Comparative Analysis of Semen Quality and Kinematics in Sexed andNon-Sexed Sperm of Limousin Bulls
Abstract
The application of spermatozoa sexing technology offers benefits in determining the desired sex in cattle. However, this technology requires particular attention to quality, DNA fragmentation, and kinematics of spermatozoa. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sexed and non-sexed semen on spermatozoa quality, DNA fragmentation, and kinematics in Limousin bulls. Four Limousin bulls between the ages of four and seven years and weighing between 610 and 814 kg were used in this study. The sexing method followed the bovine serum albumin (BSA) protocol. The upper fraction (5% BSA) was used for X-spermatozoa, and the lower fraction (10% BSA) was used for Y-spermatozoa. The observed variables included the percentage of progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, DNA fragmentation, and spermatozoa kinematics. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse differences in semen quality among bulls. The results showed no significant differences (p<0.05) in spermatozoa quality or DNA fragmentation between sexed and non-sexed frozen semen. However, significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the kinematic parameters ALH and BCF among non-sexed, sexed-X, and sexed-Y semen. Overall, the BSA sexing method did not reveal notable differences in semen quality and DNA fragmentation between sexed and non-sexed spermatozoa.
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