Induction of Gonadal Development in Protogynous Grouper with Orally Delivered FSH DNA.

The availability of sexually mature fish often dictates the success of its captive breeding. In this study, we induced reproductive development in juvenile protogynous tiger grouper through oral administration of a plasmid (p) containing an engineered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). An expression construct (pcDNA3.1) was designed to express a single-chain FSH consisting of giant grouper FSH ß-subunit and glycoprotein subunit-α (CGα), linked by the carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) sequence from the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Single oral delivery of pFSH encapsulated in liposome and chitosan to tiger grouper yielded a significant increase in plasma FSH protein level after 4 days. Weekly pFSH feeding of juvenile tiger groupers for 8 weeks stimulated ovarian development as indicated by a significant increase in oocyte diameter and progression of oocytes to cortical alveolar stage. As the pFSH treatment progressed from 20 to 38 weeks, female to male sex change was initiated, characterized by oocyte regression, proliferation of spermatogonial cells, and occurrence of spermatogenic cysts. It was also associated with significantly lower mRNA expression of steroidogenic genes (cyp11b, cyp19a1a, and foxl2) and basal plasma levels of sex steroid hormones 17ß-estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and 11-ketotestosterone (11KT). Results suggest that pFSH stimulates ovarian development up to cortical alveolar stage and then initiates sex change in tiger grouper. These findings significantly contribute to our knowledge on the role of FSH in the development of protogynous hermaphroditic fish. This study is the first to demonstrate induction of reproductive development in fish through oral delivery of plasmid gonadotropin.

Comparative evaluation of the cost and efficiency of four types of sexing methods for the production of dairy female calves.

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the economic benefits of different embryo sexing methods, based on the cost per female dairy calf produced. Female calves were produced from four kinds of female embryos: (1) those collected from superstimulated donors at 7-8 days after artificial insemination (AI) with X-sorted semen; (2) those sex-determined by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay of a biopsy sample of embryos collected from superstimulated donors after AI with conventional unsorted semen; (3) those obtained by invitro embryo production (IVEP), using X-sorted semen and in vitro-matured oocytes collected from donors by ovum pick-up (OPU); and (4) those obtained by IVEP, using X-sorted semen and oocytes collected by OPU after dominant follicle ablation and follicle growth stimulation of the donors. The respective productivities of female calves per technical service and the total production cost per female calf of each sexing method were compared. The production cost per female calf (66,537 JPY), as calculated from the number of female calves per service (1.30), pregnancy rate of transfer (42.9%), rate of female calves obtained (92.9%), and total cost of the method (56,643 JPY plus embryo transfer fee), was less for IVEP with X-sorted semen and follicular growth-stimulated (FGS) oocytes than for the other groups (P < 0.05). The results demonstrate that embryo production with X-sorted semen and FGS oocytes provides a more efficient method for producing female calves than the other embryo sexing methods.

Effect of sorting boar spermatozoa by sex chromosomes on oviduct cell binding.

This study examined the hypothesis that flow sorting sperm by sex chromosomes affects oviduct cell binding which would influence formation of the sperm reservoir in the oviduct. The sperm-rich fraction from boars (n = 5) was collected, sperm were stained with Hoechst 33342 and sorted. Sperm were sorted based on the presence of either an X or Y chromosome and placed into the following treatments: 1) sperm selected for the Y chromosome, 2) selected for the X, 3) an equal mixture of sorted X and Y, and 4) a control of non-sorted sperm from the same collection. Samples were tested for oviduct cell binding within 12 h of sorting. Additionally, sperm were analyzed for motility characteristics, acrosome status, and binding to the two oviduct glycan motifs that bind porcine sperm, biantennary 6-sialylated N-acetyllactosamine on a mannose core (bi-SiaLN) and sulfated LeX trisaccharide (suLeX). The disaccharide found within both glycan motifs, N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), was used as a control. Sperm binding to oviduct cells was reduced by more than half in the three sorted samples when compared to the control sperm that were not sorted. The percentage of sperm that were motile 24 h after sorting was also decreased significantly in each of the sorted sample groups when compared to the unsorted control. In contrast, sorting did not decrease the percentage of sperm that bound purified soluble glycans or the location on sperm to which they bound. There was also no difference in sperm acrosome status among the four groups. In summary, sorting reduced sperm binding to the complex matrix around oviductal cell aggregates but sperm binding to purified soluble oviduct glycans was not affected. The requirement for higher affinity and motility to bind glycans immobilized on oviduct cells may explain this difference. The reduction in sperm fertility observed following sex-sorting may be explained partially by a reduced or altered ability to bind to the oviduct epithelium.

