Finding an Effective Freezing Protocol for Turkey Semen: Benefits of Ficoll as Non-Permeant Cryoprotectant and 1:4 as Dilution Rate

Michele Di Iorio, Giusy Rusco, Roberta Iampietro, Maria Antonietta Colonna, Luisa Zaniboni, Silvia Cerolini and Nicolaia Iaffaldano 1,*

Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso CB, Italy; Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari BA, Italy; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milano MI, Italy

Abstract: The present study aimed to find an effective cryopreservation protocol for turkey semen through the combined use of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and three non-permeant cryoprotectants (NP-CPAs), sucrose, trehalose, and Ficoll 70. In addition, the action of two dilution rates (1:2 and 1:4) were also investigated. Semen was processed according to two final dilution rates and the following treatments: Tselutin extender (TE)/DMSO (control), TE/DMSO + sucrose or trehalose 50, 100, 200, or 400 mM, and TE/DMSO + Ficoll 0.5, 0.75, 1, or 1.5 mM. In total 26 different combinations treatments were achieved. The diluted semen was filled up into straws and frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor. The post-thawing sperm quality was assessed by analyzing motility, membrane integrity, osmotic resistance, and DNA integrity. The results obtained revealed a significant effect of NP-CPA concentration on total and progressive motility, on most of the kinetic parameters, on membrane integrity and DNA integrity, while the post-thaw quality was less affected by dilution rate. The highest post-thaw quality for all sperm quality parameters assessed except curvilinear velocity (VCL) and DNA integrity were found in semen frozen with 1 mM Ficoll/1:4 (p < 0.05). Our findings provide an important contribution for the identification of a reference procedure for turkey semen cryopreservation, in order to create the first national avian semen cryobank.

See full article here

Animals 2020, 10(3), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030421
Received: 18 January 2020 / Revised: 25 February 2020 / Accepted: 1 March 2020 / Published: 3 March 2020