Identification of genomic regions associated with total and progressive sperm motility in Italian Holstein bulls.

Sperm motility is directly related to the ability of sperm to move through the female reproductive tract to reach the ovum. Sperm motility is a complex trait that is influenced by environmental and genetic factors and is associated with male fertility, oocyte penetration rate, and reproductive success of cattle. In this study we carried out a GWAS in Italian Holstein bulls to identify candidate regions and genes associated with variations in progressive and total motility (PM and TM, respectively). After quality control, the final data set consisted of 5,960 records from 949 bulls having semen collected in 10 artificial insemination stations and genotyped at 412,737 SNPs (call rate >95%; minor allele frequency >5%). (Co)variance components were estimated using single trait mixed models, and associations between SNPs and phenotypes were assessed using a genomic BLUP approach. Ten windows that explained the greatest percentage of genetic variance were located on Bos taurus autosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 23, and 26 for TM and Bos taurus autosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 23, and 26 for PM. A total of 150 genes for TM and 72 genes for PM were identified within these genomic regions. Gene Ontology enrichment analyses identified significant Gene Ontology terms involved with energy homeostasis, membrane functions, sperm-egg interactions, protection against oxidative stress, olfactory receptors, and immune system. There was significant enrichment of quantitative trait loci for fertility, calving ease, immune response, feed intake, and carcass weight within the candidate windows. These results contribute to understanding the architecture of the genetic control of sperm motility and may aid in the development of strategies to identify subfertile bulls and improve reproductive success.

Comparison between primary sex ratio in spermatozoa of bulls and secondary sex ratio in the deriving offspring.

The objectives of the present work were to compare the primary sex ratio in sperm with the secondary sex ratio recorded in the offspring produced by artificial insemination (AI) with the same sperm and assess whether the primary sex ratio is influenced by sperm survival and motility after thawing. Calving data of 98 Holstein Friesian bulls used in AI were collected during 4 years, and commercial semen of the same bulls was analyzed immediately after thawing and after swim-up using a real-time polymerase chain reaction method developed and validated in our laboratory. Calving data relative to single bulls did not reveal any significant deviation between genders from the theoretical 1:1 for none of the bulls, being the mean values of male and female calves born 52.1 ± 2.80% and 47.9 ± 2.71%, respectively. Thereafter, calving events of bulls were classified and analyzed according to four classes of years: 2009 (n = 13,261), 2010 (n = 21,551), 2011 (n = 24,218), and 2012 (n = 41,726), and seasons categorized as winter, spring, summer, and fall. When data aggregated per years were analyzed, the difference between the two sexes was significant (P < 0.005) in favor of the male gender, whereas no influence of the season was evidenced. Real-time polymerase chain reaction did not evidence any difference between the mean values of frequency of Y chromosome-bearing sperm detected in three sperm batches of the same bulls analyzed immediately after thawing (51.1 ± 2.1), nor a difference with respect to the theoretical 1:1 ratio was reported after sperm analysis of one batch of sperm of the bulls analyzed after swim-up and immediately after thawing (50.1 ± 2.1 and 49.8 ± 1.8, respectively). The results are consistent with the observation of the farmers who often report a skewed sex ratio of the calves being born with AI in favor of the male gender. However, we have not evidenced differences in the primary sex ratio with respect to the theoretical 1:1 ratio both at thawing and after swim-up, thus demonstrating that the freezing procedure itself does not impact selectively on the survival of the X or Y chromosome-bearing sperm. Therefore, we hypothesize that the difference between genders observed after AI is more likely due to the events occurring after fertilization, which can comprise an impaired function of the X- or Y-bearing sperm with consequences on embryo development or a maternal influence.

Controlled release of swine semen encapsulated in calcium alginate beads.

A quick and successful encapsulation method of swine spermatozoa is described: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and calcium chloride were added to the sampled ejaculate swine sperm (sperm-rich fraction: creamy white) and then this suspension was dropped into an aqueous solution of sodium alginate. In order to obtain different capsule thicknesses, different calcium chloride concentrations were used. The influence of different formulations on in vitro spermatozoa release behavior and on the mechanical properties has been studied. In vitro sperm kinetics (motility and average velocity) have been determined. The results obtained from motility and average velocity tests of treated seminal material are promising, especially if the difficulty of preservation of swine spermatozoa compared to bovine sperm is considered. The different membranes obtained from the different calcium concentrations have had an influence on mechanical properties and on the release profile of spermatozoa from the capsules, and therefore, it is possible to modulate the release rate of the cells.

