The aim of this study was to determine the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), which is the most essential active compound of Nigella sativa, on the spermatological parameters of ram semen during cryopreservation. Ejaculates were collected from five Sonmez rams using an artificial vagina and extended with Tris‐based extender not containing TQ (control, 0 μg/ml TQ) and containing 10, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml TQ. The extended semen samples were equilibrated in a + 4°C cold cabinet for 2 h. After 2 h, the samples were loaded into 0.25 ml French straws. The straws were frozen by liquid nitrogen vapour and stored in a liquid nitrogen container (−196°C). The frozen straws were thawed in a water bath (37°C for 30 s) and evaluated in terms of motility characteristics, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels, lipid peroxidation levels, DNA damage and biochemical alterations (oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde and glutathione). TQ100 had higher total motility (53.59 ± 3.01) and progressive motility (19.84 ± 1.44; not significantly different from TQ25 and TQ50) compared to the control and TQ10 (p ˂ 0.05). According to the results of the analyses on motility characteristics, there were significant differences between the groups in terms of curvilinear velocity (VCL), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and linearity (LIN; p ˂ 0.05). The highest DNA damage was detected in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). TQ50 had higher plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (59.56 ± 5.92) compared to the control and TQ25 (p < 0.05) but not significantly different from TQ10 and TQ100. The lowest mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels were detected in TQ50 and TQ100 (p ˂ 0.05). There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of their oxidative stress index, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde and glutathione levels (p > 0.05). According to the results, it could be concluded that supplementing 50 or 100 μg/ml TQ to Tris extenders that were used for ram semen cryopreservation showed a positive effect on motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity, and it reduced DNA damage and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels.

We conducted this study to determine the potential cryopreservative effects of different hesperidin (vitamin P; H) doses on ram semen after freeze-thawing. Semen samples were obtained from Sönmez rams using an artificial vagina. The samples were divided into six groups: control, 10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 µg/mL H (C, H10, H50, H100, H250, and H500, respectively). At the end of the study, sperm motility and kinetic parameters, acrosome integrity (AI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), viability, lipid peroxidation levels (LPL), chromatin damage, oxidant parameters, and antioxidant parameters were assayed. None of the doses of H added to the semen extender showed any enhancing effects on progressive motility compared to C (p > 0.05). In fact, H500 had negative effects (p < 0.05). Moreover, AI was the highest at the H10 dose, while LPL values were the lowest at the same dose (p < 0.05). The doses of H10 and H50 added to the Tris extender medium showed positive effects on sperm cell chromatin damage. Consequently, we can say that H doses used in this study are not effective on semen progressive motility, but the H10 dose is effective on AI and chromatin damage by reducing LPL.

BackgroundThe aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of thermographic monitoring, using the temperature changes of perianal and perivulvar areas for the determination of estrus in Anatolian Shepherd bitches. Fifteen bitches were used in the study. Blood and vaginal smear samples were collected and thermographic monitoring of perianal and perivulvar areas were carried out starting from proestrus to early diestrus. Also, external signs of estrus were investigated. Smear samples were evaluated by light microscopy after Diff-Quik staining method and superficial and keratinized superficial cells were determined as percentage (S + KS%). Progesterone and luteinizing hormone measurements were done by radioimmunoassay. The difference in temperature between perianal and perivulvar areas was evaluated through thermographic images by FLIR ResearchIR Software.ResultsAccording to the results obtained from the study, differences between progesterone and S + KS% were statistically significant (P < 0,05). Although temperature showed increase and decrease with progesterone and S + KS%, the differences were not important statistically (P > 0,05). Serum luteinizing hormone levels did not sign any difference (P > 0,05).ConclusionsAs a result, thermographic monitoring alone is not enough for estrus detection in Anatolian Shepherd bitches. However, it can be used to assist the actual estrus detection technique in terms of providing some foreknowledge by evaluating the differences in temperature.

