Improving Storage Stability and Kinetics of Pasundan Bull Sperm Encapsulation Using Alginate Solid Beads

Abstract

The study aims to develop a pasundan bull sperm encapsulation process and investigate whether alginate solid bead encapsulation improves sperm lifetime and survivability in cold storage. In order to make sperm encapsulation, 0.5% and 0.25% sperm-alginate droplets were added to a solution containing 1.5% dissolved calcium chloride (CaCl2) in physiological saline, and droplets were allowed to settle for one minute, resulting in sperm embedded in solid beads of alginate matrix. Solid beads and unencapsulated sperms in a diluent of tris egg yolk with 0.25% and 0.5% alginate were assessed following 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h of refrigerated storage at 5°C. The observed parameters, in addition to sperm viability and membrane integrity, also include total motility, progressive motility, and sperm kinematics, which were measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems. To determine if differences amongst data were statistically significant, analysis of variance was used, and the Duncan Multi Range Test was performed. The result showed that although the initial process of encapsulation resulted in a decrease in total motility, progressive motility, and kinematics value, alginate solid bead encapsulation was found to be more stable than unencapsulated sperm during storage at 5 °C for up to 4 days. The movement of spermatozoa is restricted to the viscosity of the alginate medium without disturbing the membrane's viability and integrity. It can be concluded that alginate solid bead encapsulation in pasundan bull semen can improve sperm stabilization during refrigerator storage.