Freezing Protocol Optimization for Iberian Red Deer () Epididymal Sperm under Field Conditions.

Creating germplasm banks of wild species, such as the Iberian red Deer () can be challenging. One of the main difficulties is the obtention and cryopreservation of good-quality reproductive cells when the spermatozoa are obtained from epididymides after death. To avoid a loss of seminal quality during transport, developing alternative methods for cooling and freezing sperm samples under field conditions is necessary.

Effects of vitrification on ram spermatozoa using free-egg yolk extenders.

The present study aimed to examine the behavior of ram spermatozoa subjected to a vitrification process in free-egg yolk diluents in relation with conventional diluents and cryopreservation protocol used in this species. Previously it was investigated the toxicity of cryoprotectants, sucrose and glycerol, based on different concentrations (sucrose at 0.03 M, 0.

Free-radical production after post-thaw incubation of ram spermatozoa is related to decreased in vivo fertility.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA changes on male fertility. For that purpose, six rams with significantly different pregnancy rates were used; these were classified as having high fertility, i.e.

Increased chromatin fragmentation and reduced acrosome integrity in spermatozoa of red deer from lead polluted sites.

Vertebrates are constantly exposed to a diffuse pollution of heavy metals existing in the environment, but in some cases, the proximity to emission sources like mining activity increases the risk of developing adverse effects of these pollutants. Here we have studied lead (Pb) levels in spermatozoa and testis, and chromatin damage and levels of endogenous antioxidant activity in spermatozoa of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from a Pb mining area (n=37) and a control area (n=26). Deer from the Pb-polluted area showed higher Pb levels in testis parenchyma, epididymal cauda and spermatozoa, lower values of acrosome integrity, higher activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and higher values of DNA fragmentation (X-DFI) and stainability (HDS) in sperm than in the control area.

Improved cryopreservation protocol for Blanca-Celtibérica buck semen collected by electroejaculation.

The collection of sperm samples by electroejaculation (EE) leads to an increase of the production of seminal plasma which could modify the tolerance of spermatozoa to the cryopreservation procedure. This study aims to compare a standard sperm cryopreservation protocol for samples collected by artificial vagina (AV) with the same protocol and modifications to this for samples obtained by EE. Semen from six males of Blanca-Celtibérica goat breed was collected by AV (control) and EE, and three experiments were conducted.

Dynamics of sperm subpopulations based on motility and plasma membrane status in thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under conditions that support in vitro capacitation and fertilisation.

The present study evaluated modifications occurring in thawed ram spermatozoa during incubation in different media that supported in vitro capacitation and fertilisation, and examines how these changes relate to IVF. Thawed sperm samples were incubated under capacitating (Cap) and non-capacitating (non-Cap) conditions for 0, 1 and 2h and used in an IVF test. During incubation, changes related to membrane status and the motility pattern of spermatozoa were assessed, the latter being used to characterise sperm subpopulations.