Comportamiento del semen bovino sexado congelado-descongelado en fertilización in vitro (FIV) capacitado mediante BO en dos concentraciones versus percoll / Behavior of sexed frozen-thawed bovine semen on in vitro fertilization (IVF) capacitated with two concentrations of BO versus percoll

RESUMEN: El objetivo fue comparar la tasa de división (TD) y desarrollo embrionario (DE) con semen sexado X (SX) en FIV capacitado con Percoll vs. BO, y evaluar el efecto de dos concentraciones (5x106 vs. 10x106 espermatozoides/ml), capacitado con BO, comparado con el semen no-sexado (NS). Un avance importante es predeterminar el sexo en bovinos, es posible obtener mayor proporción de terneras a partir del citómetro de flujo con la capacidad de seleccionar los espermatozoides X por la diferencia del ADN (4 %, bovinos), con confiabilidad del 90 %. El SX aumenta la eficiencia reproductiva, permite la selección de hembras e incrementa la ganancia genética. Se obtuvieron complejos ovocito cúmulus (COC), de ovarios de matadero, se cultivaron para maduración en gotas de 100 µl de TCM-199 + 5 % de suero fetal bovino + 0.005 U/ml de (FSH-p) + 10 IU hCG/ml + 1µg Estradiol (E2)/ml, 15 COC/gota, cubiertas con aceite mineral, en incubadora (38,5 ºC, 5 % de CO2 y 95 % de humedad), 22 h. Posmaduración se dividieron en 4 grupos (G1, G2, G3, G4) y se realizaron dos experimentos simultáneamente: I) G1: NS a 5x106, G2: SX a 5x106, G3: SX a 10x106 espermatozoides/ml capacitados con BO. II) G2: SX a 4,5x106 espermatozoides/ml capacitados con BO y G4: SX capacitado con Percoll a 5x106 espermatozoides/ ml. Se colocaron 15 COC/gota de semen cubiertas con aceite mineral, en incubadora, 18 h. Para el desarrollo se colocaron en gotas de CR1aa, en incubadora. Se aplicó el test de χ2. La TD a las 48 h entre G1 y G3 no presentó diferencias significativas (p<0,05), sin embargo, en ambos grupos fue significativamente mayor al G2. En el DE al día 7 hubo diferencias significativas (p<0,05) a favor del G4. Se obtuvo mayor DE con el SX capacitado con Percoll respecto al BO y no hubo diferencias entre ambas concentraciones de semen.

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fertility of bovine sexed semen (SX) capacitated with Percoll vs. BO. The division rate (DR), embryo development (ED) were evaluated in two concentrations 5x106 vs. 10x106 sperm/ml, capacitated with BO and compared with non-sexed semen (NS). Offspring sexing represents an important advance for livestock production. Flow cytometry separates X and Y spermatozoa by difference in DNA content (4 % greater in X) with 90 % effectiveness. The SX increases the reproductive efficiency, allows the selection of females and increases the genetic gain. Cumulusoocytes complexes (COC) were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries. They were then cultured 22 hours for maturation in TCM199 + 5 % fetal calf serum + 0.005 IU/ml (FSH-p) + 10 IU hCG/ml + 1 mg Estradiol (E2)/ml, in 100 µl drops with mineral oil, in incubator (38.5 ºC, 5 % CO and 95 % humidity). Post maturation, 4 groups were randomly assigned (G1, G2, G3, G4) and were performed two experiments simultaneously: I) G1 was inseminated with NS at 5x106 sperm/ml, G2: SX at 5x106, G3: SX at 10x106 sperm/ml capacitated with BO. II) G2: SX at 5x106 sperm/ml capacitated with BO and G4: SX capacitated with Percoll at 5x106 sperm/ml. 15 COC/drop of capacitated semen covered with mineral oil and placed in an incubator for 18 hours. For development, they were placed in drops of CR1aa, in an incubator. Results were analyzed with the c square test. At 48 hours, there were no significant differences (p<0.05) in DR between G1 and G3, however, in both groups it was significantly greater than G2. At day 7 there were significant differences (p <0.05) in ED, greater in G4. At 48 hours, there were no significant differences (p<0.05) in DR between G1 and G3, however, in both groups it was significantly greater than G2. At day 7 there were significant differences (p <0.05) in ED, greater in G4. A higher ED was obtained with the SX capacitated with Percoll, with respect to BO and there was no difference between the two semen concentrations.

