Influence of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) on the Spermatological Parameters of Cyprinus Carpio During Cryopreservation

By : C. Judith Betsy , J. Stephen Sampath Kumar

Page No: 103-113

Abstract
Cryopreserved spermatozoa of fishes can make a big shift in the production of quality seeds of cultivable fishes. But the success largely depends on the ability of the cryopreserved spermatozoa to fertilize the eggs in vitro. Energy supplements have been used effectively in large animals’ semen preservation. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) was tested as a co-cryoprotectant for its efficiency in maintaining the spermatozoa of Cyprinus carpio during cryopreservation. Milt from the matured C. carpio was diluted (1:40) with Modified Cortland Medium (MCM) as extender and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant. The diluents were prepared with BSA at three different concentrations, viz., 0.5%, 1% and 2%. The diluted milt was equilibrated for 15 min at 4°C and loaded into 0.5 ml straws. The loaded straws were then frozen with LN2 vapour for 5 min and immersed in liquid nitrogen. Observations were made once in 7 days for 21 days on motility parameters based on which the duration, score, pattern and percentage were determined. The spermatozoa cryopreserved with BSA at 2% concentration showed the highest motility duration of 129±5.5 s whereas Control group showed motility duration of only 72.5±2.7 s on 21st day. The difference in motility duration was statistically significant (P>0.05). The present study revealed the benefits of adding BSA at 2% during cryopreservation as it could help in maintaining the motility duration and survival of spermatozoa.

Authors :
C. Judith Betsy
Department of Inland Aquaculture, Fisheries College & Research Institute, Tuticorin, India – 628 008

J. Stephen Sampath Kumar
Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Nagapattinam, India.