Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Motile Spermatozoa (motile + spermatozoa)
Selected AbstractsSperm binding to the human zona pellucida and calcium influx in response to GnRH and progesteroneANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2002P. Morales Summary. In this study the effect of the sequential exposure of spermatozoa to progesterone and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) upon zona binding and the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was evaluated. Sperm aliquots were treated as follows: (a) 0.7 ,mol 1,1 progesterone or 0.1% DMSO (progesterone solvent) followed by 50 nmol 1,1 of GnRH; (b) 50 nmol 1,1 of GnRH or distilled water (GnRH solvent) followed by 0.7 ,mol 1,1 of progesterone. Additional aliquots were incubated with DMSO or distilled water (controls) and with 0.7 ,mol 1,1 of progesterone or 50 nmol 1,1 of GnRH. All treatments were for 5 min. Motile spermatozoa were incubated in modified Tyrode's medium, at 37 °, 5% CO2, 10times106 spermatozoa ml,1, for 4.5 h. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration and sperm-zona binding was evaluated using fura 2 and the hemizona assay, respectively. GnRH and progesterone increased sperm-zona binding and the Ca2+ concentration. Regarding zona binding, the effect of GnRH was significantly greater when the spermatozoa had been previously treated with progesterone (progesterone , GnRH = 185 ± 116 zona-bound spermatozoa versus DMSO , GnRH = 99 ± 15, P <0.001). On the other hand, previous treatment with GnRH did not modify their subsequent response to progesterone (GnRH , progesterone = 114 ±19 zona-bound spermatozoa versus distilled water , progesterone = 108 ± 22, NS). The results regarding intracellular Ca2+ showed a similar pattern. These findings suggest a priming effect of progesterone upon a GnRH-induced increase in sperm-zona binding and intracellular Ca2+. [source] Gonadal maturation in the blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo: a comparison between a farmed and a wild broodstockJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2004V. Micale The blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo(Brünnich, 1768) has been regarded as a possible alternative to traditionally cultured Mediterranean species such as seabream and seabass, due to its high market value and good adaptation to captivity. Broodstock establishment and management represent the first step towards reliable production of eggs and fry, which is required to develop aquaculture of this new species. Two different broodstocks were tested for gonadal maturation and spawning, one constituting of wild fish caught as juveniles and reared in tanks until sexual maturity (4 years), and one assembled from wild adult fish caught during or just before the reproductive season. All fish were maintained under the same rearing conditions and fed the same diet. Gonadal stripping and biopsies were performed weekly to monitor maturation in both males and females. Ovarian samples were staged for maturity on the basis of follicular diameter and migration of germinal vesicle. Sperm samples were tested for density (number of spermatozoa ml,1) and motility. The fish reared in captivity reached ovarian maturity during the breeding season of the wild stock. Eggs were obtained by stripping from both farmed and wild specimens, but appeared degenerated as a result of being retained too long in the ovarian cavity due to the absence of spontaneous spawning. Spermiation was prolonged in the farmed fish, but appeared to be blocked in the wild breeders after first sampling. However, the sperm was very viscous and the motile spermatozoa did not exceed 10%. [source] Relationship between sperm density, spermatocrit, sperm motility and spawning date in wild and cultured haddockJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004R. M. Rideout Semen was collected repeatedly from captive haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus and the effect of seasonality on various sperm parameters was investigated. No differences in sperm traits were observed for wild and cultured haddock. A highly significant positive relationship existed between spermatocrit and spermatozoa density. A significant increase in mean spermatocrit occurred throughout the spawning season but the amount of variability explained by collection date was low (35·1%) due to variability between males. Each of 10 males sampled repeatedly throughout the spawning season demonstrated an increase in spermatocrit. No relationship existed between spermatocrit and proportion of motile spermatozoa when spermatocrit was ,70%. Motility was reduced in semen samples with spermatocrits >70%. The proportion of spermatozoa that were motile decreased with time since activation. Some motility was still observed after 60 min in sea water (0·1,15·2%) for sperm collected at all times within the spawning season. Of those spermatozoa that were