Investigation of the efficacy of different semen extenders and in vitro storage period on Windsnyer boar sperm quality equilibrated at 18°C

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the efficacy of different semen extenders and in vitro storage periods on the Windsnyer boar sperm quality equilibrated at 18°C. Ejaculates (n = 18) from three Windsnyer boars of known fertility were evaluated for macroscopic traits, pooled, and then allocated for extension in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) and Kobidil⁺ extender. Diluted semen was stored at 18°C and evaluated at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h post collection for sperm microscopic traits. Semen diluted with BTS extender maintained the highest live normal sperm percentage at 4 (63.0 ± 10), 8 (49.6 ± 8.7), 12 (38.0 ± 12.6), 24 (22.6 ± 10.7) and 48 (12.0 ± 10.7) hours, when stored at 18°C (p < .05). The BTS extender maintained the sperm total motility greater than 40% up to 24 h at 18°C as compared to the other semen Kobidil⁺ extender treatments (p < .05). Average <5% of sperm abnormalities were recorded over 48 h of in vitro boars semen storage irrespective of the semen extenders. Windsnyer boars sperm quality was maintained over 48 h when the semen was diluted with BTS and stored at 18°C.

Keywords: Windsnyer; equilibriation; morphology; motility; sperm; temperature.