1Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
2Jiangsu Lihua Animal Husbandry Stock Co. LTD, Changzhou, 213168, Jiangsu, China
3College of Biology and Food Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu, 215500, Jiangsu, China
Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou-225 009, Jiangsu, China
*Corresponding author's e-mail: guobc2016@163.com
Asthenozoospermia puzzled poultry industry and little known about its characteristics. To explore the histological etiology of asthenozoospermia, we measured the sperm quality index (SQI) and Piwil1 expression in the testes of three types of asthenozoospermia roosters: field, artificial and normal. The SQI of field and artificial roosters was inferior to normal roosters. Further, busulfan could reduce sperm quality. Histological examination showed that the spermatids and spermatocyte of the seminiferous tubule was stripped layer-by-layer in field and artificial roosters. The absolute expression of Piwi11 in the normal group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups, and decreased with time. Piwi11 transcript expression rapidly decreased after 7 days post-injection (dpi); the lowest level was 13 dpi and did not change thereafter. Overall, our results indicate that busulfan causes structural damage to the seminiferous tubules, which can lead to asthenozoospermia, and that Piwil1 geneis amarker geneof asthenozoospermia.
Asthenozoospermia, Busulfan, Chicken, Etiology, Histology