Semen bovino sexado congelado-descongelado en producción de embriones in vitro / In vitro embryo production with frozen-thawed bovine semen sexed

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la fertilidad in vitro del semen bovino sexado (SX) vs. no sexado (NS) congelado-descongelado de dos toros Holstein, cada uno de la misma partida. Determinar el sexo de las crías significa un avance importante para la producción. El citómetro de flujo separa los espermatozoides X e Y por diferencia de ADN (4 % mayor en X), con 90 % de efectividad. Los complejos ovocito-cúmulus (COC) se obtuvieron de folículos de 2 a 8 mm de ovarios de frigorífico, se cultivaron para maduración 22 h en TCM-199 + 5 % de SFB + 10 % licor folicular bovino (LFB), en gotas de 100 µl, cubiertos con aceite mineral, en incubadora (38,5 C, 5 % CO2 y 95 % de humedad). Posmaduración, se formaron al azar 4 grupos de COC los cuales fueron inseminados con NS y SX de los toros 1 y 2. Los COC se incluyeron en gotas de 100 ml a razón de 10 COC por gota de semen capacitado a una concentración de 2x106 espermatozoides/ml en todos los grupos, incubados durante 6 h. Posteriormente se cultivaron en CR1aa + 5 % SFB, en incubadora. A las 48 h se evaluó el clivaje y al día 7 el desarrollo embrionario. Los resultados fueron analizados con el Test de c2. Se encontró diferencias significativas en el toro 1 en el desarrollo embrionario a favor del NS (p<0,05). En el toro 2 no se encontró diferencias significativas en el clivaje ni en el desarrollo (p<0,05).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fertility of sexed (SX) vs. non-sexed (NS), frozen-thawed bovine semen from two Holstein bull, from the same batch each one. Offspring sexing represents an important advance for livestock production. Flow cytometry separates X and Y spermatozoa by difference in DNA (4 % greater in X) with 90 % effectiveness. Cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC) were obtained from follicles measuring between 2 and 8 mm collected from slaughterhouse ovaries; they were then cultured 22 h for maturation in TCM-199 + 5 % BFS + 10 % bovine follicular fluid (BFF) in 100 µl drops with mineral oil, in incubator (38.5 C, 5% CO2 and 95 % humidity). Postmaturation, 4 groups were randomly formed and inseminated with NS and SX of the 1 and 2 bulls, including them in 100 µl drops at 10 COC per drop of capacitated semen diluted to a concentration of 2x106 sperms/ml in all groups, incubated during 6 h. They were then cultured in CR1aa + 5% BFS in an incubator. At 48 h cleavage and at day 7 embryonic development, were assessed. Results were analyzed with c2 square Test. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the embryonic development in bull 1, grater in NS. In bull 2 there were not significant differences in cleavage neither in embryo development.

Causes and estimated incidences of sex-chromosome misdiagnosis in preimplantation genetic diagnosis of aneuploidy.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of aneuploidy (PGD-A) with comprehensive chromosome analysis has been known to improve pregnancy outcomes. Accuracy in detecting sex chromosomes becomes important when selecting against embryos at risk for sex-linked disorders. A total of 21,356 PGD-A cycles consisting of day-3 (cleavage) or day-5 (blastocyst) biopsies were received at the same laboratory for PGD-A via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) from multiple fertility centres. The misdiagnosis rates were 0.12% (Wilson 95% CI 0.05 to 0.25%) in day-3 FISH cycles, 0.48% (Wilson 95% CI 0.19 to 1.22%) in day-3 aCGH cycles and 0.0% (Wilson 95% CI 0 to 0.26) in day-5 aCGH cycles. Although rare, the likely causative biological event for true misdiagnosis is embryonic XX/XY mosaicism. Reanalysis of 1219 abnormal cleavage-stage research embryos revealed a 73% incidence of minor and major mosaicism. Only four (0.3%) embryos were found to be diploid and contained XX and XY cells that could potentially account for the misdiagnosis of sex. Our investigation identified errors leading to misdiagnosis and their attribution to specific events during PGD-A testing. The reported misdiagnosis rates suggest that PGD-A for sex determination is highly accurate, particularly when using aCGH applied to blastocyst biopsies.

