Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “FERTILITY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Assessment of relative fertility of males (cockerels and boars) by competitive mating.

When hens were inseminated with an equal number of spermatozoa from one of 3 Leghorn (L) and one of 3 Columbian (C) cocks in the 9 possible L and C combination, a hierarchy of fertility was established based on the proportion of chicks sired by each cock. A similar hierarchy was established for 3 Duroc (D) and 3 Yorkshire (Y) boars by mating gilts in rapid succession to one D and one Y boar. A second hierarchy of fertility was established by inseminating hens with 40 x 10(6) spermatozoa from only one cock or by mating gilts to only one of the boars. The hierarchies for the cocks and boars were essentially the same for each method. Minor discrepancies were observed for males which appeared to be nearly equally fertile when used alone or in combination with another male. After homospermic insemination, the hierarchy of cocks was identical whether the ranking was based on the percentage of eggs fertilized or on hatchability of fertilized eggs. Similarly, the boars ranked highest in fertility by double mating had higher conception rates, higher embryonic survival rates and larger litter sizes when used alone. Heterospermic insemination and double mating appear to be more efficient and sensitive than methods of estimating fertility which depend on homospermic insemination of high or low numbers of spermatozoa, single matings or the examination of various characteristics of semen. The method of heterospermic insemination or double mating offers a simple and effective method of assessing the relative fertility of males.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

A glycolytic product is obligatory for initiation of the sperm acrosome reaction and whiplash motility required for fertilization in the mouse.

The substrate requirements for capacitation of epididymal mouse spermatozoa, initiation of the acrosome reaction and support of fertilization of mouse eggs in vitro were examined by assessing not only fertilization rates, but also the stages of egg activation and sperm head decondensation in fertilized eggs to monitor the temporal aspects of these processes. Although early events of capacitation did not require exogenous substrates, the fertilization process was effectively blocked at the terminal stages of capacitation in the absence of a glycolysable sugar, and addition of glucose was obligatory to initiate both the acrosome reaction and the whiplash motility associated with fertilizing ability. Once the spermatozoa had been primed by glucose, however, the removal of exogenous glucose did not block fertilization. The need for oxidative metabolism was excluded because successful fertilization could be achieved with glucose as the sole exogenous substrate under strictly anaerobic conditions or in the presence of 2.5 microM-oligomycin. We suggest, therefore, that epididymal mouse spermatozoa can be almost completely capacitated in the absence of metabolic processes simply by release into substrate-free medium. They require exposure to glucose to permit induction of the acrosome reaction and motility changes, necessary prerequisites for fertilization; such exposure is followed by rapid and synchronous penetration of eggs.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1983

Effects of coelomic and seminal fluids and various saline diluents on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri.

When trout (Salmo gairdneri) spermatozoa were diluted in coelomic fluid or saline diluents at high dilution rates of 10(-3) and 10(-2) for increasing periods of time before insemination, there was a rapid decline and loss of fertilizing ability. At a lower dilution rate of 10(-1), there was partial or no loss of fertility. Dilution in a KCl-enriched saline diluent to inhibit sperm motility produced a slight decrease in fertility at a 10(-3) dilution rate, indicating that the spermatozoa, although sensitive to dilution, were less so when they were kept immotile. A partial loss of fertility was observed after the spermatozoa or eggs had been washed with saline diluents. The loss of fertility was total when both gametes were washed. Removing the seminal fluid by centrifugation led to a significant decrease in the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa when insemination was carried out in saline diluent but not in coelomic fluid. Adding BSA at high doses (10 mg BSA/ml) into the diluent led to longer survival of the diluted spermatozoa. We conclude that (1) sperm dilution rate is a major factor in the maintenance of fertilizing ability of diluted salmonid spermatozoa, (2) as reported in the literature, coelomic fluid is superior to mineral diluents only when the gametes have been washed, and (3) some substances (possibly proteins) present in seminal and coelomic fluids play a role in gamete protection. These findings may explain the discrepancies in the literature concerning the duration of motility and fertilizing ability of salmonid spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

In vitro fertilization and embryo development of Japanese field voles (Microtus montebelli).

