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Does low-level laser therapy on degenerated ovine testes improve post-thawed sperm characteristics?

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Abstract

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can modulate redox state of the cell which could be useful to treat testicular degeneration and also prevent injuries by sperm cryopreservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LLLT treatment on semen cryopreservation from rams submitted or not to testicular degeneration by testicular insulation. Eleven White Dorper rams were divided into four groups: animals that were not insulated (Control) and not treated (No Laser) (n = 2); animals that were not insulated and treated with LLLT (n = 3); animals that were insulated and not treated with LLLT (n = 3), and animals that were insulated and treated with LLLT (n = 3). Testicular insulation was performed using scrotal insulation bags for 72 h. LLLT treatment was 28 J/cm2 energy, 808 nm of wavelength, and 30 mW of power output, irradiated on testis for 15 days with an interval of 48 h. Three ejaculates from each ram were collected: before insulation, 23, and 59 days after insulation bag removal. Cryopreservation was performed of the third ejaculate. Sperm evaluation was performed before and after cryopreservation considering sperm motility, morphology, acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential, and oxidative stress. As expected, cryopreservation had a negative effect on several sperm motility characteristics and sperm membranes. LLLT treatment did not improve sperm quality from rams submitted to testicular insulation. Thus, testicular insulation and cryopreservation effects on spermatozoa were not attenuated by LLLT in this study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. João Carlos Pinto de Campos, Mr. Márcio Donizete De Carli, and Mr. José Maria Bernardi for assistance to the animals.

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) by scholarship to Tamie Guibu de Almeida (process number 2013/13438-4) and by financial support to research to Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini (process number 2012/00040-0), head of research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Pathology of the Reproduction - Center of Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil

    Tamie Guibu de Almeida, Maíra Bianchi Rodrigues Alves, Leonardo Batissaco & Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini

  2. Laboratory of Andrology and Embryo Transfer in Swine - Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil

    Mariana Andrade Torres & André Furugen Cesar de Andrade

  3. Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Rodolfo Daniel Mingoti

  4. Laboratory of Semen Biotechnology and Andrology - Center of Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil

    Rubens Paes de Arruda

Authors
  1. Tamie Guibu de Almeida
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  2. Maíra Bianchi Rodrigues Alves
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  3. Leonardo Batissaco
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  4. Mariana Andrade Torres
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  7. Rubens Paes de Arruda
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  8. Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini
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Correspondence to Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini.

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The experiment agrees with ethical principles in animal research adopted by “Ethic Committee in the Use of Animals” of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University of São Paulo, protocol number 2467/2012.

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de Almeida, T.G., Alves, M.B.R., Batissaco, L. et al. Does low-level laser therapy on degenerated ovine testes improve post-thawed sperm characteristics?. Lasers Med Sci 34, 1001–1009 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2690-7

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