Total Sperm Abnormalities Research Articles

Cryopreservation of cattle semen using coconut water extender with different glycerol concentrations

Objective: To investigate the effect of coconut water with a lone concentration and different concentrations of glycerol on chilled and cryopreserved cattle semen characteristics. Methods: Semen was collected from five mature cattle bulls, at weekly intervals for 5 weeks. The ejaculates were pooled and evaluated for dilution processing. Tris citrate egg yolk fructose was used as control treatment for semen, while 50% (V/V) coconut water, 25% (V/V) bi-distilled water and 25% (V/V, 5% anhydrous monosodium citrate) to 20 mL egg yolk and three different concentrations of glycerol (4%, 6% and 8%) were used as coconut water (CW)- glycerol-yolk extenders (CWCG-4, CWCG-6 and CWCG-8). Extended semen was cooled and cryopreserved. Sperm motility%, sperm membrane integrity%, normal acrosome%, live sperm% and total sperm abnormalities% were recorded after equilibrium and after freeze-thawing. Results: The addition of 4% glycerol to coconut water enriched media (CWCG-4) revealed the most effective addition of glycerol on all parameters after equilibrium and after freeze-thawing. Conclusions: Coconut water enriched media with 4% glycerol addition is safe to be used as an extender in bull semen preservation because it is a sterile liquid. So, it can be used without addition of antibiotics to the extender, as antibiotics have to some extent hazardous effect on spermatozoa.

163 EVALUATION OF VIABILITY OF BULL SEMEN COLLECTED BY ELECTRO-EJACULATION USING COMMERCIAL SEMEN EXTENDER AND 2 CULTURE MEDIA AT CONTROLLED ROOM TEMPERATURE

Preservation of semen is an important process to ensure that semen quality is sufficient for assisted reproductive technologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of bull semen collected by electro-ejaculation using commercial semen extender and 2 modified culture media stored at controlled RT (24°C) for 72 h. Two Nguni bulls were used for semen collection; after collection, the semen was evaluated macroscopically for volume, pH, and colour, and microscopically for sperm motility, viability, and morphology. Uncontaminated semen samples with progressive motility >70% and morphological defects <20% were pooled after collection before being aliquoted into 3 extenders, namely Triladyl, modified Ham’s F10, and TCM-199 culture media, at a dilution ratio of 1:4 and then stored at controlled RT (24°C). Sperm motility rate was analysed using the computer-aided sperm analyser after 0, 24, 48, and 72 h of storage. Sperm morphology and viability was performed after staining the sperm cells with spermac and nigrosine-eosin stain, respectively. The study was replicated 4 times and data were analysed using ANOVA. Triladyl had a higher sperm viability rate (41.3%) and total motility rate (96.3%) for 72 h (P < 0.01) compared with the 2 modified culture media, Ham’s F10 (26.5 and 86.8%) and TCM-199 (25.0 and 86.7%), respectively. However, Ham’s F10 had higher progressive motility rate (37.8%) as compared with the other extenders, TCM-199 (31.7%) and Triladyl (23.4). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05), in viability rate between Ham’s F10 (26.5%) and TCM-199 (25.0%). No significant difference (P > 0.05) in straight line velocity was observed for the three extenders. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed in total sperm abnormalities, except for reacted acrosomes and absent tails (P > 0.05), between the 2 Nguni bulls. Nguni semen can be preserved in Triladyl or modified Ham’s F10 and TCM-199 culture media stored at 24°C and stay viable for 72 h. Triladyl proved to be the best suitable extender of the 3 extenders, showing higher sperm viability and total motility rate as compared with Ham’s F10 and TCM-199 modified culture media.

