Effect of Permeable Cryoprotectants and Dextran in Cryopreserving Semen of Broiler Breeder Lines

The aim of this study was to assess permeable cryoprotectants and dextran during broiler breeder lines semen cryopreservation in two separate experiments. Semen of PB-2 broiler breeder line was cryopreserved with 8% Ethylene Glycol (EG) or 6% dimethylformamide (DMF) in Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE). In another experiment semen of Control broiler (CB) breeder line was cryopreserved with 8% EG, 8.2% dextran 10 kDa + 9% dimethylacetamide (DMA) or 8.2% dextran 20 kDa + 9% dimethylacetamide (DMA) in Sasaki diluent (SD). Semen cryopreserved in 0.5 ml plastic straw was thawed either at 5 degrees C for 100 sec or 37 degrees C for 30 sec. Semen was assessed for motility, live sperm, abnormal sperm and acrosome intact sperm. Post-thaw semen was inseminated, eggs were collected and incubated for obtaining fertility and hatchability data. The cryopreserved samples had significantly (p<0.05) lower sperm motility, live sperm and acrosome intact sperm in both the breeder lines. Moderate fertility was obtained in PB-2 line with no difference between the two permeable cryoprotectants evaluated. The fertility was significantly (p <0.05) lower using 8% EG and 8.2% dextran 20 kDa + 9% DMA in CB line. Permeable cryoprotectants (8% EG or 6% DMF) produced acceptable fertility during PB-2 semen cryopreservation. The permeable cryoprotectant 8% EG or dextran in combination with DMA gave very low fertility in CB line.