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Influence of the Freezing Technique (Nitrogen Liquid vs Ultrafreezer of −152°C) and Male‐to‐Male Variation Over the Semen Quality in Canarian Mastiff Breed Dogs
Author(s) -
Batista M,
Alamo D,
González F,
Cruz MG,
Gracia A
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00687.x
Subject(s) - semen , breed , sperm , biology , andrology , sperm motility , liquid nitrogen , semen quality , sperm quality , zoology , cryopreservation , semen collection , anatomy , chemistry , artificial insemination , medicine , embryo , genetics , pregnancy , organic chemistry
Contents This study was carried out to assess the in vitro quality of canine semen frozen in an ultrafreezer at −152°C and to evaluate the male‐to‐male variation of frozen semen in five male dogs of the Canarian Mastiff breed. Four ejaculates of each dog were processed individually (5% glycerol and 0.5% Equex) to reach a final concentration of 100 × 10 6 spermatozoa/ml. Then, two freezing techniques were tested to assess the seminal quality (sperm motility, live spermatozoa and abnormal sperm cell percentages) at 1, 30, 60, 120 and 360 days after freezing: (i) semen was frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen; (ii) semen was frozen and stored in the ultrafreezer at −152°C. After freezing–thawing, both freezing protocols showed no significant differences in sperm motility and the percentages of live and abnormal spermatozoa. On the other hand, the microscopic characteristics of spermatozoa in fresh semen were practically similar among males; however, after the semen processing and freezing, significant differences were observed (p < 0.05) among males, especially as regards sperm motility. This inter‐individual variability was detected in both freezing protocols, showing that the male‐to‐male variation in the seminal quality post‐freezing was independent of the freezing technique used. The in vitro results obtained in the Canarian Mastiff breed confirmed that the use of ultra‐freezers at −152°C is a potential alternative to liquid nitrogen for storing canine semen for long periods of time.