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. 2017 Sep 19;61(3):345-349.
doi: 10.1515/jvetres-2017-0045. eCollection 2017 Sep.

Application of Two Staining Methods for Sperm Morphometric Evaluation in Domestic Pigs

Stanisław Kondracki  1 , Anna Wysokińska  1 , Magdalena Kania  1 , Krzysztof Górski  1
Affiliations

Application of Two Staining Methods for Sperm Morphometric Evaluation in Domestic Pigs

Stanisław Kondracki et al. J Vet Res. .

Abstract

Introduction: The effect of two smear staining methods on the dimensions and shape of sperm cells in the semen of domestic pigs was evaluated.

Material and methods: The studies were carried out on 30 ejaculates collected from 15 boars, which included five Duroc boars, five Pietrain boars, and five hybrid Duroc × Pietrain boars. Each ejaculate was next sampled to make two microscopic slides, of which one was stained with eosin-nigrosin and the other with eosin-gentian dye. In total, 600 measurements of sperm cells were made. Each sperm was measured for the following morphometric parameters: head length, head width, head area, head perimeter, tail length, and the total sperm length.

Results: Sperms measured on slides stained with eosin-nigrosin showed lower dimensions as compared with those stained with the eosin-gentian dye method. Sperm stained with eosin-nigrosin had shorter and narrower heads than sperm stained with eosin-gentian dye. The method of staining, therefore, affected not only the dimensions of the sperm, but also the proportions of the dimensions defining the shape of the sperm.

Conclusions: The size and shape parameters in porcine sperm may take on different values depending on the method of semen staining. Sperm cells stained with eosin-nigrosin are smaller than the sperm stained with eosin-gentian dye. The sensitivity of the sperm to the type of dye used for the fixation may be associated with genetic factors.

Keywords: boars; morphometry; sperm; staining methods.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interests Statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Specimen stained using eosin-nigrosin (A – unstained sperm cells, viable, B – dead sperm cells with a damaged cell membrane)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sperm cells stained using eosin-gentian dye
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Sperm head perimeter in Duroc and Pietrain boars and crossbred Duroc × Pietrain boars in relation to staining method
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sperm head area in Duroc and Pietrain boars and crossbred Duroc × Pietrain boars in relation to staining method
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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