Lipid profile of stallion seminal plasma and its influence on semen quality and cryoresistance

Abstract

Semen quality was assessed and lipid spectrum of seminal plasma was determined in 42 stallions of different breeds aged from 5 to 16 years (average 9.8±5.4 years). The concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins were determined in semen plasma. We found a negative correlation between the concentration of low- and high-density lipoproteins and progressive sperm motility in both fresh (p<0.05) and thawed (p<0.05) semen. We also found a negative correlation between the concentration of low-density lipoproteins in sperm plasma with total sperm motility in fresh (p<0.05) and frozen (p<0.01) semen, and the concentration of high-density lipoproteins in sperm plasma with total sperm motility in fresh and frozen semen (p<0.05). We found a significant negative correlation between ejaculate volume and concentration of triglycerides (p<0.05), cholesterol (p<0.01) and high-density lipoproteins (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between sperm concentration and triglycerides (p<0.05), cholesterol (p<0.001) and high-density lipoprotein (p<0.01) content.