In vitro Evaluation of Short-term Preserved Stallion Semen in Different Doses and Temperatures

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different temperatures and doses on stallion sperm survival after 24 h and 48 h short-term storage. Ejaculates from four warm-blooded stallions were used in this study. Ejaculates were collected by an open-ended artificial vagina which separates fractions of semen into sterile plastic cups. Only the second and third fractions (spermatozoa-rich fractions) were used to obtain spermatozoa for the experiment. Semen was diluted with INRA 96 extender to final concentrations of 50, 100, 200 and 400x106sp/ml. Diluted semen were stored at different temperatures (2, 4 or 8°C) for 24-48 h. After 24 h and 48 h cooled storage, spermatozoon motility, abnormal spermatozoon ratio and membrane integrity were evaluated. According to results the highest motility values (52.5% and 55%) were determined at 50 and 100 x106sp/ml concentration at 4°C after 24 h cooled storage. After 48 h of storage, the highest motility was obtained from semen stored at 8°C. Abnormal spermatozoon and membrane integrity values were not significantly different after cooled storage. Consequently, it was determined that semen with 50 and 100 million spermatozoa/ml concentration stored at 4°C for 24 h and semen with 50, 100, 200, 400 million spermatozoa/ml concentration stored at 8°C for 48 h gave better results with respect to motility than the others.