On Males, Antioxidants and Infertility (MOXI): Certitudes, Uncertainties and Trends.

Male infertility (MI) involves various endogenous and exogenous facts. These include oxidative stress (OS), which is known to alter several physiological pathways and it is estimated to be present at high levels in up to 80% of infertile men. That is why since the late 20th century, the relationship between OS and MI has been widely studied. New terms have emerged, such as Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI), which is proposed as a new category to define infertile men with high OS levels. Another important term is MOXI: Male, Antioxidants, and Infertility. This term refers to the hypothesis that antioxidants could improve male fertility without the use of assisted reproductive technology. However, there are no evidence-based antioxidant treatments that directly improve seminal parameters or birth ratio. In this regard, there is controversy about their use. While certain scientists argue against their use due to the lack of results, others support this use because of their safety profile and low price. Some uncertainties related to the use of antioxidants for treating MI are their questionable efficacy or the difficulties in knowing their correct dosage. In addition, the lack of quality methods for OS detection can lead to excessive antioxidant supplementation, resulting in "reductive stress". Another important problem is that, although the inflammatory process is interdependent and closely linked to OS, it is usually ignored. To solve these uncertainties, new trends have recently emerged. These include the use of molecules with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, which are also able to specifically target the reproductive tissue; as well as the use of new methods that allow for reliable quantification of OS and a quality diagnosis. This review aims to elucidate the main uncertainties about MOXI and to outline the latest trends in research to develop effective therapies with clinically relevant outcomes.

Minimizing sperm oxidative stress using nanotechnology for breeding programs in rams.

BACKGROUND: Artificial insemination (AI) is a routine breeding technology in animal reproduction. Nevertheless, the temperature-sensitive nature and short fertile lifespan of ram sperm samples hamper its use in AI. In this sense, nanotechnology is an interesting tool to improve sperm protection due to the development of nanomaterials for AI, which could be used as delivery vehicles. In this work, we explored the feasibility of vitamin E nanoemulsion (NE) for improving sperm quality during transport. RESULTS: With the aim of evaluating this proposal, ejaculates of 7 mature rams of Manchega breed were collected by artificial vagina and extended to 60 × 106 spz/mL in Andromed®. Samples containing control and NE (12 mmol/L) with and without exogenous oxidative stress (100 µmol/L Fe2+/ascorbate) were stored at 22 and 15 ºC and motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/PI), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) monitored during 96 h. Our results show that NE could be used to maintain ram spermatozoa during transport at 15 and 22 ºC for up to 96 h, with no appreciable loss of kinematic and physiological characteristics of freshly collected samples. CONCLUSIONS: The storage of ram spermatozoa in liquid form for 2-5 d with vitamin E nanoemulsions may lead more flexibility to breeders in AI programs. In view of the potential and high versatility of these nanodevices, further studies are being carried out to assess the proposed sperm preservation medium on fertility after artificial insemination.

Determination of Ram (Ovis aries) Sperm DNA Damage Due to Oxidative Stress: 8-OHdG Immunodetection Assay vs. SCSA®.

Conventional DNA analysis techniques can hardly detect DNA damage in ruminant spermatozoa due to high DNA compaction in these cells. Furthermore, these techniques cannot discriminate whether the damage is due to oxidative stress. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two techniques for determining DNA damage in ovine sperm when the source of that damage is oxidative stress. Semen samples from twenty Manchega rams (Ovis aries) were collected and cryopreserved. After thawing, the samples were subjected to different levels of oxidative stress, and DNA oxidation was quantified using an 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunodetection assay and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®). For this purpose, we evaluated five different concentrations of an oxidation solution (H2O2/FeSO4•7H2O) on ram sperm DNA. Our study with the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay shows that there are higher values for DNA oxidation in samples that were subjected to the highest oxidative stress (8 M H2O2/800 µM FeSO4•7H2O) and those that were not exposed to high oxidative stress, but these differences were not significant (p ≥ 0.05). The two SCSA® parameters considered, DNA fragmentation index (DFI %) and high DNA stainability (HDS %), showed significant differences between samples that were subjected to high concentrations of the oxidation agent and those that were not (p < 0.05). We can conclude that the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay and SCSA® detect DNA damage caused by oxidative stress in ovine sperm under high oxidative conditions; SCSA® is a more straightforward method with more accurate results. For these reasons, an oxidative-stress-specific assay such as 8-OHdG immunodetection is not needed to measure DNA damage caused by oxidative stress in ram sperm samples.

