乙二醇降低超低温冷冻黄姑鱼精子的DNA损伤

为了解乙二醇(EG)为抗冻剂超低温冻存黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)精子的活力及DNA损伤情况,本研究以Hank′s盐溶液(HBSS)为稀释液,5%~30%乙二醇(EG)为抗冻剂,0.5 ml麦细管为冻存管,两步降温法超低温冷冻保存黄姑鱼精子,用显微观察法测定精子活力,用单细胞凝胶电泳技术(SCGE)检测精子的DNA损伤,用SPSS 11.5处理实验数据。黄姑鱼鲜精的激活率为85.67%±2.09%、运动时间为(318.67±6.11)s、寿命为(405.67±7.77)s。5%、10%、15%乙二醇(EG)组冻精的运动时间及寿命与鲜精相比差异不显著,其中10%乙二醇(EG)组冻精的激活率为84.67%±1.15%、运动时间为(319.00±12.12)s、寿命为(400.67±4.73)s;20%、25%、30%乙二醇(EG)组冻精的运动时间及寿命与鲜精相比差异显著。5%、10%、15%、20%乙二醇(EG)组冻精核DNA损伤状况与鲜精无显著差异,25%、30%乙二醇(EG)组冻精核DNA损伤状况与鲜精差异显著,且冻精核DNA的损伤程度与乙二醇(EG)浓度成正相关。分析认为,5%~15%乙二醇(EG)适宜作为黄姑鱼精子超低温冷冻保存用抗冻剂。     

兰州鲇精液超低温冷冻保存技术研究及细胞损伤检测

为保护兰州鲇(Silurus lanzhouensis Chen)种质资源, 促进新品种选育, 文章开展了兰州鲇精液超低温冻存抗冻剂筛选及程序保存技术研究, 并通过精子解冻激活率、核DNA检测、扫描电镜和透射电镜检测技术对冻存效果和冻存损伤情况进行了评测。结果表明: 兰州鲇精液以10% DMSO为抗冻剂, 4℃平衡20min, –80℃平衡30min后立即置于液氮超低温保存, 并于40℃水浴解冻时精子冻存效果较佳, 冻精激活率达(75.56±3.91)%。SCGE检测DNA损伤结果显示超低温冻存10d、20d及30d兰州鲇精液的彗星率和损伤系数无显著差异。扫描电镜检测显示兰州鲇精子明显分头部, 中段及尾部3部分, 属于单鞭毛型, 无顶体, 无侧鳍, 中心粒相互垂直呈“T”形, 鞭毛为典型的“9+2”微管结构。冻存结构损伤主要表现为膜损伤, 细胞质膜与染色质膜发生破损、折皱、囊泡化或整体脱落, 细胞核膜与质膜空隙加大, 核发生变形, 核质疏散, 线粒体结构弥散, 线粒体内容物外流, 中心粒复合体易位, 鞭毛外膜变形脱离, 中段位置断裂, 微管结构基本完好。研究筛选的超低温冷冻保存技术可长期有效保存兰州鲇精液, 为兰州鲇种质资源保护及今后精液超低温冷冻保存技术改良提供理论依据和技术基础。     

鮸鱼精子的生理特性及超低温冻存

通过测定精子的激活率、运动时间及寿命,研究了鮸鱼精子的生理特性,以0.5mL麦细管为冻存管、两步降温法超低温冻存鮸鱼精子。结果表明,鮸鱼精子激活与运动的适宜盐度为20~30、适宜pH值为5.5~9.0,适宜的KCl、NaCl、CaCl2溶液浓度分别为（500~600）mmol/L、（400~500）mmol/L、（300~400）mmol/L,适宜的葡萄糖溶液浓度为（800~900）mmol/L。无Ca2＋、Mg2＋及HCO3-的人工海水均能使鮸鱼精子激活,但运动时间及寿命有所下降。以Cortland溶液为稀释液,10%Gly、15%Gly、5%DMSO、10%DMSO、15%DMSO、10%EG、10%PG、15%PG及20%PG为抗冻剂,超低温冻存鮸鱼精子15d后,冻精的活力与鲜精相比无显著差异,其中,以10%Gly为抗冻剂冻存精子的效果最好,冻精的激活率、运动时间及寿命分别达（86.38±1.63）%、（8.24±1.37）min及（10.21±0.42）min。     

长牡蛎精子超低温冷冻后超微结构损伤研究

采用程序降温仪分步降温冷冻保存长牡蛎（Crassostrea gigas）精液,并用扫描电镜、透射电镜研究了精子的超微结构损伤。超低温冷冻保存后长牡蛎精子的运动率、受精率及孵化率与鲜精无显著差异。鲜精中84.5%的精子形态结构正常,冻精中73%的精子形态结构正常。形态结构正常的精子表现为顶体、质膜、线粒体与鞭毛结构完整、染色质形状规则,顶体、线粒体及中心粒结构正常,鞭毛形态完整、微管结构清晰;形态结构异常的精子表现为顶体脱落、解体,精子头部质膜膨胀、破裂、染色质肿胀、破裂、解体,线粒体移位、脱落、膨胀,嵴退化或消失,鞭毛弯折、断裂,微管解聚。结果显示,以10% DMSO为抗冻保护剂,HBSS溶液为稀释液,1:4的稀释比例,添加海藻糖,采用分步降温法冷冻保存,对长牡蛎精子具有较好的抗冻保护作用,合适的冻存方法可以有效的保护太平洋牡蛎精子冷冻过程中结构损伤。研究有助于长牡蛎种质资源的收集保存及应用。     

冷冻对山羊精子转染外源DNA和体外制备转基因胚胎的影响

本实验将鲜精和冻精分别与地高锌标记的线形化的pEGFP-N,质粒孵育转染,用原位杂交方法检测转染效率;PCR和Southern Blotting检测精子与外源DNA的整合效率;与成熟卵母细胞体外受精,PCR检测阳性胚胎比率,用透射电镜技术、碘化丙锭和羟化荧光素双探针技术和单细胞电泳（Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis,SCGE）技术,观察精子冷冻前后的超微结构、精子质膜完整性和精子核DNA损伤的变化,研究冷冻对山羊（Caprahircus）精子转染内化外源DNA和体外制备转基因胚胎的影响及机理。结果表明,冻精显著提高了转染外源DNA的效率（81．60％±16．59％VS32．95％±2．93％,t=4．873,P=0．003;41．80％±6．26％vs27．89％±8．64％,t=2．634,P=0．039）。PCR和Southern Blotting检测表明外源DNA已经整合到精子基因组上。用冻精与成熟卵母细胞体外受精,体外受精穿透率和卵裂率显著低于鲜精组（24．19％±3．15％vs58．86％±3．73％,t=7．131,P〈0．001;11．83％±2．37％vs29．71±3．47％,t=4．302,P〈0．001）,但体外生产的胚胎PCR阳性率比鲜精组显著提高（45．45％±10．87％VS24．44％±6．06％,t=1．750,P=0．013）。超微结构观察和双荧光探针检测都发现冷冻-解冻精子质膜完整性降低（8．34％±4．21％VS65．67％±6．46％,t=12．492,P〈0．001）,SCGE显示冷冻极显著增加了精子彗尾长度和彗星细胞比例（42．67μm±4．56μmvs21．14／Lm±2．36μm,t=5．644,P=0．005;60．00％±4．00％vs17．37％±2．57％;t=15．787,P〈0．001）。冷冻-解冻可以提高山羊精子转染外源DNA的效率,冷冻破坏精子质膜完整性,解除质膜的阻碍作用,是提高外源DNA转染效率的一个主要原因[动物学报54（6）：1089-1097,2008]。     

抗菌肽CM4组分对K562癌细胞染色质DNA断裂作用的SCGE研究

单细胞凝胶电泳法（singe cell gel electrophoresis, SCGE)是一种快速,敏感的检测单个哺乳动物细胞DNA断裂的技术,也叫彗星实验（comet assay).此实验首次通过SCGE法观察抗菌肽CM4组分对人髓样白血病K562细胞和正常人白细胞核染色质DNA的影响,从而进一步研究抗菌肽抗癌作用的机制.荧光显微镜观察显示经抗菌肽CM4组分处理过的K562癌细胞核染色质DNA出现断裂,形成一个亮的荧光头部和彗星似的尾部,而经同样处理的正常人白细胞和未经抗菌肽处理的K562癌细胞核染色质DNA未出现断裂,核完整,呈圆形.经彗星尾长分析,前者DNA损伤率平均为73.62%,统计学处理P＜0.001,具高度显著性差异.这表明,抗菌肽CM4对K562癌细胞核染色质DNA有明显的断裂作用,而对正常人白细胞则没有断裂作用.     

红藻糖苷对超低温冻存微藻的保护作用

为研究红藻糖苷对超低温冻存微藻细胞的保护作用,研究将3种不同的微藻置于含10% DMSO和不同浓度红藻糖苷的冻存液中,冻存并解冻后,以流式细胞仪检测细胞存活率,测定复养后藻株的生长曲线及相关生理参数。结果显示,由于冷冻损伤,冻存后各种藻细胞的生长速率、细胞密度及生理指标都显著性下降,而红藻糖苷协同DMSO能够显著增加细胞的存活率,尤其15%红藻糖苷能将紫球藻存活率提升20%（P0.05）;生长曲线得到明显改善;且对PSII最大光能转化效率也有显著性提高（P0.05）。总体结果来看,红藻糖苷对超低温冻存微藻,特别是紫球藻具有明显的保护作用,且效果强于蔗糖。     

黄鳝精液-80℃超低温冷冻保存试验

采用-80℃超低温冷冻方法对黄鳝精液冷冻保存技术进行了研究.获得如下结果:黄鳝精子在冻存前不需低温平衡过程;10%DMSO作为抗冻保护剂效果最好,以200 μL离心管为冻存容器,保存168 h,精子相对活力可达79%;以细管为冻存容器,精子相对活力可达88%.此结果为黄鳝精子冷冻保存库的建立提供了实验依据.     

大肠杆菌感受态细胞转化能力的影响因素

探讨了大肠杆菌菌株、细菌生长状态、转化溶液、抗冻剂及保存时间、质粒长度和纯度对感受态细胞转化能力的影响。结果表明,以100 mmol/L CaCl2为缓冲液,采用经活化培养的A600为0.55的TG1制备的感受态细胞,在冰上放置6h后转化,所得转化率最高,可达2×106-4×107cfu/μg DNA(pUC19)。随着质粒长度增加和纯度降低,转化率有所下降。若感受态细胞要保存备用,以15％甘油为抗冻剂优于7％DMSO,但添加抗冻剂对转化率有抑制作用。贮于甘油的感受态细胞在-70℃冻存两个月后仍有较理想的转化率。     

不同处理对小麦×玉米产生小麦单倍体胚频率的影响

在田间条件下,选用3个小麦材料与不同玉米品种进行杂交,用含不同体积分数二甲基亚砜（DMSO）的100 mg/L 2,4-D溶液和3%DMSO与2,4-D配比处理两种方法诱导小麦×玉米产生单倍体.结果表明,在不同DMSO处理中,2%体积分数的DMSO最佳处理平均得胚率最高为15.8%,3%处理最低（7.1%）,二者差异显著;在激素配比试验中,以授粉后48 h采用小花滴注100 mg/L 2,4-D溶液、授粉后72 h再次采用小花滴注并穗下茎节注射3%DMSO的100 mg/L 2,4-D溶液的处理得胚率最高（14.1%）,但与3%DMSO的2,4-D 1次处理（13.4%）2、,4-D 1次处理（12.7%）、2,4-D 2次处理（10.6%）和3%DMSO的2,4-D 2次处理（12.6%）之间无显著差异,而这5种处理的得胚率均与对照和未授粉只进行3%DMSO的2,4-D 1次处理存在极显著差异.     

Cryopreservation of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to develop a method for cryopreserving turbot semen and to compare sperm motility characteristics, metabolic status and fertilization capacity of frozenthawed and fresh semen. The best results were obtained when spermatozoa were diluted at a 1:2 ratio with a modified Mounib extender, supplemented with 10% BSA and 10% DMSO. For freezing sperm samples, straws were placed at 6.5 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen (LN) and plunged in LN. The straws were thawed in water bath at 30 degrees C for 5 sec. Use of this simple method resulted in a 60 to 80% reactivation rate of the thawed spermatozoa. Although the percentage of motile spermatozoa in the frozen-thawed semen samples was significantly lower than in fresh semen, spermatozoa velocity and respiratory rate remained unchanged. The process of cryopreservation significantly decreased intracellular ATP content. The fertilization rate of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was significantly lower than that of fresh spermatozoa, but it increased with sperm concentration.     

Cryopreservation of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) spermatozoa (Teleost, Perciformes, Sparidae)

The effects of both osmolality and cation in the initiation of sperm motility were examined in yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus. Various factors involved in the cryopreservation of yellowfin seabream spermatozoa on motility are discussed. Extender containing only glucose proved to be a suitable medium for freezing yellowfin seabream spermatozoa to -196 degrees C. Glycerol seems to have a direct osmotic effect on yellowfin seabream sperm cells, and it induced sperm motility before freezing and during thawing. However, this exhausted the energy needed for sperm motility for fertilization. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) proved superior to ethylene glycerol, propylene glycerol, glycerol and methanol as a cryoprotectant. Prolonged equilibration time had a detrimental effect on both prefreezing and post-thawing sperm motility. The estimated optimum freezing rate was in the range of -20 to -154 degrees C/min. More frozen-thawed than fresh spermatozoa are required to achieve comparable fertilization rates.     

Post-coital sperm recovery and cryopreservation in the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and application to gamete rescue in the African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) sperm samples were collected from a post-copulatory female and characterized to determine their potential for sperm preservation and future use in artificial insemination. Five samples of acceptable quality from one male were used to compare the effect of two cryoprotectants (glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) and two post-thaw protocols (untreated and glass wool column) on sperm quality. The percentage of motile spermatozoa, sperm motility index (0-100) and sperm morphology were evaluated subjectively, and viability and acrosomal status were assessed using fluorescent markers. Evaluations of frozen-thawed spermatozoa were performed over a 6 h incubation interval. Post-coital semen samples (n = 5; 104.0 +/- 9.1 ml; 2.5 +/- 0.8 x 10(9) total spermatozoa; mean +/- SEM) exhibited a sperm motility index of 56.7 +/- 3.3, and contained 40.2 +/- 6.3%, 72.0 +/- 3.2% and 79.8 +/- 6.5% normal, viable and acrosome-intact spermatozoa, respectively. Glycerol and DMSO were equally effective as cryoprotectants and, regardless of post-thaw protocol, samples retained greater than 80% of all pre-freeze characteristic values. Processing semen samples through glass wool yielded higher quality samples, but only half the total number of motile spermatozoa compared with untreated samples. High values for pre-freeze sperm characteristics were also maintained after cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa from one black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) using the same protocol. In summary, Sumatran rhinoceros spermatozoa of moderate quality can be collected from post-copulatory females. Rhinoceros sperm samples show only slight reductions in quality after cryopreservation and thawing and have potential for use in artificial insemination.     

Cryogenic preservation of semen from the Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia)

Aleutian Canada geese (Branta canadensis leucopareia) were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen containing 6% or 7% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) resulting in 32 fertile eggs and 17 goslings; with 7% DMSO, 19 of 31 eggs were fertile. Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE), adjusted to 270 ± 30 mOs and 7.5 ± 0.4 pH, was used to dilute semen samples and the DMSO before cryopreservation. About half of the live spermatozoa in the fresh semen (92.9 ± 2.5% live cells, laboratory studies; 87.3 ± 7.3%, insemination trials) survived the freeze-thaw process (46.7 ± 7.8%, laboratory; 33.3 ± 17.8%, insemination trials). Samples of frozen-thawed semen contained a greater percentage of bent spermatozoa (27.1 ± 8.4% of live cells) than fresh semen (14.4 ± 3.0% of live cells). Fecal- and urate-contaminated semen (a common problem when collecting goose semen) reduced the sperm motility score from 3.2 ± 0.6 to 2.7 ± 0.7 and number of live spermatozoa in frozen-thawed semen from 49 ± 9% to 24 ± 18%. Other variables examined that had less of an effect on semen quality included semen extenders, semen holding temperature, dilution and equilibration, relationship between hour of semen collection and level of semen contamination, and the relationship between season and sperm concentration.     

Effect of cryopreservation on phosphorylation state of proteins involved in sperm motility initiation in sea bream

We have previously demonstrated that in sea bream Sparus aurata motility initiation determined changes in the phosphorylation state of some proteins. This paper describes an investigation of the effect of a freezing-thawing procedure on the protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation pattern. Proteins extracted from fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa (before and after motility activation) were separated on SDS-PAGE, blotted on nitrocellulose membrane and treated with anti-phosphotyrosine, anti-phosphothreonine, or anti-phosphoserine antibodies. The results obtained demonstrate that the cryopreservation protocol has a strong effect on the phosphorylation state of proteins. In general, compared to fresh sperm, phosphorylated proteins are most numerous in both activated and non-activated cryopreserved sperm, and in particular we observed a dramatic increase in threonine phosphorylation. However, frozen-thawed sperm showed a minor number of proteins that changed their phosphorylation state after motility activation. Among these, we identified the acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase that plays a role in sperm motility initiation in both fresh and cryopreserved sperm.     

Flow cytometry and ultrastructure of cryopreserved red seabream (Pagrus major) sperm

The objectives were to assess motility, fertilizing capacity, structural integrity, and mitochondrial function in fresh versus frozen-thawed (15% DMSO was used as a cryoprotectant) sperm from red seabream (Pagrus major). Mean (+/-S.D.) rates of motility, fertilization and hatching of frozen-thawed sperm were 81.0+/-5.4, 92.8+/-1.9, and 91.8+/-5.2%, respectively; for fresh sperm, they were 87.5+/-7.7, 95.8+/-2.4, and 93.8+/-4.2%. Although motility was lower in frozen-thawed versus fresh sperm (P<0.05), there was no effect (P>0.05) of cryopreservation on fertilization or hatching. Based on scanning and transmission electron microscopy, 77.8+/-5.6% of fresh sperm had normal morphology, whereas for frozen-thawed sperm, 63.0+/-7.2% had normal morphology, 20.6+/-3.1% were slightly damaged (e.g. swelling or rupture of head, mid-piece and tail region as well as mitochondria), and 16.4+/-4.2% were severely damaged. Sperm were stained with propidium iodide and Rhodamine 123 to assess plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial function, respectively, and examined with flow cytometry. For fresh sperm, 83.9% had an intact membrane and functional mitochondria, whereas for frozen-thawed sperm, 74.8% had an intact membrane and functional mitochondria, 12.7% had a damaged membrane, 9.9% had nonfunctional mitochondria, and 2.6% had both a damaged membrane and nonfunctional mitochondria. In conclusion, ultrastructure and flow cytometry were valuable for assessment of frozen-thawed sperm quality; cryopreservation damaged the sperm but fertilizing ability was not significantly decreased.     

Evaluation of post-thaw Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) spermatozoa using flow cytometry: the effects of extender and cryoprotectant

Although the development of semen cryopreservation in the African elephants (Loxodonta africana) has been accomplished, effective procedures for cryopreservation of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) spermatozoa have not been established. In the present study, we investigate the freezing methods for conservation of Asian elephant spermatozoa under field conditions and identify the most suitable freezing protocols which provide acceptable post-thaw semen quality. Semen was collected from two Asian elephant bulls (EM1 and EM2, 10 ejaculates from each bull) by manual manipulation and were assessed for volume, pH, sperm cell concentration, and progressive motility. Eight out of 20 ejaculates were of acceptable quality (progressive motility >/= 60%), and were used for cryopreservation studies. Semen were frozen in TEST + glycerol, TEST + DMSO, HEPT + glycerol, or HEPT + DMSO. The post-thaw progressive sperm motilities were assessed, and sperm cells were stained with PI and FITC-PNA for membrane and acrosomal integrity assessment using flow cytometry. Post-thaw progressive motility of spermatozoa (EM1: 42.0 +/- 4.3%; EM2: 26.0 +/- 17.3%) and the percentage of membrane and acrosome intact spermatozoa (EM1: 55.5 +/- 8.1%; EM2: 46.3 +/- 6.4%) cryopreserved in TEST + glycerol were significantly higher than (P < 0.05) those frozen in the other medium investigated choices for cryopreservation of Asian elephant spermatozoa. The data support the use of TEST + glycerol as an acceptable cryopreservation media of Asian elephant semen for the establishment of sperm banks.     

Recovery and cryopreservation of sika deer (Cervus nippon) spermatozoa from epididymides stored at 4 degrees C

The aim of this study is to clarify influence of cold storage of deer epididymides on sperm quality and suitability for cryopreservation. The epididymides were obtained postmortem from sika deer during the breeding season. When epididymides were removed 8-12h postmortem and stored at 4 degrees C for 1-4 days, the collected spermatozoa showed low motility (6.4%). When spermatozoa were collected from epididymides removed within 4h postmortem, sperm motility and viability were 71.8 and 82.4%, respectively. Sperm motility decreased as prolongation of the storage period of the epididymides continued up to 7 days, but sperm viability was not affected. Pyknosis of the epithelial cells and their release into the lumen were observed in the stored epididymides. Epididymal spermatozoa frozen on Day 0 showed 58.1% motility and 83.2% viability. Motility of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa from epididymides stored at 4 degrees C for 1 day (41.9%) was similar to that of nonfrozen spermatozoa from epididymides stored for 4 days (41.8%). These results suggest that refrigeration of deer epididymides or cryopreservation of spermatozoa from refrigerated epididymides can be used for assisted reproductive techniques when epididymal spermatozoa cannot be collected immediately.     

Changes in the structures of motile sperm subpopulations in dog spermatozoa after both cryopreservation and centrifugation on PureSperm(®) gradient

The aims of the present study were to: (1) determine if discrete motile sperm subpopulations exist and their incidence in fresh dog ejaculates, (2) evaluate the effects of cryopreservation on the distribution of spermatozoa within the different subpopulations, and (3) determine the effect of the discontinuous PureSperm(?) gradient on the sperm subpopulation structure of frozen-thawed dog spermatozoa. Semen from 5 dogs were collected and cryopreserved following a standard protocol. After thawing, semen samples were selected by centrifugation on PureSperm(?). Sperm motility (assessed by computerized-assisted semen analysis, CASA) was assessed before freezing, just after thawing and after preparation on the PureSperm(?) gradients. Cryopreservation had a significant (P<0.001) effect on CASA-derived parameters. PureSperm(?) centrifugation yielded sperm suspensions with improved motility (P<0.01). A multivariate clustering procedure separated 19414 motile spermatozoa into four subpopulations: Subpopulation 1 consisting of poorly active and non-progressive spermatozoa (20.97%), Subpopulation 2 consisting of slow and low-linear spermatozoa (18.24%), Subpopulation 3 consisting of highly active but non-progressive spermatozoa (20.75%), and Subpopulation 4 consisting of high speed and progressive spermatozoa (40.03%). Although, cryopreservation had a significant (P<0.001) effect on both the frequency distribution of spermatozoa within subpopulations and the motion characteristics of each subpopulation, the sperm subpopulation structure was perfectly maintained after freezing and thawing. The selected sperm samples was enrich in Subpopulation 4, reaching a proportion of 31.9% of the present spermatozoa, in contrast with the unselected sperm samples, where this sperm subpopulation accounted for 24.9% of the total. From these results, we concluded that four well-defined motile sperm subpopulations were present either in fresh semen, in unselected sperm samples or in selected preparations from dogs. The discontinuous PureSperm(?) gradient is a simple method to improve the quality of canine frozen-thawed semen samples, since Subpopulation 4 (high-speed and progressive spermatozoa) was more frequently observed after preparation on the gradient. Finally, this study also demonstrated that the general motile sperm structure present in dog remains constant despite the effect caused by either cryopreservation or separation on PureSperm(?) gradient.     

Cryopreservation of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) sperm using different extenders and cryoprotectants. Short communication

Experiments were carried out on the sperm cryopreservation of artificially induced eels. The effects of several extenders and two cryoprotectants on the motility of spermatozoa were investigated. The highest post-thaw motility was observed with the combination of Tanaka's extender and DMSO as cryoprotectant. Further dilution after thawing resulted in complete loss of motility in samples frozen in presence of DMSO while sperm frozen with methanol as cryoprotectant retained its motility after further dilution.