Effective cryopreservation of western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) semen using dimethylsulphoxide

This work examines the use of Me2SO as a cryoprotective agent (CPA) for capercaillie semen, comparing it with the use of dimethyformamide (DMF). Thirty semen samples were collected from seven males, diluted and divided into two aliquots before adding either Me2SO (final concentration 8 %) or DMF (6 %). These samples were then frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour. No significant differences were seen between the Me2SO and DMF treatments with respect to any frozen-thawed sperm motility characteristics, and plasma membrane integrity, although the proportion of viable spermatozoa showing normal morphology was greater (P 2SO than in fresh sperm (P 2SO appears to be a suitable CPA for freezing capercaillie semen, some variables are slightly better when DMF is used.