Study on the in vitro fertilizing potential of mithun (Bos frontalis) semen

Semen quality parameters (SQPs) such as motility, viability, total sperm abnormality, integrity of acrosome, plasma membrane and nucleus and vanguard distance travelled by sperm and biochemical profiles such as aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were studied in mithun at post thawed stage. Fifty ejaculates were collected through transrectal massage method from matured bulls and the ejaculates were divided into good and poor quality. The ejaculates were extended with Tris egg yolk citrate glycerol extender and stored in liquid nitrogen. PT seminal, biochemical profiles and zona binding per cent (BP) and binding index (BI) were studied with standard protocols. The results revealed good quality ejaculates has significantly (p<0.05) higher SQPs, BP & BI and has significantly (p<0.05) lower total sperm abnormality, AST, ALT and LDH than in the poor quality ejaculates. PT motility was positively (p<0.05) correlated with SQPs, vanguard distance, BI & BP and negatively correlated (p<0.05) with total sperm abnormality and biochemical profiles. In conclusion, the good quality sperm has higher functional sperm structures and higher intactness of sperm plasma and acrosomal membrane to motile faster in forward direction to reach the site of fertilization and successful fertilization.

Protective effect of Gallic acid on doxorubicin-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity.

The effect of Gallic acid (GA) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity was investigated in experimental rat model. The rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10 animals per group. Rats in group A received clean tap water ad libitum. Rats in group B were administered DOX intraperitoneally at 15mg/kg on the eighth day of the experiment. Animals in groups C and D received 60 and 120mg/kg GA orally for 7days with 15mg/kg DOX on the eighth day. Rats in groups E and F received 60 and 120mg/kg GA alone orally for 7days. The animals were sacrificed 24hr after the last administration. DOX administration led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels with significant reduction in antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione levels. DOX administration also led to a significant increase in total sperm abnormalities and prolactin together with a significant decrease in testosterone levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expressions of caspase 3 in the testicular tissues of rats that received DOX alone. Together, pre-treatment with GA attenuated markers of oxidative stress, reversed sperm abnormality and ameliorated the observed aberration in plasma testosterone and prolactin levels.

Effects of pomegranate juice in Tris-based extender on cattle semen quality after chilling and cryopreservation

ObjectiveTo study the effect of adding different concentrations of the pomegranate juice (PJ) to the cattle bull semen extender on post-thawing semen quality. MethodsSemen was collected from five cattle-bulls at weekly intervals for 5 weeks at the Semen Freezing Center, General Organization for Vet. Services, Ministry of Agriculture. Semen samples were diluted in Tris-citric acid-egg yolk-fructose extender and divided into six aliquots, the 1st served as control while PJ was supplemented at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% in the aliquot 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Diluted semen samples were subjected to cooling and cryopreservation and stored in liquid nitrogen (LN2). Sperm motility in chilled semen (over 10 d) and post-thawing sperm parameters, including individual motility, alive sperm, membrane integrity, and total sperm abnormality were assessed. ResultsObtained results clearly demonstrated that the addition of 10% PJ in the chilled extended cattle semen proved to be beneficial for maintaining sperm motility percentage. On the other hand, the addition of 40% and 50% PJ failed to preserve motility all over the 10 d. Also, supplementation of extender with 10–20% PJ significantly increases the post-thaw motility and viability as compared with control group. ConclusionsSupplementation of bull semen extender with 10% and 20% PJ provides good chilling and improved frozen-thawed semen quality.

Semen characteristics and sperm morphology of Pistia stratiotes Linn. (Araceae) protected male albino rats (Wistar strain) exposed to sodium arsenite

