Effects of scrotal insulation on viability characteristics of cryopreserved bovine semen

The effect of a 48-h scrotal insulation on spermatozoal viability (motility and acrosomal integrity), before and after semen cryopreservation, was studied in six young Holstein bulls whose semen was collected twice in succession at 3-d intervals. Motility and acrosomal integrity were measured before and after incubation of semen at 37 degrees C for 3 h. For assessment of results, collection days were grouped: period 1 (control) = d -6, -3, and 0, where d 0 = initiation of scrotal insulation after semen collection; period 2 = d 3, 6, and 9 (sperm presumed in the epididymis or rete testis during scrotal insulation); period 3 = d 12, 15, ... 39 (sperm presumed in spermatogenesis during scrotal insulation). Semen was cryopreserved each collection day until morphologically abnormal cells exceeded 50% of the ejaculate (d 12 to 21). Semen viability before and after freezing was lower in period 3 than in period 1 (P less than .05). These differences coincided with the appearance in period 3 of abnormal sperm morphology and depressed undiluted semen motility, which began on d 12 (P less than .01). Semen collected during period 2 that was extended but unfrozen did not differ from that collected during period 1 in morphology or viability. However, for frozen semen, period 2 was significantly poorer than period 1 for both viability measurements, but only after incubation for 3 h at 37 degrees C postthaw (P less than .05). We conclude that epididymal sperm are adversely affected by elevated testicular temperatures, as noted by their decreased ability to maintain motility and acrosomal integrity following cryopreservation.