Can amides be alternative cryoprotectors for the preservation of feline semen?

• Published in: Cryobiology Vol. 97; pp. 138 - 143
• Main Authors: Madrigal-Valverde, Mónica, Bittencourt, Rodrigo F., de Lisboa Ribeiro Filho, Antônio, Araujo, Gediendson R., Lents, Maicon P., Santos, Elisiane S., Lima, Adrielle S., Mattos, Paulo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-12-2020
• Subjects: Amides - pharmacology; Animals; Cat semen; Cats; Cryopreservation - methods; Cryoprotective Agents - pharmacology; Dimethylacetamide; Dimethylformamide; Glycerol; Male; Semen; Semen Preservation - veterinary; Sperm Motility; Sperm quality; Spermatozoa; Glycerol; Sperm quality; Dimethylformamide; Dimethylacetamide; Cat semen
• ISSN: 0011-2240; 1090-2392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.09.004

Sperm cryopreservation is a tool for the conservation of the genetic material of animals of genetic importance or for species preservation. In the case of domestic cats, this can be used to generate information about seminal harvest, evaluation and preservation, which is especially important due to its applicability to wild felids. This study evaluated seminal samples harvested by urethral catheterisation from 13 adult domestic cats. Samples were cryopreserved with experimental groups of extenders were defined by the penetrating cryoprotectant: 6% glycerol (GLY6%), 3% dimethylacetamide (DMA3%) and 3% dimethylformamide (DMF3%). The samples were thawed and evaluated by conventional microscopy and by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The structural and functional membrane integrity was assessed by supravital tests (EOS), hypoosmotic swelling tests (HOST) and flow cytometry (FC). There was a correlation (P < 0.05) between total motility and EOS (r = 0.54), HOST and FC (r = −0.62) and total motility and flow cytometry (r = 0.63), indicating that these are complementary parameters that increase the accuracy of the feline sperm quality evaluation post-thaw. The results regarding the structural and functional integrity of the sperm plasma membrane did not differ (P > 0.05) among groups. However, the DMA3% group had a lower (P < 0.05) percentage of morphological changes in the sperm tail compared to samples cryopreserved with GLY6% and DMF3%. Additionally, DMA3% provided lower values of immobile sperm post-thaw when compared to DMF3%. DMA is an interesting alternative to GLY and superior to DMF for the cryopreservation of feline semen at the studied concentrations.
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•Semen collection by catheterisation, after asministration with Alpha agonist is an efficient technique in domestic cats.•Dimethylacetamide demostrates greater protection against sperm tail injuries in cats, than glycerol and dimethylformamide.•Dimethylacetamide is an alternative cryoprotectant to glycerol and superior than dimethylformamide, for domestic cats.