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Theriogenology Aug 2024Pigs are usually bred through artificial insemination with liquid semen preserved at 15-20 °C. While this method of preservation brings many benefits, including a...
Pigs are usually bred through artificial insemination with liquid semen preserved at 15-20 °C. While this method of preservation brings many benefits, including a greater reproductive performance compared to frozen-thawed sperm, the period of storage is a limiting factor. As the mitochondrion regulates many facets of sperm physiology, modulating its activity could have an impact on their lifespan. Aligned with this hypothesis, the present study sought to investigate whether inhibition of voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), which reside in the outer mitochondrial membrane and regulate the flux of ions between mitochondria and the cytosol in somatic cells, influences the resilience of pig sperm to liquid preservation at 17 °C. For this purpose, semen samples (N = 7) were treated with two different concentrations of TRO19622 (5 μM and 50 μM), an inhibitor of VDACs, and stored at 17 °C for 10 days. At days 0, 4 and 10, sperm quality and functionality parameters were evaluated by flow cytometry and computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The effects of inhibiting VDACs depended on the concentration of the inhibitor. On the one hand, the greatest concentration of TRO19622 (50 μM) led to a decrease in sperm motility, viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, which could be related to the observed intracellular Ca increase. In contrast, total sperm motility was higher in samples treated with 5 μM TRO19622 than in the control, suggesting that when VDACs channels are inhibited by the lowest concentration of the blocking agent the resilience of pig sperm to liquid storage increases. In conclusion, the current research indicates that mitochondrial function, as regulated by ion channels in the outer mitochondrial membrane like VDACs, is related to the sperm resilience to liquid preservation and may influence cell lifespan.
Topics: Anions; Animals; Swine; Semen Preservation; Insemination, Artificial; Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels; Temperature; Cholestenones; Semen; Sperm Motility; Calcium
PubMed: 38723471
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.003 -
Animal Reproduction Science Apr 2024Storage of boar semen at 5 °C instead of the conventional temperature of 17 °C is an innovative preservation concept. It enhances protection against the growth of... (Review)
Review
Storage of boar semen at 5 °C instead of the conventional temperature of 17 °C is an innovative preservation concept. It enhances protection against the growth of bacteria normally occurring in the ejaculates and potential drug-resistant contaminants from the environment. Thereby it allows the reduction or even elimination of antibiotics in porcine semen extenders. The present article reviews the current state of the low-temperature preservation approach of boar semen, with a special focus on antimicrobial efficiency and fertility in field insemination trials. Particularly the role of semen extenders and temperature management for the achievement of high fertility and biosecurity are elucidated. Insemination data of 1,841 sows in there different countries revealed equally high farrowing rates and litter sizes of semen stored at 5 °C compared to the controls stored at 17 °C. Microbiology data obtained from semen doses spiked with multi-drug resistant bacteria showed the efficiency of the cold semen storage for inhibiting the growth of Serratia marcescens, a bacterial species with high sperm-toxicity. Evolving concepts on the physiological role of the male reproductive microbiome for female fertility provides a further argument against the complete eradication of bacteria in the semen dose by antibiotic additives to the extenders. Finally, motivation and practical considerations for the use of the novel preservation tool in artificial insemination of pigs are revealed, which might encourage the transformation towards a sustainable production of boar semen doses following the One Health approach.
PubMed: 38704330
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107486 -
JAMA Network Open May 2024Cancer is a leading cause of death among children worldwide. Treatments used for medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are suspected risk factors because of their...
IMPORTANCE
Cancer is a leading cause of death among children worldwide. Treatments used for medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are suspected risk factors because of their potential for epigenetic disturbance and associated congenital malformations.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk of cancer, overall and by cancer type, among children born after MAR compared with children conceived naturally.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
For this cohort study, the French National Mother-Child Register (EPI-MERES) was searched for all live births that occurred in France between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021 (and followed up until June 30, 2022). The EPI-MERES was built from comprehensive data of the French National Health Data System. Data analysis was performed from December 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023.
EXPOSURE
Use of assisted reproduction technologies (ART), such as fresh embryo transfer (ET) or frozen ET (FET), and artificial insemination (AI).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The risk of cancer was compared, overall and by cancer type, among children born after fresh ET, FET, or AI and children conceived naturally, using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for maternal and child characteristics at birth.
