Dr Masindi Mphaphathi has obtained his Ph.D. from University of the Free State in 2022, the MSc Degree in Animal Science in 2017 and M-Tech Degree in Animal Production from Tshwane University of Technology in 2012. My research area focuses on reproduction and physiology-cryobiology.
Assisted reproductive technologies are critical in the preservation of gametes from endangered species. As a result, cryobanking is critical in reproduction facilities for the gametes conservation of endangered species for future use. Furthermore, cryobanking allows for the preservation of genetic variability through biotechnological reproduction programs. If oocyte cryopreservation is successful, the timing of in vitro maturation and subsequent to in vitro fertilization (IVF) will be possible. Cattle oocytes are very sensitive to cryopreservation due to their complex structure, and they are also very sensitive to chilling, which can harm their viability. During the cryopreservation process, sperm membrane proteins and carbohydrate composition change, sperm membrane structure is disrupted, and sperm viability is reduced. Extenders are frequently required during cryopreservation, for improving sperm cryopreservation technologies and is therefore necessary to have a thorough understanding of the properties of the extenders. Extenders have been enriched with antioxidants such as Glutathione to protect sperm motility and integrity from oxidative damage and the reactive oxygen species produced during cryopreservation can be neutralized using antioxidants.
Part of the book: Cryopreservation
The study aimed to evaluate testicular size, weight and epididymal semen quality of Large White × Landrace (LW × LR) boars fed fermented liquid potato hash. Diets containing either 200 (LFLPH) g/kg potato hash; 400 (HFLPH) g/kg potato hash or no fermented potato hash (control). Forty-two crossbred boars (LW × LR) weighing (25 ± 2.3 kg) were individually housed and fed ad-lib one of the seven dietary treatments for three months. Pigs were allocated to diets in complete randomized design. After 3 months and 600 ± 4 kg average body weight boars were slaughtered and epididymal semen was collected from head of epididymis. Boars that were fed control had higher (P < 0.05) live spermatozoa concentration than LLFPH and HFLPH diets. However, HLFPH had higher (P < 0.05) proximal droplet, distal droplet and dead spermatozoa concentration than control and LLFLPH. In addition, boars that were fed control and LLFPH had higher (P < 0.05) total, progressive, rapid motility, and lower non-progressive, static, medium and slow motility than HLFPH. It is concluded that low liquid fermented potato hash diet could be used as an alternative feed source for pigs. The results indicated that diets contain LFLPH can be used in boar diets without any adverse effects on spermatozoa quality.
Part of the book: Feed Additives
The appropriate selections, modifications and preservation of gametes are essential for the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in equine. Biotechnologies used in reproduction have an impact on equine production and the preservation of species. In order to address this challenge from a variety of angles and areas, sperm selection techniques, oocyte activation protocols, in vitro fertilization, improvements in oocyte maturation, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and cryopreservation are all forms of ARTs that, when utilized properly, can help manage and conserve equids. Semen is highly individualistic since no two stallions have the same chemical makeup, which causes each to freeze differently. Other stallions might be able to tolerate the cryopreservation process well, while others might be hypersensitive to it. Since ice crystal formation is uncontrolled in the traditional vapour freezing procedure used to freeze semen straws, the crystals could potentially disturb and harm the sample’s cells. Cryopreserved semen by programmable freezer had higher forward sperm progressive motility than semen frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour, both immediately after thawing and again after 3 hours of incubation. This chapter will present the importance of the selection and manipulation of gametes in equine species.
Part of the book: Equine Science
Many biotechnologies are currently used in livestock breeding with the aim of improving reproductive efficiency and increasing the rate of genetic progress in production animals. The term “cryopreservation” refers to methods that allow biological samples to be frozen and then warmed again without losing their vitality. Cryopreservation is a process that freezes and stores fertilized oocytes for later use, such as gametes, embryos, and primordial germ cells; it is a component of assisted reproductive technology. While some procedures still employ slow-freezing methods, the majority now use vitrification, or extremely rapid freezing, for both oocytes and embryos since it reduces the possibility of harm because there is not as much ice crystal formation as there is with slow-freezing methods. Vitrification has proven to be useful in a variety of applications, including the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos in agriculturally significant or endangered animal species, such as pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, etc., after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in human embryology clinics.
Part of the book: New Trends in Cryobiology [Working title]