BACKGROUND Mammalian semen contains a family of closely related proteins known as Binder of SPerm (BSP proteins) that are added to sperm at ejaculation. BSP proteins extract lipids from the sperm membrane thereby extensively modifying its composition. These changes can ultimately be detrimental to sperm storage. We have demonstrated that bovine BSP proteins interact with major milk proteins and...

BACKGROUND Sodium arsenite can impair male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress. Silymarin is known as a potent antioxidant. OBJECTIVE This study was performed to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on ram sperm viability, motility and mitochondrial membrane potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS Epidydimal spermatozoa obtained from ram were di...

background: as we all know, sperm has the capacity to take up foreign dna, therefore, sperm mediated gen transfer can be an inexpensive and simple method in animal transgenesis in various species. however, there is not sufficient evidence of dna uptake by ovine spermatozoa. objectives: the purpose of the present study was to examine the uptake of human lysozyme gene contained plasmid (pegfp-ire...

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is a novel signaling phospholipids that in addition to platelet activation has many biological properties. The acrosome reaction, as an essential step in mammalian fertilization, can occur in response to several agents such as PAF. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of PAF on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa. Semen was c...

Background: Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage tissue but also an important endocrine organ that secretes protein hormones. Among them, the production and secretion of adiponectin is inversely correlated to the severity of obesity. In adipose tissue, adiponectin production is transcriptionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Obesity is a major healt...

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of modified camel milk (MCAM) and skim cow milk (SCOM) on semen quality of INRA180 and Boujaâd ram breeds, stored at 15°C for up to 24 hours. Semen samples were collected from eleven mature rams (6 from INRA180 and 5 from Boujaâd rams) and extended in SCOM vs MCAM, to reach a final concentration of 0.8×109 spermatozoa/mL, and stored at 1...

platelet activating factor (paf) is a novel signaling phospholipids that in addition to platelet activation has many biological properties. the acrosome reaction, as an essential step in mammalian fertilization, can occur in response to several agents such as paf. therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of paf on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa. semen was c...

Several laboratory methods to evaluate ram sperm quality have been developed. The combination of different fluorescent probes is suitable to simultaneously evaluate different sperm characteristics but the need for a fluorescent microscope restricts its use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hypoosmotic Trypan Blue Giemsa (HTBG) staining to simultaneously detect sperm ...

Capacitation is a key process through which spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability. This event is required for the successful application of assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of using a synthetic oviductal fluid medium supplemented with either heparin-hypotaurine alone, in combination with progesterone (P4), 17β-est...

The aim of the study was to evaluate motility parameters of Lacaune (Lc) and east-Friesian (eF) ram frozen-thawed spermatozoa by cASA (computer-Automated Sperm Analysis) technique in relation to their in vivo fertilizing ability. Fresh ejaculates were diluted in a Triladyl extender containing 20 % egg yolk, 6 % glycerol and 0.1 % trehalose and frozen in a liquid nitrogen vapour. The evaluation ...