In vitro sperm storage with poultry oviductal secretions

In the hen oviduct, tubules have been identified that preserve the sperm, maintaining viability for up to 15 weeks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological status of rooster sperm when preserved in vitro with uterus vaginal junction secretions (UVJS). Males and females of the Rhode Island breed were used. Sperm aliquots were prepared using Lake extender and Lake extender with UVJS (10%, 30%, 60% and 90%). Subsequently, a basic sperm evaluation was performed, and sperm physiological status was determined through the presence and distribution of Ca2+ and its acrosomal reaction capability via perivitelline layer (PVL) co-incubation. It was observed that motility decreased in sperm preserved with UVJS at 6 and 24 hours (p<0.05) compared with 40 minutes and fresh semen. The sperm decapacitation percentage increased when preserved with UVJS (p<0.05) at 40 minutes, 6 and 24 hours compared with fresh semen. The acrosomal reaction increased (p<0.05) in sperm co-incubated with PVL, even when preserved with UVJS. It was concluded that UVJS induced physiological changes in sperm by inducing a decapacitation process, which increases sperm viability when preserved in vitro.