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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345415
Title: Effect of ram semen extenders and supplements on computer assisted sperm analysis parameters

Author
item ACHARYA, MOHAN - University Of Arkansas
item Burke, Joan
item RORIE, RICK - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2016
Publication Date: 2/4/2017
Citation: Acharya, M., Burke, J.M., Rorie, R. 2017. Effect of ram semen extenders and supplements on computer assisted sperm analysis parameters. Journal of Animal Science. 95 (E-Suppl. 1). 51.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A study evaluated the effects of ram semen extender and extender supplementation on computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) parameters positively correlated with progressive motility. Semen collected from 5 rams was distributed across treatment combinations consisting of either TRIS citrate (T) or milk (M) extender supplemented with 5 or 20% (v/v) egg yolk (EY) ± 1% ethylene glycol (EG) and ± 20 µL penicillamine, 10 µL hypotaurine and 2 µL epinephrine (PHE). Semen from each ram was distributed across treatment combinations, diluted to a final concentration of 300 million sperm/mL, cooled slowly to 4°C, and evaluated daily for 3 d, using CASA. Multivariate analysis indicated that progressive motility was positively correlated with straight line velocity (VSL; r = 0.715; P < 0.01), as well as departure of the average (STR; r = 0.706; P < 0.01) and actual (LIN; r = 0.773; P < 0.01) sperm path from a straight line. Repeated measure data were analyzed using the mixed model for main effects of extender, supplements, and their interactions on VSL, STR and LIN. Regardless of extender supplementation, VSL, STR and LIN were greater in M than T extender (P < 0.01). Addition of EG to extender reduced (P = 0.02) VSL, but had not effect (P > 0.05) on STR or LIN. An interaction occurred where EG increased LIN of sperm stored in T but decreased LIN in M extender (P < 0.01). Addition of PHE increased (P = 0.01) VSL, STR and LIN. The percent EY in extender had no effect (P > 0.05) on VSL, STR or LN. Based on CASA parameters measured, milk is superior to TRIS based extender for ram chilled semen storage. Addition of PHE improved the sperm motility parameters while the EY percentage had no effect. Further study is needed to correlate CASA parameters with pregnancy rate.