Sodium arsenite has been proven to be abundant in nature and released into the environment through human activities, including agricultural and industrial processes. The objective of our study was to investigate the sperm protective potential of Pistia stratiotes Linn. in arsenic-treated rats. The sperm protective potential of P. stratiotes Linn. (Araceae) was carried out in arsenic-exposed rats using 24 male albino rats (225 to 228 g) aged between 14 and 16 weeks old. They were grouped into 4 (A-D), each group containing 6 rats. Group A animals were orally treated with 100 mg/kg ethanol leaf extract of P. stratiotes Linn. daily for 14 days; group B (sodium arsenite at 2.5 mg/kg body weight; positive control); group C (P. stratiotes extract for 14 days and single dose of sodium arsenite on day 14; group D (0.1 mL propylene glycol; negative control/vehicle). Group B had a significantly lower (p<0.05) percentage sperm motility (26.7±6.67 %) while group A had a significantly (p<0.05) higher mean value (63.3±3.33 %) when compared across the groups. The sperm motility of rats in group D was significantly higher (p<0.05) than groups B and C. This implies that P. stratiotes extract had no adverse effect on sperm motility. The presence of P. stratiotes with sodium arsenite alleviated its harmful effect on sperm motility. The mean value obtained for sperm viability, semen volume and sperm count followed a similar pattern although the difference was not significant (p>0.05) for semen volume and the sperm count of rats across the groups. Total sperm abnormality was 10.44 and 14.27 % with the sodium arsenite treated group having the highest value when compared with groups A treated with P. stratiotes extract and D treated with propylene, although the differences were not significant (p>0.05). The study concluded that ethanol leaf extract of P. stratiotes has no negative effect on sperm motility, viability and morphology and also protected spermatozoa against arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar strain albino rats. Therefore, it may play an important role in the protection of populations with chronic sodium arsenite exposure.

Characteristics and freezability of Gir bull semen

The present research was undertaken to study the characteristics of fresh and cryo-preserved semen of elite pure breed Gir (Bos indicus) bulls. The mean values of fresh seminal parameters in neat semen viz. seminal volume (ml), sperm concentration (millions/ml), progressive sperm motility (%), live sperm (%), intact acrosome (%), total morphological sperm abnormalities (%), hypo osmotic swelling (HOS %) and sperm penetration distance (SPD- mm) were 4.99 ± 0.26, 895.33 ± 82.68, 69.10 ± 0.75, 72.16 ± 0.64, 84.42 ± 0.77, 15.96 ± 0.44, 60.12 ± 1.19 and 31.32 ± 0.70, respectively. Sperm concentration, individual motility, live sperm, total sperm abnormalities and sperm penetration distance differed significantly between bulls. The semen was extended, filled and sealed in 0.25 ml straws maintaining 20 million spermatozoa/straw and cryo-preserved using programmable bio freezer (IMV). Cryo-preserved semen was assessed 24 h after freezing and immediately after thawing. Freezing significantly lowered progressive sperm motility (69.10 ± 0.75 vs 53.81 ± 0.61), intact acrosome (84.42 ± 0.77 vs 75.69 ± 1.10), HOST (60.12 ± 1.19 vs 55.71 ±1.33) and CMPT (31.32 ± 0.70 vs 27.97 ±0.72). Whereas, significantly higher percentages of sperm abnormalities (15.96 ± 0.44 vs 16.92 ± 0.57) were observed after freezing.

Factors affecting sperm abnormalities and breeding soundness classification of bulls kept on commercial farms in Zambia

