Using Cholesterol-Loaded Cyclodextrin to Improve Cryo-Survivability and Reduce Capacitation-Like Changes in...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Animal Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Sex sorting and cryopreservation of semen reduce sperm fertility.
• Gender-ablated semen experiences decreased cryo-survivability and increased capacitation-like changes.
• Novel methods are needed to improve the quality and fertility of processed semen.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the cryo-survivability of gender-ablated semen.
• To reduce capacitation-like changes in gender-ablated semen.
• To evaluate the efficacy of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) in improving post-thaw sperm parameters.

Main Methods:

• Semen from four Jersey bulls was processed and treated with 2 mg/mL of CLC.
• Evaluated sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial activity, and acrosome status.
• Assessed binding ability to oviduct cells and in vitro fertilizing ability.

Main Results:

• CLC treatment did not alter sperm motility but significantly increased the population with intact membranes and acrosomes (p < 0.05).
• Mitochondrial potential, capacitation status, calcium levels, and oviduct cell binding were maintained.
• Fertilization rates were significantly improved after 8 and 12 hours of co-incubation in the CLC-treated group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) addition significantly enhances post-thaw viability and acrosome integrity of gender-ablated sperm.
• CLC treatment preserves crucial sperm functions like motility, capacitation, and oviduct cell binding.
• This study demonstrates CLC as a promising additive for improving the fertility of processed semen.