title: Non-viable sperm in the ejaculate: Lethal escorts for contemporary viable sperm.
abstract: Non-viable sperm ("dead sperm") are present in variable numbers in mammalian ejaculates and their number increase substantially when semen is stored, particularly cryopreserved. This review comparatively highlights, with experimental data in porcine, the role-played by non-viable sperm in the outcome of semen used in assisted reproductive technologies. As well, the review discusses our current understanding of their origin and the pathways involved when their large numbers negative influence the functional lifespan of contemporary viable sperm to eventually cause irreversible dysfunction that reduces their fertility potential and their ability to develop healthy embryos. Finally, it highlights procedures currently available to mitigate these harmful effects.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: roca@um.es.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Parrilla
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuello
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine (IKE), University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Martinez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000662:veterinary; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Apoptosis; Dead sperm; Livestock species; Necrosis; Oxidative stress