Open Access
Research (Published online: 14-12-2020)
10. Relationship of frozen-thawed semen quality with the fertility rate after being distributed in the Brahman Cross Breeding Program
Berlin Pandapotan Pardede, Muhammad Agil, Yudi Yudi and Iman Supriatna
Veterinary World, 13(12): 2649-2657

Berlin Pandapotan Pardede: Reproductive Biology Study Program, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
Muhammad Agil: Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, Division of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
Yudi Yudi: Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, Division of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.
Iman Supriatna: Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction, and Pathology, Division of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.2649-2657

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Article history: Received: 20-06-2020, Accepted: 02-11-2020, Published online: 14-12-2020

Corresponding author: Muhammad Agil

E-mail: rhinogil@googlemail.com

Citation: Pardede BP, Agil M, Yudi Y, Supriatna I (2020) Relationship of frozen-thawed semen quality with the fertility rate after being distributed in the Brahman Cross Breeding Program, Veterinary World, 13(12): 2649-2657.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Various factors can reduce the quality of semen used for artificial insemination and have an impact on fertility decline, such as poor handling during frozen semen distribution. This study was aimed at assessing the quality of frozen-thawed semen after distribution in the field and its importance in maintaining fertility.

Materials and Methods: The Brahman Cross (BX) breeding program of PT Lembu Jantan Perkasa, Indonesia, was used. This program was preferred due to its adherence to guidelines that limit the effects of extraneous factors that may affect semen quality. Frozen-thawed semen samples from eight bulls with the same production code were analyzed and compared between the production site (artificial insemination [AI] center) and the field (BX breeding program). Total and progressive motility (PM) of sperm were determined using computer-assisted semen analysis. Plasma membrane integrity (PMI) was assessed using hypoosmotic swelling test, sperm viability using Eosin-Nigrosin staining, acrosome integrity using trypan blue-Giemsa staining, morphological abnormalities using William staining, and DNA fragmentation using toluidine blue staining. The fertility rate was determined using the conception rate (%) derived from AI data based on 502 AI services and 478 cows in the BX breeding program. A t-test was used to compare the quality of frozen-thawed semen before and after distribution. The relationship between the qualities of frozen semen after distribution in the field with fertility was analyzed using Pearson correlation.

Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the quality of frozen-thawed semen (sperm motility, PMI, viability, acrosome integrity, abnormalities, and DNA fragmentation) between the production site (AI center) and after distribution in the field (BX breeding program). The semen met the minimum standards for AI programs. Total motility (r=0.986), PM (r=0.961), sperm viability (r=0.971), PMI (r=0.986), and acrosome integrity (r=0.992) were all positively correlated (p<0.05) with fertility rate; while sperm abnormalities (r=-0.996) and sperm DNA fragmentation (r=0.975) were negatively correlated (p<0.05) with fertility rate.

Conclusion: The study showed that to achieve the maximal and optimal fertility rate in bulls in an AI program, the overall quality of frozen-thawed semen in all aspects is critical. This can be achieved if the handling during distribution and storage, as well as the various factors that may affect the quality of semen in the field, can be controlled properly.

Keywords: artificial insemination, Brahman cross, distribution, fertility rate, frozen semen quality.