From the Semen Collection Method to the Hatchlings: The Use of Cryopreserved Sperm from Pheasants Fed an Antioxidant-Enriched Diet

Advances in Cryopreservatives: Exploring Safer Alternatives

Cryopreservation of cells, tissues, and organs is widely used in the biomedical and research world. There are different cryopreservatives that are used for this process; however, many of them, such as DMSO, are used despite the problems they present, mainly due to the toxicity it presents to certain types of samples. The aim of this Review is to highlight the different types of substances used in the cryopreservation process. It has been shown that some of these substances are well-known, as in the case of the families of alcohols, sugars, sulfoxides, etc. However, in recent years, other compounds have appeared, such as ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, or certain polymers, which open the door to new cryopreservation methods and are also less toxic to frozen samples.

Germinated Wheat as a Potential Natural Source of Antioxidants to Improve Sperm Quality: A Canary Trial

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of germinated wheat on some spermatological parameters (motility, abnormal spermatozoa, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), and viability) in male Gloster canaries. For this purpose, the canaries were divided into two groups, each consisting of six canaries, one control (C), and the other experimental group (GW). Group C was fed commercial canary feed. The GW group was fed germinated wheat (germinated for 5 days) and commercial canary feed. The canaries were kept individually in four-storey cages (60 cm × 50 cm × 40 cm). In this study, which lasted 2 months, feed/water was provided ad libitum and lighting was applied daily for 16 h (turned on at 05:30 and turned off at 21:30). At the end of the experiment, the sperm samples obtained from the canaries were examined in terms of the aforementioned parameters. The effects of germination time × concentration, germination time, and solvent rate on DPPH radical scavenging activity and phenolic compounds in germinated wheat were significant (p < 0.001). The highest DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (86.06%) and phenolic content (316.25 mg GAE/g) in germinated wheats were obtained on the fifth day (90% solvent rate) of germination. It was determined that germinated wheat did not significantly affect abnormal sperm and HOST values (p > 0.05). However, it significantly affected the motility and viable sperm rates (p < 0.05). As a result, it is thought that germinated wheat can be used as a natural antioxidant source to increase motility and vitality in canary sperm.

Raptors bred in captivity: semen characteristics and assisted reproduction outcome in goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

Three sexually mature goshawks reared in captivity and imprinted on humans to express reproductive behavior according to the cooperative method were studied for three consecutive breeding seasons to assess the quality of their sperm. The following parameters were analyzed: ejaculate volume and sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphology. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and motility fluctuated along the reproductive season, revealing the greatest quality of the reproductive material at full springtime (i.e., April). Motility of the sperm collected in March strongly reduced with age, contrary to samples collected in April or May. Sperm viability was not influenced by either age or month of collection within each season. Ultrastructural investigations provided information on normal sperm morphology for the first time in this species. The morphological categories of sperm defects in fresh semen, present at low percentages, are also described. Functional analyses (perivitelline membrane assay and artificial inseminations) confirmed the good quality of the semen obtained using the cooperative method. The reported data provide the basis for further studies aimed at developing protocols to improve the outcome of artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation in the goshawk as well as other bird of prey species.

Current Status and Advances in Semen Preservation

Recent advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART) have increased the effectiveness of fertility treatments [...].