Freezing of epididymal spermatozoa from dogs after cool storage for 2 or 4 days.
An experiment was conducted to investigate the freezing ability of canine epididymal spermatozoa after cool storage at 5 degrees C for 2 or 4 days. Spermatozoa were collected from the caudae epididymidis from 16 dogs. Total motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated immediately on harvesting, and after 2 and 4 days of storage at 5 degrees C, and at 0 and 2 h post-thaw at 37 degrees C. Sperm motility decreased significantly during cold storage, compared to freshly harvested spermatozoa (P < 0.001). Although there was no significant effect of pre-freeze storage time on post-thaw motility, there was a tendency towards decreased motility in spermatozoa that had been stored for 4 days, compared to spermatozoa that were frozen immediately after collection (P = 0.09). The number of post-thaw spermatozoa with an intact plasma membrane was decreased in spermatozoa cold-stored for 4 days (P < 0.001). There was no significant effect of pre-freeze storage time on the acrosomal status of post-thaw spermatozoa. In conclusion, canine epididymal spermatozoa were stored at 5 degrees C for up to 4 days without a clear detrimental effect on post-thaw motility and acrosome integrity, but storage may have decreased post-thaw motility. Results were, however, generally low.
Ponglowhapan
Suppawiwat
S
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. sponglowhapan@rvc.ac.uk
Chatdarong
Kaywalee
K
Sirivaidyapong
Sudson
S
Lohachit
Chainarong
C
D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004822:Epididymis; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000662:veterinary; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology