Técnicas para el análisis de la fertilidad potencial del semen equino / Techniques for analyzing the potential fertility of stallion semen / Métodos de avaliação do potencial de fertilidade do sêmen equino

Para optimizar los resultados se debe determinar la fertilidad potencial del semen equino usado en procedimientos de reproducción asistida, tales como la inseminación artificial. Sin embargo, los procesos convencionales de evaluación seminal pueden dar un bajo valor predictivo de la tasa de gestación. Por tal motivo se han desarrollado nuevos métodos de análisis seminal, incorporado diversos recursos tecnológicos y mejorado las técnicas existentes, y en muchos casos adaptándolas a la especie equina. El desarrollo de los sistemas de análisis de semen asistido por computador (CASA) ha permitido que la evaluación espermática sea más objetiva y precisa, incluyendo la determinación de nuevas variables con valor diagnóstico. El hallazgo de una amplia variedad de fluorocromos y de compuestos conjugados a sondas fluorescentes y el desarrollo de diferentes tecnologías para visualizar y cuantificar la fluorescencia de la célula y sus compartimentos permite un análisis más completo de los espermatozoides. La aplicación de ensayos o técnicas que utilizan oocitos de otras especies o incluso partes de la zona pelúcida ha favorecido el diagnóstico más certero de la verdadera capacidad fecundante de los espermatozoides equinos. El objetivo de esta revisión es ofrecer y analizar información sobre los métodos convencionales y recientes empleados para evaluar la fertilidad potencial del semen equino.

In order to optimize the results of assisted reproductive procedures such as artificial insemination, the potential fertility of stallion semen should be determined. However, conventional processes of seminal evaluation can give an low predictive value of the pregnancy rate. For this reason, the new methods of semen analysis incorporate several technological resources and improve the existing techniques. In many cases those techniques have been adapted to the equine species. The development of the computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) has allowed a more objective and accurate sperm evaluation, including the identification of new variables with diagnostic value. The finding of a wide variety of fluorochromes and compounds conjugated with fluorescent probes, and the development of various technologies to visualize and quantify the fluorescence emmited by the cell and cell compartments allows a more complete sperm analysis. The application of tests or techniques using oocytes from other species or even parts of the zona pellucida has favored a more accurate diagnosis of the true sperm fertilizing capacity in horses. The aim of this review is to provide and analyze information on recent conventional methods used to assess the potential fertility of stallion semen.

Determinar a fertilidade potencial do sêmen equino utilizado em procedimentos de reprodução assistida como a inseminação artificial, é fundamental para aperfeiçoar seus resultados. Embora, os procedimentos convencionais de avaliação seminal poderiam ter um valor preditivo reduzido das taxas de gestação que se podem obter a partir da utilização deste. Por tal motivo, tem se desenvolvido novos métodos de analise seminal, incorporando diversos recursos tecnológicos e melhorando as técnicas existentes, e em muitas ocasiões adaptando-lhas a espécie equina. O desenvolvimento dos sistemas de analise de sêmen assistido por computador (CASA), tem permitido que a avaliação espermática fosse mais objetiva e precisa, incluindo a determinação de novas variáveis com valor diagnostica. Tem se encontrado uma ampla variedade de fluorocromos e de compostos conjugados a sondas fluorescentes, e o desenvolvimento de diferentes tecnologias para visualizar e quantificar a fluorescência emitida pela célula e seus compartimentos, o qual tem permitido um analise mais ampla das características dos espermatozoides. A aplicação de ensaios ou técnicas que utilizam ovócitos de outras espécies ou incluso partes da zona pelúcida, tem favorecido dispor de sistemas de diagnostico mais certeiros da verdadeira capacidade fecundante dos espermatozoides equinos. Esta revisão tem como objetivo, recopilar e analisar informação referente aos métodos convencionais e recentes, que poderiam ser empregados para a avaliação da fertilidade potencial do sêmen equino.

Influence of Sperm Fertilizing Capacity on Embryonic Development and Pregnancy in in Vitro Fertilization / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVES: To assess the fertilizing capacity using sperm penetration assay (SPA) to predict the outcome of the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (iVF-ET) outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen samples were provided by 129 patients undergoing iVF. We attempted to correlate the extent of sperm penetration under enhanced SPA protocol with the results of fertilization, cleavage, preimplantation embryo development, and pregnancy. RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between fertilizing capacity and motility, kinetics, fertilization, cleavage and embryo development, and pregnancy rate. By logistic regression analysis, fertilizing capacity was found to be the only variable that was statistically significant with respect to pregnancy rate. Fertilizing capacity, cleavage rate and pregnant rate were significantly higher in pregnant group. However, the fertilization rates was comparable with both group. CONCLUSIONS: Lower fertilizing capacity could denote a poorer prognosis for establishing a pregnancy, even after satisfactory fertilization rate is achieved.

A Case of Male Infertility, who Induced Natural Pregnancy with Treatment using Hochu-ekki-to and Keishi-bukuryo-gan After In Vitro Fertilization Failure / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The authors report a case of primary male infertility with Grade I varicocele that responded well to Kampo therapy. The duration of infertility was 8 years. During that time, the authors tried AIH (artificial insemination with husband's semen) 26 times and HIT (hysteroscopic insemination into tube) twice, but both these measures failed. IVF-ET (in vitro fertilization-embryo transter) was then attempted twice. In the first attempt, the authors succeeded in fertilization and cleavage of one of ten extracted eggs, but implantation failed to occur. In the second trial, none of the five eggs extracted were successfully fertilized. The authors then prescribed a combination of Hochuekki-to and Keishibukuryo-gan. Three months later, natural pregnancy occurred that resulted in the birth of a healthy boy by natural delivery. Although the authors have sometimes seen cases of natural pregnancy after the failure of IVF-ET, none of such cases suffered from reduced fertility. Male infertility is frequently involved with cases of decreased fertility. In such cases, success is rarely achieved with ordinary IVF-ET. For this reason, the science of microscopic fertilization is developing rapidly. There is currently no remedy for low fertility. In this type of situation, Kampo may help to improve fertility.