Epididymal sperm cryopreservation provides a potential method for preserving genetic material from males of endangered species. This pilot study was conducted to develop a freezing method for tiger epididymal sperm. We evaluated post-thaw sperm condition using testes with intact epididymides obtained from a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica ) after castration. The epididymis was chopped in Tyrode's albumin-lactate-pyruvate 1x and incubated at 5% CO2, 95% air for 10 min. The Percoll separation density gradient method was used for selective recovery of motile spermatozoa after sperm collection using a cell strainer. The spermatozoa were diluted with modified Norwegian extender supplemented with 20 mM trehalose (extender 1) and subsequent extender 2 (extender 1 with 10% glycerol) and frozen using LN2 vapor. After thawing at 37℃ for 25 s, Isolate® solution was used for more effective recovery of live sperm. Sperm motility (computerized assisted sperm analysis, CASA), viability (SYBR-14 and Propidium Iodide) and acrosome integrity (Pisum sativum agglutinin with FITC) were evaluated. The motility of tiger epididymal spermatozoa was 40.1 ± 2.0%, and progressively motile sperm comprised 32.7 ± 2.3%. Viability was 56.3 ± 1.6% and acrosome integrity was 62.3 ± 4.4%. Cryopreservation of tiger epididymal sperm using a modified Norwegian extender and density gradient method could be effective to obtain functional spermatozoa for future assisted reproductive practices in endangered species.

In the present study, we examined if deep uterine artificial insemination (DUAI) can improve the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination (AI) using epididymal spermatozoa (ES) in Hanwoo cattle. The estrus cycles of 88 Hanwoo cows were synchronized, and 17 cows were artificially inseminated using the DUAI method with ES, 20 cows were artificially inseminated via the uterine body (BUAI) method with ES, and as a control, 51 cows were inseminated by using the BUAI method with ejaculated spermatozoa from 1 proven bull after frozen thawing. The pregnancy rate of the DUAI method (58.8%) was higher than that of the BUAI method (25.0%, p = 0.0498). The motility of ES was examined immediately after thawing and after 3 and 6 h of incubation. The rapid progressive sperm motility of the control group was significantly higher than that of the ES group immediately after thawing and after 3 and 6 h of incubation (p < 0.05). The straight line velocity and average path velocity of the ES group after 6 h of incubation were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The linearity and amplitude of lateral head of ES were lower than those at 6 h (p < 0.05). The flagellar beat cross frequency and hyperactivation of ES were lower than the control spermatozoa immediately after thawing and at 3 h (p < 0.05). These motility parameters suggested that ES had a low motility and fertilization ability compared to the control spermatozoa. After frozen-thawing and 3 h of incubation, the percentage of live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes in the ES was significantly lower than that in ejaculated spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Our findings suggested that the DUAI method can overcome the low pregnancy rate of ES, despite the low motility, viability, and fertilization ability of ES.

In this study, two epididymal spermatozoa recovery methods in relation to sperm number, motility, viability and acrosome reaction were examined. Seven bulls were castrated and 7 testicles with epididymides were transferred to the laboratoy. Epididymis in each bull was randomly used for flushing and mincing methods with semen extender (Optixcell, IMV, France). The recovered spermatozoa with adjusted sperm concentration to 40 × 106 cells/mL was diluted with optixcell and cryopreserved. In experiment 1, the difference in the total number of spermatozoa using flushing and mincing methods was insignificant (2570.0 and 2505.2 × 106 cells/mL, respectively). For experiment 2, the percentage of motile spermatozoa and motility parameters between flushing and mincing methods were studied through the use of sperm class analyzer after frozen-thawing. The percentage of total motile sperm between flushing and mincing methods was almost the same with 89.5±12.8 and 91.4±7.9%, respectively. The same is the case with experiment 3 wherein the viability and acrosomal integrity of frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa by flushing and mincing was insignificantly different. The results from the study showed that both flushing and mincing methods can be used for epididymal spermatozoa recovery in bull.

