Embryonic development in rabbits after insemination with spermatozoa stored at 37, 5 or -196 C for various periods

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Abstract
Rabbit spermatozoa stored at 37.degree. C for 5 h, 5.degree. C for 5 h or 5 days and -196.degree. C for 5 h, 5 days or 1 yr were used to artificially inseminate does induced to ovulate normal or excess numbers of eggs. Fertility and subsequent embryonic development were examined. Frozen spermatozoa stored for 5 h fertilized fewer oocytes than those stored for 5 days or longer. Fewer embryos were recovered on Day 6 than on Day 2. Blastocysts were smaller when spermatozoa were stored for 5 days, were frozen, or were placed in superovulating does, but no statistically significant differences in the percentage of fetal survival were found in the groups of normally ovulating does. Embryonic wastage associated with storage of spermatozoa resulted from a reduced fertilization rate and/or increased embryonic mortality before implantation.