Characteristics of frozen-thawed spermatozoa cryopreserved with different concentrations of glycerol in captive Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)

J Vet Med Sci. 2006 Oct;68(10):1101-4. doi: 10.1292/jvms.68.1101.

Abstract

Seven mature Japanese black bears were used as semen donors, and a total of 7 semen samples collected from the animals by the electroejaculation method were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Egg yolk-TRIS-citrate-glucose extender was used, and the effects of different final concentrations of glycerol, at 4-12% (v/v), on frozen-thawed spermatozoa were examined. No significant difference was observed in percent motility or percent abnormal morphology of frozen-thawed spermatozoa among the different glycerol concentrations. Percent viability and percent intact acrosomes of spermatozoa cryopreserved with 4 and 6% glycerol were significantly higher than those with 10 and 12% glycerol. These results suggest that a suitable glycerol concentration for freezing Japanese black bear semen within the range tested would be 4-6%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary*
  • Glycerol*
  • Male
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary*
  • Sperm Motility / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Ursidae / physiology*

Substances

  • Glycerol