Vitamin E Lipid-Based Nanodevices as a Tool for Ovine Sperm Protection against Oxidative Stress: Impact on Sperm Motility.

The advent of nanotechnology in the field of animal reproduction has led to the development of safer and more efficient therapies. The use of nanotechnology allows us to avoid the detrimental effects of certain traditional antioxidants, such as Vitamin E. Its hydrophobic nature makes mandatory the use of organic solvents, which are toxic to sperm cells. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of vitamin E nanoemulsions (NE) on ram (Ovis aries) spermatozoa. For this purpose, the effect of three NE concentrations (6, 12, and 24 mM) were assessed on sperm of 10 mature rams of the Manchega breed. Sperm samples were collected by artificial vagina, pooled, and diluted in Bovine Gamete Medium. The samples were stored at 37 °C and assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 24 h under oxidative stress conditions (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). Motility (CASA), viability (YO-PRO/IP), acrosomal integrity (PNA-FITC/IP), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®®) were assessed. A linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effects of time, NE, and oxidant (fixed factors) on sperm parameters, and a random effect on the male was also included in the model with Tukey's post hoc test. Protection of ram spermatozoa with NE resulted in a more vigorous motility under oxidative stress conditions with respect Control and Free vitamin E, while preventing the deleterious effects of oxidative stress coming from the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. These results ascertain the high relevance of the use of delivery systems for sperm physiology preservation in the context of assisted reproduction techniques.

Serum supplementation during in vitro fertilization of sheep oocytes influences blastocyst quality through the differential abundance of mRNA transcripts.

Incubation with estrous sheep serum (ESS) is required to induce in vitro capacitation of spermatozoa during in vitro fertilization of small ruminants. However, the effect of adding different serum concentrations in the fertilization media on the quality of resulting blastocysts has not yet been studied. Here, 298 sheep oocytes were co-incubated with capacitated spermatozoa with either 10% or 2% ESS. There were no differences between treatments in cleavage (10% ESS: 63.81 ± 5.87% and 2% ESS: 45.31 ± 5.87%) and blastocyst rates (10% ESS: 20.83 ± 2.12% and 2% ESS: 15.93 ± 2.12%). Nonetheless, in vitro-produced blastocysts from the 10% ESS treatment showed a higher transcript abundance of mRNAs involved in apoptosis (ITM2B and BCL2), antioxidant defence (GPX1) and growth-related imprinting (IGF2R). Our data suggest that ESS supplementation during in vitro fertilization can influence the quality of sheep embryos at later stages of development by increasing the transcription of developmentally important genes.

Freezing Protocol Optimization for Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Epididymal Sperm under Field Conditions.

Creating germplasm banks of wild species, such as the Iberian red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) can be challenging. One of the main difficulties is the obtention and cryopreservation of good-quality reproductive cells when the spermatozoa are obtained from epididymides after death. To avoid a loss of seminal quality during transport, developing alternative methods for cooling and freezing sperm samples under field conditions is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different durations of equilibrium and different techniques of cooling and freezing on Iberian red deer epididymal sperm quality after thawing to optimize the processing conditions in this species. Three experiments were carried out: (I) evaluation of refrigeration in straws or tubes of 15 mL; (II) study of equilibration period (0, 30, 60, or 120 min); and (III) comparison of four freezing techniques (liquid nitrogen vapor in a tank (C), liquid nitrogen vapor in a polystyrene box (B), dry ice (DY), and placing straws on a solid metallic plate floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen (MP)). For all experiments, sperm motility and kinematic parameters, acrosomal integrity, sperm viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA integrity were evaluated after thawing. All statistical analyses were performed by GLM-ANOVA analysis. Samples refrigerated in straws showed higher values (p ≤ 0.05) for mitochondrial activity and lower values (p ≤ 0.05) for apoptotic cells. Moreover, the acrosome integrity showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between 0 and 120 min, but not between 30 and 60 min, of equilibration. Finally, no significant differences were found between freezing in liquid nitrogen vapors in a tank or in a box, although there was a low quality after thawing when the samples were cryopreserved in dry ice or by placing straws on a solid metallic plate floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen. In conclusion, under field conditions, it would be possible to refrigerate the sperm samples by storing them in straws with a 120 min equilibration period and freezing them in liquid nitrogen vapors in a tank or box.

