• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2008

The techniques for the collection, cooling and freezing of semen and artificial insemination of horses are not fully understood in Korea. We investigated the percentages of total motile (TM) and progressively motile (PM) sperms after the collection, cooling and freezing of stallion semen. The average volume of semen was 167 ml in Thoroughbred and 68 ml in Arab. The average numbers of spermatozoa in Thoroughbred and Arab were $104\times10^6/ml$ and $86\times10^6/ml$ respectively. The average percentages of TM and PM were 82.3% and 88.6% in Thoroughbred, and 61.4% and 82.6% in Arab, respectively. The average percentage of TM at 4 hr after cooling at $5^{\circ}C$ was significantly lower than that at 0 hr ($30.0\pm4.1%\;vs.\;78.0\pm2.5%,\;p<0.05$), but the percentage of PM was similar between 66.5 and 73.2% at 0, 1, and 4hr. The average percentage of frozen-thawed Thoroughbred semen frozen in MFR5 extender was 56.2%, which was significantly higher than that of the semen frozen in LE extender (average 32.9%, p<0.05). The percentage of TM in Arab was similar for semen frozen in MFR5 extender and LE extender (18.2% and 21.2%, respectively), but the percentage of PM was significantly higher in sperm frozen in MFR5 extender than in sperm frozen in LE extender (69.0% vs. 36.4%, p<0.05). Four mares were artificially inseminated by Thoroughbred frozen-thawed semen and one of them fertilized at 11 day after artificial insemination. In this study, the collection, cooling and freezing of equine semen were possible under domestic conditions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.345-349
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• 2001

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sperm preservation according to the various kinds of commercially available semen extenders and to investigate the effect of sperm preservation according to the various temperature storages of fresh-extended porcine semen. To investigate the effect of sperm preservation according to the various kinds of commercially available semen extenders, porcine semens diluted in 3 semen extenders, Beltsville Thawing Solution(BTS), Androhep and Kiev, were cooled at $8^{\circ}C$ storage temperature with a controlled cooling rate of $2-4^{\circ}C$/h. Motility, progressive motility, normal sperm(%) and sperm morphology were assessed comparatively. In motility and progressive motility, Androhep extenders revealed better result than other extenders. In normal sperm(%) and sperm morphology, 3 semen extenders revealed similar results. To investigate the effect of sperm preservation according to the various temperature storages of fresh-extended porcine semen, porcine semens diluted in BTS extender, were cooled at 3 storage temperatures($8^{\circ}C$, $12^{\circ}C$ and $17^{\circ}C$) with a controlled cooling rate of $2-4^{\circ}C$/h. Motility, progressive motility, normal sperm(%) and sperm morphology were assessed comparatively. In motility and progressive motility, $8^{\circ}C$ treatment group revealed better result than $12^{\circ}C$ and $17^{\circ}C$ treatment groups. In normal sperm(%) and sperm morphology, 3 temperatures of treatment groups revealed similar results.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-71
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• 1983

1. Diluted chicken semen can be preserved at 2 to 5$^{\circ}C$ for 24 to 48 hr with resultant fertility of greater than 90% of that of fresh semen. Turkey semen can be preserved at 10 to 15$^{\circ}C$ for 6 to 24 hr and provide economical fertility. 2. Frozen chicken semen has given variable results; a 21 to 93% fertility ranges as compared to 92 to 94% expected with fresh semen. Highest fertility levels obtained with frozen turkey semen intravaginally inseminated have been 61 and 63% using DMSO and glycerol, respectively, as cryoprotectants. 3. The use of glycerol as a cryoprotectant reauires that its concentration in semen be reduced to less than 2% either by dialysis or centrifugation after thawing and before intravaginal insemination if optimal fertility is to be obtained. 4. The temperature at which cryoprotectants are added to semen and the time allowed for equilibration are important for subsequent fertility pre- and post-freezing. 5. The type of container used for packaging the semen, freeze or cooling rates, thaw rates and level of cryoprotectant all interact in affecting cell survival. 6. Plastic freeze straws as a packaging device for semen offers the following advantages: easy to handle, require minimal storage space, offer a wide range of freeze and thaw rates, and insemination can be made directly from them upon thawing. 7. Controlled slow cooling rates of 1 to 8$^{\circ}C$/min have thus far provided the best results for cooling chicken semen throught the transition phase change (liquid to solid) or critical temperature range of ＋5 to -20 or -35$^{\circ}C$. 8. Highest fertilities have been achieved with frozen chicken semen where a slow thaw rate (2。 to 5$^{\circ}C$) has been used regardless of the freeze rate. 9. To maintain a constant high level of fertility throughout a breeding season with frozen semen, a higher absolute number of spermatozoa must be inseminated (2 to 3 times as many) as compared to fresh semen since a, pp.oximately 50% are destroyed during processing and freezing. 10. The quality of semen may vary with season and age of the male. Such changes in sperm quality could be accentuated by storage effects. Thus, the correct number of spermatozoa may very well vary during the course of a breeding period. 11. As to time of insemination, it is best to avoid inseminating chicken hens within 1-2 hr after or 3-5 hr before oviposition; and turkey hens during or 7-10 hr before oviposition. 12. The physiological receptiveness of the oviduct at the time of insemination is a very important biological factor influencing fertility levels throughout the breeding season.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2011

Research in the area of equine artificial insemination (AI) has led to its increased application in field trials. However, procedures for equine semen collection, cooling and freezing of semen and artificial insemination need further improvement. In experiment 1, we investigated the percentage of total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) of sperms at after-collection, cooled-diluted, cooled-transported or frozen-thawed semen. In experiment 2, mares were inseminated with either cooled-diluted, cooled-transported or frozen-thawed semen. In experiment 3, we examined the effect of buffer (skim-milk extender), which was infused into the uterus at the time of AI with frozen-thawed semen. In experiment 4, we compared AI pregnancy rates for mares ovulating spontaneously versus after treatment with hCG. In experiment 1, the average percentage of TM was decreased from 75.3% to 14.4% at the stage of after-collection to frozen-thawed semen (p<0.05). The average percentage of PM was 58.2% and 59.6% at after-collection and cooled-diluted, but it was significantly increased 71.7% after frozen-thawed (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the pregnancy rates after AI using cooled-diluted, cooled-transported and frozen-thawed semen were 60%, 50% and 37.5%, respectively, and similar among treatments. In experiment 3, the pregnancy rate of mares infused with buffer at AI was 40% which was higher than that with no buffer (10%). In experiment 4, the pregnancy rates of mares were similar between ovulated spontaneously (25%) and ovulated with hCG (50%). The results suggest that equine semen that has been cooled-diluted, cooled-transported or frozen can be successfully used to establish AI, pregnancy and foal production. Also, the pregnancy rates after AI can be increased by infusing buffer into the uterus at AI or by inducing ovulation with hCG, but further study is need.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.420-430
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• 2000

These studies were preformed to investigate the freezing conditions to achieve good post-thaw viability of spend and the practical methods of artificial insemination frozen canine semen. Semen were collected from nine male dogs which had been proved to be fertile in the past and the semen were treated for freezing procedure. Post-thaw motility and viability of canine sperm were evaluated to investigate individual tolerance of freezing, difference among freezing extenders, dif-ference among freezing equipments and freezing conditions, difference between fast and slow cooling rate, difference according to different glycerol concentration, effect of seeding on post-thaw viability, difference according to cutting part of straw, difference according to thawing temperatures, and dif-ference according to media added to thawed semen. Thawed semen for insemination were added with equal volnme of canine capacitation medium (CCM) and the volume of semen and the number per insemination were adjusted as 2-3 ml and $20-30 {\times}10^7,$ respectively. The semen were inseminated in vagina using balloon catheter and en17ryos were cellected from 9 to 11 days after the second Al to d determine fertilization.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.670-676
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to examine influence of skimmed milk-based extender (SM), INRA 96 extender and BotuSemen Gold extender on parameters of stallions' ejaculate during storage. Methods: In this study, 14 stallions between 4 and 20 years of age were monitored. Total and progressive motility, viability and morphology of sperm were evaluated at time intervals of 24, 48, and 72 hours after collection. Results: The total motility, progressive motility, and values of sperm with normal morphology were significantly higher in the INRA 96 and BotuSemen Gold extenders than in the SM (p<0.01). The sperm viability differed significantly in all extenders (p<0.01). The highest value of sperm viability was in INRA 96 (64.69%±0.67%) and lowest in SM (59.70%±0.81%). The highest differences occurred at 72 hours of storage. Values of total motility, progressive motility and sperm viability decreased over time (p<0.01). In case of sperm morphology there was no statistically significant decrease between 48- and 72-hour time intervals. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the extenders with a chemically defined composition have shown better indicators of insemination capabilities in ejaculates than the SM. The BotuSemen Gold extender is a suitable alternative to the INRA 96, when used within 48 hours; after 72 hours of storage, however, the INRA 96 showed a higher share of viable spermatozoa.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2005

This experiment was carried out to investigate the extender, cooling rate and concentration of glycerol for freezing of boar semen. The result obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Optimal cooling rate was $0.17\~022^{\circ}C/min$ from 25 to $5^{\circ}C$ in LEY extender on the viability and normal acrosome after thawed. 2. The LEY extender was effective in protecting frozen boar semen from cold shock among the extenders(p<0.001, respectively). 3. The sperm viability and normal acrosome rates after thawing was showed greater in the 3 or $4\%$ of glycerol concentration than $2\%$ in LEY extender. 4. Viability of sperm was higher when both 15mM of fructose and 3 or $4\%$ glycerol were added to the LEY extender compared with other concentrations of fructose and glycerol were added it(p<0.001).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.184-188
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• 2001

