Background:Identification of relevant in vivo biomarkers for fertility remains a challenge for the livestock industry.Concentrations of the small peptide hormone oxytocin(OXT),involved in male reproductive function an...Background:Identification of relevant in vivo biomarkers for fertility remains a challenge for the livestock industry.Concentrations of the small peptide hormone oxytocin(OXT),involved in male reproductive function and present in the seminal plasma(SP)of several species could be a robust one.This study characterized concentrations of SPOXT in ejaculates from boars used in artificial insemination(AI)programs aiming to evaluate its relationship with sperm quality variables and in vivo fertility of their liquid-stored AI-semen.Seminal OXT concentrations(ng/mL)were measured in 169 ejaculates from 61 boars of the Duroc,Pietrain,Landrace and Large White breeds using a direct competitive immunoassay test based on AlphaLISA®technology.Ejaculate(ejaculate volume,sperm concentration,total sperm count)and sperm parameters(motility,viability,intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species,plasma membrane fluidity)were assessed at 0 h and 72 h in AI-semen samples stored at 17℃.In vivo fertility included only 18 Large White and Landrace boars whose AI-semen was used to inseminated>100 sows and evaluated both farrowing rate and litter size of 3,167 sows.Results:The results showed that SP-OXT differed between boars and between ejaculates within boar(P<0.05)but not between breeds(Duroc,Pietrain,Landrace and Large White).Ejaculates with higher SP-OXT concentration/mL(hierarchically grouped;P<0.001)had larger volume and came from younger boars(P<0.05).Ejaculates of boars showing positive farrowing rate deviation exhibited higher(P<0.05)SP-OXT concentration/mL than those with negative farrowing rate deviation.Conclusion:The SP concentrations of OXT are boar,ejaculate and age dependent,and positively related with ejaculate volume and farrowing rates of liquid-stored semen AI-doses.展开更多
Background:Metabolomic approaches,which include the study of low molecular weight molecules,are an emerging-omics technology useful for identification of biomarkers.In this field,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectro...Background:Metabolomic approaches,which include the study of low molecular weight molecules,are an emerging-omics technology useful for identification of biomarkers.In this field,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy has already been used to uncover(in)fertility biomarkers in the seminal plasma(SP)of several mammalian species.However,NMR studies profiling the porcine SP metabolome to uncover in vivo fertility biomarkers are yet to be carried out.Thus,this study aimed to evaluate the putative relationship between SPmetabolites and in vivo fertility outcomes.To this end,24 entire ejaculates(three ejaculates per boar)were collected from artificial insemination(AI)-boars throughout a year(one ejaculate every 4 months).Immediately after collection,ejaculates were centrifuged to obtain SP-samples,which were stored for subsequent metabolomic analysis by NMR spectroscopy.Fertility outcomes from 1525 inseminations were recorded over a year,including farrowing rate,litter size,stillbirths per litter and the duration of pregnancy.Results:A total of 24 metabolites were identified and quantified in all SP-samples.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that lactate levels in SP had discriminative capacity for farrowing rate(area under the curve[AUC]=0.764)while carnitine(AUC=0.847),hypotaurine(AUC=0.819),sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(AUC=0.833),glutamate(AUC=0.799)and glucose(AUC=0.750)showed it for litter size.Similarly,citrate(AUC=0.743),creatine(AUC=0.812),phenylalanine(AUC=0.750),tyrosine(AUC=0.753)and malonate(AUC=0.868)levels had discriminative capacity for stillbirths per litter;and malonate(AUC=0.767)and fumarate(AUC=0.868)levels for gestation length.Conclusions:The assessment of selected SP-metabolites in ejaculates through NMR spectroscopy could be considered as a promising non-invasive tool to predict in vivo fertility outcomes in pigs.Moreover,supplementing AI-doses with specific metabolites should also be envisaged as a way to improve their fertility potential.展开更多
Aim: To confirm the stability of exogenous genes in the generation of transgenic chickens using ejaculated chicken sperm, the deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity was evaluated in the seminal plasma of ejaculated semen ...Aim: To confirm the stability of exogenous genes in the generation of transgenic chickens using ejaculated chicken sperm, the deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity was evaluated in the seminal plasma of ejaculated semen and the stability of DNA was examined by adding lipofection reagents. Methods: A PCR fragment (249 bp) of pEGFPN-1 vector was used as the DNA substrate and was incubated with the seminal plasma at 40℃for 30 min. Then, the whole reaction solution was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and the DNA size was evaluated under UV light.Results: The DNA substrate was completely diminished after incubation with seminal plasma. However, the sub-strate was intact after incubation with heat-treated seminal plasma or incubation with seminal plasma in the presence of 0.5 mmol/L-5 mmol/L EDTA. The substrate was stabilized in the seminal plasma by the addition of commercially available lipofection reagents. Conclusion: The DNase activity is present in the seminal plasma of ejaculated chicken semen. However, DNA is stable in the liposomal-DNA complex. ( Asian JAndro12003 Sep; 5: 213-216)展开更多
