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Fatty acid-based lipidomic analysis has been widely used to evaluate health status in human medicine as well as in the veterinary field. In equine species, there has been a developing interest in fertility and sperm quality. Fatty acids, being the principal components of the membranes, play an active role in the regulation of the metabolic activities, and their role on spermiogenesis seems to be of great importance for the resulting quality of the sperm and, thus, fertility. With the application of widely used lipidomic techniques, the aim of this study was to evaluate: (a) the fatty acid content of the spermatozoa’s membranes of 26 healthy male Martina Franca donkeys and its possible correlation with sperm parameters, and (b) the evaluation of the composition of the red blood cells’ membrane. PUFA omega-6 are the principal components (40.38%) of the total PUFA content (47.79%) in both types of cells; however, DPA is the predominant one on the spermatozoa’s membrane (27.57%) but is not present in the erythrocyte’s membrane. Spermatozoa’s motility (%) is positively correlated with stearic acid and EPA, and progressive motility (%), with oleic acid. These findings offer information on the composition of both types of cells’ membranes in healthy male MF donkeys and reflect the metabolic transformations of the spermatozoa’s membrane during the maturation period, providing a better perception of the role of fatty acids in sperm parameters and fertility.

Background: Male fertility, as manifest by the quantity and progressive motility of spermatozoa, is negatively impacted by obesity, dyslipidaemia and metabolic disease. Howev-er, the relative distribution of lipids in spermatozoa and the two compartments which supply lipids for spermatogenesis (seminal fluid and blood serum) has not been studied. We hypothe-sised that altered availability of lipids in blood serum and seminal fluid may affect the lipid composition and progressive motility of sperm. Methods: 60 men of age 35 years (median (range 20 - 45) and BMI 30.4 kg/m2 (24 - 36.5) under preliminary investigation for subfertility were recruited at an NHS clinic. Men provided sam-ples of serum and semen, subject to strict acceptance criteria, for analysis of spermatozoa count and motility. Blood serum (n=60), spermatozoa (n=26) and seminal fluid (n=60) were frozen for batch lipidomics analysis. Results: Spermatozoa and seminal fluid had comparable lipid composition, but showed marked differences with the serum lipidome. Spermatozoa demonstrated high abundance of ceramides, very-long-chain fatty acids (C20-22), and certain phospholipids (sphingomyelins, plasmalogens, phosphatidylethanolamines) with low abundance of phosphatidylcholines, cholesterol and tri-glycerides. Men with spermatozoa of low progressive motility had evidence of fewer concentra-tion gradients for many lipid species between blood serum and spermatozoa compartments. Conclusion: Spermatozoa are abundant in multiple lipid species which are likely to contribute to key cellular functions. Lipid metabolism shows reduced regulation between compartments in men with spermatozoa with reduced progressive motility., CLM is supported by the Diabetes UK Harry Keen Intermediate Clinical Fellowship (DUK-HKF 17/0005712) and the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes – Novo Nordisk Foundation Future Leaders’ Award (NNF19SA058974). SF and AK acknowledge funding from the BBSRC (BB/M027252/1). This research was supported by the NIHR Cambridge BRC, the core biochemical assay laboratory (CBAL) and the core metabolomic and lipidomic laboratory (CMAL). The views expressed are those of the au-thor(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

