菊方翅网蝽内生殖系统的结构与形态发育研究

一般认为网蝽科及其近缘类群所特有的伪储精囊与其它半翅目异翅亚目昆虫的储精囊具有相同的储存精子的功能,但近期的功能形态学研究否定了伪储精囊的储精功能并认定其为雌性生殖附腺。本文从成虫性成熟过程中的内生殖系统发育角度,描述了菊方翅网蝽Corythucha marmorata的卵巢、侧输卵管、伪储精囊、精巢、精囊和雄性生殖附腺的结构及其形态变化。在成虫性成熟过程中,雄虫内生殖器官精囊和雄性附腺逐渐加长,且成熟期的雄性附腺充满粉红色分泌物;雌虫内生殖器官的成熟过程分为卵巢小管的卵室形成、卵黄沉积和卵粒成熟三个阶段,且排完卵后卵巢重新孕卵,出现周期性形态变化;交配时侧输卵管基部膨大为精液接受器,并接受精液(含精子和精浆);交配1d后侧输卵管恢复为正常状态,精液或至少部分精浆弥漫性渗入伪储精囊,并在伪储精囊内形成黄棕色沉积核;未交配雌虫的伪储精囊一直保持透明状,而已交配雌虫的伪储精囊具有明显的黄棕色沉积核。据精液传递和粉红色雄性生殖附腺分泌物渗入雌虫伪储精囊两个关键证据推断,菊方翅网蝽雌虫的伪储精囊具有储存精液的功能。     

泽兰实蝇内生殖器官的结构及其发育状况

【背景】泽兰实蝇属双翅目实蝇科,是杂草紫茎泽兰的重要专性天敌。该蝇幼虫可蛀入紫茎泽兰内部形成虫瘿,有效控制紫茎泽兰的扩散,许多国家都利用泽兰实蝇控制紫茎泽兰的危害。【方法】通过光学显微法观察了泽兰实蝇成虫内生殖器官的结构及其发育动态。【结果】雌性泽兰实蝇的内生殖系统主要由卵巢、输卵管、受精囊、雌性附腺等器官组成,雄性生殖系统由精巢、输精管、雄性附腺、射精管组成。在成虫发育过程中,雌虫卵巢的长度在第4日龄时达最大值,宽度在1日龄时达最大值,与其他日龄相比有显著差异,雌性附腺及受精囊的大小在各日龄间无显著差异;雄虫精巢长度在4日龄时达到最大,宽度在2日龄时达最大,且不同日龄间也有显著差异,而雄性附腺的大小在不同龄期间无显著差异。【结论与意义】本文阐明了泽兰实蝇的内生殖系统结构与发育状况,这有助于为提高泽兰实蝇人工繁殖效率及生物防治效果奠定理论基础。     

多肠目薄背涡虫生殖系统结构及一氧化氮合酶组化研究

运用常规组织学方法和NADPH-d组织化学方法,研究了薄背涡虫 Notoplana humilis 生殖系统的组织结构和一氧化氮合酶的分布.其雄性生殖系统包括精巢、储精囊、阴茎、雄性生殖孔,精巢壁由一薄层薄膜组成,每个精巢内都含有不同发育时期的雄性生殖细胞,且精子发育无明显同步性;储精囊呈螺旋状排列在雄性生殖孔附近,囊壁由单层扁平上皮组成;阴茎为粗大的球形,外壁由柱状上皮细胞和数层肌细胞组成.雌性生殖系统包括输卵管、生殖腔、雌性生殖孔和受精囊,但不形成集中的卵巢和卵黄腺.雌雄生殖孔、生殖腔、受精囊、阴茎等部位呈NADPH-d强阳性反应.     

