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In vitro supplementation with unsaturated fatty acids improves boar sperm viability after storage at 6 °C
U Jakop1, V Svetlichnyy1, J Schiller2
1Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany; Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schönow e.V., Bernauer Allee 10, D-16321, Bernau, Germany.
Animal Reproduction Science
|May 28, 2019
Summary
Lowering boar sperm preservation temperature to 6°C reduces bacterial growth. Supplementing with specific fatty acids, like palmitoleic acid, improved sperm motility and mitochondrial activity during storage, enhancing sperm viability.
Area of Science:
- Animal reproduction and biotechnology
- Sperm cryopreservation and lipid metabolism
Background:
- Lowering boar sperm preservation temperature below 17°C can reduce bacterial contamination and antibiotic use.
- Oxidative stress and lipid degradation are key detrimental factors affecting sperm viability at reduced temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of individual fatty acids bound to fatty acid-free BSA in improving boar sperm survival at 6°C.
- To investigate the impact of natural and non-endogenous fatty acids on sperm motility, mitochondrial activity, and overall viability during low-temperature storage.
Main Methods:
- Boar sperm was preserved at 6°C using Beltsville Thawing Solution supplemented with individual fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, oleic, palmitoleic, timnodonic acid) bound to BSA.
- Sperm motility, progressive motility, and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed after storage periods of 2, 3, and 7 days.
- A thermo-resistance test (5 hours at 38°C) was conducted after 2 days of storage to evaluate sperm function post-thawing.
Main Results:
- Supplementation with natural fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, oleic, palmitoleic) improved sperm motility and progressive motility after 2 days of storage, comparable to controls at 17°C.
- Except for linolenic acid, all natural fatty acids enhanced mitochondrial activity after 3 days of storage.
- Palmitoleic acid demonstrated the most significant positive effect, improving sperm parameters after re-warming from 2 and 7 days of storage.
- Timnodonic acid (20:5) showed no beneficial effect on sperm variables.
Conclusions:
- Individual fatty acids, particularly palmitoleic acid, show potential for enhancing boar sperm preservation at 6°C.
- Combinations of fatty acids may offer superior efficacy compared to single supplements for low-temperature boar sperm preservation.
- Further research into synergistic fatty acid combinations is warranted for optimizing liquid preservation protocols.
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