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     

一种简单实用的猪颗粒冻精制作技术

本实验以年龄在2.5岁左右的长白种公猪的精液为材料,在比较了常用的Ⅰ号、Ⅱ号、Ⅲ号猪精液冷冻稀释液和Ⅰ号、Ⅱ号解冻液及冷冻———解冻程序对猪精液的冷冻效果后,依据解冻后精子的活力、质膜完整性等指标,发现:1、Ⅱ号冷冻稀释液的稀释效果(精子活力42.5±5.2精子弯尾率44.7±3.5)和Ⅱ号解冻液的解冻效果(精子活力43.8±2.6精子弯尾率36.2±4.3)明显较好;2、根据制作经验总结,发现了一种与以往资料上介绍的完全不同的猪精液冷冻颗粒制作方法,从而筛选出了一种简单实用的猪颗粒冻精制作技术。     

冻存液添加维生素B12,解冻液添加BSA及肝素对大熊猫精子的影响

大熊猫冻精的解冻活力一直徘徊在35%左右,顶体完整率低于40%,较大地影响着人工授精的成功率。本文通过在冻存液中添加维生素B12和在解冻液中添加BSA及肝素,以提高冻精活力和顶体完整率进行了实验研究,结果表明:(1)冻存液中添加维生素B121mg/ml,使精子顶体完整率从76.66%提高到83.34%(P<0.05);(2)选用美国Hyclone公司的M199、Ham's F-10液和Irving Scientific公司的两种Ham's F-10液(代号168、175)共4种解冻液,均添加5%的FBS进行比较实验,其中以Irving Scientific公司的Ham's F-10(175)对提高解冻精子质量效果最好,精子活力达到74.7%±2.706%,运动速度(SOP)为3±0.82(P<0.05);(3)解冻液中添加高浓度BSA对精子的运动速度有明显提高(P<0.05),而添加低浓度BSA对精子的影响不显著;(4)解冻液中添加肝素对精子活力及运动速度的影响均不明显(P>0.05)。     

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。     

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.     

软鳍新光唇鱼精子的超低温冷冻保存

2011年,对软鳍新光唇鱼(Neolissochilus benasi)进行了精子超低温冷冻保存研究。以解冻后的精子活力为指标,采用稀释液D-15,设计不同的抗冻剂种类和浓度,以及不同的实验条件(包括冷冻体积、4℃平衡时间和解冻温度等)探索软鳍新光唇鱼精子的超低温冷冻保存方法。筛选出了适合软鳍新光唇鱼精子超低温冷冻保存的两种抗冻保护剂及其浓度分别为10%MeOH和15%EG,确定了精液与稀释液的最适稀释比例为1:7、4℃平衡时间区间为10～60min、冷冻体积为60μL,以及复苏方法为37℃水浴快速解冻30s。当鲜精活力为(62.33±2.05)%,综合以上最佳实验条件进行保存,解冻后精子的最高活力为(29.67±0.47)%,但效果不理想,不能达到广泛生产运用水平;产生这一结果,可能与异地保育物种的饲养管理有关。因此,在亲鱼培育管理中要最大限度地降低捕获诱发的压力,尽量提供适合的养殖条件。在珍稀鱼类异地保育时,繁殖用雄鱼的培育与雌鱼同等重要,是获得大量高质量仔鱼的关键。     

平衡时间、冷冻方法及解冻程序对马精液冷冻效果的影响

精液平衡、冷冻及解冻是冻精制作过程中三个必不可少的环节,对精液冷冻效果起着决定性作用。在马(Equus caballus)精子冷冻中针对这三个过程的研究较少,为进一步优化马精液冷冻方法,提高精液冻后质量,本研究比较不同平衡时间、冷冻方法及解冻程序对冻融后精子运动参数、质膜完整性及线粒体膜电势的影响。平衡120 min、180 min和240 min组冻融后精液活力及质膜完整性明显高于平衡0 min、45 min、90 min及8 h平衡组;距离液氮面2 cm和4 cm高度熏蒸冷冻获得了与程序冷冻仪冷冻法相似的冷冻效果;采用高温瞬时解冻法(75℃7 s和46℃20 s)比常规方法(37℃30 s)获得了更高的冻后精液活力(P0.05)。综合上述结果,在马精液冷冻过程中综合采用120~240 min平衡,距离液氮面2~4 cm熏蒸法和高温瞬时解冻法(75℃7s和46℃20 s)可获得更好的精液冷冻效果。     

