RESUMO
Amides were tested as internal cryoprotectants for the preservation of wild silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis) sperm. The semen was diluted in modified Mounib's medium and cryopreserved by adding 2, 5, 8 or 11% of dimethyl acetamide (DMA), dimethyl formamide (DMF) or methyl formamide (MF). Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a concentration of 10% diluted in modified Mounib's medium was used as a control. The rate motility (17.7 ± 1.9%) and time motility (143.2 ± 9.7 s) (P < 0.05) of the sperm were higher with 2% DMF when compared with the other treatments. Despite the better motility results obtained with 2% DMF, the solution was not able to maintain cellular structure integrity of the cryopreserved sperm. The 10% DMSO and 8% MF treatment allowed for completeness of the plasma membrane (34.8% and 29%), functional mitochondria (19.8% and 16.2%) and plasma membrane fluidity (39.4% and 46.4%); furthermore, rate motility (11.8% and 10%) and time motility (81.4 s and 71.8 s) of the sperm were found to be at suitable levels when compared with 2% DMF. Thus, our evaluation suggests that 10% DMSO and 8% MF provide better cryopreservation of O. bonariensis sperm cells.