ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the plasma membrane integrity and morphology of fresh and frozen goat spermatozoa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ejaculates of three male goats were obtained by the artificial vagina method of collection and the rates of sperm abnormality and acrosome integrity were detected after freezing-thawing processing. The plasma membrane integrity of the fresh and frozen-thawed goat spermatozoa was evaluated with a combination of fluorescent probes, carboxyfluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The freezing-thawing process significantly influenced the viability and integrity of the spermatozoa ([74.43 +/- 13.78]% vs. [46.25 +/- 2.69]%; [64.26 +/- 7.03]% vs. [6.27 +/- 2.90]%, P < 0.01). The results showed differences in acrosome integrity rate between the fresh and frozen samples ([80.77 +/- 10.70]% vs. [58.42 +/- 18.05]% , P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The freezing-thawing process significantly reduces sperm viability and acrosome integrity and seriously damages the plasma membrane integrity.</p>