A total of 441 eosin-nigrosin bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) data was obtained from Matobo Veterinary centre and analysed. 82 bulls were classified as unsound for breeding representing 18.6% of the entire bull population studied. The breeds studied were the Bonsmara, Sussex, Brahman, Boran, Afrikander × Tuli and the Tuli. Breed and scrotal circumference (SC) were the significant predictors of BBSE classification. The Bonsmara and the Sussex breeds were not significantly different in predicting sperm abnormalities (p>0.05). The Brahman breed had odds of 0.358 less likely to be classified as sound, Boran breed had odds of 0.206 less likely to be classified as sound and the Afrikander × Tuli breed had odds of 0.097 less likely to be classified as sound while the Tuli breed had odds of 0.214 less likely to be classified as sound. Therefore, the Afrikander × Tuli breed had the highest probability of being classified as unsound for breeding. Bulls with a SC of 39cm) and bulls in BCS category 1 (2.5 and 3.0) had odds of 2.71 more likely to have fair mass motility relative to very good mass motility compared to bulls in category 3 (4.0). Bulls with a BCS of 4.0 had the highest mass motility of 3.72±0.41 and the lowest was recorded in Bulls of BCS 2.5, 2.39±0.24 (p<0.05). The month of November had the lowest mass motility of 2.26±0.15 (p<0.05) and bulls of age <36 months had the lowest mass motility of 3.08±0.14 while the highest was recorded in bulls of age 48 to <60 months 3.73±0.08 (p<0.05). Bulls with a SC of ≥42 cm had the highest mass motility of 3.85±0.06 and the lowest was seen in bulls of SC <36 cm, 2.83±0.14 (p<0.05). The Sussex breed had the highest mass motility of 3.97±0.09 and the lowest was seen in the Afrikander × Tuli breed 1.69±0.39 (p<0.05). The month of November had the highest percent total abnormalities of 20.73±2.56% and July with the lowest of 8.98±0.66% (p<0.05), The Afrikander × Tuli breed had the highest total abnormalities of 25.50±6.62% while the Bonsmara breed had the lowest of 7.24±0.43% (p<0.05). Bull of age <36 months had the highest total abnormalities of 17.19±2.02% and the lowest in bulls of age range 48 to <60 8.23±0.72% (p<0.05). Bulls with SC <36cm had the highest total abnormalities of 19.00±1.82% while those of ≥42 cm had the lowest 7.63±0.72% (p<0.05). The highest total abnormalities was recorded in those bulls with a BCS of 4.0 as 24.67±11.47% and the lowest in bulls of BCS 3.5, 9.15±0.54% (p<0.05). In conclusion, Breed and SC had an effect on sperm abnormalities, BBSE classification and mass motility. Body condition score, age and month had an effect on mass motility and total sperm abnormalities. This therefore signifies why morphological sperm determinations are important in predicting bull fertility.

Effect of dietary vernonia amygdalina del. supplementation on some biological parameters of milt of male African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del. leaves on the reproductive potential of male Clarias gariepinus was investigated using 56 fish (425±75.7 g). Four diets with crude protein level of 45% were formulated with different inclusion levels of V. amygdalina leaves. The leaves were added to the basal diet at 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion levels. The 56 male C. gariepinus were randomly distributed in duplicate into 4 concrete ponds and 4 plastic tanks at a stocking density of 7 fish per concrete pond and plastic tank. The fish were fed at 3% body weight twice daily for 45 days. The milt was then analysed for some biological parameters. Motility and liveability percentage values (88.33±14.720% and 91.83±6.824% respectively) were the lowest in the control (0%) group but the difference was not significant (P>0.05) across the groups. Morphology studies showed that total sperm abnormalities were the lowest in the 10% group (45.67±2.73) and total normal sperm cell number was the highest in the 10% group (393.83±14.15). Total sperm counted in morphology study was the highest in controls (442.50±22.12). The differences in these values were not significant across the groups (P>0.05). The results of the study show that studied inclusion levels of V. amygdalina did not have significant effects on sperm motility, liveability and morphology; hence it can be concluded that Bitter leaf may be included at the studied levels with no untoward effect in the diet of male C. gariepinus.

Effects of Ageratum Conyzoides on Semen Characteristics and Sperm Morphology in Rats Exposed to Sodium Arsenite

Arsenite is a major environmental toxicant that is well known to cause reproductive injury. The sperm protective potential of Ageratum conyzoides Linn in arsenic-treated rats was carried out in this study taking advantage of the antioxidant constituents and its androgenic activities. Twenty-four male albino rats aged 16 weeks, weighing 225 to 228g were used. They were grouped into 4(A-Da) with each group containing 6 rats. Group A was orally treated with 100mg/kg ethanol leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides L., daily for 14 days, group B (single oral dose of sodium arsenite 2.5 mg/kg body weight), C (Ageratum conyzoides extract daily for 14 days and sodium arsenite (SA) given on the 14th day) and group D (Propylene glycol as negative control). It was observed that group B had a more lower (p 0.05) for semen volume and the Sperm concentration of rats across the groups. The total sperm abnormality obtained across the groups ranges between 10.44 and 14.27% with group B treated with sodium arsenite (SA) having the highest value when compared with groups A and D, although, the differences were not significant (P>0.05). The study concluded that ethanol leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides has no negative effect on sperm motility, liveability characteristics and morphology and also protected spermatozoa against arsenic reproductive toxicity in wistar strain albino rats. Keywords : Ageratum conyzoides , sperm abnormality, Sperm concentration, sodium arsenite

