Sperm parameters in the Great Dane: Influence of age on semen quality.

Not all sires have sperm suitable for chilled or frozen storage, and success in artificial insemination (AI) varies highly among individual dogs and breeds. Fertilizing potential is further complicated as sperm quality declines with the aging process. Due to the rapidity of aging and senescence in large breed dogs, associated health and fertility changes may be observed over a shorter period, though this period remains undefined for any breed.

Imaging flow cytometry to characterize the relationship between abnormal sperm morphologies and reactive oxygen species in stallion sperm.

Low levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal sperm function and are produced by sperm mitochondria as a byproduct of metabolism, but in excess, ROS can cause catastrophic cellular damage and has been correlated with infertility, poor sperm motility and abnormal morphology in humans. Stallion sperm motility is fueled predominantly by oxidative phosphorylation-produced ATP, requiring high basal rates of mitochondrial function. Consequently, whether elevated ROS production by stallion sperm is an indicator of dysfunctional or highly motile cells has been debated by researchers over the last decade.

Effects from disruption of mitochondrial electron transport chain function on bull sperm motility.

Sperm mitochondrial function is essential for normal physiology and fertility, but the importance of mitochondrial activity to support specific sperm functions, such as motility, varies between species. It was previously believed that mitochondrial function was not necessary for bull sperm motility [1]; however, this theory is contradicted by recently reported findings that the upper fraction of bull sperm swim-up preparations had both high motility and elevated mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates [2]. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between mitochondrial function and motility in bull sperm.

Assessment of an iPad-based sperm motility analyzer for determination of canine sperm motility.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the repeatability and accuracy of canine sperm motility (total and progressive) assessment with a tablet-based Canine iSperm instrument compared to computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The experiment used fresh and frozen/thawed canine semen samples for comparisons of semen analysis parameters (concentration, total motility, and progressive motility) between a CASA system, iSperm, and NucleoCounter SP-100 (concentration) instruments. Spearman's Rho correlational analysis was used to identify significant associations between motility assessment methods.

Histological, Immunological, and Genetic Analysis of Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition affecting the oral mucosa that results in substantial pain and suffering. The goal of this study was to complete an in-depth immunohistochemistry analysis of affected FCGS mucosa, to perform and compare immune cell phenotypes in the blood of FCGS and healthy controls cats, and to determine a transcriptomic profile of the affected and normal oral mucosa of FCGS cats. We hypothesized that cats with FCGS would have circulating activated CD8+ T cells and that tissues would be infiltrated with activated B and T cells with a highly proinflammatory transcriptome.

Sperm mitochondrial regulation in motility and fertility in horses.

The biological nature of age-related declines in fertility in males of any species, including stallions, has been elusive. In horses, the economic costs to the breeding industry are frequently extensive. Mitochondrial function in ejaculated sperm, which is essential for sperm motility, is reflected by adenosine triphosphate production, mitochondrial oxidative efficiency and production of reactive oxygen species, and that this balance may become compromised in ageing stallions and during the process of cryopreservation.