Search

Several studies reveal that coenzyme Q (CoQ) and vitamin E (Vit. E) act against oxidative deterioration, and that CoQ restores the active and antioxidant form of Vit. E. These two antioxidants, acting against lipid peroxidation, seem to be able to improve motility parameters of spermatozoa. The objective of this study is to evaluate the addition of CoQ and Vit. E to semen extender for equine spermatozoa in order to evaluate possible effects on semen motility. First, immediately after collection, semen samples were diluted with 1mM of CoQ and 1mM of CoQ plus 1mM of Vit. E and prepared for frozen storage in liquid nitrogen. After thawing (37 °C/30 s), samples were maintained at 37 °C and subjected to analysis after 0, 2 and 4 h for motility parameters with CASA (Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis) method. In a second experiment, after the collection, semen samples were diluted with 1mM of CoQ, in presence or absence of seminal plasma where Vit. E is normally present, and prepared for cooled storage at 4 °C. The effects on motility parameters were determined with CASA at 0, 24, 31 and 48 h after collection. During the analysis, samples were kept at 4 °C. The CASA variables were examined with a mixed linear model. No improvement (p > .05) in motility parameters results from the addition of CoQ and Vit. E in frozen or cooled-stored equine semen when compared to control group.

The recovery of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymis may be the last chance to obtain genetic material from stallions undergone to castration. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficiency of cryopreservation and the use of two different extenders for equine epididymal spermatozoa. Testicles obtained from castration were divided into two groups: cauda epididymis processed immediately after orchiectomy and cauda epididymis processed after 24 h storage in saline solution at 4 °C of the testis. The epididymal spermatozoa were collected through manual slicing of the cauda epididymis of each testicle. In addition, spermatozoa obtained from different processed testes were diluted alternatively with either modified Palmer or EGG TECH® extenders to produce frozen straws. Motility parameters in fresh and frozen-thawed material were analysed by means of the computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). The recorded CASA data were analysed with a mixed linear model. Motility parameters in fresh semen yielded better results than in frozen semen (p = 0.008), but no difference (p > 0.05) was observed between spermatozoa collected immediately after castration or after 24 h of storage; in frozen-thawed samples, EGG TECH® tended to improve the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa in epididymal frozen-thawed semen (p = 0.08) compared with modified Palmer. We conclude that the processing of epididymal spermatozoa can occur up to 24 h after stallion castration and both common extenders used are suitable for preserving this material.