Search

Abstract The reproductive performance during the transition from prepubertal to pubertal stage was evaluated in Osmanabadi breed bucks supplemented with organic Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu). A total number of 40 bucks aged 20 weeks were randomly assigned to 10 groups (each n = 4). The control group was maintained with basal diet, without any additional mineral supplementation. The treatment groups were supplemented with graded doses of organic Zn (Zn 20 mg, Zn 40 mg and Zn 60 mg), Cu (Cu 12.5 mg, Cu 25 mg and Cu 37.5 mg) and a combination of Zn + Cu (Zn 20 mg + Cu 12.5 mg, Zn 40 mg + Cu 25 mg and Zn 60 mg + Cu 37.5 mg), respectively for a period of 26 weeks (up to the age of 46 weeks). Sexual behaviour and scrotal biometry were recorded periodically. Blood and semen samples were collected and processed for LH estimation in blood plasma, and testosterone, T3 and T4 hormones in the seminal plasma. The mounts with ejaculation were observed earlier (P < 0.05) in the treatment bucks (from 38th week of age) than the control group (43rd week onwards). A positive correlation was observed between blood plasma LH and testosterone with total mounts (r = 0.31, P < 0.05; r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and mounts without ejaculation (r = 0.40, P < 0.01; r = 0.52, P < 0.01). A negative correlation between T4 with sperm number per ejaculation (r = −0.31, P < 0.05) and sperm concentration (r = −0.35, P < 0.05) had been noticed. Different doses of minerals showed positive interaction (P < 0.05) with sperm functional and behavioural characteristics. The spermatozoal gene expression of ODF2 and ZCCHC6 were significantly influenced by the mineral supplementation in all doses. The ZCCHC6 gene expression was positively correlated with testosterone (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) and sperm number per ejaculation (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), and ODF2 gene with T3 hormone (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). The present study indicates that the diet supplemented with organic trace minerals cause intense sexual behaviour, enhancement in sperm number per ejaculate, total motility, spermatozoal genes expression and altered LH, testosterone and T4 hormones. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • First study regarding the role of Zn and Cu on male sexual behavior in goats. • Mineral supplementation influences LH, testosterone, T3 and T4 hormone levels. • Zn and Cu modulates the sperm quantitative and qualitative characteristics. • Mineral supplementation improved the male fertility genes (ODF2 and ZCCHC6) expression in spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The antioxidant properties and the protective role of organic zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in white blood cells (WBCs) and spermatozoa were analyzed through quantification of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2) and correlations were determined with sperm functional characteristics in Osmanabadi bucks. Bucks (aged 5 months; n = 40) were divided into ten groups, and the dietary treatments comprised of a control and nine treatment groups as follows: organic Zn as Zn 20, Zn 40 and Zn 60, organic Cu as Cu 12.5, Cu 25, Cu 37.5 and combined organic Zn and Cu as Zn 20+Cu 12.5, Zn 40+Cu 25, Zn 60+Cu 37.5, respectively per kg dry matter for a period of 8 months. The blood (120 and 240 days) and semen (240 days: 40 × 4 = 160) samples were collected from 40 bucks. In WBCs: the relative abundance of mRNA for SOD1, CAT, GPx4, NFE2L2 was greater (P < 0.05) in (120 and 240 days) in majority of the mineral supplemented animals. In spermatozoa: the relative abundance of SOD1, NFE2L2, GPx4 and CAT mRNA was greater (P < 0.05) in selected treatment groups. The abundance of SOD1 mRNA in WBCs was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with sperm mass motility (r = 0.692, P = 0.027). The abundance of GPx4 mRNA was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with type A sperm (straightness; STR) > 85% and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) > 2.5 μm/ s) (r = −0.711, P = 0.021) and (P < 0.05) positively correlated with sperm viability (r = 0.669, P = 0.035). Organic Zn and Cu supplementation was associated with an increase in the expression of antioxidant defense enzyme genes in bucks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective was to determine the association of mRNA expression of cystine rich secretary protein 2 (CRISP2), chaperonin containing T-complex protein 1, subunit 8 (CCT8), and phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 (PEBP1), in sperm of Holstein bulls with Sire Conception Rate (SCR) scores between −4 and +4. These proteins were involved in sperm capacitation and sperm-egg fusion. Samples of sperm obtained on a single day from Holstein bulls (N = 34) in a commercial AI centre were used to evaluate relative mRNA expression of CRISP2, CCT8, and PEBP1. The mRNA abundance of CRISP2 was positively correlated (r = 0.88; P < 0.002), CCT8 was negatively correlated (r = −0.87; P < 0.002), and PEBP1 was positively correlated (r = 0.83; P < 0.006) with SCR-scores. The means of CRISP2 mRNA abundance was greater among positive SCR-score bulls (2.5 to 8 fold), the means of CCT8 mRNA abundance was greater among the negative SCR-score bulls (9.5 to 3.5 fold), and the means of PEBP1 mRNA abundance was greater for the positive SCR-score bulls (5.4 to 7.7 fold). In multivariate regression models predicting SCR-scores, mRNA abundance of CCT8 was significantly associated with SCR-score in all models. In the presence of CRISP2 mRNA abundance in the model, the SCR score''s predictability of PEBP1 was insignificant. However, in the absence of CRISP2 mRNA abundance in the model, the SCR-score''s predictability of PEBP1 was significant. In multivariate regression models, CRISP2 and CCT8 mRNA expression in sperm accounted for 95% of the variance in Holstein bull''s SCR-scores. In conclusion, Holstein bulls with greater CRISP2 and lower CCT8 mRNA expression in sperm had higher probabilities of siring calves. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spermatozoal transcripts expression levels could be used to assess fertility potential of a male. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the predictive ability of the expression levels of growth, apoptosis and homeostasis regulating transcripts on sperm functions and fertility. The expression levels of spermatozoal RNA isolated from the neat semen samples were related to the good (discarded ejaculate, <25%; n = 7) and poor (discarded ejaculate, >40%, n = 6) quality semen producer and bulls ( n = 12) with known conception rate. The relative fold expression levels of BMP2 were significantly ( p < 0.01) higher in good than the poor semen producers and positively associated with post-thaw sperm velocity parameters (LIN and VAP). The NGF expressions fold levels had significant ( p < 0.05) positive relationship with mitochondrial membrane potential of neat semen samples. The genes involved in the apoptotic, UBE2D3 ( r = −0.61, p = 0.02), CASP3 ( r = −0.57, p = 0.03) and homeostatic, HSFY2 ( r = −0.61, p < 0.02) regulators had significant negative correlation with the percentage of post-thaw fast progressive motile spermatozoa. The expression level of TRADD had significant negative influence on the mitochondrial membrane potential ( r = −0.54, p = 0.05) of neat semen samples and conception rate ( r = −0.57, p < 0.05). The expression levels of BMP2 had highly significant positive correlation with NGF ( r = 0.99, p < 0.01) and CASP3 ( r = 0.56, p = 0.05). The BMP2 expression level might be used to predict the quality of the semen and TRADD determine the conception rate of the bull. The study provides ample evidence that the sperm transcripts expression levels might be used to predict quality semen production and bull fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]