Effect of trehalose and EDTA in the cryoprotective action of ram seminal diluents

AISEN E.G; ALVAREZ HL; VENTURINO A; GARDE JJ

THERIOGENOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2000 vol. 53 p. 1053 - 1061

0093-691X

To obtain better ram semen extenders for artificial insemination (AI), we developed effetive trehalose-containing hypertonic diluents. The cryoprotective action of trehalose has been explained by its dehydrating activity and interaction with cell membranes. Accordingly, we tested the cryoprotecting capacity of different combinations of a Salamon´s modified plus trehalose extender with EDTA. Evaluations were based on the percentage of motile spermatozoa and acrosome integrity, measured after thawing and after a 4-h-post-thaw resistance test at 37°C. We conclude that the combination of trehalose plus EDTA confers the highest cryopreserving activity tested, not only for freeze-thawing but also for post-thawing resistance, possibly by removing calcium from the medium thereby preventing cation competition with trehalose for membrane-binding sites.