motile, the proportion that exhibited forward swimming motion decreased and the proportion that had only vibratory movement increased with time post-activation. The speed of forward swimming spermatozoa showed no significant relationship with spermatocrit at any time between 0 and 60 min after activation. Swimming speed was negatively related to time since activation, decreasing from 174,240 ,m s,1 at 0 min to 80,128 ,m s,1 at 60 min after activation. [source] Surfing the wave, cycle, life history, and genes/proteins expressed by testicular germ cells.MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 4 2010Part 3: Developmental changes in spermatid flagellum, cytoplasmic droplet, egg plasma membrane, interaction of sperm with the zona pellucida Abstract Spermiogenesis constitutes the steps involved in the metamorphosis of spermatids into spermatozoa. It involves modification of several organelles in addition to the formation of several structures including the flagellum and cytoplasmic droplet. The flagellum is composed of a neck region and middle, principal, and end pieces. The axoneme composed of nine outer microtubular doublets circularly arranged to form a cylinder around a central pair of microtubules is present throughout the flagellum. The middle and principal pieces each contain specific components such as the mitochondrial sheath and fibrous sheath, respectively, while outer dense fibers are common to both. A plethora of proteins are constituents of each of these structures, with each playing key roles in functions related to the fertility of spermatozoa. At the end of spermiogenesis, a portion of spermatid cytoplasm remains associated with the released spermatozoa, referred to as the cytoplasmic droplet. The latter has as its main feature Golgi saccules, which appear to modify the plasma membrane of spermatozoa as they move down the epididymal duct and hence may be partly involved in male gamete maturation. The end product of spermatogenesis is highly streamlined and motile spermatozoa having a condensed nucleus equipped with an acrosome. Spermatozoa move through the female reproductive tract and eventually penetrate the zona pellucida and bind to the egg plasma membrane. Many proteins have been implicated in the process of fertilization as well as a plethora of proteins involved in the development of spermatids and sperm, and these are high lighted in this review. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of Matrix Filtration of Low-Quality Boar Semen Doses on Sperm QualityREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2009E Bussalleu Contents The aim of this work was to develop a method to enhance the sperm parameters of ejaculates with low sperm quality from Piétrain boars. Seminal doses were filtered through columns of DEAE Sephadex (length 2.5 ± 0.5 cm), CM Sephadex (length 5 ± 0.5 cm), glass wool (length 2 ± 0.5 cm) or glass bead (length 10 ± 0.5 cm), with an exit flow rate of 1 ml/40 s in all cases. For each male, 10 ml of the sperm cell-rich fraction diluted at 1 : 6 were filtered. Sperm quality was assessed before and after filtration. Sperm morphology, sperm motility and sperm concentration were determined using the computer program sca® 2002 Production, and sperm viability was evaluated by fluorescence multistaining. Osmotic resistance test and hyperosmotic resistance test were used to determine the osmotic resistance of spermatozoa, whereas l -lactate production estimated the metabolic activity. Results showed a decrease of sperm concentration and osmotic resistance of spermatozoa after filtration in the four matrixes. However, an increase in the frequency of viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome after filtration in glass bead columns and an increase of morphologically normal spermatozoa after filtration in Sephadex CM-50, glass wool and glass bead columns were observed. Despite the decrease in the frequency of progressive motile spermatozoa, l -lactate production and mitochondrial sheath integrity maintained constant after filtration. Our findings indicate that column filtration is an effective method to enhance the sperm quality by selecting viable and morphologically normal spermatozoa without altering DNA, plasma membrane, mitochondrial sheath integrity or inducing premature acrosome reaction. [source] Testing Usability of Butylated Hydroxytoluene in Conservation of Goat SemenREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2008TAA Khalifa Contents The objective of this study was to investigate whether butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) could be used as a suitable supporter or alternative of egg yolk during preservation of goat spermatozoa. Three in vitro experiments and a fertility test were conducted to evaluate the effect of BHT on viability of chilled-stored semen as well as motility and kidding rate of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. In the first two experiments, ejaculates (n = 30/experiment) were collected from 10 bucks, split, diluted with egg yolk-based and egg yolk-free extenders supplemented with or without 0.3, 0.6, 2, 5 and 8 mm BHT and stored at 5°C for 168 h. In the third experiment, 30 ejaculates were collected from the above-mentioned bucks, split and diluted with egg yolk-free extenders supplemented with or without 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 mm BHT and egg yolk-based extenders supplemented with or without 5 mm BHT. Diluted semen was cooled to 5°C over a period of 4 h, frozen and thawed in the form of 0.3-ml pellets. In the fertility test, 75 ejaculates were collected from two proven fertile bucks, split, diluted with egg yolk-free extenders containing 0.6 mm BHT and egg yolk-based extenders supplemented with or without 5 mm BHT, frozen and thawed as described above. An insemination volume of 0.6 ml containing 120,140 × 106 progressively motile spermatozoa was used for a single cervical insemination of cloprostenol-synchronized does (n = 230). The results showed that addition of 5 mm BHT to egg yolk-deficient (2.5%) extenders significantly improved viability of chilled-stored semen together with motility (48.5%) and fertility (62.5%) of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Replacement of egg yolk in semen extenders by 0.6 mm BHT could sustain not only viability of chilled-stored semen but also post-thaw motility (47.5%) and fertility (53.75%) of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. In conclusion, supplementation of semen diluents with BHT can ameliorate preservability of goat sperm. [source] Reduction of Oxidative Stress in Bovine Spermatozoa During Flow Cytometric SortingREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2007P Klinc Contents The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the quality of frozen-thawed flow cytometrically sorted bull spermatozoa. Twelve ejaculates from two Holstein Friesian bulls were sorted according to the Beltsville Sperm Sexing Technology. Each ejaculate was divided into three parts and processed as (i) unsorted controls, (ii) according to a standard sorting protocol and (iii) in the presence of different antioxidants (S-AO). Cooling and freezing of the samples were performed in the same way for all three groups, except that antioxidants were added to the TRIS-egg-yolk freezing extender for those semen samples that were already sorted in the presence of antioxidants. The semen quality in frozen-thawed samples was determined by morphology analysis immediately after thawing, motility estimation in a thermo-resistance test after 0, 6, 12 and 24 h incubation at 37°C and Fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated PNA/propidium iodide (FITC-PNA/PI) staining after 0, 12 and 24 h of incubation at 37°C. There was a significantly higher (p < 0.05) percentage of motile spermatozoa in S-AO samples in comparison to unsorted frozen-thawed control at 0, 6 and 24 h after thawing and compared with normally sorted samples at all times after thawing. The percentage of damaged acrosomes was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in S-AO samples than in the unsorted controls (20.8 ± 6.9% vs 30.3 ± 12.0%). The percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa in this group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the unsorted controls and normally sorted samples (25.8 ± 5.2%, 36.0 ± 12.5% and 35.1 ± 7.4%, respectively). Analysis of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with FITC/PI revealed no significant difference in membrane integrity at 0 and 12 h after sorting, but after 24 h of incubation the S-AO samples had a significantly higher (p < 0.001) percentage of spermatozoa with intact membranes in comparison to unsorted controls and normally sorted semen (40.7 ± 6.3%, 7.8 ± 4.7% and 7.4 ± 4.6%, respectively). The percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the S-AO samples than in the unsorted controls (14.1 ± 7.5%, 23.4 ± 5.4% and 28.8 ± 6.3% vs 25.9 ± 14.4%, 38.5 ± 16.7% and 79.8 ± 4.1%, for 0, 12 and 24 h after thawing, respectively) and in comparison to normally sorted semen 24 h after thawing (67.3 ± 10.0%). This study demonstrates the highly protective effects of antioxidants on the quality of flow cytometrically sorted frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa. [source] Update on Semen Technologies for Animal Breeding,REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2006JM Morrell Contents Despite the scale of the livestock breeding industry, where many millions of insemination doses are prepared each year, sperm preparation techniques are used infrequently in animal assisted reproduction compared with its human counterpart. However, some of the techniques used for human sperm preparation, for example, density gradient centrifugation, improve the quality of sperm preparations which is, in turn, reflected by an increased conception rate. The preparation