Camels and Camelids

VIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF CAMEL SPERMS USING HOECHST 33258 STAIN

Journal Edition: June 2008
Article DOI:
Published On: 11-10-2018 07:03

Gorakh Mal and Aminu Deen
National Research Centre on Camel, PB No. 07, Jorbeer, Bikaner 334001, Rajasthan, India
ABSTRACT


The proportion of living sperm in semen from 11 Jaisalmeri camels was assessed by means of a fluorescence staining technique using the Hoechst 33258 stain. The objectives were to study the head membrane integrity (%) of the spermatozoa and to make its comparison with the sperm motility (%) obtained with phase-contrast microscope. The head portions of dead spermatozoa get blue staining and give bright fluorescence under the microscope. The proportions of living and dead sperm in camel semen were readily identified through the use of Hoechst 33258. Mean sperm head membrane integrity (21.18±6.38%) was non-significantly higher in comparison to the mean motility (17.00±5.12%).
Key words: Camel, Hoechst 33258 stain, sperms, viability assessment