Seminal plasma is composed of secretions from accessory sex glands, which are mixed with sperm at ejaculation and contribute the majority of semen volume. Seminal plasma is considered a transport and support medium fo...Seminal plasma is composed of secretions from accessory sex glands, which are mixed with sperm at ejaculation and contribute the majority of semen volume. Seminal plasma is considered a transport and support medium for sperm in the female reproductive tract. Because seminal plasma is not required for fertilization, the importance of its constituents to the establishment of normal pregnancy has been overlooked. Four seminal plasma proteins, Osteopontin, Sper-madhesin Z13, BSP 30 kDa and Phospholipase A2, have been identified as markers of fertility in dairy bulls (Cancel et al., 1997;Moura et al., 2006, 2007). The objective of the present study was to characterize the expression patterns of these proteins and other proteins found to be of interest in seminal plasma of cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved bull semen. Seminal plasma samples were obtained from 16 mature Hol-stein-Friesian bulls at Select Sires Inc. Samples were divided into two groups based on assigned fertility score expressed as the percentage point deviation (PD) of the bull’s non-return rate (NRR) from the average NRR of all bulls in the Select Sires Inc. reproductive management program. Group 1 (high fertility bulls, n = 8) 1.9 ≤ PD ≤ 2.7%, and group 2 (low fertility bulls, n = 8) -6.5 ≤ PD ≤ 1.8 %. Additionally, the samples were categorized as processed (cryopreserved) or unprocessed (non-cryopreserved) for protein analysis. Protein expression was analyzed by 2-D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGETM). Protein spots were picked from a reference gel, analyzed by mass spectrometry and, subsequently identified by MS/MS ion searches performed on the SwissProt database. Protein expression did not differ (P > 0.05) with fertility grouping but displayed two distinct patterns among the processing groups: majority of the functional proteins were highly expressed in seminal plasma of non-cryopreserved semen while the cryopreserved semen contained mainly structural/extender derived proteins. Functional proteins identified included Spermadhesin Z13, BSP A1/2, BSP 30 kDa, Nucleobindin-1 and metalloproteinase inhibitor 2. Some of these proteins have been identified as anti-fertility or fertility enhancing agents in males. Whether this alteration in protein expression after processing might affect semen fertility is worthy of further evaluation.展开更多
Two hundred and seventy multiparous Chinese Yellow cattle (beef) were selected at 1 to 3months postpartum and divided into three groups (90 cows for each). Animals were given both a primary and booster immunizations w...Two hundred and seventy multiparous Chinese Yellow cattle (beef) were selected at 1 to 3months postpartum and divided into three groups (90 cows for each). Animals were given both a primary and booster immunizations with a total dose of 3 mg (Group Th) or 1.5 mg (Group Tl) of seminal preparation containing inhibin activity, emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant and incomplete adjuvant (for booster), at 3 or 4-week intervals. Other cows were treated with the same volume of seminal preparation without inhibin activity as procedures mentioned above to serve as a control (Group C). Artificial inseminations were given twice at 8 - 12 h intervals when the cow was in heat. Jugular venous blood samples were collected from each cow and used to assay the presence of antibody against seminal preparation by double-diffusion in agar precipitation test and to detect the titer of inhibin antibody by an ELISA method. Data from 247 cows showed that 83.9% (73/87) of cows were in estrus and ovulated 89 ova altogether, of which 19 cows ovulated twin ova and 15 cows produced twins in Group Th (n = 87). However, only 61.1% (44/72) of cows in Group Tl (n=72) and 62.5% (55/88) of cows in Group C were in estrus and ovulated 46 and 52 ova altogether respectively.The ovulation rate (1.27 + 0.03), calving rate ( 126.3% ) and twinning rate (26.3%) in Group Th were greater than those in Groups Tl or C (P＜0.01). Furthermore, the ovulation rate was associated with antibody titer in sera of immunized animals (r = 0.7507, P ＜0.01). These results indicate that active immunization of postpartum cows against inhibin purified from porcine seminal plasma may increase the ovulation rate and induce twinning, suggesting the potential to develop a method to improve fertility in cows.展开更多
The objectives of this study were to explore whether heparin-binding proteins, separated by fast protein liquid chromatography from boar seminal plasma influence the release of prostaglandins F2α, (PGF2α), E2 (PGE2)...The objectives of this study were to explore whether heparin-binding proteins, separated by fast protein liquid chromatography from boar seminal plasma influence the release of prostaglandins F2α, (PGF2α), E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by porcine endometrial and cervical cells and even bovine endometrial cells. In Experiment I, we showed that release of PGF2α by endometrial epithelial, endometrial stromal and cervical stromal cells to the medium was inhibited (p α (TNFα) stimulated release of IL-6 by endometrial and cervical stromal cells after 24 h incubation, but in the presence of heparin-binding proteins, this stimulation was attenuated. Release of PGF2α by cryopreserved (Experiment II) and primary (Experiment III) cervical stromal cells was significantly inhibited after 3 h incubation with 66 - 95.4 μg of heparin- binding proteins. A significant inhibition of PGE2 release by cryopreserved and primary cervical stromal cells was already achieved after incubation with 16.5 - 23.9 μg of heparin-binding proteins. The release of IL-6 by cryopreserved cells was stimulated after 3 h incubation with heparin- binding proteins in a dose dependent manner in contrast to the release of IL-6 by freshly isolated cervical stromal cells. We also found (Experiment IV) that porcine heparin-binding seminal plasma proteins inhibited release of PGF2α and stimulated release of IL-6 by bovine endometrial epithelial cells. In conclusion, a group of heparin-binding proteins separated by fast protein liquid chromatography from boar seminal plasma inhibit PGF2α, PGE2 and stimulate IL-6 release by porcine endometrial and cervical cells and even by bovine endometrial cells. Thus, these proteins have a similar effect as the entire seminal plasma.展开更多
In this research, the concentration and activity of oxidants and anti-oxidants in turbot semen, and their effects on sperm quality were studied. The results showed that superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione...In this research, the concentration and activity of oxidants and anti-oxidants in turbot semen, and their effects on sperm quality were studied. The results showed that superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase(GR), uric acid, vitamin E(VE) and vitamin C(VC) were more abundant in seminal plasma than in spermatozoa. The variation for each of them was specific. In seminal plasma, the activity of SOD and GR increased from November 15, November 30 to December 15, and then decreased on December 30. The concentrations of both VC and uric acid decreased during the first 3 sampling times and increased on December 30. The oxidants in seminal plasma accumulated to the highest on December 30. Lactic acid(LA) and ATP levels decreased to the lowest on December 30. The correlation analysis showed that GR had the significant positive relevance to sperm motility and VSL/VCL, while ·OH had negative relevance to them.展开更多
Cytokines are a heterogeneous group of peptides that play an important role in intercellular communication, regulation of innate and specific immunity, hematopoiesis, interaction between the immune system and neuroend...Cytokines are a heterogeneous group of peptides that play an important role in intercellular communication, regulation of innate and specific immunity, hematopoiesis, interaction between the immune system and neuroendocrine network as well as in reproduction and development. Seminal plasma provides an immunological environ- ment for the semen and contains important biological response mediators. Numerous studies investigated the presence of various cytokines in the seminal plasma and tried to correlate cytokine levels with sperm quality and male fertility. However, the patho- physiological significance of seminal cytokines in sperm function is still not completely understood. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief summary of the extensive literature dealing with cytokines in the seminal plasma and to discuss the contribution of local cytokine immunity to male fertility.展开更多
Objective: To determine the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), product of lipid peroxidation, in seminal plasma and evalu ate its significance. Methods: Ninety-three cases of infertile pa tients were divided into...Objective: To determine the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), product of lipid peroxidation, in seminal plasma and evalu ate its significance. Methods: Ninety-three cases of infertile pa tients were divided into the obstructive azoospermic (12 cases), the non-obstructive azoospermic (15 cases), the oligozoospermic (21 cases), the asthenozoospermic (19 cases), the oligoastheno zoospermic (16 cases) and the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (10) groups. Eighteen fertile males served as the controls. MDA con centration was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatogra phy (HPLC). Results: With the exception of the obstructive azoospermic group, the MDA concentration in the seminal plasma was significantly different between the control group and the infer tile groups (P<0.01) as well as between the different infertile groups. Conclusion: Determination of MDA concentration in the seminal plasma is helpful to the diagnosis of male infertility induced by overproduction of reactive oxygen species.展开更多
In astrophysics, the boundary conditions for plasma phenomena are provided by nature and the astronomer faces the problem of understanding them from a variety of observations [Hester J J et al 1996 Astrophys. J. 456 2...In astrophysics, the boundary conditions for plasma phenomena are provided by nature and the astronomer faces the problem of understanding them from a variety of observations [Hester J J et al 1996 Astrophys. J. 456 225], on the other hand, in laboratory plasma experiments the electromagnetic boundary conditions become a major problem in the set-up of the machine that produces the plasma, an issue that has to be investigated step by step and to be modified and adapted with great patience, in particular in the case of an innovative plasma confinement experiment. The PROTO-SPHERA machine [Alladio F et al 2006 Nucl. Fusion 46 S613] is a magnetic confinement experiment, that emulates in the laboratory the jet + torus plasma configurations often observed in astrophysics: an inner magnetized jet of plasma centered on the(approximate) axis of symmetry and surrounded by a magnetized plasma torus orthogonal to this jet. The PROTO-SPHERA plasma is simply connected, i.e., no metal current conducting rod is linked to the plasma torus, while instead it is the inner magnetized plasma jet(in the following always called the plasma centerpost) that is linked to the torus. It is mandatory that no spurious plasma current path modifies the optimal shape of the plasma centerpost. Moreover, as the plasma torus is produced and sustained, in absence of any applied inductive electric field, by the inner plasma centerpost through magnetic reconnections [Taylor J B and Turner M F 1989 Nucl.Fusion 29 219], it is required as well that spurious current paths do not surround the torus on its outboard, in order not to lower the efficiency of the magnetic reconnections that maintain the plasma torus at the expense of the plasma centerpost. Boundary conditions have been corrected,up to the point that the first sustainment in steady state has been achieved for the combined plasma.展开更多
