Analyses of 3-dimensional rotation for the purpose of reconsidering criteria for the evaluation of flagellar functions in bull sperm

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22366
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 42:Veterinary medical science, animal science, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: HARAYAMA HIROSHI 神戸大学, 農学研究科, 教授 (30281140)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 中嶋 昭雄 神戸大学, バイオシグナル総合研究センター, 准教授 (70397818) ; 坂瀬 充洋 兵庫県立農林水産技術総合センター, 北部農業技術センター, 課長 (70463396)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 応用動物 / 畜産学 / 雄性繁殖学 / 精子 / 人工授精 / ウシ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study regarding a new candidate "3-dimensional rotation (3D-R)" of the criterion for the evaluation of flagellar functions in bull cryopreserved sperm, we carried out experiments to elucidate the mechanism for its occurrence, to characterize it biologically and to examine its validity. The obtained results were listed below.
(1) The cryopreservation-related occurrence of 3D-R is regulated by reduction of the activity of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ pumps in the sperm neck and the consequent increases of the intracellular Ca2+ level. (2) The 3D-R is one of the typical patterns of motility which sperm exhibit during the capacitation process. (3) The 3D-R is a potentially criterial parameter for the evaluation of the flagellar functions in bull cryopreserved sperm.

Free Research Field

生殖生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ウシ凍結保存射出精子のための鞭毛機能検査法における評価精度を向上させるための改良として，新規の評価項目「3次元ローテーション」の導入に道筋をつけることができた。この成果により，人工授精によるウシの生産効率を改善でき，産肉能力や泌乳能力に優れる産子を一層増産できるようになると期待される。さらに本研究成果は畜産乳製品を市場に安定供給するためのウシの生産システムの拡充に寄与すると考えられる。