title: Influence of Post-Mortem Sperm Recovery Method and Extender on Unstored and Refrigerated Rooster Sperm Variables.
abstract: Many post-mortem sperm collection techniques have been described for mammalian species, but their use in birds is scarce. This paper compares the efficacy of two post-mortem sperm retrieval techniques - the flushing and float-out methods - in the collection of rooster sperm, in conjunction with the use of two extenders, i.e., L&R-84 medium and Lake 7.1 medium. To determine whether the protective effects of these extenders against refrigeration are different for post-mortem and ejaculated sperm, pooled ejaculated samples (procured via the massage technique) were also diluted in the above extenders. Post-mortem and ejaculated sperm variables were assessed immediately at room temperature (0 h), and after refrigeration at 5°C for 24 and 48 h. The flushing method retrieved more sperm than the float-out method (596.5 ± 75.4 million sperm vs 341.0 ± 87.6 million sperm; p < 0.05); indeed, the number retrieved by the former method was similar to that obtained by massage-induced ejaculation (630.3 ± 78.2 million sperm). For sperm collected by all methods, the L&R-84 medium provided an advantage in terms of sperm motility variables at 0 h. In the refrigerated sperm samples, however, the Lake 7.1 medium was associated with higher percentages of viable sperm, and had a greater protective effect (p < 0.05) with respect to most motility variables. In conclusion, the flushing method is recommended for collecting sperm from dead birds. If this sperm needs to be refrigerated at 5°C until analysis, Lake 7.1 medium is recommended as an extender.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinical and Research Services, Fieb Foundation, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Villaverde-Morcillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Esteso
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castaño
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santiago-Moreno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012034:Refrigeration / Q000662:veterinary*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000662:veterinary; D013081:Sperm Motility; D053625:Sperm Retrieval / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D003451:Cryoprotective Agents