KONDRACKI S., BANASZEWSKA D., WYSOKIÑSKA A., IWANINA M. 2012. The effect of sperm concentration in the ejaculate on morphological traits of bull spermatozoa. Folia biologica (Kraków) 60: 85-91.Experiments were performed on 75 ejaculates obtained from 19 bulls representing different cattle breeds used at the Masovian Centre for Animal Breeding and Reproduction in £owicz. Fresh ejaculates were measured in respect to their volume and sperm count in the ejaculates was determined. The ejaculates were classified based on the criterion of sperm concentration and divided into five groups. Sperm morphometric measurements were taken from each bull and assessment of semen morphology was done on the basis of examination under a microscope using preparations made from fresh ejaculates. For each slide, morphometric measurements were taken of 15 randomly selected spermatozoa characterised by normal morphology and well visible under the microscope. Additionally, in each preparation morphometry of 500 spermatozoa was evaluated, numbers of spermatozoa with normal morphology and morphological abnormalities were recorded and these were categorized into spermatozoa with major and minor defects. An insignificant correlation was observed between the sperm concentration in the ejaculate and morphological traits, dimensions and shapes of bull spermatozoa. The less concentrated ejaculates contained spermatozoa with a slightly larger head circumference and a more elongated head shape in comparison with the spermatozoa in the more concentrated ejaculates. The highest frequency of morphologically malformed spermatozoa, both in the case of primary and secondary alterations, was observed in ejaculates with sperm concentration of no more than 1000 x 10 ! /mm ! .
The experimental material consisted of 75 ejaculates collected form 8 Duroc boars. The ejaculates were divided into three groups according to sperm concentration in an ejaculate. An ejaculate was obtained from each boar monthly and it was used to make microscopic preparations to examine spermatozoa morphology. In each preparation morphometric measurements were taken of fifteen randomly selected spermatozoa characterized by normal morphology. The following measurements of spermatozoa were taken: length and width of the spermatozoa head, head area, length of the flagellum, perimeter of the spermatozoon head and total spermatozoon length. The results were used to calculate indicators of spermatozoa morphology. Moreover, assessments were made of frequency of morphological defects to isolate spermatozoa with primary and secondary abnormalities following the Blom classification system. It was found that the concentration of spermatozoa in the ejaculate influenced the morphometric characteristics of spermatozoa. Ejaculates with low sperm concentrations are characterized by larger spermatozoa as compared to ejaculates with high sperm concentrations. However, sperm concentration in the ejaculate does not much influence the shape of spermatozoa.
Introduction: The aim of this study was to propose the optimal methodology for stallion semen morphology analysis while taking into consideration the staining method, the microscopic techniques, and the workload generated by a number of samples. Material and Methods:Ejaculates from eight pure-bred Arabian horses were tested microscopically for the incidence of morphological defects in the spermatozoa. Two different staining methods (eosin-nigrosin and eosin-gentian dye), two different techniques of microscopic analysis (1000× and 400× magnifications), and two sample sizes (200 and 500 spermatozoa) were used. Results: Well-formed spermatozoa and those with major and minor defects according to Blom's classification were identified. The applied staining methods gave similar results and could be used in stallion sperm morphology analysis. However, the eosin-nigrosin method was more recommendable, because it allowed to limit the number of visible artefacts without hindering the identification of protoplasm drops and enables the differentiation of living and dead spermatozoa. Conclusion: The applied microscopic techniques proved to be equally efficacious. Therefore, it is practically possible to opt for the simpler and faster 400x technique of analysing sperm morphology to examine stallion semen. We also found that the number of spermatozoa clearly affects the results of sperm morphology evaluation. Reducing the number of spermatozoa from 500 to 200 causes a decrease in the percentage of spermatozoa identified as normal and an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa determined as morphologically defective.
The aim of this study was to compare ejaculates of Duroc and Pietrain boars in terms of sperm morphology characteristics. Analysis was performed on 116 ejaculates collected from 6 Duroc boars and 9 Pietrain boars. The boars selected for examination were young and at the beginning of their reproductive utilization. Ejaculates were collected at monthly intervals over the period of 10 months. Microscopic slides were prepared immediately after collection of ejaculates. The slides were examined to assess the frequency of morphological abnormalities. Moreover, morphometric measurements were taken from 15 randomly selected morphologically normal spermatozoa. Also, conventional evaluation of ejaculates was made following methods used at Polish sow insemination centres. Differences were found in the dimensions and shape between Duroc and Pietrain spermatozoa. Pietrain spermatozoa were characterised by significantly smaller head perimeter compared with Duroc (P ≤ 0.01). Moreover, Pietrain spermatozoa tails were by 0.8 μm longer (P ≤ 0.01), and their total sperm length was greater by 0.5 μm compared to Duroc (P ≤ 0.05) sperm. The volume of Duroc ejaculates was lower but their sperm concentration was greater. The results of the present study contribute to scientific progress as they demonstrate differences in sperm size between boars of different breeds, which may be reflected in different reproductive performances of the boars. Pigs, purebreed, ejaculate, morphometryThe breeding value of boar depends on the quantity and quality of semen produced. Ejaculate variation is the product of an influence of many factors including race (Smital et al. 2004), season of the year (Wysokińska et al. 2009b), boar age (Deka et al. 2002) as well as utilization intensity (Frangez et al. 2005). Depending on the breed, ejaculates have different volumes, semen concentrations and percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa. There are also differences in fertilization efficiency, fertility and overall semen evaluation.The aim of this study was to comparatively analyse Duroc and Pietrain boars used for artificial insemination in terms of sperm morphology. Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted on 8-9-month-old boars at the initial stage of their reproductive utilization. A total of 116 ejaculates were examined. They were collected from 6 Duroc and 9 Pietrain boars utilized at two sow artificial insemination stations owned by the Mazovian Centre of Animal Breeding and Reproduction in Lowicz, Poland. Ejaculates were collected at monthly intervals with the "gloved-hand" method during the period of 10 months. Immediately after collection one microscopic slide for examinations was prepared from each ejaculate. A thin sperm smear was applied to a degreased microscope slide and fixed in a 96% ethanol solution for 5 min. Then, the preparation was rinsed in distilled water and stained with a 10% eosin aqueous solution for 20-60 s. The stained preparations were rinsed in distilled water and stained with gentian-violet dye for 3-5 min. Aft...
Abstract. The study involved 50 insemination boars at the age of 8–9 months at the beginning of the study. Each boar was assessed four times for its sexual activity: at the beginning of breeding service and after three, six and nine months into the insemination service. Ejaculates were collected for the purpose of the sexual activity parameters’ assessment. Physical parameters of the ejaculates were subsequently analysed. Pearson’s linear correlation was used to calculate the coefficients of a phenotypic correlation between sexual activity levels and physical parameters of the ejaculates. According to this an appropriate analysis was conducted concerning the changes in boars’ sexual activity throughout their dynamic, sexual development. It was proved, that ejaculate volume depends on the total time of copulation. The highest correlation between ejaculate volume and sexual urge levels was observed in the youngest boars at the beginning of insemination service. The correlation between the ejaculatory efficiency and a boar’s libido changes with age and sexual development. Changes in ejaculatory efficiency are the most dynamic at the age of approx. 1.5 years. At this age ejaculate volume and ejaculate sperm count dynamically increase. The insemination fitness forecasting in case of boars should include libido measurements taken at the beginning of an insemination service – within the first three months. Measurements taken at a more advanced age are of little use for the purpose of ejaculatory efficiency forecasting in case of boars.
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