Cryopreservation of Andalusian donkey (Equus asinus) spermatozoa: Use of alternative energy sources in the freezing extender affects post-thaw sperm motility patterns but not DNA stability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three sugars and Equex paste in a freezing extender for donkey sperm cryopreservation. Ejaculates (n = 18) were collected from six Andalusian donkeys of proven fertility were pooled (two ejaculates per pool) and cryopreserved using a freezing extender containing three different sugars (glucose, fructose and sorbitol), with or without the addition of Equex paste. Sperm quality was assessed before and after freezing-thawing for motility, morphology, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity. The use of sorbitol in the freezing extender improved total and progressive sperm motility (P < 0.05) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (P < 0.01), but it reduced the values for other sperm motility variables compared with glucose (P < 0.001). The use of fructose resulted in a reduction in values for most CASA variables (P < 0.05), whereas addition of Equex paste did not have any beneficial effect on values for these variables (P > 0.05). Glucose was more effective in maintaining sperm morphology (P < 0.05), while there was no beneficial effect with the addition of Equex paste (P > 0.05). Supplementation of fructose and Equex paste in the freezing extender decreased plasma membrane integrity (P < 0.05) as compared with glucose, but there were no differences between treatments for acrosome and DNA integrity (P > 0.05), even after 24 h of incubation. The use of different sugar sources in the extender could affect the in vitro post-thaw quality of cryopreserved donkey spermatozoa, with sorbitol being an interesting alternative for improving the sperm quality. Results of the present study indicate the use of Equex paste could negatively affect post-thaw outcomes for sperm viability in this species.