Orientador: Gisele Zoccal Mingoti / Banca: Gilson Hélio Toniollo / Banca: Ériklis Nogueira / Banca: Karina Beloti Avelino / Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini / Resumo: objetivo deste estudo foi contribuir para o conhecimento da técnica de criopreservação de embriões in vitro. Oócitos (n=965) foram maturados durante 24h em TCM-199 suplementado com 0,2mM de piruvato, 25 mM de bicarbonato de sódio e 75 mg/ml de gentamicina. Os zigotos foram cultivados em meio SOFm suplementado com 0,5% BSA e FCS 2,5%. Culturas foram realizadas a 38,5°C em 5% de CO2 no ar umidificado, em 100 μl de meio de gotículas recuperado com óleo mineral. No sétimo dia da cultura, os embriões (n = 387) foram marcados e apenas blastocistos excelente a boa qualidade foram criopreservados (10 embriões / palheta 0,25 ml). Os seguintes grupos experimentais foram concebidos, nomeado de acordo com a solução de crioprotetor utilizado: glicerol 1,0 M de etileno glicol em PBS (G); glicerol 1,0 M + 0,3 M de sacarose em PBS (GS); etilenoglicol 1.5 M em PBS (E) e 1,5 M + 0,3 M de sacarose em PBS (ES). Após o descongelamento, os embriões foram re-cultivadas em 100 ml de meio de gotas SOFm a 38,5 º C e 5% de CO2 no ar por 72 h. Os dados demonstraram que a qualidade do embrião, avaliada pelo escore de embriões e número de células embrionárias, parece ser melhor no grupo E e ES. No processo de vitrificação, 300 embriões de excelente qualidade morfológica, Bi e Bl foram vitrificados, e foram sincronizadas 500 receptoras de embriões, divididas em 3 grupos de 150 animais cada grupo. O diagnóstico de gestação nas receptoras após a inovulação dos embriões foram realizados após 42 dias. A taxa de concepção variou entre os grupos, sendo que no grupo I obteve 6 gestações (18,75%) de receptoras que receberam embriões da raça Nelore, 9 gestações (26,47%) de receptoras que receberam embriões da raça Brangus e 12 gestações (35,3%) de receptoras que receberam embriões da raça Brahman ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the technique of cryopreservation of embryos in vitro. Oocytes (n = 965) were matured for 24h in TCM- 199 supplemented with 0.2 mM pyruvate, 25 mM sodium bicarbonate and 75 mg / ml of gentamicin. Zygotes were cultured in medium supplemented with 0.5% SOFm BSA and 2.5% FCS. Cultures were performed at 38.5 ° C in 5% CO2 in humidified air in 100 l of medium droplets recovered with mineral oil. On the seventh day of culture, the embryos (n = 387) were scored and only good quality excellent blastocysts were cryopreserved (10 embryos / straw 0.25 ml). The following experimental groups were designed, named according to the cryoprotectant solution used: glycerol 1.0 M ethylene glycol in PBS (G) 1.0 M glycerol + 0.3 M sucrose in PBS (GS), ethylene glycol 1.5 M PBS (E) and 1.5 M + 0.3 M sucrose in PBS (ES). After thawing, the embryos were re-grown in 100 ml of medium SOFm drops to 38.5 º C and 5% CO2 in air for 72 h. The data demonstrated that embryo quality was evaluated by scoring the number of embryos and embryonic cells, seems to be better in group E and ES. In the process of vitrification, 300 embryos of excellent morphology, Bi and Bl, were vitrified, and 500 were synchronized embryo recipients were divided into 3 groups of 150 animals each group. Pregnancies after embryo transfer in recipient embryos were performed after 42 days. The conception rate varied between the groups, whereas in group I had six pregnancies (18.75%) of recipients that received embryos Nellore, 9 pregnancies (26.47%) of recipients that received embryos of Brangus and 12 pregnancies (35.3%) of recipients that received embryos from Brahman ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Joaquim Mansano Garcia / Coorientador: Naiara Zoccal Saraiva / Banca: Maria Emilia Franco Oliveira / Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini / Banca: Clara Slade Oliveira / Banca: Fabio Morato Monteiro / Resumo: Embriões produzidos in vitro (PIV) apresentam baixa sobrevivência aos métodos convencionais de criopreservação. Na tentativa de melhorar a produção e taxa de sobrevivência embrionária após a vitrificação foram utilizados reguladores metabólicos L-carnitina (CA), Forskolina (FO) e Ácido linoleico conjugado trans-10; cis-12 (CLA), separadamente ou em associação em diferentes doses, à partir do quarto (D4) ou sexto (D6) dia do cultivo de desenvolvimento embrionário. No experimento 1 o uso de 2,5 mM de CA influenciou positivamente na produção (62,0±12,5%, P=0,02), expansão (60,7%, P=0,009) e eclosão (41,1%, P=0,04). No experimento 2, a produção de embriões não foi influenciada pela suplementação com FO (P=0,2), entretanto, a dose de 15,0μM afetou positivamente a expansão (53,2%, P=0,001) e eclosão (46,8%, P0,001). No experimento 3, a produção de embriões não foi influenciada pela suplementação do meio de cultivo com CLA (P=0,4), no entanto a dose de 150,0 μM afetou positivamente a expansão (85,5%, P=0,001) e eclosão (70,9%, P=0,001) dos embriões reaquecidos e cultivados por 48 horas. No experimento 4, a associação dos reguladores de metabolismo lipídico utilizados não influenciou a produção de embriões (P=0,16), entretanto o melhor resultado de produção observado foi no tratamento com 15,0 μM de FO individualmente. As taxas de expansão e eclosão