角马蜂贮精囊及精子的形态学观察

昆虫贮精囊和精子的形态多样性是重要的分类和系统发育分析特征之一, 然而在马蜂亚科乃至整个胡蜂科中却鲜有涉及。本文首次解剖了角马蜂Polistes chinensis antennalis Pérez的雄性生殖系统, 着重对其贮精囊的超微结构进行描述, 并简要报道了精子的外部形态。角马蜂的贮精囊由输精管亚前端膨大而成, 有一层发达的柱状上皮细胞贴在基底膜内壁： 细胞核位于柱状细胞基部, 上皮细胞端半部线粒体密集, 顶膜特化成微绒毛。角马蜂精子头长21.4 μm, 体长94 μm, 是已报道胡蜂科精子中长度最短、 相对头长最长的种类。研究结果为胡蜂科昆虫系统发育以及繁殖生理提供理论依据。     

大劣按蚊雄蚊的交配能力和日龄及交配次数对其生殖系统形态学影响的观察

本文在实验室条件下,观察大劣按蚊(Anopheles dirus)雄蚊交配能力和日龄、交配及交配后间歇期对其生殖系统形态学的影响。羽化后1小时可见丝状精子,22小时尾器全部旋转180°。3—12日龄雄蚊交配能力最强。随着日龄增加,精囊数逐渐减少,睾丸内成熟精子占据整个睾丸的比例逐渐增加,附腺透明区宽度变窄直至消失。多次交配比一次交配后,其睾丸内精子量减少、透明区宽度增加明显;交配后经过一定间歇期后,生殖系统能重新恢复活力,但多次交配后其恢复程度和速度远比交配一次者为慢。大劣按蚊雄蚊生殖系统的变化可初步判断其日龄和交配史。     

大劣按蚊雄蚊的交配能力和日龄及交配次数对其生殖系统形态学影响的观察

本文在实验室条件下,观察大劣按蚊(Anopheles dirus)雄蚊交配能力和日龄、交配及交配后间歇期对其生殖系统形态学的影响.羽化后1小时可见丝状精子,22小时尾器全部旋转180°.3—12日龄雄蚊交配能力最强.随着日龄增加,精囊数逐渐减少,睾丸内成熟精子占据整个睾丸的比例逐渐增加,附腺透明区宽度变窄直至消失.多次交配比一次交配后,其睾丸内精子量减少、透明区宽度增加明显;交配后经过一定间歇期后,生殖系统能重新恢复活力,但多次交配后其恢复程度和速度远比交配一次者为慢.大劣按蚊雄蚊生殖系统的变化可初步判断其日龄和交配史.     

粘虫精液在雌体生殖系统中的分布转移及其作用

本文叙述了粘虫生殖系统各器官名称、功能及授精过程中精包的形成。并用P³²放射性同位素标记测量及大体放射自显影技术研究精液(包括黄色腺分泌物)在雌体生殖系统内的分布转移及作用。结果表明:(1)粘虫精液除从精包或交配囊内通过导精管转移至受精囊外,还进入卵巢管和粘液腺;并为卵吸收利用,具有促进雌虫卵巢发育的效应:(2)精液在雌体生殖系统中的转移,并非由于精子的可动性,而是由于交配雌虫生殖系统各器官有节奏地进行机械收缩。     

粉尘螨生殖系统形态学研究

粉尘螨Dermatophagoides farinae是一种重要的医学螨类。本文用光镜和扫描电镜研究了粉尘螨雌雄生殖系统的形态和结构。结果表明：雄性生殖系统由睾丸、输精管、 附腺、射精管、阳茎及附属交配器官组成。睾丸位于血腔末端,不成对,精原细胞、精母细胞和精子依照精子发育的顺序有规则地分布在其内部。雌性生殖系统包括交配孔、囊导管、储精囊、囊导管、卵巢、输卵管、子宫、产卵管及产卵孔,其中卵巢由一个中央营养细胞和围绕其周围的卵母细胞组成。     

粉尘螨生殖系统超微结构的透射电镜观察

本研究主要采用透射电镜观察粉尘螨Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes)生殖系统超微结构。粉尘螨雄性生殖系统是由精巢、 输 精管、 附腺、 射精管、 交配器官及附属交配器官组成。精巢内可同时有精子发育各阶段的细胞。精子无核膜、 核染色质聚集成束、 线 粒体缺乏典型的嵴、 胞质内有平行排列的电子致密薄片等为其特征性结构。雌性生殖系统由交合囊、 交合囊管、 储精囊、 囊导管、 卵 巢、 输卵管、 子宫及产卵管构成。卵巢内可见含多个细胞核的中央细胞, 其周为卵母细胞等生殖细胞。该研究丰富了对粉尘螨生殖系统 结构的认识。     