低温和超低温保存对中国大鲵成熟精子的影响

中国大鲵Andrias davidianus是中国特有的一种濒危有尾两栖类动物,为了保护这一珍稀物种并且为中国大鲵人工辅助繁育建立一套可靠的技术,对中国大鲵的精子在0—4℃下低温短期保存和在液氮中超低温长期保存进行了研究。研究表明中国大鲵精子原液在常温下一般仅存活3—5h,4℃下能存活6d,0℃下存活时间可达9d。精子原液中添加Ringer氏液或Holtferter氏液,精子存活率比原液保存显著降低。在改良的超低温冻存条件下,中国大鲵精子在液氮中保存两周后解冻,精子复苏率可达10%—15%。利用扫描和透射电镜观察冻融前后中国大鲵精子的超微结构,发现受冷冻损伤精子质膜出现膨胀、破裂;精子穿孔器和轴丝显著弯曲,甚至断裂;波动膜明显脱落或膜结构损坏;精子线粒体嵴变形。结果表明,超低温冻存导致部分中国大鲵精子超微结构发生变化而产生冻伤,进而导致精子活力、复苏率下降。研究为建立规范化的中国大鲵精液保存程序和中国大鲵规模化人工繁育提供重要参考。     

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。     

冷冻—解冻猪精子的超微结构观察

自从50年代初Polge发现甘油有卓越的防冻作用以后,动物精液冷冻技术发展很快。现在,奶牛和羊冷冻精液已广泛应用于人工授精和体外受精中,效果与鲜精接近,而猪冷冻精液在人工授精后虽也能产仔,但妊娠率与每窝产仔数均下降(Johnson等,1981);体外受精率可达85％以上,但精子浓度需用5—6×10_7精子/ml,比鲜精用量提高25—100倍(Wang等,1991)。顶体形态正常精子的减少是造成冷冻精液受精率低的重要原因之一(Pursel,1979),用光镜不能清楚地观察顶体的形态变化,但运用电镜技术对猪冷冻-解冻精子的顶体形态的超微结构研究报道不多(Courtens等,1985;Hashizume,1990)。针对猪冷冻—解冻精子体内/体外受精能力降低的问题,我们用透射电镜对冷冻的猪精子解冻0 h及4 h后精子顶体与头部质膜的超微结构变化进行了观察。     

Reduced polyspermic penetration in porcine oocytes inseminated in a new in vitro fertilization (IVF) system: straw IVF

High incidence of polyspermy is still a major problem in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) of porcine oocytes matured in vitro. This study was designed to examine whether embryo cryopreservation straws can be used to conduct IVF in porcine oocytes. The efficiency of this system was further compared with traditional microdrop IVF. Immature oocytes were aspirated from antral follicles and matured in vitro. After maturation, oocytes were inseminated either in straws or in microdrops with frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. For straw IVF, sperm concentration and the presence of air columns between insemination segment and oil column were examined. Sperm-oocyte binding and cortical granules (CGs) before and after sperm penetration were examined by confocal microscopy. When various sperm concentrations were used for IVF in the straws with air columns, it was found that 5 x 106 cells/ml of sperm concentration was the optimal concentration; a high penetration rate (94.0%) and normal fertilization (oocytes with both male and female pronuclei) rate (38.2%) were obtained. Increasing sperm concentration to 10 x 106 cells/ml increased polyspermic penetration (61.9%) without affecting sperm penetration (86.9%). Reducing sperm concentration to 1 x 106 cells/ml reduced polyspermic penetration (25.6%), but sperm penetration rate (69.9%) was also reduced. When IVF was conducted in the straws with or without air columns, and in the microdrops, it was found that sperm penetration in the straws with air columns (96.5%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in the straws without air columns (81.7%) and in the microdrop (72.9%). However, the incidence of polyspermic penetration in the straws with air columns (34.2%) and without air columns (36.6%) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that (52.4%) in the microdrops. The number of spermatozoa bound to the oocytes was increased gradually in the straws but not in the microdrops in which more spermatozoa bound to the oocytes soon after insemination. CG exocytosis was more complete and faster in the oocytes inseminated in the straws than in the microdrops. These findings indicate that IVF of porcine oocytes in the straws provides a better condition in which more oocytes are fertilized normally than that in the microdrop IVF.     