While previous studies showed that sperm quality has decreased over the last decades, others did not report such reductions, suggesting that the region where the population is evaluated has an influence. The current research, which was conducted on a regional scale, did not find variations in sperm count but did observe a drop in sperm motility and morphology. Semen quality has a direct relation to male fertility. Whether sperm variables in humans have decreased over the last years is still uncertain, with some studies showing a decline and others reporting no changes. In this regard, previous research has suggested that lifestyle and environmental conditions may contribute to this variability, calling for regional studies. The present work is a retrospective, unicentric study that includes semen samples analyzed between 1997 and 2017 at the Parc Taulí Hospital (Barcelona metropolitan area). First, a multivariate analysis including the age as a confounding factor showed a statistically significant decrease in semen volume, pH, progressive motility, morphology and total motile sperm over time. Contrarily, no significant variation in sperm count or concentration was observed. Mean reductions per year were −0.02 mL for volume, −0.57% for progressively motile sperm and −0.72% for sperm with normal morphology. Interestingly, the average annual temperature registered by the Spanish Meteorology Agency negatively correlated to sperm morphology and sperm count (Rs = −0.642; p = 0.002 and Rs = −0.435; p = 0.049, respectively). In conclusion, the present study based on infertile patients from the Barcelona area found a decline in sperm motility and morphology, without effects on sperm count. Changes in temperature appeared to be associated to this decline, but further studies are needed to address the mechanisms linked to the observed variations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in 418 men who attended a fertility center. Methods: This retrospective study includes 418 male patients seen at In Vitro Gestar, Chiclayo - Perú between October 2013 and March 2020. DFI was determined between normozoospermic patients (NORMO) and patients with one altered parameter (ALTERED). The patients were classified as oligozoospermic [Severe/Moderate oligozoospermia (OLIGO SM)

High levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in avian sperm cause more susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Aging in roosters reduces the antioxidant capacity of sperm and thus fertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a feed supplement to improve the semen quality and fertility parameters of aged broiler breeder roosters and identification of its most effective level. A total of forty-two roosters at 45 wk of age were randomly assigned to 7 treatments (0, 15, 40, 70, 95, 120, and 145 mg ALA/bird per day) for 8 wk. Semen parameters and body weight were assessed biweekly, and testosterone plasma levels were determined in the 8th wk of the experimental period. Artificial insemination was performed at the end of the experiment to evaluate the fertility potential. The dietary administration of ALA had no significant effects on body weight, semen volume, average path velocity, linearity, straightness, wobble, the amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat-cross frequency, sperm concentration, morphology, plasma testosterone level, fertility, or hatchability (P > 0.05). Alpha-lipoic acid supplementations resulted in a significant decrease in seminal malondialdehyde concentration and immotile (type D) sperms (P

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been considered as one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses that may be linked to unexplained infertility in men. The possible mechanisms underlying correlation between HPV infection and infertility could be related to the altered sperm parameters. Current studies have investigated the effect of HPV seminal infection on sperm quality in infertile men, but have shown inconsistent results. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI for studies that examined the association between HPV seminal infection and sperm progressive motility. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Outcomes were the sperm progressive motility rate. Results are expressed as standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated by the I-square (I2) statistic. Results Ten studies were identified, including 616 infertile patients with HPV seminal infection and 2029 infertile controls without HPV seminal infection. Our meta-analysis results indicated that sperm progressive motility was significantly reduced in HPV-infected semen samples compared with non-infected groups [SMD:-0.88, 95% CI:-1.17 ~ − 0.59]. There existed statistical heterogeneity (I2 value: 86%) and the subgroup analysis suggested that study region might be the causes of heterogeneity. Conclusions HPV semen infection could significantly reduce sperm progressive motility in infertile individuals. There were some limitations in the study such as the differences in age, sample sizes and the number of HPV genotypes detected. Further evidences are needed to better elucidate the relationship between HPV seminal infection and sperm quality.

Antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in male infertility. Antioxidants are compounds which scavenge formation or oppose of the actions ROS. Spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable to ROS because of inherent deficiencies in intracellular antioxidant enzyme protection, thus total body antioxidant capacity become more substantial to protect sperm. In this study to try to evaluate the role of serum total antioxidant capacity, uric acid, glutathione, total thiols, ferritin, albumin and malodialdehyde in male infertility. 66 men included in this study 40 were infertile and 26 were healthy fertile. Results showed a significant decrease in sperm progressive motility and a significant increase in sperm tail abnormality, also there were a significant decrease in serum total antioxidant capacity, uric acid and albumin in infertile group. Because of lack of the intracellular antioxidant enzymes sperm cannot protect plasma membrane that surrounds the tail, the protection depends on the antioxidant defense afforded by the seminal plasma and on the entire body antioxidant capacity. Decrease of serum antioxidant capacity, uric acid and albumin may cause destroy of sperm tail membrane and this may lowering of sperm progressive motility.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of different thawing methods on bull’s semen characteristics. The semen was collected and processed from 8 bulls (Holstein, n = 4; Czech Fleckvieh, n = 4) kept in private Sire insemination Centre. Four different thawing methods were tested: control thawing methods (temperature = 38.5 °C, time = 30 seconds), slow thawing method (temperature = 30 °C, time = 50 seconds), moderate thawing method (temperature = 50 °C, time = 15 seconds), rapid thawing rate (temperature = 70 °C, time = 3 seconds). The percentage rate of total and progressive motile spermatozoa above head as well as movement characteristics of straight‑line velocity (VSL, µm/s) and linearity (LIN, %) were recorded using CASA system immediately after thawing and after 2 hrs. of heat incubation (±38 °C). Subsequently the differences between semen characteristics measured immediately after thawing and after 2 hours of incubation were calculated. The data were analyzed with SAS software. All the evaluated semen traits reached significantly lowest values in total motility (−8 % to −10.5 %, P < 0.05), progressive motility (−5.6 % to −10 %, P < 0.05) VSL (−3.9 µm/s to −9 µm/s, P < 0.05) and LIN (−1.5 % to −4.8 %, P < 0.05) in control thawing method immediately after the thawing compared to others. However, these differences were negligible after 2 hrs. of incubation. The highest values of progressive motility and movement characteristics after thawing and after 2 hours incubation were detected using slow thawing method. Moreover, the rapid method of thawing showed the significantly the lowest results in progressive motility (−3.6 % to −6.6 %), VSL (−3.2 to −5.6 µm/s) and LIN (−3 % to −4.6 %) characteristics assessed after 2 hrs. of incubation compared the others (P < 0.05). Control method of thawing was most stable during the incubation and showed the significantly lowest decrease of total motility (−7.6 % to −11.8 %, P < 0.05), progressive spermatozoa motility above head (−7.5 % to −9.8 %, P < 0.05) and VSL characteristics (−2.4 to −9.7 µm/s, P < 0.05) during incubation. Therefore, this thawing protocol can be recommended at this study based on the lowest spermatozoa characteristics decline during incubation for using artificial insemination.

Context: Some vaginal lubricants and ultrasound gels are known to be detrimental to sperm function and therefore could negatively affect fertility. Aims: The aim of the current study was to develop a sperm motility index (SMI) to test the sperm toxicity of ultrasound gels and vaginal lubricants used in reproductive medicine. Settings and Design: Two ultrasound gels (Aquasonic® and Kefus®) and five vaginal lubricants (Vaginesil™, Velastisa®, K-Y Jelly®, Control®, and Durex®) were studied. Three different concentrations (1%, 5%, and 10%) of each lubricant were tested. Subjects and Methods: SMI was calculated dividing the percentage of progressively motile sperm in each tested gel by that in the control at 0.5, 1, 2, and 24 h of incubation at 5% of CO2 and 37°C. SMI values