본 연구는 티모시 건초와 농후 사료 위주의 사료를 급여한 한우 씨수소 정소상체 정자 체외수정 효율 조사를 통해 정자의 활용 가능성을 조사하였다. 농후 사료는 체중의 1.8%를 급여하고 양질의 티모시 건초를 자유채식 시킨 14개월령 거세우의 정소에서 분리된 정소상체 미부의 정자를 회수하고 동결 흉해 후 체외수정을 실시한 결과는 다음과 같다. 웅성전핵과 자성전핵이 형성(2PN)된 난자는 정상수정으로, 1개의 전핵(1PN), Expanded Sperm Head (ESH), Polyspermy 형태는 비정상적인 수정의 형태로 평가하였다. 정상적으로 수정된 난자의 비율은 정소상체 정자의 경우 전체 침투율은 49.7% 그리고 정상적인 2PN을 가진 난자는 18.5%를 보였으며, 대조구 정자의 전체 침투율은 54.4%로서 정소상체 정자 보다 높은 결과를 보였으나 유의적인 차이를 보이지는 않았다. 정상적으로 2PN을 형성한 비율은 36.7%로서 정소상체 정자를 이용한 정자 보다 높았으나 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 체외수정 후 발달률 조사에서 정소 상체 정자의 분할률은 81.2%, 대조구 정자는 82.7%로 유사한 결과를 보였으나, 배반포 발달률은 정소상체 정자 24.4%와 대조구 정자 12.2%로 정소상체 정자를 사용한 난자의 발달에서는 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.05).

In this study, we examined sperm penetration and blastocyst developmental rate of oocytes to determine fertilizability of cauda epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull. One testicle with epididymides were castrated from one Hanwoo bull (14 months of age) and transported to laboratory. Spermatozoa recovered from cauda epididymis by mincing with semen extender (Optixcell, IMV, France) and cryporeserved in liquid nitrogen tank until use. As control, frozen Hanwoo semen was used. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from follicles (2-8 mm) of slaughtered ovaries and 10 to15 COCs were matured in 50μl droplet with M-199 media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 10μg/ml FSH, 10μg/ml LH, 10μg/ml EGF for 22 to 24 hours in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. After maturation of COCs, matured COCs were co-incubated with cauda epididymal spermatozoa in 100μl droplet in modified Brackett and Oliphant media supplemented with 2.5 mM theophylline for 12 or 18 hours under 5% CO2 in air. Sperm concentration was adjusted to 5 × 106cells/ml. After IVF for 18 hours, presumptive zygotes were cultured in modified synthetic oviductal fluid with 1mM glutamine, 12 essential amino acids, 10 μg/ml insulin under 5% CO2, 5% O2 in air. In experiment 1, we examined sperm penetration rate at 12 hours of IVF of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm. Total penetration rate among cauda epididymis and control were not significantly different (mean±standard error, cauda epididymis and control vs. 49.7±11.3 and 54.4±12.8%) In experiment 2, cleavage and blastocyst development rate were evaluated at day 2 and day 8 after IVF for 18 hours. Cleavage rate among cauda epididymis and control was similar different (cauda epididymis and control vs. 81.2±3.4 and 82.7±2.5%). However, blastocyst developmental rate of cauda epididymis group was significantly higher than that of control group (cauda epididymis and control vs. 24.4±1.6 and 12.2±2.8%, p<0.05). In conclusion, cauda epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull has high fertilizability and embryo development. Cauda epididymal sperm can be used as an alternative to ejaculated frozen sperm in vitro.

In this study, we examined total number, motility and plasma membrane integrity of epididymal spermatozoa from cauda epididymis of bull after preservation at 4ºC. Totally, 23 testicles were castrated from 23 bulls (mean±standard error, age of days = 426.0±7.3, body weight (kg) = 379.7±8.4, scrotal circumference (cm) = 31.0±0.4) at Hanwoo Research Institute, NIAS, and transported to laboratory and preserved on 1, 4 and 6 days at 4 ºC. As control, epididymal spermatozoa recovery from 7 testicles was conducted after transportation to laboratory immediately. In experiment 1, we compared total number of spermatozoa among groups. Total number of spermatozoa from epididymis was not significantly on different preservation day of 0, 1, 4 and 6 which is 1778.0±304.7, 1824.8±343.9, 1228.4±91.7, 1201.8±178.6×106 cells/ml, respectively). In experiment 2, we examined spermatozoa motility and motility parameters (VCL (μm/s), VSL (μm/s), VAP (μm/s), LIN (%)) by computer assisted sperm analysis (SCA, MicroOptic) system. Percentage of motile on 0 and 1 day (88.9±5.2 and 85.8±6.1) was significantly higher than that on 4 and 6 days (32.6±6.5 and 34.3±8.25). Percentage of VCL (μm/s) on 0 and 1 day (93.5±7.6 and 83.0±14.9) was significantly higher than that on 4 and 6 days (36.6±5.1 and 39.5±5.5) (p<0.05). Percentage of VSL (μm/s) on 0 day (28.0±2.1) was significantly higher than that on 1, 4 and 6 days (20.2±3.0, 9.0±2.0 and 8.5±1.6, p<0.05). Percentage of VAP (μm/s) on 0 and 1 days (49.4±3.8 and 41.3±6.6) was significantly higher than that on 4 and 6 days (18.2±3.0 and 19.3±2.8, p<0.05). Percentage of LIN (%) on 0 day (30.7±2.6) was significantly higher than that on 4 and 6 days (23.4±2.7 and 21.1±1.0, p<0.05). Motility of spermatozoa was divided into 4 groups (fast progresive, slow progressive, non-progressive and immotile) based on WHO guideline. Percentage of fast progressive on day at 0 was significantly higher than that on 1, 4 and 6 days (0, 1, 4 and 6 days vs. 19.8±1.9, 10.2±1.1, 2.6±1.0 and 2.3±1.2%, respectively). In conclusion, cauda epididymal spermatozoa should be recovered within one day after preservation at 4 ºC to recover high quality of epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull

Sperm cryopreservation is well known as a valuable method to preserve the genetic traits. Although many studies have established semen cryopreservation protocols, lack of studies were conducted to discover the differences of sperm proteome and functions between ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa following to cryopreservation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to (i) evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on bull epididymal spermatozoa and (ii) discover the potential biomarkers, which have highly tolerance to freezing on bull epididymal spermatozoa. Our preliminary study demonstrated that spermatozoa from each bulls have different resistance on freezing during cryopreservation. We divided spermatozoa into two groups according to sperm motility following to cryopreservation; high freezing-tolerant spermatozoa (HFS) and low freezing-tolerant spermatozoa (LFS). Several sperm functional parameters, i.e. sperm motility/motion kinematics, speed parameters, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and capacitation status. Our results showed that all parameters except for motion kinematics and capacitation status had significant differences between HFS and LFS. Subsequently, two dimensional electrophoresis were conducted to compare the expression levels of sperm proteome between both groups. Three proteins {glutathione s-transferase mu 5 (GSTM5), voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2 (VDAC2), and ATP stynthase subunit beta (ATP1B1)} were differentially expressed. Based on these results, we propose that epididymal spermatozoa from individual bull have different freezability upon cryopreservation and three differentially expressed proteins might be selected as a biomarker to predict high freezing-tolerant epididymal spermatozoa.

Cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa offers a potential tool for rescuing genetic material from males of genetically elite populations. Castration, catastrophic injury, sudden death or any other event that makes semen collection or mating impossible may prematurely terminate a stallion reproduction. Stallion epididymal spermatozoa vary widely in the loss of progressive motility, acrosomal integrity, and viability during freezing and thawing. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of (1) freezing package types on cryopreservation efficiency, (2) thawing temperatures (37, 56 or 70℃) on Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) parameters and (3) post-thawing incubation time (0, 1, 2 or 4h) on castrated stallion epididymis. Post-thawed sperm motility ranged between 59.69% and 64.28% (56℃ and 37℃) in various thawing temperatures. When stallion epididymis sperm was frozen, straw was better than freezing tube on VCL (Velocity of Curvilinear Line) and VAP (Velocity of Average Path) parameter. Higher percentage of motility was observed at 37℃ thawing temperature even though no significant difference was observed among various temperatures. The motility, VCL, ALH (Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement), VAP, BCF (Beat-Cross Frequency) and STR (Straightness index) parameter of post-thawed sperm were significantly decreased by increasing the incubation time for all thawing temperatures. The present study showed that type of freezing package (Straw vs. Freezing tube) was not significantly different on cryopreservation efficiency. Furthermore, stallion epididymal spermatozoa frozen-thawed at 37℃ for 1 min resulted the highest proportion of motility and velocity movement. In addition, motility and viability of frozen-thawed stallion epididymal spermatozoa were also decreased by incubation.