Citometría de flujo y sexaje de espermatozoides en animales / Flow cytometry and sperm sexing in animals

Actualmente, cientos de crías se han gestado a través de inseminación artificial conespermatozoides sexados en producción animal. Desde 1992 se utiliza la citometría de flujo, técnica que permite diferenciar espermatozoides X e Y según su contenido de ADN. No existe, hasta el momento, ninguna otra técnica práctica para sexar espermatozoides manteniendo la capacidad fecundante. Los objetivos de esta revisión son explicar: (1) por qué los espermatozoides que contienen el cromosoma X o Y son similaresfenotípicamente, pero a la vez mantienen diferencias entre ellos, (2) los principios y procedimientos utiliza-dos para sexar espermatozoides mediante citometría de flujo y sorting (3) la precisión, velocidad y la eficiencia de los procedimientos actuales de sexaje espermático, (4) el daño espermático ocurrido durante el sexaje espermático y consecuentemente los efectos sobre la fecundidad.

Flow cytometry is a useful technology in the sexed sperm, which measures and analyzes simultaneously, multiple physical characteristics of the cell, as they flow in a stream flow, through a lightbeam. The measured properties are the size of a particle, relative internal granularity, relative complexity and relative fluorescence intensity. Currently, hundreds of calves have been gestated through artificial insemination with sexed sperm in animal production. Since 1992, flow cytometry has been used, a technique that allows spermatozoa X and Y differentiation by DNA content. There is no other practical technique forsperm sexing to keep sperm functionality. The objectives of this review are to explain: (1) why the sperm containing the X or Y chromosome are phenotypically similar, but differ among themselves, (2) the principlesand procedures used for sexing sperm by flow cytometry and sorting ( 3) accuracy, speed and efficiency ofcurrent procedure sperm sexing, (4) sperm damage occurred during sperm sexing and consequently the effects on fertility.

The Effect of Oxidative Stress on Thawed Bulk-Sorted Red Deer Sperm.

The aims of this study were to assess the effects of the sex-sorting process on post-thaw sperm quality as well as on induced oxidative stress damage (H2 O2 0 mm = H000; H2 O2 50 mm = H050; H2 O2 100 mm = H100) and the protective action of reduced glutathione (GSH) and Trolox, when comparing sorted (BSS) and non-sorted (NS) red deer spermatozoa incubated at 37°C. Sperm samples from three stags were collected by electroejaculation and frozen. Immediately after thawing, sperm motility was higher (p < 0.05) for NS (59% ± 3.3) than BSS (36.9% ± 5.8) sperm. Furthermore, the percentage of apoptotic sperm was higher (p < 0.05) for BSS (21.6% ± 5.0) than NS sperm (14.6% ± 1.2). The presence of H2 O2 increased DNA damage in NS (H000 = 4.1% ± 0.9; H050 = 9.3% ± 0.7; and H100 = 10.9% ± 2.3), but not in BSS sperm. However, in the presence of oxidant, GSH addition improved (p < 0.05) sperm motility in both groups of sperm samples as compared to their controls (NS: 44.5 ± 4.8 vs 21.1 ± 3.9 and BSS: 33.3 ± 8.1 vs 8.9 ± 1.8). These results demonstrate that the sperm-sorting process induces sublethal effects, albeit selecting a sperm population with a chromatin more resistant to oxidative stress than that in non-sorted sperm. Moreover, addition of GSH at 1 mm may be a good choice for maintaining the quality of stressed sperm samples, unlike Trolox, which inhibited sperm motility.

