Sperm morphometry is the tool that confers objectivity to the morphological evaluation by accurately measuring the dimensions of the gamete and its structures. Thus, the aim of the study was to perform a morphometric characterization of the domestic cat sperm. Therefore, sperm samples were collected from twenty pairs of epididymis in a TRIS extender at 37ºC. An aliquot of the sample was used to make a smear with Rose Bengal solution, and afterwards, the morphology and morphometry were analysed. In the morphology, were quantified the percentage of normal sperm cells, morphological changes of head, midpiece and tail. In morphometry, each normal sperm cell was measured for length, width, area and perimeter of head and midpiece, tail length and total length. The parameters ellipticity, elongation, regularity and rugosity were also determined. The percentage of normal sperm was 67.21%. Of the abnormalities, the curled/folded tail, followed by the curved midpiece, abnormal shaped head and detached head were the most quantified. The sperm head presented 5.56 ± 0.01 μm and 3.10 ± 0.01 μm of length and width, respectively. The head area was 16.94 ± 0.05 μm2, while the perimeter was 16.16 ± 0.03 μm. In the derived parameters, the values were as follows: ellipticity of 1.81 ± 0.00; elongation of 21.39 ± 0.12; regularity of 0.81 ± 0.00; and rugosity of 0.14 ± 0.00. The midpiece presented length and width of 7.96 ± 0.01 μm and 0.76 ± 0.01 μm, respectively. The mean length of the sperm tail was 45.12 ± 0.06 μm, and the total cell size was 58.67 ± 0.06 μm. Thus, it was concluded that the cat sperm is an elongated cell, with high rugosity and regularity. The spermatic tail represents more than ¾ of the total length of the cell and the midpiece exceeds the length of the head.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Ring-tailed coati is listed as a species of least concern in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, however, there has been a sharp decline in their population. The present study was conducted to evaluate the major proteins of both seminal plasma and sperm in ring-tailed coatis. Semen sample was collected from three adult coatis and evaluated for their morphological characteristics. Further, the sample was centrifuged to separate spermatozoa from seminal plasma, and then stored in liquid nitrogen. The seminal plasma and sperm proteins were subjected to one-dimensional (1-D) sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and identified by mass spectrometry. Gene ontology and protein networks were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. Based on sperm concentration and average protein content of the semen, the concentration of protein/spermatozoon was found to be 104.69 ± 44.43 μg. The analysis of SDS-PAGE gels showed 20.3 ± 3.1 and 17 ± 2 protein bands/lane for seminal plasma and sperm, respectively. In-gel protein digestion and peptide analysis by mass spectrometry revealed 238 and 246 proteins in the seminal plasma and sperm, respectively. The gene ontology analysis revealed that the proteins of seminal plasma mainly participated in cellular (35%) and regulatory (21%) processes. According to their cellular localization, seminal plasma proteins were categorized as structural (18%), extracellular (17%), and nuclear (14%) proteins with molecular functions, such as catalytic activity (43%) and binding (43%). The sperm proteins were also involved in cellular (38%) and regulatory (23%) processes, and mainly categorized as extracellular (17%), nuclear (13%), and cytoplasmic (10%) proteins. The major molecular functions of the sperm proteins were catalytic activity (44%) and binding (42%). These results indicated that the seminal plasma of ring-tailed coati has an array of proteins that can potentially modulate several sperm functions, from sperm protection to oocyte binding. However, further studies are necessary to interpret the roles of these major seminal plasma proteins in coatis.

Resumo:Este estudo foi realizado para determinar o efeito de hidroxitolueno butilado (BHT) sobre a qualidade do sêmen canino congelado e descongelado, utilizando o diluidor à base de água de coco em pó (ACP-106c). Para tanto, foram realizadas quinze coletas de sêmen provenientes de cinco cães. O sêmen obtido foi diluído em ACP-106c acrescido de glicerol e gema de ovo. As amostras foram então transferidas para tubos contendo diferentes concentrações de BHT (0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0 mM). Em seguida, as amostras foram envasadas, congeladas e armazenadas em nitrogênio líquido. O sêmen coletado foi avaliado in natura quanto aos seguintes parâmetros: coloração, volume da fração espermática, motilidade total, vigor, concentração, morfologia e funcionalidade de membrana espermática. Após uma semana, as amostras foram descongeladas e avaliadas por meio de análise computadorizada, como também foram realizadas análises da funcionalidade de membrana e da morfologia espermática. A motilidade progressiva no grupo BHT 2,0 mM foi significativamente superior (P < 0,05) do que a do grupo BHT 0 mM (27,6 ± 11,7% vs. 19,0 ± 9,5%, respectivamente). Em todos os demais parâmetros avaliados, não houve diferença entre os grupos testados. Portanto, conclui-se que a adição do BHT ao diluidor ACP-106c não afetou a qualidade do sêmen canino pós-descongelação. Abstract:This study was conducted to determine the effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the quality of canine sperm frozen and thawed using the powdered coconut water based (ACP-106c) extender. Therefore, fifteen ejaculates were collected from five dogs. Semen obtained was diluted in ACP-106c added of glycerol and egg yolk. The samples were then transferred to tubes containing different concentrations of BHT (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM). After that, the samples were filled into straws, frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. Fresh semen was evaluated for the following parameters: color, sperm fraction volume, total motility, vigor, concentration, morphology, and HOST test. After one week,

ResumoMuitas tentativas são feitas para se melhorar a conservação do sêmen suíno, sendo a gema de ovo conhecida por suas propriedades crioprotetoras. Este trabalho teve por objetivo testar diferentes concentrações de gema de ovo em pó (GOP), adicionada ao diluente água de coco em pó (ACP-103 ® ), e verificar qual mantém melhor a viabilidade espermática. Foram diluídos 36 ejaculados em ACP-103 ® , acrescidos de diferentes concentrações de GOP (0%, 1%, 3%, 5% e 7%) e conservados a 17 °C. Diariamente, foram realizadas análises de vigor e motilidade e nos dias 1 (D0), 3 (D2) e 5 (D4) de conservação foram feitas as de vitalidade, morfologia e resistência osmótica. Utilizou-se o teste estatístico de Kruskal-Wallis e de Dunn's para dados não paramétricos e ANOVA e Tukey para os paramétricos. Queda de vigor e motilidade foi observada em todos os tratamentos. Os GOP-3%, GOP-5% e GOP-7% foram os que melhor mantiveram o vigor espermático em D0 (2,4±0,8; 2,5±1,1 e 2,8±0,9, respectivamente), sem diferenças significativas entre si. O mesmo ocorreu para a motilidade (77±15%, 74±23% e 81±16% em D0). Os resultados das análises de vitalidade, morfologia e resistência osmótica não diferiram. Em conclusão, as concentrações entre 5 e 7% de GOP adicionado ao ACP-103 ® permitem sua utilização como diluente eficiente para manter a qualidade espermática. Palavras-chave: água de coco em pó; conservação; gema de ovo; sêmen suíno. AbstractMany attempts have been made to improve the conservation of boar semen. Egg yolk is known to have cryoprotectant properties. This study aimed to test different concentrations of egg yolk added to the coconut milk powder extender (ACP-103 ® ), and verify which one is better to maintain sperm viability. The ejaculated (36) were diluted in ACP-103 ® supplemented with different concentrations of egg yolk (0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 7%). The conservation occurred at 17 °C, and vigor and motility analysis were carried out daily. On days 1 (D0), 3 (D2) and 5 (D4) the semen was evaluated for