Alkaline phosphatase in seminal plasma of sperm-rich fraction of semen in fertile and subfertile dogs

Abstract

Twenty dogs presented for breeding soundness evaluation were selected for the presentstudy. Based on previous six month breeding history and semen quality, these animals weregrouped retrospectively into fertile (n=6) and subfertile (n=14) groups. Three semen collectionswere made from each of these dogs, two weeks apart. Semen evaluation parameters like volume,sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability, morphologically normal sperms, total spermoutput and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in the sperm-rich fraction were compared betweenthe two groups. The mean values for progressive motility, sperm concentration, total sperm outputand viability were 84.17 ± 1.54 per cent, 418.33 ± 36.64 million/mL, 645.11±98.43 million and84.92 ± 1.56 per cent, respectively, in the fertile group, while the values for these parameters were45.71 ± 3.47 per cent, 112.07 ± 24.36 million/mL, 190.24±32.45 million and 49.54 ± 2.35 percent, respectively in the subfertile group. The values were significantly higher in fertile group whencompared to subfertile group. The mean ALP (IU/L) was recorded as 168121.67 ± 22443.25 and 49605.86 ± 12669.68 IU/L, respectively in fertile and subfertile dogs. On statistical analysis, a highlysignificant difference (p˂0.01) was noticed between the groups. Though the concentration of ALPwas more than 40,000 IU/L (below which is the proposed cut off value for incomplete ejaculation) inall the dogs under the present study, it was significantly higher in fertile dogs, suggesting a possible relation to fertility.