• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-92
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• 1992

This study was carried out to develop new techniques useful for cryopreservation, thawing and artificial insemination, and ultrastructural changes of cryopreserved spermatozoa in rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss) . Two extenders, such as Tyrode solution and Whittingham's $T_6$ solution, were used to preserve rainbow trout sperm in refrigerator $(-20,\;-40\;and\;-70^{\circ}C)$ or liquid nitrogen $%(-196^{\circ})$. Hand-stripped semen was diluted to 1:16 with two extenders, an then the semen were frozen after mixing semen and each extender containing 1M or 1.5M DMSO solution to 1:1. After 60 days cryopreserved semen was thawed in a $13^{\circ}$ water bath, and subsequently centrifugated. After centrifugation at 1,000 rpm for 5 min thawed semen was washed with extenders, and then fertilized with fresh eggs. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: After cryopreservation, over 75% of spermatozoa were appeared motile and the survival rate was high. Following cryopreservation by the addition of cryoprotectant such as DMSO, methanol and glycerol, the fertilization rate of the thawed spermatozoa appeared over $99\%$ compared with the control having $99\%$ of fertilization rate. There was no difference between the control and experimental groups such as $(-20^{\circ}C\;-40^{\circ}C\;and\;-70^{\circ}C)$ and $-196^{\circ}$ in fertilization rate. Following cryopreservation at $-196^{\circ}$ by the addition of 1M DMSO of cryoprotectant, each fertilization rate following 24 hours and hatching rate following 24 days showed $96\%$ and $8\%$ by the addition of BSA, but showed $98\%\;and\;10%$ by no addition of BSA. Following 2 months of cryopreservation by the addition of 1M DMSO of cryoprotectant, there were $10%$ of hatching rate at $-196^{\circ}\;and\;10\%\;and\;35\%,\;respectively,\;at\;-40^{\circ}C\;and\;-70^{\circ}C$. Following 2 months of cryopreservation by the addition of 1M methanol of cryoprotectant, there were $22\%$ of fertilization rate at $-20^{\circ}C,\;and\;28\%,\;at\;-70^{\circ}C$ Following 2 months of cryopreservation by the addition of 1M glycerol of cryoprotectant, there were $22\%$ of fertilization rate at $-20^{\circ}C$, and $33\%,\;at\;-70^{\circ}C$. pollowing 2 months of cryopreservation by the addition of 1.5M DMSO of cryoprotectant, there were $27\%$ of fertilization rate at $-20^{\circ}C,\;an\;36\%\;and \;35\%,\;respectively,\;at\;-40^{\circ}C\;and\;-70^{\circ}C$. Following 2 months of cryopreservation by the addition of 1.5M glycerol of cryoprotectant, there were $34\% \;of\;fertilization\;rate\;at\;-20^{\circ}C, \;and\;31\%\;and\;31\%,\;respectively,\;at \;-40^{\circ}C\;and\;-70^{\circ}$. Following 2 months of cryopreservation by the addition of 1.5M methanol of cryoprotectant, there were $28\%$ of fertilization rate at $-20^{\circ}C,\;and\;29\%\;and\;28\%,\;respectively,\;at\;-40^{\circ}C\;and\;-70^{\circ}C.$ From 10 days and 15 days following fertilization at $13^{\circ}C\;and\;10^{\circ}C$, respectively, the mortality rate of fertilized ova was markedly increased. The middle piece of spermatozoa had two set of central doublets, nine set of outer coarse fibres, and mitochondrial sheath. Spermatozoa went through morphological changes during storage, e.g. winding of flagella, detachment of the nuclear envelope and the plasma membrane from the nucleus of the sperm head. There were $1\%$ abnormal spermatozoa in fresh sperm and about $15\%$ during storage.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-71
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• 1983