Optimal conditions for in vitro fertilization of Japanese field voles (Microtus montebelli) were analysed. The medium used was a modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate devised for in vitro fertilization in rats. Ovulated eggs and epididymal spermatozoa were co-incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C under 5% CO2 in air for 6 h, and the eggs were fixed with 2.5% (w/v) glutaraldehyde, stained with 0.25% (v/v) acetolacmoid and examined for evidence of fertilization at the pronuclear stage. Although the fertilization rate with spermatozoa preincubated at 1-2 x 10(8) cells ml-1 for 2 h was very low (1-13%), it was significantly increased (43-51%, P < 0.05) when spermatozoa were preincubated at a lower concentration (1-2 x 10(7) cells ml-1). Furthermore, the fertilization rate was significantly higher with 1 mmol hypotaurine l-1 (74.0%) than without hypotaurine (44.4%, P < 0.05). Fertilization rates of spermatozoa preincubated at 1-2 x 10(7) cells ml-1 for 0.5 or 2 h were similar (69.0% and 73.6%), but a longer preincubation (10 h) resulted in a significantly lower fertilization rate (56.8%, P < 0.01). Vole spermatozoa preincubated for 2 h penetrated the zona pellucida 2 h after insemination, and the sperm heads became decondensed 3 h after insemination. At 6 h after insemination, male and female pronuclei were found in most penetrated eggs. When the eggs were left in the fertilization medium without washing and cultured for 96 h after insemination, they developed to two-cell (82.6%), four-cell (60.9%), eight-cell (23.2%) and morula/blastocyst (8.7%) stages in modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate supplemented with 1 mmol hypotaurine l-1.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Influence of insemination-ovulation interval and sperm cell dose on fertilization in sows.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of sperm dose at insemination on fertilization rates and accessory sperm cells attached to day 5 embryos. Multiparous sows (n = 115) were artificially inseminated once with 1 x 10(9), 3 x 10(9) or 6 x 10(9) sperm cells between 3 h and 48 h before ovulation. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed at intervals of 4 h to determine the time of ovulation and sows were killed at 120 +/- 5 h after ovulation to assess the results of fertilization. The insemination-ovulation interval had a major influence on the fertilization rate and accessory sperm count. A nonsignificant but consistent increase in fertilization rate and in number of accessory sperm cells due to the sperm dose was observed. During the insemination-ovulation interval of 12-24 h, the median fertilization rates were 95%, 100% and 100%, and the median accessory sperm counts were 11, 17 and 31 for the 1 x 10(9), 3 x 10(9) and 6 x 10(9) doses, respectively. During the insemination-ovulation interval of 24-36 h, the median fertilization rates were 88%, 95% and 97%, and the median accessory sperm counts were 6, 8 and 11 for the 1 x 10(9), 3 x 10(9) and 6 x 10(9) doses, respectively. No direct relationship was detected between embryo quality and the accessory sperm count but there was a relationship between insemination-ovulation interval and accessory sperm count. The fertilization rate was positively correlated with the breeding value for litter size of the sows. In conclusion, the effects of sperm dose on fertilization rate and on accessory sperm count in sows were small and nonsignificant, indicating only small effects of sperm dose on the functioning of the sperm reservoir in the sow.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fertilizer use efficiency and nitrate leaching in a tropical sandy soil.

Maize (Zea mays L.) production in the smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe is based on both organic and mineral nutrient sources. A study was conducted to determine the effect of composted cattle manure, mineral N fertilizer, and their combinations on NO3 concentrations in leachate leaving the root zone and to establish N fertilization rates that minimize leaching. Maize was grown for three seasons (1996-1997, 1997-1998, and 1998-1999) in field lysimeters repacked with a coarse-grained sandy soil (Typic Kandiustalf). Leachate volumes ranged from 480 to 509 mm yr(-1) (1395 mm rainfall) in 1996-1997, 296 to 335 mm yr(-1) (840 mm rainfall) in 1997-1998, and 606 to 635 mm yr(-1) (1387 mm rainfall) in 1998-1999. Mineral N fertilizer, especially the high rate (120 kg N ha(-1)), and manure plus mineral N fertilizer combinations resulted in high NO3 leachate concentrations (up to 34 mg N L(-1)) and NO3 losses (up to 56 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) in 1996-1997, which represent both environmental and economic concerns. Although the leaching losses were relatively small in the other seasons, they are still of great significance in African smallholder farming where fertilizer is unaffordable for most farmers. Nitrate leaching from sole manure treatments was relatively low (average of less than 20 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)), whereas the crop uptake efficiency of mineral N fertilizer was enhanced by up to 26% when manure and mineral N fertilizer were applied in combination. The low manure (12.5 Mg ha(-1)) plus 60 kg N ha(-1) fertilizer treatment was best in terms of maintaining dry matter yield and minimizing N leaching losses.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2006

Fall fertilization timing effects on nitrate leaching and turfgrass color and growth.

