AKT, also referred to as protein kinase B (PKB or RAC), plays a critical role in controlling cell survival and apoptosis. To gain insights into the mechanisms regulating sperm survival after ejaculation, the role of AKT was investigated in stallion spermatozoa using a specific inhibitor and a phosphoflow approach. Stallion spermatozoa were washed and incubated in Biggers-Whitten-Whittingham med...

Sperm cryopreservation, in combination with assisted reproductive techniques, is a valuable tool for the genetic management of endangered felids. However, the acrosome of the cheetah spermatozoon is especially sensitive to cryopreservation, with approximately 40% of spermatozoa experiencing acrosomal damage immediately after thawing and then another approximately 15% loss during the next 4 hour...

In the course of investigations on the respiration and the cytochrome-succinic oxidase system ofram spermatozoa (Mann, 1945, 1951a, b; Humphrey & Mann, 1949) two phenomena have been observed: (i) it was found that as the result of freezing and subsequent thawing, or after prolonged storage of semen in vitro, there was a leakage of cytochrome c from the spermatozoa into the surrounding fluid; (i...

Cissampelos capensis is commonly known by the Afrikaans name 'dawidjies' or 'dawidjieswortel'. C. capensis is the most important and best-known medicinal plant of the family Menispermaceae used by the Khoisan and other rural people in the western regions of South Africa. Among numerous other ailments, it is traditionally taken to treat male fertility problems. Yet, no studies have investigated ...

HIV-serodiscordant couples wishing to conceive often seek assisted reproduction, during which spermatozoa from infected men are washed to minimize the risk of HIV transmission to partner and fetus. We sought to improve this method by adding a microbicide, PPCM, as an HIV prophylactic. HIV-1 (BaL) inhibition by PPCM appears irreversible and independent of added Ca(2+). Without added Ca(2+), PPCM...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of semen characteristics on the success of intrauterine insemination (IUI). DESIGN A retrospective study. SETTINGS The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokushima University Hospital, Japan. PATIENTS Between 2004 and 2008, 1,177 IUI cycles in 283 couples were studied. INTERVENTION IUI cycles were preceded with ovarian stimulation. MAIN OUTCOME ME...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of semen collection method (artificial vagina compared to electroejaculation), season in which the semen was collected (breeding season compared to non-breeding season), freezing extender (Biladyl(®), Andromed(®) and skim milk based extender) and pre-treatment procedure (washing compared to non-washing) on post-thaw semen quality in buck. Ejacula...

1. Methods of homogenizing suspensions of washed mammalian spermatozoa were studied. The most useful methods were those using sonication and those using a French press. 2. Hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, glucose phosphate isomerase and adenosine triphosphatase activities in ram, bull and boar spermatozoa were investigated by using these two homogenization methods. Glucose phosphate isomerase, ...

The major sperm protein (MSP)-based amoeboid motility of Ascaris suum sperm requires coordinated lamellipodial protrusion and cell body retraction. In these cells, protrusion and retraction are tightly coupled to the assembly and disassembly of the cytoskeleton at opposite ends of the lamellipodium. Although polymerization along the leading edge appears to drive protrusion, the behavior of sper...

To determine whether there is a relationship between oviposition time and the release of spermatozoa from the uterovaginal junction-sperm-host glands (UVJ-SHG), oviducal segments from turkey hens were isolated and washed immediately or 8-12 and 18-22 h after oviposition on Days 1, 2, 3 and 10-13 after artificial insemination. Spermatozoa were found in nearly all segments at all times examined, ...