Effect of Rabbit Semen Filtration Methods on Conception Rates and Altering Sex Ratio in Artificially Inseminated Rabbits

Abstract

The present study was conducted to study the effect of filtering rabbit semen through five different filters: Sephadex-G15, Albumin, Cotton, Synthetic Fiber, Sand and Sperm swim-up method on conception rate of artificially inseminated rabbit does. Also, attempting to separate X-and Y-chromosome bearing spermatozoa by testing three semen fractions from each filter. Three methods were used to perform semen examinations: the 1 st method was CASA to examine the filtered semen motility parameters, the 2 nd method was Hoechst 33342 dye to stain the chromosomes to recognize X-and Y-spermatozoa and the 3 rd method was determining sex ratio of bunnies born after insemination of rabbit does with selected fractions of filtered semen. Ten Chinchilla bucks and seventy-nine multiparous New Zealand White rabbit does were used in this study. Results clearly showed that semen filtration process and the selected semen fractions increased (P<0.05) percentages of sperm progressive motility, Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa, conception rate and male sex ratio of bunnies obtained than that before filtration. Conclusively, Sand, Albumin gradient, Fiber, Sephadex and Swim-up methods proved to be effective in improving semen quality and enabling sperm sexing which were accepted by Hoechst 33342 stain, CASA data and AI determinations of bunnies born in rabbits. These designed filters would enable researchers in this field to work in safe, less cost and effective methods to manage artificial insemination and reproduction in rabbit farms.