SEMEN QUALITY OF MATURE CARPATHIAN BUCKS DURING NON-BREADING SEASON

Andreea Hortanse Anghel, Dorina Nadolu, B. Tămâianu, Fl. Anghel, G. Nacu

Abstract
    The recognition of the differences specific to each breed and those caused by the estrous season in terms of the breeding performance of the bucks, leads to the improvement of the management of individual semen samples used in the artificial insemination programs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of the semen collected during non-breeding season, from 3 Carpathian bucks, 3 years of age. The semen was collected by artificial vagina between June and July 2019. Two methods of semen dilution, with and without seminal plasma were compared, in order to highlight the effect of seminal plasma in the refrigeration process. Tris-based extender was used, with and without egg yolk. The quality of the semen was evaluated immediately after collection by assessing the volume ejaculated, concentration, pH and motility and viability immediately after collection and also at 24 and 48 hours, after refrigeration at a temperature of 4° C. The results showed a decrease of the cytological parameters (motility, viability) by 15-20% every 24 hours of refrigeration in the semen samples from both methods. In conclusion, for insemination during non-breeding season with refrigerated semen, within 48 hours after collection, there is no need for centrifugation in order to remove the seminal plasma during semen’s preparation process.