In a summer study during May to July, involving 12 young Murrah buffalo bulls at forty months of average age, the effects of multiple shower vs single shower body cooling and vitamin A, D and E supplementation on the sexual behaviour, semen quality and freezability were investigated. The animals were divided into two groups (6 animals in each group) and housed in a half-walled shed with proper spacing, the feeding management being identical. The bulls in the control group were given a single shower at 1000 h, whereas the experimental bulls were given four showers at 10,12,14 and 16 h. In addition, the experimental bulls were given vitamin A, D and E injections at fifteen day intervals. The sexual behaviour of bulls was observed in terms of reaction time, sexual aggressiveness and ejaculatory thrust. Semen quality of all the bulls was assessed in terms of volume, mass activity, live-dead sperm and sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology, and acrosomal abnormality. The sexual behaviour did not vary significantly between the groups, whereas semen quality differed significantly for volume, per cent live sperms, total sperms per ejaculate and total live sperm per ejaculate between groups. It can be concluded that sexual behaviour was not influenced by the thermal comfort treatment coupled with periodic vitamin A, D and E injections. But the treatments improved most of the seminal traits in the experimental group of bulls. However, benefit of treatment was not reflected in the freezability traits of the semen.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2013

The efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) for horses remains unsatisfactory. It is mainly because each process of AI causes a detrimental effect on semen quality. To sustain quality of semen properly, several factors including libido of stallions and sperm damage during sperm processing and preservation should be considered. Stallions with decent libido produce a high ratio of sperm to seminal plasma in their ejaculates, which is the ideal semen composition for maintaining sperm quality. Thus, to maximize the fertility rate upon AI, stallions should be appropriately managed to enhance their libido. Seminal plasma should have a positive effect on horse fertility in the case of natural breeding, whereas the effects of seminal plasma on both sperm viability and quality in the context of AI remain controversial. Centrifugation of semen is performed during semen processing to remove seminal plasma and to isolate fine quality sperm from semen. However, the centrifugation process can also result in sperm loss and damage. To solve this problem, several different centrifugation techniques such as Cushion Fluid along with dual and single Androcoll-E$^{TM}$ were developed to minimize loss of sperm and to damage at the bottom of the pellet. Most recently, a new technique without centrifugation was developed with the purpose of separating sperm from semen. AI techniques have been advanced to deliver sperm to optimal region of female reproductive tract at perfect timing. Recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) and low dose insemination techniques have been developed to maximize both fertility rate and the efficiency of AI. Horse breeders should consider that the entire AI procedure should be optimized for each stallion due to variation in individual horses for a uniformed AI protocol.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2001

Artificial insemination (AI) with frozen or cooled semen is widely used in commercial fields of cattle and pig. Little is known about characteristics of canine sperm after freezing or cooling. For both practical and commercial goal, the canine semen treated with cooling and freezing should be carried out to exam the fundamentals, including sperm motility, survivability and fertilizing capacity. The aim of this study, thus, was to identify the effects of extended exposure to 4$0^{\circ}C$ on canine semen by motility, survivability, acrosomal changes following different duration. Fifteen ejaculates collected by digital manipulation twice per week from 3 dogs (Shih-Tzu) were divided to 16 aliquots after adding Tris-egg yolk (TE) buffer formulated by our laboratory, and cooled from 37 to 4$^{\circ}C$, by ramp rate of 0.6$^{\circ}C$/min. Each sample was evaluated by their motility, survivability and the acrosomal status at 0h (control), 2h, 12h and 1 d~10 d, respectively. The motility of spermatozoa was graded to 6 levels using the modified method of Seager. The survivability of sperm was assessed using an epifluorescence microscope after Fert/Light (Mole-cular Probes Inc.) staining. To estimate the proportion of the spermatozoa of intact acrosome, 200 spermatozoa were assessed in randomly selected fields, using epifluorescence microscope after FITC/PSA (Sigma) staining. At 2 h after cooling, the motility of most spermatozoa were assessed to be grade 0 and 1. At 12 h, high number of sperm were in grade 0 to 1, however, it was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of 2 h. From 1 d to 4 d, ~50% of sperm was assessed to grade 0 to 1. On day 7, a little sperm were in grade 0 to 1. No sperm showed motility on day 10. Sperm motility was rapidly reduced by the percent of 10% of grade 0 to 1. From 2 h to 6 h, the number of live sperm was 90% and the sperm chilled for 10 days lived>50%. Acrosomal intact of spermatozoa exposed to 4$^{\circ}C$ for 2 h was 51%, supposed the sperm of control was 100%. Our results suggest that 1) this is easy to transfer and preservation for short periods 2) AI can be used by semen chilled for 6-Day.