foram influenciadas pela suplementação com reguladores de metabolismo adicionados individualmente ou em associação (P=0,001). A melhor taxa de expansão foi observada na suplementação associando CA+FO+CLA, com 90,05%, que não diferiu (P>0,05) da suplementação com CLA (86,4) e da associação CA+CLA (87,9%). Entretanto, a melhor taxa de eclosão foi obtida com CLA (71,8%, P=0,01), superior aos demais tratamentos. Foi concluído que o uso dos... / Abstract: Embryos produced in vitro (IVP) have low survival to conventional cryopreservation methods. In attempt to improve the production and the rate of embryo survival to the cryopreservation process, was used the metabolic regulators, L-carnitine (CA), forskolina (FO) and the conjugated linoleic acid isomers trans-10, cis-12 (CLA), separately or in combination in different doses, starting the fourth (D4) or sixth (D6) days of the embryo culture development in vitro. In experiment 1, the best results of production (62,0 ± 12,5%, P = 0,02), expansion (60,7%, P = 0,009), and hatching (41,1 % P = 0,04) was obtained using 2,5 mM of CA. In experiment 2, the production of embryos was not influenced by supplementation with FO (P=0,2), however, the dose of 15,0μM was the best result of expansion (53,2%) and hatching (46,8%) (P=0,001). In experiment 3, the production of embryos was not influenced by supplementation with CLA (P=0,4), however, the dose of 150,0 μM resulted in higher rates of expansion (85,5%, P=0,001) and hatching (70,9%, P=0,001). In the experiment 4, the embryo production was not influenced by the supplementations (P=0,16), however the best result of the production was using 15,0μM of FO individually. The expansion and hatching rates was influenced by supplementation with the metabolism regulators added individually or in a combination (P=0,001). The best expansion rate was observed with the association CA+FO+CLA (90,05%), that was not different (P>0,05) of the CLA (86,4%) or CA+CLA (87,9%) groups. However, the best hatching rate was obtained with CLA (71,8%), which was higher to the other treatments (P=0.01). In conclusion, the use of the metabolic regulators CA, FO and CLA from the fourth day of the embryo culture in vitro increase ... / Doutor

Orientador: Joaquim Mansano Garcia / Coorientador: Fabio Morato Monteiro / Banca: César Roberto Esper / Banca: Marcelo Roncoletta / Resumo: O plasma seminal já foi descrito como benéfico e ao mesmo tempo prejudicial aos espermatozoides e isto está relacionado com o tempo de contato entre eles. A criopreservação do sêmen em touros pode ser prejudicada por exposição contínua dos espermatozoides ao plasma seminal (PS) e a aplicação de métodos para sua remoção pode aumentar a qualidade dos espermatozoides recuperados pós-descongelação, melhorando os resultados de biotécnicas que utilizam sêmen criopreservado. Pelo fato da centrifugação causar muitos danos aos espermatozoides, a filtragem com Sperm Filter® apresenta-se como um novo método de remoção do PS que almeja melhores resultados, porém não foi encontrado relato da sua aplicação em bovinos até o momento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito dos métodos de centrifugação e filtragem com Sperm Filter® sobre a criopreservação do sêmen bovino. Para isso, o sêmen de 38 touros Nelore foi colhido por eletroejaculação. Após a colheita, o sêmen foi fracionado em três alíquotas iguais para divisão em três grupos: controle (N), em que o sêmen foi diluído com PS; centrifugação (C), em que o PS foi removido por centrifugação a 600 X g por 10 minutos; e filtragem (F), em que o PS foi removido por filtragem com Sperm Filter®. As amostras foram criopreservadas, e pós-descongelação foram avaliados a cinética espermática, a integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal, o potencial mitocondrial, o estresse oxidativo e a capacidade fecundante através da produção in vitr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Seminal plasma has been described as beneficial and harmful to the spermatozoa and this is related to the contact time between them. Cryopreservation of semen from bulls can be undermined by continuous exposure of sperm to the seminal plasma (SP) and the application of methods for removal can increase the quality of post-thaw sperm recovered, improving fertilization. Centrifugation cause a lot of damage to sperm and filtering with Sperm Filter® is a new SP removal method that aims to better results, but has not yet been applied in bull. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the methods of centrifugation and filtering with Sperm Filter® on cryopreservation of bovine semen. For this, semen of 38 Nelore bulls was collected by electroejaculation. Semen was fractioned into three equal aliquots for division into three groups: control (N), wherein the semen was diluted with SP; centrifugation (C), in which the SP was removed by centrifugation at 600 X g for 10 minutes; and filtration (F), in which the SP was removed by filtration with Sperm Filter®. Samples were cryopreserved and was evaluated after thawing sperm kinetics, the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, mitochondrial potential, oxidative stress and the fertilizing capacity by in vitro embryo production (IVP). The kinetics, higher values of the path velocity (P = 0.0005) and progressive speed (P = <0.0001) were observed in the groups C and F and the beat frequency parameters, straightness and linearity... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by Samira Ramos (samira.ramos@unifenas.br) on 2019-02-26T16:35:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Amarildo_Marciano_Rosa.pdf: 697737 bytes, checksum: f45cb56a60aced2c55ace1d99ecec4f0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2019-02-26T16:35:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amarildo_Marciano_Rosa.pdf: 697737 bytes, checksum: f45cb56a60aced2c55ace1d99ecec4f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of single-layer colloidal silica of glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-equine formulation-Androcoll-E® (Minitube, Germany) on the freezing of canine semen. For this, 5 dogs, of different breeds, with satisfactory semen characteristics (CBRA, 2013) were used. Seven ejaculates / animal were collected and subdivided, forming: Group A - samples centrifuged at 300g for 10 minutes using Androcoll-E® and group E samples centrifuged at 700g for 10 minutes using CaniPlus Enhance® medium (Minitube; Germany). In both groups, the steps of discarding the supernatant, resuspension of the pellet in CaniPlus Enhance® (1mL of medium / 100 x 106 spermatozoa), packaging (25 x 106 spermatozoa / pallet), refrigeration (2 to 6ºC for 2 hours) , freezing (20 minutes at 5cm over N2 vapor and storage at -196C in N2 canister) and thawing (at 37 ° C for 60 seconds). After 7 days, the samples were resubmitted to centrifugation, forming 4 subgroups (16 straws / animal / subgroup): AA (Androcoll-E® centrifugation in the pre- and post-thawing stage), AE (Androcoll-E® centrifugation at pre-freezing stage and CaniPlus Enhance® in post-thawing), EA (CaniPlus Enhance® centrifugation in pre-freezing and with Androcoll-E® after thawing) and EE (CaniPlus Enhance® centrifugation in pre and post-thaw stages). Microscopic analysis of semen (concentration, vigor, membrane integrity, sperm morphology, subjective and computerized motility) was performed. Test of variance, Tukey and Kruskall Wallis were used, considering p <0.05. There was a statistical difference in relation to computerized motility and sperm morphology. The mean trajectory velocity and curvilinear velocity were higher in the EE group, the cross flagellar beating and the rectilinearity in the EA group and the linearity in the AA group. In relation to sperm morphology, the EA group presented the highest percentage of morphologically intact cells (95%), whereas in the AE group, minor defects (23%) and higher were greater than acceptable (12%). The use of equine colloidal silica after thawing (EA group) selects morphologically intact spermatozoa, which present parameters that indicate a better migration capacity and penetration into the cervical mucus. / O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do uso da centrifugação em camada única de sílica coloidal de glicidoxipropiltrimetoxissilano- formulação equina-Androcoll-E® (Minitube, Germany), na congelação do sêmen canino. Para isso, 5 cães, de raças distintas, com características seminais satisfatórias (CBRA, 2013) foram utilizados. Sete ejaculados/animal foram coletados e subdivididos, formando: Grupo A- amostras centrifugadas a 300g, por 10 minutos, utilizando Androcoll-E® e grupo E- amostras centrifugadas a 700g, por 10 minutos, utilizando o meio CaniPlus Enhance® (Minitube; Germany). Em ambos os grupos foram realizadas as etapas de descarte do sobrenadante, ressuspensão do pellet em CaniPlus Enhance® (1mL de meio/100 x 106espermatozoides), envase (25 x 106 espermatozoides móveis/palheta), refrigeração (2 a 6ºC por 2 horas), congelação (20 minutos a 5cm sobre vapor de N2 e armazenamento a -196ºC em botijão de N2) e descongelação (a 37ºC por 60 segundos). Após 7 dias, as amostras foram ressubmetidas à centrifugação, formando 4 subgrupos (16 palhetas/animal/subgrupo): AA (centrifugação com Androcoll-E® na etapa de pré e pós descongelação), AE (centrifugação com Androcoll-E® na etapa pré congelação e com CaniPlus Enhance® na pós descongelação), EA (centrifugação com CaniPlus Enhance® na pré congelação e com Androcoll-E® na pós descongelação) e EE (centrifugação com CaniPlus Enhance® nas etapas pré e pós descongelação). A análise microscópica do sêmen (concentração, vigor, integridade de membrana, morfologia espermática, motilidade subjetiva e computadorizada) foi realizada. Teste de variância, Tukey e Kruskall Wallis foram usados, considerando p<0,05. Houve diferença estatística em relação à motilidade computadorizada e morfologia espermática. A velocidade média da trajetória e curvilínea foram superiores no grupo EE, o batimento flagelar cruzado e a retilinearidade no grupo EA e a linearidade no grupo AA. Em relação à morfologia espermática, o grupo EA foi o que apresentou maior porcentagem de células morfologicamente íntegras (95%) enquanto no grupo AE, os defeitos menores (23%) e maiores foram superiores aos aceitáveis (12%). O uso da centrifugação com sílica coloidal equina pós descongelação (grupo EA) seleciona espermatozoides morfologicamente íntegros, que apresentam parâmetros que indicam melhor capacidade de migração e penetração no muco cervical.

