Cryopreservation of Canine Semen: A Review
Diksha Upreti *
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Chandra Prakash Dixit
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Krishi Bhawan, Delhi, India.
Shraddha Dwivedi
Division of Animal Genetics, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Amritanshu Upadhyay
Division of Animal Genetics, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Apeksha
Division of Animal Genetics, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Shruti Dehru
Division of Medicine, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Manish Solanki
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Vishnu Vadera
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Himani Ravi
Division of Veterinary Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Sunita Rawat
Division of Physiology and Climatology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Megha Bhandari
Division of Veterinary Microbiology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
Meraj Haider Khan
Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cryopreservation of canine semen plays a vital role in modern dog breeding, genetic conservation, and assisted reproductive technologies. The ability to preserve spermatozoa for extended periods enables the exchange of valuable genetic material across geographical boundaries and facilitates breeding without the need to transport animals. However, the freezing–thawing process can induce significant damage to sperm cells due to cold shock, oxidative stress, and structural alterations in the sperm membrane. To address these challenges, several cryopreservation techniques, including the Uppsala, Norwegian, CERREC, and CERCA methods, have been developed to improve post-thaw sperm quality. The selection of suitable cryoprotectants and extenders is critical for protecting spermatozoa during freezing. Traditional extenders containing egg yolk and its derivatives, such as egg yolk plasma and low-density lipoproteins, are widely used because of their protective effects. More recently, alternative cryoprotectants like soybean lecithin and skim milk have gained attention. In addition, antioxidants and emerging biological strategies, including mesenchymal stem cells, show promise in mitigating oxidative damage and enhancing sperm viability during cryopreservation. This review summarizes the commonly used techniques for canine semen cryopreservation and highlights the role of various cryoprotectants and additives in maintaining sperm quality during long-term storage.
Keywords: Canine semen, cryoprotectants, egg yolk extender, antioxidants, mesenchymal stem cells