Effect of different egg yolk sources on dog semen quality following cryopreservation

The aim of this study was to compare the cryoprotective effects of egg yolk from different avian species (hen, goose and quail) on post-thaw quality of dog semen. Total motility (TMOT) and progressive motility (PMOT) of frozen-thawed spermatozoa were not significantly differed among the extenders, but were higher in the quail-egg yolk based extender compared with extender containing hen or goose egg yolk. It was found that post-thaw sperm motion parameters, velocity VCL and ALH, were significantly higher in the quail-egg yolk based extender. No marked differences in post-thaw sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were observed among the extenders. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that goose or quail egg yolk is a suitable alternative to hen egg yolk for the cryopreservation of dog semen.