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  • II — Technologies de Conservation des Ressources Génétiques Animales et Végétales / Technologies of Conservation for Animal and Plant Genetic Resources
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Numerical simulation for freezing and thawing mammalian spermatozoa. Evaluation of cell injuries at different depths in bags or straws during all steps

Simulation numérique de cryoconservation des spermatozoïdes de mammifères. Prédiction des atteintes cellulaires à différentes profondeurs de sacs ou de paillettes au cours de toutes les étapes de la technique

Genetics Selection Evolution volume 33, Article number: S85 (2001) Cite this article

Abstract

A numerical simulation of freezing-thawing protocols applicable to mammalian spermatozoa is described and validated in the boar and the ram. Original aspects include: (1) the simulation of all steps of the technique from ejaculation to thawing, (2) the simulation of complex extenders really usable in field conditions and extender properties in non-ideal conditions, (3) the sequential extender changes within a protocol for simulation of dilutions, additions, etc. (4) the introduction of a new concept, the “molecular chicanes” which reconciles theoretical and experimental results, (5) the introduction of specific cell models and (6) the prediction of different cell injuries at various depths in flat and cylindrical plastic cryocontainers. The calculated data indicate when, where and why cells are affected during each step of the technique and can therefore help to increase the total number of living spermatozoa or to devise new techniques rapidly. For validation, calculated data are compared to experimental and literature results. In boars and rams, simulations and observations generally differ by less than 5%.

Résumé

Une simulation numérique de cryoconservation des spermatozoïdes de mammifères est décrite et validée chez le Bélier et le Verrat. Elle inclue des aspects originaux: (1) la simulation de toutes les étapes de la technique, de l’éjaculation au dégel, (2) la prise en compte des solutions non-idéales et de dilueurs complexes réellement utilisables sur le terrain, (3) la possibilité de les modifier en cours de simulation, pour mimer les dilutions successives, ajouts, etc., (4) l’introduction du nouveau concept de l” chicane moléculaire r” qui réconcilie résultats théoriques et pratiques, (5) la définition de modèles cellulaires spécifiques et (6) la prédiction des altérations cellulaires à différentes profondeurs dans les cryocontainers plats ou cylindriques. Les calculs indiquent quand, où et pourquoi les cellules sont altérées et peuvent de ce fait être utilisés pour améliorer le nombre total de spermatozoïdes vivants, ou évaluer rapidement une technique nouvelle. La validation s’appuie sur une comparaison entre résultats calculés et résultats expérimentaux ou publiés par d’autres auteurs. Chez le Verrat et le Bélier, simulations et viabilités réelles diffèrent généralement de moins de 5 %.

Abbreviations

c:

Solution specific heat (J/μg/K).

c i :

Concentration of the solute i (μg/mm3).

D i :

Diffusivity coefficient of the solute i(mm2/s).

Ea:

Activation energy (J/mol).

L:

Water heat of fusion (J/μg).

Lp:

Water conductivity (μm/s/kPa).

Mles, Mlis:

Molality of external and internal permeable solutes (mol/kg H2O).

Mlen, Mlis:

Molality of external and internal non-permeable solutes (mol/kg H2O).

m:

Mass of the solution (μg).

m i :

Mass of the solute i (μg).

m w :

Mass of water (μg).

N:

Avogadro’s number (mol-1).

P s :

Permeability of solute (μm/s).

r i :

Molecular radius of solute i (mm).

R:

Universal gas constant (J/mol/K).

S:

Exchange area (mm2).

Sc:

Cell area (μm2).

t:

Time (s).

T:

Temperature (K).

V(t):

Cell volume (μm3).

Vb:

Osmotically inactive cell volume (μm3).

V s :

Partial volume of solute s (L/mol).

x:

Co-ordinate (mm).

η:

Dynamic viscosity of the solution (μg/mm/s).

λ:

Thermal conductivity coefficient (W/mm/K).

σ:

Reflexion coefficient (without units).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut national de la recherche agronomique, 37380, Nouzilly, France

    Jean-Luc Courtens

  2. Lore, 11 boulevard Pershing, 75017, Paris, France

    Jean-Michel Réty

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Correspondence to Jean-Luc Courtens.

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Courtens, JL., Réty, JM. Numerical simulation for freezing and thawing mammalian spermatozoa. Evaluation of cell injuries at different depths in bags or straws during all steps. Genet Sel Evol 33 (Suppl 1), S85 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03500875

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Genetics Selection Evolution

ISSN: 1297-9686