原花青素对小鼠后肢缺血肌肉的作用及miR-133b的表达变化

肢体缺血后的氧化应激反应将导致肌肉损伤,刺激肌卫星细胞（satellite cells,SCs）的成肌分化,从而完成损伤修复,而肌源性miRNAs参与其中。原花青素（proanthocyanidins,PC）来源于植物多酚提取物,具有抗氧化应激的作用。但原花青素对缺血肌肉的作用和机制尚不明确。本文研究原花青素对小鼠后肢缺血肌肉的作用,探讨miR 133b在其中的表达及作用。雄性C57/BL6小鼠经左后肢缺血后随机分为：对照组（H₂O）、低浓度PC（low dose PC,LDPC）组（1 mg/kg）和高浓度PC（high dose PC,HDPC）组（20 mg/kg）。对缺血肢体运动功能评分：7 d时,对照组为1.33±0.14,LDPC组为1.50±0.15,HDPC组为2.08±0.23;14 d时,对照组为2.17±0.31,LDPC组为2.00±0.37,HDPC组为3.83±0.17。说明高浓度PC可促进缺血肢体运动功能恢复（P<0.05）。测定各组的氧化应激产物丙二醛含量,在7 d时：血浆中,对照组为32.85±7.61 nmol/μL,LDPC组为35.90±7.45 nmol/μL,HDPC组为10.46±2.49 nmol/μL;缺血肌肉中,对照组为39.75±7.61 nmol/μg,LDPC组为28.75±7.05 nmol/μg,HDPC组为15.80±3.63 nmol/μg。表明高浓度PC可有效降低后肢缺血小鼠体内氧化应激水平（P<0.05）。HE染色结果显示,高浓度组再生肌纤维比例（7 d,53.88%±8.13%;21 d,39.30%±0.37%）均明显高于（P<0.05）对照组（7 d,10.61%±3.00%;21 d,22.61%±3.16%）和低浓度组（7 d,14.57%±2.94%;21 d,18.74%±4.73%）。RT-qPCR检测缺血肌肉中miR-133b-3p含量,与对照组相比,高浓度组的miR-133b-3p表达上调（3.26倍,P<0.05）。生物信息学分析发现,PPP2CA、PPP2CB和MKP-1可能是miR-133b-3p的靶基因。Western印迹检测发现,与对照组相比,高浓度组PCNA、MyoD和ERK2表达升高,而p-ERK2表达下降（P<0.05）。以上结果说明,高浓度原花青素可降低缺血后的氧化应激反应,促进缺血肌肉再生,而miR-133b-3p和ERK信号通路可能参与其中。     

Glass wool filtration of bull cryopreserved semen: a rapid and effective method to obtain a high percentage of functional sperm

Frozen-thawed bull sperm are widely used in assisted reproductive technologies, but cryopreservation negatively affects semen quality. Several sperm selection techniques have been developed to separate motile sperm from non-motile cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the glass wool column filtration to select functional sperm from frozen-thawed bull semen samples. Frozen semen from six Holstein bulls was thawed and filtered through a glass wool column, followed by assessment of routine and functional sperm parameters. In a set of experiments, sperm aliquots were also processed by swim up to compare both selection methods. Samples recovered in the glass wool filtrate had high percentages of viable (94 ± 3%, mean ± SD), progressively motile (89 ± 4%), acrosome-intact (98 ± 1%), and non-capacitated (80 ± 10%) sperm; these values were higher (P < 0.05) than those obtained after performing the swim up procedure. Moreover, the glass wool filtration yielded 67 ± 19% motile cells, in comparison with 18 ± 8% obtained with swim up (P < 0.05), calculated as the concentration of progressively motile cells selected relative to their concentration in the sample before the selection procedure. Glass wool-filtered sperm were able to undergo capacitation-related events, based on the increase in the percentage of cells classified as capacitated by CTC staining (B-pattern) after incubation with heparin (50 ± 5%) in comparison with control conditions with no heparin (17 ± 4%) or heparin + glucose (16 ± 2%; P < 0.05). Moreover, they underwent acrosomal exocytosis in response to pharmacologic (calcium ionophore A23187 and lysophosphatidylcholine) and physiological (follicular fluid) stimuli, and they fertilized in vitro matured cumulus-oocyte complexes and denuded oocytes (two-cell embryos: 72 ± 4% and 52 ± 6%, respectively). We conclude that glass wool filtration is a low-cost, simple, and highly effective procedure to select functionally competent sperm for reproductive technologies in the bull, which may be useful for other domestic and farm animals, as well as for endangered species.     

