Use of commercial extenders, with and without the addition of egg yolk, for cooling llama semen

Effect of Three Semen Extenders on Sperm Quality and In Vitro Fertilization Rates of Fresh and Cryopreserved Sperm Collected from Llama (Lama glama) Vas Deferens

“…Semen collection and sperm processing in South American camelids have important limitations due to the particular species-specific semen characteristics, which are frequently viscous, stringy, and sometimes foamy, making it difficult for in vitro processing and its application in different sperm quality determination procedures [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. For these reasons, the application of artificial insemination (AI) in South American camelids is not as widely used as in other domestic species [ 6 , 7 ]. Sperm preservation in South American camelids has several advantages related to the transference of genetic material at low costs, and this fact could improve the development of artificial insemination in different camelid species [ 8 ].…”

“…The routine assessment of sperm viability has been characterized by determining motility, membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity, among others, including several DNA evaluation techniques [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In camelids, several extenders containing animal- or plant-origin proteins have been investigated previously in fresh, refrigerated, or cryopreserved sperm [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Tris-EY is an egg yolk-based extender that has been commonly used in camelids [ 1 , 14 , 15 , 20 ], whereas BioxCell ® is a soybean lecithin-based extender that has only been used in alpacas [ 1 ].…”

“…Tris-EY is an egg yolk-based extender that has been commonly used in camelids [ 1 , 14 , 15 , 20 ], whereas BioxCell ® is a soybean lecithin-based extender that has only been used in alpacas [ 1 ]. On the other hand, Andromed ® is another soy lecithin-based extender that has only been used in fresh and refrigerated sperm samples from alpacas and llamas [ 3 , 6 , 11 , 15 ]. However, no studies have been carried out on vas deferens-derived sperm samples and the effects of these extenders on in vitro fertility based on IVF assays.…”

Pregnancy and birth rate outcomes in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) inseminated with frozen semen using two commercial extenders

“…There are several studies that used non-commercial extenders to freeze alpaca sperm with variable results (Aisen et al, 2021;Flores Huarco et al, 2021;Morton et al, 2010;Santiani et al, 2005Santiani et al, , 2013Stuart et al, 2019). Nonetheless, the current goal is to develop semen protocols with commercial extenders that are easy to use, have less variation in composition providing reproducible results, and require fewer equipment and reagents (Bertuzzi et al, 2022).…”

“…There are several studies that used non‐commercial extenders to freeze alpaca sperm with variable results (Aisen et al., 2021; Flores Huarco et al., 2021; Morton et al., 2010; Santiani et al., 2005, 2013; Stuart et al., 2019). Nonetheless, the current goal is to develop semen protocols with commercial extenders that are easy to use, have less variation in composition providing reproducible results, and require fewer equipment and reagents (Bertuzzi et al., 2022). Among the multiple available commercial options for semen extenders, several of them have been used to freeze alpaca sperm, although none of them are SAC‐specific (Green/clear camel buffer; Biladyl® A and B; Triladyl®; and INRA‐96), and with low pregnancy rates (0% to 25%) after AI implementation (Morton et al., 2010; Pérez Durand et al., 2016; Stuart et al., 2019; Vaughan et al., 2003).…”