Assisted reproductive technologies have been used in zoos and breeding centres to preserve rare and endangered species of wild animals over the past three decades. The most common way to preserve the genetic material of farm and wildlife animals is to create cryobanks of semen producers and embryos. Studies of domestic species under controlled conditions provide an excellent opportunity to develop effective semen handling techniques for application to wild species of the genus Equus. The All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding (ARRIH) began studies on the cryopreservation of genetic resources in the early 1950s. In 1954 the ARRIH got the world's first foal from the artificial insemination by cryopreserved sperm. The collection of genetic resources of ARRIH has been successfully working since 1972 and contains nowadays cryopreserved sperm from 56 stallions of 16 breeds of domestic and foreign selections. Freezing and subsequent thawing of stallion sperm leads to a decrease in progressive sperm motility and an increase in the number of sperm with structural pathologies. Electron microscopy is one of the most accurate methods used to assess the structural integrity of sperm. We conducted an electron microscopic study of native and cryopreserved sperm of 35 stallions of riding and trotting breeds, aged 4 to 22 years (mean age 11.3 ± 0.9 years). We found that organoids with a denser structure are more resistant to freezing and subsequent thawing of sperm. The use of stallion sperm cryopreservation according to the standard technology of ARRIH leads to a decrease in the number of sperms with intact heads by an average of 19.7%, and the share of sperm with intact heads in cryopreserved sperm is 49.1 ± 2.7% (p < 0.001). The most negatively cryopreservation of semen affects an acrosome of sperms. The main pathologies of acrosomes in sperm cryopreservation are acrosome hypoplasia and its degradation (secondary absence of acrosome). The number of spermatozoa with acrosome hypoplasia and the absence of internal content after cryopreservation increases by 20.9%, and the share of such sperms is 31.7% in thawed sperm (p < 0.001). The number of sperm with acrosome degradation during sperm freezing and thawing increases by 10.4%, and is 18.6 ± 2.4% in average. The share of spermatozoa with normal mitochondrial structure in native sperm is 89.3 ± 2.0% in average, in cryopreserved sperm – decreases by 6.5%. The share of spermatozoa with normal axoneme after cryopreservation decreases slowly, averaging by 4.4% and is 81.4 ± 2.0%. Some of the available assisted reproduction technologies will need to be further optimised in domestic horses before they can be applied to the endangered Przewalski's horse Equus ferus przewalskii.

This study aimed at assessing the sperm quality of the Amazon catfish, Leiarius marmoratus ¸ after refrigeration without extenders. After capturing the animals and stripping of semen, the following parameters were analyzed: progressive motility, motility quality score, duration of motility and sperm morphology. An aliquot of fresh semen from each male was kept at room temperature (28 ± 2°C) as a control, for further comparison with cooled semen. The semen from each animal was stored in extenders-free individual syringes. The syringes were kept in ice within polystyrene boxes at 13 ± 2°C. For both fresh and cooled semen, seminal parameters were evaluated every one-hour interval, reaching seven hours of analysis. Fresh semen showed a significant decrease in motility, motility quality score and duration of motility remaining viable only for three hours. Progressive motility of the cooled semen displayed a negative linear pattern (P0.05), even though the mean values of total abnormalities have increased over the storage time. Further studies focusing on the application of this technique should be performed, including the addition of extenders and cryoprotectants for preservation of the sperm over longer periods.

In the present study, the authors analysed the effects of seasonal variations on the scrotal circumference and semen characteristics in two ram breeds in Saudi Arabia, namely Naimi and Najdi. Five rams of each breed were used in this experiment. Scrotal circumference and semen characteristics were evaluated in each ram twice a month throughout the year. Significant differences were observed in the scrotal circumference between various seasons. The largest production of semen was recorded mainly in spring, whereas the lowest semen volume was produced in summer. The pH of the semen was slightly alkaline and significantly lower in autumn than in spring. Furthermore, the highest value of the total number of sperm per ejaculate was observed in spring for both breeds. The results indicated that mass motility increased significantly in autumn compared with winter, spring, and summer. Progressive motility was significantly lower during the months of summer and spring. However, no significant differences were recorded between autumn and winter. Hence, the presence of significant seasonal variations in semen quantity and quality of Naimi and Najdi rams suggests the viability of increased utilization of rams in spring and autumn for semen collection and reproductive practices. Keywords: Mass motility, progressive motility, semen volume, sperm concentration