This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to develop a proprietary product intended to be added to commercially available semen extenders to help improve fertility and embryo viability in cattle. Handling, freezing and thawing of bull sperm generates oxidative free radicals leading to irreversible damage to DNA and membranes causing lower pregnancy rates. The proposed project will test antioxidants derived from plant extracts. Phase I will determine if varied doses of these plant derived antioxidants added to semen extenders will improve post-thaw sperm quality, fertility and embryo development as assessed by DNA degradation, mitochondrial assays, and in vitro fertilization. The goal is to determine if there is a reduction in oxidative stress and an improvement in post-thaw sperm quality, fertilization rates and embryonic development.
The broader impact/commercial potential of this project, if successful, is an improvement in pregnancy rates in cattle, which directly impacts the profitability of dairy and beef farmers. Dairy and beef farms generally are low-margin operations and increased fertility will provide profit protection during fluctuating milk and beef price cycles. A 2-3% increase in pregnancy rate may improve profit by as much as $40,000 per 1000 head of cattle. Therefore, family and commercial farmers stand an increased chance of remaining in business. In addition, these plant extracts may be applied to human and other animal fertility problems.
Small Business Innovation Research phase I project 101176 addressed profitability as affected by post-thaw sperm quality and reduced pregnancy rates in artificially inseminated mammals. Damage to sperm directly affects profitability of bull studs. At the largest bull stud nearly $4.5 million in revenue is lost due to post-thaw sperm damage. Pregnancy rates directly impact profitability of dairy farmers; a 2-3% increase may improve profit by $40,000 per 1000 head. Handling, freezing and thawing of bull sperm generates oxidative free radicals leading to irreversible damage to DNA and membranes causing lower pregnancy rates. Phase I was used to determine the addition of GameteGuard™, plant derived antioxidants, to semen extenders improved post-thaw sperm quality. DNA degradation was reduced 68.3%. This may have a direct effect on pregnancy retention. Moreover, acrosome intactness was significantly improved. An intact acrosome is necessary for fertilization. In fact, in 13 out of 15 bulls examined for DNA quality, acrosome intactness, mitochondrial potential and motility, GameteGuardTM treatment result in an improvement in quality. An in vitro fertilization trial demonstrated embryo development (to blastocyst stage) was numerically improved when sperm were treated with GameteGuard™. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is vast. Dairy and beef farmers generally are low-margin operations and increased fertility will provide profit protection during fluctuating milk and beef price cycles. Therefore, family and commercial farmers stand an increased chance of remaining in business. Proprietary plant extracts may help improve fertility, reduce spontaneous abortions and reduce birth defects, possibly in humans as well as cattle. Because all extracts are natural, the treated sperm can be used for the growing organic farming industry. Moreover, data generated in phase I indicate the potential application to other agricultural industries.