Fall season fertilization is a widely recommended practice for turfgrass. Fertilizer applied in the fall, however, may be subject to substantial leaching losses. A field study was conducted in Connecticut to determine the timing effects of fall fertilization on nitrate N (NO3-N) leaching, turf color, shoot density, and root mass of a 90% Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), 10% creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) lawn. Treatments consisted of the date of fall fertilization: 15 September, 15 October, 15 November, 15 December, or control which received no fall fertilizer. Percolate water was collected weekly with soil monolith lysimeters. Mean log(10) NO3-N concentrations in percolate were higher for fall fertilized treatments than for the control. Mean NO3-N mass collected in percolate water was linearly related to the date of fertilizer application, with higher NO3-N loss for later application dates. Applying fall fertilizer improved turf color and density but there were no differences in color or density among applications made between 15 October and 15 December. These findings suggest that the current recommendation of applying N in mid- to late November in southern New England may not be compatible with water quality goals.

Color↗
PubMed2004

Fertilization in an egg-brooding colonial ascidian does not vary with population density.

The possibility that free-spawning marine organisms may be subject to fertilization failure at low population density (due to the effects of sperm dilution) has sparked much interest, but these effects have been demonstrated only in a few species that broadcast their eggs. Some egg-brooding species may overcome dilution effects by filtering low concentrations of sperm from seawater and fertilizing eggs throughout an extended period of time. We examined the effects of population density and size on fertilization in Botryllus schlosseri, a hermaphroditic colonial ascidian that free-spawns sperm, but broods eggs. We experimentally manipulated the size and density of mating groups and surveyed fertilization levels in natural populations that varied in density. Fertilization was not affected by variation in population size or density in either the experimental or natural populations. Near the end of the reproductive season, some eggs may have been fertilized too late to complete development, suggesting a temporal form of sperm limitation that has not been considered in other systems. We also detected greater variability in fertilization levels at lower population density. Nevertheless, these results suggest that caution must be used in extrapolating reported density effects on fertilization to all taxa of free-spawners; density effects may be reduced in brooders that have efficient sperm collection mechanisms.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Influence of body weight, age, and weight gain on fertility and prolificacy in four breeds of ewe lambs.

Breeding ewes to lamb at 1 yr of age can improve profitability for some production systems. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of age and weight at breeding and total postweaning weight gain on reproductive performance of ewe lambs. The second objective was to compare the effects of weight and age variables in four major sheep breeds (Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee). Weights, ages, and the binary traits of fertility (pregnant or nonpregnant) and prolificacy (one lamb born vs. two or more) were collected on 2,055 ewe lambs at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID, from 1984 through 1988. The effects of age and weight at breeding and total weight gain from weaning to breeding on fertility and prolificacy were analyzed with a logit model in a maximum likelihood analyses. Differences (P < 0.001) among breeds for fertility were identified, with a 93% fertility rate for Polypay ewe lambs compared with lower fertility rates in Columbia, Targhee, and Rambouillet ewe lambs (50, 60, and 75%, respectively). The percentage of multiple births (prolificacy rate) also was higher (P < 0.001) in the Polypay (47%) than in Columbia, Targhee, and Rambouillet breeds (1, 13, and 14%, respectively). Averaged across breeds, weight at breeding had a positive effect on fertility and prolificacy (P < 0.001), whereas total weight gain from weaning to breeding had a positive effect only on fertility (P < 0.027). In separate analyses for each breed, increasing age (P < 0.001) and weight at breeding (P < 0.001) increased the probability of pregnancy in Rambouillet ewe lambs. The probability of pregnancy for Targhee ewe lambs increased (P < 0.005) with weight at breeding. Increasing weight at breeding increased (P < 0.004) the probability of multiple births in all breeds. Increasing total postweaning weight gain increased (P < 0.007) the probabilities of multiple births in Rambouillet and Targhee ewe lambs. In conclusion, Polypay ewe lambs were superior in fertility and prolificacy to Columbia, Rambouillet, and Targhee under Western range conditions. Improved reproductive performance of Columbia, Rambouillet, and Targhee ewe lambs may be achieved by increasing age and weight at breeding and postweaning gain.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation between sperm morphology using strict criteria in original semen and swim-up inseminate and human in vitro fertilization.

