Vitrification using soy lecithin and sucrose : a new way to store the sperm for the preservation of canine reproductive function

Zakošek, Maja (author), Casal, Margret L. (author), Šterbenc, Nataša (author), Virant-Klun, Irma (author), Mrkun, Janko (author)

A challenge in freezing semen for short and long-term availability is avoiding damage to intact spermatozoa caused by the freezing process. Vitrification protocols provide better results through less manipulation of semen and shorter freezing time compared to slow freezing techniques. Our research was aimed at improving vitrification methods for canine semen. Semen quality was determined in 20 ejaculates after collection. Each ejaculate was divided into eight aliquots, each with a dfferent extender. The control extender contained TRIS, citric acid, fructose, and antibiotics. Soy lecithin and sucrose were added to the control extender at different concentrations to make up the test extenders and final concentration of 50 X 10[sup]6 spermatozoa/mL. From each group, a 33 [micro]L (1.65 X 10[sup]6 spermatozoa) suspension of spermatozoa was dropped directly into liquid nitrogen and devitrified at least one week later and evaluated as before. Soy lecithin at 1% and 0.25 M sucrose added to the base vitrification media effectively preserved all sperm qualities. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods. Vitrification media containing sucrose and soy lecithin cause a minimal decline in quality of canine semen after devitrification. Furthermore, extenders used in our research did not contain egg yolk, which was replaced by soy lecithin, thus allowing for ease of shipping to other countries with strict requirements.

• Language: English
• Keywords: vitrification, soy lecithin, sucrose, semen preservation, dogs, way store the sperm, reproductive function, canine
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2020
• Number of pages: 15 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 10, iss. 4, art. 653
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-116660
• UDC: 59
• ISSN on article: 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani10040653
• COBISS.SI-ID: 34795225
• Publication date in RUL: 01.06.2020

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Animals
• Shortened title: Animals
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2076-2615
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519120409

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 09.04.2020

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P4-0053
• Name: Endokrini, imunski in encimski odzivi pri zdravih in bolnih živalih

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Name: American Slovenian bilateral project