Melatonin in Male Dromedary Camel () Seminal Plasma and Its Specific MT1 and MT2 Receptors on Sperm Membranes.

Camels () are seasonal short-day breeders, regulated by photoperiod and melatonin secretion. However, no studies have explored melatonin levels in camel seminal plasma or their relationship with testosterone, age, or climatic factors, nor is it known whether melatonin receptors exist in camel spermatozoa to respond to seminal melatonin. This study aimed to analyze melatonin levels in camel seminal plasma and its specific receptors in spermatozoa.

Differential effect of melatonin on ram spermatozoa depending on the allelic variant of the polymorphism of the gene, incubation medium and season.

Context The Rsa I polymorphism of the melatonin receptor MTNR1A gene affects seasonal reproduction in sheep, but its effect on ram spermatozoa and their response to melatonin is unknown. Aims This study aims to evaluate whether Rsa I polymorphism of the MTNR1A gene influences the response of ram spermatozoa to in vitro added melatonin. Methods Spermatozoa from rams carrying different Rsa I allelic variants were incubated with melatonin in a TALP medium or a capacitation-triggering medium during the reproductive and non-reproductive seasons.

Genotyping of rams based on melatonin receptor 1A gene polymorphisms: a tool in sire selection?

Context Several polymorphisms in the melatonin receptor 1A gene (MTNR1A ) have been related to reproductive performance in ovine. Aims To investigate the effect of the Rsa I and Mnl I polymorphisms on ram seminal quality. Methods Eighteen Rasa Aragonesa rams were genotyped for the Rsa I (C/C, C/T, T/T) and Mnl I (G/G, G/A, A/A) allelic variants of the MTNR1A gene.

MEK signalling pathway is required for hypoblast specification and migration in ovine.

In Brief: MEK signalling pathway is required for hypoblast differentiation in mouse embryos, but its role in ungulate embryos remains controversial. This paper demonstrates that MEK is required for hypoblast specification in the inner cell mass of the ovine blastocyst and that it plays a role during the hypoblast migration occurring following blastocyst hatching.

Abstract: Early embryo development requires the differentiation of three cell lineages in two differentiation events.

Improvement of the Seminal Characteristics in Rams Using Agri-Food By-Products Rich in Phytomelatonin.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a phytomelatonin-rich diet, including by-products from the food industry, on ram sperm quality and seminal plasma composition. Melatonin content in several by-products before and after in vitro ruminal and abomasal digestion was determined by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Finally, 20% of a mix of grape pulp with pomegranate and tomato pomaces was included in the rams' diet, constituting the phytomelatonin-rich diet.