Insulin and bull sperm interactions during cryopreservation

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of insulin supplemented extender on bull semen at a post-thaw stage. Semen samples were collected four times from a Zavot bull which is endangered species in Türkiye. Semen samples were diluted with Tris based extender supplemented with 10 IU or 15 IU of insulin and control. Motility and plasma membrane integrity were evaluated by a phase-contrast microscope. Acrosome integrity (Fitc-Peanut Agglutinin), mitochondrial membrane potential (Rhodamine 123), nitric oxide level (4,5-Diaminofluorescein-2/diacetate) were evaluated with dual staining propidium iodide using flow cytometry. Motility and plasma membrane functional integrity were better preserved compared to control group (P0.05), but increased insulin negatively affected acrosome integrity (p0.05). There were not any significant differences among groups in terms of nitric oxide level (P>0.05). In conclusion, it was thought that insulin involved in energy metabolism and improved preservation of bull semen.

Keywords

• zavot
• bull semen
• insulin
• cryopreservation