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Effect of extender composition and freezing rate on post‐thaw motility and fertility of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), spermatozoa
Author(s) -
Mansour Nabil,
Richardson Gavin F,
McNiven Mary A
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2006.01503.x
Subject(s) - cryoprotectant , extender , semen , diluent , cryopreservation , biology , sperm , sperm motility , andrology , zoology , chemistry , anatomy , botany , nuclear chemistry , medicine , organic chemistry , polyurethane , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology
The effects of extender composition and freezing rate on motility and fertility of frozen‐thawed Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus , spermatozoa were investigated. Three freezing rates, two semen diluents and three cryoprotectants were tested. Semen frozen in 0.3 mol L −1 glucose diluent with 10% methanol as a cryoprotectant or in a diluent described by Lahnsteiner with 10% N,N‐ dimethylacetamide (DMA) resulted in the highest sperm motility. Fertility was the highest for semen frozen in a glucose–methanol extender but was not significantly different than that for semen frozen in Lahnsteiner's diluent with 10% DMA. Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) at 10% was a relatively ineffective cryoprotectant with either semen diluent. Semen frozen at 6 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen resulted in a higher post‐thaw sperm motility and fertility than semen frozen at 5 cm. The addition of 7% fresh egg yolk to glucose diluent containing methanol or DMSO did not improve the fertility of frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. However, the addition of 7% fresh egg yolk to glucose–DMA extender significantly improved the fertilization percentages of frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. In conclusion, dilution of semen 1:3 in 0.3 mol L −1 glucose with 10% methanol and freezing 6 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen (freezing rate of 40±8°C min −1 , mean±SD from −5 to −55°C) is a promising protocol for cryopreservation of Arctic char semen.