1. Diluted chicken semen can be preserved at 2 to 5$^{\circ}C$ for 24 to 48 hr with resultant fertility of greater than 90% of that of fresh semen. Turkey semen can be preserved at 10 to 15$^{\circ}C$ for 6 to 24 hr and provide economical fertility. 2. Frozen chicken semen has given variable results; a 21 to 93% fertility ranges as compared to 92 to 94% expected with fresh semen. Highest fertility levels obtained with frozen turkey semen intravaginally inseminated have been 61 and 63% using DMSO and glycerol, respectively, as cryoprotectants. 3. The use of glycerol as a cryoprotectant reauires that its concentration in semen be reduced to less than 2% either by dialysis or centrifugation after thawing and before intravaginal insemination if optimal fertility is to be obtained. 4. The temperature at which cryoprotectants are added to semen and the time allowed for equilibration are important for subsequent fertility pre- and post-freezing. 5. The type of container used for packaging the semen, freeze or cooling rates, thaw rates and level of cryoprotectant all interact in affecting cell survival. 6. Plastic freeze straws as a packaging device for semen offers the following advantages: easy to handle, require minimal storage space, offer a wide range of freeze and thaw rates, and insemination can be made directly from them upon thawing. 7. Controlled slow cooling rates of 1 to 8$^{\circ}C$/min have thus far provided the best results for cooling chicken semen throught the transition phase change (liquid to solid) or critical temperature range of ＋5 to -20 or -35$^{\circ}C$. 8. Highest fertilities have been achieved with frozen chicken semen where a slow thaw rate (2。 to 5$^{\circ}C$) has been used regardless of the freeze rate. 9. To maintain a constant high level of fertility throughout a breeding season with frozen semen, a higher absolute number of spermatozoa must be inseminated (2 to 3 times as many) as compared to fresh semen since a, pp.oximately 50% are destroyed during processing and freezing. 10. The quality of semen may vary with season and age of the male. Such changes in sperm quality could be accentuated by storage effects. Thus, the correct number of spermatozoa may very well vary during the course of a breeding period. 11. As to time of insemination, it is best to avoid inseminating chicken hens within 1-2 hr after or 3-5 hr before oviposition; and turkey hens during or 7-10 hr before oviposition. 12. The physiological receptiveness of the oviduct at the time of insemination is a very important biological factor influencing fertility levels throughout the breeding season.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.92-92
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• 2002

Considerable attention has been focused on the cryopreservation of semen and estrus induction in dog, as consequence of poor productivity caused by long anestrus period, in order to enhance the productivity of youngs and to preserve the breeds. The objectives of this study were to evaluate semen quality after cryopreservation and to evaluate the Pregnancy rate after insemination (AI). Fifty infertilie dogs (age 2∼3 years) were selected for the study and divided into three different estrus induction treatment groups. Group 1: dogs (n=15) were given clomifene (0.1 mg/kg) orally for five days at 12 hr intervals. Group 2: dogs (n=15) were given bromocriptine (50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg) orally for five days at 12 hr intervals, followed by single injection intravenously of 500 IU GnRH (Group 3, n=20) when pro-estrus occurred. The rates of pregnancy in estrus inducted dogs mated naturally compared to those inseminated artificially with ejaculated fresh semen and frozen-thawed semen. Estrus detection was performed using the method of vaginal smear and confirmed by the plasma progesterone assay. The ejaculated semen to freeze was exposed to a mixture of Tris extender with cryoprotectant (Trisma, 81 mM: TES, 209 mM: citric acid, 6 mM; glucose, 5 mM; glycerol, 8%) and cryopreserved gradually by slow-cooling at 17 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen (LN$_2$) for 23 min. The motility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. To assess their viability and acrosome content, spermatozoa were stained with a vital stain and Fluorescence conjugated lectin Pisum Savitum Agglutinin (FITC/PAS), respectively. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonograpy on day 25, 35 and 55 post insemination. The use of fresh semen, the pregnancy rates were observed 66.6, 66.6, 75.0 and 83.3% in natural estrus, clomifene induced, bromocriptine induced and a combination of GnRH and bromocriptine, respectively. The use of frozen-thawed semen, the pregnancy rates were observed 66.6, 33.3, 50.0 and 60.0% in natural estrus, clomifene induced, bromocriptine induced and a combination of GnRH and bromocriptine, respectively. No difference was observed in the number of offspring produced among natural estrus and treated groups inseminated with fresh or frozen-thawed semen. In conclusion, the pregnancy rate of dogs treated with a combination of GnRH and bromocriptine was more effective than use of clomifene or bromocriptine only. In addition, frozen-thawed semen can be used successfully far artificial insemination in dog.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.316-321
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• 2021

Objective: Amino acids can protect sperm structure in cryopreservation due to their antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and human sperm intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) during vitrification. Methods: Twenty normal human sperm samples were examined. Each sample was divided into six equal groups: LC (1 and 10 mM), NAC (5 and 10 mM), and cryopreserved and fresh control groups. Results: The groups treated with LC and NAC showed favorable findings in terms of motility parameters, DNA damage, and MMP. Significantly higher levels of intracellular ROS were observed in all cryopreserved groups than in the fresh group (p≤0.05). The presence of LC and NAC at both concentrations caused an increase in PMI, MMP, and progressive motility parameters, as well as a significant reduction in intracellular ROS compared to the control group (p≤0.05). The concentrations of the amino acids did not show any significant effect. Conclusion: LC and NAC are promising as potential additives in sperm cryopreservation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1614-1619
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• 2009

