Vasectomy and Photoperiodic Regimen Modify the Protein Profile, Hormonal Content and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity of Ram Seminal Plasma.

This work aimed to determine the contribution of the testis and epididymis and the effect of the photoperiodic regimen on ram seminal plasma (SP). Semen was collected from 15 mature rams located in an equatorial (Colombian Creole and Romney Marsh, eight intact and two vasectomized) or a temperate climate (Rasa Aragonesa, three intact and two vasectomized). SP proteins were analyzed by Bradford, SDS-PAGE and difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). Melatonin and testosterone concentrations were quantified by ELISA, and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRD), and catalase by enzymatic assays. Vasectomy increased protein concentration and the intensity of high molecular weight bands (p < 0.001), with no differences between breeds. DIGE revealed the absence of six proteins in vasectomized rams: angiotensin-converting enzyme, lactotransferrin, phosphoglycerate kinase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase and epididymal secretory protein E1. Vasectomy also decreased melatonin concentrations in seasonal rams, and testosterone in all of them (p < 0.001), but did not affect antioxidant enzyme activity. Equatorial rams showed lower melatonin and testosterone concentration (p < 0.01) and catalase, but higher GPx activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, vasectomy modifies the protein profile and hormonal content of ram seminal plasma, whereas the exposure to a constant photoperiod affects hormonal concentration and antioxidant enzymes activity.

Melatonin membrane receptors MT1 and MT2 are expressed in ram spermatozoa from non-seasonal breeds.

In mammals, many melatonin biological functions are mediated through its interaction with the membrane receptors MT1 and MT2. We have previously reported their presence in ram spermatozoa from males located in temperate climates, but there is no information on their presence in spermatozoa from rams in areas with an equatorial photoperiod (12L:12D). Thus, we have investigated the existence and cellular distribution of melatonin receptors in spermatozoa from three sheep breeds in Colombia (Colombian Creole, Hampshire, and Romney Marsh) during dry and rainy seasons, using indirect immunofluorescence and western blot. Our results indicated the presence of melatonin receptors in spermatozoa from these rams, and that their distribution differs from that previously found in spermatozoa from rams in temperate climates. Moreover, two new immunotypes of MT2 were identified: type N, with staining only in the neck, and type E with a band of immunofluorescence in the upper part of the post-acrosome and the apical edge. Likewise, differences between breeds and climate seasons were detected for both receptors. However, densitometry analysis of western blot bands only revealed differences between seasons in the Creole rams for MT1 and the Romney Marsh rams for MT2, whereas differences between breeds were only detected for MT2. It could be inferred that melatonin receptors in rams subjected to an equatorial photoperiod might be more closely related to sperm quality than seasonal control. Therefore, the presence of these receptors suggests that melatonin could be a useful tool to increase the fertility of rams located in tropical or equatorial climates.

Sperm Behavior and Response to Melatonin under Capacitating Conditions in Three Sheep Breeds Subject to the Equatorial Photoperiod.

In this study, we demonstrated that, in seasonal Mediterranean ovine breeds, supplementing the TALP medium with cAMP-elevating agents (the cocktail medium) is effective for achieving ram sperm capacitation, and that melatonin is able to regulate this phenomenon. We investigated the behavior under capacitating conditions using the TALP and cocktail mediums, and the response to melatonin, of spermatozoa from three sheep breeds (Colombian Creole, Romney Marsh, and Hampshire) subject to the equatorial photoperiod, during the dry and the rainy seasons. The cocktail medium was able to induce sperm capacitation, assayed by chlortetracycline staining and phosphotyrosine levels, to a greater extent than TALP, without a higher loss of viability (membrane integrity and viable spermatozoa without phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation). The addition of melatonin at 100 pM or 1 µM in the cocktail medium partially prevented the decrease in viability without PS translocation and the increase in capacitated spermatozoa from all breeds, with no significant effect on phosphotyrosine levels. Differences between breeds and seasons were evidenced. This study shows that melatonin is able to exert direct effects on spermatozoa in ovine breeds under equatorial photoperiod conditions, as it does in seasonal breeds located in temperate regions.

Changes in melatonin concentrations in seminal plasma are not correlated with testosterone or antioxidant enzyme activity when rams are located in areas with an equatorial photoperiod.

