圈养黑熊精液的冷冻保存

将采自23 头成年圈养黑熊的精液,分别用3 种稀释液(Ⅰ:Tris - 乳- 果- 卵;Ⅱ:柠- 葡- 蔗- 卵;Ⅲ:Tris - 柠- 果- 葡- 卵)稀释并在4℃ 下保存,通过检测精液在不同稀释液稀释条件下的保存时间,筛选出最适稀释液用于精液的冷冻保存;从精液解冻后精子的活率、活力、畸形率、顶体完整率4 个指标,分别从3种冷冻保护剂(甘油3%、3.5% 、4% )、两种冷冻方法(两步冷冻法和自动冷冻法)两个方面进行了比较试验。结果表明:精子活力在0.3 以上时,稀释液Ⅲ保存时间为175.42 ± 3.04 h,显著高于稀释液Ⅰ和稀释液Ⅱ(P ﹤0.01),稀释液Ⅱ保存时间也明显高于稀释液Ⅰ (P ﹤0.01);含3.5% 甘油浓度的稀释液解冻后精子活率(41.75 ± 3.46% )、活力(32.63 ±5.27% )和顶体完整率(85.62 ± 4.58% )显著高于其他两组(P ﹤0.01),并且精子畸形率(29.32 ± 8.22% )明显低于其他两组(35.95 ± 8.04% ,36.07 ±7.72% )(P ﹤0.01);采用自动冷冻法冷冻保存圈养黑熊精液,解冻后精子活率、活力和顶体完整率分别为41.75 ±3.46% 、32.63 ± 5.27%和85.62 ±4.58% ,都明显高于两步冷冻法(P ﹤0.01);解冻后畸形率为29.32 ± 8.22% ,明显低于两步冷冻法(P ﹤0.01)。     

大熊猫精液超低温冷冻的比较

对卧龙自然保护区大熊猫研究中心的9只雄性大熊猫电刺激采精,比较研究了稀释液中甘油含量、精液离心、不同稀释液和冷冻方法对大熊猫精液超低温冷冻保存后的活力、运动状态和顶体的影响。稀释液中甘油的含量为4％－5％较好,冻精解冻后的活力和顶体的正常率能保持鲜精的一半。离心和未离心的精液经超低温冷冻,解冻后的活力和运动状态都较接近。TEST和SFS两种稀释液的效果没有明显的差异。细管的冷冻过程较颗粒方便、快捷,时间容易控制,是一种较好的超低温冷冻精液的方法。     

不同稀释液对圈养黑熊精液品质的影响

对23头圈养黑熊进行63次电刺激采精,并在对精液进行品质检查的基础上,通过对3种稀释液4℃保存精液结果的筛选比较试验,得出以下结果:圈养黑熊采精量平均为1.06±0.93ml,pH值为6.71±0.44,精子密度为(3.23±1.68)×108个/ml,精子畸形率为(23.48±7.95)%,顶体完整率为(88.58±3.86)%,精子活率和活力分别为(76.30±13.91)%和(63.91±18.53)%;Tris-柠-果-葡-卵稀释液保存圈养黑熊精液效果最好,可作为进一步研究优化的首选。     

甘油浓度对蓝狐精子深低温冷冻保存的影响及冻融前后精子的超微结构

人工采取8只优质芬兰雄性蓝狐的精液,分别利用2％、4％、6％和8％甘油浓度的卵黄-Tris-果糖-柠檬酸钠稀释液进行稀释,制成细管冻精。在冻融后0、O．5、2、4、6h检测4种浓度组的精子运动度、质膜完整率、顶体完整率;并利用透射电镜观察冻融前后精子的超微结构变化。冻融后0h,4％甘油浓度组冻融精子的运动度、质膜完整率、顶体的完整率均最高(分别为41．8％、43．6％、48．4％),2％浓度组最低(分别为24．5％、27．6％、31．7％);随着检测时间延长,2％与4％组的精子特性差异显著,但2％、6％、8％3个组间差异不显著;6h时各组间精子的运动度均不超过10％,最高质膜完整率和顶体完整率分别为11．8％、12．7％。说明蓝狐精液稀释剂中甘油的适宜浓度应为4％,冻融后精子的活力维持时间较短。蓝狐精子冻融过程中质膜极易发生膨胀或断裂、顶体囊泡化或溃散,而质膜和顶体丢失现象较少。     

