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Reproductive Biomedicine Online Jun 2024What are the lived experiences of donor-conceived people, parents, sperm donors and counsellors related to legal age limits on accessing donor information in the...
RESEARCH QUESTION
What are the lived experiences of donor-conceived people, parents, sperm donors and counsellors related to legal age limits on accessing donor information in the Netherlands?
DESIGN
A phenomenological study was carried out that included 20 donor-conceived individuals, 15 parents, 6 sperm donors and 5 counsellors. Data were collected through online qualitative in-depth interviews and focus groups. The data were analysed using Dahlberg's Reflective Lifeworld Approach.
RESULTS
The results show how: (i) age limits create challenges related to dependency, autonomy and loyalty to parents; (ii) donor information can be important for identity development, which looks different at different ages; (iii) inaccessible information can lead to unfair loss and may be perceived as negative; (iv) relational stability provides a good foundation for dealing with the (in)accessibility of donor information; (v) procedural barriers and age limits increase the inaccessibility of donor information; and (vi) comprehensive counselling is desired for donor-conceived individuals, parents and donors.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that legal age limits on accessing donor information can lead to several negative consequences. The age limits focus on one individual, which is not appropriate for questions about ancestry that always pertain to a relational network. Counselling should be tailored to the child's needs, and the child's family should be involved. Furthermore, the donor should receive independent counselling.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Tissue Donors; Female; Parents; Netherlands; Counseling; Age Factors; Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous; Middle Aged; Spermatozoa; Counselors; Young Adult
PubMed: 38579663
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.103846 -
Poultry Science Jun 2024At 50 wk of age, broiler breeder roosters exhibit a significant decline of fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of incorporating barley...
Barley sprouts and D-Aspartic acid supplementation improves fertility, hatchability, and semen quality in aging male broiler breeders by up-regulating StAR and P450 gene expressions.
At 50 wk of age, broiler breeder roosters exhibit a significant decline of fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of incorporating barley sprout (BS) powder, D-aspartic acid (DA), or their combination into the diet on fertility, hatchability, semen quality, and the relative expression of StAR and P450 genes in aging broiler roosters. Aging (50 wk) male broiler breeders (n=32) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments (2 × 2 factorial) with 2 levels of BS (0 or 2% basal diet) and DA (0 or 200 mg/kg/BW) for 12 wk. Roosters were individually housed under a 14-h light and 10-h dark cycle, with 150 g/d feed allocation and free access to fresh water, then euthanized. Throughout the study, the body weight of the broiler breeders was measured, along with various parameters related to semen quality, on a weekly basis. Additionally, artificial insemination was performed during the last 2 wk to evaluate reproductive endpoints. The results revealed that both BS and DA decreased (P < 0.01) body weight. Interestingly, the inclusion of BS, either alone or in combination with DA, resulted in a significant increase in total and forward sperm motility. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the seminal concentration of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly decreased by more than 20% in all groups compared to the control. The combination of both BS and DA led to the highest levels of circulating testosterone, as well as the functionality and membrane integrity of sperms. Additionally, it resulted in increased sperm concentrations, production, and penetration, ultimately leading to improved fertility rate and hatchability percentage. Moreover, a positive association between total motility and fertility was observed (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the combined supplementation of BS and DA up-regulated the relative mRNA expression of P450scc and StAR (P < 0.01). To summarize, dietary inclusion of BS, DA, or their combination have a potential to improve various aspects of reproductive performance in aging roosters.
Topics: Animals; Male; Chickens; Hordeum; Dietary Supplements; Semen Analysis; Animal Feed; Diet; Fertility; Avian Proteins; D-Aspartic Acid; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; Random Allocation; Up-Regulation; Gene Expression
PubMed: 38569243
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103664 -
Animal Reproduction 2024Since the 1970s, maternal corticosteroid therapy has been used successfully to induce labor. This allows for better monitoring of parturients and provision of first aid...
