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

Author(s):Show less -

Henrique, Fabio Luis ^[1] ; Alves Bezerra, Helena Viel ^[1] ; Polato, Heloise Zavatieri ^[1] ; Fernandes, Aricia Christofaro ^[1] ; Zanella, Adroaldo Jose ^[2] ; Rodrigues Alves, Maira Bianchi ^[2] ; Carvalho Celeghini, Eneiva Carla ^[2] ; Batissaco, Leonardo ^[2] ; Strefezzi, Ricardo de Francisco ^[1] ; Pulido-Rodriguez, Lina Fernanda ^[1] ; Hooper, Henrique Barbosa ^[1] ; Titto, Cristiane Goncalves ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Zootecnia & Engn Alimentos, Av Duque Caxias Norte 225, Campus Fernando Costa, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Av Duque Caxias Norte 225, Campus Fernando Costa, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Theriogenology; v. 145, p. 158-166, MAR 15 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

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. coli; 0.8 mu g kg(-1)) and control (placebo/saline) administered in late pregnancy (120 days post-conception). The animals gave birth to 17 male lambs (11 LPS; 8 control). Reproductive development of the young rams was analyzed from 5 to 12 months of age. A completely randomized design in double factorial scheme was used. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance. The model included treatment (LPS; control), age as main effects and their interactions, and the animal as a repeated measure. Means were compared by the PDIFF-SAS (Pr > vertical bar t vertical bar) at P < 0.05. An effect of age was observed for scrotal circumference, testicular consistency, homogeneity of testicular parenchyma, vascularization, semen quantity and quality, and blood testosterone concentration (P < 0.05). LPS increased sperm defects (P < 0.05) but an interaction with age was not observed (P > 0.05) with higher abnormalities only during months 8 and 9 (P < 0.05) and not thereafter. In summary, LPS did not cause long-term damage to testicular morphology analyzed from the onset of puberty to sexual maturity. However, LPS treatment affected sperm morphology during early puberty of the offspring. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17758-1 - Stress during pregnancy: development of sexual behavior of male and female lambs
• Grantee: Cristiane Gonçalves Titto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants