Effect of Cryopreservation on Functional Integrity of Bull Spermatozoa : Determining success of artificial insemination (AI) using estimated Cryopreserved semen

Modern livestock producer employs artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved semen. The objective of this study is to determine the viability of sperms before and after cryopreservation. Semen collected from Bos taurus (4 Jersey cross and 8 Jersey pure breeds) was diluted to 80x106 sperms/ml, packed in 0.25ml French plastic straws and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Microbial load assessment was performed to determine the quality. The present study aims at estimating the percentage of damage on the cryopreserved sperm by assessing Motility, Plasma Membrane and Acrosomal Integrity. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was carried out to study the plasma membrane and acrosomal damage more efficiently. Semen samples analyzed using Phase Contrast Microscope showed a decline by 30% after cryopreservation. The microbial load studies showed colonies within permissible limits. As observed in SEM, sperm integrity was found more in pre-freeze untreated semen samples.