title: Evaluation of l-glutamine for cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of L-glutamine (L-Gln) against cryopreservation injuries on boar sperm. In Experiment 1, L-Gln from 20 to 80 mM was evaluated as a supplement for a standard freezing extender (egg yolk - EY - 20%, and glycerol 3%). No significant improvement (P>0.05) was obtained for any post-thaw sperm parameter assessed (objective sperm motility - CASA system - and flow cytometric analysis of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity -SYBR14/PI/PE-PNA- and plasma membrane stability -M540/YoPro1-). In Experiment 2, L-Gln was evaluated as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender. Significant (P<0.05) enhancement of post-thaw sperm motion parameters was achieved in sperm frozen in the presence of 2% glycerol and 80 mM L-Gln compared to control (3% glycerol). In Experiment 3, L-Gln was evaluated as an EY substitute in the freezing extender, and no functional sperm were recovered after thawing sperm frozen in the presence of L-Gln and the absence of EY. In conclusion, L-Gln has the ability to cryoprotect boar sperm when it is used as a partial glycerol substitute in the freezing extender.
authors.affiliation: Pig Research Centre, Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León, 40350 Hontalbilla, Segovia, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Mercado
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vazquez
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roca
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D004542:Ejaculation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005973:Glutamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D005973:Glutamine