Semen cryopreservation: Successes and persistent problems in farm species

Abstract

Bailey, J., Morrier, A. and Cormier. N. 2003. Semen cryopreservation: Successes and persistent problems in farm species. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 83: 393-401. Artificial insemination has arguably been the most important practice contributing to the advancement of animal production. The numerous advantages of artificial insemination are augmented when the semen is cryopreserved and conserved for long periods. Unfortunately, the utility of cryopreserved semen is limited because for most mammals, even cattle, a considerable proportion of sperm loose their fertility during freezing-thawing. In many species, this loss of fertility is substantial, rendering cryopreserved semen impractical for routine use. Our goals are to characterize the nature of the sublethal sperm damage caused by cryopreservation, and to develop a method to improve the functional fertility of thawed semen. This review describes our theory that sperm are prematurely activated by cryopreservation ("cryo-capacitation") and discusses strategies for preventing this damage.Key words: Sperm, artificial insemination, capacitation, fertility Bailey, J., Morrier, A. et Cormier, N. 2003. La cryoconservation de la semence : les succès et les problèmes persistants chez les espèces de la ferme. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 83: 393-401. L'insémination artificielle a grandement contribué à l'avancement des productions animales. Les nombreux avantages qu'offre cette technique sont augmentés lorsque la semence est cryoconservée et entreposée pour de longues périodes. Malheureusement, l'utilisation de la semence cryoconservée est limitée puisque chez la majorité des mammifères, incluant la vache, une large proportion des spermatozoïdes perdra leur motilité pendant le processus de congéla-tion-décongélation. Chez plusieurs espèces, cette perte de fertilité est suffisamment substantielle pour rendre impraticable l'utilisation routinière de la semence cryoconservée. Les objectifs de notre laboratoire portent sur la caractérisation des dommages sous létaux subis par les spermatozoïdes lors de la cryoconservation et le développement de méthodes permettant d'améliorer la fertilité des spermatozoïdes décongelés. Cette revue décrit notre théorie selon laquelle les spermatozoïdes seraient prématurément activés par la cryoconservation ("cryo-capacitation"). Différentes stratégies permettant de prévenir ce dommage y sont également abordées.

Pure Egyptian Cattle Bulls Show both Individual Variation and Different Interaction with Extender in the Post-Thawing Sperm Parameters

“…Semen cryopreservation is a well-developed technique commonly used worldwide; it extends the life of spermatozoa by decreasing sperm metabolism and toxin production, but induces partially irreversible injury to sperm membranes, which may reduce sperm motility, viability and the fertilization rate after artificial insemination [1][2][3][4][5]. Sperm damage during preservation in liquid nitrogen at -196°C has been attributed by many authors to cold shock, ice crystal formation, oxidative stress, osmotic changes, cryoprotectant toxicity and reorganizations of lipid-protein and phospholipid layers within the cell membranes [6][7][8].…”

Curcumin offers antioxidant protection to cryopreserved bovine semen

“…Short-or long-term semen preservation as a crucial pillar of animal AI comes hand in hand with numerous advantages such as genetic improvement, protection of genetic resources, decreased incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, and enhanced transportation of genetic material across countries (Bailey et al 2003).…”

Effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extracts and glutathione antioxidants on bull semen quality after cryopreservation

“…These interactions decrease the percentage of viable spermatozoa (Bailey et al, 2003). The present study showed that inclusion of ROM (treatment III) and its combination with GSH (treatment V) improved the viability and membrane integrity rates successfully in frozen-thawed spermatozoa.…”