It is very difficult to get the information about semen quality analysis in transgenic pigs because of limited numbers and research facilities. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed the semen quality of transgenic boars generated for xenotransplantation research. Briefly, the semen samples were collected from 5 homozygous α1,3-Galactosyltransferase knock-out (GalT-/-) transgenic boars and immediately transported to the laboratory. These semen samples were decupled with DPBS and conducted to analyze semen parameters by a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. The boar semen were examined all 12 parameters such as total motility (TM), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), and hyperactivated (HYP), etc. In results, among the 5 GalT-/- boars, three boars (#134, 144, and 170) showed normal range of semen parameters, but #199 and 171 boars showed abnormal ranges of semen parameters according to standard ranges of semen parameters. Unfortunately, #171 boar showed azoospermia symptom with rare sperm counts in the original semen. Conclusively, assessment of semen parameters by CASA system is useful to pre-screening of reproductively healthy boar prior to natural mating and artificial insemination for multiplication and breeding.

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.

A study was conducted on four crossbred bulls, used as artificial insemination (AI) sires, to correlate their semen quality with their non return rate (NRR). Semen was collected once a week via an artificial vagina, diluted in egg yolk-citrate and maintained at for three days. It was evaluated for sperm motility, viability, morphology immediately after collection and was examined daily for sperm motility, viability and morphology of acrosome, mid piece and tail for a total of three days. A total of 2016 cows were inseminated by two AI technicians. The proportions of sperm with normal heads were 83.4% (63.7~91.7%), the proportion of spermatozoa exhibiting normal morphology (acrosome, mid piece and tail), motility and viability were 89.2% (82.3~92.0%), 71.3% (61.7~75.0%) and 76.7% (65.7~85.0%), respectively in fresh ejaculates. Sperm motility and sperm viability was significantly ( <0.05) lower in Holstein-Friesian Local bull than in other bulls during all three days of storage. The overall NRR for four bulls was 82.7% (72.9-87.5%). Bulls with higher sperm motility, viability and normal morphology of spermatozoa of individual bull had significantly (each <0.05) higher NRR. The highest ( <0.01) NRR (87.5%) was observed in a Red Chittagong bull whose semen qualities were significantly ( <0.05) higher than Holstein-Friesian Local bull (NNR 72.9%). The results of the present study concluded that NRR at 56 days post AI is related to parameters of semen quality. Therefore, semen evaluation may allow the discarding of bulls with poor fertility in an AI program.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli isolated from porcine semen on sperm viability, motility, and semen pH. Semen samples were prepared using commercial extender, SeminarkPro (Noahbio Tech, Korea) that did not contain antibiotics. And 4 different levels of E. coli were artificially innoculated to semen with following concentrations; 4,000 of sperms with 1 of E. coli (T1), 400 with 1 (T2), 40 with 1 (T3), and 4 with 1 (T4). Semen samples were preserved at 17℃ for 5 days in semen storage box until analyzed by flowcytometer. Aliquots were subjected to measure the sperm viability (Live/Dead® stain), motility (mitochondrial function), and semen acidity (pH) from day 0 (day of semen collection) to day 5. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 0 (4 hrs after preservation at 17℃) in T3 and T4 compared to control groups and were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in all groups from day 3. Sample pH was acidic in T3 (6.90～6.86) and T4 (6.86～6.65) from day 3 to day 5 (p<0.05). On the other hand, sample pH was maintained 7.0～7.1 in control, T1, and T2 during the experimental period. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased from day 0 to day 5 compared to control in samples contaminated with E. coli above a value of 40:1 (20×106 sperm cells/ml : 5×105 cfu/ml). Even on day 1 in T4 and on day 3 in T3, semen pH was acidic probably due to the acidification of dead spermatozoa. These results suggest that E. coli contamination has a concentration-dependent detrimental effect on extended porcine semen quality.

Bacterial contamination reduces the semen quality, semen preservation, and cause of disease spread as well. Sperm fertility is essential factor of reproductive performance in swine. Sperm fertility is affected by semen quality such as sperm motility, abnormality, morphology, and rate of bacterial contamination. 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 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 A), characteristic of uncapacitated 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 C), 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. Mohological 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 A) were significantly lower (p<0.001) from 5 days after preservation.

본 연구는 체세포를 이용하여 생산된 복제 한우 수소의 번식능력을 검토하기 위해 실시하였다. 복제 한우 수소(C-38 및 C-39) 또는 일반 한우 종모우로부터 정액을 채취하여 정자의 수 및 동결 전후의 생존성 등을 살펴보았으며, 정자의 운동성 등은 computer assisted sperm analysis(CASA)를 이용하여 측정하였다. 또한, 이들의 수정 능력을 확인하기 위하여 체외수정과 인공수정을 각각 실시하였다. 정액 성상에서는 복제 수소들과 일반 종모우 간에 정액의 양, 정자의 농도 및 동결융해 후의 생존성 등에서 차이가 나타나지 않았다. CASA를 이용한 분석에서 운동성, 곡선 운동 속도(VCL), 직선 운동 속도(VSL) 및 평균 진행 속도(VAP) 등은 복제 수소의 정액이 일반 종모우의 정액에 비하여 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.05). 체외수정에 따른 수정란의 분화율 및 배반포로의 발달율은 복제 수소와 일반 종모우 간에 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 복제소 정액(C-38)을 이용하여 인공수정을 한 5두의 체세포 복제 대리모에서 암수 각각 한 두씩의 건강한 복제 후대 송아지 2두를 생산하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 보면, 실험에 공시된 복제 수소 개체 간의 차이가 나타나기는 하였지만, 복제 수소는 정액 성상과 정자의 운동성 등에서 일반 종모우와 차이가 없었으며. 또한 인공수정을 통해 송아지를 생산함으로써 정상적인 번식능력이 있음을 확인하였다.