The epididymal sperm viability, motility and DNA integrity in dead mice maintained at 4-6oC

BACKGROUND When male animals die, spermatozoa within the body of animal will be degenerated. Because of unique chromatin structure of sperm, maybe this degeneration is different from other cells. However there is not any research which considered directly the integrity of sperm DNA by keeping the cadaver in refrigerator. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess viability, total motility and DNA integrity of sperm cells after death. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, 24 male Swiss white mice were killed by cervical dislocation and then kept in refrigerator (4-6(o)C) for up to 12 days. On the 0 (immediately after death as control group), 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), 5(th), 7(th), 10(th) and the 12(th) days after death cauda epididymides were removed and squeezed in Ham's F10 medium. The proportion of viable, motile and double stranded DNA spermatozoa was examined. Viability and DNA integrity of sperm cells were examined consecutively by eosin nigrosin and acridine orange stainings. RESULTS The data obtained from this study showed that viability and total motility of sperm cells were significantly decreased during 12 days after death (p<0.001). In contrast with viability and motility, DNA integrity was without significant changes (even 12 days after death). CONCLUSION This study suggests that integrity of sperm DNA would not change even after 12 days after death if the cadaver kept in refrigerator.