F. Seigneurin et E. Blesbois, EFFECTS OF THE FREEZING RATE ON VIABILITY AND FERTILITY OF FROZEN-THAWED FOWL SPERMATOZOA, Theriogenology, 43(8), 1995, pp. 1351-1358
An improved method for the freezing and thawing of fowl semen was deve
loped using glycerol as a cryoprotectant. The effect of the freezing r
ate was observed on the motility, viability plus morphology of spermat
ozoa and the fertility rate, as assessed on Days 2, 3 and 4 post insem
ination. Overall 5 to 6 twice-weekly successive inseminations were per
formed. In experiments 1, freezing rates of -1, -5, -10 and -15 degree
s C/min from +5 to -35 degrees C, were tested for the above 4 paramete
rs. The best results were obtained with freezing rates of -5 and -10 d
egrees C/min. In Experiment 2, the freezing rates of -5, -7 and -10 de
grees C were tested for the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa. Th
e best freezing rate was -7 degrees C/min. The fertilizing ability of
pooled frozen-thawed spermatozoa was very promising (76% fertilized oo
cytes.) We conclude that even without the selection of parent stock an
imals (for fertilizing or laying ability) and without any selection of
semen before freezing or after thawing, it is possible to obtain a hi
gh level of fertility and viability with this improved glycerol method
following twice-weekly insemination with 300 million sperm cells.