9^th Global Veterinary Summit

Biography

Alessandro Di Cerbo obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies at University Vita-salute San Raffaele (Milan, Italy) in 2005. In 2007, he achieved the Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnologies at University of Modena (Italy) and in 2011 obtained the title of PhD in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the same University. In 2016, he got the Specialization in Clinical Biochemistry at University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti (Italy). His scientific activities are highly interdisciplinary, ranging from nanotechnology to nanomedicine, microbiology, nutrition and translational medicine. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract

Abstract : In equine breeding program, subfertility of mares after insemination with frozen-thawed semen remains a major problem. Semen cryopreservation is the best method to preserve semen with additional benefit to increase remotely genetic distribution. However, sperm are exposed to extreme changes in temperature and extracellular fluid compositions during cryopreservation which potentially cause the osmotic stress and membrane instability leading to the damage of sperm. Trehalose, a disaccharide sugar, protects plasma membrane during dehydration and has been shown as an outstanding cryoprotective capability. Therefore, we aimed at investigating the osmotic tolerance limits of equine sperm, the protective effects of trehalose on osmotic tolerance and the quality of equine sperm before and after freezing and thawing. Equine ejaculated semen (n=14) was collected from six stallions. Results showed the average of motility and plasma membrane integrity of equine sperm were significantly lower in hypo- (150 mOsm/kg) and hyperosmolarity (450, 600 and 750 mOsm/kg) when compared to iso-osmolarity (300 mOsm/kg). Moreover, these parameters were worsen when osmolarities were increased. This data indicated that equine sperm had limited osmotic tolerance. Pre-incubation of sperm with 100 mM trehalose improved sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity when exposed to aniosmotic conditoins (450, 600 and 750 mOsm/kg) (P<0.05). These results, therefore, demonstrated that trehalose enhanced osmotic tolerance of equine sperm. In addition, supplementation of trehalose into semen extender also increased sperm qualities (sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity) after cooling and cryopreservation when compared with control (no trehalose) (P<0.05). It