Setting up equine embryo gender determination by preimplantation genetic diagnosis in a commercial embryo transfer program.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows identifying genetic traits in early embryos. Because in some equine breeds, like Polo Argentino, females are preferred to males for competition, PGD can be used to determine the gender of the embryo before transfer and thus allow the production of only female pregnancies. This procedure could have a great impact on commercial embryo production programs. The present study was conducted to adapt gender selection by PGD to a large-scale equine embryo transfer program. To achieve this, we studied (i) the effect on pregnancy rates of holding biopsied embryos for 7 to 10 hours in holding medium at 32 °C before transfer, (ii) the effect on pregnancy rates of using embryos of different sizes for biopsy, and (iii) the efficiency of amplification by heating biopsies before polymerase chain reaction. Equine embryos were classified by size (≤300, 300-1000, and >1000 µm), biopsied, and transferred 1 to 2 or 7 to 10 hours after flushing. Some of the biopsy samples obtained were incubated for 10 minutes at 95 °C and the rest remained untreated. Pregnancy rates were recorded at 25 days of gestation; fetal gender was determined using ultrasonography and compared with PGD results. Holding biopsied embryos for 7 to 10 hours before transfer produced pregnancy rates similar to those for biopsied embryos transferred within 2 hours (63% and 57%, respectively). These results did not differ from pregnancy rates of nonbiopsied embryos undergoing the same holding times (50% for 7-10 hours and 63% for 1-2 hours). Pregnancy rates for biopsied and nonbiopsied embryos did not differ between size groups or between biopsied and nonbiopsied embryos within the same size group (P > 0.05). Incubating biopsy samples for 10 minutes at 95 °C before polymerase chain reaction significantly increased the diagnosis rate (78.5% vs. 45.5% for treated and nontreated biopsy samples respectively). Gender determination using incubated biopsy samples matched the results obtained using ultrasonography in all pregnancies assessed (11/11, 100%); untreated biopsy samples were correctly diagnosed in 36 of 41 assessed pregnancies (87.8%), although the difference between treated and untreated biopsy samples was not significant. Our results demonstrated that biopsied embryos can remain in holding medium before being transferred, until gender diagnosis by PGD is complete (7-10 hours), without affecting pregnancy rates. This simplifies the management of an embryo transfer program willing to incorporate PGD for gender selection, by transferring only embryos of the desired sex. Embryo biopsy can be performed in a clinical setting on embryos of different sizes, without affecting their viability. Additionally, we showed that pretreating biopsy samples with a short incubation at 95 °C improved the overall efficiency of embryo sex determination.

Successful laparoscopic insemination with a very low number of flow cytometrically sorted boar sperm in field conditions.

The aim of this study was to develop a useful procedure for laparoscopic insemination (LI) with sex-sorted boar spermatozoa that yields adequate fertility results in farm conditions. In experiment 1, we evaluated the effects of single (oviducts) and double (oviducts and tips of the uterine horns) LI with X-sorted sperm on the reproductive performance of sows. Sows (N = 109) were inseminated once as follows: (1) single LI with 0.5 × 10(6) unsorted sperm per oviduct; (2) single LI with 0.5 × 10(6) sex-sorted sperm per oviduct; or (3) double LI with 0.5 × 10(6) sex-sorted sperm per oviduct and 0.5 × 10(6) sex-sorted sperm per uterine horn. The farrowing rates were lower (P < 0.05) in sows inseminated with sex-sorted sperm (43.2% and 61.9% for the single and double insemination groups, respectively) than in sows from the unsorted group (91.3%). Within the sex-sorted groups, the farrowing rate tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in sows inseminated using double LI. There were no differences in the litter size among groups. In experiment 2, we evaluated the effect of the number of sex-sorted sperm on the reproductive performance of sows when using double LI. Sows (N = 109) were inseminated with sex-sorted sperm once using double LI with: (1) 0.5 × 10(6) sperm per oviduct and 1 × 10(6) sperm per uterine horn; or (2) 1 × 10(6) sperm per oviduct and 2 × 10(6) sperm per uterine horn. Similarly high pregnancy (90%) and farrowing (80%) rates were achieved in both groups. The sows inseminated with the highest number of sperm tended (P = 0.09) to have more piglets (10.8 ± 0.7 vs. 9.2 ± 0.6). A high female proportion (number of female births divided by the total of all births ≥0.92) was obtained in both experiments using X-sorted sperm. Our results indicate that the double LI procedure, using between 3 and 6 × 10(6) sex-sorted sperm per sow produces adequate fertility at the farm level, making sperm-sexing technology potentially applicable in elite breeding units.

Development and evaluation of deep intra-uterine artificial insemination using cryopreserved sexed spermatozoa in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Since its development in bottlenose dolphins, widespread application of AI with sex-selected, frozen-thawed (FT) spermatozoa has been limited by the significant expense of the sorting process. Reducing the total number of progressively motile sperm (PMS) required for an AI would reduce the sorting cost. As such, this research compared the efficacy of small-dose deep uterine AI with sexed FT spermatozoa (SEXED-SMALL; ~50×10(6)PMS, n=20), to a moderate dose deposited mid-horn (SEXED-STD, ~200×10(6)PMS; n=20), and a large dose of FT non-sexed spermatozoa deposited in the uterine body (NONSEXED-LARGE, 660×10(6)PMS, n=9). Ten of the 11 calves resulting from use of sexed spermatozoa were of the predetermined sex. Similar rates of conception (NONSEXED-LARGE: 78%, SEXED-STD: 60%, SEXED-SMALL: 57%) and total pregnancy loss (TPL: NONSEXED-LARGE: 28.6%; SEXED-STD: 41.0%; SEXED-SMALL: 63.6%) were observed across groups, but early pregnancy loss (EPL,

Quercetin improves the postthaw characteristics of cryopreserved sex-sorted and nonsorted stallion sperm.

