Effects of Saccharides Supplementation in the Extender of Cryopreserved Rooster (<i>Gallus domesticus</i>) Semen on the Fertility of Frozen/Thawed Spermatozoa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to create balanced media for the cryopreservation of rooster semen in pellets to maintain the functional state of the sperm after thawing. Fructose was replaced by trehalose in experimental media in proportions of 10% (LCM-T10) and 20% (LCM-T20), while LCM was used as a control. After artificial insemination of the hens, the eggs were incubated (n = 400). To determine the functional safety of spermatozoa in the genital tract of hens after 5, 10, and 15 days from the last insemination, we used a method for assessing the interaction of sperm with the perivitelline membrane. Significantly higher rates of egg fertilization (82–86%) were obtained when using LCM-T10 and LCM-T20 compared to control (79%, p 2 (LCM-control—13.7 ± 2.7 holes/cm2), p 2 (LCM-control—14.9 ± 3.5 holes/cm2); and on the 15th day with LCM-T20—345.2 ± 11.1 holes/cm2 (LCM-control—0 holes/cm2). In conclusion, the use of trehalose in LCM diluent medium can increase the fertility of frozen/thawed sperm and the duration of their fertility in the genital tract of hens.

Keywords

• semen
• cryopreservation
• roosters
• motility
• fertility
• trehalose