The successful double cryopreservation of rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) semen in large volume using the directional freezing technique with reduced concentration of cryoprotectant

Abstract

Using directional freezing, our objective was to cryopreserve rabbit semen and achieve fertility that was equal or higher than that achieved with conventional freezing. The working hypothesis was that controlling the ice-front propagation would allow reduction of DMSO concentration to <1 M, in addition to the capability to freeze large volumes (2–10 mL). Moreover, single and double freezing of semen were used to demonstrate the abbreviated mechanical stress imparted by directional freezing. Single-cryopreserved semen from 15 males extended with 0% egg yolk/1.75 M DMSO, 15.3% egg yolk/0.88 M DMSO and 20% egg yolk/0 M DMSO resulted in lower ( P < 0.05) mean ± S.E.M. post-thaw motility (3.6 ± 1.1, 28.5 ± 2.8 and 36.3 ± 1.8%, respectively) compared to fresh semen (73.3 ± 1.2%). Semen from seven of these males, subject to double freezing using only egg yolk based extenders, resulted in post-thaw motilities of 18.1 ± 2.2 and 16.4 ± 3.3%. Despite the reduced functional parameters of cryopreserved semen, fertility and kindling rates of 73.9 and 56.5% for single frozen-thawed, and 28.6 and 35.7% for double frozen-thawed semen were achieved (with insemination of 98 females). There was no significant difference in fertility rate between fresh semen (87.5%) and semen that was single frozen-thawed with the 15.3% egg yolk/0.88 M DMSO extender (73.9%). In conclusion, cryopreservation of rabbit semen in large volumes using directional freezing achieved fertility rates similar to those achieved with fresh semen. Furthermore, acceptable fertility rates with double frozen-thawed semen could facilitate the future use of sex-sorted semen in rabbits.