Viability of carabao (Bubalus bubalis carabanensis) epididymal sperm from post mortem testes in semen extender at refrigerated temperature

Post mortem epididymal sperm (ES) is an excellent source of germplasm for conservation of animal genetic resources. In this study,  the viability of post mortem ES from carabao after collection at ambient temperature (AT) and after 24 hr and 48 hr of storage at refrigeration temperature (RT) were evaluated. ES were collected through slicing of epididymides from 7 carabaos. The mean ES volume was 0.4 ml with sperm concentration of 2.5×109 cells/ml. The mean percentage livability of fresh ES, after 24 hr and 48 hr of storage at RT were 81.93%, 65.93% and 43.7%, respectively. The mean percentage abnormalities of fresh ES, after 24 hr and 48 hr of storage at RT were 44.15%, 38.5% and 43.47%, respectively. The mean percentage motility of fresh ES, after 24 hr and 48 hr of storage at RT were 60.0%, 50.0% and 17.24%, respectively, after analysis through conventional means. Through CASA, the mean percentage motility was observed to be lower significantly at 26.12%, 37.94% and 18.32% for fresh ES, after 24 hr and 48 hr of storage at RT, respectively. The mean progressive motility of fresh ES, after 24 hr and 48 hr storage at RT were 10.02%, 16.47% and 10.87%, respectively. The results suggest that ES potential for use in fertilization studies remained viable when used immediately or after storage at RT for the first 24 hr.