Relationships between the results of hypo-osmotic swelling tests, sperm motility, and fertility in Estonian Holstein dairy bulls

Abstract

ABSTRACT:As an attempt to find an inexpensive and simple laboratory method for artificial insemination (AI) bull semen quality assessment, the osmotic resistance of spermatozoa was measured using the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test, developed by Jeyendran et al. (1984) (labelled HOS-1), and its modifications (HOS-2, HOS-3), with decreased osmotic pressure aimed at challenging sperm survival ability. The test results were benchmarked against sperm viability measurements performed using the Computerized Motility Analyzer (CMA), and field fertility was calculated as non-return rate (NRR). Two age groups of Estonian Holstein bull sires were included in this study to test possible age effect on semen quality parameters. The HOS-1 test in fresh bull semen correlated well with sperm general motility (GMot) (r = 0.63, P < 0.001 at batch level and r = 0.77, P < 0.001 at bull level) as well as with progressive motility (PMot) in frozen-thawed (FT) semen (r = 66, P < 0.001 at batch level and r = 0.81, P < 0.001 at bull level), which makes the test suitable for the prediction of post-thaw semen quality. However, the HOS-2 and HOS-3 values in FT semen had high correlations with NRR (r = 0.65, r = 0.66, P < 0.001 at batch level and r = 0.63, r = 0.71, P < 0.01 at bull level), which was comparable to those between GMot and NRR or PMot and NRR. A combination of motility parameters and the results of the HOS-1 and HOS-3 tests provided a good model for predicting the potential fertility of bull semen. Values of sperm membrane post-thaw intactness, assessed using HOS-2, as well as of sperm motility measurements were higher in mature bulls compared to those in young bulls. Short conclusion: different modifications of the hypo-osmotic swelling test are useful for routine bovine semen quality assessment at AI stations.Keywords: bull fertility; semen quality; sperm membrane intactness; bull age Laboratory analyses have been used over many decades to evaluate semen quality. Despite the fact that none of the single assays developed provide results that consistently and highly correlate with fertility, the laboratory evaluation of semen samples remains an important procedure for the artificial insemination (AI) industry to eliminate low fertility bulls or semen from being used in artificial insemination programmes (Graham and Mocé, 2005).Post-thaw viability and fertility of cryopreserved sperm are often reduced due to accumulated cellular damage during the cryopreservation phases (Muiño et al., 2008). Decrease in temperature, cold shock, and intracellular ice formation can affect sperm plasma membrane, acrosomal and mitochondrial membrane integrity (Thomas et al., 1998;Defoin et al., 2008), and cause the loss of intracellular components (Graham and Mocé, 2005), which can initiate cell death.Sperm membrane integrity can be evaluated by several methods, e.g. light or fluorescent microscopy combined with vital stains (Brito et al., 2003), and flow cytometry (Januskauskas et al.,

Correlation Between Hypo-Osmotic Swelling Test (Host) and Other Seminal Characteristics of Deccani Ram Semen

“…The Plasma membrane integrity (PM) is essential for survival of sperm in the female reproductive tract and to maintain the fertilizing ability by acting as a selective barrier between components of the intracellular and extracellular environment (Gwathmey et al, 2006). Hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) is one of the simplest methods to evaluate the sperm cells plasmalemma stability (Padrik et al, 2012). This method complements with the routine sperm analysis (Nie & Wenzel, 2001).…”

Effect of thawing method on bull sperm survival in ejaculates frozen in 4 ml and 8 ml volumes

“…Thurston et al (2002) also suggest that the sensitivity of sperm to cryopreservation might be partly related to genetic factors, which could explain variations among species, breeds, and individuals. Padrik et al (2012) reported high correlation between HOS test and sperm motility, and nonreturn rates, which was confirmed by Ramu and Jeyendran (2013). Nevertheless, there was found no effect of MOT in FE on INT after thawing, measured by HOS test, and on dynamics of their changes at both observed volumes.…”

“…The fertilization ability is in positive correlation with the percentage of reacted sperm cells. Influx of the fluid due to hypo-osmotic stress causes the sperm tail to coil or swell (Padrik et al 2012). Aliquots of 0.1 ml of fresh semen were mixed with 1.0 ml of Sörensen's buffer (prepared by mixing 2.1492 g Na 2 HPO 4 + 12 H 2 O in 90 ml of distilled water with 0.273 g KH 2 PO 4 in 30 ml distilled water; pre-warmed to 38°C).…”

Análise da integridade funcional dos espermatozoides de Tayassu pecari por diferentes soluções hiposmóticas e osmolaridades

“…O HOST é um dos métodos mais simples e rápidos para avaliar a funcionalidade da membrana plasmática dos espermatozoides. Além disso, o teste é bom preditor de fertilidade, já que a fertilização in vivo do oócito não acontece se a membrana plasmática do espermatozoide estiver bioquimicamente inativa (Perez-Llano et al, 2001;Padrik et al, 2012). Correa et al (1997) descreveram uma alta correlação entre o percentual de espermatozoides funcionalmente íntegros e a fertilidade.…”

“…Correa et al (1997) descreveram uma alta correlação entre o percentual de espermatozoides funcionalmente íntegros e a fertilidade. Por isso, o HOST pode ser utilizado como um método complementar na análise da potentia generandi de um reprodutor (Padrik et al, 2012).…”