Controlled release of swine semen encapsulated in calcium alginate beads

A quick and successful encapsulation method of swine spermatozoa is describ ed: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and calcium chloride were added to the sam pled ejaculate swine sperm (sperm-rich fraction: creamy white) and then thi s suspension was dropped into an aqueous solution of sodium alginate. In or der to obtain different capsule thicknesses, different calcium chloride con centrations were used. The influence of different formulations on in vitro spermatozoa release behavior and on the mechanical properties has been stud ied. In vitro sperm kinetics (motility and average velocity) have been dete rmined. The results obtained from motility and average velocity tests of tr eated seminal material are promising, especially if the difficulty of prese rvation of swine spermatozoa compared to bovine sperm is considered. The di fferent membranes obtained from the different calcium concentrations have h ad an influence on mechanical properties and on the release profile of sper matozoa from the capsules, and therefore, it is possible to modulate the re lease rate of the cells. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .