The advantages of LDL (low density lipoproteins) in the cryopreservation of canine semen.
A medium containing LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins, the cryoprotective component of chicken egg yolk) was compared with egg yolk for the preservation canine spermatozoa during the freeze-thaw process. Twenty sperm samples taken from 10 dogs were frozen in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C in seven different media: one control medium containing 20% egg yolk, and six test media containing 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, and 10% LDL, respectively. Following thawing, sperm motility was assessed using a Hamilton-Thorne Sperm Analyser equipped with the CEROS 12 software. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was 55.3% in the 6% LDL medium (optimal concentration) compared with 27.7% in the egg yolk based medium (p<0.05). In comparison with the egg-yolk medium, the LDL medium also resulted in an improved preservation of spermatozoa during the freezing process (p<0.05) in terms of acrosomal integrity (FITC-PSA test), flagellar plasma membrane integrity (HOS test), and DNA integrity (Acridine Orange test). In addition, six Beagle bitches were inseminated twice, via the intra-uterine route, at an interval of 24h; 200x10(6) spermatozoa that had been previously frozen in the 6% LDL medium were used per insemination. All of the bitches became pregnant (gestation rate of 100%). In conclusion, the 6% LDL medium provides improved protection of the spermatozoa during the freeze-thaw process and a marked improvement in the motility parameters of canine spermatozoa in comparison with the control medium containing egg yolk alone. Finally, the use of LDL as a cryoprotectant for canine semen does not interfere with fertility.
Bencharif
D
D
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Reproductive Pathology, National Veterinary School of Nantes, BP 40706, 44307 Nantes, France. bencharif@vet-nantes.fr
Amirat
L
L
Anton
M
M
Schmitt
E
E
Desherces
S
S
Delhomme
G
G
Langlois
M-L
ML
Barrière
P
P
Larrat
M
M
Tainturier
D
D
D000165:Acridine Orange; D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004530:Egg Yolk; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000165:Acridine Orange