Evaluation of zinc signature in bovine sperm for in vitro embryo production

Abstract

n vitro production of bovine embryos (IVP) is a reproductive biotechnique that aims to improve bovine production and is of extreme economic relevance, being one of the most widely used biotechniques for animal genetic improvement in Brazil. Recent studies report the paternal contribution in situations of defective fertilization and abnormal embryogenesis within IVP. Incorporated into these paternal factors is the concentration and distribution of the zinc ion present in the male gamete at times prior to fertilization. In male seminal plasma, high concentrations of zinc can be found, and its distribution concentration in sperm allows sperm capacitation to occur or not and subsequent fertilization. However, the relationship between zinc and bovine semen fertility has not been clarified, and studies in this area are needed to better understand sperm cell biology and particularities inherent in zinc concentrations. The aim of this study is to validate zinc signatures in sperm, that is, to verify the presence of zinc in different regions of the sperm cell in semen samples of bulls; and correlate these signatures with the known in vitro embryo production rate of these bulls.