Dimethylacetamide in Rooster Semen Cryopreservation.

BACKGROUND Sperm cryopreservation of cockerels is a major challenge, and so far there is no adequate information to enable commercial use of frozen semen. OBJECTIVE To test the toxicity of dimethylacetamide (DMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS DMA was added at 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% to the freezing diluent, and maintained for equilibration with the semen sample for 1 min, 3 min, 5 min, 7 min and 9 min prior to freezing. Thawed semen was evaluated for kinetic characteristics by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and for structural and functional properties by flow cytometry (plasma membrane rupture, mitochondrial functionality and plasma membrane functionality). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The addition of 6% DMA for 3-min equilibration resulted in the highest total and progressive motility, 42.0% and 36.9%, respectively. The point of intersection between a good protection and low plasma membrane rupture was obtained with the addition of 6% of DMA for 3-min equilibration with the rooster semen.