Quality and fertility of cooled-shipped stallion semen at the time of insemination

Stallion semen processing is far from standardized and differs substantially between AI centers. Suboptimal pregnancy rates in equine AI may primarily result from breeding with low quality semen not adequately processed for shipment. It was the aim of the study to evaluate quality and fertility of cooled-shipped equine semen provided for breeding of client mares by commercial semen collection centers in Europe. Cooled shipped semen (n = 201 doses) from 67 stallions and 36 different EU-approved semen collection centers was evaluated. At arrival, semen temperature was 9.8 ± 0.2 °C, mean sperm concentration of AI doses was 68 ± 3 x 10⁶/ml), mean total sperm count was 1.0 ± 0.1 x 10⁹, total motility averaged 83 ± 1% and morphological defects 45 ± 2%. A total of 86 mares were inseminated, overall per season-pregnancy rate in these mares was 67%. Sperm concentration significantly influenced semen motility and morphology at arrival of the shipped semen. Significant effects of month of the year on volume, sperm concentration and total sperm count of the insemination dose were found. The collection center significantly influenced all semen parameters evaluated. Semen doses used to inseminate mares that became pregnant had significantly higher total and progressive motility of spermatozoa and a significantly lower percentage of morphological semen defects than insemination doses used for mares failing to get pregnant. Results demonstrate that insemination with semen of better quality provides a higher chance to achieve pregnancy. Besides the use of stallions with good semen quality, appropriate semen processing is an important factor for satisfying results in artificial insemination with cooled-shipped horse semen.     

Survival of emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) sperm preserved at subzero temperatures and different cryoprotectant concentrations

Three experiments were conducted to optimize the protocol for cryopreservation of emu sperm. Ejaculates were collected from trained male emus then diluted 1:1 and pooled before allocation to treatments and measured for sperm viability, motility, egg membrane penetration ability, membrane stability, and morphology. In Experiment 1, semen was either cooled to 5 °C after dilution or diluted with a precooled to 5 °C diluent before cooling to 5 °C and then frozen at liquid nitrogen vapor temperatures of −140 °C and −35 °C, with 6% or 9% dimethylacetmide (DMA; a permeating cryoprotectant) and compared for sperm functions. The percentages of viable (42.8 ± 1.1%), normal (39.0 ± 1.3%), and motile (29.8 ± 1.3%) sperm were higher (P < 0.001) for semen frozen at −14 °C with 9% DMA (path 2) than for all other combinations. In Experiment 2, we assessed the value of combining DMA and trehalose in the diluent. Combining trehalose (3% to 9%) with DMA (3% to 9%) prior to freezing reduced (P < 0.001) the percentages of postthaw viable (by 4 to 9 ± 1.2%), normal (by 5 to 11 ± 1.3%), and motile sperm (by 13 to 17 ± 2.5%) and the number of holes on the perivitelline layer (by 27 to 29 holes/mm²). Postthaw function was best preserved with 9% DMA alone. In experiment 3, we investigated the possibility of increasing DMA concentrations from 6% to 24%. Postthaw sperm viability (52 to 55 ± 2.3%) and morphology (48 to 51 ± 1.7%) were higher (P < 0.05) with 18% and 24% than with 6% to 12% DMA and did not differ between 18% and 24% DMA. However, sperm motility (36 to 43 ± 2.9%) and the number of perivitelline holes were similar (P > 0.05) for 9% to 18% DMA (36 to 55 ± 12%). We concluded that adding 6% to 9% trehalose to the diluent offered no advantage, and that the current best practice for preserving postthaw function in emu sperm is to dilute semen with a precooled to 5 °C diluent and use 18% DMA.     

Factors affecting sperm recovery rates and survival after centrifugation of equine semen

Conventional centrifugation protocols result in important sperm losses during removal of the supernatant. In this study, the effect of centrifugation force (400 or 900 × g), duration (5 or 10 min), and column height (20 or 40 mL; Experiment 1); sperm concentration (25, 50, and 100 × 10⁶/mL; Experiment 2), and centrifugation medium (EZ-Mixin CST [Animal Reproduction Systems, Chino, CA, USA], INRA96 [IMV Technologies, Maple Grove, MN, USA], or VMDZ [Partnar Animal Health, Port Huron, MI, USA]; Experiment 3) on sperm recovery and survival after centrifugation and cooling and storage were evaluated. Overall, sperm survival was not affected by the combination of centrifugation protocol and cooling. Total sperm yield was highest after centrifugation for 10 min at 400 × g in 20-mL columns (95.6 ± 5%, mean ± SD) or 900 × g in 20-mL (99.2 ± 0.8%) or 40-mL (91.4 ± 4.5%) columns, and at 900 × g for 5 min in 20-mL columns (93.8 ± 8.9%; P < 0.0001). Total (TMY) and progressively motile sperm yield followed a similar pattern (P < 0.0001). Sperm yields were not significantly different among samples centrifuged at various sperm concentrations. However, centrifugation at 100 × 10⁶/mL resulted in significantly lower total sperm yield (83.8 ± 10.7%) and TMY (81.7 ± 6.8%) compared with noncentrifuged semen. Centrifugation in VMDZ resulted in significantly lower TMY (69.3 ± 22.6%), progressively motile sperm yield (63.5 ± 18.2%), viable yield (60.9 ± 36.5%), and survival of progressively motile sperm after cooling (21 ± 10.8%) compared with noncentrifuged semen. In conclusion, centrifuging volumes of ≤ 20 mL minimized sperm losses with conventional protocols. With 40-mL columns, it may be recommended to increase the centrifugal force to 900 × g for 10 min and dilute the semen to a sperm concentration of 25 to 50 × 10⁶/mL in a milk- or fractionated milk-based medium. The semen extender VMDZ did not seem well suited for centrifugation of equine semen.     

Characterization and short-term storage of Tasmanian devil sperm collected post-mortem

The Tasmanian devil is suffering from a severe population decline due to the fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). The development of assisted reproductive technologies such as AI and long-term sperm storage could facilitate genetic management of captive insurance populations. The aim of this study was to characterise semen samples collected post-mortem, and to develop a suitable diluent for short-term preservation of devil sperm. Low numbers of sperm (1.33 ± 0.85 × 10⁶ sperm per male) were extracted from the epididymides of 17 males. Devil sperm sample characteristics such as concentration and morphology were similar to other dasyurids. The most commonly observed morphological abnormalities were midpiece separation, tail curling, and tail twisting (on the axial plane). Changes in motility occurred throughout the regions of the epididymis with (mean ± SD) 29.4 ± 16.8, 46.8 ± 13.6 and 29.4 ± 18.1% of sperm exhibiting motility, and 88.9 ± 11.4, 32.0 ± 24.3 and 0.1 ± 0.2% of motile sperm exhibiting forward progressive motility in the cauda, corpus and caput, respectively. Sperm from the cauda and corpus epididymis maintained 31.7 ± 26.6 and 80.6 ± 85.9%, respectively, of initial motility after 12 h at 15 °C in a TEST yolk buffer diluent. These findings provided new information regarding devil sperm biology and short-term sperm storage; such information is necessary for future development of long-term sperm preservation methods in the Tasmanian devil.     

