Semen cryopreservation in Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) using SHOTOR diluent: Effects of cooling rates and glycerol concentrations

Seminal Plasma Components in Camelids and Comparisons with Other Species

“…In contrast to the human (Lilja and Laurell 1984) and baboon (Amboka and Mwethera 2003) where natural liquefaction of the seminal plasma coagulum is observed within 15 min after ejaculation, alpaca semen liquefies on average 23 h after ejaculation, ranging from 8 to 48 h (Garnica et al 1993). Camel semen tends to liquefy more quickly with partial liquefaction within 20-30 min (Skidmore and Billah 2006;Niasari-Naslaji et al 2007) and complete reduction of viscosity, as measured using the thread test, after 1.5 h after ejaculation (Wani et al 2008). Whilst in the boar (Boursnell et al 1970) and human (Lilja and Laurell 1984;Lilja et al 1987), the vesicular glands are involved in the formation of the coagulum, the absence of the vesicular glands in camelids indicates that another mechanism of seminal plasma viscosity is present.…”

“…1993). Camel semen tends to liquefy more quickly with partial liquefaction within 20–30 min (Skidmore and Billah 2006; Niasari‐Naslaji et al. 2007) and complete reduction of viscosity, as measured using the thread test, after 1.5 h after ejaculation (Wani et al.…”

“…The post‐thaw motility of frozen‐thawed camelid spermatozoa is approximately 20% (Santiani et al. 2005; Niasari‐Naslaji et al. 2006, 2007), which is not commercially viable.…”

“…As the biochemical components of camelid seminal plasma are similar to other domestic livestock species, it is reasonable to suggest that semen extenders used for cryopreservation of spermatozoa in species such as the ram and bull would be suitable for the storage of camelid semen. However, despite attempts using lactose-, sucrose-, citrate-and fructose-based buffers in addition to the commercially available extenders manufactured for other livestock species such as Green buffer Ò (IMV, L'Aigle, France), Biladyl Ò , Androhep Ò and Triladyl Ò (Minitube, Tiefenbach, Germany), the post-thaw motility of frozen-thawed camelid spermatozoa averages 20% (von Baer and Hellemann 1999;Deen et al 2003;Vaughan et al 2003;Santiani et al 2005) and is rarely >40% (Bravo et al 2000b;Niasari-Naslaji et al 2007;El-Bahrawy et al 2010). Given that in sheep and goats ejaculates with <40% of progressively motile spermatozoa post-thaw are not suitable for AI (Evans and Maxwell 1987), these post-thaw motility rates of camelid spermatozoa are unlikely to be commercially viable or adequate for AI.…”

“…Given that in sheep and goats ejaculates with <40% of progressively motile spermatozoa post-thaw are not suitable for AI (Evans and Maxwell 1987), these post-thaw motility rates of camelid spermatozoa are unlikely to be commercially viable or adequate for AI. Post-thaw motility rates are higher (up to 40%) when the viscous seminal plasma is reduced by either mechanical (Niasari-Naslaji et al 2007) or enzymatic (Bravo et al 2000b) means highlighting the detrimental effect of the seminal plasma viscosity on cryopreservation of spermatozoa in camelids.…”