Protocols for sperm cryopreservation in the domestic cat: A review

The main objectives of sperm cryopreservation in domestic cats are to preserve these gametes for future use, especially in valuable domestic cat breeds and to use knowledge-gained for developing sperm preservation techniques in wild felids that are threatened with extinction. To achieve acceptable quality of post-thaw sperm and results after insemination, sperm samples must be properly handled, cryopreserved and thawed by using appropriate protocols. In this paper, cryopreservation protocols of domestic cat sperm that have been reported previously are described. The subtopics include sources of sperm, freezing extenders, methods of sperm dilution, freezing storage vessels, methods of sperm cryopreservation, thawing temperature, and thawing extenders. In addition, comparisons of sperm quality results for different treatments within the same studies and between different studies are also presented.