Effects of dilution and centrifugation on the survival of spermatozoa and the structure of motile sperm cell subpopulations in refrigerated Catalonian donkey semen

The aim of this work was to study the effects of dilution and centrifugation (i.e., two methods of reducing the influence of the seminal plasma) on the survival of spermatozoa and the structure of motile sperm cell subpopulations in refrigerated Catalonian donkey (Equus asinus) semen. Fifty ejaculates from nine Catalonian jackasses were collected. Gel-free semen was diluted 1:1, 1:5 or 1:10 with Kenney extender. Another sample of semen was diluted 1:5, centrifuged, and then resuspended with Kenney extender until a final dilution of 25 × 10⁶ sperm/ml was achieved (C). After 24 h, 48 h or 72 h of refrigerated storage at 5 °C, aliquots of these semen samples were incubated at 37 °C for 5 min. The percentage of viable sperm was determined by staining with eosin-nigrosin. The motility characteristics of the spermatozoa were examined using the CASA system (Microptic, Barcelona, Spain). At 24 h, more surviving spermatozoa were seen in the more diluted and in the centrifuged semen samples (1:1 48.71%; 1:5 56.58%, 1:10 62.65%; C 72.40%). These differences were maintained at 48 h (1:1 34.31%, 1:5 40.56%, 1:10 48.52%, C 66.30%). After 72 h, only the C samples showed a survival rate of above 25%. The four known donkey motile sperm subpopulations were maintained by refrigeration. However, the percentage of motile sperms in each subpopulation changed with dilution. Only the centrifuged samples, and only at 24 h, showed exactly the same motile sperm subpopulation proportions as recorded for fresh sperm. However, the 1:10 dilutions at 24 and 48 h, and the centrifuged semen at 48 h, showed few variations compared to fresh sperm. These results show that the elimination of seminal plasma increases the survival of spermatozoa and the maintenance of motility patterns.The initial sperm concentration had a significant (P < 0.05) influence on centrifugation efficacy, but did not influence the number of spermatozoa damaged by centrifugation. In contrast, the percentage of live spermatozoa in the fresh semen significantly influenced the number of spermatozoa damaged by centrifugation, but not centrifugation efficacy.     

Influence of the thawing rate on the cryopreservation of semen from collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) using Tris-based extenders

The objective was to evaluate the influence of the thawing rate on the quality of frozen-thawed (cryopreserved in Tris-based extenders) semen obtained from collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu). Semen from 13 sexually mature collared peccaries males were collected by electroejaculation, and evaluated for motility, vigor, sperm viability, membrane integrity, and sperm morphology. Semen was divided in two equal portions: the first was diluted in Tris-fructose and the other in Tris-glucose, with egg yolk (20%) and glycerol (3%) added to each portion. Extended semen was frozen in liquid nitrogen and thawed using two thawing protocols (37 °C for 1 min or 55 °C for 7 s, followed by an additional 30 s at 37 °C). There were no significant differences between the two extenders after extension, chilling, or glycerol addition. After thawing at 37 °C, there were 37.9 ± 4.2% and 28.5 ± 5.1% motile spermatozoa for samples extended in Tris-fructose and Tris-glucose, respectively, with 33.8 ± 3.7% and 28.2 ± 3.5% motile spermatozoa after thawing at 55 °C (no significant differences). Furthermore, there were no significant interactions between extenders and thawing protocols for any semen end point. In conclusion, semen from collared peccaries was successfully cryopreserved in Tris-based extenders and thawed with two protocols (37 °C for 1 min or 55 °C for 7 s).     

Interpretation of semen analysis among infertile couples.

Among the male partners of 1074 infertile couples the mean results of semen analysis were sperm count 78 X 10(6)/ml, seminal volume 4.0 ml, proportion of progressively motile sperm 54%, proportion of sperm with normal morphologic features 81.4% and total motile sperm count 152.3 X 10(6) per ejaculate. After excluding 65 couples who chose donor insemination and 300 with known female causes of infertility, the cumulative pregnancy rates in the remaining 709 couples were higher with increasing sperm density and motility and seminal volume, but the higher rates were significant only when these variables were combined into total motile sperm count per ejaculate. The cumulative pregnancy rates were 20% with a total motile sperm count of 9 X 10(6) or less, 37% with a count of 10 to 19 X 10(6) and 52% with a count of 20 X 10(6) or more (p = 0.001). Counts higher than 20 X 10(6) were not associated with a further improvement in pregnancy rates, but variability in the results was high, which suggests that the test should be repeated as necessary to determine the true range. Although standards for these and other seminal variables are ill defined, the total motile sperm count incorporates the most useful prognostic information from semen analysis, and the associated pregnancy rates can help guide clinical decisions.     

