Effect of post-thaw dilution with caffeine, pentoxifylline, 2′-deoxyadenosine and prostatic fluid on motility of frozen-thawed dog semen

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the motility pattern of frozen-thawed canine semen to which pentoxifyilline (PTX), caffeine (CAF), 2'-deoxyadenosine (DX), and prostatic fluid (PROST) were added after thawing. Semen evaluations were performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) at thawing and during 120 min of incubation at 37 degrees C. Three experiments were conducted: 1) to establish which concentrations of stimulants work best; 2) to investigate the interaction between thawing rate and addition of CAF 5 mM, PT X 2.5 mM and PROST; 3) to evaluate the effect of PTX 7.5 mM and DX 5 mM on semen motility after thawing. In experiment 1, ALH and VCL were enhanced at thawing by CAF 7.5 mM (CAF 7.5: 9.1 +/- 0.5 mu m; control: 6.7 +/- 0.4 mu m) and DX 5 and 7.5 mM (DX 5: 199.1 +/- 12.8 mu m/s; DX 7.5: 197.3 +/- 13.9 +/- 1.1 mu m/s; control: 162.5 +/- 8.4 mu m/s), while PTX 2.5-5-7.5 mM improved TOT after 120 min of incubation. In experiment 2, PROST lowered ALH values throughout incubation (P < 0.05) with respect to the other treatments, in particular when compared to CAF at Time = 30 and at Time = 60. In experiment 3, PTX 7.5 mM improved VAP (PTX: 101.6 +/- 6.8 mu m/s; control: 81.9 +/- 10.5 mu m/s), VSL (PTX: 82.9 +/- 6.4 mu m/s; control: 65.9 +/- 9.8 mu m/s), VCL (PTX: 214.3 +/- 13.3 mu m/s; control: 167 +/- 15.7 mu m/s), ALH (PTX: 10.5 +/- 0.3; control: 7.3 +/- 1.4 mu m), PM (PTX: 11.3 +/- 4.2%; control: 7.7 +/- 3.9%) and TOT (PTX: 20.1 +/- 5.3%; control: 15.6 +/- 5.6%) at Time = 120, while DX 5 mM influenced VCL at Time = 60 (DX: 218.3 +/- 14.3 mu m/s; control: 188.5 +/- 7.5 mu m/s, P < 0.05). Motility stimulants may be useful for enhancing motility of canine frozen-thawed spermatozoa without affecting sperm longevity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.