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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2022; 57(5); 465-472; doi: 10.1111/rda.14082

Relationship between sperm ubiquitination and equine semen freezability.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the semen ubiquitin levels of stallions with good (GF) and poor semen freezability (PF) and to evaluate the relationship between sperm ubiquitination and sperm morphological defects. Five ejaculates from eight adult stallions (n = 40) were collected and cryopreserved. Then, the ubiquitin level in equine sperm cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry with epifluorescence microscopy, and sperm morphology was assessed by differential interference contrast microscopy. Sperm cells were classified according to the intensity (classification 1: from I to IV; I = very low ubiquitin intensity and IV = very high ubiquitin intensity) and location of ubiquitin staining (classification 2). Statistical analyses were performed using SAS software (version 9.4), and p ≤ .05 was considered significant. We observed that PF stallions showed higher percentages (p < .05) of sperm cells with high ubiquitination (11.82% of ubiquitin intensity grade I, 39.13% of ubiquitin intensity grade II, 27.25% of ubiquitin intensity grade III, and 20.67% of grade IV), while GF stallions showed higher percentages (p < .05) of sperm cells with lower staining intensity (28.52% grade I, 59.83% grade II, 7.92% grade III, and 7.02% grade IV). Furthermore, for PF stallions, 23 significant correlations were detected (p < .05) between sperm abnormalities and ubiquitin intensity in different sperm regions. Increased ubiquitination of the sperm head, midpiece, and tail was positively correlated with their respective morphological defects. We concluded that high sperm ubiquitin levels are observed in ejaculates from stallions with poor semen quality (poor freezability), and ubiquitin marking in specific cellular locations can identify sperm morphological defects.
© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-27 PubMed ID: 35043480DOI: 10.1111/rda.14082Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study investigates the connection between sperm ubiquitination and the quality of semen freezing, particularly in horses. It found that high levels of sperm ubiquitin are connected to lower quality, or poor freezing capability, in stallion semen and that ubiquitin markings can identify morphological defects in sperm.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aims to establish the levels of semen ubiquitin in stallions with both good and poor semen freezability. Furthermore, it explores the correlation between sperm ubiquitination and the morphological defects in sperm.
  • The research team collected five ejaculates from eight adult stallions, totalling to 40 samples, which were then cryopreserved for the study.
  • The ubiquitin level present in the equine sperm cells was examined using immunohistochemistry complemented with epifluorescence microscopy.
  • The form of the sperm was evaluated via differential interference contrast microscopy.
  • In the study, the sperm cells were categorized by both the intensity of ubiquitin staining and its location.

Results and Findings

  • Stallions with poor semen freezability had high percentages of sperm cells with intense ubiquitination.
  • On the other hand, stallions with good freezability had a higher percentage of sperm cells with lower ubiquitin staining intensity.
  • The research also found that for stallions with poor freezability, there were significant correlations between sperm abnormalities and ubiquitin intensity in different sperm areas.
  • Specifically, an increase in ubiquitination of the sperm head, middle piece, and tail showed a positive correspondence to their respective morphological defects.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that high sperm ubiquitin levels were observed in ejaculates from stallions with poor semen quality or poor freezability.
  • This study also identified that ubiquitin marking in specific cellular locations can effectively identify morphological defects in sperm.

Cite This Article

APA
Lançoni R, Celeghini ECC, Gonella-Diaza AM, Júnior VG, de Carvalho CPT, Zoca GB, Garcia-Oliveros LN, Batissaco L, Oliveira LZ, de Arruda RP. (2022). Relationship between sperm ubiquitination and equine semen freezability. Reprod Domest Anim, 57(5), 465-472. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14082

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 5
Pages: 465-472

Researcher Affiliations

Lançoni, Renata
  • Laboratory of Semen Biotechnology and Andrology, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Celeghini, Eneiva Carla Carvalho
  • Laboratory of Research in Pathology of Reproduction, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Gonella-Diaza, Angela Maria
  • Laboratory of Molecular Physiology and Endocrinology, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Júnior, Valdemar De Giuli
  • International Equine Breeding Center Rancho das Américas, Porto Feliz, Brazil.
de Carvalho, Carla Patricia Teodoro
  • Laboratory of Semen Biotechnology and Andrology, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Zoca, Gabriela Bertaiolli
  • Laboratory of Semen Biotechnology and Andrology, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Garcia-Oliveros, Laura Nataly
  • Laboratory of Research in Pathology of Reproduction, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Batissaco, Leonardo
  • Laboratory of Research in Pathology of Reproduction, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.
Oliveira, Leticia Zoccolaro
  • Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
de Arruda, Rubens Paes
  • Laboratory of Semen Biotechnology and Andrology, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Semen
  • Semen Analysis / veterinary
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa
  • Ubiquitination
  • Ubiquitins

Grant Funding

  • Fundau00e7u00e3o de Amparo u00e0 Pesquisa do Estado de Su00e3o Paulo
  • Coordenau00e7u00e3o de Aperfeiu00e7oamento de Pessoal de Nu00edvel Superior

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Vašíček J, Baláži A, Svoradová A, Vozaf J, Dujíčková L, Makarevich AV, Bauer M, Chrenek P. Comprehensive Flow-Cytometric Quality Assessment of Ram Sperm Intended for Gene Banking Using Standard and Novel Fertility Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2022 May 25;23(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms23115920pubmed: 35682598google scholar: lookup
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