title: Selected sperm traits are simultaneously altered after scrotal heat stress and play specific roles in in vitro fertilization and embryonic development.
abstract: Improvements in the estimation of male fertility indicators require advances in laboratory tests for sperm assessment. The aims of the present work were (1) to apply a multivariate analysis to examine sperm set of alterations and interactions and (2) to evaluate the importance of sperm parameters on the outcome of standard IVF and embryonic development. Bulls (n = 3) were subjected to scrotal insulation, and ejaculates were collected before (preinsulation = Day 0) and through 56 days (Days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56) of the experimental period. Sperm head morphometry and chromatin variables were assessed by a computational image analysis, and IVF was performed. Scrotal heat stress induced alterations in all evaluated sperm head features, as well as cleavage and blastocyst rates. A principal component analysis revealed three main components (factors) that represented almost 89% of the cumulative variance. In addition, an association of factor scores with cleavage (factor 1) and blastocyst (factor 3) rates was observed. In conclusion, several sperm traits were simultaneously altered as a result of a thermal insult. These sperm traits likely play specific roles in IVF and embryonic development.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lucio
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Benner G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kele A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Muller C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miglio
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruna G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: José O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jacomini
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: mebeletti@ufu.br.
authors.forename: Marcelo E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Beletti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D012611:Scrotum / Q000502:physiology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000662:veterinary; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Bovine; Chromatin integrity; In vitro fertilization; Sperm-head morphometry