Effect of different fractions of seminal plasma on the fertilizing ability of fowl spermatozoa stored in vitro

Abstract

This paper describes the effects of whole seminal plasma and of dialysed seminal plasma on the fertilizing ability of fowl spermatozoa stored for 24 h at 4 degrees C. The fertilizing ability of fowl semen diluted 1:1 with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and stored for 24 h at 4 degrees C was enhanced after replacement of the homologous seminal plasma by the diluent (89 versus 77% fertilization rate). Better results were obtained with seminal plasma dialysed against water before sperm storage to discard the less than 1 kDa or the less than 50 kDa fractions. It was concluded that low molecular weight seminal plasma fractions could damage the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa during storage at 4 degrees C, whereas high molecular weight fractions appeared to enhance fertilizing ability.

Predicting ejaculate quality and libido in male ostriches: Effect of season and age

“…Season may affect sperm freezability via changes in the enzymatic or biochemical composition of semen (Datta et al, 1980). This could directly affect the permeability and toxicity of cryoprotectants and increase the susceptibility of sperm to freezing damage (Blesbois et al, 1992;Blesbois and Brillard, 2007). For instance, in free-range roosters, the season of collection influenced almost all frozen-thawed sperm motility values: the percentage of immotile frozen-thawed sperm was lower in spring-collected samples compared to those collected during the autumn and winter (Santiago-Moreno et al, 2012).…”

Specific features of in vivo and in vitro sperm storage in birds

“…It contains oligo-elements, lipid peroxides and phospholipases that are deleterious to in vitro storage (Blesbois and Mauger, 1989;Blesbois et al, 1993;Douard et al, 2004a). In contrast, the anti-oxidant enzymes and a fraction of high molecular weight also present in the seminal plasma are beneficial to the in vitro storage of avian sperm (Blesbois and de Reviers, 1992;Surai et al, 1998). However, the presence of various toxic components, either naturally present in seminal plasma or added to it at the time of ejaculation or as the result of sperm catabolism, results overall in improved conditions of in vitro storage if the initial seminal plasma is discarded (Blesbois, 1990;Blesbois and Hermier, 1990;Douard et al, 2005) or replaced by dialysed seminal plasma (Blesbois and De Reviers, 1992;Iaffaldano and Meluzzi, 2003).…”

Biological Features of the Avian Male Gamete and their Application to Biotechnology of Conservation

“…Seminal plasma stimulates sperm motility and is useful at the time of ejaculation. It is not a good medium of sperm storage despite the presence high molecular weight fractions that sustain fertility, and is eliminated before the sperm reach the SST (Blesbois and de Reviers, 1992). …”