Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
08:24
Handling and Treatment of Male European Eels Anguilla anguilla for Hormonal Maturation and Sperm Cryopreservation
Published on: January 28, 2018
8.3K
Breed differences of bull frozen-thawed semen
A Ntemka1, G Tsousis1, C Brozos1
1Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals = Zuchthygiene
|September 27, 2016
Summary
Bull semen quality varies by breed after thawing. Belgian Blue and Blonde d' Aquitaine breeds require more careful handling due to increased sensitivity to thermal stress, impacting sperm motility and viability.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Frozen-thawed bull semen quality is crucial for artificial insemination programs.
- Breed-specific differences in semen quality post-thawing can impact reproductive efficiency.
- Understanding these variations is essential for optimizing semen handling and utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the quality of frozen-thawed semen across five different bull breeds.
- To assess the impact of thermal stress on semen parameters in various breeds.
- To identify breed-specific sensitivities to post-thaw handling.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 130 frozen-thawed semen samples from Holstein, Brown Swiss, Limousin, Belgian Blue, and Blonde d' Aquitaine bulls.
- Subjected samples to thermal resistance (TR) and hypo-osmotic swelling tests (HOST).
- Assessed semen kinetics (CASA), morphometry, morphology, viability, and DNA fragmentation.
Main Results:
- Holstein and Limousin breeds showed higher curvilinear velocity (VCL) post-thaw compared to Belgian Blue and Blonde d' Aquitaine.
- Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Limousin breeds exhibited higher progressive and rapid sperm motility after TR.
- Blonde d' Aquitaine had lower viability, while Holstein had fewer morphological abnormalities.
- No significant differences were found in HOST or DNA fragmentation across breeds.
Conclusions:
- Bull semen quality post-thaw is significantly influenced by breed.
- Belgian Blue and Blonde d' Aquitaine semen are more susceptible to post-thaw stress, necessitating careful handling.
- Breed-specific management strategies are recommended to maintain semen quality and optimize fertility outcomes.
