AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Prefreeze and Postthaw Effects of Glycerol and Dimethylacetamide on Motility and Fertilizing Ability of American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Spermatozoa

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1991
Authors:M. Brock, K, Bird, DM
Journal:Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Volume:22
Issue:4
Date Published:1991
ISBN Number:10427260
Keywords:Falco, Falco sparverius, Falco tinnunculus, Falconidae
Abstract:Two cryopreservatives were evaluated for effective long-term storage of spermatozoa of the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Pooled semen samples from unpaired male kestrels were mixed in a ratio of either one part semen to three parts diluent (1:3) containing 13.6% glycerol or 1:1 with a diluent containing 12.3% dimethylacetamide (DMA). Sperm motility was compared after dilution, after freezing at a rate of 6°C/min from +5°C to -196°C in liquid nitrogen, and after rapid thawing. The percentage of motile spermatozoa in fresh semen, 63.2%, decreased to 57.4% (P < 0.05) and 49.5% (P < 0.05) following dilution with glycerol and DMA, respectively. Further reductions in sperm motility occurred after freezing and thawing; however, a significantly greater percentage of sperm (P < 0.05) remained motile in diluent containing glycerol (40.7%) than in diluent containing DMA (13.0%). Following insemination of females, fresh semen and semen containing DMA yielded the highest fertility rates (56.5% and 52.2%, respectively). An intermediate fertility rate of 30.4% was achieved with semen frozen with DMA, whereas freshly diluted or frozen semen containing glycerol produced the poorest fertility (13.6% and 11.8%, respectively). Because DMA does not require removal from frozen--thawed semen before artificial insemination (unlike glycerol), it may be useful as an alternative cryoprotectant for spermatozoa of birds such as the American kestrel, which produce low concentrations of spermatozoa in small ejaculates.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/20095188
Short Title:Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
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