Comparison of an extender containing defined milk protein fractions with a skim milk-based extender for storage of equine semen at 5 °C

A problem of semen extenders based on milk or egg yolk is the fact that these biological products consist of a variety of substances. Extenders containing only components with clearly protective effects on spermatozoa would thus be an advantage. In this study, we have compared the effects of an extender containing defined caseinates and whey proteins only (EquiPro, defined milk protein extender) with skim milk extender on equine spermatozoa during cooled storage. The defined milk protein extender was used with and without the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). In a second experiment, semen was diluted with PBS or defined milk protein extender and was either stored directly or 90% of seminal plasma was removed by centrifugation and replaced by defined milk protein extender before storage. In both experiments, eight stallions were available for semen collections. Motility, velocity and membrane integrity of spermatozoa were determined by CASA immediately after semen processing and after 24, 48 and 72 h of storage at 5 °C. Total motility after 24 h of storage was lowest in semen diluted with PBS (p < 0.05 versus all extenders). At 48 and 72 h, motility of spermatozoa in defined milk protein extender was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in PBS or skim milk extender. Velocity of spermatozoa after storage was highest in defined milk protein extender. Membrane integrity after storage was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in semen diluted with PBS than in semen diluted with both extenders. Addition of NAC was without effect on the examined parameters. Centrifugation further increased the percentage of motile and membrane-intact spermatozoa in the defined milk protein extender (p < 0.05). Velocity of spermatozoa in this extender was not negatively affected by centrifugation.