The functional roles of plant extracts have been investigated for the treatment of various diseases including subfertility. Recent studies have highlighted the benefits of ashwagandha extract (AE) in enhancing sperm production, boosting testosterone levels, and lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in mammals. The current study is to examine the effects of the addition of AE to liquid boar semen on sperm quality during storage and its potential application in assisted reproductive technology. A hot water extract of ashwagandha was prepared from the dried powder of ashwagandha roots. Boar spermatozoa were stored in Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) at 17℃ for 5 days, with various concentrations of AE (1–50 mg/mL). During storage, motility, viability, acrosomal integrity and ROS of boar spermatozoa were examined. The results have shown that sperm stored in BTS with varying quantities of AE ranging from 1–20 mg/mL exhibited higher motility compared to those without AE (control) or with 50 mg/mL AE for 5 days. Similarly, sperm viability was better maintained in sperm treated with 1–20 mg/mL AE. Moreover, sperm stored in BTS with AE led to significantly higher acrosomal integrity and chromatin stability rates than sperm stored without AE. Notably, intracellular ROS levels significantly decreased in sperm stored in BTS with AE. Particularly, spermatozoa stored at 10 mg/mL AE exhibited an effective reduction in ROS during storage. These findings suggest the potential role of AE as an additive during sperm storage maintains sperm quality and can be used during subfertility treatment in both animals and humans.

Sperm cryopreservation is a fundamental process for the long-term conservation of livestock genetic resources. Yet, the packaging method has been shown, among other factors, to affect the frozen-thawed (FT) sperm quality. This study aimed to develop a new mini-straw for sperm cryopreservation. In addition, the kinematic patterns, viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of boar spermatozoa frozen in the developed 0.25 mL straw, 0.25 mL (minitube, Germany), or 0.5 mL (IMV technologies, France) straws were assessed. Postthaw kinematic parameters were not different (experiment 1: total motility (33.89%, 32.42%), progressive motility (19.13%, 19.09%), curvilinear velocity (42.32, 42.86), and average path velocity (33.40, 33.62) for minitube and the developed straws, respectively. Further, the viability (38.56%, 34.03%), acrosome integrity (53.38%, 48.88%), MMP (42.32%, 36.71%) of spermatozoa frozen using both straw were not differ statistically (p > 0.05). In experiment two, the quality parameters for semen frozen in the developed straw were compared with the 0.5 mL IMV straw. The total motility (41.26%, 39.1%), progressive motility (24.62%, 23.25%), curvilinear velocity (46.44, 48.25), and average path velocity (37.98, 39.12), respectively, for IMV and the developed straw, did not differ statistically. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the viability (39.60%, 33.17%), acrosome integrity (46.23%, 43.23%), and MMP (39.66, 32.51) for IMV and the developed straw, respectively. These results validate the safety and efficiency of the developed straw and highlight its great potential for clinical application. Moreover, both 0.25 mL and 0.5 mL straws fit the present protocol for cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa.

Cryopreservation is a widely-used efficient means of long-term sperm preservation. However, unlike other types of semen, cryopreserved boar semen has reduced fertility and the efforts continue to optimize post-thawing sperm recovery. In this study, we evaluated the effects of various washing solutions (Hulsen solution, labmade DPBS and commercial DPBS) on post-thawing porcine sperm kinematics (CASA system), viability (SYBR-14/PI) and acrosome integrity (PSA/FITC). We also examined the effect of washing-centrifugation on frozen-thawed semen kinematics. The results indicate that type of washing solution and post-thawing centrifugation alters parameters linked to sperm quality (total motility, progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity). Significantly higher (p < 0.05) motility and progressive motility were obtained when cryopreserved semen was processed with Hulsen solution. The postthaw percentage of live and intact acrosomal sperm was significantly higher in group 1 (Hulsen solution) as compared to other groups. Following thawing-centrifugation, the results showed significantly higher motility and progressive motility in group 1 than other groups. However, the latter two DPBS groups did not differ statistically. Taken together, Frozen-thawed spermatozoa motility, acrosome integrity and viability can be affected by the type of washing solution used. Moreover, centrifugation of frozenthawed semen has an unfavorable effect on total motility and progressive motility.

