Spermatozoa Quality in Refrigerated Normal Saline Diluted Caprine Semen

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the ability of normal saline diluent to sustain spermatozoa viability over a period of time at refrigerated temperature (4-6°C). Semen was collected from 17 West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks, pooled and divided into 5 portions. Four portions were diluted with normal saline at ratio 1:1 (T2), 1:2 (T3), 1:3 (T4) and 1:4 (T5), while unextended portion (T1) served as a control in a completely randomised design. Spermatozoa characteristics were examined 2 hours interval at 4-6°C and Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Results showed that at 0 hour, spermatozoa motility was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1, T3 and T4 than T5, although similar to T2. At 6 hours, T2, T4 and T5 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than T1, but similar to T3. At 8 hours, the motility in T1 was significantly (p<0.05) reduced than in other treatments. Spermatozoa livability and acrosome integrity at 0, 2, 4 and 10 hours were not significantly different among the treatments. Plasma membrane integrity at 4 and 8 hours, T3 was significantly (p<0.05) lower than T2, however it was similar to T1, T4 and T5. At 6 hours, plasma membrane integrity of sperm cells in T1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower than T2, T3, T4 and T5. Percentage normal sperm cells at 0 and 6 hours was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T4 than T1, T2 and T3, but similar to T5 and T3 at 6th hour. This suggests that quality of the sperm cells was sustained up to 8 hours in normal saline diluted semen when refrigerated.