Melatonin rescues the development and quality of oocytes and cumulus cells after prolonged ovary preservation: An ovine in vitro model.

The preservation of ovaries beyond 7 h dramatically decreases the developmental potential of oocytes to reach the blastocyst stage during in vitro embryo production. Here we investigated the protective effects of melatonin in the ovarian preservation solution after prolonged storage (7 h) in ovine as an animal model. Slaughterhouse adult sheep ovaries were preserved in saline solution for 2 h (Control) and 7 h (Control stress), and with melatonin for 7 h and at different concentrations (Melatonin 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, and 10-11 M). First, the fertilizing ability, embryo development rates, and blastocyst quality were investigated. Notably, a concentration of 10-9 M melatonin showed the greatest number (p < 0.05) of blastocysts produced after 7 h of ovary storage (24.75 ± 1.57%) and was comparable (p > 0.05) to that obtained after just 2 h of storage in the untreated Control (30.77 ± 1.57%). Then, oocyte quality parameters showed that, compared to Control stress, Melatonin actively reduced intracellular ROS content, caspase-3 activity, DNA fragmentation, and the abundance of pro-apoptotic transcripts BAX and CASP3, while increasing that of GDF9 and GPX1. In cumulus cells, flow cytometry results showed that melatonin decreased apoptosis and increased mitochondrial activity (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a greater (p < 0.05) abundance of HAS2, STAR, and PTGS mRNA transcripts in Melatonin compared to Control stress. These findings reveal a melatonin-mediated developmental rescue of oocytes against ischemic damage during ovary preservation which represents a promising strategy for successfully producing embryos when prolonged ovarian transport times are required.

Impact of Cryopreservation on Motile Subpopulations and Tyrosine-Phosphorylated Regions of Ram Spermatozoa during Capacitating Conditions.

The heterogeneous nature of ejaculates highlights the relevance of studying the behavior of different sperm subpopulations. Changes in sperm motility and the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation are key events that usually occur during capacitation and can be modified by the cryopreservation process. However, the relationship between both events remains poorly defined throughout capacitation in the different sperm subpopulations. Fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated in capacitating (CAP) and non-capacitating (NC) media up to 240 min. Sperm kinematics, tyrosine phosphorylation and mitochondrial activity were measured by the CASA system and imaging flow cytometry. Four motile sperm subpopulations (SP) were identified in fresh and frozen-thawed ram semen after the cluster analysis. Incubation under CAP conditions over time led to greater changes in the percentage of spermatozoa included in each subpopulation compared to NC conditions, being different between fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The SP1, characterized by slow spermatozoa, progressively increased after 15 min in frozen-thawed samples incubated in both media but not in fresh ones. The SP4, characterized by fast and non-linear spermatozoa, showed a marked increase during CAP, but not under NC conditions, occurring more rapidly in frozen-thawed spermatozoa. This subpopulation (SP4) was also the only one positively and strongly correlated with mitochondrial activity and all phosphorylated sperm regions during capacitation, either in fresh or frozen-thawed samples. Our results indicated that in vitro capacitation induced significant changes in the distribution of motile sperm subpopulations, being affected by cryopreservation. Notwithstanding, the subpopulation which probably represents hyperactivated-like spermatozoa (SP4) also increased in frozen-thawed samples, occurring faster and simultaneously to the increment of mitochondrial activity and tyrosine phosphorylation of different sperm regions.

Vitamin E Delivery Systems Increase Resistance to Oxidative Stress in Red Deer Sperm Cells: Hydrogel and Nanoemulsion Carriers.

