In vitro assessment of egg yolk-, soya bean lecithin- and liposome-based extenders for cryopreservation of dairy bull semen

The study was conducted to compare the effect of four commercially available extenders (Triladyl (R)- egg yolk-based; Andromed (R) and Bioxcell (R)-plant based and Optixcell (R)-liposome-based) on post-thaw sperm quality and functionality variables evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. A total of 30 ejaculates from five bulls were analysed. With use of Triladyl (R), sperm had a greater post-thaw total motility than with use of Bioxell (R) and Optixcell (R) but there was no difference as compared with use of Andromed (R) with the greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of progressively motile cells. With use of Optixcell (R), there was a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of sperm with an intact membrane than with use of Triladyl (R) and Bioxcell (R), but values were similar with use of Andromed (R). Acrosome damage in semen preserved with use of Optixcell (R) was less than with use of Bioxcell (R) and Andromed (R). With use of Optixcell (R), there was a greater percentage of viable spermatozoa with a lesser lipid disruption ( P < 0.05) when compared with the other extenders. Production of peroxides was greater for sperm cryopreserved with use of Triladyl (R) and Optixcell (R) while less superoxide was produced in the samples cryopreserved with the egg yolk-based extender. Optixcell (R) appears to be a promising alternative to replace traditional egg yolk extenders. With use of Optixcell (R), however, there were greater peroxide concentrations after thawing. With use of Andromed (R), there were similar results as with use of Optixcell (R), therefore, it could be an effective substitute for egg-yolk based media due to the greater proportion of highly and progressively motile spermatozoa at thawing.