In temperate climates, photoperiod and melatonin regulate ram reproduction, modulating hormonal secretions, sperm quality, and seminal plasma composition. Information on the effect of an equatorial photoperiod (12L:12D) on ram reproduction, however, is scarce, and no data on hormonal concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activity in seminal plasma have been reported. Thus, the variation was investigated of melatonin and its relationship with testosterone and antioxidant enzyme activity in the seminal plasma of three sheep breeds in Colombia, when there was a consistent photoperiod during two dry and two rainy seasons per year. Semen was collected once a week from 12 mature rams (four of each breed: Colombian Creole, Hampshire, and Romney Marsh). Seminal plasma was obtained by centrifugation. The concentration of melatonin and testosterone were quantified along with the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRD), and catalase (CAT). Correlation analyses between melatonin and testosterone concentrations or enzymatic activity were also performed. Melatonin concentration was affected by season (P < 0.05) but not breed, with lesser concentrations in the first rainy season. Testosterone concentration, however, was affected by breed and season, with greater concentrations (P < 0.01) in the Hampshire and Romney Marsh rams during the second dry season. Regarding antioxidant enzyme activity, there was only seasonal variation in GPx activity (P < 0.05). When correlation analyses were used for data assessments, there was a negative correlation between melatonin and testosterone concentrations in Hampshire rams. In conclusion, melatonin concentrations in seminal plasma of rams that were located in an area with an equatorial photoperiod was affected by the climatological season but there was no positive correlation with testosterone concentration or antioxidant enzyme activity.

Efecto de la adición de antioxidantes en los diluyentes para la preservación de semen ovino / Effect of adding antioxidants in diluents for the preservation of sheep semen / Efeito da adição de antioxidantes nos diluentes para preservação de sêmen ovino

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto sobre la calidad espermática de tres substancias antioxidantes (50 µM de trolox/108 espermatozoides, 50 µg de catalasa/ml de eyaculado y cisteamina 5mM) en una base de diluyente comercial Triladyl™, bajo condiciones de refrigeración y congelación/descongelación en semen ovino. Se congeló semen de seis machos adultos en una base del diluyente comercial Triladyl™. El eyaculado de cada macho fue puesto en cuatro diferentes alícuotas: una para control, y a las demás se les adicionó con la base del diluyente 50 µM de trolox/108 espermatozoides, 50 µg de catalasa/ml de eyaculado y cisteamina 5 mM. La calidad espermática precongelación (5 °C) y poscongelación se evaluó con la ayuda de un sistema de análisis computarizado (IVOS II®), con lo cual se eliminó la subjetividad a la prueba. Se observó que 50 µM de trolox/108 SPZ y 50 µg de catalasa/ml tienen la capacidad de mantener valores (p < 0,05) superiores de motilidad total (64,26 ± 0,82 y 55,54 ± 0,85) y motilidad progresiva (47,26 ± 0,75 y 44,32 ± 1,13) en condiciones de precongelación, y para motilidad total (67,60 ± 1,91 y 63,47 ± 3,40), motilidad progresiva (50,87 ± 2,58 y 38,88 ± 2,31) y viabilidad (66,97 ± 2,25 y 61,16 ± 4,31) en poscongelación, comparados con los tratamientos control o la adición de 5 mM de cisteamina. La adición de 50 µM de trolox/108 espermatozoides y de 50 µg de catalasa/ml de semen mejora la motilidad total y progresiva del semen ovino refrigerado a 5 °C y la viabilidad en semen congelado/descongelado.

