Impact of environmental contaminants on reproductive health of male domestic ruminants: a review.

Environmental contaminants are gaining more attention in the livestock sector lately due to their harmful effects on productivity and fertility of livestock. Recent research indicates that many domestic ruminants are becoming subfertile/infertile due to confounding reasons associated with management. Contaminants like metals, metalloids, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, chemicals, or natural contaminants are present everywhere in day to day life and are becoming a threat to the livestock.

Ellagic and ferulic acids protect arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity via regulating Nfe2l2, Ppargc1a and StAR expressions in testis.

Arsenic (As) - induced oxidative stress causes male reproductive toxicity apart from its other generalized systemic effects. Some phytochemicals through their antioxidant properties might help to overcome such toxic effects. The aim of the study was to elucidate the protective role of the selected phytochemicals, ellagic and ferulic acids against the As-induced reproductive toxicity.

Protective role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on arsenic induced testicular toxicity in Swiss albino mice.

Arsenic, often referred to as the king of poisons is carcinogenic in humans and animals. It affects multiorgan systems including reproduction. The present study was undertaken to explore the protective role of green tea compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on arsenic induced testicular toxicity in Swiss albino mice.

Spermatozoal transcripts expression levels are predictive of semen quality and conception rate in bulls (Bos taurus).

Spermatozoal transcripts expression levels could be used to assess fertility potential of a male. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the predictive ability of the expression levels of growth, apoptosis and homeostasis regulating transcripts on sperm functions and fertility. The expression levels of spermatozoal RNA isolated from the neat semen samples were related to the good (discarded ejaculate, <25%; n = 7) and poor (discarded ejaculate, >40%, n = 6) quality semen producer and bulls (n = 12) with known conception rate.

Profiling of sperm proteins and association of sperm PDC-109 with bull fertility.

The composition of sperm proteins influences the fertilizing ability of sperm and hence the present study was conducted (i) to profile sperm proteins expression patterns in bulls of differing fertility index and (ii) to identify and relate the abundant sperm proteins with bull fertility. The semen samples were collected from Holstein-Friesian bulls (n = 12) varying in conception rate (CR) (high/low). The frozen semen straws (three ejaculates, from each bull) were used to study (a) sperm kinetic parameters, (b) plasmalemma integrity, (c) mitochondrial membrane potential, and (d) chromatin distribution.

Relationship between seminal plasma tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues and sperm functional attributes in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The buffalo seminal plasma protein profile and its relationship with sperm quality have not been studied in detail. Thus, the aim of the present study was to profile buffalo seminal plasma proteins and to assess the relationship between differentially expressed proteins and sperm characteristics. Semen samples (n = 44) were collected from 11 Murrah buffalo bulls (four ejaculates from each animal) and seminal plasma protein profiling was performed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Spermatozoa input concentrations and RNA isolation methods on RNA yield and quality in bull (Bos taurus).

Sperm RNA can be used to understand the past spermatogenic process, future successful fertilization, and embryo development. To study the sperm RNA composition and function, isolation of good quality RNA with sufficient quantity is essential. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of sperm input concentrations and RNA isolation methods on RNA yield and quality in bull sperm.

Evaluation of maize grain and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) as energy sources for breeding rams based on hormonal, sperm functional parameters and fertility.

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of different sources of dietary energy (maize vs polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) on semen functional parameters and fertility of adult rams. Eighteen adult rams were divided into two groups (maize and PUFA, n=9). The main energy source for the rams in the maize group was coarsely ground maize grain, whereas in the PUFA group it was sunflower oil (rich in 18:2 linoleic acid, an omega-6 acid).