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Spanner EA, de Graaf SP, Rickard JP. Uterine tone influences fertility of Merino ewes following laparoscopic artificial insemination. Theriogenology 2024; 222:45-53. [PMID: 38615435 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) plays a critical role in facilitating rapid genetic and production gains within the sheep industry. However, variable rates of AI success remain a concern for the industry and a barrier to adoption. Furthermore, the degree to which female factors influence the success of intrauterine laparoscopic AI rather than natural mating remains unknown. As such, this study investigates the effect of several factors collected during the time of AI, on the success of intrauterine laparoscopic AI. Data was generously donated by artificial breeding companies and stud breeders during routine commercial AI operations. AI data was collected over 3 breeding seasons during commercial AI programs (N = 24 programs) using Merino ewes (N = 24,700). Sire ID (N = 253), time of AI following progesterone removal (approx. 43-59 h post removal), uterine tone and intra-abdominal fat (both scored 1-5) as well as age of the ewe were all recorded at the time of AI. Transcutaneous ultrasound subsequently determined pregnancy rate approximately 55 days post-AI. A multivariate regression analysis was performed and revealed pregnancy success to increase when semen was inseminated into a ewe with a uterine tone score of 4 or 5 (P < 0.001). The remaining factors fell short of significance within the multivariate model. An interclass coefficient variation matrix was also used to determine the proportion of variation contributed to AI success by random factors allocated in the model; site, sire, AI date and breeding season (45.99 %, 29.94 %, 15.15 % and 8.92 %, respectively). These results highlight the influence of uterine tone on ewe fertility following laparoscopic AI, but also that program location and the sire used can further modify this influence on pregnancy rate. These factors must now be considered in combination with semen factors per individual sire used during AI to ascertain the contribution of several factors to the success of laparoscopic AI in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Spanner
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
| | - S P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - J P Rickard
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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Spanner EA, de Graaf SP, Rickard JP. Factors affecting the success of laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 264:107453. [PMID: 38547814 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Spanner
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - S P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - J P Rickard
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia
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Wang M, Ren C, Wang P, Cheng X, Chen Y, Huang Y, Chen J, Sun Z, Wang Q, Zhang Z. Microbiome–Metabolome Reveals the Contribution of the Gut–Testis Axis to Sperm Motility in Sheep (Ovis aries). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13060996. [PMID: 36978536 PMCID: PMC10044597 DOI: 10.3390/ani13060996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A close association exists among testicular function, gut microbiota regulation, and organismal metabolism. In this study, serum and seminal plasma metabolomes, and the rumen microbiome of sheep with significant differences in sperm viability, were explored. Serum and seminal plasma metabolomes differed significantly between high-motility (HM) and low-motility (LM) groups of sheep, and 39 differential metabolites closely related to sperm motility in sheep were found in seminal plasma metabolomes, while 35 were found in serum samples. A 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that the relative abundance of HM and LM rumen microorganisms, such as Ruminococcus and Quinella, was significantly higher in the HM group, whereas genera such as Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Lactobacillus were enriched in the mid-LM group. Serum hormone assays revealed that serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and MT levels were significantly lower in the LM group than in the HM group, whereas serum glucocorticoid (GC) levels were higher in the LM group than in the HM group, and they all affected sperm motility in sheep. Ruminococcus and other rumen microorganisms were positively correlated with sperm motility, whereas Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with FSH and GCs levels. Our findings suggest that rumen microbial activity can influence the host metabolism and hormone levels associated with fertility in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Chunhuan Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Penghui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiao Cheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yale Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yafeng Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jiahong Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Modern Agricultural Technology Cooperation and Popularization Center of Dingyuan County, Chuzhou 233200, China
| | - Zhipeng Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Qiangjun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Correspondence: (Q.W.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zijun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Modern Agricultural Technology Cooperation and Popularization Center of Dingyuan County, Chuzhou 233200, China
- Correspondence: (Q.W.); (Z.Z.)
