Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T01:20:35.122Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cryopreservation of feline epididymal spermatozoa from dead and alive animals and its use in assisted reproduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2009

N. Cocchia ,
F. Ciani ,
R. El-Rass ,
M. Russo ,
G. Borzacchiello ,
V. Esposito ,
S. Montagnaro ,
L. Avallone ,
G. Tortora  and
R. Lorizio
N. Cocchia*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinic Sciences, University of the Studies of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1, I-80137 Naples, Italy.
F. Ciani
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Structures, Functions and Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
R. El-Rass
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Structures, Functions and Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
M. Russo
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinic Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
G. Borzacchiello
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology and Animal Health, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
V. Esposito
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Structures, Functions and Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
S. Montagnaro
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology and Animal Health, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
L. Avallone
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Structures, Functions and Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
G. Tortora
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinic Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
R. Lorizio
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinic Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1–80137 Naples, Italy.
*
All correspondence to: Natascia Cocchia. Department of Veterinary Clinic Sciences, University of the Studies of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino, 1, I-80137 Naples, Italy. Tel: +39 +81 2536017. Fax: +39 +81 2536019. e-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Cryopreservation of gametes is an important tool in assisted reproduction programmes; long-term storage of oocytes or spermatozoa is necessary when in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination is to be performed at a future date. Cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa offers a potential tool for rescuing genetic material from males of endangered populations. The objectives of this work were to: (1) examine sperm motility, viability, abnormality and acrosome integrity of frozen–thawed domestic cat epididymal spermatozoa; and (2) evaluate the same cryopreservation method on wild feline spermatozoa, needed to preserve their genetic resources. Epididymides were collected from 20 domestic cats during routine neutering procedure and from two wild felines at autopsy. The sperm samples, diluted with 4% glycerol/Tris/egg yolk, were loaded into 0.25 ml mini-straws, exposed to nitrogen vapour and stored in liquid nitrogen. After 4 weeks, samples were thawed and re-evaluated. The quality of each fresh and frozen–thawed sperm sample was tested by determining the motility (54.7 ± 11.3% and 32 ± 13.1% respectively for cat spermatozoa; 38.3 ± 18.7% and 21.5 ± 16.8% respectively for tiger spermatozoa), viability (74.3 ± 8.6% and 45.2 ± 9.4% respectively for cat spermatozoa; 42.4 ± 14.5% and 33.5 ± 12.9% respectively for wild felid spermatozoa), morphology and acrosomal status. The present study showed that feline epididymal spermatozoa can be frozen in egg-yolk extender with 4.0% glycerol in 0.25 ml straws. The procedure used in the present study for epididymal cat sperm cryopreservation may be applied to bank the genetic resources of wild felid species.