technique separates motile spermatozoa with normal morphology and intact DNA from the total sperm population, leaving behind immature or senescent spermatozoa, morphologically abnormal ones and those with damaged DNA. Furthermore, the motile spermatozoa are removed from the seminal plasma which carries cells, cellular debris and reactive oxygen species, as well as pathogens. Gradient-prepared spermatozoa survive longer, either in liquid storage or when cryopreserved, and are free of bacteria and viral infectivity if prepared carefully. Preparation techniques such as density gradient centrifugation, or the simplified single layer centrifugation technique, have considerable potential for aiding sperm preparation from poor quality semen samples, such as may be obtained from unselected semen donors in captive breeding programmes, or from performance horses. Moreover, the removal of pathogens has important implications, both for disease control and for avoiding the use of antibiotics in semen extenders, which can be detrimental to sperm survival. [source] Heme oxygenase enzyme activity in seminal plasma of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic males with varicoceleANDROLOGIA, Issue 4 2010M. T. Abdel Aziz Summary This work aimed to assess seminal plasma heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme activity in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) males with varicocele. Ninety-three men were divided according to their sperm count and clinical examination into: healthy fertile controls (n = 34), OAT without varicocele (n = 37) and OAT associated with varicocele (n = 22). They were subjected to semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma HO enzyme activity in the form of bilirubin concentration. Seminal plasma HO enzyme activity decreased significantly in OAT cases compared with controls. Seminal plasma HO in OAT cases associated with varicocele decreased significantly compared with OAT cases without varicocele and healthy controls (mean ± SD; 109.2 ± 29.5, 283.6 ± 88.4, 669.5 ± 236.1 nMol bilirubin/mg ptn/min, P < 0.001). There was positive correlation between seminal plasma HO enzyme activity and sperm concentration, per cent of motile spermatozoa, number of motile spermatozoas ml,1 and significant negative correlation with sperm abnormal forms per cent. It is concluded that varicocele has a negative impact on seminal HO enzyme activity. Therefore, improved seminal picture after correcting varicocele repair might be related, in part, to improved HO action(s). [source] Intracytoplasmic sperm injection with motile and immotile frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa (the Hungarian experience)ANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2005Sz. Mátyás Summary The authors summarize their experience in 75 in vitro fertilization cycles, where frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa were used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In 32 cases, motile spermatozoa could be observed in the frozen-thawed sample. In 34 cases, motility could be induced by pentoxifylline and in nine cases immotile spermatozoa, selected with hypoosmotic swelling test, were used for fertilization. The fertilization rates obtained with motile and immotile spermatozoa (66.1% versus 52.3%) were not significantly different. Our data demonstrate that freezing of testicular spermatozoa opened new possibilities for the treatment of azoospermic men. The clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (ET) (21.87%) was comparable with previous results use of fresh testicular spermatozoa (27.7%). The quality and number of transferred embryos had the most significant impact on the pregnancy rate. The fertilization rate and frequency distribution of good-quality embryos were lower in the case of immotile spermatozoa, and pregnancies were only achieved when motile spermatozoa had been used. [source] Leptin exists in tubuli seminiferi and in seminal plasmaANDROLOGIA, Issue 4 2002H.-J. Glander Summary. Leptin is a 167-amino acid protein that stimulates gonadotrophin-releasing hormone secretion and exerts indirect effects on the gonads via neuropeptide Y, NPY. Recent research has suggested that leptin may also have an effect on testosterone secretion. To investigate the role of leptin in reproduction, leptin in testicular tissue and seminal plasma was examined in relation to leptin in serum, semen sample qualities and vasectomy. Seminal plasma and serum of 64 infertility patients, and 15 individuals after vasectomy, were assayed for leptin using a competitive ,in house' radioimmunoassay. The concentration of leptin in seminal plasma was significantly lower in the ,normal' semen sample group than in the ,pathological' group (Mean ± SEM; 1.45 ± 0.18 vs. 3.19 ± 0.57 ng ml,1; P <,0.05), and showed a significantly negative correlation with percentage of motile spermatozoa (r=,0.46; P=0.0005) and with the velocity straight line, VSL, (r=,0.30; P= 0.029). In contrast, leptin concentration in serum did not show any relationship with the spermiogram parameters. In testicular tissue, leptin was preferentially found within the tubuli seminiferi using anti-leptin polyclonal antibody, Ob A-20 Sc 842. The amount of leptin per ejaculate did not significantly change after vasectomy, and was not correlated to fructose, zinc or neutral alpha glucosidase in seminal plasma (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the amount of leptin in the genital tract, including the tubuli seminiferi, may influence the mechanisms involved in the motility development of spermatozoa. [source] Influence of sexual stimulation on sperm parameters in semen samples collected via masturbation from normozoospermic men or cryptozoospermic men participating in an assisted reproduction programmeANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2000Y. Yamamoto Summary. To evaluate the influence of sexual stimulation via sexually stimulating videotaped visual images (VIM) on sperm function, two semen samples were collected from each of 19 normozoospermic men via masturbation with VIM. Two additional samples were collected from each man via masturbation without VIM. The volume of seminal plasma, total sperm count, sperm motility, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, outcome of hypo-osmotic swelling test and zona-free hamster oocyte sperm penetration assay, and markers of the secretory function of prostate were significantly larger in semen samples collected via masturbation with VIM than masturbation without VIM. The improved sperm parameters in the samples collected via masturbation with VIM may reflect an enhanced prostatic secretory function and increased loading of the vas deferens at that time. In a similar protocol, two semen samples were collected via masturbation with VIM from each of 22 non-obstructed azoospermic men. Semen samples from these men had been occasionally positive in the past for a very small number of spermatozoa (cryptozoospermic men). Two additional samples were collected from each cryptozoospermic man via masturbation without VIM. The volume of seminal plasma, total sperm count, sperm motility, and a marker of the secretory function of prostate were significantly larger in semen samples collected via masturbation with VIM. Fourteen out of the 22 men were negative for spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation without VIM. These men demonstrated spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation with VIM. Six men with immotile spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation without VIM exposed motile spermatozoa in both samples collected via masturbation with VIM. High sexual stimulation during masturbation with VIM results in recovery of spermatozoa of greater fertilizing potential both in normozoospermic and cryptozoospermic men. The appearance of spermatozoa after masturbation with VIM in the vast majority of cryptozoospermic men is of clinical significance in programmes applying intracytoplasmic sperm injections for the management of severe male infertility and obviates the need for testicular biopsy. [source] Sperm motility and seminal plasma characteristics in Barbus sharpeyi (Günther, 1874)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Sayyed Mohammad Hadi Alavi Abstract Spermatozoa concentration, ionic composition, osmolality, glucose and total protein contents of seminal plasma and sperm motility were determined in Barbus sharpeyi (Cyprinidae, Teleosotei). Spermatozoa concentration ranged from 9.77 to 20.20 × 109 spermatozoa mL,1. Osmolality (mOsmol kg,1) and ionic contents (mM L,1) of the seminal plasma were 274.5±9.0, 70.0±3.4 Na+, 28.8±0.9 K+, 101.7±3.1 Cl,, 0.9±0.1 Mg2+ and 2.1±0.1 Ca2+ respectively. Total protein and glucose were 5.3±0.2 g L,1 and 76.7±4.3 mM L,1 respectively. Sperm motility was initiated in a hypo-osmotic condition, composed of either an ionic (KCl or NaCl) or a non-ionic (sucrose) activation medium. Duration of sperm motility was very short: <2 min after activation in distilled water. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher in an activation medium containing NaCl compared with that of distilled water. An activating medium containing NaCl or KCl higher than 150 mM or sucrose higher than 275 mM totally inhibited the activation of sperm motility. Immediately after sperm activation, wave(s) propagated along the flagellum, but waves were restricted to the proximal part of the flagellum (close to the head) at 1 min post activation. Studied characteristics in the present study were compared with those of other cyprinids for understanding inter-species differences. [source] Influence of the length of time after hormonal stimulation on selected parameters of milt of ide Leuciscus idus L.AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2010Beata Irena Cejko Abstract Milt of the Leuciscus idus L. was collected