Boar sperm thawing practices: the number of straws does matter

The number of straws thawed has been largely neglected in reports of boar sperm cryopreservation. Whereas previous studies confirm the effect of sperm concentration on function and survival of thawed boar spermatozoa, it is still unknown whether, for a same concentration, total number of sperm in the thawing solution affects its mechanics. The present trial sought to define good boar sperm thawing practices by checking if a minimal number of straws as well as the percentage of air volume in the thawing tube should be stated or not to decrease variability from one trial to another. In a first assay, three tubes with different numbers of thawed straws were compared in terms of motility and membrane integrity: control (C, four straws), T1.1 (two straws), and T1.2 (one straw). In a second parallel assay, the sperm motility was evaluated when one straw was thawed in a tube containing 86.67% of air volume (T2.1), and when the tube contained < 1% air volume (T2.2). In all treatments the final concentration of sperm in Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) was 1:3 (v:v) and quality parameters were assessed 4 h after thawing. Results showed the number of straws does affect motility parameters but not the membrane integrity, whereas less air volume in the tube nonsignificantly minimizes data deviation among replicates. In conclusion, it is recommended the use of four straws at 1:3 (v:v) to maintain motility records in boar sperm thawing practices as well as to be provided with vials that fit the sperm volume.     

Cryopreservation and fertility of ejaculated and epididymal stallion sperm

The cryopreservation of epididymal sperm is important to preserve genetic material from valuable deceased males. This study evaluated the viability of sperm samples from eight stallions under three conditions: (1) collected using an artificial vagina (EJ-0h), (2) recovered from the epididymal cauda immediately after orchiectomy (EP-0h), and (3) recovered from the epididymal cauda after 24h of storage at 5°C (EP-24h). To obtain EJ-0h sperm, two ejaculates were collected from each stallion. After 1 week, the stallions were submitted to bilateral orchiectomy, and one of the removed epididymides was flushed to obtain EP-0h sperm. The contralateral epididymis was stored at 5°C for 24h before being flushed to obtain EP-24h sperm. The sperm samples were analyzed at three different times: immediately after sperm recovery, after dilution in the freezing extender, and post-thawing. A fertility trial was performed using 39 estrous cycles. After ovulation induction with 1mg of deslorelin acetate (i.m.), mares were inseminated with 800×10(6) sperm. The total number of sperm recovered was 7.8±4.7×10(9) for EJ-0h sperm, 12.9±9.2×10(9) for EP-0h sperm and 12.0±8.0×10(9) for EP-24h sperm. The sperm motility, evaluated by total motility, progressive motility and the percentage of rapid cells, was similar among the samples before and after freezing (P>0.05). However, the plasma membrane integrity was different between EJ-0h and EP-0h pre-freezing and between EJ-0h and EP-24h post-thawing (P<0.05). The conception rates were similar between groups inseminated with sperm recovered from the epididymal cauda immediately after orchiectomy (EP-0h), after 24h of storage at 5°C of the epididymal cauda (EP-24h) and with ejaculated sperm (EJ-0h) (P>0.05). In conclusion, the viability and fertility of cauda epididymal sperm are similar to those of ejaculated sperm.     