四种渗透性防冻剂在猕猴精子低温冷冻保存中对精子功能状态的影响

以冷冻精子的复苏运动度、荧光染料Hoechst 3 3 2 5 8检测的细胞膜完整率、异硫氰酸荧光素标记的花生凝集素 (FITC PNA)检测的顶体完整率作为精子功能状态的指标 ,对甘油、二甲亚砜、乙二醇和丙二醇 4种常用渗透性防冻剂在猕猴精子冷冻保存过程中的作用进行了比较。结果表明 :冷冻保存精子的复苏运动度 ,甘油 ( 4 7 3± 5 7% )和乙二醇 ( 4 4 8± 6 7% ) >二甲亚砜 ( 2 2 9± 0 9% ) >丙二醇 ( 0± 0 % ) ;细胞膜完整率 ,甘油 ( 5 4 8± 3 2 % )和乙二醇 ( 5 4 0± 6 7% ) >二甲亚砜 ( 3 7 5± 7 0 % ) >丙二醇 ( 2 8 3± 6 5 % ) ;顶体完整率 ,甘油 ( 82 2± 2 4 % )和乙二醇 ( 82 4± 2 4 % ) >二甲亚砜 ( 6 8 7± 5 7% )和丙二醇 ( 72 3±3 5 % ) (P <0 0 5 )。结果提示 :二甲亚砜和丙二醇 ,尤其是丙二醇并不适合猕猴精子的冷冻保存 ;而乙二醇具有和甘油相似的保护作用 ,是一种极具潜力的猕猴精子冷冻保存的渗透性防冻剂。     

OEP及卵黄浓度对蓝狐冻融精子质量的影响

人工采取 6只优质芬兰雄性蓝狐精液 ,利用不同OEP及卵黄含量的Tris 果糖 -柠檬酸钠稀释液稀释 ,制成细管冻精 ,透射电镜下观察精子冷冻前后质膜和顶体超微结构 ,荧光免疫方法检测不同培养时间冻融精子的质量。结果表明 ,蓝狐精子顶体外膜双层膜的厚度为 0 0 2 0 μm ,冷冻 -解冻过程中易发生质膜膨胀、顶体外膜融合现象。顶体产生的囊泡分两种类型 ,一种是体积较大的中空囊泡 ,平均直径为 1 2 5 μm。另一种是体积较小的实体囊泡 ,内充满顶体内容物 ,平均直径为 0 83μm ,两种囊泡的数量不定。OEP能有效抑制顶体囊泡形成 ,影响顶体囊泡类型、体积大小及囊泡数量 ,添加适宜剂量OEP能使顶体囊泡的体积明显缩小 ,囊泡的总数及中空囊泡的数量显著降低。蓝狐冻融精子质量与OEP及卵黄剂量有关 ,在卵黄存在的前提下 ,OEP有利于维持冻融过程中质膜 (5 6 3% )、顶体的完整性 (5 7 8% ) ,显著提高冻融精子活力 (5 4 7% )。在蓝狐精液稀释液中 ,OEP、卵黄的适宜含量分别为 1 %、 2 0 %     

不同甘油浓度与平衡时间对食蟹猴精液冷冻效果的影响

探讨了不同甘油浓度(3%、5%、7%、11%)和不同平衡时间(30、60、90、120min)对食蟹猴(Macaca fascicularis)精液冷冻效果的影响,以建立和优化食蟹猴精液冷冻的程序。参照TTE稀释液成分组成改良型TTE,冷冻前和解冻后均检测精子的活力、畸形率、质膜完整性、顶体完整率。结果显示,平衡时间为30min时精子的冷冻解冻后活力、复苏率均高于平衡时间90min和120min组,差异显著(P<0.05),比60min组稍好;甘油浓度为3%、5%组的精子冷冻解冻后活力及复苏率均高于甘油浓度11%组,差异显著(P<0.05),比7%组好;不同甘油浓度各组间以及不同平衡时间各组间畸形率、质膜完整性、顶体完整率差异不显著(P<0.05)。由此得出如下结论,在食蟹猴精液冷冻中,在改良TTE中加入3%~5%的甘油且平衡30min可以获得较好效果,精子冻后活率和复苏率达到45%和62%。     

