Combined effects of glycerol concentration, cooling velocity, and osmolality of skim milk diluents on cryopreservation of ram spermatozoa

Abstract

The interaction of glycerol concentration from 0 to 16% and cooling velocity from 1 to 100°C/min on freeze-thaw survival of ram spermatozoa was studied using a diluent based on 15% skim milk (450 mOs/kg water). Optimal spermatozoa survival (percentage motility and rating) was obtained with 4 to 6% glycerol and freezing rates of 10 to 100°C/min. Similar results were obtained with 8% glycerol at freezing rates of 5 to 30°C/min. Although the ram spermatozoa tolerated several cooling velocities at each glycerol concentration, increasing the concentration of glycerol resulted in a downshift in the range of optimal cooling velocities. Glycerol concentrations above 8% were toxic and contributed greatly to the progressive decrease in spermatozoa survival. Comparison of the 15% skim milk diluent (450 mOs/kg water) with a 19% skim milk diluent (600 mOs/kg water) showed that optimal cryosurvival was obtained with 4 to 6% glycerol and freezing rates of 10 to 100°C/min with both diluents.