Abstract: Cryopreservation of stallion semen is often associated with poor post-thaw sperm quality. Sugars are among the important components of a freezing extender and act as non-permeating cryoprotectants. This study aimed to compare the quality of stallion sperm frozen with glucose, fructose or sorbitol-containing freezing extenders. Semen was collected from six stallions of proven fertility and cryopreserved using a freezing extender containing different types of monosaccharide sugars (glucose, fructose or sorbitol). After thawing, the semen was examined for sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane functionality and sperm longevity. The fertility of semen frozen in the presence of sorbitol was also tested by artificial insemination. Sperm quality was significantly decreased following freezing and thawing (P < 0.05). Fructose was inferior for protecting sperm during cryopreservation when compared to sorbitol and glucose (P < 0.05). Although the viability, motility and acrosome integrity of sperm cryopreserved with a glucose-containing extender did not significantly differ from sperm frozen in the sorbitol-based extender when examined at 2 and 4 h post-thaw, all of these parameters plus plasma membrane functionality were improved for sperm frozen in the sorbitol extender than in the glucose extender when examined 10 min post-thaw. Two of four mares (50%) inseminated with semen frozen with a sorbitol-containing freezing extender became pregnant. It is concluded that different sugars have different abilities to protect against cryoinjury during freezing and thawing of stallion sperm. This study demonstrated that an extender containing sorbitol as primary sugar can be used to successfully cryopreserve equine sperm; moreover, the quality of frozen-thawed sperm appeared to be better than when glucose or fructose was the principle sugar in the freezing extender.
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article is about how using a sorbitol-based freezing extender can better preserve the quality of stallion sperm during cryopreservation, compared to glucose and fructose-based extenders.
Introduction and Objective
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of different sugar-based freezing extenders – glucose, fructose, and sorbitol – in preserving the quality of stallion sperm during cryopreservation.
The need for such research arises from the issue of poor sperm quality post-thawing in the cryopreservation process.
Materials and Methods
Semen was collected from six stallions confirmed to be fertile.
The gathered semen was then cryopreserved using a freezing extender with varying types of monosaccharide sugars such as glucose, fructose, or sorbitol.
Analyses and Results
Post-thaw, the semen was evaluated on several parameters: sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane functionality, and sperm longevity.
The researchers also conducted artificial insemination to test the fertility of semen frozen in the presence of sorbitol.
The study found that sperm quality significantly degraded after the freezing and thawing process (P < 0.05).
Among the sugars used, fructose offered the least protection for sperm during the cryopreservation process.
While glucose showed similar protection to sorbitol during the initial 2 and 4 hours post-thaw, the sorbitol extender preserved sperm quality significantly better 10-minutes post-thaw.
Artificial insemination with semen frozen using the sorbitol extender led to 50% fertility rate.
Conclusion
The study concludes that different sugars have varying protective abilities against cryoinjury during the freezing and thawing of stallion sperm.
Protection offered by sorbitol is notably better, evidenced by parameters such as motility, viability, and integrity, especially immediately after thawing.
Therefore, the researchers recommend using a sorbitol-based freezing extender for successful cryopreservation of equine sperm, promising better post-thaw quality than glucose or fructose extenders.
Cite This Article
APA
Pojprasath T, Lohachit C, Techakumphu M, Stout T, Tharasanit T.
(2011).
Improved cryopreservability of stallion sperm using a sorbitol-based freezing extender.
Theriogenology, 75(9), 1742-1749.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.01.014
Tirpák F, Halo M Jr, Tokárová K, Binkowski LJ, Vašíček J, Svoradová A, Błaszczyk-Altman M, Kováčik A, Tvrdá E, Chrenek P, Lukáč N, Massányi P. Composition of Stallion Seminal Plasma and Its Impact on Oxidative Stress Markers and Spermatozoa Quality. Life (Basel) 2021 Nov 16;11(11).
Nikitkina E, Musidray A, Krutikova A, Anipchenko P, Plemyashov K, Shiryaev G. Efficiency of Tris-Based Extender Steridyl for Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 4;10(10).