In vitro toxic effects of metal compounds on kinetic traits and ultrastructure of rabbit spermatozoa

Desmosterol, the main sterol in rabbit semen: distribution among semen subfractions and its role in the in vitro spermatozoa acrosome reaction and motility

“…These values are in agreement with those reported for New Zealand White rabbits and confirm good semen quality [10,12]. The percentages of spontaneous and induced acrosome-reacted spermatozoa were low, and this was responsible for the fairly low spermatozoa capacitation rate (37.0% ± 4.2%), which was also consistent with our previous findings [1,6].…”

“…The number of live and mobile cells, as well as the spermatozoa motion patterns, was evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analyser (CASA, model ISAS ® ; Proiser, Valencia, Spain) as previously described, by setting the acquisition rate at 100 Hz [12]. For each sample, two drops (the volume of two drops is 10 μL per drop and the depth was 10 microns as reported for an ordinary Makler cell chamber) and three microscopic fields were analysed by the same person (about 500 spermatozoa).…”

“…The potential transfer of sterols from PSGs to spermatozoa was investigated by measuring sterol levels of spermatozoa before and after incubation of spermatozoa (100 × 10 8 cells) with a specific amount of PSGs (0.2 mg of protein) for 6 h at 37 ºC (in 5% CO2) in buffered Tyrode's medium (1 mL, TALP [12]) containing BSA (0.3%), an inducer of spermatozoa capacitation. The number of PSGs was previously established, taking into account the average concentration of PSGs in rabbit ejaculate (1.0 ± 0.3 g protein L −1 ) [1].…”

Potential for genotoxic and reprotoxic effects of vanadium compounds due to occupational and environmental exposures: An article based on a presentation at the 8th International Symposium on Vanadium Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, and Toxicology, Washington DC, August 15–18, 2012

“…Heavy metals can affect the male reproductive system, altering the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis or directly affecting spermatogenesis, thus diminishing the semen quality (Leopardi et al, 2005;Mendiola et al, 2011). Of the toxic metals, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and vanadium have been identified as highly significant in environmental and occupational exposures, as studies have shown that these metals can accumulate in the testis and/or epididymis, altering reproductive and endocrine function (Castellini et al, 2009;Clarkson et al, 1985;Danielsson et al, 1984;Thompson & Bannigan, 2008).…”

Evaluation of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for determining Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se and Zn in bovine semen samples using a simple sample dilution method

“…The interest in the effect of metals on the reproductive cells has led to several studies to determine metals in both human and animal semen. [1][2][3] Zinc serves to help to stabilize the DNAcontaining chromatin in sperm cells. Zinc deficiency may result in lowered fertility because of the increased sperm fragility and can also adversely affect spermatogenesis.…”