Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.1733

A retrospective study of the relationship between canine age, semen quality, chilled semen transit time and season and whelping rate and litter size

Martina Lojkić orcid.org/0000-0003-2718-3348 ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Nino Maćešić ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Tugomir Karadjole ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Branimira Špoljarić ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Silvijo Vince ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Goran Bačić ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Getz ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Nikica Prvanović Babić ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Folnožić ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Butković ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Juraj Šavorić ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Atilla Dobos ; CEVA-Phylaxia Co. Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
Goran Jakovljević ; Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Centre Velika Plana, Velika Plana, Serbia
Marko Samardžija ; Clinic for Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of the dog’s age, semen quality, and the duration and season of semen transit on whelping rate and litter size after insemination with transported chilled extended semen. The sperm rich fraction was collected from 43 dogs of 18 breeds, which were presented at the Clinic for chilled semen transport, in the period from 2017 to 2021. Immediately after collection, the total sperm concentration and count, motility, membrane integrity (HOS test), the percentage of live spermatozoa and sperm morphology (eosin nigrosin staining) were evaluated. The sperm rich fraction was centrifuged and diluted with Tris – fructose - citrate extender with the addition of 20% (v/v) egg yolk, then chilled and prepared for shipping. A dose consisted of at least 200x106 live, motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa. The data on the dog’s age, chilled sperm transit time, the season of transit, and the whelping rate and litter size after insemination were recorded. The whelping rate was 55.8% with a mean (±SEM) litter size of 4.71±0.58 pups. The total number of spermatozoa was higher in artificial insemination (AI) that resulted in whelping compared to unsuccessful AI (P<0.05). No difference was observed for any of other sperm quality parameters tested, such as the dog’s age or season of transit regarding whelping rate or litter size. Transit time significantly affected the whelping rate (P<0.01), at (mean±SEM) 21.50±1.28 and 37.00±5.59 h in successful and unsuccessful AI, respectively. In conclusion, analysis of the factors related to the dogs identified total sperm count and transit time as factors that significantly affected whelping rates in bitches inseminated with transported chilled extended semen.

Keywords

artificial insemination; chilled semen; dog; fertility; transport

Hrčak ID:

281012

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/281012

Publication date:

17.7.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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