大熊猫冷冻精液解冻速度和解冻液中添加Pentyoxyfilline对其解冻后活力的影响

建立大熊猫的精子库,进行远距离圈养大熊猫种群间的人工授精和遗传物质的转运,维持遗传多样性,是目前大熊猫遗传管理的优先方法。要成为最有效的工具,精子库保存的精子解冻后的活力必须很好。本文对大熊猫冷冻精液的解冻速度和解冻液中添加化学激活剂Pentyoxyfilline(PF)后的精子活力进行了试验。试验用的精液采自11只成年大熊猫,精液冷冻速度为每分钟-40℃～-100℃。试验Ⅰ:将冷冻精液放入3种不同温度的水浴中解冻:(1)22℃(慢速解冻);(2)37℃(中速解冻)(3)50℃(快速解冻)。将冷冻前精子活力(78 1±2 9%)和解冻后的平均精子活力进行比较,快速解冻后的精子活力(57 5±5 4%)显著地降低(P<0 05),而中速解冻的精子活力(67 5±3 1%)和慢速解冻的精子活力(73 33±2 1%)与冷冻前的活力接近。试验Ⅱ:使用中速解冻方法解冻精液后,分别加入最终浓度为0mM、1mM、5mM和10mM的PF,然后分别保温15min和24h。在PF(0mM、1mM、5mM和10mM)中分别孵育15min的解冻精子活力,运动状态,活率和顶体正常率在试验期的90min内都很相似(P>0 05)。在1mMPF中孵育24h的精子活力没有变化(P>0 05)。在5mM和10mMPF中孵育过的精子活力(5mM:24 0±4 7%;10mM19 5±3 6%)比没有加PF的对照组的精子活力(38 3±5 2%)显著地低(P<0 05)。而且,在10mM     

不同渗透压的稀释液对猕猴精子低温冷冻保存的影响

以稀释液TTE(382mOsm/kg)为对照,研究了5种渗透压(688、389、329、166、43mOsm/kg)的TEST稀释液(TEST、mTEST1、mTEST2、mTEST3、mTEST4)在冷冻过程中对猕猴精子功能的影响。精液一步稀释于含甘油的防冻液中,甘油的终浓度为5%(v/v)。在冷冻前后分别检测精子的运动度和质膜完整性,后者用Hoechst33342和碘化丙锭双色标记流式细胞术分析。结果表明:冷冻之前,与鲜精相比,用TEST和mTEST4稀释的精子运动度和质膜完整性显著降低(P<0·001),其余组中除mTEST2稀释的精子质膜完整性显著降低(P<0·05)外,精子运动度无差异;冷冻复苏后,TTE、mTEST3和mTEST1冻存精子的运动度和质膜完整性最高,其次是mTEST2,TEST和mTEST4冷冻效果最差(P<0·05)。提示等渗、适当高渗或低渗的稀释液适合猕猴精子的冷冻保存;对精子产生高渗毒害作用是导致猕猴精子用TEST冷冻存活率低的主要原因。     

淫羊藿多糖对弱精症精子冷冻保存效果的影响

常用的冷冻保护剂对于弱精症精子冻融效果欠佳,本实验通过在人精子冷冻保护液中添加淫羊藿多糖(EPS),研究其对冻融过程中精子活力及精子功能的影响。选择弱精症精液15例,液化后的精液样本分别与甘油-卵黄-柠檬酸盐(GEYC)冷冻保护液或含有EPS冷冻保护液混匀冷冻。检测其精子的活力、存活率以及精子形态、丙二醛(MDA)以及活性氧(ROS)的含量,精子核碎裂指数(DFI),精子顶体反应率(AR),并通过透射电镜观察精子微观结构的变化。添加EPS后精子MDA和ROS水平明显降低,含有3 mg/mL EPS的冷冻组抗氧化性明显优于其他组(P0.05);含有EPS的冷冻组复苏后的存活率以及精子头部正常形态率都明显高于未添加组,但是两组间的精子前向运动PR无显著差异;此外,添加EPS的冷冻组精子DFI下降显著,AR明显升高;电镜观察精子头部显微结构显示,添加EPS组的精子在质膜以及顶体膜完整性上明显优于未添加组。结果提示,在精液冷冻保护液中添加EPS可降低精子活性氧的水平,保护精子顶体结构和功能,从而改善解冻后精子顶体功能和精子核的完整性。     

Supplementing rooster sperm with Cholesterol-Loaded-Cyclodextrin improves fertility after cryopreservation

