Effect of sperm and glycerol concentration on epididymal sperm motility parameters after thawing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different glycerol concentrations and different sperm concentrations on stallion epididymal sperm motility indicators after thawing. For statistical analysis, 25 stallions were used. Collection of the epidydimal spermatozoa was performed as a retrograde flush of cauda epididymis and ductus deferens within 12 h post castration. After evaluation, the resuspended spermatozoa were centrifuged, the supernatant removed and the spermatozoa resuspended in Gent semen extender to get three different groups with different concentrations of sperm (250 × 106 in ml, 500 × 106 in ml, 1000 × 106 in ml) and different final glycerol concentrations (2%, 4%, and 6%). Therefore, 9 different samples were finally obtained from each stallion. The spermatozoa were packed and placed in a fridge (4 °C) for 2 h, then placed in liquid nitrogen vapour (−80 to −100 °C) and after 25 min plunged into the liquid nitrogen and stored at −196 °C for at least 5 days. The selected straws were individually thawed in a 38 °C water bath for 30 s prior to post-freezing analysis. Motility indicators were assessed at 0, 60, 120, and 180 min after thawing. Parametric test was used for analysis; the measured indicators were total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, straightness, and average-path velocity. In this study, the best results were reached in samples diluted into a concentration of 1,000 × 106 in ml, regardless of the concentrations of glycerol.