Exogenous ATP in the Cryopreservation of Brycon orbignyanus Spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND ATP exogenous (ATPe) has been used successfully in improving motility and fertility for many animal species. However this has not yet been tested on Brycon orbignyamus. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of ATPe for the cryopreservation of sperm from B. orbignyamus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The ATPe concentrations tested were 1.0 µM, 5.0 µM and 10 µM combined with Beltsville Thawing SolutionTM extender and dimethylformamide at 7.5%. The sperm were frozen in a nitrogen vapour vessel and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 oC. The parameters of viability post-thawing were evaluated using CASA, and flow cytometer. RESULTS The ATPe did not promote improvements in spermatic kinetics, and in the higher concentrations caused a worsening in these parameters. Also there was loss of mitochondrial functionality and greater cellular disruption with the concentration of 10 μM. CONCLUSION We do not recommend the addition of ATP for cryopreserving B. orbignyamus.