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the effect on sperm quality of three antioxidant substances (50 μM of trolox/108 spermatozoa, 50 μg of catalase/ml of ejaculate, and 5mM cysteamine) in a Triladyl™ commercial diluent base, under conditions of refrigeration and freezing/thawing in sheep semen. Semen from six adult males was frozen in a commercial Triladyl™ diluent base. The ejaculate of each male was placed in four different aliquots: one for control, and the other three with additional 50 μM of trolox/108 spermatozoa, 50 μg of catalase/ml of ejaculate, and 5 mM cysteamine, respectively, in the diluent base. Pre-freezing (5 °C) and post-freezing sperm quality was evaluated using a computerized analysis system (IVOS II®), which eliminated subjectivity during the test. It was observed that 50 μM of trolox/108 SPZ and 50 μg of catalase/ml are able to maintain higher values (p < 0.05) of total motility (64.26 ± 0.82 and 55.54 ± 0.85 ) and progressive motility (47.26 ± 0.75 and 44.32 ± 1.13) under pre-freezing conditions, and of total motility (67.60 ± 1.91 and 63.47 ± 3.40), progressive motility (50.87 ± 2.58 and 38.88 ± 2.31), and viability (66.97 ± 2.25 and 61.16 ± 4.31) in the post-freezing period, compared to control treatments or the addition of 5 mM of cysteamine. The addition of 50 μM of trolox/108 spermatozoa and 50 μg of catalase/ml of semen improves the total and progressive motility in ovine semen refrigerated at 5 °C, as well as viability in frozen/thawed semen.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito sobre a qualidade espermática de três substancias antioxidantes (50 µM de trolox/108 espermatozoides, 50 µg de catalasa/ml de ejaculado e cisteamina 5mM) numa base de diluente comercial Triladyl™, sob condições de refrigeração e congelamento/descongelamento em sêmen ovino. Sêmen de seis machos adultos foi congelado numa base do diluente comercial Triladyl™. O ejaculado de cada macho foi posto em quatro diferentes alíquotas: uma para controlo e nas outras foi adicionada a base do diluente 50 µM de trolox/108 espermatozoides, 50µg de catalasa/ml de ejaculado e cisteamina 5mM. A qualidade espermática precongelação (5 °C) e pós-congelação avaliou-se com ajuda de um sistema de análise computadorizado (IVOS II®), eliminando assim a subjetividade ao teste. Observou-se que 50 µM de trolox/108 SPZ e 50 µg de catalasa/ml têm a capacidade de manter valores (p < 0,05) superiores de motilidade total (64,26 ± 0,82 e 55,54 ± 0,85) e motilidade progressiva (47,26 ± 0,75 e 44,32 ± 1,13) em condições de pre-congelação, e para motilidade total (67,60 ± 1,91 y 63,47 ± 3,40), motilidade progressiva (50,87 ± 2,58 e 38,88 ± 2,31) e viabilidade (66,97 ± 2,25 e 61,16 ± 4,31) em pós-congelação, comparados com os tratamentos controle ou a adição< de 5 mM de cisteamina. A adição de 50 µM de trolox/108 espermatozoides e 50 µg de catalasa/ml de sêmen melhora a motilidade total e progressiva do sêmen ovino refrigerado a 5 °C e a viabilidade em sêmen congelado/descongelado.

Evaluación de los parámetros de calidad seminal y cinemática espermática en tres razas ovinas de lana en condiciones de trópico alto colombiano / Evaluation of semen quality parameters and sperm kinematics in three wool sheep breeds in conditions of high tropics in Colombia / Avaliação dos parâmetros de qualidade seminal e cinemática espermática em três raças ovinas de lã em condições de trópico alto colombiano

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto del eyaculado, la raza y las colectas sobre los parámetros de calidad seminal y cinemática en 3 tipos raciales ovinos de lana bajo condiciones de trópico alto colombiano. Se colectó semen de 12 machos de la raza criollo, romney marsh y hampshire de 2 a 5 años de edad, con vagina artificial, durante 4 colectas con un tiempo de abstinencia de 3 d. Se realizó el análisis de la motilidad con ayuda de un sistema computarizado de análisis seminal (CASA) en combinación con una tinción de fluorescencia Hoeschst 33259 para el estudio de la viabilidad y la morfología. Se realizó un análisis de medidas repetidas en el tiempo con el paquete estadístico SAS, empleando el método Proc Mixed. No hubo diferencias significativas (p > 0,05) en el porcentaje de motilidad total y motilidad progresiva para el primer y segundo eyaculado, pero sí hubo diferencias (p < 0,05) para la concentración, volumen y viabilidad; el primer eyaculado fue significativamente superior al segundo, independiente de la raza y la colecta. Las variables de cinemática espermática relacionadas con el movimiento progresivo y la velocidad (ALH, VAP, LIN) no difieren entre eyaculados, pero sí hay un efecto racial (p > 0,05) en el que la raza criolla es superior en estas variables, lo que podría sugerir que las células espermáticas de esta raza tienen la capacidad de recorrer mayor distancia en menor tiempo, comparado con los espermatozoides de las otras dos razas, en las condiciones del presente experimento.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ejaculate, race, and sperm collections on semen quality and kinematic parameters in three wool sheep breeds in conditions of high tropics in Colombia. Semen was collected from 12 males of Creole, Romney marsh, and Hampshire sheep breeds ranging from 2 to 5 years of age, with artificial vagina, during 4 collections with a time of abstinence of 3 days. Motility analysis was performed with the help of a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) in combination with a fluorescent Hoechst 33259 stain for the study of viability and morphology. An analysis of measures repeated over time was performed with the SAS statistical package, using the Proc Mixed method. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the percentage of total motility and progressive motility for the first and second ejaculates, but there were differences (p < 0.05) for concentration, volume, and viability; the first ejaculate was significantly superior to the second, independent of breed and collection. Sperm kinematic variables related to progressive movement and speed (ALH, VAP, LIN) do not differ between ejaculates, but there is a racial effect (p > 0.05), since the Creole breed is superior in all these variables, which could suggest that the sperm cells of this breed have the ability to travel greater distance in less time, compared with sperm from the other two breeds, under the conditions of the present experiment.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da ejaculação, a raça e as coletas sobre os parâmetros de qualidade seminal e cinemática em 3 tipos raciais ovinos de lã sob condições de trópico alto colombiano. Foram colhidas amostras de sêmen de 12 machos da raça crioulo, romney marsh e hampshire de 2 a 5 anos de idade, com vagina artificial, durante 4 coletas com um tempo de abstinência de 3 d. Realizou-se a análise da motilidade com ajuda de um sistema computarizado de análise seminal (CASA) em combinação com uma tinção de florescência Hoeschst 33259 para o estudo da viabilidade e a morfologia. Realizou-se um análise de medidas repetidas no tempo com o paquete estadístico SAS, empregando o método Proc Mixed. Não houve diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) na porcentagem de motilidade total e motilidade progressiva para a primeira e segunda ejaculação, mas, sim houve diferenças (p < 0,05) para a concentração, volume e viabilidade; a primeira ejaculação foi significativamente superior ao segundo, independente da raça e da coleta. As variáveis de cinemática espermática relacionadas com o movimento progressivo e velocidade (ALH, VAP, LIN) não diferem entre as ejaculações, mas sim há um efeito racial (p > 0,05) no que a raça crioula é superior em estas variáveis, o que poderia sugerir que as células espermáticas desta raça têm a capacidade de percorrer maior distância em menor tempo, comparado com os espermatozoides das outras dois raças, nas condições desta experiência.

