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Disruption of bovine sperm functions in the presence of aplastic midpiece defect
Author(s) -
DíazMiranda E. A.,
Maitan P. P.,
Machado T. P.,
Camilo B. S.,
Lima D. A.,
Okano D. S.,
PenitenteFilho J. M.,
MachadoNeves M.,
Oliveira L. L.,
Guimarães S. E. F.,
Costa E. P.,
Guimarães J. D.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 2047-2927
pISSN - 2047-2919
DOI - 10.1111/andr.12618
Subject(s) - sperm , andrology , acrosome , membrane integrity , semen , biology , extender , dna fragmentation , motility , oxidative stress , apoptosis , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , genetics , membrane , programmed cell death , medicine , organic chemistry , polyurethane
Abstract Background Bulls are of great importance in the productive chain and for this reason they should have a good semen quality. There is no doubt that sperm morphology is very important to bull fertility, although little is known about how exactly the abnormal morphologies may affect sperm functions. Objectives To detail the morphological description of the aplastic midpiece defect ( AMD ), as well as to understand its consequences for male fertility based on membrane and acrosome status, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA integrity parameters. Materials and methods The bulls were divided into two groups: control, consisting of satisfactory potential breeders ( n = 3); and AMD , consisting of unsatisfactory potential breeders with a high percentage of AMD ( n = 3). Bulls were evaluated by the breeding soundness evaluation; five ejaculates were collected from each animal and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Spermatozoa from AMD group exhibited lower sperm motility and vigor ( p < 0.05). In addition, it also exhibited lower mitochondrial membrane potential ( p < 0.05), a higher percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation ( p < 0.05), lower acrosome and plasma membrane integrity ( p < 0.05), and higher lipid bilayer sperm membrane disorganization ( p < 0.05) in comparison with control bulls. Discussion These findings may be due to oxidative stress and a reduction of the energy production capacity in addition to an alteration in the structural composition of the sperm cell. Moreover, semen with a high percentage of AMD may also be undergoing apoptosis. Conclusion Bulls with a high percentage of AMD in their semen are not suitable for reproduction. Furthermore, it suggests there is a putative genetic basis for this sperm defect.