Chronological characterization of sperm morpho-functional damage and recovery after testicular heat stress in Nellore bulls.

Heat stress (HS) affects spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, decreasing sperm quality. Yet sperm morpho-functional changes caused by HS in Nellore bulls are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to show the chronological effects on sperm quality of HS during spermatogenesis and sperm maturation until recovery of the seminiferous epithelium in Nellore bulls.

Poor welfare compromises testicle physiology in breeding boars.

In commercial pig breeding farms, boars are often exposed to stressful situations, such as confined housing conditions, inadequate environmental temperature, food restriction, lameness, diseases, among other challenges. Confined housing conditions, such as crates, are reported as a major source of stress for pregnant sows, and were banned in the UK and in Europe, however there is limited information about the impact of this housing system for boars. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of three different housing conditions for boars and the consequence on the testicles.

Relationship between sperm ubiquitination and equine semen freezability.

This study aimed to assess the semen ubiquitin levels of stallions with good (GF) and poor semen freezability (PF) and to evaluate the relationship between sperm ubiquitination and sperm morphological defects. Five ejaculates from eight adult stallions (n = 40) were collected and cryopreserved. Then, the ubiquitin level in equine sperm cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry with epifluorescence microscopy, and sperm morphology was assessed by differential interference contrast microscopy.

Coenzyme Q-10 improves preservation of mitochondrial functionality and actin structure of cryopreserved stallion sperm.

Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) is a cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport chain and may be an alternative to improve sperm quality of cryopreserved equine semen. This work aimed to improve stallion semen quality after freezing by adding CoQ-10 to the cryopreservation protocol. Seven saddle stallions were utilized.

Changes in miRNA levels of sperm and small extracellular vesicles of seminal plasma are associated with transient scrotal heat stress in bulls.

Scrotal heat stress affects spermatogenesis and impairs male fertility by increasing sperm morphological abnormalities, oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. While sperm morpho-functional changes triggered by scrotal heat stress are well described, sperm molecular alterations remain unknown. Recently, spermatozoa were described as accumulating miRNAs during the last steps of spermatogenesis and through epididymis transit, mainly by communication with small extracellular vesicles (sEVs).

Heat stress effects on bovine sperm cells: a chronological approach to early findings.

Testicular heat stress affects sperm quality and fertility. However, the chronology of these effects is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to establish the early sequential effects of heat stress in bull sperm quality.

Cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin is efficient in preserving sperm quality of cryopreserved ram semen with low freezability.

Semen freezability is positive correlated with the cholesterol content in the sperm cell. Freeze-thawing mainly cause temperature chock and change on media osmolarity, which can modify plasma membrane lipids content and sperm conformation, resulting in decreased fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of adding cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) to the cryopreservation process of ram semen with low freezability.

Maternal stress in sheep during late pregnancy influences sperm quality in early puberty of the offspring.

Stress at the end of sheep gestation can damage the reproductive development of young males. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of LPS administration in the last third of sheep pregnancy on the reproductive parameters of prepubertal rams. Thirty-six pregnant nulliparous ewes (12 ± 2 months old; 45 ± 6 kg) were assigned to two treatments, LPS (E.

Does low-level laser therapy on degenerated ovine testes improve post-thawed sperm characteristics?

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can modulate redox state of the cell which could be useful to treat testicular degeneration and also prevent injuries by sperm cryopreservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LLLT treatment on semen cryopreservation from rams submitted or not to testicular degeneration by testicular insulation. Eleven White Dorper rams were divided into four groups: animals that were not insulated (Control) and not treated (No Laser) (n = 2); animals that were not insulated and treated with LLLT (n = 3); animals that were insulated and not treated with LLLT (n = 3), and animals that were insulated and treated with LLLT (n = 3).

Recovery of normal testicular temperature after scrotal heat stress in rams assessed by infrared thermography and its effects on seminal characteristics and testosterone blood serum concentration.

Reestablishment of testicular normal temperature after testicular heat stress is unknown and its effect varies widely. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of scrotal insulation (IN) on testicular temperature and its relation to semen quality and testosterone blood serum concentration. For this, 33 rams were used; 17 submitted to IN for 72 hours (using bags involving the testes) and 16 not submitted to IN (control group).

Low-level laser therapy to recovery testicular degeneration in rams: effects on seminal characteristics, scrotal temperature, plasma testosterone concentration, and testes histopathology.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to recovery testicular degeneration in rams. In the first study, rams were induced to testicular degeneration by scrotal insulation, and then, they were treated using LLLT at 28 J/cm(2) (INS28) or 56 J/cm(2) (INS56) energy densities. Sperm kinetics, morphology, and membranes integrity as well as proportion of lumen area in seminiferous tubule were assessed.