High-concentration bovine serum albumin enhances fertilization ability of cold-stored rat sperm
Cold transport of the cauda epididymides is a useful technique for shipping laboratory rat sperm. Cold transport of rat sperm avoids potential risks of microbiological infection, animal escape or death, and animal welfare issues. Previously, we reported that a cold-storage solution containing dimeth...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Society for Reproduction and Development
2024-03-01
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| Series: | The Journal of Reproduction and Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jrd/70/2/70_2023-085/_pdf/-char/en |
| Summary: | Cold transport of the cauda epididymides is a useful technique for shipping laboratory rat sperm. Cold transport of rat sperm avoids potential risks of microbiological infection, animal escape or death, and animal welfare issues. Previously, we reported that a cold-storage solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide and quercetin maintained the fertility of cold-stored rat sperm. However, cold-stored rat sperm exhibited a decreased fertilization rate after 24-h storage. To recover the fertility of cold-stored sperm, we focused on the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA), a cholesterol acceptor that induces sperm capacitation. We sought to determine the optimal concentration of BSA in fertilization medium based on the fertility of cold-stored rat sperm. High concentrations of BSA (40 mg/ml) enhanced the fertilization rate of cold-stored rat sperm and maintained sperm fertility for 144 h. Embryos derived from cold-stored and BSA-treated sperm normally developed into pups after embryo transfer. In summary, high BSA concentrations enhanced the fertility of cold-stored rat sperm and prolonged the storage period to 144 h, thereby expanding the transportable region for genetically engineered rats. |
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| ISSN: | 0916-8818 1348-4400 |