Semen
description
Transcript of Semen
SemenMs. Gottfried
How to collect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J538n44UPmA
Characteristics of Semen
Volume Concentration Motility
Volume of Semen Measured in ml and can be expressed
in two ways 1. Whole semen
Composed of pre-wash, sperm rich and the gelatinous plug.
Average volume is 65 ml but can be above 200 ml
2. Gel semen Whole semen with the gel portion removed by
passing through a filter. Amount of gel is variable but increases in the off
season.
Concentration
Shown as number of spermatozoa (cells per ml.
Average concentration is 280 million cells per ml (280x 106/ml)
Concentration can be visually estimated by physical appearance (color) Good = grey/milky Bad= clear/watery
Hemacytometer Semen is diluted and counted
Motility
Expressed as percentage Good stallion = 70% or better Everything touching semen must be
at 73 degrees C (98.6 F) 1. Raw
Gel free 2. Diluted
Mixed with solution that prevents clumping.
Morphology
Abnormalities No one really knows how closely related
abnormalities are to fertility rates. High quality semen should not have more
than 15% primary and secondary abnormalities.
The heads of live semen will resist staining Three classifications of abnormalities
Primary Secondary Tertiary
Morphology Primary (testes)
A failure of spermatogenesis Abnormal head, double head, poor development
of tail, double tail. Secondary (epididymis)
a failure of maturation Separation of head from tail, cytoplasmic
droplets, fixed bend in tail Tertiary
Damage occurring during or after ejaculation Rough handling (cold shock) can also cause
separation of head and tails.
Semen Extenders
What is it?
Raw semen is short lived at room temp or refrigerated.
Extender allows it to stay viable for up to a few days.
Semen temp is lowered to lower the metabolic activity and extender added.
Physiological Functions Acts as a source of nutrients
Egg yolk (whites are bad!) Milk- heated to destroy some detrimental
enzymes Acts as a buffer
Must neutralize the products of normal spermatozoa metabolism
Common buffer is 2.9% sodium citrate solution
May contain antibacterial agents Penicillin and streptomycin are a common
mixture.
How many mares can be bred each time?
Every insemination needs: Volume of at least 10 ml Contain a minimum of 500 x 106 live
normal cells
1. Total number of cells: gel-free volume x concentration = total cells
2. Total number of live cells: Total cells x % motility= total live cells
How many mares
3. Total number of live normal cells:Total live cells x % normal cells = total live normal
cells
4. Total number of insemination:Total number of live normal cells/500 x 106 live
normal cells
Example
Total ejaculate: 70 ml Gel-free volume: 60 ml Gel volume: 10 ml Concentration: 200 x 10
cells/ml Motility: 80% Abnormalities: 10%
How many mares can you breed?