Alexandre Rodrigues Silva

Quality of canine semen submitted to single or fractionated glycerol addition during the freezing process

Glycerol is the cryoprotector most frequently used to freeze semen from different species. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of single and fractionated glycerol addition on canine semen quality after thawing. Sperm fractions from 12 stud dogs were collected, evaluated, extended in Tris plus egg-yolk and separated into two aliquots to which glycerol was added in one step (single) or in three steps at 5-min intervals (fractionated). Semen was frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed after 1 week. A thermoresistance test was performed over a period of 120 min at 37-39 degrees C to evaluate the percentage of mobile spermatozoa (motility) and the status of motility (vigor) after thawing. There were no significant differences between the two methods of glycerol addition-immediately after thawing, and during the thermoresistance test-in sperm motility, vigor or morphology. A significant reduction in motility and vigor was found at 15 min after thawing and these parameters continued to decline until 120 min. In conclusion, glycerol can be added to canine semen in single or fractionated manner, but the single addition method is the easiest and the most practical to use.

Cryopreservation of canine semen using a coconut water extender with egg yolk and three different glycerol concentrations

Semen was collected by digital manipulation from six adult dogs. The second fraction of the ejaculate was used in this study. The semen was assessed by macroscopic and microscopic criteria 1 min after collection, first dilution, cooling, glycerol addition and thawing. Experiments were conducted to compare the effect of three different concentrations of glycerol in coconut water extender. The freezing method employed was that one described for caprine semen with slight changes. Semen was thawed at 37 degrees C for 1 min. Spermatozoal motility after thawing was 49.2+/-26, 44.2+/-18.3 and 35.8+/-26.8% for groups with 4, 6 and 8% glycerol, respectively. The vigor after thawing was 2.6+/-1.1, 2.7+/-1.0 and 2.1+/-1.2 for these groups, respectively. There was no difference among groups in motility and vigor. However, a smaller percentage of total and secondary abnormalities was observed using 6% glycerol in coconut water extender. In conclusion, the three glycerol concentrations (4, 6 or 8%) can be used successfully in cryopreservation of canine semen using a coconut water extender.

Congelação de sêmem canino com diferentes concentrações de gema de ovo e glicerol em diluidores à base de tris e água de coco

The aim of the present research was to compare the efficiency of coconut water and Tris extenders on canine semen freezing. The semen from 5 German Shepherd dogs was collected by digital manipulation. The spermatic fraction of different dogs was evaluated about its macro and microscopic parameters and mixed in a pool. It was extended in coconut water or Tris, added of egg yolk (10 or 20%) and glycerol (4, 6 or 8%). Then, it was frozen by the method of NUNES et al. (1997) and thawed at 37oC after one week. A Tris extender superiority was shown at the conservation of vigor (2.3 ± 0.8), total (14.8 ± 5.1%) and secondary (14.4 ± 5.5%) spermatic defects in the protocols with 20% of egg yolk and 6% of glycerol. In all other protocols, there were no significant differences for the observed parameters. These results suggest a superiority of Tris extender over the coconut water extender on canine semen freeze, in the use of them added of 20% of egg yolk and 6% of glycerol.

Protein profile of the seminal plasma of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758)

This study was conducted to characterize the major proteins of the peccary seminal plasma, based on the semen samples collected from nine adult and reproductively sound animals. Our approach included the use of two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by Coomassie blue staining and analysis of polypeptide maps with PDQuest Software (Bio-Rad). Proteins were identified by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We detected 179 protein spots per gel and 98 spots were identified by mass spectrometry, corresponding to 23 different proteins. The combined intensity of those spots accounted for 56.2±6% of the intensities of all spots and 60.9% of the intensities of spots presented in every protein map. Protein spots identified as clusterin represented 19.7±8.3% of the integrated optical densities of all spots detected in the seminal plasma maps. There was a negative association (r=-0.87; P<0.05) between the intensity of a clusterin spot and the percentage of sperm with functional membrane. Spermadhesin porcine seminal plasma protein 1 and bodhesin 2 comprised 5.4±1.9 and 8.8±3.9% of the total intensity of all spots respectively. Many proteins appeared in a polymorphic pattern, such as clusterin (27 spots), epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase (ten spots), inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (12 spots), and IgG-binding protein (ten spots), among others. In conclusion, we presently describe the major seminal plasma proteome of the peccary, which exhibits a distinct high expression of clusterin isoforms. Knowledge of wild species reproductive biology is crucial for an understanding of their survival strategies and adaptation in a changing environment.

Ultrastructural features of agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) preantral follicles cryopreserved using dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol and propanediol

The objective was to develop an efficient protocol for cryopreservation of agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) ovarian tissue. Agouti ovarian fragments were placed, for 10 min, in a solution containing MEM and fetal bovine serum plus 1.5 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) or propanediol (PROH); some of those fragments were subsequently cryopreserved in a programmable freezer. After exposure and/or thawing, all samples were fixed in Carnoy prior to histological analysis. To evaluate ultrastructure, follicles from the control and all cryopreserved treatments were fixed in Karnovsky and processed for transmission electron microscopy. After exposure and freezing, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of morphologically normal preantral follicles in all treatments when compared to the control (92.67 ± 2.79, mean ± SD). However, there were no significant difference when the exposure and freezing procedures were compared using the same cryoprotectant. Moreover, there was no significant difference among cryoprotectants at the time of exposure (DMSO: 64.7 ± 3.8; EG: 70.7 ± 11.2, PROH: 63.3 ± 8.5) or after freezing (DMSO: 60.6 ± 3.6, EG: 64.0 ± 11.9; PROH: 62.0 ± 6.9). However, only follicles frozen with PROH had normal ultrastructure. In conclusion, preantral follicles enclosed in agouti ovarian tissue were successfully cryopreserved using 1.5 M PROH, with satisfactory maintenance of follicle morphology and ultrastructure.

