Effect of storage conditions on the LDL effectiveness in ovine sperm cryopreservation

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of storage conditions on the LDL efficacy for cryopreserving ovine sperm. In this way, we compared egg yolk extender with three different forms for LDL storing, LDL diluted in Tris-glucose extender and stored in frozen (i) and freeze-dried (ii) states and LDL stored pure and added into the extender prior to use (iii). We also tested the effect of two storage temperatures (−20 and −80 °C) and three storage times (30, 60, 120 d). Frozen and freeze-dried extenders containing LDL, as well as LDL stored pure, improved post-thaw sperm quality. Storage temperatures did not influence negatively the cryoprotectiveness of LDL extenders. Furthermore, lyophilised LDL extenders stored at −20 °C were more effective in preserving sperm longevity than the other extenders stored at −20 °C. Finally, LDL extenders stored for 30 and 120 d were more efficient than 60 d in preserving ram sperm freezability.