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Malmakov N, Ptacek M, Savvulidi FG, Stadnik L. Optimal time for laparoscopic intrauterine insemination performed on ewes detected in natural heat. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:103416. [PMID: 36060111 PMCID: PMC9434137 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nurlan Malmakov
- Department of Sheep and Goat Artificial Insemination and Sperm Cryoconservation, Scientific Research Institute of Sheep Breeding Branch, Mynbaev, Almaty Region 040622, Kazakhstan
| | - Martin Ptacek
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Filipp Georgijevic Savvulidi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Corresponding author.
| | - Ludek Stadnik
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
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Zhang J, Lu X, Liu Y, Wu X, Yu Y, Li X. Prolonging the time of semen deposition increases the pregnancy rates of ewes subjected to fixed time cervical insemination during the breeding season. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:1280-1284. [PMID: 35780290 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The main limiting factor of artificial cervical insemination in ewes is the long and narrow fibrous cervical canal, which impedes the transport of spermatozoa and leads to lower pregnancy rates. The hypothesis that prolonging the time of semen deposition during ovine cervical insemination can increase pregnancy rates was investigated in this study. Estrus was synchronized in 150 multiparous Ujimqin ewes using a polyurethane intravaginal sponge impregnated with 45 mg of flurogestone acetate. The sponge was left in the vagina for 12 days followed by an injection of 330 IU of eCG at sponge removal. After exclusion of two ewes due to sponge loss, the remaining 148 ewes were divided into the Treatment group (n = 75) and the Control group (n = 73). Each ewe was inseminated once between 56 h to 60 h after the removal of sponges, using a new type of insemination device containing 0.25 ml of diluted semen. Semen was collected from eight Black Suffolk rams and all the ejaculates were pooled and diluted in ultra-high temperature-treated commercial skimmed milk. The time of semen deposition was prolonged to 60 s in the Treatment group, while ewes were given a traditional insemination in the Control group. Pregnancy status was determined by transabdominal ultrasound examination 45 days after insemination. Lambing performance was calculated after all the ewes had delivered. Significant differences were observed between the Treatment group and the Control group in terms of the pregnancy rate and the fecundity rate (73.3% and 93.3% vs 56.2% and 71.2%, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, prolonging the time of semen deposition significantly increased pregnancy and fecundity rates in estrus-synchronized Ujimqin ewes subjected to fixed time cervical insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, 071000, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, 071000, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yiyong Liu
- Institute of Xinjiang Yili Animal Science, Yining, Xinjiang, 835000, China
| | - Xinglong Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, 071000, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yuansong Yu
- Dental Stem cell Bank and Research Center, Savaid Stomatology School of Hangzhou Medical College, 310013, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangyun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, 071000, Baoding, Hebei, China
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Jia B, Liang J, Lv C, Memon S, Fang Y, Wu G, Quan G. The characteristics of proteome and metabolome associated with contrasting sperm motility in goat seminal plasma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15562. [PMID: 34330982 PMCID: PMC8324791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95138-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is an index tightly associated with male fertility. A close relationship between seminal plasma and sperm motility has been confirmed. This study was to assess the protein and metabolite profiles of seminal plasma obtained from adult goats with high or low sperm motility using the proteomic and metabolomic strategies. In total, 2098 proteins were found. 449 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified, and 175 DAPs were enriched in the high motility group. The obtained DAPs primarily exist in cytoplasma and extra-cellular portion. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis demonstrated the main functional roles of these DAPs in regulating biological process, metabolic process of organic substances, cellular-metabolic process, primary-metabolic process, metabolic process of nitrogen compounds, etc. Additionally, the Kyoto-Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that these DAPs were primarily involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling system, salivary secretion, proteasome, apoptosis, mitophagy-animal, etc. Aided by the parallel reaction monitoring technology, the abundance changing pattern of 19 selected DAPs was consistent with that of the corresponding proteins obtained by TMT. A total of 4603 metabolites were identified in seminal plasma. 1857 differential metabolites were found between the high motility group and the low motility group, and 999 metabolites were up-regulated in the high motility group. The KEGG analysis demonstrated the primary involvement of the differential metabolites in metabolic and synthetic activities. In conclusion, we first established the proteome and metabolome databank of goat seminal plasma, detecting some proteins and metabolites which may affect sperm motility. This study will be valuable for understanding mechanisms leading to poor sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Jia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Jiachong Liang
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resource Conservation and Germplasm Enhancement, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Chunrong Lv
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resource Conservation and Germplasm Enhancement, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Sameeullah Memon
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yi Fang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Grassland Farming, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agoecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
| | - Guoquan Wu
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resource Conservation and Germplasm Enhancement, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
| | - Guobo Quan
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resource Conservation and Germplasm Enhancement, Jindian, Panlong County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
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