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A preliminary study on epigenetic changes during boar spermatozoa cryopreservation.
Changjun Zeng1, Wenpei Peng1, Li Ding1
1Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan Province 625014, PR China.
Cryobiology
|July 1, 2014
Summary
Cryopreservation significantly alters boar sperm epigenetics, impacting fertility. Adding cryoprotective agents to extenders can mitigate these detrimental epigenetic changes, improving sperm quality for artificial insemination.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Artificial insemination (AI) with cryopreserved boar semen has low conception rates, limiting its use.
- The mechanisms behind reduced sperm viability and fertility post-cryopreservation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cryopreservation on epigenetic-related gene expression and protein levels in boar spermatozoa.
- To determine if cryoprotective agents can protect against cryopreservation-induced epigenetic alterations.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess mRNA expression.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate protein levels.
- Comparison of fresh, cryopreserved, and cryopreserved with cryoprotective agent treated boar spermatozoa.
Main Results:
- Cryopreservation induced significant changes in the mRNA expression of multiple epigenetic-related genes (Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Jhdm2a, Kat8, Prm1, Prm2, IGF2).
- Low protein levels of several genes were observed, particularly in samples subjected to programmed freezing.
- Cryoprotective agents in the freezing extender helped preserve the expression of epigenetic-related genes.
Conclusions:
- Cryopreservation induces epigenetic modifications in boar spermatozoa.
- Cryoprotective agents offer a protective effect against cryopreservation-induced epigenetic changes.
- Optimizing cryoprotective agent use may improve the efficacy of AI with cryopreserved boar semen.