Since the 1970s, maternal corticosteroid therapy has been used successfully to induce labor. This allows for better monitoring of parturients and provision of first aid to neonates, improving neonatal viability, as this treatment induces maturation in a variety of fetal tissues, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Although the effects of corticosteroids are well known, few studies have investigated the influence of this therapy in Santa Inês sheep. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone at two doses (8 and 16 mg) to induce lambing in Santa Inês ewes at 145 days of gestation and assess its effects on neonatal vitality. For this study, 58 ewes raised in an extensive system were investigated. Pregnancy was confirmed after artificial insemination at a set time or after controlled mounting. Ewes were separated into three groups: an untreated control group (G1: 0 mg) and groups treated with two doses of dexamethasone (G2: 8 mg and G3: 16 mg). In total, 79 lambs were born. Their vitality was assessed based on their Apgar score, weight, temperature, and postnatal behavior. SAS v9.1.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used to analyze data, considering a 5% significance level for all analyses. The births in the induced groups occurred 48.4 ± 22.1 h after induction, while the ewes that underwent non-induced labor gave birth 131.96 ± 41.9 h after placebo application (p < 0.05), confirming the efficacy of dexamethasone to induce and synchronize labor. The induced and non-induced neonates had similar Apgar scores, temperatures, weights, and postnatal behavioral parameters (p > 0.05). This study showed that inducing labor in Santa Inês ewes at 145 days of gestation with a full (16 mg) or half dose (8 mg) of dexamethasone is an effective technique and does not compromise neonate vitality.
PubMed: 38562609
DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2022-0109 -
Animal Reproduction 2024We hypothesized that the hCG modulates the expression of IFNT-pathway and ISGs in bovine endometrium during early pregnancy. The aim of the current study is to evaluate...
We hypothesized that the hCG modulates the expression of IFNT-pathway and ISGs in bovine endometrium during early pregnancy. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of hCG on IFNT-pathway signals and ISGs expression in endometrial cells. For this, 29 non-lactating cross-bread cows were used in the study and submitted to a 9-day fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol. The day of the AI was considered Day 0 (D0), and five days (D5) after the FTAI, the cows were allocated into two groups: Control and hCG group, when a hCG group received a single dose of 2.500UI of hCG. On day 18 after FTAI (D18) cows were slaughtered and endometrial tissue samples were collected. There was no difference between the embryo recovery rate of the cows in C compared to the hCG. The hCG group increased the accessory corpus luteum formation rate. The hCG resulted in greater serum progesterone concentration in the hCG group compared to the C on Day 14. Only the expression of IFNAR2 and STAT1 were upregulated on pregnant cows of the hCG group compared to the C group. The pathway genes (JAK1, STAT2, and IRF9) were not regulated. The mRNA abundance of ISG15, MX1, MX2, and OAS1 was upregulated in pregnant cows for hCG group, compared to C group. The results show that the administration of hCG, 5 days after AI, in addition to increasing the serum progesterone, modulates the expression of IFNT-pathway and ISGs on bovine endometrium on Day 18 of pregnancy.
PubMed: 38562608
DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0130 -
Animal Reproduction Science May 2024Successful artificial breeding underpins rapid genetic and production gains in animal agriculture. In sheep, artificial insemination with frozen semen is performed via... (Review)
Review
Successful artificial breeding underpins rapid genetic and production gains in animal agriculture. In sheep, artificial insemination with frozen semen is performed via intrauterine laparoscopy as frozen-thawed spermatozoa do not traverse the cervix in sufficient numbers for high fertility and transcervical insemination is anatomically impossible in most ewes. Historically, laparoscopic artificial insemination has always been considered reasonably successful, but recent anecdotal reports of poor fertility place it at risk of warning adoption. Understanding the male, female and environmental factors that influence the fertility of sheep is warranted if the success of artificial insemination is to be improved and genetic progress maximised for the sheep industry. This review details the current practice of laparoscopic AI in sheep. It explores the effects of semen quantity and quality, the ewe, her preparation, and environmental conditions, on the fertility obtained following laparoscopic artificial insemination.
Topics: Animals; Insemination, Artificial; Sheep; Female; Laparoscopy; Male; Pregnancy; Semen Preservation
PubMed: 38547814
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107453 -
JBRA Assisted Reproduction Jun 2024To evaluate the impact of possible maternal and paternal prognostic factors and ovarian stimulation protocols on clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in intrauterine... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of possible maternal and paternal prognostic factors and ovarian stimulation protocols on clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles.
