Effect of Storage Time on Cauda Epididymal Sperm Parameters of Nigerian Local Dogs

Abstract

Aim: Storage of testes-epididymides at refrigeration temperature is a promising method of short-term sperm preservation for use in reproductive biotechnology in dogs. This study aimed to determine the effect of storage time at 4˚C on the quality of Nigerian local dogs' cauda epididymal spermatozoa recovered post-castration. Materials and Methods: Testes along with their epididymides collected immediately after castration of local dogs were either processed immediately (0th hour) or stored at 4˚C in the refrigerator for 12th, 24th or 48th hours and then processed. Each storage group comprised 5 pairs of testes-epididymides. Sperm motility, concentration, livability, acrosome integrity and morphology from the various storage groups were evaluated and means with standard error of the mean (±SEM) were recorded. Results: Mean percent sperm motility at 0th hour (77.0 ± 2.6) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 12 hours (68.0 ± 1.2), 24 hours (66.0 ± 2.4) and 48 hours (60.0 ± 1.6) of storage at 4˚C. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found when the mean sperm concentrations (×10 7 /ml) of the storage groups (5.86 ± 47, 5.24 ± 26 and 5.38 ± 31) were compared with the control (6.48 ± 0.75). Mean percent sperm livability did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the 0th, 12th, 24th and 48th hour groups (86.4 ± 1.5, 78.0 ± 3.1 and 75.0 ± 1.8 respectively). However, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in mean percent sperm livability after 48 hours of storage (69.8 ± 4.2) as compared with the 0th hour group. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was detected in the mean percent acrosome integrity between the 0th, 12th, 24th and 48th hour groups (90.0 ± 1.5, 83.0 ± 3.5, 84.6 ± 4.6 and 82.2 ± 3.9 respectively). A significant increase (p

Unilateral testicular degeneration in dogs: Effects on spermatozoal characteristics, testis and cauda epididymis

“…The percentage motility and viability of cauda epididymal spermatozoa observed in this study for the N groups were comparable to the values reported previously in normal dogs (Chima et al, 2017;Bhanmeechao et al, 2018). Testicular degeneration decreased the epididymal sperm total and progressive motility in the D group.…”

“…Spermatozoa can be recovered from the cauda epididymis of dogs by percutaneous epididymal aspiration, following castration, or at post mortem; for use in the investigation of sperm quality and spermatozoal characteristics (Varesi et al, 2013;Chima et al, 2017;Bhanmeechao et al, 2018), and for artificial breeding of bitches (Wydooghe et al, 2016). Ejaculated semen comprises sperm from both testes as well as secretions of the accessory sex glands.…”

Correlation between Testicular Morphometric Parameters and Sperm Reserves in Ghanaian West African Dwarf Rams

“…Sperm reserves have been evaluated from slaughtered domestic animals [ 9 ], while sperm quality parameters have been evaluated from sperm recovered from the cauda epididymis of recently slaughtered animals [ 10 , 11 ]. The recovery of spermatozoa from the epididymides of recently dead or slaughtered valuable animals ensures the preservation of genetic material for future use [ 12 ]. Scarce information is available on the correlation of testicular morphometric parameters with sperm reserves, particularly in West African Dwarf rams in Ghana.…”