This paper deals with wave propagation and power coupling in blue-core helicon plasma driven by various antennas and frequencies.It is found that compared to non-blue-core mode,for blue-core mode,the wave can propagat...This paper deals with wave propagation and power coupling in blue-core helicon plasma driven by various antennas and frequencies.It is found that compared to non-blue-core mode,for blue-core mode,the wave can propagate in the core region,and it decays sharply outside the core.The power absorption is lower and steeper in radius for blue-core mode.Regarding the effects of antenna geometry for blue-core mode,it shows that half helix antenna yields the strongest wave field and power absorption,while loop antenna yields the lowest.Moreover,near axis,for antennas with m=+1,the wave field increases with axial distance.In the core region,the wave number approaches to a saturation value at much lower frequency for non-blue-core mode compared to blue-core mode.The total loading resistance is much lower for blue-core mode.These findings are valuable to understanding the physics of blue-core helicon discharge and optimizing the experimental performance of blue-core helicon plasma sources for applications such as space propulsion and material treatment.展开更多
The HIT-PSI is a linear plasma device built for physically simulating the high heat flux environment of future reactor divertors to test/develop advanced target plate materials.In this study,the geometry-modified SOLP...The HIT-PSI is a linear plasma device built for physically simulating the high heat flux environment of future reactor divertors to test/develop advanced target plate materials.In this study,the geometry-modified SOLPS-ITER program is employed to examine the effects of the magnetic field strength and neutral pressure in the device on the heat flux experienced by the target plate of the HIT-PSI device.The findings of the numerical simulation indicate a positive correlation between the magnetic field strength and the heat flux density.Conversely,there is a negative correlation observed between the heat flux density and the neutral pressure.When the magnetic field strength at the axis exceeds 1 tesla and the neutral pressure falls below 10 Pa,the HIT-PSI has the capability to attain a heat flux of 10 MW·m-2 at the target plate.The simulation results offer a valuable point of reference for subsequent experiments at HIT-PSI.展开更多
To improve the cruise flight performance of aircraft, two new configurations of plasma actuators(grid-type and super-dense array) were investigated to reduce the turbulent skin friction drag of a low-speed airfoil. Th...To improve the cruise flight performance of aircraft, two new configurations of plasma actuators(grid-type and super-dense array) were investigated to reduce the turbulent skin friction drag of a low-speed airfoil. The induced jet characteristics of the two actuators in quiescent air were diagnosed with high-speed particle image velocimetry(PIV), and their drag reduction efficiencies were examined under different operating conditions in a wind tunnel. The results showed that the grid-type plasma actuator was capable of producing a wall-normal jet array(peak magnitude: 1.07 m/s) similar to that generated in a micro-blowing technique, while the superdense array plasma actuator created a wavy wall-parallel jet(magnitude: 0.94 m/s) due to the discrete spanwise electrostatic forces. Under a comparable electrical power consumption level,the super-dense array plasma actuator array significantly outperformed the grid-type configuration,reducing the total airfoil friction drag by approximately 22% at a free-stream velocity of 20 m/s.The magnitude of drag reduction was proportional to the dimensionless jet velocity ratio(r), and a threshold r = 0.014 existed under which little impact on airfoil drag could be discerned.展开更多
Background:Exercise training promotes brain plasticity and is associated with protection against cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease(AD).These beneficial effects may be partly mediated by blood-borne factors...Background:Exercise training promotes brain plasticity and is associated with protection against cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease(AD).These beneficial effects may be partly mediated by blood-borne factors.Here we used an in vitro model of AD to investigate effects of blood plasma from exercise-trained donors on neuronal viability,and an in vivo rat model of AD to test whether such plasma impacts cognitive function,amyloid pathology,and neurogenesis.Methods:Mouse hippocampal neuronal cells were exposed to AD-like stress using amyloid-βand treated with plasma collected from human male donors 3 h after a single bout of high-intensity exercise.For in vivo studies,blood was collected from exercise-trained young male Wistar rats(high-intensity intervals 5 days/week for 6 weeks).Transgenic AD rats(McGill-R-Thyl-APP)were inj ected 5 times/fortnight for 6 weeks at2 months or 5 months of age with