Abas Mazni Othman

A study of the antioxidant effect of alpha lipoic acids on sperm quality

OBJECTIVE Assisted reproductive techniques are useful in helping infertile couples achieve successful conception. Initial studies have shown that sperm cryopreservation, one step in assisted reproduction, causes a dramatic reduction in sperm quality. This has been attributed to, among other things, free radical activities. The aim of the present study was to minimize this oxidative attack by adding an antioxidant into the sperm microenvironment. Alpha lipoic acids were selected for this purpose for their efficient free radical scavenging properties and solubility in lipid and aqueous phases. METHODS For this investigation, semen from six Boer bucks was pooled. Seminal analysis of the baseline prior to incubation of samples with different concentrations of Alpha lipoic acids (0.00625, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mmol/ml) was performed, and post-seminal analysis was conducted after a one-hour incubation. The comet assay was used to observe the effect of Alpha lipoic acids on sperm DNA integrity. Statistical analysis using an unpaired t-test with a significance level of p<0.05 was then performed. RESULTS Our results indicate that the sperm motility rate was improved after incubation with Alpha lipoic acids at a concentration of 0.02 mmol/ml. This concentration was also capable of reducing DNA damage. CONCLUSION In conclusion, Alpha lipoic acids renders cryoprotection to sperm, thereby improving sperm quality.

Differential patterns of blastulation in bovine morulae cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid medium containing FCS or BSA.

This study examined the effects of fetal calf serum (FCS) supplementation of culture medium on blastulation and hatching of bovine morulae cultured in vitro. The presumptive zygotes derived from in vitro maturation and fertilization (IVM/IVF) were cultured in the modified synthetic oviduct fluid medium containing 3 mg/ml BSA (mSOF-BSA). At 120 h post insemination, morulae were randomly assigned to culture with mSOF-BSA (control) or mSOF containing 5% FCS (mSOF-FCS) instead of BSA. The replacement of BSA with FCS in mSOF significantly increased the percentage of blastocyst formation from Day 6 to Day 10 (Day 0 = the day of in vitro insemination) and the hatching rate of embryos on Days 8 and 9. The total number of cells in morulae and blastocysts on Day 6, in blastocysts on Day 7, and in blastocysts and hatched blastocysts on Day 8 were similar among the treatments. However, the replacement of BSA with FCS in mSOF significantly increased the total number of cells in hatched blastocysts on Day 10. Although the time of blastulation of embryos was significantly accelerated by the replacement of BSA with FCS in mSOF, the total number of cells in embryos at blastulation was lowered. The total number of cells in embryos at blastulation showed a time-dependent decrease when the embryos were cultured in mSOF-BSA. In contrast, the total number of cells in embryos that were cultured in mSOF-FCS depended little on the time after in vitro insemination. The results indicate that FCS supplementation of culture medium increased the percentage of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage without an increase in the total number of cells. However, an acceleration in the hatching rate and an increase in the total number of cells in hatched blastocysts were observed, compared with that in BSA-supplemented medium. It is suggested that FCS in the culture medium initiates earlier blastulation with fewer total numbers of cells in the morulae than BSA during in vitro culture of bovine embryos.

Haematological, Biochemical And Serum Electrolyte Changes In Non-Pregnant Boer Does Inoculated With Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Via Various Routes

Caseous lymphadenitis is a chronic disease characterized by internal and external abscesses and is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.Thisstudy is designed to measure the hematological, biochemicaland serum electrolyte changes in experimental non-pregnant doesinoculated with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis via variousroutes. Little is known about the changes in these parameters through different routes of infection.A total of 20 healthy does (n=20) were divided into 4 groups (intradermal, intranasal, oral and control) of 5 goats each. The three groups were inoculated with 107cfu/1ml of live Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, while control is kept unexposed. Following infection, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein for hematological, biochemical and serum electrolyteanalysis. A significantdecrease was observed in RBC count (p<0.05) in the intradermal group, whilenochangesobserved in PCV, Hb, MCV and MCHC parameters. Significant increasein WBC were observed in intradermal, intranasal and oral groups (p<0.05). Slight increase (p<0.05) in monocyte count was observed in intranasal group. A significant reduction (p<0.05) in lymphocytic count was observed for the intranasally inoculated group (p<0.05) and a slight increase (p<0.05) in neutrophil was observed in intranasal and intradermal groups. Biochemically,creatinine and albumin levels increases inintranasal group(p<0.05) and GGT levels were elevated in all the three infected groups (p<0.05).However,there were no significant changes in AST, T.Protein and APT. Serumelectrolyte, revealed a decrease in Calcium (Ca+) concentration in intradermal group with concentration of 2.22mmol/L,intranasal 2.23mmol/L group (p<0.05), and no changes were observed in potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+). The study, therefore, observed increase in WBCs, neutrophils, monocytes, creatinine, GGT, albumin levels and decrease in RBCs, lymphocytes and calcium concentrations on different route of infections.

Development of single tubing-type canister for cryo-storage of bull semen and their effect on sperm motility and viability

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of using single tubing-type canister on sperm quality. Semen was collected from the Bali cattle bull by electroejaculation technique and was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen using slow freezing cryopreservation method. Two type of canister volume was used in this study; commercial canister (342.25π x 278 mm2) and single tubing-type canister (4π x 90 mm2). Makler counting chamber and computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) were used to evaluate the sperm motility and viability of post-thaw sperm. Results showed that the bull sperm motility and viability at the bottom of tubing-type canister was statistically higher and significant as compared to the commercial canister (p<0.05). Significant changes were found in sperm kinetics (VCL, VAP, VSL) of tubing-type canister compared to commercial canister. No significant changes in the motility and viability of the bull sperm at the top of tubing-type canister and commercial canister. There were no significant changes in sperm progression (LIN, WOB, PROG) in both the canisters. Developed tubing-type canister in this study showed potential as an alternative to be used in bull sperm cryo-storage.