品种、季节、胎次、采精月龄及采精间隔对猪精液品质的影响

【目的】探究品种、公猪出生胎次、公猪同窝仔猪数、公猪乳头数、采精季节、采精月龄和采精间隔对猪精液品质的影响,以及不同品种对精液质量稳定性的影响。【方法】选取909头杜洛克、长白、大白种公猪为试验群体,收集2021年4月至2022年4月27 408条精液测定记录,采用混合线性分析模型和方差分析探究品种、公猪出生胎次、公猪同窝仔猪数、公猪乳头数、采精季节、采精月龄和采精间隔对精液体积、精液密度、精子活力、直线前进运动精子比例、精子畸形率、总精子数及各精液性状稳定性的影响。【结果】从不同品种对精液品质的影响来看,长白猪精液体积和总精子数均显著高于大白猪、杜洛克猪(P<0.05),杜洛克猪精液密度显著高于大白猪和长白猪(P<0.05),杜洛克猪、大白猪精子活力均显著高于长白猪(P<0.05),大白猪直线前进运动精子比例显著高于长白猪和杜洛克猪(P<0.05),长白猪和大白猪精子畸形率均显著低于杜洛克猪(P<0.05);从不同公猪出生胎次对精液品质的影响来看,1～3胎出生的公猪具有较高的精液品质;从不同采精季节对精液品质的影响来看,精液密度、精子活力和总精子数秋、冬...     

Semen collection by urethral catheterization and electro-ejaculation with different voltages,and the effect of holding temperature and cooling rate before cryopreservation on semen quality in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)

In the Japanese macaque, semen has been collected by electro-ejaculation (EE), using the higher voltage stimuli compared to other species including genus Macaca. Semen coagulates immediately after ejaculation, which makes difficult to produce high-quality semen for artificial insemination. Recently, semen collection using urethral catheterization (UC) has been reported in carnivore and this technique may allow semen collection without coagulation in a less invasive manner. Further, the temporal preservation temperature and cooling rate of semen during cryopreservation affect post thawing sperm quality. In this study, to improve semen quality and quantity, as well as the animal welfare, semen collection was performed by EE with high (5–15 V) or low (3–6 V) voltage, UC and a combination of the two (EE-UC). It has been suggested that a high voltage is necessary for semen collection, but 10 V stimulation was effective enough and 15 V is for additional sperm collection. Also, liquid semen was collected by EE-UC and this could increase the total number of sperm. Further, to improve the post thawing sperm motility, semen was kept at four temperatures (4, 15, 25 and 37°C) for 60 min, and processed with two cooling procedures (slow cooling before second dilution and fast cooling after second dilution). Holding semen at 25°C and fast cooling after the second dilution maintained progressive motile sperm rate. The present results will contribute to the improvement of semen collection and animal welfare of Japanese macaques.     

Effect of collection frequency on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pigeon (Columba livia) semen

The aim was to estimate the optimal frequency of semen collection from pigeons in relation to ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total spermatozoa in ejaculate and percentage of live morphologically normal cells. The study was carried out on 455 ejaculates collected from two groups of pigeons, each of 10 males (group I: meat-type breed; group II: fancy pigeon). The birds were selected and kept individually in cages under a natural photoperiod. A two-person technique was used for semen collection (lumbo-sacral and cloacal region massage). Semen was collected once, twice or three times per week. Colour, consistency and volume of ejaculates were evaluated macroscopically immediately after collection. Sperm concentration and total number of cells in the ejaculate were estimated after dilution with Ringer's solution. A live-dead stain technique (nigrosin-eosin) was used to determine the percentage of live and normal spermatozoa. Semen collected 3x/week was of high quality. The average volume of a single ejaculate was small (21 microl in group I and 19 microl in group II), but sperm concentration was high--1.58 x 10(9)/ml and 1.96 x 10(9)/ml, respectively. The mean number of spermatozoa per ejaculate was 30.48 x 10(6) in group I and 39.49 x 10(6) in group II. An increased percentage of live and normal spermatozoa in semen collected more frequently was also observed. Collecting pigeon semen 3x/week provides spermatozoa in larger amounts and of better quality than less frequent collections (1x/week or 2x/week) and is recommended for obtaining more insemination doses.     

