Dimethylacetamide in Rooster Semen Cryopreservation.

Background: Sperm cryopreservation of cockerels is a major challenge, and so far there is no adequate information to enable commercial use of frozen semen.

Objective: To test the toxicity of dimethylacetamide (DMA).

Materials And Methods: DMA was added at 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% to the freezing diluent, and maintained for equilibration with the semen sample for 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 7 min and 9 min prior to freezing. Thawed semen was evaluated for kinetic characteristics by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and for structural and functional properties by flow cytometry (plasma membrane rupture, mitochondrial functionality and plasma membrane functionality).

Results And Conclusion: The addition of 6% DMA for 3-min equilibration resulted in the highest total and progressive motility, 42.0% and 36.9%, respectively. The point of intersection between a good protection and low plasma membrane rupture was obtained with the addition of 6% of DMA for 3-min equilibration with the rooster semen.