Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5795387 | Small Ruminant Research | 2016 | 8 Pages |
â¢Dromedary camel semen was subjected to liquefaction by high-power low frequency ultrasound exposure.â¢Semen rheological and physical properties were evaluated throughout the period of exposure to ultrasound waves.â¢Sperm dynamics in both control and ultrasound-treated specimens were assessed by a CASA system after liquefaction.â¢Ultrasound exposure sufficiently reduced camel semen viscosity, increased sperm progressive motility, as well as sperm dynamics criteria.â¢These results point to the beneficial use of this novel approach as a sufficient alternative to enzymatic liquefaction of dromedary camel semen.
The current investigation aimed to evaluate the rheological and physical properties of camel semen subjected to liquefaction by high-power low frequency ultrasound. Ejaculates (n = 18) were collected during the rutting season from 2 adult male camels, Camelus dromedarius, (9 ejaculates each) using a modified artificial vagina. Immediately after collection, each ejaculate was split into 3 aliquots by a split-sample technique. The first aliquot (raw) was evaluated for rheological, physical and morphological properties, whereas the other 2 aliquots were diluted (1:3) with Tris-lactose egg yolk extender. An aliquot of diluted semen served as control and was evaluated for the aforementioned criteria immediately after dilution (T0) and after an equilibration period of 3 h at 5 °C (T180). Meanwhile, the other diluted specimen was exposed to 4 sets of a 40 kHz ultrasound nominal frequency, 2 min each at 2 min interval, at 37 °C for physical viscosity elimination. Throughout the exposure period, semen rheological properties and sperm physical characteristics were evaluated. Thereafter, sperm kinetics of equilibrated control and ultrasonic-treated semen were objectively assessed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) unit. Time of exposure to the ultrasonic waves was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with each of viscosity score (r = â0.95) and thread length (r = â0.93), whereas it was positively correlated (P < 0.01) with the percent of progressive motility (r = 0.87). Furthermore, ultrasonic-treated semen recorded higher (P < 0.05) motility, viability and sperm dynamics criteria than those of control. These results point to the successful application of ultrasound technology to improve handling, evaluation and processing of camel semen.