Current Status and Advances in Semen Preservation—Second Edition

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 1766

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: animal reproduction; sperm quality; liquid storage; cryopreservation; membrane integrity; antioxidants; energy metabolism; proteomic
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: animal reproduction; andrology; sperm quality assessment; flow cytometry; CASA system; semen cryopreservation; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: animal reproduction; sperm quality; oxidative stress; antioxidant activity, semen analysis; seasonality; environmental science; lipid peroxidation; animal science; reactive oxygen species

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to submit original research papers and review articles to the “Current Status and Advances in Semen Preservation—Second Edition” Special Issue.

One of the most dynamically developing assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) used in animals is the preservation of gametes, especially sperm. Improving sperm preservation methods, both liquid and frozen, requires the consideration of various factors, including temperature and storage time, the composition of the diluent used, and species-specific as well as individual differences in the structure and functioning of an animal's reproductive system (e.g., tissues of the reproductive tract). Storage in a liquid state allows for the short-term preservation of the biological properties of sperm, often providing better fertilizing abilities of sperm compared to cryopreservation. Sperm cryopreservation (both ejaculated and epididymal) enables the long-term preservation of valuable genetic material for reproductive purposes. The use of an appropriate preservation procedure allows sperm to retain their fertilizing ability, as predicted by laboratory analyses and ultimately confirmed by the results of their use in in vitro and in vivo fertilization procedures.

We particularly welcome manuscripts presenting new technological solutions for improving sperm preservation methods and demonstrating new possibilities of using various laboratory techniques (including computer, enzymatic, fluorescence, and proteomic analyses) to predict the fertilization potential of preserved sperm in different animal species.

Dr. Anna Dziekońska
Dr. Agnieszka Partyka
Dr. Magdalena Koziorowska-Gilun
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • semen preservation
  • liquid state
  • cryopreservation
  • semen quality
  • fertility
  • assisted reproductive technologies
  • energy metabolism
  • antioxidants
  • oxidative stress
  • proteomic

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 642 KiB  
Article
Innovative Approaches to Avoid Antibiotic Use in Equine Semen Cryopreservation: Advancing Sustainable Reproductive Technologies
by Sonsoles Mercedes Zabala, Consuelo Serres, Natalia Montero, Francisco Crespo, Pedro Luis Lorenzo, Verónica Pérez-Aguilera, Agustín Oliet, Virginia Hijón, Santiago Moreno, Bruno González-Zorn and Luna Gutiérrez-Cepeda
Animals 2025, 15(10), 1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15101368 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of different processing techniques on microbial load and sperm quality in frozen–thawed equine semen to identify alternatives to reduce the preventive use of antibiotics. Semen was obtained and processed under rigorous hygiene measures from ten stallions, using four [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the impact of different processing techniques on microbial load and sperm quality in frozen–thawed equine semen to identify alternatives to reduce the preventive use of antibiotics. Semen was obtained and processed under rigorous hygiene measures from ten stallions, using four protocols: Simple Centrifugation with antibiotics (S+) and Simple Centrifugation (S−), Filtration (F−) and Single-Layer Colloidal Centrifugation (C−) in an antibiotic-free extender. Microbial load in different culture media, sperm viability and motility were assessed. Microbial load results were consistent across protocols, except in Columbia 5% Sheep Blood Agar media, where S− exhibited higher microbial load than S+ (p < 0.05). However, F− and C− showed similar microbial loads to S+. No significant differences were observed in progressive motility, average path velocity, straight-line velocity or wobble parameters between protocols. Total motility and viability were significantly higher in S+ compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). Thus, regardless of antibiotics, the proposed methods achieved results similar to the traditional antibiotic-inclusive protocol in terms of microbial load and the most relevant semen quality parameters. These findings suggest that the use of F− and C−, combined with optimized hygiene measures, offers an effective alternative to reduce the prophylactic use of antibiotics in semen extenders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Advances in Semen Preservation—Second Edition)
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12 pages, 1424 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Alternatives to the Reduction of Plastic Straws Used with Chilled Equine Semen
by Noelia González, Aroa Peñalosa, Ignacio de Blas and Lydia Gil
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233388 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 858
Abstract
Currently, plastic is used being without any limitations. The livestock sector is no stranger to its use. For example, artificial insemination involves the use of different plastic materials, including semen straws and insemination catheters, which increase the levels of waste in our environment. [...] Read more.
Currently, plastic is used being without any limitations. The livestock sector is no stranger to its use. For example, artificial insemination involves the use of different plastic materials, including semen straws and insemination catheters, which increase the levels of waste in our environment. Finding a sustainable solution to avoid plastic materials is a challenge. The aim of this study was to examine different biodegradable materials as alternatives to conventional syringes used for refrigerated equine semen. The materials tested were bamboo, avocado, grass, paper, Kraft paper, wheat, and rice. Bamboo and avocado were selected to continue testing with the refrigerated semen with a lifespan extended by INRA 96®; the rest of the materials did not meet the requirements necessary for preservation. Motility and movement kinetics tests were performed at 24 and 96 h of refrigeration to evaluate semen quality; relative to the control, significantly better results were displayed in regard to the total and progressive motility avocado straws. The kinetic parameters were comparable to the control for both materials and within normal ranges. After performing a microbiological control process for both straws, it was confirmed that there was no bacterial growth in either straw. We can confirm that avocado straws can be used to preserve chilled equine semen, guaranteeing seminal quality while being respectful to the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Advances in Semen Preservation—Second Edition)
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