The potential use of magnetic activated cell sorting for elimination of rabbit apoptotic spermatozoa

Abstract

The aim of our study was to verify the potential use of the MACS technique for elimination of rabbit apoptotic spermatozoa from insemination dose in order to improve fertilization and kindling rate in rabbit farming. MACS, using annexin V–conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles, proved to be an effective method for separating non-apoptotic spermatozoa from those with deteriorated plasma membranes based on the externalization of phosphatidylserine. Ejaculates from 11 New Zealand White rabbit males, chosen basing on motility parameters, were collected using an artificial vagina, mixed to make heterospermic pool and routinely diluted in a commercial insemination diluent (MiniTüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) at the ratio of 1:6. The incubation with annexin V and the binding to nanoparticles in magnetic field did not essentially affect the fertilizing ability of rabbit spermatozoa. No significant differences between the control and MACS – group were found both in the average number of liveborn kits (8.57 ± 0.59 vs. 7.50 ± 0.65) or the kindling rate (62.9% vs. 75.8%). In conclusion, these preliminary results may indicate the possible harmless and efficient use of MACS technique for improving the quality of rabbit insemination dose. However, further experiments are required in order to consider about applying of this technique into breeding practice.