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Recently, polymorphisms reported to be significant association with sperm MOT. This study was conducted to evaluate the SNP in the coding region of ESR1 (g.672C>T inexon 1) as a positional controlling for motility and kinematic characteristics of post-thawed boar semen. To results,The g.672C>T was significantly associated with frozen semen motility and kinematic characteristics. g.158 T>C SNP was high significantly associated with MOT, VCL, VSL and VAP Also, the SNP was low significantly associated with ALH.Therefore, we suggest that theSNP in the coding region of ESR1 (g.672C>T in exon 1) may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar Post-thawed semen quality.

This study was to investigate effect of tunicamycin (TM) on sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility in boar semen. Collected sperm were incubated with semen extender containing 0, 1, 2, and 5 μM TM for 3, 6 and 9 h. Sperm viability was analyzed using SYBR14/PI doubling staining, and mitochondrial activity was detected using Rhodamine123/PI staining methods. Sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility were measured every 3 h during incubation. In results, boar sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility were significantly decreased in 2 and 5 μM TM groups compare to control group at all incubation time (p<0.05). In addition, mitochondrial activity and motility were significantly decreased in 1, 2, and 5 μM TM groups compare to control group at 9 h after incubation (p<0.05). These results suggest that TM can inhibit sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility in boar semen, and it may influence on the fertility of sperm.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but their effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity (VCL), Straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility is an important parameter because the movement of sperm indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but the effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [total motile spermatozoa (MOT), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of taurine and vitamin E on sperm characteristics damaged by bromopropane (BP) in pig. We evaluated toxicity of BP on viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity of spermatozoa. 1-BP (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 50 μM), 2-BP (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 50 μM), taurine (0, 5.0, 10, and 25 μM) and vitamin E (0, 50, 100, and 200 μM) were treated in fresh boar semen for 6 h. 10 and 50 μM of 1-BP and 2-BP inhibited sperm viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity in fresh boar semen (P<0.05). 25 μM of taurine increased sperm viability and membrane integrity (P<0.05), 100 μM of vitamin E enhanced viability and mitochondrial activity of sperm (P<0.05). Finally, 10 μM of 1-BP and 2-BP was co-treated with taurine (25 μM) and vitamin E (100 μM) in the fresh boar semen. The co-treated samples did affected viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity of sperm. In conclusion, taurine and vitamin E can improve and maintain sperm quality in fresh boar semen.

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.158T>C) of phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. This study was conducted to evaluate the PLCz gene as a positional controlling for motility and kinematic characteristics of post-thawed boar semen. To results, The g.158 T>C SNP of PLCz was significantly associated with frozen semen motility and kinematic characteristics. g.158 T>C SNP was high significantly associated with MOT, VCL, VSL and VAP (p<0.0001, p= 0.0002, p<0.0001 and p<0.0001, respectively). Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz, may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.358A>T) of cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. Also, CD9 gene was expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm-egg fusion, and was therefore selected as candidate gene for boar semen. This study was conducted to evaluate the pig SNP (g.358A>T) of CD9 gene as a positional controlling for semen parameters of post-thawed boar semen. To results, the g.358A>T SNP of the CD9 gene was significantly associated with the traits such as MOT, curve linear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Particularly, the g.358A>T SNP significantly has the highest association with MOT and animals with AA genotype (p<0.001). Therefore, we suggest that the g.358A>T in the intron 6 region of the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar Post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet.