The present study was conducted to observe the effect of increased osmolality of basic tris extender supplemented with trehalose and sucrose on post-thawing quality (motility, progressive motility, viability, the rate of acrosome abnormality, total abnormality and membrane integrity) of Markhoz goat spermatozoa. Fresh semen samples were evaluated for motility and sperm concentration. Only semen samples with motility more than 70% and sperm concentration higher than $3{\times}10^{9}$ sperm/ml were used for cryopreservation. In Exp. 1, trehalose (50, 75 or 100 mM) and sucrose (40, 60 or 80 mM) were added to a basic tris diluent. Based on the results of experiment 1, the goal of Exp. 2 was to investigate the combinational effects of the highest and lowest concentrations ($T_{100}+S_{80}$ or $T_{50}+S_{40}$) of trehalose and sucrose. As the control, semen was diluted and frozen in the tris diluent without trehalose or sucrose. The results in Exp. 1 showed that all evaluated spermatozoa characteristics improved significantly after freezing and thawing (p<0.05) and at the same time the increase of trehalose and sucrose concentrations in basic extenders was seen, with the best results obtained for extenders containing 70 and 100 mM trehalose and 80 mM sucrose. Comparing these results with those of control diluents, the effects of supplementation were significantly (p<0.05) better. In Exp. 2, the results showed no significant differences (p>0.05) between $T_{100}+S_{80}$ and $T_{50}+S_{40}$ extenders, but the results of $T_{50}+S_{40}$were slightly better than obtained with $T_{100}+S_{80}$ diluents. Furthermore, the results of this experiment indicated that the sperm characteristics in the isotonic control extender were significantly (p<0.05) lower than examined extenders. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that goat sperm can tolerate hypertonic trehalose and sucrose solutions better than isotonic control diluents in the freezing period. In particular, these positive effects have been shown for acrosome integrity, which is very important for the fertilization capacity of sperm. The data indicated that addition of trehalose plus sucrose to the freezing extender can be recommended for cryopreservation of goat spermatozoa, but more data is needed on pregnancy rate, acrosome reaction and IVF to ascertain the real effect.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2003

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different freezing and thawing rates on the viability, motility and acrosomal changes of frozen canine spermatozoa. The ejaculated semen was extended with Tris-egg yolk buffer containing 8% glycerol and equilibrated for 60 min after cooled to 4$^{\circ}C$ for 58 min. The straws were cryopreserved gradually by slow-cooling at different distance(6, 10 and 17 cm, respectively) from the liquid nitrogen (L$N_2$) to achieve temperature rate of 3, 8.9 and 19$^{\circ}C$ /min. Thawing of the straws was performed in a water bath fur 2 min at 37$^{\circ}C$ and 55$^{\circ}C$ , respectively. The motility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. To assess their viability and acrosome content, spermatozoa were stained with a vital stain and Fluorescence conjugated lectin Pisum Savitum Agglutinin (FITC/PAS), respectively. Concentration of the ejaculated fresh semen was normal range of 3.44 $\times$ 10$^{8}$ /ml. Freezing temperature were reduced to -110, -70 and -35$^{\circ}C$, as higher distance from liquid nitrogen, 6, 10 and 17 cm, respectively. Freezing at 3$^{\circ}C$/min in distance of 17 cm from liquid nitrogen yielded better motility, viability and rate of intact acrosome than 8.9 or 19$^{\circ}C$/min and the optimal thawing was 37$^{\circ}C$ for 2 min.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2011

These study was to investigate the in vitro fertilization and viability of fresh and vitrified oocytes. Also, the developmental capacity of IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) oocytes were investigated. Then vitrification was performed with the use of 20% ethylene glycol + 20% DMSO + 0.5 M sucrose + 10% FCS + TCM-199 medium. Vitrification immature oocytes are cultured in vitrification solution for 10 min afterwards transferred to expose at room temperature for 5 min. and transferred to the ice water for 5 min. The oocytes were sealed in a 1.0 mm straw and placed in a $LN_2$ container. Frozen oocytes were rapidly thawed in a water bath at $30{\sim}35^{\circ}C$, and then placed in TCM-199 medium containing 0.5 M sucrose for 5 min each, respectively, at $38^{\circ}C$. After being washed for 2~3 times, using fresh medium the oocytes were cultured in TCM-l99 medium supplemented with 5% FCS at $38^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ and air. The normal morphology of fresh and vitrified-thawed oocytes were $87.1{\pm}2.1%$ and $54.8{\pm}2.5%$, respectively. The viability rates of fresh and vitrified-thawed oocytes were $70.0{\pm}2.2%$ and $41.9{\pm}2.6%$, respectively. Viability rates of vitrified-thawed oocytes were lower than that of fresh follicular oocytes (p<0.05). The in vitro maturation rates of fresh and vitrified oocytes were $45.1{\pm}3.6%$ and $28.9{\pm}4.4%$, respectively. The IVF rates of fresh follicular and vitrified-thawed oocytes were 34.00.2% and $20.2{\pm}2.6%$, respectively. The in vitro maturation and fertilization rates of vitrified-thawed oocytes were lower than those of the fresh follicular oocytes (p<0.05). A total of 350 oocytes were fixed and stained after co-incubation with spermatozoa, of which 88 had identifiable nuclear material. After IVF for 20 hrs, $25.1{\pm}3.4%$ of the oocytes found to have been penetrated by spermatozoas. Oocytes were fixed and stained after ICSI, and 105 oocytes contained identifiable nuclear material. After IVF and ICSI for 20 hrs, $34.3{\pm}3.4%$ and $59.0{\pm}2.0%$ of the oocytes were found to have been penetrated by spermatozoas. The developmental rates upon ICSI were significantly higher than those of the IVF method (p<0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2015

