Trehalose as a Stabilizer of the Lipid Composition of Membranes and the Composition of the Cytosol of Frozen/Thawed Rooster Spermatozoa

Low-temperature semen storage technologies are already being used in poultry conservation programs, but the quality of reproductive material stored in cryobanks varies greatly and cannot always be successfully used for practical purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the compositions of cryoprotective media to improve their quality. This study aimed to investigate the composition of membrane lipids and carbohydrates in the cytosol of rooster spermatozoa, to explain the dose-dependent effect of a combination of trehalose and fructose in cryoprotective media on the preservation of their morphological and kinetic parameters during freezing/thawing, and to determine the most effective diluent composition. Ejaculates were collected from Rhode Island Red roosters (n = 10). The effectiveness of three diluents containing trehalose was evaluated: LCM-control (0 mM), Treh20 (9.5 mM), and Treh30 (13.4 mM). Chromatographic analysis of membrane lipids, carbohydrates, and polyols of the spermatozoa cytosol was performed. A decrease in the content of glycolipids in the plasma membranes of spermatozoa from 2.0% in native spermatozoa to 1.1-1.4% (frozen/thawed) and phospholipids from 71.2% (native) to 70.5% (frozen/thawed) reduced the progressive sperm motility from 65.7% in native spermatozoa to 12.6-27.6% (frozen/thawed). The same dynamics were observed for the viability parameter of 90.4% (native) and 27.0-41.2% (frozen/thawed). The Treh20 diluent, using a combination of fructose (36 mM) and trehalose (9.5 mM) saccharides, maximally preserved the lipid profile of plasma membranes and the composition of the cytosol of frozen/thawed rooster spermatozoa, which positively affected the indicators of general and progressive mobility and viability.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the composition of membrane lipids and carbohydrates in the cytosol of rooster spermatozoa and the dose-dependent effect of a combination of trehalose and fructose in cryoprotective media on sperm preservation. The findings showed that a decrease in lipid content in plasma membranes resulted in reduced sperm motility and viability during freezing and thawing. The Treh20 diluent, containing fructose and trehalose, effectively preserved the lipid profile and cytosol composition, improving sperm mobility and viability.