Sistemas de información: definiciones, usos y limitantes al caso de la producción ovina colombiana / Information systems: definitions, applications and limiting of the colombian sheep production / Sistemas de informação: definições, usos e limitações para o caso da produção colombiana de ovelhas

Resumen El acceso rápido y eficiente a una información confiable y precisa permite adoptar una posición adecuada a la hora de tomar una decisión para solucionar un problema con un menor costo; la información es por lo tanto una sustancia figurativa, y se pueden nombrar ciertas posturas sobre ella: la posesión, la acumulación, exceso ("sobrecarga"), la desigualdad distributiva ("los que tienen y los que no"), la medición, la "comoditización", y así sucesivamente, antes de entender per se el uso de los sistemas de información. Es incuestionable el hecho de que mucha gente está derivando grandes ventajas de estas nuevas fuentes de conocimiento prestadas por redes y sistemas de información, en el marco de lo que ahora se convenciona llamar el sector cuaternario de la economía. Los datos, información y el conocimiento son eslabones de una cadena cíclica en la que el último eslabón realimenta la cadena, a la vez que el valor del recurso y la aportación e implicación humana son cada vez mayores. El objeto de la presente revisión es aportar al entendimiento de los sistemas de información y su orientación actual como herramienta para la mejora de la competitividad del sector ovino nacional.

Abstract The fast and efficient access to reliable and accurate information allows adopting a suitable position when making a decision to troubleshoot a lower cost; information is thus a figurative substance, and can appoint certain positions on it: possession, accumulation, excess ("overload"), distributive inequality ("the haves and have-nots"), measurement, the "commoditization", and so on, before understanding per se the use of information systems. It is unquestionable that many people are deriving great advantages of these new sources of knowledge borrowed from networks and information systems, as part of what is now called the "quaternary sector of the economy". The data, information and knowledge are links in a cyclic chain where the last link in the chain fed, while the resource value and contribution and human involvement are increasing. The purpose of this review is to provide an understanding of information systems and the current focus as a tool for improving the competitiveness of the Colombian domestic sheep industry.

Resumo O acesso rápido e eficiente às informações confiáveis e precisas permitem adoptar uma posição adequada ao tomar uma decisão para solucionar um custo menor; informação é, portanto, uma substância figurativa, e pode designar certas posições sobre ele: a posse, a acumulação, o excesso ("sobrecarga"), a desigualdade distributiva ("os que têm e os que não têm"), medição, o "commoditization", e assim por diante, antes de compreender per se a utilização de sistemas de informação. É inquestionável que muitas pessoas estão a retirar grandes vantagens destas novas fontes de conhecimento emprestado de redes e sistemas de informação, como parte do que hoje é chamado de conven setor quaternário da economia. Os dados, informação e conhecimento são elos de uma cadeia cíclica, onde o último elo da cadeia alimentados, enquanto o valor de recursos e contribuição e envolvimento humano estão aumentando. O objetivo desta revisão é fornecer uma compreensão de sistemas de informação e o foco atual como uma ferramenta para melhorar a competitividade da indústria ovina doméstica.