Sperm viability, motility and morphology in emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) are independent of the ambient collection temperature but are influenced by storage temperature

A protocol for storage of emu semen >6 h has not yet been optimized. The objective was to determine: a) whether sperm quality was adversely affected by sudden exposure to low temperatures (5, 10 and 20 °C) during collection; and b) the effects of three storage temperatures (5, 10 and 20 °C) on survival of emu sperm. In two experiments, each repeated three times on alternate days, ejaculates were diluted 1:1 with precooled (5, 10, or 20°C) UWA-E3 diluent and stored for up to 48 h. Collection temperature, or interaction with either the storage time or storage temperature, had no significant effect on sperm viability, motility, or morphology. Mass Motility Score (2.91-3.27 ± 0.26, mean ± SEM), and percentages of live (72.4-76.2 ± 2.4) and morphologically normal sperm (63.3-64.5 ± 2.3) were comparable among collection temperatures. Conversely, storage temperature and storage time affected (P < 0.05) sperm viability, motility, and morphology. After storage for 48 h, percentages of viable, normal, and motile sperm were higher (P < 0.001) at 5 °C (58.7% ± 1.1, 44.7% ± 1.3, and 50.7% ± 4.9, respectively) and 10 °C (62.6% ± 1.1, 54.1% ± 1.3, and 60.4% ± 4.9) than at 20 °C (27.6% ± 1.1, 20.1% ± 1.3, and 25.9% ± 4.9). Beyond 6 h of storage, the percentage of abnormal sperm was higher (P < 0.001) for storage at 5 °C compared to 10 and 20 °C. After 48 h, bacterial counts were considerably higher at 20 °C compared to 5 and 10 °C (P < 0.001). The pH of stored sperm suspension remained unaffected at 5 and 10 °C, but at 20 °C declined to 6.5 ± 0.03 after 24 h (P < 0.05) and to 6.0 ± 0.03 after 48 h (P < 0.001). We concluded that emu semen could be collected at low ambient temperatures (5-20 °C) without compromising its in vitro storage duration and that semen quality during storage for 48 h was better if it was stored at 10 °C than at 5 or 20 °C.     

Pellet cryopreservation for chicken semen: Effects of sperm working concentration,cryoprotectant concentration,and equilibration time during in vitro processing

The aim of the study was to standardize the pellet cryopreservation procedure for chicken semen. Mericanel della Brianza male chicken breeders (Italian breed) were used. Pooled semen samples were processed according to the following conditions: (1) dilution in prefreezing extender to 1 versus 1.5 bill cells/mL sperm working concentration (SWC); (2) 6% versus 9% dimethyl acetamide (DMA) concentration (DMAco); (3) 1 versus 30 minutes DMA equilibration (DMAeq) at 4 °C. Sperm viability and motility were assessed in semen (four replicates/treatment) soon after collection (time 0), after DMAeq (time D), and after freezing/thawing (time FT). The recovery rates (%) of viable and motile sperm after freezing/thawing were also calculated. The low SWC (1 bill/mL) and the low DMAco (6%) indicated a positive significant effect on the proportion of motile sperm (1 bill/mL = 53% vs. 1.5 bill/mL = 48%; 6% DMA = 55% vs. 9% DMA = 47%). Very short DMAeq (1 minute) did not significantly change sperm viability during processing (from time 0 to time D) before freezing whatever the DMAco, and, in contrast, the longer DMAeq showed a significant negative effect on sperm viability. The highest proportion of motile sperm was recorded in semen samples diluted to 1 bill/mL and added with 6% DMA; in this condition, DMAeq had no effect (57% 1 minute and 61% 30 minutes). Increasing SWC to 1.5 bill/mL and adding again 6% DMA, a significant effect of DMAeq was observed, and the higher proportion of motile sperm (58% vs. 43%) was recorded after 1 minute DMAeq. A general decrease in sperm motility was shown in semen samples with 9% DMA (47% vs. 55%), and different conditions in SWC and DMAeq were not effective in the prevention of such decrease.