Excessive reactive oxygen species generation during sex sorting and cryopreservation of stallion sperm leads to DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, and motility loss. In this study we investigated whether antioxidant supplementation during sex sorting and cryopreservation could ameliorate the effects of reactive oxygen species on stallion sperm. In experiment 1, the postthaw characteristics of stallion sperm (N = 9) cryopreserved in the presence or absence of catalase (200 U/mL), cysteine (0.2 mg/mL), or quercetin (0.15 mM) was examined. Motility and acrosome integrity were assessed at 0, 1, and 3 hours after thawing. The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA; detectable DNA fragmentation index [DFI], mean DFI, and DFI) was used to assess DNA integrity immediately after thawing. Quercetin increased the total postthaw motility (25.3% vs. 20.9%; P < 0.05), but there was no beneficial effect of catalase or cysteine. Based on these results, the effect of quercetin during cryopreservation on the postthaw zona binding ability of sperm was assessed using a heterologous (bovine) zona binding assay. Quercetin increased the number of sperm bound per oocyte (13.6 vs. 9.2; P < 0.05) compared with the control. In experiment 2, the effect of quercetin (0.15 mM) in the media used during semen storage and transport, Hoechst 33342 staining and cryopreservation of stallion sperm (N = 9) was investigated. Motility, acrosome integrity, and viability were assessed at 0, 1, and 3 hours after thawing and SCSA was performed at 0 hours after thawing. Quercetin supplementation during sex sorting and cryopreservation improved DNA integrity (SCSA; detectable DFI of 54.9% vs. 74.6%, P < 0.05; mean DFI of 270.2 vs. 288.1, P < 0.05; and DFI of 26.3% vs. 28.5%, P < 0.05) compared with control sex-sorted sperm. There was no beneficial effect of quercetin on the motility, acrosome integrity, or viability of sex-sorted sperm. In conclusion, quercetin significantly improved the motility and zona binding ability of cryopreserved stallion sperm, and reduced DNA fragmentation in sex-sorted, cryopreserved stallion sperm.

Effect of season, late embryonic mortality and progesterone production on pregnancy rates in pluriparous buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) after artificial insemination with sexed semen.

The use of sexed semen technology in buffaloes is nowadays becoming more and more accepted by farmers, to overcome the burden of unwanted male calves with related costs and to more efficiently improve production and genetic gain. The aim of this study was to verify the coupling of some variables on the efficiency of pregnancy outcome after deposition of sexed semen through AI. Pluriparous buffaloes from two different farms (N = 152) were screened, selected, and subjected to Ovsynch protocol for AI using nonsexed and sexed semen from four tested bulls. AI was performed in two distinct periods of the year: September to October and January to February. Neither farms nor bulls had a significant effect on pregnancy rates pooled from the two periods. The process for sexing sperm cells did not affect pregnancy rates at 28 days after AI, for nonsexed and sexed semen, respectively 44/73 (60.2%) and 50/79 (63.2%), P = 0.70, and at 45 days after AI, for nonsexed and sexed semen, respectively 33/73 (45.2%) and 33/79 (49.3%), P = 0.60. Pregnancy rate at 28 days after AI during the transitional period of January to February was higher when compared with September to October, respectively 47/67 (70.1%) versus 47/85 (55.2%), P = 0.06. When the same pregnant animals were checked at Day 45 after AI, the difference disappeared between the two periods, because of a higher embryonic mortality, respectively 32/67 (47.7%) versus 40/85 (47.0%), P = 0.93. Hematic progesterone concentration at Day 10 after AI did not distinguish animals pregnant at Day 28 that would or would not maintain pregnancy until Day 45 (P = 0.21). On the contrary, when blood samples were taken at Day 20 after AI, the difference in progesterone concentration between pregnant animals that would maintain their pregnancy until Day 45 was significant for both pooled (P = 0.00) and nonsexed (P = 0.00) and sexed semen (P = 0.09). A similar trend was reported when blood samples were taken at Day 25, being highly significant for pooled, nonsexed, and sexed semen (P = 0.00). Hematic progesterone concentration between the two periods of the year was highly significant for pregnant animals at 28 days from AI when blood samples were taken at Day 20 after AI for pooled, nonsexed, and sexed semen, respectively P = 0.00, 0.00, and 0.06, and for pregnant animals at Day 45 for pooled, nonsexed, and sexed semen, respectively P = 0.00, 0.00, and 0.01. From these results, it can be stated that hematic progesterone concentration measurement since Day 20 after AI can be predictive of possible pregnancy maintenance until Day 45. Furthermore, the transitional period of January to February, although characterized by a higher pregnancy outcome when compared with September to October, suffers from a higher late embryonic mortality as evidenced by a significant different hematic progesterone concentration between the two periods at Day 20 after AI.