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Artificial insemination protocols depend on efficient behavioral estrus detection and insemination time in Angora goat. Therefore, we aim to determine the accuracy of an estrus scoring system in Angora goats with different PMSG doses during the breeding season. Does (n: 260) were randomly divided into three groups: group-1 (n: 93), group-2 (n: 85) and group-3 (n: 82). All animals received an intravaginal sponge on day 0 for 11 days, and on the day of sponge insertion 150 μg prostaglandin F2Α was administered. Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin was injected 300, 400 and 500 IU intramuscularly 24 h before sponge removal to groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Estrus signs were detected with a teaser buck, 24 h after sponge removal according to a visual scoring system. Artificial insemination was performed with 0.25 ml fresh diluted semen at 43 to 45 h after sponge removal. Differences were observed within PMSG groups in terms of standing, tail wagging, courtship behavior, vaginal discharge and vaginal hyperemia (P<0.001). Nevertheless, the most accurate indicators of estrus that result in pregnancy were tail wagging and courtship behavior followed by standing estrus (P<0.05). According to the results obtained, 300 IU PMSG dose is sufficient, both to inseminate at a fixed time (43 to 45 h after sponge removal) and to record the estrus behavior by teaser male 24 h after sponge removal. Higher PMSG doses (400 to 500 IU) altered the timing of ovulation; specifically, 500 IU dose shortened the duration of estrus behaviors. In conclusion, even though the different doses of PMSG displayed similar effects on estrus synchronization and pregnancy rates, we concluded that tail wagging, courtship behavior and standing heat are the most reliable estrus signs for artificial insemination in Angora goat.

Male reproductive parameters are often used for the functional examination and evaluation of predicted genetic values for future aspects. However, these traits are relatively reliable until the measurable effects are expressed on desired traits. Therefore, we aimed to associate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype of the investigated characteristics and reproductive loci. A total of 46 male dogs are divided into three age groups (I ≤ 3 years, n = 19; II 4-6 years; n = 19, and III ≥7 years, n = 8). The testis, scrotum and body weight, libido sexualis and ejaculation time for each fraction were monitored as functional traits, while the pH, fractional semen volume, motility, concentration, and abnormal and dead spermatozoa rate were recorded as spermatological traits. The Affymetrix Canine 127 K SNP genotyping array v2 (Affymetrix Inc., California, USA) was used for SNP genotyping. In the primary results, the scrotal circumference was found to be higher in group II compared to other groups (p < 0.05) and the lowest total abnormal spermatozoa rate was found in group I (p < 0.05). The normal spermatozoa rate was found to be significantly above the threshold in relation to the SNP in chromosome 17. In conclusion, this study represents an exciting first step towards SNP association with dog semen spermatological parameters. Future studies might be undertaken to evaluate this SNP region for gene-knockout and expression analysis and for fine mapping to validate and/or discover the exact position of the effect region.

The overall purpose of this study was to describe a method of semen collection via trans-rectal digital massage (TDM) and to carry out a related fertility trial in Angora goat. Sixteen Angora bucks (ranging 1-4 years) and 28 nulliparous does (1-2 years) were used in this study. Semen samples were collected via trans-rectal massage from 85.71% of the bucks in multiple attempts (18/21). The mean values of volume, pH, mass motility, total motility, concentration, viability, abnormal spermatozoa rate and ejaculation time were 0.64 ± 0.09 ml, 6.3 ± 0.21, 2.7 ± 0.34, 58.18 ± 5.1%, 3.68 ± 0.31 × 10 9 /ml, 71.38 ± 7.12%, 18.22 ± 2.48% and 3.4 ± 0.33 min respectively.Oestrus was detected with teaser buck and confirmed by using infrared thermography and ultrasonography (US). The success rate of synchronisation was found as 71.4% (20/28). On Day 21, pregnancy diagnosis was performed trans-rectally with US and the pregnancy rate was determined as 78.57% (11/14). TDM method of semen collection seems to be easily applicable to the buck and it could be a good alternative to collect semen as well as its use in artificial insemination campaign. Thermal monitoring is found to be a valuable tool to monitor the response to hormonal driven ovulatory synchronisation in Angora does during timed artificial insemination. K E Y W O R D Sampulla massage, angora goat, fertility, infrared thermography, semen, trans-rectal massage