Orientador: Jose Mauricio Barbanti Duarte / Coorientador: Rodrigo del Rio do Valle / Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini / Banca: Marcílio Nichi / Resumo: As alterações constantes do meio ambiente com diminuição do habitat natural dos primatas brasileiros têm estimulado o desenvolvimento de biotecnologias na área da reprodução, visando à preservação de espécies. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar, pela primeira vez, técnicas de criopreservação de sêmen de Alouatta caraya. Foram colhidas 26 amostras de sêmen de seis Alouatta caraya machos adultos e sadios, mantidos em cativeiro no Centro Nacional de Primatas (CENP), Ananindeua, PA. As amostras foram analisadas imediatamente após a colheita quanto aos parâmetros volume, pH, concentração, motilidade total e progressiva, integridade de membrana plasmática, integridade de acrossoma, atividade citoquímica mitocondrial, estresse oxidativo (TBARS) e fragmentação de DNA (SCSA). Após as análises iniciais, as amostras foram congeladas com quatro diluidores diferentes - Test-gema de ovo com glicerol 3 ou 4% e Test-lecitina de soja com glicerol 3 ou 4%, utilizando máquina de congelação automática TK 3000. As amostras foram descongeladas e analisadas aos 10, 40 e 80 minutos pós-descongelação. Diluidores à base de gema de ovo foram mais adequados para congelação de sêmen dessa espécie, quando comparados aos diluidores à base de lecitina de soja. Não houve diferença estatística quanto à concentração de glicerol, porém para o diluidor à base de gema de ovo, a concentração de 4% apresentou melhores resultados. Este trabalho trouxe informações inéditas a respeito de características seminais e aspectos da criopreservação de sêmen dessa espécie, todavia os protocolos de congelação testados não foram considerados adequados para a preservação das amostras estudadas / Abstract: The constant environmental changes with reduction of the natural habitat of the Brazilian primates require the development of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) for species conservation. The objective of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, cryopreservation techniques for Alouatta caraya semen. Twenty-six semen samples were collected from six captive adult Alouatta caraya from the National Primate Center, Ananindeua, PA - Brazil. Samples were analyzed immediately after collection for the following parameters: volume, pH, concentration, total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, oxidative stress (TBARS), and DNA fragmentation (SCSA). After initial evaluation, samples were frozen in four different extenders - Test-egg yolk with 3 or 4% glycerol and Test-soy lecithin with 3 or 4% glycerol - using an automatic freezer TK 3000. Samples were thawed and analyzed for the same parameters at 10, 40 and 80 minutes post-thaw. Egg yolk-based extenders seemed better for cryopreservation of semen from this species when compared to soy lecithin-based extenders. Although there was no statistical difference between the different glycerol concentrations, for the egg yolk-based extenders, 4% glycerol had better results. This study brought novel information on semen characteristics and cryopreservation aspects for this species, although the protocols tested were not considered suitable for the cryopreservation of the samples studied / Mestre

A preocupação com a qualidade do sêmen ovino congelado tem sido motivo de muitas pesquisas, principalmente pela dificuldade da transposição cervical durante a inseminação artificial. Contudo, a inseminação intra-cervical é frequentemente usada em ovinos e resulta em redução da fertilidade com o uso do sêmen congelado. Neste sentido, esse estudo foi dividido em dois experimentos. No 1o experimento foi verificado o potencial da ciclodextrina pré-carregada com colesterol como aditivo ao diluidor na proteção da cinética espermática, integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal, função mitocondrial, capacitação espermática e produção de espécies reativas ao oxigênio (ROS) em espermatozoides criopreservados ovinos. Cinco ejaculados de seis carneiros (n = 30) foram divididos em três tratamentos: apenas diluidor (CON); diluidor + colesterol incorporado a ciclodextrina (CLC + CHO); e diluidor + ciclodextrina pura (CLCP). Após a diluição (50x106 espermatozóides/mL), o sêmen foi envasado em palhetas, identificado e criopreservado utilizando um sistema automatizado. Duas palhetas da mesma partida de cada tratamento foram descongeladas (a 37°C durante 30 segundos) e analisadas quanto motilidade (CASA), morfologia dos espermatozoides (DIC), integridade do plasma (PI-H342) e acrossomal (FITC-PSA) membranas, potencial mitocondrial (JC-1), produção de radicais livres (CellRox), peroxidação lipídica (BODIPY) e fluidez da membrana celular (merocianina 540). As comparações entre os grupos foram analisadas pelo PROC MIXED do SAS e o efeito de grupo foi detectado pelo teste de Tukey (p&lt;0,05) ou pela estatística não paramétrica de ordem (Kruskal-Wallis), quando era necessário. No 2º experimento os mesmos ejaculados foram divididos por congelabilidade baseados na motilidade total pós-descongelação (MTPD) e na porcentagem de redução na motilidade total (%RMT) quando comparados o sêmen in natura e o sêmen pós-descongelação (somente diluidor), sendo divididos nos grupos alta (MTPD&gt;60% e %RMT&lt;40%), intermediária (60%&gt;MTPD&gt;40% e 60%&gt;RMT&gt;40%) e baixa (MTPD&lt;40% e %RMT&gt;60%) congelabilidade. Foram analisados os tratamentos CON e CLC+CHO dentro de cada animal e de cada grupo quanto a motilidade (CASA), a integridade das membranas plasmática (PI-H342) e acrossomal (FITC-PSA), potencial mitocondrial (JC-1), peroxidação lipídica (BODIPY) e fluidez da membrana celular (merocianina 540). As comparações foram realizadas por análise de variância (ANOVA) em arranjo fatorial 3X3 (Tratamento CLC+CHO, CON e in natura X grupos alta, intermediária e baixa congelabilidade), as comparações entre os grupos foram analisadas pelo PROC MIXED do SAS e o efeito de grupo foi detectado pelo teste de Tukey (p &lt;0,05) ou pela estatística não paramétrica de ordem (Kruskal-Wallis), quando era necessário. No 1o experimento o tratamento CLC+CHO se mostrou mais eficaz em preservar os parâmetros de motilidade, integridade de membranas e potencial mitocondrial quando comparado aos demais tratamentos. O grupo CLCP mostrou queda nos parâmetros de motilidade, integridade de membrana, potencial mitocondrial, mostrando, com isso, uma queda na preservação espermática. No 2o experimento observou-se que o tratamento CLC+CHO mostrou maior grau de preservação para motilidade total e progressiva, células rápidas, preservação de membranas plasmática e acrossomal e potencial mitocondrial quando comparado ao CON. Esse efeito teve maior significância nos grupos de baixa e intermediária congelabilidade, não sendo tão expressivo no grupo de alta. Pode-se concluir com esse estudo que o tratamento com ciclodextrina acrescida de colesterol