The study aim is to investigate the free radicals scavenging and spermatogenic potentials, as well as to analyze any reproductive toxicity of ethanolic extract of Mucuna prureins (M. pruriens) Linn. in spermatozoa, under different dosages in normal male rat. Normal rats were randomly selected and suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dosages of 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the different groups of male rats (n=6) once in a day for 60 days and grouped as group II, III and IV respectively. Saline treated rats served as control -group I. On the 60th day the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm were subjected to various analyses like level of ROS production, LPO, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant, morphology, morphometry, chromosomal integrity and DNA damage. Results showed significant reduction in ROS production and peroxidation and significant increase in both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in all concentration treated groups when compared with control. Results from all the drug treated groups showed good sperm morphology, increased sperm count and motility. There was no DNA damage and showed normal chromosomal integrity even in 250 mg/kg dose. When compared with control all the three extract treated groups showed increased ROS scavenging activity. However, group II (200 mg/kg) showed significant changes in all the parameters. From the present study it was confirmed that the M. pruriens has potential to improve the sperm qualitatively and quantitatively through scavenging the excess ROS with any adverse side effects. These observations suggest that ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens may serve as anti-oxidant that can exploit to treat the oxidative stress mediated male factor infertility.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of various discontinuous Percoll washing conditions on sperm capacitation status and sperm survival. Frozen epididymal sperm samples from 3 bulls (0.5 ml plastic straws, 6% glycerol in egg yolk- Tris-glycerol extender) were thawed in 37℃ water bath for 1 min. To rule out individual variation, 3 sperm samples were mixed after thawing. The mixed samples then were randomly allocated to 12 treatment groups. Briefly, the spermatozoa were centrifuged for three different time lengths (10, 20, and 30 min) at two gravities (300 X g and 700 X g) through two concentrations of discontinuous Percoll density gradient of 1 ml 90%: 1 ml 45% Percoll and 2 ml 90%: 2 ml 45% Percoll to remove extender, debris, and dead spermatozoa. Sperm capacitation status and sperm survival were evaluated using combined Hoechst 33258 and chlortertracycline fluorescence staining assay. The acrosome reacted spermatozoa (AR pattern), uncapaciated spermatozoa (F pattern) and sperm survival were significantly correlated with centrifugation time (p< 0.01). Significantly decreased F pattern observed as centrifugal time increased. As centrifugal time increased, spermatozoa with F pattern decreased and spermatozoa showing AR pattern increased. Moreover, the dead spermatozoa were significantly stimulated in time-dependent manner. However, there were no significant differences in various force of centrifugation and Percoll volume. These results suggest that only centrifugation time significantly affects sperm capacitation status and sperm survival.

ICSI시 동결 융해한 부고환 정자의 이용 가능성을 알아보고자 난자의 배양시 체외성숙율과 활성화 처리를 한 난자와 동결 융해한 부고환 정자로 ICSI시 체외발생율을 조사하였으며, 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. 난포란을 회수 후 24시간 배양하였을 때 배양 시간에 따른 GV, MI, M II로의 체외성숙율은 각각 7/60(11.7%), 5/60(8.3%), 48/60(80.0%)였고 30시간 배양 시간에 따른 GV, MI, M II로의 체외성숙율은

Glycan epitopes of cellular glycoconjugates act as versatile biochemical signals, and this sugar coding plays an important role in cell-to-cell recognition processes. In the present study, our aims were to determine the distribution of sperm receptors with activity for fucosyl- and galactosyl glycans and to address whether mono sugar neoglycoproteins functionally mimic the binding between zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins and sperm. In mouse epididymal spermatozoa with intact acrosomes, fucopyranosyl bovine serum albumin (BSA-Fuc) bound to the segment of the acrosome, the equatorial segment, and the postacrosome region of the sperm head. Galactosyl BSA (BSA-Gal) binding activity was similar to that of BSA-Fuc, but was weaker. In acrosome-reacted spermatozoa treated with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, BSA-Fuc binding was lost in the apical segment of the acrosome but remained in the equatorial segment and postacrosome regions. BSA-Gal binding to the equatorial region was increased. In the presence of 2.5 μg/ml BSA-Fuc, in vitro sperm - ZP binding was significantly decreased, indicating that fucosyl-BSA functionally mimics ZP glycoproteins during sperm-egg ZP interactions. At the same concentration, BSA-Gal was not effective. Fucosyl BSA which efficiently inhibited the sperm-ZP binding can mimic the ZP glycoconjugate and has potential for use as a sperm fertility control agent in mouse.

생쥐의 부정소에서 진행되는 정자 성숙과정 동안의 첨체반응 능력의 변화를 조사하였다. 자발적 첨체반응 및 난포액, 프로게스테론, 또는 A23187에 의해 유발되는 첨체반응은 모두 정자의 성숙에 의존저긍로 일어났다. 두부 부정소의 매우 적은 정자만이 난포액 및 프로게스테론에 반응하여 첨체반응을 일으켰으며 체부 및 미부 부정소간에 첨체반응율에 차이가 없었다. 반면 A23187 처리시 상당수의 두부 부정소 정자가 첨체반응을 진행하였다. 이러한 결과에서 두부 부