RESULTS
This study included 8 526 306 children with a mean (SD) age of 6.4 (3.4) years; 51.2% were boys, 96.4% were singletons, 12.1% were small for gestational age at birth, and 3.1% had a congenital malformation. There were 260 236 children (3.1%) born after MAR, including 133 965 (1.6%) after fresh ET, 66 165 (0.8%) after FET, and 60 106 (0.7%) after AI. A total of 9256 case patients with cancer were identified over a median follow-up of 6.7 (IQR, 3.7-9.6) years; 165, 57, and 70 were born after fresh ET, FET, and AI, respectively. The overall risk of cancer did not differ between children conceived naturally and those born after fresh ET (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12 [95% CI, 0.96 to 1.31]), FET (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.78 to 1.32]), or AI (HR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.86 to 1.38]). However, the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia was higher among children born after FET (20 case patients; HR 1.61 [95% CI, 1.04 to 2.50]; risk difference [RD], 23.2 [95% CI, 1.5 to 57.0] per million person-years) compared with children conceived naturally. Moreover, among children born between 2010 and 2015, the risk of leukemia was higher among children born after fresh ET (45 case patients; HR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.06 to 1.92]; adjusted RD, 19.7 [95% CI, 2.8 to 43.2] per million person-years).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this cohort study suggest that children born after FET or fresh ET had an increased risk of leukemia compared with children conceived naturally. This risk, although resulting in a limited number of cases, needs to be monitored in view of the continuous increase in the use of ART.
Topics: Humans; Female; Neoplasms; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Male; Child; France; Child, Preschool; Risk Factors; Adult; Pregnancy; Cohort Studies; Registries; Proportional Hazards Models; Infant; Embryo Transfer
PubMed: 38696167
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.9429 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Jul 2024
Expression of concern: Randomized comparison of superovulation with letrozole vs. clomiphene citrate in an IUI program for women with recently surgically treated minimal to mild endometriosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Letrozole; Endometriosis; Clomiphene; Nitriles; Fertility Agents, Female; Triazoles; Superovulation; Insemination, Artificial; Aromatase Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Infertility, Female; Adult
PubMed: 38693815
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14872 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the most common assisted-reproduction treatment. However, it has lower success rate in comparison to other treatments. Therefore,...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the most common assisted-reproduction treatment. However, it has lower success rate in comparison to other treatments. Therefore, determining factors that contribute to IUI success is of particular interest and this was the purpose of this prospective study.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In this study, only homologous inseminations with fresh semen samples were included. All women received mild ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins. Before IUI, basic semen analysis, evaluation of DNA fragmentation index (DFI), as well as measurement of sperm redox potential, were performed on each semen sample. Semen was processed with density-gradient centrifugation and 500 μl of processed sperm was used for insemination.
RESULTS
In 200 cycles, there were 36 pregnancies, six of them ectopic. Cycles with ongoing pregnancies were characterized by younger male and female age and higher number of follicles. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only female age was significantly associated with ongoing pregnancy. DFI was positively correlated with male age and negatively correlated with sperm concentration and progressive motility. Semen redox potential showed a strong negative correlation with sperm concentration and positive correlation with DFI.
CONCLUSION
Female age seems to be the most important determinant factor for the achievement of an ongoing pregnancy in homologous IUI cycles with fresh semen.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Adult; Male; Prospective Studies; Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; Pregnancy Rate; Semen Analysis; Ovulation Induction; DNA Fragmentation; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Sperm Count
PubMed: 38688624
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13579 -
Open Veterinary Journal Mar 2024Reproductive efficiency affects dairy cow profitability. Ovarian function in postpartum (P.P.) has been better understood using ultrasound and hormonal assays....
BACKGROUND
Reproductive efficiency affects dairy cow profitability. Ovarian function in postpartum (P.P.) has been better understood using ultrasound and hormonal assays. Optimizing ovulation synchronization and carefully timing artificial insemination (TAI) can greatly enhance reproductive rates in dairy cows.
AIM
This experiment was designed to investigate the reproductive performance and ovarian activity in early postpartum lactating dairy cows using the Presynch-PGF2α, Ovsynch protocol, and TAI.
