Removal of seminal plasma prior to liquid storage of boar spermatozoa: A practice that can improve their fertilizing ability

Author(s)

Pinoti Pavaneli, Ana Paula ^[1] ; Passarelli, Marina da Silva ^[1] ; de Freitas, Flavia Vieira ^[1] ; Ravagnani, Gisele Mouro ^[1] ; Torres, Mariana Andrade ^[1] ; Massami Kitamura Martins, Simone Maria ^[1] ; Yeste, Marc ^[2] ; Cesar de Andrade, Andre Furugen ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Anim Reprod, Lab Androl & Technol Swine Embryos, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Girona, Biotechnol Anim & Human Reprod TechnoSperm, Unit Cell Biol, Dept Biol, Inst Food & Agr Technol, Fac Sci, Girona - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Theriogenology; v. 125, p. 79-86, FEB 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Seminal plasma (SP) plays a vital role in the maintenance of sperm function and integrity along with being involved in their communication with the female reproductive tract. Under in vitro conditions, although it is generally accepted that boar semen is better preserved when SP is diluted (extended) or removed (cryopreserved), its role during storage is not completely elucidated. In this context, the current study sought to determine the role of SP during storage of boar spermatozoa at 17 degrees C for 72 h. Thus, two treatments were prepared with semen from the sperm-rich fraction (SRF) of boar ejaculate previous to storage in liquid state: 1) PSP: semen directly extended in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), and 2) ASP: semen first centrifuged with subsequent removal of supernatant (containing SP) followed by suspension of sperm in BTS. From this, two experiments were conducted separately in this work: 1) in vitro and 2) in vivo assays. The former aimed to evaluate how sperm capacity responds to in vitro capacitation (IVC) and whether their quality is affected by previous exposure to SP. In the latter, the objective was to understand how important these previous conditions can be for reproductive performance after artificial insemination (AI). According to our results, the previous removal of SP does not affect sperm quality and the response of these cells to IVC (P > 0.05) along with resulting in a lower percentage of acrosome damage in them {[}12.87 +/- 0.76 (ASP) vs. 1638 +/- 0.73 (PSP)] (P < 0.05). This improved preservation of acrosome integrity in the absence of SP can explain the higher fertility rate (%) {[}63.27 +/- 23.47 (ASP) vs. 38.57 +/- 16.30 (PSP)] and number of implanted embryos at 28 days after AI (13.71 +/- 4.88 (ASP) vs. 7.16 +/- 4.02 (PSP)] (P < 0.05) presented by gilts inseminated with seminal doses of ASP. In conclusion, removal of SP prior to liquid storage of boar sperm for 72 h can be beneficial for their fertilizing ability. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/14258-5 - Influence of seminal plasma from the rich fraction of boar ejaculate on structural characteristics, kinetics, capacitation and fertility of the swine spermatozoa stored at 17°C for 72 hours
• Grantee: André Furugen Cesar de Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/02186-2 - Influence of seminal plasma from rich fraction of boar ejaculated on capacitation and hyperactivation of the swine sperm stored at 17ºC for 72 hours
• Grantee: Ana Paula Pinoti Pavaneli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master