The development of an inexpensive rate freezer for use in semen cryopreservation

Date
2013-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract

Cryopreservation (CP) of semen is a common practice in many species and allows for the long-term storage of superior genetic materials. While CP has proven a reliable technique in the bovine, the results are often inconsistent in other species. Currently the most common two ways to CP semen is to either employ a method that suspends the sample in static nitrogen mist or to use a dynamic electronic system which pumps increasing amounts of nitrogen around the sample at a controlled rate; the former being relatively inexpensive but producing inconsistent results and the latter often being too expensive and complicated for use outside of select facilities. The present study focused on a new method of freezing bull semen using an inexpensive mechanical system designed to mimic the electronic system described above. In this trial bull semen, which had been prepared using standard techniques, was frozen using three mist techniques and the new mechanical system. Ten straws were frozen per treatment. Following a holding period, the straws were thawed and the samples analyzed for post-thaw survival using an automated semen analyzer; focusing on the motility parameters and forward progression. Results indicated a higher return of total motile cells (P < 0.001) and rapid motile cells (P < 0.001) from the new system while all forward progression parameters remained equivalent (P = 0.08). Biochemical activity measured as the acrosome reaction, was highly conserved in the new system (P < 0.001) as was normal morphology (P <. 0001). The data indicated, with refinement, the new system could be an improved means for CP in the field. Further studying is ongoing.

Description
Keywords
Cryopreservation, Bovine semen, New system, Inexpensive rate freezer
Citation