Data from 34 yearling Hereford or Angus bulls were used to investigate relationships of testicular size, quantitative rates of sperm production, Sertoli cell numbers, numbers of germ cells supported per Sertoli cell, and the efficiency of spermatogenesis to daily sperm output and seminal quality. Two ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation from each bull on each of 2 days/week throughout the study. The percentage of progressively motile sperm and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm were determined from aliquots of fresh semen. Additional aliquots of semen were frozen in glass ampules or plastic straws and subsequently evaluated for postthaw motility and percentage of sperm with intact acrosomes. Sertoli cell numbers, the numbers of germcells per Sertoli cell, and the efficiency of spermatogenesis were unrelated to the quality of fresh or frozen semen (P greater than 0.05). In first ejaculates, the numbers of sperm and motile sperm were related (P less than 0.05) to testicular parenchymal weight (r = 0.38, and 0.50), daily sperm production (r = 0.45 and 0.53), and spermatids per gram of testicular parenchyma (r = 0.35 and 0.34). Testicular parenchymal weight and daily sperm production also were related to daily sperm output and to the average daily motile sperm output of these bulls (P less than 0.05), but could account for less than 25% of the variability in these end points among bulls.

The Dag defect is one of the primary morphological defects in sperm correlating with reduced fertility. This defect is found in the spermatozoa of many livestock species. The aim of the study was to assess the morphometry of the heads of normal sperm and sperm with the Dag defect in the semen of Duroc breeding boars. Sperm morphology was examined in ten ejaculates each from 12 Duroc boars. In total, 3,600 morphologically normal sperm and 838 sperm with the Dag defect were evaluated. The area, perimeter, length and width of the sperm head were measured and these basic morphometric parameters were used to calculate four additional shape indices characterising the sperm head, i.e. ellipticity, elongation, roughness and regularity. Sperm with this defect had markedly smaller heads, 0.32 μm shorter and 0.19 μm narrower than the heads of sperm with normal morphological structure. The heads of sperm with the Dag defect also had a 1.1μm smaller perimeter and a 2.5 μm² smaller surface area than the heads of morphologically normal sperm. The Dag defect is found in boar sperm irrespective of the age of the individual. It affects the morphology of the sperm head.

Determination of sperm concentration and morphology in ejaculate is essential in evaluating fertility. Sperm shape and dimensions may depend on their concentration in ejaculate. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dependence of Hypor boar morphological and morphometric sperm characteristics on concentration in ejaculate. The study was conducted on 120 ejaculates from 12 Hypor boars. Depending on sperm concentration, they were put into three groups: low, medium, and high. Ejaculate sperm concentration was determined with the photometric method. Slides were prepared from semen samples which were evaluated for the morphology of spermatozoa. The preparations for morphological analyses were by the eosin-gentian staining method. As the sperm concentration in the ejaculate increased, the length, perimeter, and area of the sperm heads also did. In the ejaculates with higher sperm concentration the sperm heads were rounder. The ratios of head dimensions to tail length or total length were the highest in the sperm from ejaculates with the highest concentrations. The highest percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was noted in ejaculates with low concentrations. The dimensions and shape of sperm depend on the sperm concentration in the ejaculate. In ejaculates with the highest concentrations, the sperm have larger dimensions. Sperm concentration affects the frequency of morphological anomalies in the spermatozoa.

Introduction The addition of low-molecular-weight antioxidants during the freezing process improves post-thaw sperm quality. The high antioxidant potential of cryopreserved semen could have a positive effect on the motility, viability, and energy status of sperm cells and their ability to bind to the zona pellucida of oocytes. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of different concentrations and combinations of vitamins E and C in a semen extender on selected quality parameters of frozen-thawed canine spermatozoa. Material and Methods The experimental material was the semen of four mixed-breed dogs. Sperm viability (motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function) was examined at 0, 60, and 120 min in semen samples supplemented with the extender and in the controls. Results Combined supplementation with vitamins C + E at a concentration of 200 + 200 μM /1 × 10⁹ spermatozoa had the most profound effect on total sperm motility, linear motility, and the percentage of spermatozoa with intact plasma membrane and active mitochondria. Conclusion The synergistic activity of vitamins E and C had a more beneficial influence on the quality of frozen–thawed sperm than these non-enzymatic antioxidants applied separately.

Porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) was first discovered in 2019 in a herd of pigs with porcine respiratory disease, dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in Hunan Province, China. It has subsequently been detected in other provinces and in South Korea. In consideration of the potential of the virus to cause an epidemic, rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of PCV4 is needed, as is the facilitation of further epidemiological research through elucidation of the whole genome of PCV4. This study had those two aims. Fifty-five blood samples, two pig tissue samples, nine saliva swabs and one semen sample which all originated from Sichuan province pig farms were analysed. The virus’ genome of 1,770 bp was synthesised artificially based on a Chinese reference strain and primers and probes for the ORF2 gene were designed. Then, the amplified target fragment was cloned into the pMD19-T vector and a series of diluted recombinant plasmids were used to generate a standard curve. An optimised real-time TaqMan PCR method was established. The results of this study showed that the established method is specific for PCV4 but not for other viruses, and has amplification efficiency of 99.6%, a regression squared value (R²) of 1.000 and a detection limit of 2.2×10 DNA copies. This method was shown to be analytically specific and sensitive with a low intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation (<1.67 %). Of a total of 67 clinical samples tested using the established method, three were shown to be positive (4%). This study confirms the existence of PCV4 in Sichuan and provides a promising alternative tool for rapid detection of PCV4.

With the exception of the domestic cat, all felid species (Felidae) are currently threatened with extinction in their natural habitat. To develop effective and optimal wild cat conservation programmes with assisted reproductive technology (ART) it is necessary to combine advances from different disciplines of science, starting from the biology of the species, through research into the population and habitat, assisted reproductive technologies, establishment of gene banks, developing bioinformatic systems, and ending with biodiversity and endangered species management. In the last few years knowledge of felid reproduction has expanded considerably thanks to comparative studies utilising the domestic cat as a research model for endangered wild cats. Basic reproductive techniques utilised in both domestic cat breeding and rescuing wild felid populations that are threatened with extinction include semen collection and cryopreservation, artificial insemination, oocyte collection, in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilisation, somatic cloning, and embryo transfer. The main directions in which assisted reproductive technologies are being developed in wild cat conservation implementations and the contribution of Polish research centres in advancing these methods are presented.

Introduction: Breeding profiles at the periparturient stage in red foxes which mated naturally or were subjected to artificial insemination were retrospectively surveyed using 130 vixens during their reproductive seasons of 2012–2017 in Japan. Material and Methods: Natural mating vixens were encouraged a maximum of three times with the same male, while artificial insemination was conducted using frozen-thawed semen with the bovine semen extender as a diluent. Results: With natural mating, conception rates after one, two, and three copulations were 55.8%, 68.0%, and 85.7%, respectively, showing a significant difference between the rates for one and three copulations. Conception rates with artificial insemination were 82.4%. Mean gestation periods were between 52.1 and 53.3 days in all groups. Mean litter sizes were 3.7–4.3 cubs with natural mating, and 4.4 cubs with artificial insemination. Although some sporadic and inconsistent changes in litter sizes were noted between primiparous and multiparous groups, these were of doubtful clinical importance. Conclusion: This is the first report from Japan concerning basic breeding events of red fox vixens in captivity.

Introduction: Significant improvement of sperm motility within one month effected by oral supplementation of selenium and vitamin E was described in four infertile male dogs which failed to conceive in their last three matings with different bitches. Material and Methods: The dogs (a Golden Retriever, an English Cocker Spaniel, and two Tibetan Mastiffs) were supplemented daily with selenium (Se) (0.6 mg/kg organic Se yeast) and vitamin E (vit. E) (5 mg/kg) per os for 60 days. Semen was collected on days 0, 30, 60, and 90. The sperm concentration and motility parameters were evaluated by the CASA system, sperm morphology was explored by Diff-Quick staining, and live and dead spermatozoa were differentiated by eosin/nigrosin staining. The concentrations of Se and vit. E were measured in peripheral blood serum on semen collection days. Results: Before administration, the concentrations of Se in blood plasma were low (86.0–165.0 µg/L). After 30 days of treatment there was an observable improvement in total and progressive sperm motility and kinematic parameters (VAP, VSK, VCL, ALH, BCF, and RAPID). The percentages of live and normal morphology sperm cells were also higher. There was also an observable increase in Se and vitamin E concentrations in blood serum. Bitches were successfully mated and delivered four to six puppies. Conclusion: Supplementation with Se and vit. E improved rapid sperm motility and restored fertility in infertile dogs with low Se status.