Comparison of differents methods of sperm selection of llama raw semen

- The application of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) bypasses some of in vivo sperm selection mechanisms.
- The implementation of reproductive biotechnologies is essential to accelerate the genetic progress in camelids species.
- Androcoll E-Large and Percoll® significantly increased the proportion of llama sperm with progressive motility.
- Swim up would not be efficient to recover an adequate number of progressively motile sperm from ejaculated llama semen.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of different sperm selection methods applied to the same llama ejaculate. Four treatments were compared: two variants of the swim up technique (with and without seminal plasma), and two different colloids, Androcoll-E-Large and Percoll®. Using electroejaculation, 21 semen samples were obtained from 7 llama males (n = 7, r = 3). The ejaculates were incubated in a solution of 0.1% collagenase, to decrease thread formation, and then split into 4 aliquots: one aliquot was layered over a column of Androcoll-E-Large (SLC) and the second over a column of Percoll (45%). The third aliquot was deposited in a tube with culture medium and was incubated at a 45° angle for 30 min at 37 °C (SU1). The last aliquot was centrifuged to separate the spermatozoa and seminal plasma. The sperm pellet obtained was resuspended, and transferred to a tube with culture medium which was incubated at an angle of 45° for 30 min at 37 °C (SU2). Both aliquots SLC and P showed higher proportions of progressive motility and plasma membrane functionality (p ≤ 0.05) than raw semen. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in sperm viability and in normal spermatozoa between raw semen and treatments. Nevertheless, only SLC did not have a significant increase of bent tails. In conclusion SLC centrifugation would be the method of choice for selecting llama spermatozoa.