contribui para uma melhor preservação dos parâmetros espermáticos do sêmen ovino, principalmente em animais apresentando baixa congelabilidade, contudo não apresenta diferença em ejaculados de alta congelabilidade. / Frozen ram semen has been the subject of many researches, mainly due to the difficulty of cervical transposition during artificial insemination. However, intra-cervical insemination in sheep is often used, resulting in reduced fertility with the use of frozen semen. To this end, this study was divided into two experiments. In the first experiment was verified the potential of cyclodextrin loaded with cholesterol as an additive to the extender in the protection of sperm kinetics, integrity of plasmatic and acrosomal membranes, mitochondrial function, sperm capacitation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cryopreserved sheep sperm. Five ejaculates from six rams (n = 30) were divided into three treatments: only extender (CON); extender + cyclodextrin loaded with cholesterol (CLC + CHO); and extender + pure cyclodextrin (CLCP). After dilution (50x106 spermatozoa/mL), semen was stored in straws, identified and cryopreserved using an automated system. Two straws from each ejaculate and treatment were thawed (at 37° C for 30 seconds) and analyzed for motility (CASA), morphology of spermatozoa (DIC), plasmatic (PI-H342) and acrosomal (FITC-PSA) membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential (JC-1), production of free radicals (CellRox), lipid peroxidation (BODIPY) and cell membrane permeability (Merocyanine 540). Comparisons between groups were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and the effect of group was detected by Tukey (p &lt;0.05) or by the order of nonparametric statistics (Kruskal-Wallis) test, when necessary. In the 2nd experiment the same ejaculates were divided by freezability based on the total post-thaw motility (TPTM) and the percentage of reduction in total motility (%RTM) when compared fresh and post-thaw semen (only extender), and divided into the groups: high (TPTM &ge; 60% and %RTM &le; 40%), intermediate (60%&gt; TPTM &gt; 40% and 60%&gt; %RTM &gt; 40%) and low (TPTM &le; 40% and %RTM &ge; 60%) freezability. CON and CLC + CHO treatments were analyzed within each animal and each group for motility (CASA), plasmatic (PI-H342) and acrosomal (FITC-PSA) membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential (JC-1), lipid peroxidation (BODIPY) and cell membrane permeability (Merocyanine 540). Comparisons were performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a factorial arrangement 3x3 (groups CLC+CHO, CON and fresh X groups high, medium and low freezability), comparisons between groups were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and the group effect was detected by the Tukey test (p &lt; 0.05) or no statistical order parametric (Kruskal-Wallis), when necessary. In the first experimente, CLC + CHO treatment was more effective in preserving the parameters of motility, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial potential compared to other treatments. The CLCP group showed a fall in the parameters of motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential, showing thereby a decrease in sperm preservation. In the 2nd experiment, it was observed that the treatment CLC + CHO showed greater preservation for total and progressive motility, rapid cell preservation, plasmatic and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial potential when compared to CON. This effect was most significant in the groups of low and intermediate freezability, not being as significant in the group of high freezability. We can conclud from this study that treatment with cyclodextrin loaded with cholesterol contributes to better preservation of sperm parameters in ram semen, especially in animals displaying low freezability, however there where no diference in the high freezability group.

Foi conduzida uma série de experimentos onde se buscou definir: 1) o limite de tolerância do espermatozóide caprino a soluções hiperosmóticas de sacarose; 2) um diluente para criopreservação de sêmen que minimizasse as flutuações de volume celular. O limite de tolerância da membrana, avaliado pelo corante eosina-nigrosina, foi de 930 mOsm em soluções de sacarose em Ringer-lactato a 38oC. Os danos à integridade de membrana (IM), em osmolalidades acima deste valor, se estabeleceram no primeiro minuto de exposição e não se agravaram até 10 minutos depois. A motilidade (MOT) foi mais afetada que a IM. A rediluição abrupta em meio isosmótico causou dano extenso e proporcional ao grau de desidratação prévia. Nos experimentos seguintes, adição de 375 mM de sacarose ao diluidor TRIS-gema com 6,8% de glicerol (TGG), 5 minutos antes da congelação, resultou em MOT e IM similares ao controle TGG sem sacarose. Descongelação e rediluição a 4oC favoreceram a MOT e, a 38oC, favoreceram a IM. O diluente TRIS-gema com 375 mM de sacarose e concentração de glicerol reduzida para 1,7% apresentou melhor MOT e IM que o controle (65% e 187% vs 52% e 100%, respectivamente). A MOT após 2 h e o vigor após 6 h foram maiores quando a rediluição pós-descongelação foi em 5 passos se comparado a 3 passos (28% e 9% vs 19% e 2%, respectivamente). Na fase seguinte do trabalho, diluentes elaborados com 300 mM após 6 h a 38oC, melhor MOT e vigor que o controle (33% e 26% vs 15% e 10%, respectivamente). A descongelação a 20oC favoreceu a MOT e o vigor nos tempos zero, 2 h e 6 h pós-descongelação em todos os grupos contendo sacarose. O etilenoglicol não diferiu do glicerol na concentração de 3,4% quando adicionado a diluente contendo 300 mM de sacarose. Nestes diluentes, a rediluição em 5 passos a 20oC não diferiu em MOT e IM da feita em 1 passo a 38oC. No último experimento, sêmen congelado em diluente contendo 300 mM de trealose e zero% de glicerol mostrou melhor IM após descongelação em um passo a 38oC (320% vs 100% no controle) e maior MOT às 6 h após descongelação e rediluição em 5 passos a 20oC (56% vs 26% no controle). Conclui-se que o sêmen caprino tolera soluções de sacarose até o limite de 930 mOsm, mas a rediluição deve ser progressiva. A desidratação parcial, causada por soluções concentradas de sacarose ou trealose, permite a congelação de sêmen sem adição de crioprotetores permeantes. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos em diluente TRIS-gema sem glicerol e adicionado de 300 mM de trealose. / The objective of this study was to: 1) define the tolerance limits of goat sperm to hyperosmotic sucrose solutions; 2) establish an extender that minimizes cell volume variations during the processes of freezing and thawing. Boer goat semen was diluted with Ringer-lactate-Sucrose solutions at 38oC. The hyperosmotic tolerance limit was 930 mOsm evaluated with eosin-nigrosin stain. At osmolalities above this value, damage was evident after 1 min and was not affected by further exposure. Redilution in a single step resulted in massive membrane damage that was nearly proportional to the dehydration intensity previously undergone. Motility (MOT) was more distinctly impaired than membrane integrity (MI). In the next experiments, addition of 375 mM sucrose (Suc) 5 min previous to freezing to TRIS-egg yolk extender containing 6.8% glycerin (TYG) resulted in sperm motility (MOT) and MI similar to control extender TYG without sucrose. Thawing and redilution at 4oC affected favorably the MOT, and at 38oC, was favorable to MI. When freezing in TRIS-egg yolk-Suc extenders with low glycerin concentration (1.7%) MOT and MI were significantly higher than in the control TYG (65% and 187% vs 52% and 100%, respectively). MOT 2 h after thawing and intensity of motility (INTMOT) after 6 h after thawing were better preserved after a redilution of 5 increasing volume-steps than after redilution of 3 steps (28% and 9% vs 19% and 2%, respectively). In sequence, extenders containing 300 mM sucrose and thawed-rediluted 5 steps at 20oC improved MOT and INTMOT after 6 h (33% and 26% vs 15% and 10% in the control Group). The thawing-redilution at 20oC improved the results in all groups containing sucrose. At a concentration of 3.4% added to TRIS-yolk extender with 300 mM sucrose, the cryoprotectant ethylene glycol gave similar results as glycerin. MOT and INTMOT in the different time intervals were not influenced by redilution in 5 steps at 20oC or in one step at 38<SUPoC. In the last experiment made, semen frozen in a TRIS-yolk extender with 300 mM trehalose and devoid of glycerin showed the best MI after thawing-redilution in 1 step at 38oC (320% vs 100% in the control Group). The highest MOT after 6 h incubation was observed when this group was thawed-rediluted at 20oC in 5 steps (56% vs 26% in the control). From the results obtained it may be concluded that the upper tolerance limit of goat spermatozoa to hyperosmotic sucrose solutions is 930 mOsm. The redilution and return to isosmolality should be stepwise made. Goat semen can be frozen in extenders devoid of permeant cryoprotectants like glycerin when, previous to freezing, the cells are partially dehydrated by concentrated sucrose or trehalose solutions. The best survival rate was obtained when freezing goat spermatozoa in a glycerin-free TRIS-yolk-extender containing 300 mM of trehalose.

A criopreservação do sêmen é de muita importância para a produção de equinos pois permite o amplo comércio internacional de sêmen e a redução dos custos com transporte de animais. Entretanto, o sêmen criopreservado apresenta reduzida longevidade e integridade funcional, um obstáculo para a expansão dessa técnica. Recentes descobertas sugerem que os maiores danos durante a criopreservação de sêmen de garanhões ocorrem devido ao desequilíbrio osmótico e às espécies reativas de oxigênio. Um método para combater os efeitos deletérios da congelação é utilizar substâncias que possam amenizar os danos subletais. O objetivo desse experimento foi avaliar o efeito da adição de duas substâncias com efeito protetor celular (mio-inositol e ácido ferúlico) ao meio de congelação, na qualidade do sêmen criopreservado de garanhões. Para isso foram realizadas 5 colheitas de sêmen de 5 garanhões. O sêmen foi processado para criopreservação e antes do envase foi dividido em 3 tratamentos: controle, mio-inositol (30mM) e ácido ferúlico (160 &#181;M). As palhetas foram descongeladas e analisadas quanto a motilidade computadorizada (CASA), integridade de membrana, estado metabólico e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) em microscopia de epifluorescência nos tempos 0, 2 e 4h de incubação a 37°C. Previamente foram realizadas validações da técnica de mensuração simultânea da membrana plasmática e estado metabólico (sondas PI, H33342 e resazurina) e correlação entre duas técnicas de mensuração de EROs (DCFH-DA e DCFH-DA com H33342). Os dados obtidos foram avaliados no programa SAS, versão 9,3 (SAS, 2011) utilizando ANOVA e medidas repetidas no tempo, para as validações foram realizadas regressões lineares simples. A adição de mio-inositol no diluidor de congelação resultou em maior motilidade total no tempo 2h e 4h e maior motilidade progressiva nos tempos 0 e 2h de incubação pós-descongelação em relação aos outros grupos. O tratamento com mio-inositol resultou em maior quantidade de células com membrana plasmática íntegra nos tempo 0h (53,3±1,4%); 2h (50,0±1,0%) e 4h (37,9±1,5%) de incubação que o grupo controle: 0h (48,0±1,0%); 2h (44,9±1,1%); e 4h (31,5±1,7%). O ácido ferúlico prejudicou as características de motilidade (CASA) e a integridade da membrana plasmática, entretanto melhorou o estado metabólico em todos os tempos. Conclui-se que o mio-inositol melhora as características de motilidade e a integridade de membranas espermáticas do sêmen criopreservado de equinos e que o ácido ferúlico apesar de prejudicar essas características promove melhor metabolismo espermático, mensurado pela técnica de redução da resazurina. / Sperm cryopreservation is of great importance for equine production, it assists in the international semen trade and reduce costs with animal transportation. However, frozen/thawed semen has reduced longevity and functional integrity and these is an obstacle to the expansion of this technique. The improvement in quality of cryopreserved semen is very important, especially to help become available more widely new technologies, such as sperm sexing. Recent findings suggest that the greatest damage during cryopreservation of stallion semen occur due to osmotic imbalance and the reactive oxygen species (ROS). One method to mitigate the deleterious effects of freezing is using substances that might lessen the sublethal damage. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the quality of frozen/thawed stallion sperm after using two substances that have protective effects in the freezing medium: myo-inositol and ferulic acid. Were performed five sperm collection of 5 stallions. The semen was processed and before cryopreservation it was divided into three treatments: control, myo-inositol (30 mM) and ferulic acid (160 mM). The straws were thawed and analyzed at 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation time at 37°C. It was performed computerized motility (CASA), membrane integrity, metabolic status and ROS production using an epifluorescence microscope. Before beginning of the experiment were carried out validations of the technique of simultaneous assessment of plasma membrane and metabolic state (PI probes, H33342 and resazurin) and correlation between two measurement techniques ROS (DCFH-DA and DCFH-DA with H33342). The data were analyzed using the SAS version 9.3 (SAS, 2011) with ANOVA and repeated measures. For the probes validation were used linear regressions. The addition of myo-inositol in the freezing extender resulted in higher total motility in time 2h and 4h and increased progressive cells at 0 and 2 h of incubation post-thaw compared to the other groups. Treatment with myo-inositol resulted in a higher number of cells with intact plasma membrane in time 0h (53.3 ± 1.4%); 2h (50.0 ± 1.0%) and 4h (37.9 ± 1.5%) of incubation than the control group: 0h (48.0 ± 1.0%), 2h (44.9 ± 1.1%), and 4h (31.5 ± 1.7%). The use of ferulic acid resulted in the worst characteristics of motility (CASA) and plasma membrane integrity, however improved metabolic status at all incubation times. It is concluded that myo-inositol improves sperm motility characteristics and preserves membrane integrity of equine cryopreserved semen. Ferulic acid although impairing these characteristics, promotes better sperm metabolism, measured by resazurin test.