from five experimental groups, and selected parameters of its quality were analysed for 36 h (group II), 60 h (group III), 84 h (group IV) and 108 h (group V), respectively, after hormonal stimulation with Ovopel (1 granule kg,1 of body weight). The control (group I) fish were not subjected to hormonal stimulation. The highest milt volume was obtained from the fish in group IV (0.70 ± 0.55 mL), where the largest volume of milt expressed per kilogram was also obtained (3.03 ± 1.94 mL kg,1). Significant differences were also found in milt volumes obtained between group I and groups III (P<0.01) and IV (P<0.05). The highest percentage of motile spermatozoa was found in the milt of group IV (59%); significant differences were found between group I and groups II (P<0.01) and III (P<0.001). The value of osmotic pressure of seminal plasma was the highest in group IV (203.19 ± 37.63 mOsm kg,1), and the lowest in group I (118.31 ± 41.13 mOsm kg,1). Parameters determining milt quality and quantity indicate that the period of 60,84 h after hormonal stimulation with Ovopel is optimal for obtaining milt from ide. [source] Effect of different methods for the induction of spermiation on semen quality in European eelAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2005Juan F Asturiano Abstract Five hormonal treatments with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were tested for the induction of maturation and spermiation in male farmed eels. The main aim was to optimize previously used hormonal treatments to achieve shorter induction treatments, longer spermiation periods and/or higher sperm quality. Fish treated for just 3 weeks (treatment E) or until the onset of spermiation (treatment C) showed the worst results, while the treatment consisting of weekly administration of 1.5 IU hCG g,1 fish (treatment A) induced the highest percentage of spermiating males, the highest number of sperm samples and sperm volumes and densities similar to the rest of the treatments (B: half hormone dosage, or D: biweekly administration). Evaluation of the sperm quality was performed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), considering the percentage of total motile spermatozoa, the percentage of fast and medium-velocity spermatozoa, as well as different motility parameters. Sperm samples from A-D groups showed between 44% and 54% motile spermatozoa, and between 10% and 15% fast spermatozoa, while samples from E-treated males showed 0% motile cells. No significant differences were found in the spermatozoa straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) or the angular velocity (VAP), neither spermatozoa beating cross frequency (BCF) between A,D groups. [source] Modification of standard freezing media to limit capacitation and maximise motility of frozen-thawed equine spermatozoaAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 12 2003MA SCHEMBRI Objective To investigate cryopreservation-induced capacitation-like changes in equine spermatozoa frozen in three different media using chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence staining analysis. Procedure Semen collected from three stallions was diluted in one of three centrifugation media and, after centrifugation and removal of supernatant, extended in corresponding freezing media containing additional egg yolk, glycerol, lactose and Equex paste. The semen was frozen in 5 mL straws and the spermatozoa assessed for motility and membrane quality after thawing. Results Following centrifugation, spermatozoa diluted with modified Kenney's Centrifugation Medium (MKCM) displayed a higher percentage of (normal) F pattern (94.3%) compared with spermatozoa in Kenney's Centrifugation Medium (KCM) (84.9%) and Glucose-EDTA Centrifugation Medium (GECM) (85.2%). Conversely, the percentage of spermatozoa displaying the (capacitated) B pattern was higher in the KCM (14.1%) and GECM (13.8%) than in the MKCM (5.0%). Following freezing-thawing, there were lower percentages of spermatozoa displaying the AR (acrosome reacted) pattern in modified Kenney's Freezing Medium (MKFM) (45.6%) compared with Kenney's Freezing Medium (KFM) (61.4%) and lactose-EDTA Freezing Medium (LEFM) (61.1%). There was a correspondingly higher percentage of spermatozoa displaying the B pattern in MKFM (52.3%) compared with KFM (37.9%) and LEFM (38.6%). There was no significant difference between the freezing media in the percentage of spermatozoa displaying the F pattern. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa was also influenced by the type of freezing medium (P< 0.001). Post-thaw percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa, frozen in MKFM, KFM, and LEFM, were 31.4, 25.8 and 23.3%, respectively. Conclusion MKFM was the preferred medium for cryopreservation of equine spermatozoa due to its superior protection against changes in motility and membrane quality compared with the other freezing media studied. [source] | |||||||||||||