Sperm morphology in relation to semen cation concentration in Yankasa rams

Abstract

The morphological appearance of sperm cells is a major criterion in semen evaluation. The  optimal production of semen of high biological value is influenced by numerous factors.  Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sperm morphological  characteristics and semen cation concentrations in 62 rams of Yankasa breed of sheep.  Semen samples were collected from each animal on weekly basis for 52 weeks with electro ejaculator. The sperm morphological characteristics examined were: detached mid-piece  and tail (DMT), detached head (DH), mid-piece droplet (MPD, coiled and bent tail (CBT)  and acrosomal abnormality (ACR). The semen cation parameters measured were: sodium  + + 2+ ion (Na ), potassium ion (K ) and calcium ion (Ca ). Pearson correlation matrix of SAS was  used to determine the relationships among and between the measured characteristics. The  result of the study showed that correlations among the sperm morphological characteristics  were low and not significant except that between DH and DMTwhich was perfect (p<0.01; r  = 1.00). On the other hand, semen cation concentrations were positively correlated but not  + significant among themselves except the correlation between Na and K (p<0.01; r = 0.37)  which was significant. Relating the semen cation concentration with sperm morphological  + characteristics, it was discovered that potassium ion (K ) measured was negatively and  significantly correlated with all the morphological attributes (DMT & DH, r= -0.36 @  p<0.01; CBT & ACR, r= -0.38 @ p<0.05; MPD, r= -0.32 @ p<0.05). It was concluded that  + + DH is highly associated with DMT while Na concentration was an indicator for K level in  the semen as shown in the result. Also, the higher the potassium ion in semen, the lower the  level of sperm morphological abnormalities and vice versa in Yankasa rams.