Oxidative stress has become a major concern in the field of spermatology, and one of the possible solutions to this acute problem would be the use of antioxidant protection; however, more studies are required in this field, as highly contradictory results regarding the addition of antioxidants have been obtained. Vitamin E is a powerful biological antioxidant, but its low stability and high hydrophobicity limit its application in spermatology, making the use of organic solvents necessary, which renders spermatozoa practically motionless. Keeping this in mind, we propose the use of hydrogels (HVEs) and nanoemulsions (NVEs), alone or in combination, as carriers for the controlled release of vitamin E, thus, improving its solubility and stability and preventing oxidative stress in sperm cells. Cryopreserved sperm from six stags was thawed and extended to 30 × 106 sperm/mL in Bovine Gamete Medium (BGM). Once aliquoted, the samples were incubated as follows: control, free vitamin E (1 mM), NVEs (9 mM), HVEs (1 mM), and the combination of HVEs and NVEs (H + N), with or without induced oxidative stress (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). The different treatments were analyzed after 0, 2, 5, and 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Motility (CASA®), viability (YO-PRO-1/IP), mitochondrial membrane potential (Mitotracker Deep Red 633), lipid peroxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species production (CM-H2DCFDA), and DNA status (SCSA®) were assessed. Our results show that the deleterious effects of exogenous oxidative stress were prevented by the vitamin E-loaded carriers proposed, while the kinematic sperm parameters (p ˂ 0.05) and sperm viability were always preserved. Moreover, the vitamin E formulations maintained and preserved mitochondrial activity, prevented sperm lipid peroxidation, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (p ˂ 0.05) under oxidative stress conditions. Vitamin E formulations were significantly different as regards the free vitamin E samples (p < 0.001), whose sperm kinematic parameters drastically decreased. This is the first time that vitamin E has been formulated as hydrogels. This new formulation could be highly relevant for sperm physiology preservation, signifying an excellent approach against sperm oxidative damage.

Oocyte Morphometric Assessment and Gene Expression Profiling of Oocytes and Cumulus Cells as Biomarkers of Oocyte Competence in Sheep.

Oocyte quality is crucial for subsequent embryo development and so it is a major challenge in assisted reproductive technologies. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the morphometric parameters of oocytes (experiment 1) and the relative gene expression of oocytes and cumulus cells (CCs) (experiment 2) as biomarkers of oocyte quality after individually culturing them (one oocyte or embryo/drop). In experiment 1, individually matured oocytes were measured and classified into small, intermediate, and large oocytes after a cluster analysis, based on total diameter (with zona pellucida, ZP), oocyte diameter (without ZP), and ZP thickness. These oocytes were individually fertilized in vitro and cultured. The embryo development was evaluated up to the blastocyst stage. According to the total diameter, oocyte diameter, and ZP thickness, the blastocyst rate decreased in the small oocytes group (3.1 ± 3.1, 14.1 ± 9.4, and 26.7 ± 3.9, respectively) compared to the intermediate (29.4 ± 5.2, 30.5 ± 10.1, and 28.6 ± 9.6, respectively) and large oocytes groups (54.2 ± 13.5, 44.4 ± 3.9, and 67.6 ± 12.4, respectively). In addition, the probability of reaching the blastocyst stage was positively related to the total diameter (p < 0.001), oocyte diameter (p < 0.05), and ZP thickness (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the relative gene expression of BAX, BCL2, GDF9, and GJA1 was lower in oocytes classified as large. In experiment 2, the mRNA transcript relative abundance pattern of genes in CCs was evaluated according to oocyte total diameter and developmental stage reached. CCs from oocytes classified as large and oocytes capable of developing to the blastocyst stage had a lower relative expression of BAX, STAR, and PTGS2, while a higher expression of HAS2 and SDC2 transcript was observed for those oocytes. In conclusion, oocyte morphometric parameters and gene expression analysis in oocytes and CCs provide methods for the identification of the most competent oocytes for assisted reproductive technologies in sheep.

cAMP Modulators before In Vitro Maturation Decrease DNA Damage and Boost Developmental Potential of Sheep Oocytes.

To date, the underlying mechanisms by which cAMP modulators act during in vitro maturation to improve oocyte developmental competence are poorly understood. Here, we sought to fill this knowledge gap by evaluating the use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin during a culture period of 2 h before in vitro maturation (pre-IVM) on the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation features in essential organelles, cumulus cells activity, and in vitro developmental potential of sheep oocytes. Results showed that pre-IVM treatment significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the DNA damage of mature oocytes (pre-IVM = 2.08% ± 3.51% vs. control = 20.58% ± 3.51%) and increased (p ≤ 0.05) expanded blastocyst rates compared to the control (from the total of oocytes: pre-IVM = 23.89% ± 1.47% vs. control = 18.22% ± 1.47%, and from the cleaved embryos: pre-IVM = 45.16% ± 1.73% vs. control = 32.88% ± 1.73%). Considering that oocytes are highly vulnerable to the accumulation of DNA damage because of exposure to in vitro culture conditions, our results suggest that the modulation of intra-oocyte cAMP levels with forskolin and IBMX before IVM might afford oocytes a more effective DNA repair mechanism to overcome damage obstacles and ultimately improve developmental competence. This previously unappreciated action of cAMP modulators could help to develop improved methods for assisted reproduction technologies in animal and clinical research.

