The Hemizona Assay: Evaluation of Sperm Zona Pellucida Interaction

Fazeli, Alireza; Steenweg, W.; Bevers, M.M.; Colenbrander, B.

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.1995.tb00013.x

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Variation in the binding capacity of spermatozoa to individual oocytes is the most significant limiting factor for evaluating sperm binding capacity to the zona pellucida, since the characteristics of the zona pellucida are related to oocyte quality (Fazeli et al, 1996). To reduce inter-oocyte variability and conduct the semen evaluation test irrespective of the time of semen or oocyte availability requires the use of simple, cryopreservation protocols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ability of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa to bind to vitrified homologous oocytes

Marco‐Jiménez

Vicente²

2004

Span. j. agric. res.

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The Guirra (Sudat or Roja Levantina) sheep is the only ovine breed autochthonous to the Comunidad Valenciana, its current census being 3,640 females and 174 males. According to the FAO catalogue and Royal Decree 1682/97 (BOE, 1997), this breed is in danger of extinction and its recent decline has prompted a conservation program based on genetic resources which, among other measures, includes the creation of a semen bank.The natural resistance of spermatozoa to cryopreservation varies among species, breeds and even among individual animals of the same breed. Detecting reduced-fertility males can be simple since these animals often show signs of altered semen quality that can be detected by routine analyses. However, not all the ejaculates showing adequate quality indicators are of normal fertility. The factors most commonly used to evaluate sperm quality in semen samples are sperm motility and morphology. Recently developed image analysis programs (computer assisted sperm analyser, CASA) provide an objective estimate of the number of motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate, their quality of movement and can even be used to correlate morpho- AbstractThis study was designed to evaluate the ability of ram spermatozoa (thawed or thawed swim-up selected) to bind to homologous oocytes subjected to different treatments (in vitro matured or immature, fresh or vitrified). Frozen semen from Guirra breed males was tested on 1,267 oocytes harvested from pre-pubertal ewes at an abattoir. Highest proportions of oocytes with bound spermatozoa were recorded when in vitro matured oocytes, whether fresh or vitrified, were coincubated with thawed spermatozoa separated by swim-up (60.8 and 56.8% for fresh and vitrified matured oocytes, versus 9.4 and 11.1% for fresh and vitrified immature oocytes, respectively, p < 0.05). The number of bound spermatozoa per oocyte was also significantly higher for the swim-up selected spermatozoa than the thawed untreated spermatozoa (3.2 ± 0.5 vs 1.6 ± 0.7, p < 0.05, respectively), and higher still when fresh in vitro matured oocytes were used (8.3 ± 0.5).Key words: vitrification, sperm evaluation, ram, local breed. Resumen Adherencia del semen congelado de moruecos sobre óvulos vitrificadosSe estudió la capacidad de adherencia de los espermatozoides (descongelados o tras swim-up) dependiendo del tipo de ovocito utilizado (frescos o vitrificados, y madurados in vitro o inmaduros). Para ello se utilizó semen congelado de moruecos de la raza Guirra sobre 1.267 ovocitos de corderas recuperados de matadero. El porcentaje de ovocitos con espermatozoides adheridos fue mayor cuando los ovocitos, vitrificados o no, fueron previamente madurados in vitro y co-incubados con espermatozoides descongelados y seleccionados por swim-up: 60,8% en el caso de ovocitos frescos, y 56,8% en el caso de vitrificados, frente a un 9,4% y 11,1% con ovocitos inmaduros frescos y vitrificados, respectivamente (P < 0,05). El número de espermatozoides adheridos por ovocito fue también significativamente mayor en el caso del semen so...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ability of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa to bind to vitrified homologous oocytes

Marco‐Jiménez

Vicente²

2004

Span. j. agric. res.

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“…There is obviously a need to quantify only those sperm cell characteristics that are immediately related to fertilizing ability. Differences between boars have been noticed in studies of fluorescently stained material (Fazeli et al 1996; Harkema et al 1997). However, a relationship between a semen characteristic and fertilizing ability has only been demonstrated in a few instances.…”

Section: Boar Management and Semen Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Management and Genetic Factors Affecting Fertility in Sows

Merks¹,

Ducro-Steverink²,

Feitsma

2000

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Contents The purpose of this article is to summarize the current knowledge on genetic and management methods for improving fertility in sows. Fertilization rate, litter size and the interval between weaning and oestrus are traits that can be monitored on farms. These traits are heritable but can also be influenced by management. Age at puberty and the interval between weaning and oestrus are genetically linked (rg = 0.3) and a shorter weaning‐to‐oestrus interval is related to a longer duration of oestrus. Consequently, selection may be used to simplify detection of oestrus but because of variation in duration of oestrus between lines/breeds, farm‐specific insemination strategies are needed. The direct boar effect on fertilization is small, probably due to the superabundance of sperm cells that is available in each dose of semen. Consequently, the use of a large number of sperm cells per dose is the best management tool for avoiding fertilization problems in sows. Health status of the boars, both for artificial insemination and natural mating, is of importance in order to produce a large number of sperm cells/doses of good quality per ejaculate. It is concluded that factors that influence fertility in sows, particularly prior to and during fertilization, are mainly related to oestrus and the optimal timing of insemination. Selection for adequate symptoms of oestrus, together with farm‐specific insemination strategies are needed.

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The Hemizona Assay: Evaluation of Sperm Zona Pellucida Interaction

Cited by 2 publications

References 21 publications

Ability of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa to bind to vitrified homologous oocytes

Ability of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa to bind to vitrified homologous oocytes

Management and Genetic Factors Affecting Fertility in Sows

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