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L-Proline: An Effective Agent for Frozen and Post-thawed Donkey Semen Storage
1National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
|May 17, 2021
Summary
L-proline supplementation in extenders significantly improved jackass semen quality after cryopreservation and thawing. This amino acid enhances motility, membrane integrity, and reduces oxidative stress, boosting fertility rates in donkeys.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cryopreservation of jackass semen presents challenges in maintaining sperm quality.
- Oxidative stress and membrane damage are key factors affecting post-thaw sperm viability.
- Amino acids like L-proline are explored for their potential cryoprotective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of L-proline in jackass semen extenders for cryopreservation and post-thaw culture.
- To assess the impact of L-proline on sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and structural integrity.
- To determine the effect of L-proline on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and in vivo fertility.
Main Methods:
- Jackass semen was cryopreserved with varying concentrations of L-proline (0-80 mM).
- Post-thawed semen was cultured in L-proline medium, assessing motility, MMP, plasma/acrosome/chromatin integrity, and ROS.
- A fertility trial involved inseminating jennies with semen treated with L-proline extenders, with pregnancy diagnosed via ultrasound.
Main Results:
- L-proline (30 mM and 40 mM) significantly improved post-thawed sperm motility, acrosome, and chromatin integrity compared to controls.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was significantly higher in the 30 mM L-proline group.
- L-proline supplementation reduced ROS accumulation and improved sperm parameters during post-thaw incubation, leading to higher pregnancy rates (40% vs. 28.85% in control).
Conclusions:
- Extenders containing 30-40 mM L-proline enhance the quality of frozen and post-thawed jackass semen.
- L-proline acts as a beneficial agent for preserving donkey sperm viability and function.
- The findings support the use of L-proline in assisted reproductive technologies for jackass breeding.
