210 likes | 832 Views
Ms. Gottfried. Semen. How to collect . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J538n44UPmA. Characteristics of Semen . Volume Concentration Motility . Volume of Semen. Measured in ml and can be expressed in two ways 1. Whole semen
E N D
Ms. Gottfried Semen
How to collect • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J538n44UPmA
Characteristics of Semen • Volume • Concentration • Motility
Volume of Semen • Measured in ml and can be expressed in two ways • 1. Whole semen • Composed of pre-wash, sperm rich and the gelatinous plug. • Average volume is 65 ml but can be above 200 ml • 2. Gel semen • Whole semen with the gel portion removed by passing through a filter. • Amount of gel is variable but increases in the off season.
Concentration • Shown as number of spermatozoa (cells per ml. • Average concentration is 280 million cells per ml (280x 106/ml) • Concentration can be visually estimated by physical appearance (color) • Good = grey/milky Bad= clear/watery • Hemacytometer • Semen is diluted and counted
Motility • Expressed as percentage • Good stallion = 70% or better • Everything touching semen must be at 73 degrees C (98.6 F) • 1. Raw • Gel free • 2. Diluted • Mixed with solution that prevents clumping.
Morphology • Abnormalities • No one really knows how closely related abnormalities are to fertility rates. • High quality semen should not have more than 15% primary and secondary abnormalities. • The heads of live semen will resist staining • Three classifications of abnormalities • Primary • Secondary • Tertiary
Morphology • Primary (testes) • A failure of spermatogenesis • Abnormal head, double head, poor development of tail, double tail. • Secondary (epididymis) • a failure of maturation • Separation of head from tail, cytoplasmic droplets, fixed bend in tail • Tertiary • Damage occurring during or after ejaculation • Rough handling (cold shock) can also cause separation of head and tails.
What is it? • Raw semen is short lived at room temp or refrigerated. • Extender allows it to stay viable for up to a few days. • Semen temp is lowered to lower the metabolic activity and extender added.
Physiological Functions • Acts as a source of nutrients • Egg yolk (whites are bad!) • Milk- heated to destroy some detrimental enzymes • Acts as a buffer • Must neutralize the products of normal spermatozoa metabolism • Common buffer is 2.9% sodium citrate solution • May contain antibacterial agents • Penicillin and streptomycin are a common mixture.
Every insemination needs: • Volume of at least 10 ml • Contain a minimum of 500 x 106 live normal cells • 1. Total number of cells: gel-free volume x concentration = total cells 2. Total number of live cells: Total cells x % motility= total live cells
How many mares • 3. Total number of live normal cells: Total live cells x % normal cells = total live normal cells • 4. Total number of insemination: Total number of live normal cells/500 x 106 live normal cells
Example • Total ejaculate: 70 ml • Gel-free volume: 60 ml • Gel volume: 10 ml • Concentration: 200 x 10 cells/ml • Motility: 80% • Abnormalities: 10% • How many mares can you breed?