either(a)plasma from the exercise-trained rats,(b)plasma from sedentary rats,or(c)saline.Cognitive function,amyloid plaque pathology,and neurogenesis were assessed.The plasma used for the treatment was analyzed for 23 cytokines.Results:Plasma from exercised donors enhanced cell viability by 44.1%(p=0.032)and reduced atrophy by 50.0%(p<0.001)in amyloid-β-treated cells.In vivo exercised plasma treatment did not alter cognitive function or amyloid plaque pathology but did increase hippocampal neurogenesis by~3 fold,regardless of pathological stage,when compared to saline-treated rats.Concentrations of 7 cytokines were significantly reduced in exercised plasma compared to sedentary plasma.Conclusion:Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates that plasma from exercise-trained donors can protect neuronal cells in culture and promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the AD rat brain.This effect may be partly due to reduced pro-inflammatory signaling molecules in exercised plasma.展开更多
基金supported by MICINN and FEDER [AGL2016-79096-R and PID2020-113493RB-I00] Madrid (Spain)Seneca Foundation [19892/GERM/15]Murcia (Spain)+2 种基金European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019-891382)financially supported by MINECO (BES-2016-076404)MECD (FPU16/02170),Spain,respectively。
文摘Background:Identification of relevant in vivo biomarkers for fertility remains a challenge for the livestock industry.Concentrations of the small peptide hormone oxytocin(OXT),involved in male reproductive function and present in the seminal plasma(SP)of several species could be a robust one.This study characterized concentrations of SPOXT in ejaculates from boars used in artificial insemination(AI)programs aiming to evaluate its relationship with sperm quality variables and in vivo fertility of their liquid-stored AI-semen.Seminal OXT concentrations(ng/mL)were measured in 169 ejaculates from 61 boars of the Duroc,Pietrain,Landrace and Large White breeds using a direct competitive immunoassay test based on AlphaLISA®technology.Ejaculate(ejaculate volume,sperm concentration,total sperm count)and sperm parameters(motility,viability,intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species,plasma membrane fluidity)were assessed at 0 h and 72 h in AI-semen samples stored at 17℃.In vivo fertility included only 18 Large White and Landrace boars whose AI-semen was used to inseminated>100 sows and evaluated both farrowing rate and litter size of 3,167 sows.Results:The results showed that SP-OXT differed between boars and between ejaculates within boar(P<0.05)but not between breeds(Duroc,Pietrain,Landrace and Large White).Ejaculates with higher SP-OXT concentration/mL(hierarchically grouped;P<0.001)had larger volume and came from younger boars(P<0.05).Ejaculates of boars showing positive farrowing rate deviation exhibited higher(P<0.05)SP-OXT concentration/mL than those with negative farrowing rate deviation.Conclusion:The SP concentrations of OXT are boar,ejaculate and age dependent,and positively related with ejaculate volume and farrowing rates of liquid-stored semen AI-doses.
基金The present study was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation,Spain(Grants:RYC-2014-15581,AGL2017–88329-R and FJCI-2017-31689)the Seneca Foundation Murcia,Spain(19892/GERM-15)the Regional Government of Catalonia(Grants:2017-SGR-1229 and 2020-FI-B-00412).
文摘Background:Metabolomic approaches,which include the study of low molecular weight molecules,are an emerging-omics technology useful for identification of biomarkers.In this field,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy has already been used to uncover(in)fertility biomarkers in the seminal plasma(SP)of several mammalian species.However,NMR studies profiling the porcine SP metabolome to uncover in vivo fertility biomarkers are yet to be carried out.Thus,this study aimed to evaluate the putative relationship between SPmetabolites and in vivo fertility outcomes.To this end,24 entire ejaculates(three ejaculates per boar)were collected from artificial insemination(AI)-boars throughout a year(one ejaculate every 4 months).Immediately after collection,ejaculates were centrifuged to obtain SP-samples,which were stored for subsequent metabolomic analysis by NMR spectroscopy.Fertility outcomes from 1525 inseminations were recorded over a year,including farrowing rate,litter size,stillbirths per litter and the duration of pregnancy.Results:A total of 24 metabolites were identified and quantified in all SP-samples.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that lactate levels in SP had discriminative capacity for farrowing rate(area under the curve[AUC]=0.764)while carnitine(AUC=0.847),hypotaurine(AUC=0.819),sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(AUC=0.833),glutamate(AUC=0.799)and glucose(AUC=0.750)showed it for litter size.Similarly,citrate(AUC=0.743),creatine(AUC=0.812),phenylalanine(AUC=0.750),tyrosine(AUC=0.753)and malonate(AUC=0.868)levels had discriminative capacity for stillbirths per litter;and malonate(AUC=0.767)and fumarate(AUC=0.868)levels for gestation length.Conclusions:The assessment of selected SP-metabolites in ejaculates through NMR spectroscopy could be considered as a promising non-invasive tool to predict in vivo fertility outcomes in pigs.Moreover,supplementing AI-doses with specific metabolites should also be envisaged as a way to improve their fertility potential.
基金Acknowledgment The investigation was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30801144）, by the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education （No. 200804871092） and by the National Key Technology Research and Development Program for the 10th Five- Year Plan, China （No. 2004BA720A33-01）.
