The role of seminal plasma in the liquid storage of spermatozoa.
Abstract: Ongoing progress in proteomic characterization of seminal plasma has stimulated research on the identification of biomarkers for male fertility and sperm preservability. So far, many studies have evaluated the benefits of reconstituting cryopreserved or sex-sorted semen with seminal plasma. Less information is available about the effect of remaining or added seminal plasma in liquid preserved semen. The interaction between seminal plasma and spermatozoa is species -specific, and within species often complex and ambiguous. This article aims to review the action of seminal plasma on sperm function in preserved semen with a focus on liquid storage. Effects of seminal plasma on sperm traits during in vitro storage are summarized for males from four domestic farm animals, namely the bull, ram, boar and stallion. Special emphasis is placed on the effect of seminal plasma on long-term stored boar semen, including novel data demonstrating the attenuating effect of protective extender on the adverse effect of seminal plasma in some boars.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-01-24 PubMed ID: 32001046DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106290Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study focuses on the effects of seminal plasma, a component of semen, on the function and preservation of sperm in certain species of domestic farm animals. Specifically, it investigates how seminal plasma impacts the long-term storage of boar semen and shares new data on the reducing impact of a protective extender on harmful effects of seminal plasma.
Understanding the Study’s Focus
- The research is primarily centered on the role of seminal plasma in the preservation of sperm present in semen.
- The study offers an analysis of the interaction between seminal plasma and spermatozoa, which is unique to each species, and usually complex.
- Special attention is given to the investigation of the interaction of seminal plasma in the scenario of long-term storage of boar semen.
The Role of Proteomic Characterization and Biomarkers
- The study also sheds light on the drastic advances in the proteomic characterization of seminal plasma. This has spurred research on identifying biomarkers that are indicative of male fertility and sperm preservability.
- These biomarkers can potentially improve the understanding of male reproductive health and provide new perspectives on the preservation of semen.
The Utilization of Seminal Plasma
- Several studies have looked into the benefits of reintegrating cryopreserved (frozen for preservation) or sex-sorted semen with seminal plasma.
- There is less information about the effect of remaining or added seminal plasma in semen preserved in the liquid state.
The Species-Specific Interaction of Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa
- This research emphasizes that interaction between seminal plasma and sperm is species-specific.
- Detailed examination is carried out for males from four domestic farm animals – the bull, ram, boar, and stallion.
- New data is presented that shows the attenuating effect of a protective extender on the detrimental effect of seminal plasma in boar semen.
Cite This Article
APA
Höfner L, Luther AM, Waberski D.
(2020).
The role of seminal plasma in the liquid storage of spermatozoa.
Anim Reprod Sci, 220, 106290.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106290 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, D-30559, Hannover, Germany.
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, D-30559, Hannover, Germany.
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine of Clinics/Clinic for Pigs and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, D-30559, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: dagmar.waberski@tiho-hannover.de.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cattle
- Horses
- Male
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / standards
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sheep
- Species Specificity
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Sus scrofa
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interest to declare.
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Li Z, Sun J, Li K, Qin J, Sun Y, Zeng J, El-Ashram S, Zhao Y. Metabolomic analysis reveals spermatozoa and seminal plasma differences between Duroc and Liang guang Small-spotted pig. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1078928.
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- Cheng Q, Li L, Jiang M, Liu B, Xian Y, Liu S, Liu X, Zhao W, Li F. Extend the Survival of Human Sperm In Vitro in Non-Freezing Conditions: Damage Mechanisms, Preservation Technologies, and Clinical Applications. Cells 2022 Sep 12;11(18).
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- Rodriguez-Martinez H, Martinez EA, Calvete JJ, Peña Vega FJ, Roca J. Seminal Plasma: Relevant for Fertility?. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 22;22(9).
- Gimeno BF, Bariani MV, Laiz-Quiroga L, Martínez-León E, Von-Meyeren M, Rey O, Mutto AÁ, Osycka-Salut CE. Effects of In Vitro Interactions of Oviduct Epithelial Cells with Frozen-Thawed Stallion Spermatozoa on Their Motility, Viability and Capacitation Status. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 3;11(1).
- El Kadili S, Kirschvink N, Raes M, Bister JL, Archa B, Douaik A, Chentouf M. Influence of Season and Liquid Storage at 16 °C on Beni Arouss Bucks' Semen Quality. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 29;10(11).
- Höfner L, Luther AM, Palladini A, Fröhlich T, Waberski D. Tolerance of Stored Boar Spermatozoa to Autologous Seminal Plasma: A Proteomic and Lipidomic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Sep 4;21(18).
- Padilla L, Martínez-Hernández J, Barranco I, Lucas X, Pastor LM, Rodriguez-Martínez H, Roca J, Parrilla I. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is fully expressed in the genital tract, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of male pigs. Sci Rep 2020 Aug 7;10(1):13360.
- Liu T, Zhang M, Li X, Zhao X, Wu Y, Chen H. Seminal plasma exosomes improve the motility and mitochondrial function of goat spermatozoa during liquid storage by regulating oxidative phosphorylation. Stress Biol 2025 Oct 28;5(1):65.
- Dziekońska A, Szczepańska A, Wysokińska A. Effect of Season on the Characteristics of Warmblood Stallion Spermatozoa Stored in a Liquid State at 5 °C. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 3;15(7).
- Liu T, Niu J, Huang Y, Chen H, Wu Y, Xu Y. Ultrastructural evidence for the activation of autophagy and analysis of the protective role of autophagy in goat spermatozoa under liquid storage. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1543459.
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- Luther AM, Nguyen TQ, Verspohl J, Waberski D. Storage of boar semen at 17°C without conventional antibiotics in an extender containing an organic bactericidal substance. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1294903.
- Song C, Chang L, Wang B, Zhang Z, Wei Y, Dou Y, Qi K, Yang F, Li X, Li X, Wang K, Qiao R, Han X. Seminal plasma metabolomics analysis of differences in liquid preservation ability of boar sperm. J Anim Sci 2023 Jan 3;101.
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