Keywords

Assisted reproductionCryopreservationEpididymisFeline speciesSpermatozoa
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , February 2010 , pp. 1 - 8
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Axnér, E., Ström, B. & Linde-Forsberg, C. (1998). Morphology of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis before and after electroejaculation and a comparison with ejaculated spermatozoa in the domestic cat. Theriogenology 50, 973–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bedford, J.M. (1970). Sperm capacitation and fertilization in mammals. Biol. Reprod. 2 (Suppl), 128–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Borzacchiello, G., Russo, V., Spoleto, C., Roperto, S., Balcos, L., Rizzo, C., Venuti, A. & Roperto, F. (2007). Bovine papillomavirus type-2 DNA and expression of E5 and E7 oncoproteins in vascular tumours of the urinary bladder in cattle. Cancer Lett. 250, 82–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fraser, L.R., Abeydeera, L.R. & Niwa, K. (1995). Ca2q-regulating mechanisms that modulate bull spermatozoa capacitation and acrosomal exocytosis as determined by CTC analysis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 40, 233–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glover, T.E. & Watson, P.F. (1985). Cold shock and its prevention by egg yolk in spermatozoa of the cat (Felis catus). Cryo Lett. 6, 239–44.Google Scholar
Hay, M.A. & Goodrowe, K.L. (1993). Comparative cryopreservation and capacitation of spermatozoa from epididymides and vasa deferentia of the domestic cat. J. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl. 47, 297–305.Google ScholarPubMed
Hermansson, U. & Axnér, E. (2007). Epididymal and ejaculated cat spermatozoa are resistant to cold shock but egg yolk promotes sperm longevity during cold storage at 4°C. Theriogenology 67, 1239–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hewitt, D.A. & England, G.C.W. (1998). An investigation of capacitation and the acrosome reaction in dog spermatozoa using a dual fluorescent staining technique. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 51, 321–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Howe, L. (2006). Surgical methods of contraception and sterilization. Theriogenology 66, 500–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ishikawa, Y., Uechi, M., Ishikawa, R., Wakao, Y. & Higuchi, S. (2007). Effect of isoflurane anesthesia on hemodynamics following the administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in cats. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 69, 869–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kashiwazaki, N., Yamaguchi, R., Uesugi, R., Hishiyama, N., Kim, M., Nakatsukasa, E., Kojima, Y., Okuda, Y., Hisamatsu, S., Inomata, T. & Shino, M. (2005). Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and binding capacity to homologous zona pellucida of cryopreserved epididymal spermatozoa in the domestic cat. J. Reprod. Dev. 51, 735–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kenagy, G.J. & Trombulak, S.C. (1986). Size and function of mammalian testes in relation to body size. J. Mammol. 67, 1–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kendall, B.E., Bjørnstad, O.N., Bascompte, J., Keitt, T.H. & Fagan, W.F. (2000). Dispersal, environmental correlation, and spatial synchrony in population dynamics. Am. Nat. 155, 628–36.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Luvoni, G.C. (2006). Gamete cryopreservation in the domestic cat. Theriogenology 66, 101–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marinoni, G. (2001). Impiego Della Clortetraciclina Nella Valutazione Dell'integrita’ Funzionale Degli Spermatozoi Epididimali Felini Congelati. Tesi di Laurea, Facolta’ di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita’ degli Studi di Milano.Google Scholar
Meizel, S. (1978). The mammalian sperm acrosome reaction, a biochemical approach. In Development in Mammals, vol. 3. (ed. Johnson, M.), pp. 1–64. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press.Google Scholar
Nakatsukasa, E., Inomata, T., Ikeda, T., Shino, M. & Kashiwazaki, N. (2000). Generation of live rat offspring by intrauterine insemination with epididymal spermatozoa cryopreserved at –196°C. Reproduction 122, 463–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Novell, K. & Jackson, P. (1996). Wild Cats: Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN-Report. Gland, Switzerland.Google Scholar
Parks, J.E. Hypothermia and mammalian gametes. (1997). In Reproductive Tissue Banking. Scientific Principles (eds Karow, A.M. & Critser, J.K.), pp. 229–61. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perry, R.L., Naeeni, M., Barratt, C.L.R., Warren, M.A. & Cooke, I.D. (1995). A time course study of capacitation and the acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa using a revised CTC pattern classification. Fert. Steril. 64, 150–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pukazhenthi, B., Pelican, K., Wildt, D. & Howard, J. (1999). Sensitivity of domestic cat (Felis catus) sperm from normospermic versus teratospermic donors to cold-induced acrosomal damage. Biol. Reprod. 61, 135–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pukazhenthi, B., Spindler, R., Wildt, D.E., Bush, L.M. & Howard, J.G. (2002). Osmotic properties of spermatozoa from felids producing different proportions of pleiomorphisms: influence of adding and removing cryoprotectant. Cryobiology 44, 288–300.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schäfer-Somi, S., Kluger, S., Knapp, E., Klein, D. & Aurich, C. (2006). Effects of semen extender and semen processing on motility and viability of frozen–thawed dog spermatozoa. Theriogenology 66, 173–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spindler, R.E. & Wildt, D.E. (1999). Circannual variations in intraovarian oocyte but not epididymal sperm quality in the domestic cat. Biol. Reprod. 61, 188–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tanaka, A., Takagi, Y., Nakagawa, K., Fujimoto, Y., Hori, T. & Tsutsui, T. (2000). Artificial intravaginal insemination using fresh semen in cats. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 62, 1163–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thiangtum, K., Swanson, W.F., Howard, J., Tunwattana, W., Tongthainan, D. & Wichasilpa, W. (2006). Assessment of basic seminal characteristics, sperm cryopreservation and heterologous in vitro fertilisation in the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 18, 373–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tsutsui, T., Wada, M., Anzai, M. and Hori, T. (2003). Artificial insemination with frozen epididymal sperm in cats. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 65, 397–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zambelli, D., Cunto, M. (2006). Semen collection in cats: techniques and analysis. Theriogenology 66, 159–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zambelli, D., Caneppele, B., Catagnetti, C. & Belluzzi, S. (2002). Cryopreservation of the cat semen in straws: comparison of five different freezing rates. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 37, 310–1.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Villaverde, A.I.S.B., Mello Martins, M.I., Basto Castro, V. & Lopes, M.D. (2006). Morphological and functional characteristics of chilled semen obtained from domestic feline epididymides (Felis catus). Theriogenology 66, 1641–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ward, C.R., Storey, B.T. (1984). Determination of the time course of capacitation in mouse spermatozoa using a CTC fluorescence assay. Dev. Biol. 104, 287–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Watson, P.F. (1981). The effects of cold shock on sperm membranes. In Effects of Low Temperatures on Biological Membranes, (eds Morris, G.J. & Clarke, A.), pp. 189–218. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
White, I.G. (1993). Lipids and calcium uptake of sperm in relation to cold shock and preservation: a review. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 5, 639–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wildt, D.E., Brown, J.L. & Swanson, W.F. (1999). Cats. In Encyclopedia of Reproduction, vol. 1 (eds Knobil, E. & Neill, J.), pp. 497–510. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar