Catalase prevents lipid peroxidation and enhances survival of caprine preantral follicles cryopreserved in a 1,2-propanediol-freezing medium.

The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) the optimal concentration (1.0 or 1.5 M) and duration of exposure (5, 10, or 20 min) of ovarian tissue to 1,2-propanediol (PROH) on morphology and viability of caprine preantral follicles; and 2) the effect of supplementing cryopreservation medium supplementation with Trolox(®) (0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mM) or catalase (5, 10, or 20 IU/mL) on follicular morphology, viability, and lipid peroxidation. Cryopreservation decreased (p<0.05) percentages of normal follicles relative to the control (84%). Although supplementation of the cryopreservation medium (1.0 M PROH) with catalase (10 or 20 IU/mL) or Trolox(®) (0.1 mM) resulted in follicular morphology and viability similar to that in the controls (P>0.05), lipid peroxidation was reduced only when 20 IU/mL catalase was added to the cryopreservation medium.