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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2022; 58(3); 443-449; doi: 10.1111/rda.14305

Selection of frozen-thawed stallion semen by microfluidic technology.

Abstract: The use of microfluidic technology is increasing in artificial reproduction technologies: With a small amount of semen, it allows for the selection of sperm with the best characteristics of kinetics, morphology and chromatin integrity. The ZyMot Multi (850 μl) is the most popular device of ZyMot Fertility Inc. To date, it was proven to be a valid instrument for sperm selection for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in men. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of the ZyMot Multi (850 μl) for stallion semen. Frozen-thawed semen from 15 stallions that were previously classified as being of 'good fertility' (GF; n = 8; pregnancy rate ≥ 40%) and 'poor fertility' (PF; n = 7; pregnancy rate < 20%), respectively, was used. Each ejaculate was assessed before and after microfluid recovery for kinetics (CASA), membrane integrity (MI) (SYBR14/PI), membrane functionality (MF) (HOS test), acrosome integrity (Spermac Stain Kit), morphology (Spermac stain kit), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (JC-1) and chromatin integrity (aniline blue staining). Sperm concentration was reduced after sperm recovery in both groups, but more markedly in frozen-thawed semen of PF stallions (p < .05). Microfluid recovery increased total motility, MI, MF and MMP. While there was a significant increase in the percentage of progressively motile sperm after sperm microfluid recovery, there was a decrease in DAP, DSL, VAP, VSL, LIN, WOB and ALH (p < .05). A slight increase (p < .05) was detected in beat-cross frequency. The present results suggest that the ZyMot Multi (850 μl) device selects a specific sperm population from any stallion ejaculate with motile sperm and could therefore be a valid tool for in vitro testing with the aim to predict the fertility of frozen-thawed stallion semen.
© 2022 The Authors. Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-20 PubMed ID: 36510754DOI: 10.1111/rda.14305Google 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.

Researchers explored the use of a popular sperm selection device, ZyMot Multi (850 μl), in selecting high-quality sperm from frozen-thawed stallion semen. They established that the device successfully selected motile sperm with better kinetics, morphology and chromatin integrity, indicating the potential of this microfluidic technology as a reliable instrument for predicting the fertility of frozen-thawed stallion semen.

Microfluidic Technology

  • The microfluidic technology, ZyMot Multi (850 μl), is increasingly being used in artificial reproduction technologies, due to its ability to select the most viable sperm based on kinetics, morphology and chromatin integrity using a small semen sample.
  • While the efficacy of this device was previously confirmed for in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in men, researchers sought to test its utility with stallion semen.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used frozen-thawed semen from 15 stallions, previously classified as having either ‘good fertility’ or ‘poor fertility’ based on their respective pregnancy rates.
  • Each ejaculate was assessed before and after microfluid recovery for multiple factors including kinetics, membrane integrity, membrane functionality, acrosome integrity, morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential and chromatin integrity.

Observations and Findings

  • The sperm selection process reduced the sperm concentration, more notably in the semen from stallions with poor fertility.
  • Despite the reduction in sperm concentration, the technology improved overall sperm motility, membrane integrity, membrane functionality and mitochondrial membrane potential in recovered samples.
  • There was an increase in progressively motile sperm after recovery although a decrease was observed in other kinetic parameters.

Conclusions

  • The study showed that the ZyMot Multi (850 μl) device can select a specific sperm population with improved characteristics from frozen-thawed stallion semen.
  • This suggests its potential to be a valuable tool for in vitro testing aimed at predicting the fertility of frozen-thawed stallion semen.

Cite This Article

APA
Vigolo V, Gautier C, Falomo ME, Aurich C. (2022). Selection of frozen-thawed stallion semen by microfluidic technology. Reprod Domest Anim, 58(3), 443-449. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14305

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 3
Pages: 443-449

Researcher Affiliations

Vigolo, Veronica
  • Department for Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
  • Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Università di Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
Gautier, Camille
  • Department for Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Falomo, Maria Elena
  • Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), Università di Padova, Legnaro (PD), Italy.
Aurich, Christine
  • Department for Small Animals and Horses, Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Pregnancy
  • Female
  • Male
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Semen
  • Microfluidics
  • Sperm Motility
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Spermatozoa
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary

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This article includes 20 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Medica AJ, Gibb Z, Aitken RJ. Optimizing equine sperm quality: an alternative to single layer centrifugation for sperm isolation. Reprod Fertil 2024 Oct 1;5(4).
    doi: 10.1530/RAF-23-0081pubmed: 39437190google scholar: lookup
  2. Bedwal RG, Nair N, Pareek C, More A, Kalbande A. Enhancing the Fertility Potential: A Case Report on the Management of Oligoasthenozoospermia Using a Microfluidic Device. Cureus 2024 Jun;16(6):e61737.
    doi: 10.7759/cureus.61737pubmed: 38975441google scholar: lookup
  3. Al-Kass Z, Morrell JM. Freezing Stallion Semen-What Do We Need to Focus on for the Future?. Vet Sci 2024 Feb 2;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11020065pubmed: 38393083google scholar: lookup
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