2020) Effect of Moringa oleifera seed extract on antioxidant activity and sperm characteristics in cryopreserved ram semen, ABSTRACT Semen cryopreservation damages sperm due to oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of Moringa oleifera seed extract in cryopreserved ram semen and the impact of the extract on sperm characteristics. Semen from eight hair rams (four rams per sampling) was allocated into four groups, according to their treatment prior to cryopreservation: Control (no extract), 0.5 (M0.5), 5.0 (M5.0), and 10.0 (M10) mg/mL of M. oleifera extract. The antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power, FRAP) and the spermatic characteristics (sperm viability; progressive motility; fast motility; slow motility; acrosome damage; membrane damage; and mitochondrial activity) were assessed post-thawing. Variables were evaluated with analysis of variance followed by Tukey test. While no significant differences were detected in acrosomal damage, mitochondrial activity, fast-, or slow motility, the antioxidant activity was higher (P < 0.05) in M0.5 and M5 treatments. Viability and progressive motility increased in the M0.5 group (P < 0.05), whereas sperm membrane damage was lower (P < 0.05) in the same treatment. In conclusion, supplementation of ram semen with M. oleifera seed extract enhances antioxidant activity, sperm membrane integrity, viability, and progressive motility after thawing. This suggests that M. oleifera extract could be used as an antioxidant to improve the outcome of semen cryopreservation. Highlights. It is widely known that semen cryopreservation induces sublethal damage to sperm, deteriorating spermatic characteristics, which is largely attributed to oxidative stress. . There are scarce studies regarding the use of plant extracts as a replacement for conventional antioxidants to conserve sperm viability in cryopreserved ram semen. . Addition of Moringa oleifera seed extract to a concentration of 0.5 and 5.0 mg/mL prior to ram semen freezing increased antioxidant activity after cryopreservation. . M. oleifera seed extract at 0.5 mg/mL decreased post-thawing damage to the sperm membrane, increasing both viability and progressive motility. . M. oleifera seed extract could be potentially used as a replacement for conventional antioxidants added to maintain sperm viability in cryopreserved ram semen. ARTICLE HISTORY
To evaluate the effects of season on semen, scrotal circumference and testosterone concentration in Corriente and European-breed bulls, 758 samples were analyzed in four years. Comparisons were made between bulls of the same breed in different seasons and between bulls of different breeds in the same season. Scrotal circumference of both breeds was higher in the summer and autumn (P < 0.01). Sperm concentration, individual motility and live cells were lower in summer and autumn in European-breed bulls (P < 0.01). All percentages of sperm defects were higher, and testosterone was lower in European-breed bulls during summer and autumn (P < 0.01). Gross motility tended to be lower (P = 0.09) in European-based bulls during winter. Scrotal circumference was higher in Europeanbreed bulls than Corriente bulls in all seasons (P < 0.01). Ejaculate volume and sperm concentration were similar in Corriente and European-breed bulls in all seasons (P > 0.1). Individual motility was lower in Europeanbreed than in Corriente bulls in summer and autumn (P < 0.01 and <0.01). Live cells count was lower in European-breed than in Corriente bulls during the summer and autumn (P < 0.01 and <0.01). Major sperm defects were higher for Corriente than European-breed bulls during winter (P < 0.01). Minor cell defects were higher in summer and autumn (P < 0.01) in Europeanbreed than in Corriente bulls. Total defects were lower in Corriente than in European-breed bulls during summer and autumn (P < 0.01), and higher during winter (P < 0.01). Testosterone was higher in Corriente bulls during summer (P < 0.01) and autumn (P < 0.01) than in European-breed bulls. Gross motility was lower (P < 0.05) in European-breed than in Corriente bulls in winter. Season had no effect on most semen characteristics in Corriente bulls, while European-breed bulls had lower semen quality during the hotter seasons. This indicates a better adaptation of Corriente cattle, suggesting that these bulls can be used for mating all year in hot environments.
Tick-borne bacterial pathogens (TBBPs) show a worldwide distribution and represent a great impact on public health. The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is a vector of several pathogens that affect dogs and sometimes humans as well. In addition, TBBPs represent a diagnostic challenge and imply financial resources and medical treatment for long periods of time. In the present study, R. sanguineus s. l. was identified as the main tick species naturally parasitizing dogs that inhabit. Juárez City, Chihuahua, in the Paso del Norte region, Mexico–US Border, representing 99.8% of the cases. Additionally, an end-point PCR was performed to search for whether pathogens in R. sanguineus s. l. can transmit in DNA extracted from ticks and dog blood samples. This is the first molecular detection of Rickettsia rickettsi infecting domestic dogs in Mexico; however, other pathogens were also identified, such as Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys in both ticks and dog blood samples, while Anaplasma phagocytophilum was identified only in dog blood samples. Moreover, co-detection in tick pools and co-infection in the analyzed dog blood samples could be found. Similarly, this research showed that dogs were found mostly parasitized by adult female ticks, increasing the possibility of transmission of E. canis.
Background Nowadays, Ehrlichia canis receives increasing attention because of its great morbidity and mortality in animals. Dogs in the subclinical and chronic phases can be asymptomatic, and serological tests show cross-reactivity and fail to differentiate between current and past infections. Moreover, there could be low parasitaemia, and E. canis might be found only in target organs, hence causing results to be negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on blood samples. Methods We evaluated by PCR the prevalence of E. canis in blood, liver, spleen, lymph node and bone marrow samples of 59 recently euthanised dogs that had ticks but were clinically healthy. Results In total, 52.55% of the blood PCRs for E. canis were negative, yet 61.30% yielded positive results from tissue biopsies and were as follows: 63.15% from bone marrow; 52.63% from liver; 47.36% from spleen; and 15.78% from lymph node. In addition, 33% had infection in three tissues (spleen, liver and bone marrow). Conclusions Our results show the prevalence of E. canis from tissues of dogs that were negative by blood PCR. Ehrlichia canis DNA in tissue was 30% lower in dogs that tested negative in PCR of blood samples compared to those that were positive. However, it must be taken into account that some dogs with negative results were positive for E. canis in other tissues.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.