The importance of plant extracts in semen cryopreservation

Dr Cyril Pilane, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, explains why plant extracts are becoming the gold standard as supplements for semen cryopreservation.

Semen quality is important for artificial insemination (AI) for improved livestock production. Semen is frozen using either a controlled-rate, slow-cooling method or a newer flash-freezing process known as vitrification. Often, the semen needs to be stored at lowered temperatures to preserve its viability prior to AI. The lower temperatures used varies depending of the period of storage.

Generally, an extended period of a process called cryopreservation. Historically, semen stored at these temperatures shows acceptable but compromised motility and viability, raising doubt about its ability to fertilise as previously shown in in vitro experiments.

Also, the quality of cryopreserved semen is often compromised depending on the semen source. Semen from some livestock breeds tends to indicate compromised quality that is not good enough for use during AI procedures. (sheep and goats) show comparable and acceptable semen qualities following cryopreservation as compared to porcine semen. The observed differences has led to investigation as to the reason for such differences.

Studies show that the first line of defence for sperm cells, that is the membrane, seems to be the first to be compromised following cryopreservation.

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