum, and/or seminal hormonal and biochemical components, should be evaluated for reliable prediction of buffalo bull fertility. Furthermore, protein bands of 26, 30, and 55 kDa may represent fertility-associated proteins in buffalo bull SP.

Antioxidant response element activator, BTZO-1, improves the developmental competence of bovine oocytes.

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation may disrupt the oocytes function and their competence. In this study, we introduced BTZO-1, a new supplement that can regulate the oxidative stress. Addition of BTZO-1 during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their developmental competence in the term of improvement of blastocyst rates. In addition, the quality of the produced embryos was improved by decreasing the apoptosis level by showing a decreased number of TUNNEL positive cells.

Genetic Polymorphisms in LTF/EcoRI and TLR4/AluI loci as candidates for milk and reproductive performance assessment in Holstein cattle.

The aim of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphisms in LTF/EcoRI and TLR4/AluI loci and their association with milk and reproductive performance in Holstein cattle. A randomly selected 800 Holstein dairy cows from two dairy farms (400 animals each) in Egypt were used. Based on the two farm records, association between LTF/EcoRI genotypes and milk performance traits (order of lactation, daily milk yield, days in milk, corrected milk at 305 day and dry period) was carried out. Meanwhile, exploring of TLR4/AluI genotypes effect was done on data for reproductive performance (age at first freshening, calving interval, number of services per conception, ovarian rebound and days open). DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from Holstein dairy cows of the both farms and restriction analysis of 301-bp PCR products of LTF gene revealed two genotypes: AA genotype (301 bp) and AB genotype (301, 201 and 100 bp). Meanwhile, restriction analysis of 382-bp PCR products of TLR4 gene digested with AluI yielded two alleles (A and B) and three genotypes (AA, AB and BB). The A allele was indicated by two bands at 300 and 82 bp, and the B allele resulted in three fragments of 160, 140 and 82 bp. There was a significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between LTF genotypes and milk performance traits except for days in milk. The TLR4 genotypes had significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) on age at first freshening, calving interval, number of services per conception, ovarian rebound and days open. Ordinal logistic regression statistical model also revealed that it is possible to calculate high reproductive performance traits and to predict favourable dairy cows based on LTF and TLR4 genotypes. This research reveals the effectiveness of LTF/EcoRI and TLR4/AluI loci as candidates for reproductive performance assessment in Holstein cattle.