The association of the presence of seminal plasma and its components with sperm longevity in fractionated stallion ejaculates.
Abstract: Semen jets in the stallion's ejaculate differ in both the biochemical composition of seminal plasma (SP) and in sperm concentration, forming sperm-rich fractions (HIGH) and sperm-poor fractions (LOW). This study examined (i) the association of the levels of selected components of SP [alkaline phosphatase (AP), acid phosphatase (ACP), Na(+), Cl(-), K(+), Ca, Mg and prostaglandin E(2)] with semen quality, sperm longevity and fertility; (ii) the effects of the presence of SP on sperm survival during cooled storage; (iii) the differences in the composition of SP between sperm-rich and sperm-poor ejaculatory fractions; (iv) the differences between these fractions in the effects of SP on sperm longevity. The levels of AP, ACP and Na(+) were higher in HIGH compared with LOW, whereas higher concentrations of Ca, K(+) and Mg were found in LOW than in HIGH. None of the measured components were correlated to the first cycle pregnancy rate. The presence of SP during cooled storage caused DNA degradation, but total and progressive sperm motility was not affected. Sperm-rich fractions stored with low levels of SP maintained higher level of DNA integrity compared with sperm-rich fractions in higher levels of SP, or sperm-poor fractions irrespective of the proportion of SP. The concentration of K(+) in LOW may give some indication on the maintenance of total sperm motility during cooled storage.
© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2011-04-28 PubMed ID: 21535237DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01789.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article in question is examining the composition of horse semen and its relations to sperm longevity and fertility. It specifically observes the different components of seminal plasma (SP), a fluid part of semen, in two different ejaculatory fractions and their correlation to the quality and longevity of sperm.
Experiment and Findings
- The study investigates mainly two parts of stallion ejaculate: sperm-rich fractions (HIGH) and sperm-poor fractions (LOW). Each of these fractions has different compositions of SP and sperm concentration.
- The components of SP that were focused upon include alkaline phosphatase (AP), acid phosphatase (ACP), Sodium (Na+), Chloride (Cl-), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and prostaglandin E(2).
- The researchers found that the levels of AP, ACP, and Na+ were higher in the HIGH fraction, whereas the levels of Ca, K+, and Mg were higher in the LOW fraction.
- Intriguingly, none of the measured components were found to have a direct correlation with the fertility, measured through the first cycle pregnancy rate.
Seminal Plasma’s Effect on Sperm Longevity
- Findings suggest that the presence of SP during cooled storage (a common method for preserving sperm samples) led to DNA degradation, although it did not affect total and progressive sperm motility.
- It was also observed that sperm-rich (HIGH) fractions preserved with smaller amounts of SP maintained a higher level of DNA integrity compared to the high presence of SP or sperm-poor (LOW) fractions, regardless of the proportion of SP.
Potential Indicator
- The study indicates that the concentration of K+ in the LOW fraction possibly affects the maintenance of total sperm motility during cooled storage. This suggests that components of SP could provide indicators for optimal sperm storage conditions or for predicting the survivability of stored sperm.
In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the composition of horse semen and how variations in this composition can impact sperm longevity and potential fertility. While none of the examined SP components directly correlate with fertility, they appear to affect the durability and quality of sperm during storage. This research could contribute to more effective methods of horse breeding and semen storage, although further studies are required for a more comprehensive understanding.
Cite This Article
APA
Kareskoski M, Sankari S, Johannisson A, Kindahl H, Andersson M, Katila T.
(2011).
The association of the presence of seminal plasma and its components with sperm longevity in fractionated stallion ejaculates.
Reprod Domest Anim, 46(6), 1073-1081.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01789.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Saarentaus, Finland. maria.kareskoski@helsinki.fi
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chromatin
- Electrolytes
- Fertility
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Semen / physiology
- Specimen Handling
- Sperm Motility / physiology
- Spermatozoa / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Bucci D, Spinaci M, Galeati G, Tamanini C. Different approaches for assessing sperm function.. Anim Reprod 2020 May 22;16(1):72-80.
- Barranco I, Padilla L, Martinez CA, Alvarez-Rodriguez M, Parrilla I, Lucas X, Ferreira-Dias G, Yeste M, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Roca J. Seminal Plasma Modulates miRNA Expression by Sow Genital Tract Lining Explants.. Biomolecules 2020 Jun 19;10(6).
- Johannisson A, Al-Essawe EM, Al-Saffar AK, Karkehabadi S, Lima-Verde I, Wulf M, Aurich C, Morrell JM. Season does not have a deleterious effect on proportions of stallion seminal plasma proteins.. J Reprod Dev 2020 Jun 12;66(3):215-221.
- Morrell JM, Johannisson A. Comparison of the Effect of Heterologous and Homologous Seminal Plasma on Motility and Chromatin Integrity of Stallion Spermatozoa Selected by Single Layer Centrifugation.. J Vet Med 2014;2014:325451.
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