The effects of propolis on sperm quality, reproductive organs and testicular antioxidant status of male rats treated with cyclosporine-A

This study was designed to determine the effects of propolis on the quality of sperm and reproductive organs in male rats treated with cyclosporine-A. In this study, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats (280-300 g BW) at 8-10 weeks of age were used. The rats were randomly divided into control and 3 treatment groups. Each rat was placed into a cage. During 21 days (experimental period), Group 1 served as control group; Group 2 (CsA) was given 15 mg/kg BW/day of CsA by subcutaneously; Group 3 (P) was given 100 mg/kg BW/day of propolis by gavage; Group 4 (CsA+P) was given 15 mg/kg BW/day of CsA subcutaneously and 100 mg/kg BW/day of propolis by gavage. Administration of CsA to rats decreased sperm motility (P < 0.01) and sperm concentration (P < 0.01), and it increased total abnormal sperm rates (P < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Significant improvements were observed in the sperm motility (P < 0.01) and total abnormal sperm rates (P < 0.05) in CsA+P group. No significant differences were observed in the weights of right and left testes among all groups. The weight values of right and left epididymis were found similar to each other in CsA administrated groups. Seminal vesicle (P < 0.01) and prostat glands weights (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in CsA+P group than CsA group. As a result, it was determined that oral supplementation of 100 mg/kg of propolis had amendatory effect on the quality of sperm and reproductive organs treated with CsA administered rats. CsA treatment caused a significant increase in MDA level (P < 0.01) and significant decreases (P < 0.01) in GSH level and CAT activity when compared with the control group. Ingestion of propolis by CsA-treated rats significantly decreased the MDA level and significantly increased the GSH level when compared with the CsA alone group (P < 0.01).

Freezability of mithun (Bos frontalis) semen

The present study was conducted to assess the freezability of the mithun semen. Post-thaw physicomorphological parameters (PMPs) such as post-thaw motility, viability, total sperm abnormality, integrity of acrosome, plasma membrane and nucleus and vanguard distance travelled in bovine cervical mucus by sperm (BCMPT) of ejaculates, biochemical attributes such as, aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and in vitro zona binding ability of spermatozoa with heterologous (buffalo) oocyte were studied in freezable and nonfreezable ejaculates. Ejaculates (50) were collected from healthy matured mithun bulls and grouped based on the post-thaw motility into freezable and nonfreezable. These selected ejaculates were extended with standard Tris egg yolk citrate glycerol extender and stored at ultra low temperature (–196°C). Post-thaw PMPs, binding index (BI) and binding % (BP) and biochemical profiles were examined with standard protocols. The results revealed that the PMPs, biochemical profiles, BI and BP differed significantly between freezable and nonfreezable ejaculates. The post-thaw motility was positively correlated with livability, intactness of acrosome, plasma membrane, nucleus and vanguard distance travelled by sperm and negatively correlated with post-thaw total sperm abnormality. It was concluded that the post-thaw PMPs and BI and BP were significantly higher, biochemical intracellular enzymatic profiles were significantly lower in freezable than in nonfreezable ejaculates indicates freezable sperm has functionally stable sperm structures and higher intactness of plasma and acrosomal membrane to motile faster and in forward direction to reach the fertilization site and successful conception.

