Effects of Extender Type, Storage Time, and Temperature on Bull Semen Parameters
Aitor Fernandez-Novo,
Sergio Santos-Lopez,
Clara Barrajon-Masa,
Patricia Mozas,
Eduardo de Mercado,
Elisa Caceres,
Aizic Garrafa,
Juan Vicente Gonzalez-Martin,
Natividad Perez-Villalobos,
Agustin Oliet,
Susana Astiz,
Sonia Salome Perez-Garnelo
Affiliations
Aitor Fernandez-Novo
Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Sergio Santos-Lopez
Animal Production Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Clara Barrajon-Masa
National Centre of Selection and Animal Reproduction (CENSYRA) of Colmenar Viejo, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo—Guadalix de la Sierra km 1, Guadalix de la Sierra, 28794 Madrid, Spain
Patricia Mozas
National Centre of Selection and Animal Reproduction (CENSYRA) of Colmenar Viejo, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo—Guadalix de la Sierra km 1, Guadalix de la Sierra, 28794 Madrid, Spain
Eduardo de Mercado
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Elisa Caceres
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Aizic Garrafa
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Juan Vicente Gonzalez-Martin
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Natividad Perez-Villalobos
Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Agustin Oliet
National Centre of Selection and Animal Reproduction (CENSYRA) of Colmenar Viejo, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo—Guadalix de la Sierra km 1, Guadalix de la Sierra, 28794 Madrid, Spain
Susana Astiz
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Sonia Salome Perez-Garnelo
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Seminal parameters can be evaluated in situ, or samples can be delivered to a diagnostic centre. How storage conditions affect ejaculates up to evaluation is unclear. We assessed, in 25 commercial bulls electroejaculated in the field, the impact of time until evaluation (0–2 h, 4–6 h, and 24 h post-ejaculation), holding temperature (5 °C vs. room temperature), and extender (AndroMed®, BIOXcell® or INRA96®) on semen quality. Acrosome integrity, sperm viability and morphology, CASA-total and progressive motility, pH, and colony-forming units were assessed. Semen quality was preserved for up to 4–6 h post-ejaculation, except for INRA96® at 5 °C. Regardless of extender or temperature, motility decreased from 4 to 6 h up to 24 h, with the best values obtained with BIOXcell® at 5 °C. pH differed from 4 to 6 h up to 24 h, acidifying when stored at room temperature. Microbiological load was stable over time with AndroMed® and BIOXcell®, and increased at room temperature with INRA96®. Our results suggest that AndroMed® and BIOXcell® can preserve semen quality for up to 6 h, either at 5 °C or room temperature, while INRA96® only at room temperature. These results help to fix adequate protocols for short-term storage and shipment of bovine semen collected under field conditions.
