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Comparison of cushioned centrifugation and SpermFilter filtration on longevity and morphology of cooled‐stored equine semen
Author(s) -
Roach J.,
Schnobrich M.,
Ellerbrock R.,
Feijo L.,
Bradecamp E.,
Alvarenga M. A.,
Kline K.,
Canisso I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.103607
Subject(s) - semen , centrifugation , extender , sperm , andrology , biology , sperm motility , motility , differential centrifugation , filtration (mathematics) , artificial insemination , anatomy , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biochemistry , pregnancy , statistics , genetics , mathematics , organic chemistry , polyurethane
This study compares two methods for seminal plasma removal by evaluating sperm recovery rates, and motility and morphology of cooled‐stored semen. Ejaculates were divided into three groups: control, filtration and cushioned centrifugation. Semen was extended to 25 million sperm/ml using a skim‐milk‐based extender and stored at 5°C for all groups. Sperm motility (total motility (%TM) and progressive motility (%PM)) was determined at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours by a computer‐assisted sperm analyser. Sperm morphology was assessed using differential interference microscopy. Overall, %TM of the centrifugation group was significantly higher than the filter group, but not significantly different than the control. No significant difference in %TM or %PM was detected for the control group and filter. Cushioned centrifugation was a superior method to obtain progressively motile sperm compared with control (P=0.03) and filter groups (P<0.001). No significant difference was found for the per cent of normal sperm cells and detached heads between the groups. This study demonstrated that cushioned centrifugation was a superior method to remove seminal plasma while preserving %TM and enhancing %PM for stallions under cooled storage over three days. However, as the differences appear to be negligible, the SpermFilter may represent an alternative for farms lacking a centrifuge.