Effect of Tempol in Sasaki Diluent on the Quality and Fertility of Cryopreserved Chicken Semen

Sperm are exposed to oxidative stress during cryopreservation leading to damage of membrane lipids. In the present study, the effects of adding Tempol during cryopreservation of chicken semen on post-thaw semen parameters and fertility were investigated. Adult PD-1linesemen were cryopreserved using 4% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in Sasaki diluent (SD). Tempol (1 and 5 mM) was added to the semen-cryopreservation mixture at final concentrations. The semen with additives was filled in 0.5 mL French straws and exposed to liquid nitrogen vapours for 30 min and then stored in liquid nitrogen. The semen straw was thawed at 5 C for 100 seconds and evaluated for sperm motility, live, abnormal, and acrosome intact sperm. The seminal plasma was evaluated for lipid peroxidation. The fertilization potential of the cryopreserved sperm was evaluated after insemination in the PD-1line hens. Sperm parameters after thawing were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the cryopreserved groups compared to fresh semen. Lipid peroxidation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cryopreserved groups. Fertility was significantly (P<0.05) lower in all the cryopreserved groups. In conclusion, the addition of template cryo diluent did not improve the post-thaw semen parameters or fertility.