METHODS
Randomly the cows were assigned to a control group and a treatment group, based on the chronological order of their calving date. On day 14 P.P., both groups received two cloprostenol treatments, 14 days apart. Ultrasonographic inspections were conducted on day 14 to check ovarian activity and uterine contents. On day 11, after presynchronization, cows in the treatment group were given 100 µg IM. of cystorelin, followed by a luteolytic dose of 500 µg IM., cloprostenol on day 7, and a second dose of cystorelin on day 8 (36 hours later). After the second cystorelin injection by 16-20 hours, cows were inseminated, while the control group had all cows displaying spontaneous estrus between day 0 and day 28 were artificially inseminated.
RESULTS
Ovarian activity began to improve at 82.61% on day 19 P.P., with complete recovery between days 24 and 27 P.P. The second cloprostenol injection approached, causing follicular size to reach 8.41 ± 1.04 mm. After the second injection, ovarian activity switched from follicular to luteal, with corpus luteum rates of 23.91% and 26.1%. The presynchronized PGF2α regimen significantly enhanced ovarian activity from days 19-35 P.P. Ovulation and pregnancy rates in the Ovsynch group were 54.2% and 41.7% at the first timed artificial insemination (TAI), compared to 54.5% and 31.8% in the control group. There was no significant impact between them; it was just high in the presynchronized Ovsynch group. However, the P.P. period was minimized to 47-49 days till the first AI reached a 41.7% pregnancy rate and 20.8% at the second AI, for an overall 62.5%.
CONCLUSION
The current study concludes that presynchronization during preservice in clinically normal P.P. dairy cows reduces P.P. duration, increases ovarian activity performance, and reduces ovarian dysfunctions from day 19 to day 35 P.P., as well as improves the pregnancy rate.
Topics: Libya; Female; Animals; Cattle; Postpartum Period; Estrus Synchronization; Ovary; Fertility; Progesterone; Ovulation; Ultrasonography; Dinoprost; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Cloprostenol; Insemination, Artificial
PubMed: 38682144
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i3.9 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024This experiment evaluated the influence of creep feeding supplementation on productive and reproductive performance and on serum metabolome profile in Nelore (Bos...
This experiment evaluated the influence of creep feeding supplementation on productive and reproductive performance and on serum metabolome profile in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers. Female calves were assigned to treatments: Creep (n = 190), with ad libitum access to a nutritional supplement from 70 to 220 days after birth, or Control (n = 140), without supplementation. After weaning (Day 220), both groups followed the same pasture and nutritional management. Body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BFAT) were measured over time. Blood samples were collected at 220 and 360 days for LC-MS/MS targeted metabolomics. On day 408, during the synchronization timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol, reproductive status (RS: diameter of uterine horn and largest follicle, and presence of CL) was assessed. Creep feeding increased BW and BFAT at weaning, but no differences in BW, BFAT, or RS after weaning were observed. Nonetheless, the pregnancy per AI (P/AI) for 1st service was 28.9% higher in the Creep group. On day 220, 11 significant metabolites influenced five metabolic pathways: Glucose-alanine cycle, alanine, glutathione, phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, and urea cycle. On day 360, 14 significant metabolites influenced eight metabolic pathways: Malate-aspartate shuttle, arginine and proline metabolism, urea cycle, aspartate, beta-alanine, glutamate metabolism, ammonia recycling and citric acid cycle. In conclusion, creep feeding supplementation improved calf performance and induced metabolic changes at weaning and 360 days of age. Although heifers had similar productive performance and reproductive status, when submitted to TAI, those supplemented with creep feeding had greater P/AI.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Metabolome; Dietary Supplements; Reproduction; Animal Feed; Insemination, Artificial; Pregnancy; Weaning; Metabolomics; Body Weight
PubMed: 38678099
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60216-1 -
Journal of Dairy Science Apr 2024Prolonging dairy cattle longevity is regarded as one of the options to contribute to more sustainable milk production. Since failure to conceive is one of the main...
Effects of extending dairy cow longevity by adjusted reproduction management decisions on partial net return and greenhouse gas emissions: A dynamic stochastic herd simulation study.
