Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus
Abstract Our research focuses on semen collection from 42 African penguin males, grouped by age, habituation levels, and reproductive season timing. We assess behavioral and physiological responses to dorso-abdominal massage, evaluating species-specific seminal traits using conventional and advanced...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76303-2 |
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| author | Paweł Borecki Anna Mucha Wojciech Niżański Agnieszka Partyka |
| author_facet | Paweł Borecki Anna Mucha Wojciech Niżański Agnieszka Partyka |
| author_sort | Paweł Borecki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Our research focuses on semen collection from 42 African penguin males, grouped by age, habituation levels, and reproductive season timing. We assess behavioral and physiological responses to dorso-abdominal massage, evaluating species-specific seminal traits using conventional and advanced methods. Positive behavioral responses corresponded with successful semen collection. Young and human-reared males exhibited more favorable behaviors, and samples containing spermatozoa were more likely collected during the reproductive season. Age did not influence sample collectability or spermatozoa presence, though mature males produced higher semen volumes. Young males exhibited more sperm morphological abnormalities, especially outside the breeding season. Sperm concentration and number per ejaculate showed no significant differences across age or seasonal groups. Young males had higher motile and progressive sperm percentages, while mature males had more static sperm. Additionally, percentages of live sperm and intact acrosomes were higher in mature males. Young males and samples from non-reproductive season presented more dead sperm with damaged acrosomes. Plasma membrane integrity positively correlated with age for live sperm and negatively for dying sperm. This research demonstrates the feasibility of semen collection from African penguins regardless of habituation level, fills the knowledge gap by describing sperm morphological abnormalities, and provides insights into using flow cytometry in Sphenisciformes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6616e3ca53e645d4b6aea640d8e03ace |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-6616e3ca53e645d4b6aea640d8e03ace2025-08-20T02:17:45ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-10-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-76303-2Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersusPaweł Borecki0Anna Mucha1Wojciech Niżański2Agnieszka Partyka3Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Genetics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesAbstract Our research focuses on semen collection from 42 African penguin males, grouped by age, habituation levels, and reproductive season timing. We assess behavioral and physiological responses to dorso-abdominal massage, evaluating species-specific seminal traits using conventional and advanced methods. Positive behavioral responses corresponded with successful semen collection. Young and human-reared males exhibited more favorable behaviors, and samples containing spermatozoa were more likely collected during the reproductive season. Age did not influence sample collectability or spermatozoa presence, though mature males produced higher semen volumes. Young males exhibited more sperm morphological abnormalities, especially outside the breeding season. Sperm concentration and number per ejaculate showed no significant differences across age or seasonal groups. Young males had higher motile and progressive sperm percentages, while mature males had more static sperm. Additionally, percentages of live sperm and intact acrosomes were higher in mature males. Young males and samples from non-reproductive season presented more dead sperm with damaged acrosomes. Plasma membrane integrity positively correlated with age for live sperm and negatively for dying sperm. This research demonstrates the feasibility of semen collection from African penguins regardless of habituation level, fills the knowledge gap by describing sperm morphological abnormalities, and provides insights into using flow cytometry in Sphenisciformes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76303-2African penguinSemen collectionSemen assessmentSperm morphologyCASAFlow cytometry |
| spellingShingle | Paweł Borecki Anna Mucha Wojciech Niżański Agnieszka Partyka Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus Scientific Reports African penguin Semen collection Semen assessment Sperm morphology CASA Flow cytometry |
| title | Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus |
| title_full | Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus |
| title_fullStr | Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus |
| title_short | Factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in African penguins Spheniscus demersus |
| title_sort | factors determining semen sample collection and semen quality parameters in african penguins spheniscus demersus |
| topic | African penguin Semen collection Semen assessment Sperm morphology CASA Flow cytometry |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76303-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pawełborecki factorsdeterminingsemensamplecollectionandsemenqualityparametersinafricanpenguinsspheniscusdemersus AT annamucha factorsdeterminingsemensamplecollectionandsemenqualityparametersinafricanpenguinsspheniscusdemersus AT wojciechnizanski factorsdeterminingsemensamplecollectionandsemenqualityparametersinafricanpenguinsspheniscusdemersus AT agnieszkapartyka factorsdeterminingsemensamplecollectionandsemenqualityparametersinafricanpenguinsspheniscusdemersus |