Cryopreservation of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) spermatozoa in a chemically defined extender

To establish a method for cynomolgus monkey sperm cryopreservation in a chemically defined extender.

Semen samples were collected by electro-ejaculation from four sexually mature male cynomolgus monkeys. The spermatozoa were frozen in straws by liquid nitrogen vapor using egg-yolk-free Tes-Tris mTTE synthetic extender and glycerol as cryoprotectant. The effects of glycerol concentration (1 %, 3 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % [v/v]) and its equilibration time (10 min, 30 min, 60 min and 90 min) on post-thaw spermatozoa were examined by sperm motility and sperm head membrane integrity.

The post-thaw motility and head membrane integrity of spermatozoa were significantly higher (P0.05) for 5 % glycerol (42.95 +/- 2.55 and 50.39+/- 2.42, respectively) than those of the other groups (1%: 19.19 +/- 3.22 and 24.84 +/- 3.64; 3%: 34.23 +/- 3.43 and 41.37 +/- 3.42; 10%:15.68 +/- 2.36 and 21.39 +/- 3.14; 15%: 7.47 +/- 1.44 and 12.90 +/- 2.18). The parameters for 30 min equilibration(42.95 +/- 2.55 and 50.39 +/- 2.42) were better (P0.05) than those of the other groups (10 min: 31.33 +/- 3.06 and 38.98 +/- 3.31; 60 min: 32.49 +/- 3.86 and 40.01 +/- 4.18; 90 min: 31.16 +/- 3.66 and 38.30 +/- 3.78). Five percent glycerol and 30 min equilibration yielded the highest post-thaw sperm motility and head membrane integrity.

Cynomolgus monkey spermatozoa can be successfully cryopreserved in a chemically defined extender, which is related to the concentration and the equilibration time of glycerol.