title: Sperm kinematic, head morphometric and kinetic-morphometric subpopulations in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus).
abstract: This work provides information on the blue fox ejaculated sperm quality needed for seminal dose calculations. Twenty semen samples, obtained by masturbation, were analyzed for kinematic and morphometric parameters by using CASA-Mot and CASA-Morph system and principal component (PC) analysis. For motility, eight kinematic parameters were evaluated, which were reduced to PC1, related to linear variables, and PC2, related to oscillatory movement. The whole population was divided into three independent subpopulations: SP1, fast cells with linear movement; SP2, slow cells and nonoscillatory motility; and SP3, medium speed cells and oscillatory movement. In almost all cases, the subpopulation distribution by animal was significantly different. Head morphology analysis generated four size and four shape parameters, which were reduced to PC1, related to size, and PC2, related to shape of the cells. Three morphometric subpopulations existed: SP1: large oval cells; SP2: medium size elongated cells; and SP3: small and short cells. The subpopulation distribution differed between animals. Combining the kinematic and morphometric datasets produced PC1, related to morphometric parameters, and PC2, related to kinematics, which generated four sperm subpopulations - SP1: high oscillatory motility, large and short heads; SP2: medium velocity with small and short heads; SP3: slow motion small and elongated cells; and SP4: high linear speed and large elongated cells. Subpopulation distribution was different in all animals. The establishment of sperm subpopulations from kinematic, morphometric, and combined variables not only improves the well-defined fox semen characteristics and offers a good conceptual basis for fertility and sperm preservation techniques in this species, but also opens the door to use this approach in other species, included humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.|R+D Department, Proiser R+D, Scientific Park, University of València, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.affiliation: R+D Department, Proiser R+D, Scientific Park, University of València, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Contell
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bori
authors.affiliation: R+D Department, Proiser R+D, Scientific Park, University of València, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.affiliation: R+D Department, Proiser R+D, Scientific Park, University of València, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Molina
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.|Technological Institute of Costa Rica, San Carlos Campus, School of Agronomy, 223-21001 Alajuela, Costa Rica.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valverde
authors.affiliation: Finnish Fur Breeders Association, ProFur, 65101 Vaasa, Finland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segarvall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D048430:Cell Shape; D005589:Foxes; D008297:Male; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013077:Sperm Head; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa