Effect of the addition of L-carnitine and pyruvate on boar semen cryopreservation

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.84520110813

• Palavras-chave: atena

• Keywords: Dimethylformamide, glycerol, L-carnitine, pyruvate, boar semen.

• Abstract:

  The conventional freezing protocol for boar semen lasts around 8 hours and requires heavy equipment. Results in fertility and litter size obtained using frozen-thawed porcine semen are very different from those obtained with natural service or artificial insemination using cooled semen. The aim of this study was to evaluate freeze-thawing of boar semen comparing the traditional slow method to a rapid curve of temperature descent, using two cryoprotectants (glycerol and dimethylformamide) in presence of an antioxidant and an energy substrate (L-carnitine and pyruvate). Methods: Samples were re-diluted with 5% DMF; 3% glycerol; 5% DMF + L-carnitine and pyruvate and 3% glycerol + L-carnitine and pyruvate. Kinematic parameters, sperm viability and sperm acrosome status and membrane functional integrity simultaneously (CB/HOS) were evaluated. Results: No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between slow or rapid curves, or between cryoprotectants, nor between presence or absence of L-carnitine and pyruvate for any of the motility, CB/HOS patterns or live acrosome-reacted, and dead acrosome-intact sperm (FITC-PNA/PI) evaluated post-thaw. However, a significant increase (p< 0.05) in live acrosome-intact sperm was observed with the rapid curve and in dead acrosome-reacted sperm was observed with the slow curve. Conclusion: Either glycerol or dimethylformamide could be used as cryoprotectants and the addition of L-carnitine together with pyruvate to the freezing media did not make a difference to the quality of thawed porcine semen.

• Número de páginas: 15