How to replace antibiotics from current semen extenders? We are trying to advance in this topic with Dr. Jane Morrell from SLU and the Spanish colleagues from Topigs-Norsvin. We have just published an article in the Theriogenology journal in which we successfully test a prototype for processing large volumes of pig semen removing bacteria.
These large volumes could be processed with a low-density colloid (Porcicoll, invented by Dr. Morrell), successfully removing contaminating bacteria (skilfully tested by our colleagues of the Microbiology Group at the University of León). This system could substitute for antibiotics currently used in semen extenders.
After storing the semen doses for several days, processed samples showed lower bacterial content, higher quality and notably lower damage in the sperm genetic material. This last point is of major interest for us, as part of our current line of research on the structure of boar sperm chromatin. In subsequent studies we are studying more specifically the effect of bacterial contamination and the remediation by the colloid, and the impact on many sperm chromatin parameters.
Large-volume bottles after the centrifugation in a laminar-flow hood (Cell Biology, University of León). The sperm pellet is visible. Semen medium with seminal plasma, debris and bacteria is retained on top of the colloid (barely visible).
This experiment was part of two projects (RTI2018-095183-B-I00, MCI/AEI/FEDER, EU, and LE023P20, Junta de Castilla y León/Consejería de Educación/FEDER, EU) for studying the sperm chromatin and the use of colloids for processing semen. This line of work contribute to the circular economy and the improvement of the agroalimentary sector by enhnancing the application of artificial insemination and reducing antibiotic use.
La semana pasada, el Dr. Felipe Martínez asistió como Presidente de Tribunal a la tesis doctoral de D.ª Francisca Sánchez, del grupo SaBio del IREC/UCLM. La tesis se tituló “Estrategia antioxidante para la protección espermática frente al estrés oxidativo”, y la defendió brillantemente el día 16 de abril.
Se ha abierto el plazo para solicitar una plaza de investigador postdoctoral en nuestro grupo, para dos años.
Krawetz SA et al. 2009. Molecular aspects of male fertility. International Workshop on Molecular Andrology. EMBO Rep 10:1087-92.
El contrato se enmarca en un proyecto para estudiar la cromatina espermática, técnicas avanzadas enfocadas a inmunofluorescencia y citometría de flujo. No es imprescindible experiencia en esas técnicas, pero sí en biología celular y molecular en general.
La convocatoria está publicada en:
https://www.unileon.es/convocatorias-urgentes/convocatoria-publica-para-contratacion-temporal-de-investigadores-con-0
Se valorará experiencia en laboratorio, trabajo en biología del espermatozoide, capacidad para publicar, dirigir estudiantes, etc. Nuestra intención es que la persona que contratemos aproveche al máximo esos dos años para su CV: publicaciones y dirección de tesis; si hubiese posibilidad, dirección de proyectos y contratos cortos.
Las condiciones del proyecto y los detalles de los contratos están detallados en https://lnkd.in/gUWznnS