A simple method for freezing rabbit semen with successful results on fertility and prolificity

The experiments were carried out to evaluate a simple method of freezing rabbit spermatozoa. The effect of glucose, lactose or sucrose on post-thawing sperm quality was studied. The results showed that addition of sucrose improved motility and acrosomal integrity (57% of progressive motile spermatozoa vs 43% and 42%, and 68% of normal acrosome vs 56 and 57%, sucrose, lactose and glucose, respectively). Then, a Tris-citrate medium with 0.05 M sucrose and 1.75 M dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) was used to analyse the effect of frozen semen on the reproductive performance of does. Insemination of does with fresh and frozen semen showed no differences in fertility rate and prolificity between fresh and frozen semen (80% and 8.1 young rabbits, respectively).