Comparison of the Preservative Effects of Trehalose, Iodixanol and EDTA in the Cryopreservation of Ram Sperm Collected by Electroejaculation

Improving spermatological quality in frozen ram semen is very important for the development and dissemination of artificial insemination in sheep. For this purpose, researchers have added many substances in various proportions to sperm extenders and investigated the effects of these substances. The presented study compares the protective effects of adding Trehalose, Iodixanol, and EDTA, both individually and in different combinations, to the diluent for freezing ram sperm. The study concluded that; (1) trehalose, iodixanol or EDTA significantly contribute to the preservation of the functional and morphological integrity of spermatozoa, (2) while the addition of iodixanol or EDTA alone to the basic extender failed to increase total and progressive motility after thawing, when used together they produced a synergistic effect and significantly increased total motility, (3) the use of trehalose, iodixanol and EDTA together  at  appropriate  concentrations or the addition of 5% iodixanol or 1.5 g/L EDTA alone to the extender increased spermatozoon persistence after thawing.