IMPROVING CRYOPRESERVATION METHODS USING CHOLESTEROL TO MODIFY CELL MEMBRANES

Abstract

Genomic testing has shifted the typical age distribution of bulls used for artificial insemination to younger bulls (1). However, younger bulls produce less sperm than mature bulls, creating a lack in supply to satisfy the demand (8). In response to this deficit, it is critical to increase bull semen quantity without compromising genetic quality. A potential way to accomplish this is to decrease the cryopreservation cell death rate. Incorporating cholesterol into the cell membranes attempts to maintain plasma membrane fluidity by minimizing intracellular ice formation, the primary source of cell death (5). Here we report the addition of cholesterol to sperm cell membranes increases post-thaw motility (p=0.039) and sperm bound to oviduct epithelial cells (p=0.036). This provides incentives for further study for application in optimizing cattle breeding.