Comparative evaluation of DNA integrity using sperm chromatin structure assay and Sperm-Ovis-Halomax during in vitro capacitation of cryopreserved ram spermatozoa

This study aimed to compare the ability of sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA (R)) and Sperm-Ovis-Halomax (R) to detect DNA fragmentation in frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa incubated under capacitating conditions in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) supplemented with oestrous sheep serum (SOF-ESS) at multiple time points (0-240 min). Incubation in SOF-ESS had no significant effects on SCSA (R) parameters while the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA measured by Sperm-Ovis-Halomax (R) increased after 180 min of incubation. In addition, no correlation or agreement was found between the techniques, suggesting that SCSA (R) and Sperm-Ovis-Halomax (R) may quantify different types of DNA damage in ram spermatozoa under these experimental conditions.Funding Agencies|ALF-Research, Region Ostergotland [LIO-698951]; Lions Forskningsfond [DNR LIU-2016-00641]; Linkoping and the Swedish Research Council FormasSwedish Research Council Formas [2017-00946]; Forskningsradet i Sydostra Sverige [473121, 745971]; Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha [2015/4062]