Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cristina Palacin-Martinez, Mercedes Alvarez, Rafael Montes-Garrido, Marta Neila-Montero, Luis Anel-Lopez, Paulino de Paz, Luis Anel, Marta F. Riesco
Summary: Sperm cryopreservation plays a crucial role in optimizing artificial insemination protocols for rams. Previous efforts to improve ram sperm cryopreservation protocols have focused on different methods, such as using different cryoprotectants, antioxidants, or freezing-thawing rates. However, the influence of male sexual regimes on freezeability has not been studied until now. In this study, a multiparametric analysis was conducted to evaluate the quality of cooled and frozen-thawed semen after different sperm collection frequencies. The results showed that semen quality significantly decreased in the groups with zero and ten collections per week compared to the group with four collections per week. Additionally, the apoptosis rate significantly increased in the group with ten collections per week. Enzyme activity related to redox balance, such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, also showed significant decreases in the group with ten collections per week. This study highlights the importance of considering male sexual regimes in alternative strategies for sperm cryopreservation in order to improve frozen-thawed sperm quality.
Article
Cell Biology
Sara Miguel-Jimenez, Blanca Pina-Beltran, Silvia Gimeno-Martos, Melissa Carvajal-Serna, Adriana Casao, Rosaura Perez-Pe
Summary: This study found NOX5 in ram spermatozoa and demonstrated that melatonin can prevent changes related to sperm capacitation by modulating NOX5 activity. This suggests that melatonin plays a role in antioxidant defense in ram sperm by influencing NOX5 during capacitation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sang-Hee Lee, Seunghyung Lee
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin and silymarin on the motility and viability of frozen-thawed boar semen, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). The results showed that melatonin and silymarin reduced ROS and NO production in frozen-thawed sperm and enhanced sperm viability. Therefore, melatonin and silymarin play an important role as antioxidants in semen cryopreservation.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Sara Miguel-Jimenez, Sonia Borao, Virginia Portoles-Bayod, Adriana Casao, Rosaura Perez-Pe
Summary: The study investigated the effects of season and sperm capacitation state on the chemotactic response of ram spermatozoa to melatonin. The results showed that melatonin can enhance sperm recovery rate and capacitation, indicating a potential chemotactic effect of melatonin on ram spermatozoa.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Natalie Rizkallah, Caitlin G. Chambers, Simon P. de Graaf, Jessica P. Rickard
Summary: The success of semen preservation is crucial for artificial reproductive technologies in sheep. Cold storage at reduced temperatures can harm the sperm, but recent studies have shown that room-temperature liquid storage may be a viable alternative. This review summarizes the factors affecting the survival of ram sperm during liquid storage and the potential role of pro-survival factors and antioxidants in mitigating the damaging effects of lipid peroxidation. This knowledge could help establish a new method of semen preservation in the sheep industry that maximizes fertility after storage and artificial insemination.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Guodong Zhao, Xi Zhao, Jiachen Bai, Airixiati Dilixiati, Yukun Song, Aerman Haire, Shangshang Zhao, Aikebaier Aihemaiti, Xiangwei Fu, Abulizi Wusiman
Summary: Our study found that the addition of L-citrulline to feed improved ram semen quality by increasing the contents of amino acids in seminal plasma through promoting protein metabolism. Through metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, we observed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in the hypothalamus and testes related to protein metabolism pathways. This study highlights the potential of L-citrulline supplementation in improving ram semen quality.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joao Pedro Barbas, Jorge Pimenta, Maria Conceicao Baptista, Carla Cruz Marques, Rosa Maria Lino Neto Pereira, Nuno Carolino, Joao Simoes
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of season and breed on spermatozoa traits in ten Portuguese sheep breeds. The results showed that breed had an impact on the volume and concentration of ejaculate, while season did not. Fresh semen had a high viability and motility, but these decreased and abnormal morphology increased in thawed semen. Breed and breed x season interactions influenced the traits of spermatozoa. Overall, season had no significant effect on ejaculate and spermatozoa traits, and local rams can be used as sperm donors for cryopreservation throughout the year.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mohamed Shehab-El-Deen, Mohamed Ali, Mohammed Al-Sharari
