Effect of calcitriol on the fertilizing capacity of bovine semen cryopreserved in vitro and in vivo

Authors

  • A.C. Liaudat Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Exact, Physical Chemical and Natural Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Health (INBIAS), National University of Rio Cuarto (UNRC) - National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5401-2793
  • M.A. González Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Exact, Physical Chemical and Natural Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Health (INBIAS), National University of Rio Cuarto (UNRC) - National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • B. Opizzo Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Exact, Physical Chemical and Natural Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Health (INBIAS), National University of Rio Cuarto (UNRC) - National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • V. Capella Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Exact, Physical Chemical and Natural Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Health (INBIAS), National University of Rio Cuarto (UNRC) - National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3662-2376
  • G. Morilla Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Exact, Physical Chemical and Natural Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Health (INBIAS), National University of Rio Cuarto (UNRC) - National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • C. Romano SerGan - VetInvitro, Establecimiento Estación Zootécnica Santa Julia de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba.Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • G. Gleria SerGan - VetInvitro, Establecimiento Estación Zootécnica Santa Julia de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba.Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • F. Grosso Cabaña “El Aljibe”. General Cabrera, Córdoba, Argentina.
  • J.P. Aubone Cabaña “El Aljibe”. General Cabrera, Córdoba, Argentina
  • P. Bosch Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Exact, Physical Chemical and Natural Sciences, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and Health (INBIAS), National University of Rio Cuarto (UNRC) - National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2116-3007

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63207/ai.v8i16.184

Abstract

Previous studies carried out by our laboratory demonstrated that calcitriol capacitates the sperm cells without altering the redox state or sperm viability. The aim of our work was to study the effect of adding calcitriol to the bovine semen extender on cellular metabolism and on the fertilization capacity of cryopreserved spermatozoa in vitro and in vivo. Semen from one Braford bull was frozen with  calcitriol 20 nM (D). Straws  without calcitriol were used as controls (C). Spermatozoa cryopreserved with 20 nM calcitriol showed motility (53.3±3.3%), vigor (5.0±0.0) and cell viability (25.4±1.7%) values ​​similar to the C group (46.7±3.3%; 4.3±0.3; 22.9±1.4%). Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was higher in spermatozoa frozen with calcitriol (52.0±0.7% vs C: 47.5±0.9%) while ROS levels remained unchanged in the different evaluated groups (C: 140.3±3.5, D: 142.0±8.5 AU). The in vitro fertilizing capacity expressed as the percentage of blastocysts developed on the seventh day of culture was 18.03 ± 1.7 % with straws with calcitriol and 15 ± 5.8 % for the control group. When the pregnancy rate was analyzed in D group, the percentage was 11.6 % higher than those inseminated with C straws. In conclusion, the addition of calcitriol to the semen extender of a Braford bull induced a tendency toward increased fertilization capacity of cryopreserved spermatozoa without altering motility, vigor, viability, or ROS levels. Studies with more animals are needed to further investigate the differents effects of calcitriol on sperm parameters.

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References

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Published

2025-12-04

How to Cite

Liaudat, A. ., González, M., Opizzo, B. ., Capella, V. ., Morilla, G. ., Romano, C. ., Gleria, G. ., Grosso, F. ., Aubone, J. ., & Bosch, P. . (2025). Effect of calcitriol on the fertilizing capacity of bovine semen cryopreserved in vitro and in vivo. Ab Intus, 8(16). https://doi.org/10.63207/ai.v8i16.184

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 16 (2025): Número en curso

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Artículos

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