The effects of different freezing and thawing rates on the post-thaw motility and membrane integrity of boar spermatozoa, processed as split samples in Maxi-straws or flat PET-plastic packages (FlatPack) were studied. A programmable freezing device was used to obtain freezing rates of either 20, 50 or 80 degrees C/min. Thawing of the samples was performed in a bath of circulating water; for 40s...

Freezing of boar spermatozoa includes the cryoprotectant glycerol, but renders low cryosurvival, owing to major changes in osmolarity during freezing/thawing. We hypothesize that aquaporins (AQPs) 7 and 9 adapt their membrane domain location to these osmotic challenges, thus maintaining sperm homeostasis. Western blotting (WB) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) at light and electron microscope level...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the water test to evaluate the functional membrane integrity of ejaculated canine sperm after collecting, cooling, and freezing-thawing. Twenty-five ejaculates were obtained from 12 stud dogs by digital manipulation. Sperm-rich fractions were evaluated, diluted, cooled at 5oC and frozen-thawed. A conventional hypo-osmotic swelling t...

The use of deep-frozen boar semen for artificial insemination (AI) is constrained by the need for high sperm numbers per dose, yielding few doses per ejaculate. With the advancement of new, intra-uterine insemination strategies, there is an opportunity for freezing small volumes containing high sperm numbers, provided the spermatozoa properly sustain cryopreservation. The present study aimed to...

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the exogenous recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin and semen quality of bulls. Twenty bulls (Aberdeen Angus and Brangus) were divided by breed into two groups. Placebo group was injected with NaCl 0.9% (s.c.) and treatment group with rbST (s.c., 500 mg) at days 0 and 14 of the ...

The current study aimed to examine the percentage changes of viability sperm and activity enzymes LDH, ALP, GOT / AST, GPT ALT in plasma Lacaune rams, before after cryopreservation. For this purpose, five rams were examined, two ejaculates obtained from each ram. Ejaculates are collected by method artificial vagina, during insemination campaign. All diluted with a 6AG extender frozen Cassou?s s...

Cryopreservation of sperm has many applications in agriculture, biotechnology, and clinical medicine. The spermatozoon is a very specialized cell that loses the ability of biosynthesis, repair, growth and cell division during the final phase of spermatogenesis. Cryopreservation of sperm generally requires a reduction or arrest of the metabolism of cells, thereby prolonging their life. Semen sam...

AIM To study whether additional measurements of motility characteristics of spermatozoa by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) were more sensitive indicators of reduced semen quality than estimates of percentages of motile, rapid or progressive cells. METHODS Intermittent scrotal insulation was applied to 6 rams for 16 h per day for 21 days or to 2 of these for 12 h per day for 28 days in...