In vitrocopper toxicity on rabbit spermatozoa motility, morphology and cell membrane integrity

Abstract

In this in vitro study the effects of copper sulphate on the motility, morphology and structural integrity of rabbit spermatozoa were investigated. The spermatozoa motility was evaluated by CASA method and Annexin analysis was used for detection of structural changes. For analysis of morphology samples of rabbit semen were fixed with Hancock's solution and stained with Giemsa, and for each sample at least 500 spermatozoa were evaluated. The concentration of copper in the medium varied from 3.57 to 4.85 microg CuSO4/mL. At Time 0 the highest motility was detected in the control group (57.78 +/- 3.90%). Motility in groups with copper administration was lower in comparison to control. Significant differences were detected in groups with 3.70-4.85 microg CuSO4/mL (P<0.05) at Time 0. After 1 h of incubation with copper sulphate the motility significantly decreased almost in all experimental groups. However, at Time 2 h significant increase of total motility was observed in groups with lower concentrations of copper (3.57 and 3.63 microg CuSO4/mL). After 24 and 48 h of incubation almost all the spermatozoa were dead recording no motility at all concentrations. The concentration- dependent decrease of spermatozoa motility up to 50% of control was detected for the group receiving highest copper administration (4.85 microg CuSO4/mL) at Times 1 and 2 h. Progressive motility had an identical trend to that of motility in all experimental groups, at all culture times and for all concentrations. Evaluation of distance and velocity parameters indicated that a sort of stress tolerance developed in lower concentrations (3.57 and 3.63 microg CuSO4/mL). At lower concentrations, an increase was noted for distance parameter DCL and velocity parameter VCL, indirectly confirming the significant motility and progressive motility increase. Other motility parameters (straightness index, linearity index, wobble and amplitude of lateral head displacement) revealed decrease in the group with the highest copper concentration (4.85 microg CuSO4/mL) in comparison to the control group after 2 h of incubation, only. No significant alteration was noted for these parameters in comparison to control at Times 0 and 1 h. The total percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the group with the highest copper concentration (46.20+/-5.54%) in comparison to control (30.60+/-2.91). Predominant morphological abnormalities were acrosomal changes, knob-twisted flagellum and small heads. Detection of spermatozoa with disordered membrane was carried out for groups with higher copper concentrations and control, using Annexin analysis. Analysis showed higher occurrence of positive spermatozoa in the copper-exposed groups. Some Annexin positive reactions from all spermatozoa were detected in the control group. In copper-exposed groups positive reaction proved alteration in anterior part of head (acrosome) and in connection segment (mid-piece) of spermatozoa. Detected data evidently confirm adverse effects of high copper ...

Changes in Turkey Spermatozoza Motility Parameters After Addition of Copper Sulphate in Vitro

“…However in the sample with adding 0.32 mg.l -1 of copper were observed higher values of progressive motility and viability compared to control. Similar tendency were detected by Roychoudhury et al (2010). The lowest tested concentration of copper sulphate (3.63 µg.ml -1 and 3.57 µg.ml -1 ) showed balanced values of motility parameters of rabbit spermatozoa.…”

“…The composition of semen plasma plays important role in protection of spermatozoa against the adverse reaction of exogenous influence of environment. The study of Roychoudhury et al (2010) confirms adverse effects of high copper sulphate concentrations in rabbit semen on parameters of spermatozoa motility, morphology and cell membrane integrity. This work also indicates the lowest possible toxic concentration of copper (3.70 µg.ml -1 ) to rabbit spermatozoa in relation to motility.…”

Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

“…For example, consuming 2 servings/wk of fish in lieu of 2 servings/wk of processed red meats was associated with an ;60% higher total normal count (95% CI: 17.9, 117.4). serum leads to decreased sperm motility and morphology (42,43) because of oxidative damage (44). Clearly, this intriguing association deserves further study.…”

Healthy birth after use of sperm from a male who suffered from copper toxicity

“…The total percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa was significantly higher in the group with the highest copper concentration (46.20+/-5.54%) in comparison to control (30.60+/-2.91). Predominant morphological abnormalities were acrosomal changes, knob-twisted flagellum, and small heads [16]. The male partner discussed in this report had history of long exposure to copper dust.…”