Cellular and Molecular Consequences of Stallion Sperm Cryopreservation: Recent Approaches to Improve Sperm Survival

María José Contreras, María Elena Arias, Fernanda Fuentes, Erwin Muñoz, Naomi Bernecic, Sean Fair, Ricardo Felmer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Cryopreservation of stallion semen does not achieve the post-thaw quality or fertility results observed in other species like cattle. There are many reasons for this, but the membrane composition and intracellular changes in stallion sperm predispose them to low resistance to the cooling, freezing, and subsequent thawing process. Damage to the sperm results from different processes activated during cryopreservation, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and structural modifications in the sperm membrane that increase the deleterious effect on sperm. In addition, significant individual variability is observed among stallions in the ability of sperm to survive the freeze-thaw process. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics are making it possible to advance our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in the cryopreservation process, opening new possibilities for improvement. This review addresses the ongoing research on stallion semen cryopreservation, focusing on the cellular and molecular consequences of this procedure in stallions and discusses the new tools currently available to increase the tolerance of equine spermatozoa to freeze-thaw.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104499
Pages (from-to)104499
JournalJournal of Equine Veterinary Science
Volume126
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023

Keywords

  • Cryopreservation
  • Freeze
  • Plasma Membrane
  • Semen
  • Stallion

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