Impact of 24-h Cooling Prior to Freezing on the Survival of Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Epididymal Sperm

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a 24-h cooling period prior to freezing on domestic cat epididymal sperm viability. Fifteen tomcats were submitted to routine orchiectomy and sperm samples were retrieved from both epididymides in a Tris-glucose-20% egg yolk extender. For each t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproduction in domestic animals 2009-07, Vol.44 (s2), p.366-368
Main Authors: Martins, JLA, Villaverde, AISB, Lima, AFM, Steagall, PVM, Ferreira, JCP, Taconeli, CA, Lopes, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal reproduction
Animals
Cats
Cell Membrane - physiology
Cold Temperature
Comparative studies
Cryogenic engineering
Epididymis - physiology
Male
Males
Semen Preservation - methods
Semen Preservation - veterinary
Sperm Motility - physiology
Spermatozoa - cytology
Spermatozoa - physiology
Time Factors
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Summary:The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a 24-h cooling period prior to freezing on domestic cat epididymal sperm viability. Fifteen tomcats were submitted to routine orchiectomy and sperm samples were retrieved from both epididymides in a Tris-glucose-20% egg yolk extender. For each tomcat, the diluted sperm was split into two equal volumes and cooled to 5°C at a rate of 0.5°C/min; one sample for 60 min (control) and the other for 24 h (cooled). After the cooling period, samples from both groups were frozen using an identical freezing protocol. Sperm samples were evaluated in three different periods: immediately after harvesting, after cooling at 5°C for 24 h (cooled group) and after freezing-thawing of control and cooled groups. Evaluations consisted of sperm motility and progressive status, sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) using two fluorescent probes. After cooling for 24 h, a decrease (p < 0.05) in sperm motility, progressive status and PMI was observed when compared to sperm samples immediately after collection. Comparing the results obtained after thawing, no difference (p < 0.05) was found regarding sperm motility, progressive status, PMI and sperm morphology between control and cooled groups. The results from the present study show that cooling cat epididymal spermatozoa at 5°C for 24 h prior to freezing does not lead to major damage of spermatozoa impairing the freeze-thaw process.
ISSN:0936-6768
1439-0531
DOI:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01432.x