Improvement of Boar Semen Quality by Sperm Selection Using Magnetic Nano-particles

Abstract

The objective of this study was to see if fairly simple magnetic nano-particle treatment enhances boar semen qualities. Boar semen samples were prepared from the swine AI center and samples were divided by 4 different motility groups (1, >90%; 2. 80~90%; 3. 70~80%; 4. <70%) using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) evaluation. Boar semen was extended using BTS extender and same number of magnetic nano-particles as total number of spermatozoa in each sample was treated for 20 min and collected for 5 min at room temperature. Sperm qualities such as motility and viability were evaluated by the CASA before and after treatment. Sperm abnormality and degree of agglutination were also evaluated under the microscopic examination before and after treatment. There were significant changes (p<0.05) on sperm motility from all 4 different groups in the average of 7.11% after treatment. The enhancement of sperm motility changes was more clear in the groups of lower sperm motile groups (<70% and 70~80%; 19.12±1.08% and 5.67±0.71%, p<0.05). The sperm motility character in terms of curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP) and linearity (LIN, %) showed also similar pattern but motility enhancement wear more clear in below 70% motile group. Average sperm viability was increased to 4% by magnetic nano-particles (p<0.05). The percentage of sperm abnormality was also reduced significantly (p<0.05) to the range of 3.7~4.5% before after treatment. The degree of sperm agglutination was also reduced in lower motility groups by the magnetic nano-particle purification.

Nano‐purification of raw semen minimises oxidative stress with improvement in post‐thaw quality of buffalo spermatozoa

“…The depletion of defective spermatozoa had cascading effect on the overall improvement in the IPM (%) as well with concurrent results from several other authors (Caldeira, Paulini, Silva, Azevedo, & Lucci, 2018; Chung & Son, 2016; Durfey et al., 2017, 2019; Feugang et al., 2015). At the same time, increase in functional integrity (%) of plasma membrane of live spermatozoa might be due to deletion of greater number of nonfunctional spermatozoa by anti‐ubiquitin Abs coated NPs at fresh stage, and consequently reduction in free radicals induced damage to plasma membrane (Kadirvel, Kumar, Ghosh, & Perumal, 2014).…”

“…In agreement, Odhiambo et al (2014) used Fe 3 O 4 NPs coated with the plant lectins or anti‐ubiquitin antibodies for the nano‐purification of beef bull semen and showed increased conception rates at the half the dose of spermatozoa than recommended (10 vs. 20 million/dose). In several studies, removal of the dead, moribund and aggregated spermatozoa using magnetic NPs has been shown to increase the semen quality and fertility in boar (Chung & Son, 2016; Durfey et al., 2017, 2019; Feugang et al., 2015), bull (Odhiambo et al., 2014) and the stallion (Morris, de Haan, Landriscina, Wilsher, & Gibb, 2018).…”

A review on applications and toxicities of metallic nanoparticles in mammalian semen biology

“…Nano‐purification attempted in the form of preliminary studies in buffalo semen also had promising results with improved spermatozoa plasma membrane integrity, motility, viability, acrosome integrity and reduction in DNA damage, oxidative stress with improved antioxidant characteristics and in vitro fertilisation rate (Bisla, 2019; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2020; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2021; Rautela, 2020). Therefore, in several studies, it has been established that application of magnetic NPs for the removal of dead, moribund and aggregated spermatozoa has been shown to increase the seminal attributes and fertility in boar (Chung & Son, 2016; Durfey et al, 2019; Durfey, Burnett, et al, 2017; Durfey, Swistek, et al, 2017; Feugang et al, 2015), bull (Odhiambo et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2018), buffalo (Bisla, 2019; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2020; Bisla, Rautela, et al, 2021; Rautela, 2020) and the stallion (Morris et al, 2018).…”