Determination of semen characteristics and sperm cell ultrastructure of captive coatis (Nasua nasua) collected by electroejaculation

Despite the wide geographical distribution of coati (Nasua nasua) from the south of Canada to the north of Argentina, studies regarding the reproductive characteristics of this species are extremely limited. The objective of this study was to describe the various characteristics of coati semen by morphometric and ultrastructural analysis. Five mature males were anesthetized and electroejaculated for the collection of semen. Semen was immediately evaluated for color, volume, pH, sperm motility, vigor, morphology, acrosomal integrity, percentage of live cells and hypo-osmotic response by light microscopy. Sperm cell morphometry and ultrastructural analyses were also performed. Observations of seminal characteristics determined by electroejaculation in captive coatis represent a valuable baseline dataset for establishing fertility standards and provide background information that may be useful for assisted breeding programmes in members of the Procyonidae family.

Criopreservação de sêmen canino com um diluidor à base de água de coco

The long-term storage of frozen semen represents a tool for breeders that want to preserve the genetic potential of their sires. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of coconut water, egg yolk and glycerol on canine semen cooling and freezing. The sperm rich fraction of 12 dogs was submitted to macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. This fraction was divided into four aliquots and frozen with coconut water extender regarding the presence of egg yolk and glycerol. After cooling, there was no difference among groups. However, after thawing, coconut water plus egg yolk and glycerol (ACGG) was superior than others concerning to sperm motility, vigor and morphological abnormalities. In this group, motility (%), vigor (0-5) and abnormalities (%) were 56.7 ± 16.1, 3.4 ± 0.5 e 23.8 ± 8.4, respectivelly. In conclusion, it is necessary to add egg yolk and glycerol to the coconut water extender to improve the cryopreservation of canine semen.

In vitro culture of somatic cells derived from ear tissue of collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) in medium with different requirements

Santos M.L.T., Borges A.A., Queiroz Neta L.B., Santos M.V.O., Oliveira M.F., Silva A.R. & Pereira A.F. 2016. In vitro culture of somatic cells derived from ear tissue of collared peccary (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758) in medium with different requirements. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 36(12):1194-1202. Laboratório de Biotecnologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, BR-110 Km 47, Presidente Costa e Silva, Mossoró, RN 599625-900, Brazil. E-mail: alexsandra.pereira@ufersa.edu.br The maintenance of metabolic activities during the in vitro culture of somatic cells of wild animals, especially collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), is an interesting step in conservation of these cells for the use in nuclear transfer. In this context, it is necessary to optimize the culture conditions of somatic cells by the establishment of appropriate supplementation to the media. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the composition of the culture means of somatic cell derived from ear tissue of collared peccaries, evaluating concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10% vs. 20%) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5ng/mL vs. 10ng/mL). Tissues were submitted to primary culture and subcultures for 40 days and cells were analyzed for morphology, adhesion, subconfluence, and proliferative activity to develop the growth curve and to determine the population doubling time (PDT), viability, and functional/metabolic activity. No difference was observed between the concentrations of FBS for several parameters, except for viability [FBS10: 85.6% vs. FBS20: 98.2%], PDT [FBS10: 155.4h vs. 77.2h], and functional/metabolic assay [FBS10: 0.57–0.55 vs. FBS20: 0.82–0.99 (D5-D7)]. For the EGF in culture, no difference was observed in the evaluated parameters. In all experiments, the growth curves were typical S-shape and the cells passed through a lag, logarithmic, and plateau phase. In conclusion, 20% FBS is suitable for the recovery of somatic cells; nevertheless, EGF does not improve the quality of growing these cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study culturing somatic cells of collared peccaries.

CONSERVAÇÃO DO SÊMEN CANINO A 37ºC EM DILUENTES À BASE DE ÁGUA DE COCO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the canine semen diluted with coconut water extender, added of 3-indol acetic acid (IAA) and egg yolk at 37oC. Sperm of six stud dogs was collected by digital manipulation and divided in three equal aliquots. Dilution was performed by the addiction of coconut water (extender 1), coconut water plus 4% of IAA (extender 2) and coconut water plus 4% of IAA and 20% of egg yolk (extender 3). Sperm motility, vigor and morphology immediately after dilution and periodically until 180 minutes, as well as media degradation motility rate (DMR), were evaluated. Extenders were compared by Whitney-Mann test (P<0.05). Statistical differences were not shown between the extenders up to 60 minutes. After 90 minutes, sperm motility on the extender A was superior to the other extenders (95%). The DMR on the extender A (7.5%) was significantly inferior to the other extenders. Thus, coconut water extender is adequate for the preservation of canine semen at 37oC for 180 minutes.

Cryopreservation in mammalian conservation biology: current applications and potential utility

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