Little is known about the effects of Cholesterol-Loaded Cyclodextrin (CLC) on post-thaw semen quality in chicken. The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of CLC levels (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg/mL Schramm diluent) on post-thawed semen quality and fertility in two breeds of chicken Pradu Hang Dum (native chicken) and Rhode Island Red. Semen samples of each breed were pooled, divided into 4 aliquots and diluted with Schramm diluents, cooled to 5 °C when DMF was added (6% of final volume). Semen straws were subjected to cryopreservation using the liquid nitrogen vapor method. Post-thawed sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function, and the Malondialdehyde (MDA) level were determined. The fertility of frozen semen was tested by inseminating laying hens. Post-thaw motility between Pradu Hang Dum and Rhode Island Red was no different; but Rhode Island Red had a higher semen viability and live cell intact acrosomes than Pradu Hang Dum (P < 0.05). The percentage of high functioning mitochondria in the Pradu Hang Dum was higher than the Rhode Island Red. CLC at 2 and 3 mg/mL supplementation was associated with improved viability of frozen semen; that is, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial function (P < 0.01), albeit having no effect on MDA levels. The sperm with 1 mg/mL CLC yielded a significantly better fertility (P < 0.01). CLC (1 mg/mL) improved the quality of frozen rooster semen. There was no interaction among breeds and CLC on post-thaw semen quality and fertility.     

Effects of extender type on the quality of post-thaw giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) semen

Sperm cryopreservation is an essential approach for assisted reproduction and genetic resources conservation in captive giant pandas. Cryopreservation, however, leads to a significant decrease in sperm quality and, consequently, a low fertilization rate. Therefore, it is mandatory to disclose more suitable and efficient freezing strategies for sperm cryopreservation. In the present study, we compared for the first time the performance of two commercial freeze extender (INRA96 versus TEST) freezing methods on post-thawed semen quality. Semen cryopreserved with the INRA96 showed better total motility (73.00 ± 4.84% vs 57.56 ± 3.60%, P < 0.001), membrane integrity (60.92 ± 2.27% vs 40.53 ± 2.97%, P < 0.001) and acrosome integrity (90.39 ± 2.74% vs 84.26 ± 4.27%, P < 0.05) than stored with TEST. There was no significant difference in DNA integrity after thawing between the two extenders (95.69 ± 3.60% vs 94.26 ± 4.84%). In conclusion, the INRA96 method showed to be better for giant panda sperm cryopreservation and should therefore be recommended for use in order to increase success of artificial insemination.     

In vitro sperm characterization and development of a sperm cryopreservation method using directional solidification in the killer whale (Orcinus orca)

Research was conducted to characterize seminal traits and to develop a sperm cryopreservation method using directional freezing (DF) for the killer whale (Orcinus orca). Experiments evaluated effects of: (i) freezing rate (SLOW, MED, FAST) by diluent (BF5F, Biladyl®, EYC) in 0.5 mL straws; and (ii) freezing method (straw or DF) by glycerol (3, 6, or 9% final concentration, v:v) on in vitro sperm quality. Fresh ejaculates (n = 161) were (mean ± SD) 7.8 ± 7.4 mL at 740 × 10⁶ sperm/mL with 92.2 ± 6.3% total motility (TM), 85.4 ± 6.9% progressive motility (PM), 89.6 ± 9.0% viability and 89.8 ± 9.2% acrosome integrity. Samples frozen using straws by the MED or SLOW method were improved (P < 0.05) over FAST across all diluents. At 3 h post thaw (PT), TM, PM, Rapid motility (RM), VAP, VCL, ALH and viability for 3% and 6% glycerol were improved (P < 0.05) over 9% glycerol. Directional freezing samples at 0 h and 3 h PT, at all glycerol concentrations, displayed higher (P < 0.001) TM, PM, RM, VAP, VSL, VCL and viability /intact acrosomes (PI/FITC-PNA) than straw. These data provided the first information on ejaculate characteristics and the development of a semen cryopreservation method using DF in the killer whale.     

Improving viability of cryopreserved honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) sperm with selected diluents, cryoprotectants, and semen dilution ratios

This is the first study where the systematic application of theories and techniques used in mammalian sperm cryopreservation have been applied to honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) semen as a means to improve postthaw viability of cryopreserved sperm. Six newly designed diluents, three cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMA, glycerol), and five diluent:semen ratios (1:1, 3:1, 6:1, 9:1, and 12:1) were tested. In addition, the sperm freezing tolerance of three honey bee strains was evaluated. Specific protocols were designed to control semen freezing and thawing rates. Sperm motility was assessed visually, whereas sperm viability was assessed using SYBR-14 and propidium iodide fluorescent stains. Diluent treatments did not affect fresh (nonfrozen) sperm viability yet affected fresh sperm motility (P < 0.05). Based on these assessments, two diluents were chosen and used in all successive cryopreservation experiments. Using the selected diluents, semen was collected at various diluent:semen ratios, along with one of the three cryoprotectants. Semen collected at high dilution ratios, using a hypotonic antioxidant diluent containing catalase, in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide, provided higher postthaw sperm viability than that of all other combinations tested (68.3 ± 5.4%; P < 0.05). Using this combination of dilution ratio, diluent, and cryoprotectant, there were no differences among honey bee strains for postthaw sperm viability (P = 0.805). Nevertheless, these new semen dilution and freezing methods improved postthaw viability of sperm to levels that could theoretically sustain worker populations in colonies, thus providing potential for further optimization of cryopreservation techniques for the genetic preservation and improvement of honey bee genotypes.     