文摘Aim: To confirm the stability of exogenous genes in the generation of transgenic chickens using ejaculated chicken sperm, the deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity was evaluated in the seminal plasma of ejaculated semen and the stability of DNA was examined by adding lipofection reagents. Methods: A PCR fragment (249 bp) of pEGFPN-1 vector was used as the DNA substrate and was incubated with the seminal plasma at 40℃for 30 min. Then, the whole reaction solution was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and the DNA size was evaluated under UV light.Results: The DNA substrate was completely diminished after incubation with seminal plasma. However, the sub-strate was intact after incubation with heat-treated seminal plasma or incubation with seminal plasma in the presence of 0.5 mmol/L-5 mmol/L EDTA. The substrate was stabilized in the seminal plasma by the addition of commercially available lipofection reagents. Conclusion: The DNase activity is present in the seminal plasma of ejaculated chicken semen. However, DNA is stable in the liposomal-DNA complex. ( Asian JAndro12003 Sep; 5: 213-216)
文摘Seminal plasma is composed of secretions from accessory sex glands, which are mixed with sperm at ejaculation and contribute the majority of semen volume. Seminal plasma is considered a transport and support medium for sperm in the female reproductive tract. Because seminal plasma is not required for fertilization, the importance of its constituents to the establishment of normal pregnancy has been overlooked. Four seminal plasma proteins, Osteopontin, Sper-madhesin Z13, BSP 30 kDa and Phospholipase A2, have been identified as markers of fertility in dairy bulls (Cancel et al., 1997;Moura et al., 2006, 2007). The objective of the present study was to characterize the expression patterns of these proteins and other proteins found to be of interest in seminal plasma of cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved bull semen. Seminal plasma samples were obtained from 16 mature Hol-stein-Friesian bulls at Select Sires Inc. Samples were divided into two groups based on assigned fertility score expressed as the percentage point deviation (PD) of the bull’s non-return rate (NRR) from the average NRR of all bulls in the Select Sires Inc. reproductive management program. Group 1 (high fertility bulls, n = 8) 1.9 ≤ PD ≤ 2.7%, and group 2 (low fertility bulls, n = 8) -6.5 ≤ PD ≤ 1.8 %. Additionally, the samples were categorized as processed (cryopreserved) or unprocessed (non-cryopreserved) for protein analysis. Protein expression was analyzed by 2-D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGETM). Protein spots were picked from a reference gel, analyzed by mass spectrometry and, subsequently identified by MS/MS ion searches performed on the SwissProt database. Protein expression did not differ (P > 0.05) with fertility grouping but displayed two distinct patterns among the processing groups: majority of the functional proteins were highly expressed in seminal plasma of non-cryopreserved semen while the cryopreserved semen contained mainly structural/extender derived proteins. Functional proteins identified included Spermadhesin Z13, BSP A1/2, BSP 30 kDa, Nucleobindin-1 and metalloproteinase inhibitor 2. Some of these proteins have been identified as anti-fertility or fertility enhancing agents in males. Whether this alteration in protein expression after processing might affect semen fertility is worthy of further evaluation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.39370512)the Foundation of Doctor Degree Unit Authorized by China Education Ministry(No.960204)the National Key Research Progress(No.96030311)of Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology,respectively.
文摘Two hundred and seventy multiparous Chinese Yellow cattle (beef) were selected at 1 to 3months postpartum and divided into three groups (90 cows for each). Animals were given both a primary and booster immunizations with a total dose of 3 mg (Group Th) or 1.5 mg (Group Tl) of seminal preparation containing inhibin activity, emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant and incomplete adjuvant (for booster), at 3 or 4-week intervals. Other cows were treated with the same volume of seminal preparation without inhibin activity as procedures mentioned above to serve as a control (Group C). Artificial inseminations were given twice at 8 - 12 h intervals when the cow was in heat. Jugular venous blood samples were collected from each cow and used to assay the presence of antibody against seminal preparation by double-diffusion in agar precipitation test and to detect the titer of inhibin antibody by an ELISA method. Data from 247 cows showed that 83.9% (73/87) of cows were in estrus and ovulated 89 ova altogether, of which 19 cows ovulated twin ova and 15 cows produced twins in Group Th (n = 87). However, only 61.1% (44/72) of cows in Group Tl (n=72) and 62.5% (55/88) of cows in Group C were in estrus and ovulated 46 and 52 ova altogether respectively.The ovulation rate (1.27 + 0.03), calving rate ( 126.3% ) and twinning rate (26.3%) in Group Th were greater than those in Groups Tl or C (P＜0.01). Furthermore, the ovulation rate was associated with antibody titer in sera of immunized animals (r = 0.7507, P ＜0.01). These results indicate that active immunization of postpartum cows against inhibin purified from porcine seminal plasma may increase the ovulation rate and induce twinning, suggesting the potential to develop a method to improve fertility in cows.
