Effects of preservation of mouse spermatozoa in electrolyte-free solution at 4 degrees C on the outcome of mouse in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa cool-preserved in electrolyte-free (EF) solution.


METHODS
Mouse spermatozoa were cool-preserved in EF solution and the acrosomal status of the spermatozoa was compared before and after preservation using chlortetracycline stain. Mouse oocytes were inseminated by spermatozoa cool-preserved in EF solution for 2, 4, or 7 days and fertilization and blastocyst rates were evaluated.


RESULTS
Acrosomal status of spermatozoa cool-preserved in EF solution was not different from spermatozoa before preservation, but the capacitated and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa significantly increased after reinitiation. Cool-preservation in EF solution for up to 4 days did not affect fertilization rate. Blastocyst rate of embryos derived from spermatozoa cool-preserved for 4 or 7 days in EF solution was significantly lower than that of embryos derived from fresh spermatozoa.


CONCLUSIONS
Mouse spermatozoa cool-preserved in EF solution possesses as much fertilizing capacity as fresh spermatozoa. However, prolonged preservation affects the embryonic development.
Quan
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
Yamano
S
S
Nakasaka
H
H
Hinokio
K
K
Nagagawa
K
K
Aono
T
T
D020101:Acrosome Reaction; D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013075:Sperm Capacitation; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
D012996:Solutions