The advantages of LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins) in the cryopreservation of canine semen

Abstract

A medium containing LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins, the cryoprotective component of chicken egg yolk) was compared with egg yolk for the preservation canine spermatozoa during the freeze–thaw process. Twenty sperm samples taken from 10 dogs were frozen in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C in seven different media: one control medium containing 20% egg yolk, and six test media containing 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, and 10% LDL, respectively. Following thawing, sperm motility was assessed using a Hamilton-Thorne Sperm Analyser equipped with the CEROS 12 software. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was 55.3% in the 6% LDL medium (optimal concentration) compared with 27.7% in the egg yolk based medium ( p < 0.05). In comparison with the egg-yolk medium, the LDL medium also resulted in an improved preservation of spermatozoa during the freezing process ( p < 0.05) in terms of acrosomal integrity (FITC-PSA test), flagellar plasma membrane integrity (HOS test), and DNA integrity (Acridine Orange test). In addition, six Beagle bitches were inseminated twice, via the intra-uterine route, at an interval of 24 h; 200 × 10 6 spermatozoa that had been previously frozen in the 6% LDL medium were used per insemination. All of the bitches became pregnant (gestation rate of 100%). In conclusion, the 6% LDL medium provides improved protection of the spermatozoa during the freeze–thaw process and a marked improvement in the motility parameters of canine spermatozoa in comparison with the control medium containing egg yolk alone. Finally, the use of LDL as a cryoprotectant for canine semen does not interfere with fertility.