Fertilization rates and in vitro embryo production using sexed or non-sexed semen selected with a silane-coated silica colloid or Percoll.

The aim of this study was to evaluate sperm fertilization rates and in vitro embryo development rates for sexed and non-sexed semen selected using a silane-coated silica colloid method (Isolate) or Percoll. Frozen/thawed, sexed and unsexed semen samples from four Holstein bulls were randomly allocated to one of two different density gradient selection methods. Sperm quality (motility, concentration, morphology and membrane integrity) were evaluated and compared before and after sperm selection. Sperm motility and morphology improved (P < 0.005) after the sperm selection process with no differences between the two methods. For non-sexed semen, Percoll gradient increased the mean (± SEM) percentage of sperm recovered (57.3 ± 2.8) compared to Isolate (46.0 ± 1.8; P < 0.01). However, membrane integrity was higher after Isolate than Percoll (sexed semen: 41.0 ± 0.6 vs. 38.8 ± 0.8 and non-sexed semen 60.8 ± 1.6 vs. 58.8 ± 0.5; P < 0.05). The percentage of blastocysts produced was higher when either sexed or non-sexed semen was selected by Isolate (14.0 ± 1.0; 22.0 ± 1.1) than by Percoll (10.5 ± 1.5; 17.0 ± 2.1, respectively; P < 0.05). In summary, Isolate was a more effective method for the recovery of high quality sperm for in vitro fertilization embryo production.

Epitope selection to male specific antigens for sex selection in swine.

Immunological approaches to gender selection have been contemplated since the discovery of the family of male-specific H-Y antigens found only on the surface of male cells. H-Y antigens are able to elicit an immune reaction when cells or tissues from a male donor are grafted to a female recipient. We describe here the development and testing of an inexpensive approach using polyclonal antibodies against four specific H-Y outer membrane proteins male enhanced antigen 1 (MEA 1), male enhanced antigen 2 (MEA 2), sex determining region Y (SRY) and testis determining factor (TDF). Epitopes based on hydrophilic primary sequences of the proteins were synthesized, N-terminal biotin-labeled, linked to streptavidin and mixed with a Ribi adjuvant prior to immunization in rabbits. The antiserum was tested to determine affinity to swine spermatozoa using anti-motility, flow cytometry and motility and sedimentation chambers. Fluorescent microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to identify the percentage of motile spermatozoa that contained the Y chromosome. We found that the polyclonal antibodies had high affinity to the spermatozoa leading to a cessation of motility. Furthermore, the majority of these non-motile spermatozoa contained the Y chromosome. We conclude that the use of polyclonal antiserum against synthetic H-Y peptide antigens may be an inexpensive and simple means to inhibit the motility of swine spermatozoa bearing the Y chromosome.

Low-dose insemination in pigs: problems and possibilities.

Low-dose AI procedures are required by the pig industry to efficiently utilize emerging sperm technologies, such as cryopreservation and sex-sorting. Currently, several different procedures for inseminating with a low or very low number of spermatozoa have been described. Deep intrauterine insemination allows the deposition of the spermatozoa in the depth of the uterine horn, allowing a significant reduction in the number of spermatozoa inseminated with maintenance of optimal reproductive performance. Intra-oviductal laparoscopic insemination has been recently applied in pigs. This technique has proved to be applicable with diluted and sex-sorted spermatozoa. This review discusses several problems encountered during the development of deep intrauterine insemination and intra-oviductal laparoscopic insemination of pigs and provides potential solutions for the practical application of both the technologies.