Comparative viability of bovine sperm frozen on a cryomicroscope or in straws

The accuracy and repeatability of freezing rates and effects of evaporation were examined using a new cryomicroscope system to establish its usefulness in assessing the development of cryopreservation protocols for bovine semen. Post-thaw sperm plasma membrane integrity, as assessed by using combinations of fluorescent stains and flow cytometry, was used in evaluating protocols for freezing spermatozoa on the cryomicroscope. Semen was diluted in Test-yolk (20%) extender containing 7% glycerol and frozen in 0.5-ml straws, 0.25-ml straws (over liquid nitrogen for 8 min) or in a quartz crucible using a Linkam BCS 196 cryomicroscope. Thawed samples were diluted with Hepes buffered medium containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and stained with either carboxymethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) or SYBR-14 each in combination with propidium iodide (PI). Flow cytometry analysis of the samples revealed 2 major populations: 1) spermatozoa with intense green fluorescence (stained with CMFDA or SYBR-14), which were classified as plasma membrane-intact and 2) spermatozoa with intense red fluorescence, (stained with PI), which were classified as plasma membrane-damaged. Samples frozen using the cryomicroscope contained 29 and 26 % plasma membrane-intact (PMI) sperm cells, as assessed by CMFDA and SYBR-14, respectively. Cryopreservation of spermatozoa in 0.5-ml straws resulted in 22 and 20% plasma membrane- intact sperm cells, while spermatozoa frozen in 0.25-ml straws resulted in 34 and 31% PMI sperm cells for CMFDA and SYBR-14, respectively. No significant difference was observed (P > 0.05) for PMI spermatozoa stained with either CMFDA or SYBR-14. In addition, the ability to recover spermatozoa after freezing on the cryomicroscope establishes the Linkam BCS 196 as a useful tool for the study of sperm cell cryopreservation.     

Le prelevement de sperme deferentiel couple a une Fecondation In Vitro dans les troubles de l’ejaculation

Surgical recovery of spermatozoa from the vas deferens is a simple and reproductible treatment for men with ejaculatory failure. After washing on a Percoll gradient spermatozoa can be used for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Also, when sperm recovery is good, surplus spermatozoa may be frozen. The indications for this treatment include retrograde ejaculation and anejaculation after classic treatments have failed and after failed vasovasostomy. During a one year period five patients were treated in this way (three with retrograde ejaculation and two with anejaculation). The five IVF attemps were performed with aspirates containing 30 to 55 × 106 spermatozoa/ml (mean=42 × 10⁶/ml), 25 to 55% motile spermatozoa (mean=43%). An average of 8.4 ovocytes were inseminated (range=8 to 21) with a fertilization rate of 67% and a success rate of 80% (one term pregnancy, two third trimester pregnancies and one second trimester pregnancy). Surgical sperm aspiration from the vas deferens in cases of ejaculatory failure is a simple, efficacious method by which sufficient mature spermatozoa for an IVF attempt (and/or cryopreservation) can be obtained     

Urinary losses of spermatozoa during ejaculation are negligible in boars

Boars that had a catheter implanted surgically in the urinary bladder (n = 10) were used to determine the magnitude of retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder during ejaculation (Experiments 1 and 2) and the post-ejaculatory retention of spermatozoa in the urethra (Experiment 2). The overall mean (+/- SD) total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculates of boars used in Experiments 1 and 2 was 62 +/- 25 x 10(9) and 65 +/- 33 x 10(9), respectively. The overall mean adjusted total number of spermatozoa in the post-ejaculation urine of boars was 106 +/- 537 x 10(6) in Experiment 1, and 41 +/- 242 x 10(6) in Experiment 2. The overall mean percentage of retrograde flow of spermatozoa into the urinary bladder was 0.15 +/- 0.78% for the boars used in Experiment 1, and 0.03 +/- 0.16% for boars used in Experiment 2. In Experiment 2, the overall mean percentage of urethral loss of spermatozoa was 0.45 +/- 1.02%, and the overall mean percentage of total urinary losses was 0.48 +/- 1.03%. These findings demonstrate that in boars, in contrast to bulls, rams, dogs, and cats, urinary losses of spermatozoa during ejaculation are negligible.     