METHODS
Retrospective observational study of 341 IUI cycles performed from January 2016 to November 2020 at the Assisted Reproduction Service of the Clinics Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and their potential prognostic factors were evaluated. Wilcoxon's non-parametric test was used to compare quantitative variables, and the chi-square test to compare qualitative variables, adopting a significance level of p<0.05. A logistic regression model was performed to verify which exploratory variables are predictive factors for pregnancy outcome.
RESULTS
The ovulation induction protocol using gonadotropins plus letrozole (p=0.0097; OR 4.3286, CI 1.3040 - 14.3684) and post-capacitation progressive sperm ≥ 5million/mL (p=0.0253) showed a statistically significant correlation with the live birth rate. Female and male age, etiology of infertility, obesity, multifollicular growth, endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm, and time between human chorionic gonadotropin administration and IUI performance were not associated with the primary outcomes. In the group of patients with ideal characteristics (women aged< 40 years, BMI < 30 kg/m2, antral follicle count ≥ 5, partner aged< 45 years, and post-capacitation semen with progressive spermatozoa ≥ 5 million/mL), the rate of clinical pregnancy was 14.8%, while that of live birth, 9.9%.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the ovulation induction protocol with gonadotropins plus letrozole and post-capacitation progressive sperm ≥ 5 million/mL were the only variables that significantly correlated with intrauterine insemination success.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Male; Ovulation Induction; Prognosis; Insemination, Artificial; Pregnancy Rate; Pregnancy Outcome
PubMed: 38546118
DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20240017 -
Genes Mar 2024Since artificial insemination is common practice in pig breeding, the quality and persistence of the semen are decisive for the usability of individual boars. In the...
Since artificial insemination is common practice in pig breeding, the quality and persistence of the semen are decisive for the usability of individual boars. In the current study, genome-wide association analyses were performed to investigate the genetic variability underlying phenotypic variations in semen characteristics. These traits comprise sperm morphology and sperm motility under different temporal and thermal storage conditions, in addition to standard semen quality parameters. Two consecutive samples of the fourth and fifth ejaculates from the same boar were comprehensively analyzed in a genotyped Piétrain boar population. A total of 13 genomic regions on different chromosomes were identified that contain single-nucleotide polymorphisms significantly associated with these traits. Subsequent analysis of the genomic regions revealed candidate genes described to be involved in spermatogenesis, such as , , , , , , and , and sperm motility, including , , , and . Some of these genes were also associated with male fertility or infertility in mammals (e.g., , ). The analyses based on these laboriously determined and valuable phenotypes contribute to a better understanding of the genetic background of male fertility traits in pigs and could prospectively contribute to the improvement of sperm quality through breeding approaches.
Topics: Swine; Male; Animals; Semen; Semen Analysis; Genome-Wide Association Study; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Mammals
PubMed: 38540441
DOI: 10.3390/genes15030382 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Mar 2024Anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from wireless technologies has increased dramatically. The boar semen used for artificial insemination is...
The Distribution of Boars Spermatozoa in Morphometrically Distinct Subpopulations after In Vitro Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation at 2500 MHz and Their Motility.
Anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from wireless technologies has increased dramatically. The boar semen used for artificial insemination is essential in sustaining the pig industry, and additionally it is also exposed to the effects of the RF-EMR of wireless technologies. Furthermore, there are no data on the effects of RF-EMR on semen quality, and this is the first analysis of sperm's morphometric parameters for assessing the effect of RF-EMR on the spermatozoa subpopulations of boars. This study investigated the effect of RF-EMR on in vitro exposed breeding boar semen spermatozoa motility and the proportions of spermatozoa subpopulations according to their morphometric head and tail parameters. The semen samples of 12 boars were divided into control and experimental groups. The samples in the experimental group were exposed in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic chamber at a frequency of 2500 MHz (the frequency band used in 5G technology) and an electric field strength of 10 Vm for two hours. After exposure, the spermatozoa motility was evaluated for both groups. A morphometric analysis of the semen smears was performed using SFORM software (Version 1.0; VAMS, Zagreb, Croatia). The progressive spermatozoa motility was significantly reduced in the experimental group (74.7% vs. 85.7%). PC analysis and cluster analysis revealed two spermatozoa subpopulations: S1, spermatozoa with a more regular head shape and a smaller midpiece outline, and S2, spermatozoa with a more elongated head shape and a larger midpiece outline. The experimental semen samples had a greater proportion of the S1 spermatozoa subpopulation (68.2% vs. 64.4%). The effect of RF-EMR at 2500 MHz on the in vitro exposed boar semen resulted in decreased progressive spermatozoa motility and a lower proportion of the spermatozoa subpopulation with a higher fertilizing potential.
