A sperm midpiece defect in a Hereford bull with variable semen quality and freezability

A midpiece sperm defect with a frequency of 25-35% in ejaculates obtained from a Hereford bull with a 60 d non-return rate of 76.4% after careful pre- and post-freeze semen selection was studied in light microscope and by transmission electron microscopy. The defect consisted in a folding and coiling of the distal midpiece characterized by disorganization and irregularity of mitochondria surrounding the axial fiber bundle, combined with retraction of doublet fibers and dislocation and fracturing of these elements and the corresponding dense fibers. Based on examination of the spermatogenic epithelium it was concluded that the alterations in the axial fiber bundle were secondary to those in the mitochondrial sheath. The abnormality appeared to be related to the "Dag-like" defect earlier observed in different breeds.