Validation of double freezing protocol for Beetal buck (Capra hircus) spermatozoa

Abstract

The study aimed to validate the double versus single freezing protocol for Beetal buck (Capra hircus) spermatozoa in tris‐citric acid (TCA) based extender both in terms of quality and fertilization potential. Computer‐assisted sperm motion and kinematic (CASA) variables, i.e. total (%), and progressive motilities (TM and PM, %) and rapid velocity (RV, %), average path (VAP, μm/s), straight line (VSL, μm/s) and curved line velocities (VCL, μm/s), straightness, (VSL/VAP, %) and linearity, (VSL/VCL, %) as well as supra‐vital plasma membrane integrity (SV‐PMI, %), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, %), viable/intact acrosome (V–IACR, %) and DNA integrity (DNA–I, %) had significantly greater values (p < .05) during single freeze–thawing as compared with the double freeze–thawing at 0, 30, 90, 150 and 210 days, respectively. All CASA and other assays alone did not show significant differences (p > .05) between both freeze–thaw cycles at all treatment durations, respectively. No statistical significance (p > .05) was observed for the in vivo fertility between single (n = 84/141 = 59.72%) and double freeze–thawing (n = 72/136 = 52.9%) cycles, respectively. In conclusion, sperm motion, kinematics, plasma membrane, acrosome, mitochondria and DNA integrities and in vivo fertility are acceptable after the double freezing protocol despite being lower than after one freeze cycle in Beetal buck.