Exploring altered bovine sperm trajectories by sperm tracking in unconfined conditions

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1358440
• Publication Date: 2024-04-02T09:11:28Z
• Authors: Luigi Fausto Cano...; Claudia De Clemente; Margarida Fardilha; Ana Filipa Ferreira; Maria Isabella Ma...; David Dannhauser; Filippo Causa; Paolo Antonio Netti
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Veterinary medicine; SF600-1100; sperm motility; Veterinary Science; sperm tracking; sperm classification; sperm classification; sperm motility; sperm tracking; swimming patterns; unconfined motion; swimming patterns; unconfined motion

Mammalian sperm motility is getting more relevant due to rising infertility rates worldwide, generating the need improve conventional analysis and diagnostic approaches. Nowadays, computer assisted (CASA) technologies represent a popular alternative manual examination which generally performed by observing in very confined geometries. However, under physiological conditions, describe three-dimensional patterns are not well reconstructed limited depth of standard acquisition chambers. Therefore, affordable versatile alternatives needed. Here, unconfined conditions proposed. In details, characterized significant longer duration -with respect systems- with aim observe eventually altered patterns. Brightfield rectangular glass capillaries captured frozen–thawed bovine spermatozoa were analyzed means self-written tracking routine classified sub-populations, based on their curvilinear velocity. To test versatility our approach, cypermethrin -a commonly used pesticides- known be responsible for changes was employed, assessing its effect at three different time-steps. Experimental results showed that such drug induces an increase velocity progressiveness as circular pattern formation, likely independent wall interactions. Moreover, this resulted redistribution rapid class declining number time, but still showing overall increase. The flexibility approach permits parameter modifications experimental needs, allowing us conduct comprehensive motility. This adaptability facilitated data can computed frame rates, extended time periods, within deeper observation suggested exhibits potential valuable augmentation current instruments.