To evaluate and optimize the sperm separation efficiency of a novel silane-coated silica bead (Puresperm), serial studies were carried out to compare the various sperm parameters between: (i) three-layer (90%-70%-40%) Puresperm and three-layer (90%-70%-40%) conventional polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silica bead (Percoll) gradients; (ii) three-layer (90%-70%-40%) and two-layer (90%-45%) Pure...

Although geographic variation in semen quality has been reported, this is the first study in the United States to compare semen quality among study centers using standardized methods and strict quality control. We evaluated semen specimens from partners of 512 pregnant women recruited through prenatal clinics in four U.S. cities during 1999-2001; 91% of men provided two specimens. Sperm concent...

The objective of the present study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations for semen and litter size traits using full animal model analyses. Litter size data were available from 28,485 Czech Large White and 10,410 Czech Landrace sows farrowing between 1995 and 2008. The number of litter records was 91,922 and 30,937, respectively. Records on semen traits (37,137 ejaculates from...

Experiments were conducted to address recent reports of precocial testis development or testicular hypertrophy induced by the anti-thyroid agent 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in domestic fowl and rodents. In three experiments, PTU was administered to male turkeys during different stages of development. The PTU was given in the feed at a concentration of either 0.1 or 0.5% and effects on thyroid...

The objective of this study was to specify the effects of centrifugation and different surface of soybean lecithin-based extender on post-thaw Sperm quality of Ghezel ram semen. Semen samples were gathered from 5 mature Ghezel ram two/week for 3 weeks. After initial evaluation, the approved semen samples were pooled together and split into equal parts in Falcon tubes. Three samples were combine...

The present investigation aimed to conduct a genetic study of dairy cattle and buffalo bulls based on economic traits and their phenotypic correlation. The means of various economic traits in both the species are presented. Cattle bulls reported a better libido score, Flehmen response, requirement of mounting stimulus and semen volume, conception rate and expected predicted difference for milk ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different extenders (Skimmed Milk Glucose SMG or Lactose Egg Yolk LEY) on physical characteristics and fertility of fractionated donkey semen cooled at 5°C. For this, four Pêga donkeys were used as semen donors. The sperm rich fraction of the ejaculate was diluted preparing insemination doses containing 400 x 10 6 motile spermatozoa in a v...

BACKGROUND Semen quality is taken as a surrogate measure of male fecundity in clinical andrology, male fertility, reproductive toxicology, epidemiology and pregnancy risk assessments. Reference intervals for values of semen parameters from a fertile population could provide data from which prognosis of fertility or diagnosis of infertility can be extrapolated. METHODS Semen samples from over ...

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Recent studies have shown regional and population differences in semen characteristics. The objective was to establish reference values for semen analysis and to verify the effect that age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking habits and coffee consumption have on fertile individuals' semen characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective study in the Urology...

Objective The quality of semen depends upon several factors such as environment, life style, physical activity, age and occupation. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the conventional and functional semen parameters in men who practice vigorous physical activity to those of sedentary men. MaterialsAndMethods Semen samples from 17 physically active men and 15 sedentary men were col...