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Lyophilization of male gametes of agricultural animals and birds: achievements, problems, prospects

https://doi.org/10.25687/3034-493X.2025.2.1.003

Abstract

Currently, the most common method for long-term storage of reproductive cells for farm animals and birds is cryopreservation technology, which involves storing samples at ultra-low temperatures. However, significant costs for sample’s preservation and their transportation reduce economic efficiency of method. Lyophilized sperm can be stored at temperatures above zero and does not require special equipment for this. It is now known that lyophilization protocols make it possible to preserve the integrity of sperm chromatin and factors that determine oocyte activation in rodents and mammals, and method of intracytoplasmic sperm injection into the oocyte (ICSI) opens up possibility and prospects for using “lyophilized” male gametes in reproductive technologies. The article provides a literature review on problem of preserving farm animal’s sperm in a state of anhydrobiosis. Described history of the beginning freeze-drying method of biological samples, problems previous technological stages in different types of farm animals, summarized achievements and trends in technology of lyophilization of male animal gametes.

About the Authors

A. A. Kurochkin
All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Farm Animal Breeding, Branch of L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry
Russian Federation

Saint Petersburg



A. O. Prituzhalova
All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Farm Animal Breeding, Branch of L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry
Russian Federation

Saint Petersburg



T. I. Kuzmina
All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Farm Animal Breeding, Branch of L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry
Russian Federation

Saint Petersburg



O. I. Stanishevskaya
All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Farm Animal Breeding, Branch of L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry
Russian Federation

Saint Petersburg



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For citations:


Kurochkin A.A., Prituzhalova A.O., Kuzmina T.I., Stanishevskaya O.I. Lyophilization of male gametes of agricultural animals and birds: achievements, problems, prospects. Ernst Journal of Animal Science. 2025;(1):33-52. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25687/3034-493X.2025.2.1.003

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