Journal article
Enhanced sperm production in bulls following transient induction of hypothyroidism during prepubertal development
Journal of animal science, Vol.97(4), pp.1468-1477
04/2019
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/114260
PMCID: PMC6447252
PMID: 30576512
Abstract
Male reproductive capacity is a critical component of cattle production and the majority of genetic gain is made via selective utilization of gametes from desirable sires. Thus, strategies that enhance sperm production increase the availability of elite genetics for use in improving production characteristics of populations on a worldwide scale. In all mammals, the amount of sperm produced is strongly correlated to the number of Sertoli cells in testes. Studies with rodents showed that the size of the Sertoli cell population is set during prepubertal development via signaling from thyroid hormones. Here, we devised a strategy to increase Sertoli cell number in bulls via induction of a transient hypothyroidic state just prior to and extending beyond the period of Sertoli cell proliferation that we found to normally cease between 4.5 and 5 mo of age. In adulthood, these bulls produced a significantly greater number of sperm compared to age-matched controls and their testes contained nearly 2 times more Sertoli cells. Importantly, sperm motility, morphology, fertilizing ability, and viability after cryopreservation were found to be no different for treated bulls compared to untreated control bulls. This strategy of transient induction of hypothyroidism during a defined period of prepubertal development in bulls could prove to be an efficacious approach for enhancing daily sperm production in genetically desirable sires that will, in turn, provide an avenue for improving the efficiency of commercial cattle production.
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Details
- Title
- Enhanced sperm production in bulls following transient induction of hypothyroidism during prepubertal development
- Creators
- Muhammad S Waqas - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WAMichela Ciccarelli - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WAMelissa J Oatley - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WAAmy V Kaucher - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WAAhmed Tibary - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WAJon M Oatley - Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
- Publication Details
- Journal of animal science, Vol.97(4), pp.1468-1477
- Academic Unit
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Department of; Molecular Biosciences, School of
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press; US
- Grant note
- ; ;
- Identifiers
- 99900547886101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article