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。     

黑鲷精子的超低温冻存及DNA损伤的SCGE检测

以0.5 mL的麦细管为冻存管和DMSO为抗冻剂进行超低温冷冻黑鲷精子,对冻精核DNA的损伤情况进行单细胞凝胶电泳（SCGE）检测,其结果表明,以Cortland溶液为稀释液,5%、10%、15%及20%DMSO为抗冻剂的超低温冻存的黑鲷精子活力、受精率与鲜精无显著差异。其中以10%DMSO为抗冻剂的冻存效果最佳,冻精的激活率、运动时间、寿命及受精率分别达（92.91±1.25）%、（39.90±2.70）min、（53.82±2.84）min及（89.35±1.99）%;而以25%及30%DMSO为抗冻剂时,冻精活力及受精率显著下降。SCGE检测结果显示,DMSO浓度为5%、10%、15%及20%时,黑鲷冻精与鲜精的彗星率及损伤系数差异不显著;DMSO浓度为25%及30%时,冻精与鲜精的彗星率及损伤系数差异显著;冻精的彗星率与抗冻剂DMSO浓度成正相关。黑鲷鲜精及冻精核的DNA损伤主要为轻度和中度损伤,重度损伤比例较低,完全损伤仅存在于25%及30%DMSO为抗冻剂的冻精中,且比例低。分析认为,较高浓度的DMSO是引起冻精核DNA损伤的主要原因。     

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from wild-born Namibian cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and influence of glycerol on cryosurvival

Sperm cryopreservation is a valuable tool for the genetic management of ex situ populations. This study was conducted to assess: (1) semen characteristics of wild-born cheetahs; and (2) the impact of three types of glycerol influence (duration of exposure, temperature, and method of addition) on sperm cryosensitivity. To evaluate the impact of duration of glycerol exposure, spermatozoa were incubated in Test Yolk Buffer (TYB) with 4% glycerol at ambient temperature (approximately 22 degrees C) for 15 vs. 60 min before cryopreservation. To evaluate the influence of temperature and method of glycerol addition, spermatozoa were resuspended at ambient temperature either in TYB with 0% glycerol followed by addition of 8% glycerol (1:1 v/v; at ambient temperature vs. 5 degrees C) or directly in TYB with 4% glycerol. All samples were cryopreserved in straws over liquid nitrogen vapor and evaluated for sperm motility and acrosomal integrity after thawing. Semen samples (n = 23; n = 13 males) contained a high proportion (78%) of pleiomorphic spermatozoa. Ejaculates also contained a high proportion of acrosome-intact (86%) and motile spermatozoa (78%). Immediately after thawing, a significant proportion of spermatozoa retained intact acrosomes (range, 48-67%) and motility (range, 40-49%). After thawing, incubation in glycerol for 60 min at ambient temperature before freezing decreased (p < 0.05) sperm motility and acrosomal integrity at one time-point each (pre-centrifugation and post-centrifugation, respectively). However, method or temperature of glycerol addition had no (p > 0.05) impact on sperm cryosurvival. In summary, (1) wild-born cheetahs produce high proportions of pleiomorphic spermatozoa but with a high proportion of intact acrosomes; and (2) resuspension in 4% glycerol, followed by exposure for up to 60 min at ambient temperature, had minimal effect on sperm motility and acrosomal integrity after cryopreservation. Results indicate the feasibility of cryopreserving cheetah spermatozoa under field conditions, providing a user-friendly method to capture and store gametes to enhance genetic management.     

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.