Prostaglandin levels in seminal plasma and sperm extracts of the domestic turkey, and the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on sperm mobility

Abstract

BackgroundTurkey reproduction is by artificial insemination using pooled semen so there is interest in storing semen. Fertilizing capacity declines after six hours storage, possibly due to poor sperm mobility. Prostaglandins (PG) affect mammalian sperm motility, but avian sperm has not been widely studied. For this study, levels of PG E1, E2, and F2 alpha in turkey seminal plasma and sperm extract, and effects of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors on sperm mobility were determined.MethodsSeminal Plasma and sperm extract PG E1, E2, and F2 alpha, from 1.0 mL pooled semen, were measured by ELISA. In Trial 1, PG were determined from 122 wk old toms (n = 4). Trial 2 used 36 wk old toms (n = 7). For Trial 3, PGE2 only was measured from 48 wk (n = 6) and 154 wk old toms (n = 3). The effects of non-specific COX inhibitors indomethacin, diclofenac, tolmetin, or aspirin (n = 10), or specific COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitors (n = 3) on sperm mobility were measured (Accudenz swim-down test).ResultsSeminal plasma PG (pg/mL) in Trials 1 and 2, respectively, were 185.2 ± 88.4 and 187.2 ± 33.7 for PGE1; 141.4 ± 43.1 and 100.4 ± 14.6 for PGF2 alpha; and 431.0 ± 155.1 for PGE2 (Trial 1 only). Sperm extract PG (pg/10 billion cells) in Trials 1 and 2, respectively, were 215.1 ± 38.1 and 208.9 ± 41.5 for PGE1; 133.7 ± 51.7 and 49.8 ± 8.3 for PGF2 alpha; and 52.3 ± 8.6 for PGE2 (Trial 1 only). In Trial 3, seminal plasma PGE2 (pg/mL) in older versus younger males was 1097.9 ± 99.3 versus 853.2 ± 144.6 and sperm extract PGE2 (pg/10 billion cells) was 208.0 ± 56.1 versus 102.4 ± 14.8. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors (0.001 to 10 mM) decreased sperm mobility: indomethacin 15 to 100%; diclofenac 4 to 100%; tolmetin 27 to 74%; aspirin (tested at 0.01 to 15 mM) 22 to 42%; resveratrol (COX-1) and NS-398 (COX-2), both tested at 0.1 to 10 mM, 38 to 98% and 44 to 85%, respectively.ConclusionThese results indicate that PG are present in turkey seminal plasma and sperm, and COX inhibitors decrease turkey sperm mobility.

Conservative Nonhormonal Options for the Treatment of Male Infertility: Antibiotics, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Antioxidants

“…Studies on mice and turkeys showed a negative effect of coxibs on sperm parameters [47, 48]. In contrast, sperm parameters (but not morphology) improved in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome treated with a combination of α -blockers and coxibs [49].…”

A unique mechanism of successful fertilization in a domestic bird

“…The inability of the male to fertilize without foam appears to be related to the absence of PGF 2α as the biological basis of sustained fertility in domestic birds is in their capacity for the sperm to reside in the SST 23 . The concentrations of PGF 2α found in the SP of turkey and rooster are reported to be 100–140 pg/ml and less than 100 pg/ml, respectively 24 25 . Those values are approximately 7 times lower than that of quail CG.…”

Does resveratrol preserve the integrity of the sperm membrane in goats after thawing?

“…Although resveratrol was shown to be capable of preserving plasmatic membrane integrity, possibly by preventing lipid oxidative damage, it was not effective in preventing loss of motility and sperm vigor post-thawing. This behavior may be connected to antioxidant action by the resveratrol, which is a COX-1 specific inhibitor, i.e., an enzyme involved in the synthesis of E-2 series prostaglandins, which are positively correlated to sperm motility (Kennedy, Korn, & Thurston, 2003).…”