Prolonging dairy cattle longevity is regarded as one of the options to contribute to more sustainable milk production. Since failure to conceive is one of the main reasons for culling, this study investigates how adjustments in reproduction management affect partial net return at herd level and greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk, using a dynamic stochastic simulation model. The effects of reproduction decisions that extend cattle longevity on milk yield, calving interval and pregnancy rate were derived from actual performance of Dutch commercial dairy cows over multiple lactations. The model simulated lactations, calving and health status events of individual cows for herds of 100 cows. Scenarios evaluated differed in the maximum number of consecutive artificial insemination (AI) attempts (4, 5 or 6 services), or the production threshold (20, 15, or 10 kg milk per day) at which cows that failed to conceive are culled (reproductive culling). Annual partial net return was computed from revenues of sold milk, calves and slaughtered cows, and the costs from feed consumption, rearing replacement heifers, AI services and treatment for clinical mastitis and lameness. Greenhouse gas emissions were computed for feed production, enteric fermentation, and manure management, and were expressed as total CO2 equivalents. Average age at culling increased with an increased maximum number of AI services. This increase was larger when going from a maximum of 4 to 5 AI attempts (108 d) than from a maximum of 5 to 6 attempts (47 d). Similarly, the average age at culling increased from 1,968 to 2,040 and 2,132 d when the threshold for reproductive culling decreased from 20, to 15 and 10 kg milk per day, respectively. Average annual partial net return increased by 1.1% from €165,850 per 100 cows at a maximum of 4 AIs to €167,670 per 100 cows at a maximum of 6 AIs, and increased by 4.3% from €161,210 per 100 cows at a reproductive culling threshold of 10 kg/day to €168,190 per 100 cows at a threshold of 20 kg/day. Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 1.2% from 0.926 to 0.915 kg CO equivalents per kg fat-and-protein-corrected milk (FPCM) with an increase in a maximum number of AIs from 4 to 6 AIs. Conversely, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 0.2% from 0.926 kg at a threshold of reproductive culling of 20 kg/day to 0.928 kg CO equivalents per kg FPCM at a threshold of 10 kg/day. Although lowering the threshold for reproductive culling has the potential to extend cattle longevity more than increasing the maximum number of AI services, only the increase in AI services benefits a farm's partial net return, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
PubMed: 38670339
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24089 -
Veterinary Sciences Mar 2024This review describes the oestrus-to-ovulation interval, the possibility of predicting the time of ovulation, and the optimum time for insemination relative to oestrus... (Review)
Review
This review describes the oestrus-to-ovulation interval, the possibility of predicting the time of ovulation, and the optimum time for insemination relative to oestrus in dairy cows. The duration of oestrus in dairy cows is approximately 8-20 h, with differences possibly related to the methods of oestrus detection and the frequency of observations. Most cows ovulate approximately 24-33 h after the onset of oestrus and 15-22 h after the end of oestrus. The interval from the preovulatory luteinising hormone (LH) surge to ovulation is approximately 4-30 h. Ovulation occurs when follicle diameter averages 18-20 mm. When it is possible to correctly determine the beginning of oestrus, artificial insemination can be performed utilizing the "a.m.-p.m. rule", and only one insemination may be applied. In cows with too long or too short oestrus-to-ovulation intervals, fertility can be compromised. One important factor that can alter the oestrus-to-ovulation interval is acute or chronic heat stress during the warm season. When there is a risk that insemination may occur too early or too late with respect to the time of ovulation, GnRH administration can be considered.
PubMed: 38668419
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040152 -
Veterinary Sciences Mar 2024Native breed conservation is an important component of poultry biodiversity. The aim of this work is to describe different steps that lead to donor selection for the...
Native breed conservation is an important component of poultry biodiversity. The aim of this work is to describe different steps that lead to donor selection for the implementation of the Italian Semen Cryobank of Autochthonous Chicken and Turkey Breeds. The variability within and between breeds was evaluated, and the stored semen reproductive capacity was in vivo tested using artificial insemination. Semen from , and roosters was collected and processed. Concentration, volume, sperm membrane integrity, total motile sperm, progressive motile sperm and kinetic parameters were analyzed; sperm parameters accounting for bird variability were used to select male donors. Fresh semen quality parameters measured in donor ejaculates showed significant differences between breeds; no differences were found after cryopreservation. Variability in the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved semen was found within a breed (5-16%) and between birds within a breed (BP = 3-7%; BS = 7-31%; PP = 6-22%); only sperm quality parameters measured in fresh ejaculates, not frozen/thawed, may be associated with in vivo fertility results. In conclusion, sperm concentration and progressive motility were successfully used as selection parameters to identify chicken male donors with improved sperm quality for sperm cryobanking. However, new reliable sperm markers to predict cryopreserved semen's fertilizing ability are required.
PubMed: 38668416
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040148