Frozen bovine semen quality and bovine cervical mucus penetration test.

Research has been carried out to test bovine cervical mucus penetration (penetration) as a means for evaluating frozen-thawed bovine semen. A commercially available cervical mucus penetration test kit (the kit) was used. A total of 158 previously frozen semen samples collected from 61 bulls were thawed in a 37 C water-bath for 2 minutes. Four ways to estimate penetration were compared using the distance traveled during 90 minutes 1) at 21 C, or 2) at 37 C, by 3) the first solitary mobile spermatozoon, or by 4) the front of the mass of the mobile spermatozoa. Penetration was measured using phase contrast microscopy and a millimeter grid. Spermatozoal quality parameters (concentration, total motility, progressive motility, acrosome integrity, total sperm integrity and cytoplasmic droplets) were measured and the correlation to penetration was calculated. The best way to assay penetration with the kit was by measuring the penetration of the first solitary mobile spermatozoon at 37 C. Semen quality variability was significant (P < 0.05) relative to penetration. Linear correlations between penetration and acrosome integrity r=0.42 as well as between penetration and total sperm integrity r=0.53 were highly significant (P < 0.001). There was significant linear multiple regression between penetration and acrosome integrity (expressed as percentage and number) and total sperm integrity (expressed as percentage and number) (r=0.62; F=23.5147; P<0.0001). There was a significant difference between the average progressive motility of samples with penetration > 20 mm and samples with penetration 20%), but it is not useful to define the fertility level of semen samples.

Minimum number of spermatozoa per dose in Mediterranean Italian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using sexed frozen semen and conventional artificial insemination.

In buffaloes, AI with sexed semen is not fully optimized, and the procedure has only been performed using the approach currently in use for cattle. The objective of the present work was to compare the pregnancy rates in Mediterranean Italian buffalo cows inseminated with sexed frozen-thawed semen at 2, 4, 6, and 8 million sperm per dose, using the Ovsynch protocol and conventional AI at a fixed time. Fresh ejaculates from three buffalo bulls were processed according to Beltsville sperm sorting technology, and packaged in 0.25-mL straws with two total concentrations of 2 and 4 million live sorted sperm per straw. After thawing, semen was evaluated for total motility, forward motility, average path velocity, membrane and DNA integrity, and membrane fluidity. Sorting efficiency was estimated using a real time polymerase chain reaction method developed and validated in our laboratory. The artificial inseminations were conducted during the breeding season on 849 Italian Mediterranean buffalo heifers and cows distributed in 13 farms in northern and central Italy. No significant difference in quality parameters was reported between nonsexed and sexed straws produced with 2 and 4 million sperm. Lower pregnancy rate (P < 0.001) was reported when inseminating doses of sexed semen at 2 million were used (53/170; 31.2%), with respect to conventional nonsexed (78/142; 54.9%), and sexed doses at 4, 6, and 8 million spermatozoa (102/205, 49.8%; 84/175, 48.0%; and 74/157, 47.1%, respectively). No differences were evident using conventional doses and sexed semen with sperm numbers equal or higher than 4 million per dose. Pregnancies were not affected by the sire; 39/82 (47.6%), 120/270 (44.4%), and 151/355 (42.5%), respectively, for the three bulls. Variability in pregnancy rates observed in different herds was not significant. Furthermore, no significant difference was reported between pregnancies obtained with sexed semen in heifers and multiparous, respectively, 179/407 (44.0%) and 131/300 (43.7%). The results of the present work indicate that in Mediterranean Italian buffalo the dose of 4 million represents an optimal compromise when using sexed semen with conventional technologies of insemination, together with estrus synchronization, and the minimum number of spermatozoa per dose. In addition, the real time polymerase chain reaction method was optimized and is now available for estimating sorting efficiency in buffalo.

Andrological study of two young identical twin bulls.

A study was conducted on two young Italian Holstein bulls obtained by embryonic splitting and, therefore, genetically identical. The andrological evaluation of the subjects revealed a significant difference in semen freezability, valued according to forward motility after thawing (57.34 vs. 46.92; P < 0.01). There was, however, no difference in the quality of fresh semen.