Efficiency of Commercial Egg Yolk-Free and Egg Yolk-Supplemented Tris-Based Extenders for Dromedary Camel Semen Cryopreservation

Abstract

Simple SummaryThis study compared the efficiency of commercial egg yolk-free (AndroMed, OPTIXcell) and egg yolk-supplemented (Triladyl, Steridyl) Tris-based extenders for semen cryopreservation in dromedary camels. The camel-specific extender SHOTOR was used for reference. SHOTOR, Triladyl, Steridyl, AndroMed, and OPTIXcell can all be used for camel semen cryopreservation; however, SHOTOR and Triladyl provide the best post-thawing sperm quality.AbstractThis study compared the efficiency of commercial egg yolk-free (AndroMed, OPTIXcell) and egg yolk-supplemented (Triladyl, Steridyl) Tris-based extenders for semen cryopreservation in seven adult dromedary camels. The camel-specific extender SHOTOR was used as control. The collected semen samples were evaluated and diluted with SHOTOR, Triladyl, Steridyl, AndroMed, or OPTIXcell. The diluted semen was gradually cooled and equilibrated for two hours before liquid nitrogen freezing. Semen was evaluated prior to freezing and after freeze-thawing cycles for motility, kinetics, vitality, abnormality, plasma membrane integrity, and DNA fragmentation using computer-assisted sperm analysis. In pre-freezing evaluation, progressive sperm motility was higher in SHOTOR-diluted samples (21.54 ± 1.83) than in samples diluted with Steridyl, OPTIXcell, or AndroMed (15.76 ± 1.80, 17.43 ± 1.10, and 13.27 ± 1.07, respectively). Moreover, Triladyl and SHOTOR resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) better sperm vitality and DNA integrity than all other diluents, but Triladyl resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) better plasma membrane integrity (87.77 ± 0.31) than SHOTOR (85.48 ± 0.58). In the post-thawing evaluation, Triladyl led to significantly (p < 0.05) higher sperm motility (38.63 ± 0.81%; p < 0.05) when compared to SHOTOR, Steridyl or AndroMed (35.09 ± 1.341%, 34.4 ± 0.84%, and 31.99 ± 1.48%, respectively), with OPTIXcell being the least efficient (28.39 ± 0.86%). Progressive sperm motility was the highest when using Triladyl. Post-thawing curvilinear, straight line and average path sperm velocities were highest with Triladyl and lowest with AndroMed. Triladyl led to the highest linearity coefficient and straightness sperm coefficient, while SHOTOR to the highest DNA and plasma membrane integrity. OPTIXcell and AndroMed resulted in poor post-thawing sperm vitality, while Steridyl was less efficient than Triladyl. The highest rate of sperm abnormalities was recorded with OPTIXcell and the lowest with SHOTOR or Triladyl. In conclusion, SHOTOR, Triladyl, Steridyl, AndroMed, and OPTIXcell can all be used for camel semen cryopreservation; however, SHOTOR and Triladyl provided the best post-thawing sperm quality. Based on our findings, Triladyl is the best commercially available extender for dromedary camel semen cryopreservation to date.

The Use of κ-Carrageenan in Egg Yolk Free Extender Improves the Efficiency of Canine Semen Cryopreservation

“…The addition of cryoprotectant agents such as glycerol, egg yolk, milk, polyvinyl alcohol, and cholesterol to extenders have been reported to reduce the detrimental effects of the freezing and thawing process [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Since its discovery as a component of cooling extender, egg yolk has been widely used in mammalian sperm cryopreservation to protect sperm from initial cold shock [ 12 , 13 ]. Moreover, many studies have verified the benefits of egg yolk-based extenders for canine semen cryopreservation [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Comparison between the Effects of Adding Vitamins, Trace Elements, and Nanoparticles to SHOTOR Extender on the Cryopreservation of Dromedary Camel Epididymal Spermatozoa

“…There are several ways to improve the productivity and reproductive performance of the Arabian camel [4][5][6][7][8], such as artificial insemination (AI). AI is a useful tool for genetic livestock improvement but has not yet been optimized in camels, owing to the improper protocols for camel semen cryopreservation [9,10]. The obstacles surrounding this protocol include (1) difficulties in collecting semen from aggressive males in rut, (2) the absence of suitable extenders for its storage, (3) low sperm concentration, (4) low sperm motility, and (5) the viscous nature of semen [1,11,12].…”

Effect of two animal protein-free extenders on cryopreservation of Pelibuey and Blackbelly ram semen

“…Likewise, the viability was also similar to the OPTIXcell® extender in frozen-thawed semen samples of buffalo, (18) Holstein bull and Red Swiss bull, (65) Korean bull, (66) and dromedary camel. (67) However, the results obtained from viable spermatozoa differed from those reported by Ondřej et al (68) Frozen-thawed seminal samples from the bull were higher with AndroMed® extender than with OPTIXcell®. In the PMI, the results are like those reported by Ansari et al (18) in bull semen samples frozen with the OPTIXcell® extender, while in the dromedary camel semen, the Triladyl® extender showed a higher percentage of sperm with the membrane integrated upon thawing.…”