Effect of the energy substrate in the diluent during refrigeration on the quality of goat semen

Identifier:  TFG:6601

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG6601

Authors:  Gozalbo Sánchez, Carmen

Abstract:
Artificial insemination (AI) is the most used assisted reproduction technique in livestock farming. Normally, in goats, refrigerated semen is used, which has better characteristics than frozen semen, but the storage time under refrigerated conditions is still limited. Knowing the bioenergetics of goat semen, protocols can be developed with specific substrates to extend the useful life of the sperm. However, in goats, little literature was found focused on the effect of the energy substrate during refrigerated semen storage. In the present study, the effect of the substrates glucose, fructose lactate and pyruvate on sperm quality parameters in refrigerated semen is evaluated. Sperm motility and kinetics are studied with the CASA-Mot system, while viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, presence of mitochondrial ROS and acrosome status are studied by flow cytometry from samples stained with M1 (HOECHST, Iodide of propidium, carboxyfluorescein) and samples stained with M2 (DAPI, MitoTracker Deep Red, MitoSOX). The substrates pyruvate and lactate have been observed to support sperm motility and mitochondrial function better than glucose and fructose, which require processing through glycolysis before being available as pyruvate in the mitochondria. Therefore, the best diluents to preserve goat sperm at 17oC in PBS are pyruvate and glucose.