Boar spermatozoa encapsulated in barium alginate membranes: A microdensitometric evaluation of some enzymatic activities during storage at 18°C

Massimo Faustini, Maria Luisa Torre, Simona Stacchezzini, Roberta Norberti, Anna Lange Consiglio, Franca Porcelli, Ubaldo Conte, Eleonora Munari, Vincenzo Russo, Daniele Vigo

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo su rivistaArticolo in rivistapeer review

Abstract

The customary dilution of boar semen for subsequent artificial insemination (AI) procedures damages the cell membrane of spermatozoa, resulting in a loss of enzymes and other cytoplasmic contents and acrosomal reactions. We encapsulated non-diluted boar semen in barium alginate membranes to optimize AI procedures and to improve the functional integrity of spermatozoal membranes during storage. The percentage of non-reacted acrosomes (NRA) and measurements of enzyme leakage (cytochrome c oxidase (COX), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH)) were used as indices of the functional status of diluted, unencapsulated and encapsulated spermatozoa, stored for 72 h at 18°C. Enzymatic activity was assessed in situ by microdensitometry, and non-reacted acrosomes were microscopically determined by staining. The percentage of acrosome integrity and the intracellular enzymatic activities during storage were different for unencapsulated and encapsulated semen. Semen dilution caused a rapid decline in enzymatic activities and concomitant acrosomal reactions. Encapsulated spermatozoa had significantly higher acrosome integrity (77% versus 55%; P < 0.01 after 72 h) and an overall higher in situ enzymatic activity. For cytochrome c oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase the greatest differences between encapsulated and unencapsulated spermatozoa were present after 72 h whereas for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase significant differences were found within 24 h of storage. The encapsulation process maintains a better preservation environment for boar spermatozoa and could be a promising, innovative technique to improve storage of these cells.

Lingua originaleInglese
pagine (da-a)173-184
Numero di pagine12
RivistaTheriogenology
Volume61
Numero di pubblicazione1
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 1 gen 2004
Pubblicato esternamente

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