The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of Equex STM on sperm motion characteristics in chilled dog semen extended in Tris-based diluent. Thirty-two ejaculates were collected from 12 proven German shepherd stud dogs. The sperm-rich fractions were diluted in Tris-based extender with 1% (v/v) Equex STM (sample A) and in Tris-based extender with no addition of detergent (sample B). The extended semen was incubated for 240 h at 5 degrees C and the motility parameters were evaluated by CASA system at 24-h intervals. Addition of Equex STM to Tris-based extender led to an initial activation of motion activity of spermatozoa, followed by a rapid decrease, shortening the lifespan of spermatozoa incubated at 5 degrees C. Computer-assisted sperm analysis clearly showed that Equex STM-induced changes of sperm motion characteristics resemble the hyperactivation (HA) of spermatozoa associated with the capacitation process.
The aim was to estimate the optimal frequency of semen collection from pigeons in relation to ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total spermatozoa in ejaculate and percentage of live morphologically normal cells. The study was carried out on 455 ejaculates collected from two groups of pigeons, each of 10 males (group I: meat-type breed; group II: fancy pigeon). The birds were selected and kept individually in cages under a natural photoperiod. A two-person technique was used for semen collection (lumbo-sacral and cloacal region massage). Semen was collected once, twice or three times per week. Colour, consistency and volume of ejaculates were evaluated macroscopically immediately after collection. Sperm concentration and total number of cells in the ejaculate were estimated after dilution with Ringer's solution. A live-dead stain technique (nigrosin-eosin) was used to determine the percentage of live and normal spermatozoa. Semen collected 3x/week was of high quality. The average volume of a single ejaculate was small (21 microl in group I and 19 microl in group II), but sperm concentration was high--1.58 x 10(9)/ml and 1.96 x 10(9)/ml, respectively. The mean number of spermatozoa per ejaculate was 30.48 x 10(6) in group I and 39.49 x 10(6) in group II. An increased percentage of live and normal spermatozoa in semen collected more frequently was also observed. Collecting pigeon semen 3x/week provides spermatozoa in larger amounts and of better quality than less frequent collections (1x/week or 2x/week) and is recommended for obtaining more insemination doses.
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