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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330350
Title: Assessment of reproductive tissues of gilts born from magnetic nanoparticles-treated boar spermatozoa

Author
item FEUGANG, JEAN - Mississippi State University
item DURFEY, CASEY - Mississippi State University
item LIAO, SHENGFA - Mississippi State University
item DEVOST-BURNETT, DERRIS - Mississippi State University
item CRENSHAW, MARK - Mississippi State University
item CLEMENTE, HENRY - Mississippi State University
item WILLARD, SCOTT - Mississippi State University
item RYAN, PETER - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2015
Publication Date: 7/19/2016
Citation: Feugang, J.M., Durfey, C.L., Liao, S., Devost-Burnett, D., Crenshaw, M., Clemente, H., Willard, S.T., Ryan, P.L. 2016. Assessment of reproductive tissues of gilts born from magnetic nanoparticles-treated boar spermatozoa. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. P. 65.

Interpretive Summary: Semen ejaculates contain a heterogeneous population of spermatozoa that may interfere with male fertility. Indeed, poor quality semen generally translates into low fertility rates that are attributed to higher proportions of damaged or abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculates. It is likely that their removal from insemination doses will improve the fertility of ejaculates and consequently of the males. Magnetic nanoparticles have been used for a selective removal of moribund spermatozoa from boar semen doses, and the remainder purified or nanopurified semen has led to successful inseminations of gilts with full-term birth of viable piglets on multiple occasions (Feugang et al., 2015 in J Fertilization). The objective of this study was to determine whether the reproductive tissues and ovarian capacity differed between gilts born from sows artificially inseminated with nanopurified or standard boar semen. The current findings suggest that female offspring born from nanopurified semen may have intact fertility, but further validation are needed using large-scale studies. Research supported by the USDA-ARS Grant# 58-6402-3-018.

Technical Abstract: Semen ejaculates contain a heterogeneous population of spermatozoa that may interfere with male fertility. Indeed, poor quality semen generally translates into low fertility rates that are attributed to higher proportions of damaged or abnormal spermatozoa in the ejaculates. It is likely that their removal from insemination doses will improve the fertility of ejaculates and consequently of the males. Magnetic nanoparticles have been used for a selective removal of moribund spermatozoa from boar semen doses, and the remainder purified or nanopurified semen has led to successful inseminations of gilts with full-term birth of viable piglets on multiple occasions (Feugang et al., 2015 in J Fertilization). The objective of this study was to determine whether the reproductive tissues and ovarian capacity differed between gilts born from sows artificially inseminated with nanopurified or standard boar semen. Artificial insemination (AI) doses of single sire boar semen were purchased from a local boar stud farm and mixed with sufficient amounts of magnetic nanoparticles. After incubation and separation under an electromagnetic field, damaged spermatozoa bound to nanoparticles were removed. The remaining nanopurified semen were used to breed two gilts (treated group). Semen not subjected to nanopurification process was used to breed two gilts (control group). For both groups, insemination of gilts was accomplished using standard synchronization and AI protocols. Full-term and viable piglets were born from both groups and were fed to market weight within at the Experimental Station research facilities (Durfey et al., SSR 2016; Abstract#451). Five gilts derived from litters of each control or treated semen group (n=10) were fed to market weight under the same environment and management conditions, but in separate pens according to their origin (treated or control semen). At market weight, all ten gilts were harvested and complete reproductive tracts were collected for evaluation of ovary weights, counting of antral follicle numbers, and morphometric measurements of reproductive tracts. Subsets of tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, submitted to histology slide preparation, and followed by measurements of epithelia on Hematoxylin-Eosin stained samples under an optical microscope. Data (mean±sem) were analyzed with a Student’s t-test and P<0.05 was set as threshold of significance. Thus far, the semen nanopurification process followed by AI did not show signs of fertility perturbation or lasting impact in the female offspring. The fecundity of sows averaged 11.5±1.5 and 11±1.0 piglets born alive and weaned, respectively in the treated group vs. 13±1.0 and 10.5±0.5, respectively in the control group. As compared with the control group, the ovary weight (P=0.07) and uterine horn length (P=0.06) tended to be reduced in the treated group (5.3±0.3 g and 64±2cm vs. 4.5±0.3g and 56±3cm), respectively, but the follicle number-to-ovary weight ratios were comparable between groups (Control: 16±3 vs. Treated: 17±3; P>0.05). Oviduct, uterine body, and cervix lengths and corresponding epithelia were similar among groups (P>0.05). The current findings suggest that female offspring born from nanopurified semen may have intact fertility, but further validation are needed using large-scale studies. Research supported by the USDA-ARS Grant# 58-6402-3-018.