Bull Semen Obtained on Beef Farms by Electroejaculation: Sperm Quality in the First Two Hours of Storing with Different Extenders and Holding Temperatures

Abstract

The contributions to the development and application of artificial insemination (AI) in beef cattle are essential to improve genetics and increasing farm productivity. Many factors affect sperm viability and fertilization capacity whether fresh, refrigerated or frozen–thawed semen doses are used. The aim of this study was to elucidate how different in vitro storage conditions affected semen quality in the first two hours after ejaculation. For this purpose, we studied three evaluation times from collection (<75, 75–105 and 105–120 min), two storage temperatures (refrigeration and room temperature), and two extenders (AndroMed® and BIOXcell®) as well as the interaction of these factors on classical sperm parameters, CASA results and microbial growth on ejaculates collected under different farm conditions. We found that both extenders were suitable for seminal sample storage at both temperatures during these times. However, AndroMed® induced a more curvilinear sperm movement, while BIOXcell® stimulated straighter sperm motility, regardless of storage temperature.