To study the value of sperm morphology using strict criteria in raw semen and in swim-up inseminate of human in vitro fertilization (IVF), 135 cycles of IVF with normal sperm concentration and motility were recruited. At least two mature oocytes were recovered in each cycle. The correlation between the percentages of normal forms and fertilization rates of mature oocytes was analyzed. The results demonstrate that the percentage of normal forms in both the raw semen and swim-up sample of patients with poor fertilization was significantly lower than in those with acceptable fertilization. The percentages of normal forms both in raw semen and in swim-up sample were significantly correlated with fertilization rates in vitro, however, the former seemed to have a better correlation (r = .51 and .19, respectively). Regarding the percentages of normal forms in raw semen, the fertilization rate in patients with normal forms < 4% was 6 +/- 11%, for 4-14% it was 58 +/- 36%, and for > 14% it was 88 +/- 20%. The fertilization rates were significantly different among these three groups of patients. The evaluation of sperm morphology using strict criteria in raw semen before IVF is predictive of fertilization outcome and may also help doctors to choose an optimal method of treatment for patients.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Can relative spermatozoal galactosyltransferase activity be predictive of dairy bull fertility?

The best and poorest bovine semen samples used commercially for artificial insemination in dairy cattle typically differ in pregnancy rates by 20 to 25% but are within a range that pregnancy rates cannot be predicted consistently by commonly used laboratory assays. Sperm motility and morphology are the characteristics most often evaluated. Laboratory assays that measure other functional traits of sperm may be useful as supplemental assays to increase the reliability of predicting fertility. One such functional trait is the ability of sperm to bind to the zona pellucida, a process mediated by complementary receptors on each gamete. On mouse sperm, beta1,4-galactosyltransferase acts as a receptor for the zona pellucida. Beta1,4-galactosyltransferase is expressed on sperm from many mammals, including bovine sperm, and is a candidate for a zona pellucida receptor. The ability of sperm to bind to the zona pellucida may be related to the amount of beta1,4-galactosyltransferase present on sperm. The aim of this work was to determine if bull sperm beta1,4-galactosyltransferase activity was related to fertility. Beta1,4-galactosyltransferase enzyme assays were performed on sperm from 24 bulls whose fertility was estimated by nonreturn rate and on sperm from a second group of seven bulls whose fertility was ranked by in vivo competitive fertilization. Beta1,4-galactosyltransferase activity varied between individual bulls but was not correlated to fertility as estimated by nonreturn rate or by competitive fertilization. These results demonstrate that beta1,4-galactosyltransferase activity on sperm varies between animals, but that beta1,4-galactosyltransferase activity alone is not an accurate indicator of fertility in dairy bulls.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The effect of whole ejaculate filtration on the morphology and the fertility of bovine semen.

A Sephadex G-15 filtration method was developed to remove abnormal and nonmotile bull sperm from an entire ejaculate. The efficiency of filtration was determined by adding freeze-killed sperm to the ejaculate or using ejaculates with elevated numbers of abnormal cells induced by scrotal insulation. A fertility trial, using split ejaculates, compared fertility of filtered and unfiltered semen. After filtration, samples with 0, 25, and 50% killed cells added contained 77 to 81% motile cells. Addition of 75% killed sperm resulted in significant decrease (52%) of motile cells following filtration. Morphologic examination of semen with elevated numbers of abnormal cells revealed higher percentages of sperm with normal shaped heads and normal or swollen acrosomes after filtration than in unfiltered samples. Percentage of pear-shaped heads, lifted acrosomes, and bent tails decreased after filtration. Six high fertility and six low fertility bulls were used to evaluate fertility of filtered semen. Filtering increased motile sperm from 51 to 57% and from 36 to 50% for the high and low fertility bulls, respectively. The 60- to 90-d nonreturn rates for high fertility bulls were not increased by filtering (73 vs. 72%). However, filtering significantly improved the nonreturn rates for the low fertility bulls (61 vs. 67%).