Cryopreservation of gametes is a valuable tool for the fast-growing aquaculture industry in New Zealand. In the present study, research was aimed to improve the cryopreservation of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) oocytes. For this, two main approaches were used: the modification of an existing published (standard) cryopreservation protocol for oyster oocytes and the modification of the oocytes themselves prior to cryopreservation. The objectives in the chapters of this thesis were: (a) determination of the cryobiological characteristics of oyster oocytes; (b) assessment and reduction of intracellular ice formation (IIF) in oocytes; and (c) modification of the lipid fraction (cholesterol and fatty acids) of oocytes prior to cryopreservation. Knowledge of the membrane permeability parameters in response to concentrations of water and ethylene glycol (EG), the influence of temperature upon these parameters, and the osmotic tolerance limits of oyster oocytes were used to develop computer models that simulated the cellular volume changes that oocytes underwent during EG addition and removal. The models predicted that when one part of EG was added in one step to one part of oocyte suspension and equilibrated for 20 min at 20 �C, similar volume changes in oocytes would be obtained, compared to a more complicated multi-step addition method. This method of addition resulted in similar post-thaw fertilization rates to those obtained by using the multi-step addition method, thus reducing oocyte handling. Cryomicroscopy was used to assess the effect of cooling rates and EG concentration on the temperature at which oocytes underwent IIF. It was found that IIF occurred at higher subzero temperatures when fast cooling rates were used (30 and 5 �C min⁻�) and at EG concentrations ranged between 0 and 15%. At a relatively slower cooling rate of 0.3 �C min⁻� and with 10% EG, which are the conditions employed in the standard cryopreservation protocol, no IIF occurred. The steps of the standard protocol that were more likely to cause oocyte damage were identified by evaluating the fertilization rate of oocytes at each step. Results showed that oocytes were most damaged by cooling them to -35 �C and followed by plunging them in liquid nitrogen. Contrary to what had been observed under the cryomicroscope, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that all oocytes cryopreserved by the standard protocol contained cytoplasmic ice. In addition, it was also observed that oocytes were at two developmental stages when frozen (prophase and metaphase I). These observations prompted the development of alternative cooling programmes aimed to reduce intracellular ice. The effect of cooling rate, plunge temperature and time held at the plunge temperature were thus evaluated, based on post-thaw fertilization rate of oocytes. Overall, neither the cooling rate nor the holding time had an effect on oocyte fertility. However, the plunge temperature had an effect, where oocytes plunged at -60 �C had lower post-thaw fertilization rates than oocytes plunged at -35 �C. Through the slowing of the cooling rate, lengthening of the holding time and lowering of the plunge temperature, it was possible to reduce the amount of ice in the cytoplasm. However, the reduction of intracellular ice did not improve the post-thaw fertilization rate of the oocytes; on the contrary, post-thaw fertilization decreased notoriously. From these results, it can be suggested that oyster oocytes are more likely to be damaged by exposure to high intra and extracellular solute concentration than IIF during cryopreservation. In an effort to modify the lipid content of oyster oocytes prior to cryopreservation and thus, making them more resistant during cryopreservation, oocytes were incubated in solutions that would add or remove cholesterol or in solutions rich in long chain fatty acids (EPA or DHA). Oocytes incubated in cholesterol-rich solutions showed a positive uptake of fluorescently labelled cholesterol and this effect was dose dependent. Nevertheless, this uptake did not improve the post-thaw fertilization rate nor did it increase the total cholesterol content of the oocytes. When oocytes were incubated in non-conjugated or conjugated EPA or DHA, no increase in the proportion of these fatty acids was identified in the fatty acid profiles of whole oocytes and no improvement of the post-thaw fertilization rate was recorded. Given that there was no uptake of fatty acids from the incubation media by the oocytes, a different approach was taken. This involved the supplementation of lipid-rich diets to the oyster broodstock during gametogenesis (cold-conditioning) and vitellogenesis (warm-conditioning). Despite results showing that lipid content and, indeed, fatty acid profile was altered through the diet, the results also showed that fresh oocytes from broodstock fed during cold-conditioning did not show any improvement in their fertilization rates, nor did they benefit from a lipid-rich diet during warm-conditioning. On the other hand, cryopreserved oocytes did have higher post-thaw fertilisation rates when broodstock were fed during cold-conditioning and, although no effect was found from feeding broodstock with either of the lipid-rich diets during warm-conditioning, trends indicated that a diet consisting of fresh microalgae or the commercial supplement Algamac would yield the highest post-thaw fertilization rates. This thesis has furthered the understanding of some of the factors that determine cryosurvival in oyster oocytes and has demonstrated that both physical and biological issues must be taken into consideration for cryopreservation. Specifically, the results in this thesis helped to modify an empirically developed cryopreservation protocol for Pacific oyster oocytes. In addition, the results also showed strong evidence of the survival of oyster oocytes to intracellular ice and highlighted the importance of supplying the broodstock with lipid-rich food during the periods of gamete formation and maturation in order to obtain oocytes that are more amenable to cryopreservation. These benefits could be of significant practical importance and may be extended for the development or refinement of cryopreservation protocols for other shellfish species of commercial importance to the aquaculture industry of New Zealand.

The primary objective of the studies described in this thesis was to improve the cryopreservation success of koala spermatozoa for the purpose of establishing a genome resource bank for this species. A defining feature of the studies in this thesis was the implementation of an organelle-specific approach to better understand the causes of koala sperm cryo-injury. The functional attributes of spermatozoa, such as mitochondrial function, plasma membrane fluidity, membrane lipid asymmetry and DNA integrity were assessed as an indication of cryo-injury. Sperm mitochondrial function and plasma membrane integrity were examined by cryomicroscopy using the fluorescent probes JC-1 and propidium iodide (PI) respectively in a dual staining technique. Cooling and re-warming koala spermatozoa were more detrimental to mitochondrial function than to plasma membrane integrity. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was suppressed by freezing and thawing treatments; after thawing, MMP declined significantly during rewarming (from 5ºC to 35ºC). The distribution of GM1 ganglioside was examined using fluorescent-labelled cholera toxin B. No significant redistribution of GM1 was observed after chilling or cryotreatment. The externalisation of phosphatidylserine (PS) was examined using fluorescent-labelled annexin V. There was no significant increase in translocation of PS after chilling or cryopreservation. These observations imply that cryotreatment had little effect on plasma membrane lipid asymmetry. Koala spermatozoa were incubated in a range of anisotonic media to investigate whether nuclear swelling was caused by osmotic flux during the cryopreservation process. Although the most hypotonic solution tested (64 mOsm/kg) induced the highest incidence of nuclear relaxation (mean ± SEM; 12 ± 3%), this was not as severe as that previously documented following cryopreservation. Chromatin relaxation is a phenomenon observed in koala spermatozoa, where the sperm nucleus expands due to the result of structural changes in the natural conformation of the sperm DNA/protamine complex. DNA fragmentation was not a primary cause of cryopreservation-induced sperm chromatin relaxation, although in situ nick translation of putative DNA breaks indicated that these increased as the sperm head became progressively more relaxed. Using a Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test (SCDt) specifically developed and validated for koala spermatozoa, a continuum of nuclear morphotypes was observed, ranging from no apparent DNA fragmentation to spermatozoa with highly dispersed and degraded chromatin. A double comet assay was also developed to investigate DNA fragmentation in the koala spermatozoa. Conducted under neutral followed by alkaline conditions, this assay was able to differentiate between single- (SSB) and double-stranded (DSB) DNA damage in an effort to refine the interpretation of DNA damage in mature koala spermatozoa; the majority of the koala spermatozoa had nuclei with DNA abasic-like residues. The ubiquity of these residues suggested that constitutive alkali-labile sites are part of the structural configuration of the koala sperm nucleus. Spermatozoa with “true” DNA fragmentation exhibited a continuum of comet morphologies, ranging from a more severe form of alkaline-susceptible DNA, to nuclei that exhibited both SSB and DSB. Swelling of koala sperm chromatin following cryopreservation has largely been attributed to the absence of inter-molecular disulphide cross-linkages in the marsupial sperm nucleus. Fish spermatozoa also lack disulphide bonds within their chromatin, but nevertheless, have been successfully cryopreserved. To examine the hypothesis that the cryoprotectants used for fish sperm cryopreservation will confer a similar degree of protection on koala spermatozoa, various concentrations of five cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulphoxide, methanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and dimethylacetamide) were evaluated. Each treatment was compared against an established koala sperm cryopreservation protocol that uses 14% glycerol. Dimethylacetamide at a concentration of 12.5% (v/v) was found to be comparable to glycerol in the successful cryopreservation of koala spermatozoa although high inter-male variability was observed. However, when the new protocol was subsequently validated for a larger population of captive koalas (n = 22), glycerol emerged the better cryoprotectant with respect to all sperm viability parameters assessed except for that of the incidence of chromatin relaxation, which was not affected by the cryoprotectant. Significant difference was also observed in the post-thaw survival of spermatozoa from different animals, which was independent of pre-freeze semen quality. Based on post-thaw semen viability parameters, the koalas could be divided into two distinct groups, where one group had significantly higher sperm viability compared to the other group, regardless of cryoprotectant used. Positive correlation between motility and MMP was observed before and after cryopreservation. However, cryopreservation significantly reduced the dependency between these variables (P < 0.001), suggesting that cryopreservation reduced the dependency between mitochondrial function and motility.