The physiological roles of the boar ejaculate

Rodríguez‐Martínez, H.; Kvist, Ulrik; Saravia, F.; Wallgren, Margareta; Johannissono, A.; Sanz, Libia; Peña, Francisco; Martinez, E.A.; Roca, José María López; Vázquez, J.M.; Calvete, Juan J.

doi:10.1530/biosciprocs.18.0001

Cited by 26 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The cold-shock test is based on the observed variability in the resistance to cold-shock and cryopreservation of the spermatozoa from different males [ 4 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Even though the spermatozoa composition and the exposure to other fluids are relevant factors on their resilience and freezability [ 46 , 47 ], the SP composition could be very relevant [ 38 , 48 , 49 ]. Therefore, we first used a simple test to classify the potential donors according to the resistance of individual ejaculates to cold shock, testing in a second experiment if the SP from ejaculates defined as cold-shock-resistant (SPr) and cold-shock-sensitive (SPs) would differ in their ability for improving post-thawing sperm quality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this regard, the order of ejaculation influences sperm quality, and other reproductive fluids (e.g., epidydimal fluid) could influence “vanguard” spermatozoa from the first ejaculate fraction. Indeed, some authors have suggested that this first fraction (P1) might be the optimal one for ART because of this difference [ 46 , 47 ]. Therefore, when selecting ejaculates according to the resistance of their spermatozoa to cold-shock, there are many more factors involved than SP.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cold-Shock Test Is a Practical Method for Selecting Boar Ejaculates Yielding Appropriate Seminal Plasma for Post-Thawing Supplementation

Lacalle

Nuñez

Fernández‐Alegre

et al. 2021

Animals

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Artificial insemination (AI) with cryopreserved semen is still unreliable for extensive pig industry application. Adding seminal plasma (SP) could improve post-thawing quality, but its suitability could vary. We applied a simple cold-shock test (CST, 5 min at 0 °C) on neat semen for classifying ejaculates (n = 63) as resistant or sensitive, obtaining two SP pools (CST-resistant: SPr, sensitive: SPs). Subsequently, frozen/thawed spermatozoa from six boars were incubated (37 °C) in MR-A® extender (control), 20% SPr, or 20% SPs, and analyzed at 0, 2, and 4 h. SP improved total and progressive motility, with a higher effect for SPr and STR (p < 0.05), decreasing kinematic parameters VCL and VAP, ALH, and BCF. Sperm viability was unaffected. SP increased apoptotic and membrane disorder ratios, and acrosomal damage, not affecting the chromatin structure (DNA fragmentation and immaturity by SCSA), protamination (CMA3), or disulfide levels (mBBr). However, the proportion of spermatozoa with elevated free thiols (disulfide bridges reduction) significantly increased. Results support a stimulatory role of SP on thawed semen, with additional benefits from SPr. The effect of SP and especially SPr after AI should be tested since CST could be a practical test for selecting suitable ejaculates in AI centers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold-Shock Test Is a Practical Method for Selecting Boar Ejaculates Yielding Appropriate Seminal Plasma for Post-Thawing Supplementation

Lacalle

Nuñez

Fernández‐Alegre

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…This unexplained male subfertility is also seen in livestock, such as pigs, which is a species considered a useful animal model for biomedical research for its increasing recognition of anatomical and physiological similarities with human [ 4 ]. As an example, ejaculate composition and ejaculation modes bear ample similarities, as we have studied over the years [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Commercial pig production has benefitted from the widespread use of artificial insemination (AI) of semen collected from genetically selected breeding boars.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm Methylome Profiling Can Discern Fertility Levels in the Porcine Biomedical Model

Pértille

Álvarez‐Rodríguez

Silva

et al. 2021

IJMS

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A combined Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS) and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) protocol was used to identify—in parallel—genetic variation (Genomic-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and epigenetic differences of Differentially Methylated Regions (DMR) in the genome of spermatozoa from the porcine animal model. Breeding boars with good semen quality (n = 11) and specific and well-documented differences in fertility (farrowing rate, FR) and prolificacy (litter size, LS) (n = 7) in artificial insemination programs, using combined FR and LS, were categorized as High Fertile (HF, n = 4) or Low Fertile (LF, n = 3), and boars with Unknown Fertility (UF, n = 4) were tested for eventual epigenetical similarity with those fertility-proven. We identified 165,944 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that explained 14–15% of variance among selection lines. Between HF and LF individuals (n = 7, 4 HF and 3 LF), we identified 169 SNPs with p ≤ 0.00015, which explained 58% of the variance. For the epigenetic analyses, we considered fertility and period of ejaculate collection (late-summer and mid-autumn). Approximately three times more DMRs were observed in HF than in LF boars across these periods. Interestingly, UF boars were clearly clustered with one of the other HF or LF groups. The highest differences in DMRs between HF and LF experimental groups across the pig genome were located in the chr 3, 9, 13, and 16, with most DMRs being hypermethylated in LF boars. In both HF and LF boars, DMRs were mostly hypermethylated in late-summer compared to mid-autumn. Three overlaps were detected between SNPs (p ≤ 0.0005, n = 1318) and CpG sites within DMRs. In conclusion, fertility levels in breeding males including FR and LS can be discerned using methylome analyses. The findings in this biomedical animal model ought to be applied besides sire selection for andrological diagnosis of idiopathic sub/infertility.

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“…In livestock, the gel-fraction is routinely discarded during the ejaculate collection. Noticeably, an initial sperm-peak portion is present in the first 10 mL of the pig SRF, where a vanguard sperm sub-population of about 25% of the total sperm numbers [ 4 ] seems to contain, in vivo, the first and main colonizers of the sperm reservoir in the oviduct [ 26 ]. The phenomenon seems conserved across species [ 56 ], since most human spermatozoa are, as described, present in the first (non-coagulating) fractions, so a certain proportion of them can rapidly enter the cervical canal, as extrapolated from studies that recorded sperm present in the Fallopian tubes as early as a few minutes after coitus [ 57 ].…”

Section: The Composition Of the Seminal Plasma: Comparative Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, is there any other factor than spermatozoa affecting fertility? Yes, the seminal plasma (SP), because it modulates sperm viability and function but also affects the ability of spermatozoa to interact with the lining epithelium of the female genital tract and its secretions; it even serves as a carrier of signals for the female, their immune system in particular [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. However, these roles are considered not essential for fertilization, as proved by the use of epididymal or of washed ejaculated spermatozoa for in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intra-cytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) and artificial reproductive techniques (ARTs) of increasing application to alleviate the increasing infertility seen in humans, thought to be related to the detrimental impacts of the environment and certain habits on male health [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seminal Plasma: Relevant for Fertility?

Rodriguez‐Martinez

Martı́nez

Calvete

et al. 2021

IJMS

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Seminal plasma (SP), the non-cellular component of semen, is a heterogeneous composite fluid built by secretions of the testis, the epididymis and the accessory sexual glands. Its composition, despite species-specific anatomical peculiarities, consistently contains inorganic ions, specific hormones, proteins and peptides, including cytokines and enzymes, cholesterol, DNA and RNA—the latter often protected within epididymis- or prostate-derived extracellular vesicles. It is beyond question that the SP participates in diverse aspects of sperm function pre-fertilization events. The SP also interacts with the various compartments of the tubular genital tract, triggering changes in gene function that prepares for an eventual successful pregnancy; thus, it ultimately modulates fertility. Despite these concepts, it is imperative to remember that SP-free spermatozoa (epididymal or washed ejaculated) are still fertile, so this review shall focus on the differences between the in vivo roles of the SP following semen deposition in the female and those regarding additions of SP on spermatozoa handled for artificial reproduction, including cryopreservation, from artificial insemination to in vitro fertilization. This review attempts, including our own results on model animal species, to critically summarize the current knowledge of the reproductive roles played by SP components, particularly in our own species, which is increasingly affected by infertility. The ultimate goal is to reconcile the delicate balance between the SP molecular concentration and their concerted effects after temporal exposure in vivo. We aim to appraise the functions of the SP components, their relevance as diagnostic biomarkers and their value as eventual additives to refine reproductive strategies, including biotechnologies, in livestock models and humans.

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The physiological roles of the boar ejaculate

Cited by 26 publications

References 17 publications

Cold-Shock Test Is a Practical Method for Selecting Boar Ejaculates Yielding Appropriate Seminal Plasma for Post-Thawing Supplementation

Cold-Shock Test Is a Practical Method for Selecting Boar Ejaculates Yielding Appropriate Seminal Plasma for Post-Thawing Supplementation

Sperm Methylome Profiling Can Discern Fertility Levels in the Porcine Biomedical Model

Seminal Plasma: Relevant for Fertility?

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