Sperm parameters and biochemical components of goat seminal plasma in the rainy and dry seasons in the Brazilian Northeast: the season's influence on the cooling of semen

G.V Aguiar,A.C.N Campos,C.K.S Celes,A.G.V Catunda,M.F Van Tilburg,A.A Araújo,A.A.A Moura,I.C.S Lima

doi:10.1590/s0102-09352013000100002

G.V Aguiar, A.C.N Campos + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-09352013000100002

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Abstract

The present study aimed to verify the caprine semen characteristics during dry and rainy seasons in the Brazilian Northeast, and the influence of these seasons on cooled semen. Seminal volume, concentration, percentage of motile cells, vigor and spermatic morphology, as well as biochemical profile (fructose, citric acid, P, Ca2+, Mg, total proteins and phospholipase A2 activity) were analyzed. It was observed a reduction (P<0.05) in normal sperm morphology, fructose, citric acid, P, Mg and total protein concentration during the dry season, which did not affect the motility, vigor, volume and sperm concentration. Phospholipase A2 activity was increased during the dry season (P<0.05). The analysis of the semen cooled at 4ºC during 48 hours showed reduction in total motility and vigor sperm during the dry season (P<0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that the best period of year for caprine semen cooling is the rainy season.

Highlights

In the last decades, research has focused on the improvement of biotechnology for animal breeding and methods of semen preservation for artificial insemination, embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization (Trummer et al, 1998; Holt, 2000; Yoshida, 2000; Pauw et al, 2003)
In the case of fresh semen samples, the percentage of sperm with normal morphology was significantly higher (P
Considering the absence of significant differences related to sperm motility and vigor of semen collected before cooling, we suggest that differences associated with the cooling time between the dry and rainy seasons relate to biochemical changes found in seminal plasma in the respective periods

Summary

Introduction

Research has focused on the improvement of biotechnology for animal breeding and methods of semen preservation for artificial insemination, embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization (Trummer et al, 1998; Holt, 2000; Yoshida, 2000; Pauw et al, 2003). The reproductive performance of goat herds directly depends on the genetic potential of livestock, management and environment. The interrelationship of these factors determines the adaptation of the animals and their reproductive efficiency (Robertshaw, 1982). Animals with seasonal reproductive characteristics are influenced by a combination of photoperiod and temperature, while in tropical regions the environmental effect seems to be related to rain and its effect on the amount and quality of forage (Rege et al, 2000). Other climate factors such as humidity and temperature changes can cause thermal discomfort, resulting in a decrease in food intake and interference with spermatogenesis and semen quality (Kunavongkrit et al, 2005)

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