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Home▶ Journals▶ Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology▶Archive▶Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026)▶Efficacy of Ovixcell Extender for Cryopreservation of Buck…
Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology
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Print ISSN 2394-0247 · Online ISSN 2395-1176
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Research Article

Efficacy of Ovixcell Extender for Cryopreservation of Buck Epididymal Spermatozoa

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Sadaf Sakeena — Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K, India
Mehrajuddin Naikoo — Associate Professor, Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K, India
Arjuma Khatun — Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K, India
Khursheed A Sofi — Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K, India
Mudasir A Andrabi — Division of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K, India
Tavsief Ahmad — Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura Sopore-193201, SKUAST-Kashmir, J&K, India
Zahoor Ahmad Pampori — Division of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, J&K, India
Published 10 Jan 2026 Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026), pp. 144-148 ● Open access
❝ How to cite 🔗 https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.1.28
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Abstract

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is a cornerstone of reproductive biotechnology, enabling long-term storage of genetic material from  livestock and endangered species. However, the freezing-thawing process predisposes spermatozoa to cryoinjuries, including osmotic  stress, oxidative damage, and alterations in membrane integrity. This study evaluated the efficacy of Ovixcell, a soy lecithin-based  extender, in preserving buck epididymal spermatozoa during cryopreservation. Testes (n=40) were collected from freshly slaughtered  bucks, and spermatozoa were retrieved from the cauda epididymides. Samples with >70% motility were cryopreserved using Ovixcell  supplemented with 7% glycerol. Sperm quality was assessed pre-freeze and post-thaw using standard procedures, including motility,  CFDA and PI dual staining for viability, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and acrosomal integrity using Giemsa staining. The results  showed a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in sperm characteristics from pre-freeze to post-thaw stage. The motility decreased from  82.60% to 63.80%, viability from 80.47% to 61.13%, plasma membrane integrity from 92.16% to 59.40%, and acrosomal integrity from  90.92% to 63.43%. Despite this decline, post-thaw values remained within the acceptable range for further use. The findings confirm  that Ovixcell stabilizes sperm membranes effectively and serves as a good sperm extender, supporting artificial insemination and  conservation programmes through retrieval and storage of epididymal spermatozoa.

KeywordsBuck, Cryopreservation, Ovixcell, Post-thaw, Sperm quality parameters

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