Cryopreservation of donkey sperm using non-permeable cryoprotectants

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Cryopreservation of equine germplasm is essential for genetic resource conservation.
• Glycerol-based extenders are commonly used but can impact sperm viability.
• Non-permeable cryoprotectants offer potential alternatives to minimize cellular damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of sucrose and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as non-permeable cryoprotectants for donkey sperm.
• To compare the effects of sucrose-BSA extenders with a glycerol-based extender on post-thaw sperm parameters.
• To determine optimal sucrose concentrations for donkey sperm cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

• Donkey semen was cryopreserved using extenders with varying sucrose concentrations (0.05–0.45 M) and 1% BSA.
• Post-thaw sperm parameters including motility, plasma membrane integrity, and DNA integrity were assessed.
• Results were compared between sucrose-BSA extenders and a conventional glycerol-based extender (GLY).

Main Results:

• Sperm motility was significantly higher in the 0.25 M sucrose (S25) extender compared to other sucrose concentrations.
• Plasma membrane integrity was significantly higher in the S25 extender compared to the glycerol extender (GLY).
• No significant differences were observed in DNA integrity between S25 and GLY extenders.

Conclusions:

• An extender containing 0.25 M sucrose and 1% BSA is a viable alternative to glycerol-based extenders for donkey sperm cryopreservation.
• Sucrose-BSA extenders enhance key sperm parameters, offering improved cryosurvival rates.
• Further research may optimize non-permeable cryoprotectant formulations for equine reproduction.