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Home / Equine Research Bank / Theriogenology / Identification of sperm subpopulations with specific motilit...
Theriogenology2003; 59(9); 1973-1990; doi: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01297-9

Identification of sperm subpopulations with specific motility characteristics in stallion ejaculates.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to test the presence of separate sperm subpopulations, with specific motility characteristics, in stallion ejaculates by using a computer-assisted semen motility analysis (CASA) system. Motility data were analyzed with a hierarchical clustering of variables based on a correlation or covariance matrix to select like parameters of sperm motility descriptors that better explain the kinetics of spermatozoa. The statistical analyses clustered the whole motile sperm population in both fresh and 24 h stored ejaculates into four separate groups. There were significant differences in the distribution of the four subpopulations (P < 0.001) as well as in the total sperm number and the percentage of total motility (P < 0.01) in fresh semen among the five stallions tested. Our results show that separate subpopulations of spermatozoa with different motility characteristics coexist in stallion ejaculates. These subpopulations were maintained, although with a less-progressive motion pattern, after 24 h of storage. The study of subpopulations in ejaculates that have confirmed fertilizing capacity showed that the majority of the motile spermatozoa in these ejaculates are included in a subpopulation with high progressive motility and low linearity, and the ejaculates with proven fertility that have a total sperm count > or = 20 x 10(9) spermatozoa/ejaculate show all of their motile sperm included in this subpopulation. Our results show that the use of the CASA system is a relatively simple approach to the study of sperm subpopulation patterns in equine ejaculates.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Inc.
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Publication Date: 2003-02-26 PubMed ID: 12600734DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01297-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research analyzes stallion semen, identifying different sperm subpopulations with unique motility features using a computer-assisted semen motility analysis (CASA) system. The findings reveal that subpopulations can be preserved, but with less progressive movement, even after storage for 24 hours, contributing to better understanding fertility in horses.

Research Methodology

  • The study made use of a computer-assisted semen motility analysis (CASA) system to evaluate the motility characteristics of separate sperm subpopulations in stallion ejaculates.
  • Motility data were subjected to hierarchical clustering based on either a correlation or covariance matrix. This was to select like parameters of sperm motility descriptors that could better explain the kinetics of spermatozoa.

Results Discovered

  • Findings from the statistical analyses clustered the entire motile sperm population from both fresh and stored (for 24 hours) ejaculates into four distinct groups.
  • Differences in the distribution of the four subpopulation were significant (P < 0.001), alongside differences in the total sperm number and the percentage of total motility (P < 0.01) in fresh semen among the five stallions tested.

Proven Fertility and Sperm Subpopulations

  • The study further analyzed ejaculates with verified fertilizing capacity. It was discovered that most of the motile spermatozoa in these samples belonged to a subpopulation marked by high progressive motility and low linearity.
  • Ejaculates with proven fertility and a total sperm count ≥ 20 x 10(9) spermatozoa/ejaculate were found to have all of their motile sperm included in this aforementioned subpopulation.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that separate subpopulations of spermatozoa, possessing different motility characteristics, do co-exist within stallion ejaculates.
  • These subpopulations can be preserved, albeit with less progressive motion, even after 24 hours of storage. These findings can give further insights into equine fertility studies.
  • The use of the CASA system was endorsed as a relatively simple method to study sperm subpopulation patterns in equine ejaculates.

Cite This Article

APA
Quintero-Moreno A, Miró J, Teresa Rigau A, Rodríguez-Gil JE. (2003). Identification of sperm subpopulations with specific motility characteristics in stallion ejaculates. Theriogenology, 59(9), 1973-1990. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01297-9

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 9
Pages: 1973-1990

Researcher Affiliations

Quintero-Moreno, A
  • Unit of Reproduction, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
Miró, J
    Teresa Rigau, A
      Rodríguez-Gil, J E

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Fertilization
        • Horses
        • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
        • Male
        • Semen Preservation / veterinary
        • Sperm Count
        • Sperm Motility
        • Spermatozoa / classification

        Citations

        This article has been cited 22 times.
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