Effect of Season and Social Environment on Semen Quality and Endocrine Profiles of Three Endangered Ungulates (Gazella cuvieri, G. dorcas and Nanger dama).

Knowledge of factors affecting semen quality could be of great importance for the collection and preservation of semen from threatened animals. To assess the effect of seasonality, sperm parameters and testosterone levels were examined throughout the year and compared with the distribution of conceptions. Cuvier's gazelle showed higher sperm quantity in April, coinciding with one peak of conceptions. In dorcas gazelle, sperm parameters showed a drop in October. However, percentage of conceptions increased during that month. In Mohor gazelle, sperm quality was best in April and August, in agreement with higher conception rates and high testosterone levels. Percentage of conceptions was correlated with photoperiod and rainfall in Cuvier's gazelle and with temperature in Mohor gazelle. To assess the effect of social environment, semen quality, testosterone and cortisol levels were quantified in males housed alone, in bachelor groups or with females. No differences were seen in Cuvier's and Mohor gazelles' semen traits, whereas dorcas males housed with females showed lower semen quality than males kept alone or with other males. Overall, ejaculate quality is influenced by seasonal factors in the three gazelle species, while social factors only appear to affect that of dorcas gazelle.

Exogenous Melatonin Improves the Reproductive Outcomes of Yearling Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) Hinds.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of melatonin implants on the reproductive performance of yearling Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) hinds. It also explored exogenous melatonin administration as a tool to minimize the negative effect of a low yearling hind's liveweight on their reproductive efficiency. In addition, the effect of melatonin-treated yearling hinds on non-treated hinds was studied in order to provide a practical and economical protocol to improve farms' productivity. A total of 4520 Iberian red deer hinds belonging to the same farm were included in this study. Melatonin (108 mg/hind) implants were administered three-fold every 30 days before the breeding season. Fertility rates, calves' weights and calving dates were registered for each hind. The results showed that exogenous melatonin increased significantly (p < 0.05) the calves' weight (32.39 ± 1.07 kg vs. 27.65 ± 1.11 kg for Weight 1calf (July) and 46.59 ± 1.50 kg vs. 41.79 ± 1.54 kg for Weight 2calf (August, at weaning)) and advanced the calving date by 15 days in yearling hinds compared to the non-treated group. In addition, the administration of melatonin implants before the breeding season was able to minimize the negative effect of low yearling hinds' liveweight (Weight 1hind) on their future reproductive outcomes, as the fertility rates increased by 46% and the calves' weight increased by 7 kg after the melatonin treatment, regardless of the yearlings' weight. Finally, when both experimental groups (melatonin and non-treated) were kept separate, higher fertility rates (76.73 ± 7.18% vs. 66.94 ± 7.41%) were observed for the melatonin-treated hinds compared to the non-treated hinds. However, when both groups of yearling hinds were maintained together, no significant differences were observed in their fertility outcomes (78.13 ± 21.26% vs. 78.12 ± 23.32%). Therefore, melatonin implants may be used in yearling Iberian red deer hinds as a management tool to improve their reproductive productivity.

Unravelling how in vitro capacitation alters ram sperm chromatin before and after cryopreservation.

BACKGROUND: Sperm chromatin structure provides valuable information for the prediction of male fertility and can be altered during different procedures. Previous studies have shown that sperm chromatin condensation decreased during in vitro capacitation. Moreover, cryopreservation can affect sperm DNA integrity and chromatin compaction. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate dynamic modifications produced in the chromatin structure of ram spermatozoa during in vitro capacitation before and after cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chromatin decondensation (AB+), DNA methylation, DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) were evaluated in fresh and frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under capacitating (CAP) conditions at 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes and under non-capacitating (NC) conditions at 0, 15 and 240 minutes. RESULTS: Incubation in NC conditions did not induce significant changes in chromatin condensation (P > .05; AB + and HDS). However, incubation of fresh and cryopreserved ram spermatozoa under CAP conditions significantly increased chromatin decondensation (P < .05), reaching the highest percentage of AB + and HDS from 180 to 240 minutes in fresh samples and from 5 to 30 minutes in cryopreserved samples. Both variables (HDS and AB+) were positively correlated with tyrosine phosphorylation, total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement, as well as between them under CAP conditions in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa. DNA methylation significantly increased in cryopreserved spermatozoa (P < .05), but only after extended incubation under CAP conditions (60-240 minutes), while the %DFI, albeit higher in cryopreserved samples, remained constant under CAP and NC conditions in both types of sample (P > .05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that sperm chromatin condensation decreased progressively during in vitro capacitation of ram spermatozoa, while sperm DNA integrity remained intact. Such changes in chromatin condensation appeared faster after sperm cryopreservation.

Cellular and Molecular Events that Occur in the Oocyte during Prolonged Ovarian Storage in Sheep.

For the past two decades, there has been a growing interest in the application of in vitro embryo production (IVP) in small ruminants such as sheep. To improve efficiency, a large number abattoir-derived ovaries must be used, and long distances from the laboratory are usually inevitable when adult animals are used. In that scenario, prolonged sheep ovary transportation may negatively affect oocyte developmental competence. Here, we evaluated the effect of ovary storage time (3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 h) and the medium in which they were transported (TCM199 and saline solution) on oocyte quality. Thus, live/dead status, early apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, caspase-3 activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and distribution, and relative abundance of mRNA transcript levels were assessed in oocytes. After in vitro maturation (IVM), cumulus cell viability and quality, meiotic and fertilization competence, embryo rates and blastocyst quality were also evaluated. The results revealed that, after 7 h of storage, oocyte quality and developmental potential were significantly impaired since higher rates of dead oocytes and DNA fragmentation and lower rates of viable, matured and fertilized oocytes were observed. The percentage of cleavage, blastocyst rates and cumulus cell parameters (viability, active mitochondria and GSH/ROS ratio) were also decreased. Moreover, the preservation of ovaries in medium TCM199 had a detrimental effect on cumulus cells and oocyte competence. In conclusion, ovary transport times up to 5 h in saline solution are the most adequate storage conditions to maintain oocyte quality as well as developmental capacity in sheep. A strategy to rescue the poor developmental potential of stored oocytes will be necessary for successful production of high-quality embryos when longer ovarian preservation times are necessary.

Beneficial Effects of Melatonin in the Ovarian Transport Medium on In Vitro Embryo Production of Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus).

A major limiting factor for the development of in vitro embryo production (IVP) in wild species, such as Iberian red deer, compared to livestock animals is the poor availability and limited access to biological material. Thus, the use of post-mortem ovaries from slaughtered animals represent a source of oocytes for the large scale production of embryos needed for research and to improve the efficiency of IVP. However, these oocytes are not as developmentally competent as their in vivo counterparts. Moreover, oocytes are usually obtained from ovaries that have been transported for long distances, which may also affect their quality. In order to overcome the issues associated with prolonged storage times of post-mortem material, in this study we examined the effect of melatonin supplementation to the ovary transport medium on oocyte quality, embryo yield, and blastocyst quality in Iberian red deer. When necessary, sheep was used as an experimental model due to the large number of samples required for analysis of oocyte quality parameters. Oocytes were in vitro matured and assessed for early apoptosis; DNA fragmentation; reactive oxygen species (ROS); reduced glutathione (GSH) content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and distribution; and relative abundance of mRNA transcript levels. After in vitro fertilization, embryo rates and blastocyst quality were also investigated. The results revealed that melatonin treatment significantly increased intracellular level of GSH in sheep oocytes. Moreover, the percentage of cleavage and blastocyst yield in red deer was greater compared to the Control group and there was lower abundance of oxidative stress- and apoptosis-related SHC1, TP53, and AKR1B1 mRNA transcripts in blastocysts for the Melatonin group. In conclusion, the supplementation of melatonin to the ovary storage medium had a positive effect on the developmental competence and quality of resulting blastocysts in Iberian red deer.

Optimization of Sperm Cryopreservation Protocol for Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).