The effects of cryopreservation on the acrosome structure,enzyme activity,motility, and fertility of bovine,ovine, and goat sperm

The study was designed to investigate the effects of cryopreservation on bovine, ovine, and goat sperm motility, acrosome structure, enzyme activity, and fertilization ability. Percentage of sperm with hyaluronidase enzyme (HYD) activity was detected by a modified sodium hyaluronate-gelatin membrane. The N-α-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BNPNA) method was used to assess the sperm acrosome enzyme (ACE). The mean percentage of sperm acrosome integrity dropped significantly (P < 0.01) after cryopreservation. The ACE activity of bovine sperm (100.48) was higher (P < 0.01) than that of ovine (57.88) or goat sperm (50.30), while the percentage of sperm with HYD activity of bovine (71.10%) and ovine (67.60%) sperm was higher than that of goat sperm (58.52%) after cryopreservation (P < 0.01). Sperm motility was positively correlated with the activity of the two acrosome enzymes before and after cryopreservation (P < 0.01). Cryopreservation had a negative effect on acrosomal morphology, motility, and acrosomal enzyme activity in their sperm. The fertilization ability of ovine and goat sperm decreased significantly after cryopreservation, but that of frozen bovine sperm did not differ significantly when compared with fresh sperm. There was no significant difference between ovine and goat sperm indices, except for percentage of sperm with HYD activity.     

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.     

The effect of supplementation of cryopreservation diluents with sugars on the post-thawing fertility of ram semen

This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of increasing the osmolality of a basic Tris, extender supplemented with sucrose, trehalose or raffinose on post-thawing ram semen quality (sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, total sperm abnormalities and membrane integrity). After primary evaluation of the collected ejaculates, only semen samples with more than 70% motile sperm, and a sperm concentration of higher than 3 × 10⁹ sperm/ml were used for cryopreservation. The semen samples were pooled and diluted (1:4) with a Tris-citric acid-fructose-yolk extender, supplemented with different concentrations (50, 70 or 100 mM) of sucrose, trehalose or raffinose. As control, semen was diluted and frozen in the base diluent, without additional sugars. Pooled semen samples were aspirated into 0.25 ml straws, cooled to 5 °C within 90 min and frozen by exposure to liquid nitrogen vapor (4-5 cm above the liquid nitrogen surface) for 10 min - before plunging into liquid nitrogen, for storage. After 24 h, straws were thawed in a water bath (37 °C) for 30 s. The frozen-thawed sperm characteristics were improved significantly (P < 0.05) by increasing the level of the sugars. Optimal results being obtained with 70 and 100 mM trehalose or raffinose. All extenders containing supplemental sugars were superior in terms of sperm quality to the control (P < 0.01) group. The highest sperm motility (60.6 ± 1.9%), viability (60.6 ± 2.5%) and membrane integrity (58.2 ± 2.1%) were recorded using 100 mM trehalose and the lowest with 50 mM sucrose (48.6 ± 1.9%, 51.4 ± 2.5% and 47.9 ± 2.1%, respectively). All sugar concentrations decreased the percentage of acrosomal and total sperm abnormalities (P < 0.05). The extenders containing 100 mM trehalose or raffinose significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the occurrence of sperm abnormalities, compared to the other treatments. The fertility rates obtained after cervical insemination of the frozen-thawed sperm were 46.8%, 44.1% and 16.7% for 100 mM trehalose, 100 mM raffinose and the control with supplementation of the diluents, respectively. The study showed that ram sperm can tolerate hyperosmotic diluents, and that a range of sugar concentrations (50-100 mM) may successfully be incorporated in the ram semen cryopreservation diluents, although further research is warranted.     

