QUALITY OF CHILLED CANINE SEMEN IN TRIS-EGG YOLK EXTENDER SUPPLEMENTED WITH SERICIN

Abstract

                                                                 ABSTRACT

The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of chilled canine semen in Tris-egg yolk (TEY) extenders containing different concentrations of sericin. Semen were collected from four dogs by massage method. Canine semen was collected using sterile urine pots and evaluated. Sperm-rich fractions were pooled and divided into four equal aliquots, which were then diluted with TEY extenders supplemented with different concentrations of sericin (0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%). The diluted semen aliquots were preserved at 4 ℃ in sterile centrifuge tubes and were then evaluated for spermatozoa motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity every 12 hours up to 72 h. The TEY extenders supplemented with 0.25% and 0.5% sericin resulted in higher spermatozoa motility and viability at 72 h compared to other TEY extenders (P<0.05). The integrity of plasma membrane and acrosome of spermatozoa showed no significant differences among the groups extenders at 72 h. In conclusion, sericin in concentration of 0.25% and 0.5% were able to prevent the motility and viability of canine spermatozoa after storage for 72 h.