Pretreatment of Addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis) spermatozoa with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins improves cryosurvival.
Preserving genetic diversity of the critically endangered Addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis) could be enhanced through the use of frozen-thawed sperm and artificial insemination. Our aim was to characterize Addra ejaculate traits and to assess the effects of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on sperm cryosurvival. Fresh ejaculates were treated with CLC (0, 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/ml) prior to cryopreservation. All males produced spermic ejaculates with >75% sperm motility. The mean ± SEM seminal volume, sperm concentration, percent motility, forward progression, and percent morphologically normal spermatozoa were 3.2 ± 0.3 ml, 1.2 ± 0.3 × 109, 75.82 ± 2.7%, 3.2 ± 0.3 (0-5 scale; 5 = most progressive), and 57.12 ± 3.8%, respectively. More than 92% contained an intact acrosome. There was no effect of time or in vitro incubation on progression or acrosomal integrity on thawed samples (P > 0.05). Spermatozoa pre-treated with 0.5 mg/ml CLC retained higher (P < 0.05) motility post-thaw than aliquots treated with 0, 3.0, or 6.0 mg/ml of CLC. Spermatozoa pre-treated with 0.5, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/ml CLC exhibited greater viability than counterparts (P < 0.05). Sperm kinetics including beat cross frequency (BCF), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and straight line velocity (VSL) did not differ among samples (P > 0.05). Linearity (LIN) and straightness (STR) were different among samples after thawing. Results demonstrate treatment with CLC (0.5 mg/ml) protects Addra spermatozoa from cryo-damage. Reported advances will facilitate establishment of a frozen repository and support the genetic management of this critically endangered north African desert antelope.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA; George Mason University, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
Jessye
J
Wojtusik
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA; George Mason University, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
Parker
P
Pennington
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA.
Nucharin
N
Songsasen
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA.
Luis R
LR
Padilla
White Oak Conservation, 581705 Gilman Dr., Yulee, FL, 32097, USA.
Scott B
SB
Citino
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA. Electronic address: pukazhenthib@si.edu.
Budhan S
BS
Pukazhenthi
D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000494:pharmacology; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005615:Freezing; D008297:Male; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D003505:Cyclodextrins; D002784:Cholesterol
Acrosome reaction; Antelope; Cholesterol; Cryopreservation; Endangered species