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of nicotinic acid on sperm cryosurvival and fertilization ability in frozen-thawed boar semen. Boar semen was collected by glove-hand method and was frozen using freezing solution treated to 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM of nicotinic acid. The frozen sperm for sperm characteristic analysis was thawed such as viability, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial integrity. The frozen-thawed sperm was estimated by SYBR14/PI double staining for viability, FITC-PNA/PI double staining for acrosome reaction and Rhodamine123/PI double staining for mitochondrial integrity using a flow cytometry. The embryo was estimated in vitro development and DCFDA staining for reactive oxygen species assessment. As results, frozen-thawed sperm viability was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM (61.1 ± 1.5%, 64.7 ± 2.0%) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, 52.1 ± 2.3%; 20 mM, 47.8 ± 5.1%, P<0.05). The live sperm with acrosome reaction was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM of nicotinic acid (26.1 ± 1.8%, 24.9 ± 1.5%) than other groups (0 mM, 35.3 ± 0.8%; 20 mM, 36.5 ± 1.9%, P<0.05). The live sperm with mitochondrial integrity was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM (84.2 ± 3.6%, 88.4 ± 2.3%) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, 77.3 ± 4.4%; 20 mM, 73.3 ± 3.6%, P<0.05). Blastocyst rate of in vitro development was significantly higher in 10 mM (17.0 ± 1.3%) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, 9.4 ± 0.5%; 5mM, 12.6 ± 0.8%; 20 mM, 5.0 ± 1.0%, P<0.05). Moreover, total cell number was higher in 5 and 10 mM (53.6 ± 2.9%, 57.9 ± 2.8%) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, 41.0 ± 1.4%; 20 mM, 23.2 ± 2.8%, P<0.05). Hydrogen peroxide in embryos was lower in 5 mM nicotinic acid (0.7 ± 0.1%) than other groups (0 mM, 1.0 ± 0.1%; 10mM, 0.9 ± 0.0%; 20 mM, 1.4 ± 1.0%, P<0.05). In conclusion, nicotinic acid-treated semen improves cryosurvival and quality of spermatozoa. Also, the fertilized oocytes with nicotinic acid improve quality of embryo and blastocyst formation.

