Effect of Two Different Sperm Selection Methods on Boar Sperm Parameters and In Vitro Fertilisation Outcomes.

Porcine in vitro embryo production (IVP) protocols have conventionally used density gradient selection (DGS) by centrifugation to prepare sperm samples and achieve successful fertilisation. However, the possible toxicity of the solutions used and the potential damage caused by the centrifugation step may have a negative effect on the quality of the sample. Microfluidic chip-based sperm (MCS) sorting has been proposed as an alternative technique for the selection of high-quality sperm with the purpose of improving reproductive outcomes in IVF. This device does not require centrifugation or any toxic solution to prepare the sample for fertilisation. The sample is not subjected to unnecessary stress, and the process is less operator-dependent. In this study, we compared the sperm parameters of unselected extender-diluted boar semen samples with selected samples using DGS and MCS methods. The results show an expected reduction in sperm concentration after both methods. All the groups were significantly different from one another, with MCS being the group with the lowest concentration. Though the three groups had a similar overall motility, significant differences were found in progressive motility when comparing the unselected group (control, 19.5 ± 1.4%) with DGS and MCS. Progressive motility in DGS was also significantly higher than in MCS (65.2 ± 4.9% and 45.7% ± 5.3, respectively). However, MCS selection resulted in enriched sperm samples with a significantly lower proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm compared to DGS. After fertilisation, no statistical differences were found between the two methods for embryological parameters such as cleavage rates, blastulation rates, and embryo quality. The number of cells in blastocysts derived from MCS was significantly greater than those derived from DGS sperm. Thus, we demonstrate that MCS is at least as good as the standard DGS for most measures. As a more gentle and reproducible approach for sperm selection, however, it could improve consistency and improve IVP outcomes as mediated by a greater proportion of morphologically normal sperm and manifested by a higher cell count in blastocysts.

Successful recovery of motile and viable boar sperm after vitrification with different methods (pearls and mini straws) using sucrose as a cryoprotectant.

Vitrification of sperm by direct contact with liquid nitrogen is increasing in popularity as an alternative to conventional (slow) freezing. Although slow freezing is very challenging in boar sperm cryopreservation, this is currently the standard method used. We compared vitrification in "pearls" and in "mini straws" using the in vitro fertilization media Porcine Gamete Media with 0.3 M sucrose with the standard (slow) method used to preserve boar sperm. Both vitrification methods reduced the viability of the sperm sample more than slow freezing (42.2 ± 4.3% total motility and 71.4 ± 2.3% alive), however, both protocols allowed for the successful recovery of the sperm samples. By comparing two different methods of vitrification and two different methods of post-thaw preparation we were able to determine the optimal vitrification-thaw protocol for boar sperm. When comparing pearls and mini-straws, the smaller liquid volume associated with pearls had a positive effect on the survivability of the samples, reducing sperm DNA damage (1.2 ± 0.2% vs. 5.1 ± 0.1.7%) and preserving motility (26.15 ± 2.8% vs 9.39 ± 0.9%) after thawing. In conclusion, the pearl method was the most suitable of the vitrification techniques for use with boar sperm.

SART CORS IVF registry: looking to the past to shape future perspectives.

PURPOSE: The SART CORS database is an informative source of IVF clinic-specific linked data that provides cumulative live birth rates from medically assisted reproduction in the United States (US). These data are used to develop best practice guidelines, for research, quality assurance, and post-market surveillance of assisted reproductive technologies. Here, we sought to investigate the key areas of current research focus (higher-order categories), discover gaps or underserved areas of ART research, and examine the potential application and impact of newer ART adjuvants, future data collection, and analysis needs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review (PRISMA guidelines) to quantify unique output metrics of the SART CORS database. Included were SART member reporting clinics: full-length publications from 2004 to 2021 and conference abstracts from 2015 to 2021, the two key timepoints when the SART CORS database underwent transformative shifts in data collection. RESULTS: We found 206 abstracts presented from 2015 to 2021, 189 full-length peer-reviewed publications since 2004, with 654 unique authors listed on these publications. A total of 19 publications have been highly impactful, garnering over 100 citations at the time of writing. Several higher-order categories, such as endometriosis and tubal infertility, have few publications. The conversion of conference abstracts to full-length papers ranged from 15 to 35% from 2015 to 2021. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial body of literature has been generated by analyzing the SART CORS database. Full-length publications have increased year over year. Some topic areas, such as endometriosis and tubal infertility, may be underrepresented. Conversion of conference abstracts to full-length publications has been low, indicating that more organizational support may be needed to ensure that research is methodologically sound and researchers supported to reach full publication status.

Enhanced ion binding by the benzocrown receptor and a carbonyl of the aminonaphthalimide fluorophore in water-soluble logic gates.

Two fluorescent logic gates 1 and 2 were designed and synthesised with a 'receptor1-spacer1-fluorophore-spacer2-receptor2' format. The molecules comprise of an aminonaphthalimide fluorophore, methylpiperazine and either benzo-15-crown-5 or benzo-18-crown-6. Model 3, with a weakly binding 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl moiety, was also synthesised. The compounds were studied both in 1 : 1 (v/v) methanol/water and water by UV-visible absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The green fluorescence of 1-3 is modulated by photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanisms, and by solvent polarity. In 1 : 1 (v/v) methanol/water, logic gates 1 and 2 emit with Φf = 0.21 and 0.28, and bind with pßNa+ = 1.6 and pßK+ = 2.6, respectively, and pßH+ = 7.4 ± 0.1. In water, logic gates 1 and 2 emit with Φf = 0.14 and 0.26, and bind with pßNa+ = 0.86 and pßK+ = 1.6, respectively, and pßH+ = 8.1 ± 0.1. The measured pßNa+ are significantly lower than reported for analogous classic anthracene-based Na+, H+-driven AND logic gates indicating a stronger Na+ binding interaction, which is attributed to direct interaction with one carbonyl moiety within the aminonaphthalimide. Supporting evidence is provided by DFT calculations. Furthermore, we illustrate an example of logic function modulation by a change in solvent polarity. In 1 : 1 (v/v) methanol/water, molecules 1 and 2 function as Na+, H+ and K+, H+-driven AND logic gates. In water, the molecules function as single input H+-driven YES logic gates, while consideration as two-input devices, 1 and 2 function as AND-INH-OR logic arrays.