Talking about semen (nope, not Seaman the Newfie)

[Danielle and Merlin]

Hey all,

I was talking to a breeder friend of mine the other day, and the subject of semen motility/health came up. She mentioned that even though a dog might have a good semen count, that there is a protein component in semen that is responsible for allowing penetration into and subsequent fertilization of the dam's egg. In some dogs, this protein is lacking, therefore the sperm cannot penetrate the egg. She further states that there is no test for this deficit.

Like many of us who are crazy about our Newfs (or any breed, really), we can latch on to certain notions and take them as gospel. I try hard not to do this, but I think it's human nature, which is how old wives tales are perpetuated. Not that all are bogus, but my friend has a habit of relying on these old wives tales, so I took this bit of info with a large grain of salt. However, sometimes, she is spot on.

Is this true? Can anyone shed light on this? Thanks!

 

[new_2_newf]

Well, I can tell you that human men can suffer from a lack of mobility in their sperm and in some cases this can lead to infertility. It can be one reason that couples opt for invetro, but it takes two to tango. A lot depends on how immobile, count, and the woman it is in. I am pretty sure they can test a seamen sample to determine a rate of mobility though, and I have no idea if it has anything to do with protein. However, I would suspect that the more mobile a sperm is, the stronger it is and the more likely to penetrate an egg.

 

[Emma]

CatSper is a protien in the tail of sperm that allows the sperm to penetrate the egg, is that what she meant?

 

[Danielle and Merlin]

Not sure, Emma. But, why would a protein at the *tail* of the sperm be responsible for penetrating the egg, when it's the head of the sperm that attaches? just curious.

 

[JackandKelly]

This may help Danielle
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065745.htm

 

[Danielle and Merlin]

Very interesting - thanks! However, has anyone heard about a dog not having that protein, and therefore not able to breed? My friend made it sound like it's an epidemic...

 

[Danielle and Merlin]

This is somewhat telling in that article: "Studies of the sperm motility of the mice were then conducted by Gloria Perez and Jonathan Tilly, co-authors of the Nature article, who found that the sperm from the knockout mice were less motile and showed less directed movement than normal sperm."

So, if the motility is high, chances are that the protein is there.

 

[Ivoryudx]

If there isn't a test for the protein, how do they know if it is, or isn't there?

 

[JackandKelly]

So, if the motility is high, chances are that the protein is there.

That is my thought also

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

Hey all,

I was talking to a breeder friend of mine the other day, and the subject of semen motility/health came up. She mentioned that even though a dog might have a good semen count, that there is a protein component in semen that is responsible for allowing penetration into and subsequent fertilization of the dam's egg. In some dogs, this protein is lacking, therefore the sperm cannot penetrate the egg. She further states that there is no test for this deficit.

/QUOTE]

What she is probably referring to is the part of fertilization called the acrosome reaction. The acrosome is the enlarged part of the head of the sperm. In order for the sperm to penetrate the egg, the acrosome contains a large amount of enzymes that enable it to break down the outside of the egg. A protein in the acrosome stimulates enzymes that cause it to literally melt away. In the process, all the enzymes stored in it are released and enable the sperm to fertilize the egg. If the sperm either doesnt go through the acrosome reaction, or loses its acrosome before it encounters an egg, fertilization cant occur.

Before the acrosome reaction occurs, there is also a process called capacitiation that sperm must undergo. Capacitation involves removal of seminal proteins. Once capacitation occurs, motility is greatly increased.

When you think about it, its amazing that we ever have babies for ourselves, or puppies from our girls

 

[Pipelineozzy]

And beyond just a semen count..and concentration..there is also morphology..and that's looking at what percentage of the sperm are actually NORMAL. You can have abnormal sperm that will look fine on gross motility and concentration..even volume....but when examined for defects, you find several different issues that will stop the sperm from being able to fertilize an egg. There are a number of different defects that can occur..so when checking semen..it's important that the sample is stained and examined before deciding it's good or not.

 

[Danielle and Merlin]

Mary - thanks for the detailed explanation. And, Cindy - I agree that there are many aspects of the quality of sperm: motility, concentration, volume ratio, viability, deformities, etc.

Then, there is the ability of the bitch to produce quality eggs. Mary, you're right - it's amazing to think about how difficult it actually, physiologically is for conception to take place. Yet it does. We can only marvel.

 

[Windancer]

Mary...reproduction as a whole has always seemed miraculous to me.....I have experienced birth many many times, in humans, horses, and canines to name a few...and every time, I am awed !

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

Mary...reproduction as a whole has always seemed miraculous to me.....I have experienced birth many many times, in humans, horses, and canines to name a few...and every time, I am awed !

I know!! When you look at everything that must happen, within a specific time frame, in specific orders for birth of any species to occur, its miraculous that the Earth isnt a barren, lifeless planet!!!

 

[Windancer]

I have a new question.....a friend told me that SHE was told by a veteranarian that sperm swims 'backwards'..This seems very puzzling to me, as it goes against nature...Has anyone heard this? Actually referring to canine sperm...I was amazed to learn that in canines, the eggs are not fertilized in the tubes, but the seman attaches to the uterine wall and 'waits' for the eggs to mature. Then fertilizes them in the uterous.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I have a new question.....a friend told me that SHE was told by a veteranarian that sperm swims 'backwards'..This seems very puzzling to me, as it goes against nature...Has anyone heard this? Actually referring to canine sperm...I was amazed to learn that in canines, the eggs are not fertilized in the tubes, but the seman attaches to the uterine wall and 'waits' for the eggs to mature. Then fertilizes them in the uterous.

That doesn't really make sense. When you look at a sperm sample under the microscope, one of the things you look for is that the sperm is moving straight ahead. And the reason you wait two or three days after ovulation to breed, is for the eggs to mature and are ready for fertilization. So breeding, then waiting for the eggs to mature several days later would be bad timing, and a backwards approach. From what I have heard, most veterinarians have about an hour of reproduction classes.

 

[Ginny]

Funny you should bring up the swimming backwards. My mentor was telling me about a dog who always produced backward swimming sperm. It didn't affect his fertility.

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

Funny you should bring up the swimming backwards. My mentor was telling me about a dog who always produced backward swimming sperm. It didn't affect his fertility.

That is fascinating. My guess would have been that a large percentage of backward swimmers would be an ominous sign for fertility.

 

[Windancer]

IF I were to tell you what top breeder made this statement as fact, you would be suprised...

 

[Jeff in Ottawa]

I was amazed to learn that in canines, the eggs are not fertilized in the tubes, but the seman attaches to the uterine wall and 'waits' for the eggs to mature. Then fertilizes them in the uterous.

I saw a fascinating documentary on this on Discovery last summer. They had CGI and 3D ultrasounds. It was amazing! I, too, was surprised to learn that the sperm sit in the uterus and wait for the egg. Pfff... Men... they never cease to find innovative ways to be lazy and let the ladies to do the hard work.