文摘The objectives of this study were to explore whether heparin-binding proteins, separated by fast protein liquid chromatography from boar seminal plasma influence the release of prostaglandins F2α, (PGF2α), E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by porcine endometrial and cervical cells and even bovine endometrial cells. In Experiment I, we showed that release of PGF2α by endometrial epithelial, endometrial stromal and cervical stromal cells to the medium was inhibited (p α (TNFα) stimulated release of IL-6 by endometrial and cervical stromal cells after 24 h incubation, but in the presence of heparin-binding proteins, this stimulation was attenuated. Release of PGF2α by cryopreserved (Experiment II) and primary (Experiment III) cervical stromal cells was significantly inhibited after 3 h incubation with 66 - 95.4 μg of heparin- binding proteins. A significant inhibition of PGE2 release by cryopreserved and primary cervical stromal cells was already achieved after incubation with 16.5 - 23.9 μg of heparin-binding proteins. The release of IL-6 by cryopreserved cells was stimulated after 3 h incubation with heparin- binding proteins in a dose dependent manner in contrast to the release of IL-6 by freshly isolated cervical stromal cells. We also found (Experiment IV) that porcine heparin-binding seminal plasma proteins inhibited release of PGF2α and stimulated release of IL-6 by bovine endometrial epithelial cells. In conclusion, a group of heparin-binding proteins separated by fast protein liquid chromatography from boar seminal plasma inhibit PGF2α, PGE2 and stimulate IL-6 release by porcine endometrial and cervical cells and even by bovine endometrial cells. Thus, these proteins have a similar effect as the entire seminal plasma.
基金supported by the Special Funds of Modern Agriculture Industry System Construction(CARS-50)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(3110188)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2011CQ004)
文摘In this research, the concentration and activity of oxidants and anti-oxidants in turbot semen, and their effects on sperm quality were studied. The results showed that superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase(GR), uric acid, vitamin E(VE) and vitamin C(VC) were more abundant in seminal plasma than in spermatozoa. The variation for each of them was specific. In seminal plasma, the activity of SOD and GR increased from November 15, November 30 to December 15, and then decreased on December 30. The concentrations of both VC and uric acid decreased during the first 3 sampling times and increased on December 30. The oxidants in seminal plasma accumulated to the highest on December 30. Lactic acid(LA) and ATP levels decreased to the lowest on December 30. The correlation analysis showed that GR had the significant positive relevance to sperm motility and VSL/VCL, while ·OH had negative relevance to them.
文摘Cytokines are a heterogeneous group of peptides that play an important role in intercellular communication, regulation of innate and specific immunity, hematopoiesis, interaction between the immune system and neuroendocrine network as well as in reproduction and development. Seminal plasma provides an immunological environ- ment for the semen and contains important biological response mediators. Numerous studies investigated the presence of various cytokines in the seminal plasma and tried to correlate cytokine levels with sperm quality and male fertility. However, the patho- physiological significance of seminal cytokines in sperm function is still not completely understood. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief summary of the extensive literature dealing with cytokines in the seminal plasma and to discuss the contribution of local cytokine immunity to male fertility.
文摘Objective: To determine the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), product of lipid peroxidation, in seminal plasma and evalu ate its significance. Methods: Ninety-three cases of infertile pa tients were divided into the obstructive azoospermic (12 cases), the non-obstructive azoospermic (15 cases), the oligozoospermic (21 cases), the asthenozoospermic (19 cases), the oligoastheno zoospermic (16 cases) and the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (10) groups. Eighteen fertile males served as the controls. MDA con centration was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatogra phy (HPLC). Results: With the exception of the obstructive azoospermic group, the MDA concentration in the seminal plasma was significantly different between the control group and the infer tile groups (P<0.01) as well as between the different infertile groups. Conclusion: Determination of MDA concentration in the seminal plasma is helpful to the diagnosis of male infertility induced by overproduction of reactive oxygen species.
文摘In astrophysics, the boundary conditions for plasma phenomena are provided by nature and the astronomer faces the problem of understanding them from a variety of observations [Hester J J et al 1996 Astrophys. J. 456 225], on the other hand, in laboratory plasma experiments the electromagnetic boundary conditions become a major problem in the set-up of the machine that produces the plasma, an issue that has to be investigated step by step and to be modified and adapted with great patience, in particular in the case of an innovative plasma confinement experiment. The PROTO-SPHERA machine [Alladio F et al 2006 Nucl. Fusion 46 S613] is a magnetic confinement experiment, that emulates in the laboratory the jet + torus plasma configurations often observed in astrophysics: an inner magnetized jet of plasma centered on the(approximate) axis of symmetry and surrounded by a magnetized plasma torus orthogonal to this jet. The PROTO-SPHERA plasma is simply connected, i.e., no metal current conducting rod is linked to the plasma torus, while instead it is the inner magnetized plasma jet(in the following always called the plasma centerpost) that is linked to the torus. It is mandatory that no spurious plasma current path modifies the optimal shape of the plasma centerpost. Moreover, as the plasma torus is produced and sustained, in absence of any applied inductive electric field, by the inner plasma centerpost through magnetic reconnections [Taylor J B and Turner M F 1989 Nucl.Fusion 29 219], it is required as well that spurious current paths do not surround the torus on its outboard, in order not to lower the efficiency of the magnetic reconnections that maintain the plasma torus at the expense of the plasma centerpost. Boundary conditions have been corrected,up to the point that the first sustainment in steady state has been achieved for the combined plasma.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.92271113)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2022CDJQY-003)+1 种基金Chongqing Entrepreneurship and Innovation Support Program for Overseas Returnees(Grant No.CX2022004)the Fund from Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Space Engine(Grant No.17DZ2280800).
