Sperm Selection in Frozen-semen Using Progesterone and BSA
The aim of this study is to elucidate sperm chemotaxis and to set up the optirnal condition for selection of motile and capacitated sperm from hovine frozen-semen. Thus, the effects of semen-washing after thawing, concentrations of progesterone (P4) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and sperm-washing frequency on sperm selection were examined. For evaluating their effects, number, viability and acrosome reaction of sperm swim-up seperated from semen, which were incubated for 30 minutes at 36 in the M2 solution containing P4 and BSA, were investigated. For frozen-semen just after thawing, sperm recovery and viability were not significantly different between P4-treated and -untreated semen. However, washing frozen-semen decreased the number of sperm and increased the viability of sperm that were recovered from semen treated with P4. Progesterone affected the recovery rate, the viability and the acrosome-reaction rate of sperm recovered from washed frozen-semen. Especially, number of motile and capacitated sperm were highest in semen treated with 50g /ml among 0, 20, 50 and 100g /ml of P4 concentrations. BSA affected the recovery rate and the viability of sperm recovered from washed frozen-semen that were treated with 50g /ml of P4. Especially, the percentage of viable sperm were highest in semen treated with 4mg /ml among 0, 2, 4, and 6mg /ml of BSA concentrations. Repeatedly sperm-washing did not affect the recovery rate and the viability of sperm recovered from washed frozen-semen that were treated with 50g /ml of P4 and 4mg /ml of BSA In conclusion, using progesterone and BSA could efficiently make the selection of motile and capacitated sperm from washed frozen-semen.