广州地区娟姗种公牛精液品质随月份的变化研究

选择在广州地区亚热带气候条件下2岁～6岁的娟姗公牛5头,观察其精液品质(采精量、原精密度、原精活力以及细管精液产量)在全年不同月份的变化情况.结果表明:娟姗公牛的每次采精量和细管精液产量在气温较高的7～9月份会因为采精频率的减少而增加,10月份会因为周采精频率增加而使每次采精量和细管精液产量有明显减少;娟姗公牛的原精密度在气温适宜的2月份和采精频率较低的8月份会出现两个高峰值;娟姗公牛的原精活力在气温较高的月份会出现明显的下降趋势,2月份气温适宜时原精活力最好.     

Effect of collection frequency on the semen quality of broiler breeder

1. Seven 35-week-old Hubbard broiler breeder males were subjected to three semen collection frequencies either once every 2 d (48 h), daily (24 h) or twice daily (12 h). 2. Semen characteristics including motility, volume, concentration and sperm numbers per ejaculate were determined for each ejaculate. 3. Sperm motility was unaffected by collection interval, but semen volume was lower at 12 than 24h intervals. Sperm concentration was lower at 12 than 48h intervals. 4. At 24 and 48 h number of sperm per collection (1.7+/-0.2, 1.8+/-0.2 x 10(9)) were higher than at 12 h (1.2+/-0.1 x 10(9)). 5. The number of semen doses over a 6-d period increased linearly as the frequency of collection increased from once every 2 d to twice daily. 6. It is concluded that output was theoretically maximal at twice daily collection, but in practice not all cockerels may be able to maintain full performance with such a demanding regime.     

黑猩猩精液冷冻和优选研究

对精液进行有效的冷冻保存和解冻优选是人工授精顺利开展的重要步骤。本研究在黑猩猩上做了尝试,分别用人工按摩采精、电刺激采精、附睾采精进行6次精液采集,所测精子活率为0.65～0.90,密度为1.69×10~（10）～6.64×10~（11）（个/L）。用自配精液冷冻液,采用CL-8800程序降温仪成功对所采集的精液进行冷冻保存。在冷冻后的10～400 d,分别对6次冻精解冻,并用人用精液优选试剂盒对其后3次进行解冻后优选。结果显示,解冻后精液活率为0.35～0.7;优选后精液活率为0.85～0.9,密度为4.5×10~（11）～5.0×10~（11）（个/L）,基本可以满足人工授精的需要。     

Seminal Characteristics in Spanish Purebred Stallions: A Retrospective Study

In this work, we studied retrospectively the influence of several factors on semen quality of the Spanish Purebred (SPB) stallion. Among these factors, we considered stallion age, season, and interval between two consecutive collections. The semen was collected from 11 SPB stallions (634 ejaculates). Semen quality was evaluated based on volume, concentration, and motility of the ejaculates. Results showed that the semen collected in autumn and winter was more concentrated in comparison with that collected in spring and summer, when the volume of ejaculate was the highest. Those ejaculates collected from younger stallions were characterized by having the smallest volume and the highest sperm concentration. When incorporating an SPB stallion into a program of artificial insemination, it is important to take into account all of these factors to achieve the maximum reproductive potential of the animal.     

Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Analysis of Season Effects and Age Effects for Semen Traits in Landrace Boars