Incidence of 'Dag' like defect and its implication on qualitative attributes of semen in Frieswal Bulls

The study was conducted on 123 Frieswal bulls, aged 2 - 6 years. Frieswal bulls are crosses between Holstein Friesian [ Bos taurus ] X Sahiwal [ Bos indicus ]; having 5/8 Holstein Friesian and 3/8 Sahiwal inheritance. The objective of the study was to find out degree of occurrence of ‘Dag’ like defect in ejaculates of Frieswal crossbred bulls and its implications on other qualitative attributes of semen and its cryo-preservability. Bulls were classified into 4 categories i.e. category 1- up to 1% ‘Dag’ like defect , category 2- 1.1 to 2.0%, category 3- 2.1 to 4.0 %, and category 4- more than 4.0 % ‘Dag’ like defect. Present study showed 42 of 123 bulls (34.15%) had average ‘Dag’ like defects up to 1%, 37 bulls (30.08 %) had 1.1-2.0% defects, 31 bulls (25.20%) had 2.1-4% defects and rest 13 bulls (10.57%) had more than 4% ‘Dag’ like defects. Sperm concentration, progressive motility, plasmallemal integrity and live sperm per cent were significantly higher in category 1 bulls as compared to other categories. Total abnormal sperm, major and minor sperm defects were significantly lower in category 1 bulls as compared to others. Abnormal sperm per cent in category 1 bulls was 16.38±0.82 %, where as in categories 2, 3 & 4 it was 1.7, 2.7 & 3.3 times higher, respectively. It was concluded that presence of very strongly coiled and folded tail with or without split of tail fibre (‘Dag’ like defects) up to 2% level is quite obvious in normal ejaculates. As the level of this defect increases, the spermiogram and qualitative attributes of semen showed deterioration. The cryo-preservability of semen was satisfactory with ejaculates of bulls having up to 2% of ‘Dag’ like defects and above 4% levels semen quality and their cryo-preservability was extremely poor. Bulls between 2.1- 4% sperm defect had intermediate semen quality and showed inconsistent freezability. Thus, monitoring of the incidence of ‘Dag’ like defect (very strongly coiled and folded tail with or without split of tail fibre) in sperm would provide better indication of spermiogram and functional attribute of testes in crossbred Frieswal bulls.

Início da puberdade de cordeiros provenientes de ovelhas deslanadas submetidas à restrição calórica ou proteica

ResumoO estudo foi realizado para avaliar se a restrição calórica ou proteica em fêmeas lactantes influencia o início da puberdade de seus cordeiros. Foram utilizados 21 cordeiros, sendo duas fêmeas e cinco machos por tratamento. Durante sessenta dias as mães receberam o tratamento aleatoriamente escolhido para o seu cordeiro: controle (TC, mantença), restrição calórica (TRC, ½ da energia do TC) e restrição proteica (TRP, 1/3 da proteína do TC). Após o desmame, os cordeiros receberam uma dieta composta por silagem de milho e concentrado, sendo pesados e avaliados quinzenalmente. Nos machos, coletava-se o ejaculado, mensurava-se circunferência escrotal e as dimensões testiculares. Nas fêmeas, realizava-se ultrassonografia para medir os ovários e verificar presença de corpo lúteo. Os machos eram considerados púberes se apresentassem ejaculado com, no mínimo: motilidade de 50%, concentração do ejaculado de 50 x 106espermatozóides/mL e, no máximo, 50% de anormalidades espermáticas totais, e as fêmeas, se apresentassem corpo lúteo. Foi encontrada interação entre período de avaliação e tratamento para circunferência escrotal (p=0,0019), volume testicular médio (p=0,0025), motilidade (p&lt;0,0001) e concentração espermática (p=0,027), sendo o TRP, mais tardio do que TRC e TC em todas variáveis. Nas borregas não houve diferença (p&gt;0,05) entre os tratamentos quanto às características foliculares, porém houve quanto ao corpo lúteo (p=0,0179). Notou-se que as fêmeas do TC apresentaram corpo lúteo a partir da 10a semana, TRC da 11a e o TRP da 13a. Concluiu-se que a restrição proteica materna durante a lactação atrasa o início da puberdade de seus cordeiros.

English

The effect of age, weight and scrotal circumference on the testicular and epididymal parameters was studied in the Red Sokoto bucks. Thirty-six testes from Red Sokoto bucks were used for this study. The animal&rsquo;s age, weight, and scrotal circumference were determined and correlated with testicular weight, testicular diameter, testicular length, epididymal length, gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm motility and viability. All parameters were correlated positively and negatively at various instances of p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.05. The sperm morphological abnormalities showed that tailless head (primary abnormality), headless tail (secondary abnormality), bent tail (secondary abnormality), curved tail (secondary abnormality), bent mid-piece (tertiary abnormality) and curved mid-piece (secondary abnormality), total sperm abnormalities and total cell count were found to be significant at p &lt; 0.01. It was concluded that the age, weight and scrotal circumference of Red Sokoto buck were positively correlated to its testicular and epididymal parameters and therefore are potentially useful in the evaluation of the breeding soundness of the bucks. &nbsp; Key words: Epididymis, Red Sokoto bucks, scrotal circumference, testes, weight.

Effect of heterogenous cattle bull seminal plasma on seminal parameters of mithun

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of replacement of cattle bull seminal plasma with that of mithun bull on seminal parameters of mithun bulls. After collection, the semen samples were divided into group 1 (control): without addition of heterogenous seminal plasma; group 2 to group 5: mithun semen with half and full replacement of good quality cattle seminal plasma and mithun semen with half and full replacement of poor quality cattle seminal plasma, respectively. Individual motility, livability, total sperm abnormality, acrosomal, plasma membrane and nuclear integrity were assessed. The result revealed that there was no significant difference between full and half seminal plasma replacement in both good and poor quality seminal plasma, but the seminal traits of half seminal plasma replacement has nonsignificantly higher value than full seminal plasma replacement. Comparison between the control, half and full seminal plasma replacement of good and half and full seminal plasma replacement of poor quality semen revealed a significant difference.

Effect of frequency of collection on seminal characteristics of White Pekin duck

Abstract Objective To determine an optimum frequency of semen collection, so as to improve the efficacy of artificial insemination techniques and selective breeding programmes in duck farming. Methods Thirty two ejaculates were collected by abdominal massage method from two groups of drakes, with 10 in each, at one day and two day intervals respectively. Routine seminal attributes such as volume, colour, pH, spermatozoa concentration, number of spermatozoa per ejaculate, individual motility, live sperm percentage, total sperm abnormalities and time taken to reduce Methylene blue (MBRT) were studied for comparison of their values in one day and two days of interval of semen collection. Twenty female laying ducks maintained for examining the fertility percent were regularly inseminated with 0.1 mL of neat pooled semen for fertility test. Results The test of significance indicated a significant decrease ( P P P Conclusion Collection of semen at two days intervals is recommended for enhancing fertility in artificial insemination of duck. The methylene-blue reduction test, along with spermatozoa count and initial motility estimates were reported to be better indicator of semen quality.

Effect of seasons on semen production, effect of melatonin on the liquid storage (5 °C) with correlated study of birth rate in mithun (Bos frontalis)

Abstract Objective To assess the effect of melatonin (MT) at different seasons of the year on sperm motility, viability, total sperm abnormality, acrosomal membrane, plasma membrane and nuclear integrity, antioxidant profiles such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), enzymatic profiles such as aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT) and biochemical profiles such as malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Methods Total numbers of 80 ejaculates (20 ejaculates in each season) were collected twice a week from mithun bulls and semen was split into five equal aliquots, diluted with the tris egg yolk citrate (TEYC) extender. Group 1: semen without additives (control), group 2 to group 5: semen was diluted with 1 mM, 2 mM, 3 mM, and 4 mM of melatonin, respectively. These seminal parameters, antioxidant, enzymatic and biochemical profiles were assessed at liquid storage of mithun semen (5 °C). Simultaneously, retrospective study was conducted on birth rate of calf at different seasons from 2002 to 2012 from farm birth register of mithun farm. Results Inclusion of melatonin into diluent resulted in significant ( P Conclusions The result of present study indicates that the melatonin protects seminal and antioxidant profiles varied in different seasons, semen quality also varied from different seasons and was highest in spring and lowest in summer season. It was concluded from the present study that breeding takes place throughout year but the peak breeding season is from November to April (spring and winter season) in mithun.

