What is the relevance of seminal plasma from a functional and preservation perspective?

The research article presents a detailed review on the role of seminal plasma (SP) in altering gamete fertility during sperm preservation in liquid or cryopreserved states. The focus is on how SP effects sperm function and morphology from four different domestic animal species before, during, and after preservation.

Role of Seminal Plasma

• The article discusses the importance of seminal plasma (SP) regularly found within ejaculates that can significantly change the fertility potential of sperm cells when preserved either in a liquid state or after cryopreservation.
• Various substances found in the seminal plasma are crucial for maintenance of sperm viability and fertility. However, certain components and their quantity can have a detrimental effect.
• The SP contains both beneficial and harmful substances for sperm fertility. For instance, spermadhesin PSP-I improves spermatozoa’s fertilizing capacity while BSP, HSP-1, and PSPI impair it.

Variation in Seminal Plasma

• The volume and concentration of SP components can greatly vary depending on the species or how semen is collected.
• There can be significant variation among individual males of the same species and between different semen collection methods.

Effects of Removing Seminal Plasma

• Depending on various factors such as individual males, species, and semen collection procedures, the removal of SP may be beneficial before preservation in the liquid or cryopreserved state.
• In certain instances, removing and then adding back SP to the defrosting extender can lead to positive effects in thawed sperm and bolster sperm viability within the female reproductive tract.

Study Focus

• This research focuses on the varying effects of SP in both cooled and cryopreserved sperm samples from four different domestic species: pigs, horses, cattle, and sheep.
• The emphasis is on how SP adjusts the function and morphology of sperm cells before, during, and after preservation in either a refrigerated or cryopreserved state.

Significance of the article

• The review is a part of the Festschrift in honor of Dr. Duane Garner who has made significant contributions to the research area discussed in the manuscript.
• It acts as useful resource for future studies and is indicative of the necessity of a deeper understanding of SP makeup and its impact on sperm preservation.