The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of semen traits of Landrace boars in South China and to analyze the influence of the age and season of semen collection on semen traits, so as to provide theoretical basis for formulating reasonable boar breeding program. The Asreml-R was used to analyze the 107 221 semen data of 1 605 Landrace boars from 2 AI stations in Southern China, the single-trait repeatability animal model was used to estimate the variance components, heritability and repeatability of each semen traits, two-trait repeatability animal model was used to estimate genetic correlation and phenotypic correlation of semen volume, semen density, sperm motility and percentage of abnormal sperm. The general linear model of R language program was used to analyze the influence of age and season of semen collection on semen traits. The results showed that the semen volume and percentage of abnormal sperm had medium heritability (0.23 and 0.38), and the variation coefficient of percentage of abnormal sperm was 85.42%, while the other traits had low heritability (0.07-0.19). Semen volume-semen density and sperm motility-percentage of abnormal sperm had extremely significantly negative genetic correlation(-0.77 and -0.90, respectively). Semen density-sperm motility showed extremely significantly positive genetic correlation (0.50). The influence of the age of semen collection on semen traits was significant(P<0.05). After boars reached sexual maturity, semen volume showed a significant increase, semen density and percentage of abnormal sperm showed a general decrease, and total sperm number and functional sperm number were significantly higher in the 13-18-month of age group than those in the other groups (P<0.05). The semen density was the highest in spring, and the total sperm number and functional sperm number were significantly higher in autumn and winter than those in spring and summer (P<0.05). In conclusion, the semen volume and percentage of abnormal sperm of Landrace boars can be selected as candidate traits. In the boar production management, boar whose semen production after 36 months of age decline, will be considered to update. Boar semen quality was significantly higher in autumn and winter than those in spring and summer. It is suggested that cooling work should be done in advance in Southern China in summer.     

长白公猪精液性状遗传参数评估及采精月龄和季节因素分析

旨在估计华南地区长白种公猪精液性状遗传参数以及分析公猪采精月龄和季节对精液性状的影响,为合理制定种公猪育种方案提供理论依据。本研究采用Asreml-R对华南地区两个公猪站1 605头长白公猪107 221条精液数据进行统计分析,利用单性状重复力动物模型估计公猪精液各性状的方差组分、遗传力和重复力,利用两性状重复力动物模型对精液体积、精液密度、精子活力和精子畸形率等性状进行遗传相关和表型相关估计;利用R语言程序中的一般线性模型分析采精月龄和季节对精液性状的影响。结果表明,精液体积和精子畸形率属于中等遗传力（0.23和0.38）,其中精子畸形率的变异系数较大,为85.42%,其余性状都为低遗传力（0.07~0.19）;精液体积与精液密度以及精子活力与精子畸形率为极显著遗传负相关（-0.77和-0.90）;精液密度与精子活力呈极显著的遗传正相关（0.50）。采精月龄对精液性状影响显著（P<0.05）,在公猪达到性成熟后,精液体积呈显著上升趋势,精液密度和精子畸形率总体呈下降趋势,精子总数和有效精子数在13~18月龄组显著高于其他组（P<0.05）。在春季精液密度最高,精子总数和有效精子数在秋、冬季显著优于春、夏季（P<0.05）。综上,长白公猪精液体积和精子畸形率具有较大的选育潜力,可作为候选性状进行选择。在公猪生产管理方面,公猪36月龄后精液产量下降,考虑更新淘汰。公猪精液品质在秋、冬季显著优于春、夏季,在中国南方夏季应提前做好降温工作。     

Characteristics of Buck Semen with Regard to Ejaculate Numbers, Collection Intervals, Diluents and Preservation Periods

To determine the number of ejaculates which can be collected within a 20‐min period after the smallest number of days of sexual rest, and a good diluent to preserve semen for routine AI, five mature Black Bengal bucks were used in three experiments. In experiment 1, semen from the bucks were collected by using artificial vagina at homosexual mounts as many times as possible during 20 min. The ejaculate numbers 1, 3 and 4 (or 5 when the buck could produce it) were examined for important semen characteristics. The mean ejaculate volume, density, mass activity, sperm motility, sperm concentrations, total spermatozoa/ejaculate, proportion of spermatozoa with normal acrosome, midpiece and tail, and the proportion with normal head morphology varied between 267 and 342 µl, 4.1–4.5 (1–5 scale), 4.1–4.2 (1–5 scale), 77–79%, 4187 × 10⁶–5064 × 10⁶/ml, 1140 × 10⁶–1746 × 10⁶, 91–94% and 99%, respectively, depending on the collection number of the ejaculate. The difference between the ejaculates was significant only with respect to volume (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, semen was collected from the bucks successively during 20 min after 1, 2, 3 and 4 day intervals, and the first ejaculates were evaluated for the above‐mentioned semen characteristics. Semen collected after 2 or more day intervals had significantly higher volume, sperm concentration and total spermatozoa/ejaculate (p < 0.05). In experiment 3, pools of two to three ejaculates were diluted (1 : 5; semen : diluent) in splits with glucose‐citrate‐egg yolk (GCEY), Tris‐fructose‐egg yolk (TFEY) or skim milk (SM) and preserved at +4 to +7°C. Before chilling or after 0 (15 min chilling), 1, 2, 3 and 4 days of preservation, semen was evaluated for motility and proportion of normal spermatozoa with respect to acrosome, midpiece and tail. In data pooled across the bucks, the sperm motility was better in GCEY and TFEY than in SM, and the proportion of normal spermatozoa was higher in SM than in the others (p < 0.05). However, the differences in proportion of normal spermatozoa between diluents were not significant when the data were analysed separately within preservation periods. The sperm motility consistently dropped after 1 day of preservation (p < 0.01); the motility remained 50% or more up to 4 days in TFEY, 3 days in GCEY and only 2 days in SM. The proportion of spermatozoa with normal acrosome, midpiece and tail, which was generally quite high ( 90%), decreased after 3 days of preservation (p < 0.01). We conclude that Black Bengal bucks can be collected three times during 20 min, every 3 days, and that buck semen holds good motility and proportion of normal spermatozoa up to 3 days in GCEY or TFEY at 4 to 7°C.     

甘肃高寒牧区藏羊电刺激采精实验

为研究电刺激采精技术能否在甘肃高寒牧区藏系羊繁殖中推广应用,该技术是否对公羊精液品质和采精量有影响,项目课题组在甘肃省天祝县旦马乡进行了牧区藏羊种公羊电刺激采精实验。选择本土选育的欧拉型藏羊种公羊,配种期每日每只采精2次,即：首日（标注为d1）早上采用传统的假阴道采精法采精,下午采用电刺激法采精,次日（标注为d2）早上采用电刺激法采精,下午采用传统的假阴道采精法采精,依次不同采精方法交叉采精,减少误差,连续采精6d,及时检查采精量及精液密度、精子活力等品质。实验结果表明,甘肃天祝牧区藏羊种公羊电刺激采精所得精液量均在0.80 mL～0.96 mL之间,符合藏系羊正常精液量,平均精子活力均在0.80以上,平均精液密度均“中”以上,精液品质符合人工授精精液品质要求,可应用于藏羊繁殖生产实践。     

不同品种、月份、月龄及采精间隔对猪精液品质的影响

为研究不同品种、采精月份、采精月龄和采精间隔等因素对加系公猪精液品质的影响,以及品种、初次采精周龄对精液质量稳定性的影响,本研究以江西某种公猪站79头加系大白猪、长白猪、杜洛克猪种公猪为试验群体,收集2018年12月至2020年12月3 921条精液采集与精液质量数据,通过混合线性模型与方差分析探究各因素对精液量、精液密度、精子活力、总精子数及其稳定性的影响。结果显示,从不同品种对精液质量的影响来看,长白猪精液量和总精子数均高于大白猪、杜洛克猪,但杜洛克猪精液密度高于长白猪、大白猪,杜洛克猪精子活力最低;从不同月份来看,1~3月采精精液密度最高,4~6月采精精子活力最高,10~12月采精精液量和总精子数最高,精液量呈现秋冬多、春夏少的季节变化规律。公猪不同月龄采精,精液质量指标也存在差异,月龄越小精液量越低,但精液密度偏高,精子活力相对较好,在19~24月龄黄金期总精子数最高。不同采精间隔对精液质量有较大影响,采精间隔越长,精液量、精液密度、精子活力和总精子数相对较好,采精间隔为5 d时综合性能最佳,但过长的采精间隔导致精子活力降低。品种影响总精子数稳定性,长白猪、大白猪总精子数稳定性显著优于杜洛克猪（P<0.05）。本研究结果表明,品种、采精月份、采精月龄和采精间隔均会影响公猪精液质量,关注这些因素有助于公猪站制定更完善的生产计划,提高公猪利用率。     

Libido, hormone concentrations in blood plasma and semen characteristics in Holstein bulls

Relationships among bull libido, serum hormone concentrations and semen characteristics were studied using 18 Holstein bulls that were 4 to 5 yr old. The hormones studied included testosterone, estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), LH and cortisol. Two ejaculates were collected three times per week from each bull during a 5-wk trial. During the last week of the trial, on a day semen was not collected, blood was collected from indwelling catheters every 15 min for 6 h to determine the hormonal profiles of each bull. On the following day, blood was sampled every 10 min before and after the time of semen collection. Libido factors were quantified, and semen volumes and sperm concentrations were recorded. The libido factors included reaction time to first service, latency time between the first and second semen collections, and duration of time the bull mounted the teaser prior to the first (TM1) and second (TM2) semen collection. Average reaction and latency times were correlated (r = .524; P = .026), as were TM1 and TM2 (r = .597; P = .015). Latency times were correlated with average TM2 (r = .669; P = .003). Average PRL concentrations were correlated with average latency times (r = .467; P = .05). Low libido bulls tended to have higher E2:testosterone ratios than did high libido bulls. Both PRL and cortisol concentrations increased at semen collection.     

Semen collection and evaluation

Conformation showing and a variety of dog sports are increasingly popular. Propagation of an excellent dog requires normal fertility. Semen collection and evaluation are essential skills for small animal practitioners who work with breeders and dog-sport enthusiasts. Semen collection can be performed on most dogs in the clinic setting with minimal standard equipment. Preparation of the collection room and presence of a teaser bitch increase the success of sample collection. Semen evaluation consists of several components. First, gross characteristics and sample volume are recorded. Percentage and quality of motility are evaluated immediately. The concentration of spermatozoa in the sample is determined and multiplied by the total sample volume to determine the total number of sperm in the ejaculate. Morphology of > or = 100 spermatozoa is evaluated and recorded to determine the percent normal spermatozoa Total normal sperm per ejaculate is then calculated. Additional tests are often performed. These include cytology of the second and third fractions, culture of the semen, and measurement of semen alkaline phosphatase. Knowledge of normal parameters for canine semen enables the practitioner to evaluate the results of these tests with confidence.     

Effect of orally administered furazolidone on volume and sperm concentration of dwarf and non-dwarf cock semen

2 groups of 20 cocks each were selected at random from non-dwarf White Leghorn (28 weeks post-hatch) and dwarf Krishna-J (38 weeks post-hatch) genotypes. The treated groups comprised 10 White Leghorn and 10 Krishna-J cocks. The remaining birds served as controls. 8 weeks prior to furazolidone treatment, semen was collected from both control groups at regular 4-day intervals, for 4 weeks. Cocks of the treated groups of both genotypes were administered furazolidone (0.14 g/bird/day) for 7 consecutive days. Semen was collected from all cocks at regular 4-day intervals for 4 weeks. Semen from the cocks of the same group was pooled. The pooled ejaculate volume and sperm density did not differ significantly in the 2 genotypes. The semen output as well as sperm density increased along with progressive attainment of sexual maturity. Furazolidone treatment caused significant reduction in semen volume as well as sperm concentration in either genotype.     

Suspected seminal vesiculitis in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

A 32-year-old male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) underwent routine transrectal stimulation for semen collection as part of an artificial insemination program. The procedure consisted of a preinsemination semen collection followed by two consecutive days of semen collections for artificial insemination. The second day's sample contained large numbers of inflammatory cells, intracellular bacteria, and phagocytized sperm. Semen was submitted for culture and sensitivity. Culture revealed Acinetobacter lwoffii, Staphylococcus intermedius, Kocuria roseus, and an unidentified gram-positive organism. Empirical antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim sulfa was initiated and then changed to enrofloxacin based on sensitivity panel results for a total of 28 days of treatment. Diagnostic semen collections were performed during treatment and 2 wk posttreatment to determine the success of therapy. Posttreatment collections revealed resolution of the inflammation. The origin of the infection was suspected to be the seminal vesicles.     

Effect of experimental classical swine fever (CSF) infection on libido and ejaculate parameters in boars

The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of an experimental infection with the classical swine fever (CSF) virus on libido and ejaculate parameters of adult boars. Four boars 10 month old were infected with a CSF field isolate (Visbek/Han95). Semen was collected every second day after infection and daily during the pyrexic phase. The only clinical signs in the boars were an increase in body temperature, but never above 39.9 degrees C and a temporally reduction of food intake. The libido was always good, so semen collection was performed in three boars without difficulty and the semen quality was always in the range of the minimum requirements for sperm that is used for artificial insemination. Although one boar had a good libido only a sperm free ejaculate could be collected on one day. The results show that a CSF virus infection of adult boars hardly causes any clinical symptoms and that sperm can be obtained despite fever. Insemination boars may thus be of special epidemiological relevance for the dissemination of the CSF virus.     

Sperm Production and Sperm Morphology of Swedish Warmblood Stallions

The present study investigated daily sperm output and sperm morphology of fresh semen in eight Swedish Warmblood stallions aged 5–8 years. They were used for artificial insemination, and their fertility during the breeding season of semen collection exceeded 60% per cycle. One ejaculate of semen was collected daily for 10 consecutive days from each stallion. The gel-free volume was measured, and the sperm concentration was assessed with a Bürker chamber. The volume of gel-free fraction was multiplied by the sperm concentration to give the total number of spermatozoa (TSN). Sperm morphology was examined in ejaculates collected on days 2, 5 and 10. An aliquot from each ejaculate was fixed in 1 ml formol–saline immediately after collection and examined under a phase-contrast microscope (magnification 1000×) to assess morphological abnormalities. Furthermore smears were prepared and stained according to Williams (carbolfuchsin–eosin) for a more detailed examination of the sperm heads under a light microscope (magnification 1000×). Analysis of variance was applied to data. Total spermatozoa number decreased progressively during the first 8 days of collection, and daily sperm output (DSO) was calculated as mean TSN of collections on days 8–10, being 6.4 × 10⁹ spermatozoa. The overall percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa in ejaculates collected on days 2, 5 and 10 were above 70%, being significantly lower in ejaculate 2 (68.6%) compared with ejaculates 5 and 10 (72.9% respectively 75.3%).     

Measurement of semen production rates of boars

Frequency of semen collection was used to determine methods of stabilising epididymal sperm reserves in young boars in order to measure daily sperm output which then allows estimation of daily sperm production. By collecting from boars 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) most boars reached epididymal stabilisation within 4 weeks and the daily sperm output could be calculated from the following 6 collections. A more rapid method of measuring daily sperm output was achieved by collecting from boars 4 or 5 times during one day and daily for the following 4 days. Daily sperm output measured by this method was not found to be significantly different from the method requiring collections over a 6-week period. Frequency of collection had a significant effect on semen characteristics. Collecting 3 times a week resulted in significantly greater volumes, sperm concentration, total number of sperm in the ejaculate and daily sperm output compared with collecting at intervals of 48 h. A collecting frequency of 48 h resulted in significantly greater volumes, sperm concentration and total number of sperm in the ejaculate but not daily sperm output when compared with collecting every 24 h.     

Management of the female stimulus during semen collection and its association with libido re-establishment and semen characteristics of goats

The effect of management of the female stimulus during semen collection and its association with libido re-establishment and the semen characteristics of sexually mature goats was evaluated. Eight 2-yr-old bucks were individually subjected to 12 weekly trials in which one of the following three treatments was applied alternately. In treatment one, each male performed two ejaculations on an estrus-induced, restrained doe and semen was collected with an artificial vagina (AV). In treatment two, males were collected as in the former treatment, but a different doe served as the stimulus female for the second ejaculation. In treatment three, two restrained does were present while collecting each buck, allowing males to choose which female to mount and serve in each of the two collections. Number of mounts before first ejaculation and reaction times (period from introduction of the ram to the test arena to his first ejaculation) were similar among treatments (P > 0.05). A significant (P < 0.05) decrease was found for number of mounts performed before achieving the second ejaculation and for latency between ejaculations in the third treatment. No differences (P > 0.05) were found for semen volume (0.8+/-0.03, 1.0+/-0.03, and 0.9+/-0.02 mL) or sperm concentration (4.4+/-0.15, 4.6+/-0.13, and 4.4+/-0.86 spermatozoa/mL) among the three treatments or between the first and second collection. However, a trend to decrease volume and concentration was observed. It was concluded that the simultaneous presence of two females while bucks are collected reduced the number of mounts performed before the second ejaculation and the latency between ejaculations.