Abstract
Purpose: The aim was to assess the fertilizing capacity ofspermatozoa cool-preserved in electrolyte-free (EF)solution. Methods: Mouse spermatozoa were cool-preserved in EFsolution and the acrosomal status of the spermatozoa wascompared before and after preservation using chlortetracyclinestain. Mouse oocytes were inseminated by spermatozoacool-preserved in EF solution for 2, 4, or 7 days and fertilizationand blastocyst rates were evaluated. Results: Acrosomal status of spermatozoa cool-preservedin EF solution was not different from spermatozoa beforepreservation, but the capacitated and acrosome-reactedspermatozoa significantly increased after reinitiation. Cool-preservationin EF solution for up to 4 days did not affectfertilization rate. Blastocyst rate of embryos derived fromspermatozoa cool-preserved for 4 or 7 days in EF solutionwas significantly lower than that of embryos derived fromfresh spermatozoa. Conclusions: Mouse spermatozoa cool-preserved in EFsolution possesses as much fertilizing capacity as fresh spermatozoa.However, prolonged preservation affects theembryonic development.
Keywords: Acrosome reaction, capacitation, cool preservation, electrolyte-free solution, spermatozoa
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