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Viability and DNA fragmentation in differently sorted boar spermatozoa
M De Ambrogi1, M Spinaci, G Galeati
1Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italia.
Theriogenology
|July 4, 2006
Summary
Sex-sorting boar semen does not harm sperm viability or DNA integrity. However, high pressure during sorting, not the laser, significantly increases DNA fragmentation, indicating mechanical forces are the primary cause of damage.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Spermatozoa Physiology
- Animal Breeding
Background:
- Spermatozoa possess inherent defenses against DNA damage, including chromatin condensation and seminal plasma antioxidants.
- Mature sperm cannot repair DNA damage, and compromised DNA can lead to embryo apoptosis during genomic activation.
- Sex-sorting techniques expose sperm to physical stressors like high pressure and laser exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of sex-sorting procedures on boar spermatozoa viability and DNA integrity.
- To differentiate the effects of mechanical forces versus laser exposure during semen sorting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Sperm-Sus-Halomax assay to assess viability and DNA fragmentation index (DFI).
- Compared four groups: CONTROL (no treatment), REAL (sex-sorted), BULK (sorted without sex separation), and NO LASER (high pressure only).
Main Results:
- The NO LASER group exhibited significantly lower viability (64.71%) and higher DFI (6.86%) compared to CONTROL (78.6%, 3.30%) and REAL (80.5%, 3.42%) groups.
- The REAL (sex-sorted) and CONTROL groups showed comparable viability and DFI.
- The BULK group demonstrated no significant differences in viability or DFI.
Conclusions:
- The overall sex-sorting procedure does not negatively affect boar sperm viability or DNA integrity.
- Shear mechanical forces, rather than laser exposure, are identified as a significant source of DNA damage in sorted semen.