Summary: The study compared the effects of using gum arabic instead of egg yolk in the extender and supplementing with cysteine or ascorbic acid on semen quality and freezability in Noemi rams in vitro. Gum arabic extender supplemented with cysteine (0.5 or 1 mM) or ascorbic acid (0.5 mM) showed beneficial effects on semen quality after cryopreservation. The addition of antioxidants to both extenders had advantageous effects.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Laura Abril-Parreno, Anette Kristine Krogenaes, Xavier Druart, Paul Cormican, Sean Fair, Kieran G. Meade
Summary: The study found that the low-fertility Suffolk breed has unresolved inflammation in the cervix during the luteal phase, which may contribute to reduced sperm transport in the subsequent follicular phase. Compared to other breeds, the Suffolk breed shows higher activity in immune response and inflammatory pathways in the cervix.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Marta Neila-Montero, Marta F. Riesco, Rafael Montes-Garrido, Cristina Palacin-Martinez, Cesar Chamorro, Paulino de Paz, Mercedes Alvarez, Luis Anel, Luis Anel-Lopez
Summary: The study aimed to define the optimal conditions for centrifugation of ram semen in order to ensure the unaffected fertilization ability of the sperm. The results showed that centrifugation at 1200xg for 10 minutes using INRA 96 extender, slow refrigeration, and room temperature achieved high recovery rates and good quality sperm without detrimental effects on fertility.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Olga Mitjana, Raquel Ausejo, Noelia Mendoza, Joaquin Miguel, Maria Teresa Tejedor, Ana Maria Garrido, Maria Victoria Falceto
Summary: The study found that melatonin had no significant impact on sperm motility, a negative effect on acrosomal defects, apoptosis, and viability in the decreasing photoperiod, while it had beneficial effects on acrosomal defects and apoptosis in the increasing photoperiod, and increased viability in the short term.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Sen Yang, Zhilu Zeng, Xinghan Chen, Bin Fan, Zining Meng
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effect of melatonin addition on post-thaw sperm function of giant grouper. The results showed that melatonin improved the total motility, progressive motility, mitochondrial membrane potential, and velocity of frozen-thawed sperm. Melatonin also reduced apoptotic-like changes, increased sperm viability, and decreased DNA damage. Additionally, melatonin supplementation improved the fertility and hatching rate of cryopreserved giant grouper sperm, with a recommended concentration of 1-2 μM in the cryomedium.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ayman A. A. Swelum, Hani A. A. Ba-Awadh, Isiaka O. O. Olarinre, Islam M. M. Saadeldin, Abdullah N. N. Alowaimer
Summary: The effects of adding mixed chicken and Japanese quail egg yolks (EYs) to the cryodiluent on the quality of ram semen before freezing and post-thawing were evaluated. The study found that the use of chicken egg yolks improved sperm vitality, plasma membrane integrity, and DNA integrity, while the use of quail egg yolks improved sperm abnormalities and kinetic motion parameters. The addition of mixed egg yolks had no additional benefits for semen parameters.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jakub Vozaf, Alexander Makarevich, Andrej Balazi, Jaromir Vasicek, Andrea Svoradova, Lucia Olexikova, Peter Chrenek
Summary: The study showed that a 6-hour equilibration period resulted in higher post-thaw sperm motility and progressive movement for ram sperm, regardless of the freezing technique used. While sperm viability did not differ between programmable freezing (PF) and manual freezing (MF), it was lower compared to the control group. Fertilizing ability was similar between PF and MF, but slightly lower than in fresh sperm samples.
ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tapendra Kumar, Pramod Kumar, Nirmala Saini, Shivendra Kumar Bhalothia, Chandan Prakash, Ajit Singh Mahla, Ashok Kumar
Summary: The study found that supplementation of 1 mM melatonin can effectively maintain seminal quality and alleviate oxidative stress during preservation at 4 degrees C for 72 h.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jose A. Abecia, Gustavo A. Maria, Laura X. Estevez-Moreno, Genaro C. Miranda-De La Lama
BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biology
Jose A. Abecia, Marianne Gave, Ana I. Garcia, Adriana Casao, Melissa Carvaja-lSerna, Carlos Palacios, Matthieu Keller, Philippe Chemineau, Jose A. Delgadillo
Summary: The study showed that autumn-born ram-lambs reared in isolation from adult congeners exhibited higher sexual activity and fertility at 8 months of age, indicating that no special rearing strategy is necessary to induce puberty in these rams.
BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Francisco A. Arrebola-Molina, Almudena Sanchez-Gomez, Francisco J. Querino-Santiago, Carlos Perez-Marin, Francisco Borjas-Munoz, Jose A. Abecia
SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Reproductive Biology
L. A. Espinoza-Flores, J. D. Andrade-Esparza, H. Hernandez, L. A. Zarazaga, J. A. Abecia, P. Chemineau, M. Keller, J. A. Delgadillo
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura X. Estevez-Moreno, Genaro C. Miranda-de la Lama, Morris Villarroel, Laura Garcia, Jose Alfonso Abecia, Pilar Santolaria, Gustavo A. Maria
Summary: Farmers have unique perspectives on the temperament of the Pyrenean cattle breed, defining temperament as a behavioral response to human handling. They described temperament traits and behaviors of animals, emphasizing the impact of temperament on decisions related to cattle buying, selling, and culling.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Victoria de Brun, Juan J. Loor, Hugo Naya, Andrea Grana-Baumgartner, Mario Vailati-Riboni, Omar Bulgari, Khuram Shahzad, Jose Alfonso Abecia, Cecilia Sosa, Ana Meikle
Summary: Transcriptomics and bioinformatics were used to study the impact of undernutrition and pregnancy on uterine immune system and remodeling. Results showed that pregnancy altered gene expression, particularly immune system and uterine remodeling genes, while undernutrition attenuated these effects.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ainhoa Sarmiento-Garcia, Isabel Revilla, Jose-Alfonso Abecia, Carlos Palacios
Summary: Expected thermal variations due to climate change pose a challenge for alternative poultry production, especially for animals grazing outdoors for extended periods. This study evaluated the effects of weather conditions and strain on the development of slow-medium growing chickens in an organic system, finding that chickens raised in cooler conditions showed better development. Ultimately, it is recommended to raise more chickens during colder seasons whenever possible.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
J. A. Abecia, S. Luis, F. Canto
Summary: The studies indicate that melatonin implantation in ewes can improve lamb growth and milk quality, while direct melatonin treatment of lambs does not significantly affect their growth.
VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Carlos Palacios, Javier Plaza, Jose-Alfonso Abecia
Summary: The study showed that high animal grazing density may exacerbate social competition for valuable resources, resulting in changes in the circadian rhythmicity of temperature, heart rate, and activity of cows, advancing or delaying their acrophases.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alba Ledesma, Lucia Zalazar, Micaela Greco, Federico Hozbor, Andreina Cesari
Summary: The study showed that the freezing extender supplemented with TrxAFNIIx4His(6) can enhance total and progressive motility of sperm, increase the sperm subpopulation with high progressiveness and velocity, and decrease the subpopulation of poorly motile sperm.
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Francisco Buchelly Imbachi, Lucia Zalazar, Juan Ignacio Pastore, Anabella Nicolli, Alba Ledesma, Federico A. Hozbor, Andreina Cesari, Virginia Ballarin
Summary: This paper presents the Sperm Motility Tracker v2.0 software, which integrates a clustering module for sperm motility analysis in semen from different species. The software helps users identify sperm subpopulations through a simple procedure, with validation conducted on fresh semen showing results consistent with the physiological status of the cell population.
COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING-IMAGING AND VISUALIZATION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo, Jose-Alfonso Abecia, Ricardo Gomez, Carlos Palacios
Summary: Meteorological factors had significant effects on milk quality and production in Churra sheep, showing season-dependent variations where temperature had opposite effects on milk production in different seasons.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melissa Carvajal-Serna, Meriem Fatnassi, Felipe Torres-Ruda, Jaime Antonio Cardozo, Henry Grajales-Lombana, Mohamed Hammadi, Jose Alfonso Abecia, Teresa Muino-Blanco, Rosaura Perez-Pe, Jose Alvaro Cebrian-Perez, Adriana Casao
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Reproductive Biology
J. A. Abecia, M. C. Mura, M. Carvajal-Serna, L. Pulinas, A. Macias, A. Casao, R. Perez-Pe, V Carcangiu
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose A. Abecia, Matthieu Keller, Philippe Chemineau, Jose A. Delgadillo