Objective: Embryo loading (EL) is a major step in embryo transfer (ET) and affect on the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study aimed to compare the effect of two different EL techniques on the rates of pregnancy and delivery in IVF/ET cycles. Methods: 207 fresh ET and 194 Frozen-thawed ET (FET) cycles were included in this retrospective study. Two groups (A and B) were defined based on the EL technique used. In group A, the entire catheter was flushed with Ham's F-10 medium. The embryos were then drawn into the catheter using one air bracket. In group B, $70{\mu}L$ of air was aspirated into the syringe and the catheter was flushed using Ham's F10 medium. The medium, air, embryos, air, and finally another layer of medium were then sequentially drawn into the catheter. The main outcome measures were the pregnancy and delivery rates. Results: The groups did not differ with respect to the etiology of infertility, the source of spermatozoa, the quality of the embryos, the type of EL catheter, and the ease of transfer. The pregnancy rate was similar between two groups. In fresh ET cycles, a higher delivery rate was observed in group B than it group A (78.1% vs. 60%, p=0.1). In FET cycles, the rate of delivery was significantly higher in group B than in group A to a nonsignificant extent (88.9% vs. 58.8%, p=0.06). Conclusion: EL techniques did not have a significant impact on the delivery rate in either fresh or FET cycles.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to establish a selection process for high quality sperm in bovine semen using sperm separation by magnetic activation (MACS). For this, semen from 21 Nellore bulls was collected using an artificial vagina. To guarantee the presence of pathologies in the ejaculate, animals previously declassified in four consecutive spermiogram were used. Semen was analyzed in five statuses: (1) fresh semen (fresh); (2) density gradient centrifugation (DGC), percoll column; (3) non-apoptotic fraction after separation by MACS (MAC); (4) apoptotic fraction from the separation (MACPOOR); and (5) MAC followed by DGC (MACDGC). Using a computerized analysis system (CASA), motility was measured. The sperm morphology was evaluated by phase contrast, and the supravital test was completed with eosin/nigrosin staining. For DGC, 20 × 10⁶ cells were used in a gradient of 90% and 45% percoll. MACS used 10 × 10⁶ cells with 20 μL of nanoparticles attached to annexin V, and filtered through the MiniMACS magnetic separation column. Membrane integrity was assessed with SYBR-14/IP and mitochondrial potential with JC-1 by flow cytometry. Processing sperm by MACDGC, was more effective in obtaining samples with high quality sperm, verified by the total of abnormalities in the samples: 35.04 ± 2.29%, 21.50 ± 1.47%, 17.30 ± 1.10%, 30.68 ± 1.94% and 10.50 ± 1.46%, respectively for fresh, DGC, MAC, MACPOOR, and MACDGC. The subpopulation of non-apoptotic sperm had a high number of live cells (82.65%), membrane integrity (56.60%) and mitochondrial potential (83.98%) (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that this nanotechnological method, that uses nanoparticles, is efficient in the production of high-quality semen samples for assisted reproduction procedures in cattle.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 1981

This experiment was carried out with the purpose to get some information about the properties of Simmental bull semen during summer season. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Semen volume per ejaculation, sperm concentration and sperm viability were averaged 5.16ml, 6.6billion and 65%, respectively. 2. Percentage of motile sperm after dilution in skmmilk solution and trisbuffer for 5 days were 34.16% and 35.0%, respectively. 3. Viability of spermatozoa frozen in skimmilk extender and trisbuffer for 5 days were 20. 83% and 25.66%, respectively. 4. Percentage of live sperm, MRT and pH value were 71.8∼72.1%, 8.40∼8.21 minutes and 6.78, respectively. 5. Diluted semen showed strong resistance to the cold shock than that of fresh semen. 6. Rscovery of sperm motility after freezing for 24 hours was relatively weak.