Cryocapacitation and Fertility of Cryopreserved Semen

Cryopreservation of semen is the most widely applied reproductive biotechnological tool used for rapid genetic improvement of livestock through artificial insemination, but the process of cryopreservation and thawing inflicts certain damage to spermatozoa plasma membrane and acrosome. This damage includes swelling and breakage of plasma membrane, loss of membrane selective permeability, change in membrane fluidity, leakage and aggregation of phospholipids and protein, reduction in motility and enzyme activity and viability. These spermatozoa exhibit elevated metabolic rates, increased membrane fluidity and permeability and they do not achieve fertilization, they undergo spontaneous acrosome reaction due to an uncontrolled influx of Ca2+. Hence, the fertilizing lifespan of these spermatozoa is limited. Further investigation regarding mechanism involved thereof and the prevention of premature membrane modifications will hopefully lead to the improvement of the fertility of cryopreserved semen.