• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.249-252
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of administration of Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) on semen collection training and semen characteristics in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars were moved individually to a semen collection pen and were trained to mount dummy sow. During the first and second semen collection secessions, 4 out of 17 boars and 4 out of remaining 13 boars allowed collection of semen. The 9 boars that failed semen collection from first 2 attempts received immediately 15 mg of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ i.m. (intramuscular injection) upon entering the collection pen for semen collection resulted in successful semen collection from all 9 boars. Total numbers of spermatozoa were higher in $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treated boars but there was no significant difference in % motility kinematics characteristics between control and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treated groups during 72 hr period. Overall, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in sexually inexperienced boars increased the sex drive and facilitated the mounting activity to the dummy sow for semen collection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.343-346
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• 1990

A study was conducted to determine the effect of prostaglandin $F_2$ alpha ($PGF_2$ alpha) on the reaction time and seminal characteristics of buffalo bulls. Semen was collected from three Murrah bulls in three periods: pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment. During the treatment period each bull was administered 2 ml $PGF_2$ alpha (Synchrocept, Fenprostalene) im, 1 hour prior to semen collection. In the post-treatment, semen was collected 7 days after the last injection of $PGF_2$. Semen samples were evaluated immediately after collection. Pre-collection injection of $PGF_2$ alpha has no significant effect on reaction time, semen volume, percentage motility, sperm concentration and total number of sperms per ejaculate. Fluctuations in semen color and consistency were observed. There is a significant (p<0.05) increase in the mean percentage of normal spermatozoa during the treatment and post treatment periods. Likewise, administration of PG results into a significant (p<0.05) rise on the average percentage of live sperms but this effect was not manifested in the post-treatment period. Improvement in mass activity was observed during the treatment and post-treatment periods.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.212-219
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• 2021

The aims of this study were to measure the ultrasonographic biometry of genitalia of the indigenous rams and observe the relationship of biometry on semen parameters. The epididymal volume was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) after semen collection compared with before collection for both left and right part in all rams. The cumulative results showed that although there was no significant difference in length, width and volume of epididymis between before and after semen collection, however the values were lower after collection. The epididymal length was significantly correlated with epididymal volume (p < 0.01), semen motility (p < 0.05) and semen morphology (p < 0.01). Epididymal width was only significantly correlated with epididymal volume (p < 0.01) not with the semen parameters. Epididymal volume had a significant correlation only with semen morphology (p < 0.01).The scrotal circumference had the significant correlation with semen density, mass activity, concentration and motility (p < 0.01). The epididymis had the similar or slightly increased echogenicity as compared to the normal testis. During whole study, some white spots were found on testis which did not affect the semen quantity and quality. Significant variation was observed only for semen concentration and motility among the rams (p < 0.05). The overall normal morphology was 90.5 ± 4.6% with highest percentage of coiled tail abnormalities.

• 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.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2011

The objective of this study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of sperm collection methods on the post-thaw viability of cat semen. The cat semen was collected by artificial virginal (AV) and electronic ejaculate (EE) methods. The composition of semen extender was consisted of Tris-buffer supplemented with 20% egg yolk and 1% P/S antibiotics in Ext I, and more added 8% glycerol, 1.0% Equex STM paste of total volume in Ext II. The collected semen was adjusted the concentration and then diluted in Ext I for optimal concentration. The diluted semen was cooling to $5^{\circ}C$ temperature in refrigerator for at least 2 hrs and then diluted stepwise with Ext II for at least 1 hrs. After an equilibration for 1 hrs, the cooled semen was packaged in 0.5 ml straw and then freezing on the $LN_2$ vapor over 5 cm above from $LN_2$ and then immersed directly in $LN_2$ for cryopreservation. The frozen semen was thawed in $38^{\circ}C$ water for 15 sec and then evaluated the motility, viability, and morphology. Post-thaw semen were calculated the motility by SMI (sperm motility index). The live-dead sperm was evaluated by Eosin-B and morphological evaluation was by Diff-quik kit staining. The post-thaw concentration ($89{\times}10^6$ /ml vs. $128{\times}10^6$ /ml), viability ($22.6{\pm}10.6%$ vs. $37.1{\pm}26.1%$), morphological normality ($27.0{\pm}50.2%$ vs. $45.6{\pm}123.0%$) of EE and AV groups were not significant different, but the post-thaw motility was significant lower in EE than that in AV group ($53.1{\pm}3.6$ vs. $73.6{\pm}5.7$) (p<0.05). In conclusion, semen collection methods did not significant different between EE and AV groups except of post-thaw motility and so both semen collection methods could be applied in feline semen collection methods.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2009

Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) can facilitate release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland. The objective was to extend these findings and determine the effects of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ on sexual activity and semen collection training in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars (n=32; $281{\pm}18$ days of age) were moved individually once weekly to a semen collection room equipped with an artificial sow. Before entering the semen collection room, boar received i.m. treatments of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ at doses of 5 (n=8), 10 (n=8), or 20 (n=8), and control boar (n=8) were not treated. Reaction time (elapsed time after entering collection pen until the start of mounting) for boars receiving 5mg ($3.3{\pm}0.9\;min$), 10mg ($3.3{\pm}0.8\;min$) $PGF_2{\alpha}$ was shorter (p<0.05) than for controls ($6.7{\pm}0.9min$). Duration of ejaculation (min) per session was longer (p<0.05) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ (10 mg, 20 mg)-treated boars ($7.3{\pm}0.7\;min$, $6.9{\pm}0.7\;min$), compared to control ($3.4{\pm}0.8\;min$). The number of training session per boars was less (p=0.056) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ 10mg-treated boars ($1.0{\pm}0.4$), compared to control ($2.0{\pm}0.4$). Semen characteristic such as volume, concentration, the number of total ejaculated sperm, were similar for $PGF_2{\alpha}$-treated and controls. There was no apparent difference on sperm movement characteristics (Mot: motility, VCL : curve linear velocity, VSL : straight line velocity, VAP : average path velocity, LIN : linearity) after semen preservation by collected with or without $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment. In summary, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in boars increased the sexual activity and facilitated the training boars to mount an artificial sow for semen collection, but did not affect semen characteristic.

• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.359-364
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to evaluate monthly variation in semen characteristics in Black Bedouin and Black Bedouin${\times}$Damascus crossbred bucks. Twenty one Black Bedouin Goat bucks (BG) and 20 $F_1$ Black Bedouin${\times}$Damascus crossbred goat bucks (CB) were used in the study. Animals were 2 to 5 years old at the beginning of the study. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC) and semen samples were evaluated monthly for all bucks. Body weight, BCS and SC differed according to month of collection (p<0.0001). Body weight and BCS were greater in the spring and summer months while SC reached their highest values during the autumn months. No differences were detected between breeds with respect to semen characteristics with the exception of ejaculate volume (p<0.05) and ejaculate appearance (p=0.053) which were greater in CB than in BG bucks. With the exception of ejaculate appearance, all semen characteristics were influenced by month of collection (p<0.05). Semen concentration and motility were better during the late summer and autumn months than during the spring. The percentage of abnormal spermatozoa declined from its greatest values in the spring to its lowest values in the autumn. Results of the present study show no effects of goat breed on most of the studied parameters. In general, most semen quality parameters were better in both breeds during the autumn than the spring months. Minimal variation in semen quality was observed between the summer and autumn months indicating the ability to use bucks for semen collection and for natural breeding during both of these seasons.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 1981

A total 2,488 ejaculates during 4 years from 80 Korean native bulls over the age from 3 to 12 years of bull herds of Artificial Breeding Center, National Livestock Federatives Cooperation were collected and analyzed to study the effects of collection year, age of bulls, month of years, collection interval and ejaculation frequency per day on semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm per ejaculate and sperm motility. 1. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm per ejaculate and sperm motility index for the all ejaculates using least squares procedure averaged 5.73ml, 9.133${\times}$108/ml, 52.527${\times}$108 and 62.81, respectively. 2. Semen volume varied significantly with collection year, collection interval and ejaculation frequency per day(P<0.01), but effects of age of bulls and month of years on semen volume were not significant. Eight to 15 days collection interval showed the highest volume, and 1st ejaculate contained 5.6% more volume than 2nd ejaculate. 3. There were significant differences among collection years, months of years and ejeculation frequencies per day except collection intervals in sperm concentration per ml(P<0.05, P<0.01). Six to 8-year-old bulls was the highest concentration. Higher sperm concentration per ml was in April to July and lower month was October and December. Sperm concentration in 2nd ejaculate was higher than in 1st ejaculate. 4. Total sperm per ejaculate affected by all environmental factors studied(P<0.05, P<0.01). Age of bulls, collection interval and ejaculation frequency per day showed the highest total sperm was 6 to 8-year-old bulls, 8 to 15 days interval and 1st ejaculate, respectively. Higher total sperm per ejaculate was in April to July and lower total sperm was in September to December. 5. In sperm motility, there were significant differences among collection years, ages of bulls and collection intervals except months of years and ejaculation frequencies (P<0.01). Higher sperm motility was in 6 to 12-year-old bulls and in 5 to 7 days collection interval.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.303-308
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• 2013

Subfertility problems are encountered frequently in the cattle and buffalo bulls commercially maintained for semen production in dairy farms and under field conditions for natural insemination. Reports are scarce on the incidence of subfertility in breeding bulls, especially in India. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of the male reproductive anomalies leading to disposal of bovine bulls at GADVASU dairy farm, Ludhiana, Punjab (India). Data on frequency of various subfertility and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the dairy farm, GADVASU, were collected for 12 yrs (1999 to 2010) and compiled from different record registers. Percentage of bulls that produced freezable semen (out of reserved ones) was less in cattle (25.641%) as compared to that of buffalo (30.4%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive and poor semen quality were the main contributing factors for bull disposal in cattle whereas poor semen freezability was most frequently observed in buffalo bulls. All the male reproductive traits were significantly different (p<0.05) for the periods of birth, except for semen volume, initial motility (IM), age at last semen collection (ALSC) and age at disposal. The ages at first and last semen collection as well as freezing (i.e. AFSC, ALSC and AFSF, ALSF, respectively) and age at disposal (AD) were higher in buffalo. The spermatological parameters and semen production period (SPP) were higher in cattle. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. The results revealed an increasing trend in individual motility (IM) while semen volume, AFSC, AFSF, AD, FSPP, SPP, ALSC and ALSF showed a decreasing, however, not a definite trend, over the periods. The semen donation traits like, AFSF, of the cattle and buffalo bulls could be predicted from the AFSC, using prediction equation derived in the present study.