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Kinematic, bioenergetic and oxidative evaluations of donkey sperm preserved at +4°C

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2020

Tommaso Di Palma
Affiliation:
Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100Potenza, Italy Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137Naples, Italy
Stefano Cecchini
Affiliation:
Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100Potenza, Italy
Giuseppe Macchia*
Affiliation:
Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100Potenza, Italy Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137Naples, Italy
Maria Pia Pasolini
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137Naples, Italy
Natascia Cocchia
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137Naples, Italy
Raffaele Boni
Affiliation:
Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100Potenza, Italy
*
Address for correspondence: R. Boni. Campus di Macchia Romana, Via dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10 – 85100Potenza, Italy. E-mail: raffaele.boni@unibas.it

Summary

Information on donkey sperm bioenergetics, kinetics and oxidative status is scarce even though crucial for development of reproductive technologies and germplasm conservation. For these reasons, it is interesting to monitor sperm kinetics, bioenergetics, and oxidative status during sperm storage at +4°C and with several sperm extenders and concentrations. Donkey semen was collected from three jackasses, three times each. It was diluted with four extenders (Kenney, Equiplus, INRA96 or Hippex), set at three sperm concentrations (30, 50 or 70 × 106 spermatozoa/ml) and evaluated for its functionality after 0, 3, 24, 48 and 72 h storage at +4°C. Sperm kinetics was analyzed by Sperm Computer Analysis; sperm bioenergetics was assessed by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP); sperm oxidative status was evaluated by lipid peroxidation (LPO), anti-LPO potential and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assays. Incubation produced a progressive (P < 0.01) decline in sperm kinetics and MMP, whereas parameters related to oxidative status either increased (LPO, NBT) or decreased (anti-LPO). The anti-LPO potential was the index better related to sperm motility and kinetics. Extenders proved to be differently (P < 0.01) effective in preserving sperm kinetics, MMP, and oxidative status. The concentration of 30 × 106 spermatozoa/ml provided an optimum preservation of sperm functions. Significant correlations emerged between most parameters examined. This study identified reference criteria for storing donkey spermatozoa at +4°C. A low sperm concentration together with a proper extender are crucial requirements for optimum sperm cryopreservation efficiency. Field trials are, however, required to validate these findings, making them operational in practice.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2020

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