The cryoprotective effect of low-density lipoproteins in extenders on bull spermatozoa following freezing-thawing

Anim Reprod Sci. 2010 Jan;117(1-2):11-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.04.001. Epub 2009 Apr 9.

Abstract

Egg low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was added at concentrations of 7-10% to the extenders used to freeze bull semen and its effects on the motility, mitochondria activity, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity and DNA integrity of frozen-thawed sperm were assessed. Analysis of data showed that the motility and characteristics of spermatozoa movement were higher with LDL in the extender, as compared to the extender containing 20% egg yolk. The results indicated that 8% LDL supplementation provided the highest sperm motility (55.8%) and movement characteristics (VSL, straight linear velocity: 33.8 microm/s; VCL, curvilinear velocity: 50.2 microm/s; LIN, linearity index: 56.5%; STR, mean coefficient: 76.7%; VAP, average path velocity: 35.9 microm/s; WOB, wobble coefficient: 63.9%). A concentration of 10% LDL resulted in a significant decline in the VSL, LIN, VAP and WOB values (P<0.05). Supplementation of LDL at 8% LDL resulted in significantly higher spermatozoa mitochondrial activity, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity and DNA integrity (P<0.05). According to all measured parameters, the extender containing 8% LDL showed beneficial cryoprotective effects on frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa. In conclusion, our results indicated that the extender containing 8% LDL extracted from egg yolk could be used successfully in the cryopreservation of bull semen with an efficacy that would be greater than present extenders containing 20% egg yolk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrosome / ultrastructure
  • Animals
  • Cattle*
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary*
  • Cryoprotective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Hot Temperature
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / physiology
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary*
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa / chemistry
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • DNA