Influence of cryoprotective diluent on post-thaw viability and acrosomal integrity of spermatozoa of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Electroejaculates from free-ranging, African elephants were frozen to test various seminal diluents, freezing methods and thawing media on post-thaw sperm viability and structural integrity. In Study I, each ejaculate was tested with each of 7 cryoprotective diluents. After cooling to 5 degrees C and equilibration on ice (4 degrees C) for 120 min, each aliquant was pellet frozen on solid CO2, stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed (37 degrees C) in saline or tissue culture solution. Amongst all diluents, post-thaw sperm motility, motility duration in vitro (37 degrees C) and acrosomal integrity were greatest (P less than 0.05) when diluent BF5F was used. Thawing medium had no effect on results. In Study II, the optimal diluent from Study I (BF5F) was compared with the diluent SGI. Results were not affected by a 90- or a 150-min cooling-equilibration interval in an electronic cooler (5 degrees C); however, post-thaw sperm motility rating and duration of motility in vitro were greater (P less than 0.01) with the pellet than the straw container freezing method. When the pelleting method was used, diluents BF5F and SGI provided comparable cryoprotection. Duration of post-thaw motility was enhanced 2-fold and up to 12 h by maintaining thawed semen at 21 rather than 37 degrees C (P less than 0.05). All diluents provided some protection on acrosomal integrity, but the overall proportion of intact acrosomes after thawing was markedly less in Study II, apparently as a result of the slower initial cooling rate (approximately 1.5 degrees C/min) compared to that of Study I (approximately 6.5 degrees C/min). This study demonstrates the feasibility of cryopreserving semen from free-ranging African elephants and indicates that spermatozoa must effectively survive freezing when the BF5F or SGI diluent is used in conjunction with the pelleting method.     

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Three egg-yolk diluents, which have been used successfully in cryopreservation of human spermatozoa, were compared for their ability to protect macaque semen against cryodamage. TEST (Tes + Tris + egg yolk), TEST with 20% skim milk (TSM), and egg yolk-citrate (EYC), each with 3 or 5% glycerol were compared using 12 ejaculates from 6 male cynomolgus macaques. Computer-aided analysis of sperm motion was used to determine the percentage motility (%M), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and linearity (LIN) of spermatozoa after thawing. The supravital stain Hoechst 33258 and a fluoresceinated pea lectin were used to determine the % of viable spermatozoa with intact acrosomes. TSM and TEST were superior to EYC in terms of % M and of % viable, acrosome-intact spermatozoa. TSM and TEST produced equivalent VCL and LIN values, while EYC had clearly reduced VCL and LIN. There were no interactions between diluent and glycerol level. The 3% glycerol level gave superior results to 5% glycerol for %M. EYC, which is widely used for cryopreservation of human spermatozoa, was not suitable for cynomolgus monkey semen. Artificial insemination with semen cryopreserved in TSM resulted in a healthy, full-term infant.     

Effect of cryoprotective diluent and method of freeze-thawing on survival and acrosomal integrity of ram spermatozoa

A multifactorial study analyzed the effects of freezing method, cryoprotective diluent, semen to diluent ratio, and thawing velocity on post-thaw motility, progressive status, and acrosomal integrity of ram spermatozoa. Although semen to diluent ratio (1:3 vs 1:6, v/v) had no effect (P greater than 0.05), overall post-thaw spermatozoal viability was highly dependent on freezing method and cryoprotectant. Improved results were obtained by freezing semen in 0.5-ml French straws compared to dry ice pelleting. Manually freezing straws 5 cm above liquid nitrogen (LN2) was comparable to cooling straws in an automated, programmable LN2 unit. Of the two cryoprotective diluents tested, BF5F (containing the surfactant component sodium and triethanolamine lauryl sulfate) yielded approximately 50% fewer (P less than 0.05) spermatozoa with loose acrosomal caps compared to TEST. Thawing straws in a water bath at a higher velocity (60 degrees C for 8 sec) had no effect (P greater than 0.05) on spermatozoal motility, progressive status ratings, or acrosomal integrity when compared to a lower rate (37 degrees C for 20 sec). For the TEST group, thawing pellets in a dry, glass culture tube promoted (P less than 0.05) percentage sperm motility at 3 and 6 hr post-thawing, but for BF5F diluted semen this approach decreased the % of spermatozoa with normal apical ridges. The results suggest that the poor fertility rates often experienced using thawed ram semen likely result not only from reduced sperm motility, but also from compromised ultrastructural integrity. This damage is expressed by an increased loosening of the acrosomal cap, a factor which appears insensitive to freezing method but markedly influenced by the cryoprotective properties of the diluents tested.