Antioxidant supplementation and purification of semen for improved artificial insemination in livestock species

Abstract

Improving sire reproductive performance in artificial insemination (AI) programs and maximizing the use of sires with valuable genomes are high on the list of priorities for livestock breeders in the United States and worldwide. While fixed-time AI and accurate estrous detection have already ameliorated the reproductive management of cows and sows, substantial gains remain to be made in the selection and utilization of male animals for field AI. In addition to better, more objective evaluation of breeding soundness and semen quality, numbers of spermatozoa per AI dose could be reduced and numbers of AI doses per collection could be increased without sacrificing conception rates if the fittest spermatozoa can be purified from raw semen and protected from adverse effects of dying and decaying spermatozoa present in both the fresh and the extended semen. The present article reviews recent progress in methodology for semen purification, including nanopurification and semen/extender supplementation with antioxidants.

Current and future prospects for nanotechnology in animal production

“…bactericidal and growth promoting)- little in vivo evidence to support many internal applications demonstrated in vitro- cytotoxicity[31–34, 44, 45, 85, 86]Future applications Nutraceuticals- increased nutrient bioavailability- extra support for weanlings- growth and performance enhancement- solution for nutrient deficiencies- nanoparticles must be not be degraded in the GI tract before absorption in the intestines[27, 38, 47–52, 59] Nutrient delivery systems- increased nutrient bioavailability- extra support for weanlings- growth and performance enhancement- carrier system must be designed to withstand GI tract challenges- bioaccumulation- biocompatibility concerns[21, 26] Therapeutics- alternatives to antibiotics- enhanced pathogen/organ targeting- biocompatibility considerations- efficacy against different pathogens- relative MIC[41–43, 53] Drug delivery systems- platforms to enhance drug specificity and delivery- reduce MIC and kill antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogens- biocompatibility considerations- potential for bodily accumulation- confidence in specificity[61, 62, 65–67] Medical Imaging- additional modes of tracing organ systems and tracking drug therapies in the body- depth of tissue- biocompatibility considerations[61, 62, 65] Nanopurification of sperm- isolate desired sperm based on biomarkers (i.e. healthy from unhealthy)- increase fertilization efficiency, more females fertilized from a single collection- biomarker library to be developed- purebred restrictions on artificial insemination[75, 76, 83, 84] Cryopreservation of sperm- sperm preserved for longer- protecting against freeze-thaw cycles- to replace antibiotics from extenders; lower risk of reduced sperm motility- spermatotoxicity- oocyte toxicity[76–80, 83, 84] Genetic manipulation- can carry DNA of interest from cytoplasm into cell nucleus- benefits to sperm-mediated gene transfer approach...…”

Antimicrobial Effects of Propolis on Preservation of Ram's Semen Extender and Its Fertility Rate

“…Using of natural origin antibiotics (as propolis) instead of synthetic antibiotic in ram semen preservation is interesting in the recent years. Petruska et al (2014) suggested that propolis had an extensive span of biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, Akandi et al (2015) proved that propolis in semen medium could protect some semen characteristics as motility, viability and DNA integrity.…”

New Approaches to Boar Semen Evaluation, Processing and Improvement

“…Antioxidants and other ROS scavengers potentially suitable as semen extender supplements include glutathione, resveratrol and related grape flavonoids, plant and berry extracts, honey bee and propolis compounds, and vitamins [reviewed in Petruska et al. ()]. In boars, glutathione and cysteine supplementation improved sperm viability, acrosomal integrity and in vitro fertilizing ability of extended, cooled semen (Funahashi and Sano ).…”

“…Fertility of the extended and even sex-sorted boar semen could be further ameliorated by supplementation with antioxidants to compensate for the loss of sperms' natural antioxidant activities during boar semen freezing and storage (Gadea et al 2004;Bathgate 2011;Xia et al 2012). Antioxidants and other ROS scavengers potentially suitable as semen extender supplements include glutathione, resveratrol and related grape flavonoids, plant and berry extracts, honey bee and propolis compounds, and vitamins [reviewed in Petruska et al (2014)]. In boars, glutathione and cysteine supplementation improved sperm viability, acrosomal integrity and in vitro fertilizing ability of extended, cooled semen (Funahashi and Sano 2005).…”

“…Finally, poor-quality ejaculates could be rescued and acceptable ejaculates further improved by semen purification methods originally developed for human and bull semen [reviewed in Petruska et al (2014)], exemplified by the nanoparticle-based bull semen purification (Odhiambo et al 2014) currently being adapted for boar semen (Dr. Jean Feugang, Mississippi State U.; Personal communication, with permission), colloid gradient centrifugation (Morrell and Wallgren 2011) and magneticactivated sperm sorting for human assisted reproductive therapy (Paasch et al 2005). In the aforementioned bovine field AI study, 798 cows/heifers were inseminated with control semen or semen nanopurified using iron oxide particles conjugated with lectin PNA or antiubiquitin antibodies over a period of 2 years.…”