A fast, low-cost and efficient method for the diagnosis of sperm DNA fragmentation in several species.

Sperm DNA fragmentation is a condition that interferes directly in the reproductive efficiency. Currently, there are several methods for assessing the sperm DNA integrity, such as Alkaline Comet, TUNEL and Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. However, many of these techniques are laborious and require high-precision equipment. Thus, the development of new techniques can optimize the evaluation of sperm DNA damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to standardize the toluidine blue (TB) stain technique for the analysis of DNA fragmentation of dog, cat, bull, stallion and ram spermatozoa. For this purpose, we used six animals of each specie (n = 30), in reproductive age. Sperm was collected by different methods according to the particularities of each species, and such samples were divided into two aliquots: a sperm sample was kept at 5°C (considered as intact sperm DNA), and the remaining samples were submitted to the induction of DNA fragmentation by exposure to ultraviolet light for 4 hr. Samples were then mixed with the intact sample to obtain known and progressive proportions of sperm with fragmented DNA (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Semen smears were performed and subjected to staining with TB. Blue-stained spermatozoa were considered to have DNA fragmentation. We observed high linear regression coefficients between the expected proportion of damaged DNA and the results of TB for dog, cat, ram, bull and stallion samples. In conclusion, TB stain was considered a fast and effective technique for the study of spermatozoa DNA in several species.

Spermatic and oxidative profile of domestic cat (Felis catus) epididymal sperm subjected to different cooling times (24, 48 and 72 hours).

Cooling stored epididymal samples for several days allows facilities to transport and process genetic material post-mortem. Improvements to this practice allow the preservation of sperm from domestic cats, which are the ideal study model for wild felids. However, the modifications in spermatic features and the oxidative profile are not fully understood in cats. This information is necessary for the development of biotechniques, such as new extenders for cryopreservation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the spermatic and oxidative profile in samples from the epididymal cauda of domestic cats cooled at 5°C for 24, 48 and 72 hr. Spermatozoa were collected from the epididymis cauda. Evaluations consisted of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), plasma membrane integrity (eosin/nigrosin), acrosome integrity (fast green/rose bengal), sperm morphology, sperm DNA integrity (toluidine blue), mitochondrial activity (3'3 diaminobenzidine), activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), measurement of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein oxidation. A decrease in sperm motility parameters was observed after 72 hr of cooling (i.e. total and progressive) with a higher percentage of minor (37.7 ± 6.3%) and total defects (53.4 ± 6.3%). Additionally, a decrease in high mitochondrial activity (Class I: 16.6 ± 2.2%) occurred after 72 hr. The decrease in motility rates after a long cooling time probably was caused by the increase in sperm abnormalities. A long cooling time causes cold shock and mitochondrial exhaustion, but there was no observed change with the oxidative stress condition. Therefore, cat epididymal sperm stored at 5°C appear to maintain a high quality for up to 48 hr of cooling time.

Sperm membrane integrity and stability after selection of cryopreserved ovine semen on colloidal solutions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four methods of sperm selection, on the integrity and stability of the plasma membrane, integrity of the acrosomal membrane and spermatic morphology in frozen/thawed ovine semen. Two types of colloidal silica: colloidal silica-silane and colloidal silica-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and two aliquots: 1 and 4 ml, were used for sperm selection. Probes FITC-PSA and PI were used to measure the integrity of the plasma and acrosomal membranes. Plasma membrane stability was measured, using fluorescent probes M540 and YOPRO1. Effective reduction in the incidence of spermatozoa with acrosomal pathologies was only achieved using 1 ml colloidal silica-silane. All methods were efficient in select viable and unreacted spermatozoa. Only methods using 1 ml of silica were efficient in decrease spermatozoa stained by PI (death). Methods using silica colloidal-silane were more efficient to decrease apoptotic cells after selection when compared to silica colloidal-PVP. In conclusion, sperm selection in colloidal silica-silane and colloidal silica-PVP improved sperm quality when compared to the controls. The method using 1 ml of colloidal silica-silane is the preferred method because its effectiveness and lower cost.

Kinematic and spermatic recovery after selection by centrifugation in colloid solutions of ovine cryopreserved semen / Cinética e recuperação espermática após seleção por centrifugação em soluções coloidais de sêmen ovino criopreservado

Frozen and thawed ovine semen undergo morphological and functional changes that prevent or decrease the efficiency of fertilization. Sperm selection methods seek to improve the quality and viability of the fertilizing materials. Four sperm selection methods were employed, using two silica colloidal solutions coated with silane (silica colloidal-silane) or by polyvinylpyrrolidone (silica colloidal-PVP), and varying the volume of colloidal solution. Sperm kinematic and sperm recovery were evaluated by means of CASA. The protocols using silica colloidal-silane showed higher total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM) and percentage of rapid sperm (%RAP) compared to the methods employing silica colloidal-PVP and to the samples prior to sperm selection. The silica colloidal-PVP had greater sperm recovery compared to the silica colloidal-silane. Only the method using 4mL of silica colloidal-PVP was not efficient in selecting samples with better quality compared to the samples analyzed prior to sperm selection. The methods using lower volumes of colloidal solution did not differ from those using higher volumes and the best results were shown by the method with 1mL silica colloidal-silane. The results found in the study indicated greater efficiency of the silica colloidal-silane solution for sperm selection of thawed ovine semen when compared to selection using silica colloidal-PVP. The method using 1mL of silica colloidal-silane was equally efficient to the method with higher volume, presenting itself as an alternative to process samples with lower sperm concentration.(AU)

O sêmen ovino congelado e descongelado sofre alterações morfofuncionais que impossibilitam ou diminuem a eficiência na fecundação. Os métodos de seleção espermática visam melhorar a qualidade e a viabilidade do material fecundante. Foram utilizados quatro métodos de seleção espermática utilizando duas soluções de sílica coloidal revestida por silano (sílica coloidal-silano) ou por polivinilpirrolidona (sílica coloidal-PVP), variando o volume de solução coloidal. Foram testadas a cinética espermática no CASA e a recuperação espermática. Os protocolos utilizando sílica coloidal-silano apresentaram maior motilidade total (MT), motilidade progressiva (MP) e porcentagem de espermatozoides rápidos (% RAP) quando comparados aos métodos utilizando a sílica coloidal-PVP e às amostras antes da seleção espermática. A sílica coloidal-PVP teve maior recuperação espermática quando comparada à sílica coloidal-silano. Somente o método utilizando 4mL de sílica coloidal-PVP não foi eficiente na seleção de amostras com melhor qualidade quando comparado às amostras analisadas antes da seleção espermática. Os métodos utilizando menores volumes de solução coloidal não diferiram dos métodos de maior volume, sendo a sílica coloidal-silano com 1mL o método que apresentou os melhores resultados. Como conclusão, os resultados encontrados no trabalho apontaram a maior eficiência da sílica coloidal-silano em selecionar sêmen ovino congelado e descongelado quando comparado à seleção em sílica coloidal-PVP. O método utilizando 1mL de sílica coloidal-silano foi igualmente eficiente ao método com maior volume, sendo uma alternativa para processar amostras com baixa concentração espermática.(AU)