Semen quality and fertility of liquid stored and frozen-thawed semen in crossbred pigs of North-Eastern India

Abstract

Study was conducted to compare the semen quality and fertility of liquid stored semen for three days and frozen-thawed semen in the north-eastern region of India. For liquid semen, the semen ejaculates were extended in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) extender and preserved at 17°C for three days. For cryopreservation, semen was diluted Lactose-egg yolk-glycerol extender and frozen in straw using programmable freezer with freezing rate of 40°C/min from -6 to -140°C. The preserved evaluated for sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and fertility. The results revealed that the liquid stored semen has maintained the sperm motility and viability up to day 3 without significant reduction. Similarly the plasma membrane integrity did not differ significantly up to day 2, but it was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced on days 3 in liquid stored semen. After freezing and thawing, the mean sperm motility, viability and plasma membrane integrity were 58.25 ± 2.96%, 64.75 ± 2.47% and 47.06 ± 2.02%, respectively. These parameters were significantly (PP less than 0.01) lower as compared to the liquid stored semen from day 0 to day 3. After insemination with liquid semen, the farrowing rate was 77.7%, 80.76%, 73.07% and 69.8%, respectively from day 0, day1, day 2 and day 3. The pregnancy rate, farrowing rate and litter size did not differ significantly among different days of liquid storage. These parameters were significantly (PP less than 0.01) lower in frozen semen as compare to that of liquid stored semen. The study concluded that the liquid semen stored up to three days is more efficient than frozen-thawed semen in terms of preserving sperm quality and fertility.

Exogenous catalase improves the goat seminal attributes at refrigeration temperature

“…Falchi et al (2018) reported a significant increase in ROS production from 48 to 96 h in ram semen stored at 4°C. The changes in the morphological and functional parameters of sperm such as motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity during liquid storage have been described in goats (Ranjan et al 2009b, Saraswat et al 2012, ram (Falchi et al 2018), boar (Li et al 2018), pig (Kadirvel et al 2019), bovine (Akhter et al r 2011, mithun (Perumal et al 2013a(Perumal et al , 2013b and equine (Brogan et al 2015).…”

“…It has been reported that the quality of chilled semen decreased with time and remained suitable for use up to 30 h as judged by motility and morphology (Urata et al 2001). The reduction in sperm motility during liquid storage of semen over the period might be attributed to decline in membrane integrity and thereby initiating the acrosome reaction during storage (Kadirvel et al 2019). The plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, ultrastructure and biochemical components of sperm also get affected during liquid storage because of lower temperature (Gaczarzewicz et al 2015).…”

“…Insemination with liquid semen has improved the reproductive efficiency as well as economic profit in the goat industry. However, the major drawback of liquid semen is short term storage for 3-7 days (Kadirvel et al 2019). Therefore, the present study has been planned to reinstate the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the system by the addition of catalase in extender for increasing the life of semen in refrigerated conditions.…”