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Determination of male fertility in thirteen commercial lines of broiler parents.

Male reproductive capacity evaluated as percent fertility, hatchability, and duration of fertility was assessed for cockerels of 13 commercial broiler lines at 39 and 59 weeks of age using White Leghorn females. For each age the eggs were collected for 21 days following a second insemination of females with .05 ml of undiluted semen. With the exception of duration of fertility the differences among strains were not significant, suggesting that the differences among males within a strain were greater than those among strains for fertility and hatchability. The average percent fertility for a 4-day and 7-day postinsemination interval was 92.1% and 89.9% for Age I and 87.7% and 84.3% for the respective fertilities for Age II. The differences due to age were not significant. However, age had a significant effect on hatchability of settable eggs during 4 days (85.5% vs. 78.2%) and 7 days (83.2% vs. 74.9%) following artificial insemination (AI). The percentage of hatched chicks decreased progressively after day 7 following AI due to the greater incidence of infertile eggs and gradual increase in early embryonic mortality. The duration of fertility among broiler lines ranged between 9.7 to 13.9 days. The significant interaction between strain and age for duration of fertility reflected the changes in ranking among various broiler strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Relationships among fertility, sperm storage, and shell quality.

One hundred and nine White Leghorn hens (50 weeks of age) were used to determine the relationships among fertility, sperm storage, and shell quality. The hens were artificially inseminated (AI) on 2 consecutive days with 100 million spermatozoa per insemination. Eggs were collected for 17 days and were classified as hard shell (HS), thin shell (TS), or shell-less (SL). Specific gravity (SG) was determined on HS eggs. All eggs were incubated for 3 days and broken out to determine fertility. The SL eggs were difficult to incubate; therefore, fertility was not obtained for these eggs. Hens producing eggs with SG less than 1.070 showed a significant (P less than .05) decrease in percent and duration of fertility. Specific gravity was significantly correlated with percent fertility, duration of fertility, and fertile egg production. Following the fertility trial, five hens laying HS and five hens laying SL eggs were inseminated as previously described and were killed on the day after the second insemination. The uterovaginal segments were excised, processed for histological evaluation, and stained for either oil red O to quantitate lipid or hematoxylin and eosin to show sperm distribution in uterovaginal sperm-host glands (UV-SHG). Histological examination of the UV-SHG showed that SL hens had a significantly higher percentage of empty glands than HS hens. However, there were no differences between HS and SL hens for UV-SHG lipid deposition.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effect of semen treatments and age of tom on fertility of unstored semen and semen held 18 hours.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of semen dilution, semen extender, and age of tom on the fertility of unstored semen and semen stored for 18 h at 5 C. In Experiment 1, semen was diluted 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 with Beltsville poultry semen extender (BPSE) #2. In Experiment 2, semen was diluted 1:1 with either Lake's extender, BPSE #2, or BPSE #1. In Experiment 3, the fertility of semen from males 30 to 45-wk-old (first reproductive cycle) was compared to semen from males 51 to 66-wk-old (second reproductive cycle). Identical experiments were conducted in the fall-winter (F-W) and in the spring-summer (S-S). All hens were inseminated with 250 million spermatozoa per dose three times prior to egg production, then weekly for 15 wk. Egg fertility was determined after 7 days of incubation. In all experiments there was a significant interaction between holding time and treatment (semen dilution ratio, semen extender, or age of tom). Fertility of stored semen diluted 1:2 in Experiment 1 was lower than stored semen diluted 2:1 or 1:1 regardless of time of year (season) the experiment was conducted. Fertility was affected by a significant interaction between season and semen dilution ratio. Fertility of semen from males in F-W was higher than semen from males in S-S (Experiment 1). Semen fertility was unaffected by season when comparisons were made between semen extenders (Experiment 2) or age of tom (Experiment 3). Fertility was affected by a significant interaction between season x holding time x age of tom.

