Publication: Effect of pre-freeze semen quality, extender and cryoprotectant on the post-thaw quality of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) semen
Issued Date
2013-02-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10902392
00112240
00112240
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-84873523101
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Cryobiology. Vol.66, No.1 (2013), 52-59
Suggested Citation
P. Imrat, P. Suthanmapinanth, K. Saikhun, S. Mahasawangkul, E. Sostaric, P. Sombutputorn, S. Jansittiwate, N. Thongtip, A. Pinyopummin, B. Colenbrander, W. V. Holt, T. A.E. Stout Effect of pre-freeze semen quality, extender and cryoprotectant on the post-thaw quality of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) semen. Cryobiology. Vol.66, No.1 (2013), 52-59. doi:10.1016/j.cryobiol.2012.11.003 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/31075
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Title
Effect of pre-freeze semen quality, extender and cryoprotectant on the post-thaw quality of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) semen
Abstract
Semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination (AI) are potentially valuable methods for supporting the breeding management of endangered species like the Asian elephant. Cryopreservation of Asian elephant semen has however proven problematic with respect to maintenance of both adequate semen quality and fertility post-thaw. In this study, nine ejaculates from three adult bulls were used to compare the influence of extender (TEST versus INRA96®) and penetrating cryoprotectants (3% glycerol, 5% glycerol and 4% methylformamide) on post-thaw semen quality. We demonstrate that not only the freezing process, but also the quality of the semen before freezing, significantly influences the freezability of Asian elephant semen. Pre-freeze motility, viability, semen volume, semen pH, sperm concentration and the incidence of sperm mid-piece and tail abnormalities all significantly (. p<. 0.05) affected post-thaw semen quality. While extender and cryoprotectant did not significantly affect any of the above semen quality parameters post-thaw, the skim-milk based extender (INRA96®) preserved DNA integrity better (. p<. 0.05) than the egg yolk extender (TEST). Considerable between-ejaculate variation in all post-thaw semen quality parameters was also noted. It is concluded that strict criteria for semen quality is essential for the selection of Asian elephant bull ejaculates suitable for cryopreservation; stricter initial selection should improve the mean post-thaw quality. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.