Sources of variation in the morphological characteristics of sperm subpopulations assessed objectively by a novel automated sperm morphology analysis system
There is evidence that the mammalian ejaculate contains distinct subpopulations of spermatozoa and that the variability among these subpopulations may have adaptive and functional significance. This study investigated the precision, reproducibility and operating characteristics of a novel automated...
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Published in | Journal of reproduction & fertility Vol. 117; no. 2; pp. 271 - 280 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Society for Reproduction and Fertility
01.11.1999
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | There is evidence that the mammalian ejaculate contains distinct subpopulations of spermatozoa and that the variability among
these subpopulations may have adaptive and functional significance. This study investigated the precision, reproducibility
and operating characteristics of a novel automated sperm morphology analysis system, the Hobson Morphology package, establishing
protocols to investigate boar sperm characteristics. Five ejaculates were collected from each of three boars from different
genetic lines: Landrace–Meishan introgression, Sireline Large White and Damline Large White. Five semen smears per ejaculate
were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Two hundred spermatozoa per slide were analysed. No significant differences among
slides within an ejaculate were detected for sperm tail length ( P = 0.770), head width ( P = 0.736) and head length ( P = 0.615), indicating that both staining and morphology analysis were precise and reproducible. Among the boars, variability
in tail length was detected ( P = 0.001), but head width ( P = 0.114) and length ( P = 0.069) did not differ significantly. Multivariate pattern analysis (PATN computer package) highlighted three sub-populations
of spermatozoa objectively on the basis of tail length (10.0–22.0 μm, 22.1–73.0 μm and 73.1–130.0 μm). The Landrace–Meishan
introgression boar possessed more spermatozoa ( P < 0.0001) with tails 73.1–130 μm long. Subsequent analysis of morphology parameters in a pure-bred Meishan boar showed similar
measurements for tail length (mean ± sd ; 66.36 ± 24.70 μm) to the Landrace–Meishan introgression boar (mean ± sd ; 67.09 ±21.80 μm). Sperm subpopulations originate during spermatogenesis, when heterogeneous genotypic effects determine
the structural features of spermatozoa. The findings of this study confirm that tail length differs between boars and that
subpopulations of spermatozoa can be detected within a single ejaculate. |
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ISSN: | 1470-1626 0022-4251 1741-7899 |
DOI: | 10.1530/jrf.0.1170271 |