Artificial insemination technique has been contributed immensely for production of livestock worldwide as a critical assisted reproductive technique to preserve and propagate excellent genes in domestic animal industry. In the past decade, methods for semen preservation have been improved mostly in liquid preservation method for boar semen and freezing method for bull semen. Among many factors affecting semen quality during preservation, reactive oxy-gen species, produced by aerobic respiration in sperm for survival and motility, are unfavorable to sperm physiology. In mammalian cell as well as in the sperm, antioxidant system plays a role in degradation of reactive oxygen species. Magnetized water forms smaller stabilizing water clusters, resulting in high absorption and permeability of the cell for water, implicating its application for semen preservation. Therefore, this review focuses on preservation methods of boar and bull semen with respect to improvement of extender and reduction of reactive oxygen species by using magnetized water and supplementation of antioxidants.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of semen extenders on the sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity and functional integrity of plasma membrane (HOST: hypo-osmotic swelling test) during liquid preservation of Korean Native boar semen. In this experiment, semen was diluted in Androhep plus, Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), ModenaTM, Seminark and Vitasem LD. Sperm-rich fractions were collected from three Korean Native boars and sub-samples were diluted (30×106 spermatozoa/ml) in different semen extenders. Semen samples were stored at 17℃ for 96 hours. On everyday (0, 24, 48, 72, 96 h) after storage, the sperm characteristics relevant for fertility, such as sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity and HOST positive were evaluated. The motility of spermatozoa stored in different extenders was no significantly different among other extenders (P>0.05). Also, no difference was observed among samples processed with different extenders in the percentage of sperm viability, acrosome integrity and HOST positive. All extenders maintained a high percentage (70%) of sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity through 96 h of storage. The result of this study show that there was no significant differences among extenders in their capacity to preserve motility, viability and membrane integrity of spermatozoa from normal, fertile Korean Native boars for 96 h of liquid preservation at 17℃.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between elapsed time after semen preservation on the changes of bacteria and semen quality. Semen was diluted with BTS(Beltsville Thawing Solution) extender without antibiotic for 7 days and sperm parameter and fertility were measured. Sperm motility was measured by CASA and total bacteria number was counted after 22～24 hr incubation from counting agar plate in which sperm dilute to 10 ～106 in 0.9% saline solution and inoculate to agar. Acrosomal integrity was measured by Chlortetracycline (CTC) staining. CTC patterns were uniform fluorescence over the whole head (pattern F), characteristic of incapacitated acrosome- intact spermatozoa; fluorescence-free band in the post-acrosomal region (pattern B), characteristic of capacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa; and almost no fluorescence over the whole head except for a thin band in the equatorial segment (pattern AR), characteristic of acrosome reacted spermatozoa. Total number of bacteria was significantly increased (p<0.0001) 3 days after preservation. Sperm motility, viability, and morphological abnormality on elapsed time after preservation were lower from 5 (77.24±6.47, p<0.001) and 7 days (77.24±6.47, p<0.001) after preservation compared to 1 (15.71±7.18) and 3 days(18.39±7.22) after preservation, respectively. Sperm viability was significantly lower (53.25± 35.03, p<0.0001) at 7 days after preservation. Morphological abnormality of sperm was lower (p<0.001) at 1 (15.71±7.18) and 3 (18.39±7.22) days compared to 5 (21.84±7.91) and 7 (22.59±9.93) days after preservation. Acrosomal integrity and capacitation rate (pattern F) were significantly lower (p<0.001) from 5 days after preservation. Based on the data we obtained from this study suggested that semen preserved more than 5 days without antibiotic would not recommend use for artificial insemination.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect on post-thawed sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity of boar semen frozen in the freezing extender with chicken or duck egg yolks. The Sperm rich fraction of ejaculates from three Duroc boars were collected by a glove-hand technique. Samples with more than 80% motile sperm were used for this experiment. Semen was diluted with freezing extender (LEY) containing 11% (v/v) lactose, 20% (v/v) hen egg yolk with 3.5% (v/v) glycerol, and 0.5% (v/v) Orvus Es Paste(OEP, Nova Chemical Sales Inc., Scituate, MA. USA) to yield a final sperm concentration of 5×108 cells/ml. Following complete dilution, semen samples were loaded in 0.5 ml French medium straws (IMV technologies, France) and transferred to programmable semen freezer (SY-LAB Gerate GmbH, Austria). For freezing the semen samples, each straw was cooled from 5℃ to — 5℃ at 6℃/min, auto-seeding at — 5℃ and held for 60sec, samples were then cooled from — 5 to — 80℃ at 40℃/min, and thereafter from — 80℃ to — 150℃ at 60℃/min. The yolks used were sourced from fresh chicken and duck eggs. To evaluate the post-thaw sperm quality, semen was thawed at 38℃ for 20 sec and sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity were assessed. Motility was assessed for %motile cell characteristics using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA; SAIS SI-100, Medical supply, Korea). The percentage of sperm viability was assessed using LIVE/DEAD® sperm viability kit (Molecular probes, Eugene, OR, USA). The acrosome integrity was assessed by FITC-PNA staining. Sperm quality in terms of motility, viability and acrosome integrity showed higher after freezing in medium containing duck yolk than chicken yolk. However, there was no significant difference in sperm quality for the different types of yolk(p>0.05). * The result of this study showed that there was no significant difference between the egg yolk types when considering the sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity of boar semen frozen in the freezing extender with chicken or duck egg yolks.

The objective of this study was to investigate the motility and kinematics of boar sperm that while stored at 4C. The samples of fresh boar semen were place into an extender, Androhep, and stored at . In three of these samples, cryoprotectants were added. The sperm's motilities and kinematics were evaluated by using microscope () and the viability status was evaluated by using with eosin staining method. The 5 sample groups are; Goup A:Androhep (extender), stored at . Group B:Androhep (extender), stored at . Group C:Androhep (extender), + 3% glycerol (cryoprotectant), stored at . Group D:Androhep (extender), + 3% DMSO (cryoprotectant), stored at . Group E:Androhep (extender), + 3% ethylene glycol (cryoprotectant), stored at . In group A, the sperm's motility was reduced. On day one the sperm's motility was () and day 5 the motility was (). In group B, C and D the sperm's motility were reduced to 0 on day 5. In group E the sperm's percentage of motility decreased. On day one the sperm's motility was () and day 5 the motility was (). When comparing cryoprotectant in samples of boar sperm there is a slight improvement in the results when the use of Androhep Lite (extender), + 3% ethylene glycol (cryoprotectant), stored at are used. Based on these results, ethylene glycol can protect sperm from heat shock at , but not satisfactory level. However, it showed the possibilities of liquid semen preservation at by using cryoprotectant.