文摘This paper deals with wave propagation and power coupling in blue-core helicon plasma driven by various antennas and frequencies.It is found that compared to non-blue-core mode,for blue-core mode,the wave can propagate in the core region,and it decays sharply outside the core.The power absorption is lower and steeper in radius for blue-core mode.Regarding the effects of antenna geometry for blue-core mode,it shows that half helix antenna yields the strongest wave field and power absorption,while loop antenna yields the lowest.Moreover,near axis,for antennas with m=+1,the wave field increases with axial distance.In the core region,the wave number approaches to a saturation value at much lower frequency for non-blue-core mode compared to blue-core mode.The total loading resistance is much lower for blue-core mode.These findings are valuable to understanding the physics of blue-core helicon discharge and optimizing the experimental performance of blue-core helicon plasma sources for applications such as space propulsion and material treatment.
基金Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFE0303105)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2022FRFK060021)the National MCF Energy Research and Development Program(Grant No.2019YFE03080300).
文摘The HIT-PSI is a linear plasma device built for physically simulating the high heat flux environment of future reactor divertors to test/develop advanced target plate materials.In this study,the geometry-modified SOLPS-ITER program is employed to examine the effects of the magnetic field strength and neutral pressure in the device on the heat flux experienced by the target plate of the HIT-PSI device.The findings of the numerical simulation indicate a positive correlation between the magnetic field strength and the heat flux density.Conversely,there is a negative correlation observed between the heat flux density and the neutral pressure.When the magnetic field strength at the axis exceeds 1 tesla and the neutral pressure falls below 10 Pa,the HIT-PSI has the capability to attain a heat flux of 10 MW·m-2 at the target plate.The simulation results offer a valuable point of reference for subsequent experiments at HIT-PSI.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.12002384, U2341277,and 52025064)Foundation Strengthening Program (No.2021JJ-0786)。
文摘To improve the cruise flight performance of aircraft, two new configurations of plasma actuators(grid-type and super-dense array) were investigated to reduce the turbulent skin friction drag of a low-speed airfoil. The induced jet characteristics of the two actuators in quiescent air were diagnosed with high-speed particle image velocimetry(PIV), and their drag reduction efficiencies were examined under different operating conditions in a wind tunnel. The results showed that the grid-type plasma actuator was capable of producing a wall-normal jet array(peak magnitude: 1.07 m/s) similar to that generated in a micro-blowing technique, while the superdense array plasma actuator created a wavy wall-parallel jet(magnitude: 0.94 m/s) due to the discrete spanwise electrostatic forces. Under a comparable electrical power consumption level,the super-dense array plasma actuator array significantly outperformed the grid-type configuration,reducing the total airfoil friction drag by approximately 22% at a free-stream velocity of 20 m/s.The magnitude of drag reduction was proportional to the dimensionless jet velocity ratio(r), and a threshold r = 0.014 existed under which little impact on airfoil drag could be discerned.
基金funded by The Norwegian Research Council,the Liaison Committee between the Central Norway Regional Health Authorityfunded by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education PersonnelBrazil(Capes)。
文摘Background:Exercise training promotes brain plasticity and is associated with protection against cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease(AD).These beneficial effects may be partly mediated by blood-borne factors.Here we used an in vitro model of AD to investigate effects of blood plasma from exercise-trained donors on neuronal viability,and an in vivo rat model of AD to test whether such plasma impacts cognitive function,amyloid pathology,and neurogenesis.Methods:Mouse hippocampal neuronal cells were exposed to AD-like stress using amyloid-βand treated with plasma collected from human male donors 3 h after a single bout of high-intensity exercise.For in vivo studies,blood was collected from exercise-trained young male Wistar rats(high-intensity intervals 5 days/week for 6 weeks).Transgenic AD rats(McGill-R-Thyl-APP)were inj ected 5 times/fortnight for 6 weeks at2 months or 5 months of age with either(a)plasma from the exercise-trained rats,(b)plasma from sedentary rats,or(c)saline.Cognitive function,amyloid plaque pathology,and neurogenesis were assessed.The plasma used for the treatment was analyzed for 23 cytokines.Results:Plasma from exercised donors enhanced cell viability by 44.1%(p=0.032)and reduced atrophy by 50.0%(p<0.001)in amyloid-β-treated cells.In vivo exercised plasma treatment did not alter cognitive function or amyloid plaque pathology but did increase hippocampal neurogenesis by~3 fold,regardless of pathological stage,when compared to saline-treated rats.Concentrations of 7 cytokines were significantly reduced in exercised plasma compared to sedentary plasma.Conclusion:Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates that plasma from exercise-trained donors can protect neuronal cells in culture and promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the AD rat brain.This effect may be partly due to reduced pro-inflammatory signaling molecules in exercised plasma.
