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Assessment of post-thawed ram sperm viability after incubation with seminal plasma

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Abstract

A suggested alternative to improve post-thawed ram semen quality is the addition of seminal plasma (SP). This is thought to be capable of improving sperm resistance to thermal shock, reverting cryocapacitation and helping sperm survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of frozen-thawed ram semen incubation with SP on mitochondrial activity, acrosomal membrane integrity, necrosis and apoptosis. Frozen/thawed semen was divided into two groups: the SP Group and the control group. After 0, 30 and 60 min, fluorescent probes were added to aliquots from each treatment group and evaluated using flow cytometry. There was no difference between treatment groups in almost all viability parameters evaluated, with exception of the apoptosis, which was found increased in SP group. The increase in incubation period resulted in a decreased percentage of sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential and acrosomal membrane integrity and an increased percentage of necrotic and apoptotic sperm cells. In conclusion, the present study showed that addition of seminal plasma after thawing cryopreserved ram sperm had no identifiable beneficial effect on sperm quality.

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Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to Dr. Luis Carlos de Sá Rocha from the Department of Pathology—School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo for use of the flow cytometry facility. This study was supported by The State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) fellowship 05/55256-3 and grant 03/07456-8.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Weber Beringui Feitosa or Mayra Elena Ortiz D’Avila Assumpção.

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Rovegno, M., Feitosa, W.B., Rocha, A.M. et al. Assessment of post-thawed ram sperm viability after incubation with seminal plasma. Cell Tissue Bank 14, 333–339 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9317-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-012-9317-1

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