Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Minimally Invasive Embryo Transfer and Embryo Vitrification at the Optimal Embryo Stage in Rabbit Model
Published on: May 16, 2019
Influence of free and microencapsulated recombinant rabbit nerve growth factor with chitosan on rabbit sperm quality
Silvia Gimeno-Martos1,2, Luigia Bosa3,4, Pedro Luis Lorenzo1
1Dpto. Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
β-nerve growth factor (βNGF) plays a crucial role in reproductive physiology and sperm quality. Enzymatic activity of seminal plasma and vaginal fluids reduces available βNGF and it has been demonstrated that chitosan microspheres could protect rrβNGF from degradation. This study examined the effects of microencapsulated rrbNGF with chitosan on rabbit sperm viability, motility and capacitation status. Results showed that 0.5 and 1 μg/mL of microencapsulated rrβNGF, as well as free rrβNGF or empty microspheres, did not adversely affect sperm viability or total motility after 2 h of incubation. However, the highest progressivity kinetic parameters were observed with 1 μg/mL free rrβNGF, while the highest curvilinear velocity (VCL) occurred with 0.5 μg/mL microencapsulated rrβNGF. Empty chitosan microspheres did not induce acrosome reaction (AR), but both concentrations of free and rrβNGFch favoured AR during in vitro incubation. The study suggests that using chitosan spheres did not show any adverse effects on sperm traits, unlike free rβNGF and rrβNGFch promoted capacitation and AR. Further research is needed to explore the potential of rrβNGFch in modifying in vitro capacitation and inducing ovulation during artificial insemination.
Related Concept Videos
Spermatogenesis
Source And Potency Of Stem Cells
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Spermatogenesis
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
Sperm Transport
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

