Colloid centrifugation reduces bacterial load in chilled dog semen

Conventional semen extenders contain antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth. Finding alternatives would be beneficial to minimize the development of bacterial resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) with Canicoll of dog semen on microbial load and sperm quality during cooled storage. Twenty-four ejaculates were obtained from healthy dogs by digital manipulation. Samples were diluted in Tris-citrate-fructose extender without antibiotics and divided into two treatment groups: SLC-selected samples and unselected samples. Sperm motility (CASA), viability and acrosome integrity (PI/FITC-PNA) as well as bacterial load of each microorganism species (colony-forming units/mL) were assessed at 0 and 48 h of storage at 4 °C. Results indicate SLC-selected dog spermatozoa have greater percentages of motility, viability and acrosome integrity (P < 0.05). Bacterial growth in SLC sperm samples was less (P < 0.05) than unselected samples. Removal of individual bacterial species varied from 91 % to 98 % for Escherichia coli (91.62 %), Streptococcus spp. (98.18 %), Staphylococcus spp.(95.33 %) and Pseudomonas spp. (92.50 %). In conclusion, the use of SLC with Canicoll has the potential to decrease bacterial load in chilled dog semen.