Relationship between scrotal circumference and hormonal levels with semen quality in Murrah buffalo young bulls

Scrotal circumference and hormone level of breeding bulls are related with semen quality, which is one of the important criteria of breeding soundness evaluation. To study the correlation, eighty five ejaculates were collected once a week from 18 Murrah buffalo bulls (~24 month) for 5 months. Monthly Scrotal circumferences (SC) of 18 Murrah buffalo bulls was recorded with flexible measuring tape and plasma concentration of testosterone and IGF-1 were estimated by Bovine ELISA kit. Results of the study revealed that SC had highly significant (p<0.01) positive correlation with ejaculate volume (r= 0.5), MA (Mass activity) (r= 0.38) and Individual motility (IM) (r= 0.46) and negative correlation with head (r= -0.32), mid-piece (r= -0.61), tail (r= -0.55) abnormalities. Testosterone (r= 0.41) and IGF-1(r= 0.37) showed positive correlation with SC. Ejaculate volume showed significant (P<0.05) positive correlation with MA (r= 0.3) and highly significant (P<0.01) positive correlation with IGF-1(r= 0.39). MA showed highly significant (p<0.01) positive correlation with SPC (r= 0.76), IM (r= 0.97), Live (r= 0.78), AI (r= 0.77) and significant negative correlation with head (r= -0.64), mid-piece (r= -0.26), tail (r= -0.62) and total (r= -0.69) sperm abnormalities. The results indicated that SC and testosterone is a useful indicator of sperm production and important criteria for selection of high genetic potential young bulls.

Effect of equilibration periods on post-thaw semen quality of Jamunapari bucks

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different equilibration periods on the postthaw seminal traits of buck semen collected at weekly intervals from the adult Jamunapari bucks (2–3 years old), maintained under intensive system of management at Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom. A total of 17 ejaculates were processed for freezing having the volume ≥ 1.0 ml and mass activity of +4.0 and above. The ejaculates were processed for conventional freezing in two step dilution to maintain the final dilution rate of 1: 10 having 6% glycerol and 10% egg yolk levels. The samples were kept for 4 h in cold handling cabinet and at each hour of equilibration period (1, 2, 3, 4 h), samples were packaged in 0.25 ml French mini straws and frozen in horizontal vapour freezing. Pre-freeze/equilibration progressive motility, live and total abnormal sperm count were done at the end of each h of equilibration period. Then samples were thawed at 40°C for 45 sec after 24 h of storage and the post-thaw progressive motility, live and total abnormal sperm count were carried out. The pre-freeze and post-thaw progressive motility at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h of equilibration periods were 83.24±1.05 and 30.59±2.42, 81.76±0.85 and 31.47±1.76, 74.71±1.39 and 33.24±2.10, 70.59±1.28 and 28.82±1.99%, respectively. The respective values for live sperm count were 88.44±1.21 and 46.02±2.83, 80.85±5.36 and 41.95±1.56, 81.90±2.06 and 43.57±3.53, 80.37±2.32 and 41.01±3.02%. The total abnormal sperm ranged from 0.91 to1.74% before freezing and 2.18 to 2.84% after freezing at different hours of equilibration periods. The pre-freeze progressive motility up to 2 h of equilibration period varied significantly (P<0.05) with 3 and 4 h of equilibration periods. The remaining characteristics did not show any significant variation between different hours of equilibration periods. Therefore, equilibration period of 3 h may be followed in the freezing protocol used for buck semen cryopreservation as equilibration period of 2 or 3 h showed superiority over 1 or 4 h in terms of post-thaw spermatozoan characteristics in frozen-thawed Jamunapari buck semen.