PubMed: 38539926
DOI: 10.3390/ani14060828 -
Veterinary Sciences Mar 2024Accurate assessment of ram sperm quality is crucial to optimizing assisted reproductive technologies in sheep. However, semen preservation can induce sperm due to...
Accurate assessment of ram sperm quality is crucial to optimizing assisted reproductive technologies in sheep. However, semen preservation can induce sperm due to osmotic, biochemical, and thermal stress. Stabilizing sperm with a suitable cooling rate and adaptation period to the extender could mitigate these effects for a more reliable evaluation. This study aimed to determine: (1) the best time to assess ram sperm quality, and (2) the factor responsible for the altered state of ram sperm during the first hours of liquid storage. In , ejaculated sperm were diluted and assessed for sperm motility and functionality at four preservation times: 0, 3, 6, and 24 h as sperm damage control. Both sperm motility and functionality improved after 6 h. investigated the factor responsible for sperm quality change by testing the interactions of seminal plasma and extender with sperm from epididymides independently and in combination. The evaluation of sperm was performed as in . Sperm in groups containing the extender showed altered motility at 0 and 24 h, and lower functionality at 0 h. Thus, we could assume that extender addition initially alters ram sperm, causing sublethal damage that is reversible after 3 to 6 h of semen preservation. In conclusion, ram sperm require an adaptation time of 3 to 6 h to the extender before an accurate quality assessment can be conducted. This has practical implications for reproduction centers, enabling better workflow organization and optimal expression of ram sperm attributes when cervical artificial insemination is routinely performed.
PubMed: 38535866
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11030132 -
Veterinary Sciences Mar 2024The effect of vitamins and minerals supplementation (VTM) and/or two rates of body weight gain (GAIN) on bovine placental vascular development and angiogenic factors...
The effect of vitamins and minerals supplementation (VTM) and/or two rates of body weight gain (GAIN) on bovine placental vascular development and angiogenic factors gene expression were evaluated in two experiments: In Exp. 1, crossbred Angus heifers ( = 34) were assigned to VTM/NoVTM treatments at least 71 days before breeding to allow changes in the mineral status. At breeding, through artificial insemination (AI), heifers were assigned to low-gain (LG) 0.28 kg/d or moderate-gain (MG) 0.79 kg/d treatments, resulting in NoVTM-LG (Control; = 8), NoVTM-MG ( = 8), VTM-LG ( = 9), and VTM-MG ( = 9) until day 83 of gestation; In Exp. 2, crossbred angus heifers ( = 28), were assigned to control (CON; = 12), receiving a basal total mixed ration (TMR) or TMR + VTM (VTM; = 16) from breeding until parturition. Placentomes from Exp. 1 and cotyledons (COT) from Exp. 2 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for COT vascular density area. COTs from Exp. 1 were evaluated for angiogenic factor (-1, -2, 2, 3, 1, , , ) gene expression. In Exp. 1, COT vascularity was not affected by the interaction of VTM and GAIN ( = 0.67) or the main effects of VTM ( = 0.50) and GAIN ( = 0.55). Likewise, angiogenic factors were not differentially expressed between treatments ( < 0.05). In Exp. 2, COT vascularity was greater in VTM vs. CON ( = 0.07). In conclusion, there is a suggested later-stage influence of vitamin and mineral supplementation on placental vascularity, emphasizing the importance of supplementation beyond early pregnancy.
PubMed: 38535845
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11030111