Camels and Camelids

EFFECT OF EXTENDERS ON MOTILITY AND VIABILITY OF CHILLED-STORED CAMEL SPERMATOZOA (Camelus dromedarius)

Journal Edition: December 2010
Article DOI:
Published On: 03-09-2018 19:13

M.M. Waheed, I.M. Ghoneim, M.M. Al-Eknah and A.K. Al-haider
Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources,
King Faisal University, PO Box 1757, Al Ahsa 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to compare between Tris-fructose yolk and Green buffer-yolk extenders on preserving dromedary camel spermatozoa at 5°C. Forty eight ejaculates were collected from seven mature dromedary camels using a modified bull artificial vagina with a neoprene liner and a camel collecting glass. Two aliquots from each ejaculate were extended 1:1 in the Tris-fructose egg yolk and Green buffer-yolk extenders. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa was determined after dilution at 35°C, after cooling to 5°C and after 24, 48 and 72 hours in both extenders and the viability indices were computed. Smears from the extended semen stained with Spermac® and vital stain were examined for abnormal acrosome %, live sperm % and percentages of sperm abnormalities. The Green buffer-yolk extender was superior to Tris – fructose yolk in the mean values of motility at 0 and 24 hours (P<0.01) of preservation at 5ºC. No motile spermatozoa were observed in Tris-fructose yolk extender at 48 hours of storage at 5ºC. Green buffer-yolk was more beneficial (P<0.05) to camel spermatozoa than the Tris-fructose yolk extender in the percentage of abnormal acrosome and the percentage of live sperm at 24 and 48 hours of chilled storage of semen. There was a highly significant (P<0.01) difference in the rate of increase of abnormal acrosome between the Tris – fructose yolk (193.00 %) and Green buffer-yolk (79.01%) extenders.
Key words: Acrosome, dromedary, extender, motility, semen