[Early prenatal diagnosis using fetal cells acquired from different sites of uterine cervix: a preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the presence of fetal cells in the transcervical lavage fluids obtained at different levels of uterine cervix so as to evaluate the better sampling place for early prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: Sixty samples of transcervical lavage fluid were obtained at the level of the internal orificium of cervix of 60 women during the 5 - 10th week of pregnancy who underwent artificial abortion (internal orificium group), and 60 samples of transcervical lavage fluid were obtained at the level of the external orificium of cervix of 60 women the same age during the 5 - 10th week of pregnancy who underwent artificial abortion too (external orificium group). Extraction and amplification of DNA were conducted by females to detect the presence of SRY gene of Y chromosome. The sex of the fetus was determined by chromosome karyotyping of the villi. RESULTS: (1) In the internal orificium group Y-derived sequences were detected in 71.4% (15/21) of the samples of known male pregnancy and 5.13% (2/39) cases of known female pregnancy, with a total correct sex prediction rate of 86.7%; In the external orificium group Y-derived sequences could be amplified in 37% (10/27) of the samples of known male pregnancy and 6.25% (2/32) of the samples of known female pregnancy, with a total correct sex prediction rate of 67.8%, significantly lower than that of the internal orificium group (P < 0.05). (2) The number of the copies of SRY gene of Y chromosome of the internal orificium group was 1487.17 +/- 430.45 copies, significantly higher than that of the external orificium group (702.41 +/- 365.71 copies, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transcervical cell sampling provides a promising approach for early non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. More fetal cells can be acquired at the internal orificium level of cervix than at the external orificium level, however, more non-invasive and efficient sampling method should be taken.

Advanced insemination techniques in mares.

Advanced artificial insemination techniques, such as deep uterine,hysteroscopic, oviductal, and intrafollicular insemination, are described in the context of the different types of spermatozoa that are now available for insemination, including fresh, chilled, frozen,sex-sorted, and epididymal spermatozoa. The implementation of these new technologies answers and poses questions about the interactions of sperm and oocytes in vivo.

Assessment of bovine X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa in fractions by discontinuous percoll gradients with rapid fluorescence in situ hybridization.

This study was designed to apply the method of discontinuous Percoll gradients for sex preselection in bovine semen by using a current developed molecular technique, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In addition, we attempted to amplify the level of enrichment of X- or Y-bearing spermatozoa by treating for activating sperm motility performance with 10 mM caffeine. Bovine spermatozoa were fractionated on Percoll gradients into two major subpopulations of motile spermatozoa (bottom fraction) and weak motile spermatozoa (top fraction). The percentage of Y-bearing spermatozoa in the top fraction (52.9%) slightly exceeded and that in the bottom fraction (44.3%) decreased significantly (P<0.001) compared with the theoretical ratio (50:50). Washing sperm with BO medium affected a deviation between the two sex populations, whereas semen activated with caffeine showed no difference in the percentage of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa in both fractions compared with the theoretical ratio (50:50). These results show that the proportion of X- and Y-bearing bovine spermatozoa can deviate after discontinuous Percoll gradients, although the proportion of X- and Y-bearing bovine spermatozoa was affected by sperm motility of the sample applied.

[Modern concepts in the treatment of intersexuality]. / Zum aktuellen Stand der Intersextherapie.

Treatment of intersexuality is demanding and requires experience and interdisciplinary cooperation. Preconditions for normal development and clear gender identification are correct (not emergency) diagnosis and gender assignment and adequate hormonal and surgical treatment. Surgery should be done early (6th to 15th month) as atraumatically as possible with cosmetically and functionally satisfying results. These preconditions are not met consistently, resulting in a 20-25% rate of mistakes in diagnosis and treatment. In experienced centers, feminizing genitoplasty, even of the severest forms, is carried out through a perineal one-stage approach. Masculinization corresponds to surgery for severe hypospadias. The high risk of malignant degeneration requires removal of all inadequate structures such as streak gonads, uterus, and tubes. In 5-alpha deficiency, early gonadectomy and feminization are not recommended since gyneophile behavior can be expected. Late or non-correction is rejected by the majority of psychiatrists. Many problems remain unclear and controversial due to lack of knowledge. In the future they can only be solved through cooperation, documentation, and observation of these individuals over their lifetime.