Cellular and Molecular Consequences of Stallion Sperm Cryopreservation: Recent Approaches to Improve Sperm Survival.
Abstract: Cryopreservation of stallion semen does not achieve the post-thaw quality or fertility results observed in other species like cattle. There are many reasons for this, but the membrane composition and intracellular changes in stallion sperm predispose them to low resistance to the cooling, freezing, and subsequent thawing process. Damage to the sperm results from different processes activated during cryopreservation, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and structural modifications in the sperm membrane that increase the deleterious effect on sperm. In addition, significant individual variability is observed among stallions in the ability of sperm to survive the freeze-thaw process. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics are making it possible to advance our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in the cryopreservation process, opening new possibilities for improvement. This review addresses the ongoing research on stallion semen cryopreservation, focusing on the cellular and molecular consequences of this procedure in stallions and discusses the new tools currently available to increase the tolerance of equine spermatozoa to freeze-thaw.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-04-25 PubMed ID: 37105416DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104499Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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Summary
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The research article examines the challenges of stallion sperm cryopreservation, its low post-thaw fertility results compared to other species and delves into contemporary approaches in genome sciences to improve these results.
Challenges of Stallion Sperm Cryopreservation
- The research emphasizes that the process of freezing and thawing stallion sperm significantly reduces its quality and fertility compared to that of other species such as cattle.
- Various factors contribute to this marked degradation. Stallion sperm’s unique membrane composition and intracellular alterations make them extremely vulnerable to the freezing and thawing process.
- The structural alterations in the sperm cells increase the harmful effect, initiating several damage-inducing processes such as oxidative stress, apoptosis (cell death), and more.
- Interestingly, the researchers note that there is a significant level of individual variability among stallions in the ability of sperm to withstand the freezing and thawing processes.
Advanced Research Tools and Approaches
- The researchers point out that recent developments in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics have brought about new possibilities in the field.
- These advanced research tools are assisting in a greater understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in sperm cryopreservation.
- By understanding these processes more intimately, it becomes possible to enhance the resilience of equine spermatozoa to the freezing and thawing process.
- The study proposes these advances as possible solutions to the low success rate of stallion sperm cryopreservation.
Stallion Semen Cryopreservation: Recent Findings and Future Directions
- The article further outlines ongoing research regarding the cryopreservation of stallion semen, highlighting the molecular and cellular consequences of the procedure.
- The focus of this review is placed on the importance of innovative approaches currently available, which may have the potential to increase the survival rate of equine spermatozoa during freeze-thaw cycles.
- Solutions proposed by the article aim not only to increase the quality of post-thaw stallion sperm but, by implication, also to increase their fertility rates.
- This research plays a crucial role in the field of equine reproduction by providing insights to improve the success rate of equine conception, which has both economic and genetic advantages.
Cite This Article
APA
Contreras MJ, Arias ME, Fuentes F, Muñoz E, Bernecic N, Fair S, Felmer R.
(2023).
Cellular and Molecular Consequences of Stallion Sperm Cryopreservation: Recent Approaches to Improve Sperm Survival.
J Equine Vet Sci, 126, 104499.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104499 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Department of Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Doctoral Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Doctoral Program in Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
- Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address: ricardo.felmer@ufrontera.cl.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Male
- Cattle
- Semen
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Spermatozoa
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Cryopreservation / methods
- Freezing
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Bitton A, Frishling A, Kalo D, Roth Z, Arav A. The Impact of Precisely Controlled Pre-Freeze Cooling Rates on Post-Thaw Stallion Sperm. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 21;16(1).
- Ferrara MA, Preziosi G, Boni R, Ruggiero R, Gualandi SC. Quantitative holographic analysis in stallion spermatozoa following cryopreservation. Sci Rep 2025 Dec 4;15(1):43190.
- Zhang H, Wu B, Liu Y, Meng Q, Min L, Zhang S, Liu Z, Adetunji AO, Zhu Z. 5-aminolevulinic acid improves drake post-thaw sperm quality via enhancing mitochondrial function. Poult Sci 2025 Dec;104(12):105995.
- Ullah A, Chen W, Shi L, Wang M, Geng M, Na J, Akhtar MF, Khan MZ, Wang C. Challenges and Enhancing Strategies of Equine Semen Preservation: Nutritional and Genetic Perspectives. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 25;12(9).
- Bugno-Poniewierska M, Bielecka M, Pietras N, Kij-Mitka B, Podstawski Z, Długosz B. Influence of Cryopreservation on the Acrosome Reaction in Hucul Stallion Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 28;15(13).
- Castro M, Leal K, Pezo F, Contreras MJ. Sperm Membrane: Molecular Implications and Strategies for Cryopreservation in Productive Species. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 19;15(12).
- Gao Z, Zheng J, Xu G. Research Progress and Technological Application Prospects of Comprehensive Evaluation Methods for Egg Freshness. Foods 2025 Apr 25;14(9).
- Zang S, Zou S, Chen X, Pan B, Ning A, Qin J, Wei Y, Du K, Ye J, Liang Q, Fang Y, Qiongla, Cirenlamu, Song T, Zhou G. Abnormalities in mitochondrial energy metabolism induced by cryopreservation negatively affect goat sperm motility. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1514362.
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