TITLE:
Comparison of slow freezing and vitrification methods for Venda cockerel’s spermatozoa
AUTHORS:
Masindi L. Mphaphathi, Dibungi Luseba, Ben Sutherland, Tshimangadzo L. Nedambale
KEYWORDS:
Venda Cockerels; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Sperm Motility; Cryopreservation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.2 No.3,
July
26,
2012
ABSTRACT: An improvement in avian semen cryopreservation is essential and has the potential to improve the cryo-gene banking efficiency. This study compared two cryopreservation methods (slow freezing and vitrification) and the effect of different thawing/warming temperatures (5℃, 25℃ and 41℃) on Venda cockerel’s spermatozoa. Semen samples from Venda cockerels were diluted with modified Kobidil+ extender supplemented with 8% dimethyl sulfoxide. Semen from each ejaculate was stained with nigrosin/eosin for viability examination. The cryopreserved samples were either slow cooled in 0.25 mL straw or vitrified in a solid surface vitrification (SSV) device. Semen straw or cryovial was stored in liquid nitrogen container. The straw or cryovial with sperm was thawed or warmed at 5?C, 25?C and 41℃ and analysed by a Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA). There was a significant difference in live/normal sperm between the semen donors. Cockerels spermatozoa cryopreserved by slow freezing (43%) and thawed at 5?C had a significantly higher survival and motility rate compared to vitrification (2.5%) method. In conclusion, there was higher rate of live/normal morphology sperm. Cryopreservation process reduces sperm motility and velocity rate regardless of cryoprevervation method and thawing or warming temperatures. However, slow freezing was a better method to maintain motility of spermatozoa following cryopreservation.