Sperm cryopreservation is a complex process that needs to be adapted to wild and domestic avian species to ensure proper efficiency. Because of its accessibility, the peregrine falcon may be used as a good model for studying other raptor species. To find the most optimal cryopreservation protocol for peregrine falcon ejaculates, sperm parameters such as motility, viability, DNA fragmentation, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity were analyzed under different conditions by varying the freezing method (slow freezing in straws vs. ultrarapid freezing in pellets), thawing conditions (37 °C for 30 s vs. 5 °C for 1 min), type of cryoprotectant (DMA vs. DMSO), and concentration of DMSO (4% vs. 8%). Results show that slow cryopreservation in straws yielded greater percentages (p < 0.05) of motile spermatozoa (22.5% ± 4.4% vs. 0.0% ± 4.1%), viable spermatozoa with intact acrosomes (84.6% ± 4.3% vs. 77.4% ± 4.3%), and spermatozoa with active mitochondria (41.0% ± 6.7% vs.12.8% ± 6.7%), compared with those obtained by the ultrarapid freezing in pellets. However, no differences were found between different thawing conditions. Moreover, all sperm motility parameters were greater (p < 0.05) when DMSO was used during freezing compared with DMA, although the use of 3% and 8% DMSO produced similar results. In conclusion, these results represent important progress in the study of falcon semen cryopreservation protocol, highlighting the crucial steps of the process and the most suitable conditions.

Sperm Cryodamage in Ruminants: Understanding the Molecular Changes Induced by the Cryopreservation Process to Optimize Sperm Quality.

Sperm cryopreservation represents a powerful tool for livestock breeding. Several efforts have been made to improve the efficiency of sperm cryopreservation in different ruminant species. However, a significant amount of sperm still suffers considerable cryodamage, which may affect sperm quality and fertility. Recently, the use of different "omics" technologies in sperm cryobiology, especially proteomics studies, has led to a better understanding of the molecular modifications induced by sperm cryopreservation, facilitating the identification of different freezability biomarkers and certain proteins that can be added before cryopreservation to enhance sperm cryosurvival. This review provides an updated overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in sperm cryodamage, which are in part responsible for the structural, functional and fertility changes observed in frozen-thawed ruminant sperm. Moreover, the molecular basis of those factors that can affect the sperm freezing resilience of different ruminant species is also discussed as well as the molecular aspects of those novel strategies that have been developed to reduce sperm cryodamage, including new cryoprotectants, antioxidants, proteins, nanoparticles and vitrification.

Oxygen tension during in vitro oocyte maturation and fertilization affects embryo quality in sheep and deer.

Incubation gas atmosphere affects the development of in vitro produced embryos. In this study, there was examination of effects of two different oxygen (O2) tensions (5 % and 21 %) during in vitro maturation (M5 and M21) and/or fertilization (F5 and F21) on embryo production and quality in deer and sheep. There was assessment of the percentage of embryos with cell cleavage occurring, percentage that developed to the blastocyst stage, and analysis of the relative abundance of mRNA transcript for genes important for development to the blastocyst stage. The O2 tension treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) percentage cleavage or blastocyst development in either species. In sheep, there was a greater abundance of SHC1, GPX1, TP53, BAX and NRF1 mRNA transcript (P < 0.05) in M21 F5-derived embryos. In deer, there was a greater abundance of SOD2 mRNA transcript (P < 0.05) when oocytes had been matured under relatively lesser O2, regardless of the tension used during fertilization. There was a lesser abundance of SOX2 mRNA transcript (P < 0.05) in the M5F21 compared to the other three treatment groups. The AKR1B1 mRNA transcript was in greater abundance (P < 0.05) in M21 F21 as compared to M21 F5 and M5F21 group, and there was a greater abundance PLAC8 mRNA transcript (P < 0.05) in M21 F21, as compared to all other treatment groups. In conclusion, while O2 tension had no effect on developmental rates it did affect the relative abundance of mRNA transcript of multiple genes related to important cell functions during development.

Ovine sperm DNA oxidation quantification using an 8-OHdG immunodetection assay.

Our aim was to optimize 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) immunodetection in order to detect DNA damage caused by oxidative stress that may not be detected by other DNA integrity analysis techniques, especially due to the high compaction of DNA in ruminants. Semen samples from 6 rams were cryopreserved. After thawing, samples were subjected to the DNA oxidation quantification using an 8-OHdG immunodetection assay by flow cytometry. We have evaluated two different incubation times (30 min vs. overnight) at 4°C of the primary antibody (monoclonal anti-8-OHdG antibody). We have also compared the results of this technique with the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA® ). The analysis revealed that there were no significant differences (p > .05) between different incubation times. However, overnight incubation seems to cause more non-specific binding of the secondary antibody. Significant differences (p < .05) between subjects and oxidation controls (8 M H2 O2 /800 µM FeSO4 •7H2 O) were evident. We can conclude that the 8-OHdG immunodetection assay for DNA oxidation quantification of ram sperm can be performed subjecting sperm samples to a very high oxidative treatment.