fertilizing ability of stallion spermatozoa processed by single layer centrifugation with Androcoll-E™.

Journal: Saudi journal of biological sciences
Published Date:

Abstract

A colloid with a species specific silane-coated, silica-based formulation, optimized for stallion (Androcoll-E™), enables a better sub-population of spermatozoa to be selected from stallion ejaculates. However, such a practice has not been critically evaluated in stallions with fertility problems. In this study we evaluate whether single-layer centrifugation (SLC) through Androcoll-E™ could be used to enhance fertility rates in a subfertile stallion. Ejaculates were obtained from two different stallions, one Lusitano (fertile) and one Sorraia (subfertile), with distinct sperm characteristics and fertility. Motility, morphology, plasma membrane structural (eosin-nigrosin) and functional integrity (HOS test), mitochondrial functionality (Δψm; JC-1) and longevity (motility after 72 h cooling) after centrifugation in Androcoll-E™, as well as pregnancy rates obtained after artificial insemination (AI), with and without (control group) SLC-treated sperm were assessed. The effect of SLC on sperm characteristics, and fertility results were evaluated by ANOVA and Fisher procedures, respectively. Our results showed that SLC-selected sperm did not differ from the raw semen in terms of viability, morphology, response to hypo-osmotic conditions (HOS test) and mitochondrial membrane potential (↑ΔΨmit; JC-1). Sperm motility in cooled samples was not improved by SLC treatment. Our data show that SLC through Androcoll-E™ has no effect on pregnancy rates in the stallions used in this trial.

Authors

  • Sandra Gamboa
    Department of Zootechnic Sciences, Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.
  • Andreia Quaresma
    Department of Zootechnic Sciences, Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.
  • Fátima Castro
    Department of Zootechnic Sciences, Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.
  • Pedro Bravo
    Department of Zootechnic Sciences, Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.
  • Maria Rosa Rebordão
    Department of Zootechnic Sciences, Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Bencanta, 3040-316 Coimbra, Portugal.
  • Maria do Mar Oom
    Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Animal, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
  • António Rocha
    Centro de Estudos em Ciência Animal (CECA), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Oporto, Portugal.

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