Aging↗
PubMed1989

Expression of several traits of fertility in young and old dwarf broiler breeder hens inseminated with duplicate doses of semen.

One hundred sixty-two dwarf broiler breeder females were each inseminated at 4-wk intervals with either 30, 60, or 120 million spermatozoa repeated on 2 consecutive days. The experiment was conducted at two age periods, i.e., 32 to 41 wk (Period I) and 55 to 63 wk (Period II). Females during Period II had a significantly shorter duration of fertility than during Period I (P less than .0001). Also, the mean duration of fertility but not maximum percent fertility was improved in females inseminated with the highest doses compared with the lower doses of spermatozoa. Individual fertility results confirmed that a large majority of the females (81 to 93% during Period I and 62 to 76% during Period II) are capable of laying 100% fertile eggs for at least 7 days. The mean duration of fertility during Period II was longer in females primarily classified as having the longest duration of fertility in Period I. This confirms that duration of fertility is consistent during the reproductive life.

Aging↗
PubMed2026

The Rhizosphere Microbiome: A Key Mediator of Crop Responses to Fertilization Strategies.

The rhizosphere microbiome, the plant's "second genome" is pivotal for crop nutrient acquisition, health, and stress responses. While fertilization ensures high agricultural yields, a key challenge is reshaping this microbiome to boost crop performance. This review synthesizes how mineral, organic, and bio-organic/microbial inoculant fertilizers affect rhizosphere microbial structure, diversity, and function. Long-term excessive mineral fertilizers (especially nitrogen) reduce microbial diversity, diminish beneficial groups (e.g., diazotrophs, PGPR), and disrupt microbial networks via soil acidification and altered root exudates, causing continuous cropping obstacles. In contrast, organic fertilizers improve soil microenvironments, maintaining high microbial diversity, enriching beneficial taxa (e.g., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria), and enhancing community complexity. Bio-organic fertilizers/microbial inoculants "engineer" the microbiome by introducing exogenous beneficial microbes (e.g., Bacillus, Pseudomonas, AMF), directly promoting growth, suppressing diseases, and "reconditioning" indigenous beneficial communities. We also clarify how fertilization regulates plant-microbe dialog via root exudates and rhizosphere chemistry (e.g., pH, ion balance), discuss current challenges (causality, lab-to-field translation, genotype-microbiome-fertilization interactions), and outline future directions. Integrating rhizosphere microbiome management into fertilization is crucial for reducing chemical fertilizer reliance and advancing agricultural green transformation.

fertilization strategies microbial community assem↗
PubMed1994

[Study on the fertility of epididymal sperms].

One approach to the treatment of obstructive azoospermic cases in whom either vasovasostomy cannot be performed or the vas deferens is absent is to construct an artificial spermatocele in the epididymis. By using this method to recover sperms for use in AIH, we have succeeded in achieving pregnancy in only 2 of 35 cases, leading us to investigate the fertility of the recovered sperms. Sperm fertility was investigated by the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test, observation by confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM), flow cytometry and hamster egg sperm penetration test. The percentage of swollen sperm determined by the HOS test was 15.0-83.3%, with a mean of 47.6 +/- 16.1%, significantly lower than the values of the normal group and the infertile male group, excluding cases of obstructed azoospermia. Examination by confocal laser-scanning microscope of samples stained with PI and FITC-PSA or PI and FITC-Con A stain revealed viable and dead spermatozoa as well as viable and dead acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. In addition, fertility was evaluated from the distribution of spermatozoa in each area from the flow cytometry percentage. This method was shown previously to be useful for the evaluation of fertility as it demonstrated the presence of numerous spermatozoa in the fertile area of cases who did not succeeded in pregnancy. The hamster egg sperm penetration test yielded a fertility rate of 0-25% with a mean of 8.2 +/- 10.0%, which was significantly lower than the value of the normal group, but was not significantly different from the infertile group. The findings of this study indicated that the fertility of epididymal sperms is low, thereby pointing to the need for studies to improve the materials used in the artificial spermatocele as well as the method of sperm recovery. Furthermore, our findings suggest that flow cytometry may be used to select the epididymal sperms with the highest fertility for sperm recovery.

Animals↗