Abstract:
OBJECTIVE : To determine the effect of oral selenium supplementation
and semen collection methods on various post thaw semen quality
parameters in Saanen bucks.
METHODS : Sixteen healthy bucks were divided into two equal
groups (n=8 each). The treatment group received selenium at 10-
day intervals for three months. Sperm kinematic parameters,
morphological parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential,
plasma membrane functionality, and sperm DNA integrity were
evaluated weekly pre and post-cryopreservation.
RESULTS : The mean percentages of the morphological abnormalities
were significantly lower in the selenium-supplemented samples
when semen was collected by using artificial vagina method
(P<0.05). Proximal droplet defects were significantly lower in the
selenium supplementation group when semen was collected by
electro-ejaculation (P<0.05). Post-thaw sperm parameters such as
total motility and progressive motility were significantly higher
when semen was obtained by artificial vagina in the seleniumsupplemented
bucks compared to the electro-ejaculation and the
control groups (P<0.05). The sperm kinematic parameters such as
curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral
head displacement were significantly higher when semen was collected by artificial vagina in the selenium-treated bucks (P<0.05).
The percentages of sperm with intact and functional plasma
membrane and functional mitochondria were significantly higher in
the selenium-supplemented samples collected with artificial vagina
compared to the electro-ejaculation method and the control groups
(P<0.05). In vitro fertilizing potential was significantly higher in
the selenium-supplemented samples collected with artificial vagina
compared to the electro-ejaculation method and the control groups,
respectively (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS : Oral supplementation of selenium and artificial vagina
semen collection improve post thaw sperm quality parameters of
Saanen buck.
