LAUSR

Spermatozoa surviving freezing thawing, experience changes that represent an acceleration of the default apoptotic dead pathway that the spermatozoa experience after ejaculation[1]. One key protein related to survival is the Akt, provided that this kinase is phosphorylated (p-Akt), spermatozoa remain viable, but upon dephosphorylation of Akt pro-caspase 3 is cleaved and spermatozoa rapidly lose motility[2]. Cryopreserved semen show impaired mitochondrial function due to oxidative stress and the osmotic damage occurring at thawing[3]. This damage compromises the capability of thawed stallion spermatozoa to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Rosiglitazone has proven to enhance the glycolytic capability of stallion spermatozoa maintained in refrigeration for long periods[4]. We hypothesized that thawed stallion spermatozoa may respond to rosiglitazone and thus rosiglitazone supplementation could be a suitable strategy to improve the quality of thawed samples.