Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Metropolitan Autonomous University - X, Mexico City, Mexico

2 Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Metropolitan Autonomous University - X, Mexico City, Mexico

3 Department of Agricultural and Animal Production. Metropolitan Autonomous University Xochimilco

4 Metropolitan Autonomous University - I, Mexico City, Mexico

5 Department of Avian Medicine and Zootechnics, College of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

Abstract

In the hen oviduct, tubules have been identified that preserve the sperm, maintaining viability for up to 15 weeks. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological status of rooster sperm when preserved in vitro with uterus vaginal junction secretions (UVJS). Males and females of the Rhode Island breed were used. Sperm aliquots were prepared using Lake extender and Lake extender with UVJS (10.00%, 30.00%, 60.00%, and 90.00%). Subsequently, a basic sperm evaluation was performed and sperm physiological status was determined through the presence and distribution of Ca2+ and its acrosomal reaction capability via perivitelline layer (PVL) co-incubation. It was observed that motility was decreased in sperm preserved with UVJS at 6 and 24 hr) compared to 40 min and fresh semen. The sperm decapacitation percentage was increased when preserved with UVJS at 40 min, 6 and 24 hr compared to fresh semen. The acrosomal reaction was increased in sperm co-incubated with PVL, even when preserved with UVJS. It was concluded that UVJS induced physiological changes in sperm by inducing a decapacitation process, which increased sperm viability when preserved in vitro.

Keywords

  1.  

    1. Bakst MR. Role of the oviduct in maintaining sustained fertility in hens. J Anim Sci 2010; 89(5): 1323-1329.
    2. Sasanami T, Matsuzaki M, Mizushima S, et al. Sperm storage in the female reproductive tract in birds. J Reprod Dev 2013; 59(4): 334-338.
    3. Bakst MR, Akuffo V. Alkaline phosphatase reactivity in the vagina and uterovaginal junction sperm-storage tubules of turkeys in egg production: Implications for sperm storage. Br Poult Sci 2007; 48(4):515-518.
    4. Bakst MR, Bauchan G. Apical blebs on sperm storage tubule epithelial cell microvilli: Their release and interaction with resident sperm in the turkey hen oviduct. Theriogenology 2015; 83(9): 1438-1444.
    5. Long JA, Conn TL. Use of phosphosphatidylcholine to improve the function of turkey semen stored at 4 ˚C for 24 hr. Poul Sci J 2012; 91(8): 1990-1996.
    6. Freedman SL, Akuffo VG, Bakst MR. Evidence for the innervation of sperm storage tubules in the oviduct of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Reproduction 2001; 121: 809-814.
    7. Marzesco AM, Wilsch-Bräuninger M, Dubreuil V, et al. Release of extracellular membrane vesicles from microvilli of epithelial cells is enhanced by depleting membrane cholesterol. FEBS Lett 2009; 583: 897-902.
    8. National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 8th revised Ed. Washington DC, USA: National Academy Press 1984.
    9. Official Mexican Standard NOM-062-ZOO-1999, Technical specifications for the production, care and use of laboratory animals. 1999; 1-58.
    10. Burrows WH, Quinn JP. The collection of spermatozoa from the domestic fowl and turkey. Poul Sci J 1937; 16(1): 19-24.
    11. Lake PE, Ravie O. An exploration of cryoprotective compounds for fowl spermatozoa. Br Poult Sci 1984; 25(1): 145-150.
    12. Herrera JA, Quintana JA, López MA, et al. Individual cryopreservation with dimethyl sulfoxide and poly-vinylpyrrolidone of ejaculates and pooled semen of three avian species. Arch Androl 2005; 51(5): 353-360.
    13. Santiago-Moreno J, Castaño C, Toledano-Díaz A, et al. Semen cryopreservation for the creation of a Spanish poultry breeds cryobank: Optimization of freezing rate and equilibration time. Poult Sci 2011; 90(9): 2047-2053.
    14. Ricart MC, Breininger E, Rodriguez PC, et al. Participation of membrane adenylyl cyclase in heparin-induced capacitation in cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Andrologia 2015; 47(1):30-36.
    15. Lemoine M, Mignon-Grasteau S, Grasseau I, et al. Ability of chicken spermatozoa to undergo acrosome reaction after liquid storage or cryopreservation. Theriogenology 2011; 75(1): 122-130.
    16. Herrera JA, Calderón G, Guzmán A, et al. Evaluation of two diluents for the storage of fresh and cryopreserved semen of Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus). Austral J Vet Sci 2017; 49(1), 39-43.
    17. Lemoine M, Grasseau I, Brillard JP, et al. A reappraisal of the factors involved in in vitro initiation of the acrosome reaction in chicken spermatozoa. Reproduction 2008; 136(4):391-399.
    18. Matsuzaki M, Mizushima S, Ichikawa Y, et al. Effects of a protein kinase inhibitor on sperm motility in the Japanese quail. J Poult Sci 2017; 54(1): 73-79.
    19. Huang A. Isobe N. Obitsu T, et al. Expression of lipases and lipid receptors in sperm storage tubules and possible role of fatty acids in sperm survival in the hen oviduct. Theriogenology 2016; 85(7): 1334-1342.
    20. Riou C, Cordeiro L, Gérard N. Eggshell matrix proteins OC-116, OC-17 and OCX36 in hen's sperm storage tubules. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 185: 28-41.
    21. Froman DP, Rhoads DD. Breeding and genetics symposium: A systems biology definition for chicken semen quality. J Anim Sci 2013; 91(2): 523-529.
    22. Papa FO, Melo CM, Fioratti EG, et al. Freezing of stallion epididymal sperm. Anim Rep Sci 2008; 107(3-4): 293-301.