Effect of the Tensioactive Agent SDS on Extender’s Boar Semen Viability after Thawing

Abstract

Effects of the surfactant Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) on the motility and viability of boar semen after thawing were evaluated. For such purpose, semen of twelve adult boars was collected twice a week, the rich portion of this semen was separated and frozen with different concentrations of SDS (0; 2.5; 5; 10; 20 and 40 mM). For freezing the semen was subjected to a cooling curve in an Ice Cube Freezer with a programmed curve as follows: From 5 to -5°C to -6°C/min, from -5 to -80 to -40°C/min in which semen was for 30 minutes. From -80 to -150 semen was cooled at a slope of -60°C/min being then plunged in liquid nitrogen. After collecting, before and after freezing/thawing, semen was evaluated for pH, cell concentration, viability and motility, as well as the percentage of normal sperm cells and agglutination level. Results indicated that before freezing sperm quality obtained from the different boars was always alkaline and very similar among boars. On average, pH was 7.50±0.27 ranging from 7.05 to 7.79 Viability, motility and agglutination level was respectively 62.7±9.9%: 4.8%±0.3 and 9.3%±1.82. After thawing, the best sperm quality was obtained when the semen was frozen with an SDS concentration of 0.2% W/V, in which values of viability reached 30.1% (±3.7). Based on the results one can conclude that SDS can be used to preserve boar semen for long periods, retaining semen quality after thawing.